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diff --git a/40335-0.txt b/40335-0.txt index 6016e67..c95f522 100644 --- a/40335-0.txt +++ b/40335-0.txt @@ -1,26 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul de -Kock Volume VII), by Charles Paul de Kock - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. 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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/license - - -Title: The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume VII) - -Author: Charles Paul de Kock - -Release Date: July 25, 2012 [EBook #40335] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BATH KEEPERS, V.1 *** - - - - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: _Copyright 1903 by G. Barrie & Sons_] - -_LÉODGARD RETURNS TO HIS FRIENDS_ - -_All the young men ran to meet Léodgard, for it was really he who was -approaching. As they drew near him they were struck by his pallor and by -the sinister gleam of his eyes, which avoided theirs._ - - - - -NOVELS - -BY - -Paul de Kock - -VOLUME VII - -THE BATH KEEPERS; - -OR, - -PARIS IN THOSE DAYS - -VOL. I - -PRINTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH - -[Illustration] - -GEORGE BARRIE'S SONS - -THE JEFFERSON PRESS - -BOSTON NEW YORK - -_Copyrighted, 1903-1904, by G. B. & Sons._ - - - - -THE BATH KEEPERS; - -OR, - -PARIS IN THOSE DAYS - - - - -I - -RUE COUTURE-SAINTE-CATHERINE - - -It was two o'clock on a cold, damp morning; the fine snow, which melted -as soon as it touched the ground, made the streets slippery and dirty, -and Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine,--then called -Couture-Sainte-Catherine,--although it was one of the broadest streets -in Paris, was as black and gloomy as any blind alley in the Cité to-day. - -But these things took place in the year one thousand six hundred and -thirty-four; and I need not tell you that in those days no such devices -for street lighting as lanterns, gas, or electric lights were known. The -man who should have discovered the last-named invention, which, in -truth, savors strongly of the magical, would surely have been subjected -to the ordinary and extraordinary torture for a recompense. - -Those were the good old times! - -Everything new aroused suspicion; people believed much more readily in -sorcerers, the devil, and magic, than in the results of study and -learning and the reasoning of the human intellect. - -Was it that men were too modest in those days? If so, they have reformed -most effectually since then. - -In those days, very few persons ventured to be out late in the streets -of Paris, where the police was most inefficient and often worse. - -The young noblemen sometimes indulged in the pastime of beating the -watch; that diversion was permitted to the nobility. To-day, the -prowlers about the barriers are the only class who undertake to beat the -gendarmes from time to time; but the gendarmes are not so accommodating -as the watch of the old days. - -There were not then some thirty or more theatres open every evening for -the entertainment of the people of the capital and of the strangers -drawn thither by its renown. A single one had been founded and was -patronized by Cardinal de Richelieu, who, unfortunately for his glory, -had undertaken to add to his other titles thereto the title of author. - -But all great men have had their weaknesses. Alexander drank too much, -which was infinitely more reprehensible than to write wretched verses; -Frederick the Great insisted that he was a talented performer on the -flute; and Louis XIV danced in the comédies-ballets which Molière -composed for him. - -The farces which were then being performed by Turlupin, Gros-Guillaume, -and Gauthier-Garguille ended with the daylight, their theatres being in -the open air. People dined at noon and supped at six o'clock; and when a -worthy bourgeois remained at a friend's house as late as nine o'clock, -he looked upon it as a genuine revel, as a youthful escapade, and -hurried home at the top of his speed, carrying a lantern, and shuddering -with terror many a time as he passed through the lanes which were then -called streets, and in which, if he should happen to meet any -evil-minded person, he was certain of obtaining no assistance from any -house or shop; for when the curfew had rung, everything must be closed, -and you might not even have a light in your house, if you wished to read -or work, or for any reason not to go to bed. - -Why do we call that period "the good old time"? - -That is a question I have often asked myself. - -Is it because people were not entitled to go to bed, to work, to -entertain their friends, to amuse themselves when they had the desire, -the need, or the fancy so to do? - -Is it because people broke their necks after dark in the streets? -because thieves, then called _Truands_, _Mauvais Garçons_, _Tireurs de -Laine_, or _Coupeurs de Bourses_, plied their trade in broad daylight on -Pont Neuf and in other localities, laughing in your face if you ventured -to remonstrate? - -Was it because the shops were dark and filthy, devoid of taste and -refinement? - -Was it because duels were fought on street corners, or in the public -squares, two or four or twelve a day, as unconcernedly as we go boating -to-day; and the authorities took no steps to prevent this butchery? - -Was it because edicts were promulgated every day whereby such a one was -forbidden to wear silk, another to wear velvet, this woman to have a -gilt girdle, another to dress in certain colors, which were too -brilliant, too conspicuous for her walk in life? - -O short-sighted politicians! O paltry critics! who anathematize luxury, -who seek to restrict refinement, who censure coquetry, and who do not -understand that by such theories you strike at our commerce, our -manufacturers, our mechanics--in a word, all our _workers_! - -In heaven's name, what harm is done if a plebeian who has money dresses -fashionably, luxuriously even, if such be his taste, his caprice? - -Are you afraid that he may eclipse you, who assume to belong to the beau -monde? Try to make yourself distinguished by your manners, your bearing, -your grace, your courtesy, your language; surely you must know that -those are things that cannot be bought! - -For my own part, I would be glad to see all the working girls in silk -dresses, velvet bonnets, and lace-trimmed caps, and all the workingmen -in patent-leather shoes and white gloves. - -Where would be the harm? - -Is not the picture of refinement more attractive than that of -slovenliness, poverty, and want? - -Does not the money that a man spends on his dress do him more honor than -that which he throws away at the wine shop? - -But let us return to Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine, and to the period -when the events that we are about to describe took place. - -A young man came out of Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and passed the Hôtel de -Carnavalet, before which artists and admirers of sculpture always paused -to gaze at the waving lines of the great portal, and the masks and -bas-reliefs that adorned the arches of the windows--the work of the -immortal Jean Goujon. - -Fortunate structure, which the genius of an artist was to make famous -forever, and to which, at a later time, a woman of intellect was to add -renewed lustre by making it her residence! - -But at the period of which we write, Madame de Sévigné had not taken up -her abode at the Hôtel de Carnavalet. - -The hour was not propitious for halting in front of the mansion, for it -was very near Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which at that time extended to -Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine; moreover, the person who came from the -first-named street did not seem to be in that frame of mind which fits -us to pass judgment on the objects of beauty we may meet on our road. - -He was, as we have said, a young man. Twenty-five years was his age; he -was tall, slender, and well built; there was in his carriage and in -every movement the ease of bearing which denotes the man of the world, -and the manners which point to familiarity with cultivated society, and -which one does not lose, even in low company, when one has inherited -them from a long line of ancestors. - -In addition to grace of form, this young man possessed a handsome face -and clean-cut features; his brow was lofty and proud; his black eyes -were large and bright, and surmounted by very dense eyebrows which -almost met, thus imparting at times a somewhat sombre expression to the -organs of vision below them, which flashed fire when animated by wrath, -but could, on occasion, assume an expression of gentleness and -tenderness which it was difficult to resist; a small mouth, well -supplied with teeth, and shaded by a small moustache; an oval chin -adorned by a _royale_; and a forest of black hair which fell in thick -curls over his neck and shoulders--such, physically, was Léodgard de -Marvejols. - -As for his moral character, this story will instruct us sufficiently -therein. - -Clad in a handsome doublet of crimson silk, slashed with white satin; -knee-breeches of the same material, held in place by a white belt with -silver fringe, to which was attached a long sword, with a hilt of the -finest steel, ornamented with fringe and bows of ribbon; the young -cavalier's feet and legs were encased in funnel-shaped top-boots of -yellow leather, with buckles at the instep; spurs affixed to those -light boots indicated that they seldom contributed to wear out the -pavements. A broad collarette, trimmed with lace, served as a cravat, -and a small velvet cloak was thrown over the shoulders and clasped on -one side. Lastly, a hat with a pointed crown and broad brim, turned up -in front, and surmounted by a long white plume attached by a steel -button, was the young man's headgear; and it must be said that it was -infinitely more graceful and refined than the hideous hats that we wear -to-day. - -We must do justice to the "good old times" in this respect: the costumes -worn by men were much more graceful, more dignified, more attractive, -than they now are; for we must, before everything, be impartial, and -award praise as well as blame. - -Léodgard de Marvejols walked rather quickly, but sometimes he stopped, -like a person who is very much preoccupied, and to whom it matters -little that it is two o'clock in the morning, and that the streets are -deserted. - -At these times he usually thought aloud, or talked to himself--a -practice which is more common than is generally supposed; and as the -young nobleman had supped very copiously, his monologues were quite as -energetic as if he were still accompanied by boisterous revellers. - -At this time Léodgard was very near the new convent of the _Annonciades -Célestes_, or _Filles Bleues_, which one of the mistresses of Henri IV, -the Marquise de Verneuil, had founded in the year 1626. - -The blue girdle and cloak worn by the Annonciades had already caused -them to be styled _Filles Bleues_; which fact did not prevent those -saintlike women from being held in great veneration in their quarter; so -that, in broad daylight, people would have been terribly scandalized to -hear our young man swear roundly so near that asylum of repentance, and -exclaim, as he leaned against the wall of the convent: - -"Par la mordieu! if that Jarnonville had not left the game, I should -have won twice as much, thrice as much; I was in luck; I should have won -until morning. And that D'Artigues, and Cournac--to refuse to take the -dice--when I offered them their revenge at lansquenet--that swindlers' -game! and when I was losing! God damn me! I would stake my patrimony, my -moustaches, my mistress, if anyone would give me anything on them, and -my soul, if the devil would take it.--Let me see: how much did I win -from them? five or six hundred pistoles at most; and even so, I am not -sure that their rose crowns aren't clipped or counterfeit. A noble -night's work, on my word! as if that would make up what I have lost! I -know that I may continue to win to-morrow, and the day after to-morrow; -that I may win as often as I have lost.--Ah! I will win! I must! I must -win enough to buy another _petite maison_, as I have lost mine to that -infernal De Montrevers.--Where in the devil am I to take my pretty -courtesan, Camilla, to-morrow?--This is strange; I feel dizzy; that -Jurançon wine was good, but it is heady.--Where in the devil shall I -take my new conquest to-morrow? Cournac refused to lend me his _petite -maison_, on the pretext that he was to have company there. The coxcomb! -he boasts of it, but it is a lie; I know from his esquire that when he -goes there he is always alone! However, we shall find some place of -shelter to take our belle; I am in funds now, and with a well-filled -purse one is welcomed cordially everywhere.--Apropos of my purse, let us -be sure that I haven't lost it. By hell! I am quite capable of it, I am -so dizzy!" - -At that thought, the young man hastily put his hand to his belt; but his -eyes almost immediately resumed a serene expression, as he felt his -purse, which was round and full. He could not resist the desire to take -it in his hands and feel the weight of it, saying to himself: - -"At last, I am not going home with an empty purse. Ten thousand devils! -it is a long time since that has happened to me!" - -And Léodgard was about to restore the purse to his belt, when a person -who had drawn near to him, quietly and unperceived, caught his arm, -saying: - -"It is unnecessary; don't give yourself the trouble to put it back." - - - - -II - -A ROBBER - - -The man who had halted in front of Léodgard was tall and strong, and -seemed rather young than old; he was so strangely attired, that, after -meeting him once, it would be difficult not to remember him. - -A black doublet fitted close to his body, like a silk shirt; he wore -laced half-boots; a leather belt, in which were thrust pistols and a -poniard; and a broad baldric, from which hung a short sabre--a sort of -dagger with a very broad blade. All this part of his costume was -concealed by an ample caftan of olive-green cloth, which had a hood of -the same material, and which we may compare to a modern _caban_.[A] His -head was covered with a red cap, trimmed with long wild boar's hair. -This cap was pulled down so far that one could hardly see his eyes; only -a long, thin nose could be distinguished, the lower part of the face -being completely hidden by moustaches and a heavy beard of the same -color as the hair on his cap. - -[A] A thick woollen cloak, with a hood. - -All these details formed a most unprepossessing whole, and gave the man -the aspect of a porcupine. - -But one was taken by surprise when there came from that bearded face, -instead of a harsh and threatening voice, a soft, almost melodious -sound; there was in the bandit's speech something mellow and vibrating, -which, with a rather pronounced Italian accent, gave it a decided charm. - -Léodgard raised his head and was completely taken aback when he saw this -individual standing in front of him; but, instead of complying with his -suggestion and refraining from putting his purse away, he instantly -withdrew his arm, replaced the gold in his belt, and, stepping back, -scrutinized the robber; who stood quietly in his place and submitted to -the examination, like one who was in no hurry at all and was content to -await the convenience of the traveller he proposed to plunder. - -"Pardieu! I cannot be mistaken," cried Léodgard, after a moment; "you -are the famous Giovanni, the Italian robber, but lately arrived in -France, who has already filled Paris with the fame of his exploits, his -audacity, and, above all, his address!" - -The man in the olive-green caftan bent his head slightly, replying in a -flute-like voice, as if highly flattered by the compliment: - -"Yes, signor, I am he." - -"Ah! By my faith, I do not regret the meeting! Since the beginning of -the winter, I have heard so much of you and your prowess, Master -Giovanni, that I have more than once longed to make your acquaintance. -For you are no ordinary robber--everybody does you that justice; you -are ceremonious and well-mannered, and, it is said, very agreeable to -the persons you rob. That is a decided change for us; our French thieves -are so vulgar, such pitiful wretches! Come, since chance has served me -so well to-night, let us talk a little. Have you a few moments to give -me before we decide the fate of this purse?" - -"I shall be very glad to talk with you, signor; I have time enough, for -yours is the last business I shall do to-night." - -"And it will not be the most profitable for you, I warn you, Giovanni; -for I am not in the mood to give up my purse to you; it is too well -filled for that!" - -The robber's only reply was a satirical laugh. - -Léodgard de Marvejols had found a stone, on which he seated himself; -Giovanni remained standing with arms folded, and the conversation began. - -"Why did you leave your beautiful Italy to come to France? Would you not -be more at ease in the vast plains that surround Rome, or on the slopes -of the Pausilippo, or lying lazily beside the blue sea that bathes the -feet of Naples, than in this dark and filthy street, beneath this gray -sky, in this cold mist which chills us to the bone as it clings to our -garments?" - -"The sky of Italy is beautiful, signor, but love of change lies deep in -the heart of man." - -"That is true; I grant you that. Moreover, since the days of Queen -Catherine de' Medici, of sinister memory, it seems that all Italians -have agreed to meet in Paris. We see your compatriots everywhere--at -court, in the city, in exalted positions, in the finances. The Italians -have brought us poisons,--with the way to make use of them,--the art of -telling fortunes by cards, of reading the stars, of learning the -future.--I try in vain to think what they have given us in exchange for -all this----" - -"Music, signor." - -"Ah! to be sure: music! They do, in fact, sing better than we do; but, -frankly, I do not think that that makes the balance even. I should have -supposed that Concini's tragic end would have allayed to some extent the -ardor of your compatriots for living in Paris. But I see that it is not -so, and that we have not yet seen the last of the Italians." - -"One finds much to entertain one in France, signor." - -"That must needs be so, since everybody desires to come here!--But tell -me,--for your manners and language seem to denote a man of some -education, and that you are not such a devil as you seek to appear, with -that shocking cap, in which you probably disguise yourself for a -purpose,--what train of events has led you to adopt the hazardous -profession in which you are now so famous? Do you feel disposed to tell -me?--For my own part, I confess that I am very curious to know your -adventures, assuming that you are not resolved to keep them secret." - -"Mon Dieu! signor, I am ready to gratify you: the events of my life are -very simple--like those that come to multitudes of young men in all -lands. I am the son of a most respectable physician of Florence; indeed, -my father had amassed some wealth; he desired to make me a _dottore_ -like himself, but I had not the slightest calling for the medical -profession. By way of compensation, I had a decided calling for -gambling, the joys of love, and of the table. I played, and contracted -debts. At first, my father paid them; but in time he tired of paying -money for me; he besought me to abandon the sort of life I was leading. -_Que diavolo!_--it was too late, the twig was bent! I allowed myself to -be led astray by fellows to whom all means of procuring money were -justifiable. I left Florence, I changed my name, from regard for my -family, and I followed the current. One travels rapidly on that road! As -I was dexterous and fearless, I soon left behind all those whose -imitator I had been. I became famous at Naples, at Rome, at Milan, -throughout Italy. But my description was spread broadcast, and, in spite -of the care with which I concealed my features, I was obliged to leave -my native land. Then it was that I came to France, to Paris, where I -have been plying my trade for six months, in the teeth of the watch, and -despite the efforts of the police and of monsieur le cardinal's -bloodhounds. However, I will confess to you in confidence that I have as -yet found no one among all your lovely Frenchwomen comparable to the -pretty girls of Florence and Milan. I have left some tender memories in -those cities. Indeed, I would stake my head that I am not yet entirely -forgotten there; and on my own part--but, pardon me! I am too -loquacious, I abuse your patience.--That is my story, signor; as you -see, there is nothing very extraordinary in it." - -While listening to the robber, Léodgard had become gloomy and pensive; -his head had fallen on his breast, and it was difficult to say whether -he was still listening or was lost in thought. - -Giovanni, having for some moments refrained from disturbing the silence -of the young man to whom he had related his adventures, said at last: - -"I beg pardon, signor; I have told you what you wished to know, but the -night is hastening, and I must soon think of returning to my lair. So, -give me your purse, and I will take leave of you." - -"Have you any companions, any confederates?" asked Léodgard abruptly, -without answering the robber. - -"No, indeed; I am no such fool! I work alone, and I am the better for so -doing. If I had had confederates, I should have been caught long ago! As -you must know, in all ranks of society, a man is never betrayed, except -by his own people. Come, my young gentleman, let us finish our business. -I know that this street abounds in memories, and that it is well worth -while to pause and consider it. A few steps from here, during the night -of June 13, 1392, the Connétable Olivier de Clisson, coming from the -Hôtel Saint-Pol, where he had supped with the king, was treacherously -assaulted and murdered by Pierre de Craon, chamberlain and favorite of -the Duc d'Orléans, brother of King Charles VI. By a most fortunate -chance, Clisson wore a coat of mail under his clothes; he received more -than sixty sword and knife thrusts which did not reach his body; but he -was finally wounded in the head and thrown from his horse; he fell -against the door of a baker's shop, which was ajar, and his assassins -took flight." - -"Malpeste! Giovanni, so you know our history too!" said Léodgard, -apparently taking pleasure in listening to the brigand. - -"And why not, signor? I have told you that I am the son of a -_dottore_!--And that Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which you have just -left--I have been following you for some time, you see--that Rue des -Francs-Bourgeois will always figure in your annals. There it was that -two miserable wretches lived toward the close of the last century--two -poor brothers, beggars, in short, who possessed the talent of imitating -perfectly the baying of a pack of hounds and the notes of a number of -hunting horns. Certain leaders of the League formed the plan of using -those beggars to lead your King Henri IV into a trap, knowing his -passion for the chase. One day when the king was enjoying that sport in -the forest of Vincennes, the noise of a pack of hounds, of horns, and of -hunters, very distant at first, suddenly drew near; a black man, forcing -his way through the underbrush, appeared before Henri IV and said to him -in an awe-inspiring voice: 'Did you hear me?'--But neither the king nor -any one of his train ventured to follow that man, who, it is said, was -to have hurled a lance at the king if he had tried to come up with him. -And all this was the work of the Leaguers and of the two beggars from -Rue des Francs-Bourgeois!" - -"By my faith, Master Giovanni, you have told me something that I did not -know!--Pray go on; I see that one cannot fail to profit by your -conversation." - -"I am extremely sorry, my young gentleman, but I can talk no longer. As -I reminded you just now, the hastening night forces me to retire, for I -know that my description is so well known that it is impossible for me -to show myself by daylight in this costume." - -"Aha! that means that you have another for the sunlight? Pardieu! you -are wise, for this one is very well known. Those persons who have had -dealings with you have not failed to draw your portrait. I have already -heard of this olive-green robe de chambre, so to speak, and of this -horrible hairy cap." - -"In that case, signor, you will understand that it is time for me to -disappear." - -"Very well! go! what prevents you? You have been too courteous to me for -me to seek to cause your arrest. No, no! that would be a downright -felony on my part!" - -"In that case, signor, add to your complaisance the favor of handing me -your purse, and I will go at once." - -"My purse!" rejoined Léodgard, with a slight contraction of his heavy -eyebrows; "you shall not have it! I told you that I would keep it. But -as I do not wish to have made you talk for nothing, I will give you two -pretty rose crowns." - -"No, my young gentleman; I cannot assent to that bargain; I have told -you that I must have your purse just as it is, and have it I will!" - -"Come, then, and take it!" - -As he spoke, Léodgard sprang to his feet and quickly drew his sword; -then he glanced at Giovanni as if to defy him. The Italian did not show -the slightest excitement, but simply shook his head, murmuring: - -"Oh! I knew that the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols was a gallant -youth!" - -"Ah! you know me, do you?" - -"Per Dio! Do I not always know those whom I address? Otherwise I should -run the risk of wasting my time by attacking poor devils without a sou!" - -"But you might often have found me in that condition." - -"I know that too; but to-night you played lansquenet at the Sire de -Jarnonville's, and luck smiled upon you; that is why I attacked you." - -"Clearly, you add to your other talents that of being a sorcerer. All -Italians smell of the stake!" - -"I should regret extremely, signor, to resort to my weapons; surely you -must have been told that that is not my habit! I must always be driven -to it. But if you do not give up your purse with a good grace----" - -"No, a thousand times no! Do you expect to frighten me, I wonder?" - -Giovanni gave the young count hardly time to finish his sentence; he -drew his broad sword, and, leaping upon his adversary with a rapidity -and address which left him no time to attack, in a few seconds he had -sent Léodgard's gleaming rapier flying through the air; and placing the -point of his weapon against the young nobleman's breast, with his left -hand he swiftly took the purse from his belt, saying, with a slight -movement of the head: - -"You see, my young gentleman, it was not worth while to go through so -many forms!" - -And in an instant the brigand had vanished. - -As for Léodgard, thoroughly ashamed of his discomfiture, he stood as if -stupefied, and could only mutter: - -"Beaten! beaten by that Giovanni!--Ah! I will have my revenge!" - - - - -III - -THE BATH KEEPERS - - -In the days of royal licenses, when the grocers and apothecaries formed -but a single guild, it was the same with the barbers and surgeons. - -In the year 1620, forty-eight patents had been granted to -_barbiers-baigneurs-étuvistes_, who were perruquiers following the -court. Later, their number was largely increased. - -The right to keep hot or cold baths was specially attached to the guild -of master perruquiers. - -A fashionable bathing establishment, with both hot and cold baths, stood -on Rue Saint-Jacques, near the corner of Rue des Mathurins. From a long -distance one could see its basins, painted a light blue as the ordinance -required; and over the door were these words in huge letters: - - BEARDS PROPERLY SHAVED WITHIN; HOT AND - COLD BATHS - -At this time the price of a bath varied from six to twelve livres -[francs]; and when we consider that a livre then was worth almost three -times as much as to-day, we must agree that there is a vast difference -between that price and the price in our modern bathing establishments, -where one obtains five tickets for three francs. The result is a great -improvement in respect to health and cleanliness, for everybody cannot -go to the river to bathe. - -What did the poor people do in those days; for six livres was an -enormous sum to them? - -If, in the good old times, a bath was such an expensive luxury, on the -other hand, the houses where they were supplied bore a very bad -reputation; they were, it is said, places of assignation for lewd women, -who, because of their rank or condition, were obliged to try to cloak -their evil conduct. - -Many preachers thundered from the pulpit against these places, which had -been adorned with an honest name. - -Maillard, in sermons noteworthy for their power and their crudity of -expression, said, as he declaimed against the scandal caused by these -establishments: - -"Mesdames, do not go to the baths, and do not do there what I need not -name!" - -Sauval tells us that the baths continued their existence for a long -time; people did not cease to frequent them until the end of the -seventeenth century. They had become so common then that a person could -hardly take a step without passing one. - -Let us return to our shop on Rue Saint-Jacques. It was kept by a stout -old fellow of some fifty years, as strong and bright and active as a -young man, whose name was Hugonnet. He was a red-faced _compère_, hasty -of speech and of gesture; his round, full, rubicund face exhaled health -and good humor; his little round gray eyes had a slightly mischievous -expression; his chin was beginning to become double, and his hair to -turn gray; but Master Hugonnet worried little about that; so long as his -place was well patronized, whether it was resorted to by cavaliers, -bachelors, esquires, courtiers, people from the city, or even from the -country, mattered little to him, if the customers paid promptly; for -after a profitable day, the bath keeper rarely failed to go to the -nearest wine shop, to regale and enjoy himself, whence he commonly -returned home tipsy; he called it having "a little point." - -The peculiar feature of Master Hugonnet's intoxication was that it -totally changed his disposition; and instead of intensifying his -passions and his vices, as wine so generally does, it endowed him with -qualities of which no one would ever have suspected him when he was -sober, and deprived him entirely of those which distinguished him in his -normal condition.--For instance, the bath keeper was far from patient; -he lost his temper easily, was quick to quarrel, would never give way, -and was always ready to fight. To be sure, when blows had once been -exchanged, Hugonnet bore his adversary no malice, and would soon be -laughing and drinking with him. But in his cups the old fellow became as -gentle and timid as a child; disposed to do what anyone desired, he was -easily moved to compassion for the misfortunes of his neighbor; and if -anyone told him some pitiful tale, it was no uncommon thing to see him -weep, and disturb the neighborhood by his groans as he stumbled home. -That always indicated that the libations had been copious, the bumpers -frequent, and that the bath keeper was completely drunk. - -Hugonnet was a widower and had but one child, a daughter, who, when our -tale opens, had just reached her eighteenth year. Ambroisine was a fine -girl, tall and strong, well set up and shapely. Her foot was not very -small, but her calf was symmetrical and of good size; her hand might -have been smaller, more tapering, but it was pink and white, and plump. - -Her bearing and her gestures were somewhat brusque at times, and gave -her rather too disdainful an air; but her smile was so frank and -pleasant that it excused any possible rudeness in her manner to persons -who did not know her well. - -Ambroisine was very good-looking; her hair was as black as jet; her dark -brown eyes were neither too large nor too small, and were amply fringed -by long lashes of the color of her hair; she fastened them with perfect -self-possession upon the person with whom she was speaking; but although -they did not express the ordinary shyness of a girl of her years, they -were so compassionate to the wretched, so amiable in joy, so fiery in -wrath, that they were always fine eyes. - -A mouth somewhat large, but well supplied with teeth, lips a little -heavy, but ruddy and smiling, a round chin, a high, white forehead, and -eyebrows clearly marked without being too thick--such was the daughter -of Master Hugonnet, who was usually spoken of in the Quartier -Saint-Jacques as La Belle Baigneuse. - -Ambroisine's charms undoubtedly had much to do with the popularity of -her father's establishment. - -Master Hugonnet's house was never empty; it was the rendezvous of young -noblemen, of the king's arquebusiers and halberdiers, of lordlings, of -country squires and students, of men of the sword and men of the pen, of -law clerks of the Basoche, and sometimes of a royal princess's pages. - -The ladies who came to the baths--and we have already said that there -were many of them--liked to be waited upon, cared for, and dressed by -Ambroisine, who was quick, active, skilful, and acquitted herself of her -task with a charming good humor which made it a pleasure to employ her. - -It is probable that among all the young sparks and popinjays who came to -Master Hugonnet's, more than one would have been equally glad to obtain -the services of the daughter of the house; but they were obliged to do -without them, for La Belle Baigneuse naturally was at the orders of the -ladies only. Still, when there was a crowd in the barber's shop -clamoring for the good offices of his razor and his comb, Ambroisine, -who could shave a beard as surely and rapidly as her father, sometimes -consented to lend him a hand, and to attend to the needs of one of the -cavaliers who were waiting to be put in trim. The man for whom she -offered to perform that service always accepted it as a favor, and -strove to impart to his face a most seductive expression; and he never -failed thereafter to proclaim all over the city that he had been shaved -by Master Hugonnet's daughter, while everyone gazed enviously at the -chin which La Belle Baigneuse had lathered. - -But such opportunities were rare. Ambroisine was too much occupied with -the baths to be often in her father's shop. And he loved his daughter -too well ever to require her to do anything against her will. In vain -did the young coxcombs, nay, even the great nobles, say to the barber: - -"Shall we not see your daughter to-day, Master Hugonnet?" or: "Messire -barbier, I have been awaiting my turn a long while, pray send for the -fair Ambroisine to shave me"; or "By my sword! I would gladly pay double -to be shaved by her!" - -To all these and many other like remarks, the good-natured gossip would -reply simply: - -"My lords, I am in despair that I am unable to gratify you; but my -daughter is engaged with some ladies who are pleased to patronize my -baths. I have two young men there; but to wait on the fair sex I have -only my daughter, who is sufficient for the task, because she is -fortunately endowed; and because she does in a few moments the work that -would take others an hour. Oh! she is a girl in a thousand, is my -Ambroisine! And as for shaving you, I know that she would do that -perfectly, too; she is my pupil! Such a sure, light, quick hand! Never -has she cut the skin of any man's chin, and yet even I have sometimes -done that! it may happen to the most skilful. But, I tell you again, -Ambroisine is at the orders of none but the ladies of all ranks who -choose to come to my establishment to take baths; and, frankly, that is -more suitable. When I see her shaving a gentleman with the dexterity and -self-possession which distinguish her, I am proud of my pupil! But, on -the other hand, I am humiliated to see her do that work, and I say to -myself: 'By Notre-Dame de Paris! this is no place for my -daughter!'--Moreover, you have little hesitation in making gallant -speeches to her, in saying obscene things.--However, I am not disturbed! -If Ambroisine cares to laugh sometimes,--and in our profession one would -be very foolish to be too surly,--she is well able none the less to keep -in their place those who presume to take too many liberties. My daughter -is a determined wench, I tell you; she has a hand as quick and a fist as -solid as her father's! And woe to those who take the risk of having it -proved to them!" - -By such harangues did Master Hugonnet reply to the young men who -displayed a too ardent desire to see his daughter. As a general rule, -the students, the country gentlemen, and the simple esquires listened to -reason; but it was not always so with the young nobles, who considered -themselves at liberty to do anything, because they were received at -court, and because the lieutenant of police closed his eyes too often to -their escapades. When one of them had taken it into his head that he -would see Ambroisine, all that the barber could say to convince him that -that might not be was of no avail, and sometimes was received in bad -part. - -But although he was very glad to have noble customers, Master Hugonnet -was not of a humor to endure the impertinences of any man whatsoever; -the marquis, no less than the humble bachelor, felt the effects of his -wrath. And when a young gentleman seemed disposed to take up his abode -in his shop, saying: - -"I will not go away until I have seen the fair Ambroisine!" - -The barber would shout in stentorian tones: - -"Well! you shall not see her, _triple savonnette_! there's no law to -compel her to be at your beck and call!" - -But the sonorous voice of Master Hugonnet would reach the ears of -Ambroisine, who, divining from her father's tone that he was in a -passion, would at once leave her work and run to the shop, to put an end -to the dispute. - -At sight of the girl, the person who had caused all the uproar would -begin to laugh and would exclaim, with a bantering glance at the barber: - -"I told you that I would not go away without a sight of the charming -Ambroisine! I have succeeded, you see!" - -Whereupon Master Hugonnet would look sheepish; but a word or two from -his daughter would speedily allay his anger, and more than one among the -witnesses of the scene would resolve to employ the same method when he -wished to see La Belle Baigneuse. - -Now that we are acquainted with Master Hugonnet's house and household, -we must pay a visit to the establishment of another bath keeper, on Rue -Dauphine. That street, which had been laid out twenty years earlier, on -the site of the garden of the Augustinians and of the buildings of the -Collège Saint-Denis, was already lined by fine houses, and had an air of -refinement and a class of inhabitants in striking contrast to Quartier -Saint-Jacques. - - - - -IV - -BATHILDE - - -The baths on Rue Dauphine were kept by one Landry. He was a man of -sixty, but still vigorous and robust, despite his gray moustache, which -he wore very long. By his soldierly bearing and the way he carried his -head, one could divine that he had seen military service. And Landry -was, in fact, an ex-soldier. He had fought under Henri IV, whose name he -never mentioned without carrying the back of his right hand to his -forehead, or without manifesting his emotion by the change in his voice. - -At the great king's death, Landry, then thirty-six years of age, had -left the service. Later, although his face was scarred, his martial -set-up and his military gait had fascinated Dame Ragonde, a widow with a -small hoard. She had married Landry, and they had obtained, by purchase, -a license to keep hot and cold baths. - -Landry was a tall, thin, stiff individual. He had an uncommunicative -air, and his long gray moustache tended to make his expression even less -inviting. However, Master Landry was not a bad-tempered man. He had -never been known to seek a quarrel with anyone; and when quarrels arose -among his neighbors, it was usually he who intervened to restore peace. -It is true that his voice was strong and that his moustache produced an -imposing effect on the vulgar. - -He performed his duties as bath keeper and barber with the scrupulous -exactness which old soldiers retain in civil life with respect to -everything that they consider a duty. But it was not wise to speak ill -of Henri IV or of his minister Sully in the old soldier's presence. When -such a thing occurred, a sudden change would take place in the whole -aspect of the man; usually calm and cold, he would become as quick to -explode as powder; his blood would boil anew with all the fervor of his -younger days; and the unhappy wight who had presumed to utter a word -derogatory to his idols would be chastised before he had time to -apologize. - -But such episodes were likely to be very infrequent, for the memory of -good King Henri was held in too great veneration by Frenchmen for anyone -to venture to impugn it. - -Dame Ragonde, the bath keeper's wife, was fifteen years younger than her -husband, but she seemed almost as old as he. - -She was a tall, thin, yellow-skinned woman. Had she ever been pretty? -That she had been seemed more than doubtful. Her small, pale-green eyes -were very bright, but they had an arrogant--yes, evil expression; they -were eyes of the sort that seem never to look in any direction with any -other purpose than that of finding something to blame, to reprove, or to -forbid. Her long nose, hooked at the end like a parrot's, made her -resemble in some degree a bird of prey. And her thin, bloodless, tightly -closed lips seemed destined to open only to emit harsh or bitter words. - -Since the day of her marriage to Landry, her second husband, nobody -remembered having seen Dame Ragonde smile; indeed, it was not certain -that she smiled on that day. - -Her voice was shrill and piercing, her words always short and sharp; -this fact, by the way, was creditable to the lady; she was no gossip and -never said a word more than she had to say. - -Who would have guessed that of that union between a man who was not -handsome and a woman who was downright ugly a daughter would be born who -would prove to be a veritable model of beauty, grace, and charm? - -Such, nevertheless, was Bathilde, the only child of Landry and Ragonde. - -At eighteen, her beauty had reached its perfect development: she was one -of those types which painters delight to find, when they wish to paint a -virgin, an angel, or a demon of temptation. - -Bathilde was blond, but the tint was not one of those dull blonds in -which there is a reflection of white; her long, thick, silky hair verged -rather on the chestnut. Her skin had that whiteness in which there is -life, and not that dull tone which imparts an aspect of inanition to a -living person. On the contrary, the lovely girl's cheeks had a rosy -tinge; and at the slightest word of reproof that was addressed to her, -they at once became a most brilliant carmine. Large, deep-blue eyes, -almond shaped, and shaded by long chestnut lashes; a small, fresh, -red-lipped mouth; irreproachable teeth of dazzling whiteness; a chin -slightly oval in shape; fine, but clearly marked eyebrows; a noble, -beautiful brow, over which thick curls seemed proud to be placed. - -Such was Bathilde, who possessed, in addition, a slender, lithe, dainty -figure, a remarkably small foot, and a hand worthy to serve as a model. - -But a mere enumeration of her advantages affords but a faint idea of the -fascination of that young girl, of the charm with which her whole person -was instinct, of the sweet melody of her voice, and of the pleasure that -one felt in hearing it. - -Sometimes one remains unmoved before the most unexceptionable beauty; -for that which attracts and captivates us is not so much the perfection -of the features, the regularity of the outlines of a face, as its -amiable and gracious expression--a second element of beauty which many -times exerts more power than the first; but when the two are combined, -when nature has endowed a single woman with both, then it is that it is -very difficult to avoid losing one's heart and one's reason. - -And that lovely, graceful, fascinating girl was the daughter of Landry -and Dame Ragonde! - -Nature sometimes indulges in such strange whims. Do we not see flowers -whose perfume intoxicates us and whose gorgeous colors dazzle our eyes, -blooming upon stunted, thorny stalks? - -As Bathilde's beauty would have attracted too many gallants, too many -seducers, to Master Landry's shop, the girl never appeared there, nor -did she wait upon the ladies who patronized her father's baths. - -Bathilde had been brought up very strictly; almost always confined to -her bedroom, which did not look on the street, the girl never went out -except with her mother; and then a long veil, attached to her hood, -covered almost the whole of her face, leaving nothing in sight save the -end of her nose. If the sweet girl ventured to disarrange the veil and -to expose one of her pink and white cheeks to the air for a moment, Dame -Ragonde would instantly exclaim in her shrill, harsh voice: - -"Your veil! your veil! Take care!" - -Bathilde knew what that meant, and would hasten to swathe her lovely -face anew. - -Certainly, if Master Landry had desired that his establishment should be -besieged by crowds of customers, he could easily have gratified his -wish: nothing more would have been necessary than to allow his daughter -to come to the shop now and then. Bathilde's beauty would have made a -sensation, the court and the city would have been stirred to their -depths, everyone would have desired to know that plebeian -chef-d'oeuvre, and, with the inevitable vogue of his place of -business, the bath keeper's fortune would have been assured. - -But in this respect Bathilde's parents proved that their own honor and -their child's virtue were to them treasures more precious than gold. - -Some neighbors, knowing how strictly Bathilde had been brought up, said, -and with some show of reason, that a mother should be able to watch over -her daughter without converting her house into a prison. That to keep a -child from knowledge of the world was not the way to protect her from -the dangers that are encountered there at every step; and that it was -downright barbarity to deprive a girl of all the pleasures suited to her -years because it had pleased the Creator to endow her with all those -physical qualities which charm and fascinate. - -If these or other similar remarks reached Dame Ragonde's ears, it is -probable that she paid little heed to them and that they made little -impression on her. Immovable in her determination, impassible in her -nature, rigorous in her conduct, she made no change whatever in her -methods with her daughter. - -And as for Master Landry, although he loved Bathilde dearly and was very -proud of her, he looked upon his wife as the general whose duty it was -to manage the internal economy of his household. As such general, he -obeyed her promptly, reserving to himself only the command of the two -apprentices employed in his baths. - -However, Landry's establishment was prosperous, as were almost all the -baths of those days, because they were very few in number. - -The neighborhood of Rue Dauphine, which was less thickly populated than -Rue Saint-Jacques, already contained some noble mansions and fine -houses, occupied by magistrates, members of the Parliament, men of the -robe, and rich annuitants. Moreover, the proximity of the -Pré-aux-Clercs, which was still a favorite promenade, although some -buildings were beginning to be erected there, contributed to attract to -Master Landry's baths a more distinguished and more fashionable -clientèle, better society, in a word, than the ordinary patrons of his -confrère, Master Hugonnet. - -Furthermore, although the fascinating Bathilde was concealed from prying -eyes, beauty spreads about it a perfume which causes its presence to be -divined, and which attracts connoisseurs, even though they are destined -to have nothing to show for their pains. - -Despite all the precautions taken by Dame Ragonde, she could not prevent -her neighbors from talking; they repeated, to whoever chose to listen, -that Master Landry had a daughter more beautiful than the marvellous -princesses of the _Thousand and One Nights_; that her surpassing beauty -was the reason that her father and mother concealed her from all eyes, -because they feared that somebody would take her away from them; and -that they destined her for some wealthy foreign prince. - -Others declared, on the contrary, that Master Landry's daughter was a -monster of ugliness and deformity, and that it was to shelter the poor -girl from the ridicule which was certain to be poured out upon her that -they were careful to keep her out of sight. - -This last version, however, obtained little credence. As a general rule, -people do not take so many precautions with an ugly girl, or keep such -close watch over one who has no reason to fear the enterprises of -gallants. - -Mystery always arouses curiosity, and the veil in which Dame Ragonde -swathed Bathilde's face intensified the general desire to see it. -Extremes are dangerous in everything: the man who puts too many bolts on -his door arouses a suspicion that he possesses a treasure. - -Chance had brought Landry and his confrère Hugonnet together. One -evening, when the latter was returning home, as usual, after a merry -evening over the bottle at a wine shop recently opened in the Cité, at -some distance from his house, he lost his way. Alone, late at night, the -barber wandered for a long while through the dark and muddy lanes which -were then called streets, feeling his way along the walls, seeking his -own door, and cursing because he did not find it. - -Two men, emerging suddenly from a blind alley, walked toward the drunken -man, who at once asked them to direct him. But he had applied to a pair -of vagabonds, whose only reply was to set about robbing Master Hugonnet -of his purse, his cloak, his great fur cap--in fact, of a large part of -his clothes. At the outset, as a result of his intoxication, which -entirely changed his disposition, Hugonnet placidly allowed himself to -be stripped, thinking that he had to do with unfortunate creatures who -needed all those things for their families. But one of the marauders -having been so imprudent as to strike him on the head, the blow, by -sobering the barber, instantly changed the face of affairs. Restored to -his senses, and realizing with what manner of men he had to do, he -defended himself stoutly; he dealt the two robbers some lusty blows, and -they, irritated at meeting with such stubborn resistance from an -intoxicated man, were already brandishing the daggers which they -proposed to use, when Master Landry appeared upon the stage of this -nocturnal attack. - -To draw the rapier which he always carried under his cloak, to rush to -the assistance of the man who was beset, to attack the two robbers with -cut and thrust, to put them to flight, and to restore to Master Hugonnet -his cloak, which had fallen to the ground--all this was the affair of a -moment for the old trooper of Henri IV. - -Hugonnet, completely sobered by the combat, offered Landry his hand and -exclaimed: - -"Vertudieu! I am inclined to think, comrade, that but for you those -scoundrels would have made me pass a bad quarter of an hour!" - -"I thank heaven that I arrived in time to offer you my assistance!" - -"Sapristi! you went about it in the right way. You seemed to be at home! -How you handle your sword! I think that my knaves went off with the -marks you made on them." - -"It would be a great pity if I did not know how to fight. When one has -had the honor of serving under the great Henri IV; when one has fought -under him at Arques and Ivry----" - -"Do you say that you served with the good king who wanted all his -subjects to have a fowl to put in the pot? Shake hands! I am doubly -happy to have met you; and, with your permission, I consider myself from -this moment one of your friends." - -"With all my heart, for you too are a brave man; I saw that by the way -you defended yourself against those cutthroats. And yet, you had no -weapons." - -"Well! I did my best. Besides--I can afford to confess it, now that it's -all over--those thieves surprised me rather easily, because I was a -little--er--tipsy. I was on my way home from a new wine shop just opened -in the Cité. The wine was good--it always is good in a new place--and we -did not spare it. When I set out to go home, I missed my way--for the -devil take me if I know where I am now!" - -"At the Carrefour de Bussy; see, this is the street leading from the -Porte de Bussy to the Pré-aux-Clercs." - -"In God's name, what road did I take?--I, who live on Rue Saint-Jacques, -corner of Rue des Mathurins, where I have baths, hot and cold--Master -Hugonnet, at your service; for it is right that you should know whose -life you have saved." - -"You are a bath keeper?--Pardieu! this is a strange meeting! I, too, am -one--Master Landry, Rue Dauphine, near Quai Conti." - -"Is it possible!--you are the bath keeper on Rue Dauphine? I have heard -of you.--You have a wife, I am a widower. You have a daughter, and so -have I. How old is yours?" - -"Twelve years." - -"So is mine. Parbleu! confrère, our daughters must be friends, as their -fathers will be; are you willing?" - -"Shake hands, ventre-saint-gris! as our good king used to say." - -The two bath keepers shook hands once more. Landry started Hugonnet on -the right road, and they returned to their respective homes. - -This meeting took place about five years before the time at which our -tale opens. Bathilde and Ambroisine were still children; people took -little notice of them, for we do not pause to consider whether little -girls of twelve are likely to be very beautiful some day. We prefer, and -wisely, to wait until they have become so, before ogling them. - -Dame Ragonde's surveillance was naturally less active then; being still -a mere child, Bathilde enjoyed some liberty. So she was allowed to see -her new friend, for Master Hugonnet did not fail to pay a visit to his -confrère. - -Landry was not expansive; he was not a frequenter of wine shops, and -never drank too much; but when he had pressed anyone's hand in token of -friendship, that person might be sure that he could rely upon the old -soldier's assistance, upon his arm, under all circumstances. - -Dame Ragonde had not looked with great pleasure upon this new intimacy -contracted by her husband; but she knew that it would be useless for her -to try to break it up. Landry was not one of those weathercocks who -change their sentiments and affections according to the advice that is -given them. The husband and wife each had a will of iron. A concession -once made, neither of them attempted to encroach on the other's rights; -it was doubtless to this mutual respect for each other's rights and each -other's will that they were indebted for the peace which reigned in -their household. - -The two little girls very soon learned to love each other; there was -between them just that difference in humor, in spirit, in temperament, -which attracts and binds together, and leads to those strong and lasting -attachments which defy time and the blows of fortune.--Observe that we -are speaking of friendship, not of love. As to the last-named sentiment, -we have never known an instance of it which resisted the slightest test -of its strength, when that test was applied with skill! - -That which people are pleased to call sympathy cannot be the similitude -between two natures. For, put together two gossips, two testy or -obstinate or irascible, quarrelsome and satirical characters, and see -whether they will love each other, whether they will be able to live -together. There would be a constant state of war. - -On the contrary, nature created the strong to support the weak, patience -to allay irascibility, gentleness to appease wrath, gayety to charm away -melancholy. - -Bathilde was shy and timid; she trembled at the slightest sharp word, -and her gentle and affectionate nature was more inclined to melancholy -than to gayety. - -Ambroisine was of a very different temperament: active, merry, -thoughtless, often angry; she said fearlessly whatever came into her -head; frankness lay at the foundation of her character; her heart was -susceptible, but it did not like to be sad for long. With her the tears -came quickly and disappeared no less quickly. - -When Bathilde seemed to be unhappy, when her lovely eyes seemed to -express some hidden grief, her little friend would say to her: - -"Somebody has been cross to you, I am sure. I can see that you have been -crying. Tell me who made you cry, and I will go to him and make him come -here and beg your pardon." - -But Bathilde would simply look down and murmur: - -"It was my mother." - -"Did you do anything naughty?" Ambroisine would inquire. - -"I asked her if I might go to see you soon." - -Ambroisine would not dare to say anything more, but she would turn her -head aside and furtively wipe away the tears that stood in her eyes; -then she would again look at her friend, seize both her hands, and make -her dance around the room, crying: - -"You mustn't think about that any more!" - -When the girls had reached their fourteenth year, Dame Ragonde began to -think that Ambroisine was too lively, too mischievous, too self-willed, -and that her companionship might be dangerous for her daughter; she -would no longer allow her daughter to go to see her friend under the -escort of a servant; she alleged as an excuse the necessity that -Bathilde should study; and when Ambroisine came to see her, Dame Ragonde -never left them together; she was always by to prevent those -affectionate confidences which she believed to be dangerous. Her -presence, her stern manner, her curt speech, froze Bathilde's heart, and -she forced back those impulsive outbursts of affection which she would -have liked to lavish on Ambroisine. But the latter, although -disappointed at being unable to chat at her ease with little Bathilde, -retained in Dame Ragonde's presence her playful humor, her vivacity, her -frankness, and she often found a way to bring a smile to her young -friend's lips. - -And so, as soon as Master Hugonnet's daughter had left the house, -Bathilde's mother never failed to exclaim: - -"What an ill-bred child that is! What a bold-faced creature she will be -some day! But, patience: I will put this matter to rights." - -And as the girls grew older, they were allowed to see each other less -and less. On Bathilde's side, the surveillance to which she was -subjected became more minute; she seldom went out, and she paid no more -visits. At Master Hugonnet's, on the other hand, Ambroisine, when she -grew tall and strong, was placed by her father at the head of the -establishment; and as a great many people came to the baths, she had -little time left to give to friendship. - -But as soon as Ambroisine had a moment to herself, she hastened to Rue -Dauphine, to exchange a clasp of the hand with her friend. - -Sometimes Dame Ragonde, who also had to overlook her apprentices and her -servants, was busy at the baths, and Bathilde was alone in her bedroom. -Then, what joy for the two friends! with what ardor they took advantage -of that moment of liberty! for the older they grew, the more interesting -their conversations became. At seventeen, two girls have other things to -say to each other than at twelve or thirteen. It is useless to keep them -sequestered all the time--they will always have something interesting to -tell each other. - -Ambroisine especially, who was entirely her own mistress, was certain to -have very many things to tell. And so, when a lucky accident enabled the -two girls to exchange their thoughts, they would hardly take the time -to embrace; questions and answers succeeded one another with astounding -rapidity. - -"Your mother isn't here? What luck!" - -"What a long time it is since I saw you!" - -"We are always so busy at home!" - -"I am so bored!" - -"I haven't a moment to myself during the day; such a lot of fine ladies -come to bathe!" - -"It's the same way here; but I am not allowed to wait on them." - -"I wait on them; I dress them when they don't bring their servants, and -that very often happens--they prefer to come alone; I don't know why--or -rather, yes, I think that I can guess why." - -"Oh! tell me, Ambroisine!" - -"No, no, it isn't worth while! Besides, I am not sure; it is just an -idea of mine." - -"Tell me your idea, please, Ambroisine! Mon Dieu! if you don't tell me -anything, if you don't teach me a little, how do you expect me to know -anything, when I am always shut up in this room and only go downstairs -to dinner; when I see nobody but my father and mother, who hardly ever -speak to me? Why do the fine ladies prefer to come to the baths alone?" - -"Why, you see, I do not quite know how to tell you.--But, no matter! -what difference does it make, after all? Many cavaliers, young men, come -to the baths also." - -"So they do here, but I never see them. Do you see them?" - -"Sometimes--when I go down to the shop, and when I help father; for I -know how to shave, I do; I can shave very well when I set about it." - -"What! you shave--men?" - -"Well! I surely don't shave women, as they have no beards." - -"Oh! what a lucky girl you are! what fun that must be!--Do you really -dare to take a man by the chin?" - -"Well, why not? I assure you that it doesn't frighten me; indeed, I must -not be frightened, for if my hand shook I should shave badly and cut the -customer.--Don't tell your mother this; for she thinks now that I am too -bold." - -"Oh! there is no danger of that!" - -"To be sure, it may be that my father tells yours." - -"Yes; but my father will never say a word to my mother about it--they -talk so little!--But these cavaliers whom you shave--they speak to you, -I suppose?" - -"To be sure--and those whom I don't shave speak to me, too; indeed, I -never know whom to answer, for as soon as I go down to the shop they are -all after me." - -"And you are not afraid?" - -"Not a bit; what do you suppose I am afraid of?" - -"Indeed, I don't know! but my mother tells me that a young girl runs so -much risk when she listens to a man; and you, who listen to more than -one, must run a much greater risk!" - -"But nothing happens to me, you see! for when the young gentlemen -presume to do things that are not nice, or make too--too gallant remarks -to me, why, it doesn't take me long to send them about their business!" - -"What are the too gallant remarks, and the things that are not nice?" - -"Mon Dieu! must I tell you everything? It is strange that you know -nothing!" - -"Where, then, do you suppose that I can learn anything?" - -"The too gallant remarks--those are when men tell us that we are pretty -or attractive--that they love us, that they adore us." - -"Oh! but it must be nice to have that said to you! Is it necessary to be -angry? what a pity!" - -"One must be very angry when they add: 'Love me, I implore you; -reciprocate my love, give me your heart; I will be faithful to -you!'--and a lot of oaths, of which they don't mean a word!" - -"Ah! do you think that they don't mean a word of them? In that case, why -do they say them?" - -"Because it amuses them. But if we listened to them, they would say much -more." - -"And the things that are not nice?" - -"That is when these fine fellows presume to suit the action to the word. -The ones who do that are the boldest; they take your hand, and, while -pretending to admire it, they don't hesitate to kiss it; or they put an -arm about your waist, and, if they can catch you napping, they try to -kiss you." - -"What! are there men so presumptuous as that?" - -"Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the -respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" - -"Well?" - -"Why, one might talk with them a little." - -"Have they ever tried to kiss you?" - -"Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself. I box -their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either." - -"What! you box your customers' ears?" - -"When the customers make too free with me; but no matter how well you -defend yourself, sometimes you cannot escape the kiss." - -"Have you ever been kissed, Ambroisine?" - -"Mon Dieu! yes! some of those little pages are so quick, and some of the -young nobles so audacious! There is one in particular, Comte Léodgard de -Marvejols--you must have heard of him?" - -"I! why, you forget that I hear nothing, see nothing, know -nothing!--What about Comte Léodgard?" - -"Oh! he's a terrible scapegrace, I tell you! a rake, a roisterer, a -seducer! There is only one opinion about him, and not a week passes that -he does not set people talking about him. He abducts girls, yes, married -women even; he beats their fathers or husbands; he fights duels, -cudgels the watch, passes whole days and nights in gambling hells, -gambling and drinking; in short, he is worse than the devil!" - -"O mon Dieu! how frightened I should be of him! He must be very ugly, -isn't he?" - -"Why, no, and that is just what deceives you; unfortunately, he is not -ugly at all; for if he were hideous to look at, he would be much less -dangerous. He is a handsome young man, with a forest of long black hair, -and eyes of the same color, that shine like carbuncles; and when he -looks at you, he has a way of giving them such a benignant expression! -You would think sometimes that he is a little saint; but you very soon -find out your mistake." - -"What a pity! A scapegrace is a reprobate, and that ought to appear on -his face. Has that young nobleman ever tried to kiss you?" - -"I should say so! there was a time when he came to our place every day; -he laid traps for me, tried to make appointments with me, and brought me -presents." - -"Presents?" - -"Which I never received.--It did no good for me to lose my temper, to -fly into a passion, to threaten to scratch him--that only made him -laugh; he declared that I was even prettier when I was angry.--As you -can imagine, it is when my father is not at home that they torment me -so; for he would not stand it. But one day I lost my patience: Comte -Léodgard had seized my hands, in spite of my struggles, and he was just -about to kiss me, when I called father. If you had seen how quickly he -took the young nobleman up in his arms and set him down in the street! -The count was frantic; he drew his sword and rushed at father. But you -know Master Hugonnet--it isn't wise to irritate him. In an instant, he -had seized Comte Léodgard's sword and had broken it across his knee. The -count strode away, uttering the most horrible threats, swearing that he -would teach father what it costs to lack respect for a great nobleman. -Father began to laugh, and in a moment he had forgotten all about it. -But, for my part, I confess that the count's threats frightened me, and -for a long time after I trembled whenever father left me, when he came -home later at night than usual; but that was three months ago, and -nothing has happened." - -"And the young man has not been to your shop again?" - -"Oh, no! not since that time." - -"In all this, you have not told me why the fine ladies who come to the -baths prefer not to bring their servants with them?" - -"Ah! what a memory you have!--Well, I have noticed very often that there -is a young gentleman below who knows one of the ladies; when she leaves -the bath, the young man is there, waiting for her; they talk together, -they go away together; so, you see, when a lady knows that she will have -a cavalier to escort her home, she does not need to bring a servant." - -"If you knew, Ambroisine, how I love to listen to you--you tell me -things that are so entirely new to me! Oh! please tell me some more of -your adventures!" - -But when Ambroisine was about to gratify her friend, perhaps they would -hear Dame Ragonde's slow, regular steps approaching. Thereupon, the -subject of conversation would instantly be changed, and they would talk -exclusively of serious or religious matters until Bathilde's mother -said: - -"You have talked enough; bid your friend adieu, it is time to separate." - -Thereupon Ambroisine would leave her young friend; but all that she had -heard furnished Bathilde with food for thought for many days. - - - - -V - -AN OLD MANSION.--AN OLD NOBLE - - -Alone in a large and handsome room, richly furnished, the hangings of -which, however, were very old and seemed to denote, on the part of the -proprietors, a profound respect for whatever had belonged to their -ancestors, an old man sat in an enormous easy-chair, whose carved and -gilded frame seemed as ancient as the hangings, before a desk on which -lay several boxes, books, and papers, which he was apparently engaged in -examining with care. - -Sometimes he paused in his labors; his brow was clouded, his expression -stern, and a deep sigh escaped from his breast. - -The Marquis de Marvejols was at this time nearly seventy years of age. -He was a tall, spare man, who still carried his head erect, whose gait -was firm and his grasp strong, while his proud and assured bearing would -have held in respect anyone who should attempt to impose upon him. - -The old man's face was handsome, although severe. His white hair left -bare a large part of his forehead, on which could be seen a scar caused -by a blow from a lance; his moustaches and his beard, also snow-white, -harmonized well with that martial countenance, which seemed to defy all -dangers; and if the old marquis's keen gray eyes ordinarily wore a -haughty expression that inspired fear rather than confidence, on the -other hand, the extreme urbanity of his manners soon made one forget the -stern and imposing effect of his general appearance. - -Knee-breeches and doublet of violet velvet, a leather belt, a very high -ruff, funnel-shaped top-boots, with spurs attached--such was the old -man's costume, which had something military about it. Over all this he -wore a long cloak, trimmed with ermine, which descended almost to his -spurs. - -Pushing aside with an angry gesture the papers he had been examining, -Monsieur de Marvejols threw himself back in his chair, and turned his -eyes upon several large portraits which hung on the walls. Two -represented cavaliers with helmets on their heads, and their hands on -their swords; a third was that of a young man wearing the little cap in -vogue in the time of Henri III; and the fourth was the portrait of a -young and lovely woman with a little boy on her knees. - -In the immense apartments of olden time, space was not spared; people -were not shut up, as we are to-day, in the foul atmosphere of rooms six -and a half feet in height; the lungs had an opportunity to do their work -freely and the chest must have been in much better case. - -In those days, it was easy to find room in a salon for those huge -full-length portraits, which are ordinarily larger than life. Indeed, -one sometimes saw them hung in two rows, and the furniture never reached -to the frames. - -To-day, in the apartments which our architects measure out for us so -sparingly, we must renounce all thought of having large canvases, fine -paintings of vast historical subjects, and in many cases even the -full-length portrait of one of our ancestors, unless we choose to take -the risk, when we sit down, of striking our heads against the painting -at the first unpremeditated movement we chance to make. - -The Marquis de Marvejol's mansion was on Rue Royale, where one may still -see, in our day, some relics of the magnificent apartments of an earlier -time. But what a difference! Although, on the outside, it still -presents a reasonably well preserved image of what it was under Louis -XIII; although it is still red and white, with its bricks surrounded by -courses of stone, with its slated roof, its light balconies, its tall -windows set in stone frames; although it has retained its low, dark, -heavy galleries, which seem to have been built to defy the ages and the -elements--on the other hand, the interior of its various wings is no -longer the same, and, except in some few instances, the grandeur and -magnificence of the olden time have entirely disappeared. - -But at the time of our narrative there were, in the neighborhood of the -Hôtel de Marvejols, the Hôtels de Lesdiguières, de Guémenée, de Sully, -d'Effiat, d'Aumont, de Chevreuse, de Chaulnes, de Saint-Paul, de -Liancourt, etc., etc. - -At that time, too, the Place Royale was the scene of all the fêtes and -_carrousels_, which attracted the nobility, the bourgeoisie, and the -people of Paris, who were called in those days _the good people_. When -the marriage of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria was announced, fêtes -lasting three days were given on that square, although it was not -entirely finished. - -In later times, on that same spot where noble knights broke lances to -entertain the ladies of their thoughts, who, seated on the balconies of -the neighboring houses, enjoyed the jousting, and encouraged the -champions of their charms by tender glances and by showing them in -advance the knot of ribbon which was to be the guerdon of victory--on -that same spot, we have seen and may still see the peaceable inhabitant -of the Marais, who has nothing in common with the paladins of old, -exercising his faithful dog and selecting a bench whereon to rest a -moment in the sunshine, whose beneficent warmth allays his rheumatic -pains. And the young nursemaid, too, with the children in her care, whom -she often leaves to bump against trees, or to fall as they run hither -and thither, while she is gossiping with other maids on the subject of -their employers, which is much more amusing than to watch children. And -the modest seamstress, on her way to carry home the work intrusted to -her, who crosses the Place Royale, although it is not directly on her -road, because she ordinarily meets there a young man who makes -flattering remarks to her; there is no law against seeking pleasant -meetings. - -All this is far removed from the tourneys, the fanfares of trumpets, the -sound of clarion and drum; from the great ladies at the windows, from -the knights in the arena, from the esquires and pages and servants -carrying their masters' weapons and bucklers, and from the charming -troubadours, or _trouvères_, who had seats of honor beside the high and -mighty nobles, because they were destined, later, to sing in laudation -of it all. - -Other times, other manners! - -The old Marquis de Marvejols gazed gloomily enough at the portraits -which adorned his study--for the enormous room in which he sat was -nothing more than that. Soon he leaned over his desk once more, and -seizing a bell rang it violently. - -A valet, almost as old as his master, instantly showed his bald head -beneath a velvet portière which he raised. His face, in respect to the -general effect of the features and their mild expression, might have -served as a model for a painting of Obedience, as personified in a -servant, except that when he raised the corners of his mouth in a smile -there were some slight indications of a tendency to be cunning; but if -that tendency actually existed in the old servant, it never went beyond -the corners of his mouth. - -"Did monsieur le marquis ring?" inquired a shrill, cracked voice. - -"Has my son gone out this morning, Hector?" - -Old Hector pressed his lips together, and the corners of his mouth -assumed their sly expression, as he replied in a drawling tone: - -"Monsieur le Comte Léodgard de Marvejols certainly has not left the -house this morning; I am certain of that." - -"In that case, go to my son and tell him that I wish to speak with -him--at once, before he goes out." - -The old servant looked down at his feet, but did not budge. - -"Well! did you not hear me, Hector?" continued the marquis, testily; -"have your ears grown dull, that I have to give you the same order -twice?" - -"No, monsieur le marquis, no, thank heaven! my ears are still good. I -have not the least occasion to reproach them. And if I have not obeyed -the command you have done me the honor to give me, it is because----" - -"Well! because what? finish, I say!" - -"I cannot tell Monsieur le Comte Léodgard to come to speak with you, -because he is not in the house." - -"Not in the house? Why, you told me only a moment ago that my son had -not gone out this morning!" - -"That is true, monseigneur; he has not gone out this morning, because he -did not come in last night." - -The marquis put his hand to his forehead. - -"Ah!" he cried; "of course, I understand! You did not wish to tell me -that, my poor Hector; you would like to conceal my son's disorderly -conduct from me! But it is useless for you to try to deceive me. I know -everything; and it is much better that I should know everything; for one -must know where the trouble lies, in order to put a stop to it. All this -has been going on a very long while, and it must come to an end!" - -"Monsieur le Comte Léodgard is still very young," murmured Hector, still -draped by the portière. - -"Very young--when he has nearly reached his twenty-sixth year! A man is -a man at that age, and he no longer has the first effervescence of youth -for an excuse! Ah! when I was at that age, you were already in my -service--do you remember, Hector?" - -"As if it was yesterday, monseigneur; my memory is as sound as my -ears." - -"Very well! I served in the army, I fought, I lived in camp. But, -although I was a bachelor,--for I married quite late,--did I ever lead -this life of licentiousness, of debauchery, which makes me blush for my -son?" - -"All young men are not as irreproachable as monseigneur has always -been--as bachelor, husband, and widower." - -"I do not expect that he shall be faultless! I do not demand the -impossible! But I do not propose that weaknesses shall become vices; -faults, crimes!" - -"Oh! monsieur le marquis! be indulgent to monsieur your son!" - -"I have been indulgent enough, too much so, perhaps. I must see -Léodgard; he must be made acquainted with my irrevocable -determination!--And that rascally Latournelle, his valet--is he still in -the house?" - -"No, monseigneur; I have not seen him for several days." - -"I told my son to discharge that knave; a scoundrel, a blackleg, a -gambler, who ought to be hanged." - -At that moment, the conversation was interrupted by the sound of a horse -galloping into the courtyard. - -Hector let the portière fall, went into a reception room, looked out of -the window, and returned with a radiant face, saying to his master: - -"Here is Monsieur le Comte Léodgard, just coming in." - -"Go to him, then; tell him that I await him. Go--do not lose an instant, -for he may have gone away again." - -Old Hector disappeared to execute his master's command. - -In a few moments, Léodgard entered his father's apartment. The young -count was pale, his face was drawn and haggard, his eyes sunken from -loss of sleep; and the disorder of his clothes, the dust with which they -were covered, seemed to indicate that he had recently ridden a long -distance on horseback. - -He walked forward with a respectful air, but was evidently out of -temper. He bowed to his father and remained standing in the middle of -the room. - -The old marquis pointed to a chair, saying in a stern tone: - -"Be seated, monsieur; what I have to say to you will take some moments, -and deserves to be listened to with attention." - -"I beg pardon, monsieur, but you see the disordered state of my dress; I -am ashamed to appear before you in such disarray; allow me simply the -necessary time to change, and I will at once return." - -"No, monsieur! your dress is a matter of great consequence, in very -truth! By Saint Jacques! what matters it to me whether your doublet is -more or less fresh? It is not the dust with which your clothes are -covered that will mar your escutcheon, but your disgraceful conduct! -That it is which sullies the honor of your name much more than the storm -has injured your cloak! Be seated--I insist!" - -Léodgard restrained with difficulty an impatient outburst; but he threw -himself on a chair, and his father continued: - -"I have remonstrated with you several times, monsieur, concerning your -dissolute conduct; you have not listened to me, you have despised your -father's judicious counsel. To-day, when your misconduct has gone beyond -all bounds, when your evil deeds--for they are no longer the escapades -of a young man, but evil deeds, of which you are guilty----" - -"Father----" - -"Do not interrupt me!--To-day, when your evil deeds recognize no -restraint, I no longer advise, I command you; and you will respect my -commands, or this _lettre de cachet_ will deal with you for me.--Look, -monsieur; you know that I do not indulge in empty threats; here is your -passport to the Bastille, sent me by Monsieur le Cardinal de Richelieu, -who also is aware of all your misconduct and has given me permission to -make use of this whenever I may think best, leaving in my hands the -punishment of him who bears my name." - -Léodgard could not help shuddering inwardly when he saw the _lettre de -cachet_ which his father took from his desk, and he faltered in a -tremulous voice: - -"What have I done--what more than many young gentlemen of my age, to -deserve to be treated so harshly?" - -"Ah! you ask what you have done? That, I presume, is because you hope -that I know only a part of it. Unhappily, monsieur, your conduct is too -notorious, your vices make too much noise in the world; you are cited -too often by all the wellborn debauchees, for the echo not to reach your -father's ears. Stealing wives from their husbands, young girls from -their parents, passing the night in wine shops and gambling hells, -fighting with the king's archers, with the watch, with citizens, -incurring debts and not paying them, breaking shop windows and offering -no other compensation than a sword thrust, binding yourself to Jews and -usurers, thrashing your creditors when they presume to demand what you -owe them, what they have been waiting for so long--such are your noble -exploits, monsieur! a descendant of the Marvejols does not blush to -conduct himself thus!--And yet, cast your eyes about you, look at these -portraits which surround you, your ancestors who have left you a -glorious name--are not you of their blood, you, who debase it? Ah! if -they could come forth from their tombs,--and your excellent mother, who -was so proud to have brought forth a descendant of our line,--it would -be to crush you with their wrath!" - -"Monsieur le marquis, allow me to say a word in my own defence.--My -faults have been exaggerated. I have committed some faults, I admit; but -they are not so serious as you seem to think." - -"And your debts--will you say that they are a mere trifle? You owe five -thousand pistoles at this moment, monsieur." - -"I do not know, monsieur le marquis, whether you have also been told -that I have been stripped clean by that miserable Giovanni, that Italian -brigand, who terrorizes all Paris?" - -"Yes, I have heard of that. But how did you allow yourself to be robbed -by that man?" - -"I venture to believe that my father has no doubt that if I was overcome -it was not without a vigorous resistance on my part." - -"Oh! I do justice to your courage; you would not be my son if you were a -coward!" - -"It was late at night, about a fortnight ago. I was returning home alone -and was passing through Rue Couture-Sainte-Catherine. Suddenly this -Giovanni appeared before me, and demanded my purse as courteously as if -he were inquiring for my health. The robber seemed to me such an -original character that I talked with him a few minutes. But when he -repeated his demand, I drew my sword. He had some sort of a short, broad -weapon. Practised as I am in fighting, that devil of a man dealt me a -thrust,--I do not know how to describe it,--and I was beaten. I felt the -point of his sword against my breast; but he was content to take my -purse, and disappeared as he had come, without giving me time to see -which way he went." - -"If I were lieutenant of police of this realm, that adroit thief would -have been hanged before this.--However, monsieur, this Giovanni did not -rob you of five thousand pistoles, I imagine?" - -"No; but I had a considerable sum upon me----" - -"Which you had won in some hell, I doubt not.--But let us have done, for -the subject of this interview is a painful one to both of us. Here, -Léodgard, are papers containing a statement of the amount of your debts; -here are your obligations to the Jews who are ruining you; here are your -receipts for various sums lent you at exorbitant rates, with a view, -doubtless, to my death, which does not come quickly enough to supply you -with another fortune to squander." - -"Ah! monsieur le marquis----" - -"All these papers cost me fifty thousand livres; but I paid it, to save -once more your honor, so seriously compromised." - -A ray of joy lighted up Léodgard's face; he stepped toward the old man, -crying: - -"What, father! you have deigned----" - -The marquis made a gesture as if to forbid his son to approach, and -continued with unabated austerity: - -"Yes, monsieur, I have paid the money; but mark well what I say: long -ago you squandered the last of the property which your mother left you. -I do not choose that you should have debts, but neither do I propose -that the fortune of my ancestors, which enables me to maintain my rank -becomingly, shall be the prey of harlots, gamblers, and rakes; so attend -closely to what I say: if I learn that you have contracted any new debt, -I shall instantly make use of this _lettre de cachet_, and send you to -the Bastille; and when you are once there, it may well be that you will -remain there for some time! This, monsieur, I will do--I swear it before -the portraits of my ancestors! You know now whether I will keep my -oath.--Mend your ways, Léodgard; make yourself worthy once more of the -name you bear. You know that it is my dearest wish to marry you to -Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin. I was her father's comrade in arms; -the idea that our children would be united some day made the baron's -heart beat fast with joy. Mademoiselle de Mongarcin is worthy of you, -her family is on a par with ours; she has a large fortune and is one of -the most beautiful women in France. Six months ago, she left the convent -where she had completed her education, and took up her abode with her -aunt; and she will soon be nineteen years old. What objection have you -to urge against this alliance, Léodgard?" - -"None, father. I agree that Mademoiselle de Mongarcin is very lovely, -although I have seen her but rarely." - -"What prevents you from paying court to her? Madame de Ravenelle, -Valentine's aunt, is aware of the baron's wishes.--Cease to be a -libertine, a rake, and she will give you the hand of this wealthy and -noble heiress.--Well, monsieur! what have you to say?" - -"Pardon me, monsieur le marquis--but--to marry--to put myself in chains -already----" - -"Already! A man cannot be happy too soon, monsieur; and you will be -happy with a woman who is worthy of you. You will realize the difference -between family joys and the orgies of debauchery. Furthermore, numerous -suitors for Mademoiselle de Mongarcin's hand have already entered the -lists; if you do not come forward, do you suppose that she will send to -beg for your homage? Hasten to present yourself, to disperse your -rivals! This marriage must take place ere long.--I have often repented, -myself, that I married so late in life! I was forty-three when I married -your excellent mother. What was the result? that I was already old when -you became a man; and that, instead of finding in me a friend, a -companion, my son has seen in me only an old man, to whom he has never -confided his secrets." - -"Father----" - -"You have heard me, Léodgard. It rests with you now to be happy and to -regain your father's affection. You know how you must conduct yourself -for that.--Go; I will keep you no longer." - -Léodgard bent his head respectfully before the old man, who responded -with a slight nod which indicated no great amount of confidence as yet. - -When he was out of range of his father's eyes, Léodgard tore his hair, -saying to himself: - -"Not incur debts! why, I have no money!--But I must have some! For I -promised Camilla that beautiful pearl necklace that she wants so much! -Now that I no longer owe anything, I can easily borrow.--But that -_lettre de cachet_!--Ah! I know my father; he did not threaten me -heedlessly; he would have me put in the Bastille, and I have no desire -to go to that horrible prison!" - - - - -VI - -CHAUDOREILLE'S GODSON - - -Among the numerous habitués of the various bathing establishments might -be noticed a tall, lean man, with a yellow complexion, like the -description of the Knight of the Rueful Countenance. This personage had -one of those elongated faces, with prominent cheek bones which call -attention to the hollowness of the cheeks; also a long, pointed nose, a -chin of the same type, an enormous mouth with a full complement of long -teeth, each one of which resembled a tusk, and which terrified beyond -words all the little children in whose presence this gentleman was -pleased to smile; for he then appeared exactly as if he proposed to -swallow the innocent creatures. A low forehead, yellow hair, and -moustaches of the same color, the latter twisted at the ends so that -they nearly joined the corners of the eyes--such was the Chevalier -Passedix, who claimed to be Chaudoreille's godson. - -We like to believe, dear reader, whichever your sex, that you have known -a certain _Barber of Paris_, whose adventures made some noise long ago; -in that case, you may not have forgotten entirely his friend the -Chevalier Chaudoreille, that vain, cowardly Gascon, gambler and -shameless liar, who boasted so loudly of his long sword, which he called -Roland, and who came to such a tragic end, falling from a roof, and -running himself through in his fall with his faithful Roland, which he -held in his hand to feel his way along the slippery roof on which he was -walking. - -The Chevalier Passedix, then, claimed to be the godson of Chaudoreille, -albeit the latter, in his negotiations with Touquet the barber, had -never mentioned his godson. But there are many people who forget that -they ever held a child over the baptismal font, or who do not choose to -remember that they have been godparents, in order to evade the duties -which that relation imposes on them. - -However, Passedix, himself a Gascon, resembled his godfather in many -respects; like him, he was a glutton, a gambler, and a liar; like him, -he sighed for every woman who looked at him, believing himself to be a -very attractive gallant, whereas he might fittingly have served as a -scarecrow in a community of women. - -But there was one respect in which the resemblance between him and his -godfather had no existence. Chaudoreille was always a coward, his -battles were mere bluster, and his very death was tragic only because -he was fleeing over the roofs from an imaginary danger. - -Passedix, on the contrary, was really brave; he would draw his sword on -the most trivial pretext, would often take up the cudgels for a perfect -stranger, and like Don Quixote, whom he resembled in his great height -and his leanness, he would readily have fought against a windmill. But -his courage was rarely fortunate, and whether because he handled Roland -unskilfully,--for he possessed his godfather's famous rapier,--or -because his excessive ardor made him imprudent, or because he was too -sure of victory, the chevalier was almost always beaten; indeed, he was -very lucky when he came off with a few scratches and was not nailed to -his bed to await the healing of his wounds. - -On a certain beautiful warm spring morning, several young nobles were -chatting and laughing in Master Hugonnet's shop. Some were waiting for -their inamoratas to come from the baths, others had come thither in the -hope of seeing Ambroisine, La Belle Baigneuse, and perhaps of being -shaved by her. The majority were there because it was a favorite -rendezvous of idlers, lady killers, and all the young dandies and rakes -who were eager to learn the news, the spicy anecdotes of the court and -city, to inquire concerning the scandalous intrigue of the moment, in -order that they might make merry at the expense of the poor betrayed -husband; for we must not forget that husbands were betrayed in the good -old times no less than they are to-day. - -As there were no cafés in those days for the idlers and gossips, the -bathing establishments filled their place. As there were no newspapers -to read, people were accustomed to collect to listen to the man who came -there to tell some anecdote or some new occurrence. The gossips were -welcome and held the floor. Many falsehoods were told, as will always be -the case in such assemblages; the man who lied with the most assurance -was almost always the one who was most eagerly listened to, and most -loudly applauded by those at whom he laughed in his sleeve. To-day, we -find _blagueurs_ who delight to hoodwink their auditors. The words have -changed, but the characters are the same. - -Some of the idlers who were assembled at Master Hugonnet's stood in the -doorway of the shop, both wings of the door being thrown open, and -amused themselves by watching the passers-by. Rue Saint-Jacques was -frequented by students, clerks of the Basoche, and a great number of the -lower classes; moreover, the proximity of the Hôtel de Cluny brought to -the quarter many ecclesiastics and doctors of the Sorbonne. - -Our young gentlemen did not always confine themselves to ogling the -passers-by. When a woman who was at all attractive, or a clown with a -particularly idiotic face, passed the barber's shop, they addressed a -compliment or an obscene jest to the one, to the other some unflattering -epithet or some insulting question. And woe to the unlucky wight who -should take the jest in bad part! for if he lost his temper and -presumed to reply, all the idlers and all the customers assembled at the -baths instantly ran out to listen to the complainant; and then, instead -of one jest, he had to undergo a perfect hailstorm of witticisms from -all sides. - -"Pardieu! messeigneurs," said one young blade, all covered with ribbons -and lace, as he left the door and threw himself carelessly on one of the -hard chairs in the shop, "I have just seen two women of rather -attractive aspect go in at the door leading to the baths." - -"How were they dressed, Sénange?" inquired the young man who was at that -moment in the barber's hands. - -"Oh! how curious this little Monclair is! He wants to make us believe -that he is waiting here for a fair; that someone is to come here to -fetch him!" - -"Yes, sambleu! I am expecting someone; what is there so surprising in -that? Haven't you at least one mistress yourself, Sénange?" - -"One mistress! Vertudieu! if I had but one, it seems to me that it would -be almost the same as if I had none." - -"Very pretty! but I shouldn't expect it from anyone but Léodgard.--Come, -Sénange, be decent; how were the damsels dressed who have just gone into -the baths?" - -"One--and she must have been the dowager--wore a brown pelisse and hood; -her head was all wrapped up in the hood, and there was a thick veil over -all; guess at the face, if you can!" - -"And the other?" - -"The other was dressed in pink; there was a border of black lace to her -hood, and it fell over her eyes; but her feet were small, her slippers -embroidered with silver thread, and her leg well turned, as one could -easily see, for she raised her skirts very generously!" - -"Oh! it is she, I am sure!" - -"By Notre-Dame de Paris!" cried Master Hugonnet, holding his razor in -the air; "if you move about like this, my lord, something will happen to -your face; that leap of yours nearly cost you your nose, and I assure -you that it would not have been my fault. Keep quiet, or I will not -answer for the consequences!" - -"'Tis well, barber; go on, do your duty; I will try to be calm.--By the -way, messieurs, it seems to me that it is a long while since we last saw -Passedix in this quarter!" - -"True; the valiant Passedix no longer shows himself; where can he -be?--Have you seen him lately, Hugonnet?" - -"No, messeigneurs; it is several weeks since the Chevalier Passedix has -been here." - -"That is the more surprising, because, if I remember aright, he was -deeply in love with your daughter Ambroisine." - -"In love with my daughter--he! He is in love with all women; but it -amounts to nothing." - -"Did you treat him a little--harshly? You are quite capable of it." - -"No, I was not put to that trouble; the chevalier has always been too -respectful for me to be angry with him." - -"Then it must be that poor Passedix has had some new affair of honor; he -has probably fought a duel and come out second best, as usual; and -doubtless he is stretched out on his bed of pain at this moment." - -"Perhaps he has been attacked by Giovanni, the fashionable robber!" - -"Giovanni would not have wounded him; he contents himself with robbing -and never does any harm." - -"But if a man doesn't choose to be robbed, and defends himself----" - -"Look at Léodgard, messieurs; he defended himself gallantly, and yet -Giovanni robbed him and did not hurt a hair of his head." - -At that moment, loud exclamations were heard at the shop door. - - - - -VII - -A YOUNG WOMAN _EN CROUPE_ - - -"Oh! what a fine head, my friends!" cried a cavalier who was standing in -the doorway. - -"What is it, La Valteline?" - -"A great clodhopper--some peasant from the South, doubtless, for he -wears the Béarnais costume, I believe. He is coming along on an enormous -horse. Come, look! it's worth the trouble!" - -"Do you expect us to put ourselves out for a country lout?" - -"But he has something very seductive _en croupe_; a fresh, red-cheeked -little wench, who, in her rustic costume, would carry off the palm from -all the fair who come to visit the baths!" - -"Oho! we must see that! we must see that!" - -A horse was coming along at a footpace, with two persons on his back. -First, a countryman with straight hair brushed flat, which fell to his -shoulders, and was partly hidden by a sort of woollen cap ending in a -point and surmounted by a small black plume; beneath that original -headgear appeared a broad, round, chubby, red face, a most perfect -specimen of careless health, with big eyes on a level with the face, -which expressed amazement at everything they saw, and at the same time -seemed happy to be amazed. The rest of his costume was that of a -Béarnais peasant. In his right hand he held a long branch of dogwood, -which he used as a crop to accelerate his horse's gait. - -Behind this rustic, on his horse's crupper, and clinging tightly to her -cavalier, was a young girl of eighteen years at most, as pretty as the -Italian madonnas to whom the painters make you long to pray, and as -fresh as a rosebud just opening. - -Her embarrassment and alarm made her even more beautiful, for she seemed -a little alarmed by her position; and while trying to seat herself more -firmly, she displayed every moment the upper part of a shapely calf, and -sometimes even the red garter that held her coarse woollen stocking in -place. - -"Jarnidié! that's a dainty morsel!" exclaimed the young men in chorus. - -"See the lovely black hair!" - -"And eyes quite as black, on my word!--fine lashes, heavy eyebrows!" - -"A straight nose, neither too large nor too small!" - -"A perfect chin and a tiny mouth!" - -"Oh! did you see, messieurs? She uttered a little cry of fright, and I -saw the prettiest teeth!" - -"Then she lacks nothing, for she is as fresh as she is pretty!" - -"Where in the devil is that clown taking this seductive morsel?" - -"Pardieu! messieurs, we will find out." - -"It shall not be said that a charming creature shall pass us like this, -without our taking measures to find her again." - -"But this girl, with her square cap and her veil on top of her head, -with her striped waist and skirt of such brilliant colors, certainly is -not a Frenchwoman; she wears an Italian costume." - -"Do you think so, La Valteline?" - -"I am sure; it's the costume of the peasants in the suburbs of Milan. -Pardieu! I ought to know; I was at Milan last year!" - -"You are right; the girl has something Italian or Israelitish in her -face, and her slightly bronzed complexion also tends to confirm your -conjectures." - -The horse and his riders had by this time reached the bath keeper's -house, and were about to pass it on their way down Rue Saint-Jacques, -when the young Marquis de Sénange ran out and placed himself in front of -the peaceful beast, which instantly halted. - -Thereupon the young noble, doffing his hat, saluted the girl and her -escort with respect, and all the other bystanders made haste to do the -like. - -The Béarnais peasant, astounded by all these courtesies, deemed it -advisable none the less to remove his cap and return the salutations of -all those young men who treated him so politely. - -As for the girl, she raised her great black eyes and, with an expression -in which there was more surprise than timidity, looked about at the -persons who were gazing at her. - -"Par la sambleu! my dear monsieur, how fortunate we are to fall in with -you, and to be the first to present you our respectful homage. But we -have been waiting for you a long while.--Pray put on your hat--we -entreat you! You must surely see by the joy which your arrival causes us -how impatiently you and your charming travelling companion were awaited -in Paris!" - -"Eh! damme! what's that? we were expected in Paris?" cried the big -countryman, who had listened with a dazed expression to young Sénange's -harangue. - -"Can you doubt it?" said the Chevalier de La Valteline, in his turn, -walking nearer to the horse's hind quarters in order to examine the girl -more closely. "Do you not know that we are notified in advance at Paris -when such interesting travellers as you are to arrive here? Deputations -were sent to all the barriers to welcome you. It is very strange that -you did not meet them--eh, messeigneurs?" - -Shouts arose on all sides, accompanied by roars of laughter, which the -clerks of the Basoche and the students could not restrain, and in which -the valets and all the blackguards of the quarter did not hesitate to -join. - -"Pray dismount, my master, and come with us to take some refreshment, -you and this lovely child; we will give you a taste of a certain choice -wine which we have put aside for the express purpose of celebrating your -arrival. I will help your companion to dismount first." - -As he spoke, the jovial Sénange offered his knee to the girl for use as -a stepping stone, while the peasant, bewildered by what he heard and, it -may be, a little tempted by the offer of wine, seemed to hesitate as to -what he ought to do, and to be inclined to accept the invitation. But -his pretty companion, instead of dismounting as she was invited to do, -seized her escort's arm with little ceremony, and said to him, under her -breath, but in a firm tone: - -"Don't get down, Cédrille; don't you see that all these fine gentlemen -are making sport of you and me, for all their courtesies and fine -manners? They say that they expected us, but I will wager that they do -not even know who we are. Just ask that most dandified one, who has such -a smooth tongue, to tell you your name and why we have come to Paris; -and you'll see that he won't be able to answer you." - -These words changed the peasant's plans. He sat more firmly in his -saddle, and, addressing the man who had spoken first, said in a tone -wherein it was easy to detect distrust: - -"One moment, my fine gentleman; we don't make acquaintances so fast, we -peasants don't, especially as we were told that we must be on the -lookout in Paris; and that there was a lot of fellows, law students and -ne'er-do-wells, yes, and some great nobles, who like to poke fun at -poor folks, especially peasants and people who work in the fields. -That's an entertainment that we don't care about giving, d'ye see!--You -say we were expected in Paris--so you know me and the little one, I -suppose? Well, if you know us--who are we?--tell us who we are? Answer, -if you please, messeigneurs." - -The young men looked at one another and winked. - -"This clod is not so stupid as he looks," said one. - -"That didn't come from him," said a page; "the little one prompted him -to say it." - -"He was all ready to dismount, but the girl held him back." - -"You ask me who you are," rejoined young Sénange, twirling his -moustache; "why, you know who you are! So what need is there for me to -tell you what you already know?--Nonsense! come with us, my master, and -drink and touch glasses; the wine we will give you is much better than -that you drink in your village." - -"Oh, no! oh, no! not till you have answered my questions; but you can't -do that!" - -"Your questions! By what right, pray, do you put questions to us, when -we are offering you a civil attention? Do you know, my handsome -traveller, that it is not decent to refuse to drink a glass, to empty a -goblet, to our health?--Are you afraid to drink? In that case, you would -make a dismal companion!--I say, messieurs, what do you think of this -lout who fears to compromise himself by drinking with us?" - -"Probably the knave has never tasted wine; he thinks that we intend to -purge him." - -"He is sadly in need of having the rust rubbed off--the clown!" - -"Ah! but he must drink! We will pour a pint or two down his throat from -the Souris Blanche, which is just across the way." - -"We will teach the fool what courtesy is!" - -"Ah! so silly talk is taking the place of your civilities now!" said the -peasant, with a frown. - -His companion touched him on the shoulder and murmured: - -"Go on, Cédrille! whip your horse. Don't stay in the midst of all these -young gentlemen. They look to me like bad fellows; their shouts and the -way they look at me--I am beginning to be frightened." - -"Whip Bourriquet! why, they have got hold of his bridle; and how can we -go on in the middle of all this crowd? I wouldn't like to ride over -anyone, for then they would make trouble for me.--Jarny! Miretta, I am -sorry already that you insisted on coming to this Paris!" - -"Pray dismount, my pretty Milanese," said the Chevalier de La Valteline, -offering his hand to the girl, whose name, as we now know, was Miretta. - -"Milanese!" she retorted, refusing the young nobleman's hand. "Ah! you -guess that from my costume; it is true that I have lived in the -neighborhood of Milan from infancy, but I was not born in Italy; I am -from the same province as Cédrille." - -"And Cédrille is a Béarnais?" - -"Yes, messieurs; from Pau, by your leave," said the peasant. - -"Vive Cédrille!" - -"Vive Cédrille of Pau!" - -And the young nobles, as they shouted the name, waved their hats and -handkerchiefs, while the bachelors and squires joined hands and began to -dance and caper around the horse and his riders. - -The girl's face flushed, her impatience got the better of her; she -struck the horse's flank with her hand, while the peasant did his best -to urge his steed forward, crying: - -"Let go of Bourriquet's rein, seigneurs! let go of my horse, ten -thousand devils!" - -"Ah! Bourriquet! the horse's name is Bourriquet!" - -"His rider should bear that name!" - -"Poor _bourrique_,[B] who has to carry another of his kind!" - -[B] _Bourrique_, an ass; _bourriquet_, an ass's colt. - -"No, no! your horse shall not take a step!" - -"Don't worry him with your rein." - -"Dismount, Cédrille of Pau; if not, we will forcibly remove you and your -companion from Bourriquet's back!" - -Some of Master Hugonnet's customers were already preparing to carry out -this threat; but at that crisis, the Béarnais peasant, whose face had -turned purple and had assumed a menacing expression, quickly raised his -right arm, and brandishing in the air the dogwood staff with which his -right hand was armed, twirled it about in the faces of those who -approached, with such fearless and uncompromising dexterity that in a -moment there was a large space cleared in front of the travellers; and -yet, some of the jokers did not move back quickly enough to avoid a blow -from the redoubtable dogwood staff. - -Meanwhile, the pretty girl threw both arms about her companion, and, -raising her head, seemed to defy with her glance those who surrounded -her, and to say to them: - -"Come forward now, if you dare!" - -All this had taken place in an instant; but the panic was soon over, and -all the young men, who were in the habit of beating the watch, fighting -with citizens, and brawling every night in the streets of Paris, were in -no humor to fly from a peasant's club. Having retired to a safe -distance, they turned about once more and drew their swords; the -bachelors, students, pages, and esquires did the same; for at that -blessed epoch almost every man wore a sword or a rapier of some sort, in -order to be always in a position to fight on the most trivial pretext: a -consequence of the gentle manners and pacific customs of the good old -times. - -At sight of the bare swords, Miretta said to her companion: - -"Come, push on, Cédrille! beat your horse! Let us get away from here, or -some disaster will happen to us." - -The peasant shook Bourriquet's rein with no gentle force; but although -the beast no longer felt a hand on his bit, he stood like a statue in -his tracks, and, in spite of the urging of his rider, refused to advance -a step, terrified doubtless by the noise that he heard and by the crowd -that stood in a circle about him. - -Meanwhile, the young men again approached, half threateningly, half -laughingly; they brandished their swords, and some of the points were -already in contact with the dogwood staff which Cédrille continued to -handle with much address, while they shouted in his ears: - -"Down! down, rustic!" - -"Dismount at once, and ask our pardon on your knees!" - -"Yes, let him apologize! or else we will carry off the girl!" - -"And Bourriquet too!" - -"And we will break the staff over Cédrille's back!" - -"Break my staff!--Oh! jarnidieu! there's more than one of you who will -have a few ribs broken first!" - -But when she saw all those gleaming blades directed against her -companion, and often, by inadvertence, threatening her own person, -pretty Miretta uttered piercing shrieks; she called imploringly for -help. To her cries, uttered as they were in a plaintive, grief-stricken -tone, the young men replied by a storm of jests and lamentations; they -tried to reassure the girl, to make her understand that they would do -her no harm; but she, too terrified to hear what they said, continued -her outcries. - -Thereupon Master Hugonnet, who thus far had continued to shave Monsieur -de Monclair, abandoned his customer and ran into the street to find out -what was happening. At the same time, Ambroisine left the baths to -ascertain the cause of the uproar and the shrieks that she heard. - -As the father and the daughter reached the street, two other persons -arrived on the scene, one by Rue des Mathurins, the other from -Saint-Benoît cemetery; and, having quickened their pace in order to -arrive sooner, they made their appearance at almost the same -moment--forcing their way through the crowd without ceremony, and -distributing blows to right and left among those who did not move aside -quickly enough to make way for them. - - - - -VIII - -A BATTLE - - -"Ah! here's our friend Passedix, whom we were so anxious about!" cried -several of the reckless youths, when they spied the long, lank, -yellow-faced chevalier, who always wore a helmet, which heightened his -resemblance to Don Quixote, although his helmet was not of the shape of -that worn by the Knight of the Rueful Countenance. - -"Ah! here is the Sire de Jarnonville!" exclaimed others of the young -men, at sight of the second of the two new-comers, who, by rough -handling of the crowd, had arrived in front of the barber's shop. - -He was a tall, handsome man, dressed in a rich but very sombre costume; -his black doublet, slashed with white satin, had the appearance of a -mourning garment; a black velvet cloak, faced with white, covered his -shoulders; his full, funnel-shaped top-boots also were black, although -most gentlemen wore yellow ones except when they went to war. His -broad-brimmed hat, turned up in front, had no other ornament than a long -plume of the same color as the cloak. So that the Sire de Jarnonville -was sometimes given the sobriquet of the _Black Chevalier_. - -He was thirty-eight years of age, but seemed much older, because his -brown hair was beginning to turn gray; because his noble and regular -features were almost always clouded, as if under the burden of painful -thoughts; because his eyes also had ordinarily an expression of profound -sadness; and lastly, because his brow was furrowed with premature -wrinkles, and the clouds which darkened it were rarely dissipated. - -And yet this gentleman, whose aspect was so gloomy, and whom one would -have taken to be the enemy of all pleasure, had for several years past -participated in all the amusements and festivities, and especially in -all the brutal tricks which were played on bourgeois, tradesmen, and -even attachés of the court. Whenever one of the most dissolute -frequenters of the bathing establishments proposed some new escapade--to -abduct a woman, to hoodwink a guardian, or to thrash the watch and throw -a whole quarter into dismay, he could be certain beforehand that the -Sire de Jarnonville would join him; he was one of the first volunteers -in all perilous undertakings; he always rushed to the spot where the -danger was greatest, fought like four men, and was the last to leave the -field. - -If anyone had a duel on hand and lacked a second, the Black Chevalier -was always ready to render him that service, without even inquiring as -to the subject of the dispute or the name of the adversary; but always -on condition that he should fight with the opposing seconds.--Did anyone -propose to gamble and drink, Jarnonville gambled and drank, and -sometimes drank too much. Amid the companions of his revels, at the -banquet table, in a midnight affray, in a duel, he almost always -retained that melancholy expression which had aged his features before -their time; to one who watched him fight and gamble and drink, it seemed -that he did all those things without inclination or pleasure, but solely -in the hope of diverting his thoughts; and that he could not succeed in -doing it. Such was the personage who had forced his way through the -crowd and taken his stand beside the Marquis de Sénange, while the -Chevalier de Passedix approached Bourriquet's hind quarters and -contemplated with admiration the pretty girl who was seated thereon. - -"Ah! here is Jarnonville! Vivat! the victory is ours!" - -"Come on our side, O Black Chevalier! you arrive in the nick of time; -there's a girl to be kidnapped, and a clown to be beaten!" - -"Vrai Dieu! it seems to me that there are a good many of you for such a -small matter!" rejoined the Sire de Jarnonville, casting his eye over -the crowd assembled before the barber's house. - -"Yes; but the task is not so simple as you might think, my master; for -we must obtain possession of this pretty wench without doing her the -slightest harm; and yonder idiot, with his club, is capable of wounding -the little one in trying to defend her." - -"Ah! he knows how to handle the staff, does he? So much the better! we -will judge of his talent." - -"Sandioux! messeigneurs," cried Passedix, "why do you attack this child? -and this stout youth whom she presses to her heart, rolling her lovely -eyes to beseech our compassion?--I wish, first of all, to know the -subject of the quarrel; and I object beforehand to any sort of force -being put upon such a charming wench!" - -"Come, come, valiant Passedix, just move away from that nag's hind -quarters and come over to our side! Do you mean to desert our camp? are -you going over to the Greeks?" - -"Beware, second Don Quixote; we shall have no mercy for traitors!" - -"Cadédis! if you think to frighten me, my boy, you waste your time and -your words! With my good Roland, this trusty blade which came to me from -my godfather Chaudoreille, I will spit you all like smelts, provided -that this lovely child accepts me for her knight. One word from her -sweet mouth, and I make mincemeat of you all!" - -Bursts of laughter greeted the Gascon chevalier's braggadocio; but he, -drawing his long sword, put the point to the ground before Miretta, and -bent his knee as he said to her: - -"Answer, O marvellous queen of Paphos and Cythera! Will you accept me -for your champion in the combat which I beg the privilege of undertaking -for you? Give me a pledge--the merest trifle--your glove; you have none? -then your pretty hand, that I may kiss it; and I am victor!" - -Miretta stared in utter amazement at that tall man, thin as an asparagus -stalk, who was almost kneeling at her horse's tail; she seemed not at -all inclined to accept him for her knight, for ugliness inspires women -with little confidence, and the Chevalier Passedix was perfectly ugly. - -But the Béarnais peasant, still twirling his staff, said to the Gascon: - -"Thanks for your offer, seigneur cavalier; it isn't to be refused.--Here -are I don't know how many of them setting on me, and I am all alone to -defend my travelling companion! My opinion is that it's a cowardly -trick! But come and take my side, and I'll warrant that with my club and -your spit we'll prevent these gentry from carrying off Miretta." - -Although he considered the term _spit_ in very bad taste as applied to -Roland, the valorous Passedix, whom Miretta's eyes had already taken -captive, instantly took his stand in front of the horse, threatening the -assailants with his sword. - -While these things were taking place about the travellers, Master -Hugonnet and his daughter, having learned the subject of the quarrel, -were striving to make the reckless youths drawn up in battle array in -front of the shop listen to reason. But that which at first was a simple -jest had become, in the eyes of those young dandies, a matter of -self-esteem, almost of honor. No one of them was willing to give ground -before Cédrille's staff. In order that the dispute should come to an -end without violence, it would have been necessary for the peasant to -agree to apologize to those who had jeered at him and insulted him, and -he was in no mood to humble himself before them. - -"By Notre-Dame! messeigneurs," said Hugonnet, going from one to another -of his customers, with his basin of soapsuds in one hand and his shaving -brush in the other, "what have this peasant and his companion done to -you that you should pick a quarrel with them? What an idea--to throw a -whole quarter into commotion and bring the whole neighborhood to the -windows, for two travellers who have only one horse between them!" - -"Leave us in peace, Hugonnet; attend to your own affairs; this doesn't -concern you!" - -"Pardieu! yes, it does concern me; for you are blocking the whole -street, you are in battle order in front of my house, so that it would -be impossible for anyone to come near who might happen to want a bath or -a shave! So you see that you injure me with your quarrelling, and that -it does concern me." - -"For heaven's sake, messieurs," said Ambroisine, in her turn, "do not -torment this poor traveller like this! What pleasure can you find in -frightening a woman? Let these people go their way. They are not -Parisians--anyone can see that! They do not know that you are only -threatening them in joke." - -"In joke!" repeated young La Valteline, with a frown. "But you are not -aware, _belle baigneuse_, that that peasant's staff has soiled my -cloak!--Oh! I must chastise him for that! These knaves must be taught -the respect that they owe us." - -"And why do you jeer at them and attack them, if you wish them to -respect you?" - -"Enough, fair Ambroisine! sermons are all right for preachers, but they -amount to nothing in a pretty girl's mouth!" - -"Come, Jarnonville! forward! have at him! have at him! let us trounce -the peasant!" - -"Not without my helping to defend him!" ejaculated Master Hugonnet, -running to take his stand beside the travellers, still carrying his -basin and shaving brush. - -"And I will not allow that girl to be insulted, without doing what I can -to help her!" cried Ambroisine, following her father and placing herself -in front of Miretta. - -"That is right! good! good for _la baigneuse_!" cried all the women, who -had been drawn to the scene by the noise of the quarrel. "You are on the -girl's side, and we too will defend her!" - -"All these ne'er-do-wells are fit for nothing but to insult women!" - -"Let us pick up stones and throw them at the villains!" - -"No, no! by Notre-Dame!" cried Hugonnet. "No stones, I entreat you! You -will break my windows and my sign, and I shall have to pay for all the -damage! We shall be able to settle this business without you!" - -The young gentlemen were embarrassed, for, although eager to fight and -having little fear of their adversaries, they were afraid that in the -scrimmage they might injure the pretty traveller and Ambroisine. - -The latter, divining what held them back, took delight in defying all -those fine cavaliers, who were in the habit of making love to her, and -several of whom called out to her: - -"Come away from there, _belle baigneuse_; that is no place for you!" - -"You are in our way. Besides, you ought not to take sides against your -customers!" - -"I don't care a fig for customers! Let these travellers go their way, -and I will agree to shave all of you." - -This proposition seemed to make an impression on several of the young -men; but the Sire de Jarnonville, irritated by all this discussion, drew -his sword and strode toward the horse's head. With a few passes he soon -sent the famous Roland flying through the air. Passedix, disarmed, -called loudly for another weapon. - -The Black Chevalier thereupon turned his attention to the dogwood staff, -but he had not so simple a task as with the Gascon's sword. - -At that moment, a young page, who had stolen forward to unseat Miretta, -was confronted by Master Hugonnet; and he, having no other weapons than -his basin and shaving brush, instantly covered the page with a thick -coating of lather, filling his nose and mouth and even his eyes with it; -whereupon the assailant began to shriek at the top of his voice. All -eyes were turned in that direction. At sight of that face completely -covered with lather, a roar of laughter burst from all who were present, -friends and foes, combatants and lookers-on; it was as if they were -trying to see who could laugh the loudest. - -This incident suspended the combat for a moment. But the Sire de -Jarnonville, who alone had taken no part in the general merriment, -immediately renewed his attack on the peasant's staff. Whether because -Cédrille's arm was tired, or because the sight of that gleaming weapon, -whirling through the air and sometimes striking sparks, dazzled his -eyes, he began to defend himself less vigorously. At last, a blow dealt -with more force than usual broke the staff. - -The peasant was beaten; the Black Chevalier's weapon was already on the -point of forcing him to dismount, when Ambroisine, who had left her post -a moment before, suddenly reappeared, carrying in her arms a little boy -of three or four years; and darting in front of Jarnonville, she held -the child out to him, crying: - -"Take care, seigneur, you will wound this child!" - -Those words and the sight of the little boy produced a magical effect on -the Black Chevalier. He paused and dropped his arm, which was raised to -strike; the warlike ardor which enlivened his face gave way to an -expression of sadness, almost of tenderness. He gazed for some seconds -at the little fellow, who, not realizing that he was in the midst of a -battle, was not in the least frightened, but smiled up at the chevalier, -crying: - -"I'd like to fight, too!" - -Jarnonville stooped to kiss the child's forehead, and replaced his sword -in its sheath. Then, turning to the young noblemen, who were utterly -amazed at the change that had taken place in him, he said to them: - -"It's all over, messieurs; the treaty of peace is signed!" - -"What! all over? How so, if we are not satisfied?" - -"I tell you that it is all over! This peasant has been conquered, -disarmed; what more do you want?" - -"We want him to apologize." - -"We want most of all to kiss the pretty girl whom he has _en croupe_." - -Jarnonville's only reply was to push aside with his arm all those who -stood in front of the horse, thus clearing a passage for him. Then he -made a sign to the peasant, who understood him and dug his heels into -Bourriquet's ribs. This time the poor beast seemed to share his master's -desire, and asked nothing better than to leave the field of battle. He -trotted off at full speed down Rue Saint-Jacques, and Cédrille and his -pretty companion soon disappeared from the eyes of the crowd. - -All this had happened so quickly that Miretta hardly had time to grasp -Ambroisine's hand and say: - -"Thanks! thanks! you have saved us! I shall come to see you, and to tell -you how grateful I am!" - -"Come; you will ask for Ambroisine, the daughter of Master Hugonnet the -bath keeper, on Rue Saint-Jacques." - - - - -IX - -CAUSES AND EFFECTS - - -Ambroisine's first care was to take the child back to its mother, a -woman of the people, who was there by the merest chance, having come to -find out why such a crowd had collected in front of the bath keeper's -establishment, little dreaming that her child would be the means of -adjusting that great quarrel. - -Hugonnet's daughter kissed the little fellow, put a coin in his hand -with which to buy a cake, and returned to her home, curious to learn how -the gentlemen had taken the conclusion of the affair. - -Sénange, La Valteline, Monclair, and their friends, were dazed for a -moment by the sudden departure of Cédrille and his companion. Some of -them were inclined to run after the peasant, others wanted to fight -Jarnonville, whom they accused of betraying them; they were all -displeased, and another battle was imminent perhaps, when general -attention was attracted by shouts and oaths proceeding from the place -recently occupied by Bourriquet. - -A battle with fists was in progress between Master Hugonnet and one of -his neighbors, named Lambourdin, a dealer in ribbons, tags, fringes, and -other toilet articles, whose shop was not more than fifty yards from the -baths. - -The two neighbors were ordinarily very good friends; they met sometimes -at the wine shop, which both were fond of frequenting; they laughed and -talked and drank together, and no one would ever have supposed that they -would one day entertain the inhabitants of the quarter with a genuine -pugilistic bout. - -But who can foretell the future? - -The most trivial cause is sometimes sufficient to embroil ambassadors -and to bring about war between two nations that could get along very -well without it; and we too often see old friends suddenly become -declared enemies. - -In our day, politics sometimes produces such revolutions by its gentle -and benignant influence. In the good old times, there were sometimes -conspiracies of great personages, nobles, and persons in high station, -but the people paid little heed to their plots. They went to see them -hanged at Montfaucon, but they were not tempted to meddle with matters -that led to such results. In those days, the workman thought of nothing -but working to support his family, to save a marriage portion for his -daughter, and to make sure of a home in his old age. That was the sum -total of his politics; it made him neither ill, nor infuriate, nor -insane, nor sophistical, nor evil-minded! It made him happy! - -In that respect we may well regret the good old times. - -Let us return to the two neighbors. - -Lambourdin, the dealer in small wares, was by inclination, and, above -all, by virtue of his trade, of the faction of the young nobles and the -courtiers. When a noble personage entered his shop and made a purchase, -Lambourdin puffed himself out like the frog in the fable, and never -failed to proclaim from the housetops that he supplied monsieur le -comte, or monsieur le marquis, or messieurs the pages attached to the -court. - -And so, when he learned the cause of the gathering, which he could see -from his shop, the dealer in small wares hastened to the scene of the -combat, fully disposed to take up the cudgels for the young nobles, to -whom he was intensely anxious to display his entire devotion. - -But the young men did not require the assistance of Master Lambourdin, -and he had had no other opportunity to show his interest in their -victory than by addressing an insulting remark or a threat to Cédrille -from time to time. - -But when Master Hugonnet besmeared a page so successfully with his -lather, Lambourdin, far from finding that amusing, flew into a transport -of rage, especially as the page who was so thoroughly lathered had -bought two beautiful bows of ribbon at his shop that morning. - -And so, as soon as the Black Chevalier's sword play had ceased, as soon -as Bourriquet had trotted away with his travellers on his back, -Lambourdin elbowed his way through the crowd to Master Hugonnet, and -said, eying him with a furious expression: - -"Do you know, Neighbor Hugonnet, that you have behaved very badly -throughout this affair?" - -"Ah! do you think so, Neighbor Lambourdin?" rejoined the barber, in a -bantering tone; for the wrathful expression blazing in the other's eyes -gave him a comical appearance, which inspired merriment rather than -alarm. - -"Yes, I do think so!--What! you, to whose place the young nobles come by -preference, whether to bathe, or to have their hair and beards arranged, -and bring customers to your establishment and make it fashionable!--you -take sides against them in this quarrel, instead of going to their -assistance, as every self-respecting man should do! You take part with -strangers--a rustic and a strumpet from no one knows where!" - -"I do what I please, what suits me, neighbor! I consult my heart before -my pocket. I look to see on which side the right and not the profit -is.--But why do you interfere? Is it any of your business?" - -"Yes, monsieur le baigneur; yes, it is my business--And that young page -whom you smeared with soapsuds so shamefully! He even had it in his -eyes! You spoiled a superb bow of ribbon that I sold him this morning!" - -"So much the better for you; he'll buy another one of you!" - -"No, he will not--I mean, yes, he will buy another one.--But your -conduct is none the less indecent!" - -"By Notre-Dame de Paris! you are beginning to make my ears burn, -Neighbor Lambourdin! Not another word, or I strike you!" - -"Do you think to frighten me, you low-lived bath keeper, unworthy to -shave noble chins! I am no boy of fifteen; and if you should touch me -with your shaving brush, I'd trample you under foot like an old -blanket!" - -"Ah! so! Well, take that! I won't touch you with my shaving brush!" - -As he spoke, Hugonnet buried his fist in Lambourdin's side; the latter -had gone too far to retreat; and then, too, there were so many -witnesses! So he answered the blow with a kick, but he measured the -distance so inaccurately that he kicked into space. - -Lambourdin was a little fellow, strong enough, but not of the build to -contend with Master Hugonnet. After a struggle that was not of long -duration, the two neighbors fell, still clinging to each other. -Unluckily, poor Lambourdin was underneath, and had to endure -simultaneously the weight of his adversary's body and the numerous blows -which he continued to administer. Then it was that the little man's -cries attracted the attention of the young gentlemen who had remained in -front of the bath keeper's house. - -They ran to the scene of conflict; Hugonnet was excited and would not -release his neighbor; but when he heard the voice of his daughter, who -came up to see who the combatants were, the barber grew calmer, rose, -and entered his shop, saying: - -"No matter! he got what he deserved! What need had he to meddle in the -affair?" - -As for Lambourdin, who was completely done up and could hardly walk, he -required the assistance of two arms to return to his home, but they were -neither pages nor nobles who supplied them, although it was in their -behalf that he had fought!--So much for the gratitude of those whose -quarrels one embraces! - -This incident diverted the young dandies, and made them forget Cédrille -and Miretta for a moment; and with a Frenchman, when the first ardor has -passed away, it very rarely returns. - -Furthermore, a number of fair dames, who had had time to leave the bath -and to dress, came from the house, with a wink to one, a slight nod to -another; so that in a few moments the whole crowd dispersed, the idlers -sauntered away, the neighbors returned to their homes, and there was no -one left in the barber's shop save the Chevalier Passedix, who was -wiping Roland, which he had picked out of the gutter, and the Sire de -Jarnonville, who had thrown himself into a chair and was apparently lost -in thought and entirely oblivious to what was going on about him. - -"Par la sandioux! my _belle baigneuse_," said the Gascon knight to -Ambroisine, who had remained in the shop, and who, as if by accident, -glanced very frequently in Jarnonville's direction, "I am very glad to -tell you that in this affair you comported yourself like a man of heart! -First, it was well done of you to take that stranger's part; what a -lovely face! sandis! what a fascinating profile! and the full face--it -is enough to bring one to one's knees! So that I knelt with ardor!--You -will pardon me, I trust, _belle baigneuse_, for praising another woman -in your presence. You too are superb, after a different type." - -"Oh! say on, monsieur le chevalier, do not hesitate. Why should I take -it ill of you that you praise that girl? In the first place, she -deserves it, for she is very pretty. And then, have you not the right to -fall in love with her, if you please? does it concern me?" - -"True, true! it could not affect you, since you have refused the homage -of my heart--for I think that I offered it to you----" - -"But you are not quite sure, eh?" - -"Why, you see, I have disposed of it so often! But let us return to the -stranger, to pretty Miretta--for her name is Miretta, is it not?" - -"Yes, that is the name by which her companion, the stout peasant, called -her." - -"And she is an Italian?" - -"No; she told us that she was from Béarn; but it seems that she has -lived in Italy a long while." - -"O mia cara!--I know a few words of Italian--they may be very useful to -me. As I was saying, superb Ambroisine, your conduct was glorious! You -showed a courage--a valor--if you had been of my family, you could have -done no better. That damned Jarnonville---- He does not hear me; I think -that he's asleep." - -"Oh, no! he is not asleep; he is thinking, but not of us. Indeed, I -would wager that he doesn't even see that we are here!" - -"He may hear me or not, I snap my fingers at him! That damned -Jarnonville, by a bungler's thrust--for it is never used, everybody -scorns to use it--however, he knocked my sword from my hand; and I said -to myself just now: 'How in the deuce could I have let Roland go? There -must have been some deviltry about it, for it is the first time I was -ever disarmed!'--Well, sandioux! I have found the cause, while wiping -the hilt of my weapon.--What do you suppose I found on it, just at the -spot where one grasps it? I will give you ten thousand guesses." - -"I prefer that you should tell me at once." - -"Well, my beauty, I found a strip of pork twisted around the hilt of -Roland. So you will see that it is not surprising that my sword slipped -from my hand. Ah! cadédis! if I knew who played me that vile trick of -larding my sword like a partridge!--You laugh, I believe----" - -"Bless me! monsieur le chevalier, it seems to me so amusing that your -rapier should have been treated like a fowl; it is laughable enough!" - -"Do you doubt what I say? Never has a lie soiled my lips!--Look, lovely -girl! yonder is that accursed pork which I found on Roland; I threw it -into that corner; you can see for yourself." - -"I do not doubt what you say, monsieur le chevalier; but as the quarrel -attracted many people to this spot, and as there were several housewives -among them, returning from market with well-filled baskets on their -arms, it is probable that one of them dropped that fine strip of pork on -your sword as it lay on the ground; and she is probably looking -everywhere for it now." - -This explanation did not seem to the liking of Passedix, for he -compressed his lips angrily and muttered: - -"There are some people who distort the simplest things.--But enough of -that. Tell me now, young Hugonnetté, by what miracle you so suddenly -appeased the wrath of that miscreant Jarnonville? How did it happen that -at sight of a little brat of three or four years that madman, who knows -neither God nor the devil, became absolutely calm. I confess that I was -so surprised that I feel it yet." - -Ambroisine motioned to Passedix to follow her to the rear of the shop, -where the Sire de Jarnonville could neither see nor hear them. - -The Gascon, who was very curious to know what the girl had to tell him, -lost no time in seating himself by her side on a bench; whereupon -Ambroisine resumed the conversation, taking care, however, to speak in -undertones. - -"Have you known the Sire de Jarnonville long?" - -"No--about a year; and even so, I know him only from having been with -him in several affrays. He fights well, I am bound to admit, but he's a -good-for-nothing fellow. He doesn't believe in anything, and I don't -like atheists. I am a bad man with the fair, a libertine, a rake, a -seducer!--anything you please, I will not say _nay_. But all that does -not prevent my being religious, for without religion there is no true -chivalry; and all those stainless knights who fought in Palestine would -then be mere braggarts.--But why do you ask me that question?" - -"Because, if you had known the Sire de Jarnonville long, you would -probably know as much about him as I do, and you would have a very -different opinion of him.--I will tell you what I have heard here. About -five or six months ago, the Black Chevalier, for he is sometimes so -called, had just left our house, where he had been telling the story of -one of his exploits--he had broken everything in a tavern, I believe. -When he had gone, a gentleman quite advanced in years, but with a face -that inspired respect, said to another gentleman who was with him: 'Poor -Jarnonville! how he has changed! who would believe, to look at him now, -that he was once the mildest, most obliging, most virtuous of men! the -man who was held up as a model to young gentlemen who were just entering -the world!'--'What can have changed him so?' the other -inquired.--'Jarnonville was married, and he lost his wife, whom he loved -very dearly; but she had left him a child, a little girl, who was, they -say, an angel of beauty, sweetness, and docility. Jarnonville adored -little Blanche--that was his daughter's name; she had become his only -love, his sole joy, his whole hope for the future; constantly intent -upon providing some pleasure, some delight for his darling child, his -grief for his wife's death gradually faded away. Happy and proud to be -all in all to his daughter, who became every day more charming in body -and mind, Jarnonville hardly ever left little Blanche. At four years of -age--and that is very, very young!--at four years of age, the child -understood all that she owed to her father, all the sacrifices to which -he submitted for her sake; but she repaid them all by her love. Never -did a child of that age manifest such affection for its father! If he -left her for an instant, her eyes filled with tears; but as soon as she -saw him, an enchanting smile lighted up her lovely face.--Poor child! -You will understand how he must have loved her!--Well! that child, -already so far beyond her years in her feelings and her intelligence, -that pretty Blanche--he lost her after an illness of a few days only! -One of those cruel diseases which feed upon childhood, and which the -doctors are as yet unable to cure, carried off the poor little -darling!--I will not try to describe her father's grief; it would be -impossible. But the frightful calamity that had befallen him changed his -character absolutely. Jarnonville accused heaven, Providence. Having -never been guilty in his whole life of any evil deed, he rebelled -against the fate that dealt him such a cruel blow, which snatched away -that little creature to whom life seemed to offer such a beautiful and -peaceful prospect--in short, that man, who had always been so religious, -ceased utterly to be so, and blasphemed God. Deaf to all consolation, he -lived a long while in retirement. When, by dint of constant -solicitation, his friends succeeded in luring him back into society, he -was no longer the Jarnonville of other days. To divert his thoughts from -his grief, he joins all the parties conceived by the worst scapegraces -in the city; not a duel, not a nocturnal affray, in which he does not -take part. He drinks, drinks to excess, gambles, passes whole nights in -debauchery, serves as second to all the young scatterbrains who sow -discord in families. He has become the bugbear of the petits bourgeois, -the terror of cabaretiers, tavern keepers, of all decent folk; in a -word, he is just the opposite of all that he used to be.--But, for my -part, I cannot help pitying him; it is his head which is at fault, not -his heart; it is despair that has changed his nature. Nor do I believe -that he is altogether lost! He still wears mourning for his daughter. In -the midst of his debauchery, he has not chosen to lay aside his sombre -garments; and when he seems most excited by gambling, wine, or passion, -show him a child of about the age of his little Blanche when she died, -and you will see a magical change take place in him instantly; his eyes -will fill with tears, and that man, whose glance made you tremble a -moment before, will become silent and as gentle as a child.' - -"That is what the gentleman told his friend. I listened, at first from -curiosity, then with deep interest; and since then, whenever I see the -Sire de Jarnonville, despite his harsh or brusque manner, he does not -seem to me such a bad man as he used.--To-day, when I saw him interfere -in that battle and take sides against us with his long sword, which he -uses so skilfully, I said to myself: 'Those poor travellers are lost!' -And, in fact, your Roland was already on the ground and the peasant's -staff was beginning to give way, when I remembered what I had heard. A -little boy was close by, in his mother's arms; I ran and seized him--and -you saw how successful my idea was; for the Black Chevalier instantly -ceased to fight, and himself looked to the safe departure of the -travellers." - -Passedix had listened to Ambroisine, making from time to time one of -those little grimaces which indicate that one places little credence in -what one hears. When she had finished her narrative, he said, shaking -his head: - -"Between ourselves, _belle baigneuse_, what you have told me seems most -extraordinary, and in my opinion this story of the Sire de Jarnonville -is a trifle chimerical!" - -"Why so, seigneur?" replied Ambroisine, leaving the bench. "It seems to -me no more extraordinary than your story of the pork twisted round your -sword hilt; and I should say that the event has proved that the -gentleman's story was true." - -Passedix did not think it best to reply. He walked toward Jarnonville, -who had risen and was standing in the doorway. - -"Sire de Jarnonville," said the Gascon, offering him his hand, "we both -fought like brave men; you were victorious, but I bear you no ill will! -especially as I am able to explain why Roland slipped from my hand. We -were not on the same side, but, since peace has been concluded, shake -hands, and let bygones be bygones!" - -Instead of putting his hand in the hand that was offered him, -Jarnonville, who had seemed not to listen to the Gascon, suddenly -hurried away, without a word in reply. - -"Sandioux! what does that mean?" cried Passedix, still standing with -outstretched hand, while Ambroisine turned her face away to laugh. -"Damme! is this the way that discourteous _sombrinos_ responds to my -civility! Evidently, this Jarnonville is nothing more than a felon, a -boor, whom I will chastise handsomely at our first meeting. And let no -one presume to thrust a child in between us, sandis! or I will give him -a good kick somewhere!" - -At that moment, a young bachelor, who had been in front of Master -Hugonnet's house when Cédrille and his companion were blockaded there, -and who had disappeared simultaneously with Bourriquet, returned to the -shop, shouting: - -"Ah! I know where the pretty girl has gone! I know what that charming -Milanese came to Paris for!" - -"You know that, boy!" cried the Chevalier Passedix, running up to the -young man. "Oh! tell me quickly what you know, and I swear to you, by -Roland and my godfather Chaudoreille, that I will treat you to a jar of -wine at the next _fête carillonnée_." - -"I had just as lief tell you for nothing!" - -"Well, tell me for nothing; I agree, I will consent to whatever you -wish; but speak, I am dying with impatience!" - -"While everybody else stood here in open-mouthed amazement at the sudden -departure of the travellers, I followed the horse at a distance. He went -at a fast trot, but I have good legs, and I am not broken-winded." - -"Arrive at the point, accursed chatterbox!" - -"It was the travellers who arrived; that is to say, they stopped first -to inquire the way of a dealer in pottery; then they trotted off again -to Rue Saint-Honoré and stopped in front of a fine house." - -"On Rue Saint-Honoré! Are you sure of that? Why, sandis! that is my -quarter; it could not happen better! But to whom does the house belong?" - -"It was the Hôtel de Mongarcin, where Mademoiselle Valentine de -Mongarcin is now living with her aunt, Madame de Ravenelle." - -"Very good! this boy is no fool; go on." - -"All three of the travellers entered the courtyard--I say all three, -counting the horse." - -"Go on, I say, sandioux!" - -"As I was curious to know what they were going to do there, I strolled -back and forth in front of the house." - -"That was very ingenious." - -"And, sure enough, before long came out an old servant who knows my -father. I ran up to him and questioned him, and he said: 'That young -girl has come here to enter the service of Mademoiselle Valentine de -Mongarcin. She has been recommended to her, it seems; so it's all -settled. As for the peasant who brought her here, he is going to rest a -day or two and then go back to his province, unless he also prefers to -find a place in Paris; but it seems that that is not to his -taste.'--That is what I have learned." - -"Thanks! a thousand thanks, my boy! Hôtel de Mongarcin, Rue -Saint-Honoré. I shall be seen frequently in that vicinity.--Sandis! I am -sorry that she is only a lady's-maid. But, after all, Dulcinea del -Toboso was not a princess; and whatever anyone may say, Don Quixote was -a hearty blade, and as good a man as another.--Au revoir, my boy! I will -treat you whenever you choose, you know." - -And Chevalier Passedix walked away by Rue des Mathurins, and the young -bachelor by Place Cambray. - -After a day so well employed, it was natural enough that Master Hugonnet -should visit his usual wine shop in the evening; and he did not fail to -do so. Doubtless there was a large assemblage of patrons, and the events -of the morning, as they gave rise to much talk, naturally resulted in a -proportionate amount of drinking. - -The consequence was that Master Hugonnet returned home very late, -completely drunk, and exceedingly susceptible to emotion, as he always -was when in that condition. - -Ambroisine, who was sitting up for her father, was not at all surprised -by his state, and she urged him to go up to bed. - -But Hugonnet had tears in his eyes, and he groaned mournfully as he -stammered: - -"Poor Lambourdin--it breaks my heart! Just imagine, daughter--he was -shamefully beaten this morning!" - -"I know it, father, and so do you, as it was you who beat him." - -"I! do you think so?--Oh! what a calamity!--my dear friend Lambourdin! -Just imagine--he was beaten so--it's an outrage! Poor Lambourdin! my -heart is heavy!--How could anyone beat such an honorable man?" - -"Why, it was you who beat him." - -"I! impossible!--When I heard of it, I wept with grief.--Poor -Lambourdin! I will avenge him!" - -And Master Hugonnet would not consent to go to bed until he had wept -freely over the fate of his friend Lambourdin, and had sworn again to -avenge him. - - - - -X - -THE PLACE AUX CHATS - - -The Chevalier Passedix lived on Place aux Chats. - -You will not be sorry, reader, to know where that square was situated, -for you would seek in vain for the slightest trace of it to-day. We will -proceed to enlighten you upon that subject. - -In the year 1634, Place aux Chats was near Rue de la Ferronnerie, close -by the Impasse des Bourdonnais, where Rue de la Limace had recently been -cut through. - -The Cemetery of the Innocents was on one side, and had one entrance on -the square, another on Rue de la Ferronnerie, and a third on Rue aux -Fers. Before it was christened Place aux Chats, it was called Place aux -Pourceaux; and in 1575 Rue de la Limace bore the name of Vieille Place -aux Pourceaux. - -Do not imagine one of those spacious, airy squares, such as you are -familiar with in our day. What was called a square [_place_] in those -days was often nothing more than the junction of two streets. - -The houses which surrounded Place aux Chats bore no resemblance to one -another. One had four stories, its next neighbor only two; but in all -alike the heavy framework, the enormous beams, were visible, as it was -not then thought worth while to cover them with plaster. - -The roof of each of the houses hung over far beyond the gable end, thus -diminishing the air and light; the windows were small, irregular, and -loosely set, the panes of glass were tiny and dirty; the doors were low -and narrow; the halls dark and begrimed with dirt; the staircases, which -were gloomy, dirty, and slippery, had huge posts of stone or wood for -rails; and there were absolutely no lights. - -Let us not regret the disappearance of Place aux Chats. - -Over the door of one of the tallest houses on this square, which stood -opposite the Cemetery of the Innocents, there was a long, wide board, -painted yellow, bearing these words written in red on the yellow -background: - - HÔTEL DU SANGLIER. FURNISHED LODGINGS FOR MAN, - BUT NOT FOR BEAST - -The Hôtel du Sanglier had three windows on the square; that was almost -luxurious; and it boasted five stories, counting the attics nestled in -the roof. - -It was one of the largest houses on Place aux Chats; and although the -sign stated that horses would not be entertained, it was no infrequent -occurrence for a mounted man to stop and take up his quarters there; in -such cases, his nag was taken to an ass keeper's, on the same square, -who did not entertain horsemen, but was glad to take care of their -beasts, and he almost always had tenants. - -The Hôtel du Sanglier was kept by a widow, already past middle age, -named Dame Cadichard. She was a short, fat woman, who had been rather -piquant and alluring in her springtime and even during her summer; her -great fault was that she was determined to be piquant and alluring -still, and to forget that her hair was no longer black, her waist no -longer slender, and her complexion no longer fresh. She still had the -flashing glance, the merry laugh, and the sly jest; and from time to -time she talked of remarrying, of giving the late Cadichard a successor. -But at such times the neighbors of the Hôtel du Sanglier asked one -another where the future spouse could be, for, among the guests of the -house or the strangers who frequented it, no one ever had been observed -to pay court to the Widow Cadichard. - -Chaudoreille's godson had lived at the Hôtel du Sanglier for more than a -year; he occupied a very modest little chamber under the eaves, above -the fourth floor. His room was lighted only by a little round window -looking on the square, which, however, he could not see on account of -the overhanging roof; the window, moreover, was so small that only one -person could possibly have looked out at one time. - -The furniture of the apartment was extremely modest; it consisted of a -white wooden bedstead, of the simplest construction, the headboard and -footboard being so insecure that when, in a moment of forgetfulness, the -long, lank chevalier tried to stretch his legs, he instantly started -all the screws from their holes, the bed fell apart and vanished, and -the man who was lying upon it found himself stretched on the floor. - -Two straw beds, a mattress as flat as a pancake, and a bolster of hay -composed the bed furnishings. Beside that far from luxurious couch were -a small oak table, two stools, and an enormous chest without a cover, in -which the tenant was entitled to keep his effects; it was probably -intended to serve as a commode. - -A few boards nailed to the wall served the purpose of a wardrobe, and -were embellished by those articles which the tenant found indispensable. -This was called a furnished lodging. - -It is probable, however, that all the rooms in the Hôtel du Sanglier -were not furnished so shabbily; and the Chevalier Passedix knew -something about it; for when he first became a tenant of Dame Cadichard, -he occupied a room on the first floor; at the next quarter day, the -Gascon had gone up to the second floor; three months later, he had been -consigned to the third; the following term, he had occupied the fourth; -and the fifth term, which was now running, he had been relegated to the -eaves. In case the chevalier should prolong his residence at Madame -Cadichard's, he could be sure, at all events, that they would send him -no higher. - -Why these peregrinations of the gallant Passedix on each succeeding -quarter day? That we shall probably learn in the sequel. - -On leaving Master Hugonnet's house, the Gascon returned with long -strides to Place aux Chats, his mind engrossed by the pretty foreigner -with whom he had fallen in love so suddenly. He was already meditating -the means to which he might resort in order to see her; and from time to -time he put his hand to his belt, in which he usually carried his purse; -but the little leather bag in which he kept his money contained at that -moment only a few copper coins. - -"Sandioux! my family is very dilatory about sending me money!" muttered -Passedix, shaking his head angrily. "And without money it is very -difficult to corrupt servants, to procure the delivery of a billet-doux. -I know that my genius will supply the lack, but it would go more quickly -with the help of funds.--But, no matter! first of all, I must put on an -entirely clean ruff. I must also have those two buttons sewn on my -doublet; then I will take my stand as a sentinel in front of the Hôtel -de Mongarcin, and I will observe what goes on there, and what persons -come from and go to the citadel." - -Passedix, arrived at his hotel, entered by the low door, then, turning -to the right, passed into a room where the mistress of the house was -usually to be found, and where each tenant's keys hung on the wall, with -the numbers attached. - -Widow Cadichard was seated in a capacious armchair, before a table; she -was in the act of eating a vegetable soup so thick that one could eat it -with a fork; beside the soup tureen, which exhaled a vapor by no means -disagreeable to a keen appetite, four very fine eggs lay on a napkin in -a plate. An egg glass and a bountiful supply of small squares of toast, -which were beside the plate, indicated in what manner the eggs were to -be eaten. - -When her tenant entered the room, the short, stout dame flashed a glance -at him in which there was vexation and anger; but in an instant she -resumed her sprightly manner and went on eating her soup. - -The chevalier bowed to the widow and walked toward the place where the -keys were hanging. - -"Well, well!" he cried; "what does this mean, cadédis! my key is not on -its nail! Have you it in your possession, Madame Cadichard?" - -"I! On my word! Why should I have the key to your room, I should like to -know? Do I go to your room? Do I have any occasion to go there?" - -"Then it must be Popelinette, the servant, who has it?" - -"Apparently!" - -"So she is doing my housework, is she? That happens very conveniently, -for I will ask her to sew two buttons on my doublet. I suppose that she -is supplied with needles and thread, as every good servant should be." - -"I don't know whether Popelinette has needles and thread with her; but -what I can tell you is this--that she isn't in your room now." - -"Then she must be here; do me the favor to call her, Dame Cadichard; I -am in haste to go up and make a bit of a toilet." - -"I am distressed to be unable to gratify you, monsieur le chevalier, but -Popelinette is not in the house; she has gone out; she has gone to do an -errand for the new tenant who came a week ago, and who occupies my fine -apartment on the first floor." - -"Ah! your first floor is let, is it? I am very glad for you, my -respected hostess, although I might be justified in complaining of the -rather harsh manner in which you have behaved toward me! Capédébious! -every quarter day, you make me move--go up one flight--on the pretext -that my last lodging is let; whereas only the mice take my place. Do you -know, Widow Cadichard, that I should be fully justified in complaining -of such treatment?" - -"You would be justified also in paying me your rent each quarter, and -that is what you haven't done, monsieur le chevalier; for I don't know -the color of your money, and you have been living in my house more than -a year!" - -"It is true, my family is very dilatory; I haven't received my allowance -for a long time; but they will send it all to me in a lump!--After all, -how have I injured you? You never have a cat in your Hôtel du Sanglier! -You ought to thank me for brightening up this old house a bit!" - -"Thank you! yes, if you had been agreeable, gallant, attentive to me, I -might not have made you go up so high, perhaps; but you never passed an -evening here chatting with me! Monsieur always has to go running about -the city! Monsieur has so many intrigues!" - -Passedix turned his face away, biting his lips, and hastened to change -the subject. - -"Sandioux! how good that soup smells!" he cried. "I don't know what it's -made of, but, judging from the odor, it must be a most delicious -compound!" - -The stout hostess refused to be melted by this exclamation; she -continued to eat and talk: - -"But luckily all my tenants do not resemble Monsieur de Passedix! There -are some who pay, and who are very amiable with me besides. For -instance, this new-comer, this foreigner who has been here a week--he -paid a fortnight in advance, he didn't haggle at all over the price, and -yet he pays me forty crowns a month for my first floor!" - -"Bigre! that's rather good!" - -"But I am sure that that man is a grand seigneur--but that doesn't -prevent him from often talking with me; he isn't a bit proud!--Yesterday -I dined alone--well! he sat down here and kept me company. He's a very -good-looking fellow, and quite young still--thirty at most!" - -"What do you call this fascinating cavalier?" - -"The Comte de Carvajal; he's a Spaniard." - -"The deuce! the Comte de Carvajal!--Yes, I believe that is a great -Spanish family.--Sandis! but I must confess, lovely hostess, that it -seems to me rather strange that this grand seigneur, instead of -occupying a handsome mansion in the neighborhood of the Palais-Cardinal -or the Arsenal, comes to Place aux Chats to nest--with the Cemetery of -the Innocents opposite! It is not absolutely cheerful--and a hotel where -his horses and carriages cannot be accommodated!" - -"What does this mean, Monsieur Passedix? you are crying down my hotel -now! You call this a bad quarter--then why did you come here to lodge? -And why have you lodged more than a year on this Place aux Chats, which -you despise?" - -"I, despise Place aux Chats! God forbid, dear Madame Cadichard! On the -contrary, I consider it most romantic; and then I, being afraid of -nothing, not even of ghosts and phantoms, am not at all sorry to live -just opposite a cemetery; for if it should happen to occur to some dead -man to come to say a word to me at night, I swear to you that I should -be overjoyed to have news from the other world." - -"Hush--impious man!--He makes me shudder over my soup!--You know -perfectly well that the dead don't return!" - -"I know that there are a great many things that don't return, unhappily; -and you know it, too, plump Cadichard!" - -"What do you mean by that, monsieur le chevalier?" - -"Mon Dieu! how time flies with us all!--But let us return to your -Spanish grandee, who has chosen the Hôtel du Sanglier for his abode; he -must have a numerous suite of servants and horses and carriages?" - -"Not at all; he has none of those things. He is alone; it seems that he -is at Paris incognito!" - -"What! not an esquire, not a valet, not even a single little mule to -prance along the Fossés Jaunes?" - -"Nothing, I tell you; for he doesn't go to court, so that the grands -seigneurs of his acquaintance need not know that he is in Paris." - -Passedix shook his head and muttered: - -"Hum! a Spanish grandee who hasn't one poor lackey in his service--that -seems suspicious to me! Where does this noble cavalier pass his time, -pray, if he doesn't frequent good society, the agreeable rakes of the -court, and dandies like myself." - -"Monsieur de Carvajal doesn't often go out during the day. In the first -place, he rises very late; but, to tell the truth, he comes home very -late, too. As he doesn't want to disturb anyone, he has told Popelinette -not to sit up for him; he asked me to give him a duplicate key to the -street door, so that he can come in at whatever hour of the night he -pleases; and he takes pains not to make any noise, for we never hear him -coming and going; it seems that in Spain people are in the habit of -walking about at night." - -"In Spain, perhaps, because it's warm there and the nights are fine; but -here, where it still freezes in the morning--for our spring is -devilishly behindhand! I believe that your gallant stranger is a blade -who does his work under the rose. There must be some love intrigue on -the carpet--some husband to be deceived.--Sandioux! I don't blame your -Spaniard for that. Love is such a delicious thing--and when it attacks -us--ah!" - -Here Passedix heaved a sigh which lasted so long that his hostess -dropped her spoon and stared at him, as if trying to make out whether -she had anything to do with that prolonged groan. But the Gascon, -instead of responding to the Widow Cadichard's alluring glance, turned -away abruptly and began to pace the floor, crying: - -"Cadédis! Popelinette does not return! it is insufferable! I want to -dress!" - -"Dress? I didn't know that you had any other doublet than that." - -"Possibly not; but there are different ways of wearing it; besides, I -want to put on a clean ruff, and I need to have two buttons sewn on." - -"Mon Dieu! have you an assignation for this afternoon?" - -"If that were so, it seems to me, Widow Cadichard, that it is my -business!--Will you sew on my buttons?" - -"I! I should think not! Go to your mistress!" - -Passedix stamped the floor in vexation. At that moment the door of the -room was suddenly thrown open, and the Gascon uttered an exclamation of -satisfaction, for he expected to see the maid-servant of the hotel; but -he was speedily undeceived. Instead of Popelinette, it was the foreigner -who appeared in the doorway. - - - - -XI - -THE FOREIGNER - - -The new tenant of the Hôtel du Sanglier paused on the threshold when he -saw that there was someone with his hostess; he even took a step -backward, as if he did not intend to enter. But in a moment, changing -his mind, he walked into the room with a certain gravity of demeanor -which was not without distinction. - -The Gascon chevalier scrutinized the new arrival with interest, for he -suspected that it was the foreigner whom Dame Cadichard was so proud to -have under her roof, and he was curious to see whether he deserved the -high-flown praise which his hostess had lavished on him. - -A single glance was sufficient to satisfy Passedix that the sprightly -widow had not exaggerated at all. The gentleman who had just entered the -room was still young, tall and well built; his features were handsome -and refined, his eyes slightly veiled, but full of fire and expression; -he wore no beard on his chin, but only small moustaches curled a little -upward at the ends. - -He wore with easy grace a rich velvet cloak, over an elegant pale-blue -doublet; a beautiful white plume lay along the broad brim of his hat, -and the sword at his side was suspended from a belt trimmed with rich -lace. - -The stranger bowed most courteously as he walked into the room. Passedix -made haste to return his salutation, saying to himself: - -"He is a good-looking fellow, sandioux! I am too just to deny it. Almost -as handsome a man as myself, and that is no small thing to say!" - -Widow Cadichard had risen hastily on the entrance of her tenant, to whom -she made a low reverence. - -"Monsieur de Carvajal, your servant," she exclaimed; "I have the honor -to salute you! Pray be kind enough to take a seat, monsieur le comte; do -you wish for anything? Perhaps you are looking for Popelinette? She -hasn't returned yet, and that annoys you. She is not very quick when she -has an errand to do. Would you like me to go to meet her, monseigneur?" - -The stranger waited till this torrent of words had ceased, then replied, -with a smile: - -"What I wish first of all, my dear hostess, is that you will not put -yourself out and that you will continue your repast." - -"Oh! indeed I will do nothing of the sort, monsieur le comte; I know too -well what I owe to you." - -"In that case, madame, you will compel me to withdraw, for I do not like -ceremony." - -"Oh! monsieur le comte, since you insist, since you command me, I will -do it to obey you. But allow me first to offer you a chair." - -While Madame Cadichard bustled about the room, looking for her best -easy-chair and the best place in the room to put it, Passedix approached -the new-comer and addressed him, trying all the while to hide with his -cloak that part of his doublet from which the buttons were missing. - -"I presume that I have the honor to salute one of my neighbors? I say -_neighbors_, because we both live in the same hotel; only I am at the -top and monsieur le comte is at the bottom. But men of honor are always -on the same level." - -"Ah! does monsieur live in this hotel?" rejoined the stranger, bowing to -the Gascon. - -"With your kind permission." - -"What, monsieur! why, I can only be flattered to have monsieur for my -neighbor." - -"Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix, godson of the most honorable Chaudoreille, -who left me only this sword, his trusty Roland, a finely tempered blade, -which I dare to say that I use in an honorable way! My reputation in -that regard is made!--And monsieur is the Comte de Carvajal, the noble -Spaniard whom Dame Cadichard is so fortunate as to have as her tenant in -the Hôtel du Sanglier?" - -"Madame Cadichard would do well, then, to be a little more discreet, and -to respect the incognito which her guests desire to maintain." - -The stout landlady blushed when she heard that; she realized that she -deserved the rebuke, and in her despair dropped the spoon which she was -about to raise to her mouth, and which remained standing upright in the -soup. - -But the stranger, as he lay back in the easy-chair she had offered him, -continued, with something very like a smile: - -"However, I do not feel that I have the courage to bear any ill will to -our excellent hostess, since I owe to her the acquaintance of so -illustrious a knight as Monsieur de Passedix, who, I am convinced, will -not betray the incognito which important considerations compel me to -adopt at this moment, in Paris." - -The Gascon bowed again, taking care not to relax his hold of the corners -of his cloak, and replied: - -"You may rely on my discretion, monsieur le comte; the secrets that are -intrusted to me will go down with me into the darkness of the grave, -unless I am released from my oath." - -Thereupon the chevalier seized a chair and placed it at the table, -opposite Madame Cadichard, who had taken one of the eggs from the plate -and was trying to devise some refined method of breaking the shell and -dipping her pieces of toast into the egg, in her illustrious tenant's -presence. - -"I will not presume to ask monsieur le comte how he passes his time in -Paris; that is his business, and I never meddle in other people's -affairs! But I venture to say that I should be an invaluable guide for a -stranger who wished to become acquainted with the pleasures, the merry -gatherings, of the capital. I go about a great deal in the best society. -I am a jovial companion, a sturdy toper; all the dandies, all the young -noblemen who love to fight and drink and make love to the fair, are my -friends. Does anyone need a second for a duel, a fourth for a party of -four, Passedix is always there! I do not like to boast, but I could -mention exploits of my own which the Amadises and Renauds would not have -disavowed!" - -"One needs only to see you, chevalier, to entertain no manner of doubt -that you would be successful in whatever you might undertake!" - -"Monsieur le comte is too kind! But it is quite true that I count only -victories, sandioux!" - -"If I remember aright," murmured the little widow, carefully placing a -bit of toast in her egg, "you were on your back a fortnight as a result -of the blows you received the last time that you tried to rob several -bourgeois on Rue Mauconseil of their sleep!" - -Passedix cast a savage glance at his landlady, as he cried: - -"No, no! you are wrong, Dame Cadichard. I covered myself with glory in -that affair; and if I did keep my bed for some time after, it was only -because, in the heat of the affray, I gave myself a strain which kept me -from going to my usual resorts for a few days. Your eggs are too hard, -_belle dame_, you will never be able to dip your toast in them. I advise -you to eat them as a salad." - -"They are all right, monsieur le chevalier; I like them this way.--Mon -Dieu! how sorry I am, monsieur le comte, that my servant keeps you -waiting like this!" - -"There is no harm done, madame, I am in no hurry." - -"If only I had something to offer monsieur le comte; but this breakfast -is not worthy of him." - -"I should think it very nice, if I had not already eaten mine." - -"In any case," observed Passedix, "you wouldn't offer your tenants -boiled eggs, I trust; for these are as hard as rocks--like Easter eggs." - -"Oh! what a tease you are, monsieur le chevalier! But I think that you -know very little about cooking!" - -"Sandioux! Dame Cadichard--on the contrary, I know a great deal about -it. My godfather Chaudoreille used to give his friends banquets that -lasted a whole week; I remember that he used to have delicacies from the -four quarters of the globe, and he was not satisfied unless his guests -had indigestion.--If Monsieur de Carvajal has no restaurant to which he -is attached, I could take him to a cabaret where they serve the most -delicious calves' heads, and stewed rabbits _en crapaudine_--you would -swear they were hares." - -"I thank you, chevalier; but I do not take my meals at wine shops." - -"I understand--I understand. You prefer darkness and mystery, with some -fair lady who awaits you in her _petite maison_; for we have ladies who -have them, as well as men; I know something about it, for I have supped -in more than one of those enchanting retreats--near Porte Saint-Antoine, -on the other side of the Fossés Jaunes. I am not inquisitive, I do not -mean to ask you indiscreet questions; but, between us, monsieur le -comte, I will take the liberty to give you a piece of advice; it is -this: it is not very safe in certain quarters of Paris at night; people -are attacked, robbed, and sometimes murdered, without anyone interfering -to prevent it. I warn you of this, because our landlady told me that you -went out very late, and returned at very advanced hours of the night. -That is imprudent! extremely imprudent!" - -"Ah! madame told you that, did she?" rejoined the stranger, with a -glance at Widow Cadichard that arrested one of the pieces of toast on -its way to her mouth. - -"I," murmured the little woman--"I said--that is--no, I said nothing. I -don't know why monsieur le chevalier brings me into all the fables he -invents. He would do better to pay the rent he owes me!" - -"What is that, Widow Cadichard? I believe that you dared to say that I -invent!--Cadédis! that is too much! I, invent anything!--I suppose that -you didn't tell me also just now that monsieur had asked you for a -duplicate key to the street door, so that he could go in and out at -night without disturbing anyone; and that he had forbidden Popelinette -to sit up for him; and that it was the fashion in Spain to walk the -streets at night? To which I replied that it was not so warm in France -as in the beautiful land of the Andalusians.--Ah! I invented all -that--sandioux! If all that I have just said was not told me by you, I -hope that this egg will choke me while I speak!--Look! didn't I tell you -that they were all hard? But I am an ignoramus, I don't know anything -about cooking. And this one is just the same; as they all are!" - -As he spoke, the Gascon took up an egg and dexterously stripped it of -its shell; after which, he made but one mouthful of it, and was about to -do as much with a second one, when the landlady angrily pounced on the -plate in which the others were and put it in her lap, saying: - -"Well, monsieur, have you nearly finished swallowing my eggs as if they -were little tarts? Really, you don't stand on ceremony! If it wasn't for -my respect for monsieur le comte, I would tell you what I think of your -conduct." - -"What would you tell me, alluring Cadichard?--that I am a libertine, a -scatterbrain, and that I owe you for four quarters? Cadédis! that is no -crime; every day, gentlemen of good family find themselves short of -money; and a few days later they roll in gold and doubloons.--Isn't that -so, Monsieur de Carvajal?" - -"It is, in truth, a common occurrence, monsieur le chevalier." - -"At this moment, I know several noble lords who are in my plight. Among -others, the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, of whom you have heard, -doubtless?" - -"Yes, the name is not unknown to me." - -"It is one of the oldest families of Languedoc. The old Marquis de -Marvejols is very rich, but he is a little strict with his son, although -he has no other child. To be sure, Léodgard did run through the fortune -he got from his mother rather rapidly. He's a young buck who travels -fast--a gallant of my stamp; he loves cards and wine and the -ladies.--Yes, sweet Cadichard, we love the ladies; but they must not fly -into a passion when we condescend to taste a little egg in their -honor.--To return to Léodgard, he has had hard luck of late! He had won -a very neat little sum at cards, contrary to his custom, and was -returning to his house at night, when he was attacked by Giovanni, that -famous brigand, you know, who is at this moment the terror of the -capital. You must have heard of him, monsieur le comte?" - -"No; this is the first time that I have heard that name." - -"You surprise me! Sandioux! Giovanni already has a tremendous reputation -in this country. He must be very skilful with the sword to have beaten -young Marvejols, who fights--almost as well as I do.--The result is that -everybody is afraid of the man. But so far as I am concerned, the -contrary is true; indeed, I would like very much to meet this famous -robber!" - -"Oh! that's because you are not afraid of being robbed!" said the little -landlady, pressing her lips together spitefully. - -"Always some piquant little remark, sweet Cadichard!--I overlook them, I -overlook anything in the fair sex!" - -"And why would you like to meet this--this Giovanni, monsieur le -chevalier?" asked the stranger, playing with his sword hilt. - -"Why, monsieur le comte, because I flatter myself that I should be more -fortunate than poor Léodgard! And that infernal knave would receive at -my hand the reward of his brigandage! I would give myself the pleasure -of burying six inches of Roland in his throat. Ah! sandioux! I can see -from here the wry face he would make!--Does that make you laugh, -Monsieur de Carvajal?" - -"Why, yes, because it occurs to me, too, that in such a battle as you -suggest one of the two would, in fact, be likely to cause the other to -make a strange grimace." - -"One of the two! Do you doubt that I should triumph?" - -"I in no wise doubt your valor, monsieur le chevalier; but as for your -triumph, permit me to think that it is better not to make any assertions -beforehand--the most valiant are conquered sometimes; fortune is -capricious to fighting men as well as to lovers." - -Passedix bit his lips and drew his eyebrows together. The hostess, who -had decided to remove the shells from her eggs, said to the tenant of -her first floor: - -"In any case, monsieur le comte, it is always prudent not to go out at -night unless you are well armed; for my part, I don't dare to go to the -theatre at the Hôtel de Bourgogne, because it ends too late! It's -half-past eight sometimes when they finish the beautiful tragedy of -_Sophonisbé_, by Monsieur Mairet, which I would have liked to see, all -the same!" - -"_Sophonisbé!_ Faith! I prefer his last tragedy, the _Duc d'Ossone_--the -verses are more sonorous, the subject more warlike.--What say you, -monsieur le comte?" - -"I do not go to the play." - -"Where in the devil does the Spaniard go?" thought Passedix, draping -himself in his cloak; "never to the court, never to a wine shop, never -to the play! He wants to make us think that he's always shut up with -some petticoat!" - -And the Gascon swayed to and fro on his chair and caressed his chin, as -he continued: - -"For my part, I am a great frequenter of the theatre." - -"You go to Brioché's theatre on Pont Neuf!" laughed Madame Cadichard; -"there's a show outside; that doesn't cost anything!" - -"I go where I choose, madame! It seems to me that I am entitled to. -Brioché's marionettes are not to be despised, and the proof is that -great crowds go there--leaders of society and idlers, _belles dames_ and -_bourgeoises_. But that does not interfere with my being one of the most -assiduous spectators at the Hôtel de Bourgogne; I know all Alexandre -Hardy's plays, and I believe he has written over six hundred; he is my -favorite author, and I prefer him to this Jean Mairet, who is laden -with favors by the Cardinal de Richelieu, the Duc de Longueville, and -the Comte de Soissons, because he has written a dozen or so of -tragedies! A fine showing, forsooth, beside Hardy's six hundred -plays!--Ah! cadédis! if I had ever undertaken to write, it would have -been a different story!--But I prefer the sword to the pen; one must not -derogate from his rank!" - -At that moment, an old servant of more than sixty years, whose skin had -such a dark-yellow tinge that she might at need have been passed off as -a Moor, entered the room and approached the stranger. It was -Popelinette, just returned from performing her commission. - -"Here are all the things you told me to get, monsieur le comte--gloves, -perfumery--the nicest and daintiest I could find; and _mouches_ and -paint; and here is the money that is left." - -"Very good; keep that for your trouble." - -"Oh! you are very kind, monseigneur! I thank you very humbly!" - -"Does the fellow mean to disguise himself as a woman?" Passedix thought, -glancing furtively at Popelinette's purchases, which she had placed on a -table. "Paint! _mouches!_ perfumery! Fie, fie! all those things do very -well for shepherds in Arcady. I begin to conceive a very singular -opinion of this Spaniard!" - -"It took you a very long time to do the errand monsieur le comte gave -you to do!" said the plump Cadichard to her servant. "You must try to -make your legs work a little livelier when you go out." - -"But, madame, I went to the best perfumer on Rue Saint-Honoré, near the -Couvent des Capucines; that's a long way." - -"Monsieur le Chevalier Passedix has been waiting impatiently for you; he -needs your help--some buttons to sew on his doublet." - -"Again!" muttered Popelinette, with a most disrespectful gesture. - -"What do you mean by that?" cried the Gascon, raising his head; "I -should like to know if you are not here to wait upon the tenants? I -consider your reply a little impertinent, my girl!" - -"Mon Dieu! don't be angry, monsieur le chevalier; I don't refuse to do -what you want; but I meant that your doublet has been patched and mended -so often that the buttons I sew on are likely not to hold, for lack of -material to sew them to." - -"It is easy to see, old Popelinette, that you no longer have your eyes -of twenty years! otherwise, you would not abuse thus a garment which is -almost new, and which owes the numerous patches that cover it solely to -the sword thrusts I have received in single combats and others. But they -are titles to renown, and that is why I am fond of this doublet; if I -should buy a new one, within a week it would be riddled by sword thrusts -as this one is; one doesn't go to the water without getting wet.--Well! -my girl, take a needle and thread and let us have done with it, for the -day is advancing, and I should already be somewhere else!" - -The old servant grumblingly took what she needed to repair the Gascon's -doublet. For some moments, the stranger had been examining what -Popelinette had brought him; at last he carefully replaced all the -articles in paper and put them in his pocket one after another, as if he -were preparing to take his leave. - -"Yes, sandioux!" cried Passedix, partly unbuttoning his doublet so that -the servant could work more conveniently; "yes, I long to pursue a -certain adventure, the heroine of which surpasses the Venus of Medici!" - -"Oh! monsieur le chevalier makes Venuses out of every retroussé nose he -meets!" said Dame Cadichard, shrugging her shoulders. - -"Do you think so, charming hostess? I should say that I have never given -you reason to think that my taste was bad!" - -The landlady turned her little eyes on the Gascon, like a person who -does not know whether she ought to take in good or ill part what is said -to her. Passedix continued: - -"By the way, I made her acquaintance in such singular fashion!--Ah! be -careful, Popelinette, you are pricking me as if I were a pincushion!" - -"Goodness! it isn't my fault, monsieur; you keep moving all the time!" - -"That is my nature; I could not keep still for a moment; that is due to -the heat of my blood--to the smoking lava that flows in my veins! I am a -volcano! and then, the image of that Italian was well adapted to make my -legs twitch!" - -"Ah! your conquest is an Italian, is she, monsieur le chevalier?" said -the stranger, who had taken a step or two toward the door, but who -turned at that and looked at Passedix. - -"Yes, monsieur le comte; that is to say, she isn't exactly an Italian, -although she wears the costume of a Milanese; she was born in Béarn, but -it seems that she has lived in Milan many years. I give you my word that -she is a dainty morsel, that little Miretta!" - -When he heard the name Miretta, the foreigner could not restrain a -gesture of surprise; but he recovered himself instantly, walked back to -the easy-chair he had just left, and resumed his seat, saying: - -"Really, monsieur le chevalier, you make me very curious; and if I were -not afraid of being indiscreet in asking you how you made the -acquaintance of this girl, who, you say, is so pretty, I should take -great pleasure in hearing of it." - -"There is no indiscretion in your request, count; indeed, the affair -took place in the presence of numerous witnesses and made quite a -sensation this morning. I will stake my head that it will be the talk of -the court and the whole city this evening. I will tell you all about -it.--Go on, Popelinette; it needn't prevent you from sewing on my -buttons." - -Thereupon the Gascon chevalier described what had taken place that -morning in front of Master Hugonnet's house; and in his narrative, -carried away doubtless by his interest in the pretty Milanese, Passedix -embellished the truth with a number of episodes which he deemed likely -to heighten the effect. For instance, he did not fail to say that on -several occasions he had saved Cédrille from certain death by throwing -himself in front of the swords that threatened him; in a word, it was -due to his courage that the two travellers succeeded in escaping from -the fury of those who surrounded them. - -The foreigner listened to the Gascon with the closest attention. When -the latter had finished, the other looked fixedly at him and said: - -"Now, what do you expect to do, chevalier?" - -"What! By Venus! follow up the adventure, watch for the little one to -come out, join her, declare my passion, soften her heart--a mere trifle! -The rest will go of itself." - -"No doubt!" muttered Dame Cadichard; "if the girl is a good-for-nothing -who listens to the first comer!" - -"Whom do you call a first comer, madame? do you dare to apply those -words to Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix?--Sandioux! you are pricking me, -Popelinette! do be careful!" - -"I mean to say, monsieur, that this girl does not know you; and if she -is virtuous----" - -"Cadédis! all women are virtuous before they have sinned; and since the -days of Eve, who allowed herself to be tempted by a serpent, how many -women have stumbled---- Oh! this old woman is determined to spit me like -a roasted hare!" - -"But in order to watch for this Italian," observed the Spaniard, "it is -necessary first of all that you should know where she lives in Paris." - -"Oh! I know that; I know where Miretta is at this moment; I even know -why she has come to Paris. I am perfectly informed--but upon this matter -you will allow me to keep silent. The little one is too dainty a morsel -for me to show her nest to other men, and I am sure that you will -consider that I am right to act thus." - -The foreigner rose and bowed to the Gascon. - -"Good luck in your love affairs, Chevalier Passedix!" - -"Infinitely obliged! Much pleasure in your nocturnal walks, monsieur le -comte!" - -The foreigner took his leave. The landlady renewed her humble -reverences, and Passedix muttered: - -"A singular man, this Monsieur de Carvajal!" - -"You are all sewed up, monsieur," said Popelinette; "but, bless me! I -won't swear it will hold long, the stuff is so rotten!" - -"Very good! all right! I didn't ask you about that!--He buys paint, -_mouches_, perfumes!--he's an effeminate creature!" - -"I don't think," said the little hostess, "that it is so unpleasant to -perfume one's self, and to leave an agreeable odor behind one as one -passes!" - -"I have never needed that to please the fair! And when I eat wild duck, -I don't like to have it smell of musk!" - -The Gascon hurried from the room and went up to his fifth floor, while -Dame Cadichard exclaimed: - -"Ah! if I only had a loft over his room!" - -Popelinette put away her needle and thread, muttering: - -"Oh, no! he doesn't smell of musk, that fellow! he doesn't need to deny -it!" - - - - -XII - -VALENTINE DE MONGARCIN - - -Let us transport ourselves to Rue Saint-Honoré, to the interior of a -magnificent mansion, where everything is eloquent of wealth, splendor, -and refinement, where the furniture and hangings represent all that is -most beautiful and dainty in the products of that age. There we shall -find Madame de Ravenelle and her niece, Valentine de Mongarcin. - -Madame de Ravenelle was seventy-two years of age; she had once been -pretty, she was still fresh and plump; for the anxieties, the cares, -the griefs, which often make one old much more rapidly than time, had -never darkened her life, which had flowed on as placidly and gently as -the waters of a stream hidden by tall grasses and never disturbed by the -traveller's oar. - -The old lady, blessed with a cheerful, heedless, and, above all, selfish -disposition, had known how to submit philosophically to those petty -disagreements from which no one is wholly exempt throughout the course -of a long life. Having an excellent stomach, and very little -susceptibility, she always sat down at the table with a good appetite, -and never had recourse to the doctors. Incapable of doing anything -unkind or spiteful, which would have disturbed the harmony of her -temperament, she listened without emotion to the tale of another -person's woes; and yet, she was quite ready to be humane, and often did -a kind deed, when it was not likely to cause her either fatigue or -trouble. - -Valentine de Mongarcin had been brought up at a convent; but there, no -less than in society, she had been fully aware that she was the sole -inheritress of a great name and a great fortune; flattery, which -insinuates itself everywhere, makes its way into convents; pretty, -clever, but proud of her name and her rank, Valentine had discovered too -early in life that people were eager to gratify all her desires; she had -grown up with the idea that her will was never to be thwarted; and, -although possessed of a sensitive heart, and of a noble soul capable of -noble deeds, she had contracted a haughty, disdainful manner, which had -made her but few friends. - -At the age of eighteen, her figure had developed, her bearing had become -noble and dignified, her features were regular, and the outlines of her -face exquisitely pure; her hair was as black as ebony, and her great -gray eyes, with their long black lashes, had a most seductive expression -when they did not choose to express arrogance or scorn. - -On leaving the convent to occupy her father's mansion, Valentine had not -presented herself to her aunt in the guise of a timid girl who claims -the support and protection of her only remaining relation; she had -appeared like a conqueror making his triumphal entry into a city which -he has compelled to capitulate; but she had to deal with a person who -worried her head very little over the airs and tone which other people -adopted toward her. - -Madame de Ravenelle received her niece with the smile which had become -stereotyped on her face; she considered her beautiful and well made, and -was gratified that that was the case; but if Valentine had been ugly or -deformed, the old lady would speedily have consoled herself. Between two -persons of such temperaments, there was no danger that there would ever -be any lack of harmony; for to every question that Valentine asked on -her arrival, Madame de Ravenelle replied: - -"Do whatever you please in the house; command and you will be obeyed, -provided that you disturb nothing in my apartment and my personal -service. I have my women, you will have yours; I shall not thwart you in -anything, for my brother's daughter would be incapable of doing anything -unworthy of her rank. And if the company I receive should bore you, you -will be at liberty not to appear in the salon." - -Mademoiselle de Mongarcin could not ask for more liberty or greater -power; the confidence that her aunt manifested in her pleased her; she -would have rebelled against a stern affection that would have tried to -guide her, but she was amiable and affectionate with one who was simply -indifferent to her. - -Young Valentine considered the old hangings of the Hôtel de Mongarcin -gloomy and repellent; she had them all changed or renewed, and the -furniture as well. But nothing was disturbed in the apartment occupied -by Madame de Ravenelle. Some of the servants having failed to carry out -the girl's orders quickly enough, she dismissed them and engaged others; -but her aunt's maid and her old male attendant were outside of her -authority. - -The Hôtel de Mongarcin became more fashionable; it assumed a more -youthful, a gayer aspect; frequent entertainments were given there by -musicians, jugglers, and gypsies; it amused Valentine, and it was all a -matter of indifference to Madame de Ravenelle. - -One day, however, the old lady said to her niece: - -"By the way, Valentine, have you ever heard of the young Comte Léodgard -de Marvejols?" - -"The name is familiar to me, and I have an idea that my father often -mentioned it.--Why do you ask me that question, aunt?" - -"Because my brother was very desirous that young Léodgard should some -day become your husband." - -"Ah! my father desired it?" - -"Yes; he told me so again just before he died. He was very closely -attached to young Léodgard's father, who had the same wish." - -"Well, aunt?" - -"Well, niece, you shall marry the young count, if that meets your -views!" - -"Oh! there's time for that! for my father surely would not desire to -force my inclination, if he were alive." - -"I cannot say what your father would have done if he had lived; but I -know very well that I have no desire to torment you." - -"You are so good, aunt!" - -"Why, yes, I am tolerably good!" - -"And do you know this young Comte de Marvejols?" - -"I have seen him two or three times in company." - -"What is he like, aunt?" - -"A very good-looking young man; very well built, and with a decidedly -rakish air. But young men sometimes assume those airs in society, in -order to give themselves an appearance of aplomb and self-assurance; -very often they mean nothing at all!" - -"Well, if this Monsieur Léodgard desires to become my husband, I suppose -that he will come to pay court to me first." - -"Why, that is to be presumed. However, you will see his father, Monsieur -le Marquis de Marvejols, at my receptions before long; he is a man very -highly considered, in very good odor at court, but of a rather severe -humor." - -"What does that matter to me? it is not the father who wishes to marry -me!" - -"That is true." - -"And if this Monsieur Léodgard shared his father's wishes, it seems to -me, aunt, that he would manifest more eagerness to see me; for it is -nearly two months since I left the convent, and he has not called here -as yet." - -"That is true, niece; but perhaps the young man is travelling." - -Madame de Ravenelle's invariably placid and equable temperament -sometimes irritated Valentine, whose blood was ardent and boiling; but -she dissembled her impatience, for she could not be angry with her aunt, -who always agreed with her. - -About a month after this conversation, Valentine had attended a large -party given by the Duchesse de Longueville, and had met Léodgard there. -The young count had presented his respects to Madame de Ravenelle and -her niece, but with the cold and formal manner of a man who had the -greatest disinclination to marriage and did not desire to gratify his -parents' wishes. - -On her side, Valentine de Mongarcin, piqued by the young man's lack of -zeal in cultivating her acquaintance, had received his compliments with -an air of indifference, almost of disdain, which deprived her face of -all the fascination it sometimes had. - -We have seen that the result of the meeting had been to confirm Léodgard -in his repugnance to that alliance. - -As for Valentine, she had not said a single word on the subject of -Léodgard, and Madame de Ravenelle had thought it advisable to imitate -her silence. - -One evening, after receiving a visit from one of her friends, or rather -acquaintances, at the convent, Valentine said to her aunt: - -"Mademoiselle de Vertmonteil spoke to me this morning of a girl whom her -sister has seen at Milan. This girl wishes to find a place in Paris. She -is said to be clever at millinery work and dressmaking; in fact, -Mademoiselle de Vertmonteil recommended her to me. My maid is a fool, -who does not know how to dress my hair, and I am tempted to discharge -her and take this Italian in her place. What do you think about it, -aunt?" - -Madame de Ravenelle, who had listened as to something that was utterly -indifferent to her, replied: - -"You will do well to do whatever is most agreeable to you, my dear." - -It was a fortnight after this conversation that Miretta appeared at the -Hôtel de Mongarcin, escorted by Cédrille, and still greatly excited by -the risks she had run in front of Master Hugonnet's house. - -Valentine was impatiently awaiting the arrival of the girl of whom she -had heard such marvellous things. She was in an immense salon, where her -aunt persisted in having a fire, although the weather was no longer -cold, when the young traveller was announced. Valentine uttered a joyful -exclamation and said: - -"Bring her to speak to me; I wish to see her at once!--Will you allow -her to come to this salon, aunt?" - -"It is entirely indifferent to me, niece. However, if any visitor should -come, I presume that this girl will know that it is her duty to -withdraw." - -Miretta soon made her appearance before the two ladies; she walked into -the salon with an assured step; there was embarrassment, but neither -awkwardness nor stupidity in her bearing. The reverence that she made -was not without a certain charm. Add to this the beauty of her face, her -fresh complexion, her youth, and her piquant costume, and you will -understand Valentine's exclamation: - -"Ah! why, the child is very pretty!--Come nearer, come nearer! Your name -is Miretta?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, Miretta Dartaize. Here is the letter of -recommendation with which I have been favored, for mademoiselle." - -"Very well; but it is unnecessary--I have seen the sister of the person -who gave you the letter.--You are a Milanese?" - -"No, mademoiselle; I was born at Pau, in Béarn; but I have lived at -Milan, or in the suburbs, ever since I was a child." - -"And your relations?" - -"I lost them when I was very young, all except an old female cousin, who -still lives at Pau, and whose son, who is very fond of me, was kind -enough to undertake to bring me to Paris." - -"Where is this youth?" - -"In the courtyard, mademoiselle." - -"How did you make the journey?" - -"On Bourriquet's back, both of us. Bourriquet is Cédrille's horse; he's -a good beast and carried us finely; but we made short days, so as not to -tire him." - -"And your travelling companion--does he too hope to find a place in -Paris?" - -"Oh! no, mademoiselle; Cédrille came with me only as a favor to me; and -he is going right back to his province, after he has rested a little in -Paris." - -"This Cédrille, who is your cousin, is your betrothed too, perhaps?" -said Madame de Ravenelle, carelessly turning her head toward the girl. -But she replied: - -"Oh, no! Cédrille is not my betrothed, madame; he loves me very dearly -though, and he has asked me if I would be his wife; but I refused him, -refused him flatly, telling him that I should never have anything but a -sisterly affection for him. Cédrille made the best of it and is content -with that." - -"Why did you refuse to marry your cousin? Was it because he has nothing, -and can't do anything?" - -"I beg pardon, madame, Cédrille has quite enough to live comfortably; -he's a worthy, honest man--a hard worker, who knows more about -agriculture and plowing than anybody in our neighborhood." - -"And in spite of all that, you would not consent to be his wife?" -continued the old lady, fixing her eyes on Miretta, who looked down and -blushed as she faltered: - -"No, madame." - -"You had some reason for refusing him, doubtless?" - -"Mon Dieu! a single one, madame; but it seems to me that it should be -sufficient in such a matter: I have no love for him, and I do not care -to marry without love." - -"Ah! very well answered!" cried Valentine, smiling at the girl; -"certainly that reason is quite sufficient! As if a woman ought to marry -a man she does not love! that would be equivalent to deliberately -choosing to be unhappy all her life!" - -"Such things have been seen, however, niece! And a woman is not always -unhappy on that account; it often turns out just the other way." - -"Well, aunt, I consider that Miretta has done well not to marry her -cousin, as she has no love for him." - -"Perhaps you will not always talk so, my dear!" - -"Miretta," continued Valentine, turning to the girl, "I take you into my -service, that is settled; and I will give you---- How much should I -give her, aunt?" - -"Whatever you please, niece." - -"Very well! two hundred livres a year.--Is that enough, Miretta? does -that satisfy you?" - -"Oh! that is a great deal, mademoiselle! I probably am not worth so much -as that, and I shall always be satisfied with whatever you give me; I do -not care for money!" - -"You don't care for money, you don't care to marry," murmured Madame de -Ravenelle, shaking her head; "nor do you care for your province, since -you leave it--Pray, little one, to what do you aspire?" - -Miretta was silent a moment, then replied: - -"I aspire to be in the service of honorable persons, and to show myself -deserving of their kindness." - -"Well said!" exclaimed Valentine; "that is an answer that does you -honor.--Oh! you will be happy with me, I trust. In the first place, all -the dresses I have ceased to wear will belong to you, and I am very fond -of changing often. But you must serve me promptly, you must always be at -hand when I ring for you, and never step foot outside of the house -unless I send you to do some errand." - -The girl raised her head quickly and cried: - -"What, mademoiselle! never go out of this house? Why, in that case, I -shall be a prisoner! I shall not be able to take a free step! Oh, no! -no! I did not come to Paris to be deprived of my liberty; I will serve -you faithfully, mademoiselle, I will be submissive to your lightest -word, I will work day and night if you desire; but I wish to be able, -when I feel the need of it, to fly away as freely as the birds of our -fields! I shall return to my cage far happier, when I know that the door -is not closed upon me!" - -"Well, well, hothead!" said Valentine, with a smile; "never fear; you -will not be a prisoner! I will not prevent your flying away -sometimes.--Ah! how her eyes sparkle when she hears me say that! She has -a little will of her own, I see. So much the better! I do not like -people who are incapable of having a will!" - -"But," interposed Madame de Ravenelle, "as you have just arrived in -Paris, where you know no one; and as your cousin is going away--whom -will you go to see when you go out? or will it be simply to take a -walk?" - -"Pardon me, madame, but there is already one person whom I wish to see, -to thank her for the service she rendered my cousin and myself just now. -Ah! madame does not know that we barely escaped a very great danger this -morning--before we reached this house." - -"A danger! Pray tell us about it, little one." - -"Come here," said Valentine, "and sit on this stool, for your journey on -horseback must have tired you. There! that is right; and now tell us -what happened to you this morning." - -Miretta gave them an exact account of what had taken place on Rue -Saint-Jacques; she omitted no detail, nor did she add anything. The -truth was sufficiently interesting to engross the attention of those -who listened to her. Madame de Ravenelle could not help taking an -interest in it, and Valentine was much excited--so much so that she -exclaimed: - -"Why, it was shameful behavior on the part of those gentlemen! To try to -compel people who are passing to stop and act as their playthings! Did -you hear the names of those who insulted you?" - -"I heard several, mademoiselle, but I remember only two: the gentleman -who took up our defence and fought for us, after offering to be my -knight--in jest, doubtless--his name was Passedix." - -"Passedix!--Do you know any gentleman of that name, aunt?" - -"No, no one! He must be some _chevalier d'industrie!_" - -"Then the man who was so fierce against us, and whose terrible sword -beat down all obstacles--him they called the Sire de Jarnonville. Oh! -that man had a terrifying look!" - -"The Sire de Jarnonville!" repeated Madame de Ravenelle. "That is a very -old name--a noble family; but it is a long while since the descendant of -the Jarnonvilles ceased to appear in society--that is to say, in the -society frequented by self-respecting persons." - -"And you did not hear any one of those young nobles called Léodgard de -Marvejols?" - -"No, mademoiselle, I am quite sure that I did not hear that name." - -"What are you worrying about now, niece?" - -"I am not worrying at all, aunt; but as it was a gathering of -scapegraces, it seemed to me quite natural that Monsieur Léodgard should -be there.--Miretta, I understand your gratitude for the brave girl -who--I do not quite know how--rescued you from your dangerous position. -You will do well to go to thank her, for ingratitude is the vice of base -minds, and it always indicates the presence of other vices. Go to the -reception room and ask for Béatrix; she will take you to the room that -has been prepared for you; it is not far from mine, and you can hear my -bell there.--But, by the way, this Cédrille, your cousin--what have you -done with him?" - -"Mon Dieu! mademoiselle, he stayed below, in the courtyard, with his -horse; I will go and bid him adieu, and he will go away." - -"But surely the boy does not mean to start for Béarn at once? He is -probably curious to see a little of Paris, is he not?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, but he will find an inn for himself and Bourriquet. -Oh! Cédrille is not hard to please; he is capable of sleeping in a -stable, with his horse." - -"I do not see why your cousin should go elsewhere in search of lodgings; -we have enough unoccupied rooms upstairs, and stables sufficiently -extensive to make it unnecessary for him and his horse to go to an -inn.--This youth may remain here a few days, aunt, may he not? There is -room in the servants' quarters; he may eat with our people, when it -suits his pleasure to stay in the house." - -"I have no objection, niece; arrange everything as you choose." - -"Oh! madame and mademoiselle are too kind; and Cédrille will come -himself to thank them." - -"It is not worth while!" said the old lady; "I excuse him from all -thanks." - -"Go, Miretta," said Valentine, "go tell your cousin that we will -accommodate him with my servants; then find Béatrix, who will install -you." - -Miretta made several reverences and left the salon. - -"That girl pleases me," said Valentine, after watching her leave the -room. "Do not you agree with me, madame, that there is something -original about her--a sort of firmness, and an indefinable naïveté, -which is charming?" - -"Yes, yes!" replied Madame de Ravenelle, slowly shaking her head; "but I -believe that there is something in the girl's heart that she has not -told us." - -"What can it be, aunt?" - -"I have no desire to fatigue my brain trying to guess!" - -"Well, I will try, aunt; it will amuse me instead of fatiguing me." - -"As you please, niece." - -Miretta ran quickly down into the courtyard, and found Cédrille there, -doing sentry duty beside his horse. The poor fellow stood close to -Bourriquet's side, having given him the last wisps of hay from the -bundle attached to his crupper. - -The young Béarnais peasant was gazing with respectful admiration at the -sculptures and decorations which embellished the mansion; nothing so -magnificent had met his eye since he had left his fields; for, on -entering Paris, he had been too much occupied in breaking out a path and -guiding his horse through the crowd to have any leisure to look about -him. - -Cédrille smiled sadly when he saw the girl coming toward him. - -"Ah! I was waiting to see you before going away, Miretta," he said; "and -I am going to say adieu at once, for I wouldn't dare to come to this -splendid palace and ask for you; I feel all dazed here; I don't dare to -walk, for fear of making a noise!" - -"And yet, my dear Cédrille, here is where you are to live, as long as -you stay in Paris. They are going to give you a room in this house; my -new mistress will have it so. She has a noble and generous manner, and -this that she is doing for you to-day, cousin, makes me love her -already." - -"Ah, ah! is it possible? What do you say, cousin--I am to be lodged -here--I?--Why, it's a palace!" - -"No; it's a private mansion." - -"Ah! but wait a minute! What about my horse--this poor Bourriquet? I -don't want to leave him, you know." - -"You will not have to leave him; Bourriquet will be put in the stable, -and you may be sure that the horses are well taken care of there." - -"Do you mean it? Bourriquet will be fed? and what about me?" - -"You will be, too, when you happen to be here at the hour when the -household of these ladies dines." - -"If this is the way one is treated in Paris, I begin to believe that you -may be happy here, cousin; but, in that case, I must go and thank the -masters of the house for offering to take me in." - -"No, no; that is not necessary; there are no masters here, only -mistresses: Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin, in whose service I am -now, and her aunt--an old lady, who does whatever her niece wishes; I -saw that at once." - -"Oh! you are shrewd, you are, Miretta! So I needn't go and thank those -ladies?" - -"They excuse you. In Paris, you see, everyone is expected to keep in his -own place.--But that reminds me that there is someone whom I must thank; -but she is not a great lady, and I am sure that she will be very glad to -see me." - -"Who is it?" - -"That fine girl who stationed herself in front of us and defended us, -when we were being insulted. What! have you forgotten already?" - -"Oh, no! no! I know whom you mean; and I remember that those young -gentlemen called out to her: 'Stand away from there, Ambroisine; that's -no place for you!'" - -"Yes, you are right: her name is Ambroisine. But I must go now to find a -lady who is to show me my room and tell me what I have to do. You are -free, Cédrille; you can go out and see Paris--walk about, amuse -yourself, do whatever you choose." - -"But it isn't the same with you, cousin; you're at other people's orders -now; but you would have it, you preferred to come to Paris and go into -service, rather than be your cousin's wife. And yet, you know that you -would always have been the mistress of the house, and that I would have -been your servant!" - -"Enough, Cédrille, enough! I thought that it was agreed that you would -not go back to that subject. I told you once for all that I could not be -your wife." - -"Yes, that's true; but you didn't tell me why you couldn't be." - -"Because it doesn't suit me, apparently; it seems to me that my wish -should be sufficient." - -"Oh! of course, if it is because you don't love me. It's true enough -that we can't compel a woman to love us!" - -"I love you like a friend, like a brother, Cédrille." - -"Well, I'd have been content to be your husband on those terms; and -then, nobody knows, love might have come afterward!--But here you are -looking cross at me, and drawing your eyebrows together.--It's all -over, cousin; I will keep my word and never speak of the subject -again." - -"Good! otherwise, I would save you the trouble of saying adieu to -me.--By the way, Cédrille, if you would, you might take me to Rue -Saint-Jacques this evening. I will come out, if I can, at nightfall." - -"I should like to, cousin; I will wait for you in the street." - -At that moment a middle-aged woman came to Miretta and told her to -follow her. - -While the girl, with an _au revoir_ to her companion, returned to the -house, a servant wearing a handsome livery with heavy gold lace -approached the Béarnais peasant and courteously invited him to come to -the servants' quarters and refresh himself. - -Cédrille returned with interest all the servant's salutations, and -followed him, crying: - -"Jarni! that isn't to be refused, monsieur! I shall be glad to take -something, and I would even eat a bit, with your permission." - -"You shall have whatever you may wish," replied the valet, with a smile. - -"Well, well!" said Cédrille to himself; "this reconciles me to Paris and -makes me forget this morning's battle." - - - - -XIII - -THE _LOUP DE MER_ WINE SHOP - - -Cédrille found a large company in the offices: footmen, coachmen, -lackeys, scullions, and household servants vied with one another in -being kind to the new-comer, who had been commended to them by their -young mistress and was not there as a competitor for her favor; for they -knew that the peasant was to return to his province as soon as he should -have recovered from the fatigues of his journey. That was an additional -reason why they should give him a cordial welcome. - -They made the Béarnais relate his adventures; the battle in the street -amused the servants immensely. They drank to Cédrille's courage and his -cousin Miretta's; they drank to their mistresses, and to the peasant's -safe return to his hearth and home. - -By dint of drinking toasts in excellent wines, such as he had never -tasted before, Cédrille felt considerably bewildered; and when he left -the table and the house, to take a little walk about Paris, it was all -the Béarnais could do to walk straight. He had not walked a hundred -yards from the house, opening his eyes to their utmost extent and -stopping constantly to straighten out his legs, when he felt an arm -slip through his and heard a voice say to him: - -"Sandioux! a happy meeting! I did not expect it, but I rejoice. I will -say more: it causes me extreme pleasure, on my honor!--Why, my dear -friend, you gaze at me with a surprised air, as if you did not recognize -me! Can it be that you have forgotten a gallant knight who defended you -sturdily this morning at a moment when your danger was most -threatening?" - -Cédrille, after straining his eyes and examining the long, lean, yellow -man who had seized his arm, cried at last: - -"Ah! why, yes, to be sure--your long face--that's so--I have seen it -before; and this morning, when all those fine sparks tried to make me -dismount, it was you who came and took our part--with your long sword, -as long as a turnspit!" - -"Ah! this is very fortunate; you recognize me at last, do you, my fine -fellow?--If my sword is long, I trust that that didn't prevent my -handling it rather prettily against your assailants this morning." - -"Certainly not, monsieur le chevalier. Oh! you wasn't afraid!" - -"Afraid! I! I never could understand how there could be such a thing as -a coward!" - -"Yes, yes! now I remember it all. What a pity that that tall black -chevalier knocked your sword out of your hand at the first blow!" - -"Sandis! my dear fellow, I will tell you why. Lean on me; you will walk -more firmly." - -"Faith! I'd be glad to.--I don't know what's the matter with me -to-night; or, rather, yes--I do know; they made me drink so much at that -house, and such good wine, that it made me a little dizzy; but it will -pass off.--What were you saying?" - -"I was saying that I would explain what made Roland slip out of my -hand." - -"Jarni! it was the blow the other man--the black one--hit it. He strikes -hard, that fellow does!" - -"No, no! cadédis! that wasn't it!--He might have struck ten times as -hard, and I would never have let go Roland, that fiercer assaults than -that have not lowered! But just fancy, my boy---- Lean on me, don't be -afraid; I am firm on my legs.--Just fancy, my worthy Béarnais, that -someone had played me the despicable trick of twisting a strip of pork -around Roland's hilt! So you see, it was just when I brandished it most -vigorously that it slipped from my hand!" - -"Well, well! pardi! that was a curious idea; to twist pork round a -sword! But didn't you notice it when you drew your sword from the -sheath?" - -"What do you expect?--in the heat of battle, when it is a question of -saving a lovely girl and an excellent youth, one does not amuse one's -self examining one's sword hilt.--However, it's all over, we were -victors, and, thanks to my assistance, you were able to continue your -journey. I trust that you reached the safe harbor for which you were -bound?" - -"Yes, seigneur chevalier. Mon Dieu! my cousin is already settled in the -Hôtel de Mongarcin." - -"Ah! that charming little brunette whom you had _en croupe_ is your -cousin?" - -"To be sure! my mother and I, we are the only relations she has." - -"Well! I congratulate you; you have a charming cousin; and, in fact, now -that I look at you--yes, there is a resemblance, at the corners of the -mouth." - -"You are the first person who ever thought that I resembled -Miretta.--Ah! jarni! there's holes here. If it hadn't been for you, -monsieur le chevalier, I believe I should have fallen full length in the -street." - -"You must have turned your foot." - -"Yes; and then, my head is in the same fix." - -"Hold fast to me; don't be afraid to lean on me. I am made of iron, of -steel." - -"For my part, I feel as if my legs were made of cotton; it's because -I've had so much to drink. Oh! what famous wines! How polite those -liveried servants are! they kept filling my glass for me.--Ha! hold me -up!" - -"They filled you, finally. So it was the servants at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin who treated you so well?" - -"To be sure.--By the way, did I tell you that I came to Paris to bring -Miretta to Mademoiselle de Mongarcin?" - -"You must have told me, as I know it." - -"To be sure, that's so; as you know it, I must have told you.--Bah! -there's another hole; and then, I don't know whether it's because I am -dizzy, but it seems to me that I can't see very plain." - -"Oh! that is no mistake; it is growing dark. Look you, it is after -half-past seven. Where were you going, my worthy man, my dear fellow, -when I met you?--Sandis! I know your name, but it doesn't come to my -lips." - -"Cédrille, at your service." - -"Cédrille--that's it.--Whither were you bending your steps, my good -Cédrille?" - -"I--mon Dieu! I don't know; you see, Monsieur le Chevalier--what d'ye -call it--what _is_ your name?" - -"Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix." - -"Oh! those names are pretty hard to remember. Must I say them all?" - -"No! call me Passedix; that will be enough." - -"Ah! good! Passe--six." - -"No, no! deuce take it! Passedix, not _six!_ You cut me down four -points!" - -"That makes no difference! Well, monsieur le chevalier, I came away from -the house because I felt as if I needed the fresh air--and then, to see -a little of Paris, which I don't know at all." - -"In that case, my friend Cédrille--will you allow me to call you my -friend? When two people have met on the field of battle, it seems to me -that that brings them together at once. Brave men understand each other -at a glance." - -"You are very polite! It's a great honor to me, Chevalier -Passe--Passe----" - -"Dix.--Well, to return to our subject, if you will permit me, dear -friend, I will be your pilot, your guide, this evening. But I shall not -be able to show you what Paris contains in the way of beautiful and -interesting churches, palaces, squares, and promenades, for the reason -that it is dark, and, none of those lovely things being lighted, you -would see nothing and your steps would be wasted." - -"Then you can't take me anywhere to-night? The deuce! that's a pity, for -I feel just in the mood to enjoy myself. I don't want to go home to bed -already, for I am not in the least sleepy." - -Passedix, who had had nothing to eat during the day except the two eggs -he had swallowed so rapidly before his landlady's eyes, passed his hand -across his forehead and, after pretending to reflect a moment, cried: - -"Yes, yes, cadédis! we will enjoy ourselves this evening. If we go along -Rue Saint-Honoré, we shall find, just before we reach the Couvent des -Capucines, a certain wine shop, the resort of lusty blades, good fellows -like you and me; the curfew has not rung yet, so it will still be open; -and even if the doors were closed, the habitués always have a way of -gaining admission. Moreover, the keeper of the Loup de Mer--that is the -name of the place--is an old soldier, an ex-trooper, who has friends in -the watch--and they allow him to keep his guests later; indeed, I know -some who pass the whole night there. Forward, my good friend, and let us -betake ourselves to the Loup de Mer!" - -"All right; I will go I don't care where to-night, provided that we have -some sport." - -"But I tell you that this wine shop is frequented by all the jovial -blades and lovers of the sex in Paris. And then, it has a famous name -for omelets _au lard_; they are excellent there. I once ate a dozen at a -sitting; it was a wager, and I won it in a trice." - -"Ah! they make omelets _au lard_, do they?" muttered the Béarnais -peasant, shaking his head; "what a pity that I ain't hungry! But I ate -so much at the house that I couldn't eat a mouthful, on my word! I would -much rather see something besides omelets." - -"If you are not hungry, you must be thirsty; good fellows are always -thirsty." - -"Oh! as for drinking, why, I'll drink some more, although I have had a -good deal now." - -"That doesn't matter; you will drink, and I will eat and drink with you; -we will play cards, we will sing, we will pass a delightful -evening.--Lean upon me--steady now, and forward!" - -Cédrille suffered himself to be led away, and, his companion almost -carrying him, they soon reached the Loup de Mer. - -It would have been useless in those days to seek in taverns the blaze of -light which dazzles our eyes to-day when we enter a café; a smoky lamp -or two lighted but dimly the room and the drinkers; but the latter, -being accustomed to nothing better, found the place where they assembled -very much to their liking, so there was always a numerous company at the -Loup de Mer; it was not so select as the Chevalier Passedix had tried to -persuade Cédrille; but, by way of compensation, it was very hilarious -and animated, and, above all, exceedingly noisy. - -Almost all the tables were occupied, and covered with pewter pots and -goblets; they were not so pretty to look at as our bottles and glasses, -but they were less fragile. - -Not without difficulty did Passedix succeed in finding an unoccupied end -of a table and in obtaining two stools. Although an habitué of the -place, the chevalier did not seem to be greeted with great cordiality, -and the first words of the waiter to whom he applied were: - -"There's no more room, monsieur le chevalier; it isn't worth while for -you to come in." - -But the Gascon, pushing aside the waiter, who was standing in front of -him, glared savagely around the room and cried: - -"Ah! there's no room, eh?--Capédébious! we will see about that! There -must always be room for me and my friends! and, at need, Roland will -find a way to make room!" - -"Let Monsieur de Passedix come in," said a woman of uncertain age, who -sat at the desk; and she added, with a slight shrug of her shoulders: -"if you don't, you know that he will make a scene, pick a quarrel with -someone, and end by bringing the watch here." - -"Well! I only said what the master ordered me to say," muttered the -waiter, sulkily. - -But meanwhile our Gascon had found a corner at a table, and had -established himself there with Cédrille. The latter tried to look about; -but the crowd, the noise, the heat, and the fumes of wine that filled -the room, added to his intoxication instead of sobering him. - -"Poussinet! Poussinet!" cried the chevalier, hammering the table with -his sword hilt; "come here, knave! are you deaf to-night?" - -The waiter approached, making a grimace, and stared at Cédrille as if he -were a strange beast. - -"Come, Poussinet, listen carefully to my orders. You will serve us an -omelet of fifteen eggs, with half of a small ham inside; also, a large -jug of your best, and some fresh bread if possible." - -"Fifteen eggs! an omelet of fifteen eggs for you two! Do you expect more -friends?" - -"That doesn't concern you! do what you are told, and don't keep your -great, stupid eyes fastened on my companion; that isn't polite, and I -don't ever allow anyone to insult the persons who are in my company! Do -you hear, clown?" - -As he spoke, the chevalier seized the waiter by one ear and twisted it -so hard in his fingers that the unlucky Poussinet was beginning to -shriek with pain, when a gray-bearded man in jacket and apron came up -and said to the chevalier, in a decidedly unamiable tone: - -"What are you pulling my waiter's ears for? What has he done to you, -Monsieur Passedix? Must you always make trouble here as soon as you -arrive? I am tired of it, I warn you! Although you fight with everybody, -I warn you that you don't frighten me; and when the day comes that I -make up my mind to turn you out of my place, you will never come into it -again; and your sword will stay here in pawn for all that you owe me!" - -"Let's go away," said Cédrille, trying to rise; "I am not having any fun -here!" - -But Passedix forced Cédrille to remain on his stool; and having -reflected that if he should beat the keeper of the wine shop he would -have no supper, he restrained his wrath and tried to smile as he -replied: - -"La, la! old sea-wolf [_loup de mer_]--for you well deserve the name -written on your sign!--here's a lot of pother because I hardly pinched -the tip of an ear. I do not seek a quarrel with anyone who is courteous -to me. If you have in your place louts who tread on my toes, I am never -in a mood to put up with it. If I owe you money, that proves that you -have given me credit." - -"And I am very sorry that I ever gave you credit; but after this, -nothing will be served you here unless you pay cash. As to that matter, -I have given Poussinet my orders, and it will do you no good to pull his -ears! Nothing without the money--those are his orders." - -"Yes," muttered the waiter, "and he beats me; that's all the _pourboire_ -I get from him!" - -Passedix rose and made a motion with his arm as if to strike Poussinet; -but the wine shop keeper caught his arm in mid-air and shouted, with a -horrible oath: - -"So we are going to begin again, eh?" - -"I want to go away; I don't enjoy myself here!" said Cédrille, half -rising; but the chevalier threw him back on his seat, and continued in a -haughty and dignified tone: - -"Cabaretier, you may serve us in all confidence this evening; it is not -I who treat, but my friend, this excellent Béarnais here; and his -pockets are well filled." - -"That makes a difference!" murmured the host; and he walked away with -his waiter, saying to him: "No matter, you will make them pay when you -serve; if they don't, take the dishes away." - -"Yes, and look out for my ears!--Ah! what a lousy customer that lanky, -hamstringing villain of a Gascon is!" - - - - -XIV - -A GAME WITH DICE - - -Cédrille sat as if glued to his seat, from which he dared not stir since -his friend had forced him back into it so unceremoniously; but he cut a -singular figure as he rolled his eyes around the room, staring at all -the people about him; and he had not the slightest appearance of a -person who had come there for amusement. - -As for the Chevalier Passedix, his eyes seemed to be trying to discover -the contents of the Béarnais's pockets; and, as he caressed his chin, he -reflected thus: - -"I said that his pockets were well filled, but I know nothing about it; -he didn't whisper a word when I said it Sandis! if it should turn out -that he hasn't a sou about him--that old pirate of a cabaretier would -take back his omelet. But I feel that Dame Cadichard's two little eggs -are at the bottom of Roland's sheath. I dare not question this stout -little Béarnais. But, come what may, I don't propose to go away from -here without filling my belly. The proverb well says: 'Without Bacchus -and Ceres, Venus congeals!'--Now, then, as I do not choose that my love -shall congeal, I absolutely must do a little work with my jaws!" - -Thereupon, turning to the other persons seated at the table at which he -had taken his place, tall Passedix observed that they were bourgeois, -very well dressed and having all the appearance of shopkeepers from the -vicinity come thither for recreation. In front of them were goblets and -a generous measure of wine; also dice and diceboxes. - -"These fellows are probably playing for their reckoning!" thought the -Gascon. "An idea! suppose I should suggest a game to the little fellow, -especially as he seems inclined to go to sleep.--Holà! I say, worthy -Cédrille!" - -"What is it?" cried the peasant, staring in order to see better. - -"Suppose we have a game of dice, like our neighbors.--You gentlemen are -playing _quinze_, I think?" - -One of the players looked up at the lean chevalier, and contented -himself with an assenting nod. - -"Good! what do you say to a game of _quinze_, friend Cédrille? I'll play -you for a rose crown. There's a pleasant suggestion for you?" - -"No, thanks! I have never played; I don't know any game. At our house, -my mother used to say very often: 'Don't let anybody induce you to -gamble, my son, it's too dangerous a sport; it becomes a vice and it may -lead to crime!'" - -"Ta ta ta! that speech smells strongly of the barn! If gambling is -dangerous in your province, it isn't so in Paris; and the proof is that -everybody gambles, from the lowest to the highest. The greatest nobles -set us the example; they wouldn't be gentlemen if they didn't gamble." - -"Oh! I don't claim to be a gentleman, myself!" - -"Sandis! that's lucky!" said Passedix to himself. "What a blockhead this -young Béarnais is; he doesn't gamble and he won't eat; he doesn't know -how to carry his wine! If only he has money!--but I must make sure of -that before they bring us that famous omelet."--And, addressing his -young companion once more, Passedix said: "Can it be that we are -miserly, by any chance, my young shepherd? Fie! fie! that would be a -wretched failing, and one that is much ridiculed in Paris, where every -man of heart, if he wants to enjoy himself, should pay, without -reckoning, every bill presented to him." - -"I, miserly!" rejoined Cédrille, with a smile; "oh! I am not afraid of -anyone charging me with that; I have never had anything of my own! -Whenever my fob is full, what there is in it is at my friends' service!" - -"Bravo! very good! shake! I am just like that, myself!--Well, then, my -good Cédrille, as you don't know the game of dice, and as I am -absolutely determined to lose a rose crown to you, we will play for it -at _wet finger_. I trust that you know that game, at least!" - -"At wet finger!" muttered Cédrille, putting his hands to his pockets. -"Oh! I know that game, yes. But, by the way, I just remember that I -can't play to-night, unless I play on credit----" - -"On credit! What does that mean?" - -"It means that the servants at the Hôtel de Mongarcin--all those -splendid fellows in handsome livery, who treated me so handsomely at the -offices----" - -"Well! what then? Let us have it, mordioux!" - -"Well! when I left them, saying that I was going to walk round the city -a bit, they said: 'Have you got any money about you?'--I said _yes_, and -took a good fat purse out of my pocket.--Oh! I didn't start out on my -travels without the means of travelling.--'Well,' they said, 'leave your -purse here; don't take it with you, or it will be stolen; and it won't -do you any good to be on your guard, for you won't see anything; Paris -is full of vagabonds, cloak snatchers, cutpurses, who strip you without -your knowing how it's done. You don't need your purse to walk about the -city; so, leave it here, where it will be safe, the maître d'hôtel will -be responsible for it; and then you can stroll all over Paris and snap -your fingers at the robbers.'--Faith! I followed their advice and left -my purse in their hands; and I haven't a sou about me!" - -It would be difficult to describe the expression of his valiant -companion's face while Cédrille was speaking. Chevalier Passedix, -ordinarily yellow, became green one moment, then violet, then -ash-colored; his features seemed to lengthen, his cheeks to sink in more -than usual; his eyes flashed fire, and he muttered, clenching his fists: - -"This passes all bounds! He hasn't a sou, and he wants to enjoy himself -in Paris! What an ignorant fool!--Ah! if you were not your cousin's -cousin! what pleasure it would give me to thrash you, knave! to teach -you to hang on my arm when your pockets are empty!--But the omelet will -soon be here, and they will take it away again! That will be an outrage! -Vertuchoux! at embarrassing moments one must be bold; fortune favors the -brave!--another proverb. Let us stake all to win all!" - -And Passedix, turning to his neighbors the dice throwers, suddenly -exclaimed: - -"Twelve! that's a good throw, but, damn the odds! I will stake six -livres _tournois_ against monsieur!" - -The bourgeois who had just thrown the dice stared at the chevalier and -rejoined: - -"You don't know the game; we have three dice, and the one who throws -nearest to fifteen wins; I have thrown twelve; I have a great many -chances in my favor, for anything above fifteen loses." - -"I know the game as well as the man who invented it; that doesn't -prevent my saying that I will stake six livres _tournois_ against you." - -"Very good! I take your bet." - -"All right! agreed!--Now, it's your turn, monsieur, on whom I am -betting." - -The other gambler, after casting a surprised glance at the Gascon, took -the dicebox and shook it, saying: - -"Ah! you bet on me, do you, seigneur chevalier? Faith! I hope with all -my heart that I may win for you." - -Cédrille turned toward his neighbors, curious to see the result of the -wager. - -As for Passedix, he had risen, his long body towered above the table, -but his eyes never swerved from the box in which the dice were; and his -anxious expression, the way in which he twisted the ends of his cloak in -his hands, and the trembling of his whole person, all tended to show how -important it was to him that he should win the stake. - -At last the bourgeois threw the three dice on the table, and the sum of -the points was only eleven. - -"Faith! that was rather near!" said the man who had thrown; "but it is -not enough--I have lost!" - -"And you too, chevalier!" exclaimed the other; "come, hand over your -rose crown--it was your own suggestion." - -Passedix, whose face had assumed a threatening aspect when he saw the -result of the throw, slowly caressed his moustache and replied, dwelling -on each word: - -"I have lost? that may be!--It was monsieur's fault for throwing badly." - -"What's that? I threw badly?" - -"Why, yes, to be sure; you shouldn't spend two hours shaking the dice in -the box--it tires them, and they can only turn up small numbers!" - -"Ah! that's a pretty good one! I play as I please. Why did you bet on -me? who forced you to?" - -"Oh! God bless me! enough of this! I have lost--that is all right; but I -demand my revenge; I should say that that is one of the things no -gentleman refuses." - -"Your revenge--very good! I agree!" - -"That is lucky for you! Sandis!" - -"Here, throw the dice yourself!" said the man who had lost, offering the -Gascon the box; "then you cannot say that I play badly." - -"With pleasure, I prefer it so!" cried the chevalier, seizing the -dicebox and resuming his seat. - -Thereupon he rattled the dice in the box in his turn, and, having raised -his hand above his head, threw them on the table; the throw was -fourteen. - -A joyful cry escaped from Passedix's lips and he looked about with a -triumphant air, saying: - -"That is what I call throwing! that is how we throw dice at court! -Fourteen! what do you say to that, _compère_?" - -"That's a good throw," replied his adversary; "but I may equal it." - -And having picked up the three dice and put them in his box, he played, -and threw only five. - -Passedix was radiant; his face lighted up, and he began to laugh -uproariously, opening his enormous mouth and showing his sharp fangs. - -"I have lost," said the shopkeeper; "well, we are just where we -started.--I think it's time to go home, _compère_." - -But at that moment the odor of cooked eggs reached their nostrils. -Poussinet appeared, carrying in both hands a pewter platter upon which -was the enormous omelet; under one arm he had a jug of wine, and under -the other a round loaf. - -The waiter gazed admiringly at the omelet, but he walked with slow and -measured steps, like a person who expects a catastrophe, or one who is -marching to the sacrifice. - -The odor of the dish so eagerly coveted dilated the chevalier's -nostrils; he seized the shopkeeper by his doublet as he was about to -leave the table, and said: - -"Well! are we to stop at that? Don't you know that among gentlemen, when -each wins a game, the rubber is always played?" - -"The rubber! the rubber! But it is late, and I ought to be at home." - -"You will be there a few minutes late! What a misfortune! But we cannot -afford to play like children, with no result; everyone would laugh at -us! Come! it will take but a minute!" - -And Passedix retained his hold on the tradesman's doublet, which he was -very careful not to release, for Poussinet had already said twice: - -"Here's the omelet _au lard_, the wine, and the bread--total, two livres -eight sous six deniers, which you must pay me now, or I shall take it -all away." - -"'Tis well! 'tis well! Sandis! Wait a moment, Poussinet; as you see, I -am just finishing a game with monsieur. Let us finish!" - -Tired of being detained by his doublet, the shopkeeper decided to resume -his seat. - -"Well, monsieur," he exclaimed; "since I absolutely must do it to -satisfy you, let us play this rubber, which, however, I should be -justified in refusing, for, after all, I do not know you! You -interfered in the game of dice I was playing with my friend, not with -you." - -"Par la mordioux! are you afraid of compromising yourself by playing -with me, my friend? You do not know me, evidently! Very well! learn that -I am Chevalier Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix, the favorite of Monseigneur -le Cardinal de Richelieu, and an officer in the queen's -_Mousquetaires_!--Say--are you satisfied now?--In a moment, -Poussinet--don't go. Let us settle this business, and don't put your -nose so near the omelet!" - -The two tradesmen had glanced at each other with a sneering expression -while the Gascon chevalier enumerated his name and offices, and they -whispered to each other: - -"The cardinal's favorite, forsooth! Just look at his doublet; there's a -hole in the elbow, and his ruff is all ragged!" - -"He is some schemer, some scurvy knave! Shall I play with him?" - -"Yes; it would be a good job to win his rose crown." - -"But, if he loses, by Notre-Dame! he will have to pay! I will not be put -off with his bluster!" - -"Well! what about that rubber! Capédébious! shall we finish to-night?" -cried Passedix, assuming a surly air and bringing his fist down on the -table. - -"I am ready, monsieur le favori du cardinal. But you will not ask me for -your revenge again. I declare now that I will not throw after this." - -"All right! that is understood. Who the devil asks you to?" - -"There are the dice, monsieur; will you begin?" - -"I have no objection." - -Passedix put the three dice in the box that he held; this time, despite -his efforts, one could see that his hand trembled and that he did not -raise the box with the same confidence. However, the dice were thrown, -and again the sum was fourteen. - -Passedix jumped for joy, so that he nearly overturned the table; he -breathed like a man who had been stifling for five minutes, then burst -out in a roar of laughter that extinguished one of the lamps. His -demonstration ended with the words: - -"I think that you have lost, my boy! You will pay for our supper." - -"But I believe that I am entitled to take my throw first." - -"Oh! that is true; take your throw, it's your right; but if I were in -your place, I would give it up and pay at once." - -"No, indeed! Fortune is like the sun; it shines for everybody!" - -"There's a proverb that I never heard! I believe it to be absolutely -false!" - -However, the chevalier's adversary calmly took up the dice, shook them -with the air of a man to whom it matters little whether he loses a rose -crown, but who is amused by the impatience of his opponent. - -"Sandis! have you nearly finished shaking your dicebox?" said Passedix; -"you trifle too much." - -The shopkeeper threw--fifteen! It was his turn to laugh, which he did -with a good heart, in company with his friend, who cried: - -"Pardieu! there's a throw that's worth all of yours, monsieur le -cardinal's friend!" - -But Passedix did not seem to hear these words; he was so thunderstruck -when he counted his opponent's points, that he stood like one turned to -stone, with his eyes fixed on the six, the five, and the four. - -"Come, monsieur le chevalier, give me the rose crown you were so anxious -to lose. Quickly, if you please! I ought to have gone long ago!" - -"I, pay you!" cried Passedix, drawing himself up to his full height, and -with the back of his hand giving a tilt over one ear to the sort of cap -he wore; "pay you! No, indeed! for the throw was not fair; it doesn't -count!" - -"Doesn't count! that throw of mine! I suppose that you say that in jest, -_beau sire_, but I don't like that sort of pleasantry, I warn you. Pay -me quickly, and let us have done with it!" - -"Once more I tell you, I will not pay! The throw was bad. You threw the -dice with your left hand. I don't play with a left-handed----" - -"Chevalier, you are trying to find a pretext for not paying. In the -first place, I did not throw with my left hand; and in the second -place, if I did, the throw would be perfectly fair." - -"No; in that case, you are bound to notify your opponent." - -"I did not play with my left hand!" - -"Then I lie, do I?" - -"Yes; and you are nothing but a blackleg!" - -"Ah! by Roland! you shall pay dearly for that insult--you vile -clodhopper!" - -"Meanwhile, you are going to get what you deserve, you long-legged -sharper who wanted to sup at our expense!" - -As he spoke, that one of the tradesmen who had played with the Gascon -put out his arm and rushed forward to strike him with his fist. But his -opponent had anticipated the blow and jumped back quickly. As ill luck -would have it, Cédrille had risen when he saw that the quarrel had -become serious, and muttering: "I want to go away; I am not enjoying -myself at all here!" received full in the face the blow intended for his -friend. He uttered a cry of pain. Instantly Passedix whipped out his -sword, and Roland's blade was directed at the shopkeeper, who had seized -the pewter pot with which to defend himself. - -But a new personage had entered the café and forced his way through the -crowd that already surrounded the combatants. - - - - -XV - -A BOHEMIAN - - -The man who had entered the wine shop wore a long cloak of dark-colored -cloth, which reached almost to his feet and was caught in at the waist -by a striped red and black belt adorned with a fringe. On his head was a -sort of pointed cap trimmed with fur. Cloak and cap alike were soiled -and in wretched condition. - -This was the type of costume worn at that period by those persons who -undertook to draw horoscopes, and who were commonly called Bohemians. -They were very different from the Bohemians of our day, who dress well -and have not a sou, for they wore shabby clothes and often had gold -hidden in the pockets or the lining of their shabby garments. - -Gray hair and an almost snow-white beard indicated a man of advanced -years. However, he seemed to be robust still, for he easily put aside -the bystanders and forced a passage for himself through the crowd. - -Reaching the Gascon's side, he seized the arm that held Roland; and his -pressure must have been very powerful, for the chevalier made a horrible -grimace and slowly lowered his sword, crying: - -"Zounds! what an iron grip!" - -"What does this mean?" cried the Bohemian, in a cracked but piercing -voice. "Do people draw their swords in a wine shop? Fie! seigneur -chevalier, this is not a battlefield worthy of you! accustomed as you -are to conquer in single combat and to excel in jousting!--And you, -Master Bougard, you are out very late; the curfew rang long ago; your -shopboys pay little heed to it when their master is not there. And God -knows whether your shop is not at the mercy of cutpurses and footpads -to-night!--As for you, neighbor Dupont, you have a pretty young wife, -and it seems to me that you do not watch her very closely. Beware! -gallants abound in your neighborhood; they know that you come to this -wine shop every night and stay late. That makes it very convenient for -them to go sparking your wife." - -The two tradesmen listened to nothing more; they hurriedly pushed aside -those who stood in their way, and rushed from the shop, paying no -further heed to the Gascon and abandoning the idea of following up their -quarrel. - -Meanwhile, Passedix, flattered by the words that the Bohemian had -addressed to him, replaced Roland in his sheath, saying: - -"After all, this old man is right. And then, those two clowns are not -foemen worthy of my wrath. But still----" - -And the Gascon glanced languishingly at the superb omelet, which -Poussinet was preparing to carry away, when the Bohemian stopped him -and said, putting a piece of money in his hand: - -"Do not carry that away; put the supper on the table--before these two -gallant fellows, who will permit me to entertain them and to sup with -them. Fetch also a piece of your best cheese and another full pint of -your oldest wine, so that we may drink longer." - -The waiter, being paid, made haste to execute the orders he had -received. Meanwhile, Passedix, who could hardly believe his ears, gazed -at the Bohemian as the Incas gazed at the sun, then opened his long arms -and threw himself into those of the man with the gray beard, crying: - -"By the shades of my ancestors! you are a noble old man! I do not know -you; but it would seem that you know me; for your behavior toward me is -that of an old friend!" - -"Oh! who has not heard of the valiant Chevalier Passedix, godson of the -worthy Chaudoreille!--of his exploits, of his prowess, and of his -triumphs with the ladies! I am only a poor Bohemian, but, by virtue of -my profession, I know very well what is happening in Paris. So do not be -surprised, seigneur chevalier, that I am so well informed with respect -to your affairs." - -"Capédébious! this old man talks better than our ediles!--Don't you -think so, friend Cédrille, eh? Why do you refuse to speak, and keep your -hand over your left eye?" - -Cédrille took his hand from his face and showed his left eye, which had -received the full force of the shopkeeper's blow, and which was -surrounded by a black and blue circle and weeping profusely. - -"Bigre! what is all this, my boy? Did you fall on something unhealthy?" - -"Yes, I fell on the fisticuff that was intended for you; and it was well -directed, as you see; that miserable man didn't strike with a light -hand!" - -"Ah! poor fellow! can it be? I am sorry now that I didn't run that clown -through!" - -"Come, come! to table, and let us forget about all that!" said the -Bohemian, seating himself and filling the glasses. "After all is said, -life is always a mixture of battles and pleasures, of strife and -feasting; we must forget the former and make the most of the latter." - -"Yes, that is so; to table! the old Bohemian talks like Nostradamus, -from whom he is probably descended." - -"Not in a direct line, but that makes no difference; I try to walk in -his footsteps by reading the future as best I may. Let us drink, -messeigneurs, and let us attack this omelet." - -"Ah, yes! let us attack the omelet and give it no quarter." - -Passedix took his place in front of the supper, the Bohemian being -opposite; Cédrille was still standing, and seemed undecided as to what -he should do. - -"Well, young man, is my company not agreeable to you, that you do not -take a seat with us?" said the old man, glancing at the Béarnais -peasant. - -"Your company cannot help flattering him!" cried Passedix, stuffing -enormous slices of omelet into his mouth, and pieces of bread of equal -dimensions. "Sandioux! who wouldn't be happy to drink with such a -venerable old man, who has the grip of a Hercules?--Come, comrade -Cédrille, sit you down there." - -"Oh! I'll tell you what," replied Cédrille, as he seated himself; "I -don't feel a bit hungry, and that blow made me sick!" - -"The idea of a man of your age paying any attention to that little tap! -you are strong enough to stand harder knocks than that!--Come! drink, as -you are not hungry, and we will eat for you." - -"Well said, venerable Bohemian! He need have no fear, I will eat his -share; but let us drink; one can always drink, even when one is not -thirsty." - -The Bohemian was careful not to leave the glasses of his guests empty; -and Cédrille, led on by the example set him, finally decided to partake -of the omelet. - -"All the same," he muttered, "I haven't enjoyed myself much here!" - -"Bigre! my boy, you are hard to please! You see before you a delicious -supper--with two jovial companions; this venerable Bohemian fills your -glass every instant; this wine is very good--and you are not satisfied. -Is it because we had a quarrel with two boors? But in Paris it rarely -happens that one passes a day without an affair, more or less serious. -Why, I myself, as you see me, when I return home at night without -having drawn my sword, am not content with my day; I feel that something -is lacking.--You must know, respected Bohemian, that this young man has -been in Paris only since this morning; he cannot as yet be acquainted -with our customs; but I have undertaken his education, and I will push -him!" - -"Thanks!" said Cédrille to himself; "if he pushes me the way he has this -evening, I shall risk nothing by keeping on my guard." - -"Yes, yes," said the old man, caressing his beard, "I know that this -young man arrived in Paris to-day, with his cousin, a very pretty young -woman--a fascinating brunette." - -"I say! you know that?" exclaimed Cédrille, staring at the old man in -amazement. "You're a sorcerer, are you?" - -"That is my profession." - -"And I bow before your magic power!" cried Passedix, emptying his glass -at a draught. - -"But they burn sorcerers!" muttered the peasant, moving his chair away -from the table and looking at the Bohemian with a distrustful -expression. - -"And so I fully expect to be roasted some day! But meanwhile I must make -merry during the time I still have to pass on this earth.--Waiter, -eau-de-vie--a large measure!" - -Passedix grasped the Bohemian's hand and shook it effusively, saying: - -"If anyone should ever be so ill-advised as to touch a hair of your -head!--You know that I am devoted to you and that I am fearless?--I will -undertake to deliver you, even from the Bastille, if they should -imprison you there!" - -Poussinet brought the eau-de-vie, for which the old man paid on the -spot. - -Meanwhile, most of the drinkers and habitués of the establishment had -gone; and the proprietor, approaching our three friends, bowed to them, -very respectfully this time, and said: - -"Messeigneurs, the curfew has rung; I must warn you that I shall soon be -obliged, to my regret, to send you away; for if the watch should see a -light in my shop, I----" - -"Very good, very good, my man!" replied the Bohemian; "we are drinking -quietly, we are making no disturbance, and we have some time before us -still. Moreover, there are ways of arranging matters with the watch." - -As he spoke, the old man slipped into the cabaretier's hand a piece of -silver which he took from his belt. - -The proprietor of the Loup de Mer bowed again, saying: - -"Well, messeigneurs, do as you please; my first duty is to satisfy my -customers." - -"Sandis! let the watch come!" cried Passedix, drinking eau-de-vie as if -it were wine. "We will give them a warm reception; they'll find someone -to talk to, eh! friend Cédrille?--Let us take a drink! this young -new-comer hangs back!" - -"No, I don't; but my eye pains me!" - -"An additional reason for drinking! this eau-de-vie is nectar.--Here's -the health of the man who treats us so courteously! Our host is a sly -rascal! he pretends to be afraid of the watch, but the watch isn't so -strict, so severe, as formerly. It doesn't date from yesterday, you -know; as long ago as the time of Clotaire II, every large town in the -kingdom had a night watch. In 595, an edict was issued, of which the -principal provisions were: - -"When a robbery is committed at night, those who are of the watch in the -quarter will be held responsible if they do not arrest the robber; if -the robber, fleeing from them, is seen in another quarter, and the guard -of that other quarter, being forthwith notified, fail to arrest him, the -loss occasioned by the robbery shall fall upon them, and they will be -condemned in addition to pay a fine of five sous; and in like manner -from quarter to quarter.--Peste! there was no joking about such matters -in those days!" - -"What I admire most of all, monsieur le chevalier," said the Bohemian, -filling the glasses, "is your profound erudition; you know -everything--yes, everything! I will wager that you are able to quote the -_Capitulaires_ of Charlemagne." - -"In truth, I am rather well informed; and but for this infernal vocation -for the sword and for fighting, I believe that I should have become a -troubadour, a trouvère, of the first rank; I should have contended for -the palm with Clémence Isaure and all her supporters!--Delicious -eau-de-vie! it is like whey!" - -"Come, come, Seigneur Cédrille; you do not drink, you do not follow your -gallant companion's example!" - -"Oh! you see, I am not empty, like the chevalier; I had a good lot to -drink at the hôtel." - -"At the hôtel where you lodge?" - -"No; at the Hôtel de Mongarcin, where I took my cousin Miretta and left -her." - -"Ah! so your pretty cousin is at the Hôtel de Mongarcin?" - -"Yes, on Rue Saint-Honoré--close by." - -"On this same street, eh?" - -"She has a fine place there with the young lady of the house; and -I--they are kind enough to keep me too, as long as I stay in Paris. But -I shall not stay long; I have no desire to enjoy myself every evening -the way I have this evening." - -The Bohemian seemed to reflect; Passedix, whose eyes were beginning to -close and his utterance to thicken, heaved a profound sigh and muttered: - -"Look you, comrade Cédrille, I am going to tell you something in -confidence: you can't be in love with your cousin, as you leave her here -in Paris and go back to your mountains!" - -"You think I ain't in love with her, do you? Well, that is where you are -mistaken! On the contrary, I love Miretta with all my heart, and I'd -have liked right well to marry her! But she won't have me! So all I can -do is make the best of it! She refused me flat, and she's a girl with a -very strong will! When she says no, that's the end of it; she never -changes her mind." - -"Since she has refused you, we are friends once more; for you are no -longer my rival." - -"Your rival?" - -"Sandis! yes! I do not choose to dissemble any longer. I am in love with -your enchanting cousin! Ah! so much in love that it would make me an -idiot if that were possible! And with me, I venture to think that she -will not say _no_!" - -Cédrille rubbed his uninjured eye, and stared for several seconds at the -long, lank, yellow chevalier, who had declared his love for his pretty -cousin; then, without replying, he began to laugh heartily. - -This outburst of hilarity seemed to displease Passedix, who said: - -"What are you laughing at, young countryman? I am not fond of having -anyone laugh at me without telling me why, capédébious! I am your -friend, but you must not presume upon the rights which that title gives -you." - -"Seigneur chevalier," said the Bohemian, "you seem to me to forget at -this moment that this young man is the kinsman of the woman you love." - -"You are right, venerable old man.--Your hand, Cédrille; no quarrel -between us! I drink to your health!" - -"Ah! jarni!" cried the Béarnais peasant, putting his hand to his brow. -"I remember now--and it had gone entirely out of my head!" - -"What, my fine fellow?" - -"My cousin told me that she would look for me this evening, at dusk, to -take her to Rue Saint-Jacques, to Master Hugonnet's bath keeper, whose -daughter came to our assistance this morning during that infernal -battle." - -"What, little cousin! pretty Miretta makes an appointment with you, and -you forget it!--Mordioux! if she had said that to me! But perhaps it is -not too late; let us go there." - -Passedix tried to rise, as did Cédrille, but neither of them was able to -stand on his legs, and they fell back heavily on their chairs. - -Meanwhile, the Bohemian had taken from beneath his cloak a small phial -filled with a reddish liquid, from which he poured into his companions' -goblets, pretended to put some into his own glass, and took it up, -saying: - -"Can you think of such a thing, _beaux sires_? it is too late now, a -young girl cannot go out at this time of night; the fair Miretta must -have abandoned her walk, and you will take her some other time. -Meanwhile, taste this _rozolio_, of which my lucky star enabled me to -obtain a flask, and which I could not drink in better company!" - -Passedix hastened to drink the liqueur which had been put before him, -not, however, without pausing now and then to smack his lips; Cédrille -did the same, stammering: - -"Ah! jarnigué! that's good! That smacks of all sorts of things; I never -drank anything so sweet. What do you call this?" - -"Our venerable friend has just told you," hiccoughed Passedix, resting -his arms on the table. "It's _ro--ro--rozo_----" - -He was unable to finish the word. In a moment, his head sank on his arms -and he fell asleep; Cédrille soon followed his example. - -Thereupon the Bohemian rose, left the table, and walked hastily from the -wine shop. - - - - -XVI - -THE NIGHT - - -As soon as he was in the street, the pretended Bohemian walked at a gait -which did not resemble that of an old man; he went hastily along Rue -Saint-Honoré toward the Hôtel de Mongarcin. There he stopped, looked -about in all directions, and listened for sounds inside the house, where -some windows were still lighted; then he tried to pierce the darkness -that prevailed in the street; for at that time Paris was very poorly -lighted, or, rather, was not lighted at all. - -Toward the beginning of the sixteenth century, the Parisians had been -ordered to place lighted lanterns in front of their houses, but the -order had never been strictly complied with. And even when a lantern was -placed before a door, it contained only a candle; so that you can judge -how much light it was likely to give and how long it would burn. From -time to time, one spied a bright light in the distance, but it did not -remain in one place; and when it happened to come toward you, you -discovered that it was a torchbearer. In most cases, that industry was -carried on by children; there was a bureau on the Estrapade, where boys -were supplied with torches to provide light for persons using the -streets at night. - -After a few moments' reflection, our Bohemian suddenly walked on; he -continued up the street, and took what seemed to him the shortest road -to Rue Saint-Jacques. But, as he walked, he scrutinized carefully every -woman whom he met; to be sure, his curiosity found few subjects to -investigate, for it was nearly ten o'clock, which was very late at that -period; so that but few people were abroad; and a woman who appeared in -the street alone, at that time of night, might well expect that people -would form a very poor opinion of her and treat her accordingly. - -But as he drew near the fortress called the Grand Châtelet, the Bohemian -stopped; he had espied a woman, alone, who was looking about her and -seemed not to know which way to turn. - -She made up her mind at last, and was starting toward the Petit-Pont, -when a voice called to her: - -"Where are you going, Miretta? You are wrong; that is not your road." - -At the first sound of that voice, Miretta--for it was she--stopped as if -paralyzed by surprise; but it had no sooner ceased to speak than she -cried out, with a delight which she could not hold in check: - -"That voice--oh! it is his! I cannot be mistaken! Where are you, -Giova----" - -Before the girl could finish the name, the pretended Bohemian had taken -her in his arms and strained her to his heart, saying in an undertone: - -"Hush! hush! never utter that name! for it would be my destruction! it -would be condemning me to death!" - -"To death! Oh! forgive me, forgive me! but I am so happy, you see, at -this moment! I see you once more, I find you the very first day that I -am in Paris. Ah! I did not hope for so much good fortune! My dearest -friend, my only love! oh! tell me that you still love me, and I will -forget all the tears I have shed since you abandoned me. Tell me that -you are still my lover, my beloved, my Giova----" - -"Again! Ah! Miretta, you will cause my ruin!" - -"Oh! forgive me! but the pleasure, the joy of seeing you after such a -long separation---- I am mad, you see; I do not know what I say! Here, -feel how my heart beats! it is you, it is you, who are the cause! Oh! -speak to me, let me hear your loved voice again; let me be quite certain -that I am not the plaything of an illusion; for this costume, this gray -beard---- Oh! but it makes no difference! I see your eyes, I am sure -that I am not mistaken!" - -"Come, come!" said Giovanni, passing the girl's arm through his; "let us -go away, first of all, from this fortress; the neighborhood of the Grand -Châtelet is not healthy for me." - -The girl allowed her lover to lead her away; it mattered little to her -whither he took her; she was with the man to whom she had given her -heart and had sworn to devote her life. That great city which she did -not know, the darkness that encompassed her, the distant outcries that -reached her ears from time to time--thenceforth none of those things -frightened her, for she held Giovanni's arm. - -The false Bohemian kept the girl walking for some time, pressing her arm -as soon as she attempted to speak, and motioning to her to maintain the -most profound silence. But Miretta's conductor seemed to know Paris -perfectly, and its most crooked, most deserted streets. After leading -her through several dark and narrow lanes, he came out on a small -square, stopped in front of a house, took a key from his pocket, opened -the door, and led his companion into the hall, saying: - -"This is the hôtel where I live; give me your hand and let me lead you. -Don't be afraid; in a moment we shall be able to see; make no noise." - -"Afraid! afraid! when I am with you! ah! you know me very little! See, -here is my hand! does it tremble? I am with you; what does it matter to -me where you take me? I shall always be happy with you." - -A slight pressure of the hand replied to these words from Miretta; then -her guide led her up a staircase, stopped on the first floor, softly -opened a door, and ushered the girl into an apartment, where, by means -of a lamp burning at the back of the hearth, he speedily lighted several -candles. Giovanni then laid aside his cap, his wig, his great cloak, and -revealed a young man with a refined Italian face, whom we have already -seen in the plumed hat of the _soi-disant_ Comte de Carvajal, a guest at -the Hôtel du Sanglier, to which he had taken Miretta. - -When she saw her lover stripped of all that paraphernalia which -disguised him, the girl ran to him and threw herself into his arms, -crying: - -"Ah! now you are as I knew you at Milan; as you were when you invited me -to dance, the first time we met at the Balestrino. How gladly I -accepted! How happy I felt even then to be dancing with you! for, you -know, I fell in love with you on the spot. That sentiment which was -destined to bind me to you struck me to the heart like thought, like -lightning. It is always like that when love is genuine, when it is -destined to last forever. Isn't it so, my beloved? And you loved me at -once, too, did you not?" - -As Giovanni listened to Miretta, his eyes assumed an expression of -tender melancholy. He had thrown himself on a sofa; he drew the young -girl to a seat by his side, took one of her hands, which he put to his -lips from time to time, and said in an undertone: - -"Speak, speak on; you recall a very happy time!" - -"Very happy, do you say? But in that case, my love, why not have -prolonged it? I was free, my own mistress, and, listening only to my -heart, I gave myself to you; Giovanni was my idol, my god! How -impatiently I awaited your coming at night, under the shade of the -orange trees where you used to meet me! I asked nothing of you but to -love me and to tell me so. Ah! you know, Giovanni, how little I envied -the jewels and fine dresses of other girls! I had no desire for those -costly pleasures which one enjoys in cities! I wanted only you--only -your love! But after a few short months of that happiness, which I -believed was to last forever, you grew sad and anxious, you began to -fail frequently to keep our appointments. When I reproached you, you -lost your temper instead of apologizing. At last, one evening you told -me that you were going to start for Paris. 'With me?' I instantly asked. -But you turned your head away. All my entreaties were useless. I wept a -long while at your feet; you said to me simply: 'I will return!'" - -"Yes," Giovanni replied, looking the girl in the face; "and I forbade -you to follow me." - -"And so I did not follow you." - -"But why have you come to Paris, then?" - -"And why have you not returned? It is six months since you went -away--six months! Cannot you understand that that is a fearfully long -time when one loves, when one is waiting, when one lives only on hope?" - -"I would have returned." - -"Oh! don't tell me that, Giovanni! No, you would not have returned--or -else you would have come too late and would have found me dead! Clearly, -you do not understand how much I love you; you know not that to me this -love is above and beyond the whole world, that it makes me capable of -defying everything, of undertaking any enterprise.--But why do I disturb -the happiness that is mine now that I have found you?--Why these clouds -on your brow? I will not utter one word of reproach--I will not ask a -question. Let me live in the same city with you, let me see you, speak -to you sometimes, and I shall be happy; and I will not even ask you what -you are doing in Paris, or why you are afraid to have me mention your -name!" - -"But I propose to tell you!" muttered Giovanni, in a gloomy voice, -dropping the girl's hand, so that she shuddered, although she did not -yet know why her heart was turned to ice. "Since you have chosen to come -to Paris despite my prohibition, you must know what your lover is doing; -otherwise, you might unsuspectingly compromise his safety every day." - -The young man rose and walked about the room, with a sinister -expression, saying: - -"Ah! why did you come to Paris, Miretta?" - -"Mon Dieu! in what a tone you say that! You would make me tremble if I -did not love you so dearly!" - -"Your love will not resist, I will swear, the confidence I am about to -make to you." - -"My love is stronger than everything! You may put it to the test!" - -"But if your lover were--a man banished from society--a--a criminal, in -short?" - -Miretta ran to Giovanni and threw herself into his arms, crying in a -tone of savage joy: - -"Ah! I was afraid that you were going to say that you loved someone -else! I breathe again, since it is not that." - -Giovanni kept his eyes fixed for some moments on the girl's, then said, -shaking his head: - -"Ah! it is the truth! she loves me truly!" - -Thereupon he resumed his seat and continued, but more calmly: - -"Listen, Miretta: there has been in Paris, for several months past, a -man who spreads terror through all classes of society, but especially -among the wealthiest; this man--this robber, for I am talking of a -robber--attacks every night those people whose purses he knows to be -well lined. Adroit, active, fearless, he intimidates his victims by his -audacity, he inspires terror by his mere presence, and never, up to the -present moment, has he been obliged to shed blood in order to accomplish -his ends. When--which rarely happens--he falls in with a gentleman who -is brave enough to defend himself, he easily disarms him, and then -contents himself with taking his gold. You may imagine that the police -are straining every nerve to capture this brigand; but thus far all -their efforts have been fruitless. And yet his description, or rather -his costume, is known everywhere; for the robber always wears the same -dress when he performs his exploits. An ample olive-green cloak envelops -his body, a red cap with a fringe of boar's hair covers his head and -comes down to his eyes, and a long black beard conceals the lower part -of his face." - -"Mon Dieu!" said Miretta; "the man must present a terrifying appearance, -in very truth! But what have I to do with this robber? I am not afraid -that he will take my gold. And why do you tell me of all his doughty -deeds?" - -Giovanni rose without replying; he went to an old chest secured by a -stout padlock, opened it, and took out the olive-green cloak, the cap -with the boar's hair, and the enormous black beard. He threw them all at -the girl's feet, saying: - -"See! here is the costume that this redoubtable brigand assumes every -night; for this man whom the police seek and pursue to no purpose, this -man who spreads terror and dismay throughout Paris--is I--your -lover--Giovanni!" - -Miretta covered her face with her hands. - -"You!" she murmured; "you! Oh! it is impossible!" - -"I have told you the truth, Miretta; indeed, why should I tell you this -story, if it were untrue?" - -"O mon Dieu! But what can have induced you to take up this horrible -trade?" - -"Oh! it goes back a long way! Alas! in life, one thing leads to another, -all things are connected. The child who refuses to study, the youth who -leads a vagabond life, the young man who seeks only to enjoy himself and -to gratify his passions--all these are insensibly marching on to the -goal which I have reached. They approach it less openly, perhaps! Some -become swindlers, others Greeks--that is to say, they cheat at cards in -fashionable society. I consider myself as good as they are; I run -greater risks, that is all the difference! Yes, the man who seeks -nothing but pleasure comes to this, unless he has the strength, the -common sense, to stop in time. But I did not stop. I determined to -indulge myself with all the forms of pleasure which the favorites of -fortune enjoy--or those men whose talents raise them to the highest -positions, to the greatest honors. But I had neither fortune nor talent. -I might tell you that it was the decree of fate, that my destiny was -written in advance, that I could not avoid it. I will not say that, -because I do not believe it; because, on the contrary, everything tends -to prove that men make themselves what they are.--Besides, why should I -seek to excuse myself? I had a momentary respite from my passions--a -moment of calm and almost unalloyed happiness; that was when I knew you, -Miretta! Your sincere love made me think, for a brief period, that to -love was all that was necessary to be happy. But soon those passions, -which you had had the art to lull to sleep, reawoke in my being; it was -impossible for me to resist them. You yourself unsuspectingly aroused -them sometimes; for when I saw you dressed so simply, so shabbily, I -would say to myself: - -"'Ah! how lovely she would be in a handsome silk dress! in the jewels -with which so many old and ugly women bedeck themselves! What joy to -drive with her in a fine carriage! to see everyone admire her and envy -my good fortune!'" - -"Ah! did I need fine clothes to love you, Giovanni?" - -"No, not you; but I--I wanted to give them to you, to see you dressed in -them.--Well, Miretta, that desire I am able to satisfy now. Come, look!" - -Giovanni took Miretta's hand, led her to the chest, opened a false -bottom, and showed her a heap of gold pieces, jewels, and diamonds, -which half filled the great box. - -"Do you see that gold? do you see all those treasures? A few more months -in Paris, and I shall have twice as much! Then I will return to Italy; -and if you will go with me, you shall be the most fashionable, the most -coquettish, the most richly dressed of women!" - -Miretta turned away from the chest with a gesture of horror. - -"I! array myself in jewels that you have stolen! Oh! never! never! That -gold makes me ill! Look you, Giovanni--I must needs love you very dearly -to be still in the room with you after the confession you have made to -me! And yet, I am grateful to you for having confided this terrible -secret to me; I thank you for having such confidence in me.--Ah! you -know full well that I will not betray it!--Yes, my love is so great that -I can forgive everything, forget everything! But, in pity's name! for -the love of God! renounce this ghastly career; leave this path of crime -in which, sooner or later, you will meet your punishment! You wanted -wealth--well, have you not enough? Take what you have acquired by such -evil means, since you have the courage to make use of it without -remorse. But come with me; let us leave Paris, and France, -to-morrow--nay, this very night! I will stay with you, to watch over -your safety, to turn aside the dangers that may threaten you. When all -danger is at an end, then I will leave you, if my presence annoys you; -but, near or far, I will watch over you, and every morning and every -evening I will pray God to forgive your crimes and open your heart to -repentance.--Giovanni, my Giovanni, do not spurn my entreaties; trust a -secret voice which tells me that death awaits you in the frightful trade -you ply. I beg you on my knees--abandon it, and let us fly--far, far -from Paris--to the end of the world--so far that you will be in no -danger.--Oh! I was mad just now when I preferred to know that you were a -criminal rather than in love with another woman; heaven is punishing me -for that blasphemy.--Giovanni, I give you back your liberty, your -oaths; I will forgive you if you do love another woman. But, in the name -of the Madonna who presided over your birth, tell me, oh! tell me that -you will abandon this career, which will surely lead you to the -scaffold!" - -The girl had thrown herself at her lover's feet, she held his hands, she -raised to his face her eyes wet with tears; and at that moment there was -something sublime in the expression of her features. - -But Giovanni had listened to her with no outward evidence of emotion. -When she ceased to speak, he raised her, seated her on the sofa, took -his seat beside her, and said with perfect tranquillity: - -"My dear love, I forbade you to follow me, to come to France. I was wise -to do so; I anticipated some such scene as this. If you will take my -advice, you will return instantly to Milan." - -"With you?" - -"No; without me." - -"Never! My mind is made up: I shall remain where you are. I have nothing -left to lose! I have sacrificed to you a maiden's most precious -treasure, and it is easy for me to give you now my repose and my life." - -"But I do not ask you for either. You are too excitable, my poor -Miretta! you have an ardent imagination. Now, I am thoroughly practical. -You choose to remain in Paris--very good! But you must understand that -it is impossible for you to live with me; you would embarrass me; in -this trade of mine, a woman is always in the way; when she thinks that -she is helping us, she ruins us!" - -"So you are not willing to abandon this--this infamous trade?" - -Giovanni darted a glance at the girl which almost made her shudder, as -he replied: - -"No woman will ever change my resolutions; when it pleases me to enjoy -my wealth, to return to Italy, the robber will vanish, and Giovanni, -favored of fortune, assuming a stately name and title, will make a -brilliant appearance in the world, where everyone will cringe to him -without trying to ascertain the source of his fortune.--You have heard -me, Miretta; so never recur to this subject, or you will see me no -more." - -Miretta made no other reply than to let her head sink sadly on her -breast. - -"You have a place in Paris, I am told: you are in the service of -Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin?" - -"Yes; how do you know that?" - -"I know much more! It was Cédrille, your cousin, who brought you to -Paris?" - -"Yes; and I had arranged to meet him in front of the house this evening, -at dusk; I thought that he would be my escort and would take me to see a -young girl who lives on Rue Saint-Jacques, where her father keeps baths; -for that girl rendered us a great service this morning, when we arrived -in Paris. You do not know that----" - -"I know all! the miserable jests, the jibes that they discharged at your -travelling companion, poor Cédrille; and the compliments they paid to -the pretty foreigner; and the quarrel and the battle that followed!--Oh! -I recognized in all that the untamed highborn youth, which is determined -to be master in France--more master than the king, in truth! But let -them beware! There is at the head of the government a certain Cardinal -de Richelieu, who, I fancy, will straighten all this out! He will be -called a tyrant, for every man is so called who attempts to put down -abuses, to put a curb on license and disorder, to give power to the -laws, and, above all, to have them executed, whatever the name, the -rank, or the exalted position of the person whom they strike!--But the -man of genius, the strong man, is not at all disturbed by the clamor -which he stirs up about him; he goes his way and reaches his goal, often -calumniated by his contemporaries; it is posterity that takes it upon -itself to do him justice!--Well! it seems to me, Miretta, that I reason -rather well for a robber, eh? You see that, even though one lives at war -with society, that does not prevent one from doing justice to those who -are able to protect it.--But let us return to yourself: you waited in -vain for Cédrille, for I was plying him with drink at a wine shop, with -a certain Gascon chevalier, as long and lean as a beanpole, who claims -also to be your liberator." - -"Oh, yes! I remember; a tall man, and very thin; he almost knelt in -front of our horse; he insisted on kissing my hand and on my accepting -him for my knight! But he is horribly ugly!" - -"That is true; but that does not prevent him from being in love with -you. Ah! Seigneur Passedix--that is this hero's name--is not discreet in -his love affairs. Beware, Miretta! he has sworn to triumph over your -rigor." - -"He is not dangerous! But even if he were the handsomest, most -fascinating man in the kingdom of France, you well know that my heart is -no longer mine to give!" - -Giovanni bestowed an affectionate glance on the girl and pressed her -hand lovingly, murmuring: - -"Poor girl! I know well that that is true! You are not like other -women!" - -But soon, as if regretting that momentary weakness, the Italian resumed -his indifferent air and began to pace the floor. - -"Well," he said, "have you been to see the bath keeper's daughter on Rue -Saint-Jacques?" - -"Mon Dieu! no; in the first place, I waited for Cédrille a long while; -and when he did not come, I decided to go alone, for I am not timid, as -you know. But when I found myself all alone, at night, in the streets of -this great city, of which I have heard so many terrible things, I felt -troubled, my heart beat fast; however, I walked on, thinking that I knew -my road. At last, as I was afraid of going astray, I spoke to a -gentleman who was passing, and asked him to direct me to Master -Hugonnet's baths, on Rue Saint-Jacques.--Ah! how I regretted speaking to -that man! If you knew how he treated me!--'Aha! you wanton!' he said; -'going to the baths so late? then the assignation must be very -important!'--And he added a lot of insulting remarks, and tried to put -his arm about my waist and to detain me by force. But anger gave me -strength; I pushed the man away so violently that he seemed dazed, and I -fled, running at random; then it was that I lost my way altogether. I -walked a long, long while, trying to find my way back to the Hôtel de -Mongarcin; but I would have passed the whole night in the street rather -than ask my way again! Then you met me." - -"This should serve you as a lesson, Miretta; you must not venture out -alone in Paris at night; it is dangerous for a man, much more so for a -pretty young girl; and if the watch had fallen in with you, they would -have taken you to the Filles Repenties. But the clock struck ten long -ago; I will take you back to the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Do you know that -they will form a strange opinion of you there? On the very day of your -arrival, you disappear for a large part of the evening." - -"I shall tell my young mistress what happened to me; I shall tell her -the whole truth; Mademoiselle Valentine will forgive me, for I will -promise to be more prudent hereafter." - -"You will tell her the _whole_ truth?" repeated Giovanni, fastening his -eyes on the girl's face. - -"Yes, but without naming you. Oh! never fear: I will not tell--your -secret." - -"I rely upon it; come! But wait a moment." - -Giovanni took the horrible hairy cap, the huge beard, and the -olive-green cloak, and held them all up before Miretta, saying: - -"Look at these carefully; if you should ever see a man dressed in these -clothes, fly, fly at once--do not go near that man!--Do you swear, -Miretta?" - -"I swear," faltered the girl, in a trembling voice. - -"On that condition, you will see me again sometimes, now as a wealthy -gentleman, now as a simple artisan, or a bourgeois; but I will speak -first to you." - -With that, the Italian hastily resumed the costume of an old Bohemian; -when that was done, he said: - -"Come, now, let us make haste; but, above all things, make no noise." - -Giovanni quickly extinguished the candles and replaced in its corner the -smoking lamp, which but dimly lighted the apartment. Then he took -Miretta's hand and led her from the room and the house with the same -precautions and without meeting anybody. Once in the street, he drew his -companion's arm through his and forced her to walk rapidly. - -They walked the whole distance in silence; the girl was oppressed by -grief and alarm; when they met anyone, she pressed her guide's arm -tight, for she imagined that he would be recognized and arrested. But -Giovanni knew Paris and its most crooked streets perfectly; in a very -short time he and his companion stopped in front of a large house, and -he said to her: - -"This is the place; here is the Hôtel de Mongarcin; you are at home." - -"Already!" - -"You say _already_, and you are trembling like a leaf, my poor girl!" - -"Oh! not for myself! For now I must leave you; but when shall I see you -again?" - -Giovanni made a movement with his head which seemed to indicate that he -did not himself know. Then, before Miretta had had time to detain him, -he disappeared, and she soon ceased to hear his footsteps. - -Thereupon Miretta gave free vent to her sobs and went into the house, -murmuring: - -"Ah! the unhappy man!" - - - - -XVII - -THE FIRE OF SAINT-JEAN - - -Long before the reign of King Louis XIII, the sheriffs of Paris were -wont, on Saint-Jean's Eve, to cause huge piles of sticks of all -dimensions, with thorn bushes and small twigs quick to ignite, to be -constructed on Place de Grève, whither the king would come, in solemn -state, to set fire to that enormous mass with his own hand. - -In 1471, Louis XI followed the example of his predecessors and presided -at that ceremony, which eventually came to be attended with fêtes and -entertainments to which the good people of Paris always looked forward -with impatience. - -The Fire of Saint-Jean in 1573 was a magnificent ceremony, so it is -said. A mast about sixty feet in height had been erected on Place de -Grève, with many wooden crossbars, to which an enormous quantity of -fagots and bundles of brushwood was attached. A number of loads of wood -and countless bundles of straw were heaped about the base of this -structure. The whole was decorated, or rather disguised, by wreaths and -garlands. Bouquets were distributed to the king and his suite, to the -notables of the city, and to the magistrates. Fireworks also were -placed under the fagots. A hundred and twenty archers from the city, a -hundred bowmen, and a hundred arquebusiers kept order. Lastly, they hung -on the mast a large basket containing two dozen cats and a fox. This -last then was, no doubt, the _ne plus ultra_ of the fête. Poor cats! -poor foxes! We leave you in peace now when we have public rejoicings; -and to say the truth, I am persuaded that they are none the less -attractive for that reason. - -Under Cardinal de Richelieu, the ceremony of the Fire of Saint-Jean had -lost much of its brilliancy; cats were no longer burned, as it was -natural that they should not be, the first minister having a deep -affection for those animals, by which he loved to be surrounded. - -However, the ceremony continued to take place, and still attracted a -goodly number of sightseers, idlers, students, young girls, and even -young gentlemen, who came thither in search of adventures, or to play -tricks on rustics. - -A few weeks after the events we have narrated, the Place de Grève was -adorned by a pile of combustibles, which, while it could not be compared -with those which we have described, was very presentable none the less. - -When the night began to fall, there was a large number of people -assembled on the square; but that was a mere nothing, for every moment -thereafter the quays or the narrow streets leading into the square -poured forth a constant stream of bourgeois parties, bands of young -clerks of the Basoche, young men arm in arm, people of the lower -classes, esquires, pages, and elegant young gentlemen carefully -enveloped in their cloaks, beneath which they tried to conceal the -richness of their costumes, but always betrayed it by the too gorgeous -plumes that adorned their hats or the magnificence of the spurs attached -to their boots. - -By the time that it was quite dark, the square was crowded, and one -could not move without difficulty, especially in the direction of the -pile. But what life! what animation! what a fusillade of voices! what a -din of remarks and questions bandied about in all directions! It was an -incessant humming sound. - -Many people reflected aloud, in order to be overheard by everybody -within earshot; for at all times there have been plenty of those fine -talkers, those pretentious personages who deem themselves called upon to -declaim, to put themselves forward, and who often put forward nothing -but their folly or their conceit! - -"This way, father; let us go this way; I promise you that we shall have -a much better place to see the fire!" said a tall, fine-looking girl, in -whom we meet once more a pleasant acquaintance from Rue Saint-Jacques. - -It was Ambroisine, whose right arm was passed through the arm of a girl -even prettier than herself, but with a shy, timid air, who was evidently -surprised beyond measure to find herself in the midst of that tumult. -That girl was Bathilde, the daughter of Landry the bath keeper of Rue -Dauphine. - -How did it happen that she was so far from home, and without her mother, -in the midst of that bold and curious crowd, where beauty and youth were -the objective point of the glances of most of the sightseers? How did it -happen that she was arm in arm with Ambroisine, upon whom Dame Ragonde -had looked coldly for so long a time, and with whom she seemed afraid to -allow her daughter to talk? - -The reason was that Bathilde's mother had an old kinswoman in Normandie, -who had always manifested much affection for her, and had refrained from -marrying, with the intention of leaving all her property to Ragonde some -day. That property consisted of a few acres of land and a wretched -house--the whole being worth, perhaps, fifteen hundred livres; but we -must remember that in those days fifteen hundred livres was equal to six -thousand to-day; that Landry had no other property than his business; -and lastly, that in Ragonde's eyes that fifteen hundred livres would be -a sufficient dowry to obtain for Bathilde the hand of some respectable -Parisian tradesman. - -It happened that one fine day a message arrived from Caudebec, the old -kinswoman's residence. A neighbor of hers wrote to Dame Landry, to -inform her that her cousin was very ill, and was most anxious to have -her by her side, to close her eyes. He added that haste was important, -because the old maid seemed to have only a short time to live. - -On receipt of this message, Dame Ragonde instantly made preparations for -her journey; the famous inheritance being at stake, she felt that she -must not hesitate! But as she was about to start, she thought of -Bathilde, whom in her absorption she had forgotten. Should she take her -or leave her with her father? To trust the old trooper of Henri IV to -watch over a young girl was imprudent, perhaps. But, on the other hand, -to take on a journey the child whom she had guarded so carefully up to -that time was to expose her to the risk of listening to the chatter of -every comer; of being the object of gallant attentions, perhaps even of -bold enterprises, on the part of their fellow travellers. For Dame -Ragonde had not the means to travel in a litter; and in those days -travel was so slow, the means of transport so difficult, that one was -obliged to pass a long time in a coach or other vehicle, even when one -had not a long distance to travel. And then there was the matter of -expense, which was of great importance to the bath keeper's wife. It -cost a great deal to travel; and the expense would be doubled if she -should take her daughter. - -The result of her reflections was that Dame Ragonde set out alone, but -not without saying to her husband many times: - -"Keep a sharp eye on your daughter! Don't let her leave the house or -receive any visits; make no change in the order which I have -established in our household, so that no one may notice that I am -absent! And always tell everyone that I am coming back in the course of -the day." - -If the person who goes away knew how soon her injunctions are forgotten, -she would not take the trouble to repeat them so many times. It is not -always disinclination to comply with them on the part of those whom you -leave in your place; but when you give your instructions, you cannot at -the same time impart your habits, your intelligence, your rigidity, your -searching glance, your observant mind--in a word, your nature; and -everyone acts according to his nature. - -Landry, despite his moustaches and his surly manner, had a softer heart -than his wife; and then, too, this persistent watching, this making -one's self a spy upon one's daughter, is much more consonant with a -woman's habit than with a man's. Moreover, as the old soldier had not -the slightest doubt of his child's virtue, he did not understand why he -must be incessantly on his guard, as with a prisoner who is always -trying to escape. - -The first days that followed Dame Ragonde's departure brought about no -change in Bathilde's usual mode of life, for it did not occur to her to -ask leave to go out, and no one came to divert her. - -But one morning Ambroisine came to Landry's establishment, and was much -surprised to be able to reach Bathilde's room without meeting her -mother's sour face and hearing her say: - -"My daughter is busy; don't stay long, for it disturbs her." - -When she learned that her friend's mother was away from Paris, -Ambroisine uttered a cry of joy, and said to Bathilde: - -"What! you have been free for several days, and you haven't sent me word -or come to see me?" - -"You know very well that I never go out." - -"Because your mother is not willing; but when she is away----" - -"Oh! father wouldn't let me go out, either; mother is sure to have told -him not to!" - -"Well, I will bet that he would; I will bet that your father will not be -so strict, that he will understand that you have no pleasure, no -distraction at all, and that it is not fair that a poor girl should pass -her best days shut up in her room. Look you, I have a godmother, a nice -old woman, a farmer's wife, who lives in the village of Vincennes. I -never have time to go there, nor does my father; and yet Mère -Moulineau--that is my godmother--often sends us little cheeses and -cream, and begs us to come to see her. The poor woman is old and infirm -and can't come to Paris. Every day, I say to father: 'To-morrow I will -go to see my godmother Moulineau;' and he says: 'Go, my child.'--Well, -Bathilde, if you like, I will take you with me, and we will sleep at -godmother's. Ah! she will give us a warm welcome; she will be so glad to -see me!" - -"Oh! father wouldn't allow me to sleep away from our house." - -"After all, perhaps you would find it tiresome at my godmother's.--By -the way, it just occurs to me--the day after to-morrow is the day for -the Fire of Saint-Jean on Place de Grève. Father has promised to take me -there; I have never seen it, and they say it's beautiful; will you come -with us?" - -"Will I! Why, you know very well that I should be overjoyed--I who know -nothing and have never seen anything. But I shall never dare to ask -father to let me go; he would refuse." - -"Perhaps so, if you asked him; but if my father, his friend, his -comrade, should undertake the mission----" - -"Your father! do you think that he would be willing to ask him that?" - -"Why not? Father is kind-hearted, he loves me dearly, he sees no harm in -his daughter having a little enjoyment sometimes. When it is a -respectable kind of pleasure, where is the harm? Because one enjoys -one's self a little, does that prevent one from behaving decently. Never -fear--I will send him here, to your father, to-morrow, and the day after -to-morrow you will come with us." - -"Oh! if it might be true!" - -"I have made up my mind, and it shall be. I have a will of my own, you -see!" - -And in fact, on the day following this interview, Master Hugonnet, to -gratify his daughter's wish, betook himself to his confrère Landry's -shop, and, while emptying a jug of wine with him, said: - -"I have a request to make of you, comrade." - -"Speak; you know that if I can be of service to you in any way, I am at -your disposal--I and my old blade, which is still serviceable at need!" - -"Oh! I know the worth of your blade and the strength of your arm, but -there is no question of them in what I have to ask.--You know that my -girl is a friend of yours, that it is her greatest joy to be with -her--for they have known each other a number of years; they were -children when their acquaintance began; but now they are big girls, and -their friendship has grown like their bodies!" - -While Master Hugonnet was speaking, Landry played with his moustache, -but did not frown. - -"I know all that," he said at last, when his friend paused to take a -drink. "Well! what then?" - -"Well! I myself seize every opportunity that presents itself to provide -my daughter with a little pleasure; for Ambroisine deserves it! The -wench keeps my house in fine shape! she has brains and activity and -character! She's a good girl, I tell you, and doesn't let the coxcombs -and gallants, no, nor the grands seigneurs themselves,--and many of them -come to my shop, God knows!--talk nonsense to her. When they try to be -too free in their manners with Ambroisine--jernidié! she has a tongue -and nails, and a stout fist. You should see how she makes them dance!" - -"She does well. But what then?" - -"Why, to-morrow is the ceremony of the Fire of Saint-Jean on Place de -Grève; Ambroisine has never seen it, so she asked me to take her there, -and I promised; but she told me, too, that she would be much happier if -her young friend Bathilde could come with us, because she knew it would -be a great pleasure for your daughter, who--who--who has none too many! -You see, comrade, it isn't right to work all the time and never have any -amusement; on the contrary, when one is young is when one should enjoy -one's self. We old fellows still make merry once in a way, when we have -an opportunity; and then, after all, where's the harm in a young girl -having a little amusement, when it's with the knowledge of her parents -and under their eyes? To cut it short, comrade, the purpose of all this -is to ask you to confide your daughter Bathilde to me to-morrow, in the -latter part of the afternoon, so that I may take her with Ambroisine to -see the Fire of Saint-Jean; unless you will come with us, which would be -much better." - -As he listened to this request from his old friend, the ex-trooper's -brow became clouded, and he caressed his gray moustache for a long while -before replying: - -"But, you see, I promised Ragonde not to let Bathilde go out." - -"Alone! I understand that; but won't she be as safe with me and my -daughter as with you? Come, come! jernidié! let us not be so strict with -our children; if our parents had always been so with us, it wouldn't -have tended to make us worship them." - -"Well!" Landry said at last, after a moment's hesitation; "come -to-morrow and fetch Bathilde; I will try to join you later." - -You know now by what concatenation of circumstances Bathilde found -herself on Ambroisine's arm on the square where the Fire of Saint-Jean -was to be celebrated. - - - - -XVIII - -THE CROWD - - -"I say, Bahuchet! come this way; we can see the show explode much -better!" - -"Just wait, Plumard; before I can pass, this lady in front of me will -have to move; and her equilibrium is stable, I tell you! Once planted, -she's like the tower of Notre-Dame! there's no way of moving her." - -"What's that you say, blackguards, ne'er-do-wells, miserable little -Basochians! You come here to insult ladies! you're good for nothing -else! The idea of moving for such gentry!" - -"Oh! mon Dieu! madame seems to be getting excited! because she has a -fine new petticoat with fal-lals on it, and a silver buckle on her -belt!--I say, Plumard, I thought there was an edict providing that only -strumpets and pickpockets might wear gold or silver on their clothes?" - -"Oh, yes! an edict of Henri IV. But perhaps this stout lady is within -her rights!" - -"Ah! you little villains, if the watch was passing, I'd have you -apprehended!" - -"Oho! the watch!" - -"Aha! apprehended! she must be an attorney's wife." - -"Don't push me, or I'll box your ears!" - -"If you don't choose to be pushed here, you should come in a sedan -chair." - -"Or on your husband's mule." - -"With his junior clerk.--Well! I must pass, all the same." - -"You are treading on my foot, monsieur!" - -"Why do you put your feet on the ground? in a crowd like this, you -should stand on the air or perch on your neighbors." - -"Oh! look yonder, Bahuchet! there's a lady with a mask!" - -"Because she is ugly; that is why she doesn't choose to show her face." - -"Or else she is here on the sly." - -"Look you! I prefer to look at the faces of those two little hussies in -blue caps." - -"Yes, they are very pretty; but I know them by sight; they come here to -meet a couple of pages; I often meet them walking with their lovers on -the Pré-aux-Clercs." - -"I say, Plumard, do you know whether they are going to broil any cats in -the fire to-night?" - -"Why, no; don't you see that there isn't a single basket hung on the -great tree?" - -"Well, if they have stopped burning cats, there's no more sport! That's -the way that all our noblest customs are being allowed to fall into -decay! If I had known that, I'd have brought a bag of mice!" - -"Do you sell mice?" - -"No; but my landlord is very fond of them, for his house is always full; -I believe he eats them." - -The two young blades who were conversing thus in the midst of the crowd -as unconcernedly as if they were alone were two attorney's clerks, but -of the class that one meets more frequently in the streets, in front of -shops and open-air theatres, than in the employer's office; genuine -idlers, who, in the excitement of playing a joke on some passer-by, -entirely forget the errand on which they have been sent, important -though it may be, and who always remain under clerks, unless their -parents have the means to buy them an office. - -Bahuchet was very short--less than four feet nine; he had a wretched -figure, in addition to his shortness, and an ugly face as well; his -forehead was low, his too retroussé nose displayed two nostrils of -enormous size, which played a very important rôle in his countenance; -his mouth was too wide and his eyes too narrow; but in those small eyes -there was an intelligent and mocking expression, which his cunning smile -intensified. - -Monsieur Bahuchet, albeit he was always disposed to laugh at other -people, took in very bad part the jests that were aimed at his person; -he lost his temper very easily. As a general rule, short men are much -more choleric than tall ones; why? Rabelais will give you the -explanation, which I dare not quote here. - -Plumard, Bahuchet's friend and usual companion, measured just the five -feet necessary for military service; but beside his comrade he -considered himself a fine figure of a man, and ostentatiously looked -down on him. - -Monsieur Plumard, while he was not handsome, was less ugly than -Bahuchet; he had a nose of respectable appearance; an ordinary mouth, -but of modest dimensions; and his eyes, level with his face, might have -attracted attention by their size had it not been that they did so first -of all by the utter idiocy of their expression. But all that did not -prevent Monsieur Plumard from esteeming himself a very good-looking -youth. - -There was something, however, that poisoned the enjoyment of this -diminutive Apollo; his hair did not correspond with his other physical -advantages. At the age of twenty-seven, the young clerk of the Basoche, -who had never possessed more than a few scanty locks, saw with dismay -that that scant supply was diminishing; an affection of the skin had -already caused three-fourths of it to drop out. He had for a long time -flattered himself that it would grow again, but he found that even the -little that remained was growing less. - -In vain did the clerk rub himself--in default of pomades, which were -then very expensive--with all the greasy substances that he thought -capable of restoring the fertility of his scalp; the fatal round spot, -having appeared on the summit of his head, had grown so much larger, and -the brow had so extended its limits, that Monsieur Plumard was almost -bald. - -The result was that he wore almost always the small cap, in the shape of -a hood, which the clerks of the Basoche then affected, and removed it -only when he was absolutely obliged to do so. - -Bahuchet, who knew his comrade from top to toe, and knew that his hair -was the subject on which his self-esteem was most sensitive, often -amused himself by attacking him at that point. It was not very manly; -but Plumard retaliated by jeering at his comrade's small stature and his -nose. Thus the two friends were quits, if we may call two persons -friends who continually make fun of each other. But I am inclined to -think that we may, for those who call themselves friends nowadays behave -in much the same way. - -"Are you in a good place, Bathilde? Can you see the pile?" Ambroisine -asked her young friend, who had not eyes enough to look about the -square, which was lighted by a vast number of torches which the -shopkeepers had placed in front of their shops, and by lanterns which -had been brought there by order of the lieutenant of police. - -"Yes, yes, my dear Ambroisine, I am all right; I can see enough. I see -so many things! all these people, all these costumes--it all seems so -strange to me! Oh! but it is amusing!" - -"If you like, children," said Master Hugonnet, "we might go somewhere -and sit at a table? At one of yonder wine shops, we should have a very -comfortable place to wait for the fire, and you would be sitting down, -at all events, instead of standing all the time." - -"Oh, no! my dear father, I see what you are aiming at--you would like -something to drink. Upon my word! that would be very nice! When you have -two girls to take care of, you don't drink, father--do you hear?" - -"Ah! you would have me catch the pip, then?--And to think that devil of -a Landry promised to join us! To be sure, he may be on the square; I -should like to see anyone find an acquaintance in a mob like this! If we -could find him, he would relieve me for a while. This crowd causes a -heat that--that makes one thirsty." - -"Ah! sandis! what a pleasant meeting! 'Tis the haughty Ambroisine, with -her worthy father, whom I see before me!" - -"Oho! it is Monsieur le Chevalier Passedix!" replied Ambroisine, as the -long, lean gentleman planted himself in front of her. "Have you also -come to see the Fire of Saint-Jean?" - -"Ah! little do I care for these celebrations. The fire that burns in the -depths of my heart would eclipse all possible Saint-Jeans. Do not be -alarmed, cruel girl! it is no longer to you that those words are -addressed. You spurned me, and I have carried elsewhere my sighs and my -prayers!" - -"Oh! I know it, monsieur le chevalier, and I congratulate you." - -"You know it? Ah, yes! I remember; you even know for whom I sigh. You -know Miretta?" - -"Do I know her! Oh! she is my friend, too. I am very fond of her! She -has shown such gratitude to me for the trivial service I rendered! She -comes to see me now and then." - -"Pardieu! I know it. The little one doesn't take a step without my -knowledge, without having me at her heels!" - -"She told me so, monsieur le chevalier, and I warn you that she dislikes -it extremely. She has said to me several times: 'If that tall, thin, -yellow man continues to follow me as soon as I set foot in the street, I -shall be obliged to tell him that he is wasting his time and his -steps.'" - -"Ha! ha! ha! First of all, I will wager that Miretta did not say: 'that -tall, thin, yellow man'; those are your own words, cruel tongue! Oh! I -know women! They complain when we follow them; but they would be sorely -disappointed if we did not follow them!" - -"Well! try to disappoint Miretta; that will gratify her." - -"I hoped to meet her here.--Bigre! I had not noticed; you have a most -charming young lady on your arm!" - -"Is she not? This is Bathilde, my closest friend. I suppose, of course, -that you will at once fall in love with her too?" - -"Oh, no! it is all over with me! You judge me ill, fair Ambroisine; I -have given my heart to Miretta! For her alone do I propose henceforth to -perform doughty deeds.--Sandis! what in the devil is this slipping -between my legs like a lizard? Is it a man? is it an eel?" - -"Don't disturb yourself, seigneur," replied Bahuchet; "I have got -through. You must understand that I couldn't remain behind you; you are -as tall as a giant!" - -"And you are a dwarf, apparently! Ought atoms to be allowed in the -crowd? Someone will crush you without noticing it, my little fellow!" - -"Ouiche! I won't allow myself to be flattened out without saying -_beware_!--I say, Plumard! do you hear this long asparagus stalk, who -thinks that I am to be crushed like a grain of salt?" - -Plumard was a few feet away, gazing at Bathilde, and apparently -speechless with admiration. - -"Plumard! Plumard! _ubi es_?--Ah! there he is!--Why don't you answer? -What's the matter with you, pray? One would say that you were changed -into a wooden man!" - -Plumard simply motioned with his head, calling his comrade's attention -to the fascinating girl. Whereupon Bahuchet looked at Bathilde and said, -with a wink: - -"Ah! famous! that's famous!--You see, Plumard, when I see such an -attractive young woman, I begin by saluting her, to show my respect. Do -as I do." - -And Monsieur Bahuchet took off his cap to Bathilde, who paid no -attention to him. - -But Plumard, who did not choose to uncover his head, made an impatient -gesture and moved a little farther away, muttering: - -"I have a cold in my head." - -From time to time Ambroisine turned, and her eyes seemed to seek someone -in that multitude, made up of people of all ranks and classes, who -seemed to have appointed to meet on Place de Grève. - -"Do you see Landry?" Master Hugonnet asked his daughter, who shook her -head, murmuring: - -"No, father, no, I don't see Monsieur Landry." - -But was it Landry for whom she was looking? Was it not rather Miretta, -who had told her that she too would try to go to see the Fire of -Saint-Jean? Indeed, I would not swear that the _belle baigneuse_ was not -looking for someone else, for there was in her eyes a certain expression -that might have aroused the suspicions of a jealous husband. - -"Well! aren't they going to light the fire this evening? Are they going -to make us wait till Saint-Martin's? I say! Plumard! Plumard! are you -still playing the wooden man?" - -"Come here, Bahuchet; this is a much better place, it's nearer the -fire." - -"What! do you dare to go so near as that? Look out, Plumard! the flame -may singe your hair. Give me a lock first; I am sure that before long it -will bring a high price, your hair! and, even so, everyone won't get it -who would like some of it." - -"You have forgotten something, Bahuchet!" - -"What is that?" - -"The two corks that you put in your nose when you go out on a windy -night. Look out! there's a man with a torch beside you; don't turn, your -nose would blow it out." - -"Ah! Monsieur Plumard is pleased to be sarcastic.--However, you have a -right to swagger; you know that I won't take you by the hair." - -"Wait! just wait! I will give you a drubbing, you miserable dwarf!" - -The two clerks approached to exchange blows; but as the Chevalier -Passedix was between them, they used him as a rampart behind which to -shelter themselves, and that rampart received many of the blows which -the young gentlemen intended for each other. - -"Sandioux! here are two rascals fighting between my legs now! Have you -nearly finished, pygmies? If you force me to draw Roland from its -sheath, I promise you that you will both be spitted like starlings!" - -The two clerks, trying to run away in order to escape the effects of the -Gascon's wrath, collided with two women from the market, who pushed them -away with so much force that Monsieur Plumard fell to the ground, and, -to put the finish to his misfortunes, he lost his cap in the fall, so -that that youthful head was disclosed to view, already almost bald, -having only a narrow band of vegetation left, just above the ears. - -A general laugh arose, and the merriment was increased by the furious -manner in which the unfortunate clerk ran through the crowd on all -fours, looking between every pair of legs, and shouting: - -"My cap! my cap! don't step on it!" - - - - -XIX - -TWO MEN ON ALL FOURS - - -Ambroisine laughed like the rest when she saw Monsieur Plumard's bald -head. She turned toward her friend, to see if she had noticed that -sight; but she was thunderstruck by the strange expression presented by -Bathilde's face at that moment. - -The charming girl seemed happy and confused at the same time. Her eyes, -half lowered, but in such wise that she could look out of the corners, -were more brilliant than usual. Her cheeks wore a deeper flush, her -mouth was half open in a smile. All this was not natural; and -Ambroisine, with the knowledge that she possessed of the human heart, -tried to discover what could cause her friend's emotion. Thereupon -Master Hugonnet's daughter saw at Bathilde's left a young man wrapped in -a cloak, his head covered by a broad-brimmed hat adorned with waving -plumes, and beneath that hat a very comely face, haughty and -distinguished, but most seductive when it chose to take the trouble, and -that is what it was doing at that moment. - -"Mon Dieu! it is Comte Léodgard!" said Ambroisine to herself, as she -recognized the young man who held Bathilde as if fascinated by the -eloquence of his glance; and almost instantly, as if she divined the -danger that threatened her friend, she seized her arm and shook it, -saying: - -"Well, well! what is the matter? what are you thinking about, Bathilde? -I speak to you, and you do not answer!" - -"I, Ambroisine? oh! forgive me! I did not hear you." - -"You seem confused, excited; has anyone been pushing you or incommoding -you? would you like to take my other arm?" - -"Oh, no! no! nobody has troubled me; nothing is the matter." - -"But I say that there is; it is that young gentleman beside you, who -keeps his eyes on you all the time! It is intolerable, isn't it?" - -"Oh! it doesn't trouble me; just look at him, Ambroisine, without -seeming to; you will see what a handsome man that gentleman is." - -"I don't need to look at him again; I know him perfectly well!" - -"You know him?" - -Before Ambroisine had had time to reply, Léodgard, who had recognized -the _belle baigneuse_ in her whose arm was passed through that of the -girl who had taken his fancy, quickly stepped toward her and accosted -her with his most affable air: - -"Hail to the fair Ambroisine! Ah! and Master Hugonnet too! Really, this -Fire of Saint-Jean is a delightful ceremony; one makes pleasant meetings -here, and I congratulate myself that I came!" - -"Your servant, Monsieur le Comte Léodgard! You are very glad that you -came, perhaps; but, faith! I can't say as much. I have to stay here to -watch these two girls--impossible to go to quench my thirst. I don't -find it amusing, myself!" - -"Why, my good Hugonnet, if you are anxious to take something, intrust -your daughter and her young friend to me for a few moments; I promise -you, on my honor, that they will be as safe as with you." - -Master Hugonnet, who was exceedingly thirsty, seemed to hesitate a -moment; but his daughter squeezed his arm tightly and whispered: - -"Surely, father, you will not listen to that suggestion! you will not -leave two young girls with the Comte de Marvejols, who is so notorious -as a rake and a seducer! with his pretty speeches! If I were alone, I -could defend myself; for, as you know, this gentleman tried to make -love to me once, and I gave him such a reception that he never tried it -again. But Bathilde, who knows nothing of the world, who is likely to -believe whatever anyone tells her--Bathilde, whom her father placed in -your care, because you promised him that she should not run any -risk--oh! you won't intrust her to this young nobleman!" - -"No, no! you are right, my child! I will not leave you," replied the -bath keeper, whom his daughter's words had caused to reflect. "You talk -sensibly; it would be imprudent, especially with the Comte de -Marvejols." - -"Oh! yes, father!" - -"All the same, Landry might have joined us!" - -While father and daughter conversed thus in undertones, Léodgard did not -take his eyes from Bathilde, whose beauty had made a profound impression -on him. She had begun to tremble when she heard the name of Léodgard de -Marvejols, for she instantly remembered all that Ambroisine had said to -her touching that young nobleman. The terrifying portrait that she had -drawn of him was well adapted to take from Bathilde any wish to look at -him again. But, on the contrary, whether from a spirit of contradiction, -or from mere curiosity, or from that desire to learn which has so much -potency in woman's heart, all the evil that one may say to them of a man -will never induce them to shun his presence, and their eyes will seek -him in preference to any other. - -Léodgard saw that his proposition was not accepted; but what did it -matter to him? Place de Grève belonged to everybody. If that fascinating -girl remained there, he would remain by her side; if she went away, he -would follow her. So that his face wore a pleasant smile as he addressed -Master Hugonnet again: - -"Well, my good man, you do not answer me? Is it because you no longer -feel the inclination to take a little walk to one of the nearby wine -shops?" - -"Oh! no, monsieur le comte; I should lie if I said that it was the -inclination that was lacking; but I cannot do it; for monsieur le comte -himself well knows that I ought not to intrust two young girls to him. -No, thanks! one might as well put two lambs in the custody of a fox!" - -"Eh! why so, Hugonnet? Is it because of the little dispute we had some -time ago? But you see that I have forgotten all about it. Besides, I was -in the wrong; I admit it.--Oh! I am not one of those men who will not -hear reason; look you--in those days I was a good-for-nothing fellow--a -roisterer, a libertine! But since then I have turned over a new leaf. If -you but knew how virtuous I am now!" - -"I congratulate you, seigneur; it must be a great source of satisfaction -to monsieur le marquis, your father." - -Léodgard concealed a faint smile, and his glance rested sweetly on -Bathilde's face, who, although she kept her eyes on the ground, did not -lose a word of what was said. - -"Yes, my good Hugonnet, yes, my father felicitates himself now on having -a son who is radically cured of his evil tastes; who no longer cudgels -the watch, drives peaceful citizens to frenzy, raises the deuce with -tradesmen, and, above all things, who no longer talks nonsense to every -woman he sees! For, as to that----" - -"Cadédis! the assemblage is becoming most select! Here is our dear Comte -Léodgard de Marvejols!" - -"Ah! is it you, Chevalier Passedix?" - -"Myself, who deeply regretted my inability to join the jovial party with -you and your friends and divers charming ladies, the day before -yesterday. Ah! you rascal! I fancy that you enjoyed yourselves!--Cards, -wine, women! You always were the king of kings for handling such -affairs. It seems that everybody was drunk the next morning; there was -fighting, and a general scandal; and the ladies were taken to the -Repenties! That is what I call sport!" - -"May the devil fly away with you, you long-legged idiot!" muttered -Léodgard, turning his head away, while Ambroisine nudged Bathilde and -whispered: - -"Do you hear? That is how he has turned virtuous, how he has reformed, -the scapegrace! That is how he turns over a new leaf!" - -"Mon Dieu! Ambroisine, what difference does it make to me? You say that -as if it interested me." - -"Well! he stared at you so! And then, you think him good-looking." - -"I think him so, because he is. But what does that prove? Are you going -to scold me now because that young gentleman looked at me? Is it my -fault?" - -"Scold you, dear Bathilde! oh, no! But, you see, it is my duty to look -after you, as if I were your older sister; for we made ourselves -responsible for you to your father, and I should not want any misfortune -to happen to you; it would seem to me as if I were the cause." - -"Misfortune! Mon Dieu! what misfortune do you dread for me?" - -Ambroisine dared not reply. Suddenly the Chevalier Passedix stood on -tiptoe and exclaimed: - -"Sandioux! she is over there! I see her in the light of a torch. She is -a Venus, the little dear! By Roland! I must join her, even though I have -to push this whole crowd out of my way!" - -And the tall Gascon, beginning at once to work his arms and legs like a -windmill, forced aside all those who stood in his path, and soon reached -that part of the square where Miretta had stopped. - -Ambroisine followed Passedix with her glance, and she also spied her new -friend in the crowd at some distance; but in order to join her she would -have had to plunge into the midst of the mob that separated them and to -give up the good places they had secured; and Master Hugonnet had -declared that he would not stir. Ambroisine tried in vain, by raising -her arms and making signs, to attract Miretta's attention. - -Nevertheless, Cédrille's pretty cousin turned her eyes in every -direction. Surely she too was looking for someone; but was it her friend -Ambroisine? - -Suddenly Miretta felt a hand on her arm, and a shrill voice exclaimed: - -"Ah! sandis! so I have found you at last, O my goddess! I was seeking -you, I will not say _per montes et vitulos_, but among all the groups of -pretty women. Will you do me the honor to accept my arm?" - -Miretta assumed a stern expression and answered curtly: - -"No, monsieur, I will not accept your arm; and since I meet you here, I -will take the opportunity to tell you that you are wasting your time by -following me constantly, that your obstinacy in pursuing me is most -annoying to me----" - -"Eh! cadédis! the little one plays the haughty dame! So you refuse my -homage--and this is the way you acknowledge the services I rendered you, -ingrate! I, who saved you from the most imminent danger! Your cousin -Cédrille did me more justice! I was his friend, his faithful companion. -I am very sorry that he has returned to Pau; he would have spoken to you -in my behalf." - -"Cédrille would not have encouraged your undertakings, monsieur le -chevalier; he knew too well that you had nothing to hope from me. I do -not know whether he had reason to congratulate himself on having taken -you for a comrade, but I know very well that he made only a very brief -stay in Paris, and that he went away with a black eye, saying that he -had had enough of the capital and that he had not enjoyed himself here -at all.--However, monsieur, if you did take up my defence when I was -insulted, it seems to me that you should not regret it; it was your duty -as a man of honor. But I do not consider that it gave you the right to -spy upon my every movement and to be always at my heels." - -The Gascon chevalier was cut to the quick, and the firm and decided tone -in which Miretta had answered him added to his irritation; for a woman's -voice, while it may sometimes soften the most severe words, is no less -able to impart greater bitterness to the simplest rebuke. In all things, -it is the tone that makes the music. - -The tone adopted by the pretty brunette exasperated Passedix; he ran his -fingers through his beard and tried to sneer, as he muttered: - -"Ah! so that's the way it is! so we choose to adopt that tone! By -Roland! it is very pretty! And it is a paltry serving maid--a -lady's-maid--a mere fille de chambre, who indulges in these manners of a -grand duchess, when I condescend to honor her by letting my glance rest -on her back hair! Ah! my love, beware! I have never met any cruel -charmers--especially among your kind--and if you do not take my arm, I -am capable----" - -"Capable of what?" demanded a young man, dressed as a simple mechanic, -who had suddenly stepped between Miretta and Passedix, at the latter of -whom he gazed fixedly, while forcing him back several steps with his -left arm. - -"What business is it of yours, clown, who presume to question me? I find -you exceedingly bold! Knave! stand aside instantly, or I unsheathe----" - -And the Gascon chevalier, crimson with wrath, was already standing on -guard, with his right hand on the hilt of Roland; while Miretta, having -glanced at the young man who had come to her rescue, uttered an -exclamation of surprise, while her eyes beamed with joy and delight. - -"I will not stand aside, unless it is mademoiselle's pleasure to accept -my arm and leave this crowd which is pressing upon her," rejoined the -new-comer. - -"You! take this little one away from under my nose--from my very beard! -You shall die ten deaths first!" - -And Passedix instantly drew Roland from its sheath. The sight of that -bare sword waving in the midst of the crowd made the women shriek and -the children weep; but before he who held it could make use of it the -young man's hand seized the chevalier's wrist and squeezed it with such -force that the fingers opened and the sword fell to the ground. - -"Sandioux! I know that grip; I have felt it before somewhere!" cried -Passedix. "Disarm me! Shame! that is unfair! it is treachery!" - -But while the Gascon shouted, and shook his benumbed arm, the -_soi-disant_ mechanic took Miretta's arm and disappeared with her in the -crowd. - -At that moment loud cries arose on all sides; the great pile had been -set on fire. Thereupon the crowd swayed hither and thither, some trying -to draw nearer the fire in order to see better, others to move away -because they were afraid. - -A powerful wave carried Passedix ten or fifteen yards away from the spot -where his sword had fallen. Thereupon he began to whine and lament in -the midst of the crowd, these words being distinguishable: - -"Look out, my friends! In the name of what you hold most dear, do not -step on it! If it is broken, I shall not survive; I shall bury the -fragments in my heart!" - -But the multitude, engrossed by what it had come to see, paid no heed to -the cries and groans and entreaties of the unhappy chevalier, who -struggled in vain to return to the place where he had lost Roland, and -who before long had no idea himself in which direction it was. - -This lasted until the fire died out. - -As soon as it was entirely extinct, the crowd scattered; everyone -returned home discussing the pleasure he had had, and some looking -forward to that which the evening promised them. - -Soon nobody was left on the square except two men, one very short, the -other quite tall, both of whom were on their hands and knees searching -in every corner, one for his cap, the other for his sword. Suddenly -they came nose to nose, or rather head to head, in that occupation. - -"Are you helping me to look for it!" Passedix asked the clerk of the -Basoche; "thanks, my boy, that is very amiable on your part. If you find -it, I will give you six deniers; I have received some funds from my -family." - -"If I find it, I don't want your deniers!" rejoined Plumard, in a surly -tone. "It is mine, my own property, and if you find it you will have to -give it to me; don't think for a moment that I will let you keep it!" - -"What is the little fellow chattering about? If you find it, you propose -to keep it? Why, you are mad, my dear fellow! What would you do with it, -pray? It is twice too long for you; you could not even wear it." - -"I couldn't wear it! that's a good one, that is! On the contrary, it -fits me like an angel; while you don't need it, for you have a cap on -your head." - -"Why should my cap prevent me from wearing it, fool that you are?" - -"Do you mean to say that you would put it on over your cap? That would -look very pretty! At all events, it's my property." - -"Hold your tongue, you little thief! just let me find it and I'll punish -you with it!" - -The two worthies who had had this altercation, being still on all fours, -were about to rush at each other like two frantic cats, when a third -personage appeared on the scene, laughing and singing. It was Bahuchet, -with long Roland in his hand, twirling his comrade's cap at the end of -the blade. - -"I say! you fellows! here's a find! the cap is mine, and the sword is -mine!" - -At sight of the objects they were seeking, Passedix and Plumard rose -spontaneously and pounced upon them. The former seized his sword, the -latter his cap, which he pulled over his eyes, and ran away at full -speed. The chevalier replaced Roland in its sheath, and then he strode -rapidly away. - -Bahuchet, left alone in the square, looked after them and said to -himself: - -"Well! they are very polite! they did not so much as thank me!" - - - - -XX - -THE ROSEBUSH - - -A week after the memorable night on which the Fire of Saint-Jean -attracted so many people to Place de Grève and gave rise to so many -adventures, one evening, just at nightfall, a young man enveloped in a -brown cloak was walking on Rue Dauphine in front of Landry the bath -keeper's house, toward which he glanced every minute, scrutinizing with -especial care a window on the first floor, with a jutting balcony, on -which could be seen a superb rosebush covered with flowers and buds. -And as, when one is looking in the air, one does not see before one's -face, the young man suddenly collided with a person who was walking -along the street at a rapid pace. - -"Ten thousand devils! be careful! can you not see where you are going?" - -"Par le mordieu! you had only to look, yourself!" - -"That voice! why, it is the young Comte de Marvejols!" - -"Ah! it is the Sire de Jarnonville. Pray excuse me; but I was too -distraught to see you. I am waiting--I am watching." - -"Very good; I understand; you are _en bonne fortune_--there is some new -intrigue on the carpet?" - -"A new intrigue, yes; but _en bonne fortune_--not yet. Oh! it will be a -hard task; there are great obstacles; but I must come out of it with -credit to myself!" - -"Are there blows to be dealt, sword thrusts to be exchanged? Do you need -me to cudgel someone? to break down a door or to scale a wall?" - -"Thanks, Jarnonville, thanks; but my intrigue must be carried on quietly -and without fighting.--It has to do with a young and pretty girl! Oh! -the word _pretty_ falls far short of describing her! She is an -enchanting creature, an angel of innocence and beauty, whom I met by -chance, a week ago, at the Fire of Saint-Jean. She was with Ambroisine -and her father--you know whom I mean, the bath keeper on Rue -Saint-Jacques?" - -"Yes, Master Hugonnet.--Well?" - -"It was impossible to talk with the girl, for Ambroisine watched her -like a duenna! But I saw that my aspect did not displease her; she -blushed, and lowered her eyes. Her head is worthy of Titian's brush. Ah! -I am mad over her!--You will understand that I did not lose sight of -that adorable girl! After the fire, they left the square; I followed -them and found that they brought that angel to this house. She is the -daughter of Landry, the bath keeper; I tell you this in confidence, -Jarnonville, because I know that you will not try to rob me of my -conquest." - -"I! oh, no! My heart is closed henceforth to all such tender sentiments; -it no longer knows aught but regret and grief!" - -As he spoke, the Black Chevalier let his head sink on his breast. - -"Come, come, Jarnonville! do not abandon yourself constantly to your sad -memories; you are still young; my word for it, you may again see happy -days!--But let me finish my story: - -"The next day I went boldly to Master Hugonnet's shop. Ambroisine had -surprised me with my eyes fixed on her friend; I did not choose to feign -with her, so I asked her about her pretty companion of the preceding -night. She received me very harshly, as I expected; she told me that I -would have nothing to show for my sighs, my amorous enterprises; that -Bathilde--that is the divine creature's name--that Bathilde never went -out; that it was an exceptional event, her going to see the fire the -night before; but that her father and mother kept watch over her day and -night as their most precious treasure--in fact, the haughty _baigneuse_ -went so far as to read me a lecture. She told me that it would be -frightful in me to think of seducing so much innocence and -simplicity.--Poor Ambroisine! she did not realize that the more she -expatiated on Bathilde's virtue, the more she increased my desire to -possess her.--But I think that you are not listening, Jarnonville." - -"I beg pardon; go on." - -"I left Ambroisine, swearing that I would respect her friend, and I came -at once to this street and began to do sentry duty here. For two days I -saw no sign of the girl. I entered the baths--nothing. I was shaved in -the shop--still nothing--no Bathilde. At last, three days ago, the -window looking on yonder balcony opened, and a young woman appeared -carrying a pot of flowers. She placed it carefully where it is now.--It -was she, it was Bathilde. But had she seen me pacing the street? had she -recognized me? That was something that I could not know; but the sight -of her gave me hope. That beautiful rosebush had never been at that -window; to place it on the balcony was to afford herself an excuse for -coming there again. And, in fact, a few hours after the rosebush was -placed there, the sweet girl appeared again and examined her flowers -with much care. Never was a rosebush more scrupulously cleaned. She did -not look at me while she was thus engaged, but I was certain that she -saw me. Now and then a furtive glance was cast in my direction; but as -it always met mine, she hastened to turn her head away.--However, since -that day Bathilde continues to tend her flowers, to water them, to come -several times a day to look at them. At first, I sent her kisses; -yesterday, I did better--I wrote a few words, rolled the note around a -stone, and, after dark, seizing a moment when no one was passing through -the street, I tossed it on the balcony. I am certain that she picked it -up, for the stone is no longer there. But to-day she has not once -appeared at the window; the rosebush has been pitilessly neglected! Is -it to punish me for writing to her? Is it to make me understand that she -does not share my love, that I must renounce all hope? Oh, no! that is -impossible! I read that charming girl's eyes, her whole expression; she -has not yet learned the art of concealing what she feels. I noticed her -cheeks flush when she saw me, her lovely eyes kindle with a brighter -light, a gleam of joy illumine her face!--Oh! she loves me! she loves -me, Jarnonville! And she will be mine!" - -The Black Chevalier had listened to Léodgard with a gloomy expression; -when the young man had finished his story, he shook his head, saying: - -"I do not like this business of seducing young girls! There is at the -root of the whole matter something that offends and oppresses the heart. -Tell me of a deceived husband, of a jealous rival, of a cruel guardian, -if you please. In such cases there is some danger, some risk to be run; -there are often sword thrusts or dagger thrusts to be received or -exchanged.--You fight, and that occupies, distracts, the mind. But in -this instance! seduction! desertion! To make a poor creature weep who -has not had the power to defend herself!" - -"Ha! ha! ha! On my word, my dear Jarnonville, I cannot help laughing to -listen to you! What! is it really you, the bully, the miscreant, the man -who believes in nothing--for that is what you are called--who shed tears -over the fate of a girl, because I propose to make love to her, and she -is likely to hear me? A terrible catastrophe, truly!--How does it happen -that you, whose heart, as you have just told me, is closed henceforth to -all tender sentiments; that you who have taken the world in hatred and -who look upon existence as a burden; who seek, in short, by doing ill to -others, to avenge yourself for the ill that destiny has done to -you--that you blame me for gratifying my passions at the risk of causing -a few tears to flow?" - -The Sire de Jarnonville drew his heavy eyebrows together and muttered -some words which Léodgard could not hear; then he raised his head -abruptly and said to the young count: - -"As I cannot be of any service to you here, I will leave you. Adieu! -good luck!" - -"Oh! I beg your pardon--another word, Jarnonville," cried Léodgard, -detaining the Black Chevalier. "I have a favor to ask of you--that is, -if you are in a position to grant it. I lost yesterday at brelan all -that I possessed; I have not a sou.--Money! money! When, in God's name, -shall I have enough to gratify my desires? to enjoy life? For there is -no enjoyment when one is constantly obliged to borrow, to have recourse -to usurers. I have been in such straits of late that my valet, that -knave Latournelle, has left me, on the pretext that I gambled away his -wages! I no longer have any servants, except my father's; but I prefer -to go without. That old villain Isaac Lehmann, the money lender, who -ordinarily supplies me with funds, is away from Paris at this moment. Do -you know another, Jarnonville? If so, will you give me his address; -especially as Isaac is beginning to make trouble about lending me any -more, although the old rascal knows well enough that he will be paid -sooner or later." - -"I thought that your father paid all your debts some time ago?" - -"Yes, and forbade me to incur any more. Ah! if he knew!--Why, he -threatened me with the Bastille!" - -"And that does not prevent your running in debt again?" - -"Can I live on the miserable allowance he gives me?--Well, Jarnonville, -do you know a money lender who may consent to help me at this moment?" - -"No, I do not know one, for I have never had any relations with those -gentry; but I have two hundred gold pieces about me bearing the effigy -of our monarch; I intended to play lansquenet to-night. Here is my -purse; if you would like it, it is at your disposal." - -"Faith! Jarnonville, it would be a great service to me; but I am afraid -of being importunate." - -"Not at all--take it." - -"And your game of lansquenet?" - -"If need be, I will play on credit; but, instead of going to La -Valteline's to gamble, I will go to Durfeuille the financier's, and get -drunk; that will be one way of employing my time." - -"Very well; in that case, I accept; but it is my duty to warn you that I -do not now know when I shall be able to repay this loan." - -"No matter! no matter! Do not worry about that; it is the least of my -anxieties. Adieu, count, adieu!" - -The Sire de Jarnonville walked rapidly away, without listening to his -debtor's thanks; and Léodgard placed the purse filled with gold in his -belt, saying to himself: - -"He has done me a great service. He's an original fellow, but he has his -good points.--When I have spent this money, what shall I do to get some -more?--But what am I thinking about? I have a well-lined purse upon me -and I am sighing for a lovely girl. Pardieu! this is not the time to -worry about the future! What disturbs me now is to see that window -remain closed. It has been dark a long while; can it be that Bathilde -will not come to the balcony?--Ah! it seems to me that I have never -loved a woman as I love her. How different she is from the coquettes of -the court! from our courtesans--aye, from our _petites bourgeoises_! The -purest innocence shines on that child's brow.--What bliss to teach her -what love is--to be the first to make her heart beat!--But she does not -appear!" - -Léodgard stamped his foot impatiently and began to pace the street, -without losing sight of the bath keeper's house. - -Let us see what Bathilde was doing at that moment. - -I need not tell you that on leaving the Place de Grève to return to her -home Landry's daughter had not failed to discover that the handsome -Comte de Marvejols was following her. She had not seemed to notice it, -she had not released her hold of Ambroisine's arm for an instant, she -had not turned her head; and yet she had seen that the young man was -following her. - -How had she done it? - -That is a mystery which I am unable to solve. I can simply assure you -that all women, young or old, from the most sophisticated to the most -innocent, possess that faculty. Probably it is the second-sight of the -Scotch, except that they have it in the back of the head. - -Bathilde returned to her little room, disturbed by a sentiment that was -entirely novel to her; her bosom rose and fell more rapidly, she felt -happier than she had ever felt. - -Was it her pride that was flattered, or her self-esteem? - -No; the sweet child did not as yet know either of those sentiments. - -It was something sweeter, more tender, which had found its way into her -heart with the fiery glances of the handsome cavalier, and against which -she had not known how to defend herself, for she was unaware of the -danger; it had not occurred to her that it was wrong to glance -occasionally at a comely youth who kept his eyes constantly fixed on -her. - -When she learned that the comely youth was Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, -the girl had felt perhaps a secret thrill of terror; but it had not -lasted--the young man's glances had soon dispelled it. - -Bathilde occupied a room that looked on a yard behind the house. It was -impossible for her to see from her window anything that took place in -the street. But since her mother had been absent, the girl had enjoyed -more liberty; so long as she avoided the baths, a place which it would -have been imprudent for her to frequent, she was free to range over the -whole first floor at her pleasure. Knowing that his daughter was in the -house, Landry asked nothing more. - -On the day following the Fire of Saint-Jean, Bathilde, although she did -not know why, could not keep still. She went in and out, from one room -to another, arranging the furniture, or rather disarranging it, in order -to have an excuse for putting it to rights again. - -In her peregrinations she visited most frequently a room at the front of -the house, which Dame Ragonde used as a linen closet; it was the room -with the balcony. Bathilde had put aside the curtain and glanced into -the street from time to time, without opening the window. She had soon -discovered the young seigneur of the preceding night walking back and -forth in front of the baths, and stopping frequently to scrutinize the -house from top to bottom. - -Bathilde had felt the blood rush to her cheeks, although no one could -have seen her put aside the curtain. She had left the window, but had -returned to it a moment later. - -"He is there!" she said to herself, trembling with excitement; "he is -still there! Mon Dieu! why does he keep looking at our house?" - -The little innocent guessed well enough why he did it; but there are -things which we do not choose to admit at once, even to ourselves, -especially when they give us pleasure; we are much less ceremonious with -those that make us unhappy. - -The next day, Bathilde did not fail to go early to the linen closet; she -resumed her manoeuvres of the day before, and looked into the street -after cautiously raising a corner of the curtain. - -This lasted four days, during which she saw the handsome cavalier almost -always in the street, gazing sadly at the windows, with his hand to his -heart, and probably sighing; she did not hear the sigh, but she divined -it. - -On the fifth day, she no longer had the heart to keep the window closed, -and yet she did not wish to appear on the balcony without a reason for -going there. - -Suddenly she remembered that she had a rosebush in her chamber, where, -by the way, it rarely received a ray of sunlight. - -She ran instantly to Master Landry and said: - -"Father, you know I have a lovely rosebush, which Ambroisine gave me two -years ago, on my birthday." - -"Very likely; what then?" - -"It is in my room, on the window sill, but I have just noticed that it's -dying, the leaves are turning yellow. It's because it doesn't get enough -air. The yard is so small, and then the steam from the baths is bad for -it, perhaps. I should be awfully sorry if it should die. Will you let me -put it on the balcony outside the window of the linen closet? There is -nothing there, so it won't be in the way; it will have the sun, and I am -sure that it will do better there." - -"Put your rosebush where you please, my child; what hinders you?" - -"Oh! thank you, father!" - -And Bathilde went away, pleased beyond words. Dame Ragonde would never -have allowed her to put a rosebush at a window on the front of the -house. A woman would have felt, divined, an intrigue therein. But the -old soldier saw nothing but a rosebush. - - - - -XXI - -LOVE TRAVELS FAST - - -Bathilde made haste to take advantage of the permission her father had -given her. - -Before carrying the rosebush to the balcony, she cast a glance at her -mirror. Was it coquetry? No. But the daughter of a master bath keeper -did not wish to show herself to the eyes of chance passers-by without -being quite sure that nothing was lacking in her dress. - -We know already that for three days the girl did not forget to visit the -balcony several times during the day, and even after dark, to make sure -that her beautiful rosebush needed nothing. Never was flower more -sedulously tended, never were rosebuds examined with such care; and -certainly no insect could have found a resting place on their stems, -unless it had shown the most determined obstinacy in returning thither. - -On the third day, or rather the third evening, Bathilde heard the stone -fall on the balcony, where she did not happen to be at the time, -although she was always close at hand. She instantly detected the paper -wrapped about the stone. Her first impulse was to rush out and pick it -up; but she reflected that he who had thrown it must still be in the -street, and that, if she picked up his note at once, she would show him -that she was there, watching behind the curtain. - -See how slyly even the most innocent can act sometimes! La Fontaine -tells us _how wit comes to young maids_; for my part, I believe that it -is all there as soon as they feel love for a man. - -Bathilde waited, therefore, until the evening was well advanced before -she stole noiselessly out and picked up the stone and the paper. Then -she hastened to her room and locked herself in, to read at her ease that -first love letter, which was destined to put the finishing touch to this -turmoil in her heart, and perhaps to cause her much suffering, and which -it would have been wiser for her not to read. - -But wisdom is often the fruit of experience, and Bathilde had had none. - -She opened Léodgard's letter with a trembling hand, and eagerly read -these words: - - "CHARMING BATHILDE: - - "Need I tell you that I love you, that from the moment I first saw - you your cherished image has not gone from my memory and my heart? - You must know who I am: your friend Ambroisine called me by name - before you, but she has slandered me if she has told you that I am - incapable of keeping my faith. - - "I shall love you always, Bathilde; because my love is sincere, - because you are the first woman who ever caused me to know a - genuine passion. - - "You will say, perhaps, that too great a distance separates us, - that my name, my rank, keep us apart.--But only tell me that you - love me a little, and I will find a way to remove all obstacles. - What does it matter to me in what station of life you were born? In - my eyes, you are far above the _grandes dames_ of the court. - - "My fortune, my name--I lay everything at your feet! Yes, before - God, I swear to take you for my wife! - - "But come to your balcony, do not fly at night when I come near; - and, in pity's name, grant a few moments' interview to one who will - die if you refuse to love him. - - "LÉODGARD DE MARVEJOLS." - -Such a loving, ardent note was certain to make great ravages in an -inexperienced heart, in a heart which was conscious of a craving to -love. Love travels fast when it follows an unbeaten path. - -Moreover, a secret sympathy drew the girl on; she too loved Léodgard. -Only an instant, a single glance, was necessary for that. - -Bathilde read and reread and read again the young count's letter; she -held it in her hand when she went to bed, she kept it against her heart -all night. Ah! a first love letter is such a priceless treasure! A woman -may receive many of them in the course of her life, but the others are -never worth so much as that one. - -The next morning Bathilde knew the letter by heart, and she said to -herself every instant: - -"He loves me! he will always love me! I am the first woman whom he has -ever really loved! My birth is no obstacle, he says; in that case, he -will ask my parents for my hand, and will marry me. What joy! how happy -I shall be! Not because I shall be a countess; what do I care for that? -But I shall be his wife! and I shall be able, in my turn, to tell him -that I love him!--But then, I must go out on the balcony to-night and -speak to him. Suppose I consult my father first, and show him this -letter? But perhaps he would scold me for receiving it and reading it -without his permission!" - -Bathilde was in dire perplexity, not knowing what she ought to do. But -her heart was bursting with joy and happiness because she knew that -Léodgard loved her. - -She was still hesitating about going to her window, when Ambroisine -suddenly appeared. - -The _belle baigneuse_ had not had time to visit her friend since the -Fire of Saint-Jean; and yet a secret presentiment told her that her -friendship was more than ever necessary to Bathilde. At last, she stole -a moment during the morning and hastened to Rue Dauphine; she ran up to -her friend's room and did not find her there; a servant told her that -her master's daughter passed almost all her time now in the linen -closet, and pointed it out to her. - -This change of habit surprised Ambroisine. However, she went to the -small room where Bathilde was. The latter, when she saw her friend, was -confused for a moment, and hastily thrust into her bosom the letter -which she was reading for the hundredth time. - -Ambroisine ran to Bathilde and kissed her, saying: - -"Well! here I am at last! I succeeded in making my escape to-day.--We -have so many people at our baths, and so many young men come to be -shaved by father! But I found a moment this morning, and I ran away. I -was so anxious to see you! And you--have you no desire to talk over our -evening on the Place de Grève? We have so many things to say to each -other! haven't we?" - -"Oh, yes! yes! I longed to see you, too." - -"It's strange, but you don't say that with all your heart, as I do! You -have a curious manner. Have you been sick? You are quite pale.--Oh! -there is certainly something wrong!" - -"Why, no--you are mistaken; I am not sick at all!" - -"So much the better.--But how does it happen that you are in this room -looking on the street--you, who never used to leave your own bedroom?" - -"Why, I am here--I am here----" - -"Yes, I see that you are here!" - -"I am here because I asked father's permission to put my lovely rosebush -on this balcony, which is a much better place for it; and then--I--I -have to come here to tend it." - -"Ah! so it's on account of your rosebush?" - -"And then, it is much livelier here than in my room." - -"That is true enough. But when your mother comes home, I am very sure -that she will make you carry your rosebush back to your room, and will -forbid your coming here any more." - -"Do you think so? O mon Dieu!" - -"Well! now you are as pale as a ghost! Come, Bathilde, kiss me and tell -me all; you have something on your mind, and you do not want to confide -it to me. Am I no longer your sister, your friend? Do you propose to -have secrets from me? Oh, no! that is impossible! You are going to tell -me why it is that you are so distressed, that your eyes are full of -tears, that you are afraid to look me in the face. Do you mean to tell -me that you will not open your heart to me any more? Come, speak out!" - -Bathilde hesitated, but at last she faltered: - -"Ah! but you will say more unkind things about him!" - -Ambroisine shuddered; those few words told her the whole story. Her face -assumed an expression of profound sadness. - -"About him! him! Mon Dieu! have you seen Comte Léodgard again?" - -"Did I say that?" - -"Yes. The words you have just dropped tell me that it is so.--Come, -Bathilde, tell me everything now. You cannot have anything to conceal -from your sister, who loves you so dearly. I will not scold you, I have -no right to; but my friendship may be useful to you.--Speak, I entreat -you!" - -Bathilde no longer felt strong enough to resist her friend's entreaties; -she had not yet learned to dissemble. She seated herself beside -Ambroisine and told her all that had happened since they had met; and -finally, taking Léodgard's letter from her bosom with a trembling hand -she gave it to her friend. - -Ambroisine shuddered as she read the letter, then turned her eyes on -Bathilde, who was gazing into her face and waiting to hear what she -would say. - -But Hugonnet's daughter was silent for several minutes; her eyes were -swimming in tears. At last she took Bathilde's head in her hands, -pressed it to her breast, and covered it with tears and kisses, -murmuring: - -"No! no! I do not propose that you shall be ruined! Poor child, I am -determined to save you. It is my duty; for is it not my fault that this -man, who is now trying to seduce you, ever saw you? Was it not I who -insisted on taking you to see the Fire of Saint-Jean? Mon Dieu! was it -possible for one to foresee, to divine, that the Evil One would be there -in the person of this Comte Léodgard, seeking to ruin you? For he is the -Evil One, I tell you; that man is the fallen angel!--But I trust that -you do not believe him? Surely you place no faith in what he has written -you? This letter--why, there is not a word of truth in it!" - -"Not a word of truth!" cried Bathilde, in a heart-rending tone. "But in -that case, why should he write me all this, if he did not think it? Why -should he pass whole days walking in front of our house? Why should he -come here again in the evening--always looking at this window? And I am -not sure that he is not here at night too.--Ah! when I go out on the -balcony to tend my rosebush, if you could see how he looks at me--how -happy he seems all the time that I am there!" - -"So you look at him too, do you? O Bathilde!" - -"Oh, no! I don't look at him; indeed, I should not dare to. But, you -know, one can see, out of the corner of one's eye, without seeming to -look." - -"My poor dear! can it be that you already love this Monsieur Léodgard?" - -"Oh! I don't know--I don't dare to tell you. But since I read his -letter, in which he swears that he will always love me--ah! I no longer -know how I feel, what I am doing, what I am saying; my head is on fire, -and my whole body is like my head. I believe that I have a fever; I -think of nothing but him, I cannot drive away his image; I seem to feel -pain and pleasure at the same time.--Mon Dieu! I no longer know myself!" - -"Dear child! be calm. Listen to me; you have too much good sense not to -understand me.--Now, Bathilde, let us admit that the count loves you at -this moment; in the first place, his love will very soon pass away. But -even if it should be more sincere than all the loves that he has -promised, sworn, to other women, how would that help you? You know -perfectly well that you can never become the wife of a count, of a great -nobleman." - -"But you see that in his letter he says that he cares nothing for rank -and fortune." - -"In his letter he has put down everything that was likely to turn your -head!--Ah! Bathilde, do the great nobles ever marry us poor girls, the -daughters of humble tradesmen? When we are pretty, they make love to us -and try to seduce us, and they are not sparing of lies and promises to -effect that purpose! But if we are unfortunate enough to listen to them, -they very soon abandon us, leaving us nothing but shame and -regret.--What I say is absolutely true, Bathilde. You know perfectly -well that I desire nothing but your happiness. But if you listen to -Comte Léodgard, you will be unhappy, you will be ruined!--Think of your -father, who is so proud of you. Think of your mother, who has watched -over you so carefully. They would curse you!" - -"Oh! do not say any more! Yes, you are right; I was mad! But you bring -me back to myself.--Tell me how I must act; I will do whatever you -wish." - -Ambroisine embraced her friend again, and said: - -"Dear Bathilde, you suffer at this moment, because I am tearing away -illusions that made you happy. But I do it so that you may enjoy truer -happiness in the future. Listen: first of all, you must not appear on -this balcony for a week, at least; nay, you must not even come into -this room, for you would look into the street in spite of yourself. -Resume your usual mode of life, work as if your mother were by your -side.--In the second place, you must--you must not read this letter any -more; and, in order to be certain of not yielding to temptation, you -must burn it." - -"Burn his letter! the only token I shall have of his love--the only -souvenir of him when he has ceased to think of me! Oh, no! let me keep -it, Ambroisine, I implore you! I will do everything that you have said; -but don't burn his letter!" - -And Bathilde almost fell at her friend's knees. Ambroisine raised her -and replied: - -"How do you expect to be cured if you keep that paper with you, in which -he says such sweet things--things that turn the heads of us poor women? -You will read it every day, and it will simply keep your grief alive." - -"Very well! take it, Ambroisine, carry it away, but keep it for me; and -later--in a very long time--when I am cured, if I ever can be cured, -then you will give the letter back to me, and I shall be very glad to -read it again." - -"Very well; then I will take the letter away." - -"But you won't burn it, will you?" - -"No, I promise." - -"And you will take good care of it? you will not lose it?" - -"I will put it away in my little jewel box. How do you suppose that I -can lose it?" - -"But you--you won't read it, either, will you? For, if I deprive myself -of that happiness, it would not be fair for another to enjoy it in my -place!" - -"Dear Bathilde! this letter, which is so priceless in your eyes, is of -no value at all to another woman.--Never fear, I will not touch it.--Now -I must leave you, I must go home.--You will surely do as I have told -you. And first of all, my dear, to begin with, you will leave this -room?" - -"Yes." - -"And you will not come here again--for ten days?" - -"You said a week!" - -"Well, so long as Comte Léodgard continues to walk this street." - -"I will not come here." - -"And your mother--will she not return soon?" - -"I think not. It seems that she is having litigation about her -inheritance there in Normandie, where she is; for our kinswoman is dead; -but our mother has all the right on her side, so she is not alarmed." - -"Litigation--in Normandie! That will take some time!" muttered -Ambroisine, shaking her head. Then she kissed her young friend again. -"Adieu! I will come to see you as soon as possible. Courage, my poor -Bathilde! Your heart is heavy at this moment; but that will pass away. -And then, you see, when one is doing one's duty, it gives one strength -to endure sorrow." - -"Adieu, Ambroisine! I will try to be brave. But take good care of my -letter; don't lose it on your way home. I shall never be consoled if you -lose it!" - -"Never fear, I am no child. Au revoir!" - -Ambroisine ran down the staircase; and Bathilde followed her to the -foot, whispering to her: - -"Remember that you are to give it back to me!" - - - - -XXII - -THE BALCONY - - -Bathilde having followed her friend's advice to the letter, Léodgard -walked Rue Dauphine in vain on the evening of his meeting with the Sire -de Jarnonville. And as Léodgard was very much in love, as he flattered -himself that he would win a facile triumph over Landry's daughter, he -remained until midnight in front of the barber's house; but the balcony -was deserted, the window dark; the girl did not appear. - -Thereupon vexation and wrath took possession of our lover. Accustomed as -he was to defy and surmount all obstacles, his desires were sharpened by -the disdain with which he was treated. He was especially enraged -because his note, instead of completing his conquest of Bathilde, had -produced just the contrary effect. - -He struck the ground impatiently with his spurs and measured with his -eye the height of the balcony. If some friend had been there to lend him -his shoulders, he would already have tried to scale it. But, instead of -a friend, Léodgard spied a patrol coming down the street; and as he was -not anxious to fight a patrol single-handed, he decided to decamp. But -as he walked away, he said to himself, looking back at the balcony: - -"Oh! it is useless for you to conceal yourself, Bathilde; it is useless -for you to try to escape from my love; you shall be mine, for I have -sworn it--for you are the loveliest, the most fascinating girl whom I -know in Paris to-day!" - -Early the next morning Léodgard entered the barber's shop; he ordered a -bath, and while it was being prepared he looked at all the windows on -the yard, and entered into conversation with the attendant who waited on -him. - -"Is Master Landry married?" - -"Yes, seigneur." - -"Where is his wife?" - -"Travelling at present; she has gone to Normandie to secure an -inheritance." - -"Master Landry has a daughter?" - -"Yes, seigneur." - -"Very pretty, I am told?" - -"That is true, seigneur." - -"Why do we never see her in the shop or about the baths?" - -"For the very reason, seigneur, that she is so pretty." - -"Is she watched so closely, pray?" - -"When Dame Ragonde, her mother, is here, she doesn't leave her daughter -for an instant." - -"But now that she is away, is there no way of obtaining a word with the -girl--a single word? Here--take this piece of gold and just tell me -where Bathilde's room is." - -But Léodgard had applied in the wrong quarter. Landry was an old soldier -who had a keen eye for an honest man; he had selected his attendants -with care, and they esteemed him too highly to betray him. The gold -piece was declined; Léodgard insisted to no purpose, for the attendant -merely replied: - -"I don't work on the women's side, seigneur; I don't know where their -rooms are. I am too well treated in Master Landry's service to do -anything that would cause my discharge." - -"Pardieu! I have bad luck!" said Léodgard to himself. "All our valets -and esquires are ready to be bribed; and I must come to a bath keeper's -to find an incorruptible servant. And people calumniate these houses! -They say that they serve to cloak clandestine love affairs, that the -most delicious intrigues are formed and consummated in them.--Gad! that -surely is not true of Master Landry's!" - -And Léodgard cast his eye over all the windows looking on the yard; but -they were closed and supplied with very heavy curtains; it was -impossible to discover anything, to guess where Bathilde's room was; for -the young man was confident that she did not occupy the front room with -the balcony, as there had been no light there throughout the preceding -evening. - -The young count left the establishment without taking the bath he had -ordered; once more he marched up and down the street, but with no better -fortune; and at last, weary of the struggle, he left the place, saying -to himself: - -"I am very sure, none the less, that I did not displease her." - -The two following days, Léodgard played sentinel again to no purpose. -Bathilde did not appear. The windows on the balcony remained closed, and -she did not even come to tend the poor rosebush, which, however, was -sorely in need of being watered, for the buds were beginning to droop on -their stems. - -"What! she will allow her rosebush to die, for fear of seeing me!" said -Léodgard to himself. "She must be terribly afraid of me, then! Ah! when -a woman is so afraid of a man, it is a good sign; she does not fear -those who are indifferent to her. But I will stake my head that -Ambroisine has been to see her, that it was she who urged her not to -show herself any more. How do I know that Bathilde, without letting -herself be seen, is not hidden somewhere, at some other window, whence -she watches what I do, and says to herself: 'He is still thinking of -me!'--If I thought that!--However, I will try this method: I will force -myself to stay away for several days, to avoid passing through this -street; she will believe that I have ceased to think of her; and perhaps -her vexation, or her confidence, will serve me better than this -fruitless watching." - -Thereupon our lover wrapped himself in his cloak, pulled his hat over -his eyes, and, with the air of a man who has suddenly decided upon a -course of action, he walked rapidly away and disappeared, without once -turning his head. - -Léodgard had read only too well Bathilde's guileless heart, that heart -which longed to love, and which found happiness even in the pangs which -that sentiment already caused it to feel. - -The girl had kept the promise she had made her friend; she had not -returned to the room with the balcony; but adjoining that room, and, -like it, at the front of the house, there was another, occupied by -Master Landry and his wife. Since Dame Ragonde had been away, that room -had been deserted throughout the day; for the old soldier went down -early to his baths, and did not go up to his room again until bedtime. - -On the day following Ambroisine's visit, Bathilde remembered that her -father had given her an old jacket to mend; the work was not at all -urgent, but Bathilde hastened to do it so that she might have an excuse -for going to her parents' bedroom. She went there to return the garment -belonging to her father; and once she was in that room, which looked on -the street, but had no balcony at the windows--because the architects of -those days did not make a point of regularity in their buildings--once -there, Bathilde could not resist the temptation to go to one of the -windows; and, while she pretended to adjust a curtain which presumably -did not fall gracefully, she allowed her glance to wander into the -street, where she instantly espied the man she had promised to forget. - -This first step once taken, Bathilde found other excuses for going every -day to her father's chamber, where, by putting the curtain aside the -least bit in the world, she could look into the street--the eye requires -such a narrow space to see so many things! - -To excuse herself to her own conscience, Bathilde reasoned thus: - -"I promised Ambroisine not to go to the linen closet for a week; and I -do not go there. I have business in this room, and I am obliged to come -here! It isn't my fault that there are windows here from which I can -look into the street." - -This reasoning was that of a lawyer rather than of an innocent maiden; -wit, you see, comes to the most inexperienced simultaneously with love. - -Thus Bathilde knew that Léodgard was there, always there, with his eyes -fixed on the balcony; and with every moment that passed, she put less -faith in what her friend had said to her. - -"If he did not love me sincerely," she said to herself, "would he pass -his days like this, trying to see me?" - -It is so pleasant to make excuses for those whom we love. - -But when the young count changed his plan of attack, when he ceased -entirely to appear on Rue Dauphine, a new form of torture, a pang -sharper than all the rest, tore the poor child's heart. - -A whole day passed, and Léodgard did not appear. At first she flattered -herself with the thought that he had come just at the time when she was -not peering from behind the curtain; for, with the best will in the -world, one cannot pass every moment with one's face glued against a -window. - -But on the following day there was no lover on the street, and so on the -day following that. - -Bathilde's heart was heavy and oppressed; the tears longed to flow, but -she forced them back; she was pale; she was consumed by fever and she -could not eat. - -Landry noticed his daughter's depression and was disturbed by it; he -asked her if she was in pain, if she felt sick. - -"Nothing is the matter with me, father, nothing!"--Such is the -invariable reply of a maiden whose suffering has its source in her -heart. - -But Ambroisine was determined not to leave her friend without -consolation, and one morning she paid her a hurried visit. She was -alarmed by her pallor, her prostration, and the grief-stricken -expression of her face. - -When she saw Ambroisine, however, Bathilde strove to conceal the misery -that was devouring her. - -"I came to find out if you have been brave, if you have kept the -promises you made me?" said Ambroisine, as she embraced Bathilde, who -submitted to her friend's caresses without responding to them. - -"Yes," she faltered, "I have done what you ordered." - -"Ordered!--As if I gave you any orders! don't you know that it is my -affection which leads me to advise you, to keep watch over you?--But how -pale you are! Are you so very unhappy?" - -"I? oh, no!" - -"You have not been on the balcony again?" - -"No; but I might as well go there now; for it is all over; he doesn't -come any more; he has not passed the house, not once, for four days." - -"How do you know? So you have been looking out of the window, have you?" - -"Indeed! I was in father's room, and I could not help seeing. Besides, I -wanted to be certain that he was not there.--It is all over; he has -forgotten me!" - -As she said these words, Bathilde, despite all her efforts, could no -longer restrain her tears; she let her head fall on Ambroisine's -shoulder and gave free vent to her sobs. - -Hugonnet's daughter mingled her tears with her friend's, for at that -moment she could think of no better way to comfort her. A grief which -is able to find a vent always loses its force; it is a torrent changed -into a brook. - -Bathilde recovered her courage to some degree, and wiped her tears away, -saying: - -"I will be sensible; I will forget him, too; I will imitate him!--Ah! -you were right, Ambroisine, his letter contained nothing but falsehoods; -for he told me that he would die rather than cease to love me. Yes, it -was nothing but lies, false oaths--so I never want to read it again; you -may burn that letter, which deceived me so, you may destroy it; I must -not keep anything to remind me of that--that fatal meeting." - -"What you say is very wise, my dear child; yes, I will burn his letter -this very day--as soon as I go home.--Ah! he well deserves to be -roasted, too, the villain! who has caused my poor Bathilde so much -misery!" - -"Oh, no! you must not wish him ill, Ambroisine! On the contrary, I wish -that he may be happy! And when I pray, I will beseech God to watch over -him too, and to give him every felicity!" - -"Upon my word! you are too kind! But heaven will take pity on you; and -before long, I am sure, it will have banished from your memory, from -your heart, everything that can possibly recall that seducer! If you -could come to see me--if you could go out a little to divert your -thoughts.--But, no! no! that would be dangerous; he might be on the -watch for you and follow you again! I will come here; I will come -whenever I have a moment to myself. I would have liked to bring my -other friend with me,--Miretta, the girl I have spoken to you about; she -is very agreeable, and she has so many interesting things to tell about -Italy! But she never comes to see me, except in the evening; and father -will not let me go out after dark, because there is a very dangerous -brigand in Paris who attacks everybody, and whom they cannot succeed in -arresting. So that many people declare that he is not a natural person -at all, that he has dealings with the devil! Indeed, there are some who -say that this Giovanni is the devil in person! As if that was not -absurd! Why should the devil amuse himself robbing and stripping people -in the streets?--But my friend Miretta is no coward, I tell you. She -isn't afraid of the brigand, for she sometimes stays at our house quite -late; and when father hasn't gone out to drink with the neighbors, he -always offers to take Miretta home to the Hôtel de Mongarcin, but she -will never accept anybody's escort. Several times father has said to -her: 'Beware! you will fall in with Giovanni, and he will attack -you!'--But she simply shakes her head and replies: 'I am not afraid of -robbers.'--I am not very timid myself; but I confess that I haven't as -much courage as Miretta, that I would not dare to go out alone so late, -especially as they say that this Giovanni is horrible to look at. It -seems that his head is all covered with bristling black hair like a wild -beast, and that he has a beard that reaches to his breast.--He must be a -frightful creature, mustn't he?" - -Bathilde, who had ceased to listen when her friend no longer spoke of -Léodgard, answered with a sigh: - -"Look you, Ambroisine, I have been reflecting. You must not burn his -letter; I prefer to keep it, because it is a proof--because it shows -that men tell us things that they don't mean! Oh, no! you must not burn -it, but you must give it back to me, after a while, when I can read it -without danger, you know!" - -Ambroisine shrugged her shoulders; and finding that it was useless to -try to divert Bathilde's thoughts, she decided to leave her. - -"Very well," she said; "I will not burn that wicked letter, since you -wish to treasure it!--Adieu! you no longer listen to my words of -consolation, but I trust that time will have more power than I have." - -And the _belle baigneuse_ took her leave. - -It was midnight; the hour which it is said that lovers and burglars -select for their enterprises. - -Everything was quiet in Landry's house; it was the hour of repose. But -one does not sleep at eighteen, when one's heart is torn by the torments -and pangs of love. - -Bathilde was in her room; she had risen because it was impossible for -her to find rest on her solitary couch; she opened her window, which -looked on the yard, and after standing there for a moment left it -because there was no air; only that which came from the street could do -her any good. - -Suddenly the girl remembered her rosebush, which she had neglected for a -week; she thought that it must be dying for lack of water, or that it -must at least be very sickly; and taking her lamp, which was still -burning on the table, she softly opened her door and went to the linen -closet, delighted to have found a pretext for going out on the balcony. - -Bathilde placed her lamp in a corner, then opened the window without -noise, and in a moment was on the balcony, beside the rosebush. But -instead of examining the plant, she gazed into the darkness that -surrounded her. - -The street was dark and seemed entirely deserted. Now and then she could -hear shouts in the distance and shrill whistles that seemed to answer -one another--signals far from reassuring to the belated bourgeois, who -quickened his pace as he hurried homeward preceded by a hired -torchbearer. - -At other moments the silence of the night was disturbed by the songs of -students and pages, assembled to make an uproar and break windows. - -But these lasted only an instant, then everything became quiet once -more. - -The girl could see nothing in the dark street; there was no moon to -dissipate the gloom; and yet, she could not make up her mind to leave -the balcony. She felt better there; it seemed to her almost as if she -were with him of whom she thought constantly. - -Suddenly she heard her name; the voice came from beneath the balcony. -She shuddered, but not with fear; she listened--her name was called -again. The voice was soft and supplicating. - -"Who is there?" faltered Bathilde. - -"He who thinks only of you, who cannot exist without you!" - -"Oh! that is not true, monsieur; for you have not been here for four -days, you have not even tried to see me; therefore, you no longer think -of me!" - -"Oh! you were so cruel, Bathilde! Not a word in reply to my letter; but, -instead of that, you ceased to come out, you no longer appeared on the -balcony!--Yes, I tried to forget you, to return here no more! But that -was impossible; my love is stronger than your disdain!" - -"Ah! if that were true! But, no, I must not believe you! You seduce all -the women--Ambroisine told me so." - -"Ambroisine simply repeats what she hears. Ought you to give credit to -the assertions of people who do not know me? Dear Bathilde, you should -believe your heart alone, for the heart never deceives." - -"But I must not listen to you, for you are a great noble and I am only a -poor girl." - -"You are an angel! and angels so rarely appear on earth!" - -"Ambroisine told me that you were making sport of me when you swore that -I should be your wife!" - -"Why have you more confidence in another person's word than in my oaths, -Bathilde?" - -"Ah! I should be very happy if I could believe you!" - -"You restore my hope, my life!" - -"O mon Dieu! I think I hear my father coughing! adieu! fly!" - -Bathilde hurriedly left the balcony, closed the window, took her lamp, -and returned to her room, without giving a thought to the poor rosebush, -which was the pretext of her nocturnal venture. We are ungrateful -creatures; in our happiness, we forget all those to whom we owe it. - -And Bathilde was so happy now! he still loved her, he had not for one -instant ceased to think of her! His tender oaths intoxicated her heart -with joy and love. The love that possessed her was so true, so pure, so -sincere, that she no longer felt strong enough to contend against it. - -Léodgard went his way no less happy than she; being perfectly certain -now of her love, he had but one thought: to possess her person whose -heart was already his; and with the young count it was a short interval -between the desire and its gratification. - -The next night, about half-past eleven, Léodgard was in front of -Landry's house. He listened attentively; everything was quiet; not a -light was to be seen, and the night was as dark as the preceding one. - -But the young count was well acquainted with the position of the -balcony, and he had measured its height from the ground beforehand. -Taking from beneath his cloak a short silk ladder to which a strong -iron hook was attached, he dexterously threw the hook over the balcony -rail, satisfied himself that it was firm, then climbed the ladder with -the agility of a squirrel, stepped onto the balcony, drew up the ladder, -and softly opened the window. On the preceding night, Bathilde in her -haste had closed the window without fastening it, so that everything -favored Léodgard's audacious enterprise. - -But although he was in the linen closet, he must still find the girl's -bedroom. He opened the door, stepped into the hall, and cautiously felt -his way along, stopping frequently to listen. Something told him that -Bathilde herself would point out the direction he must follow. - -And so it proved; he heard a sweet voice singing an old villanelle with -a slow and melancholy refrain. - -Léodgard walked in the direction from which the sound came, and soon -spied a light shining through the crack of a door not entirely closed. - -It was Bathilde's bedroom. - -Suddenly she saw the door open and Léodgard appear before her; she -screamed, but her lover fell at her feet; she tried to fly from him, but -he already held her in his arms. - -Poor Bathilde! she loved him too dearly to be capable of defending -herself. - -The next morning her rosebush was dead. - - * * * * * - -Let us allow two months to elapse, during which the lovers rarely passed -a night without meeting. The silk ladder remained in Bathilde's room, -and she herself fastened it to the balcony at the hour agreed upon with -Léodgard, who no longer appeared in the morning in front of Master -Landry's abode. - -Thus the lovers were able to enjoy their happiness in peace; no one was -in their confidence, therefore they feared no treachery. - -Ambroisine had come more than once to see her friend, and had asked her -if she was beginning to be consoled, to forget Comte Léodgard. And -Bathilde had lied; for her lover had told her that their liaison must be -kept a profound secret until the time when he could mention it to her -father; and to obey Léodgard, Bathilde had pretended, in answer to her -friend, to be cured of her love. - -But at the end of the two months which had passed so swiftly for -Bathilde, a message arrived for Landry: he learned that his wife, having -finished her litigation at last and received the amount of her -inheritance, was returning to Paris, and that she would arrive in two -days. - -The thought that she was about to stand once more in her mother's -presence made the guilty girl tremble; it seemed to her that her mother -would read her shame on her forehead; and on the night following the -receipt of the news, being with her lover, she looked up at him with her -eyes full of tears, and said: - -"Save me! My mother will be here to-morrow! If she learns of my fault, I -shall be undone! Oh! I implore you, delay no longer! Ask my father for -my hand; avow your love to him, so that I may be your wife, so that I -may love you without blushing! Otherwise, my mother will find a way to -prevent me from seeing you; and I shall die of shame and grief -combined!" - -Léodgard tried to allay Bathilde's terror and grief; he did not seem -deeply afflicted to learn that Dame Ragonde's return would put an end to -those pleasant nocturnal meetings. But for two months he had had nothing -more to wish for, and he was only waiting for an opportunity to break -off an intrigue in which he had obtained all that he sought. - -However, he concealed what was taking place in his mind from the girl, -who wept bitterly; he pretended to share her chagrin; he was most lavish -of oaths and promises, and swore that before long they would meet to -part no more. - -The next day Dame Ragonde returned home, bringing the funds which she -destined for her daughter's marriage portion. - - - - -XXIII - -THE HÔTEL DE MONGARCIN - - -It was the morrow of a grand reception given at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin,--a function which had brought together the most noble dames -and the gentlemen of the first families of France then residing in the -capital. - -Madame de Ravenelle and her niece had done the honors of the fête; but -Valentine especially had displayed that grace and refinement of manner -which made her a noteworthy figure everywhere. - -It was she who had conceived the idea of giving a reception; and her -aunt had consented, but on condition that her niece should take it upon -herself to arrange and manage everything. - -The guests had conversed; they had played lansquenet, brelan, primero, -dice, and other fashionable games; they had danced sarabands, -_passe-pieds, branles_, and all the dances then in vogue. In fact, -everybody had seemed delighted with the evening's entertainment, and had -lavished compliments upon Valentine and Madame de Ravenelle, -congratulating the latter upon having a niece who did the honors of her -house so gracefully. - -And as the givers of a large party are usually very tired on the -following day, the old aunt was stretched out on a reclining chair, -from which she did not stir; while Valentine sat on a sofa, with her -feet on a soft hassock, holding in her hands a piece of embroidery upon -which she was not working. - -"Are you asleep, aunt?" inquired Valentine, after a very long silence. - -"I think not, niece; at all events, if I had been, your question would -have waked me!" - -"Oh! I see that you were not asleep at all.--Our reception last night -was very brilliant, was it not?" - -"If it is to ask me that that you interfere with my doze----" - -"No; I wanted to ask you also if you noticed that all those whom we -invited came?" - -"All! do you think so?" - -"Yes, aunt, with the exception of a single one.--Oh! I am quite sure -that you noticed that, too." - -"It is true," said Madame de Ravenelle, partly rising, "that the young -Comte de Marvejols did not come." - -"He is the one I mean. I trust that now you will not give another -thought to my marrying this gentleman, who shows--I will not say so -little zeal, for he has shown zeal in avoiding me!--but who is almost -discourteous to us!" - -"But, Valentine, young Léodgard's father, the Marquis de Marvejols, -accepted our invitation; he apologized for his son and said that -fatigue, an attack of fever, kept him at home." - -"Of course you do not suppose that I believe a word of that! Fatigue! -fever! If he were ill, would his father have come to our party?" - -"He may be only indisposed; the marquis, his father, was delightfully -amiable with me! He is a man of the old school; he stands very well at -court; it is said that the king is much attached to him, and that the -cardinal himself has the highest esteem for Monsieur de Marvejols." - -"Mon Dieu! aunt, I have never ventured to doubt any of monsieur le -marquis's estimable qualities, although his manner seems to me rather -stern than amiable. That he stands very well at court is possible; but -that does not make it any the less true that his son will never be my -husband. Upon my word! fancy my taking for my husband a man who despises -me!" - -"Oh! my dear niece!" - -"Why, my dear aunt, since this gentleman does not deign to take the -trouble to pay court to me, since he even avoids my society, does it not -mean that he disdains an alliance with me?" - -"Have you heard of his paying court to any other woman? No!--If you -could name some nobly born person, some _grande dame_, whose assiduous -attendant he was, I could understand your irritation. But young Léodgard -goes most rarely into society; he likes those parties of young men, -where they gamble and drink and fight and raise the deuce with -passers-by.--Mon Dieu! niece, such amusements have been indulged in by -many young men of illustrious birth. Why, some even go so far as to say -that one of our kings took great pleasure in going out at night with his -favorites, his _mignons_, and that they used to steal cloaks from the -people they met!" - -"Oh! aunt! do you approve of that?" - -"No, surely not! But I simply mean to say that young Léodgard may be -only a heedless youth, who dreads the moment when he must marry; because -he knows that then he will have to reform, to change his mode of life -altogether and live in a circle where he must maintain his rank -worthily." - -Valentine made no reply. - -A few moments later she rang, and said to Madame de Ravenelle: - -"I am going to tell Miretta to finish this tapestry; the work tires me, -and the little Béarnaise does it so beautifully!--She did that corner, -and it's much better than I can do. She is running over with talent, -that girl--she has excellent taste in everything; she trims a cap with -marvellous skill!--Will you allow her to work here, aunt, on my stool? -We shall not have any visitors to-day." - -The old lady confined herself to a nod of assent. - -Miretta entered the salon. - -"Come here, Miretta," said Valentine, pointing to the stool; "sit here, -and work on my embroidery; this work bores me; in any event, I am in no -mood to hold a needle this morning; I am tired. Sit down. Are you -comfortable?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle." - -"Don't hurry, work at your ease; this foot rest is not needed at -present.--Did you see everybody last night, Miretta?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I helped the ladies to take off their cloaks and -mantles and shawls in the small reception room." - -"Ah! to be sure. There were some very pretty ladies, were there not?" - -"Oh, yes! but----" - -"Well! finish." - -"Mademoiselle will think that I mean to pay her a compliment; but I am -not given to flattery--I say just what I think." - -"Well, say it; what do you think?" - -"That mademoiselle was the most beautiful of all the ladies, married or -single, who were at the house last evening." - -"Really? Why, that is very prettily said.--Do you hear what Miretta says -to me, aunt?" - -Madame de Ravenelle did not reply, but they heard a sound as of -prolonged breathing. - -"Ah! my aunt is asleep this time," continued Valentine; "so much the -better; we can talk more freely; but we will speak a little -lower.--Well! my poor Miretta, so you consider me beautiful enough to -carry the day over many other women. Several gentlemen told me last -night what you have just told me. I received a multitude of compliments, -attentions, even declarations! I am well aware that I must look upon -them as the little courtesies which it is customary to address to -ladies, but, after all, I know also that I am not ugly! And, -nevertheless, there is one young man who does not choose to see me, for -fear that he may be obliged to show me a little attention." - -"Oh! that is most surprising, mademoiselle; unless, indeed, this young -noble has some other passion in his heart!" - -"That is what I thought, myself; but I am told that it is not so!" - -"But can anyone know such things?" - -"Oh! you are right, Miretta; is it possible to know the secrets of the -heart? But look you, Miretta: I am very sure of one thing--that is, that -you love someone!" - -"I, mademoiselle?" replied the girl, blushing. - -"Yes, yes! you! Come, tell me the secrets of your heart; since you have -been in my service, I have watched you closely; in the first place, you -are not light-hearted and merry, as a girl should be; you sigh very -often; and when you think that you are not observed, you raise your eyes -to heaven as if in entreaty--for whom? Ah! it can only be for the man -whom one loves that one addresses such eloquent glances to heaven! Am I -wrong, Miretta? have you not in your heart a love which makes you -unhappy? Come, confess it!" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, you are not mistaken; it is true that my heart -is--is no longer mine." - -"Ah! I was perfectly sure of it; but then the man whom you love so -dearly does not reciprocate, since you sigh so much?" - -"I beg pardon, mademoiselle; the man I love does return my love." - -"Then why are you sad so often? Perhaps it is because there are -obstacles; you are not allowed to see each other, you are forbidden to -love." - -"There are many obstacles, mademoiselle, in truth, and I meet him very -rarely." - -"But he is in Paris, is he?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle." - -"And it was to join him that you came hither, I will warrant." - -"That is true, mademoiselle." - -"See what a power of divination I possess! But what does your lover do? -Is he not free? Are you not able to marry?" - -Miretta lowered her eyes, her bosom heaved painfully, the pallor of -deadly alarm overspread her brow. - -"Well! I see that I make you unhappy!" continued Valentine; "let us say -no more about it. But still, you do see your lover sometimes, and then -you are very happy. Oh! when that happens, I can detect it by your -face; you are no longer the same girl that you were the day before; you -smile and are almost gay. Because, as I believe it is as difficult to -conceal one's happiness as one's suffering.--For my part, I have no love -for the man they would like me to marry; no, indeed! I have not the -slightest love for him, although he is a very well-favored young man." - -"Ah! do you know him, mademoiselle?" - -"Very little; I have seen him once or twice in society. He is the son of -that old nobleman who was here last night--that tall, thin man with a -severe expression, dressed all in black, in the style of the time of -Henri IV, with a ruff that concealed his chin--the Marquis de Marvejols, -in fact." - -"The Marquis de Marvejols! Is it his son whom you are expected to marry, -mademoiselle?" - -"To be sure! why that exclamation?" - -"Because, last night I was in the main vestibule when that old gentleman -arrived." - -"Well! what then?" - -"All your servants were there, and also a clerk from the office of your -aunt's solicitor, who had come to give her some information about some -business--a debt due her, or something else, I don't know what! But, as -you may imagine, they told the little clerk--for he is a very small -fellow--they told him that there was a grand reception going on, and -that madame could not receive him." - -"What relation has all this to the old Marquis de Marvejols?" - -"Why, mademoiselle, when Monsieur Bahuchet--that is the little clerk's -name--when he found that he could not be received, he put his papers in -his pocket, saying: 'Very well; I will return to-morrow.'--But, instead -of going away at once, as the guests were arriving, he remained a long -while in the vestibule, talking with the major-domo and the servants. He -is a great gossip, but he is amusing; for he made comments on everybody -who arrived, and I assure you, mademoiselle, that sometimes he said some -very comical things.--So, when this old gentleman arrived, and the -servant announced Monsieur le Marquis de Marvejols, the little clerk -cried: - -"'Ah! I know that nobleman, and his son too. He had a pretty little pile -of debts, had the son; but the father paid them all some time ago; it -was my master, my solicitor, who called the creditors together. Comte -Léodgard promised to reform, but he doesn't reform; he is beginning to -run in debt again; and then, he's a great fellow for midnight intrigues! -I'll wager that he won't come here to-night; he is too fully occupied -elsewhere!'" - -"The clerk said that?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I was quite near him and I heard him plainly." - -"Well! what else did he say? go on!" - -"He said nothing more on that subject, mademoiselle; for other persons -arrived, and he had comments to make on them. It seems that that young -man knows all Paris; but nothing more was said about the son of Monsieur -le Marquis de Marvejols." - -"What a pity! I should be so glad to know something more; and it is very -probable that this clerk--what did you call him?" - -"Bahuchet, mademoiselle; a bit of a man, not so tall as I am, and with a -most original face!" - -"This Monsieur Bahuchet must know more; and as he is so talkative, if -one had an opportunity to question him----" - -At that moment the door of the salon opened, and a servant appeared and -said: - -"The clerk from the office of madame's solicitor, who came last evening, -wishes to know if he may speak to Madame de Ravenelle." - -"Oh, yes! yes!" cried Valentine, jumping for joy. "Let him come in; he -could not come more opportunely!" - -"Eh! mon Dieu! what is it? why this noise, these cries?" demanded the -old lady, rudely awakened from her nap. "What is the matter, Valentine?" - -"Your solicitor's clerk wishes to speak with you, aunt." - -"And that is your reason for shrieking so! Let them send the clerk away; -I do not care to attend to any business to-day, I am too tired." - -"But, aunt, he came last night; and then, if you knew--he will tell us -some very interesting things about the young Comte de Marvejols." - -"What! my solicitor?" - -"His clerk. I beg you, my dear aunt, let me question him; do not you -take the trouble to speak, if it tires you; I will speak for you." - -Madame de Ravenelle threw herself back in her reclining chair, and at -the same instant Monsieur Bahuchet was ushered into the presence of the -ladies. - - - - -XXIV - -THE WHITE PLUME - - -At sight of that young man of four feet eight, with his enormous head, -his huge mouth, his gaping nostrils, and, with all the rest, a -self-assured and pretentious air which bordered closely upon -impertinence, Valentine turned her head away in order not to laugh in -his face. - -Bahuchet took four steps into the salon, then made two very low -reverences, one to Madame de Ravenelle, the other to her niece. As for -Miretta, he simply bestowed a patronizing smile upon her, as if to say: - -"I know you, my dear; I know that you are the lady's-maid." - -"What do you want with me, monsieur?" inquired the old lady, without -moving. - -"Madame, I am sent hither by my employer, Maître Pierre-Guillaume -Bourdinard, your solicitor before the courts, and am instructed to -inform you, on the part of said Bourdinard, that Sieur Benoît-Gervais -Cocatrix, your tenant and debtor, now occupying your property on Rue des -Lions-Saint-Paul, has not yet paid his rent for the current term, or for -previous terms since he has occupied the said property, albeit we have -duly and frequently served upon him notices and citations on stamped -paper, which citations, engrossed by your humble servant, Nicolas -Bahuchet, should be paid for by the debtor, who, however----" - -"Enough! enough!" said the old lady, motioning to the little clerk to -hold his peace; "you drive me mad with your pettifogger's jargon. Come -to the point, if you please; has my tenant paid his rent?" - -"I was proceeding to certify the contrary by my peroration, if madame -had allowed me to finish.--I continue: And Maître Bourdinard, my worthy -employer, having to no purpose threatened your tenant, desires to know -whether he shall grant him still more time, or shall force him to vacate -the premises _ex abrupto_." - -"How now, monsieur! Are you talking Latin to me? Do you imagine that by -any chance I can understand it? Let my solicitor procure my money for -me; he may employ whatever method he chooses--that is his affair. But I -do not choose to be pestered any more with this business; that, I trust, -is understood." - -"Perfectly, madame; your orders shall be carried out. I will transmit -them to Maître Bourdinard personally, as I now have the honor to speak -with you, and the law will take its course. _Dixi!_ Whereupon I have the -honor----" - -And the little clerk was already preparing to take his leave, when -Valentine said to him: - -"One moment, monsieur; I have a question or two--some information to -request from you. But I would be very glad if, in answering me, you -would employ neither Latin nor the phraseology of the courtroom." - -"Oh! with pleasure, mademoiselle; now that my employer's errand is done, -I become once more a jovial Basochian, master of his acts and his -tongue. But when we are performing our duties as clerk, we must needs -adopt the manner and language of the office. Moreover, it is always well -to show that one has education! That is what I constantly tell Plumard, -who thinks of nothing but finding pomades to make his hair grow. Plumard -is my fellow clerk, but he is bald and----" - -"I do not desire to speak to you of your fellow clerk Plumard, monsieur; -but last evening you made comments in a loud tone upon a large number of -persons who came to our reception." - -"That is quite possible, mademoiselle; comments of no consequence. One -must talk and laugh a bit, and show that one has conversational -powers." - -"All your comments were not without consequence, monsieur; especially -those in which you indulged concerning the son of Monsieur le Marquis de -Marvejols." - -"Concerning the marquis's son? Ah, yes! Monsieur le Comte Léodgard; what -did I say about him?--In the first place, I do not know him personally; -I have never seen him except at a distance; I may have repeated what -everybody says: that he was in debt; that his father paid fifty thousand -livres for him lately! That is true, for Maître Bourdinard, my employer, -called the creditors together in his office, in order to obtain the best -conditions and the greatest possible abatement." - -"That is not all; you added that Comte Léodgard certainly would not come -to our reception.--What made you think so, monsieur?" - -Bahuchet smiled cunningly, scratched his forehead, and shifted from one -leg to the other like a canary; he seemed to hesitate before replying, -and looked now at the old lady, now at her niece, and again at Miretta. - -"Well, monsieur, did you not hear my question?" added Mademoiselle de -Mongarcin impatiently, and in an imperious tone. - -"I beg your pardon, mademoiselle, I heard you perfectly; but there are -some things which we young clerks of the Basoche say to one another, or -when talking with the common people, which we should not dare to say to -a young lady of noble birth." - -"Since you have had a good education, monsieur, you should be able to -use suitable terms in which to state a fact, and to refrain from saying -anything that can offend my ears. So much the worse for you, if you -cannot find a way to express yourself becomingly." - -Bahuchet's self-esteem was stung to the quick; Valentine had hit upon -the way to make him speak. He rested the hand in which he held his hat -on his hip, and, striking an attitude like an advocate, said: - -"Mademoiselle, I am very well able to express myself, and to select my -words according to my audience. Thank heaven, I have fitted myself for -the profession! My parents were poor, but poverty is not a vice! I do -not know who it was that dared to say: 'It is something much worse!' but -I do not share his opinion. Ignorance is a vice, and so is stupidity! -Wealth does not always go hand in hand with merit! On the contrary, it -seems to take pleasure in sneering at it!--Homer, poor and blind, -wandered through the streets and public squares, reciting verses to -obtain a crust of bread. Plautus, that original, satirical comic poet, -turned the wheel of a mill for his livelihood. Agrippa died in the -hospital. And it is said that the illustrious author of _Don Quixote_, -Miguel Cervantes, died of want. Tasso was often reduced to the necessity -of borrowing a crown." - -"Mon Dieu! will he never be done?" said Valentine, turning to Miretta; -"I am sure that my aunt has fallen asleep again." - -The little clerk, observing that the beautiful young lady paid no -attention to him, decided to return to the subject upon which she had -questioned him. - -"Pardon me, mademoiselle; I allow myself to be led astray by my -schoolboy reminiscences. I return to the question which you did me the -honor to ask me. I did say, it is true, that I believed Monsieur le -Comte Léodgard to be too much engrossed by new intrigues at this moment -to have time to come to your fête. My reason for saying that was that I -have a friend--that is to say, a confrère--or a friend, no matter -which!--one Plumard, who is bald already, at twenty-six! That is rather -early to be bald!--Now, Plumard lives on Rue Dauphine--a small room -under the eaves. And a few days ago we were leaning out of his window, -looking into the street, and I recognized the young Comte de Marvejols -walking back and forth and watching, out of the corner of his eye, the -house of a bath keeper, who it seems has a charming daughter, a model of -grace, beauty, and innocence. The parents never allow this enchanting -creature to go out; the mother especially watches her with the greatest -care. But Plumard said to me, laughingly: 'That young gentleman comes -prowling about the house every day--he even comes in the evening! and it -is probable that he comes late at night! He surely must have seen the -bath keeper's daughter, and it is on her account that he passes his time -in this quarter.'" - -"A bath keeper's daughter!" exclaimed Valentine, with a disdainful air. -"Is it possible that the son of the Marquis de Marvejols forgets himself -to such a degree as to address his sighs to one so far beneath him!" - -"But if the little one is a model of beauty, as they say," murmured the -undersized clerk, "that causes much to be overlooked!" - -"You know a bath keeper's daughter, Miretta; you go to see her -sometimes, do you not? Can it be the same one?" - -"No, mademoiselle; the one I know is very good-looking too, but she -lives on Rue Saint-Jacques; she lost her mother long ago." - -"I know whom you mean!" cried Bahuchet; "you mean Ambroisine, whom they -call La Belle Baigneuse. Ah! she's a very handsome girl--tall and well -built! She is Master Hugonnet's daughter, whose baths are very -popular.--Oh! I know her; I know all Paris, I do! But she isn't the one -in question, for my friend Plumard--his name ought to be _Plumé_ -[plucked], for before long he will not have three hairs on his scalp---- -But, no matter; Plumard told me about the daughter of his neighbor, the -bath keeper on Rue Dauphine. His name is Landry; he is an old soldier, -who will not look on it as a joke if he learns that a gallant is making -love to his daughter, whatever the gallant's name and rank may be!" - -"And--was it long ago, monsieur, that you had this conversation at your -friend's window on Rue Dauphine?" - -"About six weeks, mademoiselle." - -"Have you seen your friend again since? Has he told you anything more -concerning Monsieur Léodgard de Marvejols's love affairs?" - -"I have seen Plumard very often since. We sometimes dine together at the -cook shop. A few days, or rather a few nights ago, I escorted my comrade -home; it was very late, almost midnight; we had been singing and playing -cards and drinking a long, long while, and Plumard, who is not over -brave, was afraid to go home alone. He was in dread of falling in with -Giovanni the robber--the famous Italian brigand whom our archers, our -arquebusiers, our watch, in fact, all our soldiery, have not succeeded -in catching. They are not shrewd. To secure that villain's arrest, I -shall have to take a hand in it. But I will show them how to catch him. -I know how they must go to work to do it, and----" - -"You will have Giovanni arrested?" cried Miretta, whose face had turned -deathly pale. - -"Well, well! what has happened to you, child?" said Valentine, almost -alarmed by her maid's abrupt exclamation. "Mon Dieu! how excited you -are!" - -"I beg pardon, mademoiselle; excuse me; but monsieur said that he knew -how they could arrest this Italian--this Giovanni." - -"How does that concern you? You do not seem to be afraid of him, for you -never go out except at night, and you come home quite late, so Béatrix -tells me." - -"That is true, mademoiselle; but, for all that, I would like to -know----" - -"But I wish to know what concerns Monsieur Léodgard. I am not at all -interested in this famous robber.--For heaven's sake, Monsieur Bahuchet, -go on. You were taking your friend Plumard home, to Rue Dauphine." - -"Yes, mademoiselle; we were walking quietly along, arm in arm, talking -together, and he was assuring me that he had discovered three more hairs -on his head since the night before, and he attributed that capillary -recrudescence to some grease made from a man who had been hanged, which -an old woman had presented to him." - -"Ah! monsieur, you abuse my patience!" - -"A thousand pardons, mademoiselle! I continue.--About a hundred yards -from the bath keeper's house, Plumard stopped and squeezed my arm. - -"'What is it?' I asked, without wincing. 'I am not afraid of anything; I -am as brave as a lion. What did you see, Plumard?' - -"'What I saw,' he replied, 'was a man climbing into a window on the -first floor of yonder house.' - -"And he pointed to Master Landry's house. - -"'Let us hurry,' said I; 'we must make sure of the fact.' - -"And I pulled Plumard along by the arm; but he did not go any more -quickly for that. When we drew near the window in question, at which -there is a balcony, we thought that we saw a rope, or a rope ladder, -which someone hastily drew up. When we were in front of the house, we -saw nothing.--Was it a lover? was it a thief?--I recalled Comte -Léodgard's watches in front of the bathing establishment, and I said to -Plumard: - -"'This must be the sequel of what we saw from your window.' - -"But Plumard, who sees thieves everywhere, did not agree with me; he -wanted to call the watch and the neighbors; but, happening to glance at -my feet, directly beneath the balcony, I saw something white on the -ground. I stooped, and picked up a beautiful white plume, like those -with which our young seigneurs adorn their hats. Then I remembered that -Comte Léodgard had one of them on his hat, and I said to my friend, -showing him the plume: - -"'Look! here is something that our climber lost on the way. Thieves -don't wear such plumes as this on their nocturnal expeditions; so this -is some lovers' affair. Let us leave them in peace; go home to bed and -stop trembling.' - -"Thereupon I left Plumard at his door and went home." - -"And the plume that you found?" - -"I carried it home with me, and I still have it; it's a very fine one! -too fine for me to wear it, with my modest clothes. But no one knows; if -I should have a handsome cloak and rich doublet some day, and a velvet -cap, why, the plume would go very well with all those things!" - -Valentine seemed to reflect; she glanced at her aunt, who was sound -asleep, then continued, taking care to speak in a low tone: - -"Is that all you know concerning Monsieur Léodgard?" - -"No, indeed! Oh! I have not emptied my bag yet, as my employer says. -Mademoiselle must know that I have a relation who lives near Vincennes; -he is a simple farmer; he has a little cottage with a sizable piece of -land, where he grows vegetables and fruit, which he brings to Paris to -sell. Thomas's cottage--Thomas is my kinsman's name--is in a very lonely -spot, just this side of the village and château of Vincennes. Ah! how -frightened Plumard would be there! so when I suggest to him to go to -Thomas's with me, he always refuses; and yet, my relative has a very -nice little wine.--But to come to my story: when you leave our quarter -of the Cité, you have to cross Pont Saint-Louis, otherwise called the -Pont-aux-Choux. And that is a very dangerous place, especially at this -time, for it is the favorite resort of Giovanni, the robber whom I -mentioned just now. I am confident that he has his lair in the -neighborhood. About five days ago, no more, Thomas's ass was stolen on -the Pont-aux-Choux; he did not see the robber, therefore it was -Giovanni. Also, an old peasant woman of Vincennes was found murdered -within fifty yards of that infernal bridge; that too was done by that -damned brigand!" - -"No, monsieur, no; that is not true!" cried Miretta. "Giovanni did not -murder that woman! it is impossible!" - -"And why is it impossible, I pray to know, young lady's-maid?" demanded -Bahuchet, staring at the girl in amazement. - -Miretta tried to dissemble her emotion as she replied: - -"Why, because I have been assured--I have heard everybody say that -Giovanni never sheds blood, that no one had ever been injured by him!" - -"Really, my pretty child! And why do they not also say that when he -pillages travellers, the brigand gives them sweetmeats and preserves to -make up to them for the money he steals? What an absurd idea--that a man -who attacks with arms in his hand does not use his arms when he is -resisted! But there are people who delight to tell such foolish tales, -and who pretend to know everything better than anybody else.--I would -just like to have a hundred men, well armed; I would lie in ambush under -the Pont-aux-Choux, and within a week I would have captured, hanged, or -shot the famous Giovanni!" - -"Ah! so that is how you expect to capture him?" muttered Miretta in a -trembling voice, gazing at the little man with eyes that flashed fire. - -"It seems to me to be very easy; when you know almost the spot where a -bird has its nest, you can find it. But I beg pardon, mademoiselle; I -see that you consider me too talkative.--I was saying that Thomas's -cottage is isolated; but within about three gunshots of it, toward -Paris, there is a very pretty place, a very elegant sort of pavilion, -which belongs now, I believe, to the Baron de Montrevert, but which -formerly belonged to Comte Léodgard, who lost it at cards. This pavilion -is what our seigneurs of the court call a _petite maison_, a place to -which they go to enjoy themselves in secret, to which they take their -mistresses or courtesans; and the young count----" - -"Enough, monsieur, enough!" said Valentine, with a glance at the young -man which cut him short. "This does not interest me. That the Comte de -Marvejols should ruin himself like a gentleman, that he should commit a -thousand follies--fight, drink too much, run in debt--all that I can -understand! But that he should fall in love with a bath keeper's -daughter, that that passion should keep him away from the world--that is -what seems inconceivable to me!--But this plume that you found--are you -willing to give it to me?" - -Bahuchet rubbed his chin, assumed his mocking expression, and said at -last: - -"Give it to you, mademoiselle?--You are most worthy of it, certainly, -but I have tried it on my hood, and it was not unbecoming to me; on the -word of a Basochian, it made me quite the dandy! Ha! ha!" - -"Not so loud, monsieur; you will wake my aunt!" - -"Ah! to be sure; the honorable and venerable lady is taking a nap." - -"When I ask you for this plume, which is of some value doubtless, I do -not mean to suggest, monsieur, that you should make me a present of it; -and I will beg you to accept this purse in exchange, not as the price of -what I ask of you, but as a souvenir of me." - -The little clerk hastily cast a furtive glance at the pretty velvet -purse, which was not unlike an alms purse, and from which issued a sound -very pleasant to his ear. He bowed to the floor before the noble maiden, -and, almost kneeling, took the purse from her hand. - -"I accept this in obedience to you, mademoiselle," he said; "to-morrow -you shall have the plume. I am too happy to be able to do anything that -is agreeable to you!" - -"Very well, monsieur; now, leave us." - -Bahuchet bowed once more, then smiled at Miretta, who answered his smile -by a wrathful glance. But the little clerk hurried from the room and the -house, paying no heed to the young lady's-maid's threatening expression. -He was no sooner in the street than he opened the purse and found four -gold pieces inside. - -Thereupon he shouted for joy, tossed his cap in the air, bumped against -the passers-by, and finally ran off at full speed, crying: - -"O Plumard! I say, Plumard! where are you? I have got enough to buy you -a wig! but I won't buy it!" - - - - -XXV - -THE MAN WITH FIVE FACES - - -When the messenger from her aunt's solicitor had gone, Valentine rose -noiselessly and beckoned to her maid to follow her. They soon reached -Mademoiselle de Mongarcin's bedroom, and the latter, after bidding -Miretta to lock the door, said to her: - -"We can talk more at ease here, Miretta. I do not know how to tell you -what is taking place in my heart. I am chagrined, angry, almost furious. -And yet, I do not love this Léodgard; but I would be glad to make sure -that that youth has not been telling us a parcel of lies.--Miretta, you -must help me to discover the truth; you are in my service to do whatever -I wish; you will help me, will you not?" - -"I am devoted to you, mademoiselle, and you may rely upon me." - -"Good! good! Oh! I will reward you handsomely, I promise you!" - -"Do not speak of rewards, mademoiselle; I am in need of nothing; you are -too kind to me now; I shall be happy to prove to you that I am not -ungrateful." - -"You are not moved by selfish motives, I have noticed that already; you -are not an ordinary lady's-maid; besides, you love, you adore your -lover. Therefore, you will understand me.--The Comte de Marvejols, the -man whom my friends have selected for my husband, make love to a bath -keeper's daughter! pass all his time with her! and, to be with her, -refuse to attend balls and receptions! Oh! I cannot believe it yet; but -if it is so, you will agree that I shall be justified in refusing him, -in spurning that alliance; and if anyone should ask me for my reasons, -how sweet it would be to me to avenge myself by revealing the noble -conduct, the honorable love affairs of Comte Léodgard! that fashionable -nobleman, that soul of honor, that gentleman of the court of Louis XIII! -A noble gentleman, on my word! who does not shrink from marring his -escutcheon!--Oh! I don't know what is the matter with me! Give me water; -give me that phial of salts! I need to inhale it a moment." - -Miretta zealously waited upon her young mistress, whose nerves were in a -state of high tension because her self-esteem was humiliated and she -could not endure the thought that a bath keeper's daughter had prevented -her destined husband from accepting her invitation. - -At last, when she had become somewhat calmer, Valentine sat for some -time deep in thought. Miretta awaited in silence the commands of the -nobly born heiress, who already felt that she hated the plebeian maiden -whom she did not know. - -"You are not timid, Miretta; you must be brave, since you are not afraid -to go out alone at night, here in Paris, which is said to be such a -dangerous place.--Well! you must go to Rue Dauphine, you must see this -girl, this wonderful beauty." - -"Yes, mademoiselle." - -"You will ascertain whether there are, in fact, any rumors afloat -respecting her love affairs; make the neighbors and servants talk; in a -word, I rely upon you to discover the truth." - -"Mademoiselle, the bath keeper's daughter whom I go to see, Ambroisine, -knows this Landry's daughter, I think.--Yes, I remember now that she has -often spoken to me of her friend Bathilde--that is the name of the girl -on Rue Dauphine." - -"Bathilde!--oh! her name is Bathilde! I thought that her name would -prove to be Marion, or Margot!" - -"I will go first to see Ambroisine; and through her I shall perhaps -learn more than from others!" - -"Do as you think best; I leave you entirely free. From this moment I -relieve you from all service and give you permission to go out whenever -you please, and to stay away as long as you please. The concierge will -have orders to await your return; and if anyone in the house should -venture to make any impertinent comments on your conduct, he will be -dismissed at once; for I am mistress here!--As you see, my aunt is good -for nothing but to sleep! She paid no attention to that young clerk's -story, and yet her niece's future and happiness were directly concerned. -Henceforth I myself will look after everything that concerns my repose, -my name, my honor.--Here is money--you may need it to bribe someone, to -induce people to speak. Do not spare it, spend it lavishly if necessary; -but act, act promptly." - -On the evening following this interview between Valentine and Miretta, -the latter left the house as soon as it was dark. - -But do not think that she bent her steps toward Ambroisine's abode. -While Mademoiselle de Mongarcin had been profoundly impressed by the -little clerk's gossip, Cédrille's pretty cousin had been no less moved -by what she had heard concerning Giovanni. Monsieur Bahuchet's words -with respect to him had struck her to the heart; she saw her lover -arrested and led to execution; and her feeling for Giovanni was stronger -than her devotion to her mistress. - -On leaving the house, she proposed first of all to try to meet Giovanni -that night. The little clerk had declared that his favorite lurking -place was the neighborhood of the Pont-aux-Choux, and Miretta said to -herself: - -"I will go in that direction; I have no idea where that bridge is, but -someone will tell me." - -The first person whom Miretta addressed, on Rue Saint-Honoré, to ask for -directions, seemed much surprised. - -"Pont-aux-Choux, mademoiselle!" he exclaimed. "The deuce! it's a long -way from here; it's outside of the city, beyond the Fossés Jaunes, -between the Porte du Temple and Porte Saint-Antoine; you don't expect -to go there to-night, I presume?" - -"Pardon me, I do." - -"And you are all alone! Beware! it's a lonely neighborhood, and very -dangerous at night." - -"I am not afraid; but please tell me which way I must go." - -He directed her as well as he could, concluding with the usual phrase: - -"When you get there, inquire again." - -Miretta walked a long while; she was not sufficiently familiar with -Paris to tell where she was, so that she did not know if she was -approaching her destination. - -Most of the shops were already closed; and the girl, remembering that -she had money about her, regretted that she had not secured the -assistance of a torchbearer or messenger, who would have guided her -directly to the place to which she wished to go; but it was too late now -to find any of those hard-worked men in the street. - -More than once, bands of students and pages had attempted to accost the -girl, offering her their services in very familiar fashion; but she had -run away from them without replying. - -She had just made her escape from a group of young men who seemed well -disposed for mirth, when, as she halted, all out of breath from running, -at the corner of a street, a well-known voice fell upon her ear. - -"Eh! sandis! my eyes do not deceive me! it is in very truth our cruel -infanta whom I see before me!--By Roland, my dear, you expose yourself -to great risk, rambling about alone at night in such an unsavory -quarter; none but knights of my temper should haunt such places by -night!" - -When she recognized the voice of her faithful suitor, the Gascon -chevalier, Miretta felt relieved; for although Passedix pestered her -with his love, at all events she knew him; and while she found him -intolerable as a lover, she believed him to be incapable of attempting -any enterprise calculated to offend a woman's modesty. It was with -something like pleasure, therefore, that the pretty brunette recognized -the chevalier at that moment, the result being that she answered in a -much more amiable tone than she usually adopted with him. - -"Is it you, monsieur le chevalier? I confess that I did not expect to -meet you here!" - -"That is because you were not looking for me, little one; whereas I am -always hoping to meet you!" - -"As you are here, you will help me out of my perplexity." - -"I will help you in whatever you wish to undertake! Do you wish to -ascend to the moon--to revolve about a planet? I will escort you to the -celestial empire; I have no very clear idea what road we must take; but, -no matter! I would act as your escort, even to hell, if such were your -whim!" - -"I thank you, monsieur le chevalier, but I have no intention of asking -you to go so high or so low; I do not deem myself worthy as yet to dwell -with the angels, but I have no desire, either, to pay a visit to the -demons!" - -"Sandis! I would gladly sell myself to the devil to win your love!" - -"Be kind enough not to talk to me of love, and please be my guide to the -Pont-aux-Choux, for that is where I am going." - -"Ah! I understand; that is where you make assignations with your lover; -probably you are going there to join that rough fellow, that rustic, -that artisan, who was awkward enough to make Roland drop from my hand on -the Place de Grève, solely by favor of the crowd that pushed me from -behind!--Ah! ten thousand _bombardes_! I would like right well to meet -your spark again; I would show him this time that I know how to use my -sword, and that it is not in the habit of escaping from my hand." - -"But if I remember aright, chevalier, it escaped from your hand on the -day you were kind enough to espouse my cause and to stand in front of -Cédrille and myself on Rue Saint-Jacques." - -"That day there was another reason," muttered Passedix, with a frown. -"But let us return to the present; you wish to go to Pont Saint-Louis?" - -"No; to the Pont-aux-Choux." - -"It is the same thing. You are going there very late, my dear. Is your -lover a market gardener, pray? has he his lair among the cabbages and -carrots that cover the road toward Vincennes?" - -"If you propose to begin your questions again, monsieur, I will leave -you and try to find some more obliging cavalier." - -"No! no!" cried the Gascon, detaining the girl, who had already started -to leave him; "why, the child is like a train of powder! what a hothead! -If you were a man, we should have killed each other ten or twelve times -before this. But I love this effervescent nature; it bears some -resemblance to mine.--So you want to go to the Pont-aux-Choux? Take my -arm, my love; I shall have the honor of escorting you thither." - -Miretta decided to put her arm through the chevalier's; and he, -overjoyed to have beside him the pretty girl of whom he was enamored, -drew himself up and tossed his head, which made him appear even taller -and diminished the stature of his companion. - -They walked on for some time, the Gascon making his rusty spurs and -Roland's scabbard ring on the stones; Miretta thinking of Giovanni and -glancing all about at the slightest sound. - -"Are we still far from the place to which I am going?" the girl asked -her guide at last. - -Passedix did not reply for some seconds. Since he had felt Miretta's arm -in his, his love for the dark maiden had made rapid progress; his heart -beat violently beneath his patched doublet, his head burned, and his -imagination indulged in a multitude of wild antics. - -At last he argued the matter out with himself thus: - -"Since my good star has caused me to meet my inhuman fair, I should be -very stupid to take her to my rival, that knave who nearly made me lose -Roland; should I not rather seize the opportunity which offers to avenge -myself and to triumph over a cruel enslaver? The little one does not -know her way; instead of taking her to her rendezvous, I will take her -to the Place aux Chats, and tell her that it is the Pont-aux-Choux! -Then, by frightening her with tales of robbers, I will try to induce her -to accept shelter in the Hôtel du Sanglier; and once there!--Sandioux! -it's a daring plan, it has a suggestion of felony about it! But this -girl is a demon, and I shall not vanquish her unless I resort to heroic -means!" - -"Well, monsieur le chevalier, you have not yet answered me; are we still -far from the Pont-aux-Choux?" - -"Why, yes, my sweet child, rather far. Oh! you had gone entirely astray, -you were not going in the right direction." - -"That is strange; I followed the directions that were given me." - -"Some persons are so unkind! they take delight in making people go -astray who ask them to point out their road.--Lean on me, tender -blossom! Do not be afraid of wearying me; it is a joy to me to feel your -round arm in mine. Ah! ye gods!" - -"It would be a great joy to me to arrive. I cannot understand this; it -seems to me that you are making me retrace my steps." - -"As you were not going toward your destination, I must, of course, take -you back. This is one of the most blissful evenings of my life!" - -"Do not press my arm so tightly, I beg you." - -"This loving pressure is a magnetic effect of the fire which consumes my -heart, and which snaps devilishly so near to you!" - -"Are you going to begin again to talk to me of your love? I thought that -you were cured." - -"Cured! I!--Better to die than to be cured! What would you have me talk -about, sweet friend, when I am with you?" - -"Have you forgotten, pray, that I am only a servant, upon whom you -conferred too much honor simply by looking at her?" - -"A man may say that when he is angry, my dear; but, in reality, he does -not mean a word of it." - -"Oh!" cried Miretta, suddenly stopping at a street corner; "I am sure -now that it is you who have lost your way! I recognize this street -perfectly; it runs into the street I live on; you have brought me back -to the quarter I came from." - -"Sandis! I am taking you where you want to go. Come, we shall soon be -there." - -"No!" cried the girl, as she withdrew her arm from the chevalier's, -refusing to go any farther; "no! I will not go with you, for it is not -possible that the Pont-aux-Choux is in this direction." - -Passedix tried to take Miretta's arm again; she resisted, but the Gascon -was excited, and he was determined not to let the girl escape him anew. - -Suddenly a new personage, whose approach neither of them had observed or -heard, appeared on the scene and put an end to the contest by releasing -Miretta from the chevalier's grasp. - -The new-comer wore the costume of a citizen of the middle class; his -chin was cleanly shaven. - -The girl had no sooner glanced at him than her face regained its -serenity; and she hastened to take her place by his side, while the -unknown said to the Gascon: - -"How now, my master! Do you propose to make this young girl go with you -against her will? For a chevalier who wears a helmet and sword, that is -hardly chivalrous." - -"Eh! where in the devil did this fellow spring from? I neither heard nor -saw him coming. Do me the favor to go your way, my dear fellow; this -young shepherdess is in my company, and we do not require your -interference in our affairs." - -"But it seemed to me that you were hardly in accord, and I always -protect the ladies.--Tell me, my lovely child, did not this gentleman -try to make you take a road which you did not wish to take?" - -"He did indeed, monsieur; for I wished to go to the Pont-aux-Choux, and -I am sure that he was not taking me there!" - -"Oh, no! by no means! He was taking you to the Place aux Chats, to the -Hôtel du Sanglier; a most excellent hotel, i' faith! of which he -proposed to do the honors for you, I doubt not." - -"Sandioux! it seems that you know me! But whoever you are, I forbid you -to take this girl's arm! Back, instantly!" - -Passedix tried to push away the stranger, who had already taken the -girl's arm in his; but with his free hand the _soi-disant_ bourgeois -seized the Gascon's wrist and pressed it with his fingers with such -force that he cried: - -"Oh! oh! That cursed grip again! Ah! it is the very same, I recognize -it! You are the mechanic of the Place de Grève; you are the Bohemian of -the Loup de Mer!" - -"Search your memory--it is possible that I am still another person." - -"Yes--those eyes, that expression! Ten thousand devils! it is the face -of the Comte de Carvajal, the noble guest of Dame Cadichard! But whoever -you may be, double, triple, or quadruple! even though you be the devil -in person--if you are a man of heart, you will give me satisfaction like -a gallant champion, sword in hand!" - -"Ah! you wish to measure swords with me, do you, chevalier? Very good! -it shall be as you wish. On guard!--Have no fear, my girl! it is a -matter of an instant." - -As he spoke, the pretended bourgeois drew from beneath his cloak a short -sword with a broad blade. Meanwhile, Passedix had drawn Roland from the -scabbard; but when he saw his adversary's weapon, he paused and -exclaimed: - -"What in the devil do you expect to do with that little cutlass against -my noble blade? Sandis! I have too great an advantage over you!" - -"Let not that deter you, chevalier, but try to hold your long sword more -firmly in your hand this time." - -With that, the stranger attacked Roland with such vigor and dexterity, -that in less than two minutes the long sword went flying through the -air, and Passedix, stepping back, put his foot in a hole, fell over, and -rolled at the feet of his adversary, who placed the point of his short -sword against the prostrate man's breast, saying: - -"Well! do you think that my little cutlass is worthy to measure itself -against your illustrious blade?" - -"I cannot understand it! You have a way of fighting that bewilders one! -deceives one! Sandis! it is impossible; it must be that I have the gout -in my right hand!--But, no matter! I am vanquished! Strike!" - -"I should be very sorry to do so. Au revoir, Chevalier Passedix! try to -find your sword; it went in that direction. But take my advice and do -not again lead young girls astray." - -As he spoke, the victor joined Miretta, drew her arm through his, and -walked rapidly off with her, paying no further heed to his adversary, -who made a piteous face when he saw them go away together. - -"Ah! what good fortune to have met you, Giovanni!" said Miretta, when -they were far enough away to have no fear of being overheard. "I was not -afraid for a single instant during the battle I have just been watching; -I was perfectly sure that you would be the victor!" - -"But why did you wish to go to the Pont-aux-Choux so late?" - -"Why! Because I want to save you; because you are in danger; because, -guilty as you are, I do not want you to be arrested and put to death!" - -"_Què diavolo è questo?_ What is the source of this dread, of these new -alarms?" - -"Ah! because I heard a young man say: 'I know where Giovanni's usual -lurking place is; it is near the Pont-aux-Choux that he ordinarily lies -in hiding; if they would surround that place with archers, it would be -very easy to capture the famous brigand.'" - -"Ah! indeed!" - -"'It is in that neighborhood,' he added, 'that he usually attacks -people; not long ago he stole an ass from my cousin, and murdered an old -peasant woman of Vincennes!'--Oh! those words made me shudder; I said -that it was not true, that Giovanni never shed blood.--Was I right in -saying that?" - -"You did right to think it, but you did wrong to say it. Do you wish -people to suspect that you know me? You are an imprudent child, Miretta; -you forget what I have told you.--Never a word about me, never a comment -that may lead anyone to infer that we are not strangers to each other! -Listen, but do not seem to pay any attention to what people say about -me." - -"Oh! do you think that it is possible for me to remain unmoved when I -hear someone say that he knows where you hide, that you will be -arrested, that you will be---- Oh! I will not utter that horrible word!" - -"In the first place, my dear love, why are you so silly as to place any -faith in these fables, invented by one person to give himself -importance, and repeated by others because lies always find fools enough -who are ready to spread them? I, kill a peasant! to take her vegetables, -I presume? I, steal an ass! Why, what on earth should I do with it?--And -you could believe that, Miretta! you, who have seen my wealth, and who -know of the thirst for gold that possesses me now!" - -"Mon Dieu! will it never be satisfied, this passion which drives you to -crime? Giovanni, do you mean to pass your whole life in this way?" - -"No; a few months more.--Hark ye, next spring I mean to return to my -lovely Italy." - -"You will take me, will you not?" - -"Yes, I will take you. I will buy a palace, a superb villa. I will have -splendid equipages. You shall be covered with diamonds! I propose that -Milan and Florence shall be dazzled by my magnificence and my luxurious -mode of life." - -"Why do you not carry out your plan now?" - -"No; this will be a good winter in Paris; we will go in the spring." - -"Giovanni, no one can defy danger forever with impunity! No one can be -always stronger than the laws and his fellow men! The moment of -retribution arrives when he believes that he is safe from all danger." - -"Enough, Miretta, enough! I have told you before that your arguments are -of no avail.--Let us take this street--we shall soon be at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin." - -"Then let us take another, for I do not want to leave you so soon, -Giovanni. I do not know why, but it seems to me that I shall not see you -again for a long while. I have a heavy weight on my heart; do not leave -me yet, I implore you, unless your safety requires it!" - -"My safety has nothing to fear. But it is very late, and I thought that -it was necessary for you to return." - -"Oh! I am in no hurry now; I may remain as long as I please; my mistress -herself gave me permission, for she thinks that I am employing my time -in her service." - -"What does that mean?" - -"That Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin, furious with rage because she -is disdained by the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, who was to marry -her, wishes to know if he is really in love with the daughter of a bath -keeper on Rue Dauphine, and if it is really he who obtains access to her -at night by scaling the balcony of a window on the first floor. -Mademoiselle instructed me to investigate, to resort to every possible -means of ascertaining the truth." - -"Your investigation is all made, the truth is ascertained for you.--I -know better than anyone what takes place in Paris at night. I know Comte -Léodgard; on a certain night last winter I had quite a long conversation -with him; and for some time past I have, in fact, noticed him several -times scaling the bath keeper Landry's balcony. It would never have -occurred to me to interfere with him; I should have been more inclined -to assist him, if he had needed assistance." - -"In that case, my errand is done. Mademoiselle Valentine is not happy in -her love; for, although she will not admit it, I am very certain that -she loves this young seigneur; but not so much, surely, as I love my -Giovanni! O Giovanni! why must I leave you again? If you would----" - -"The day will soon break," said Giovanni, interrupting her, "and I must -not wait for it. Let us go this way and walk faster; I am going to take -you home." - -Miretta dared not remonstrate; but she sighed as she quickened her pace, -and they walked along in silence. - -They were soon within a few yards of the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Giovanni -released his companion's arm, saying: - -"Here you are at home; adieu!" - -"Already! what! must I leave you so soon? Just a moment more!" - -"Really, Miretta, you are not reasonable to-night; do you not see that -point of light in the sky, which announces the dawn? The stars are -growing dim, the darkness is beginning to fade away. Do not keep me -longer; adieu!" - -Giovanni dropped the hand which tried to press his once more; he hurried -away and disappeared. - -Miretta stood like a statue when he had left her; she was conscious of a -sharp pain at her heart, as if she had been stabbed. - - - - -XXVI - -THE PONT-AUX-CHOUX - - -Historians are not agreed as to the first two encircling walls which -were built around Paris; but there is no doubt as to the location of the -third, which we owe to Philippe-Auguste, and which was begun in 1190. - -This wall, starting from the right bank of the Seine, where the Pont des -Arts now is, traversed the site of the Louvre in the direction of the -Oratoire Saint-Honoré, where Porte Saint-Honoré stood; it then described -a curve to the _carrefour_ now formed by Rues Jean-Jacques Rousseau, -Coquillière, and de Grenelle. When it reached Rue Montmartre, the wall -was broken by Porte Montmartre. It continued along the northern side of -Rue Mauconseil to Rue Saint-Martin, where there was a gate called Porte -de Nicolas Huidelon. Crossing the sites of Rues Michel-le-Comte, -Geoffroy-Langevin, du Chaume, de Paradis, where Porte de Braque stood, -to Vieille Rue du Temple, it went on to Porte Beaudoyer, crossed the -enclosure of the Convent of the Ave Maria and Rue des Barres, and ended -at the right bank of the Seine. - -The work on the wall south of the river began in 1208. This wall, built -through gardens and vineyards as far as Porte Saint-Marcel, skirted the -enclosure of Sainte-Geneviève to the Château de Hautefeuille, cut across -Clos Bruneau to Porte de Bussy, and, following the outer wall of the -Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the smaller Pré-aux-Clercs, came to -an end at the Tour de Nesle. - -This third wall had round towers at intervals to protect it. But the -most formidable ones were at the extremities, on the banks of the Seine. - -Under the reign of François I, the wall had been considerably enlarged. -But, in the year 1536, the Cardinal du Bellai, lieutenant-general of the -armies of King François, being informed of the approach of the English, -who were already devastating Normandie and Picardie, and dreading the -result of an attack upon Paris, ordered trenches and moats to be dug -from Porte Saint-Antoine to Porte Saint-Honoré. These were afterward -called the Fossés Jaunes [yellow moats]. - -This little digression into the domain of history is necessary to recall -old Paris to the minds of our readers, especially so that they may be -able to form an accurate idea of the localities where the events took -place which we are about to describe. - -Pont Saint-Louis, otherwise called the Pont-aux-Choux, because of the -proximity of Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and because it was principally used -by the market gardeners, who crossed it to carry their vegetables into -the heart of the city, was situated between Porte du Temple and Porte -Saint-Antoine, and was built over the moats of which we have just -described the origin. Over this bridge, which was a dismal and often -deserted structure, there was a gate of a commonplace type of -architecture, called Porte Saint-Louis. But as it had not been closed -for many years, there was no keeper; it was very dilapidated, and on the -point of falling in ruins. - -All about the Pont-aux-Choux were swamps, a large portion of which was -uncultivated. Tall grass grew along the edges of the moat, which -contained nothing but a little slimy water, through which it would have -been difficult to force a boat. Thus the whole locality had a sort of -wild and forbidding aspect, well calculated to inspire terror in the -solitary traveller whom the darkness surprised on that road. - -However, on a certain lovely night in summer, several young gentlemen, -some of whom were acquaintances of ours, having crossed the -Pont-aux-Choux on their way back to Paris, halted about three hundred -yards beyond it, and one of them threw himself on the turf, crying: - -"Faith, I don't care! go on if you choose, my masters; but I am going to -rest here; it is very comfortable on the grass. Besides, I feel that I -am drunk; I cannot stand on my legs." - -"How now, my poor Monclair! Can you carry your wine no better than this? -What a pity!" - -"Don't put on airs, Sénange! You are at least as drunk as I am, if not -more so." - -"The fact is that I am quite as willing to sit down as to stumble at -every step on these horrible roads.--What an infernal way for Léodgard -to make us take!--I say, Comte de Marvejols, where are you? I want to -congratulate you!--Where in the devil is my valet Bruno? Let him bring a -torch here, and we will have another game." - -"Your esquire is ahead; he walked on." - -"I must call him.--Messieurs, messieurs, you fellows who are still on -your legs, have the kindness to call my esquire, my page, my -varlet--that rascal who is going off with the lanterns yonder, without -taking the trouble to see if his master is following him." - -These words were addressed to three other young gentlemen who had halted -a few yards away. Among them was Léodgard de Marvejols, whose features -were far from denoting hilarity, and who did not seem, like some of his -friends, to have left his reason at the bottom of his glass. - -The servant, being recalled, came back and placed a lighted lantern on -the ground, near the two gentlemen who were already seated on the grass. -The others decided to join them; but Léodgard remained a little behind, -leaning thoughtfully against a solitary tree. - -"Do you propose to stay here, my fine fellows?" he asked. - -"Yes; the fresh air has finished us, we cannot stand on our legs any -longer." - -"It is a fact that the supper was delicious and the wines exquisite. -Montrevert did things very handsomely; his _petite maison_ is a -delightful place." - -"Speaking of Montrevert, did he not say that he was coming with us?" - -"Yes; he said: 'Go on, and I will overtake you.'" - -"Well, he does not seem to have overtaken us, and we are a good quarter -of a league from his house." - -"That is true, and it is an additional reason why we should rest here -and wait for him." - -"Bah! he won't come; he has probably remained with his infanta. She is a -very pretty girl, that Herminie!" - -"But I tell you, messieurs, that Montrevert will come; he cannot stay at -his _petite maison_, for he must be in Paris to-morrow for the king's -_lever_. He has hopes of being admitted to the company of Gray -Mousquetaires, which his majesty has just organized; it is a bodyguard -that is to attend him everywhere, even to the hunt.--Vive Dieu! -messieurs, but it is a fine corps! Such a coquettish uniform--red, -trimmed with gold. Ah! what conquests those fellows will make with that -uniform!" - -"Look you, I too have some hope of entering this corps of -mousquetaires," said the young Marquis de Sénange, trying to straighten -up and maintain a sitting posture on the grass. "I too ought to be at -the king's _lever_ to-morrow--or rather, this morning. But I think that -I shall not be there! I am too dizzy--deuce take it! Youth is the age of -folly and pleasure.--Ah! I wish I could find someone who would sit back -to back with me; we would support each other.--Monclair, sit behind me." - -"No; I am very comfortable, I refuse to stir." - -"What a selfish beast that little Monclair is!--Come, La Valteline, and -you, Beausseilly--come and sit down with us." - -The two young men who were still standing decided to seat themselves on -the grass near their companions. But he who was called La Valteline -turned toward Léodgard and shouted: - -"Well! Comte de Marvejols, aren't you going to join us? What the deuce -are you doing there, all alone, with your eyes fixed on the sky? are you -going into astrology? Beware! you know that a commission is sitting at -the Arsenal, in the Poison Chamber, for the express purpose of trying -persons accused of magic! And astrologers are very closely related to -sorcerers!" - -"Messieurs," said the Sire de Beausseilly, lowering his voice, "poor -Léodgard is in no laughing mood, and you must understand why: he was -very unlucky at cards to-night, he lost all that he possessed to -Montrevert, and, I believe, a hundred pistoles more on credit." - -"He is always unlucky with Montrevert, he ought never to play with him; -for that charming _petite maison_ where we supped, which is decorated so -suggestively, used to belong to Marvejols; he staked it against heaven -knows what sum with Montrevert! And now that delicious resort no longer -belongs to him! To be sure, Montrevert often invites him there." - -"If he does it in order to win his money, as he has done to-night, it is -not very amusing for Léodgard. I have noticed that fortune has been very -adverse to him for some time past. He always loses, poor fellow!" - -"And I believe he is in debt; he owes everybody!" - -"Vive Dieu! messieurs, should a man torment himself because he is in -debt? As for myself, I have creditors, and plenty of them--I am proud of -the fact! But when the knaves have the impudence to ask me for money, -then I draw my sword and shout and curse and excite myself to such a -frenzy that they run away as if the devil was at their heels! That is -the way to arrange one's affairs!" - -Léodgard had not heard La Valteline's call, for he was still looking at -the stars. - -"Stay, messieurs; I will wager that I will make him come; I know the -way.--Holà! Bruno! come here, knave! Have you the dice and diceboxes in -your pocket?" - -"Yes, seigneur." - -"Give them to me." - -The valet handed to his master, the Marquis de Sénange, two ivory -diceboxes and the dice; the young man placed the dice in one of the -boxes and shook them a long while, then began to exclaim: - -"Seven--eleven--twelve! I have won! I have won!" - -The rattling of the dice produced the effect which Sénange anticipated: -Léodgard, roused from his reverie, left his place and drew near the -gentlemen who were seated about the torch. - -"What, messieurs! are you shaking dice on the grass?" he asked. - -"Sénange is shaking all by himself at this moment." - -"I heard him say that he had won." - -"Pardieu! yes, for I have won; I bet that with my dice I would draw the -Comte de Marvejols hither.--Tell me, my masters, did I succeed?--Come, -Léodgard, sit down and laugh a bit with us! What is the use of losing -your temper with Fortune? What good does it do? She's a woman; what she -will not grant to-day, she will grant to-morrow." - -"Moreover, Comte Léodgard cannot accuse Fortune with a good grace; for -if she is adverse to him at play, with the fair she seems to treat him -like a spoiled child." - -"There is a report of a certain _bonne fortune_ with a damsel on Rue -Dauphine; and I hear that the little one is as beautiful as Cupid. She -was kept carefully concealed, but that devil of a Léodgard would -discover her kind at the bottom of a well or on top of the steepest -cliffs!" - -"Come, Léodgard, tell us about this intrigue." - -"Yes, yes! tell us about this bourgeois _bonne fortune_. It will help us -to pass the time until Montrevert comes; he must have fallen into some -hole in the road." - -Léodgard stretched himself out carelessly on the grass and looked at his -companions, saying: - -"Has anyone anything to drink? I am extremely thirsty, and I can't tell -my story unless I have something to drink." - -"By Saint Jacques! I would like a drink, too!" muttered young Monclair, -making vain efforts to sit up. - -"What! not a drop? and no wine shops near by!" - -"A cheerful spot, the neighborhood of this horrible -Pont-aux-Choux!--There is not a house in sight--not even a hovel!" - -"Wait, my friends, wait.--Holà! Bruno!" - -The Marquis de Sénange's valet approached the group. - -"Bruno, do you not always carry a gourd, like the pilgrims when they set -out on a long journey?" - -"Yes, seigneur, I do." - -"What is there in your gourd?" - -"There is some--some very bad eau-de-vie." - -"Very bad!--Ah! you rascal! from the way in which you say that, I would -swear that you are lying. Give us your gourd; and we will judge whether -its contents are so bad as you say." - -"But, seigneur, I have been drinking from it, and I could not allow----" - -"Give it to me, all the same; we must be governed by circumstances. -Come, gallows bird! I verily believe that you hesitate!" - -Repressing a sigh, the valet handed his master an enormous gourd. -Sénange swallowed a mouthful, then cried: - -"Ah! I suspected as much; it is exquisite, delicious,--it is thirty -years old, I will stake my head! The villain must have stolen it from my -father's cellar.--Here, Léodgard, judge for yourself." - -Léodgard took the gourd and drank slowly but at great length, so that -the young men called out: - -"Enough, count, enough!--He will drink it all! We too want a chance to -judge of the liquor!" - -At last Léodgard passed the gourd to his neighbor, who, after drinking, -passed it to another. They did not cease to drink, until they had -exhausted the contents of the gourd. Then they returned it to Bruno and -made themselves comfortable on the grass, some half reclining, others at -full length. Léodgard, who had maintained a sitting posture, with his -head resting on his left hand, said to his companions: - -"What do you wish me to tell you about, messieurs? an amourette among -the common people? Mon Dieu! it is always the same story! They kept the -girl closely confined, but not so closely that she did not see me pacing -the street under her window." - -"So long as parents leave windows in their houses," said Monclair, "they -cannot answer for the innocence of their daughters!" - -"There was a balcony on which she had placed a pot of flowers, which she -used to come out to water." - -"Messieurs, it is not without a motive that women display so much love -for flowers; intrigues almost always begin with bouquets." - -"Hold your tongue, Monclair! sleep off your wine, and allow the count to -finish his story." - -"Sleep off your eau-de-vie, you fellows!" - -"I threw a billet-doux in at the window; she pretended to be angry at -first; I did not appear again for four days, and on the fifth I found -the little one on the balcony at midnight, peering into the darkness in -quest of me!" - -"Ah! that's the way! it is always like that!" - -"The next day, with the aid of a silk ladder, I stood by my charmer's -side!--You see, messieurs, that this affair was like every other; -indeed, it was too easy--no jealous husband, no guardian keeping watch." - -"Oh! that sort of thing is very insipid; when there's no danger, there's -no pleasure." - -"Oh! Sire de Beausseilly, what you say is altogether false; there is -always pleasure in the conquest of a pretty girl! And it seems that this -one is an angel of beauty.--Is that so, Léodgard?" - -"Yes, she was very pretty." - -"She _was_! Is she dead, pray?" - -"No, but I have not seen her for several weeks; that is why I use the -past tense." - -"Oho! so it is already over?" - -"Already? An amourette that lasts two months--is not that long enough?" - -"It's a long time!" - -"It is too long!" - -"It is never too long when one is happy." - -"And then a mother arrived--a very unamiable person, so it seems, who -had been absent a long while. If I had still been in love, the obstacles -that would thenceforth have made our rendezvous an affair of some -difficulty would have served only to sharpen my desires; but my love was -extinct. Faith! the little one may look out for herself now as best she -can; it is no longer any concern of mine." - -"Well said! Of course, a gentleman could not run the risk of a -controversy with churls!" - -"Faith! messieurs, for my part, I care for none but _grandes dames_! -They are so adroit in carrying on an intrigue, they display so much -coquetry, that it keeps you in breathless suspense! A fellow is much -more in love when he is not certain that he is loved in return!" - -"And you, Sire de Beausseilly?" - -"I! do you suppose that I have patience to make love to a woman? to -dance attendance on her and languish and sigh? Nonsense! never! I like -the love affairs that give one no trouble!" - -"Oh, yes! we all know what that means! He frequents Rue Fromenteau, Rue -Tire-Boudin, Rue Brisemiche, Rue du Hurleur, Rue de la Vieille-Bouclerie." - -"Peste! La Valteline, you seem to know perfectly where all the wantons' -houses are; for you mention all the streets to which _girls who are mad -over their bodies_, as they are called, are obliged to confine -themselves." - -"One must needs know his Paris, messieurs." - -"Yes; especially when one desires to meet _golden girdles_." - -"Oh! messeigneurs, the edict of King Louis VIII has long been forgotten, -and those damsels no longer comply with it; so that the proverb: 'A good -reputation is worth more than a golden girdle' has no meaning now." - -"I say, messieurs, it must be very late." - -"You mean that it must be very early in the morning!" - -"About three o'clock, I fancy." - -"Oh! more than that; it is four o'clock at least; I am sure that the -dawn will soon be here." - -"Do we propose to finish the night in this place?" - -"It is very strange that Montrevert has not overtaken us!" - -"He certainly will not come now!" - -"I do not propose to wait for daylight to return to Paris, in the -condition in which I am! If some _âme damnée_ of the cardinal should -happen to meet me, Richelieu would hear of it, and I should receive a -sharp reprimand.--Come, messieurs, let us get up and go on." - -"No, no!" murmured the Marquis de Sénange, rolling over on the grass; "I -am very comfortable here. Let La Valteline go, if he pleases! I shall -stay; for when day breaks, the little dairymaids from the country will -cross the Pont-aux-Choux; we will watch for the prettiest ones, and they -will have to pay toll,--eh, Léodgard?--Well, he is still thinking of his -losses at cards!" - -"Sénange, you have dice there," cried Léodgard suddenly, raising his -head; "I will play you for my cloak--you were admiring it last night. I -will stake it against fifty livres, and, on my word as a gentleman, it -cost me more than a hundred--which I have not yet paid, it is true, but -which I still owe to my tailor." - -"What, Léodgard! do you want to play again?" cried Beausseilly; "but you -are not in luck, and if you lose your cloak, how can you return to -Paris?" - -"I will stake my sword, my doublet, my knee-breeches! I will stake -myself, when I have nothing else left! But I must play! So long as I -have anything left to stake, by hell! it will always be so.--Well, -Sénange, do you accept the stake I propose?" - -"Yes, I agree; your cloak against fifty livres. But what shall we play -on? We can't throw dice on the grass; they would not lie evenly, and the -result would be doubtful." - -"Play on my back, messieurs," said Monclair, lying flat on his stomach -on the grass. "I promise not to stir." - -"So be it; on Monclair's back." - -The two young men each took a dicebox, and their companions drew near to -watch the game. The valet brought the lantern nearer, while Monclair -lay on his stomach and did not stir. - -"Begin!" said Léodgard in a gloomy voice, handing the dice to his -adversary. - -"As you please," said Sénange; and placing the dice in the box, he threw -them on Monclair's back. - -"Four!" cried Beausseilly and La Valteline. - -"Four!" echoed Léodgard, with a smile of satisfaction. - -"What a beastly throw!" muttered Sénange; "I fancy that I may say -good-bye to my fifty livres.--Go on, count--play!" - -Léodgard took the dice and threw them with a trembling hand. - -"Three!" cried Sénange. "Pardieu! but I am in luck! Your cloak belongs -to me, Léodgard!" - -The young Comte de Marvejols dropped his head on his breast, while the -other gentlemen held their peace and seemed distressed by the ill -fortune which pursued Léodgard. - -At that moment a distant, indistinct noise reached the ears of the young -men. - -"Do you hear, messieurs?" said La Valteline, listening intently; "do you -hear?" - -"I hear nothing," said Monclair. - -"I do," said Beausseilly; "I hear a noise that seems to be coming -nearer; it sounds like outcries, imprecations." - -"It seems to me that someone is coming toward us. Listen! listen! the -footsteps are becoming more distinct." - -"Suppose it were Montrevert?" - -"Can he have been attacked? We must go to his assistance!" - -"We had better hail him first.--Take that lantern, Bruno, and hold it in -the air.--Do as I do, messieurs.--Holà, Montrevert! is that you?" - -The shouts of the young men were met by an answering shout. - -"It is he," said Léodgard; "and he is not far away." - -"There he is! there he is!" - -"Come this way! this way!" - -A young man of twenty-eight to thirty years, dressed with elegance, but -with his garments in disorder, his belt gone, his face transformed by -excitement, and without his sword, crossed the Pont-aux-Choux at full -speed and joined the friends whose shouts had guided him. - -"It is Montrevert!" - -"Mon Dieu! what is the matter with him? what a ghastly pallor!" - -"What a state his clothes are in!" - -"What has happened to you, Montrevert?" - -"Have you been attacked?" - -"Wait a moment, messieurs; give me a chance to breathe.--Yes, I have -been attacked." - -"Are you wounded?" - -"No, not a scratch! And yet, I assure you that I tried to defend myself. -It was Giovanni, the famous brigand, who attacked me--yonder, on the -other side of the bridge, on the right." - -"Giovanni?" - -"Oh, yes! he was dressed just as those whom he has robbed describe him, -just as he was when Léodgard saw him: the long olive-green cloak, and -the cap bristling with hair---- Ah! the villain!--Look you, messieurs, -this is how it happened. I stayed behind longer than I expected after -your departure; so that when I started, wishing to make up for lost time -and to overtake you the sooner, I walked very rapidly; I lengthened my -strides, sometimes cutting across the market gardeners' gardens, and -devoting all my thought to keeping my feet out of the holes and ruts and -excavations which make such cross cuts extremely dangerous. So it is not -surprising that I did not see my robber approaching. However, I think -that he must have been hiding behind a tree, for he suddenly blocked my -path without my hearing the sound of his footsteps. I was thunderstruck -at seeing before me a man whose aspect was so truly frightful, and I -instantly put my hand to my sword hilt; but instead of the raucous tones -which I expected to hear, it was almost a falsetto voice that said to -me: - -"'Do not draw your sword, but give me your purse, seigneur; that will be -the quickest way.' - -"'My purse!' I cried. 'Ah! do you expect to obtain it without striking a -blow? I propose to kill you instead of giving you my money.' - -"As I spoke, I drew my sword and expected to transfix the robber with -ease. But the rascal must be a powerful hand at fence. With two blows of -a weapon which he held, he shattered mine; then, throwing me to the -ground, he snatched my purse from my belt! Vive Dieu! my purse, which -contained two hundred gold pieces! Ah! the gallows bird!--And it was all -done so dexterously and so quickly that I was hardly on the ground when -it was all over; no purse, no robber--Giovanni had disappeared!--Then it -was that I began to shout imprecations, to relieve myself a little. I am -not wounded, it is true; but to be beaten and robbed like that by that -bandit! It is enough to make a man damn himself!" - -The young men were stupefied by what they had heard. Léodgard alone -sprang to his feet, crying: - -"Damnation! I will not let this opportunity escape. It was on the -right-hand side of the road, beyond the bridge, that you were attacked, -you said, Montrevert, did you not? It was on the path leading to -Vincennes, then?" - -"Yes; but what do you mean to do, Léodgard?" - -"To avenge you, or rather to avenge us both; for I, like yourself, have -been beaten and stripped by Giovanni! But this time I will kill him, or -he will kill me!" - -"Can you think of such a thing, Léodgard? Pursue that brigand? Why, he -must be far away before now! He will not have remained near the scene -of his latest exploit." - -"Perhaps he will. However, I will go a long distance, if need be; but I -will find that man!" - -"In that case," said La Valteline, "we will go with you; we will not -allow you to run such a risk alone." - -"No, messieurs, I beg you, do not come with me; you will make success -impossible. If the robber can be surprised, it must be done by cunning. -He would hear the footsteps of several people, and that would put him on -his guard. Once more, I say, let me make the attempt alone. One man -against one man--that is enough; and if I meet my death in this -undertaking, do not pity me; at this moment I care very little for -life!" - -When he had finished speaking, Léodgard ran across the Pont-aux-Choux -and disappeared in the darkness. - -"Léodgard! Léodgard!" called Beausseilly; "we will wait for you here; we -will not move until you return.--I don't know if he heard me." - -"What the devil ever put that idea into his head?" - -"There is no sense in what he has undertaken to do," said Montrevert; -"judging from the address and agility that this Giovanni shows in his -attacks, it is inconceivable that he should allow himself to be taken by -surprise." - -"I agree with you; but Léodgard is intensely excited! He has gambled -away all that he possessed--even more. Life has little attraction for -him at this moment! Faith! if he meets Giovanni, I fancy that the -villain will not come off so cheaply." - -"Pardieu!" said Sénange, half rising; "you remind me that the handsome -cloak which the count is wearing is my property now, as I won it from -him a moment ago at dice. I ought not to have let him go off with it!" - -"Ah! Sénange, you are a very pitiless creditor!" - -"Look you, if he meets Giovanni, the latter will be the victor, in my -opinion; and as he will not find an obolus on Léodgard, he will take his -cloak. Would it not be better that I should have it than that brigand?" - -"Listen, messieurs! don't you hear a noise?" - -"No, nothing." - -"Oh! how the time drags! I wish Léodgard would come back." - -Ten minutes passed, and with each minute the young men became more -anxious; they no longer laughed, they even ceased to talk, for they -listened with all their ears. - -"Here comes the day," muttered Montrevert, "and Léodgard does not -return! I begin to tremble lest he has been the victim of his own -boldness." - -"Messieurs," said La Valteline, "if he does not return in five minutes, -we must go in search of him." - -"Yes, yes!" - -"Wait--I hear footsteps." - -"Bah! it's a peasant going to market; look--you can make her out now on -the bridge." - -"True; the time for thieves to be abroad has passed." - -"Poor Léodgard!" - -"Messieurs, see that man walking so fast across the bridge. Ah! this -time it is he! it is our friend!" - -"Victory! it must be that he has carried the day!" - -All the young men ran to meet Léodgard, for it was really he who was -approaching. As they drew near him they were struck by his pallor and by -the sinister gleam of his eyes, which avoided theirs. - -"Well, comte, did you win the fight?" - -"Or did you fail to find the brigand?" - -"Oh! messieurs, they fought; for, see, Léodgard has blood on his -clothes!" - -"Ah! Giovanni has ceased to live!" - -"You are mistaken," murmured Léodgard, in an altered voice; "it is true -that I fought with the brigand; I wounded him, for his blood spurted on -me. But it seems that his wound was of trifling consequence, for it did -not prevent him from running away, and it was impossible for me to -overtake him! He disappeared behind the hedges, and I saw him no more." - -"Ah! so much the worse!" - -"What a pity!" - -"The poor count has nothing to show for his exploit.--Luckily, you are -not wounded, are you?" - -"No, not at all." - -"That is the principal thing, for we were beginning to be very anxious -about you!" - -"Messieurs, messieurs, it is broad daylight; let us hasten home, or we -too shall be taken for robbers." - -"Yes, yes, let us go!" - -"Are not you coming with us, Léodgard?" - -"No, messieurs; I am in no hurry to return to Paris. This adventure, -this fight, has tired me; the country air will do me good." - -"Au revoir, then!" - -"Au revoir!" - -The young men walked rapidly away toward the city, while Léodgard slowly -crossed the Pont-aux-Choux, glancing furtively behind him from time to -time. - - - - -XXVII - -THE FOSSÉS JAUNES - - -Valentine de Mongarcin was reclining carelessly on a sofa in her music -room. That was her usual place of refuge when she was not with her aunt; -but for several days past the study of the zither and mandolin had been -abandoned. - -The noble heiress had learned from her maid that the little clerk's -tales were founded on truth; Miretta had told her what she had learned -from Giovanni. From that moment Valentine's lovely features had shown -signs of gloomy preoccupation. If a smile sometimes played about her -lips, it seemed inspired rather by the hope of vengeance than by one of -those agreeable thoughts which usually cause young girls to smile. - -Valentine rang a bell, and Miretta soon stood before her. - -"Did you do my errand, Miretta? Did you go to the office of my aunt's -solicitor?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I went there this morning. I easily found Maître -Bourdinard's office; it is on Rue du Bac. I crossed Pont-Rouge, which, -they say, was built not long ago to take the place of the ferry [_bac_] -that used to be established there, opposite that street, which took its -name therefrom.--Oh! I am beginning to know Paris very well now!" - -"Well, did you find that little clerk who came here the other day, and -to whom I owe such--such valuable discoveries?" - -"Monsieur Bahuchet? No, mademoiselle, he was not at the office; but -there were several other clerks, who stared at me so insolently that I -was very much embarrassed. When I asked for Monsieur Bahuchet, all the -scribblers began to laugh; and they made some very coarse jests among -themselves, which brought the blood to my cheeks. - -"'Ah! you want to see Bahuchet, do you?' they said; 'ah! it is that -villain, that seducer of a Bahuchet, whom you want to see?--On my word, -he's a lucky rascal!--It seems that you don't go in for height, or for -physique!--Who would believe that such a pygmy would be picked out by -such a pretty girl?--I say, when you take his arm, you must tower above -him! and if he doesn't walk fast enough to suit you, you can easily take -him under your arm and carry him; he weighs only thirty-three pounds and -a half.' - -"To put an end to all this nonsense, I said loudly: - -"'Messieurs, I wish to see Monsieur Bahuchet in behalf of Mademoiselle -Valentine de Mongarcin, who is my mistress, and who desires to speak -with him.' - -"Ah! mademoiselle, you should have seen what a change took place in the -office when they heard your name! All the clerks assumed a most sedate -air, and the jests instantly came to an end; they became very polite, -and one of them, who, when he took off his cap to salute me, showed a -head prematurely bald, said: 'Mademoiselle, Bahuchet is out, on business -for the master, and he will not return for an hour at the earliest. But -if mademoiselle your mistress wishes to speak with Bahuchet on business, -one of us might take his place; myself, for example, Eudoxe Plumard; I -am ready to go at once to the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Unless you prefer to -speak to the solicitor himself; but he is not in, he has just mounted -his mule to go to the Palais.' - -"I answered that it was about a matter with which Monsieur Bahuchet was -already familiar, and that, for that reason, you desired to speak with -him personally. Thereupon they promised to send him to you as soon as he -returned. - -"'But,' added the clerk who called himself Plumard, 'don't expect him -very early; for when Bahuchet goes out, it is always an eternity before -he comes back.' - -"And that, mademoiselle, is the result of my visit to the solicitor's -office." - -"Very well," said Valentine, apparently lost in thought. After a few -moments, she added: "Is it a long while, Miretta, since you have been to -see your acquaintance the bath keeper's daughter on Rue Saint-Jacques?" - -"No, mademoiselle, not more than a week." - -"Did you ask her about--about her friend, the other bath keeper's -daughter?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I asked her if she had seen her lately. She answered -that, as Bathilde's mother had returned, she could see her only very -rarely. And when I tried to question her further on the subject, she -abruptly changed the conversation. Which led me to think that, if she is -in her friend's confidence, she does not propose to betray her secret." - -"A fine secret, on my word! which must be known ere this to the whole -city, except perhaps those who are most deeply interested in it; but it -is always so.--At what time were you on Rue du Bac, Miretta?" - -"At half-past ten, mademoiselle." - -"And it is now?" - -"After twelve." - -"Well, we must wait until it pleases Monsieur Bahuchet to return to his -desk. Really, these solicitors are very patient with messieurs their -clerks! Go, Miretta; and as soon as the fellow arrives at the house, -bring him hither yourself--instantly! Above all things, do not let my -aunt know anything of all this!" - -"Never fear, mademoiselle; in fact, Madame de Ravenelle is at this -moment shut up in her oratory, and she is paying little heed to what -goes on in the house." - -The clock on the Capucines Church, which could be heard at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin, struck four. Valentine had been for a long time in a state of -the most intense impatience; she could not stay in one place; she -wandered hither and thither; took up a book and threw it down again in a -moment; attempted to play on her zither, but let the instrument fall -from her hands; and exclaimed continually: - -"He will not come! Four o'clock, and he went out early this morning! And -a solicitor keeps such clerks in his employ! Ah! how quickly I would -dismiss such fellows if I were in his place!--Suppose I should intrust -to Miretta the execution of my plan? But, no! no woman can perform such -a commission; besides, she is in my service--she would be recognized, -and I do not want to be compromised; I want to be revenged! but in such -wise that no one will know from what quarter the vengeance comes." - -Valentine had abandoned all hope of seeing the solicitor's clerk that -day, when the door of the room in which she was sitting was suddenly -thrown open, and Miretta announced: - -"Monsieur Bahuchet." - -At a sign from her mistress she admitted the little man, who confounded -himself in reverences to Mademoiselle de Mongarcin. - -"Here you are at last, monsieur! that is most fortunate!" cried -Valentine; "it seems that it is very difficult to have speech with -you.--Stay, Miretta, stay; I have no secrets from you, as you -know.--When you go out for an hour, monsieur le clerc, does it mean that -you will not return during the day?" - -"A thousand pardons, mademoiselle!" replied Bahuchet, trying to assume a -graceful attitude; "most certainly, if I had known, if I had been able -to guess, that mademoiselle wished to speak with me, I would have -returned to the office much sooner; and yet, mademoiselle, I am very -excusable this time. I did not pass my time, as I often do, watching the -open-air exhibitions of Turlupin and Gauthier-Garguille, or Brioché's -Marionettes. No, indeed! The news was too interesting to-day; it had to -do with so serious an event, accompanied by such mysterious -circumstances, that--I give you my word, mademoiselle--the least -inquisitive man could not have resisted the desire to see what I saw." - -"Some new amourette, I suppose? some nocturnal rendezvous that you -surprised?" - -"No, mademoiselle; this is no question of amourettes, but of a murder -committed last night. When I say _last night_, I am wrong; it was -perhaps a fortnight ago, perhaps longer; but the victim was not -discovered until last night." - -"A murder! and you witnessed it?" - -"No, thank God! When I say _thank God_, I do not mean that I am not very -curious to know how it came about. But, no, although I am very brave, -there are things that make one shudder simply to think of them!" - -"Come, monsieur, pray explain to us what you have learned that is so -shocking?" - -"Mademoiselle, I had been as far as the corner of Rue Barbette on -business for the office; I was about to return to Maître Bourdinard's, -planning, I admit, to go by way of Pont-Neuf, for I know no more -attractive, more diverting spot for the curious observer. It is the -rendezvous of the whole city! Who does not cross Pont-Neuf? One sees -there at the same moment, soldiers, bourgeois, priests, students, abbés, -courtiers, pages, peasants, and women!" - -"Do you propose to tell us the history of Pont-Neuf, Monsieur Bahuchet?" - -"No, mademoiselle, no; excuse me. My story has to do with a much less -cheerful bridge, the dismal Pont-aux-Choux!" - -At the mention of the Pont-aux-Choux, Miretta involuntarily shuddered -and listened more closely to what the little clerk said. - -"Yes, mademoiselle; it was close by the Pont-aux-Choux that the horrible -tragedy, which was discovered only this morning, took place.--I was -saying--where was I?--Oh, yes! I was about to return to my solicitor's -office, when, as I was taking a glass in a wine shop, I heard a peasant -say to a good woman--I say a good woman, she may have been a bad one, -but it's the custom, you know, to say _good woman_ when you are speaking -of a woman advanced in years--he said: 'Yes, mother, there has been -someone murdered on the road I take from Faubourg Saint-Antoine to the -Market. And I tell you, it isn't very pleasant; I don't know yet whether -I shall dare to go across Pont-aux-Choux after dark.' - -"My curiosity being aroused at that, I accosted the peasant and asked -him what he meant, and he answered: - -"'About two hours ago, they found in the Fossés Jaunes----'" - -"What are the Fossés Jaunes, Monsieur Bahuchet?" said Valentine; "I am -very ignorant, am I not? but we are taught so few things!" - -"The Fossés Jaunes, mademoiselle, were made in the time of King Charles -V, and they surrounded the outer wall of Paris that was built long ago, -in the time of Philippe-Auguste; they extend from the Bastille to Porte -Saint-Honoré." - -"Are they filled with water?" - -"There used to be water in them, no doubt, mademoiselle, but for a long -time they have contained nothing but muddy pools, in which very tall -grass grows, and from which it isn't at all easy to get out if you -happen to fall in. But as they are no longer of any use, I presume they -will very soon be filled up.--I resume my narrative. The peasant said: - -"'They found a dead man in the Fossés Jaunes, near Porte Saint-Antoine, -on the other side of the Pont-aux-Choux. From the condition of his -wounds, they know that he must have been killed quite a while ago; -consequently, no one knows just when the crime was committed. And to -think that I went by there at three o'clock in the morning, monsieur! -Suppose the brigands had seen me! No doubt they would have murdered me -too!' - -"'But,' I said to the peasant, 'as you passed the place at three o'clock -this morning, how do you know that they found a dead man there two hours -ago? Have you been back there?' - -"'No; but I just heard about it from a neighbor, a market gardener like -myself, who just came from the faubourg. He saw the poor fellow they had -taken out of the Fossés Jaunes; it seems he is a young man, and as -handsome as a picture! He is still lying there at full length on the -bank. Near the place where they found him, there are archers and -soldiers keeping watch; and they have gone to tell the magistrates, who -will make an investigation, of course, and search the neighborhood, and -try to find something to put them on the track of the guilty ones.' - -"I' faith, mademoiselle, I no sooner heard that than I felt a most -intense longing to see the unfortunate man, who was found last night in -the Fossés Jaunes. And I said to myself: 'If they need the magistrates, -they may need a solicitor's clerk too; I must go and see the man, and -then I can tell the whole story _de visu_!' - -"So I took my legs around my neck--the phrase is still in use, although -it lacks sense--and I can assure you that I ran without stopping, -although I overturned two children, an ass, and a milkwoman on the way; -but that is a detail. - -"When I arrived at the Pont-aux-Choux, someone pointed out the spot -where the poor young man still lay. I hurried to the place, and I was -not the only one whom curiosity had drawn thither; there was a large -crowd, and the soldiers had much ado to keep a space clear about the -corpse. But as I am never at a loss for an expedient, I said to one of -the guards that I was a clerk and employed in the magistracy, so he let -me go near." - -"So that you saw the man who was found dead?" said Miretta, in a voice -trembling with emotion. - -"Yes, my pretty lady's-maid, I saw it as plainly as I see you.--Ah! what -a calamity! It was a young man--that is to say, a man of twenty-seven or -twenty-eight at most, with a graceful figure, very well built, and a -face--oh! a fascinating face! so refined and distinguished! He must have -been a nobleman, or a gentleman of some ancient family." - -"He was not disfigured, then, not wounded in the face?" - -"Not a scratch! A surgeon who was there, with the lieutenant of -police--for the lieutenant had come in person to examine the victim--the -surgeon said, after looking at the wounds: - -"'This young man was struck from behind, evidently when he was seated; -he received a sword thrust in the back, which went completely through -his body, and then another in the heart; but the latter when he had -already fallen to the ground and lost consciousness. There cannot have -been any struggle; death must have been instantaneous, and the -unfortunate man had no time to defend himself.'" - -"But did no one recognize the young man?" said Valentine; "his rank or -his profession must have been indicated by his clothing. Did the -lieutenant of police discover anything to put him on the track?" - -"Mon Dieu! mademoiselle, it was very difficult to guess. In the first -place, the victim had been robbed of his cloak and hat and belt. The -poor young man had nothing on him but his doublet and short-clothes, -both of black cloth, and boots of a very common sort. But there was -nothing in his pockets--neither money, nor papers, nor weapons; -absolutely nothing! How is it possible, then, to guess who he is?--The -lieutenant of police, after a careful examination of the body and the -clothes, said: - -"'Evidently this young gentleman had just arrived in Paris, for we do -not remember having seen him before. He must have been attacked and -robbed by Giovanni, who took his money, his papers, his weapons, and -even a part of his clothes. Yes, such a crime can have been committed by -none but that bold Italian, who then hurled the body of his victim into -the moat, so that this latest crime might be less quickly discovered.'" - -"Giovanni!" cried Miretta; "always Giovanni! As soon as a murder is -committed, everyone agrees to charge it to his account! What is there to -prove that it was he who killed this young man?" - -"Hoity-toity! here is the little brunette defending the robber again!" -exclaimed Bahuchet, with a laugh. "Really, my dear, I begin to think -that you are one of his band!" - -Miretta flushed crimson. - -"I say that," she faltered, "because people tell so many lies, and -invent so many stories that----" - -"Mon Dieu! you do not need to justify yourself!" said Valentine, smiling -at her.--"But is that all, Monsieur Bahuchet? Is your terrible story at -an end?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, that is all. The lieutenant of police has had a -search made in the neighborhood, hoping that something might be found -belonging to the victim; but what is the use of searching now, when the -crime was committed perhaps three weeks ago? If it had not been for a -dog, nothing would have been discovered! But those excellent beasts are -often much cleverer and more cunning than we are, and they have a most -astonishing scent! This one stopped on the edge of the Fossés Jaunes, -and his master called him in vain--he would not budge. As such -persistence on the dog's part seemed very strange, his master went to -him to find out what he was doing. By peering intently into the high -grass in the moat, he finally discovered something that looked like a -man's arm; he ran for a ladder, and they found the unfortunate victim. -But that was all; for they have not succeeded in finding anything in the -fields round about, or in the moat where the poor young man lay! -Doubtless he was coming to Paris for enjoyment and diversion, and he met -death before he had put his foot in the city.--But so it goes!" - -"I am very, very sorry for the poor fellow who perished so miserably!" -said Valentine; "but I did not know him; and as I can do nothing to -avenge him, you will allow me, Monsieur Bahuchet, to turn my attention -now to the subject that led me to ask you to call here." - -"I am listening, mademoiselle; I am entirely at your service; I desired -simply to prove to you that if I returned late to the office, I was not -without some excuse. That idiot of a Plumard began at once to make -remarks!" - -"Enough, monsieur!--Listen: I expect a service from you. Are you -disposed to oblige me, and, above all things, never to say a word which -may lead anyone to suspect that you have acted by my orders?" - -"Mademoiselle, I am entirely devoted to you; and as for my -discretion---- Oh! there is no danger!" - -"But you are very fond of talking, monsieur, and of telling everything -you have learned!" - -"Everything! That depends; I know many things now that nobody else -knows--secrets; for instance, when Plumard----" - -"Well! do you propose to betray them now, monsieur?" - -"No, mademoiselle, no! I was about to say; even if Plumard should -question me, he would learn nothing.--But what sort of service does -mademoiselle require of me?" - -"Something very simple and very easy," said Valentine, opening a small -desk and taking from it the white plume that Bahuchet had sold her. -"Look, Monsieur Bahuchet, do you recognize this plume?" - -"Perfectly: it is the one I picked up on Rue Dauphine, under the balcony -which Monsieur Léodgard de Marvejols had just scaled." - -"That is right. Well, I wish you to go to Landry's bathing -establishment, and ask to see the fascinating Bathilde's mother. I know -that she has returned home. You will hand this white plume to that woman -and say to her: 'Your daughter's lovers lose their plumes at night when -they scale balconies to join her; here is one belonging to a noble lord, -whose name Mademoiselle Bathilde will be able to give you.'--Then you -will bow and take your leave; and that is all. As I do not wish to put -you out for nothing, be kind enough to accept this purse as compensation -for the trouble I cause you." - -The little clerk observed at a glance the plumpness of the purse which -Valentine offered him with the plume; but he hesitated about taking -them. - -"Well?" continued the nobly born maiden, testily; "are you not willing -to do what I ask?" - -"Pardon, pardon, mademoiselle; assuredly, I am too fortunate in the -confidence which you manifest in me." - -"Then take this plume and this purse!" - -"But, you see, I am wondering in my own mind how Dame Ragonde will take -it--that is young Bathilde's mother's name. I know the family. Dame -Ragonde is a very bad one, they say; and when I tell her that her -daughter receives lovers at night, that will not afford her great -pleasure! What if she should fall on me with fists and claws?" - -"What, Monsieur Bahuchet! You, who claim to be so brave, afraid of a -woman's anger?" - -"Because with a woman one must accept anything without retaliating; -whereas, with a man--what a difference! If he ventures to lack respect, -to strike us, why, we fall on him and pay him back twice or thrice what -we have received." - -"Very well, monsieur; instead of taking the plume to this Bathilde's -mother, hand it to her father, Landry the bath keeper; then, if he -resorts to violence, you can pay him back twice or thrice." - -The little clerk scratched his ear and opened his nostrils wider than -ever; he saw that the young lady had no faith in his courage; however, -he made up his mind at last and took both plume and purse, saying: - -"I will do as you first suggested, mademoiselle; I will hand this plume -to Dame Ragonde; I think that that will be the better way; and as for -her claws, I will brave them without a tremor." - -"And if she should ask who sent you?" - -"No one! I am acting on my own account. I picked up the plume, and I -bring it back; and that will be no falsehood." - -"Very good; discretion so far as I am concerned, monsieur, is what I -especially enjoin upon you. You will carry this plume to the bath -keeper's to-day?" - -"It shall be handed to Dame Ragonde to-day." - -"If my errand is left undone, I warn you that I shall know it!" - -"It shall be done; I swear it by the Basoche!" - -"Au revoir, Monsieur Bahuchet!" - -"Mademoiselle, I have the honor to present my respectful -homage.--Bonsoir, pretty brunette! Oh! what eyes you make at me, my -dear!--Come, come! be calm! I won't speak ill of robbers again!" - -"Well!" said Valentine to Miretta, who sat as if lost in thought after -the solicitor's clerk had gone. "You say nothing, Miretta; is it because -you do not approve of what I have done?" - -"That poor girl! She will be very unhappy when her parents know of her -fault!" murmured Miretta, with a sigh. - -"And suppose another woman should become the mistress of the man you -love?" rejoined Valentine, seizing her maid's arm; "would not you be -revenged?" - -"Oh, yes! yes! You have done well!" - -And Miretta raised her eyes, which seemed to emit flames. - - - - -XXVIII - -PLUMARD - - -On leaving the Hôtel de Mongarcin on this occasion, Bahuchet did not -jostle the passers-by or jingle the money in his purse; the little clerk -was beginning to be accustomed to windfalls. Moreover, at that moment -his joy was moderated by another sentiment. He had carefully concealed -the white plume under his doublet; then he had counted the contents of -the purse twice over. He found therein a hundred livres tournois in -coins of various denominations, and he gazed with admiration at the -money; then he carefully bestowed the purse in his belt, saying to -himself: - -"It is a great pity that I have to carry this plume to Landry the bath -keeper! There is nothing pleasant about that commission; it may even be -dangerous! Pardieu! Mademoiselle de Mongarcin knows it well enough! She -would not pay such a price to have an errand done that is apparently so -simple, if she did not foresee that the messenger would be exposed to -great risk!--Let me see, let me see! I must cudgel my brain a bit and -try to think if there is not some way of keeping my back or my face out -of reach of cudgels or claws.--I have promised that this white plume -shall be handed to-day to young Bathilde's parents; it shall be, for an -honest youth has only his word! Moreover, I am in a solicitor's office! -But solicitors know how to get around the most knotty questions; suppose -I should get around this errand of mine--suppose I should send somebody -else in my place to carry this infernal plume, prescribing the words he -was to say? Why, that would come to precisely the same thing in the end, -and my person would run no risk whatever!" - -Having decided upon this plan, Bahuchet bent his steps toward the -wretched eating house where he and his comrade Plumard generally dined. - -On entering the place, he saw his friend seated at his usual table; he -took his seat opposite him, with an even more than ordinarily expansive -smile. - -"Enchanted to find you, Plumard, my boy! I should have been disappointed -if you had not come here to-night. You are having supper--I will do -likewise, for I have a keen appetite. What you are eating looks very -good, Plumard; what in the devil is it?" - -"It is a rabbit stew, according to our host; but it's too good to be -rabbit, it must be cat at least!" - -"Ah! bigre! I propose to have some of it, too.--Holà! waiter! bring me a -portion of the same dish that my friend has; if it isn't the same -animal, I won't have it! And by the way, waiter, you may also bring me -some fricot of veal, with small onions--a large portion! Make it double, -and I will give my friend Plumard some; he has a weakness for veal, like -myself. And, waiter, I could eat some of that delicious fish which is -noted for its bones--a carp, as fine as those at Fontainebleau, where -they resemble whales; a fried carp! That is a feast in itself--with a -sprig of parsley on it; and I know that my friend Plumard does not -profess a profound contempt for the carp. Moisten it all with that -Argenteuil light wine that is so well _stripped_--you know what I mean, -don't you? the old, not the new; the really old, that you don't make -yourself.--Go, waiter, and if I am content with you I will grease your -palm, as we say at the office." - -"But I say!" said Plumard, fixing his great round eyes on his vis-à-vis; -"what does this mean, Bahuchet? Have you had a legacy left you? or has a -fair lady of mature years let her favors fall upon you?" - -"No! nothing of the sort! Certainly, a lady might fall in love with me -as well as with another. I am not a foe of the fair sex. Although there -is always a reverse side to the medal, I will not say of women, with -Suetonius, that we must _missam facere uxorem_!--That Suetonius was not -a gallant man." - -"Answer what I ask you, instead of quoting your classics!" - -"It seems to me, Plumard, that with you I may venture to take a few -strides into the domain of science. You are a clerk like myself; you -must understand Latin. If you do not understand it, I grieve for you." - -"What an infernal chatterbox! he keeps branching off from his subject." - -"That proves that I have facility in elocution, elasticity in my ideas. -There are many people who would like to branch off from their subject, -and who cannot. They have to remain nailed fast to it, for lack of -imagination to think up anything else;--_quid agis_? You wish to know -why I treat you so handsomely this evening, do you not? Well, I propose -to tell you: I won a dozen livres in a game of _brisque_ with a churl, -and I propose to consume a part of it with you. Do you think that I do -wrong?" - -"No, no! far from it; it is an excellent idea of yours!" - -"Ah! it is very lucky that you approve of my action." - -"Do you play at _brisque_?" - -"I play at all games at which I win; they are the only ones that amuse -me.--But here comes the veal. Let us attend strictly to business. There -are idiots who say: _Non ut edam vivo, sed ut vivam edo_. For my part, I -am not ashamed to say that I live for nothing else except to eat; for if -I did not eat, I should die. Why, then, should not one do with pleasure, -with sensuous delight, a thing which we are bound to do every day?--Let -us fall to!" - -Bahuchet, possessor of a stomach whose capacity was extraordinary, -swallowed with surprising rapidity everything that the waiter placed -between him and Plumard; he consumed, unaided, almost the entire -contents of the dishes which he had ordered for two; so that his friend -stopped him at last, saying: - -"It was hardly worth while to offer to treat me, if you propose to eat -everything!" - -"_Quid rogas_, comrade? why do you eat so slowly? I concluded that you -were not hungry, and I thought that it was useless to leave anything." - -"If I ate as fast as you, I should choke to death!" - -"Well, I will go slower now.--Besides, I want to talk with you; and when -one is talking, one cannot eat; that is why I laid in a stock in -advance.--Plumard, I am going to tell you something which will make you -very happy." - -"Bah! is it that our solicitor is going to give us a crown more a -month?" - -"Ouiche! I advise you to count on that! He is more likely to cut us -down; he has already threatened to do it to me!--Come, think, think of -something that might be of immense benefit to you." - -Plumard raised his great eyes to the beams which sustained the ceiling. - -"Have you met a rich woman who wishes to marry me?" - -"You haven't guessed yet; but with what I have discovered, I make no -doubt that you will very soon fascinate some wealthy dowager, who will -lay her crowns at your feet." - -"Come, explain yourself, Bahuchet; you know that I am not very strong at -guessing, and you keep me in suspense too long!" - -"_Quid festinas_? What's the hurry? Think; take your time!" - -"If you don't tell me, I will go away!" - -"What a keg of powder!" - -"That is my nature!" - -"Well, listen: I have discovered in a _cul-de-sac_ an old hag who has -invented a pomade that infallibly makes the hair grow on the baldest -skulls and those most rebellious under cultivation!" - -Plumard frowned and looked at his comrade with a wrathful air, -muttering: - -"Do you mean to make sport of me, as usual? You know, Bahuchet, that I -don't like that. You have already told me a lot of stories about pomades -that did not exist. You have sent me to ask for them to people who have -laughed in my face. I want no more of your practical jokes! I will fight -you if you begin that game again. I am not afraid to fight; I am no -coward! Look out, or I will hit you a crack!" - -"Ta! ta! ta! What a nice, amiable boy it is!--You treat a person, and -try to make yourself agreeable to him, and to reward you he threatens to -beat you!--All right; we will say no more about it, my dear fellow; I -will keep my discovery to myself, and if a few of my hairs should fall -out some day I shall know how to remedy it." - -Plumard was silent for a moment, nibbling a piece of dry bread. - -Then he murmured, in a softer tone: - -"Then why have you fooled me so often? How do you expect me to have -confidence in you?" - -"It's all right! it's all right! let us say no more about it." - -"But this old hag who makes the pomade--do you know her address?" - -"No, I tell you, I no longer know anything; I was lying, I was trying to -make fun of you! I deserve nothing better than the rope's end or the -cudgel!" - -"Come, come, Bahuchet! I was too quick; I am sorry." - -"Ah! when a friend tells me that he is sorry, I cannot harbor ill will -against him.--Yes, I know where to find the hag." - -"And she sells this pomade?" - -"No, she won't sell it to anybody!--but to me, having taken a fancy to -me, she will give a jar." - -"Oh! that is much more agreeable! And when will you have this jar?" - -"To-morrow, if I choose." - -"And you will give it to me?--Ah! you are a friend!" - -"Yes, I will give it to you, but on one little condition, and that is -that you will do me a favor in return. Between friends, you know, when -one obliges the other, he always expects reciprocity." - -"What is it that I must do?" asked Plumard, with a frown. - -"A very simple thing, which will not disturb you in the least. When you -go home to-night, go into Landry the bath keeper's place--he is your -neighbor--and hand his wife this white plume, which I picked up under -their balcony one night when I walked home with you. Then you will say -to Dame Ragonde: 'Your daughter's lovers lose their plumes at night, -scaling your balcony; here is one which I picked up, and which belongs -to a young nobleman whose name your daughter will tell you.'--And then -you will go away. It's the simplest thing in the world." - -Plumard pushed his stool away from the table, crying: - -"A very pretty commission that! I shall be well treated when I deliver -that message.--No, no! do your errand yourself--you may have all the -profit." - -"As you please; but since you refuse to do it, we will say no more about -the jar of pomade." - -And Bahuchet began to whistle with an indifferent air. After a few -minutes Plumard said, between his teeth: - -"What an idea, to send to that girl's mother the plume her lover -lost!--That is downright wicked, it's a villainous trick!--Have you any -reason to complain of pretty Bathilde? I am surprised at that; I thought -that you didn't know her." - -"Plumard! there are mysteries which it is impossible to divulge.--As for -the girl, she will say to her mother: 'It is not true, I have no lover'; -and that will be the end of it." - -"Do you think so?" - -"Parbleu! are girls who have lovers ever at a loss for a lie?" - -"That is true.--But another suggestion occurs to me." - -"State it." - -"Let us assume that I undertake this--thorny commission; how do I know -that you will give me the jar of pomade then? You will laugh in my face -when I claim it." - -"I understand your suspicion, having now and then played some rather -neat tricks on you; and I am so far from being angry with you, that I -propose to prove to you that it will not be so this time." - -And taking from his belt the purse he had received, Bahuchet produced a -beautiful rose crown and placed it in Plumard's hand, saying: - -"See, here is gold--and of good alloy. If I do not give you the jar of -pomade when you claim it, I will allow you to keep this gold piece and -not return it to me.--Do you think that I am tricking you, now?" - -Plumard turned the coin over and over in his hand; he weighed it, rang -it on the table, then put it in his pocket, and offered his comrade his -hand, saying: - -"It is a bargain; I will deliver the plume." - -"And you will say exactly what I have told you?" - -"I will say it without omitting a word. Where is the plume?" - -"Here it is; conceal it under your doublet, as I have done. Let us empty -this jug of wine, then you must go about your commission." - -"This evening?" - -"Why not? It is better to have it done with at once." - -"And you will go for the jar of pomade?" - -"I told you that I would give it to you to-morrow, and you may rely upon -it. In any event, it seems to me that you have a sufficient guaranty." - -"That is true." - -The two clerks emptied the jug of wine, and Bahuchet paid the bill. - -They left the wine shop. - -The day was nearing its end. - -"Until to-morrow!" said Bahuchet, shaking hands with his comrade. - -"Until to-morrow!" - -And the little man ran off in the opposite direction to that which -Plumard took to go to Rue Dauphine. And as he ran, he laughed in his -sleeve, saying to himself: - -"Take the plume, dear boy; I am going to enjoy myself, to pass the night -in jollification at a wine shop, and to make up a pomade to redeem my -gold piece!" - -As Plumard drew near to Master Landry's establishment, he felt that his -resolution weakened; a nervous shiver ran through his limbs. To restore -his courage, he passed his hand over his bald head several times, saying -to himself: - -"Hair! it will make my hair grow! I shall have as much as Samson, -perhaps! How handsome I shall be when I have some hair! No woman will be -able to resist me then. And when they ask me for a lock, I shall not be -compelled to refuse them, as I am to-day.--Ah! corbleu! sacrebleu! -morbleu! I must shrink at nothing in face of that hope! How beautifully -I will dress my hair! I will have curls falling over my ears.--But -suppose that old woman should rush at me and claw my eyes out! Peste! -then I should not see my hair grow!--My eyes are superb; I should never -be able to console myself for the loss of even half of one of -them.--This is a very embarrassing, very delicate affair! Let me think a -little. Might I not make some change in what I have to say when I -deliver the plume? After all, Bahuchet won't be at my back to listen to -what I say! He has taken me in many times; and if I should cheat him a -little, where would be the harm?--And then, I should be sorry to make -trouble for that girl, who, they say, is so pretty! Who knows whether -some day, when I have some hair, she may not feel a tender affection for -me, on being told of the service I rendered her?--Yes, I must be -generous to beauty, and shelter my face from scratches." - -In due time, Plumard reached the bath keeper's house. - -It was dark and the shopkeepers were beginning to close their doors. - -The old trooper of Henri IV sat in his doorway, smoking his pipe. - -The clerk walked up and down the street several times; at last he -decided to accost Landry, saying to himself: - -"It matters little whether I give the plume to the father or the mother. -I prefer to address myself to the father; men understand each other -better. I must be shrewd and subtle.--Ah! good evening, Master Landry! -How are you this evening? You are smoking, I see; that is a pleasant -pastime. I should like very much to smoke, if it did not make me sick -and make my head ache so that I can't see. I have an uncle who went into -consumption from smoking a pipe, and two cousins who were made -insane!--Ah! how pleasant it is to smoke!--The skies are dark to-night, -and I am afraid we shall have a storm to-morrow; that would be a -disappointment to me. I have a longing to take a ride in a _chaise à -porteurs_, or a _brouette_--the new invention, you know? it is very -convenient, and very fashionable in the best society; _brouettes_ cost -only sixteen sous for the trip, or eighteen by the hour; while the -_chaise à porteurs_ costs thirty sous for the trip. That is dear--yes, -it's very dear! But how comfortable it must be in one!--Still, it's very -nice in a _brouette_!" - -Landry listened tranquilly to this outflow of words, eying the young -clerk the while; when it was at an end, he answered coldly: - -"As I don't know you, and as it makes no difference to me whether you -ride in a _chaise_ or in a _brouette_, I am going to bed. Good-night!" - -"Oh! stay a moment! You are in a terrible hurry. You do not recognize -me, because it is beginning to grow dark, but I am one of your best -customers; I bathe as many as fifteen times a week!--But so many people -come to your place that you can't recognize all their faces!" - -"That is possible! In that case, excuse me; but I am tired, and I am -going to bed." - -"One moment more, I beg!--Does your charming daughter also enjoy perfect -health, like her worthy father?" - -The old soldier began to examine the clerk more closely, muttering: - -"My daughter! do you know my daughter, monsieur de la Basoche?" - -"Ah! I know her--without knowing her. I know that she is enchanting, -because I have seen her sometimes on your balcony, when she was watering -her flowers." - -"Ah! you have seen her, have you? Very good; I begin to -understand.--Well, what are you trying to come at to-night?" - -"I' faith! I will tell you. See--I have here a superb white plume; I had -it from an aunt who had it from an uncle, who was train bearer at the -court of King Charles IX.--To make a long story short, I said to -myself: 'Such a handsome plume as this is a pure luxury in my hands; if -I should offer it to Master Landry's daughter, it would be a gift worthy -of her charms, and it would shade becomingly her brow of roses and -lilies.'--That idea once conceived, I determined to put it in execution. -Here, excellent bath keeper, is the plume in question; you see how -beautiful it is! Pray take it and hand it to your fascinating progeny; I -desire no other reward than the pleasure of knowing that she is -gratified by the gift." - -"Aha! my rascal! so you presume to offer a plume to my daughter, do you? -And you dare to ask her father to be your messenger? Ten thousand cannon -balls! this passes all bounds! It was probably you who prowled about -this street so much that it made the neighbors gossip!" - -"Master Landry, I live on this street, it is true; but I have never -prowled about your----" - -"Enough! enough! you impertinent rascal! coming to ask a father to take -charge of a present intended to seduce his daughter!" - -"Why, not at all! you are off the track, my good Landry; I have no such -purpose." - -"Ah! you take me for one of those half-witted or obliging fathers who -shut their eyes to such manoeuvres! I am going to show you how I -receive gallants who would like to talk nonsense to my daughter!--Here, -you blackguard, here is the price of your gift!" - -As he spoke, the bath keeper planted his foot in Plumard's -short-clothes, and repeated the movement several times, running after -the young clerk, who fled, yelling at the top of his voice. - -Satisfied with the chastisement he had administered to the man whom he -believed to be in love with his daughter, Landry returned to his house -and locked the door. - -As for the ill-fated Plumard, he hastened to his lodgings, holding his -hand to the portion of his frame that had been so roughly treated by the -bath keeper, and saying to himself: - -"I should have done as well to execute my commission without making any -change in the text, without diverging from my instructions!--What a -brutal wretch that bath keeper is! He thinks now that I am in love with -his daughter! I shall not dare to pass his door--I shall have to -move.--However, if the pomade has the virtue that Bahuchet attributes to -it, I shall find some consolation for my late disagreeable experience. I -shall be so handsome with plenty of hair! I will go about bareheaded, I -will carry my cap in my hand all the time!" - - * * * * * - -These typographical errors were corrected by the etext transcriber: - -Collége Saint-Denis=>Collège Saint-Denis - -this underaking, do not pity me=>this undertaking, do not pity me - -Turlupin and Gautier-Garguille=>Turlupin and Gauthier-Garguille - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul -de Kock Volume VII), by Charles Paul de Kock - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BATH KEEPERS, V.1 *** - -***** This file should be named 40335-8.txt or 40335-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/3/3/40335/ - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/40335-8.zip b/40335-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1b759d2..0000000 --- a/40335-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/40335-h.zip b/40335-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 5734c4c..0000000 --- a/40335-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/40335-0.txt b/old/40335-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6016e67..0000000 --- a/old/40335-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11352 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul de -Kock Volume VII), by Charles Paul de Kock - -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/license - - -Title: The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume VII) - -Author: Charles Paul de Kock - -Release Date: July 25, 2012 [EBook #40335] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BATH KEEPERS, V.1 *** - - - - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: _Copyright 1903 by G. Barrie & Sons_] - -_LÉODGARD RETURNS TO HIS FRIENDS_ - -_All the young men ran to meet Léodgard, for it was really he who was -approaching. As they drew near him they were struck by his pallor and by -the sinister gleam of his eyes, which avoided theirs._ - - - - -NOVELS - -BY - -Paul de Kock - -VOLUME VII - -THE BATH KEEPERS; - -OR, - -PARIS IN THOSE DAYS - -VOL. I - -PRINTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH - -[Illustration] - -GEORGE BARRIE'S SONS - -THE JEFFERSON PRESS - -BOSTON NEW YORK - -_Copyrighted, 1903-1904, by G. B. & Sons._ - - - - -THE BATH KEEPERS; - -OR, - -PARIS IN THOSE DAYS - - - - -I - -RUE COUTURE-SAINTE-CATHERINE - - -It was two o'clock on a cold, damp morning; the fine snow, which melted -as soon as it touched the ground, made the streets slippery and dirty, -and Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine,--then called -Couture-Sainte-Catherine,--although it was one of the broadest streets -in Paris, was as black and gloomy as any blind alley in the Cité to-day. - -But these things took place in the year one thousand six hundred and -thirty-four; and I need not tell you that in those days no such devices -for street lighting as lanterns, gas, or electric lights were known. The -man who should have discovered the last-named invention, which, in -truth, savors strongly of the magical, would surely have been subjected -to the ordinary and extraordinary torture for a recompense. - -Those were the good old times! - -Everything new aroused suspicion; people believed much more readily in -sorcerers, the devil, and magic, than in the results of study and -learning and the reasoning of the human intellect. - -Was it that men were too modest in those days? If so, they have reformed -most effectually since then. - -In those days, very few persons ventured to be out late in the streets -of Paris, where the police was most inefficient and often worse. - -The young noblemen sometimes indulged in the pastime of beating the -watch; that diversion was permitted to the nobility. To-day, the -prowlers about the barriers are the only class who undertake to beat the -gendarmes from time to time; but the gendarmes are not so accommodating -as the watch of the old days. - -There were not then some thirty or more theatres open every evening for -the entertainment of the people of the capital and of the strangers -drawn thither by its renown. A single one had been founded and was -patronized by Cardinal de Richelieu, who, unfortunately for his glory, -had undertaken to add to his other titles thereto the title of author. - -But all great men have had their weaknesses. Alexander drank too much, -which was infinitely more reprehensible than to write wretched verses; -Frederick the Great insisted that he was a talented performer on the -flute; and Louis XIV danced in the comédies-ballets which Molière -composed for him. - -The farces which were then being performed by Turlupin, Gros-Guillaume, -and Gauthier-Garguille ended with the daylight, their theatres being in -the open air. People dined at noon and supped at six o'clock; and when a -worthy bourgeois remained at a friend's house as late as nine o'clock, -he looked upon it as a genuine revel, as a youthful escapade, and -hurried home at the top of his speed, carrying a lantern, and shuddering -with terror many a time as he passed through the lanes which were then -called streets, and in which, if he should happen to meet any -evil-minded person, he was certain of obtaining no assistance from any -house or shop; for when the curfew had rung, everything must be closed, -and you might not even have a light in your house, if you wished to read -or work, or for any reason not to go to bed. - -Why do we call that period "the good old time"? - -That is a question I have often asked myself. - -Is it because people were not entitled to go to bed, to work, to -entertain their friends, to amuse themselves when they had the desire, -the need, or the fancy so to do? - -Is it because people broke their necks after dark in the streets? -because thieves, then called _Truands_, _Mauvais Garçons_, _Tireurs de -Laine_, or _Coupeurs de Bourses_, plied their trade in broad daylight on -Pont Neuf and in other localities, laughing in your face if you ventured -to remonstrate? - -Was it because the shops were dark and filthy, devoid of taste and -refinement? - -Was it because duels were fought on street corners, or in the public -squares, two or four or twelve a day, as unconcernedly as we go boating -to-day; and the authorities took no steps to prevent this butchery? - -Was it because edicts were promulgated every day whereby such a one was -forbidden to wear silk, another to wear velvet, this woman to have a -gilt girdle, another to dress in certain colors, which were too -brilliant, too conspicuous for her walk in life? - -O short-sighted politicians! O paltry critics! who anathematize luxury, -who seek to restrict refinement, who censure coquetry, and who do not -understand that by such theories you strike at our commerce, our -manufacturers, our mechanics--in a word, all our _workers_! - -In heaven's name, what harm is done if a plebeian who has money dresses -fashionably, luxuriously even, if such be his taste, his caprice? - -Are you afraid that he may eclipse you, who assume to belong to the beau -monde? Try to make yourself distinguished by your manners, your bearing, -your grace, your courtesy, your language; surely you must know that -those are things that cannot be bought! - -For my own part, I would be glad to see all the working girls in silk -dresses, velvet bonnets, and lace-trimmed caps, and all the workingmen -in patent-leather shoes and white gloves. - -Where would be the harm? - -Is not the picture of refinement more attractive than that of -slovenliness, poverty, and want? - -Does not the money that a man spends on his dress do him more honor than -that which he throws away at the wine shop? - -But let us return to Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine, and to the period -when the events that we are about to describe took place. - -A young man came out of Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and passed the Hôtel de -Carnavalet, before which artists and admirers of sculpture always paused -to gaze at the waving lines of the great portal, and the masks and -bas-reliefs that adorned the arches of the windows--the work of the -immortal Jean Goujon. - -Fortunate structure, which the genius of an artist was to make famous -forever, and to which, at a later time, a woman of intellect was to add -renewed lustre by making it her residence! - -But at the period of which we write, Madame de Sévigné had not taken up -her abode at the Hôtel de Carnavalet. - -The hour was not propitious for halting in front of the mansion, for it -was very near Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which at that time extended to -Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine; moreover, the person who came from the -first-named street did not seem to be in that frame of mind which fits -us to pass judgment on the objects of beauty we may meet on our road. - -He was, as we have said, a young man. Twenty-five years was his age; he -was tall, slender, and well built; there was in his carriage and in -every movement the ease of bearing which denotes the man of the world, -and the manners which point to familiarity with cultivated society, and -which one does not lose, even in low company, when one has inherited -them from a long line of ancestors. - -In addition to grace of form, this young man possessed a handsome face -and clean-cut features; his brow was lofty and proud; his black eyes -were large and bright, and surmounted by very dense eyebrows which -almost met, thus imparting at times a somewhat sombre expression to the -organs of vision below them, which flashed fire when animated by wrath, -but could, on occasion, assume an expression of gentleness and -tenderness which it was difficult to resist; a small mouth, well -supplied with teeth, and shaded by a small moustache; an oval chin -adorned by a _royale_; and a forest of black hair which fell in thick -curls over his neck and shoulders--such, physically, was Léodgard de -Marvejols. - -As for his moral character, this story will instruct us sufficiently -therein. - -Clad in a handsome doublet of crimson silk, slashed with white satin; -knee-breeches of the same material, held in place by a white belt with -silver fringe, to which was attached a long sword, with a hilt of the -finest steel, ornamented with fringe and bows of ribbon; the young -cavalier's feet and legs were encased in funnel-shaped top-boots of -yellow leather, with buckles at the instep; spurs affixed to those -light boots indicated that they seldom contributed to wear out the -pavements. A broad collarette, trimmed with lace, served as a cravat, -and a small velvet cloak was thrown over the shoulders and clasped on -one side. Lastly, a hat with a pointed crown and broad brim, turned up -in front, and surmounted by a long white plume attached by a steel -button, was the young man's headgear; and it must be said that it was -infinitely more graceful and refined than the hideous hats that we wear -to-day. - -We must do justice to the "good old times" in this respect: the costumes -worn by men were much more graceful, more dignified, more attractive, -than they now are; for we must, before everything, be impartial, and -award praise as well as blame. - -Léodgard de Marvejols walked rather quickly, but sometimes he stopped, -like a person who is very much preoccupied, and to whom it matters -little that it is two o'clock in the morning, and that the streets are -deserted. - -At these times he usually thought aloud, or talked to himself--a -practice which is more common than is generally supposed; and as the -young nobleman had supped very copiously, his monologues were quite as -energetic as if he were still accompanied by boisterous revellers. - -At this time Léodgard was very near the new convent of the _Annonciades -Célestes_, or _Filles Bleues_, which one of the mistresses of Henri IV, -the Marquise de Verneuil, had founded in the year 1626. - -The blue girdle and cloak worn by the Annonciades had already caused -them to be styled _Filles Bleues_; which fact did not prevent those -saintlike women from being held in great veneration in their quarter; so -that, in broad daylight, people would have been terribly scandalized to -hear our young man swear roundly so near that asylum of repentance, and -exclaim, as he leaned against the wall of the convent: - -"Par la mordieu! if that Jarnonville had not left the game, I should -have won twice as much, thrice as much; I was in luck; I should have won -until morning. And that D'Artigues, and Cournac--to refuse to take the -dice--when I offered them their revenge at lansquenet--that swindlers' -game! and when I was losing! God damn me! I would stake my patrimony, my -moustaches, my mistress, if anyone would give me anything on them, and -my soul, if the devil would take it.--Let me see: how much did I win -from them? five or six hundred pistoles at most; and even so, I am not -sure that their rose crowns aren't clipped or counterfeit. A noble -night's work, on my word! as if that would make up what I have lost! I -know that I may continue to win to-morrow, and the day after to-morrow; -that I may win as often as I have lost.--Ah! I will win! I must! I must -win enough to buy another _petite maison_, as I have lost mine to that -infernal De Montrevers.--Where in the devil am I to take my pretty -courtesan, Camilla, to-morrow?--This is strange; I feel dizzy; that -Jurançon wine was good, but it is heady.--Where in the devil shall I -take my new conquest to-morrow? Cournac refused to lend me his _petite -maison_, on the pretext that he was to have company there. The coxcomb! -he boasts of it, but it is a lie; I know from his esquire that when he -goes there he is always alone! However, we shall find some place of -shelter to take our belle; I am in funds now, and with a well-filled -purse one is welcomed cordially everywhere.--Apropos of my purse, let us -be sure that I haven't lost it. By hell! I am quite capable of it, I am -so dizzy!" - -At that thought, the young man hastily put his hand to his belt; but his -eyes almost immediately resumed a serene expression, as he felt his -purse, which was round and full. He could not resist the desire to take -it in his hands and feel the weight of it, saying to himself: - -"At last, I am not going home with an empty purse. Ten thousand devils! -it is a long time since that has happened to me!" - -And Léodgard was about to restore the purse to his belt, when a person -who had drawn near to him, quietly and unperceived, caught his arm, -saying: - -"It is unnecessary; don't give yourself the trouble to put it back." - - - - -II - -A ROBBER - - -The man who had halted in front of Léodgard was tall and strong, and -seemed rather young than old; he was so strangely attired, that, after -meeting him once, it would be difficult not to remember him. - -A black doublet fitted close to his body, like a silk shirt; he wore -laced half-boots; a leather belt, in which were thrust pistols and a -poniard; and a broad baldric, from which hung a short sabre--a sort of -dagger with a very broad blade. All this part of his costume was -concealed by an ample caftan of olive-green cloth, which had a hood of -the same material, and which we may compare to a modern _caban_.[A] His -head was covered with a red cap, trimmed with long wild boar's hair. -This cap was pulled down so far that one could hardly see his eyes; only -a long, thin nose could be distinguished, the lower part of the face -being completely hidden by moustaches and a heavy beard of the same -color as the hair on his cap. - -[A] A thick woollen cloak, with a hood. - -All these details formed a most unprepossessing whole, and gave the man -the aspect of a porcupine. - -But one was taken by surprise when there came from that bearded face, -instead of a harsh and threatening voice, a soft, almost melodious -sound; there was in the bandit's speech something mellow and vibrating, -which, with a rather pronounced Italian accent, gave it a decided charm. - -Léodgard raised his head and was completely taken aback when he saw this -individual standing in front of him; but, instead of complying with his -suggestion and refraining from putting his purse away, he instantly -withdrew his arm, replaced the gold in his belt, and, stepping back, -scrutinized the robber; who stood quietly in his place and submitted to -the examination, like one who was in no hurry at all and was content to -await the convenience of the traveller he proposed to plunder. - -"Pardieu! I cannot be mistaken," cried Léodgard, after a moment; "you -are the famous Giovanni, the Italian robber, but lately arrived in -France, who has already filled Paris with the fame of his exploits, his -audacity, and, above all, his address!" - -The man in the olive-green caftan bent his head slightly, replying in a -flute-like voice, as if highly flattered by the compliment: - -"Yes, signor, I am he." - -"Ah! By my faith, I do not regret the meeting! Since the beginning of -the winter, I have heard so much of you and your prowess, Master -Giovanni, that I have more than once longed to make your acquaintance. -For you are no ordinary robber--everybody does you that justice; you -are ceremonious and well-mannered, and, it is said, very agreeable to -the persons you rob. That is a decided change for us; our French thieves -are so vulgar, such pitiful wretches! Come, since chance has served me -so well to-night, let us talk a little. Have you a few moments to give -me before we decide the fate of this purse?" - -"I shall be very glad to talk with you, signor; I have time enough, for -yours is the last business I shall do to-night." - -"And it will not be the most profitable for you, I warn you, Giovanni; -for I am not in the mood to give up my purse to you; it is too well -filled for that!" - -The robber's only reply was a satirical laugh. - -Léodgard de Marvejols had found a stone, on which he seated himself; -Giovanni remained standing with arms folded, and the conversation began. - -"Why did you leave your beautiful Italy to come to France? Would you not -be more at ease in the vast plains that surround Rome, or on the slopes -of the Pausilippo, or lying lazily beside the blue sea that bathes the -feet of Naples, than in this dark and filthy street, beneath this gray -sky, in this cold mist which chills us to the bone as it clings to our -garments?" - -"The sky of Italy is beautiful, signor, but love of change lies deep in -the heart of man." - -"That is true; I grant you that. Moreover, since the days of Queen -Catherine de' Medici, of sinister memory, it seems that all Italians -have agreed to meet in Paris. We see your compatriots everywhere--at -court, in the city, in exalted positions, in the finances. The Italians -have brought us poisons,--with the way to make use of them,--the art of -telling fortunes by cards, of reading the stars, of learning the -future.--I try in vain to think what they have given us in exchange for -all this----" - -"Music, signor." - -"Ah! to be sure: music! They do, in fact, sing better than we do; but, -frankly, I do not think that that makes the balance even. I should have -supposed that Concini's tragic end would have allayed to some extent the -ardor of your compatriots for living in Paris. But I see that it is not -so, and that we have not yet seen the last of the Italians." - -"One finds much to entertain one in France, signor." - -"That must needs be so, since everybody desires to come here!--But tell -me,--for your manners and language seem to denote a man of some -education, and that you are not such a devil as you seek to appear, with -that shocking cap, in which you probably disguise yourself for a -purpose,--what train of events has led you to adopt the hazardous -profession in which you are now so famous? Do you feel disposed to tell -me?--For my own part, I confess that I am very curious to know your -adventures, assuming that you are not resolved to keep them secret." - -"Mon Dieu! signor, I am ready to gratify you: the events of my life are -very simple--like those that come to multitudes of young men in all -lands. I am the son of a most respectable physician of Florence; indeed, -my father had amassed some wealth; he desired to make me a _dottore_ -like himself, but I had not the slightest calling for the medical -profession. By way of compensation, I had a decided calling for -gambling, the joys of love, and of the table. I played, and contracted -debts. At first, my father paid them; but in time he tired of paying -money for me; he besought me to abandon the sort of life I was leading. -_Que diavolo!_--it was too late, the twig was bent! I allowed myself to -be led astray by fellows to whom all means of procuring money were -justifiable. I left Florence, I changed my name, from regard for my -family, and I followed the current. One travels rapidly on that road! As -I was dexterous and fearless, I soon left behind all those whose -imitator I had been. I became famous at Naples, at Rome, at Milan, -throughout Italy. But my description was spread broadcast, and, in spite -of the care with which I concealed my features, I was obliged to leave -my native land. Then it was that I came to France, to Paris, where I -have been plying my trade for six months, in the teeth of the watch, and -despite the efforts of the police and of monsieur le cardinal's -bloodhounds. However, I will confess to you in confidence that I have as -yet found no one among all your lovely Frenchwomen comparable to the -pretty girls of Florence and Milan. I have left some tender memories in -those cities. Indeed, I would stake my head that I am not yet entirely -forgotten there; and on my own part--but, pardon me! I am too -loquacious, I abuse your patience.--That is my story, signor; as you -see, there is nothing very extraordinary in it." - -While listening to the robber, Léodgard had become gloomy and pensive; -his head had fallen on his breast, and it was difficult to say whether -he was still listening or was lost in thought. - -Giovanni, having for some moments refrained from disturbing the silence -of the young man to whom he had related his adventures, said at last: - -"I beg pardon, signor; I have told you what you wished to know, but the -night is hastening, and I must soon think of returning to my lair. So, -give me your purse, and I will take leave of you." - -"Have you any companions, any confederates?" asked Léodgard abruptly, -without answering the robber. - -"No, indeed; I am no such fool! I work alone, and I am the better for so -doing. If I had had confederates, I should have been caught long ago! As -you must know, in all ranks of society, a man is never betrayed, except -by his own people. Come, my young gentleman, let us finish our business. -I know that this street abounds in memories, and that it is well worth -while to pause and consider it. A few steps from here, during the night -of June 13, 1392, the Connétable Olivier de Clisson, coming from the -Hôtel Saint-Pol, where he had supped with the king, was treacherously -assaulted and murdered by Pierre de Craon, chamberlain and favorite of -the Duc d'Orléans, brother of King Charles VI. By a most fortunate -chance, Clisson wore a coat of mail under his clothes; he received more -than sixty sword and knife thrusts which did not reach his body; but he -was finally wounded in the head and thrown from his horse; he fell -against the door of a baker's shop, which was ajar, and his assassins -took flight." - -"Malpeste! Giovanni, so you know our history too!" said Léodgard, -apparently taking pleasure in listening to the brigand. - -"And why not, signor? I have told you that I am the son of a -_dottore_!--And that Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which you have just -left--I have been following you for some time, you see--that Rue des -Francs-Bourgeois will always figure in your annals. There it was that -two miserable wretches lived toward the close of the last century--two -poor brothers, beggars, in short, who possessed the talent of imitating -perfectly the baying of a pack of hounds and the notes of a number of -hunting horns. Certain leaders of the League formed the plan of using -those beggars to lead your King Henri IV into a trap, knowing his -passion for the chase. One day when the king was enjoying that sport in -the forest of Vincennes, the noise of a pack of hounds, of horns, and of -hunters, very distant at first, suddenly drew near; a black man, forcing -his way through the underbrush, appeared before Henri IV and said to him -in an awe-inspiring voice: 'Did you hear me?'--But neither the king nor -any one of his train ventured to follow that man, who, it is said, was -to have hurled a lance at the king if he had tried to come up with him. -And all this was the work of the Leaguers and of the two beggars from -Rue des Francs-Bourgeois!" - -"By my faith, Master Giovanni, you have told me something that I did not -know!--Pray go on; I see that one cannot fail to profit by your -conversation." - -"I am extremely sorry, my young gentleman, but I can talk no longer. As -I reminded you just now, the hastening night forces me to retire, for I -know that my description is so well known that it is impossible for me -to show myself by daylight in this costume." - -"Aha! that means that you have another for the sunlight? Pardieu! you -are wise, for this one is very well known. Those persons who have had -dealings with you have not failed to draw your portrait. I have already -heard of this olive-green robe de chambre, so to speak, and of this -horrible hairy cap." - -"In that case, signor, you will understand that it is time for me to -disappear." - -"Very well! go! what prevents you? You have been too courteous to me for -me to seek to cause your arrest. No, no! that would be a downright -felony on my part!" - -"In that case, signor, add to your complaisance the favor of handing me -your purse, and I will go at once." - -"My purse!" rejoined Léodgard, with a slight contraction of his heavy -eyebrows; "you shall not have it! I told you that I would keep it. But -as I do not wish to have made you talk for nothing, I will give you two -pretty rose crowns." - -"No, my young gentleman; I cannot assent to that bargain; I have told -you that I must have your purse just as it is, and have it I will!" - -"Come, then, and take it!" - -As he spoke, Léodgard sprang to his feet and quickly drew his sword; -then he glanced at Giovanni as if to defy him. The Italian did not show -the slightest excitement, but simply shook his head, murmuring: - -"Oh! I knew that the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols was a gallant -youth!" - -"Ah! you know me, do you?" - -"Per Dio! Do I not always know those whom I address? Otherwise I should -run the risk of wasting my time by attacking poor devils without a sou!" - -"But you might often have found me in that condition." - -"I know that too; but to-night you played lansquenet at the Sire de -Jarnonville's, and luck smiled upon you; that is why I attacked you." - -"Clearly, you add to your other talents that of being a sorcerer. All -Italians smell of the stake!" - -"I should regret extremely, signor, to resort to my weapons; surely you -must have been told that that is not my habit! I must always be driven -to it. But if you do not give up your purse with a good grace----" - -"No, a thousand times no! Do you expect to frighten me, I wonder?" - -Giovanni gave the young count hardly time to finish his sentence; he -drew his broad sword, and, leaping upon his adversary with a rapidity -and address which left him no time to attack, in a few seconds he had -sent Léodgard's gleaming rapier flying through the air; and placing the -point of his weapon against the young nobleman's breast, with his left -hand he swiftly took the purse from his belt, saying, with a slight -movement of the head: - -"You see, my young gentleman, it was not worth while to go through so -many forms!" - -And in an instant the brigand had vanished. - -As for Léodgard, thoroughly ashamed of his discomfiture, he stood as if -stupefied, and could only mutter: - -"Beaten! beaten by that Giovanni!--Ah! I will have my revenge!" - - - - -III - -THE BATH KEEPERS - - -In the days of royal licenses, when the grocers and apothecaries formed -but a single guild, it was the same with the barbers and surgeons. - -In the year 1620, forty-eight patents had been granted to -_barbiers-baigneurs-étuvistes_, who were perruquiers following the -court. Later, their number was largely increased. - -The right to keep hot or cold baths was specially attached to the guild -of master perruquiers. - -A fashionable bathing establishment, with both hot and cold baths, stood -on Rue Saint-Jacques, near the corner of Rue des Mathurins. From a long -distance one could see its basins, painted a light blue as the ordinance -required; and over the door were these words in huge letters: - - BEARDS PROPERLY SHAVED WITHIN; HOT AND - COLD BATHS - -At this time the price of a bath varied from six to twelve livres -[francs]; and when we consider that a livre then was worth almost three -times as much as to-day, we must agree that there is a vast difference -between that price and the price in our modern bathing establishments, -where one obtains five tickets for three francs. The result is a great -improvement in respect to health and cleanliness, for everybody cannot -go to the river to bathe. - -What did the poor people do in those days; for six livres was an -enormous sum to them? - -If, in the good old times, a bath was such an expensive luxury, on the -other hand, the houses where they were supplied bore a very bad -reputation; they were, it is said, places of assignation for lewd women, -who, because of their rank or condition, were obliged to try to cloak -their evil conduct. - -Many preachers thundered from the pulpit against these places, which had -been adorned with an honest name. - -Maillard, in sermons noteworthy for their power and their crudity of -expression, said, as he declaimed against the scandal caused by these -establishments: - -"Mesdames, do not go to the baths, and do not do there what I need not -name!" - -Sauval tells us that the baths continued their existence for a long -time; people did not cease to frequent them until the end of the -seventeenth century. They had become so common then that a person could -hardly take a step without passing one. - -Let us return to our shop on Rue Saint-Jacques. It was kept by a stout -old fellow of some fifty years, as strong and bright and active as a -young man, whose name was Hugonnet. He was a red-faced _compère_, hasty -of speech and of gesture; his round, full, rubicund face exhaled health -and good humor; his little round gray eyes had a slightly mischievous -expression; his chin was beginning to become double, and his hair to -turn gray; but Master Hugonnet worried little about that; so long as his -place was well patronized, whether it was resorted to by cavaliers, -bachelors, esquires, courtiers, people from the city, or even from the -country, mattered little to him, if the customers paid promptly; for -after a profitable day, the bath keeper rarely failed to go to the -nearest wine shop, to regale and enjoy himself, whence he commonly -returned home tipsy; he called it having "a little point." - -The peculiar feature of Master Hugonnet's intoxication was that it -totally changed his disposition; and instead of intensifying his -passions and his vices, as wine so generally does, it endowed him with -qualities of which no one would ever have suspected him when he was -sober, and deprived him entirely of those which distinguished him in his -normal condition.--For instance, the bath keeper was far from patient; -he lost his temper easily, was quick to quarrel, would never give way, -and was always ready to fight. To be sure, when blows had once been -exchanged, Hugonnet bore his adversary no malice, and would soon be -laughing and drinking with him. But in his cups the old fellow became as -gentle and timid as a child; disposed to do what anyone desired, he was -easily moved to compassion for the misfortunes of his neighbor; and if -anyone told him some pitiful tale, it was no uncommon thing to see him -weep, and disturb the neighborhood by his groans as he stumbled home. -That always indicated that the libations had been copious, the bumpers -frequent, and that the bath keeper was completely drunk. - -Hugonnet was a widower and had but one child, a daughter, who, when our -tale opens, had just reached her eighteenth year. Ambroisine was a fine -girl, tall and strong, well set up and shapely. Her foot was not very -small, but her calf was symmetrical and of good size; her hand might -have been smaller, more tapering, but it was pink and white, and plump. - -Her bearing and her gestures were somewhat brusque at times, and gave -her rather too disdainful an air; but her smile was so frank and -pleasant that it excused any possible rudeness in her manner to persons -who did not know her well. - -Ambroisine was very good-looking; her hair was as black as jet; her dark -brown eyes were neither too large nor too small, and were amply fringed -by long lashes of the color of her hair; she fastened them with perfect -self-possession upon the person with whom she was speaking; but although -they did not express the ordinary shyness of a girl of her years, they -were so compassionate to the wretched, so amiable in joy, so fiery in -wrath, that they were always fine eyes. - -A mouth somewhat large, but well supplied with teeth, lips a little -heavy, but ruddy and smiling, a round chin, a high, white forehead, and -eyebrows clearly marked without being too thick--such was the daughter -of Master Hugonnet, who was usually spoken of in the Quartier -Saint-Jacques as La Belle Baigneuse. - -Ambroisine's charms undoubtedly had much to do with the popularity of -her father's establishment. - -Master Hugonnet's house was never empty; it was the rendezvous of young -noblemen, of the king's arquebusiers and halberdiers, of lordlings, of -country squires and students, of men of the sword and men of the pen, of -law clerks of the Basoche, and sometimes of a royal princess's pages. - -The ladies who came to the baths--and we have already said that there -were many of them--liked to be waited upon, cared for, and dressed by -Ambroisine, who was quick, active, skilful, and acquitted herself of her -task with a charming good humor which made it a pleasure to employ her. - -It is probable that among all the young sparks and popinjays who came to -Master Hugonnet's, more than one would have been equally glad to obtain -the services of the daughter of the house; but they were obliged to do -without them, for La Belle Baigneuse naturally was at the orders of the -ladies only. Still, when there was a crowd in the barber's shop -clamoring for the good offices of his razor and his comb, Ambroisine, -who could shave a beard as surely and rapidly as her father, sometimes -consented to lend him a hand, and to attend to the needs of one of the -cavaliers who were waiting to be put in trim. The man for whom she -offered to perform that service always accepted it as a favor, and -strove to impart to his face a most seductive expression; and he never -failed thereafter to proclaim all over the city that he had been shaved -by Master Hugonnet's daughter, while everyone gazed enviously at the -chin which La Belle Baigneuse had lathered. - -But such opportunities were rare. Ambroisine was too much occupied with -the baths to be often in her father's shop. And he loved his daughter -too well ever to require her to do anything against her will. In vain -did the young coxcombs, nay, even the great nobles, say to the barber: - -"Shall we not see your daughter to-day, Master Hugonnet?" or: "Messire -barbier, I have been awaiting my turn a long while, pray send for the -fair Ambroisine to shave me"; or "By my sword! I would gladly pay double -to be shaved by her!" - -To all these and many other like remarks, the good-natured gossip would -reply simply: - -"My lords, I am in despair that I am unable to gratify you; but my -daughter is engaged with some ladies who are pleased to patronize my -baths. I have two young men there; but to wait on the fair sex I have -only my daughter, who is sufficient for the task, because she is -fortunately endowed; and because she does in a few moments the work that -would take others an hour. Oh! she is a girl in a thousand, is my -Ambroisine! And as for shaving you, I know that she would do that -perfectly, too; she is my pupil! Such a sure, light, quick hand! Never -has she cut the skin of any man's chin, and yet even I have sometimes -done that! it may happen to the most skilful. But, I tell you again, -Ambroisine is at the orders of none but the ladies of all ranks who -choose to come to my establishment to take baths; and, frankly, that is -more suitable. When I see her shaving a gentleman with the dexterity and -self-possession which distinguish her, I am proud of my pupil! But, on -the other hand, I am humiliated to see her do that work, and I say to -myself: 'By Notre-Dame de Paris! this is no place for my -daughter!'--Moreover, you have little hesitation in making gallant -speeches to her, in saying obscene things.--However, I am not disturbed! -If Ambroisine cares to laugh sometimes,--and in our profession one would -be very foolish to be too surly,--she is well able none the less to keep -in their place those who presume to take too many liberties. My daughter -is a determined wench, I tell you; she has a hand as quick and a fist as -solid as her father's! And woe to those who take the risk of having it -proved to them!" - -By such harangues did Master Hugonnet reply to the young men who -displayed a too ardent desire to see his daughter. As a general rule, -the students, the country gentlemen, and the simple esquires listened to -reason; but it was not always so with the young nobles, who considered -themselves at liberty to do anything, because they were received at -court, and because the lieutenant of police closed his eyes too often to -their escapades. When one of them had taken it into his head that he -would see Ambroisine, all that the barber could say to convince him that -that might not be was of no avail, and sometimes was received in bad -part. - -But although he was very glad to have noble customers, Master Hugonnet -was not of a humor to endure the impertinences of any man whatsoever; -the marquis, no less than the humble bachelor, felt the effects of his -wrath. And when a young gentleman seemed disposed to take up his abode -in his shop, saying: - -"I will not go away until I have seen the fair Ambroisine!" - -The barber would shout in stentorian tones: - -"Well! you shall not see her, _triple savonnette_! there's no law to -compel her to be at your beck and call!" - -But the sonorous voice of Master Hugonnet would reach the ears of -Ambroisine, who, divining from her father's tone that he was in a -passion, would at once leave her work and run to the shop, to put an end -to the dispute. - -At sight of the girl, the person who had caused all the uproar would -begin to laugh and would exclaim, with a bantering glance at the barber: - -"I told you that I would not go away without a sight of the charming -Ambroisine! I have succeeded, you see!" - -Whereupon Master Hugonnet would look sheepish; but a word or two from -his daughter would speedily allay his anger, and more than one among the -witnesses of the scene would resolve to employ the same method when he -wished to see La Belle Baigneuse. - -Now that we are acquainted with Master Hugonnet's house and household, -we must pay a visit to the establishment of another bath keeper, on Rue -Dauphine. That street, which had been laid out twenty years earlier, on -the site of the garden of the Augustinians and of the buildings of the -Collège Saint-Denis, was already lined by fine houses, and had an air of -refinement and a class of inhabitants in striking contrast to Quartier -Saint-Jacques. - - - - -IV - -BATHILDE - - -The baths on Rue Dauphine were kept by one Landry. He was a man of -sixty, but still vigorous and robust, despite his gray moustache, which -he wore very long. By his soldierly bearing and the way he carried his -head, one could divine that he had seen military service. And Landry -was, in fact, an ex-soldier. He had fought under Henri IV, whose name he -never mentioned without carrying the back of his right hand to his -forehead, or without manifesting his emotion by the change in his voice. - -At the great king's death, Landry, then thirty-six years of age, had -left the service. Later, although his face was scarred, his martial -set-up and his military gait had fascinated Dame Ragonde, a widow with a -small hoard. She had married Landry, and they had obtained, by purchase, -a license to keep hot and cold baths. - -Landry was a tall, thin, stiff individual. He had an uncommunicative -air, and his long gray moustache tended to make his expression even less -inviting. However, Master Landry was not a bad-tempered man. He had -never been known to seek a quarrel with anyone; and when quarrels arose -among his neighbors, it was usually he who intervened to restore peace. -It is true that his voice was strong and that his moustache produced an -imposing effect on the vulgar. - -He performed his duties as bath keeper and barber with the scrupulous -exactness which old soldiers retain in civil life with respect to -everything that they consider a duty. But it was not wise to speak ill -of Henri IV or of his minister Sully in the old soldier's presence. When -such a thing occurred, a sudden change would take place in the whole -aspect of the man; usually calm and cold, he would become as quick to -explode as powder; his blood would boil anew with all the fervor of his -younger days; and the unhappy wight who had presumed to utter a word -derogatory to his idols would be chastised before he had time to -apologize. - -But such episodes were likely to be very infrequent, for the memory of -good King Henri was held in too great veneration by Frenchmen for anyone -to venture to impugn it. - -Dame Ragonde, the bath keeper's wife, was fifteen years younger than her -husband, but she seemed almost as old as he. - -She was a tall, thin, yellow-skinned woman. Had she ever been pretty? -That she had been seemed more than doubtful. Her small, pale-green eyes -were very bright, but they had an arrogant--yes, evil expression; they -were eyes of the sort that seem never to look in any direction with any -other purpose than that of finding something to blame, to reprove, or to -forbid. Her long nose, hooked at the end like a parrot's, made her -resemble in some degree a bird of prey. And her thin, bloodless, tightly -closed lips seemed destined to open only to emit harsh or bitter words. - -Since the day of her marriage to Landry, her second husband, nobody -remembered having seen Dame Ragonde smile; indeed, it was not certain -that she smiled on that day. - -Her voice was shrill and piercing, her words always short and sharp; -this fact, by the way, was creditable to the lady; she was no gossip and -never said a word more than she had to say. - -Who would have guessed that of that union between a man who was not -handsome and a woman who was downright ugly a daughter would be born who -would prove to be a veritable model of beauty, grace, and charm? - -Such, nevertheless, was Bathilde, the only child of Landry and Ragonde. - -At eighteen, her beauty had reached its perfect development: she was one -of those types which painters delight to find, when they wish to paint a -virgin, an angel, or a demon of temptation. - -Bathilde was blond, but the tint was not one of those dull blonds in -which there is a reflection of white; her long, thick, silky hair verged -rather on the chestnut. Her skin had that whiteness in which there is -life, and not that dull tone which imparts an aspect of inanition to a -living person. On the contrary, the lovely girl's cheeks had a rosy -tinge; and at the slightest word of reproof that was addressed to her, -they at once became a most brilliant carmine. Large, deep-blue eyes, -almond shaped, and shaded by long chestnut lashes; a small, fresh, -red-lipped mouth; irreproachable teeth of dazzling whiteness; a chin -slightly oval in shape; fine, but clearly marked eyebrows; a noble, -beautiful brow, over which thick curls seemed proud to be placed. - -Such was Bathilde, who possessed, in addition, a slender, lithe, dainty -figure, a remarkably small foot, and a hand worthy to serve as a model. - -But a mere enumeration of her advantages affords but a faint idea of the -fascination of that young girl, of the charm with which her whole person -was instinct, of the sweet melody of her voice, and of the pleasure that -one felt in hearing it. - -Sometimes one remains unmoved before the most unexceptionable beauty; -for that which attracts and captivates us is not so much the perfection -of the features, the regularity of the outlines of a face, as its -amiable and gracious expression--a second element of beauty which many -times exerts more power than the first; but when the two are combined, -when nature has endowed a single woman with both, then it is that it is -very difficult to avoid losing one's heart and one's reason. - -And that lovely, graceful, fascinating girl was the daughter of Landry -and Dame Ragonde! - -Nature sometimes indulges in such strange whims. Do we not see flowers -whose perfume intoxicates us and whose gorgeous colors dazzle our eyes, -blooming upon stunted, thorny stalks? - -As Bathilde's beauty would have attracted too many gallants, too many -seducers, to Master Landry's shop, the girl never appeared there, nor -did she wait upon the ladies who patronized her father's baths. - -Bathilde had been brought up very strictly; almost always confined to -her bedroom, which did not look on the street, the girl never went out -except with her mother; and then a long veil, attached to her hood, -covered almost the whole of her face, leaving nothing in sight save the -end of her nose. If the sweet girl ventured to disarrange the veil and -to expose one of her pink and white cheeks to the air for a moment, Dame -Ragonde would instantly exclaim in her shrill, harsh voice: - -"Your veil! your veil! Take care!" - -Bathilde knew what that meant, and would hasten to swathe her lovely -face anew. - -Certainly, if Master Landry had desired that his establishment should be -besieged by crowds of customers, he could easily have gratified his -wish: nothing more would have been necessary than to allow his daughter -to come to the shop now and then. Bathilde's beauty would have made a -sensation, the court and the city would have been stirred to their -depths, everyone would have desired to know that plebeian -chef-d'Å“uvre, and, with the inevitable vogue of his place of -business, the bath keeper's fortune would have been assured. - -But in this respect Bathilde's parents proved that their own honor and -their child's virtue were to them treasures more precious than gold. - -Some neighbors, knowing how strictly Bathilde had been brought up, said, -and with some show of reason, that a mother should be able to watch over -her daughter without converting her house into a prison. That to keep a -child from knowledge of the world was not the way to protect her from -the dangers that are encountered there at every step; and that it was -downright barbarity to deprive a girl of all the pleasures suited to her -years because it had pleased the Creator to endow her with all those -physical qualities which charm and fascinate. - -If these or other similar remarks reached Dame Ragonde's ears, it is -probable that she paid little heed to them and that they made little -impression on her. Immovable in her determination, impassible in her -nature, rigorous in her conduct, she made no change whatever in her -methods with her daughter. - -And as for Master Landry, although he loved Bathilde dearly and was very -proud of her, he looked upon his wife as the general whose duty it was -to manage the internal economy of his household. As such general, he -obeyed her promptly, reserving to himself only the command of the two -apprentices employed in his baths. - -However, Landry's establishment was prosperous, as were almost all the -baths of those days, because they were very few in number. - -The neighborhood of Rue Dauphine, which was less thickly populated than -Rue Saint-Jacques, already contained some noble mansions and fine -houses, occupied by magistrates, members of the Parliament, men of the -robe, and rich annuitants. Moreover, the proximity of the -Pré-aux-Clercs, which was still a favorite promenade, although some -buildings were beginning to be erected there, contributed to attract to -Master Landry's baths a more distinguished and more fashionable -clientèle, better society, in a word, than the ordinary patrons of his -confrère, Master Hugonnet. - -Furthermore, although the fascinating Bathilde was concealed from prying -eyes, beauty spreads about it a perfume which causes its presence to be -divined, and which attracts connoisseurs, even though they are destined -to have nothing to show for their pains. - -Despite all the precautions taken by Dame Ragonde, she could not prevent -her neighbors from talking; they repeated, to whoever chose to listen, -that Master Landry had a daughter more beautiful than the marvellous -princesses of the _Thousand and One Nights_; that her surpassing beauty -was the reason that her father and mother concealed her from all eyes, -because they feared that somebody would take her away from them; and -that they destined her for some wealthy foreign prince. - -Others declared, on the contrary, that Master Landry's daughter was a -monster of ugliness and deformity, and that it was to shelter the poor -girl from the ridicule which was certain to be poured out upon her that -they were careful to keep her out of sight. - -This last version, however, obtained little credence. As a general rule, -people do not take so many precautions with an ugly girl, or keep such -close watch over one who has no reason to fear the enterprises of -gallants. - -Mystery always arouses curiosity, and the veil in which Dame Ragonde -swathed Bathilde's face intensified the general desire to see it. -Extremes are dangerous in everything: the man who puts too many bolts on -his door arouses a suspicion that he possesses a treasure. - -Chance had brought Landry and his confrère Hugonnet together. One -evening, when the latter was returning home, as usual, after a merry -evening over the bottle at a wine shop recently opened in the Cité, at -some distance from his house, he lost his way. Alone, late at night, the -barber wandered for a long while through the dark and muddy lanes which -were then called streets, feeling his way along the walls, seeking his -own door, and cursing because he did not find it. - -Two men, emerging suddenly from a blind alley, walked toward the drunken -man, who at once asked them to direct him. But he had applied to a pair -of vagabonds, whose only reply was to set about robbing Master Hugonnet -of his purse, his cloak, his great fur cap--in fact, of a large part of -his clothes. At the outset, as a result of his intoxication, which -entirely changed his disposition, Hugonnet placidly allowed himself to -be stripped, thinking that he had to do with unfortunate creatures who -needed all those things for their families. But one of the marauders -having been so imprudent as to strike him on the head, the blow, by -sobering the barber, instantly changed the face of affairs. Restored to -his senses, and realizing with what manner of men he had to do, he -defended himself stoutly; he dealt the two robbers some lusty blows, and -they, irritated at meeting with such stubborn resistance from an -intoxicated man, were already brandishing the daggers which they -proposed to use, when Master Landry appeared upon the stage of this -nocturnal attack. - -To draw the rapier which he always carried under his cloak, to rush to -the assistance of the man who was beset, to attack the two robbers with -cut and thrust, to put them to flight, and to restore to Master Hugonnet -his cloak, which had fallen to the ground--all this was the affair of a -moment for the old trooper of Henri IV. - -Hugonnet, completely sobered by the combat, offered Landry his hand and -exclaimed: - -"Vertudieu! I am inclined to think, comrade, that but for you those -scoundrels would have made me pass a bad quarter of an hour!" - -"I thank heaven that I arrived in time to offer you my assistance!" - -"Sapristi! you went about it in the right way. You seemed to be at home! -How you handle your sword! I think that my knaves went off with the -marks you made on them." - -"It would be a great pity if I did not know how to fight. When one has -had the honor of serving under the great Henri IV; when one has fought -under him at Arques and Ivry----" - -"Do you say that you served with the good king who wanted all his -subjects to have a fowl to put in the pot? Shake hands! I am doubly -happy to have met you; and, with your permission, I consider myself from -this moment one of your friends." - -"With all my heart, for you too are a brave man; I saw that by the way -you defended yourself against those cutthroats. And yet, you had no -weapons." - -"Well! I did my best. Besides--I can afford to confess it, now that it's -all over--those thieves surprised me rather easily, because I was a -little--er--tipsy. I was on my way home from a new wine shop just opened -in the Cité. The wine was good--it always is good in a new place--and we -did not spare it. When I set out to go home, I missed my way--for the -devil take me if I know where I am now!" - -"At the Carrefour de Bussy; see, this is the street leading from the -Porte de Bussy to the Pré-aux-Clercs." - -"In God's name, what road did I take?--I, who live on Rue Saint-Jacques, -corner of Rue des Mathurins, where I have baths, hot and cold--Master -Hugonnet, at your service; for it is right that you should know whose -life you have saved." - -"You are a bath keeper?--Pardieu! this is a strange meeting! I, too, am -one--Master Landry, Rue Dauphine, near Quai Conti." - -"Is it possible!--you are the bath keeper on Rue Dauphine? I have heard -of you.--You have a wife, I am a widower. You have a daughter, and so -have I. How old is yours?" - -"Twelve years." - -"So is mine. Parbleu! confrère, our daughters must be friends, as their -fathers will be; are you willing?" - -"Shake hands, ventre-saint-gris! as our good king used to say." - -The two bath keepers shook hands once more. Landry started Hugonnet on -the right road, and they returned to their respective homes. - -This meeting took place about five years before the time at which our -tale opens. Bathilde and Ambroisine were still children; people took -little notice of them, for we do not pause to consider whether little -girls of twelve are likely to be very beautiful some day. We prefer, and -wisely, to wait until they have become so, before ogling them. - -Dame Ragonde's surveillance was naturally less active then; being still -a mere child, Bathilde enjoyed some liberty. So she was allowed to see -her new friend, for Master Hugonnet did not fail to pay a visit to his -confrère. - -Landry was not expansive; he was not a frequenter of wine shops, and -never drank too much; but when he had pressed anyone's hand in token of -friendship, that person might be sure that he could rely upon the old -soldier's assistance, upon his arm, under all circumstances. - -Dame Ragonde had not looked with great pleasure upon this new intimacy -contracted by her husband; but she knew that it would be useless for her -to try to break it up. Landry was not one of those weathercocks who -change their sentiments and affections according to the advice that is -given them. The husband and wife each had a will of iron. A concession -once made, neither of them attempted to encroach on the other's rights; -it was doubtless to this mutual respect for each other's rights and each -other's will that they were indebted for the peace which reigned in -their household. - -The two little girls very soon learned to love each other; there was -between them just that difference in humor, in spirit, in temperament, -which attracts and binds together, and leads to those strong and lasting -attachments which defy time and the blows of fortune.--Observe that we -are speaking of friendship, not of love. As to the last-named sentiment, -we have never known an instance of it which resisted the slightest test -of its strength, when that test was applied with skill! - -That which people are pleased to call sympathy cannot be the similitude -between two natures. For, put together two gossips, two testy or -obstinate or irascible, quarrelsome and satirical characters, and see -whether they will love each other, whether they will be able to live -together. There would be a constant state of war. - -On the contrary, nature created the strong to support the weak, patience -to allay irascibility, gentleness to appease wrath, gayety to charm away -melancholy. - -Bathilde was shy and timid; she trembled at the slightest sharp word, -and her gentle and affectionate nature was more inclined to melancholy -than to gayety. - -Ambroisine was of a very different temperament: active, merry, -thoughtless, often angry; she said fearlessly whatever came into her -head; frankness lay at the foundation of her character; her heart was -susceptible, but it did not like to be sad for long. With her the tears -came quickly and disappeared no less quickly. - -When Bathilde seemed to be unhappy, when her lovely eyes seemed to -express some hidden grief, her little friend would say to her: - -"Somebody has been cross to you, I am sure. I can see that you have been -crying. Tell me who made you cry, and I will go to him and make him come -here and beg your pardon." - -But Bathilde would simply look down and murmur: - -"It was my mother." - -"Did you do anything naughty?" Ambroisine would inquire. - -"I asked her if I might go to see you soon." - -Ambroisine would not dare to say anything more, but she would turn her -head aside and furtively wipe away the tears that stood in her eyes; -then she would again look at her friend, seize both her hands, and make -her dance around the room, crying: - -"You mustn't think about that any more!" - -When the girls had reached their fourteenth year, Dame Ragonde began to -think that Ambroisine was too lively, too mischievous, too self-willed, -and that her companionship might be dangerous for her daughter; she -would no longer allow her daughter to go to see her friend under the -escort of a servant; she alleged as an excuse the necessity that -Bathilde should study; and when Ambroisine came to see her, Dame Ragonde -never left them together; she was always by to prevent those -affectionate confidences which she believed to be dangerous. Her -presence, her stern manner, her curt speech, froze Bathilde's heart, and -she forced back those impulsive outbursts of affection which she would -have liked to lavish on Ambroisine. But the latter, although -disappointed at being unable to chat at her ease with little Bathilde, -retained in Dame Ragonde's presence her playful humor, her vivacity, her -frankness, and she often found a way to bring a smile to her young -friend's lips. - -And so, as soon as Master Hugonnet's daughter had left the house, -Bathilde's mother never failed to exclaim: - -"What an ill-bred child that is! What a bold-faced creature she will be -some day! But, patience: I will put this matter to rights." - -And as the girls grew older, they were allowed to see each other less -and less. On Bathilde's side, the surveillance to which she was -subjected became more minute; she seldom went out, and she paid no more -visits. At Master Hugonnet's, on the other hand, Ambroisine, when she -grew tall and strong, was placed by her father at the head of the -establishment; and as a great many people came to the baths, she had -little time left to give to friendship. - -But as soon as Ambroisine had a moment to herself, she hastened to Rue -Dauphine, to exchange a clasp of the hand with her friend. - -Sometimes Dame Ragonde, who also had to overlook her apprentices and her -servants, was busy at the baths, and Bathilde was alone in her bedroom. -Then, what joy for the two friends! with what ardor they took advantage -of that moment of liberty! for the older they grew, the more interesting -their conversations became. At seventeen, two girls have other things to -say to each other than at twelve or thirteen. It is useless to keep them -sequestered all the time--they will always have something interesting to -tell each other. - -Ambroisine especially, who was entirely her own mistress, was certain to -have very many things to tell. And so, when a lucky accident enabled the -two girls to exchange their thoughts, they would hardly take the time -to embrace; questions and answers succeeded one another with astounding -rapidity. - -"Your mother isn't here? What luck!" - -"What a long time it is since I saw you!" - -"We are always so busy at home!" - -"I am so bored!" - -"I haven't a moment to myself during the day; such a lot of fine ladies -come to bathe!" - -"It's the same way here; but I am not allowed to wait on them." - -"I wait on them; I dress them when they don't bring their servants, and -that very often happens--they prefer to come alone; I don't know why--or -rather, yes, I think that I can guess why." - -"Oh! tell me, Ambroisine!" - -"No, no, it isn't worth while! Besides, I am not sure; it is just an -idea of mine." - -"Tell me your idea, please, Ambroisine! Mon Dieu! if you don't tell me -anything, if you don't teach me a little, how do you expect me to know -anything, when I am always shut up in this room and only go downstairs -to dinner; when I see nobody but my father and mother, who hardly ever -speak to me? Why do the fine ladies prefer to come to the baths alone?" - -"Why, you see, I do not quite know how to tell you.--But, no matter! -what difference does it make, after all? Many cavaliers, young men, come -to the baths also." - -"So they do here, but I never see them. Do you see them?" - -"Sometimes--when I go down to the shop, and when I help father; for I -know how to shave, I do; I can shave very well when I set about it." - -"What! you shave--men?" - -"Well! I surely don't shave women, as they have no beards." - -"Oh! what a lucky girl you are! what fun that must be!--Do you really -dare to take a man by the chin?" - -"Well, why not? I assure you that it doesn't frighten me; indeed, I must -not be frightened, for if my hand shook I should shave badly and cut the -customer.--Don't tell your mother this; for she thinks now that I am too -bold." - -"Oh! there is no danger of that!" - -"To be sure, it may be that my father tells yours." - -"Yes; but my father will never say a word to my mother about it--they -talk so little!--But these cavaliers whom you shave--they speak to you, -I suppose?" - -"To be sure--and those whom I don't shave speak to me, too; indeed, I -never know whom to answer, for as soon as I go down to the shop they are -all after me." - -"And you are not afraid?" - -"Not a bit; what do you suppose I am afraid of?" - -"Indeed, I don't know! but my mother tells me that a young girl runs so -much risk when she listens to a man; and you, who listen to more than -one, must run a much greater risk!" - -"But nothing happens to me, you see! for when the young gentlemen -presume to do things that are not nice, or make too--too gallant remarks -to me, why, it doesn't take me long to send them about their business!" - -"What are the too gallant remarks, and the things that are not nice?" - -"Mon Dieu! must I tell you everything? It is strange that you know -nothing!" - -"Where, then, do you suppose that I can learn anything?" - -"The too gallant remarks--those are when men tell us that we are pretty -or attractive--that they love us, that they adore us." - -"Oh! but it must be nice to have that said to you! Is it necessary to be -angry? what a pity!" - -"One must be very angry when they add: 'Love me, I implore you; -reciprocate my love, give me your heart; I will be faithful to -you!'--and a lot of oaths, of which they don't mean a word!" - -"Ah! do you think that they don't mean a word of them? In that case, why -do they say them?" - -"Because it amuses them. But if we listened to them, they would say much -more." - -"And the things that are not nice?" - -"That is when these fine fellows presume to suit the action to the word. -The ones who do that are the boldest; they take your hand, and, while -pretending to admire it, they don't hesitate to kiss it; or they put an -arm about your waist, and, if they can catch you napping, they try to -kiss you." - -"What! are there men so presumptuous as that?" - -"Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the -respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" - -"Well?" - -"Why, one might talk with them a little." - -"Have they ever tried to kiss you?" - -"Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself. I box -their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either." - -"What! you box your customers' ears?" - -"When the customers make too free with me; but no matter how well you -defend yourself, sometimes you cannot escape the kiss." - -"Have you ever been kissed, Ambroisine?" - -"Mon Dieu! yes! some of those little pages are so quick, and some of the -young nobles so audacious! There is one in particular, Comte Léodgard de -Marvejols--you must have heard of him?" - -"I! why, you forget that I hear nothing, see nothing, know -nothing!--What about Comte Léodgard?" - -"Oh! he's a terrible scapegrace, I tell you! a rake, a roisterer, a -seducer! There is only one opinion about him, and not a week passes that -he does not set people talking about him. He abducts girls, yes, married -women even; he beats their fathers or husbands; he fights duels, -cudgels the watch, passes whole days and nights in gambling hells, -gambling and drinking; in short, he is worse than the devil!" - -"O mon Dieu! how frightened I should be of him! He must be very ugly, -isn't he?" - -"Why, no, and that is just what deceives you; unfortunately, he is not -ugly at all; for if he were hideous to look at, he would be much less -dangerous. He is a handsome young man, with a forest of long black hair, -and eyes of the same color, that shine like carbuncles; and when he -looks at you, he has a way of giving them such a benignant expression! -You would think sometimes that he is a little saint; but you very soon -find out your mistake." - -"What a pity! A scapegrace is a reprobate, and that ought to appear on -his face. Has that young nobleman ever tried to kiss you?" - -"I should say so! there was a time when he came to our place every day; -he laid traps for me, tried to make appointments with me, and brought me -presents." - -"Presents?" - -"Which I never received.--It did no good for me to lose my temper, to -fly into a passion, to threaten to scratch him--that only made him -laugh; he declared that I was even prettier when I was angry.--As you -can imagine, it is when my father is not at home that they torment me -so; for he would not stand it. But one day I lost my patience: Comte -Léodgard had seized my hands, in spite of my struggles, and he was just -about to kiss me, when I called father. If you had seen how quickly he -took the young nobleman up in his arms and set him down in the street! -The count was frantic; he drew his sword and rushed at father. But you -know Master Hugonnet--it isn't wise to irritate him. In an instant, he -had seized Comte Léodgard's sword and had broken it across his knee. The -count strode away, uttering the most horrible threats, swearing that he -would teach father what it costs to lack respect for a great nobleman. -Father began to laugh, and in a moment he had forgotten all about it. -But, for my part, I confess that the count's threats frightened me, and -for a long time after I trembled whenever father left me, when he came -home later at night than usual; but that was three months ago, and -nothing has happened." - -"And the young man has not been to your shop again?" - -"Oh, no! not since that time." - -"In all this, you have not told me why the fine ladies who come to the -baths prefer not to bring their servants with them?" - -"Ah! what a memory you have!--Well, I have noticed very often that there -is a young gentleman below who knows one of the ladies; when she leaves -the bath, the young man is there, waiting for her; they talk together, -they go away together; so, you see, when a lady knows that she will have -a cavalier to escort her home, she does not need to bring a servant." - -"If you knew, Ambroisine, how I love to listen to you--you tell me -things that are so entirely new to me! Oh! please tell me some more of -your adventures!" - -But when Ambroisine was about to gratify her friend, perhaps they would -hear Dame Ragonde's slow, regular steps approaching. Thereupon, the -subject of conversation would instantly be changed, and they would talk -exclusively of serious or religious matters until Bathilde's mother -said: - -"You have talked enough; bid your friend adieu, it is time to separate." - -Thereupon Ambroisine would leave her young friend; but all that she had -heard furnished Bathilde with food for thought for many days. - - - - -V - -AN OLD MANSION.--AN OLD NOBLE - - -Alone in a large and handsome room, richly furnished, the hangings of -which, however, were very old and seemed to denote, on the part of the -proprietors, a profound respect for whatever had belonged to their -ancestors, an old man sat in an enormous easy-chair, whose carved and -gilded frame seemed as ancient as the hangings, before a desk on which -lay several boxes, books, and papers, which he was apparently engaged in -examining with care. - -Sometimes he paused in his labors; his brow was clouded, his expression -stern, and a deep sigh escaped from his breast. - -The Marquis de Marvejols was at this time nearly seventy years of age. -He was a tall, spare man, who still carried his head erect, whose gait -was firm and his grasp strong, while his proud and assured bearing would -have held in respect anyone who should attempt to impose upon him. - -The old man's face was handsome, although severe. His white hair left -bare a large part of his forehead, on which could be seen a scar caused -by a blow from a lance; his moustaches and his beard, also snow-white, -harmonized well with that martial countenance, which seemed to defy all -dangers; and if the old marquis's keen gray eyes ordinarily wore a -haughty expression that inspired fear rather than confidence, on the -other hand, the extreme urbanity of his manners soon made one forget the -stern and imposing effect of his general appearance. - -Knee-breeches and doublet of violet velvet, a leather belt, a very high -ruff, funnel-shaped top-boots, with spurs attached--such was the old -man's costume, which had something military about it. Over all this he -wore a long cloak, trimmed with ermine, which descended almost to his -spurs. - -Pushing aside with an angry gesture the papers he had been examining, -Monsieur de Marvejols threw himself back in his chair, and turned his -eyes upon several large portraits which hung on the walls. Two -represented cavaliers with helmets on their heads, and their hands on -their swords; a third was that of a young man wearing the little cap in -vogue in the time of Henri III; and the fourth was the portrait of a -young and lovely woman with a little boy on her knees. - -In the immense apartments of olden time, space was not spared; people -were not shut up, as we are to-day, in the foul atmosphere of rooms six -and a half feet in height; the lungs had an opportunity to do their work -freely and the chest must have been in much better case. - -In those days, it was easy to find room in a salon for those huge -full-length portraits, which are ordinarily larger than life. Indeed, -one sometimes saw them hung in two rows, and the furniture never reached -to the frames. - -To-day, in the apartments which our architects measure out for us so -sparingly, we must renounce all thought of having large canvases, fine -paintings of vast historical subjects, and in many cases even the -full-length portrait of one of our ancestors, unless we choose to take -the risk, when we sit down, of striking our heads against the painting -at the first unpremeditated movement we chance to make. - -The Marquis de Marvejol's mansion was on Rue Royale, where one may still -see, in our day, some relics of the magnificent apartments of an earlier -time. But what a difference! Although, on the outside, it still -presents a reasonably well preserved image of what it was under Louis -XIII; although it is still red and white, with its bricks surrounded by -courses of stone, with its slated roof, its light balconies, its tall -windows set in stone frames; although it has retained its low, dark, -heavy galleries, which seem to have been built to defy the ages and the -elements--on the other hand, the interior of its various wings is no -longer the same, and, except in some few instances, the grandeur and -magnificence of the olden time have entirely disappeared. - -But at the time of our narrative there were, in the neighborhood of the -Hôtel de Marvejols, the Hôtels de Lesdiguières, de Guémenée, de Sully, -d'Effiat, d'Aumont, de Chevreuse, de Chaulnes, de Saint-Paul, de -Liancourt, etc., etc. - -At that time, too, the Place Royale was the scene of all the fêtes and -_carrousels_, which attracted the nobility, the bourgeoisie, and the -people of Paris, who were called in those days _the good people_. When -the marriage of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria was announced, fêtes -lasting three days were given on that square, although it was not -entirely finished. - -In later times, on that same spot where noble knights broke lances to -entertain the ladies of their thoughts, who, seated on the balconies of -the neighboring houses, enjoyed the jousting, and encouraged the -champions of their charms by tender glances and by showing them in -advance the knot of ribbon which was to be the guerdon of victory--on -that same spot, we have seen and may still see the peaceable inhabitant -of the Marais, who has nothing in common with the paladins of old, -exercising his faithful dog and selecting a bench whereon to rest a -moment in the sunshine, whose beneficent warmth allays his rheumatic -pains. And the young nursemaid, too, with the children in her care, whom -she often leaves to bump against trees, or to fall as they run hither -and thither, while she is gossiping with other maids on the subject of -their employers, which is much more amusing than to watch children. And -the modest seamstress, on her way to carry home the work intrusted to -her, who crosses the Place Royale, although it is not directly on her -road, because she ordinarily meets there a young man who makes -flattering remarks to her; there is no law against seeking pleasant -meetings. - -All this is far removed from the tourneys, the fanfares of trumpets, the -sound of clarion and drum; from the great ladies at the windows, from -the knights in the arena, from the esquires and pages and servants -carrying their masters' weapons and bucklers, and from the charming -troubadours, or _trouvères_, who had seats of honor beside the high and -mighty nobles, because they were destined, later, to sing in laudation -of it all. - -Other times, other manners! - -The old Marquis de Marvejols gazed gloomily enough at the portraits -which adorned his study--for the enormous room in which he sat was -nothing more than that. Soon he leaned over his desk once more, and -seizing a bell rang it violently. - -A valet, almost as old as his master, instantly showed his bald head -beneath a velvet portière which he raised. His face, in respect to the -general effect of the features and their mild expression, might have -served as a model for a painting of Obedience, as personified in a -servant, except that when he raised the corners of his mouth in a smile -there were some slight indications of a tendency to be cunning; but if -that tendency actually existed in the old servant, it never went beyond -the corners of his mouth. - -"Did monsieur le marquis ring?" inquired a shrill, cracked voice. - -"Has my son gone out this morning, Hector?" - -Old Hector pressed his lips together, and the corners of his mouth -assumed their sly expression, as he replied in a drawling tone: - -"Monsieur le Comte Léodgard de Marvejols certainly has not left the -house this morning; I am certain of that." - -"In that case, go to my son and tell him that I wish to speak with -him--at once, before he goes out." - -The old servant looked down at his feet, but did not budge. - -"Well! did you not hear me, Hector?" continued the marquis, testily; -"have your ears grown dull, that I have to give you the same order -twice?" - -"No, monsieur le marquis, no, thank heaven! my ears are still good. I -have not the least occasion to reproach them. And if I have not obeyed -the command you have done me the honor to give me, it is because----" - -"Well! because what? finish, I say!" - -"I cannot tell Monsieur le Comte Léodgard to come to speak with you, -because he is not in the house." - -"Not in the house? Why, you told me only a moment ago that my son had -not gone out this morning!" - -"That is true, monseigneur; he has not gone out this morning, because he -did not come in last night." - -The marquis put his hand to his forehead. - -"Ah!" he cried; "of course, I understand! You did not wish to tell me -that, my poor Hector; you would like to conceal my son's disorderly -conduct from me! But it is useless for you to try to deceive me. I know -everything; and it is much better that I should know everything; for one -must know where the trouble lies, in order to put a stop to it. All this -has been going on a very long while, and it must come to an end!" - -"Monsieur le Comte Léodgard is still very young," murmured Hector, still -draped by the portière. - -"Very young--when he has nearly reached his twenty-sixth year! A man is -a man at that age, and he no longer has the first effervescence of youth -for an excuse! Ah! when I was at that age, you were already in my -service--do you remember, Hector?" - -"As if it was yesterday, monseigneur; my memory is as sound as my -ears." - -"Very well! I served in the army, I fought, I lived in camp. But, -although I was a bachelor,--for I married quite late,--did I ever lead -this life of licentiousness, of debauchery, which makes me blush for my -son?" - -"All young men are not as irreproachable as monseigneur has always -been--as bachelor, husband, and widower." - -"I do not expect that he shall be faultless! I do not demand the -impossible! But I do not propose that weaknesses shall become vices; -faults, crimes!" - -"Oh! monsieur le marquis! be indulgent to monsieur your son!" - -"I have been indulgent enough, too much so, perhaps. I must see -Léodgard; he must be made acquainted with my irrevocable -determination!--And that rascally Latournelle, his valet--is he still in -the house?" - -"No, monseigneur; I have not seen him for several days." - -"I told my son to discharge that knave; a scoundrel, a blackleg, a -gambler, who ought to be hanged." - -At that moment, the conversation was interrupted by the sound of a horse -galloping into the courtyard. - -Hector let the portière fall, went into a reception room, looked out of -the window, and returned with a radiant face, saying to his master: - -"Here is Monsieur le Comte Léodgard, just coming in." - -"Go to him, then; tell him that I await him. Go--do not lose an instant, -for he may have gone away again." - -Old Hector disappeared to execute his master's command. - -In a few moments, Léodgard entered his father's apartment. The young -count was pale, his face was drawn and haggard, his eyes sunken from -loss of sleep; and the disorder of his clothes, the dust with which they -were covered, seemed to indicate that he had recently ridden a long -distance on horseback. - -He walked forward with a respectful air, but was evidently out of -temper. He bowed to his father and remained standing in the middle of -the room. - -The old marquis pointed to a chair, saying in a stern tone: - -"Be seated, monsieur; what I have to say to you will take some moments, -and deserves to be listened to with attention." - -"I beg pardon, monsieur, but you see the disordered state of my dress; I -am ashamed to appear before you in such disarray; allow me simply the -necessary time to change, and I will at once return." - -"No, monsieur! your dress is a matter of great consequence, in very -truth! By Saint Jacques! what matters it to me whether your doublet is -more or less fresh? It is not the dust with which your clothes are -covered that will mar your escutcheon, but your disgraceful conduct! -That it is which sullies the honor of your name much more than the storm -has injured your cloak! Be seated--I insist!" - -Léodgard restrained with difficulty an impatient outburst; but he threw -himself on a chair, and his father continued: - -"I have remonstrated with you several times, monsieur, concerning your -dissolute conduct; you have not listened to me, you have despised your -father's judicious counsel. To-day, when your misconduct has gone beyond -all bounds, when your evil deeds--for they are no longer the escapades -of a young man, but evil deeds, of which you are guilty----" - -"Father----" - -"Do not interrupt me!--To-day, when your evil deeds recognize no -restraint, I no longer advise, I command you; and you will respect my -commands, or this _lettre de cachet_ will deal with you for me.--Look, -monsieur; you know that I do not indulge in empty threats; here is your -passport to the Bastille, sent me by Monsieur le Cardinal de Richelieu, -who also is aware of all your misconduct and has given me permission to -make use of this whenever I may think best, leaving in my hands the -punishment of him who bears my name." - -Léodgard could not help shuddering inwardly when he saw the _lettre de -cachet_ which his father took from his desk, and he faltered in a -tremulous voice: - -"What have I done--what more than many young gentlemen of my age, to -deserve to be treated so harshly?" - -"Ah! you ask what you have done? That, I presume, is because you hope -that I know only a part of it. Unhappily, monsieur, your conduct is too -notorious, your vices make too much noise in the world; you are cited -too often by all the wellborn debauchees, for the echo not to reach your -father's ears. Stealing wives from their husbands, young girls from -their parents, passing the night in wine shops and gambling hells, -fighting with the king's archers, with the watch, with citizens, -incurring debts and not paying them, breaking shop windows and offering -no other compensation than a sword thrust, binding yourself to Jews and -usurers, thrashing your creditors when they presume to demand what you -owe them, what they have been waiting for so long--such are your noble -exploits, monsieur! a descendant of the Marvejols does not blush to -conduct himself thus!--And yet, cast your eyes about you, look at these -portraits which surround you, your ancestors who have left you a -glorious name--are not you of their blood, you, who debase it? Ah! if -they could come forth from their tombs,--and your excellent mother, who -was so proud to have brought forth a descendant of our line,--it would -be to crush you with their wrath!" - -"Monsieur le marquis, allow me to say a word in my own defence.--My -faults have been exaggerated. I have committed some faults, I admit; but -they are not so serious as you seem to think." - -"And your debts--will you say that they are a mere trifle? You owe five -thousand pistoles at this moment, monsieur." - -"I do not know, monsieur le marquis, whether you have also been told -that I have been stripped clean by that miserable Giovanni, that Italian -brigand, who terrorizes all Paris?" - -"Yes, I have heard of that. But how did you allow yourself to be robbed -by that man?" - -"I venture to believe that my father has no doubt that if I was overcome -it was not without a vigorous resistance on my part." - -"Oh! I do justice to your courage; you would not be my son if you were a -coward!" - -"It was late at night, about a fortnight ago. I was returning home alone -and was passing through Rue Couture-Sainte-Catherine. Suddenly this -Giovanni appeared before me, and demanded my purse as courteously as if -he were inquiring for my health. The robber seemed to me such an -original character that I talked with him a few minutes. But when he -repeated his demand, I drew my sword. He had some sort of a short, broad -weapon. Practised as I am in fighting, that devil of a man dealt me a -thrust,--I do not know how to describe it,--and I was beaten. I felt the -point of his sword against my breast; but he was content to take my -purse, and disappeared as he had come, without giving me time to see -which way he went." - -"If I were lieutenant of police of this realm, that adroit thief would -have been hanged before this.--However, monsieur, this Giovanni did not -rob you of five thousand pistoles, I imagine?" - -"No; but I had a considerable sum upon me----" - -"Which you had won in some hell, I doubt not.--But let us have done, for -the subject of this interview is a painful one to both of us. Here, -Léodgard, are papers containing a statement of the amount of your debts; -here are your obligations to the Jews who are ruining you; here are your -receipts for various sums lent you at exorbitant rates, with a view, -doubtless, to my death, which does not come quickly enough to supply you -with another fortune to squander." - -"Ah! monsieur le marquis----" - -"All these papers cost me fifty thousand livres; but I paid it, to save -once more your honor, so seriously compromised." - -A ray of joy lighted up Léodgard's face; he stepped toward the old man, -crying: - -"What, father! you have deigned----" - -The marquis made a gesture as if to forbid his son to approach, and -continued with unabated austerity: - -"Yes, monsieur, I have paid the money; but mark well what I say: long -ago you squandered the last of the property which your mother left you. -I do not choose that you should have debts, but neither do I propose -that the fortune of my ancestors, which enables me to maintain my rank -becomingly, shall be the prey of harlots, gamblers, and rakes; so attend -closely to what I say: if I learn that you have contracted any new debt, -I shall instantly make use of this _lettre de cachet_, and send you to -the Bastille; and when you are once there, it may well be that you will -remain there for some time! This, monsieur, I will do--I swear it before -the portraits of my ancestors! You know now whether I will keep my -oath.--Mend your ways, Léodgard; make yourself worthy once more of the -name you bear. You know that it is my dearest wish to marry you to -Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin. I was her father's comrade in arms; -the idea that our children would be united some day made the baron's -heart beat fast with joy. Mademoiselle de Mongarcin is worthy of you, -her family is on a par with ours; she has a large fortune and is one of -the most beautiful women in France. Six months ago, she left the convent -where she had completed her education, and took up her abode with her -aunt; and she will soon be nineteen years old. What objection have you -to urge against this alliance, Léodgard?" - -"None, father. I agree that Mademoiselle de Mongarcin is very lovely, -although I have seen her but rarely." - -"What prevents you from paying court to her? Madame de Ravenelle, -Valentine's aunt, is aware of the baron's wishes.--Cease to be a -libertine, a rake, and she will give you the hand of this wealthy and -noble heiress.--Well, monsieur! what have you to say?" - -"Pardon me, monsieur le marquis--but--to marry--to put myself in chains -already----" - -"Already! A man cannot be happy too soon, monsieur; and you will be -happy with a woman who is worthy of you. You will realize the difference -between family joys and the orgies of debauchery. Furthermore, numerous -suitors for Mademoiselle de Mongarcin's hand have already entered the -lists; if you do not come forward, do you suppose that she will send to -beg for your homage? Hasten to present yourself, to disperse your -rivals! This marriage must take place ere long.--I have often repented, -myself, that I married so late in life! I was forty-three when I married -your excellent mother. What was the result? that I was already old when -you became a man; and that, instead of finding in me a friend, a -companion, my son has seen in me only an old man, to whom he has never -confided his secrets." - -"Father----" - -"You have heard me, Léodgard. It rests with you now to be happy and to -regain your father's affection. You know how you must conduct yourself -for that.--Go; I will keep you no longer." - -Léodgard bent his head respectfully before the old man, who responded -with a slight nod which indicated no great amount of confidence as yet. - -When he was out of range of his father's eyes, Léodgard tore his hair, -saying to himself: - -"Not incur debts! why, I have no money!--But I must have some! For I -promised Camilla that beautiful pearl necklace that she wants so much! -Now that I no longer owe anything, I can easily borrow.--But that -_lettre de cachet_!--Ah! I know my father; he did not threaten me -heedlessly; he would have me put in the Bastille, and I have no desire -to go to that horrible prison!" - - - - -VI - -CHAUDOREILLE'S GODSON - - -Among the numerous habitués of the various bathing establishments might -be noticed a tall, lean man, with a yellow complexion, like the -description of the Knight of the Rueful Countenance. This personage had -one of those elongated faces, with prominent cheek bones which call -attention to the hollowness of the cheeks; also a long, pointed nose, a -chin of the same type, an enormous mouth with a full complement of long -teeth, each one of which resembled a tusk, and which terrified beyond -words all the little children in whose presence this gentleman was -pleased to smile; for he then appeared exactly as if he proposed to -swallow the innocent creatures. A low forehead, yellow hair, and -moustaches of the same color, the latter twisted at the ends so that -they nearly joined the corners of the eyes--such was the Chevalier -Passedix, who claimed to be Chaudoreille's godson. - -We like to believe, dear reader, whichever your sex, that you have known -a certain _Barber of Paris_, whose adventures made some noise long ago; -in that case, you may not have forgotten entirely his friend the -Chevalier Chaudoreille, that vain, cowardly Gascon, gambler and -shameless liar, who boasted so loudly of his long sword, which he called -Roland, and who came to such a tragic end, falling from a roof, and -running himself through in his fall with his faithful Roland, which he -held in his hand to feel his way along the slippery roof on which he was -walking. - -The Chevalier Passedix, then, claimed to be the godson of Chaudoreille, -albeit the latter, in his negotiations with Touquet the barber, had -never mentioned his godson. But there are many people who forget that -they ever held a child over the baptismal font, or who do not choose to -remember that they have been godparents, in order to evade the duties -which that relation imposes on them. - -However, Passedix, himself a Gascon, resembled his godfather in many -respects; like him, he was a glutton, a gambler, and a liar; like him, -he sighed for every woman who looked at him, believing himself to be a -very attractive gallant, whereas he might fittingly have served as a -scarecrow in a community of women. - -But there was one respect in which the resemblance between him and his -godfather had no existence. Chaudoreille was always a coward, his -battles were mere bluster, and his very death was tragic only because -he was fleeing over the roofs from an imaginary danger. - -Passedix, on the contrary, was really brave; he would draw his sword on -the most trivial pretext, would often take up the cudgels for a perfect -stranger, and like Don Quixote, whom he resembled in his great height -and his leanness, he would readily have fought against a windmill. But -his courage was rarely fortunate, and whether because he handled Roland -unskilfully,--for he possessed his godfather's famous rapier,--or -because his excessive ardor made him imprudent, or because he was too -sure of victory, the chevalier was almost always beaten; indeed, he was -very lucky when he came off with a few scratches and was not nailed to -his bed to await the healing of his wounds. - -On a certain beautiful warm spring morning, several young nobles were -chatting and laughing in Master Hugonnet's shop. Some were waiting for -their inamoratas to come from the baths, others had come thither in the -hope of seeing Ambroisine, La Belle Baigneuse, and perhaps of being -shaved by her. The majority were there because it was a favorite -rendezvous of idlers, lady killers, and all the young dandies and rakes -who were eager to learn the news, the spicy anecdotes of the court and -city, to inquire concerning the scandalous intrigue of the moment, in -order that they might make merry at the expense of the poor betrayed -husband; for we must not forget that husbands were betrayed in the good -old times no less than they are to-day. - -As there were no cafés in those days for the idlers and gossips, the -bathing establishments filled their place. As there were no newspapers -to read, people were accustomed to collect to listen to the man who came -there to tell some anecdote or some new occurrence. The gossips were -welcome and held the floor. Many falsehoods were told, as will always be -the case in such assemblages; the man who lied with the most assurance -was almost always the one who was most eagerly listened to, and most -loudly applauded by those at whom he laughed in his sleeve. To-day, we -find _blagueurs_ who delight to hoodwink their auditors. The words have -changed, but the characters are the same. - -Some of the idlers who were assembled at Master Hugonnet's stood in the -doorway of the shop, both wings of the door being thrown open, and -amused themselves by watching the passers-by. Rue Saint-Jacques was -frequented by students, clerks of the Basoche, and a great number of the -lower classes; moreover, the proximity of the Hôtel de Cluny brought to -the quarter many ecclesiastics and doctors of the Sorbonne. - -Our young gentlemen did not always confine themselves to ogling the -passers-by. When a woman who was at all attractive, or a clown with a -particularly idiotic face, passed the barber's shop, they addressed a -compliment or an obscene jest to the one, to the other some unflattering -epithet or some insulting question. And woe to the unlucky wight who -should take the jest in bad part! for if he lost his temper and -presumed to reply, all the idlers and all the customers assembled at the -baths instantly ran out to listen to the complainant; and then, instead -of one jest, he had to undergo a perfect hailstorm of witticisms from -all sides. - -"Pardieu! messeigneurs," said one young blade, all covered with ribbons -and lace, as he left the door and threw himself carelessly on one of the -hard chairs in the shop, "I have just seen two women of rather -attractive aspect go in at the door leading to the baths." - -"How were they dressed, Sénange?" inquired the young man who was at that -moment in the barber's hands. - -"Oh! how curious this little Monclair is! He wants to make us believe -that he is waiting here for a fair; that someone is to come here to -fetch him!" - -"Yes, sambleu! I am expecting someone; what is there so surprising in -that? Haven't you at least one mistress yourself, Sénange?" - -"One mistress! Vertudieu! if I had but one, it seems to me that it would -be almost the same as if I had none." - -"Very pretty! but I shouldn't expect it from anyone but Léodgard.--Come, -Sénange, be decent; how were the damsels dressed who have just gone into -the baths?" - -"One--and she must have been the dowager--wore a brown pelisse and hood; -her head was all wrapped up in the hood, and there was a thick veil over -all; guess at the face, if you can!" - -"And the other?" - -"The other was dressed in pink; there was a border of black lace to her -hood, and it fell over her eyes; but her feet were small, her slippers -embroidered with silver thread, and her leg well turned, as one could -easily see, for she raised her skirts very generously!" - -"Oh! it is she, I am sure!" - -"By Notre-Dame de Paris!" cried Master Hugonnet, holding his razor in -the air; "if you move about like this, my lord, something will happen to -your face; that leap of yours nearly cost you your nose, and I assure -you that it would not have been my fault. Keep quiet, or I will not -answer for the consequences!" - -"'Tis well, barber; go on, do your duty; I will try to be calm.--By the -way, messieurs, it seems to me that it is a long while since we last saw -Passedix in this quarter!" - -"True; the valiant Passedix no longer shows himself; where can he -be?--Have you seen him lately, Hugonnet?" - -"No, messeigneurs; it is several weeks since the Chevalier Passedix has -been here." - -"That is the more surprising, because, if I remember aright, he was -deeply in love with your daughter Ambroisine." - -"In love with my daughter--he! He is in love with all women; but it -amounts to nothing." - -"Did you treat him a little--harshly? You are quite capable of it." - -"No, I was not put to that trouble; the chevalier has always been too -respectful for me to be angry with him." - -"Then it must be that poor Passedix has had some new affair of honor; he -has probably fought a duel and come out second best, as usual; and -doubtless he is stretched out on his bed of pain at this moment." - -"Perhaps he has been attacked by Giovanni, the fashionable robber!" - -"Giovanni would not have wounded him; he contents himself with robbing -and never does any harm." - -"But if a man doesn't choose to be robbed, and defends himself----" - -"Look at Léodgard, messieurs; he defended himself gallantly, and yet -Giovanni robbed him and did not hurt a hair of his head." - -At that moment, loud exclamations were heard at the shop door. - - - - -VII - -A YOUNG WOMAN _EN CROUPE_ - - -"Oh! what a fine head, my friends!" cried a cavalier who was standing in -the doorway. - -"What is it, La Valteline?" - -"A great clodhopper--some peasant from the South, doubtless, for he -wears the Béarnais costume, I believe. He is coming along on an enormous -horse. Come, look! it's worth the trouble!" - -"Do you expect us to put ourselves out for a country lout?" - -"But he has something very seductive _en croupe_; a fresh, red-cheeked -little wench, who, in her rustic costume, would carry off the palm from -all the fair who come to visit the baths!" - -"Oho! we must see that! we must see that!" - -A horse was coming along at a footpace, with two persons on his back. -First, a countryman with straight hair brushed flat, which fell to his -shoulders, and was partly hidden by a sort of woollen cap ending in a -point and surmounted by a small black plume; beneath that original -headgear appeared a broad, round, chubby, red face, a most perfect -specimen of careless health, with big eyes on a level with the face, -which expressed amazement at everything they saw, and at the same time -seemed happy to be amazed. The rest of his costume was that of a -Béarnais peasant. In his right hand he held a long branch of dogwood, -which he used as a crop to accelerate his horse's gait. - -Behind this rustic, on his horse's crupper, and clinging tightly to her -cavalier, was a young girl of eighteen years at most, as pretty as the -Italian madonnas to whom the painters make you long to pray, and as -fresh as a rosebud just opening. - -Her embarrassment and alarm made her even more beautiful, for she seemed -a little alarmed by her position; and while trying to seat herself more -firmly, she displayed every moment the upper part of a shapely calf, and -sometimes even the red garter that held her coarse woollen stocking in -place. - -"Jarnidié! that's a dainty morsel!" exclaimed the young men in chorus. - -"See the lovely black hair!" - -"And eyes quite as black, on my word!--fine lashes, heavy eyebrows!" - -"A straight nose, neither too large nor too small!" - -"A perfect chin and a tiny mouth!" - -"Oh! did you see, messieurs? She uttered a little cry of fright, and I -saw the prettiest teeth!" - -"Then she lacks nothing, for she is as fresh as she is pretty!" - -"Where in the devil is that clown taking this seductive morsel?" - -"Pardieu! messieurs, we will find out." - -"It shall not be said that a charming creature shall pass us like this, -without our taking measures to find her again." - -"But this girl, with her square cap and her veil on top of her head, -with her striped waist and skirt of such brilliant colors, certainly is -not a Frenchwoman; she wears an Italian costume." - -"Do you think so, La Valteline?" - -"I am sure; it's the costume of the peasants in the suburbs of Milan. -Pardieu! I ought to know; I was at Milan last year!" - -"You are right; the girl has something Italian or Israelitish in her -face, and her slightly bronzed complexion also tends to confirm your -conjectures." - -The horse and his riders had by this time reached the bath keeper's -house, and were about to pass it on their way down Rue Saint-Jacques, -when the young Marquis de Sénange ran out and placed himself in front of -the peaceful beast, which instantly halted. - -Thereupon the young noble, doffing his hat, saluted the girl and her -escort with respect, and all the other bystanders made haste to do the -like. - -The Béarnais peasant, astounded by all these courtesies, deemed it -advisable none the less to remove his cap and return the salutations of -all those young men who treated him so politely. - -As for the girl, she raised her great black eyes and, with an expression -in which there was more surprise than timidity, looked about at the -persons who were gazing at her. - -"Par la sambleu! my dear monsieur, how fortunate we are to fall in with -you, and to be the first to present you our respectful homage. But we -have been waiting for you a long while.--Pray put on your hat--we -entreat you! You must surely see by the joy which your arrival causes us -how impatiently you and your charming travelling companion were awaited -in Paris!" - -"Eh! damme! what's that? we were expected in Paris?" cried the big -countryman, who had listened with a dazed expression to young Sénange's -harangue. - -"Can you doubt it?" said the Chevalier de La Valteline, in his turn, -walking nearer to the horse's hind quarters in order to examine the girl -more closely. "Do you not know that we are notified in advance at Paris -when such interesting travellers as you are to arrive here? Deputations -were sent to all the barriers to welcome you. It is very strange that -you did not meet them--eh, messeigneurs?" - -Shouts arose on all sides, accompanied by roars of laughter, which the -clerks of the Basoche and the students could not restrain, and in which -the valets and all the blackguards of the quarter did not hesitate to -join. - -"Pray dismount, my master, and come with us to take some refreshment, -you and this lovely child; we will give you a taste of a certain choice -wine which we have put aside for the express purpose of celebrating your -arrival. I will help your companion to dismount first." - -As he spoke, the jovial Sénange offered his knee to the girl for use as -a stepping stone, while the peasant, bewildered by what he heard and, it -may be, a little tempted by the offer of wine, seemed to hesitate as to -what he ought to do, and to be inclined to accept the invitation. But -his pretty companion, instead of dismounting as she was invited to do, -seized her escort's arm with little ceremony, and said to him, under her -breath, but in a firm tone: - -"Don't get down, Cédrille; don't you see that all these fine gentlemen -are making sport of you and me, for all their courtesies and fine -manners? They say that they expected us, but I will wager that they do -not even know who we are. Just ask that most dandified one, who has such -a smooth tongue, to tell you your name and why we have come to Paris; -and you'll see that he won't be able to answer you." - -These words changed the peasant's plans. He sat more firmly in his -saddle, and, addressing the man who had spoken first, said in a tone -wherein it was easy to detect distrust: - -"One moment, my fine gentleman; we don't make acquaintances so fast, we -peasants don't, especially as we were told that we must be on the -lookout in Paris; and that there was a lot of fellows, law students and -ne'er-do-wells, yes, and some great nobles, who like to poke fun at -poor folks, especially peasants and people who work in the fields. -That's an entertainment that we don't care about giving, d'ye see!--You -say we were expected in Paris--so you know me and the little one, I -suppose? Well, if you know us--who are we?--tell us who we are? Answer, -if you please, messeigneurs." - -The young men looked at one another and winked. - -"This clod is not so stupid as he looks," said one. - -"That didn't come from him," said a page; "the little one prompted him -to say it." - -"He was all ready to dismount, but the girl held him back." - -"You ask me who you are," rejoined young Sénange, twirling his -moustache; "why, you know who you are! So what need is there for me to -tell you what you already know?--Nonsense! come with us, my master, and -drink and touch glasses; the wine we will give you is much better than -that you drink in your village." - -"Oh, no! oh, no! not till you have answered my questions; but you can't -do that!" - -"Your questions! By what right, pray, do you put questions to us, when -we are offering you a civil attention? Do you know, my handsome -traveller, that it is not decent to refuse to drink a glass, to empty a -goblet, to our health?--Are you afraid to drink? In that case, you would -make a dismal companion!--I say, messieurs, what do you think of this -lout who fears to compromise himself by drinking with us?" - -"Probably the knave has never tasted wine; he thinks that we intend to -purge him." - -"He is sadly in need of having the rust rubbed off--the clown!" - -"Ah! but he must drink! We will pour a pint or two down his throat from -the Souris Blanche, which is just across the way." - -"We will teach the fool what courtesy is!" - -"Ah! so silly talk is taking the place of your civilities now!" said the -peasant, with a frown. - -His companion touched him on the shoulder and murmured: - -"Go on, Cédrille! whip your horse. Don't stay in the midst of all these -young gentlemen. They look to me like bad fellows; their shouts and the -way they look at me--I am beginning to be frightened." - -"Whip Bourriquet! why, they have got hold of his bridle; and how can we -go on in the middle of all this crowd? I wouldn't like to ride over -anyone, for then they would make trouble for me.--Jarny! Miretta, I am -sorry already that you insisted on coming to this Paris!" - -"Pray dismount, my pretty Milanese," said the Chevalier de La Valteline, -offering his hand to the girl, whose name, as we now know, was Miretta. - -"Milanese!" she retorted, refusing the young nobleman's hand. "Ah! you -guess that from my costume; it is true that I have lived in the -neighborhood of Milan from infancy, but I was not born in Italy; I am -from the same province as Cédrille." - -"And Cédrille is a Béarnais?" - -"Yes, messieurs; from Pau, by your leave," said the peasant. - -"Vive Cédrille!" - -"Vive Cédrille of Pau!" - -And the young nobles, as they shouted the name, waved their hats and -handkerchiefs, while the bachelors and squires joined hands and began to -dance and caper around the horse and his riders. - -The girl's face flushed, her impatience got the better of her; she -struck the horse's flank with her hand, while the peasant did his best -to urge his steed forward, crying: - -"Let go of Bourriquet's rein, seigneurs! let go of my horse, ten -thousand devils!" - -"Ah! Bourriquet! the horse's name is Bourriquet!" - -"His rider should bear that name!" - -"Poor _bourrique_,[B] who has to carry another of his kind!" - -[B] _Bourrique_, an ass; _bourriquet_, an ass's colt. - -"No, no! your horse shall not take a step!" - -"Don't worry him with your rein." - -"Dismount, Cédrille of Pau; if not, we will forcibly remove you and your -companion from Bourriquet's back!" - -Some of Master Hugonnet's customers were already preparing to carry out -this threat; but at that crisis, the Béarnais peasant, whose face had -turned purple and had assumed a menacing expression, quickly raised his -right arm, and brandishing in the air the dogwood staff with which his -right hand was armed, twirled it about in the faces of those who -approached, with such fearless and uncompromising dexterity that in a -moment there was a large space cleared in front of the travellers; and -yet, some of the jokers did not move back quickly enough to avoid a blow -from the redoubtable dogwood staff. - -Meanwhile, the pretty girl threw both arms about her companion, and, -raising her head, seemed to defy with her glance those who surrounded -her, and to say to them: - -"Come forward now, if you dare!" - -All this had taken place in an instant; but the panic was soon over, and -all the young men, who were in the habit of beating the watch, fighting -with citizens, and brawling every night in the streets of Paris, were in -no humor to fly from a peasant's club. Having retired to a safe -distance, they turned about once more and drew their swords; the -bachelors, students, pages, and esquires did the same; for at that -blessed epoch almost every man wore a sword or a rapier of some sort, in -order to be always in a position to fight on the most trivial pretext: a -consequence of the gentle manners and pacific customs of the good old -times. - -At sight of the bare swords, Miretta said to her companion: - -"Come, push on, Cédrille! beat your horse! Let us get away from here, or -some disaster will happen to us." - -The peasant shook Bourriquet's rein with no gentle force; but although -the beast no longer felt a hand on his bit, he stood like a statue in -his tracks, and, in spite of the urging of his rider, refused to advance -a step, terrified doubtless by the noise that he heard and by the crowd -that stood in a circle about him. - -Meanwhile, the young men again approached, half threateningly, half -laughingly; they brandished their swords, and some of the points were -already in contact with the dogwood staff which Cédrille continued to -handle with much address, while they shouted in his ears: - -"Down! down, rustic!" - -"Dismount at once, and ask our pardon on your knees!" - -"Yes, let him apologize! or else we will carry off the girl!" - -"And Bourriquet too!" - -"And we will break the staff over Cédrille's back!" - -"Break my staff!--Oh! jarnidieu! there's more than one of you who will -have a few ribs broken first!" - -But when she saw all those gleaming blades directed against her -companion, and often, by inadvertence, threatening her own person, -pretty Miretta uttered piercing shrieks; she called imploringly for -help. To her cries, uttered as they were in a plaintive, grief-stricken -tone, the young men replied by a storm of jests and lamentations; they -tried to reassure the girl, to make her understand that they would do -her no harm; but she, too terrified to hear what they said, continued -her outcries. - -Thereupon Master Hugonnet, who thus far had continued to shave Monsieur -de Monclair, abandoned his customer and ran into the street to find out -what was happening. At the same time, Ambroisine left the baths to -ascertain the cause of the uproar and the shrieks that she heard. - -As the father and the daughter reached the street, two other persons -arrived on the scene, one by Rue des Mathurins, the other from -Saint-Benoît cemetery; and, having quickened their pace in order to -arrive sooner, they made their appearance at almost the same -moment--forcing their way through the crowd without ceremony, and -distributing blows to right and left among those who did not move aside -quickly enough to make way for them. - - - - -VIII - -A BATTLE - - -"Ah! here's our friend Passedix, whom we were so anxious about!" cried -several of the reckless youths, when they spied the long, lank, -yellow-faced chevalier, who always wore a helmet, which heightened his -resemblance to Don Quixote, although his helmet was not of the shape of -that worn by the Knight of the Rueful Countenance. - -"Ah! here is the Sire de Jarnonville!" exclaimed others of the young -men, at sight of the second of the two new-comers, who, by rough -handling of the crowd, had arrived in front of the barber's shop. - -He was a tall, handsome man, dressed in a rich but very sombre costume; -his black doublet, slashed with white satin, had the appearance of a -mourning garment; a black velvet cloak, faced with white, covered his -shoulders; his full, funnel-shaped top-boots also were black, although -most gentlemen wore yellow ones except when they went to war. His -broad-brimmed hat, turned up in front, had no other ornament than a long -plume of the same color as the cloak. So that the Sire de Jarnonville -was sometimes given the sobriquet of the _Black Chevalier_. - -He was thirty-eight years of age, but seemed much older, because his -brown hair was beginning to turn gray; because his noble and regular -features were almost always clouded, as if under the burden of painful -thoughts; because his eyes also had ordinarily an expression of profound -sadness; and lastly, because his brow was furrowed with premature -wrinkles, and the clouds which darkened it were rarely dissipated. - -And yet this gentleman, whose aspect was so gloomy, and whom one would -have taken to be the enemy of all pleasure, had for several years past -participated in all the amusements and festivities, and especially in -all the brutal tricks which were played on bourgeois, tradesmen, and -even attachés of the court. Whenever one of the most dissolute -frequenters of the bathing establishments proposed some new escapade--to -abduct a woman, to hoodwink a guardian, or to thrash the watch and throw -a whole quarter into dismay, he could be certain beforehand that the -Sire de Jarnonville would join him; he was one of the first volunteers -in all perilous undertakings; he always rushed to the spot where the -danger was greatest, fought like four men, and was the last to leave the -field. - -If anyone had a duel on hand and lacked a second, the Black Chevalier -was always ready to render him that service, without even inquiring as -to the subject of the dispute or the name of the adversary; but always -on condition that he should fight with the opposing seconds.--Did anyone -propose to gamble and drink, Jarnonville gambled and drank, and -sometimes drank too much. Amid the companions of his revels, at the -banquet table, in a midnight affray, in a duel, he almost always -retained that melancholy expression which had aged his features before -their time; to one who watched him fight and gamble and drink, it seemed -that he did all those things without inclination or pleasure, but solely -in the hope of diverting his thoughts; and that he could not succeed in -doing it. Such was the personage who had forced his way through the -crowd and taken his stand beside the Marquis de Sénange, while the -Chevalier de Passedix approached Bourriquet's hind quarters and -contemplated with admiration the pretty girl who was seated thereon. - -"Ah! here is Jarnonville! Vivat! the victory is ours!" - -"Come on our side, O Black Chevalier! you arrive in the nick of time; -there's a girl to be kidnapped, and a clown to be beaten!" - -"Vrai Dieu! it seems to me that there are a good many of you for such a -small matter!" rejoined the Sire de Jarnonville, casting his eye over -the crowd assembled before the barber's house. - -"Yes; but the task is not so simple as you might think, my master; for -we must obtain possession of this pretty wench without doing her the -slightest harm; and yonder idiot, with his club, is capable of wounding -the little one in trying to defend her." - -"Ah! he knows how to handle the staff, does he? So much the better! we -will judge of his talent." - -"Sandioux! messeigneurs," cried Passedix, "why do you attack this child? -and this stout youth whom she presses to her heart, rolling her lovely -eyes to beseech our compassion?--I wish, first of all, to know the -subject of the quarrel; and I object beforehand to any sort of force -being put upon such a charming wench!" - -"Come, come, valiant Passedix, just move away from that nag's hind -quarters and come over to our side! Do you mean to desert our camp? are -you going over to the Greeks?" - -"Beware, second Don Quixote; we shall have no mercy for traitors!" - -"Cadédis! if you think to frighten me, my boy, you waste your time and -your words! With my good Roland, this trusty blade which came to me from -my godfather Chaudoreille, I will spit you all like smelts, provided -that this lovely child accepts me for her knight. One word from her -sweet mouth, and I make mincemeat of you all!" - -Bursts of laughter greeted the Gascon chevalier's braggadocio; but he, -drawing his long sword, put the point to the ground before Miretta, and -bent his knee as he said to her: - -"Answer, O marvellous queen of Paphos and Cythera! Will you accept me -for your champion in the combat which I beg the privilege of undertaking -for you? Give me a pledge--the merest trifle--your glove; you have none? -then your pretty hand, that I may kiss it; and I am victor!" - -Miretta stared in utter amazement at that tall man, thin as an asparagus -stalk, who was almost kneeling at her horse's tail; she seemed not at -all inclined to accept him for her knight, for ugliness inspires women -with little confidence, and the Chevalier Passedix was perfectly ugly. - -But the Béarnais peasant, still twirling his staff, said to the Gascon: - -"Thanks for your offer, seigneur cavalier; it isn't to be refused.--Here -are I don't know how many of them setting on me, and I am all alone to -defend my travelling companion! My opinion is that it's a cowardly -trick! But come and take my side, and I'll warrant that with my club and -your spit we'll prevent these gentry from carrying off Miretta." - -Although he considered the term _spit_ in very bad taste as applied to -Roland, the valorous Passedix, whom Miretta's eyes had already taken -captive, instantly took his stand in front of the horse, threatening the -assailants with his sword. - -While these things were taking place about the travellers, Master -Hugonnet and his daughter, having learned the subject of the quarrel, -were striving to make the reckless youths drawn up in battle array in -front of the shop listen to reason. But that which at first was a simple -jest had become, in the eyes of those young dandies, a matter of -self-esteem, almost of honor. No one of them was willing to give ground -before Cédrille's staff. In order that the dispute should come to an -end without violence, it would have been necessary for the peasant to -agree to apologize to those who had jeered at him and insulted him, and -he was in no mood to humble himself before them. - -"By Notre-Dame! messeigneurs," said Hugonnet, going from one to another -of his customers, with his basin of soapsuds in one hand and his shaving -brush in the other, "what have this peasant and his companion done to -you that you should pick a quarrel with them? What an idea--to throw a -whole quarter into commotion and bring the whole neighborhood to the -windows, for two travellers who have only one horse between them!" - -"Leave us in peace, Hugonnet; attend to your own affairs; this doesn't -concern you!" - -"Pardieu! yes, it does concern me; for you are blocking the whole -street, you are in battle order in front of my house, so that it would -be impossible for anyone to come near who might happen to want a bath or -a shave! So you see that you injure me with your quarrelling, and that -it does concern me." - -"For heaven's sake, messieurs," said Ambroisine, in her turn, "do not -torment this poor traveller like this! What pleasure can you find in -frightening a woman? Let these people go their way. They are not -Parisians--anyone can see that! They do not know that you are only -threatening them in joke." - -"In joke!" repeated young La Valteline, with a frown. "But you are not -aware, _belle baigneuse_, that that peasant's staff has soiled my -cloak!--Oh! I must chastise him for that! These knaves must be taught -the respect that they owe us." - -"And why do you jeer at them and attack them, if you wish them to -respect you?" - -"Enough, fair Ambroisine! sermons are all right for preachers, but they -amount to nothing in a pretty girl's mouth!" - -"Come, Jarnonville! forward! have at him! have at him! let us trounce -the peasant!" - -"Not without my helping to defend him!" ejaculated Master Hugonnet, -running to take his stand beside the travellers, still carrying his -basin and shaving brush. - -"And I will not allow that girl to be insulted, without doing what I can -to help her!" cried Ambroisine, following her father and placing herself -in front of Miretta. - -"That is right! good! good for _la baigneuse_!" cried all the women, who -had been drawn to the scene by the noise of the quarrel. "You are on the -girl's side, and we too will defend her!" - -"All these ne'er-do-wells are fit for nothing but to insult women!" - -"Let us pick up stones and throw them at the villains!" - -"No, no! by Notre-Dame!" cried Hugonnet. "No stones, I entreat you! You -will break my windows and my sign, and I shall have to pay for all the -damage! We shall be able to settle this business without you!" - -The young gentlemen were embarrassed, for, although eager to fight and -having little fear of their adversaries, they were afraid that in the -scrimmage they might injure the pretty traveller and Ambroisine. - -The latter, divining what held them back, took delight in defying all -those fine cavaliers, who were in the habit of making love to her, and -several of whom called out to her: - -"Come away from there, _belle baigneuse_; that is no place for you!" - -"You are in our way. Besides, you ought not to take sides against your -customers!" - -"I don't care a fig for customers! Let these travellers go their way, -and I will agree to shave all of you." - -This proposition seemed to make an impression on several of the young -men; but the Sire de Jarnonville, irritated by all this discussion, drew -his sword and strode toward the horse's head. With a few passes he soon -sent the famous Roland flying through the air. Passedix, disarmed, -called loudly for another weapon. - -The Black Chevalier thereupon turned his attention to the dogwood staff, -but he had not so simple a task as with the Gascon's sword. - -At that moment, a young page, who had stolen forward to unseat Miretta, -was confronted by Master Hugonnet; and he, having no other weapons than -his basin and shaving brush, instantly covered the page with a thick -coating of lather, filling his nose and mouth and even his eyes with it; -whereupon the assailant began to shriek at the top of his voice. All -eyes were turned in that direction. At sight of that face completely -covered with lather, a roar of laughter burst from all who were present, -friends and foes, combatants and lookers-on; it was as if they were -trying to see who could laugh the loudest. - -This incident suspended the combat for a moment. But the Sire de -Jarnonville, who alone had taken no part in the general merriment, -immediately renewed his attack on the peasant's staff. Whether because -Cédrille's arm was tired, or because the sight of that gleaming weapon, -whirling through the air and sometimes striking sparks, dazzled his -eyes, he began to defend himself less vigorously. At last, a blow dealt -with more force than usual broke the staff. - -The peasant was beaten; the Black Chevalier's weapon was already on the -point of forcing him to dismount, when Ambroisine, who had left her post -a moment before, suddenly reappeared, carrying in her arms a little boy -of three or four years; and darting in front of Jarnonville, she held -the child out to him, crying: - -"Take care, seigneur, you will wound this child!" - -Those words and the sight of the little boy produced a magical effect on -the Black Chevalier. He paused and dropped his arm, which was raised to -strike; the warlike ardor which enlivened his face gave way to an -expression of sadness, almost of tenderness. He gazed for some seconds -at the little fellow, who, not realizing that he was in the midst of a -battle, was not in the least frightened, but smiled up at the chevalier, -crying: - -"I'd like to fight, too!" - -Jarnonville stooped to kiss the child's forehead, and replaced his sword -in its sheath. Then, turning to the young noblemen, who were utterly -amazed at the change that had taken place in him, he said to them: - -"It's all over, messieurs; the treaty of peace is signed!" - -"What! all over? How so, if we are not satisfied?" - -"I tell you that it is all over! This peasant has been conquered, -disarmed; what more do you want?" - -"We want him to apologize." - -"We want most of all to kiss the pretty girl whom he has _en croupe_." - -Jarnonville's only reply was to push aside with his arm all those who -stood in front of the horse, thus clearing a passage for him. Then he -made a sign to the peasant, who understood him and dug his heels into -Bourriquet's ribs. This time the poor beast seemed to share his master's -desire, and asked nothing better than to leave the field of battle. He -trotted off at full speed down Rue Saint-Jacques, and Cédrille and his -pretty companion soon disappeared from the eyes of the crowd. - -All this had happened so quickly that Miretta hardly had time to grasp -Ambroisine's hand and say: - -"Thanks! thanks! you have saved us! I shall come to see you, and to tell -you how grateful I am!" - -"Come; you will ask for Ambroisine, the daughter of Master Hugonnet the -bath keeper, on Rue Saint-Jacques." - - - - -IX - -CAUSES AND EFFECTS - - -Ambroisine's first care was to take the child back to its mother, a -woman of the people, who was there by the merest chance, having come to -find out why such a crowd had collected in front of the bath keeper's -establishment, little dreaming that her child would be the means of -adjusting that great quarrel. - -Hugonnet's daughter kissed the little fellow, put a coin in his hand -with which to buy a cake, and returned to her home, curious to learn how -the gentlemen had taken the conclusion of the affair. - -Sénange, La Valteline, Monclair, and their friends, were dazed for a -moment by the sudden departure of Cédrille and his companion. Some of -them were inclined to run after the peasant, others wanted to fight -Jarnonville, whom they accused of betraying them; they were all -displeased, and another battle was imminent perhaps, when general -attention was attracted by shouts and oaths proceeding from the place -recently occupied by Bourriquet. - -A battle with fists was in progress between Master Hugonnet and one of -his neighbors, named Lambourdin, a dealer in ribbons, tags, fringes, and -other toilet articles, whose shop was not more than fifty yards from the -baths. - -The two neighbors were ordinarily very good friends; they met sometimes -at the wine shop, which both were fond of frequenting; they laughed and -talked and drank together, and no one would ever have supposed that they -would one day entertain the inhabitants of the quarter with a genuine -pugilistic bout. - -But who can foretell the future? - -The most trivial cause is sometimes sufficient to embroil ambassadors -and to bring about war between two nations that could get along very -well without it; and we too often see old friends suddenly become -declared enemies. - -In our day, politics sometimes produces such revolutions by its gentle -and benignant influence. In the good old times, there were sometimes -conspiracies of great personages, nobles, and persons in high station, -but the people paid little heed to their plots. They went to see them -hanged at Montfaucon, but they were not tempted to meddle with matters -that led to such results. In those days, the workman thought of nothing -but working to support his family, to save a marriage portion for his -daughter, and to make sure of a home in his old age. That was the sum -total of his politics; it made him neither ill, nor infuriate, nor -insane, nor sophistical, nor evil-minded! It made him happy! - -In that respect we may well regret the good old times. - -Let us return to the two neighbors. - -Lambourdin, the dealer in small wares, was by inclination, and, above -all, by virtue of his trade, of the faction of the young nobles and the -courtiers. When a noble personage entered his shop and made a purchase, -Lambourdin puffed himself out like the frog in the fable, and never -failed to proclaim from the housetops that he supplied monsieur le -comte, or monsieur le marquis, or messieurs the pages attached to the -court. - -And so, when he learned the cause of the gathering, which he could see -from his shop, the dealer in small wares hastened to the scene of the -combat, fully disposed to take up the cudgels for the young nobles, to -whom he was intensely anxious to display his entire devotion. - -But the young men did not require the assistance of Master Lambourdin, -and he had had no other opportunity to show his interest in their -victory than by addressing an insulting remark or a threat to Cédrille -from time to time. - -But when Master Hugonnet besmeared a page so successfully with his -lather, Lambourdin, far from finding that amusing, flew into a transport -of rage, especially as the page who was so thoroughly lathered had -bought two beautiful bows of ribbon at his shop that morning. - -And so, as soon as the Black Chevalier's sword play had ceased, as soon -as Bourriquet had trotted away with his travellers on his back, -Lambourdin elbowed his way through the crowd to Master Hugonnet, and -said, eying him with a furious expression: - -"Do you know, Neighbor Hugonnet, that you have behaved very badly -throughout this affair?" - -"Ah! do you think so, Neighbor Lambourdin?" rejoined the barber, in a -bantering tone; for the wrathful expression blazing in the other's eyes -gave him a comical appearance, which inspired merriment rather than -alarm. - -"Yes, I do think so!--What! you, to whose place the young nobles come by -preference, whether to bathe, or to have their hair and beards arranged, -and bring customers to your establishment and make it fashionable!--you -take sides against them in this quarrel, instead of going to their -assistance, as every self-respecting man should do! You take part with -strangers--a rustic and a strumpet from no one knows where!" - -"I do what I please, what suits me, neighbor! I consult my heart before -my pocket. I look to see on which side the right and not the profit -is.--But why do you interfere? Is it any of your business?" - -"Yes, monsieur le baigneur; yes, it is my business--And that young page -whom you smeared with soapsuds so shamefully! He even had it in his -eyes! You spoiled a superb bow of ribbon that I sold him this morning!" - -"So much the better for you; he'll buy another one of you!" - -"No, he will not--I mean, yes, he will buy another one.--But your -conduct is none the less indecent!" - -"By Notre-Dame de Paris! you are beginning to make my ears burn, -Neighbor Lambourdin! Not another word, or I strike you!" - -"Do you think to frighten me, you low-lived bath keeper, unworthy to -shave noble chins! I am no boy of fifteen; and if you should touch me -with your shaving brush, I'd trample you under foot like an old -blanket!" - -"Ah! so! Well, take that! I won't touch you with my shaving brush!" - -As he spoke, Hugonnet buried his fist in Lambourdin's side; the latter -had gone too far to retreat; and then, too, there were so many -witnesses! So he answered the blow with a kick, but he measured the -distance so inaccurately that he kicked into space. - -Lambourdin was a little fellow, strong enough, but not of the build to -contend with Master Hugonnet. After a struggle that was not of long -duration, the two neighbors fell, still clinging to each other. -Unluckily, poor Lambourdin was underneath, and had to endure -simultaneously the weight of his adversary's body and the numerous blows -which he continued to administer. Then it was that the little man's -cries attracted the attention of the young gentlemen who had remained in -front of the bath keeper's house. - -They ran to the scene of conflict; Hugonnet was excited and would not -release his neighbor; but when he heard the voice of his daughter, who -came up to see who the combatants were, the barber grew calmer, rose, -and entered his shop, saying: - -"No matter! he got what he deserved! What need had he to meddle in the -affair?" - -As for Lambourdin, who was completely done up and could hardly walk, he -required the assistance of two arms to return to his home, but they were -neither pages nor nobles who supplied them, although it was in their -behalf that he had fought!--So much for the gratitude of those whose -quarrels one embraces! - -This incident diverted the young dandies, and made them forget Cédrille -and Miretta for a moment; and with a Frenchman, when the first ardor has -passed away, it very rarely returns. - -Furthermore, a number of fair dames, who had had time to leave the bath -and to dress, came from the house, with a wink to one, a slight nod to -another; so that in a few moments the whole crowd dispersed, the idlers -sauntered away, the neighbors returned to their homes, and there was no -one left in the barber's shop save the Chevalier Passedix, who was -wiping Roland, which he had picked out of the gutter, and the Sire de -Jarnonville, who had thrown himself into a chair and was apparently lost -in thought and entirely oblivious to what was going on about him. - -"Par la sandioux! my _belle baigneuse_," said the Gascon knight to -Ambroisine, who had remained in the shop, and who, as if by accident, -glanced very frequently in Jarnonville's direction, "I am very glad to -tell you that in this affair you comported yourself like a man of heart! -First, it was well done of you to take that stranger's part; what a -lovely face! sandis! what a fascinating profile! and the full face--it -is enough to bring one to one's knees! So that I knelt with ardor!--You -will pardon me, I trust, _belle baigneuse_, for praising another woman -in your presence. You too are superb, after a different type." - -"Oh! say on, monsieur le chevalier, do not hesitate. Why should I take -it ill of you that you praise that girl? In the first place, she -deserves it, for she is very pretty. And then, have you not the right to -fall in love with her, if you please? does it concern me?" - -"True, true! it could not affect you, since you have refused the homage -of my heart--for I think that I offered it to you----" - -"But you are not quite sure, eh?" - -"Why, you see, I have disposed of it so often! But let us return to the -stranger, to pretty Miretta--for her name is Miretta, is it not?" - -"Yes, that is the name by which her companion, the stout peasant, called -her." - -"And she is an Italian?" - -"No; she told us that she was from Béarn; but it seems that she has -lived in Italy a long while." - -"O mia cara!--I know a few words of Italian--they may be very useful to -me. As I was saying, superb Ambroisine, your conduct was glorious! You -showed a courage--a valor--if you had been of my family, you could have -done no better. That damned Jarnonville---- He does not hear me; I think -that he's asleep." - -"Oh, no! he is not asleep; he is thinking, but not of us. Indeed, I -would wager that he doesn't even see that we are here!" - -"He may hear me or not, I snap my fingers at him! That damned -Jarnonville, by a bungler's thrust--for it is never used, everybody -scorns to use it--however, he knocked my sword from my hand; and I said -to myself just now: 'How in the deuce could I have let Roland go? There -must have been some deviltry about it, for it is the first time I was -ever disarmed!'--Well, sandioux! I have found the cause, while wiping -the hilt of my weapon.--What do you suppose I found on it, just at the -spot where one grasps it? I will give you ten thousand guesses." - -"I prefer that you should tell me at once." - -"Well, my beauty, I found a strip of pork twisted around the hilt of -Roland. So you will see that it is not surprising that my sword slipped -from my hand. Ah! cadédis! if I knew who played me that vile trick of -larding my sword like a partridge!--You laugh, I believe----" - -"Bless me! monsieur le chevalier, it seems to me so amusing that your -rapier should have been treated like a fowl; it is laughable enough!" - -"Do you doubt what I say? Never has a lie soiled my lips!--Look, lovely -girl! yonder is that accursed pork which I found on Roland; I threw it -into that corner; you can see for yourself." - -"I do not doubt what you say, monsieur le chevalier; but as the quarrel -attracted many people to this spot, and as there were several housewives -among them, returning from market with well-filled baskets on their -arms, it is probable that one of them dropped that fine strip of pork on -your sword as it lay on the ground; and she is probably looking -everywhere for it now." - -This explanation did not seem to the liking of Passedix, for he -compressed his lips angrily and muttered: - -"There are some people who distort the simplest things.--But enough of -that. Tell me now, young Hugonnetté, by what miracle you so suddenly -appeased the wrath of that miscreant Jarnonville? How did it happen that -at sight of a little brat of three or four years that madman, who knows -neither God nor the devil, became absolutely calm. I confess that I was -so surprised that I feel it yet." - -Ambroisine motioned to Passedix to follow her to the rear of the shop, -where the Sire de Jarnonville could neither see nor hear them. - -The Gascon, who was very curious to know what the girl had to tell him, -lost no time in seating himself by her side on a bench; whereupon -Ambroisine resumed the conversation, taking care, however, to speak in -undertones. - -"Have you known the Sire de Jarnonville long?" - -"No--about a year; and even so, I know him only from having been with -him in several affrays. He fights well, I am bound to admit, but he's a -good-for-nothing fellow. He doesn't believe in anything, and I don't -like atheists. I am a bad man with the fair, a libertine, a rake, a -seducer!--anything you please, I will not say _nay_. But all that does -not prevent my being religious, for without religion there is no true -chivalry; and all those stainless knights who fought in Palestine would -then be mere braggarts.--But why do you ask me that question?" - -"Because, if you had known the Sire de Jarnonville long, you would -probably know as much about him as I do, and you would have a very -different opinion of him.--I will tell you what I have heard here. About -five or six months ago, the Black Chevalier, for he is sometimes so -called, had just left our house, where he had been telling the story of -one of his exploits--he had broken everything in a tavern, I believe. -When he had gone, a gentleman quite advanced in years, but with a face -that inspired respect, said to another gentleman who was with him: 'Poor -Jarnonville! how he has changed! who would believe, to look at him now, -that he was once the mildest, most obliging, most virtuous of men! the -man who was held up as a model to young gentlemen who were just entering -the world!'--'What can have changed him so?' the other -inquired.--'Jarnonville was married, and he lost his wife, whom he loved -very dearly; but she had left him a child, a little girl, who was, they -say, an angel of beauty, sweetness, and docility. Jarnonville adored -little Blanche--that was his daughter's name; she had become his only -love, his sole joy, his whole hope for the future; constantly intent -upon providing some pleasure, some delight for his darling child, his -grief for his wife's death gradually faded away. Happy and proud to be -all in all to his daughter, who became every day more charming in body -and mind, Jarnonville hardly ever left little Blanche. At four years of -age--and that is very, very young!--at four years of age, the child -understood all that she owed to her father, all the sacrifices to which -he submitted for her sake; but she repaid them all by her love. Never -did a child of that age manifest such affection for its father! If he -left her for an instant, her eyes filled with tears; but as soon as she -saw him, an enchanting smile lighted up her lovely face.--Poor child! -You will understand how he must have loved her!--Well! that child, -already so far beyond her years in her feelings and her intelligence, -that pretty Blanche--he lost her after an illness of a few days only! -One of those cruel diseases which feed upon childhood, and which the -doctors are as yet unable to cure, carried off the poor little -darling!--I will not try to describe her father's grief; it would be -impossible. But the frightful calamity that had befallen him changed his -character absolutely. Jarnonville accused heaven, Providence. Having -never been guilty in his whole life of any evil deed, he rebelled -against the fate that dealt him such a cruel blow, which snatched away -that little creature to whom life seemed to offer such a beautiful and -peaceful prospect--in short, that man, who had always been so religious, -ceased utterly to be so, and blasphemed God. Deaf to all consolation, he -lived a long while in retirement. When, by dint of constant -solicitation, his friends succeeded in luring him back into society, he -was no longer the Jarnonville of other days. To divert his thoughts from -his grief, he joins all the parties conceived by the worst scapegraces -in the city; not a duel, not a nocturnal affray, in which he does not -take part. He drinks, drinks to excess, gambles, passes whole nights in -debauchery, serves as second to all the young scatterbrains who sow -discord in families. He has become the bugbear of the petits bourgeois, -the terror of cabaretiers, tavern keepers, of all decent folk; in a -word, he is just the opposite of all that he used to be.--But, for my -part, I cannot help pitying him; it is his head which is at fault, not -his heart; it is despair that has changed his nature. Nor do I believe -that he is altogether lost! He still wears mourning for his daughter. In -the midst of his debauchery, he has not chosen to lay aside his sombre -garments; and when he seems most excited by gambling, wine, or passion, -show him a child of about the age of his little Blanche when she died, -and you will see a magical change take place in him instantly; his eyes -will fill with tears, and that man, whose glance made you tremble a -moment before, will become silent and as gentle as a child.' - -"That is what the gentleman told his friend. I listened, at first from -curiosity, then with deep interest; and since then, whenever I see the -Sire de Jarnonville, despite his harsh or brusque manner, he does not -seem to me such a bad man as he used.--To-day, when I saw him interfere -in that battle and take sides against us with his long sword, which he -uses so skilfully, I said to myself: 'Those poor travellers are lost!' -And, in fact, your Roland was already on the ground and the peasant's -staff was beginning to give way, when I remembered what I had heard. A -little boy was close by, in his mother's arms; I ran and seized him--and -you saw how successful my idea was; for the Black Chevalier instantly -ceased to fight, and himself looked to the safe departure of the -travellers." - -Passedix had listened to Ambroisine, making from time to time one of -those little grimaces which indicate that one places little credence in -what one hears. When she had finished her narrative, he said, shaking -his head: - -"Between ourselves, _belle baigneuse_, what you have told me seems most -extraordinary, and in my opinion this story of the Sire de Jarnonville -is a trifle chimerical!" - -"Why so, seigneur?" replied Ambroisine, leaving the bench. "It seems to -me no more extraordinary than your story of the pork twisted round your -sword hilt; and I should say that the event has proved that the -gentleman's story was true." - -Passedix did not think it best to reply. He walked toward Jarnonville, -who had risen and was standing in the doorway. - -"Sire de Jarnonville," said the Gascon, offering him his hand, "we both -fought like brave men; you were victorious, but I bear you no ill will! -especially as I am able to explain why Roland slipped from my hand. We -were not on the same side, but, since peace has been concluded, shake -hands, and let bygones be bygones!" - -Instead of putting his hand in the hand that was offered him, -Jarnonville, who had seemed not to listen to the Gascon, suddenly -hurried away, without a word in reply. - -"Sandioux! what does that mean?" cried Passedix, still standing with -outstretched hand, while Ambroisine turned her face away to laugh. -"Damme! is this the way that discourteous _sombrinos_ responds to my -civility! Evidently, this Jarnonville is nothing more than a felon, a -boor, whom I will chastise handsomely at our first meeting. And let no -one presume to thrust a child in between us, sandis! or I will give him -a good kick somewhere!" - -At that moment, a young bachelor, who had been in front of Master -Hugonnet's house when Cédrille and his companion were blockaded there, -and who had disappeared simultaneously with Bourriquet, returned to the -shop, shouting: - -"Ah! I know where the pretty girl has gone! I know what that charming -Milanese came to Paris for!" - -"You know that, boy!" cried the Chevalier Passedix, running up to the -young man. "Oh! tell me quickly what you know, and I swear to you, by -Roland and my godfather Chaudoreille, that I will treat you to a jar of -wine at the next _fête carillonnée_." - -"I had just as lief tell you for nothing!" - -"Well, tell me for nothing; I agree, I will consent to whatever you -wish; but speak, I am dying with impatience!" - -"While everybody else stood here in open-mouthed amazement at the sudden -departure of the travellers, I followed the horse at a distance. He went -at a fast trot, but I have good legs, and I am not broken-winded." - -"Arrive at the point, accursed chatterbox!" - -"It was the travellers who arrived; that is to say, they stopped first -to inquire the way of a dealer in pottery; then they trotted off again -to Rue Saint-Honoré and stopped in front of a fine house." - -"On Rue Saint-Honoré! Are you sure of that? Why, sandis! that is my -quarter; it could not happen better! But to whom does the house belong?" - -"It was the Hôtel de Mongarcin, where Mademoiselle Valentine de -Mongarcin is now living with her aunt, Madame de Ravenelle." - -"Very good! this boy is no fool; go on." - -"All three of the travellers entered the courtyard--I say all three, -counting the horse." - -"Go on, I say, sandioux!" - -"As I was curious to know what they were going to do there, I strolled -back and forth in front of the house." - -"That was very ingenious." - -"And, sure enough, before long came out an old servant who knows my -father. I ran up to him and questioned him, and he said: 'That young -girl has come here to enter the service of Mademoiselle Valentine de -Mongarcin. She has been recommended to her, it seems; so it's all -settled. As for the peasant who brought her here, he is going to rest a -day or two and then go back to his province, unless he also prefers to -find a place in Paris; but it seems that that is not to his -taste.'--That is what I have learned." - -"Thanks! a thousand thanks, my boy! Hôtel de Mongarcin, Rue -Saint-Honoré. I shall be seen frequently in that vicinity.--Sandis! I am -sorry that she is only a lady's-maid. But, after all, Dulcinea del -Toboso was not a princess; and whatever anyone may say, Don Quixote was -a hearty blade, and as good a man as another.--Au revoir, my boy! I will -treat you whenever you choose, you know." - -And Chevalier Passedix walked away by Rue des Mathurins, and the young -bachelor by Place Cambray. - -After a day so well employed, it was natural enough that Master Hugonnet -should visit his usual wine shop in the evening; and he did not fail to -do so. Doubtless there was a large assemblage of patrons, and the events -of the morning, as they gave rise to much talk, naturally resulted in a -proportionate amount of drinking. - -The consequence was that Master Hugonnet returned home very late, -completely drunk, and exceedingly susceptible to emotion, as he always -was when in that condition. - -Ambroisine, who was sitting up for her father, was not at all surprised -by his state, and she urged him to go up to bed. - -But Hugonnet had tears in his eyes, and he groaned mournfully as he -stammered: - -"Poor Lambourdin--it breaks my heart! Just imagine, daughter--he was -shamefully beaten this morning!" - -"I know it, father, and so do you, as it was you who beat him." - -"I! do you think so?--Oh! what a calamity!--my dear friend Lambourdin! -Just imagine--he was beaten so--it's an outrage! Poor Lambourdin! my -heart is heavy!--How could anyone beat such an honorable man?" - -"Why, it was you who beat him." - -"I! impossible!--When I heard of it, I wept with grief.--Poor -Lambourdin! I will avenge him!" - -And Master Hugonnet would not consent to go to bed until he had wept -freely over the fate of his friend Lambourdin, and had sworn again to -avenge him. - - - - -X - -THE PLACE AUX CHATS - - -The Chevalier Passedix lived on Place aux Chats. - -You will not be sorry, reader, to know where that square was situated, -for you would seek in vain for the slightest trace of it to-day. We will -proceed to enlighten you upon that subject. - -In the year 1634, Place aux Chats was near Rue de la Ferronnerie, close -by the Impasse des Bourdonnais, where Rue de la Limace had recently been -cut through. - -The Cemetery of the Innocents was on one side, and had one entrance on -the square, another on Rue de la Ferronnerie, and a third on Rue aux -Fers. Before it was christened Place aux Chats, it was called Place aux -Pourceaux; and in 1575 Rue de la Limace bore the name of Vieille Place -aux Pourceaux. - -Do not imagine one of those spacious, airy squares, such as you are -familiar with in our day. What was called a square [_place_] in those -days was often nothing more than the junction of two streets. - -The houses which surrounded Place aux Chats bore no resemblance to one -another. One had four stories, its next neighbor only two; but in all -alike the heavy framework, the enormous beams, were visible, as it was -not then thought worth while to cover them with plaster. - -The roof of each of the houses hung over far beyond the gable end, thus -diminishing the air and light; the windows were small, irregular, and -loosely set, the panes of glass were tiny and dirty; the doors were low -and narrow; the halls dark and begrimed with dirt; the staircases, which -were gloomy, dirty, and slippery, had huge posts of stone or wood for -rails; and there were absolutely no lights. - -Let us not regret the disappearance of Place aux Chats. - -Over the door of one of the tallest houses on this square, which stood -opposite the Cemetery of the Innocents, there was a long, wide board, -painted yellow, bearing these words written in red on the yellow -background: - - HÔTEL DU SANGLIER. FURNISHED LODGINGS FOR MAN, - BUT NOT FOR BEAST - -The Hôtel du Sanglier had three windows on the square; that was almost -luxurious; and it boasted five stories, counting the attics nestled in -the roof. - -It was one of the largest houses on Place aux Chats; and although the -sign stated that horses would not be entertained, it was no infrequent -occurrence for a mounted man to stop and take up his quarters there; in -such cases, his nag was taken to an ass keeper's, on the same square, -who did not entertain horsemen, but was glad to take care of their -beasts, and he almost always had tenants. - -The Hôtel du Sanglier was kept by a widow, already past middle age, -named Dame Cadichard. She was a short, fat woman, who had been rather -piquant and alluring in her springtime and even during her summer; her -great fault was that she was determined to be piquant and alluring -still, and to forget that her hair was no longer black, her waist no -longer slender, and her complexion no longer fresh. She still had the -flashing glance, the merry laugh, and the sly jest; and from time to -time she talked of remarrying, of giving the late Cadichard a successor. -But at such times the neighbors of the Hôtel du Sanglier asked one -another where the future spouse could be, for, among the guests of the -house or the strangers who frequented it, no one ever had been observed -to pay court to the Widow Cadichard. - -Chaudoreille's godson had lived at the Hôtel du Sanglier for more than a -year; he occupied a very modest little chamber under the eaves, above -the fourth floor. His room was lighted only by a little round window -looking on the square, which, however, he could not see on account of -the overhanging roof; the window, moreover, was so small that only one -person could possibly have looked out at one time. - -The furniture of the apartment was extremely modest; it consisted of a -white wooden bedstead, of the simplest construction, the headboard and -footboard being so insecure that when, in a moment of forgetfulness, the -long, lank chevalier tried to stretch his legs, he instantly started -all the screws from their holes, the bed fell apart and vanished, and -the man who was lying upon it found himself stretched on the floor. - -Two straw beds, a mattress as flat as a pancake, and a bolster of hay -composed the bed furnishings. Beside that far from luxurious couch were -a small oak table, two stools, and an enormous chest without a cover, in -which the tenant was entitled to keep his effects; it was probably -intended to serve as a commode. - -A few boards nailed to the wall served the purpose of a wardrobe, and -were embellished by those articles which the tenant found indispensable. -This was called a furnished lodging. - -It is probable, however, that all the rooms in the Hôtel du Sanglier -were not furnished so shabbily; and the Chevalier Passedix knew -something about it; for when he first became a tenant of Dame Cadichard, -he occupied a room on the first floor; at the next quarter day, the -Gascon had gone up to the second floor; three months later, he had been -consigned to the third; the following term, he had occupied the fourth; -and the fifth term, which was now running, he had been relegated to the -eaves. In case the chevalier should prolong his residence at Madame -Cadichard's, he could be sure, at all events, that they would send him -no higher. - -Why these peregrinations of the gallant Passedix on each succeeding -quarter day? That we shall probably learn in the sequel. - -On leaving Master Hugonnet's house, the Gascon returned with long -strides to Place aux Chats, his mind engrossed by the pretty foreigner -with whom he had fallen in love so suddenly. He was already meditating -the means to which he might resort in order to see her; and from time to -time he put his hand to his belt, in which he usually carried his purse; -but the little leather bag in which he kept his money contained at that -moment only a few copper coins. - -"Sandioux! my family is very dilatory about sending me money!" muttered -Passedix, shaking his head angrily. "And without money it is very -difficult to corrupt servants, to procure the delivery of a billet-doux. -I know that my genius will supply the lack, but it would go more quickly -with the help of funds.--But, no matter! first of all, I must put on an -entirely clean ruff. I must also have those two buttons sewn on my -doublet; then I will take my stand as a sentinel in front of the Hôtel -de Mongarcin, and I will observe what goes on there, and what persons -come from and go to the citadel." - -Passedix, arrived at his hotel, entered by the low door, then, turning -to the right, passed into a room where the mistress of the house was -usually to be found, and where each tenant's keys hung on the wall, with -the numbers attached. - -Widow Cadichard was seated in a capacious armchair, before a table; she -was in the act of eating a vegetable soup so thick that one could eat it -with a fork; beside the soup tureen, which exhaled a vapor by no means -disagreeable to a keen appetite, four very fine eggs lay on a napkin in -a plate. An egg glass and a bountiful supply of small squares of toast, -which were beside the plate, indicated in what manner the eggs were to -be eaten. - -When her tenant entered the room, the short, stout dame flashed a glance -at him in which there was vexation and anger; but in an instant she -resumed her sprightly manner and went on eating her soup. - -The chevalier bowed to the widow and walked toward the place where the -keys were hanging. - -"Well, well!" he cried; "what does this mean, cadédis! my key is not on -its nail! Have you it in your possession, Madame Cadichard?" - -"I! On my word! Why should I have the key to your room, I should like to -know? Do I go to your room? Do I have any occasion to go there?" - -"Then it must be Popelinette, the servant, who has it?" - -"Apparently!" - -"So she is doing my housework, is she? That happens very conveniently, -for I will ask her to sew two buttons on my doublet. I suppose that she -is supplied with needles and thread, as every good servant should be." - -"I don't know whether Popelinette has needles and thread with her; but -what I can tell you is this--that she isn't in your room now." - -"Then she must be here; do me the favor to call her, Dame Cadichard; I -am in haste to go up and make a bit of a toilet." - -"I am distressed to be unable to gratify you, monsieur le chevalier, but -Popelinette is not in the house; she has gone out; she has gone to do an -errand for the new tenant who came a week ago, and who occupies my fine -apartment on the first floor." - -"Ah! your first floor is let, is it? I am very glad for you, my -respected hostess, although I might be justified in complaining of the -rather harsh manner in which you have behaved toward me! Capédébious! -every quarter day, you make me move--go up one flight--on the pretext -that my last lodging is let; whereas only the mice take my place. Do you -know, Widow Cadichard, that I should be fully justified in complaining -of such treatment?" - -"You would be justified also in paying me your rent each quarter, and -that is what you haven't done, monsieur le chevalier; for I don't know -the color of your money, and you have been living in my house more than -a year!" - -"It is true, my family is very dilatory; I haven't received my allowance -for a long time; but they will send it all to me in a lump!--After all, -how have I injured you? You never have a cat in your Hôtel du Sanglier! -You ought to thank me for brightening up this old house a bit!" - -"Thank you! yes, if you had been agreeable, gallant, attentive to me, I -might not have made you go up so high, perhaps; but you never passed an -evening here chatting with me! Monsieur always has to go running about -the city! Monsieur has so many intrigues!" - -Passedix turned his face away, biting his lips, and hastened to change -the subject. - -"Sandioux! how good that soup smells!" he cried. "I don't know what it's -made of, but, judging from the odor, it must be a most delicious -compound!" - -The stout hostess refused to be melted by this exclamation; she -continued to eat and talk: - -"But luckily all my tenants do not resemble Monsieur de Passedix! There -are some who pay, and who are very amiable with me besides. For -instance, this new-comer, this foreigner who has been here a week--he -paid a fortnight in advance, he didn't haggle at all over the price, and -yet he pays me forty crowns a month for my first floor!" - -"Bigre! that's rather good!" - -"But I am sure that that man is a grand seigneur--but that doesn't -prevent him from often talking with me; he isn't a bit proud!--Yesterday -I dined alone--well! he sat down here and kept me company. He's a very -good-looking fellow, and quite young still--thirty at most!" - -"What do you call this fascinating cavalier?" - -"The Comte de Carvajal; he's a Spaniard." - -"The deuce! the Comte de Carvajal!--Yes, I believe that is a great -Spanish family.--Sandis! but I must confess, lovely hostess, that it -seems to me rather strange that this grand seigneur, instead of -occupying a handsome mansion in the neighborhood of the Palais-Cardinal -or the Arsenal, comes to Place aux Chats to nest--with the Cemetery of -the Innocents opposite! It is not absolutely cheerful--and a hotel where -his horses and carriages cannot be accommodated!" - -"What does this mean, Monsieur Passedix? you are crying down my hotel -now! You call this a bad quarter--then why did you come here to lodge? -And why have you lodged more than a year on this Place aux Chats, which -you despise?" - -"I, despise Place aux Chats! God forbid, dear Madame Cadichard! On the -contrary, I consider it most romantic; and then I, being afraid of -nothing, not even of ghosts and phantoms, am not at all sorry to live -just opposite a cemetery; for if it should happen to occur to some dead -man to come to say a word to me at night, I swear to you that I should -be overjoyed to have news from the other world." - -"Hush--impious man!--He makes me shudder over my soup!--You know -perfectly well that the dead don't return!" - -"I know that there are a great many things that don't return, unhappily; -and you know it, too, plump Cadichard!" - -"What do you mean by that, monsieur le chevalier?" - -"Mon Dieu! how time flies with us all!--But let us return to your -Spanish grandee, who has chosen the Hôtel du Sanglier for his abode; he -must have a numerous suite of servants and horses and carriages?" - -"Not at all; he has none of those things. He is alone; it seems that he -is at Paris incognito!" - -"What! not an esquire, not a valet, not even a single little mule to -prance along the Fossés Jaunes?" - -"Nothing, I tell you; for he doesn't go to court, so that the grands -seigneurs of his acquaintance need not know that he is in Paris." - -Passedix shook his head and muttered: - -"Hum! a Spanish grandee who hasn't one poor lackey in his service--that -seems suspicious to me! Where does this noble cavalier pass his time, -pray, if he doesn't frequent good society, the agreeable rakes of the -court, and dandies like myself." - -"Monsieur de Carvajal doesn't often go out during the day. In the first -place, he rises very late; but, to tell the truth, he comes home very -late, too. As he doesn't want to disturb anyone, he has told Popelinette -not to sit up for him; he asked me to give him a duplicate key to the -street door, so that he can come in at whatever hour of the night he -pleases; and he takes pains not to make any noise, for we never hear him -coming and going; it seems that in Spain people are in the habit of -walking about at night." - -"In Spain, perhaps, because it's warm there and the nights are fine; but -here, where it still freezes in the morning--for our spring is -devilishly behindhand! I believe that your gallant stranger is a blade -who does his work under the rose. There must be some love intrigue on -the carpet--some husband to be deceived.--Sandioux! I don't blame your -Spaniard for that. Love is such a delicious thing--and when it attacks -us--ah!" - -Here Passedix heaved a sigh which lasted so long that his hostess -dropped her spoon and stared at him, as if trying to make out whether -she had anything to do with that prolonged groan. But the Gascon, -instead of responding to the Widow Cadichard's alluring glance, turned -away abruptly and began to pace the floor, crying: - -"Cadédis! Popelinette does not return! it is insufferable! I want to -dress!" - -"Dress? I didn't know that you had any other doublet than that." - -"Possibly not; but there are different ways of wearing it; besides, I -want to put on a clean ruff, and I need to have two buttons sewn on." - -"Mon Dieu! have you an assignation for this afternoon?" - -"If that were so, it seems to me, Widow Cadichard, that it is my -business!--Will you sew on my buttons?" - -"I! I should think not! Go to your mistress!" - -Passedix stamped the floor in vexation. At that moment the door of the -room was suddenly thrown open, and the Gascon uttered an exclamation of -satisfaction, for he expected to see the maid-servant of the hotel; but -he was speedily undeceived. Instead of Popelinette, it was the foreigner -who appeared in the doorway. - - - - -XI - -THE FOREIGNER - - -The new tenant of the Hôtel du Sanglier paused on the threshold when he -saw that there was someone with his hostess; he even took a step -backward, as if he did not intend to enter. But in a moment, changing -his mind, he walked into the room with a certain gravity of demeanor -which was not without distinction. - -The Gascon chevalier scrutinized the new arrival with interest, for he -suspected that it was the foreigner whom Dame Cadichard was so proud to -have under her roof, and he was curious to see whether he deserved the -high-flown praise which his hostess had lavished on him. - -A single glance was sufficient to satisfy Passedix that the sprightly -widow had not exaggerated at all. The gentleman who had just entered the -room was still young, tall and well built; his features were handsome -and refined, his eyes slightly veiled, but full of fire and expression; -he wore no beard on his chin, but only small moustaches curled a little -upward at the ends. - -He wore with easy grace a rich velvet cloak, over an elegant pale-blue -doublet; a beautiful white plume lay along the broad brim of his hat, -and the sword at his side was suspended from a belt trimmed with rich -lace. - -The stranger bowed most courteously as he walked into the room. Passedix -made haste to return his salutation, saying to himself: - -"He is a good-looking fellow, sandioux! I am too just to deny it. Almost -as handsome a man as myself, and that is no small thing to say!" - -Widow Cadichard had risen hastily on the entrance of her tenant, to whom -she made a low reverence. - -"Monsieur de Carvajal, your servant," she exclaimed; "I have the honor -to salute you! Pray be kind enough to take a seat, monsieur le comte; do -you wish for anything? Perhaps you are looking for Popelinette? She -hasn't returned yet, and that annoys you. She is not very quick when she -has an errand to do. Would you like me to go to meet her, monseigneur?" - -The stranger waited till this torrent of words had ceased, then replied, -with a smile: - -"What I wish first of all, my dear hostess, is that you will not put -yourself out and that you will continue your repast." - -"Oh! indeed I will do nothing of the sort, monsieur le comte; I know too -well what I owe to you." - -"In that case, madame, you will compel me to withdraw, for I do not like -ceremony." - -"Oh! monsieur le comte, since you insist, since you command me, I will -do it to obey you. But allow me first to offer you a chair." - -While Madame Cadichard bustled about the room, looking for her best -easy-chair and the best place in the room to put it, Passedix approached -the new-comer and addressed him, trying all the while to hide with his -cloak that part of his doublet from which the buttons were missing. - -"I presume that I have the honor to salute one of my neighbors? I say -_neighbors_, because we both live in the same hotel; only I am at the -top and monsieur le comte is at the bottom. But men of honor are always -on the same level." - -"Ah! does monsieur live in this hotel?" rejoined the stranger, bowing to -the Gascon. - -"With your kind permission." - -"What, monsieur! why, I can only be flattered to have monsieur for my -neighbor." - -"Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix, godson of the most honorable Chaudoreille, -who left me only this sword, his trusty Roland, a finely tempered blade, -which I dare to say that I use in an honorable way! My reputation in -that regard is made!--And monsieur is the Comte de Carvajal, the noble -Spaniard whom Dame Cadichard is so fortunate as to have as her tenant in -the Hôtel du Sanglier?" - -"Madame Cadichard would do well, then, to be a little more discreet, and -to respect the incognito which her guests desire to maintain." - -The stout landlady blushed when she heard that; she realized that she -deserved the rebuke, and in her despair dropped the spoon which she was -about to raise to her mouth, and which remained standing upright in the -soup. - -But the stranger, as he lay back in the easy-chair she had offered him, -continued, with something very like a smile: - -"However, I do not feel that I have the courage to bear any ill will to -our excellent hostess, since I owe to her the acquaintance of so -illustrious a knight as Monsieur de Passedix, who, I am convinced, will -not betray the incognito which important considerations compel me to -adopt at this moment, in Paris." - -The Gascon bowed again, taking care not to relax his hold of the corners -of his cloak, and replied: - -"You may rely on my discretion, monsieur le comte; the secrets that are -intrusted to me will go down with me into the darkness of the grave, -unless I am released from my oath." - -Thereupon the chevalier seized a chair and placed it at the table, -opposite Madame Cadichard, who had taken one of the eggs from the plate -and was trying to devise some refined method of breaking the shell and -dipping her pieces of toast into the egg, in her illustrious tenant's -presence. - -"I will not presume to ask monsieur le comte how he passes his time in -Paris; that is his business, and I never meddle in other people's -affairs! But I venture to say that I should be an invaluable guide for a -stranger who wished to become acquainted with the pleasures, the merry -gatherings, of the capital. I go about a great deal in the best society. -I am a jovial companion, a sturdy toper; all the dandies, all the young -noblemen who love to fight and drink and make love to the fair, are my -friends. Does anyone need a second for a duel, a fourth for a party of -four, Passedix is always there! I do not like to boast, but I could -mention exploits of my own which the Amadises and Renauds would not have -disavowed!" - -"One needs only to see you, chevalier, to entertain no manner of doubt -that you would be successful in whatever you might undertake!" - -"Monsieur le comte is too kind! But it is quite true that I count only -victories, sandioux!" - -"If I remember aright," murmured the little widow, carefully placing a -bit of toast in her egg, "you were on your back a fortnight as a result -of the blows you received the last time that you tried to rob several -bourgeois on Rue Mauconseil of their sleep!" - -Passedix cast a savage glance at his landlady, as he cried: - -"No, no! you are wrong, Dame Cadichard. I covered myself with glory in -that affair; and if I did keep my bed for some time after, it was only -because, in the heat of the affray, I gave myself a strain which kept me -from going to my usual resorts for a few days. Your eggs are too hard, -_belle dame_, you will never be able to dip your toast in them. I advise -you to eat them as a salad." - -"They are all right, monsieur le chevalier; I like them this way.--Mon -Dieu! how sorry I am, monsieur le comte, that my servant keeps you -waiting like this!" - -"There is no harm done, madame, I am in no hurry." - -"If only I had something to offer monsieur le comte; but this breakfast -is not worthy of him." - -"I should think it very nice, if I had not already eaten mine." - -"In any case," observed Passedix, "you wouldn't offer your tenants -boiled eggs, I trust; for these are as hard as rocks--like Easter eggs." - -"Oh! what a tease you are, monsieur le chevalier! But I think that you -know very little about cooking!" - -"Sandioux! Dame Cadichard--on the contrary, I know a great deal about -it. My godfather Chaudoreille used to give his friends banquets that -lasted a whole week; I remember that he used to have delicacies from the -four quarters of the globe, and he was not satisfied unless his guests -had indigestion.--If Monsieur de Carvajal has no restaurant to which he -is attached, I could take him to a cabaret where they serve the most -delicious calves' heads, and stewed rabbits _en crapaudine_--you would -swear they were hares." - -"I thank you, chevalier; but I do not take my meals at wine shops." - -"I understand--I understand. You prefer darkness and mystery, with some -fair lady who awaits you in her _petite maison_; for we have ladies who -have them, as well as men; I know something about it, for I have supped -in more than one of those enchanting retreats--near Porte Saint-Antoine, -on the other side of the Fossés Jaunes. I am not inquisitive, I do not -mean to ask you indiscreet questions; but, between us, monsieur le -comte, I will take the liberty to give you a piece of advice; it is -this: it is not very safe in certain quarters of Paris at night; people -are attacked, robbed, and sometimes murdered, without anyone interfering -to prevent it. I warn you of this, because our landlady told me that you -went out very late, and returned at very advanced hours of the night. -That is imprudent! extremely imprudent!" - -"Ah! madame told you that, did she?" rejoined the stranger, with a -glance at Widow Cadichard that arrested one of the pieces of toast on -its way to her mouth. - -"I," murmured the little woman--"I said--that is--no, I said nothing. I -don't know why monsieur le chevalier brings me into all the fables he -invents. He would do better to pay the rent he owes me!" - -"What is that, Widow Cadichard? I believe that you dared to say that I -invent!--Cadédis! that is too much! I, invent anything!--I suppose that -you didn't tell me also just now that monsieur had asked you for a -duplicate key to the street door, so that he could go in and out at -night without disturbing anyone; and that he had forbidden Popelinette -to sit up for him; and that it was the fashion in Spain to walk the -streets at night? To which I replied that it was not so warm in France -as in the beautiful land of the Andalusians.--Ah! I invented all -that--sandioux! If all that I have just said was not told me by you, I -hope that this egg will choke me while I speak!--Look! didn't I tell you -that they were all hard? But I am an ignoramus, I don't know anything -about cooking. And this one is just the same; as they all are!" - -As he spoke, the Gascon took up an egg and dexterously stripped it of -its shell; after which, he made but one mouthful of it, and was about to -do as much with a second one, when the landlady angrily pounced on the -plate in which the others were and put it in her lap, saying: - -"Well, monsieur, have you nearly finished swallowing my eggs as if they -were little tarts? Really, you don't stand on ceremony! If it wasn't for -my respect for monsieur le comte, I would tell you what I think of your -conduct." - -"What would you tell me, alluring Cadichard?--that I am a libertine, a -scatterbrain, and that I owe you for four quarters? Cadédis! that is no -crime; every day, gentlemen of good family find themselves short of -money; and a few days later they roll in gold and doubloons.--Isn't that -so, Monsieur de Carvajal?" - -"It is, in truth, a common occurrence, monsieur le chevalier." - -"At this moment, I know several noble lords who are in my plight. Among -others, the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, of whom you have heard, -doubtless?" - -"Yes, the name is not unknown to me." - -"It is one of the oldest families of Languedoc. The old Marquis de -Marvejols is very rich, but he is a little strict with his son, although -he has no other child. To be sure, Léodgard did run through the fortune -he got from his mother rather rapidly. He's a young buck who travels -fast--a gallant of my stamp; he loves cards and wine and the -ladies.--Yes, sweet Cadichard, we love the ladies; but they must not fly -into a passion when we condescend to taste a little egg in their -honor.--To return to Léodgard, he has had hard luck of late! He had won -a very neat little sum at cards, contrary to his custom, and was -returning to his house at night, when he was attacked by Giovanni, that -famous brigand, you know, who is at this moment the terror of the -capital. You must have heard of him, monsieur le comte?" - -"No; this is the first time that I have heard that name." - -"You surprise me! Sandioux! Giovanni already has a tremendous reputation -in this country. He must be very skilful with the sword to have beaten -young Marvejols, who fights--almost as well as I do.--The result is that -everybody is afraid of the man. But so far as I am concerned, the -contrary is true; indeed, I would like very much to meet this famous -robber!" - -"Oh! that's because you are not afraid of being robbed!" said the little -landlady, pressing her lips together spitefully. - -"Always some piquant little remark, sweet Cadichard!--I overlook them, I -overlook anything in the fair sex!" - -"And why would you like to meet this--this Giovanni, monsieur le -chevalier?" asked the stranger, playing with his sword hilt. - -"Why, monsieur le comte, because I flatter myself that I should be more -fortunate than poor Léodgard! And that infernal knave would receive at -my hand the reward of his brigandage! I would give myself the pleasure -of burying six inches of Roland in his throat. Ah! sandioux! I can see -from here the wry face he would make!--Does that make you laugh, -Monsieur de Carvajal?" - -"Why, yes, because it occurs to me, too, that in such a battle as you -suggest one of the two would, in fact, be likely to cause the other to -make a strange grimace." - -"One of the two! Do you doubt that I should triumph?" - -"I in no wise doubt your valor, monsieur le chevalier; but as for your -triumph, permit me to think that it is better not to make any assertions -beforehand--the most valiant are conquered sometimes; fortune is -capricious to fighting men as well as to lovers." - -Passedix bit his lips and drew his eyebrows together. The hostess, who -had decided to remove the shells from her eggs, said to the tenant of -her first floor: - -"In any case, monsieur le comte, it is always prudent not to go out at -night unless you are well armed; for my part, I don't dare to go to the -theatre at the Hôtel de Bourgogne, because it ends too late! It's -half-past eight sometimes when they finish the beautiful tragedy of -_Sophonisbé_, by Monsieur Mairet, which I would have liked to see, all -the same!" - -"_Sophonisbé!_ Faith! I prefer his last tragedy, the _Duc d'Ossone_--the -verses are more sonorous, the subject more warlike.--What say you, -monsieur le comte?" - -"I do not go to the play." - -"Where in the devil does the Spaniard go?" thought Passedix, draping -himself in his cloak; "never to the court, never to a wine shop, never -to the play! He wants to make us think that he's always shut up with -some petticoat!" - -And the Gascon swayed to and fro on his chair and caressed his chin, as -he continued: - -"For my part, I am a great frequenter of the theatre." - -"You go to Brioché's theatre on Pont Neuf!" laughed Madame Cadichard; -"there's a show outside; that doesn't cost anything!" - -"I go where I choose, madame! It seems to me that I am entitled to. -Brioché's marionettes are not to be despised, and the proof is that -great crowds go there--leaders of society and idlers, _belles dames_ and -_bourgeoises_. But that does not interfere with my being one of the most -assiduous spectators at the Hôtel de Bourgogne; I know all Alexandre -Hardy's plays, and I believe he has written over six hundred; he is my -favorite author, and I prefer him to this Jean Mairet, who is laden -with favors by the Cardinal de Richelieu, the Duc de Longueville, and -the Comte de Soissons, because he has written a dozen or so of -tragedies! A fine showing, forsooth, beside Hardy's six hundred -plays!--Ah! cadédis! if I had ever undertaken to write, it would have -been a different story!--But I prefer the sword to the pen; one must not -derogate from his rank!" - -At that moment, an old servant of more than sixty years, whose skin had -such a dark-yellow tinge that she might at need have been passed off as -a Moor, entered the room and approached the stranger. It was -Popelinette, just returned from performing her commission. - -"Here are all the things you told me to get, monsieur le comte--gloves, -perfumery--the nicest and daintiest I could find; and _mouches_ and -paint; and here is the money that is left." - -"Very good; keep that for your trouble." - -"Oh! you are very kind, monseigneur! I thank you very humbly!" - -"Does the fellow mean to disguise himself as a woman?" Passedix thought, -glancing furtively at Popelinette's purchases, which she had placed on a -table. "Paint! _mouches!_ perfumery! Fie, fie! all those things do very -well for shepherds in Arcady. I begin to conceive a very singular -opinion of this Spaniard!" - -"It took you a very long time to do the errand monsieur le comte gave -you to do!" said the plump Cadichard to her servant. "You must try to -make your legs work a little livelier when you go out." - -"But, madame, I went to the best perfumer on Rue Saint-Honoré, near the -Couvent des Capucines; that's a long way." - -"Monsieur le Chevalier Passedix has been waiting impatiently for you; he -needs your help--some buttons to sew on his doublet." - -"Again!" muttered Popelinette, with a most disrespectful gesture. - -"What do you mean by that?" cried the Gascon, raising his head; "I -should like to know if you are not here to wait upon the tenants? I -consider your reply a little impertinent, my girl!" - -"Mon Dieu! don't be angry, monsieur le chevalier; I don't refuse to do -what you want; but I meant that your doublet has been patched and mended -so often that the buttons I sew on are likely not to hold, for lack of -material to sew them to." - -"It is easy to see, old Popelinette, that you no longer have your eyes -of twenty years! otherwise, you would not abuse thus a garment which is -almost new, and which owes the numerous patches that cover it solely to -the sword thrusts I have received in single combats and others. But they -are titles to renown, and that is why I am fond of this doublet; if I -should buy a new one, within a week it would be riddled by sword thrusts -as this one is; one doesn't go to the water without getting wet.--Well! -my girl, take a needle and thread and let us have done with it, for the -day is advancing, and I should already be somewhere else!" - -The old servant grumblingly took what she needed to repair the Gascon's -doublet. For some moments, the stranger had been examining what -Popelinette had brought him; at last he carefully replaced all the -articles in paper and put them in his pocket one after another, as if he -were preparing to take his leave. - -"Yes, sandioux!" cried Passedix, partly unbuttoning his doublet so that -the servant could work more conveniently; "yes, I long to pursue a -certain adventure, the heroine of which surpasses the Venus of Medici!" - -"Oh! monsieur le chevalier makes Venuses out of every retroussé nose he -meets!" said Dame Cadichard, shrugging her shoulders. - -"Do you think so, charming hostess? I should say that I have never given -you reason to think that my taste was bad!" - -The landlady turned her little eyes on the Gascon, like a person who -does not know whether she ought to take in good or ill part what is said -to her. Passedix continued: - -"By the way, I made her acquaintance in such singular fashion!--Ah! be -careful, Popelinette, you are pricking me as if I were a pincushion!" - -"Goodness! it isn't my fault, monsieur; you keep moving all the time!" - -"That is my nature; I could not keep still for a moment; that is due to -the heat of my blood--to the smoking lava that flows in my veins! I am a -volcano! and then, the image of that Italian was well adapted to make my -legs twitch!" - -"Ah! your conquest is an Italian, is she, monsieur le chevalier?" said -the stranger, who had taken a step or two toward the door, but who -turned at that and looked at Passedix. - -"Yes, monsieur le comte; that is to say, she isn't exactly an Italian, -although she wears the costume of a Milanese; she was born in Béarn, but -it seems that she has lived in Milan many years. I give you my word that -she is a dainty morsel, that little Miretta!" - -When he heard the name Miretta, the foreigner could not restrain a -gesture of surprise; but he recovered himself instantly, walked back to -the easy-chair he had just left, and resumed his seat, saying: - -"Really, monsieur le chevalier, you make me very curious; and if I were -not afraid of being indiscreet in asking you how you made the -acquaintance of this girl, who, you say, is so pretty, I should take -great pleasure in hearing of it." - -"There is no indiscretion in your request, count; indeed, the affair -took place in the presence of numerous witnesses and made quite a -sensation this morning. I will stake my head that it will be the talk of -the court and the whole city this evening. I will tell you all about -it.--Go on, Popelinette; it needn't prevent you from sewing on my -buttons." - -Thereupon the Gascon chevalier described what had taken place that -morning in front of Master Hugonnet's house; and in his narrative, -carried away doubtless by his interest in the pretty Milanese, Passedix -embellished the truth with a number of episodes which he deemed likely -to heighten the effect. For instance, he did not fail to say that on -several occasions he had saved Cédrille from certain death by throwing -himself in front of the swords that threatened him; in a word, it was -due to his courage that the two travellers succeeded in escaping from -the fury of those who surrounded them. - -The foreigner listened to the Gascon with the closest attention. When -the latter had finished, the other looked fixedly at him and said: - -"Now, what do you expect to do, chevalier?" - -"What! By Venus! follow up the adventure, watch for the little one to -come out, join her, declare my passion, soften her heart--a mere trifle! -The rest will go of itself." - -"No doubt!" muttered Dame Cadichard; "if the girl is a good-for-nothing -who listens to the first comer!" - -"Whom do you call a first comer, madame? do you dare to apply those -words to Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix?--Sandioux! you are pricking me, -Popelinette! do be careful!" - -"I mean to say, monsieur, that this girl does not know you; and if she -is virtuous----" - -"Cadédis! all women are virtuous before they have sinned; and since the -days of Eve, who allowed herself to be tempted by a serpent, how many -women have stumbled---- Oh! this old woman is determined to spit me like -a roasted hare!" - -"But in order to watch for this Italian," observed the Spaniard, "it is -necessary first of all that you should know where she lives in Paris." - -"Oh! I know that; I know where Miretta is at this moment; I even know -why she has come to Paris. I am perfectly informed--but upon this matter -you will allow me to keep silent. The little one is too dainty a morsel -for me to show her nest to other men, and I am sure that you will -consider that I am right to act thus." - -The foreigner rose and bowed to the Gascon. - -"Good luck in your love affairs, Chevalier Passedix!" - -"Infinitely obliged! Much pleasure in your nocturnal walks, monsieur le -comte!" - -The foreigner took his leave. The landlady renewed her humble -reverences, and Passedix muttered: - -"A singular man, this Monsieur de Carvajal!" - -"You are all sewed up, monsieur," said Popelinette; "but, bless me! I -won't swear it will hold long, the stuff is so rotten!" - -"Very good! all right! I didn't ask you about that!--He buys paint, -_mouches_, perfumes!--he's an effeminate creature!" - -"I don't think," said the little hostess, "that it is so unpleasant to -perfume one's self, and to leave an agreeable odor behind one as one -passes!" - -"I have never needed that to please the fair! And when I eat wild duck, -I don't like to have it smell of musk!" - -The Gascon hurried from the room and went up to his fifth floor, while -Dame Cadichard exclaimed: - -"Ah! if I only had a loft over his room!" - -Popelinette put away her needle and thread, muttering: - -"Oh, no! he doesn't smell of musk, that fellow! he doesn't need to deny -it!" - - - - -XII - -VALENTINE DE MONGARCIN - - -Let us transport ourselves to Rue Saint-Honoré, to the interior of a -magnificent mansion, where everything is eloquent of wealth, splendor, -and refinement, where the furniture and hangings represent all that is -most beautiful and dainty in the products of that age. There we shall -find Madame de Ravenelle and her niece, Valentine de Mongarcin. - -Madame de Ravenelle was seventy-two years of age; she had once been -pretty, she was still fresh and plump; for the anxieties, the cares, -the griefs, which often make one old much more rapidly than time, had -never darkened her life, which had flowed on as placidly and gently as -the waters of a stream hidden by tall grasses and never disturbed by the -traveller's oar. - -The old lady, blessed with a cheerful, heedless, and, above all, selfish -disposition, had known how to submit philosophically to those petty -disagreements from which no one is wholly exempt throughout the course -of a long life. Having an excellent stomach, and very little -susceptibility, she always sat down at the table with a good appetite, -and never had recourse to the doctors. Incapable of doing anything -unkind or spiteful, which would have disturbed the harmony of her -temperament, she listened without emotion to the tale of another -person's woes; and yet, she was quite ready to be humane, and often did -a kind deed, when it was not likely to cause her either fatigue or -trouble. - -Valentine de Mongarcin had been brought up at a convent; but there, no -less than in society, she had been fully aware that she was the sole -inheritress of a great name and a great fortune; flattery, which -insinuates itself everywhere, makes its way into convents; pretty, -clever, but proud of her name and her rank, Valentine had discovered too -early in life that people were eager to gratify all her desires; she had -grown up with the idea that her will was never to be thwarted; and, -although possessed of a sensitive heart, and of a noble soul capable of -noble deeds, she had contracted a haughty, disdainful manner, which had -made her but few friends. - -At the age of eighteen, her figure had developed, her bearing had become -noble and dignified, her features were regular, and the outlines of her -face exquisitely pure; her hair was as black as ebony, and her great -gray eyes, with their long black lashes, had a most seductive expression -when they did not choose to express arrogance or scorn. - -On leaving the convent to occupy her father's mansion, Valentine had not -presented herself to her aunt in the guise of a timid girl who claims -the support and protection of her only remaining relation; she had -appeared like a conqueror making his triumphal entry into a city which -he has compelled to capitulate; but she had to deal with a person who -worried her head very little over the airs and tone which other people -adopted toward her. - -Madame de Ravenelle received her niece with the smile which had become -stereotyped on her face; she considered her beautiful and well made, and -was gratified that that was the case; but if Valentine had been ugly or -deformed, the old lady would speedily have consoled herself. Between two -persons of such temperaments, there was no danger that there would ever -be any lack of harmony; for to every question that Valentine asked on -her arrival, Madame de Ravenelle replied: - -"Do whatever you please in the house; command and you will be obeyed, -provided that you disturb nothing in my apartment and my personal -service. I have my women, you will have yours; I shall not thwart you in -anything, for my brother's daughter would be incapable of doing anything -unworthy of her rank. And if the company I receive should bore you, you -will be at liberty not to appear in the salon." - -Mademoiselle de Mongarcin could not ask for more liberty or greater -power; the confidence that her aunt manifested in her pleased her; she -would have rebelled against a stern affection that would have tried to -guide her, but she was amiable and affectionate with one who was simply -indifferent to her. - -Young Valentine considered the old hangings of the Hôtel de Mongarcin -gloomy and repellent; she had them all changed or renewed, and the -furniture as well. But nothing was disturbed in the apartment occupied -by Madame de Ravenelle. Some of the servants having failed to carry out -the girl's orders quickly enough, she dismissed them and engaged others; -but her aunt's maid and her old male attendant were outside of her -authority. - -The Hôtel de Mongarcin became more fashionable; it assumed a more -youthful, a gayer aspect; frequent entertainments were given there by -musicians, jugglers, and gypsies; it amused Valentine, and it was all a -matter of indifference to Madame de Ravenelle. - -One day, however, the old lady said to her niece: - -"By the way, Valentine, have you ever heard of the young Comte Léodgard -de Marvejols?" - -"The name is familiar to me, and I have an idea that my father often -mentioned it.--Why do you ask me that question, aunt?" - -"Because my brother was very desirous that young Léodgard should some -day become your husband." - -"Ah! my father desired it?" - -"Yes; he told me so again just before he died. He was very closely -attached to young Léodgard's father, who had the same wish." - -"Well, aunt?" - -"Well, niece, you shall marry the young count, if that meets your -views!" - -"Oh! there's time for that! for my father surely would not desire to -force my inclination, if he were alive." - -"I cannot say what your father would have done if he had lived; but I -know very well that I have no desire to torment you." - -"You are so good, aunt!" - -"Why, yes, I am tolerably good!" - -"And do you know this young Comte de Marvejols?" - -"I have seen him two or three times in company." - -"What is he like, aunt?" - -"A very good-looking young man; very well built, and with a decidedly -rakish air. But young men sometimes assume those airs in society, in -order to give themselves an appearance of aplomb and self-assurance; -very often they mean nothing at all!" - -"Well, if this Monsieur Léodgard desires to become my husband, I suppose -that he will come to pay court to me first." - -"Why, that is to be presumed. However, you will see his father, Monsieur -le Marquis de Marvejols, at my receptions before long; he is a man very -highly considered, in very good odor at court, but of a rather severe -humor." - -"What does that matter to me? it is not the father who wishes to marry -me!" - -"That is true." - -"And if this Monsieur Léodgard shared his father's wishes, it seems to -me, aunt, that he would manifest more eagerness to see me; for it is -nearly two months since I left the convent, and he has not called here -as yet." - -"That is true, niece; but perhaps the young man is travelling." - -Madame de Ravenelle's invariably placid and equable temperament -sometimes irritated Valentine, whose blood was ardent and boiling; but -she dissembled her impatience, for she could not be angry with her aunt, -who always agreed with her. - -About a month after this conversation, Valentine had attended a large -party given by the Duchesse de Longueville, and had met Léodgard there. -The young count had presented his respects to Madame de Ravenelle and -her niece, but with the cold and formal manner of a man who had the -greatest disinclination to marriage and did not desire to gratify his -parents' wishes. - -On her side, Valentine de Mongarcin, piqued by the young man's lack of -zeal in cultivating her acquaintance, had received his compliments with -an air of indifference, almost of disdain, which deprived her face of -all the fascination it sometimes had. - -We have seen that the result of the meeting had been to confirm Léodgard -in his repugnance to that alliance. - -As for Valentine, she had not said a single word on the subject of -Léodgard, and Madame de Ravenelle had thought it advisable to imitate -her silence. - -One evening, after receiving a visit from one of her friends, or rather -acquaintances, at the convent, Valentine said to her aunt: - -"Mademoiselle de Vertmonteil spoke to me this morning of a girl whom her -sister has seen at Milan. This girl wishes to find a place in Paris. She -is said to be clever at millinery work and dressmaking; in fact, -Mademoiselle de Vertmonteil recommended her to me. My maid is a fool, -who does not know how to dress my hair, and I am tempted to discharge -her and take this Italian in her place. What do you think about it, -aunt?" - -Madame de Ravenelle, who had listened as to something that was utterly -indifferent to her, replied: - -"You will do well to do whatever is most agreeable to you, my dear." - -It was a fortnight after this conversation that Miretta appeared at the -Hôtel de Mongarcin, escorted by Cédrille, and still greatly excited by -the risks she had run in front of Master Hugonnet's house. - -Valentine was impatiently awaiting the arrival of the girl of whom she -had heard such marvellous things. She was in an immense salon, where her -aunt persisted in having a fire, although the weather was no longer -cold, when the young traveller was announced. Valentine uttered a joyful -exclamation and said: - -"Bring her to speak to me; I wish to see her at once!--Will you allow -her to come to this salon, aunt?" - -"It is entirely indifferent to me, niece. However, if any visitor should -come, I presume that this girl will know that it is her duty to -withdraw." - -Miretta soon made her appearance before the two ladies; she walked into -the salon with an assured step; there was embarrassment, but neither -awkwardness nor stupidity in her bearing. The reverence that she made -was not without a certain charm. Add to this the beauty of her face, her -fresh complexion, her youth, and her piquant costume, and you will -understand Valentine's exclamation: - -"Ah! why, the child is very pretty!--Come nearer, come nearer! Your name -is Miretta?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, Miretta Dartaize. Here is the letter of -recommendation with which I have been favored, for mademoiselle." - -"Very well; but it is unnecessary--I have seen the sister of the person -who gave you the letter.--You are a Milanese?" - -"No, mademoiselle; I was born at Pau, in Béarn; but I have lived at -Milan, or in the suburbs, ever since I was a child." - -"And your relations?" - -"I lost them when I was very young, all except an old female cousin, who -still lives at Pau, and whose son, who is very fond of me, was kind -enough to undertake to bring me to Paris." - -"Where is this youth?" - -"In the courtyard, mademoiselle." - -"How did you make the journey?" - -"On Bourriquet's back, both of us. Bourriquet is Cédrille's horse; he's -a good beast and carried us finely; but we made short days, so as not to -tire him." - -"And your travelling companion--does he too hope to find a place in -Paris?" - -"Oh! no, mademoiselle; Cédrille came with me only as a favor to me; and -he is going right back to his province, after he has rested a little in -Paris." - -"This Cédrille, who is your cousin, is your betrothed too, perhaps?" -said Madame de Ravenelle, carelessly turning her head toward the girl. -But she replied: - -"Oh, no! Cédrille is not my betrothed, madame; he loves me very dearly -though, and he has asked me if I would be his wife; but I refused him, -refused him flatly, telling him that I should never have anything but a -sisterly affection for him. Cédrille made the best of it and is content -with that." - -"Why did you refuse to marry your cousin? Was it because he has nothing, -and can't do anything?" - -"I beg pardon, madame, Cédrille has quite enough to live comfortably; -he's a worthy, honest man--a hard worker, who knows more about -agriculture and plowing than anybody in our neighborhood." - -"And in spite of all that, you would not consent to be his wife?" -continued the old lady, fixing her eyes on Miretta, who looked down and -blushed as she faltered: - -"No, madame." - -"You had some reason for refusing him, doubtless?" - -"Mon Dieu! a single one, madame; but it seems to me that it should be -sufficient in such a matter: I have no love for him, and I do not care -to marry without love." - -"Ah! very well answered!" cried Valentine, smiling at the girl; -"certainly that reason is quite sufficient! As if a woman ought to marry -a man she does not love! that would be equivalent to deliberately -choosing to be unhappy all her life!" - -"Such things have been seen, however, niece! And a woman is not always -unhappy on that account; it often turns out just the other way." - -"Well, aunt, I consider that Miretta has done well not to marry her -cousin, as she has no love for him." - -"Perhaps you will not always talk so, my dear!" - -"Miretta," continued Valentine, turning to the girl, "I take you into my -service, that is settled; and I will give you---- How much should I -give her, aunt?" - -"Whatever you please, niece." - -"Very well! two hundred livres a year.--Is that enough, Miretta? does -that satisfy you?" - -"Oh! that is a great deal, mademoiselle! I probably am not worth so much -as that, and I shall always be satisfied with whatever you give me; I do -not care for money!" - -"You don't care for money, you don't care to marry," murmured Madame de -Ravenelle, shaking her head; "nor do you care for your province, since -you leave it--Pray, little one, to what do you aspire?" - -Miretta was silent a moment, then replied: - -"I aspire to be in the service of honorable persons, and to show myself -deserving of their kindness." - -"Well said!" exclaimed Valentine; "that is an answer that does you -honor.--Oh! you will be happy with me, I trust. In the first place, all -the dresses I have ceased to wear will belong to you, and I am very fond -of changing often. But you must serve me promptly, you must always be at -hand when I ring for you, and never step foot outside of the house -unless I send you to do some errand." - -The girl raised her head quickly and cried: - -"What, mademoiselle! never go out of this house? Why, in that case, I -shall be a prisoner! I shall not be able to take a free step! Oh, no! -no! I did not come to Paris to be deprived of my liberty; I will serve -you faithfully, mademoiselle, I will be submissive to your lightest -word, I will work day and night if you desire; but I wish to be able, -when I feel the need of it, to fly away as freely as the birds of our -fields! I shall return to my cage far happier, when I know that the door -is not closed upon me!" - -"Well, well, hothead!" said Valentine, with a smile; "never fear; you -will not be a prisoner! I will not prevent your flying away -sometimes.--Ah! how her eyes sparkle when she hears me say that! She has -a little will of her own, I see. So much the better! I do not like -people who are incapable of having a will!" - -"But," interposed Madame de Ravenelle, "as you have just arrived in -Paris, where you know no one; and as your cousin is going away--whom -will you go to see when you go out? or will it be simply to take a -walk?" - -"Pardon me, madame, but there is already one person whom I wish to see, -to thank her for the service she rendered my cousin and myself just now. -Ah! madame does not know that we barely escaped a very great danger this -morning--before we reached this house." - -"A danger! Pray tell us about it, little one." - -"Come here," said Valentine, "and sit on this stool, for your journey on -horseback must have tired you. There! that is right; and now tell us -what happened to you this morning." - -Miretta gave them an exact account of what had taken place on Rue -Saint-Jacques; she omitted no detail, nor did she add anything. The -truth was sufficiently interesting to engross the attention of those -who listened to her. Madame de Ravenelle could not help taking an -interest in it, and Valentine was much excited--so much so that she -exclaimed: - -"Why, it was shameful behavior on the part of those gentlemen! To try to -compel people who are passing to stop and act as their playthings! Did -you hear the names of those who insulted you?" - -"I heard several, mademoiselle, but I remember only two: the gentleman -who took up our defence and fought for us, after offering to be my -knight--in jest, doubtless--his name was Passedix." - -"Passedix!--Do you know any gentleman of that name, aunt?" - -"No, no one! He must be some _chevalier d'industrie!_" - -"Then the man who was so fierce against us, and whose terrible sword -beat down all obstacles--him they called the Sire de Jarnonville. Oh! -that man had a terrifying look!" - -"The Sire de Jarnonville!" repeated Madame de Ravenelle. "That is a very -old name--a noble family; but it is a long while since the descendant of -the Jarnonvilles ceased to appear in society--that is to say, in the -society frequented by self-respecting persons." - -"And you did not hear any one of those young nobles called Léodgard de -Marvejols?" - -"No, mademoiselle, I am quite sure that I did not hear that name." - -"What are you worrying about now, niece?" - -"I am not worrying at all, aunt; but as it was a gathering of -scapegraces, it seemed to me quite natural that Monsieur Léodgard should -be there.--Miretta, I understand your gratitude for the brave girl -who--I do not quite know how--rescued you from your dangerous position. -You will do well to go to thank her, for ingratitude is the vice of base -minds, and it always indicates the presence of other vices. Go to the -reception room and ask for Béatrix; she will take you to the room that -has been prepared for you; it is not far from mine, and you can hear my -bell there.--But, by the way, this Cédrille, your cousin--what have you -done with him?" - -"Mon Dieu! mademoiselle, he stayed below, in the courtyard, with his -horse; I will go and bid him adieu, and he will go away." - -"But surely the boy does not mean to start for Béarn at once? He is -probably curious to see a little of Paris, is he not?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, but he will find an inn for himself and Bourriquet. -Oh! Cédrille is not hard to please; he is capable of sleeping in a -stable, with his horse." - -"I do not see why your cousin should go elsewhere in search of lodgings; -we have enough unoccupied rooms upstairs, and stables sufficiently -extensive to make it unnecessary for him and his horse to go to an -inn.--This youth may remain here a few days, aunt, may he not? There is -room in the servants' quarters; he may eat with our people, when it -suits his pleasure to stay in the house." - -"I have no objection, niece; arrange everything as you choose." - -"Oh! madame and mademoiselle are too kind; and Cédrille will come -himself to thank them." - -"It is not worth while!" said the old lady; "I excuse him from all -thanks." - -"Go, Miretta," said Valentine, "go tell your cousin that we will -accommodate him with my servants; then find Béatrix, who will install -you." - -Miretta made several reverences and left the salon. - -"That girl pleases me," said Valentine, after watching her leave the -room. "Do not you agree with me, madame, that there is something -original about her--a sort of firmness, and an indefinable naïveté, -which is charming?" - -"Yes, yes!" replied Madame de Ravenelle, slowly shaking her head; "but I -believe that there is something in the girl's heart that she has not -told us." - -"What can it be, aunt?" - -"I have no desire to fatigue my brain trying to guess!" - -"Well, I will try, aunt; it will amuse me instead of fatiguing me." - -"As you please, niece." - -Miretta ran quickly down into the courtyard, and found Cédrille there, -doing sentry duty beside his horse. The poor fellow stood close to -Bourriquet's side, having given him the last wisps of hay from the -bundle attached to his crupper. - -The young Béarnais peasant was gazing with respectful admiration at the -sculptures and decorations which embellished the mansion; nothing so -magnificent had met his eye since he had left his fields; for, on -entering Paris, he had been too much occupied in breaking out a path and -guiding his horse through the crowd to have any leisure to look about -him. - -Cédrille smiled sadly when he saw the girl coming toward him. - -"Ah! I was waiting to see you before going away, Miretta," he said; "and -I am going to say adieu at once, for I wouldn't dare to come to this -splendid palace and ask for you; I feel all dazed here; I don't dare to -walk, for fear of making a noise!" - -"And yet, my dear Cédrille, here is where you are to live, as long as -you stay in Paris. They are going to give you a room in this house; my -new mistress will have it so. She has a noble and generous manner, and -this that she is doing for you to-day, cousin, makes me love her -already." - -"Ah, ah! is it possible? What do you say, cousin--I am to be lodged -here--I?--Why, it's a palace!" - -"No; it's a private mansion." - -"Ah! but wait a minute! What about my horse--this poor Bourriquet? I -don't want to leave him, you know." - -"You will not have to leave him; Bourriquet will be put in the stable, -and you may be sure that the horses are well taken care of there." - -"Do you mean it? Bourriquet will be fed? and what about me?" - -"You will be, too, when you happen to be here at the hour when the -household of these ladies dines." - -"If this is the way one is treated in Paris, I begin to believe that you -may be happy here, cousin; but, in that case, I must go and thank the -masters of the house for offering to take me in." - -"No, no; that is not necessary; there are no masters here, only -mistresses: Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin, in whose service I am -now, and her aunt--an old lady, who does whatever her niece wishes; I -saw that at once." - -"Oh! you are shrewd, you are, Miretta! So I needn't go and thank those -ladies?" - -"They excuse you. In Paris, you see, everyone is expected to keep in his -own place.--But that reminds me that there is someone whom I must thank; -but she is not a great lady, and I am sure that she will be very glad to -see me." - -"Who is it?" - -"That fine girl who stationed herself in front of us and defended us, -when we were being insulted. What! have you forgotten already?" - -"Oh, no! no! I know whom you mean; and I remember that those young -gentlemen called out to her: 'Stand away from there, Ambroisine; that's -no place for you!'" - -"Yes, you are right: her name is Ambroisine. But I must go now to find a -lady who is to show me my room and tell me what I have to do. You are -free, Cédrille; you can go out and see Paris--walk about, amuse -yourself, do whatever you choose." - -"But it isn't the same with you, cousin; you're at other people's orders -now; but you would have it, you preferred to come to Paris and go into -service, rather than be your cousin's wife. And yet, you know that you -would always have been the mistress of the house, and that I would have -been your servant!" - -"Enough, Cédrille, enough! I thought that it was agreed that you would -not go back to that subject. I told you once for all that I could not be -your wife." - -"Yes, that's true; but you didn't tell me why you couldn't be." - -"Because it doesn't suit me, apparently; it seems to me that my wish -should be sufficient." - -"Oh! of course, if it is because you don't love me. It's true enough -that we can't compel a woman to love us!" - -"I love you like a friend, like a brother, Cédrille." - -"Well, I'd have been content to be your husband on those terms; and -then, nobody knows, love might have come afterward!--But here you are -looking cross at me, and drawing your eyebrows together.--It's all -over, cousin; I will keep my word and never speak of the subject -again." - -"Good! otherwise, I would save you the trouble of saying adieu to -me.--By the way, Cédrille, if you would, you might take me to Rue -Saint-Jacques this evening. I will come out, if I can, at nightfall." - -"I should like to, cousin; I will wait for you in the street." - -At that moment a middle-aged woman came to Miretta and told her to -follow her. - -While the girl, with an _au revoir_ to her companion, returned to the -house, a servant wearing a handsome livery with heavy gold lace -approached the Béarnais peasant and courteously invited him to come to -the servants' quarters and refresh himself. - -Cédrille returned with interest all the servant's salutations, and -followed him, crying: - -"Jarni! that isn't to be refused, monsieur! I shall be glad to take -something, and I would even eat a bit, with your permission." - -"You shall have whatever you may wish," replied the valet, with a smile. - -"Well, well!" said Cédrille to himself; "this reconciles me to Paris and -makes me forget this morning's battle." - - - - -XIII - -THE _LOUP DE MER_ WINE SHOP - - -Cédrille found a large company in the offices: footmen, coachmen, -lackeys, scullions, and household servants vied with one another in -being kind to the new-comer, who had been commended to them by their -young mistress and was not there as a competitor for her favor; for they -knew that the peasant was to return to his province as soon as he should -have recovered from the fatigues of his journey. That was an additional -reason why they should give him a cordial welcome. - -They made the Béarnais relate his adventures; the battle in the street -amused the servants immensely. They drank to Cédrille's courage and his -cousin Miretta's; they drank to their mistresses, and to the peasant's -safe return to his hearth and home. - -By dint of drinking toasts in excellent wines, such as he had never -tasted before, Cédrille felt considerably bewildered; and when he left -the table and the house, to take a little walk about Paris, it was all -the Béarnais could do to walk straight. He had not walked a hundred -yards from the house, opening his eyes to their utmost extent and -stopping constantly to straighten out his legs, when he felt an arm -slip through his and heard a voice say to him: - -"Sandioux! a happy meeting! I did not expect it, but I rejoice. I will -say more: it causes me extreme pleasure, on my honor!--Why, my dear -friend, you gaze at me with a surprised air, as if you did not recognize -me! Can it be that you have forgotten a gallant knight who defended you -sturdily this morning at a moment when your danger was most -threatening?" - -Cédrille, after straining his eyes and examining the long, lean, yellow -man who had seized his arm, cried at last: - -"Ah! why, yes, to be sure--your long face--that's so--I have seen it -before; and this morning, when all those fine sparks tried to make me -dismount, it was you who came and took our part--with your long sword, -as long as a turnspit!" - -"Ah! this is very fortunate; you recognize me at last, do you, my fine -fellow?--If my sword is long, I trust that that didn't prevent my -handling it rather prettily against your assailants this morning." - -"Certainly not, monsieur le chevalier. Oh! you wasn't afraid!" - -"Afraid! I! I never could understand how there could be such a thing as -a coward!" - -"Yes, yes! now I remember it all. What a pity that that tall black -chevalier knocked your sword out of your hand at the first blow!" - -"Sandis! my dear fellow, I will tell you why. Lean on me; you will walk -more firmly." - -"Faith! I'd be glad to.--I don't know what's the matter with me -to-night; or, rather, yes--I do know; they made me drink so much at that -house, and such good wine, that it made me a little dizzy; but it will -pass off.--What were you saying?" - -"I was saying that I would explain what made Roland slip out of my -hand." - -"Jarni! it was the blow the other man--the black one--hit it. He strikes -hard, that fellow does!" - -"No, no! cadédis! that wasn't it!--He might have struck ten times as -hard, and I would never have let go Roland, that fiercer assaults than -that have not lowered! But just fancy, my boy---- Lean on me, don't be -afraid; I am firm on my legs.--Just fancy, my worthy Béarnais, that -someone had played me the despicable trick of twisting a strip of pork -around Roland's hilt! So you see, it was just when I brandished it most -vigorously that it slipped from my hand!" - -"Well, well! pardi! that was a curious idea; to twist pork round a -sword! But didn't you notice it when you drew your sword from the -sheath?" - -"What do you expect?--in the heat of battle, when it is a question of -saving a lovely girl and an excellent youth, one does not amuse one's -self examining one's sword hilt.--However, it's all over, we were -victors, and, thanks to my assistance, you were able to continue your -journey. I trust that you reached the safe harbor for which you were -bound?" - -"Yes, seigneur chevalier. Mon Dieu! my cousin is already settled in the -Hôtel de Mongarcin." - -"Ah! that charming little brunette whom you had _en croupe_ is your -cousin?" - -"To be sure! my mother and I, we are the only relations she has." - -"Well! I congratulate you; you have a charming cousin; and, in fact, now -that I look at you--yes, there is a resemblance, at the corners of the -mouth." - -"You are the first person who ever thought that I resembled -Miretta.--Ah! jarni! there's holes here. If it hadn't been for you, -monsieur le chevalier, I believe I should have fallen full length in the -street." - -"You must have turned your foot." - -"Yes; and then, my head is in the same fix." - -"Hold fast to me; don't be afraid to lean on me. I am made of iron, of -steel." - -"For my part, I feel as if my legs were made of cotton; it's because -I've had so much to drink. Oh! what famous wines! How polite those -liveried servants are! they kept filling my glass for me.--Ha! hold me -up!" - -"They filled you, finally. So it was the servants at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin who treated you so well?" - -"To be sure.--By the way, did I tell you that I came to Paris to bring -Miretta to Mademoiselle de Mongarcin?" - -"You must have told me, as I know it." - -"To be sure, that's so; as you know it, I must have told you.--Bah! -there's another hole; and then, I don't know whether it's because I am -dizzy, but it seems to me that I can't see very plain." - -"Oh! that is no mistake; it is growing dark. Look you, it is after -half-past seven. Where were you going, my worthy man, my dear fellow, -when I met you?--Sandis! I know your name, but it doesn't come to my -lips." - -"Cédrille, at your service." - -"Cédrille--that's it.--Whither were you bending your steps, my good -Cédrille?" - -"I--mon Dieu! I don't know; you see, Monsieur le Chevalier--what d'ye -call it--what _is_ your name?" - -"Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix." - -"Oh! those names are pretty hard to remember. Must I say them all?" - -"No! call me Passedix; that will be enough." - -"Ah! good! Passe--six." - -"No, no! deuce take it! Passedix, not _six!_ You cut me down four -points!" - -"That makes no difference! Well, monsieur le chevalier, I came away from -the house because I felt as if I needed the fresh air--and then, to see -a little of Paris, which I don't know at all." - -"In that case, my friend Cédrille--will you allow me to call you my -friend? When two people have met on the field of battle, it seems to me -that that brings them together at once. Brave men understand each other -at a glance." - -"You are very polite! It's a great honor to me, Chevalier -Passe--Passe----" - -"Dix.--Well, to return to our subject, if you will permit me, dear -friend, I will be your pilot, your guide, this evening. But I shall not -be able to show you what Paris contains in the way of beautiful and -interesting churches, palaces, squares, and promenades, for the reason -that it is dark, and, none of those lovely things being lighted, you -would see nothing and your steps would be wasted." - -"Then you can't take me anywhere to-night? The deuce! that's a pity, for -I feel just in the mood to enjoy myself. I don't want to go home to bed -already, for I am not in the least sleepy." - -Passedix, who had had nothing to eat during the day except the two eggs -he had swallowed so rapidly before his landlady's eyes, passed his hand -across his forehead and, after pretending to reflect a moment, cried: - -"Yes, yes, cadédis! we will enjoy ourselves this evening. If we go along -Rue Saint-Honoré, we shall find, just before we reach the Couvent des -Capucines, a certain wine shop, the resort of lusty blades, good fellows -like you and me; the curfew has not rung yet, so it will still be open; -and even if the doors were closed, the habitués always have a way of -gaining admission. Moreover, the keeper of the Loup de Mer--that is the -name of the place--is an old soldier, an ex-trooper, who has friends in -the watch--and they allow him to keep his guests later; indeed, I know -some who pass the whole night there. Forward, my good friend, and let us -betake ourselves to the Loup de Mer!" - -"All right; I will go I don't care where to-night, provided that we have -some sport." - -"But I tell you that this wine shop is frequented by all the jovial -blades and lovers of the sex in Paris. And then, it has a famous name -for omelets _au lard_; they are excellent there. I once ate a dozen at a -sitting; it was a wager, and I won it in a trice." - -"Ah! they make omelets _au lard_, do they?" muttered the Béarnais -peasant, shaking his head; "what a pity that I ain't hungry! But I ate -so much at the house that I couldn't eat a mouthful, on my word! I would -much rather see something besides omelets." - -"If you are not hungry, you must be thirsty; good fellows are always -thirsty." - -"Oh! as for drinking, why, I'll drink some more, although I have had a -good deal now." - -"That doesn't matter; you will drink, and I will eat and drink with you; -we will play cards, we will sing, we will pass a delightful -evening.--Lean upon me--steady now, and forward!" - -Cédrille suffered himself to be led away, and, his companion almost -carrying him, they soon reached the Loup de Mer. - -It would have been useless in those days to seek in taverns the blaze of -light which dazzles our eyes to-day when we enter a café; a smoky lamp -or two lighted but dimly the room and the drinkers; but the latter, -being accustomed to nothing better, found the place where they assembled -very much to their liking, so there was always a numerous company at the -Loup de Mer; it was not so select as the Chevalier Passedix had tried to -persuade Cédrille; but, by way of compensation, it was very hilarious -and animated, and, above all, exceedingly noisy. - -Almost all the tables were occupied, and covered with pewter pots and -goblets; they were not so pretty to look at as our bottles and glasses, -but they were less fragile. - -Not without difficulty did Passedix succeed in finding an unoccupied end -of a table and in obtaining two stools. Although an habitué of the -place, the chevalier did not seem to be greeted with great cordiality, -and the first words of the waiter to whom he applied were: - -"There's no more room, monsieur le chevalier; it isn't worth while for -you to come in." - -But the Gascon, pushing aside the waiter, who was standing in front of -him, glared savagely around the room and cried: - -"Ah! there's no room, eh?--Capédébious! we will see about that! There -must always be room for me and my friends! and, at need, Roland will -find a way to make room!" - -"Let Monsieur de Passedix come in," said a woman of uncertain age, who -sat at the desk; and she added, with a slight shrug of her shoulders: -"if you don't, you know that he will make a scene, pick a quarrel with -someone, and end by bringing the watch here." - -"Well! I only said what the master ordered me to say," muttered the -waiter, sulkily. - -But meanwhile our Gascon had found a corner at a table, and had -established himself there with Cédrille. The latter tried to look about; -but the crowd, the noise, the heat, and the fumes of wine that filled -the room, added to his intoxication instead of sobering him. - -"Poussinet! Poussinet!" cried the chevalier, hammering the table with -his sword hilt; "come here, knave! are you deaf to-night?" - -The waiter approached, making a grimace, and stared at Cédrille as if he -were a strange beast. - -"Come, Poussinet, listen carefully to my orders. You will serve us an -omelet of fifteen eggs, with half of a small ham inside; also, a large -jug of your best, and some fresh bread if possible." - -"Fifteen eggs! an omelet of fifteen eggs for you two! Do you expect more -friends?" - -"That doesn't concern you! do what you are told, and don't keep your -great, stupid eyes fastened on my companion; that isn't polite, and I -don't ever allow anyone to insult the persons who are in my company! Do -you hear, clown?" - -As he spoke, the chevalier seized the waiter by one ear and twisted it -so hard in his fingers that the unlucky Poussinet was beginning to -shriek with pain, when a gray-bearded man in jacket and apron came up -and said to the chevalier, in a decidedly unamiable tone: - -"What are you pulling my waiter's ears for? What has he done to you, -Monsieur Passedix? Must you always make trouble here as soon as you -arrive? I am tired of it, I warn you! Although you fight with everybody, -I warn you that you don't frighten me; and when the day comes that I -make up my mind to turn you out of my place, you will never come into it -again; and your sword will stay here in pawn for all that you owe me!" - -"Let's go away," said Cédrille, trying to rise; "I am not having any fun -here!" - -But Passedix forced Cédrille to remain on his stool; and having -reflected that if he should beat the keeper of the wine shop he would -have no supper, he restrained his wrath and tried to smile as he -replied: - -"La, la! old sea-wolf [_loup de mer_]--for you well deserve the name -written on your sign!--here's a lot of pother because I hardly pinched -the tip of an ear. I do not seek a quarrel with anyone who is courteous -to me. If you have in your place louts who tread on my toes, I am never -in a mood to put up with it. If I owe you money, that proves that you -have given me credit." - -"And I am very sorry that I ever gave you credit; but after this, -nothing will be served you here unless you pay cash. As to that matter, -I have given Poussinet my orders, and it will do you no good to pull his -ears! Nothing without the money--those are his orders." - -"Yes," muttered the waiter, "and he beats me; that's all the _pourboire_ -I get from him!" - -Passedix rose and made a motion with his arm as if to strike Poussinet; -but the wine shop keeper caught his arm in mid-air and shouted, with a -horrible oath: - -"So we are going to begin again, eh?" - -"I want to go away; I don't enjoy myself here!" said Cédrille, half -rising; but the chevalier threw him back on his seat, and continued in a -haughty and dignified tone: - -"Cabaretier, you may serve us in all confidence this evening; it is not -I who treat, but my friend, this excellent Béarnais here; and his -pockets are well filled." - -"That makes a difference!" murmured the host; and he walked away with -his waiter, saying to him: "No matter, you will make them pay when you -serve; if they don't, take the dishes away." - -"Yes, and look out for my ears!--Ah! what a lousy customer that lanky, -hamstringing villain of a Gascon is!" - - - - -XIV - -A GAME WITH DICE - - -Cédrille sat as if glued to his seat, from which he dared not stir since -his friend had forced him back into it so unceremoniously; but he cut a -singular figure as he rolled his eyes around the room, staring at all -the people about him; and he had not the slightest appearance of a -person who had come there for amusement. - -As for the Chevalier Passedix, his eyes seemed to be trying to discover -the contents of the Béarnais's pockets; and, as he caressed his chin, he -reflected thus: - -"I said that his pockets were well filled, but I know nothing about it; -he didn't whisper a word when I said it Sandis! if it should turn out -that he hasn't a sou about him--that old pirate of a cabaretier would -take back his omelet. But I feel that Dame Cadichard's two little eggs -are at the bottom of Roland's sheath. I dare not question this stout -little Béarnais. But, come what may, I don't propose to go away from -here without filling my belly. The proverb well says: 'Without Bacchus -and Ceres, Venus congeals!'--Now, then, as I do not choose that my love -shall congeal, I absolutely must do a little work with my jaws!" - -Thereupon, turning to the other persons seated at the table at which he -had taken his place, tall Passedix observed that they were bourgeois, -very well dressed and having all the appearance of shopkeepers from the -vicinity come thither for recreation. In front of them were goblets and -a generous measure of wine; also dice and diceboxes. - -"These fellows are probably playing for their reckoning!" thought the -Gascon. "An idea! suppose I should suggest a game to the little fellow, -especially as he seems inclined to go to sleep.--Holà ! I say, worthy -Cédrille!" - -"What is it?" cried the peasant, staring in order to see better. - -"Suppose we have a game of dice, like our neighbors.--You gentlemen are -playing _quinze_, I think?" - -One of the players looked up at the lean chevalier, and contented -himself with an assenting nod. - -"Good! what do you say to a game of _quinze_, friend Cédrille? I'll play -you for a rose crown. There's a pleasant suggestion for you?" - -"No, thanks! I have never played; I don't know any game. At our house, -my mother used to say very often: 'Don't let anybody induce you to -gamble, my son, it's too dangerous a sport; it becomes a vice and it may -lead to crime!'" - -"Ta ta ta! that speech smells strongly of the barn! If gambling is -dangerous in your province, it isn't so in Paris; and the proof is that -everybody gambles, from the lowest to the highest. The greatest nobles -set us the example; they wouldn't be gentlemen if they didn't gamble." - -"Oh! I don't claim to be a gentleman, myself!" - -"Sandis! that's lucky!" said Passedix to himself. "What a blockhead this -young Béarnais is; he doesn't gamble and he won't eat; he doesn't know -how to carry his wine! If only he has money!--but I must make sure of -that before they bring us that famous omelet."--And, addressing his -young companion once more, Passedix said: "Can it be that we are -miserly, by any chance, my young shepherd? Fie! fie! that would be a -wretched failing, and one that is much ridiculed in Paris, where every -man of heart, if he wants to enjoy himself, should pay, without -reckoning, every bill presented to him." - -"I, miserly!" rejoined Cédrille, with a smile; "oh! I am not afraid of -anyone charging me with that; I have never had anything of my own! -Whenever my fob is full, what there is in it is at my friends' service!" - -"Bravo! very good! shake! I am just like that, myself!--Well, then, my -good Cédrille, as you don't know the game of dice, and as I am -absolutely determined to lose a rose crown to you, we will play for it -at _wet finger_. I trust that you know that game, at least!" - -"At wet finger!" muttered Cédrille, putting his hands to his pockets. -"Oh! I know that game, yes. But, by the way, I just remember that I -can't play to-night, unless I play on credit----" - -"On credit! What does that mean?" - -"It means that the servants at the Hôtel de Mongarcin--all those -splendid fellows in handsome livery, who treated me so handsomely at the -offices----" - -"Well! what then? Let us have it, mordioux!" - -"Well! when I left them, saying that I was going to walk round the city -a bit, they said: 'Have you got any money about you?'--I said _yes_, and -took a good fat purse out of my pocket.--Oh! I didn't start out on my -travels without the means of travelling.--'Well,' they said, 'leave your -purse here; don't take it with you, or it will be stolen; and it won't -do you any good to be on your guard, for you won't see anything; Paris -is full of vagabonds, cloak snatchers, cutpurses, who strip you without -your knowing how it's done. You don't need your purse to walk about the -city; so, leave it here, where it will be safe, the maître d'hôtel will -be responsible for it; and then you can stroll all over Paris and snap -your fingers at the robbers.'--Faith! I followed their advice and left -my purse in their hands; and I haven't a sou about me!" - -It would be difficult to describe the expression of his valiant -companion's face while Cédrille was speaking. Chevalier Passedix, -ordinarily yellow, became green one moment, then violet, then -ash-colored; his features seemed to lengthen, his cheeks to sink in more -than usual; his eyes flashed fire, and he muttered, clenching his fists: - -"This passes all bounds! He hasn't a sou, and he wants to enjoy himself -in Paris! What an ignorant fool!--Ah! if you were not your cousin's -cousin! what pleasure it would give me to thrash you, knave! to teach -you to hang on my arm when your pockets are empty!--But the omelet will -soon be here, and they will take it away again! That will be an outrage! -Vertuchoux! at embarrassing moments one must be bold; fortune favors the -brave!--another proverb. Let us stake all to win all!" - -And Passedix, turning to his neighbors the dice throwers, suddenly -exclaimed: - -"Twelve! that's a good throw, but, damn the odds! I will stake six -livres _tournois_ against monsieur!" - -The bourgeois who had just thrown the dice stared at the chevalier and -rejoined: - -"You don't know the game; we have three dice, and the one who throws -nearest to fifteen wins; I have thrown twelve; I have a great many -chances in my favor, for anything above fifteen loses." - -"I know the game as well as the man who invented it; that doesn't -prevent my saying that I will stake six livres _tournois_ against you." - -"Very good! I take your bet." - -"All right! agreed!--Now, it's your turn, monsieur, on whom I am -betting." - -The other gambler, after casting a surprised glance at the Gascon, took -the dicebox and shook it, saying: - -"Ah! you bet on me, do you, seigneur chevalier? Faith! I hope with all -my heart that I may win for you." - -Cédrille turned toward his neighbors, curious to see the result of the -wager. - -As for Passedix, he had risen, his long body towered above the table, -but his eyes never swerved from the box in which the dice were; and his -anxious expression, the way in which he twisted the ends of his cloak in -his hands, and the trembling of his whole person, all tended to show how -important it was to him that he should win the stake. - -At last the bourgeois threw the three dice on the table, and the sum of -the points was only eleven. - -"Faith! that was rather near!" said the man who had thrown; "but it is -not enough--I have lost!" - -"And you too, chevalier!" exclaimed the other; "come, hand over your -rose crown--it was your own suggestion." - -Passedix, whose face had assumed a threatening aspect when he saw the -result of the throw, slowly caressed his moustache and replied, dwelling -on each word: - -"I have lost? that may be!--It was monsieur's fault for throwing badly." - -"What's that? I threw badly?" - -"Why, yes, to be sure; you shouldn't spend two hours shaking the dice in -the box--it tires them, and they can only turn up small numbers!" - -"Ah! that's a pretty good one! I play as I please. Why did you bet on -me? who forced you to?" - -"Oh! God bless me! enough of this! I have lost--that is all right; but I -demand my revenge; I should say that that is one of the things no -gentleman refuses." - -"Your revenge--very good! I agree!" - -"That is lucky for you! Sandis!" - -"Here, throw the dice yourself!" said the man who had lost, offering the -Gascon the box; "then you cannot say that I play badly." - -"With pleasure, I prefer it so!" cried the chevalier, seizing the -dicebox and resuming his seat. - -Thereupon he rattled the dice in the box in his turn, and, having raised -his hand above his head, threw them on the table; the throw was -fourteen. - -A joyful cry escaped from Passedix's lips and he looked about with a -triumphant air, saying: - -"That is what I call throwing! that is how we throw dice at court! -Fourteen! what do you say to that, _compère_?" - -"That's a good throw," replied his adversary; "but I may equal it." - -And having picked up the three dice and put them in his box, he played, -and threw only five. - -Passedix was radiant; his face lighted up, and he began to laugh -uproariously, opening his enormous mouth and showing his sharp fangs. - -"I have lost," said the shopkeeper; "well, we are just where we -started.--I think it's time to go home, _compère_." - -But at that moment the odor of cooked eggs reached their nostrils. -Poussinet appeared, carrying in both hands a pewter platter upon which -was the enormous omelet; under one arm he had a jug of wine, and under -the other a round loaf. - -The waiter gazed admiringly at the omelet, but he walked with slow and -measured steps, like a person who expects a catastrophe, or one who is -marching to the sacrifice. - -The odor of the dish so eagerly coveted dilated the chevalier's -nostrils; he seized the shopkeeper by his doublet as he was about to -leave the table, and said: - -"Well! are we to stop at that? Don't you know that among gentlemen, when -each wins a game, the rubber is always played?" - -"The rubber! the rubber! But it is late, and I ought to be at home." - -"You will be there a few minutes late! What a misfortune! But we cannot -afford to play like children, with no result; everyone would laugh at -us! Come! it will take but a minute!" - -And Passedix retained his hold on the tradesman's doublet, which he was -very careful not to release, for Poussinet had already said twice: - -"Here's the omelet _au lard_, the wine, and the bread--total, two livres -eight sous six deniers, which you must pay me now, or I shall take it -all away." - -"'Tis well! 'tis well! Sandis! Wait a moment, Poussinet; as you see, I -am just finishing a game with monsieur. Let us finish!" - -Tired of being detained by his doublet, the shopkeeper decided to resume -his seat. - -"Well, monsieur," he exclaimed; "since I absolutely must do it to -satisfy you, let us play this rubber, which, however, I should be -justified in refusing, for, after all, I do not know you! You -interfered in the game of dice I was playing with my friend, not with -you." - -"Par la mordioux! are you afraid of compromising yourself by playing -with me, my friend? You do not know me, evidently! Very well! learn that -I am Chevalier Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix, the favorite of Monseigneur -le Cardinal de Richelieu, and an officer in the queen's -_Mousquetaires_!--Say--are you satisfied now?--In a moment, -Poussinet--don't go. Let us settle this business, and don't put your -nose so near the omelet!" - -The two tradesmen had glanced at each other with a sneering expression -while the Gascon chevalier enumerated his name and offices, and they -whispered to each other: - -"The cardinal's favorite, forsooth! Just look at his doublet; there's a -hole in the elbow, and his ruff is all ragged!" - -"He is some schemer, some scurvy knave! Shall I play with him?" - -"Yes; it would be a good job to win his rose crown." - -"But, if he loses, by Notre-Dame! he will have to pay! I will not be put -off with his bluster!" - -"Well! what about that rubber! Capédébious! shall we finish to-night?" -cried Passedix, assuming a surly air and bringing his fist down on the -table. - -"I am ready, monsieur le favori du cardinal. But you will not ask me for -your revenge again. I declare now that I will not throw after this." - -"All right! that is understood. Who the devil asks you to?" - -"There are the dice, monsieur; will you begin?" - -"I have no objection." - -Passedix put the three dice in the box that he held; this time, despite -his efforts, one could see that his hand trembled and that he did not -raise the box with the same confidence. However, the dice were thrown, -and again the sum was fourteen. - -Passedix jumped for joy, so that he nearly overturned the table; he -breathed like a man who had been stifling for five minutes, then burst -out in a roar of laughter that extinguished one of the lamps. His -demonstration ended with the words: - -"I think that you have lost, my boy! You will pay for our supper." - -"But I believe that I am entitled to take my throw first." - -"Oh! that is true; take your throw, it's your right; but if I were in -your place, I would give it up and pay at once." - -"No, indeed! Fortune is like the sun; it shines for everybody!" - -"There's a proverb that I never heard! I believe it to be absolutely -false!" - -However, the chevalier's adversary calmly took up the dice, shook them -with the air of a man to whom it matters little whether he loses a rose -crown, but who is amused by the impatience of his opponent. - -"Sandis! have you nearly finished shaking your dicebox?" said Passedix; -"you trifle too much." - -The shopkeeper threw--fifteen! It was his turn to laugh, which he did -with a good heart, in company with his friend, who cried: - -"Pardieu! there's a throw that's worth all of yours, monsieur le -cardinal's friend!" - -But Passedix did not seem to hear these words; he was so thunderstruck -when he counted his opponent's points, that he stood like one turned to -stone, with his eyes fixed on the six, the five, and the four. - -"Come, monsieur le chevalier, give me the rose crown you were so anxious -to lose. Quickly, if you please! I ought to have gone long ago!" - -"I, pay you!" cried Passedix, drawing himself up to his full height, and -with the back of his hand giving a tilt over one ear to the sort of cap -he wore; "pay you! No, indeed! for the throw was not fair; it doesn't -count!" - -"Doesn't count! that throw of mine! I suppose that you say that in jest, -_beau sire_, but I don't like that sort of pleasantry, I warn you. Pay -me quickly, and let us have done with it!" - -"Once more I tell you, I will not pay! The throw was bad. You threw the -dice with your left hand. I don't play with a left-handed----" - -"Chevalier, you are trying to find a pretext for not paying. In the -first place, I did not throw with my left hand; and in the second -place, if I did, the throw would be perfectly fair." - -"No; in that case, you are bound to notify your opponent." - -"I did not play with my left hand!" - -"Then I lie, do I?" - -"Yes; and you are nothing but a blackleg!" - -"Ah! by Roland! you shall pay dearly for that insult--you vile -clodhopper!" - -"Meanwhile, you are going to get what you deserve, you long-legged -sharper who wanted to sup at our expense!" - -As he spoke, that one of the tradesmen who had played with the Gascon -put out his arm and rushed forward to strike him with his fist. But his -opponent had anticipated the blow and jumped back quickly. As ill luck -would have it, Cédrille had risen when he saw that the quarrel had -become serious, and muttering: "I want to go away; I am not enjoying -myself at all here!" received full in the face the blow intended for his -friend. He uttered a cry of pain. Instantly Passedix whipped out his -sword, and Roland's blade was directed at the shopkeeper, who had seized -the pewter pot with which to defend himself. - -But a new personage had entered the café and forced his way through the -crowd that already surrounded the combatants. - - - - -XV - -A BOHEMIAN - - -The man who had entered the wine shop wore a long cloak of dark-colored -cloth, which reached almost to his feet and was caught in at the waist -by a striped red and black belt adorned with a fringe. On his head was a -sort of pointed cap trimmed with fur. Cloak and cap alike were soiled -and in wretched condition. - -This was the type of costume worn at that period by those persons who -undertook to draw horoscopes, and who were commonly called Bohemians. -They were very different from the Bohemians of our day, who dress well -and have not a sou, for they wore shabby clothes and often had gold -hidden in the pockets or the lining of their shabby garments. - -Gray hair and an almost snow-white beard indicated a man of advanced -years. However, he seemed to be robust still, for he easily put aside -the bystanders and forced a passage for himself through the crowd. - -Reaching the Gascon's side, he seized the arm that held Roland; and his -pressure must have been very powerful, for the chevalier made a horrible -grimace and slowly lowered his sword, crying: - -"Zounds! what an iron grip!" - -"What does this mean?" cried the Bohemian, in a cracked but piercing -voice. "Do people draw their swords in a wine shop? Fie! seigneur -chevalier, this is not a battlefield worthy of you! accustomed as you -are to conquer in single combat and to excel in jousting!--And you, -Master Bougard, you are out very late; the curfew rang long ago; your -shopboys pay little heed to it when their master is not there. And God -knows whether your shop is not at the mercy of cutpurses and footpads -to-night!--As for you, neighbor Dupont, you have a pretty young wife, -and it seems to me that you do not watch her very closely. Beware! -gallants abound in your neighborhood; they know that you come to this -wine shop every night and stay late. That makes it very convenient for -them to go sparking your wife." - -The two tradesmen listened to nothing more; they hurriedly pushed aside -those who stood in their way, and rushed from the shop, paying no -further heed to the Gascon and abandoning the idea of following up their -quarrel. - -Meanwhile, Passedix, flattered by the words that the Bohemian had -addressed to him, replaced Roland in his sheath, saying: - -"After all, this old man is right. And then, those two clowns are not -foemen worthy of my wrath. But still----" - -And the Gascon glanced languishingly at the superb omelet, which -Poussinet was preparing to carry away, when the Bohemian stopped him -and said, putting a piece of money in his hand: - -"Do not carry that away; put the supper on the table--before these two -gallant fellows, who will permit me to entertain them and to sup with -them. Fetch also a piece of your best cheese and another full pint of -your oldest wine, so that we may drink longer." - -The waiter, being paid, made haste to execute the orders he had -received. Meanwhile, Passedix, who could hardly believe his ears, gazed -at the Bohemian as the Incas gazed at the sun, then opened his long arms -and threw himself into those of the man with the gray beard, crying: - -"By the shades of my ancestors! you are a noble old man! I do not know -you; but it would seem that you know me; for your behavior toward me is -that of an old friend!" - -"Oh! who has not heard of the valiant Chevalier Passedix, godson of the -worthy Chaudoreille!--of his exploits, of his prowess, and of his -triumphs with the ladies! I am only a poor Bohemian, but, by virtue of -my profession, I know very well what is happening in Paris. So do not be -surprised, seigneur chevalier, that I am so well informed with respect -to your affairs." - -"Capédébious! this old man talks better than our ediles!--Don't you -think so, friend Cédrille, eh? Why do you refuse to speak, and keep your -hand over your left eye?" - -Cédrille took his hand from his face and showed his left eye, which had -received the full force of the shopkeeper's blow, and which was -surrounded by a black and blue circle and weeping profusely. - -"Bigre! what is all this, my boy? Did you fall on something unhealthy?" - -"Yes, I fell on the fisticuff that was intended for you; and it was well -directed, as you see; that miserable man didn't strike with a light -hand!" - -"Ah! poor fellow! can it be? I am sorry now that I didn't run that clown -through!" - -"Come, come! to table, and let us forget about all that!" said the -Bohemian, seating himself and filling the glasses. "After all is said, -life is always a mixture of battles and pleasures, of strife and -feasting; we must forget the former and make the most of the latter." - -"Yes, that is so; to table! the old Bohemian talks like Nostradamus, -from whom he is probably descended." - -"Not in a direct line, but that makes no difference; I try to walk in -his footsteps by reading the future as best I may. Let us drink, -messeigneurs, and let us attack this omelet." - -"Ah, yes! let us attack the omelet and give it no quarter." - -Passedix took his place in front of the supper, the Bohemian being -opposite; Cédrille was still standing, and seemed undecided as to what -he should do. - -"Well, young man, is my company not agreeable to you, that you do not -take a seat with us?" said the old man, glancing at the Béarnais -peasant. - -"Your company cannot help flattering him!" cried Passedix, stuffing -enormous slices of omelet into his mouth, and pieces of bread of equal -dimensions. "Sandioux! who wouldn't be happy to drink with such a -venerable old man, who has the grip of a Hercules?--Come, comrade -Cédrille, sit you down there." - -"Oh! I'll tell you what," replied Cédrille, as he seated himself; "I -don't feel a bit hungry, and that blow made me sick!" - -"The idea of a man of your age paying any attention to that little tap! -you are strong enough to stand harder knocks than that!--Come! drink, as -you are not hungry, and we will eat for you." - -"Well said, venerable Bohemian! He need have no fear, I will eat his -share; but let us drink; one can always drink, even when one is not -thirsty." - -The Bohemian was careful not to leave the glasses of his guests empty; -and Cédrille, led on by the example set him, finally decided to partake -of the omelet. - -"All the same," he muttered, "I haven't enjoyed myself much here!" - -"Bigre! my boy, you are hard to please! You see before you a delicious -supper--with two jovial companions; this venerable Bohemian fills your -glass every instant; this wine is very good--and you are not satisfied. -Is it because we had a quarrel with two boors? But in Paris it rarely -happens that one passes a day without an affair, more or less serious. -Why, I myself, as you see me, when I return home at night without -having drawn my sword, am not content with my day; I feel that something -is lacking.--You must know, respected Bohemian, that this young man has -been in Paris only since this morning; he cannot as yet be acquainted -with our customs; but I have undertaken his education, and I will push -him!" - -"Thanks!" said Cédrille to himself; "if he pushes me the way he has this -evening, I shall risk nothing by keeping on my guard." - -"Yes, yes," said the old man, caressing his beard, "I know that this -young man arrived in Paris to-day, with his cousin, a very pretty young -woman--a fascinating brunette." - -"I say! you know that?" exclaimed Cédrille, staring at the old man in -amazement. "You're a sorcerer, are you?" - -"That is my profession." - -"And I bow before your magic power!" cried Passedix, emptying his glass -at a draught. - -"But they burn sorcerers!" muttered the peasant, moving his chair away -from the table and looking at the Bohemian with a distrustful -expression. - -"And so I fully expect to be roasted some day! But meanwhile I must make -merry during the time I still have to pass on this earth.--Waiter, -eau-de-vie--a large measure!" - -Passedix grasped the Bohemian's hand and shook it effusively, saying: - -"If anyone should ever be so ill-advised as to touch a hair of your -head!--You know that I am devoted to you and that I am fearless?--I will -undertake to deliver you, even from the Bastille, if they should -imprison you there!" - -Poussinet brought the eau-de-vie, for which the old man paid on the -spot. - -Meanwhile, most of the drinkers and habitués of the establishment had -gone; and the proprietor, approaching our three friends, bowed to them, -very respectfully this time, and said: - -"Messeigneurs, the curfew has rung; I must warn you that I shall soon be -obliged, to my regret, to send you away; for if the watch should see a -light in my shop, I----" - -"Very good, very good, my man!" replied the Bohemian; "we are drinking -quietly, we are making no disturbance, and we have some time before us -still. Moreover, there are ways of arranging matters with the watch." - -As he spoke, the old man slipped into the cabaretier's hand a piece of -silver which he took from his belt. - -The proprietor of the Loup de Mer bowed again, saying: - -"Well, messeigneurs, do as you please; my first duty is to satisfy my -customers." - -"Sandis! let the watch come!" cried Passedix, drinking eau-de-vie as if -it were wine. "We will give them a warm reception; they'll find someone -to talk to, eh! friend Cédrille?--Let us take a drink! this young -new-comer hangs back!" - -"No, I don't; but my eye pains me!" - -"An additional reason for drinking! this eau-de-vie is nectar.--Here's -the health of the man who treats us so courteously! Our host is a sly -rascal! he pretends to be afraid of the watch, but the watch isn't so -strict, so severe, as formerly. It doesn't date from yesterday, you -know; as long ago as the time of Clotaire II, every large town in the -kingdom had a night watch. In 595, an edict was issued, of which the -principal provisions were: - -"When a robbery is committed at night, those who are of the watch in the -quarter will be held responsible if they do not arrest the robber; if -the robber, fleeing from them, is seen in another quarter, and the guard -of that other quarter, being forthwith notified, fail to arrest him, the -loss occasioned by the robbery shall fall upon them, and they will be -condemned in addition to pay a fine of five sous; and in like manner -from quarter to quarter.--Peste! there was no joking about such matters -in those days!" - -"What I admire most of all, monsieur le chevalier," said the Bohemian, -filling the glasses, "is your profound erudition; you know -everything--yes, everything! I will wager that you are able to quote the -_Capitulaires_ of Charlemagne." - -"In truth, I am rather well informed; and but for this infernal vocation -for the sword and for fighting, I believe that I should have become a -troubadour, a trouvère, of the first rank; I should have contended for -the palm with Clémence Isaure and all her supporters!--Delicious -eau-de-vie! it is like whey!" - -"Come, come, Seigneur Cédrille; you do not drink, you do not follow your -gallant companion's example!" - -"Oh! you see, I am not empty, like the chevalier; I had a good lot to -drink at the hôtel." - -"At the hôtel where you lodge?" - -"No; at the Hôtel de Mongarcin, where I took my cousin Miretta and left -her." - -"Ah! so your pretty cousin is at the Hôtel de Mongarcin?" - -"Yes, on Rue Saint-Honoré--close by." - -"On this same street, eh?" - -"She has a fine place there with the young lady of the house; and -I--they are kind enough to keep me too, as long as I stay in Paris. But -I shall not stay long; I have no desire to enjoy myself every evening -the way I have this evening." - -The Bohemian seemed to reflect; Passedix, whose eyes were beginning to -close and his utterance to thicken, heaved a profound sigh and muttered: - -"Look you, comrade Cédrille, I am going to tell you something in -confidence: you can't be in love with your cousin, as you leave her here -in Paris and go back to your mountains!" - -"You think I ain't in love with her, do you? Well, that is where you are -mistaken! On the contrary, I love Miretta with all my heart, and I'd -have liked right well to marry her! But she won't have me! So all I can -do is make the best of it! She refused me flat, and she's a girl with a -very strong will! When she says no, that's the end of it; she never -changes her mind." - -"Since she has refused you, we are friends once more; for you are no -longer my rival." - -"Your rival?" - -"Sandis! yes! I do not choose to dissemble any longer. I am in love with -your enchanting cousin! Ah! so much in love that it would make me an -idiot if that were possible! And with me, I venture to think that she -will not say _no_!" - -Cédrille rubbed his uninjured eye, and stared for several seconds at the -long, lank, yellow chevalier, who had declared his love for his pretty -cousin; then, without replying, he began to laugh heartily. - -This outburst of hilarity seemed to displease Passedix, who said: - -"What are you laughing at, young countryman? I am not fond of having -anyone laugh at me without telling me why, capédébious! I am your -friend, but you must not presume upon the rights which that title gives -you." - -"Seigneur chevalier," said the Bohemian, "you seem to me to forget at -this moment that this young man is the kinsman of the woman you love." - -"You are right, venerable old man.--Your hand, Cédrille; no quarrel -between us! I drink to your health!" - -"Ah! jarni!" cried the Béarnais peasant, putting his hand to his brow. -"I remember now--and it had gone entirely out of my head!" - -"What, my fine fellow?" - -"My cousin told me that she would look for me this evening, at dusk, to -take her to Rue Saint-Jacques, to Master Hugonnet's bath keeper, whose -daughter came to our assistance this morning during that infernal -battle." - -"What, little cousin! pretty Miretta makes an appointment with you, and -you forget it!--Mordioux! if she had said that to me! But perhaps it is -not too late; let us go there." - -Passedix tried to rise, as did Cédrille, but neither of them was able to -stand on his legs, and they fell back heavily on their chairs. - -Meanwhile, the Bohemian had taken from beneath his cloak a small phial -filled with a reddish liquid, from which he poured into his companions' -goblets, pretended to put some into his own glass, and took it up, -saying: - -"Can you think of such a thing, _beaux sires_? it is too late now, a -young girl cannot go out at this time of night; the fair Miretta must -have abandoned her walk, and you will take her some other time. -Meanwhile, taste this _rozolio_, of which my lucky star enabled me to -obtain a flask, and which I could not drink in better company!" - -Passedix hastened to drink the liqueur which had been put before him, -not, however, without pausing now and then to smack his lips; Cédrille -did the same, stammering: - -"Ah! jarnigué! that's good! That smacks of all sorts of things; I never -drank anything so sweet. What do you call this?" - -"Our venerable friend has just told you," hiccoughed Passedix, resting -his arms on the table. "It's _ro--ro--rozo_----" - -He was unable to finish the word. In a moment, his head sank on his arms -and he fell asleep; Cédrille soon followed his example. - -Thereupon the Bohemian rose, left the table, and walked hastily from the -wine shop. - - - - -XVI - -THE NIGHT - - -As soon as he was in the street, the pretended Bohemian walked at a gait -which did not resemble that of an old man; he went hastily along Rue -Saint-Honoré toward the Hôtel de Mongarcin. There he stopped, looked -about in all directions, and listened for sounds inside the house, where -some windows were still lighted; then he tried to pierce the darkness -that prevailed in the street; for at that time Paris was very poorly -lighted, or, rather, was not lighted at all. - -Toward the beginning of the sixteenth century, the Parisians had been -ordered to place lighted lanterns in front of their houses, but the -order had never been strictly complied with. And even when a lantern was -placed before a door, it contained only a candle; so that you can judge -how much light it was likely to give and how long it would burn. From -time to time, one spied a bright light in the distance, but it did not -remain in one place; and when it happened to come toward you, you -discovered that it was a torchbearer. In most cases, that industry was -carried on by children; there was a bureau on the Estrapade, where boys -were supplied with torches to provide light for persons using the -streets at night. - -After a few moments' reflection, our Bohemian suddenly walked on; he -continued up the street, and took what seemed to him the shortest road -to Rue Saint-Jacques. But, as he walked, he scrutinized carefully every -woman whom he met; to be sure, his curiosity found few subjects to -investigate, for it was nearly ten o'clock, which was very late at that -period; so that but few people were abroad; and a woman who appeared in -the street alone, at that time of night, might well expect that people -would form a very poor opinion of her and treat her accordingly. - -But as he drew near the fortress called the Grand Châtelet, the Bohemian -stopped; he had espied a woman, alone, who was looking about her and -seemed not to know which way to turn. - -She made up her mind at last, and was starting toward the Petit-Pont, -when a voice called to her: - -"Where are you going, Miretta? You are wrong; that is not your road." - -At the first sound of that voice, Miretta--for it was she--stopped as if -paralyzed by surprise; but it had no sooner ceased to speak than she -cried out, with a delight which she could not hold in check: - -"That voice--oh! it is his! I cannot be mistaken! Where are you, -Giova----" - -Before the girl could finish the name, the pretended Bohemian had taken -her in his arms and strained her to his heart, saying in an undertone: - -"Hush! hush! never utter that name! for it would be my destruction! it -would be condemning me to death!" - -"To death! Oh! forgive me, forgive me! but I am so happy, you see, at -this moment! I see you once more, I find you the very first day that I -am in Paris. Ah! I did not hope for so much good fortune! My dearest -friend, my only love! oh! tell me that you still love me, and I will -forget all the tears I have shed since you abandoned me. Tell me that -you are still my lover, my beloved, my Giova----" - -"Again! Ah! Miretta, you will cause my ruin!" - -"Oh! forgive me! but the pleasure, the joy of seeing you after such a -long separation---- I am mad, you see; I do not know what I say! Here, -feel how my heart beats! it is you, it is you, who are the cause! Oh! -speak to me, let me hear your loved voice again; let me be quite certain -that I am not the plaything of an illusion; for this costume, this gray -beard---- Oh! but it makes no difference! I see your eyes, I am sure -that I am not mistaken!" - -"Come, come!" said Giovanni, passing the girl's arm through his; "let us -go away, first of all, from this fortress; the neighborhood of the Grand -Châtelet is not healthy for me." - -The girl allowed her lover to lead her away; it mattered little to her -whither he took her; she was with the man to whom she had given her -heart and had sworn to devote her life. That great city which she did -not know, the darkness that encompassed her, the distant outcries that -reached her ears from time to time--thenceforth none of those things -frightened her, for she held Giovanni's arm. - -The false Bohemian kept the girl walking for some time, pressing her arm -as soon as she attempted to speak, and motioning to her to maintain the -most profound silence. But Miretta's conductor seemed to know Paris -perfectly, and its most crooked, most deserted streets. After leading -her through several dark and narrow lanes, he came out on a small -square, stopped in front of a house, took a key from his pocket, opened -the door, and led his companion into the hall, saying: - -"This is the hôtel where I live; give me your hand and let me lead you. -Don't be afraid; in a moment we shall be able to see; make no noise." - -"Afraid! afraid! when I am with you! ah! you know me very little! See, -here is my hand! does it tremble? I am with you; what does it matter to -me where you take me? I shall always be happy with you." - -A slight pressure of the hand replied to these words from Miretta; then -her guide led her up a staircase, stopped on the first floor, softly -opened a door, and ushered the girl into an apartment, where, by means -of a lamp burning at the back of the hearth, he speedily lighted several -candles. Giovanni then laid aside his cap, his wig, his great cloak, and -revealed a young man with a refined Italian face, whom we have already -seen in the plumed hat of the _soi-disant_ Comte de Carvajal, a guest at -the Hôtel du Sanglier, to which he had taken Miretta. - -When she saw her lover stripped of all that paraphernalia which -disguised him, the girl ran to him and threw herself into his arms, -crying: - -"Ah! now you are as I knew you at Milan; as you were when you invited me -to dance, the first time we met at the Balestrino. How gladly I -accepted! How happy I felt even then to be dancing with you! for, you -know, I fell in love with you on the spot. That sentiment which was -destined to bind me to you struck me to the heart like thought, like -lightning. It is always like that when love is genuine, when it is -destined to last forever. Isn't it so, my beloved? And you loved me at -once, too, did you not?" - -As Giovanni listened to Miretta, his eyes assumed an expression of -tender melancholy. He had thrown himself on a sofa; he drew the young -girl to a seat by his side, took one of her hands, which he put to his -lips from time to time, and said in an undertone: - -"Speak, speak on; you recall a very happy time!" - -"Very happy, do you say? But in that case, my love, why not have -prolonged it? I was free, my own mistress, and, listening only to my -heart, I gave myself to you; Giovanni was my idol, my god! How -impatiently I awaited your coming at night, under the shade of the -orange trees where you used to meet me! I asked nothing of you but to -love me and to tell me so. Ah! you know, Giovanni, how little I envied -the jewels and fine dresses of other girls! I had no desire for those -costly pleasures which one enjoys in cities! I wanted only you--only -your love! But after a few short months of that happiness, which I -believed was to last forever, you grew sad and anxious, you began to -fail frequently to keep our appointments. When I reproached you, you -lost your temper instead of apologizing. At last, one evening you told -me that you were going to start for Paris. 'With me?' I instantly asked. -But you turned your head away. All my entreaties were useless. I wept a -long while at your feet; you said to me simply: 'I will return!'" - -"Yes," Giovanni replied, looking the girl in the face; "and I forbade -you to follow me." - -"And so I did not follow you." - -"But why have you come to Paris, then?" - -"And why have you not returned? It is six months since you went -away--six months! Cannot you understand that that is a fearfully long -time when one loves, when one is waiting, when one lives only on hope?" - -"I would have returned." - -"Oh! don't tell me that, Giovanni! No, you would not have returned--or -else you would have come too late and would have found me dead! Clearly, -you do not understand how much I love you; you know not that to me this -love is above and beyond the whole world, that it makes me capable of -defying everything, of undertaking any enterprise.--But why do I disturb -the happiness that is mine now that I have found you?--Why these clouds -on your brow? I will not utter one word of reproach--I will not ask a -question. Let me live in the same city with you, let me see you, speak -to you sometimes, and I shall be happy; and I will not even ask you what -you are doing in Paris, or why you are afraid to have me mention your -name!" - -"But I propose to tell you!" muttered Giovanni, in a gloomy voice, -dropping the girl's hand, so that she shuddered, although she did not -yet know why her heart was turned to ice. "Since you have chosen to come -to Paris despite my prohibition, you must know what your lover is doing; -otherwise, you might unsuspectingly compromise his safety every day." - -The young man rose and walked about the room, with a sinister -expression, saying: - -"Ah! why did you come to Paris, Miretta?" - -"Mon Dieu! in what a tone you say that! You would make me tremble if I -did not love you so dearly!" - -"Your love will not resist, I will swear, the confidence I am about to -make to you." - -"My love is stronger than everything! You may put it to the test!" - -"But if your lover were--a man banished from society--a--a criminal, in -short?" - -Miretta ran to Giovanni and threw herself into his arms, crying in a -tone of savage joy: - -"Ah! I was afraid that you were going to say that you loved someone -else! I breathe again, since it is not that." - -Giovanni kept his eyes fixed for some moments on the girl's, then said, -shaking his head: - -"Ah! it is the truth! she loves me truly!" - -Thereupon he resumed his seat and continued, but more calmly: - -"Listen, Miretta: there has been in Paris, for several months past, a -man who spreads terror through all classes of society, but especially -among the wealthiest; this man--this robber, for I am talking of a -robber--attacks every night those people whose purses he knows to be -well lined. Adroit, active, fearless, he intimidates his victims by his -audacity, he inspires terror by his mere presence, and never, up to the -present moment, has he been obliged to shed blood in order to accomplish -his ends. When--which rarely happens--he falls in with a gentleman who -is brave enough to defend himself, he easily disarms him, and then -contents himself with taking his gold. You may imagine that the police -are straining every nerve to capture this brigand; but thus far all -their efforts have been fruitless. And yet his description, or rather -his costume, is known everywhere; for the robber always wears the same -dress when he performs his exploits. An ample olive-green cloak envelops -his body, a red cap with a fringe of boar's hair covers his head and -comes down to his eyes, and a long black beard conceals the lower part -of his face." - -"Mon Dieu!" said Miretta; "the man must present a terrifying appearance, -in very truth! But what have I to do with this robber? I am not afraid -that he will take my gold. And why do you tell me of all his doughty -deeds?" - -Giovanni rose without replying; he went to an old chest secured by a -stout padlock, opened it, and took out the olive-green cloak, the cap -with the boar's hair, and the enormous black beard. He threw them all at -the girl's feet, saying: - -"See! here is the costume that this redoubtable brigand assumes every -night; for this man whom the police seek and pursue to no purpose, this -man who spreads terror and dismay throughout Paris--is I--your -lover--Giovanni!" - -Miretta covered her face with her hands. - -"You!" she murmured; "you! Oh! it is impossible!" - -"I have told you the truth, Miretta; indeed, why should I tell you this -story, if it were untrue?" - -"O mon Dieu! But what can have induced you to take up this horrible -trade?" - -"Oh! it goes back a long way! Alas! in life, one thing leads to another, -all things are connected. The child who refuses to study, the youth who -leads a vagabond life, the young man who seeks only to enjoy himself and -to gratify his passions--all these are insensibly marching on to the -goal which I have reached. They approach it less openly, perhaps! Some -become swindlers, others Greeks--that is to say, they cheat at cards in -fashionable society. I consider myself as good as they are; I run -greater risks, that is all the difference! Yes, the man who seeks -nothing but pleasure comes to this, unless he has the strength, the -common sense, to stop in time. But I did not stop. I determined to -indulge myself with all the forms of pleasure which the favorites of -fortune enjoy--or those men whose talents raise them to the highest -positions, to the greatest honors. But I had neither fortune nor talent. -I might tell you that it was the decree of fate, that my destiny was -written in advance, that I could not avoid it. I will not say that, -because I do not believe it; because, on the contrary, everything tends -to prove that men make themselves what they are.--Besides, why should I -seek to excuse myself? I had a momentary respite from my passions--a -moment of calm and almost unalloyed happiness; that was when I knew you, -Miretta! Your sincere love made me think, for a brief period, that to -love was all that was necessary to be happy. But soon those passions, -which you had had the art to lull to sleep, reawoke in my being; it was -impossible for me to resist them. You yourself unsuspectingly aroused -them sometimes; for when I saw you dressed so simply, so shabbily, I -would say to myself: - -"'Ah! how lovely she would be in a handsome silk dress! in the jewels -with which so many old and ugly women bedeck themselves! What joy to -drive with her in a fine carriage! to see everyone admire her and envy -my good fortune!'" - -"Ah! did I need fine clothes to love you, Giovanni?" - -"No, not you; but I--I wanted to give them to you, to see you dressed in -them.--Well, Miretta, that desire I am able to satisfy now. Come, look!" - -Giovanni took Miretta's hand, led her to the chest, opened a false -bottom, and showed her a heap of gold pieces, jewels, and diamonds, -which half filled the great box. - -"Do you see that gold? do you see all those treasures? A few more months -in Paris, and I shall have twice as much! Then I will return to Italy; -and if you will go with me, you shall be the most fashionable, the most -coquettish, the most richly dressed of women!" - -Miretta turned away from the chest with a gesture of horror. - -"I! array myself in jewels that you have stolen! Oh! never! never! That -gold makes me ill! Look you, Giovanni--I must needs love you very dearly -to be still in the room with you after the confession you have made to -me! And yet, I am grateful to you for having confided this terrible -secret to me; I thank you for having such confidence in me.--Ah! you -know full well that I will not betray it!--Yes, my love is so great that -I can forgive everything, forget everything! But, in pity's name! for -the love of God! renounce this ghastly career; leave this path of crime -in which, sooner or later, you will meet your punishment! You wanted -wealth--well, have you not enough? Take what you have acquired by such -evil means, since you have the courage to make use of it without -remorse. But come with me; let us leave Paris, and France, -to-morrow--nay, this very night! I will stay with you, to watch over -your safety, to turn aside the dangers that may threaten you. When all -danger is at an end, then I will leave you, if my presence annoys you; -but, near or far, I will watch over you, and every morning and every -evening I will pray God to forgive your crimes and open your heart to -repentance.--Giovanni, my Giovanni, do not spurn my entreaties; trust a -secret voice which tells me that death awaits you in the frightful trade -you ply. I beg you on my knees--abandon it, and let us fly--far, far -from Paris--to the end of the world--so far that you will be in no -danger.--Oh! I was mad just now when I preferred to know that you were a -criminal rather than in love with another woman; heaven is punishing me -for that blasphemy.--Giovanni, I give you back your liberty, your -oaths; I will forgive you if you do love another woman. But, in the name -of the Madonna who presided over your birth, tell me, oh! tell me that -you will abandon this career, which will surely lead you to the -scaffold!" - -The girl had thrown herself at her lover's feet, she held his hands, she -raised to his face her eyes wet with tears; and at that moment there was -something sublime in the expression of her features. - -But Giovanni had listened to her with no outward evidence of emotion. -When she ceased to speak, he raised her, seated her on the sofa, took -his seat beside her, and said with perfect tranquillity: - -"My dear love, I forbade you to follow me, to come to France. I was wise -to do so; I anticipated some such scene as this. If you will take my -advice, you will return instantly to Milan." - -"With you?" - -"No; without me." - -"Never! My mind is made up: I shall remain where you are. I have nothing -left to lose! I have sacrificed to you a maiden's most precious -treasure, and it is easy for me to give you now my repose and my life." - -"But I do not ask you for either. You are too excitable, my poor -Miretta! you have an ardent imagination. Now, I am thoroughly practical. -You choose to remain in Paris--very good! But you must understand that -it is impossible for you to live with me; you would embarrass me; in -this trade of mine, a woman is always in the way; when she thinks that -she is helping us, she ruins us!" - -"So you are not willing to abandon this--this infamous trade?" - -Giovanni darted a glance at the girl which almost made her shudder, as -he replied: - -"No woman will ever change my resolutions; when it pleases me to enjoy -my wealth, to return to Italy, the robber will vanish, and Giovanni, -favored of fortune, assuming a stately name and title, will make a -brilliant appearance in the world, where everyone will cringe to him -without trying to ascertain the source of his fortune.--You have heard -me, Miretta; so never recur to this subject, or you will see me no -more." - -Miretta made no other reply than to let her head sink sadly on her -breast. - -"You have a place in Paris, I am told: you are in the service of -Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin?" - -"Yes; how do you know that?" - -"I know much more! It was Cédrille, your cousin, who brought you to -Paris?" - -"Yes; and I had arranged to meet him in front of the house this evening, -at dusk; I thought that he would be my escort and would take me to see a -young girl who lives on Rue Saint-Jacques, where her father keeps baths; -for that girl rendered us a great service this morning, when we arrived -in Paris. You do not know that----" - -"I know all! the miserable jests, the jibes that they discharged at your -travelling companion, poor Cédrille; and the compliments they paid to -the pretty foreigner; and the quarrel and the battle that followed!--Oh! -I recognized in all that the untamed highborn youth, which is determined -to be master in France--more master than the king, in truth! But let -them beware! There is at the head of the government a certain Cardinal -de Richelieu, who, I fancy, will straighten all this out! He will be -called a tyrant, for every man is so called who attempts to put down -abuses, to put a curb on license and disorder, to give power to the -laws, and, above all, to have them executed, whatever the name, the -rank, or the exalted position of the person whom they strike!--But the -man of genius, the strong man, is not at all disturbed by the clamor -which he stirs up about him; he goes his way and reaches his goal, often -calumniated by his contemporaries; it is posterity that takes it upon -itself to do him justice!--Well! it seems to me, Miretta, that I reason -rather well for a robber, eh? You see that, even though one lives at war -with society, that does not prevent one from doing justice to those who -are able to protect it.--But let us return to yourself: you waited in -vain for Cédrille, for I was plying him with drink at a wine shop, with -a certain Gascon chevalier, as long and lean as a beanpole, who claims -also to be your liberator." - -"Oh, yes! I remember; a tall man, and very thin; he almost knelt in -front of our horse; he insisted on kissing my hand and on my accepting -him for my knight! But he is horribly ugly!" - -"That is true; but that does not prevent him from being in love with -you. Ah! Seigneur Passedix--that is this hero's name--is not discreet in -his love affairs. Beware, Miretta! he has sworn to triumph over your -rigor." - -"He is not dangerous! But even if he were the handsomest, most -fascinating man in the kingdom of France, you well know that my heart is -no longer mine to give!" - -Giovanni bestowed an affectionate glance on the girl and pressed her -hand lovingly, murmuring: - -"Poor girl! I know well that that is true! You are not like other -women!" - -But soon, as if regretting that momentary weakness, the Italian resumed -his indifferent air and began to pace the floor. - -"Well," he said, "have you been to see the bath keeper's daughter on Rue -Saint-Jacques?" - -"Mon Dieu! no; in the first place, I waited for Cédrille a long while; -and when he did not come, I decided to go alone, for I am not timid, as -you know. But when I found myself all alone, at night, in the streets of -this great city, of which I have heard so many terrible things, I felt -troubled, my heart beat fast; however, I walked on, thinking that I knew -my road. At last, as I was afraid of going astray, I spoke to a -gentleman who was passing, and asked him to direct me to Master -Hugonnet's baths, on Rue Saint-Jacques.--Ah! how I regretted speaking to -that man! If you knew how he treated me!--'Aha! you wanton!' he said; -'going to the baths so late? then the assignation must be very -important!'--And he added a lot of insulting remarks, and tried to put -his arm about my waist and to detain me by force. But anger gave me -strength; I pushed the man away so violently that he seemed dazed, and I -fled, running at random; then it was that I lost my way altogether. I -walked a long, long while, trying to find my way back to the Hôtel de -Mongarcin; but I would have passed the whole night in the street rather -than ask my way again! Then you met me." - -"This should serve you as a lesson, Miretta; you must not venture out -alone in Paris at night; it is dangerous for a man, much more so for a -pretty young girl; and if the watch had fallen in with you, they would -have taken you to the Filles Repenties. But the clock struck ten long -ago; I will take you back to the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Do you know that -they will form a strange opinion of you there? On the very day of your -arrival, you disappear for a large part of the evening." - -"I shall tell my young mistress what happened to me; I shall tell her -the whole truth; Mademoiselle Valentine will forgive me, for I will -promise to be more prudent hereafter." - -"You will tell her the _whole_ truth?" repeated Giovanni, fastening his -eyes on the girl's face. - -"Yes, but without naming you. Oh! never fear: I will not tell--your -secret." - -"I rely upon it; come! But wait a moment." - -Giovanni took the horrible hairy cap, the huge beard, and the -olive-green cloak, and held them all up before Miretta, saying: - -"Look at these carefully; if you should ever see a man dressed in these -clothes, fly, fly at once--do not go near that man!--Do you swear, -Miretta?" - -"I swear," faltered the girl, in a trembling voice. - -"On that condition, you will see me again sometimes, now as a wealthy -gentleman, now as a simple artisan, or a bourgeois; but I will speak -first to you." - -With that, the Italian hastily resumed the costume of an old Bohemian; -when that was done, he said: - -"Come, now, let us make haste; but, above all things, make no noise." - -Giovanni quickly extinguished the candles and replaced in its corner the -smoking lamp, which but dimly lighted the apartment. Then he took -Miretta's hand and led her from the room and the house with the same -precautions and without meeting anybody. Once in the street, he drew his -companion's arm through his and forced her to walk rapidly. - -They walked the whole distance in silence; the girl was oppressed by -grief and alarm; when they met anyone, she pressed her guide's arm -tight, for she imagined that he would be recognized and arrested. But -Giovanni knew Paris and its most crooked streets perfectly; in a very -short time he and his companion stopped in front of a large house, and -he said to her: - -"This is the place; here is the Hôtel de Mongarcin; you are at home." - -"Already!" - -"You say _already_, and you are trembling like a leaf, my poor girl!" - -"Oh! not for myself! For now I must leave you; but when shall I see you -again?" - -Giovanni made a movement with his head which seemed to indicate that he -did not himself know. Then, before Miretta had had time to detain him, -he disappeared, and she soon ceased to hear his footsteps. - -Thereupon Miretta gave free vent to her sobs and went into the house, -murmuring: - -"Ah! the unhappy man!" - - - - -XVII - -THE FIRE OF SAINT-JEAN - - -Long before the reign of King Louis XIII, the sheriffs of Paris were -wont, on Saint-Jean's Eve, to cause huge piles of sticks of all -dimensions, with thorn bushes and small twigs quick to ignite, to be -constructed on Place de Grève, whither the king would come, in solemn -state, to set fire to that enormous mass with his own hand. - -In 1471, Louis XI followed the example of his predecessors and presided -at that ceremony, which eventually came to be attended with fêtes and -entertainments to which the good people of Paris always looked forward -with impatience. - -The Fire of Saint-Jean in 1573 was a magnificent ceremony, so it is -said. A mast about sixty feet in height had been erected on Place de -Grève, with many wooden crossbars, to which an enormous quantity of -fagots and bundles of brushwood was attached. A number of loads of wood -and countless bundles of straw were heaped about the base of this -structure. The whole was decorated, or rather disguised, by wreaths and -garlands. Bouquets were distributed to the king and his suite, to the -notables of the city, and to the magistrates. Fireworks also were -placed under the fagots. A hundred and twenty archers from the city, a -hundred bowmen, and a hundred arquebusiers kept order. Lastly, they hung -on the mast a large basket containing two dozen cats and a fox. This -last then was, no doubt, the _ne plus ultra_ of the fête. Poor cats! -poor foxes! We leave you in peace now when we have public rejoicings; -and to say the truth, I am persuaded that they are none the less -attractive for that reason. - -Under Cardinal de Richelieu, the ceremony of the Fire of Saint-Jean had -lost much of its brilliancy; cats were no longer burned, as it was -natural that they should not be, the first minister having a deep -affection for those animals, by which he loved to be surrounded. - -However, the ceremony continued to take place, and still attracted a -goodly number of sightseers, idlers, students, young girls, and even -young gentlemen, who came thither in search of adventures, or to play -tricks on rustics. - -A few weeks after the events we have narrated, the Place de Grève was -adorned by a pile of combustibles, which, while it could not be compared -with those which we have described, was very presentable none the less. - -When the night began to fall, there was a large number of people -assembled on the square; but that was a mere nothing, for every moment -thereafter the quays or the narrow streets leading into the square -poured forth a constant stream of bourgeois parties, bands of young -clerks of the Basoche, young men arm in arm, people of the lower -classes, esquires, pages, and elegant young gentlemen carefully -enveloped in their cloaks, beneath which they tried to conceal the -richness of their costumes, but always betrayed it by the too gorgeous -plumes that adorned their hats or the magnificence of the spurs attached -to their boots. - -By the time that it was quite dark, the square was crowded, and one -could not move without difficulty, especially in the direction of the -pile. But what life! what animation! what a fusillade of voices! what a -din of remarks and questions bandied about in all directions! It was an -incessant humming sound. - -Many people reflected aloud, in order to be overheard by everybody -within earshot; for at all times there have been plenty of those fine -talkers, those pretentious personages who deem themselves called upon to -declaim, to put themselves forward, and who often put forward nothing -but their folly or their conceit! - -"This way, father; let us go this way; I promise you that we shall have -a much better place to see the fire!" said a tall, fine-looking girl, in -whom we meet once more a pleasant acquaintance from Rue Saint-Jacques. - -It was Ambroisine, whose right arm was passed through the arm of a girl -even prettier than herself, but with a shy, timid air, who was evidently -surprised beyond measure to find herself in the midst of that tumult. -That girl was Bathilde, the daughter of Landry the bath keeper of Rue -Dauphine. - -How did it happen that she was so far from home, and without her mother, -in the midst of that bold and curious crowd, where beauty and youth were -the objective point of the glances of most of the sightseers? How did it -happen that she was arm in arm with Ambroisine, upon whom Dame Ragonde -had looked coldly for so long a time, and with whom she seemed afraid to -allow her daughter to talk? - -The reason was that Bathilde's mother had an old kinswoman in Normandie, -who had always manifested much affection for her, and had refrained from -marrying, with the intention of leaving all her property to Ragonde some -day. That property consisted of a few acres of land and a wretched -house--the whole being worth, perhaps, fifteen hundred livres; but we -must remember that in those days fifteen hundred livres was equal to six -thousand to-day; that Landry had no other property than his business; -and lastly, that in Ragonde's eyes that fifteen hundred livres would be -a sufficient dowry to obtain for Bathilde the hand of some respectable -Parisian tradesman. - -It happened that one fine day a message arrived from Caudebec, the old -kinswoman's residence. A neighbor of hers wrote to Dame Landry, to -inform her that her cousin was very ill, and was most anxious to have -her by her side, to close her eyes. He added that haste was important, -because the old maid seemed to have only a short time to live. - -On receipt of this message, Dame Ragonde instantly made preparations for -her journey; the famous inheritance being at stake, she felt that she -must not hesitate! But as she was about to start, she thought of -Bathilde, whom in her absorption she had forgotten. Should she take her -or leave her with her father? To trust the old trooper of Henri IV to -watch over a young girl was imprudent, perhaps. But, on the other hand, -to take on a journey the child whom she had guarded so carefully up to -that time was to expose her to the risk of listening to the chatter of -every comer; of being the object of gallant attentions, perhaps even of -bold enterprises, on the part of their fellow travellers. For Dame -Ragonde had not the means to travel in a litter; and in those days -travel was so slow, the means of transport so difficult, that one was -obliged to pass a long time in a coach or other vehicle, even when one -had not a long distance to travel. And then there was the matter of -expense, which was of great importance to the bath keeper's wife. It -cost a great deal to travel; and the expense would be doubled if she -should take her daughter. - -The result of her reflections was that Dame Ragonde set out alone, but -not without saying to her husband many times: - -"Keep a sharp eye on your daughter! Don't let her leave the house or -receive any visits; make no change in the order which I have -established in our household, so that no one may notice that I am -absent! And always tell everyone that I am coming back in the course of -the day." - -If the person who goes away knew how soon her injunctions are forgotten, -she would not take the trouble to repeat them so many times. It is not -always disinclination to comply with them on the part of those whom you -leave in your place; but when you give your instructions, you cannot at -the same time impart your habits, your intelligence, your rigidity, your -searching glance, your observant mind--in a word, your nature; and -everyone acts according to his nature. - -Landry, despite his moustaches and his surly manner, had a softer heart -than his wife; and then, too, this persistent watching, this making -one's self a spy upon one's daughter, is much more consonant with a -woman's habit than with a man's. Moreover, as the old soldier had not -the slightest doubt of his child's virtue, he did not understand why he -must be incessantly on his guard, as with a prisoner who is always -trying to escape. - -The first days that followed Dame Ragonde's departure brought about no -change in Bathilde's usual mode of life, for it did not occur to her to -ask leave to go out, and no one came to divert her. - -But one morning Ambroisine came to Landry's establishment, and was much -surprised to be able to reach Bathilde's room without meeting her -mother's sour face and hearing her say: - -"My daughter is busy; don't stay long, for it disturbs her." - -When she learned that her friend's mother was away from Paris, -Ambroisine uttered a cry of joy, and said to Bathilde: - -"What! you have been free for several days, and you haven't sent me word -or come to see me?" - -"You know very well that I never go out." - -"Because your mother is not willing; but when she is away----" - -"Oh! father wouldn't let me go out, either; mother is sure to have told -him not to!" - -"Well, I will bet that he would; I will bet that your father will not be -so strict, that he will understand that you have no pleasure, no -distraction at all, and that it is not fair that a poor girl should pass -her best days shut up in her room. Look you, I have a godmother, a nice -old woman, a farmer's wife, who lives in the village of Vincennes. I -never have time to go there, nor does my father; and yet Mère -Moulineau--that is my godmother--often sends us little cheeses and -cream, and begs us to come to see her. The poor woman is old and infirm -and can't come to Paris. Every day, I say to father: 'To-morrow I will -go to see my godmother Moulineau;' and he says: 'Go, my child.'--Well, -Bathilde, if you like, I will take you with me, and we will sleep at -godmother's. Ah! she will give us a warm welcome; she will be so glad to -see me!" - -"Oh! father wouldn't allow me to sleep away from our house." - -"After all, perhaps you would find it tiresome at my godmother's.--By -the way, it just occurs to me--the day after to-morrow is the day for -the Fire of Saint-Jean on Place de Grève. Father has promised to take me -there; I have never seen it, and they say it's beautiful; will you come -with us?" - -"Will I! Why, you know very well that I should be overjoyed--I who know -nothing and have never seen anything. But I shall never dare to ask -father to let me go; he would refuse." - -"Perhaps so, if you asked him; but if my father, his friend, his -comrade, should undertake the mission----" - -"Your father! do you think that he would be willing to ask him that?" - -"Why not? Father is kind-hearted, he loves me dearly, he sees no harm in -his daughter having a little enjoyment sometimes. When it is a -respectable kind of pleasure, where is the harm? Because one enjoys -one's self a little, does that prevent one from behaving decently. Never -fear--I will send him here, to your father, to-morrow, and the day after -to-morrow you will come with us." - -"Oh! if it might be true!" - -"I have made up my mind, and it shall be. I have a will of my own, you -see!" - -And in fact, on the day following this interview, Master Hugonnet, to -gratify his daughter's wish, betook himself to his confrère Landry's -shop, and, while emptying a jug of wine with him, said: - -"I have a request to make of you, comrade." - -"Speak; you know that if I can be of service to you in any way, I am at -your disposal--I and my old blade, which is still serviceable at need!" - -"Oh! I know the worth of your blade and the strength of your arm, but -there is no question of them in what I have to ask.--You know that my -girl is a friend of yours, that it is her greatest joy to be with -her--for they have known each other a number of years; they were -children when their acquaintance began; but now they are big girls, and -their friendship has grown like their bodies!" - -While Master Hugonnet was speaking, Landry played with his moustache, -but did not frown. - -"I know all that," he said at last, when his friend paused to take a -drink. "Well! what then?" - -"Well! I myself seize every opportunity that presents itself to provide -my daughter with a little pleasure; for Ambroisine deserves it! The -wench keeps my house in fine shape! she has brains and activity and -character! She's a good girl, I tell you, and doesn't let the coxcombs -and gallants, no, nor the grands seigneurs themselves,--and many of them -come to my shop, God knows!--talk nonsense to her. When they try to be -too free in their manners with Ambroisine--jernidié! she has a tongue -and nails, and a stout fist. You should see how she makes them dance!" - -"She does well. But what then?" - -"Why, to-morrow is the ceremony of the Fire of Saint-Jean on Place de -Grève; Ambroisine has never seen it, so she asked me to take her there, -and I promised; but she told me, too, that she would be much happier if -her young friend Bathilde could come with us, because she knew it would -be a great pleasure for your daughter, who--who--who has none too many! -You see, comrade, it isn't right to work all the time and never have any -amusement; on the contrary, when one is young is when one should enjoy -one's self. We old fellows still make merry once in a way, when we have -an opportunity; and then, after all, where's the harm in a young girl -having a little amusement, when it's with the knowledge of her parents -and under their eyes? To cut it short, comrade, the purpose of all this -is to ask you to confide your daughter Bathilde to me to-morrow, in the -latter part of the afternoon, so that I may take her with Ambroisine to -see the Fire of Saint-Jean; unless you will come with us, which would be -much better." - -As he listened to this request from his old friend, the ex-trooper's -brow became clouded, and he caressed his gray moustache for a long while -before replying: - -"But, you see, I promised Ragonde not to let Bathilde go out." - -"Alone! I understand that; but won't she be as safe with me and my -daughter as with you? Come, come! jernidié! let us not be so strict with -our children; if our parents had always been so with us, it wouldn't -have tended to make us worship them." - -"Well!" Landry said at last, after a moment's hesitation; "come -to-morrow and fetch Bathilde; I will try to join you later." - -You know now by what concatenation of circumstances Bathilde found -herself on Ambroisine's arm on the square where the Fire of Saint-Jean -was to be celebrated. - - - - -XVIII - -THE CROWD - - -"I say, Bahuchet! come this way; we can see the show explode much -better!" - -"Just wait, Plumard; before I can pass, this lady in front of me will -have to move; and her equilibrium is stable, I tell you! Once planted, -she's like the tower of Notre-Dame! there's no way of moving her." - -"What's that you say, blackguards, ne'er-do-wells, miserable little -Basochians! You come here to insult ladies! you're good for nothing -else! The idea of moving for such gentry!" - -"Oh! mon Dieu! madame seems to be getting excited! because she has a -fine new petticoat with fal-lals on it, and a silver buckle on her -belt!--I say, Plumard, I thought there was an edict providing that only -strumpets and pickpockets might wear gold or silver on their clothes?" - -"Oh, yes! an edict of Henri IV. But perhaps this stout lady is within -her rights!" - -"Ah! you little villains, if the watch was passing, I'd have you -apprehended!" - -"Oho! the watch!" - -"Aha! apprehended! she must be an attorney's wife." - -"Don't push me, or I'll box your ears!" - -"If you don't choose to be pushed here, you should come in a sedan -chair." - -"Or on your husband's mule." - -"With his junior clerk.--Well! I must pass, all the same." - -"You are treading on my foot, monsieur!" - -"Why do you put your feet on the ground? in a crowd like this, you -should stand on the air or perch on your neighbors." - -"Oh! look yonder, Bahuchet! there's a lady with a mask!" - -"Because she is ugly; that is why she doesn't choose to show her face." - -"Or else she is here on the sly." - -"Look you! I prefer to look at the faces of those two little hussies in -blue caps." - -"Yes, they are very pretty; but I know them by sight; they come here to -meet a couple of pages; I often meet them walking with their lovers on -the Pré-aux-Clercs." - -"I say, Plumard, do you know whether they are going to broil any cats in -the fire to-night?" - -"Why, no; don't you see that there isn't a single basket hung on the -great tree?" - -"Well, if they have stopped burning cats, there's no more sport! That's -the way that all our noblest customs are being allowed to fall into -decay! If I had known that, I'd have brought a bag of mice!" - -"Do you sell mice?" - -"No; but my landlord is very fond of them, for his house is always full; -I believe he eats them." - -The two young blades who were conversing thus in the midst of the crowd -as unconcernedly as if they were alone were two attorney's clerks, but -of the class that one meets more frequently in the streets, in front of -shops and open-air theatres, than in the employer's office; genuine -idlers, who, in the excitement of playing a joke on some passer-by, -entirely forget the errand on which they have been sent, important -though it may be, and who always remain under clerks, unless their -parents have the means to buy them an office. - -Bahuchet was very short--less than four feet nine; he had a wretched -figure, in addition to his shortness, and an ugly face as well; his -forehead was low, his too retroussé nose displayed two nostrils of -enormous size, which played a very important rôle in his countenance; -his mouth was too wide and his eyes too narrow; but in those small eyes -there was an intelligent and mocking expression, which his cunning smile -intensified. - -Monsieur Bahuchet, albeit he was always disposed to laugh at other -people, took in very bad part the jests that were aimed at his person; -he lost his temper very easily. As a general rule, short men are much -more choleric than tall ones; why? Rabelais will give you the -explanation, which I dare not quote here. - -Plumard, Bahuchet's friend and usual companion, measured just the five -feet necessary for military service; but beside his comrade he -considered himself a fine figure of a man, and ostentatiously looked -down on him. - -Monsieur Plumard, while he was not handsome, was less ugly than -Bahuchet; he had a nose of respectable appearance; an ordinary mouth, -but of modest dimensions; and his eyes, level with his face, might have -attracted attention by their size had it not been that they did so first -of all by the utter idiocy of their expression. But all that did not -prevent Monsieur Plumard from esteeming himself a very good-looking -youth. - -There was something, however, that poisoned the enjoyment of this -diminutive Apollo; his hair did not correspond with his other physical -advantages. At the age of twenty-seven, the young clerk of the Basoche, -who had never possessed more than a few scanty locks, saw with dismay -that that scant supply was diminishing; an affection of the skin had -already caused three-fourths of it to drop out. He had for a long time -flattered himself that it would grow again, but he found that even the -little that remained was growing less. - -In vain did the clerk rub himself--in default of pomades, which were -then very expensive--with all the greasy substances that he thought -capable of restoring the fertility of his scalp; the fatal round spot, -having appeared on the summit of his head, had grown so much larger, and -the brow had so extended its limits, that Monsieur Plumard was almost -bald. - -The result was that he wore almost always the small cap, in the shape of -a hood, which the clerks of the Basoche then affected, and removed it -only when he was absolutely obliged to do so. - -Bahuchet, who knew his comrade from top to toe, and knew that his hair -was the subject on which his self-esteem was most sensitive, often -amused himself by attacking him at that point. It was not very manly; -but Plumard retaliated by jeering at his comrade's small stature and his -nose. Thus the two friends were quits, if we may call two persons -friends who continually make fun of each other. But I am inclined to -think that we may, for those who call themselves friends nowadays behave -in much the same way. - -"Are you in a good place, Bathilde? Can you see the pile?" Ambroisine -asked her young friend, who had not eyes enough to look about the -square, which was lighted by a vast number of torches which the -shopkeepers had placed in front of their shops, and by lanterns which -had been brought there by order of the lieutenant of police. - -"Yes, yes, my dear Ambroisine, I am all right; I can see enough. I see -so many things! all these people, all these costumes--it all seems so -strange to me! Oh! but it is amusing!" - -"If you like, children," said Master Hugonnet, "we might go somewhere -and sit at a table? At one of yonder wine shops, we should have a very -comfortable place to wait for the fire, and you would be sitting down, -at all events, instead of standing all the time." - -"Oh, no! my dear father, I see what you are aiming at--you would like -something to drink. Upon my word! that would be very nice! When you have -two girls to take care of, you don't drink, father--do you hear?" - -"Ah! you would have me catch the pip, then?--And to think that devil of -a Landry promised to join us! To be sure, he may be on the square; I -should like to see anyone find an acquaintance in a mob like this! If we -could find him, he would relieve me for a while. This crowd causes a -heat that--that makes one thirsty." - -"Ah! sandis! what a pleasant meeting! 'Tis the haughty Ambroisine, with -her worthy father, whom I see before me!" - -"Oho! it is Monsieur le Chevalier Passedix!" replied Ambroisine, as the -long, lean gentleman planted himself in front of her. "Have you also -come to see the Fire of Saint-Jean?" - -"Ah! little do I care for these celebrations. The fire that burns in the -depths of my heart would eclipse all possible Saint-Jeans. Do not be -alarmed, cruel girl! it is no longer to you that those words are -addressed. You spurned me, and I have carried elsewhere my sighs and my -prayers!" - -"Oh! I know it, monsieur le chevalier, and I congratulate you." - -"You know it? Ah, yes! I remember; you even know for whom I sigh. You -know Miretta?" - -"Do I know her! Oh! she is my friend, too. I am very fond of her! She -has shown such gratitude to me for the trivial service I rendered! She -comes to see me now and then." - -"Pardieu! I know it. The little one doesn't take a step without my -knowledge, without having me at her heels!" - -"She told me so, monsieur le chevalier, and I warn you that she dislikes -it extremely. She has said to me several times: 'If that tall, thin, -yellow man continues to follow me as soon as I set foot in the street, I -shall be obliged to tell him that he is wasting his time and his -steps.'" - -"Ha! ha! ha! First of all, I will wager that Miretta did not say: 'that -tall, thin, yellow man'; those are your own words, cruel tongue! Oh! I -know women! They complain when we follow them; but they would be sorely -disappointed if we did not follow them!" - -"Well! try to disappoint Miretta; that will gratify her." - -"I hoped to meet her here.--Bigre! I had not noticed; you have a most -charming young lady on your arm!" - -"Is she not? This is Bathilde, my closest friend. I suppose, of course, -that you will at once fall in love with her too?" - -"Oh, no! it is all over with me! You judge me ill, fair Ambroisine; I -have given my heart to Miretta! For her alone do I propose henceforth to -perform doughty deeds.--Sandis! what in the devil is this slipping -between my legs like a lizard? Is it a man? is it an eel?" - -"Don't disturb yourself, seigneur," replied Bahuchet; "I have got -through. You must understand that I couldn't remain behind you; you are -as tall as a giant!" - -"And you are a dwarf, apparently! Ought atoms to be allowed in the -crowd? Someone will crush you without noticing it, my little fellow!" - -"Ouiche! I won't allow myself to be flattened out without saying -_beware_!--I say, Plumard! do you hear this long asparagus stalk, who -thinks that I am to be crushed like a grain of salt?" - -Plumard was a few feet away, gazing at Bathilde, and apparently -speechless with admiration. - -"Plumard! Plumard! _ubi es_?--Ah! there he is!--Why don't you answer? -What's the matter with you, pray? One would say that you were changed -into a wooden man!" - -Plumard simply motioned with his head, calling his comrade's attention -to the fascinating girl. Whereupon Bahuchet looked at Bathilde and said, -with a wink: - -"Ah! famous! that's famous!--You see, Plumard, when I see such an -attractive young woman, I begin by saluting her, to show my respect. Do -as I do." - -And Monsieur Bahuchet took off his cap to Bathilde, who paid no -attention to him. - -But Plumard, who did not choose to uncover his head, made an impatient -gesture and moved a little farther away, muttering: - -"I have a cold in my head." - -From time to time Ambroisine turned, and her eyes seemed to seek someone -in that multitude, made up of people of all ranks and classes, who -seemed to have appointed to meet on Place de Grève. - -"Do you see Landry?" Master Hugonnet asked his daughter, who shook her -head, murmuring: - -"No, father, no, I don't see Monsieur Landry." - -But was it Landry for whom she was looking? Was it not rather Miretta, -who had told her that she too would try to go to see the Fire of -Saint-Jean? Indeed, I would not swear that the _belle baigneuse_ was not -looking for someone else, for there was in her eyes a certain expression -that might have aroused the suspicions of a jealous husband. - -"Well! aren't they going to light the fire this evening? Are they going -to make us wait till Saint-Martin's? I say! Plumard! Plumard! are you -still playing the wooden man?" - -"Come here, Bahuchet; this is a much better place, it's nearer the -fire." - -"What! do you dare to go so near as that? Look out, Plumard! the flame -may singe your hair. Give me a lock first; I am sure that before long it -will bring a high price, your hair! and, even so, everyone won't get it -who would like some of it." - -"You have forgotten something, Bahuchet!" - -"What is that?" - -"The two corks that you put in your nose when you go out on a windy -night. Look out! there's a man with a torch beside you; don't turn, your -nose would blow it out." - -"Ah! Monsieur Plumard is pleased to be sarcastic.--However, you have a -right to swagger; you know that I won't take you by the hair." - -"Wait! just wait! I will give you a drubbing, you miserable dwarf!" - -The two clerks approached to exchange blows; but as the Chevalier -Passedix was between them, they used him as a rampart behind which to -shelter themselves, and that rampart received many of the blows which -the young gentlemen intended for each other. - -"Sandioux! here are two rascals fighting between my legs now! Have you -nearly finished, pygmies? If you force me to draw Roland from its -sheath, I promise you that you will both be spitted like starlings!" - -The two clerks, trying to run away in order to escape the effects of the -Gascon's wrath, collided with two women from the market, who pushed them -away with so much force that Monsieur Plumard fell to the ground, and, -to put the finish to his misfortunes, he lost his cap in the fall, so -that that youthful head was disclosed to view, already almost bald, -having only a narrow band of vegetation left, just above the ears. - -A general laugh arose, and the merriment was increased by the furious -manner in which the unfortunate clerk ran through the crowd on all -fours, looking between every pair of legs, and shouting: - -"My cap! my cap! don't step on it!" - - - - -XIX - -TWO MEN ON ALL FOURS - - -Ambroisine laughed like the rest when she saw Monsieur Plumard's bald -head. She turned toward her friend, to see if she had noticed that -sight; but she was thunderstruck by the strange expression presented by -Bathilde's face at that moment. - -The charming girl seemed happy and confused at the same time. Her eyes, -half lowered, but in such wise that she could look out of the corners, -were more brilliant than usual. Her cheeks wore a deeper flush, her -mouth was half open in a smile. All this was not natural; and -Ambroisine, with the knowledge that she possessed of the human heart, -tried to discover what could cause her friend's emotion. Thereupon -Master Hugonnet's daughter saw at Bathilde's left a young man wrapped in -a cloak, his head covered by a broad-brimmed hat adorned with waving -plumes, and beneath that hat a very comely face, haughty and -distinguished, but most seductive when it chose to take the trouble, and -that is what it was doing at that moment. - -"Mon Dieu! it is Comte Léodgard!" said Ambroisine to herself, as she -recognized the young man who held Bathilde as if fascinated by the -eloquence of his glance; and almost instantly, as if she divined the -danger that threatened her friend, she seized her arm and shook it, -saying: - -"Well, well! what is the matter? what are you thinking about, Bathilde? -I speak to you, and you do not answer!" - -"I, Ambroisine? oh! forgive me! I did not hear you." - -"You seem confused, excited; has anyone been pushing you or incommoding -you? would you like to take my other arm?" - -"Oh, no! no! nobody has troubled me; nothing is the matter." - -"But I say that there is; it is that young gentleman beside you, who -keeps his eyes on you all the time! It is intolerable, isn't it?" - -"Oh! it doesn't trouble me; just look at him, Ambroisine, without -seeming to; you will see what a handsome man that gentleman is." - -"I don't need to look at him again; I know him perfectly well!" - -"You know him?" - -Before Ambroisine had had time to reply, Léodgard, who had recognized -the _belle baigneuse_ in her whose arm was passed through that of the -girl who had taken his fancy, quickly stepped toward her and accosted -her with his most affable air: - -"Hail to the fair Ambroisine! Ah! and Master Hugonnet too! Really, this -Fire of Saint-Jean is a delightful ceremony; one makes pleasant meetings -here, and I congratulate myself that I came!" - -"Your servant, Monsieur le Comte Léodgard! You are very glad that you -came, perhaps; but, faith! I can't say as much. I have to stay here to -watch these two girls--impossible to go to quench my thirst. I don't -find it amusing, myself!" - -"Why, my good Hugonnet, if you are anxious to take something, intrust -your daughter and her young friend to me for a few moments; I promise -you, on my honor, that they will be as safe as with you." - -Master Hugonnet, who was exceedingly thirsty, seemed to hesitate a -moment; but his daughter squeezed his arm tightly and whispered: - -"Surely, father, you will not listen to that suggestion! you will not -leave two young girls with the Comte de Marvejols, who is so notorious -as a rake and a seducer! with his pretty speeches! If I were alone, I -could defend myself; for, as you know, this gentleman tried to make -love to me once, and I gave him such a reception that he never tried it -again. But Bathilde, who knows nothing of the world, who is likely to -believe whatever anyone tells her--Bathilde, whom her father placed in -your care, because you promised him that she should not run any -risk--oh! you won't intrust her to this young nobleman!" - -"No, no! you are right, my child! I will not leave you," replied the -bath keeper, whom his daughter's words had caused to reflect. "You talk -sensibly; it would be imprudent, especially with the Comte de -Marvejols." - -"Oh! yes, father!" - -"All the same, Landry might have joined us!" - -While father and daughter conversed thus in undertones, Léodgard did not -take his eyes from Bathilde, whose beauty had made a profound impression -on him. She had begun to tremble when she heard the name of Léodgard de -Marvejols, for she instantly remembered all that Ambroisine had said to -her touching that young nobleman. The terrifying portrait that she had -drawn of him was well adapted to take from Bathilde any wish to look at -him again. But, on the contrary, whether from a spirit of contradiction, -or from mere curiosity, or from that desire to learn which has so much -potency in woman's heart, all the evil that one may say to them of a man -will never induce them to shun his presence, and their eyes will seek -him in preference to any other. - -Léodgard saw that his proposition was not accepted; but what did it -matter to him? Place de Grève belonged to everybody. If that fascinating -girl remained there, he would remain by her side; if she went away, he -would follow her. So that his face wore a pleasant smile as he addressed -Master Hugonnet again: - -"Well, my good man, you do not answer me? Is it because you no longer -feel the inclination to take a little walk to one of the nearby wine -shops?" - -"Oh! no, monsieur le comte; I should lie if I said that it was the -inclination that was lacking; but I cannot do it; for monsieur le comte -himself well knows that I ought not to intrust two young girls to him. -No, thanks! one might as well put two lambs in the custody of a fox!" - -"Eh! why so, Hugonnet? Is it because of the little dispute we had some -time ago? But you see that I have forgotten all about it. Besides, I was -in the wrong; I admit it.--Oh! I am not one of those men who will not -hear reason; look you--in those days I was a good-for-nothing fellow--a -roisterer, a libertine! But since then I have turned over a new leaf. If -you but knew how virtuous I am now!" - -"I congratulate you, seigneur; it must be a great source of satisfaction -to monsieur le marquis, your father." - -Léodgard concealed a faint smile, and his glance rested sweetly on -Bathilde's face, who, although she kept her eyes on the ground, did not -lose a word of what was said. - -"Yes, my good Hugonnet, yes, my father felicitates himself now on having -a son who is radically cured of his evil tastes; who no longer cudgels -the watch, drives peaceful citizens to frenzy, raises the deuce with -tradesmen, and, above all things, who no longer talks nonsense to every -woman he sees! For, as to that----" - -"Cadédis! the assemblage is becoming most select! Here is our dear Comte -Léodgard de Marvejols!" - -"Ah! is it you, Chevalier Passedix?" - -"Myself, who deeply regretted my inability to join the jovial party with -you and your friends and divers charming ladies, the day before -yesterday. Ah! you rascal! I fancy that you enjoyed yourselves!--Cards, -wine, women! You always were the king of kings for handling such -affairs. It seems that everybody was drunk the next morning; there was -fighting, and a general scandal; and the ladies were taken to the -Repenties! That is what I call sport!" - -"May the devil fly away with you, you long-legged idiot!" muttered -Léodgard, turning his head away, while Ambroisine nudged Bathilde and -whispered: - -"Do you hear? That is how he has turned virtuous, how he has reformed, -the scapegrace! That is how he turns over a new leaf!" - -"Mon Dieu! Ambroisine, what difference does it make to me? You say that -as if it interested me." - -"Well! he stared at you so! And then, you think him good-looking." - -"I think him so, because he is. But what does that prove? Are you going -to scold me now because that young gentleman looked at me? Is it my -fault?" - -"Scold you, dear Bathilde! oh, no! But, you see, it is my duty to look -after you, as if I were your older sister; for we made ourselves -responsible for you to your father, and I should not want any misfortune -to happen to you; it would seem to me as if I were the cause." - -"Misfortune! Mon Dieu! what misfortune do you dread for me?" - -Ambroisine dared not reply. Suddenly the Chevalier Passedix stood on -tiptoe and exclaimed: - -"Sandioux! she is over there! I see her in the light of a torch. She is -a Venus, the little dear! By Roland! I must join her, even though I have -to push this whole crowd out of my way!" - -And the tall Gascon, beginning at once to work his arms and legs like a -windmill, forced aside all those who stood in his path, and soon reached -that part of the square where Miretta had stopped. - -Ambroisine followed Passedix with her glance, and she also spied her new -friend in the crowd at some distance; but in order to join her she would -have had to plunge into the midst of the mob that separated them and to -give up the good places they had secured; and Master Hugonnet had -declared that he would not stir. Ambroisine tried in vain, by raising -her arms and making signs, to attract Miretta's attention. - -Nevertheless, Cédrille's pretty cousin turned her eyes in every -direction. Surely she too was looking for someone; but was it her friend -Ambroisine? - -Suddenly Miretta felt a hand on her arm, and a shrill voice exclaimed: - -"Ah! sandis! so I have found you at last, O my goddess! I was seeking -you, I will not say _per montes et vitulos_, but among all the groups of -pretty women. Will you do me the honor to accept my arm?" - -Miretta assumed a stern expression and answered curtly: - -"No, monsieur, I will not accept your arm; and since I meet you here, I -will take the opportunity to tell you that you are wasting your time by -following me constantly, that your obstinacy in pursuing me is most -annoying to me----" - -"Eh! cadédis! the little one plays the haughty dame! So you refuse my -homage--and this is the way you acknowledge the services I rendered you, -ingrate! I, who saved you from the most imminent danger! Your cousin -Cédrille did me more justice! I was his friend, his faithful companion. -I am very sorry that he has returned to Pau; he would have spoken to you -in my behalf." - -"Cédrille would not have encouraged your undertakings, monsieur le -chevalier; he knew too well that you had nothing to hope from me. I do -not know whether he had reason to congratulate himself on having taken -you for a comrade, but I know very well that he made only a very brief -stay in Paris, and that he went away with a black eye, saying that he -had had enough of the capital and that he had not enjoyed himself here -at all.--However, monsieur, if you did take up my defence when I was -insulted, it seems to me that you should not regret it; it was your duty -as a man of honor. But I do not consider that it gave you the right to -spy upon my every movement and to be always at my heels." - -The Gascon chevalier was cut to the quick, and the firm and decided tone -in which Miretta had answered him added to his irritation; for a woman's -voice, while it may sometimes soften the most severe words, is no less -able to impart greater bitterness to the simplest rebuke. In all things, -it is the tone that makes the music. - -The tone adopted by the pretty brunette exasperated Passedix; he ran his -fingers through his beard and tried to sneer, as he muttered: - -"Ah! so that's the way it is! so we choose to adopt that tone! By -Roland! it is very pretty! And it is a paltry serving maid--a -lady's-maid--a mere fille de chambre, who indulges in these manners of a -grand duchess, when I condescend to honor her by letting my glance rest -on her back hair! Ah! my love, beware! I have never met any cruel -charmers--especially among your kind--and if you do not take my arm, I -am capable----" - -"Capable of what?" demanded a young man, dressed as a simple mechanic, -who had suddenly stepped between Miretta and Passedix, at the latter of -whom he gazed fixedly, while forcing him back several steps with his -left arm. - -"What business is it of yours, clown, who presume to question me? I find -you exceedingly bold! Knave! stand aside instantly, or I unsheathe----" - -And the Gascon chevalier, crimson with wrath, was already standing on -guard, with his right hand on the hilt of Roland; while Miretta, having -glanced at the young man who had come to her rescue, uttered an -exclamation of surprise, while her eyes beamed with joy and delight. - -"I will not stand aside, unless it is mademoiselle's pleasure to accept -my arm and leave this crowd which is pressing upon her," rejoined the -new-comer. - -"You! take this little one away from under my nose--from my very beard! -You shall die ten deaths first!" - -And Passedix instantly drew Roland from its sheath. The sight of that -bare sword waving in the midst of the crowd made the women shriek and -the children weep; but before he who held it could make use of it the -young man's hand seized the chevalier's wrist and squeezed it with such -force that the fingers opened and the sword fell to the ground. - -"Sandioux! I know that grip; I have felt it before somewhere!" cried -Passedix. "Disarm me! Shame! that is unfair! it is treachery!" - -But while the Gascon shouted, and shook his benumbed arm, the -_soi-disant_ mechanic took Miretta's arm and disappeared with her in the -crowd. - -At that moment loud cries arose on all sides; the great pile had been -set on fire. Thereupon the crowd swayed hither and thither, some trying -to draw nearer the fire in order to see better, others to move away -because they were afraid. - -A powerful wave carried Passedix ten or fifteen yards away from the spot -where his sword had fallen. Thereupon he began to whine and lament in -the midst of the crowd, these words being distinguishable: - -"Look out, my friends! In the name of what you hold most dear, do not -step on it! If it is broken, I shall not survive; I shall bury the -fragments in my heart!" - -But the multitude, engrossed by what it had come to see, paid no heed to -the cries and groans and entreaties of the unhappy chevalier, who -struggled in vain to return to the place where he had lost Roland, and -who before long had no idea himself in which direction it was. - -This lasted until the fire died out. - -As soon as it was entirely extinct, the crowd scattered; everyone -returned home discussing the pleasure he had had, and some looking -forward to that which the evening promised them. - -Soon nobody was left on the square except two men, one very short, the -other quite tall, both of whom were on their hands and knees searching -in every corner, one for his cap, the other for his sword. Suddenly -they came nose to nose, or rather head to head, in that occupation. - -"Are you helping me to look for it!" Passedix asked the clerk of the -Basoche; "thanks, my boy, that is very amiable on your part. If you find -it, I will give you six deniers; I have received some funds from my -family." - -"If I find it, I don't want your deniers!" rejoined Plumard, in a surly -tone. "It is mine, my own property, and if you find it you will have to -give it to me; don't think for a moment that I will let you keep it!" - -"What is the little fellow chattering about? If you find it, you propose -to keep it? Why, you are mad, my dear fellow! What would you do with it, -pray? It is twice too long for you; you could not even wear it." - -"I couldn't wear it! that's a good one, that is! On the contrary, it -fits me like an angel; while you don't need it, for you have a cap on -your head." - -"Why should my cap prevent me from wearing it, fool that you are?" - -"Do you mean to say that you would put it on over your cap? That would -look very pretty! At all events, it's my property." - -"Hold your tongue, you little thief! just let me find it and I'll punish -you with it!" - -The two worthies who had had this altercation, being still on all fours, -were about to rush at each other like two frantic cats, when a third -personage appeared on the scene, laughing and singing. It was Bahuchet, -with long Roland in his hand, twirling his comrade's cap at the end of -the blade. - -"I say! you fellows! here's a find! the cap is mine, and the sword is -mine!" - -At sight of the objects they were seeking, Passedix and Plumard rose -spontaneously and pounced upon them. The former seized his sword, the -latter his cap, which he pulled over his eyes, and ran away at full -speed. The chevalier replaced Roland in its sheath, and then he strode -rapidly away. - -Bahuchet, left alone in the square, looked after them and said to -himself: - -"Well! they are very polite! they did not so much as thank me!" - - - - -XX - -THE ROSEBUSH - - -A week after the memorable night on which the Fire of Saint-Jean -attracted so many people to Place de Grève and gave rise to so many -adventures, one evening, just at nightfall, a young man enveloped in a -brown cloak was walking on Rue Dauphine in front of Landry the bath -keeper's house, toward which he glanced every minute, scrutinizing with -especial care a window on the first floor, with a jutting balcony, on -which could be seen a superb rosebush covered with flowers and buds. -And as, when one is looking in the air, one does not see before one's -face, the young man suddenly collided with a person who was walking -along the street at a rapid pace. - -"Ten thousand devils! be careful! can you not see where you are going?" - -"Par le mordieu! you had only to look, yourself!" - -"That voice! why, it is the young Comte de Marvejols!" - -"Ah! it is the Sire de Jarnonville. Pray excuse me; but I was too -distraught to see you. I am waiting--I am watching." - -"Very good; I understand; you are _en bonne fortune_--there is some new -intrigue on the carpet?" - -"A new intrigue, yes; but _en bonne fortune_--not yet. Oh! it will be a -hard task; there are great obstacles; but I must come out of it with -credit to myself!" - -"Are there blows to be dealt, sword thrusts to be exchanged? Do you need -me to cudgel someone? to break down a door or to scale a wall?" - -"Thanks, Jarnonville, thanks; but my intrigue must be carried on quietly -and without fighting.--It has to do with a young and pretty girl! Oh! -the word _pretty_ falls far short of describing her! She is an -enchanting creature, an angel of innocence and beauty, whom I met by -chance, a week ago, at the Fire of Saint-Jean. She was with Ambroisine -and her father--you know whom I mean, the bath keeper on Rue -Saint-Jacques?" - -"Yes, Master Hugonnet.--Well?" - -"It was impossible to talk with the girl, for Ambroisine watched her -like a duenna! But I saw that my aspect did not displease her; she -blushed, and lowered her eyes. Her head is worthy of Titian's brush. Ah! -I am mad over her!--You will understand that I did not lose sight of -that adorable girl! After the fire, they left the square; I followed -them and found that they brought that angel to this house. She is the -daughter of Landry, the bath keeper; I tell you this in confidence, -Jarnonville, because I know that you will not try to rob me of my -conquest." - -"I! oh, no! My heart is closed henceforth to all such tender sentiments; -it no longer knows aught but regret and grief!" - -As he spoke, the Black Chevalier let his head sink on his breast. - -"Come, come, Jarnonville! do not abandon yourself constantly to your sad -memories; you are still young; my word for it, you may again see happy -days!--But let me finish my story: - -"The next day I went boldly to Master Hugonnet's shop. Ambroisine had -surprised me with my eyes fixed on her friend; I did not choose to feign -with her, so I asked her about her pretty companion of the preceding -night. She received me very harshly, as I expected; she told me that I -would have nothing to show for my sighs, my amorous enterprises; that -Bathilde--that is the divine creature's name--that Bathilde never went -out; that it was an exceptional event, her going to see the fire the -night before; but that her father and mother kept watch over her day and -night as their most precious treasure--in fact, the haughty _baigneuse_ -went so far as to read me a lecture. She told me that it would be -frightful in me to think of seducing so much innocence and -simplicity.--Poor Ambroisine! she did not realize that the more she -expatiated on Bathilde's virtue, the more she increased my desire to -possess her.--But I think that you are not listening, Jarnonville." - -"I beg pardon; go on." - -"I left Ambroisine, swearing that I would respect her friend, and I came -at once to this street and began to do sentry duty here. For two days I -saw no sign of the girl. I entered the baths--nothing. I was shaved in -the shop--still nothing--no Bathilde. At last, three days ago, the -window looking on yonder balcony opened, and a young woman appeared -carrying a pot of flowers. She placed it carefully where it is now.--It -was she, it was Bathilde. But had she seen me pacing the street? had she -recognized me? That was something that I could not know; but the sight -of her gave me hope. That beautiful rosebush had never been at that -window; to place it on the balcony was to afford herself an excuse for -coming there again. And, in fact, a few hours after the rosebush was -placed there, the sweet girl appeared again and examined her flowers -with much care. Never was a rosebush more scrupulously cleaned. She did -not look at me while she was thus engaged, but I was certain that she -saw me. Now and then a furtive glance was cast in my direction; but as -it always met mine, she hastened to turn her head away.--However, since -that day Bathilde continues to tend her flowers, to water them, to come -several times a day to look at them. At first, I sent her kisses; -yesterday, I did better--I wrote a few words, rolled the note around a -stone, and, after dark, seizing a moment when no one was passing through -the street, I tossed it on the balcony. I am certain that she picked it -up, for the stone is no longer there. But to-day she has not once -appeared at the window; the rosebush has been pitilessly neglected! Is -it to punish me for writing to her? Is it to make me understand that she -does not share my love, that I must renounce all hope? Oh, no! that is -impossible! I read that charming girl's eyes, her whole expression; she -has not yet learned the art of concealing what she feels. I noticed her -cheeks flush when she saw me, her lovely eyes kindle with a brighter -light, a gleam of joy illumine her face!--Oh! she loves me! she loves -me, Jarnonville! And she will be mine!" - -The Black Chevalier had listened to Léodgard with a gloomy expression; -when the young man had finished his story, he shook his head, saying: - -"I do not like this business of seducing young girls! There is at the -root of the whole matter something that offends and oppresses the heart. -Tell me of a deceived husband, of a jealous rival, of a cruel guardian, -if you please. In such cases there is some danger, some risk to be run; -there are often sword thrusts or dagger thrusts to be received or -exchanged.--You fight, and that occupies, distracts, the mind. But in -this instance! seduction! desertion! To make a poor creature weep who -has not had the power to defend herself!" - -"Ha! ha! ha! On my word, my dear Jarnonville, I cannot help laughing to -listen to you! What! is it really you, the bully, the miscreant, the man -who believes in nothing--for that is what you are called--who shed tears -over the fate of a girl, because I propose to make love to her, and she -is likely to hear me? A terrible catastrophe, truly!--How does it happen -that you, whose heart, as you have just told me, is closed henceforth to -all tender sentiments; that you who have taken the world in hatred and -who look upon existence as a burden; who seek, in short, by doing ill to -others, to avenge yourself for the ill that destiny has done to -you--that you blame me for gratifying my passions at the risk of causing -a few tears to flow?" - -The Sire de Jarnonville drew his heavy eyebrows together and muttered -some words which Léodgard could not hear; then he raised his head -abruptly and said to the young count: - -"As I cannot be of any service to you here, I will leave you. Adieu! -good luck!" - -"Oh! I beg your pardon--another word, Jarnonville," cried Léodgard, -detaining the Black Chevalier. "I have a favor to ask of you--that is, -if you are in a position to grant it. I lost yesterday at brelan all -that I possessed; I have not a sou.--Money! money! When, in God's name, -shall I have enough to gratify my desires? to enjoy life? For there is -no enjoyment when one is constantly obliged to borrow, to have recourse -to usurers. I have been in such straits of late that my valet, that -knave Latournelle, has left me, on the pretext that I gambled away his -wages! I no longer have any servants, except my father's; but I prefer -to go without. That old villain Isaac Lehmann, the money lender, who -ordinarily supplies me with funds, is away from Paris at this moment. Do -you know another, Jarnonville? If so, will you give me his address; -especially as Isaac is beginning to make trouble about lending me any -more, although the old rascal knows well enough that he will be paid -sooner or later." - -"I thought that your father paid all your debts some time ago?" - -"Yes, and forbade me to incur any more. Ah! if he knew!--Why, he -threatened me with the Bastille!" - -"And that does not prevent your running in debt again?" - -"Can I live on the miserable allowance he gives me?--Well, Jarnonville, -do you know a money lender who may consent to help me at this moment?" - -"No, I do not know one, for I have never had any relations with those -gentry; but I have two hundred gold pieces about me bearing the effigy -of our monarch; I intended to play lansquenet to-night. Here is my -purse; if you would like it, it is at your disposal." - -"Faith! Jarnonville, it would be a great service to me; but I am afraid -of being importunate." - -"Not at all--take it." - -"And your game of lansquenet?" - -"If need be, I will play on credit; but, instead of going to La -Valteline's to gamble, I will go to Durfeuille the financier's, and get -drunk; that will be one way of employing my time." - -"Very well; in that case, I accept; but it is my duty to warn you that I -do not now know when I shall be able to repay this loan." - -"No matter! no matter! Do not worry about that; it is the least of my -anxieties. Adieu, count, adieu!" - -The Sire de Jarnonville walked rapidly away, without listening to his -debtor's thanks; and Léodgard placed the purse filled with gold in his -belt, saying to himself: - -"He has done me a great service. He's an original fellow, but he has his -good points.--When I have spent this money, what shall I do to get some -more?--But what am I thinking about? I have a well-lined purse upon me -and I am sighing for a lovely girl. Pardieu! this is not the time to -worry about the future! What disturbs me now is to see that window -remain closed. It has been dark a long while; can it be that Bathilde -will not come to the balcony?--Ah! it seems to me that I have never -loved a woman as I love her. How different she is from the coquettes of -the court! from our courtesans--aye, from our _petites bourgeoises_! The -purest innocence shines on that child's brow.--What bliss to teach her -what love is--to be the first to make her heart beat!--But she does not -appear!" - -Léodgard stamped his foot impatiently and began to pace the street, -without losing sight of the bath keeper's house. - -Let us see what Bathilde was doing at that moment. - -I need not tell you that on leaving the Place de Grève to return to her -home Landry's daughter had not failed to discover that the handsome -Comte de Marvejols was following her. She had not seemed to notice it, -she had not released her hold of Ambroisine's arm for an instant, she -had not turned her head; and yet she had seen that the young man was -following her. - -How had she done it? - -That is a mystery which I am unable to solve. I can simply assure you -that all women, young or old, from the most sophisticated to the most -innocent, possess that faculty. Probably it is the second-sight of the -Scotch, except that they have it in the back of the head. - -Bathilde returned to her little room, disturbed by a sentiment that was -entirely novel to her; her bosom rose and fell more rapidly, she felt -happier than she had ever felt. - -Was it her pride that was flattered, or her self-esteem? - -No; the sweet child did not as yet know either of those sentiments. - -It was something sweeter, more tender, which had found its way into her -heart with the fiery glances of the handsome cavalier, and against which -she had not known how to defend herself, for she was unaware of the -danger; it had not occurred to her that it was wrong to glance -occasionally at a comely youth who kept his eyes constantly fixed on -her. - -When she learned that the comely youth was Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, -the girl had felt perhaps a secret thrill of terror; but it had not -lasted--the young man's glances had soon dispelled it. - -Bathilde occupied a room that looked on a yard behind the house. It was -impossible for her to see from her window anything that took place in -the street. But since her mother had been absent, the girl had enjoyed -more liberty; so long as she avoided the baths, a place which it would -have been imprudent for her to frequent, she was free to range over the -whole first floor at her pleasure. Knowing that his daughter was in the -house, Landry asked nothing more. - -On the day following the Fire of Saint-Jean, Bathilde, although she did -not know why, could not keep still. She went in and out, from one room -to another, arranging the furniture, or rather disarranging it, in order -to have an excuse for putting it to rights again. - -In her peregrinations she visited most frequently a room at the front of -the house, which Dame Ragonde used as a linen closet; it was the room -with the balcony. Bathilde had put aside the curtain and glanced into -the street from time to time, without opening the window. She had soon -discovered the young seigneur of the preceding night walking back and -forth in front of the baths, and stopping frequently to scrutinize the -house from top to bottom. - -Bathilde had felt the blood rush to her cheeks, although no one could -have seen her put aside the curtain. She had left the window, but had -returned to it a moment later. - -"He is there!" she said to herself, trembling with excitement; "he is -still there! Mon Dieu! why does he keep looking at our house?" - -The little innocent guessed well enough why he did it; but there are -things which we do not choose to admit at once, even to ourselves, -especially when they give us pleasure; we are much less ceremonious with -those that make us unhappy. - -The next day, Bathilde did not fail to go early to the linen closet; she -resumed her manÅ“uvres of the day before, and looked into the street -after cautiously raising a corner of the curtain. - -This lasted four days, during which she saw the handsome cavalier almost -always in the street, gazing sadly at the windows, with his hand to his -heart, and probably sighing; she did not hear the sigh, but she divined -it. - -On the fifth day, she no longer had the heart to keep the window closed, -and yet she did not wish to appear on the balcony without a reason for -going there. - -Suddenly she remembered that she had a rosebush in her chamber, where, -by the way, it rarely received a ray of sunlight. - -She ran instantly to Master Landry and said: - -"Father, you know I have a lovely rosebush, which Ambroisine gave me two -years ago, on my birthday." - -"Very likely; what then?" - -"It is in my room, on the window sill, but I have just noticed that it's -dying, the leaves are turning yellow. It's because it doesn't get enough -air. The yard is so small, and then the steam from the baths is bad for -it, perhaps. I should be awfully sorry if it should die. Will you let me -put it on the balcony outside the window of the linen closet? There is -nothing there, so it won't be in the way; it will have the sun, and I am -sure that it will do better there." - -"Put your rosebush where you please, my child; what hinders you?" - -"Oh! thank you, father!" - -And Bathilde went away, pleased beyond words. Dame Ragonde would never -have allowed her to put a rosebush at a window on the front of the -house. A woman would have felt, divined, an intrigue therein. But the -old soldier saw nothing but a rosebush. - - - - -XXI - -LOVE TRAVELS FAST - - -Bathilde made haste to take advantage of the permission her father had -given her. - -Before carrying the rosebush to the balcony, she cast a glance at her -mirror. Was it coquetry? No. But the daughter of a master bath keeper -did not wish to show herself to the eyes of chance passers-by without -being quite sure that nothing was lacking in her dress. - -We know already that for three days the girl did not forget to visit the -balcony several times during the day, and even after dark, to make sure -that her beautiful rosebush needed nothing. Never was flower more -sedulously tended, never were rosebuds examined with such care; and -certainly no insect could have found a resting place on their stems, -unless it had shown the most determined obstinacy in returning thither. - -On the third day, or rather the third evening, Bathilde heard the stone -fall on the balcony, where she did not happen to be at the time, -although she was always close at hand. She instantly detected the paper -wrapped about the stone. Her first impulse was to rush out and pick it -up; but she reflected that he who had thrown it must still be in the -street, and that, if she picked up his note at once, she would show him -that she was there, watching behind the curtain. - -See how slyly even the most innocent can act sometimes! La Fontaine -tells us _how wit comes to young maids_; for my part, I believe that it -is all there as soon as they feel love for a man. - -Bathilde waited, therefore, until the evening was well advanced before -she stole noiselessly out and picked up the stone and the paper. Then -she hastened to her room and locked herself in, to read at her ease that -first love letter, which was destined to put the finishing touch to this -turmoil in her heart, and perhaps to cause her much suffering, and which -it would have been wiser for her not to read. - -But wisdom is often the fruit of experience, and Bathilde had had none. - -She opened Léodgard's letter with a trembling hand, and eagerly read -these words: - - "CHARMING BATHILDE: - - "Need I tell you that I love you, that from the moment I first saw - you your cherished image has not gone from my memory and my heart? - You must know who I am: your friend Ambroisine called me by name - before you, but she has slandered me if she has told you that I am - incapable of keeping my faith. - - "I shall love you always, Bathilde; because my love is sincere, - because you are the first woman who ever caused me to know a - genuine passion. - - "You will say, perhaps, that too great a distance separates us, - that my name, my rank, keep us apart.--But only tell me that you - love me a little, and I will find a way to remove all obstacles. - What does it matter to me in what station of life you were born? In - my eyes, you are far above the _grandes dames_ of the court. - - "My fortune, my name--I lay everything at your feet! Yes, before - God, I swear to take you for my wife! - - "But come to your balcony, do not fly at night when I come near; - and, in pity's name, grant a few moments' interview to one who will - die if you refuse to love him. - - "LÉODGARD DE MARVEJOLS." - -Such a loving, ardent note was certain to make great ravages in an -inexperienced heart, in a heart which was conscious of a craving to -love. Love travels fast when it follows an unbeaten path. - -Moreover, a secret sympathy drew the girl on; she too loved Léodgard. -Only an instant, a single glance, was necessary for that. - -Bathilde read and reread and read again the young count's letter; she -held it in her hand when she went to bed, she kept it against her heart -all night. Ah! a first love letter is such a priceless treasure! A woman -may receive many of them in the course of her life, but the others are -never worth so much as that one. - -The next morning Bathilde knew the letter by heart, and she said to -herself every instant: - -"He loves me! he will always love me! I am the first woman whom he has -ever really loved! My birth is no obstacle, he says; in that case, he -will ask my parents for my hand, and will marry me. What joy! how happy -I shall be! Not because I shall be a countess; what do I care for that? -But I shall be his wife! and I shall be able, in my turn, to tell him -that I love him!--But then, I must go out on the balcony to-night and -speak to him. Suppose I consult my father first, and show him this -letter? But perhaps he would scold me for receiving it and reading it -without his permission!" - -Bathilde was in dire perplexity, not knowing what she ought to do. But -her heart was bursting with joy and happiness because she knew that -Léodgard loved her. - -She was still hesitating about going to her window, when Ambroisine -suddenly appeared. - -The _belle baigneuse_ had not had time to visit her friend since the -Fire of Saint-Jean; and yet a secret presentiment told her that her -friendship was more than ever necessary to Bathilde. At last, she stole -a moment during the morning and hastened to Rue Dauphine; she ran up to -her friend's room and did not find her there; a servant told her that -her master's daughter passed almost all her time now in the linen -closet, and pointed it out to her. - -This change of habit surprised Ambroisine. However, she went to the -small room where Bathilde was. The latter, when she saw her friend, was -confused for a moment, and hastily thrust into her bosom the letter -which she was reading for the hundredth time. - -Ambroisine ran to Bathilde and kissed her, saying: - -"Well! here I am at last! I succeeded in making my escape to-day.--We -have so many people at our baths, and so many young men come to be -shaved by father! But I found a moment this morning, and I ran away. I -was so anxious to see you! And you--have you no desire to talk over our -evening on the Place de Grève? We have so many things to say to each -other! haven't we?" - -"Oh, yes! yes! I longed to see you, too." - -"It's strange, but you don't say that with all your heart, as I do! You -have a curious manner. Have you been sick? You are quite pale.--Oh! -there is certainly something wrong!" - -"Why, no--you are mistaken; I am not sick at all!" - -"So much the better.--But how does it happen that you are in this room -looking on the street--you, who never used to leave your own bedroom?" - -"Why, I am here--I am here----" - -"Yes, I see that you are here!" - -"I am here because I asked father's permission to put my lovely rosebush -on this balcony, which is a much better place for it; and then--I--I -have to come here to tend it." - -"Ah! so it's on account of your rosebush?" - -"And then, it is much livelier here than in my room." - -"That is true enough. But when your mother comes home, I am very sure -that she will make you carry your rosebush back to your room, and will -forbid your coming here any more." - -"Do you think so? O mon Dieu!" - -"Well! now you are as pale as a ghost! Come, Bathilde, kiss me and tell -me all; you have something on your mind, and you do not want to confide -it to me. Am I no longer your sister, your friend? Do you propose to -have secrets from me? Oh, no! that is impossible! You are going to tell -me why it is that you are so distressed, that your eyes are full of -tears, that you are afraid to look me in the face. Do you mean to tell -me that you will not open your heart to me any more? Come, speak out!" - -Bathilde hesitated, but at last she faltered: - -"Ah! but you will say more unkind things about him!" - -Ambroisine shuddered; those few words told her the whole story. Her face -assumed an expression of profound sadness. - -"About him! him! Mon Dieu! have you seen Comte Léodgard again?" - -"Did I say that?" - -"Yes. The words you have just dropped tell me that it is so.--Come, -Bathilde, tell me everything now. You cannot have anything to conceal -from your sister, who loves you so dearly. I will not scold you, I have -no right to; but my friendship may be useful to you.--Speak, I entreat -you!" - -Bathilde no longer felt strong enough to resist her friend's entreaties; -she had not yet learned to dissemble. She seated herself beside -Ambroisine and told her all that had happened since they had met; and -finally, taking Léodgard's letter from her bosom with a trembling hand -she gave it to her friend. - -Ambroisine shuddered as she read the letter, then turned her eyes on -Bathilde, who was gazing into her face and waiting to hear what she -would say. - -But Hugonnet's daughter was silent for several minutes; her eyes were -swimming in tears. At last she took Bathilde's head in her hands, -pressed it to her breast, and covered it with tears and kisses, -murmuring: - -"No! no! I do not propose that you shall be ruined! Poor child, I am -determined to save you. It is my duty; for is it not my fault that this -man, who is now trying to seduce you, ever saw you? Was it not I who -insisted on taking you to see the Fire of Saint-Jean? Mon Dieu! was it -possible for one to foresee, to divine, that the Evil One would be there -in the person of this Comte Léodgard, seeking to ruin you? For he is the -Evil One, I tell you; that man is the fallen angel!--But I trust that -you do not believe him? Surely you place no faith in what he has written -you? This letter--why, there is not a word of truth in it!" - -"Not a word of truth!" cried Bathilde, in a heart-rending tone. "But in -that case, why should he write me all this, if he did not think it? Why -should he pass whole days walking in front of our house? Why should he -come here again in the evening--always looking at this window? And I am -not sure that he is not here at night too.--Ah! when I go out on the -balcony to tend my rosebush, if you could see how he looks at me--how -happy he seems all the time that I am there!" - -"So you look at him too, do you? O Bathilde!" - -"Oh, no! I don't look at him; indeed, I should not dare to. But, you -know, one can see, out of the corner of one's eye, without seeming to -look." - -"My poor dear! can it be that you already love this Monsieur Léodgard?" - -"Oh! I don't know--I don't dare to tell you. But since I read his -letter, in which he swears that he will always love me--ah! I no longer -know how I feel, what I am doing, what I am saying; my head is on fire, -and my whole body is like my head. I believe that I have a fever; I -think of nothing but him, I cannot drive away his image; I seem to feel -pain and pleasure at the same time.--Mon Dieu! I no longer know myself!" - -"Dear child! be calm. Listen to me; you have too much good sense not to -understand me.--Now, Bathilde, let us admit that the count loves you at -this moment; in the first place, his love will very soon pass away. But -even if it should be more sincere than all the loves that he has -promised, sworn, to other women, how would that help you? You know -perfectly well that you can never become the wife of a count, of a great -nobleman." - -"But you see that in his letter he says that he cares nothing for rank -and fortune." - -"In his letter he has put down everything that was likely to turn your -head!--Ah! Bathilde, do the great nobles ever marry us poor girls, the -daughters of humble tradesmen? When we are pretty, they make love to us -and try to seduce us, and they are not sparing of lies and promises to -effect that purpose! But if we are unfortunate enough to listen to them, -they very soon abandon us, leaving us nothing but shame and -regret.--What I say is absolutely true, Bathilde. You know perfectly -well that I desire nothing but your happiness. But if you listen to -Comte Léodgard, you will be unhappy, you will be ruined!--Think of your -father, who is so proud of you. Think of your mother, who has watched -over you so carefully. They would curse you!" - -"Oh! do not say any more! Yes, you are right; I was mad! But you bring -me back to myself.--Tell me how I must act; I will do whatever you -wish." - -Ambroisine embraced her friend again, and said: - -"Dear Bathilde, you suffer at this moment, because I am tearing away -illusions that made you happy. But I do it so that you may enjoy truer -happiness in the future. Listen: first of all, you must not appear on -this balcony for a week, at least; nay, you must not even come into -this room, for you would look into the street in spite of yourself. -Resume your usual mode of life, work as if your mother were by your -side.--In the second place, you must--you must not read this letter any -more; and, in order to be certain of not yielding to temptation, you -must burn it." - -"Burn his letter! the only token I shall have of his love--the only -souvenir of him when he has ceased to think of me! Oh, no! let me keep -it, Ambroisine, I implore you! I will do everything that you have said; -but don't burn his letter!" - -And Bathilde almost fell at her friend's knees. Ambroisine raised her -and replied: - -"How do you expect to be cured if you keep that paper with you, in which -he says such sweet things--things that turn the heads of us poor women? -You will read it every day, and it will simply keep your grief alive." - -"Very well! take it, Ambroisine, carry it away, but keep it for me; and -later--in a very long time--when I am cured, if I ever can be cured, -then you will give the letter back to me, and I shall be very glad to -read it again." - -"Very well; then I will take the letter away." - -"But you won't burn it, will you?" - -"No, I promise." - -"And you will take good care of it? you will not lose it?" - -"I will put it away in my little jewel box. How do you suppose that I -can lose it?" - -"But you--you won't read it, either, will you? For, if I deprive myself -of that happiness, it would not be fair for another to enjoy it in my -place!" - -"Dear Bathilde! this letter, which is so priceless in your eyes, is of -no value at all to another woman.--Never fear, I will not touch it.--Now -I must leave you, I must go home.--You will surely do as I have told -you. And first of all, my dear, to begin with, you will leave this -room?" - -"Yes." - -"And you will not come here again--for ten days?" - -"You said a week!" - -"Well, so long as Comte Léodgard continues to walk this street." - -"I will not come here." - -"And your mother--will she not return soon?" - -"I think not. It seems that she is having litigation about her -inheritance there in Normandie, where she is; for our kinswoman is dead; -but our mother has all the right on her side, so she is not alarmed." - -"Litigation--in Normandie! That will take some time!" muttered -Ambroisine, shaking her head. Then she kissed her young friend again. -"Adieu! I will come to see you as soon as possible. Courage, my poor -Bathilde! Your heart is heavy at this moment; but that will pass away. -And then, you see, when one is doing one's duty, it gives one strength -to endure sorrow." - -"Adieu, Ambroisine! I will try to be brave. But take good care of my -letter; don't lose it on your way home. I shall never be consoled if you -lose it!" - -"Never fear, I am no child. Au revoir!" - -Ambroisine ran down the staircase; and Bathilde followed her to the -foot, whispering to her: - -"Remember that you are to give it back to me!" - - - - -XXII - -THE BALCONY - - -Bathilde having followed her friend's advice to the letter, Léodgard -walked Rue Dauphine in vain on the evening of his meeting with the Sire -de Jarnonville. And as Léodgard was very much in love, as he flattered -himself that he would win a facile triumph over Landry's daughter, he -remained until midnight in front of the barber's house; but the balcony -was deserted, the window dark; the girl did not appear. - -Thereupon vexation and wrath took possession of our lover. Accustomed as -he was to defy and surmount all obstacles, his desires were sharpened by -the disdain with which he was treated. He was especially enraged -because his note, instead of completing his conquest of Bathilde, had -produced just the contrary effect. - -He struck the ground impatiently with his spurs and measured with his -eye the height of the balcony. If some friend had been there to lend him -his shoulders, he would already have tried to scale it. But, instead of -a friend, Léodgard spied a patrol coming down the street; and as he was -not anxious to fight a patrol single-handed, he decided to decamp. But -as he walked away, he said to himself, looking back at the balcony: - -"Oh! it is useless for you to conceal yourself, Bathilde; it is useless -for you to try to escape from my love; you shall be mine, for I have -sworn it--for you are the loveliest, the most fascinating girl whom I -know in Paris to-day!" - -Early the next morning Léodgard entered the barber's shop; he ordered a -bath, and while it was being prepared he looked at all the windows on -the yard, and entered into conversation with the attendant who waited on -him. - -"Is Master Landry married?" - -"Yes, seigneur." - -"Where is his wife?" - -"Travelling at present; she has gone to Normandie to secure an -inheritance." - -"Master Landry has a daughter?" - -"Yes, seigneur." - -"Very pretty, I am told?" - -"That is true, seigneur." - -"Why do we never see her in the shop or about the baths?" - -"For the very reason, seigneur, that she is so pretty." - -"Is she watched so closely, pray?" - -"When Dame Ragonde, her mother, is here, she doesn't leave her daughter -for an instant." - -"But now that she is away, is there no way of obtaining a word with the -girl--a single word? Here--take this piece of gold and just tell me -where Bathilde's room is." - -But Léodgard had applied in the wrong quarter. Landry was an old soldier -who had a keen eye for an honest man; he had selected his attendants -with care, and they esteemed him too highly to betray him. The gold -piece was declined; Léodgard insisted to no purpose, for the attendant -merely replied: - -"I don't work on the women's side, seigneur; I don't know where their -rooms are. I am too well treated in Master Landry's service to do -anything that would cause my discharge." - -"Pardieu! I have bad luck!" said Léodgard to himself. "All our valets -and esquires are ready to be bribed; and I must come to a bath keeper's -to find an incorruptible servant. And people calumniate these houses! -They say that they serve to cloak clandestine love affairs, that the -most delicious intrigues are formed and consummated in them.--Gad! that -surely is not true of Master Landry's!" - -And Léodgard cast his eye over all the windows looking on the yard; but -they were closed and supplied with very heavy curtains; it was -impossible to discover anything, to guess where Bathilde's room was; for -the young man was confident that she did not occupy the front room with -the balcony, as there had been no light there throughout the preceding -evening. - -The young count left the establishment without taking the bath he had -ordered; once more he marched up and down the street, but with no better -fortune; and at last, weary of the struggle, he left the place, saying -to himself: - -"I am very sure, none the less, that I did not displease her." - -The two following days, Léodgard played sentinel again to no purpose. -Bathilde did not appear. The windows on the balcony remained closed, and -she did not even come to tend the poor rosebush, which, however, was -sorely in need of being watered, for the buds were beginning to droop on -their stems. - -"What! she will allow her rosebush to die, for fear of seeing me!" said -Léodgard to himself. "She must be terribly afraid of me, then! Ah! when -a woman is so afraid of a man, it is a good sign; she does not fear -those who are indifferent to her. But I will stake my head that -Ambroisine has been to see her, that it was she who urged her not to -show herself any more. How do I know that Bathilde, without letting -herself be seen, is not hidden somewhere, at some other window, whence -she watches what I do, and says to herself: 'He is still thinking of -me!'--If I thought that!--However, I will try this method: I will force -myself to stay away for several days, to avoid passing through this -street; she will believe that I have ceased to think of her; and perhaps -her vexation, or her confidence, will serve me better than this -fruitless watching." - -Thereupon our lover wrapped himself in his cloak, pulled his hat over -his eyes, and, with the air of a man who has suddenly decided upon a -course of action, he walked rapidly away and disappeared, without once -turning his head. - -Léodgard had read only too well Bathilde's guileless heart, that heart -which longed to love, and which found happiness even in the pangs which -that sentiment already caused it to feel. - -The girl had kept the promise she had made her friend; she had not -returned to the room with the balcony; but adjoining that room, and, -like it, at the front of the house, there was another, occupied by -Master Landry and his wife. Since Dame Ragonde had been away, that room -had been deserted throughout the day; for the old soldier went down -early to his baths, and did not go up to his room again until bedtime. - -On the day following Ambroisine's visit, Bathilde remembered that her -father had given her an old jacket to mend; the work was not at all -urgent, but Bathilde hastened to do it so that she might have an excuse -for going to her parents' bedroom. She went there to return the garment -belonging to her father; and once she was in that room, which looked on -the street, but had no balcony at the windows--because the architects of -those days did not make a point of regularity in their buildings--once -there, Bathilde could not resist the temptation to go to one of the -windows; and, while she pretended to adjust a curtain which presumably -did not fall gracefully, she allowed her glance to wander into the -street, where she instantly espied the man she had promised to forget. - -This first step once taken, Bathilde found other excuses for going every -day to her father's chamber, where, by putting the curtain aside the -least bit in the world, she could look into the street--the eye requires -such a narrow space to see so many things! - -To excuse herself to her own conscience, Bathilde reasoned thus: - -"I promised Ambroisine not to go to the linen closet for a week; and I -do not go there. I have business in this room, and I am obliged to come -here! It isn't my fault that there are windows here from which I can -look into the street." - -This reasoning was that of a lawyer rather than of an innocent maiden; -wit, you see, comes to the most inexperienced simultaneously with love. - -Thus Bathilde knew that Léodgard was there, always there, with his eyes -fixed on the balcony; and with every moment that passed, she put less -faith in what her friend had said to her. - -"If he did not love me sincerely," she said to herself, "would he pass -his days like this, trying to see me?" - -It is so pleasant to make excuses for those whom we love. - -But when the young count changed his plan of attack, when he ceased -entirely to appear on Rue Dauphine, a new form of torture, a pang -sharper than all the rest, tore the poor child's heart. - -A whole day passed, and Léodgard did not appear. At first she flattered -herself with the thought that he had come just at the time when she was -not peering from behind the curtain; for, with the best will in the -world, one cannot pass every moment with one's face glued against a -window. - -But on the following day there was no lover on the street, and so on the -day following that. - -Bathilde's heart was heavy and oppressed; the tears longed to flow, but -she forced them back; she was pale; she was consumed by fever and she -could not eat. - -Landry noticed his daughter's depression and was disturbed by it; he -asked her if she was in pain, if she felt sick. - -"Nothing is the matter with me, father, nothing!"--Such is the -invariable reply of a maiden whose suffering has its source in her -heart. - -But Ambroisine was determined not to leave her friend without -consolation, and one morning she paid her a hurried visit. She was -alarmed by her pallor, her prostration, and the grief-stricken -expression of her face. - -When she saw Ambroisine, however, Bathilde strove to conceal the misery -that was devouring her. - -"I came to find out if you have been brave, if you have kept the -promises you made me?" said Ambroisine, as she embraced Bathilde, who -submitted to her friend's caresses without responding to them. - -"Yes," she faltered, "I have done what you ordered." - -"Ordered!--As if I gave you any orders! don't you know that it is my -affection which leads me to advise you, to keep watch over you?--But how -pale you are! Are you so very unhappy?" - -"I? oh, no!" - -"You have not been on the balcony again?" - -"No; but I might as well go there now; for it is all over; he doesn't -come any more; he has not passed the house, not once, for four days." - -"How do you know? So you have been looking out of the window, have you?" - -"Indeed! I was in father's room, and I could not help seeing. Besides, I -wanted to be certain that he was not there.--It is all over; he has -forgotten me!" - -As she said these words, Bathilde, despite all her efforts, could no -longer restrain her tears; she let her head fall on Ambroisine's -shoulder and gave free vent to her sobs. - -Hugonnet's daughter mingled her tears with her friend's, for at that -moment she could think of no better way to comfort her. A grief which -is able to find a vent always loses its force; it is a torrent changed -into a brook. - -Bathilde recovered her courage to some degree, and wiped her tears away, -saying: - -"I will be sensible; I will forget him, too; I will imitate him!--Ah! -you were right, Ambroisine, his letter contained nothing but falsehoods; -for he told me that he would die rather than cease to love me. Yes, it -was nothing but lies, false oaths--so I never want to read it again; you -may burn that letter, which deceived me so, you may destroy it; I must -not keep anything to remind me of that--that fatal meeting." - -"What you say is very wise, my dear child; yes, I will burn his letter -this very day--as soon as I go home.--Ah! he well deserves to be -roasted, too, the villain! who has caused my poor Bathilde so much -misery!" - -"Oh, no! you must not wish him ill, Ambroisine! On the contrary, I wish -that he may be happy! And when I pray, I will beseech God to watch over -him too, and to give him every felicity!" - -"Upon my word! you are too kind! But heaven will take pity on you; and -before long, I am sure, it will have banished from your memory, from -your heart, everything that can possibly recall that seducer! If you -could come to see me--if you could go out a little to divert your -thoughts.--But, no! no! that would be dangerous; he might be on the -watch for you and follow you again! I will come here; I will come -whenever I have a moment to myself. I would have liked to bring my -other friend with me,--Miretta, the girl I have spoken to you about; she -is very agreeable, and she has so many interesting things to tell about -Italy! But she never comes to see me, except in the evening; and father -will not let me go out after dark, because there is a very dangerous -brigand in Paris who attacks everybody, and whom they cannot succeed in -arresting. So that many people declare that he is not a natural person -at all, that he has dealings with the devil! Indeed, there are some who -say that this Giovanni is the devil in person! As if that was not -absurd! Why should the devil amuse himself robbing and stripping people -in the streets?--But my friend Miretta is no coward, I tell you. She -isn't afraid of the brigand, for she sometimes stays at our house quite -late; and when father hasn't gone out to drink with the neighbors, he -always offers to take Miretta home to the Hôtel de Mongarcin, but she -will never accept anybody's escort. Several times father has said to -her: 'Beware! you will fall in with Giovanni, and he will attack -you!'--But she simply shakes her head and replies: 'I am not afraid of -robbers.'--I am not very timid myself; but I confess that I haven't as -much courage as Miretta, that I would not dare to go out alone so late, -especially as they say that this Giovanni is horrible to look at. It -seems that his head is all covered with bristling black hair like a wild -beast, and that he has a beard that reaches to his breast.--He must be a -frightful creature, mustn't he?" - -Bathilde, who had ceased to listen when her friend no longer spoke of -Léodgard, answered with a sigh: - -"Look you, Ambroisine, I have been reflecting. You must not burn his -letter; I prefer to keep it, because it is a proof--because it shows -that men tell us things that they don't mean! Oh, no! you must not burn -it, but you must give it back to me, after a while, when I can read it -without danger, you know!" - -Ambroisine shrugged her shoulders; and finding that it was useless to -try to divert Bathilde's thoughts, she decided to leave her. - -"Very well," she said; "I will not burn that wicked letter, since you -wish to treasure it!--Adieu! you no longer listen to my words of -consolation, but I trust that time will have more power than I have." - -And the _belle baigneuse_ took her leave. - -It was midnight; the hour which it is said that lovers and burglars -select for their enterprises. - -Everything was quiet in Landry's house; it was the hour of repose. But -one does not sleep at eighteen, when one's heart is torn by the torments -and pangs of love. - -Bathilde was in her room; she had risen because it was impossible for -her to find rest on her solitary couch; she opened her window, which -looked on the yard, and after standing there for a moment left it -because there was no air; only that which came from the street could do -her any good. - -Suddenly the girl remembered her rosebush, which she had neglected for a -week; she thought that it must be dying for lack of water, or that it -must at least be very sickly; and taking her lamp, which was still -burning on the table, she softly opened her door and went to the linen -closet, delighted to have found a pretext for going out on the balcony. - -Bathilde placed her lamp in a corner, then opened the window without -noise, and in a moment was on the balcony, beside the rosebush. But -instead of examining the plant, she gazed into the darkness that -surrounded her. - -The street was dark and seemed entirely deserted. Now and then she could -hear shouts in the distance and shrill whistles that seemed to answer -one another--signals far from reassuring to the belated bourgeois, who -quickened his pace as he hurried homeward preceded by a hired -torchbearer. - -At other moments the silence of the night was disturbed by the songs of -students and pages, assembled to make an uproar and break windows. - -But these lasted only an instant, then everything became quiet once -more. - -The girl could see nothing in the dark street; there was no moon to -dissipate the gloom; and yet, she could not make up her mind to leave -the balcony. She felt better there; it seemed to her almost as if she -were with him of whom she thought constantly. - -Suddenly she heard her name; the voice came from beneath the balcony. -She shuddered, but not with fear; she listened--her name was called -again. The voice was soft and supplicating. - -"Who is there?" faltered Bathilde. - -"He who thinks only of you, who cannot exist without you!" - -"Oh! that is not true, monsieur; for you have not been here for four -days, you have not even tried to see me; therefore, you no longer think -of me!" - -"Oh! you were so cruel, Bathilde! Not a word in reply to my letter; but, -instead of that, you ceased to come out, you no longer appeared on the -balcony!--Yes, I tried to forget you, to return here no more! But that -was impossible; my love is stronger than your disdain!" - -"Ah! if that were true! But, no, I must not believe you! You seduce all -the women--Ambroisine told me so." - -"Ambroisine simply repeats what she hears. Ought you to give credit to -the assertions of people who do not know me? Dear Bathilde, you should -believe your heart alone, for the heart never deceives." - -"But I must not listen to you, for you are a great noble and I am only a -poor girl." - -"You are an angel! and angels so rarely appear on earth!" - -"Ambroisine told me that you were making sport of me when you swore that -I should be your wife!" - -"Why have you more confidence in another person's word than in my oaths, -Bathilde?" - -"Ah! I should be very happy if I could believe you!" - -"You restore my hope, my life!" - -"O mon Dieu! I think I hear my father coughing! adieu! fly!" - -Bathilde hurriedly left the balcony, closed the window, took her lamp, -and returned to her room, without giving a thought to the poor rosebush, -which was the pretext of her nocturnal venture. We are ungrateful -creatures; in our happiness, we forget all those to whom we owe it. - -And Bathilde was so happy now! he still loved her, he had not for one -instant ceased to think of her! His tender oaths intoxicated her heart -with joy and love. The love that possessed her was so true, so pure, so -sincere, that she no longer felt strong enough to contend against it. - -Léodgard went his way no less happy than she; being perfectly certain -now of her love, he had but one thought: to possess her person whose -heart was already his; and with the young count it was a short interval -between the desire and its gratification. - -The next night, about half-past eleven, Léodgard was in front of -Landry's house. He listened attentively; everything was quiet; not a -light was to be seen, and the night was as dark as the preceding one. - -But the young count was well acquainted with the position of the -balcony, and he had measured its height from the ground beforehand. -Taking from beneath his cloak a short silk ladder to which a strong -iron hook was attached, he dexterously threw the hook over the balcony -rail, satisfied himself that it was firm, then climbed the ladder with -the agility of a squirrel, stepped onto the balcony, drew up the ladder, -and softly opened the window. On the preceding night, Bathilde in her -haste had closed the window without fastening it, so that everything -favored Léodgard's audacious enterprise. - -But although he was in the linen closet, he must still find the girl's -bedroom. He opened the door, stepped into the hall, and cautiously felt -his way along, stopping frequently to listen. Something told him that -Bathilde herself would point out the direction he must follow. - -And so it proved; he heard a sweet voice singing an old villanelle with -a slow and melancholy refrain. - -Léodgard walked in the direction from which the sound came, and soon -spied a light shining through the crack of a door not entirely closed. - -It was Bathilde's bedroom. - -Suddenly she saw the door open and Léodgard appear before her; she -screamed, but her lover fell at her feet; she tried to fly from him, but -he already held her in his arms. - -Poor Bathilde! she loved him too dearly to be capable of defending -herself. - -The next morning her rosebush was dead. - - * * * * * - -Let us allow two months to elapse, during which the lovers rarely passed -a night without meeting. The silk ladder remained in Bathilde's room, -and she herself fastened it to the balcony at the hour agreed upon with -Léodgard, who no longer appeared in the morning in front of Master -Landry's abode. - -Thus the lovers were able to enjoy their happiness in peace; no one was -in their confidence, therefore they feared no treachery. - -Ambroisine had come more than once to see her friend, and had asked her -if she was beginning to be consoled, to forget Comte Léodgard. And -Bathilde had lied; for her lover had told her that their liaison must be -kept a profound secret until the time when he could mention it to her -father; and to obey Léodgard, Bathilde had pretended, in answer to her -friend, to be cured of her love. - -But at the end of the two months which had passed so swiftly for -Bathilde, a message arrived for Landry: he learned that his wife, having -finished her litigation at last and received the amount of her -inheritance, was returning to Paris, and that she would arrive in two -days. - -The thought that she was about to stand once more in her mother's -presence made the guilty girl tremble; it seemed to her that her mother -would read her shame on her forehead; and on the night following the -receipt of the news, being with her lover, she looked up at him with her -eyes full of tears, and said: - -"Save me! My mother will be here to-morrow! If she learns of my fault, I -shall be undone! Oh! I implore you, delay no longer! Ask my father for -my hand; avow your love to him, so that I may be your wife, so that I -may love you without blushing! Otherwise, my mother will find a way to -prevent me from seeing you; and I shall die of shame and grief -combined!" - -Léodgard tried to allay Bathilde's terror and grief; he did not seem -deeply afflicted to learn that Dame Ragonde's return would put an end to -those pleasant nocturnal meetings. But for two months he had had nothing -more to wish for, and he was only waiting for an opportunity to break -off an intrigue in which he had obtained all that he sought. - -However, he concealed what was taking place in his mind from the girl, -who wept bitterly; he pretended to share her chagrin; he was most lavish -of oaths and promises, and swore that before long they would meet to -part no more. - -The next day Dame Ragonde returned home, bringing the funds which she -destined for her daughter's marriage portion. - - - - -XXIII - -THE HÔTEL DE MONGARCIN - - -It was the morrow of a grand reception given at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin,--a function which had brought together the most noble dames -and the gentlemen of the first families of France then residing in the -capital. - -Madame de Ravenelle and her niece had done the honors of the fête; but -Valentine especially had displayed that grace and refinement of manner -which made her a noteworthy figure everywhere. - -It was she who had conceived the idea of giving a reception; and her -aunt had consented, but on condition that her niece should take it upon -herself to arrange and manage everything. - -The guests had conversed; they had played lansquenet, brelan, primero, -dice, and other fashionable games; they had danced sarabands, -_passe-pieds, branles_, and all the dances then in vogue. In fact, -everybody had seemed delighted with the evening's entertainment, and had -lavished compliments upon Valentine and Madame de Ravenelle, -congratulating the latter upon having a niece who did the honors of her -house so gracefully. - -And as the givers of a large party are usually very tired on the -following day, the old aunt was stretched out on a reclining chair, -from which she did not stir; while Valentine sat on a sofa, with her -feet on a soft hassock, holding in her hands a piece of embroidery upon -which she was not working. - -"Are you asleep, aunt?" inquired Valentine, after a very long silence. - -"I think not, niece; at all events, if I had been, your question would -have waked me!" - -"Oh! I see that you were not asleep at all.--Our reception last night -was very brilliant, was it not?" - -"If it is to ask me that that you interfere with my doze----" - -"No; I wanted to ask you also if you noticed that all those whom we -invited came?" - -"All! do you think so?" - -"Yes, aunt, with the exception of a single one.--Oh! I am quite sure -that you noticed that, too." - -"It is true," said Madame de Ravenelle, partly rising, "that the young -Comte de Marvejols did not come." - -"He is the one I mean. I trust that now you will not give another -thought to my marrying this gentleman, who shows--I will not say so -little zeal, for he has shown zeal in avoiding me!--but who is almost -discourteous to us!" - -"But, Valentine, young Léodgard's father, the Marquis de Marvejols, -accepted our invitation; he apologized for his son and said that -fatigue, an attack of fever, kept him at home." - -"Of course you do not suppose that I believe a word of that! Fatigue! -fever! If he were ill, would his father have come to our party?" - -"He may be only indisposed; the marquis, his father, was delightfully -amiable with me! He is a man of the old school; he stands very well at -court; it is said that the king is much attached to him, and that the -cardinal himself has the highest esteem for Monsieur de Marvejols." - -"Mon Dieu! aunt, I have never ventured to doubt any of monsieur le -marquis's estimable qualities, although his manner seems to me rather -stern than amiable. That he stands very well at court is possible; but -that does not make it any the less true that his son will never be my -husband. Upon my word! fancy my taking for my husband a man who despises -me!" - -"Oh! my dear niece!" - -"Why, my dear aunt, since this gentleman does not deign to take the -trouble to pay court to me, since he even avoids my society, does it not -mean that he disdains an alliance with me?" - -"Have you heard of his paying court to any other woman? No!--If you -could name some nobly born person, some _grande dame_, whose assiduous -attendant he was, I could understand your irritation. But young Léodgard -goes most rarely into society; he likes those parties of young men, -where they gamble and drink and fight and raise the deuce with -passers-by.--Mon Dieu! niece, such amusements have been indulged in by -many young men of illustrious birth. Why, some even go so far as to say -that one of our kings took great pleasure in going out at night with his -favorites, his _mignons_, and that they used to steal cloaks from the -people they met!" - -"Oh! aunt! do you approve of that?" - -"No, surely not! But I simply mean to say that young Léodgard may be -only a heedless youth, who dreads the moment when he must marry; because -he knows that then he will have to reform, to change his mode of life -altogether and live in a circle where he must maintain his rank -worthily." - -Valentine made no reply. - -A few moments later she rang, and said to Madame de Ravenelle: - -"I am going to tell Miretta to finish this tapestry; the work tires me, -and the little Béarnaise does it so beautifully!--She did that corner, -and it's much better than I can do. She is running over with talent, -that girl--she has excellent taste in everything; she trims a cap with -marvellous skill!--Will you allow her to work here, aunt, on my stool? -We shall not have any visitors to-day." - -The old lady confined herself to a nod of assent. - -Miretta entered the salon. - -"Come here, Miretta," said Valentine, pointing to the stool; "sit here, -and work on my embroidery; this work bores me; in any event, I am in no -mood to hold a needle this morning; I am tired. Sit down. Are you -comfortable?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle." - -"Don't hurry, work at your ease; this foot rest is not needed at -present.--Did you see everybody last night, Miretta?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I helped the ladies to take off their cloaks and -mantles and shawls in the small reception room." - -"Ah! to be sure. There were some very pretty ladies, were there not?" - -"Oh, yes! but----" - -"Well! finish." - -"Mademoiselle will think that I mean to pay her a compliment; but I am -not given to flattery--I say just what I think." - -"Well, say it; what do you think?" - -"That mademoiselle was the most beautiful of all the ladies, married or -single, who were at the house last evening." - -"Really? Why, that is very prettily said.--Do you hear what Miretta says -to me, aunt?" - -Madame de Ravenelle did not reply, but they heard a sound as of -prolonged breathing. - -"Ah! my aunt is asleep this time," continued Valentine; "so much the -better; we can talk more freely; but we will speak a little -lower.--Well! my poor Miretta, so you consider me beautiful enough to -carry the day over many other women. Several gentlemen told me last -night what you have just told me. I received a multitude of compliments, -attentions, even declarations! I am well aware that I must look upon -them as the little courtesies which it is customary to address to -ladies, but, after all, I know also that I am not ugly! And, -nevertheless, there is one young man who does not choose to see me, for -fear that he may be obliged to show me a little attention." - -"Oh! that is most surprising, mademoiselle; unless, indeed, this young -noble has some other passion in his heart!" - -"That is what I thought, myself; but I am told that it is not so!" - -"But can anyone know such things?" - -"Oh! you are right, Miretta; is it possible to know the secrets of the -heart? But look you, Miretta: I am very sure of one thing--that is, that -you love someone!" - -"I, mademoiselle?" replied the girl, blushing. - -"Yes, yes! you! Come, tell me the secrets of your heart; since you have -been in my service, I have watched you closely; in the first place, you -are not light-hearted and merry, as a girl should be; you sigh very -often; and when you think that you are not observed, you raise your eyes -to heaven as if in entreaty--for whom? Ah! it can only be for the man -whom one loves that one addresses such eloquent glances to heaven! Am I -wrong, Miretta? have you not in your heart a love which makes you -unhappy? Come, confess it!" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, you are not mistaken; it is true that my heart -is--is no longer mine." - -"Ah! I was perfectly sure of it; but then the man whom you love so -dearly does not reciprocate, since you sigh so much?" - -"I beg pardon, mademoiselle; the man I love does return my love." - -"Then why are you sad so often? Perhaps it is because there are -obstacles; you are not allowed to see each other, you are forbidden to -love." - -"There are many obstacles, mademoiselle, in truth, and I meet him very -rarely." - -"But he is in Paris, is he?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle." - -"And it was to join him that you came hither, I will warrant." - -"That is true, mademoiselle." - -"See what a power of divination I possess! But what does your lover do? -Is he not free? Are you not able to marry?" - -Miretta lowered her eyes, her bosom heaved painfully, the pallor of -deadly alarm overspread her brow. - -"Well! I see that I make you unhappy!" continued Valentine; "let us say -no more about it. But still, you do see your lover sometimes, and then -you are very happy. Oh! when that happens, I can detect it by your -face; you are no longer the same girl that you were the day before; you -smile and are almost gay. Because, as I believe it is as difficult to -conceal one's happiness as one's suffering.--For my part, I have no love -for the man they would like me to marry; no, indeed! I have not the -slightest love for him, although he is a very well-favored young man." - -"Ah! do you know him, mademoiselle?" - -"Very little; I have seen him once or twice in society. He is the son of -that old nobleman who was here last night--that tall, thin man with a -severe expression, dressed all in black, in the style of the time of -Henri IV, with a ruff that concealed his chin--the Marquis de Marvejols, -in fact." - -"The Marquis de Marvejols! Is it his son whom you are expected to marry, -mademoiselle?" - -"To be sure! why that exclamation?" - -"Because, last night I was in the main vestibule when that old gentleman -arrived." - -"Well! what then?" - -"All your servants were there, and also a clerk from the office of your -aunt's solicitor, who had come to give her some information about some -business--a debt due her, or something else, I don't know what! But, as -you may imagine, they told the little clerk--for he is a very small -fellow--they told him that there was a grand reception going on, and -that madame could not receive him." - -"What relation has all this to the old Marquis de Marvejols?" - -"Why, mademoiselle, when Monsieur Bahuchet--that is the little clerk's -name--when he found that he could not be received, he put his papers in -his pocket, saying: 'Very well; I will return to-morrow.'--But, instead -of going away at once, as the guests were arriving, he remained a long -while in the vestibule, talking with the major-domo and the servants. He -is a great gossip, but he is amusing; for he made comments on everybody -who arrived, and I assure you, mademoiselle, that sometimes he said some -very comical things.--So, when this old gentleman arrived, and the -servant announced Monsieur le Marquis de Marvejols, the little clerk -cried: - -"'Ah! I know that nobleman, and his son too. He had a pretty little pile -of debts, had the son; but the father paid them all some time ago; it -was my master, my solicitor, who called the creditors together. Comte -Léodgard promised to reform, but he doesn't reform; he is beginning to -run in debt again; and then, he's a great fellow for midnight intrigues! -I'll wager that he won't come here to-night; he is too fully occupied -elsewhere!'" - -"The clerk said that?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I was quite near him and I heard him plainly." - -"Well! what else did he say? go on!" - -"He said nothing more on that subject, mademoiselle; for other persons -arrived, and he had comments to make on them. It seems that that young -man knows all Paris; but nothing more was said about the son of Monsieur -le Marquis de Marvejols." - -"What a pity! I should be so glad to know something more; and it is very -probable that this clerk--what did you call him?" - -"Bahuchet, mademoiselle; a bit of a man, not so tall as I am, and with a -most original face!" - -"This Monsieur Bahuchet must know more; and as he is so talkative, if -one had an opportunity to question him----" - -At that moment the door of the salon opened, and a servant appeared and -said: - -"The clerk from the office of madame's solicitor, who came last evening, -wishes to know if he may speak to Madame de Ravenelle." - -"Oh, yes! yes!" cried Valentine, jumping for joy. "Let him come in; he -could not come more opportunely!" - -"Eh! mon Dieu! what is it? why this noise, these cries?" demanded the -old lady, rudely awakened from her nap. "What is the matter, Valentine?" - -"Your solicitor's clerk wishes to speak with you, aunt." - -"And that is your reason for shrieking so! Let them send the clerk away; -I do not care to attend to any business to-day, I am too tired." - -"But, aunt, he came last night; and then, if you knew--he will tell us -some very interesting things about the young Comte de Marvejols." - -"What! my solicitor?" - -"His clerk. I beg you, my dear aunt, let me question him; do not you -take the trouble to speak, if it tires you; I will speak for you." - -Madame de Ravenelle threw herself back in her reclining chair, and at -the same instant Monsieur Bahuchet was ushered into the presence of the -ladies. - - - - -XXIV - -THE WHITE PLUME - - -At sight of that young man of four feet eight, with his enormous head, -his huge mouth, his gaping nostrils, and, with all the rest, a -self-assured and pretentious air which bordered closely upon -impertinence, Valentine turned her head away in order not to laugh in -his face. - -Bahuchet took four steps into the salon, then made two very low -reverences, one to Madame de Ravenelle, the other to her niece. As for -Miretta, he simply bestowed a patronizing smile upon her, as if to say: - -"I know you, my dear; I know that you are the lady's-maid." - -"What do you want with me, monsieur?" inquired the old lady, without -moving. - -"Madame, I am sent hither by my employer, Maître Pierre-Guillaume -Bourdinard, your solicitor before the courts, and am instructed to -inform you, on the part of said Bourdinard, that Sieur Benoît-Gervais -Cocatrix, your tenant and debtor, now occupying your property on Rue des -Lions-Saint-Paul, has not yet paid his rent for the current term, or for -previous terms since he has occupied the said property, albeit we have -duly and frequently served upon him notices and citations on stamped -paper, which citations, engrossed by your humble servant, Nicolas -Bahuchet, should be paid for by the debtor, who, however----" - -"Enough! enough!" said the old lady, motioning to the little clerk to -hold his peace; "you drive me mad with your pettifogger's jargon. Come -to the point, if you please; has my tenant paid his rent?" - -"I was proceeding to certify the contrary by my peroration, if madame -had allowed me to finish.--I continue: And Maître Bourdinard, my worthy -employer, having to no purpose threatened your tenant, desires to know -whether he shall grant him still more time, or shall force him to vacate -the premises _ex abrupto_." - -"How now, monsieur! Are you talking Latin to me? Do you imagine that by -any chance I can understand it? Let my solicitor procure my money for -me; he may employ whatever method he chooses--that is his affair. But I -do not choose to be pestered any more with this business; that, I trust, -is understood." - -"Perfectly, madame; your orders shall be carried out. I will transmit -them to Maître Bourdinard personally, as I now have the honor to speak -with you, and the law will take its course. _Dixi!_ Whereupon I have the -honor----" - -And the little clerk was already preparing to take his leave, when -Valentine said to him: - -"One moment, monsieur; I have a question or two--some information to -request from you. But I would be very glad if, in answering me, you -would employ neither Latin nor the phraseology of the courtroom." - -"Oh! with pleasure, mademoiselle; now that my employer's errand is done, -I become once more a jovial Basochian, master of his acts and his -tongue. But when we are performing our duties as clerk, we must needs -adopt the manner and language of the office. Moreover, it is always well -to show that one has education! That is what I constantly tell Plumard, -who thinks of nothing but finding pomades to make his hair grow. Plumard -is my fellow clerk, but he is bald and----" - -"I do not desire to speak to you of your fellow clerk Plumard, monsieur; -but last evening you made comments in a loud tone upon a large number of -persons who came to our reception." - -"That is quite possible, mademoiselle; comments of no consequence. One -must talk and laugh a bit, and show that one has conversational -powers." - -"All your comments were not without consequence, monsieur; especially -those in which you indulged concerning the son of Monsieur le Marquis de -Marvejols." - -"Concerning the marquis's son? Ah, yes! Monsieur le Comte Léodgard; what -did I say about him?--In the first place, I do not know him personally; -I have never seen him except at a distance; I may have repeated what -everybody says: that he was in debt; that his father paid fifty thousand -livres for him lately! That is true, for Maître Bourdinard, my employer, -called the creditors together in his office, in order to obtain the best -conditions and the greatest possible abatement." - -"That is not all; you added that Comte Léodgard certainly would not come -to our reception.--What made you think so, monsieur?" - -Bahuchet smiled cunningly, scratched his forehead, and shifted from one -leg to the other like a canary; he seemed to hesitate before replying, -and looked now at the old lady, now at her niece, and again at Miretta. - -"Well, monsieur, did you not hear my question?" added Mademoiselle de -Mongarcin impatiently, and in an imperious tone. - -"I beg your pardon, mademoiselle, I heard you perfectly; but there are -some things which we young clerks of the Basoche say to one another, or -when talking with the common people, which we should not dare to say to -a young lady of noble birth." - -"Since you have had a good education, monsieur, you should be able to -use suitable terms in which to state a fact, and to refrain from saying -anything that can offend my ears. So much the worse for you, if you -cannot find a way to express yourself becomingly." - -Bahuchet's self-esteem was stung to the quick; Valentine had hit upon -the way to make him speak. He rested the hand in which he held his hat -on his hip, and, striking an attitude like an advocate, said: - -"Mademoiselle, I am very well able to express myself, and to select my -words according to my audience. Thank heaven, I have fitted myself for -the profession! My parents were poor, but poverty is not a vice! I do -not know who it was that dared to say: 'It is something much worse!' but -I do not share his opinion. Ignorance is a vice, and so is stupidity! -Wealth does not always go hand in hand with merit! On the contrary, it -seems to take pleasure in sneering at it!--Homer, poor and blind, -wandered through the streets and public squares, reciting verses to -obtain a crust of bread. Plautus, that original, satirical comic poet, -turned the wheel of a mill for his livelihood. Agrippa died in the -hospital. And it is said that the illustrious author of _Don Quixote_, -Miguel Cervantes, died of want. Tasso was often reduced to the necessity -of borrowing a crown." - -"Mon Dieu! will he never be done?" said Valentine, turning to Miretta; -"I am sure that my aunt has fallen asleep again." - -The little clerk, observing that the beautiful young lady paid no -attention to him, decided to return to the subject upon which she had -questioned him. - -"Pardon me, mademoiselle; I allow myself to be led astray by my -schoolboy reminiscences. I return to the question which you did me the -honor to ask me. I did say, it is true, that I believed Monsieur le -Comte Léodgard to be too much engrossed by new intrigues at this moment -to have time to come to your fête. My reason for saying that was that I -have a friend--that is to say, a confrère--or a friend, no matter -which!--one Plumard, who is bald already, at twenty-six! That is rather -early to be bald!--Now, Plumard lives on Rue Dauphine--a small room -under the eaves. And a few days ago we were leaning out of his window, -looking into the street, and I recognized the young Comte de Marvejols -walking back and forth and watching, out of the corner of his eye, the -house of a bath keeper, who it seems has a charming daughter, a model of -grace, beauty, and innocence. The parents never allow this enchanting -creature to go out; the mother especially watches her with the greatest -care. But Plumard said to me, laughingly: 'That young gentleman comes -prowling about the house every day--he even comes in the evening! and it -is probable that he comes late at night! He surely must have seen the -bath keeper's daughter, and it is on her account that he passes his time -in this quarter.'" - -"A bath keeper's daughter!" exclaimed Valentine, with a disdainful air. -"Is it possible that the son of the Marquis de Marvejols forgets himself -to such a degree as to address his sighs to one so far beneath him!" - -"But if the little one is a model of beauty, as they say," murmured the -undersized clerk, "that causes much to be overlooked!" - -"You know a bath keeper's daughter, Miretta; you go to see her -sometimes, do you not? Can it be the same one?" - -"No, mademoiselle; the one I know is very good-looking too, but she -lives on Rue Saint-Jacques; she lost her mother long ago." - -"I know whom you mean!" cried Bahuchet; "you mean Ambroisine, whom they -call La Belle Baigneuse. Ah! she's a very handsome girl--tall and well -built! She is Master Hugonnet's daughter, whose baths are very -popular.--Oh! I know her; I know all Paris, I do! But she isn't the one -in question, for my friend Plumard--his name ought to be _Plumé_ -[plucked], for before long he will not have three hairs on his scalp---- -But, no matter; Plumard told me about the daughter of his neighbor, the -bath keeper on Rue Dauphine. His name is Landry; he is an old soldier, -who will not look on it as a joke if he learns that a gallant is making -love to his daughter, whatever the gallant's name and rank may be!" - -"And--was it long ago, monsieur, that you had this conversation at your -friend's window on Rue Dauphine?" - -"About six weeks, mademoiselle." - -"Have you seen your friend again since? Has he told you anything more -concerning Monsieur Léodgard de Marvejols's love affairs?" - -"I have seen Plumard very often since. We sometimes dine together at the -cook shop. A few days, or rather a few nights ago, I escorted my comrade -home; it was very late, almost midnight; we had been singing and playing -cards and drinking a long, long while, and Plumard, who is not over -brave, was afraid to go home alone. He was in dread of falling in with -Giovanni the robber--the famous Italian brigand whom our archers, our -arquebusiers, our watch, in fact, all our soldiery, have not succeeded -in catching. They are not shrewd. To secure that villain's arrest, I -shall have to take a hand in it. But I will show them how to catch him. -I know how they must go to work to do it, and----" - -"You will have Giovanni arrested?" cried Miretta, whose face had turned -deathly pale. - -"Well, well! what has happened to you, child?" said Valentine, almost -alarmed by her maid's abrupt exclamation. "Mon Dieu! how excited you -are!" - -"I beg pardon, mademoiselle; excuse me; but monsieur said that he knew -how they could arrest this Italian--this Giovanni." - -"How does that concern you? You do not seem to be afraid of him, for you -never go out except at night, and you come home quite late, so Béatrix -tells me." - -"That is true, mademoiselle; but, for all that, I would like to -know----" - -"But I wish to know what concerns Monsieur Léodgard. I am not at all -interested in this famous robber.--For heaven's sake, Monsieur Bahuchet, -go on. You were taking your friend Plumard home, to Rue Dauphine." - -"Yes, mademoiselle; we were walking quietly along, arm in arm, talking -together, and he was assuring me that he had discovered three more hairs -on his head since the night before, and he attributed that capillary -recrudescence to some grease made from a man who had been hanged, which -an old woman had presented to him." - -"Ah! monsieur, you abuse my patience!" - -"A thousand pardons, mademoiselle! I continue.--About a hundred yards -from the bath keeper's house, Plumard stopped and squeezed my arm. - -"'What is it?' I asked, without wincing. 'I am not afraid of anything; I -am as brave as a lion. What did you see, Plumard?' - -"'What I saw,' he replied, 'was a man climbing into a window on the -first floor of yonder house.' - -"And he pointed to Master Landry's house. - -"'Let us hurry,' said I; 'we must make sure of the fact.' - -"And I pulled Plumard along by the arm; but he did not go any more -quickly for that. When we drew near the window in question, at which -there is a balcony, we thought that we saw a rope, or a rope ladder, -which someone hastily drew up. When we were in front of the house, we -saw nothing.--Was it a lover? was it a thief?--I recalled Comte -Léodgard's watches in front of the bathing establishment, and I said to -Plumard: - -"'This must be the sequel of what we saw from your window.' - -"But Plumard, who sees thieves everywhere, did not agree with me; he -wanted to call the watch and the neighbors; but, happening to glance at -my feet, directly beneath the balcony, I saw something white on the -ground. I stooped, and picked up a beautiful white plume, like those -with which our young seigneurs adorn their hats. Then I remembered that -Comte Léodgard had one of them on his hat, and I said to my friend, -showing him the plume: - -"'Look! here is something that our climber lost on the way. Thieves -don't wear such plumes as this on their nocturnal expeditions; so this -is some lovers' affair. Let us leave them in peace; go home to bed and -stop trembling.' - -"Thereupon I left Plumard at his door and went home." - -"And the plume that you found?" - -"I carried it home with me, and I still have it; it's a very fine one! -too fine for me to wear it, with my modest clothes. But no one knows; if -I should have a handsome cloak and rich doublet some day, and a velvet -cap, why, the plume would go very well with all those things!" - -Valentine seemed to reflect; she glanced at her aunt, who was sound -asleep, then continued, taking care to speak in a low tone: - -"Is that all you know concerning Monsieur Léodgard?" - -"No, indeed! Oh! I have not emptied my bag yet, as my employer says. -Mademoiselle must know that I have a relation who lives near Vincennes; -he is a simple farmer; he has a little cottage with a sizable piece of -land, where he grows vegetables and fruit, which he brings to Paris to -sell. Thomas's cottage--Thomas is my kinsman's name--is in a very lonely -spot, just this side of the village and château of Vincennes. Ah! how -frightened Plumard would be there! so when I suggest to him to go to -Thomas's with me, he always refuses; and yet, my relative has a very -nice little wine.--But to come to my story: when you leave our quarter -of the Cité, you have to cross Pont Saint-Louis, otherwise called the -Pont-aux-Choux. And that is a very dangerous place, especially at this -time, for it is the favorite resort of Giovanni, the robber whom I -mentioned just now. I am confident that he has his lair in the -neighborhood. About five days ago, no more, Thomas's ass was stolen on -the Pont-aux-Choux; he did not see the robber, therefore it was -Giovanni. Also, an old peasant woman of Vincennes was found murdered -within fifty yards of that infernal bridge; that too was done by that -damned brigand!" - -"No, monsieur, no; that is not true!" cried Miretta. "Giovanni did not -murder that woman! it is impossible!" - -"And why is it impossible, I pray to know, young lady's-maid?" demanded -Bahuchet, staring at the girl in amazement. - -Miretta tried to dissemble her emotion as she replied: - -"Why, because I have been assured--I have heard everybody say that -Giovanni never sheds blood, that no one had ever been injured by him!" - -"Really, my pretty child! And why do they not also say that when he -pillages travellers, the brigand gives them sweetmeats and preserves to -make up to them for the money he steals? What an absurd idea--that a man -who attacks with arms in his hand does not use his arms when he is -resisted! But there are people who delight to tell such foolish tales, -and who pretend to know everything better than anybody else.--I would -just like to have a hundred men, well armed; I would lie in ambush under -the Pont-aux-Choux, and within a week I would have captured, hanged, or -shot the famous Giovanni!" - -"Ah! so that is how you expect to capture him?" muttered Miretta in a -trembling voice, gazing at the little man with eyes that flashed fire. - -"It seems to me to be very easy; when you know almost the spot where a -bird has its nest, you can find it. But I beg pardon, mademoiselle; I -see that you consider me too talkative.--I was saying that Thomas's -cottage is isolated; but within about three gunshots of it, toward -Paris, there is a very pretty place, a very elegant sort of pavilion, -which belongs now, I believe, to the Baron de Montrevert, but which -formerly belonged to Comte Léodgard, who lost it at cards. This pavilion -is what our seigneurs of the court call a _petite maison_, a place to -which they go to enjoy themselves in secret, to which they take their -mistresses or courtesans; and the young count----" - -"Enough, monsieur, enough!" said Valentine, with a glance at the young -man which cut him short. "This does not interest me. That the Comte de -Marvejols should ruin himself like a gentleman, that he should commit a -thousand follies--fight, drink too much, run in debt--all that I can -understand! But that he should fall in love with a bath keeper's -daughter, that that passion should keep him away from the world--that is -what seems inconceivable to me!--But this plume that you found--are you -willing to give it to me?" - -Bahuchet rubbed his chin, assumed his mocking expression, and said at -last: - -"Give it to you, mademoiselle?--You are most worthy of it, certainly, -but I have tried it on my hood, and it was not unbecoming to me; on the -word of a Basochian, it made me quite the dandy! Ha! ha!" - -"Not so loud, monsieur; you will wake my aunt!" - -"Ah! to be sure; the honorable and venerable lady is taking a nap." - -"When I ask you for this plume, which is of some value doubtless, I do -not mean to suggest, monsieur, that you should make me a present of it; -and I will beg you to accept this purse in exchange, not as the price of -what I ask of you, but as a souvenir of me." - -The little clerk hastily cast a furtive glance at the pretty velvet -purse, which was not unlike an alms purse, and from which issued a sound -very pleasant to his ear. He bowed to the floor before the noble maiden, -and, almost kneeling, took the purse from her hand. - -"I accept this in obedience to you, mademoiselle," he said; "to-morrow -you shall have the plume. I am too happy to be able to do anything that -is agreeable to you!" - -"Very well, monsieur; now, leave us." - -Bahuchet bowed once more, then smiled at Miretta, who answered his smile -by a wrathful glance. But the little clerk hurried from the room and the -house, paying no heed to the young lady's-maid's threatening expression. -He was no sooner in the street than he opened the purse and found four -gold pieces inside. - -Thereupon he shouted for joy, tossed his cap in the air, bumped against -the passers-by, and finally ran off at full speed, crying: - -"O Plumard! I say, Plumard! where are you? I have got enough to buy you -a wig! but I won't buy it!" - - - - -XXV - -THE MAN WITH FIVE FACES - - -When the messenger from her aunt's solicitor had gone, Valentine rose -noiselessly and beckoned to her maid to follow her. They soon reached -Mademoiselle de Mongarcin's bedroom, and the latter, after bidding -Miretta to lock the door, said to her: - -"We can talk more at ease here, Miretta. I do not know how to tell you -what is taking place in my heart. I am chagrined, angry, almost furious. -And yet, I do not love this Léodgard; but I would be glad to make sure -that that youth has not been telling us a parcel of lies.--Miretta, you -must help me to discover the truth; you are in my service to do whatever -I wish; you will help me, will you not?" - -"I am devoted to you, mademoiselle, and you may rely upon me." - -"Good! good! Oh! I will reward you handsomely, I promise you!" - -"Do not speak of rewards, mademoiselle; I am in need of nothing; you are -too kind to me now; I shall be happy to prove to you that I am not -ungrateful." - -"You are not moved by selfish motives, I have noticed that already; you -are not an ordinary lady's-maid; besides, you love, you adore your -lover. Therefore, you will understand me.--The Comte de Marvejols, the -man whom my friends have selected for my husband, make love to a bath -keeper's daughter! pass all his time with her! and, to be with her, -refuse to attend balls and receptions! Oh! I cannot believe it yet; but -if it is so, you will agree that I shall be justified in refusing him, -in spurning that alliance; and if anyone should ask me for my reasons, -how sweet it would be to me to avenge myself by revealing the noble -conduct, the honorable love affairs of Comte Léodgard! that fashionable -nobleman, that soul of honor, that gentleman of the court of Louis XIII! -A noble gentleman, on my word! who does not shrink from marring his -escutcheon!--Oh! I don't know what is the matter with me! Give me water; -give me that phial of salts! I need to inhale it a moment." - -Miretta zealously waited upon her young mistress, whose nerves were in a -state of high tension because her self-esteem was humiliated and she -could not endure the thought that a bath keeper's daughter had prevented -her destined husband from accepting her invitation. - -At last, when she had become somewhat calmer, Valentine sat for some -time deep in thought. Miretta awaited in silence the commands of the -nobly born heiress, who already felt that she hated the plebeian maiden -whom she did not know. - -"You are not timid, Miretta; you must be brave, since you are not afraid -to go out alone at night, here in Paris, which is said to be such a -dangerous place.--Well! you must go to Rue Dauphine, you must see this -girl, this wonderful beauty." - -"Yes, mademoiselle." - -"You will ascertain whether there are, in fact, any rumors afloat -respecting her love affairs; make the neighbors and servants talk; in a -word, I rely upon you to discover the truth." - -"Mademoiselle, the bath keeper's daughter whom I go to see, Ambroisine, -knows this Landry's daughter, I think.--Yes, I remember now that she has -often spoken to me of her friend Bathilde--that is the name of the girl -on Rue Dauphine." - -"Bathilde!--oh! her name is Bathilde! I thought that her name would -prove to be Marion, or Margot!" - -"I will go first to see Ambroisine; and through her I shall perhaps -learn more than from others!" - -"Do as you think best; I leave you entirely free. From this moment I -relieve you from all service and give you permission to go out whenever -you please, and to stay away as long as you please. The concierge will -have orders to await your return; and if anyone in the house should -venture to make any impertinent comments on your conduct, he will be -dismissed at once; for I am mistress here!--As you see, my aunt is good -for nothing but to sleep! She paid no attention to that young clerk's -story, and yet her niece's future and happiness were directly concerned. -Henceforth I myself will look after everything that concerns my repose, -my name, my honor.--Here is money--you may need it to bribe someone, to -induce people to speak. Do not spare it, spend it lavishly if necessary; -but act, act promptly." - -On the evening following this interview between Valentine and Miretta, -the latter left the house as soon as it was dark. - -But do not think that she bent her steps toward Ambroisine's abode. -While Mademoiselle de Mongarcin had been profoundly impressed by the -little clerk's gossip, Cédrille's pretty cousin had been no less moved -by what she had heard concerning Giovanni. Monsieur Bahuchet's words -with respect to him had struck her to the heart; she saw her lover -arrested and led to execution; and her feeling for Giovanni was stronger -than her devotion to her mistress. - -On leaving the house, she proposed first of all to try to meet Giovanni -that night. The little clerk had declared that his favorite lurking -place was the neighborhood of the Pont-aux-Choux, and Miretta said to -herself: - -"I will go in that direction; I have no idea where that bridge is, but -someone will tell me." - -The first person whom Miretta addressed, on Rue Saint-Honoré, to ask for -directions, seemed much surprised. - -"Pont-aux-Choux, mademoiselle!" he exclaimed. "The deuce! it's a long -way from here; it's outside of the city, beyond the Fossés Jaunes, -between the Porte du Temple and Porte Saint-Antoine; you don't expect -to go there to-night, I presume?" - -"Pardon me, I do." - -"And you are all alone! Beware! it's a lonely neighborhood, and very -dangerous at night." - -"I am not afraid; but please tell me which way I must go." - -He directed her as well as he could, concluding with the usual phrase: - -"When you get there, inquire again." - -Miretta walked a long while; she was not sufficiently familiar with -Paris to tell where she was, so that she did not know if she was -approaching her destination. - -Most of the shops were already closed; and the girl, remembering that -she had money about her, regretted that she had not secured the -assistance of a torchbearer or messenger, who would have guided her -directly to the place to which she wished to go; but it was too late now -to find any of those hard-worked men in the street. - -More than once, bands of students and pages had attempted to accost the -girl, offering her their services in very familiar fashion; but she had -run away from them without replying. - -She had just made her escape from a group of young men who seemed well -disposed for mirth, when, as she halted, all out of breath from running, -at the corner of a street, a well-known voice fell upon her ear. - -"Eh! sandis! my eyes do not deceive me! it is in very truth our cruel -infanta whom I see before me!--By Roland, my dear, you expose yourself -to great risk, rambling about alone at night in such an unsavory -quarter; none but knights of my temper should haunt such places by -night!" - -When she recognized the voice of her faithful suitor, the Gascon -chevalier, Miretta felt relieved; for although Passedix pestered her -with his love, at all events she knew him; and while she found him -intolerable as a lover, she believed him to be incapable of attempting -any enterprise calculated to offend a woman's modesty. It was with -something like pleasure, therefore, that the pretty brunette recognized -the chevalier at that moment, the result being that she answered in a -much more amiable tone than she usually adopted with him. - -"Is it you, monsieur le chevalier? I confess that I did not expect to -meet you here!" - -"That is because you were not looking for me, little one; whereas I am -always hoping to meet you!" - -"As you are here, you will help me out of my perplexity." - -"I will help you in whatever you wish to undertake! Do you wish to -ascend to the moon--to revolve about a planet? I will escort you to the -celestial empire; I have no very clear idea what road we must take; but, -no matter! I would act as your escort, even to hell, if such were your -whim!" - -"I thank you, monsieur le chevalier, but I have no intention of asking -you to go so high or so low; I do not deem myself worthy as yet to dwell -with the angels, but I have no desire, either, to pay a visit to the -demons!" - -"Sandis! I would gladly sell myself to the devil to win your love!" - -"Be kind enough not to talk to me of love, and please be my guide to the -Pont-aux-Choux, for that is where I am going." - -"Ah! I understand; that is where you make assignations with your lover; -probably you are going there to join that rough fellow, that rustic, -that artisan, who was awkward enough to make Roland drop from my hand on -the Place de Grève, solely by favor of the crowd that pushed me from -behind!--Ah! ten thousand _bombardes_! I would like right well to meet -your spark again; I would show him this time that I know how to use my -sword, and that it is not in the habit of escaping from my hand." - -"But if I remember aright, chevalier, it escaped from your hand on the -day you were kind enough to espouse my cause and to stand in front of -Cédrille and myself on Rue Saint-Jacques." - -"That day there was another reason," muttered Passedix, with a frown. -"But let us return to the present; you wish to go to Pont Saint-Louis?" - -"No; to the Pont-aux-Choux." - -"It is the same thing. You are going there very late, my dear. Is your -lover a market gardener, pray? has he his lair among the cabbages and -carrots that cover the road toward Vincennes?" - -"If you propose to begin your questions again, monsieur, I will leave -you and try to find some more obliging cavalier." - -"No! no!" cried the Gascon, detaining the girl, who had already started -to leave him; "why, the child is like a train of powder! what a hothead! -If you were a man, we should have killed each other ten or twelve times -before this. But I love this effervescent nature; it bears some -resemblance to mine.--So you want to go to the Pont-aux-Choux? Take my -arm, my love; I shall have the honor of escorting you thither." - -Miretta decided to put her arm through the chevalier's; and he, -overjoyed to have beside him the pretty girl of whom he was enamored, -drew himself up and tossed his head, which made him appear even taller -and diminished the stature of his companion. - -They walked on for some time, the Gascon making his rusty spurs and -Roland's scabbard ring on the stones; Miretta thinking of Giovanni and -glancing all about at the slightest sound. - -"Are we still far from the place to which I am going?" the girl asked -her guide at last. - -Passedix did not reply for some seconds. Since he had felt Miretta's arm -in his, his love for the dark maiden had made rapid progress; his heart -beat violently beneath his patched doublet, his head burned, and his -imagination indulged in a multitude of wild antics. - -At last he argued the matter out with himself thus: - -"Since my good star has caused me to meet my inhuman fair, I should be -very stupid to take her to my rival, that knave who nearly made me lose -Roland; should I not rather seize the opportunity which offers to avenge -myself and to triumph over a cruel enslaver? The little one does not -know her way; instead of taking her to her rendezvous, I will take her -to the Place aux Chats, and tell her that it is the Pont-aux-Choux! -Then, by frightening her with tales of robbers, I will try to induce her -to accept shelter in the Hôtel du Sanglier; and once there!--Sandioux! -it's a daring plan, it has a suggestion of felony about it! But this -girl is a demon, and I shall not vanquish her unless I resort to heroic -means!" - -"Well, monsieur le chevalier, you have not yet answered me; are we still -far from the Pont-aux-Choux?" - -"Why, yes, my sweet child, rather far. Oh! you had gone entirely astray, -you were not going in the right direction." - -"That is strange; I followed the directions that were given me." - -"Some persons are so unkind! they take delight in making people go -astray who ask them to point out their road.--Lean on me, tender -blossom! Do not be afraid of wearying me; it is a joy to me to feel your -round arm in mine. Ah! ye gods!" - -"It would be a great joy to me to arrive. I cannot understand this; it -seems to me that you are making me retrace my steps." - -"As you were not going toward your destination, I must, of course, take -you back. This is one of the most blissful evenings of my life!" - -"Do not press my arm so tightly, I beg you." - -"This loving pressure is a magnetic effect of the fire which consumes my -heart, and which snaps devilishly so near to you!" - -"Are you going to begin again to talk to me of your love? I thought that -you were cured." - -"Cured! I!--Better to die than to be cured! What would you have me talk -about, sweet friend, when I am with you?" - -"Have you forgotten, pray, that I am only a servant, upon whom you -conferred too much honor simply by looking at her?" - -"A man may say that when he is angry, my dear; but, in reality, he does -not mean a word of it." - -"Oh!" cried Miretta, suddenly stopping at a street corner; "I am sure -now that it is you who have lost your way! I recognize this street -perfectly; it runs into the street I live on; you have brought me back -to the quarter I came from." - -"Sandis! I am taking you where you want to go. Come, we shall soon be -there." - -"No!" cried the girl, as she withdrew her arm from the chevalier's, -refusing to go any farther; "no! I will not go with you, for it is not -possible that the Pont-aux-Choux is in this direction." - -Passedix tried to take Miretta's arm again; she resisted, but the Gascon -was excited, and he was determined not to let the girl escape him anew. - -Suddenly a new personage, whose approach neither of them had observed or -heard, appeared on the scene and put an end to the contest by releasing -Miretta from the chevalier's grasp. - -The new-comer wore the costume of a citizen of the middle class; his -chin was cleanly shaven. - -The girl had no sooner glanced at him than her face regained its -serenity; and she hastened to take her place by his side, while the -unknown said to the Gascon: - -"How now, my master! Do you propose to make this young girl go with you -against her will? For a chevalier who wears a helmet and sword, that is -hardly chivalrous." - -"Eh! where in the devil did this fellow spring from? I neither heard nor -saw him coming. Do me the favor to go your way, my dear fellow; this -young shepherdess is in my company, and we do not require your -interference in our affairs." - -"But it seemed to me that you were hardly in accord, and I always -protect the ladies.--Tell me, my lovely child, did not this gentleman -try to make you take a road which you did not wish to take?" - -"He did indeed, monsieur; for I wished to go to the Pont-aux-Choux, and -I am sure that he was not taking me there!" - -"Oh, no! by no means! He was taking you to the Place aux Chats, to the -Hôtel du Sanglier; a most excellent hotel, i' faith! of which he -proposed to do the honors for you, I doubt not." - -"Sandioux! it seems that you know me! But whoever you are, I forbid you -to take this girl's arm! Back, instantly!" - -Passedix tried to push away the stranger, who had already taken the -girl's arm in his; but with his free hand the _soi-disant_ bourgeois -seized the Gascon's wrist and pressed it with his fingers with such -force that he cried: - -"Oh! oh! That cursed grip again! Ah! it is the very same, I recognize -it! You are the mechanic of the Place de Grève; you are the Bohemian of -the Loup de Mer!" - -"Search your memory--it is possible that I am still another person." - -"Yes--those eyes, that expression! Ten thousand devils! it is the face -of the Comte de Carvajal, the noble guest of Dame Cadichard! But whoever -you may be, double, triple, or quadruple! even though you be the devil -in person--if you are a man of heart, you will give me satisfaction like -a gallant champion, sword in hand!" - -"Ah! you wish to measure swords with me, do you, chevalier? Very good! -it shall be as you wish. On guard!--Have no fear, my girl! it is a -matter of an instant." - -As he spoke, the pretended bourgeois drew from beneath his cloak a short -sword with a broad blade. Meanwhile, Passedix had drawn Roland from the -scabbard; but when he saw his adversary's weapon, he paused and -exclaimed: - -"What in the devil do you expect to do with that little cutlass against -my noble blade? Sandis! I have too great an advantage over you!" - -"Let not that deter you, chevalier, but try to hold your long sword more -firmly in your hand this time." - -With that, the stranger attacked Roland with such vigor and dexterity, -that in less than two minutes the long sword went flying through the -air, and Passedix, stepping back, put his foot in a hole, fell over, and -rolled at the feet of his adversary, who placed the point of his short -sword against the prostrate man's breast, saying: - -"Well! do you think that my little cutlass is worthy to measure itself -against your illustrious blade?" - -"I cannot understand it! You have a way of fighting that bewilders one! -deceives one! Sandis! it is impossible; it must be that I have the gout -in my right hand!--But, no matter! I am vanquished! Strike!" - -"I should be very sorry to do so. Au revoir, Chevalier Passedix! try to -find your sword; it went in that direction. But take my advice and do -not again lead young girls astray." - -As he spoke, the victor joined Miretta, drew her arm through his, and -walked rapidly off with her, paying no further heed to his adversary, -who made a piteous face when he saw them go away together. - -"Ah! what good fortune to have met you, Giovanni!" said Miretta, when -they were far enough away to have no fear of being overheard. "I was not -afraid for a single instant during the battle I have just been watching; -I was perfectly sure that you would be the victor!" - -"But why did you wish to go to the Pont-aux-Choux so late?" - -"Why! Because I want to save you; because you are in danger; because, -guilty as you are, I do not want you to be arrested and put to death!" - -"_Què diavolo è questo?_ What is the source of this dread, of these new -alarms?" - -"Ah! because I heard a young man say: 'I know where Giovanni's usual -lurking place is; it is near the Pont-aux-Choux that he ordinarily lies -in hiding; if they would surround that place with archers, it would be -very easy to capture the famous brigand.'" - -"Ah! indeed!" - -"'It is in that neighborhood,' he added, 'that he usually attacks -people; not long ago he stole an ass from my cousin, and murdered an old -peasant woman of Vincennes!'--Oh! those words made me shudder; I said -that it was not true, that Giovanni never shed blood.--Was I right in -saying that?" - -"You did right to think it, but you did wrong to say it. Do you wish -people to suspect that you know me? You are an imprudent child, Miretta; -you forget what I have told you.--Never a word about me, never a comment -that may lead anyone to infer that we are not strangers to each other! -Listen, but do not seem to pay any attention to what people say about -me." - -"Oh! do you think that it is possible for me to remain unmoved when I -hear someone say that he knows where you hide, that you will be -arrested, that you will be---- Oh! I will not utter that horrible word!" - -"In the first place, my dear love, why are you so silly as to place any -faith in these fables, invented by one person to give himself -importance, and repeated by others because lies always find fools enough -who are ready to spread them? I, kill a peasant! to take her vegetables, -I presume? I, steal an ass! Why, what on earth should I do with it?--And -you could believe that, Miretta! you, who have seen my wealth, and who -know of the thirst for gold that possesses me now!" - -"Mon Dieu! will it never be satisfied, this passion which drives you to -crime? Giovanni, do you mean to pass your whole life in this way?" - -"No; a few months more.--Hark ye, next spring I mean to return to my -lovely Italy." - -"You will take me, will you not?" - -"Yes, I will take you. I will buy a palace, a superb villa. I will have -splendid equipages. You shall be covered with diamonds! I propose that -Milan and Florence shall be dazzled by my magnificence and my luxurious -mode of life." - -"Why do you not carry out your plan now?" - -"No; this will be a good winter in Paris; we will go in the spring." - -"Giovanni, no one can defy danger forever with impunity! No one can be -always stronger than the laws and his fellow men! The moment of -retribution arrives when he believes that he is safe from all danger." - -"Enough, Miretta, enough! I have told you before that your arguments are -of no avail.--Let us take this street--we shall soon be at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin." - -"Then let us take another, for I do not want to leave you so soon, -Giovanni. I do not know why, but it seems to me that I shall not see you -again for a long while. I have a heavy weight on my heart; do not leave -me yet, I implore you, unless your safety requires it!" - -"My safety has nothing to fear. But it is very late, and I thought that -it was necessary for you to return." - -"Oh! I am in no hurry now; I may remain as long as I please; my mistress -herself gave me permission, for she thinks that I am employing my time -in her service." - -"What does that mean?" - -"That Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin, furious with rage because she -is disdained by the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, who was to marry -her, wishes to know if he is really in love with the daughter of a bath -keeper on Rue Dauphine, and if it is really he who obtains access to her -at night by scaling the balcony of a window on the first floor. -Mademoiselle instructed me to investigate, to resort to every possible -means of ascertaining the truth." - -"Your investigation is all made, the truth is ascertained for you.--I -know better than anyone what takes place in Paris at night. I know Comte -Léodgard; on a certain night last winter I had quite a long conversation -with him; and for some time past I have, in fact, noticed him several -times scaling the bath keeper Landry's balcony. It would never have -occurred to me to interfere with him; I should have been more inclined -to assist him, if he had needed assistance." - -"In that case, my errand is done. Mademoiselle Valentine is not happy in -her love; for, although she will not admit it, I am very certain that -she loves this young seigneur; but not so much, surely, as I love my -Giovanni! O Giovanni! why must I leave you again? If you would----" - -"The day will soon break," said Giovanni, interrupting her, "and I must -not wait for it. Let us go this way and walk faster; I am going to take -you home." - -Miretta dared not remonstrate; but she sighed as she quickened her pace, -and they walked along in silence. - -They were soon within a few yards of the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Giovanni -released his companion's arm, saying: - -"Here you are at home; adieu!" - -"Already! what! must I leave you so soon? Just a moment more!" - -"Really, Miretta, you are not reasonable to-night; do you not see that -point of light in the sky, which announces the dawn? The stars are -growing dim, the darkness is beginning to fade away. Do not keep me -longer; adieu!" - -Giovanni dropped the hand which tried to press his once more; he hurried -away and disappeared. - -Miretta stood like a statue when he had left her; she was conscious of a -sharp pain at her heart, as if she had been stabbed. - - - - -XXVI - -THE PONT-AUX-CHOUX - - -Historians are not agreed as to the first two encircling walls which -were built around Paris; but there is no doubt as to the location of the -third, which we owe to Philippe-Auguste, and which was begun in 1190. - -This wall, starting from the right bank of the Seine, where the Pont des -Arts now is, traversed the site of the Louvre in the direction of the -Oratoire Saint-Honoré, where Porte Saint-Honoré stood; it then described -a curve to the _carrefour_ now formed by Rues Jean-Jacques Rousseau, -Coquillière, and de Grenelle. When it reached Rue Montmartre, the wall -was broken by Porte Montmartre. It continued along the northern side of -Rue Mauconseil to Rue Saint-Martin, where there was a gate called Porte -de Nicolas Huidelon. Crossing the sites of Rues Michel-le-Comte, -Geoffroy-Langevin, du Chaume, de Paradis, where Porte de Braque stood, -to Vieille Rue du Temple, it went on to Porte Beaudoyer, crossed the -enclosure of the Convent of the Ave Maria and Rue des Barres, and ended -at the right bank of the Seine. - -The work on the wall south of the river began in 1208. This wall, built -through gardens and vineyards as far as Porte Saint-Marcel, skirted the -enclosure of Sainte-Geneviève to the Château de Hautefeuille, cut across -Clos Bruneau to Porte de Bussy, and, following the outer wall of the -Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the smaller Pré-aux-Clercs, came to -an end at the Tour de Nesle. - -This third wall had round towers at intervals to protect it. But the -most formidable ones were at the extremities, on the banks of the Seine. - -Under the reign of François I, the wall had been considerably enlarged. -But, in the year 1536, the Cardinal du Bellai, lieutenant-general of the -armies of King François, being informed of the approach of the English, -who were already devastating Normandie and Picardie, and dreading the -result of an attack upon Paris, ordered trenches and moats to be dug -from Porte Saint-Antoine to Porte Saint-Honoré. These were afterward -called the Fossés Jaunes [yellow moats]. - -This little digression into the domain of history is necessary to recall -old Paris to the minds of our readers, especially so that they may be -able to form an accurate idea of the localities where the events took -place which we are about to describe. - -Pont Saint-Louis, otherwise called the Pont-aux-Choux, because of the -proximity of Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and because it was principally used -by the market gardeners, who crossed it to carry their vegetables into -the heart of the city, was situated between Porte du Temple and Porte -Saint-Antoine, and was built over the moats of which we have just -described the origin. Over this bridge, which was a dismal and often -deserted structure, there was a gate of a commonplace type of -architecture, called Porte Saint-Louis. But as it had not been closed -for many years, there was no keeper; it was very dilapidated, and on the -point of falling in ruins. - -All about the Pont-aux-Choux were swamps, a large portion of which was -uncultivated. Tall grass grew along the edges of the moat, which -contained nothing but a little slimy water, through which it would have -been difficult to force a boat. Thus the whole locality had a sort of -wild and forbidding aspect, well calculated to inspire terror in the -solitary traveller whom the darkness surprised on that road. - -However, on a certain lovely night in summer, several young gentlemen, -some of whom were acquaintances of ours, having crossed the -Pont-aux-Choux on their way back to Paris, halted about three hundred -yards beyond it, and one of them threw himself on the turf, crying: - -"Faith, I don't care! go on if you choose, my masters; but I am going to -rest here; it is very comfortable on the grass. Besides, I feel that I -am drunk; I cannot stand on my legs." - -"How now, my poor Monclair! Can you carry your wine no better than this? -What a pity!" - -"Don't put on airs, Sénange! You are at least as drunk as I am, if not -more so." - -"The fact is that I am quite as willing to sit down as to stumble at -every step on these horrible roads.--What an infernal way for Léodgard -to make us take!--I say, Comte de Marvejols, where are you? I want to -congratulate you!--Where in the devil is my valet Bruno? Let him bring a -torch here, and we will have another game." - -"Your esquire is ahead; he walked on." - -"I must call him.--Messieurs, messieurs, you fellows who are still on -your legs, have the kindness to call my esquire, my page, my -varlet--that rascal who is going off with the lanterns yonder, without -taking the trouble to see if his master is following him." - -These words were addressed to three other young gentlemen who had halted -a few yards away. Among them was Léodgard de Marvejols, whose features -were far from denoting hilarity, and who did not seem, like some of his -friends, to have left his reason at the bottom of his glass. - -The servant, being recalled, came back and placed a lighted lantern on -the ground, near the two gentlemen who were already seated on the grass. -The others decided to join them; but Léodgard remained a little behind, -leaning thoughtfully against a solitary tree. - -"Do you propose to stay here, my fine fellows?" he asked. - -"Yes; the fresh air has finished us, we cannot stand on our legs any -longer." - -"It is a fact that the supper was delicious and the wines exquisite. -Montrevert did things very handsomely; his _petite maison_ is a -delightful place." - -"Speaking of Montrevert, did he not say that he was coming with us?" - -"Yes; he said: 'Go on, and I will overtake you.'" - -"Well, he does not seem to have overtaken us, and we are a good quarter -of a league from his house." - -"That is true, and it is an additional reason why we should rest here -and wait for him." - -"Bah! he won't come; he has probably remained with his infanta. She is a -very pretty girl, that Herminie!" - -"But I tell you, messieurs, that Montrevert will come; he cannot stay at -his _petite maison_, for he must be in Paris to-morrow for the king's -_lever_. He has hopes of being admitted to the company of Gray -Mousquetaires, which his majesty has just organized; it is a bodyguard -that is to attend him everywhere, even to the hunt.--Vive Dieu! -messieurs, but it is a fine corps! Such a coquettish uniform--red, -trimmed with gold. Ah! what conquests those fellows will make with that -uniform!" - -"Look you, I too have some hope of entering this corps of -mousquetaires," said the young Marquis de Sénange, trying to straighten -up and maintain a sitting posture on the grass. "I too ought to be at -the king's _lever_ to-morrow--or rather, this morning. But I think that -I shall not be there! I am too dizzy--deuce take it! Youth is the age of -folly and pleasure.--Ah! I wish I could find someone who would sit back -to back with me; we would support each other.--Monclair, sit behind me." - -"No; I am very comfortable, I refuse to stir." - -"What a selfish beast that little Monclair is!--Come, La Valteline, and -you, Beausseilly--come and sit down with us." - -The two young men who were still standing decided to seat themselves on -the grass near their companions. But he who was called La Valteline -turned toward Léodgard and shouted: - -"Well! Comte de Marvejols, aren't you going to join us? What the deuce -are you doing there, all alone, with your eyes fixed on the sky? are you -going into astrology? Beware! you know that a commission is sitting at -the Arsenal, in the Poison Chamber, for the express purpose of trying -persons accused of magic! And astrologers are very closely related to -sorcerers!" - -"Messieurs," said the Sire de Beausseilly, lowering his voice, "poor -Léodgard is in no laughing mood, and you must understand why: he was -very unlucky at cards to-night, he lost all that he possessed to -Montrevert, and, I believe, a hundred pistoles more on credit." - -"He is always unlucky with Montrevert, he ought never to play with him; -for that charming _petite maison_ where we supped, which is decorated so -suggestively, used to belong to Marvejols; he staked it against heaven -knows what sum with Montrevert! And now that delicious resort no longer -belongs to him! To be sure, Montrevert often invites him there." - -"If he does it in order to win his money, as he has done to-night, it is -not very amusing for Léodgard. I have noticed that fortune has been very -adverse to him for some time past. He always loses, poor fellow!" - -"And I believe he is in debt; he owes everybody!" - -"Vive Dieu! messieurs, should a man torment himself because he is in -debt? As for myself, I have creditors, and plenty of them--I am proud of -the fact! But when the knaves have the impudence to ask me for money, -then I draw my sword and shout and curse and excite myself to such a -frenzy that they run away as if the devil was at their heels! That is -the way to arrange one's affairs!" - -Léodgard had not heard La Valteline's call, for he was still looking at -the stars. - -"Stay, messieurs; I will wager that I will make him come; I know the -way.--Holà ! Bruno! come here, knave! Have you the dice and diceboxes in -your pocket?" - -"Yes, seigneur." - -"Give them to me." - -The valet handed to his master, the Marquis de Sénange, two ivory -diceboxes and the dice; the young man placed the dice in one of the -boxes and shook them a long while, then began to exclaim: - -"Seven--eleven--twelve! I have won! I have won!" - -The rattling of the dice produced the effect which Sénange anticipated: -Léodgard, roused from his reverie, left his place and drew near the -gentlemen who were seated about the torch. - -"What, messieurs! are you shaking dice on the grass?" he asked. - -"Sénange is shaking all by himself at this moment." - -"I heard him say that he had won." - -"Pardieu! yes, for I have won; I bet that with my dice I would draw the -Comte de Marvejols hither.--Tell me, my masters, did I succeed?--Come, -Léodgard, sit down and laugh a bit with us! What is the use of losing -your temper with Fortune? What good does it do? She's a woman; what she -will not grant to-day, she will grant to-morrow." - -"Moreover, Comte Léodgard cannot accuse Fortune with a good grace; for -if she is adverse to him at play, with the fair she seems to treat him -like a spoiled child." - -"There is a report of a certain _bonne fortune_ with a damsel on Rue -Dauphine; and I hear that the little one is as beautiful as Cupid. She -was kept carefully concealed, but that devil of a Léodgard would -discover her kind at the bottom of a well or on top of the steepest -cliffs!" - -"Come, Léodgard, tell us about this intrigue." - -"Yes, yes! tell us about this bourgeois _bonne fortune_. It will help us -to pass the time until Montrevert comes; he must have fallen into some -hole in the road." - -Léodgard stretched himself out carelessly on the grass and looked at his -companions, saying: - -"Has anyone anything to drink? I am extremely thirsty, and I can't tell -my story unless I have something to drink." - -"By Saint Jacques! I would like a drink, too!" muttered young Monclair, -making vain efforts to sit up. - -"What! not a drop? and no wine shops near by!" - -"A cheerful spot, the neighborhood of this horrible -Pont-aux-Choux!--There is not a house in sight--not even a hovel!" - -"Wait, my friends, wait.--Holà ! Bruno!" - -The Marquis de Sénange's valet approached the group. - -"Bruno, do you not always carry a gourd, like the pilgrims when they set -out on a long journey?" - -"Yes, seigneur, I do." - -"What is there in your gourd?" - -"There is some--some very bad eau-de-vie." - -"Very bad!--Ah! you rascal! from the way in which you say that, I would -swear that you are lying. Give us your gourd; and we will judge whether -its contents are so bad as you say." - -"But, seigneur, I have been drinking from it, and I could not allow----" - -"Give it to me, all the same; we must be governed by circumstances. -Come, gallows bird! I verily believe that you hesitate!" - -Repressing a sigh, the valet handed his master an enormous gourd. -Sénange swallowed a mouthful, then cried: - -"Ah! I suspected as much; it is exquisite, delicious,--it is thirty -years old, I will stake my head! The villain must have stolen it from my -father's cellar.--Here, Léodgard, judge for yourself." - -Léodgard took the gourd and drank slowly but at great length, so that -the young men called out: - -"Enough, count, enough!--He will drink it all! We too want a chance to -judge of the liquor!" - -At last Léodgard passed the gourd to his neighbor, who, after drinking, -passed it to another. They did not cease to drink, until they had -exhausted the contents of the gourd. Then they returned it to Bruno and -made themselves comfortable on the grass, some half reclining, others at -full length. Léodgard, who had maintained a sitting posture, with his -head resting on his left hand, said to his companions: - -"What do you wish me to tell you about, messieurs? an amourette among -the common people? Mon Dieu! it is always the same story! They kept the -girl closely confined, but not so closely that she did not see me pacing -the street under her window." - -"So long as parents leave windows in their houses," said Monclair, "they -cannot answer for the innocence of their daughters!" - -"There was a balcony on which she had placed a pot of flowers, which she -used to come out to water." - -"Messieurs, it is not without a motive that women display so much love -for flowers; intrigues almost always begin with bouquets." - -"Hold your tongue, Monclair! sleep off your wine, and allow the count to -finish his story." - -"Sleep off your eau-de-vie, you fellows!" - -"I threw a billet-doux in at the window; she pretended to be angry at -first; I did not appear again for four days, and on the fifth I found -the little one on the balcony at midnight, peering into the darkness in -quest of me!" - -"Ah! that's the way! it is always like that!" - -"The next day, with the aid of a silk ladder, I stood by my charmer's -side!--You see, messieurs, that this affair was like every other; -indeed, it was too easy--no jealous husband, no guardian keeping watch." - -"Oh! that sort of thing is very insipid; when there's no danger, there's -no pleasure." - -"Oh! Sire de Beausseilly, what you say is altogether false; there is -always pleasure in the conquest of a pretty girl! And it seems that this -one is an angel of beauty.--Is that so, Léodgard?" - -"Yes, she was very pretty." - -"She _was_! Is she dead, pray?" - -"No, but I have not seen her for several weeks; that is why I use the -past tense." - -"Oho! so it is already over?" - -"Already? An amourette that lasts two months--is not that long enough?" - -"It's a long time!" - -"It is too long!" - -"It is never too long when one is happy." - -"And then a mother arrived--a very unamiable person, so it seems, who -had been absent a long while. If I had still been in love, the obstacles -that would thenceforth have made our rendezvous an affair of some -difficulty would have served only to sharpen my desires; but my love was -extinct. Faith! the little one may look out for herself now as best she -can; it is no longer any concern of mine." - -"Well said! Of course, a gentleman could not run the risk of a -controversy with churls!" - -"Faith! messieurs, for my part, I care for none but _grandes dames_! -They are so adroit in carrying on an intrigue, they display so much -coquetry, that it keeps you in breathless suspense! A fellow is much -more in love when he is not certain that he is loved in return!" - -"And you, Sire de Beausseilly?" - -"I! do you suppose that I have patience to make love to a woman? to -dance attendance on her and languish and sigh? Nonsense! never! I like -the love affairs that give one no trouble!" - -"Oh, yes! we all know what that means! He frequents Rue Fromenteau, Rue -Tire-Boudin, Rue Brisemiche, Rue du Hurleur, Rue de la -Vieille-Bouclerie." - -"Peste! La Valteline, you seem to know perfectly where all the wantons' -houses are; for you mention all the streets to which _girls who are mad -over their bodies_, as they are called, are obliged to confine -themselves." - -"One must needs know his Paris, messieurs." - -"Yes; especially when one desires to meet _golden girdles_." - -"Oh! messeigneurs, the edict of King Louis VIII has long been forgotten, -and those damsels no longer comply with it; so that the proverb: 'A good -reputation is worth more than a golden girdle' has no meaning now." - -"I say, messieurs, it must be very late." - -"You mean that it must be very early in the morning!" - -"About three o'clock, I fancy." - -"Oh! more than that; it is four o'clock at least; I am sure that the -dawn will soon be here." - -"Do we propose to finish the night in this place?" - -"It is very strange that Montrevert has not overtaken us!" - -"He certainly will not come now!" - -"I do not propose to wait for daylight to return to Paris, in the -condition in which I am! If some _âme damnée_ of the cardinal should -happen to meet me, Richelieu would hear of it, and I should receive a -sharp reprimand.--Come, messieurs, let us get up and go on." - -"No, no!" murmured the Marquis de Sénange, rolling over on the grass; "I -am very comfortable here. Let La Valteline go, if he pleases! I shall -stay; for when day breaks, the little dairymaids from the country will -cross the Pont-aux-Choux; we will watch for the prettiest ones, and they -will have to pay toll,--eh, Léodgard?--Well, he is still thinking of his -losses at cards!" - -"Sénange, you have dice there," cried Léodgard suddenly, raising his -head; "I will play you for my cloak--you were admiring it last night. I -will stake it against fifty livres, and, on my word as a gentleman, it -cost me more than a hundred--which I have not yet paid, it is true, but -which I still owe to my tailor." - -"What, Léodgard! do you want to play again?" cried Beausseilly; "but you -are not in luck, and if you lose your cloak, how can you return to -Paris?" - -"I will stake my sword, my doublet, my knee-breeches! I will stake -myself, when I have nothing else left! But I must play! So long as I -have anything left to stake, by hell! it will always be so.--Well, -Sénange, do you accept the stake I propose?" - -"Yes, I agree; your cloak against fifty livres. But what shall we play -on? We can't throw dice on the grass; they would not lie evenly, and the -result would be doubtful." - -"Play on my back, messieurs," said Monclair, lying flat on his stomach -on the grass. "I promise not to stir." - -"So be it; on Monclair's back." - -The two young men each took a dicebox, and their companions drew near to -watch the game. The valet brought the lantern nearer, while Monclair -lay on his stomach and did not stir. - -"Begin!" said Léodgard in a gloomy voice, handing the dice to his -adversary. - -"As you please," said Sénange; and placing the dice in the box, he threw -them on Monclair's back. - -"Four!" cried Beausseilly and La Valteline. - -"Four!" echoed Léodgard, with a smile of satisfaction. - -"What a beastly throw!" muttered Sénange; "I fancy that I may say -good-bye to my fifty livres.--Go on, count--play!" - -Léodgard took the dice and threw them with a trembling hand. - -"Three!" cried Sénange. "Pardieu! but I am in luck! Your cloak belongs -to me, Léodgard!" - -The young Comte de Marvejols dropped his head on his breast, while the -other gentlemen held their peace and seemed distressed by the ill -fortune which pursued Léodgard. - -At that moment a distant, indistinct noise reached the ears of the young -men. - -"Do you hear, messieurs?" said La Valteline, listening intently; "do you -hear?" - -"I hear nothing," said Monclair. - -"I do," said Beausseilly; "I hear a noise that seems to be coming -nearer; it sounds like outcries, imprecations." - -"It seems to me that someone is coming toward us. Listen! listen! the -footsteps are becoming more distinct." - -"Suppose it were Montrevert?" - -"Can he have been attacked? We must go to his assistance!" - -"We had better hail him first.--Take that lantern, Bruno, and hold it in -the air.--Do as I do, messieurs.--Holà , Montrevert! is that you?" - -The shouts of the young men were met by an answering shout. - -"It is he," said Léodgard; "and he is not far away." - -"There he is! there he is!" - -"Come this way! this way!" - -A young man of twenty-eight to thirty years, dressed with elegance, but -with his garments in disorder, his belt gone, his face transformed by -excitement, and without his sword, crossed the Pont-aux-Choux at full -speed and joined the friends whose shouts had guided him. - -"It is Montrevert!" - -"Mon Dieu! what is the matter with him? what a ghastly pallor!" - -"What a state his clothes are in!" - -"What has happened to you, Montrevert?" - -"Have you been attacked?" - -"Wait a moment, messieurs; give me a chance to breathe.--Yes, I have -been attacked." - -"Are you wounded?" - -"No, not a scratch! And yet, I assure you that I tried to defend myself. -It was Giovanni, the famous brigand, who attacked me--yonder, on the -other side of the bridge, on the right." - -"Giovanni?" - -"Oh, yes! he was dressed just as those whom he has robbed describe him, -just as he was when Léodgard saw him: the long olive-green cloak, and -the cap bristling with hair---- Ah! the villain!--Look you, messieurs, -this is how it happened. I stayed behind longer than I expected after -your departure; so that when I started, wishing to make up for lost time -and to overtake you the sooner, I walked very rapidly; I lengthened my -strides, sometimes cutting across the market gardeners' gardens, and -devoting all my thought to keeping my feet out of the holes and ruts and -excavations which make such cross cuts extremely dangerous. So it is not -surprising that I did not see my robber approaching. However, I think -that he must have been hiding behind a tree, for he suddenly blocked my -path without my hearing the sound of his footsteps. I was thunderstruck -at seeing before me a man whose aspect was so truly frightful, and I -instantly put my hand to my sword hilt; but instead of the raucous tones -which I expected to hear, it was almost a falsetto voice that said to -me: - -"'Do not draw your sword, but give me your purse, seigneur; that will be -the quickest way.' - -"'My purse!' I cried. 'Ah! do you expect to obtain it without striking a -blow? I propose to kill you instead of giving you my money.' - -"As I spoke, I drew my sword and expected to transfix the robber with -ease. But the rascal must be a powerful hand at fence. With two blows of -a weapon which he held, he shattered mine; then, throwing me to the -ground, he snatched my purse from my belt! Vive Dieu! my purse, which -contained two hundred gold pieces! Ah! the gallows bird!--And it was all -done so dexterously and so quickly that I was hardly on the ground when -it was all over; no purse, no robber--Giovanni had disappeared!--Then it -was that I began to shout imprecations, to relieve myself a little. I am -not wounded, it is true; but to be beaten and robbed like that by that -bandit! It is enough to make a man damn himself!" - -The young men were stupefied by what they had heard. Léodgard alone -sprang to his feet, crying: - -"Damnation! I will not let this opportunity escape. It was on the -right-hand side of the road, beyond the bridge, that you were attacked, -you said, Montrevert, did you not? It was on the path leading to -Vincennes, then?" - -"Yes; but what do you mean to do, Léodgard?" - -"To avenge you, or rather to avenge us both; for I, like yourself, have -been beaten and stripped by Giovanni! But this time I will kill him, or -he will kill me!" - -"Can you think of such a thing, Léodgard? Pursue that brigand? Why, he -must be far away before now! He will not have remained near the scene -of his latest exploit." - -"Perhaps he will. However, I will go a long distance, if need be; but I -will find that man!" - -"In that case," said La Valteline, "we will go with you; we will not -allow you to run such a risk alone." - -"No, messieurs, I beg you, do not come with me; you will make success -impossible. If the robber can be surprised, it must be done by cunning. -He would hear the footsteps of several people, and that would put him on -his guard. Once more, I say, let me make the attempt alone. One man -against one man--that is enough; and if I meet my death in this -undertaking, do not pity me; at this moment I care very little for -life!" - -When he had finished speaking, Léodgard ran across the Pont-aux-Choux -and disappeared in the darkness. - -"Léodgard! Léodgard!" called Beausseilly; "we will wait for you here; we -will not move until you return.--I don't know if he heard me." - -"What the devil ever put that idea into his head?" - -"There is no sense in what he has undertaken to do," said Montrevert; -"judging from the address and agility that this Giovanni shows in his -attacks, it is inconceivable that he should allow himself to be taken by -surprise." - -"I agree with you; but Léodgard is intensely excited! He has gambled -away all that he possessed--even more. Life has little attraction for -him at this moment! Faith! if he meets Giovanni, I fancy that the -villain will not come off so cheaply." - -"Pardieu!" said Sénange, half rising; "you remind me that the handsome -cloak which the count is wearing is my property now, as I won it from -him a moment ago at dice. I ought not to have let him go off with it!" - -"Ah! Sénange, you are a very pitiless creditor!" - -"Look you, if he meets Giovanni, the latter will be the victor, in my -opinion; and as he will not find an obolus on Léodgard, he will take his -cloak. Would it not be better that I should have it than that brigand?" - -"Listen, messieurs! don't you hear a noise?" - -"No, nothing." - -"Oh! how the time drags! I wish Léodgard would come back." - -Ten minutes passed, and with each minute the young men became more -anxious; they no longer laughed, they even ceased to talk, for they -listened with all their ears. - -"Here comes the day," muttered Montrevert, "and Léodgard does not -return! I begin to tremble lest he has been the victim of his own -boldness." - -"Messieurs," said La Valteline, "if he does not return in five minutes, -we must go in search of him." - -"Yes, yes!" - -"Wait--I hear footsteps." - -"Bah! it's a peasant going to market; look--you can make her out now on -the bridge." - -"True; the time for thieves to be abroad has passed." - -"Poor Léodgard!" - -"Messieurs, see that man walking so fast across the bridge. Ah! this -time it is he! it is our friend!" - -"Victory! it must be that he has carried the day!" - -All the young men ran to meet Léodgard, for it was really he who was -approaching. As they drew near him they were struck by his pallor and by -the sinister gleam of his eyes, which avoided theirs. - -"Well, comte, did you win the fight?" - -"Or did you fail to find the brigand?" - -"Oh! messieurs, they fought; for, see, Léodgard has blood on his -clothes!" - -"Ah! Giovanni has ceased to live!" - -"You are mistaken," murmured Léodgard, in an altered voice; "it is true -that I fought with the brigand; I wounded him, for his blood spurted on -me. But it seems that his wound was of trifling consequence, for it did -not prevent him from running away, and it was impossible for me to -overtake him! He disappeared behind the hedges, and I saw him no more." - -"Ah! so much the worse!" - -"What a pity!" - -"The poor count has nothing to show for his exploit.--Luckily, you are -not wounded, are you?" - -"No, not at all." - -"That is the principal thing, for we were beginning to be very anxious -about you!" - -"Messieurs, messieurs, it is broad daylight; let us hasten home, or we -too shall be taken for robbers." - -"Yes, yes, let us go!" - -"Are not you coming with us, Léodgard?" - -"No, messieurs; I am in no hurry to return to Paris. This adventure, -this fight, has tired me; the country air will do me good." - -"Au revoir, then!" - -"Au revoir!" - -The young men walked rapidly away toward the city, while Léodgard slowly -crossed the Pont-aux-Choux, glancing furtively behind him from time to -time. - - - - -XXVII - -THE FOSSÉS JAUNES - - -Valentine de Mongarcin was reclining carelessly on a sofa in her music -room. That was her usual place of refuge when she was not with her aunt; -but for several days past the study of the zither and mandolin had been -abandoned. - -The noble heiress had learned from her maid that the little clerk's -tales were founded on truth; Miretta had told her what she had learned -from Giovanni. From that moment Valentine's lovely features had shown -signs of gloomy preoccupation. If a smile sometimes played about her -lips, it seemed inspired rather by the hope of vengeance than by one of -those agreeable thoughts which usually cause young girls to smile. - -Valentine rang a bell, and Miretta soon stood before her. - -"Did you do my errand, Miretta? Did you go to the office of my aunt's -solicitor?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I went there this morning. I easily found Maître -Bourdinard's office; it is on Rue du Bac. I crossed Pont-Rouge, which, -they say, was built not long ago to take the place of the ferry [_bac_] -that used to be established there, opposite that street, which took its -name therefrom.--Oh! I am beginning to know Paris very well now!" - -"Well, did you find that little clerk who came here the other day, and -to whom I owe such--such valuable discoveries?" - -"Monsieur Bahuchet? No, mademoiselle, he was not at the office; but -there were several other clerks, who stared at me so insolently that I -was very much embarrassed. When I asked for Monsieur Bahuchet, all the -scribblers began to laugh; and they made some very coarse jests among -themselves, which brought the blood to my cheeks. - -"'Ah! you want to see Bahuchet, do you?' they said; 'ah! it is that -villain, that seducer of a Bahuchet, whom you want to see?--On my word, -he's a lucky rascal!--It seems that you don't go in for height, or for -physique!--Who would believe that such a pygmy would be picked out by -such a pretty girl?--I say, when you take his arm, you must tower above -him! and if he doesn't walk fast enough to suit you, you can easily take -him under your arm and carry him; he weighs only thirty-three pounds and -a half.' - -"To put an end to all this nonsense, I said loudly: - -"'Messieurs, I wish to see Monsieur Bahuchet in behalf of Mademoiselle -Valentine de Mongarcin, who is my mistress, and who desires to speak -with him.' - -"Ah! mademoiselle, you should have seen what a change took place in the -office when they heard your name! All the clerks assumed a most sedate -air, and the jests instantly came to an end; they became very polite, -and one of them, who, when he took off his cap to salute me, showed a -head prematurely bald, said: 'Mademoiselle, Bahuchet is out, on business -for the master, and he will not return for an hour at the earliest. But -if mademoiselle your mistress wishes to speak with Bahuchet on business, -one of us might take his place; myself, for example, Eudoxe Plumard; I -am ready to go at once to the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Unless you prefer to -speak to the solicitor himself; but he is not in, he has just mounted -his mule to go to the Palais.' - -"I answered that it was about a matter with which Monsieur Bahuchet was -already familiar, and that, for that reason, you desired to speak with -him personally. Thereupon they promised to send him to you as soon as he -returned. - -"'But,' added the clerk who called himself Plumard, 'don't expect him -very early; for when Bahuchet goes out, it is always an eternity before -he comes back.' - -"And that, mademoiselle, is the result of my visit to the solicitor's -office." - -"Very well," said Valentine, apparently lost in thought. After a few -moments, she added: "Is it a long while, Miretta, since you have been to -see your acquaintance the bath keeper's daughter on Rue Saint-Jacques?" - -"No, mademoiselle, not more than a week." - -"Did you ask her about--about her friend, the other bath keeper's -daughter?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I asked her if she had seen her lately. She answered -that, as Bathilde's mother had returned, she could see her only very -rarely. And when I tried to question her further on the subject, she -abruptly changed the conversation. Which led me to think that, if she is -in her friend's confidence, she does not propose to betray her secret." - -"A fine secret, on my word! which must be known ere this to the whole -city, except perhaps those who are most deeply interested in it; but it -is always so.--At what time were you on Rue du Bac, Miretta?" - -"At half-past ten, mademoiselle." - -"And it is now?" - -"After twelve." - -"Well, we must wait until it pleases Monsieur Bahuchet to return to his -desk. Really, these solicitors are very patient with messieurs their -clerks! Go, Miretta; and as soon as the fellow arrives at the house, -bring him hither yourself--instantly! Above all things, do not let my -aunt know anything of all this!" - -"Never fear, mademoiselle; in fact, Madame de Ravenelle is at this -moment shut up in her oratory, and she is paying little heed to what -goes on in the house." - -The clock on the Capucines Church, which could be heard at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin, struck four. Valentine had been for a long time in a state of -the most intense impatience; she could not stay in one place; she -wandered hither and thither; took up a book and threw it down again in a -moment; attempted to play on her zither, but let the instrument fall -from her hands; and exclaimed continually: - -"He will not come! Four o'clock, and he went out early this morning! And -a solicitor keeps such clerks in his employ! Ah! how quickly I would -dismiss such fellows if I were in his place!--Suppose I should intrust -to Miretta the execution of my plan? But, no! no woman can perform such -a commission; besides, she is in my service--she would be recognized, -and I do not want to be compromised; I want to be revenged! but in such -wise that no one will know from what quarter the vengeance comes." - -Valentine had abandoned all hope of seeing the solicitor's clerk that -day, when the door of the room in which she was sitting was suddenly -thrown open, and Miretta announced: - -"Monsieur Bahuchet." - -At a sign from her mistress she admitted the little man, who confounded -himself in reverences to Mademoiselle de Mongarcin. - -"Here you are at last, monsieur! that is most fortunate!" cried -Valentine; "it seems that it is very difficult to have speech with -you.--Stay, Miretta, stay; I have no secrets from you, as you -know.--When you go out for an hour, monsieur le clerc, does it mean that -you will not return during the day?" - -"A thousand pardons, mademoiselle!" replied Bahuchet, trying to assume a -graceful attitude; "most certainly, if I had known, if I had been able -to guess, that mademoiselle wished to speak with me, I would have -returned to the office much sooner; and yet, mademoiselle, I am very -excusable this time. I did not pass my time, as I often do, watching the -open-air exhibitions of Turlupin and Gauthier-Garguille, or Brioché's -Marionettes. No, indeed! The news was too interesting to-day; it had to -do with so serious an event, accompanied by such mysterious -circumstances, that--I give you my word, mademoiselle--the least -inquisitive man could not have resisted the desire to see what I saw." - -"Some new amourette, I suppose? some nocturnal rendezvous that you -surprised?" - -"No, mademoiselle; this is no question of amourettes, but of a murder -committed last night. When I say _last night_, I am wrong; it was -perhaps a fortnight ago, perhaps longer; but the victim was not -discovered until last night." - -"A murder! and you witnessed it?" - -"No, thank God! When I say _thank God_, I do not mean that I am not very -curious to know how it came about. But, no, although I am very brave, -there are things that make one shudder simply to think of them!" - -"Come, monsieur, pray explain to us what you have learned that is so -shocking?" - -"Mademoiselle, I had been as far as the corner of Rue Barbette on -business for the office; I was about to return to Maître Bourdinard's, -planning, I admit, to go by way of Pont-Neuf, for I know no more -attractive, more diverting spot for the curious observer. It is the -rendezvous of the whole city! Who does not cross Pont-Neuf? One sees -there at the same moment, soldiers, bourgeois, priests, students, abbés, -courtiers, pages, peasants, and women!" - -"Do you propose to tell us the history of Pont-Neuf, Monsieur Bahuchet?" - -"No, mademoiselle, no; excuse me. My story has to do with a much less -cheerful bridge, the dismal Pont-aux-Choux!" - -At the mention of the Pont-aux-Choux, Miretta involuntarily shuddered -and listened more closely to what the little clerk said. - -"Yes, mademoiselle; it was close by the Pont-aux-Choux that the horrible -tragedy, which was discovered only this morning, took place.--I was -saying--where was I?--Oh, yes! I was about to return to my solicitor's -office, when, as I was taking a glass in a wine shop, I heard a peasant -say to a good woman--I say a good woman, she may have been a bad one, -but it's the custom, you know, to say _good woman_ when you are speaking -of a woman advanced in years--he said: 'Yes, mother, there has been -someone murdered on the road I take from Faubourg Saint-Antoine to the -Market. And I tell you, it isn't very pleasant; I don't know yet whether -I shall dare to go across Pont-aux-Choux after dark.' - -"My curiosity being aroused at that, I accosted the peasant and asked -him what he meant, and he answered: - -"'About two hours ago, they found in the Fossés Jaunes----'" - -"What are the Fossés Jaunes, Monsieur Bahuchet?" said Valentine; "I am -very ignorant, am I not? but we are taught so few things!" - -"The Fossés Jaunes, mademoiselle, were made in the time of King Charles -V, and they surrounded the outer wall of Paris that was built long ago, -in the time of Philippe-Auguste; they extend from the Bastille to Porte -Saint-Honoré." - -"Are they filled with water?" - -"There used to be water in them, no doubt, mademoiselle, but for a long -time they have contained nothing but muddy pools, in which very tall -grass grows, and from which it isn't at all easy to get out if you -happen to fall in. But as they are no longer of any use, I presume they -will very soon be filled up.--I resume my narrative. The peasant said: - -"'They found a dead man in the Fossés Jaunes, near Porte Saint-Antoine, -on the other side of the Pont-aux-Choux. From the condition of his -wounds, they know that he must have been killed quite a while ago; -consequently, no one knows just when the crime was committed. And to -think that I went by there at three o'clock in the morning, monsieur! -Suppose the brigands had seen me! No doubt they would have murdered me -too!' - -"'But,' I said to the peasant, 'as you passed the place at three o'clock -this morning, how do you know that they found a dead man there two hours -ago? Have you been back there?' - -"'No; but I just heard about it from a neighbor, a market gardener like -myself, who just came from the faubourg. He saw the poor fellow they had -taken out of the Fossés Jaunes; it seems he is a young man, and as -handsome as a picture! He is still lying there at full length on the -bank. Near the place where they found him, there are archers and -soldiers keeping watch; and they have gone to tell the magistrates, who -will make an investigation, of course, and search the neighborhood, and -try to find something to put them on the track of the guilty ones.' - -"I' faith, mademoiselle, I no sooner heard that than I felt a most -intense longing to see the unfortunate man, who was found last night in -the Fossés Jaunes. And I said to myself: 'If they need the magistrates, -they may need a solicitor's clerk too; I must go and see the man, and -then I can tell the whole story _de visu_!' - -"So I took my legs around my neck--the phrase is still in use, although -it lacks sense--and I can assure you that I ran without stopping, -although I overturned two children, an ass, and a milkwoman on the way; -but that is a detail. - -"When I arrived at the Pont-aux-Choux, someone pointed out the spot -where the poor young man still lay. I hurried to the place, and I was -not the only one whom curiosity had drawn thither; there was a large -crowd, and the soldiers had much ado to keep a space clear about the -corpse. But as I am never at a loss for an expedient, I said to one of -the guards that I was a clerk and employed in the magistracy, so he let -me go near." - -"So that you saw the man who was found dead?" said Miretta, in a voice -trembling with emotion. - -"Yes, my pretty lady's-maid, I saw it as plainly as I see you.--Ah! what -a calamity! It was a young man--that is to say, a man of twenty-seven or -twenty-eight at most, with a graceful figure, very well built, and a -face--oh! a fascinating face! so refined and distinguished! He must have -been a nobleman, or a gentleman of some ancient family." - -"He was not disfigured, then, not wounded in the face?" - -"Not a scratch! A surgeon who was there, with the lieutenant of -police--for the lieutenant had come in person to examine the victim--the -surgeon said, after looking at the wounds: - -"'This young man was struck from behind, evidently when he was seated; -he received a sword thrust in the back, which went completely through -his body, and then another in the heart; but the latter when he had -already fallen to the ground and lost consciousness. There cannot have -been any struggle; death must have been instantaneous, and the -unfortunate man had no time to defend himself.'" - -"But did no one recognize the young man?" said Valentine; "his rank or -his profession must have been indicated by his clothing. Did the -lieutenant of police discover anything to put him on the track?" - -"Mon Dieu! mademoiselle, it was very difficult to guess. In the first -place, the victim had been robbed of his cloak and hat and belt. The -poor young man had nothing on him but his doublet and short-clothes, -both of black cloth, and boots of a very common sort. But there was -nothing in his pockets--neither money, nor papers, nor weapons; -absolutely nothing! How is it possible, then, to guess who he is?--The -lieutenant of police, after a careful examination of the body and the -clothes, said: - -"'Evidently this young gentleman had just arrived in Paris, for we do -not remember having seen him before. He must have been attacked and -robbed by Giovanni, who took his money, his papers, his weapons, and -even a part of his clothes. Yes, such a crime can have been committed by -none but that bold Italian, who then hurled the body of his victim into -the moat, so that this latest crime might be less quickly discovered.'" - -"Giovanni!" cried Miretta; "always Giovanni! As soon as a murder is -committed, everyone agrees to charge it to his account! What is there to -prove that it was he who killed this young man?" - -"Hoity-toity! here is the little brunette defending the robber again!" -exclaimed Bahuchet, with a laugh. "Really, my dear, I begin to think -that you are one of his band!" - -Miretta flushed crimson. - -"I say that," she faltered, "because people tell so many lies, and -invent so many stories that----" - -"Mon Dieu! you do not need to justify yourself!" said Valentine, smiling -at her.--"But is that all, Monsieur Bahuchet? Is your terrible story at -an end?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, that is all. The lieutenant of police has had a -search made in the neighborhood, hoping that something might be found -belonging to the victim; but what is the use of searching now, when the -crime was committed perhaps three weeks ago? If it had not been for a -dog, nothing would have been discovered! But those excellent beasts are -often much cleverer and more cunning than we are, and they have a most -astonishing scent! This one stopped on the edge of the Fossés Jaunes, -and his master called him in vain--he would not budge. As such -persistence on the dog's part seemed very strange, his master went to -him to find out what he was doing. By peering intently into the high -grass in the moat, he finally discovered something that looked like a -man's arm; he ran for a ladder, and they found the unfortunate victim. -But that was all; for they have not succeeded in finding anything in the -fields round about, or in the moat where the poor young man lay! -Doubtless he was coming to Paris for enjoyment and diversion, and he met -death before he had put his foot in the city.--But so it goes!" - -"I am very, very sorry for the poor fellow who perished so miserably!" -said Valentine; "but I did not know him; and as I can do nothing to -avenge him, you will allow me, Monsieur Bahuchet, to turn my attention -now to the subject that led me to ask you to call here." - -"I am listening, mademoiselle; I am entirely at your service; I desired -simply to prove to you that if I returned late to the office, I was not -without some excuse. That idiot of a Plumard began at once to make -remarks!" - -"Enough, monsieur!--Listen: I expect a service from you. Are you -disposed to oblige me, and, above all things, never to say a word which -may lead anyone to suspect that you have acted by my orders?" - -"Mademoiselle, I am entirely devoted to you; and as for my -discretion---- Oh! there is no danger!" - -"But you are very fond of talking, monsieur, and of telling everything -you have learned!" - -"Everything! That depends; I know many things now that nobody else -knows--secrets; for instance, when Plumard----" - -"Well! do you propose to betray them now, monsieur?" - -"No, mademoiselle, no! I was about to say; even if Plumard should -question me, he would learn nothing.--But what sort of service does -mademoiselle require of me?" - -"Something very simple and very easy," said Valentine, opening a small -desk and taking from it the white plume that Bahuchet had sold her. -"Look, Monsieur Bahuchet, do you recognize this plume?" - -"Perfectly: it is the one I picked up on Rue Dauphine, under the balcony -which Monsieur Léodgard de Marvejols had just scaled." - -"That is right. Well, I wish you to go to Landry's bathing -establishment, and ask to see the fascinating Bathilde's mother. I know -that she has returned home. You will hand this white plume to that woman -and say to her: 'Your daughter's lovers lose their plumes at night when -they scale balconies to join her; here is one belonging to a noble lord, -whose name Mademoiselle Bathilde will be able to give you.'--Then you -will bow and take your leave; and that is all. As I do not wish to put -you out for nothing, be kind enough to accept this purse as compensation -for the trouble I cause you." - -The little clerk observed at a glance the plumpness of the purse which -Valentine offered him with the plume; but he hesitated about taking -them. - -"Well?" continued the nobly born maiden, testily; "are you not willing -to do what I ask?" - -"Pardon, pardon, mademoiselle; assuredly, I am too fortunate in the -confidence which you manifest in me." - -"Then take this plume and this purse!" - -"But, you see, I am wondering in my own mind how Dame Ragonde will take -it--that is young Bathilde's mother's name. I know the family. Dame -Ragonde is a very bad one, they say; and when I tell her that her -daughter receives lovers at night, that will not afford her great -pleasure! What if she should fall on me with fists and claws?" - -"What, Monsieur Bahuchet! You, who claim to be so brave, afraid of a -woman's anger?" - -"Because with a woman one must accept anything without retaliating; -whereas, with a man--what a difference! If he ventures to lack respect, -to strike us, why, we fall on him and pay him back twice or thrice what -we have received." - -"Very well, monsieur; instead of taking the plume to this Bathilde's -mother, hand it to her father, Landry the bath keeper; then, if he -resorts to violence, you can pay him back twice or thrice." - -The little clerk scratched his ear and opened his nostrils wider than -ever; he saw that the young lady had no faith in his courage; however, -he made up his mind at last and took both plume and purse, saying: - -"I will do as you first suggested, mademoiselle; I will hand this plume -to Dame Ragonde; I think that that will be the better way; and as for -her claws, I will brave them without a tremor." - -"And if she should ask who sent you?" - -"No one! I am acting on my own account. I picked up the plume, and I -bring it back; and that will be no falsehood." - -"Very good; discretion so far as I am concerned, monsieur, is what I -especially enjoin upon you. You will carry this plume to the bath -keeper's to-day?" - -"It shall be handed to Dame Ragonde to-day." - -"If my errand is left undone, I warn you that I shall know it!" - -"It shall be done; I swear it by the Basoche!" - -"Au revoir, Monsieur Bahuchet!" - -"Mademoiselle, I have the honor to present my respectful -homage.--Bonsoir, pretty brunette! Oh! what eyes you make at me, my -dear!--Come, come! be calm! I won't speak ill of robbers again!" - -"Well!" said Valentine to Miretta, who sat as if lost in thought after -the solicitor's clerk had gone. "You say nothing, Miretta; is it because -you do not approve of what I have done?" - -"That poor girl! She will be very unhappy when her parents know of her -fault!" murmured Miretta, with a sigh. - -"And suppose another woman should become the mistress of the man you -love?" rejoined Valentine, seizing her maid's arm; "would not you be -revenged?" - -"Oh, yes! yes! You have done well!" - -And Miretta raised her eyes, which seemed to emit flames. - - - - -XXVIII - -PLUMARD - - -On leaving the Hôtel de Mongarcin on this occasion, Bahuchet did not -jostle the passers-by or jingle the money in his purse; the little clerk -was beginning to be accustomed to windfalls. Moreover, at that moment -his joy was moderated by another sentiment. He had carefully concealed -the white plume under his doublet; then he had counted the contents of -the purse twice over. He found therein a hundred livres tournois in -coins of various denominations, and he gazed with admiration at the -money; then he carefully bestowed the purse in his belt, saying to -himself: - -"It is a great pity that I have to carry this plume to Landry the bath -keeper! There is nothing pleasant about that commission; it may even be -dangerous! Pardieu! Mademoiselle de Mongarcin knows it well enough! She -would not pay such a price to have an errand done that is apparently so -simple, if she did not foresee that the messenger would be exposed to -great risk!--Let me see, let me see! I must cudgel my brain a bit and -try to think if there is not some way of keeping my back or my face out -of reach of cudgels or claws.--I have promised that this white plume -shall be handed to-day to young Bathilde's parents; it shall be, for an -honest youth has only his word! Moreover, I am in a solicitor's office! -But solicitors know how to get around the most knotty questions; suppose -I should get around this errand of mine--suppose I should send somebody -else in my place to carry this infernal plume, prescribing the words he -was to say? Why, that would come to precisely the same thing in the end, -and my person would run no risk whatever!" - -Having decided upon this plan, Bahuchet bent his steps toward the -wretched eating house where he and his comrade Plumard generally dined. - -On entering the place, he saw his friend seated at his usual table; he -took his seat opposite him, with an even more than ordinarily expansive -smile. - -"Enchanted to find you, Plumard, my boy! I should have been disappointed -if you had not come here to-night. You are having supper--I will do -likewise, for I have a keen appetite. What you are eating looks very -good, Plumard; what in the devil is it?" - -"It is a rabbit stew, according to our host; but it's too good to be -rabbit, it must be cat at least!" - -"Ah! bigre! I propose to have some of it, too.--Holà ! waiter! bring me a -portion of the same dish that my friend has; if it isn't the same -animal, I won't have it! And by the way, waiter, you may also bring me -some fricot of veal, with small onions--a large portion! Make it double, -and I will give my friend Plumard some; he has a weakness for veal, like -myself. And, waiter, I could eat some of that delicious fish which is -noted for its bones--a carp, as fine as those at Fontainebleau, where -they resemble whales; a fried carp! That is a feast in itself--with a -sprig of parsley on it; and I know that my friend Plumard does not -profess a profound contempt for the carp. Moisten it all with that -Argenteuil light wine that is so well _stripped_--you know what I mean, -don't you? the old, not the new; the really old, that you don't make -yourself.--Go, waiter, and if I am content with you I will grease your -palm, as we say at the office." - -"But I say!" said Plumard, fixing his great round eyes on his vis-à -vis; -"what does this mean, Bahuchet? Have you had a legacy left you? or has a -fair lady of mature years let her favors fall upon you?" - -"No! nothing of the sort! Certainly, a lady might fall in love with me -as well as with another. I am not a foe of the fair sex. Although there -is always a reverse side to the medal, I will not say of women, with -Suetonius, that we must _missam facere uxorem_!--That Suetonius was not -a gallant man." - -"Answer what I ask you, instead of quoting your classics!" - -"It seems to me, Plumard, that with you I may venture to take a few -strides into the domain of science. You are a clerk like myself; you -must understand Latin. If you do not understand it, I grieve for you." - -"What an infernal chatterbox! he keeps branching off from his subject." - -"That proves that I have facility in elocution, elasticity in my ideas. -There are many people who would like to branch off from their subject, -and who cannot. They have to remain nailed fast to it, for lack of -imagination to think up anything else;--_quid agis_? You wish to know -why I treat you so handsomely this evening, do you not? Well, I propose -to tell you: I won a dozen livres in a game of _brisque_ with a churl, -and I propose to consume a part of it with you. Do you think that I do -wrong?" - -"No, no! far from it; it is an excellent idea of yours!" - -"Ah! it is very lucky that you approve of my action." - -"Do you play at _brisque_?" - -"I play at all games at which I win; they are the only ones that amuse -me.--But here comes the veal. Let us attend strictly to business. There -are idiots who say: _Non ut edam vivo, sed ut vivam edo_. For my part, I -am not ashamed to say that I live for nothing else except to eat; for if -I did not eat, I should die. Why, then, should not one do with pleasure, -with sensuous delight, a thing which we are bound to do every day?--Let -us fall to!" - -Bahuchet, possessor of a stomach whose capacity was extraordinary, -swallowed with surprising rapidity everything that the waiter placed -between him and Plumard; he consumed, unaided, almost the entire -contents of the dishes which he had ordered for two; so that his friend -stopped him at last, saying: - -"It was hardly worth while to offer to treat me, if you propose to eat -everything!" - -"_Quid rogas_, comrade? why do you eat so slowly? I concluded that you -were not hungry, and I thought that it was useless to leave anything." - -"If I ate as fast as you, I should choke to death!" - -"Well, I will go slower now.--Besides, I want to talk with you; and when -one is talking, one cannot eat; that is why I laid in a stock in -advance.--Plumard, I am going to tell you something which will make you -very happy." - -"Bah! is it that our solicitor is going to give us a crown more a -month?" - -"Ouiche! I advise you to count on that! He is more likely to cut us -down; he has already threatened to do it to me!--Come, think, think of -something that might be of immense benefit to you." - -Plumard raised his great eyes to the beams which sustained the ceiling. - -"Have you met a rich woman who wishes to marry me?" - -"You haven't guessed yet; but with what I have discovered, I make no -doubt that you will very soon fascinate some wealthy dowager, who will -lay her crowns at your feet." - -"Come, explain yourself, Bahuchet; you know that I am not very strong at -guessing, and you keep me in suspense too long!" - -"_Quid festinas_? What's the hurry? Think; take your time!" - -"If you don't tell me, I will go away!" - -"What a keg of powder!" - -"That is my nature!" - -"Well, listen: I have discovered in a _cul-de-sac_ an old hag who has -invented a pomade that infallibly makes the hair grow on the baldest -skulls and those most rebellious under cultivation!" - -Plumard frowned and looked at his comrade with a wrathful air, -muttering: - -"Do you mean to make sport of me, as usual? You know, Bahuchet, that I -don't like that. You have already told me a lot of stories about pomades -that did not exist. You have sent me to ask for them to people who have -laughed in my face. I want no more of your practical jokes! I will fight -you if you begin that game again. I am not afraid to fight; I am no -coward! Look out, or I will hit you a crack!" - -"Ta! ta! ta! What a nice, amiable boy it is!--You treat a person, and -try to make yourself agreeable to him, and to reward you he threatens to -beat you!--All right; we will say no more about it, my dear fellow; I -will keep my discovery to myself, and if a few of my hairs should fall -out some day I shall know how to remedy it." - -Plumard was silent for a moment, nibbling a piece of dry bread. - -Then he murmured, in a softer tone: - -"Then why have you fooled me so often? How do you expect me to have -confidence in you?" - -"It's all right! it's all right! let us say no more about it." - -"But this old hag who makes the pomade--do you know her address?" - -"No, I tell you, I no longer know anything; I was lying, I was trying to -make fun of you! I deserve nothing better than the rope's end or the -cudgel!" - -"Come, come, Bahuchet! I was too quick; I am sorry." - -"Ah! when a friend tells me that he is sorry, I cannot harbor ill will -against him.--Yes, I know where to find the hag." - -"And she sells this pomade?" - -"No, she won't sell it to anybody!--but to me, having taken a fancy to -me, she will give a jar." - -"Oh! that is much more agreeable! And when will you have this jar?" - -"To-morrow, if I choose." - -"And you will give it to me?--Ah! you are a friend!" - -"Yes, I will give it to you, but on one little condition, and that is -that you will do me a favor in return. Between friends, you know, when -one obliges the other, he always expects reciprocity." - -"What is it that I must do?" asked Plumard, with a frown. - -"A very simple thing, which will not disturb you in the least. When you -go home to-night, go into Landry the bath keeper's place--he is your -neighbor--and hand his wife this white plume, which I picked up under -their balcony one night when I walked home with you. Then you will say -to Dame Ragonde: 'Your daughter's lovers lose their plumes at night, -scaling your balcony; here is one which I picked up, and which belongs -to a young nobleman whose name your daughter will tell you.'--And then -you will go away. It's the simplest thing in the world." - -Plumard pushed his stool away from the table, crying: - -"A very pretty commission that! I shall be well treated when I deliver -that message.--No, no! do your errand yourself--you may have all the -profit." - -"As you please; but since you refuse to do it, we will say no more about -the jar of pomade." - -And Bahuchet began to whistle with an indifferent air. After a few -minutes Plumard said, between his teeth: - -"What an idea, to send to that girl's mother the plume her lover -lost!--That is downright wicked, it's a villainous trick!--Have you any -reason to complain of pretty Bathilde? I am surprised at that; I thought -that you didn't know her." - -"Plumard! there are mysteries which it is impossible to divulge.--As for -the girl, she will say to her mother: 'It is not true, I have no lover'; -and that will be the end of it." - -"Do you think so?" - -"Parbleu! are girls who have lovers ever at a loss for a lie?" - -"That is true.--But another suggestion occurs to me." - -"State it." - -"Let us assume that I undertake this--thorny commission; how do I know -that you will give me the jar of pomade then? You will laugh in my face -when I claim it." - -"I understand your suspicion, having now and then played some rather -neat tricks on you; and I am so far from being angry with you, that I -propose to prove to you that it will not be so this time." - -And taking from his belt the purse he had received, Bahuchet produced a -beautiful rose crown and placed it in Plumard's hand, saying: - -"See, here is gold--and of good alloy. If I do not give you the jar of -pomade when you claim it, I will allow you to keep this gold piece and -not return it to me.--Do you think that I am tricking you, now?" - -Plumard turned the coin over and over in his hand; he weighed it, rang -it on the table, then put it in his pocket, and offered his comrade his -hand, saying: - -"It is a bargain; I will deliver the plume." - -"And you will say exactly what I have told you?" - -"I will say it without omitting a word. Where is the plume?" - -"Here it is; conceal it under your doublet, as I have done. Let us empty -this jug of wine, then you must go about your commission." - -"This evening?" - -"Why not? It is better to have it done with at once." - -"And you will go for the jar of pomade?" - -"I told you that I would give it to you to-morrow, and you may rely upon -it. In any event, it seems to me that you have a sufficient guaranty." - -"That is true." - -The two clerks emptied the jug of wine, and Bahuchet paid the bill. - -They left the wine shop. - -The day was nearing its end. - -"Until to-morrow!" said Bahuchet, shaking hands with his comrade. - -"Until to-morrow!" - -And the little man ran off in the opposite direction to that which -Plumard took to go to Rue Dauphine. And as he ran, he laughed in his -sleeve, saying to himself: - -"Take the plume, dear boy; I am going to enjoy myself, to pass the night -in jollification at a wine shop, and to make up a pomade to redeem my -gold piece!" - -As Plumard drew near to Master Landry's establishment, he felt that his -resolution weakened; a nervous shiver ran through his limbs. To restore -his courage, he passed his hand over his bald head several times, saying -to himself: - -"Hair! it will make my hair grow! I shall have as much as Samson, -perhaps! How handsome I shall be when I have some hair! No woman will be -able to resist me then. And when they ask me for a lock, I shall not be -compelled to refuse them, as I am to-day.--Ah! corbleu! sacrebleu! -morbleu! I must shrink at nothing in face of that hope! How beautifully -I will dress my hair! I will have curls falling over my ears.--But -suppose that old woman should rush at me and claw my eyes out! Peste! -then I should not see my hair grow!--My eyes are superb; I should never -be able to console myself for the loss of even half of one of -them.--This is a very embarrassing, very delicate affair! Let me think a -little. Might I not make some change in what I have to say when I -deliver the plume? After all, Bahuchet won't be at my back to listen to -what I say! He has taken me in many times; and if I should cheat him a -little, where would be the harm?--And then, I should be sorry to make -trouble for that girl, who, they say, is so pretty! Who knows whether -some day, when I have some hair, she may not feel a tender affection for -me, on being told of the service I rendered her?--Yes, I must be -generous to beauty, and shelter my face from scratches." - -In due time, Plumard reached the bath keeper's house. - -It was dark and the shopkeepers were beginning to close their doors. - -The old trooper of Henri IV sat in his doorway, smoking his pipe. - -The clerk walked up and down the street several times; at last he -decided to accost Landry, saying to himself: - -"It matters little whether I give the plume to the father or the mother. -I prefer to address myself to the father; men understand each other -better. I must be shrewd and subtle.--Ah! good evening, Master Landry! -How are you this evening? You are smoking, I see; that is a pleasant -pastime. I should like very much to smoke, if it did not make me sick -and make my head ache so that I can't see. I have an uncle who went into -consumption from smoking a pipe, and two cousins who were made -insane!--Ah! how pleasant it is to smoke!--The skies are dark to-night, -and I am afraid we shall have a storm to-morrow; that would be a -disappointment to me. I have a longing to take a ride in a _chaise à -porteurs_, or a _brouette_--the new invention, you know? it is very -convenient, and very fashionable in the best society; _brouettes_ cost -only sixteen sous for the trip, or eighteen by the hour; while the -_chaise à porteurs_ costs thirty sous for the trip. That is dear--yes, -it's very dear! But how comfortable it must be in one!--Still, it's very -nice in a _brouette_!" - -Landry listened tranquilly to this outflow of words, eying the young -clerk the while; when it was at an end, he answered coldly: - -"As I don't know you, and as it makes no difference to me whether you -ride in a _chaise_ or in a _brouette_, I am going to bed. Good-night!" - -"Oh! stay a moment! You are in a terrible hurry. You do not recognize -me, because it is beginning to grow dark, but I am one of your best -customers; I bathe as many as fifteen times a week!--But so many people -come to your place that you can't recognize all their faces!" - -"That is possible! In that case, excuse me; but I am tired, and I am -going to bed." - -"One moment more, I beg!--Does your charming daughter also enjoy perfect -health, like her worthy father?" - -The old soldier began to examine the clerk more closely, muttering: - -"My daughter! do you know my daughter, monsieur de la Basoche?" - -"Ah! I know her--without knowing her. I know that she is enchanting, -because I have seen her sometimes on your balcony, when she was watering -her flowers." - -"Ah! you have seen her, have you? Very good; I begin to -understand.--Well, what are you trying to come at to-night?" - -"I' faith! I will tell you. See--I have here a superb white plume; I had -it from an aunt who had it from an uncle, who was train bearer at the -court of King Charles IX.--To make a long story short, I said to -myself: 'Such a handsome plume as this is a pure luxury in my hands; if -I should offer it to Master Landry's daughter, it would be a gift worthy -of her charms, and it would shade becomingly her brow of roses and -lilies.'--That idea once conceived, I determined to put it in execution. -Here, excellent bath keeper, is the plume in question; you see how -beautiful it is! Pray take it and hand it to your fascinating progeny; I -desire no other reward than the pleasure of knowing that she is -gratified by the gift." - -"Aha! my rascal! so you presume to offer a plume to my daughter, do you? -And you dare to ask her father to be your messenger? Ten thousand cannon -balls! this passes all bounds! It was probably you who prowled about -this street so much that it made the neighbors gossip!" - -"Master Landry, I live on this street, it is true; but I have never -prowled about your----" - -"Enough! enough! you impertinent rascal! coming to ask a father to take -charge of a present intended to seduce his daughter!" - -"Why, not at all! you are off the track, my good Landry; I have no such -purpose." - -"Ah! you take me for one of those half-witted or obliging fathers who -shut their eyes to such manÅ“uvres! I am going to show you how I -receive gallants who would like to talk nonsense to my daughter!--Here, -you blackguard, here is the price of your gift!" - -As he spoke, the bath keeper planted his foot in Plumard's -short-clothes, and repeated the movement several times, running after -the young clerk, who fled, yelling at the top of his voice. - -Satisfied with the chastisement he had administered to the man whom he -believed to be in love with his daughter, Landry returned to his house -and locked the door. - -As for the ill-fated Plumard, he hastened to his lodgings, holding his -hand to the portion of his frame that had been so roughly treated by the -bath keeper, and saying to himself: - -"I should have done as well to execute my commission without making any -change in the text, without diverging from my instructions!--What a -brutal wretch that bath keeper is! He thinks now that I am in love with -his daughter! I shall not dare to pass his door--I shall have to -move.--However, if the pomade has the virtue that Bahuchet attributes to -it, I shall find some consolation for my late disagreeable experience. I -shall be so handsome with plenty of hair! I will go about bareheaded, I -will carry my cap in my hand all the time!" - - * * * * * - -These typographical errors were corrected by the etext transcriber: - -Collége Saint-Denis=>Collège Saint-Denis - -this underaking, do not pity me=>this undertaking, do not pity me - -Turlupin and Gautier-Garguille=>Turlupin and Gauthier-Garguille - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul -de Kock Volume VII), by Charles Paul de Kock - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BATH KEEPERS, V.1 *** - -***** This file should be named 40335-0.txt or 40335-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/3/3/40335/ - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/40335-0.zip b/old/40335-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a88030e..0000000 --- a/old/40335-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/40335-8.txt b/old/40335-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ee65103..0000000 --- a/old/40335-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11351 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul de -Kock Volume VII), by Charles Paul de Kock - -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/license - - -Title: The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume VII) - -Author: Charles Paul de Kock - -Release Date: July 25, 2012 [EBook #40335] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BATH KEEPERS, V.1 *** - - - - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: _Copyright 1903 by G. Barrie & Sons_] - -_LÉODGARD RETURNS TO HIS FRIENDS_ - -_All the young men ran to meet Léodgard, for it was really he who was -approaching. As they drew near him they were struck by his pallor and by -the sinister gleam of his eyes, which avoided theirs._ - - - - -NOVELS - -BY - -Paul de Kock - -VOLUME VII - -THE BATH KEEPERS; - -OR, - -PARIS IN THOSE DAYS - -VOL. I - -PRINTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH - -[Illustration] - -GEORGE BARRIE'S SONS - -THE JEFFERSON PRESS - -BOSTON NEW YORK - -_Copyrighted, 1903-1904, by G. B. & Sons._ - - - - -THE BATH KEEPERS; - -OR, - -PARIS IN THOSE DAYS - - - - -I - -RUE COUTURE-SAINTE-CATHERINE - - -It was two o'clock on a cold, damp morning; the fine snow, which melted -as soon as it touched the ground, made the streets slippery and dirty, -and Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine,--then called -Couture-Sainte-Catherine,--although it was one of the broadest streets -in Paris, was as black and gloomy as any blind alley in the Cité to-day. - -But these things took place in the year one thousand six hundred and -thirty-four; and I need not tell you that in those days no such devices -for street lighting as lanterns, gas, or electric lights were known. The -man who should have discovered the last-named invention, which, in -truth, savors strongly of the magical, would surely have been subjected -to the ordinary and extraordinary torture for a recompense. - -Those were the good old times! - -Everything new aroused suspicion; people believed much more readily in -sorcerers, the devil, and magic, than in the results of study and -learning and the reasoning of the human intellect. - -Was it that men were too modest in those days? If so, they have reformed -most effectually since then. - -In those days, very few persons ventured to be out late in the streets -of Paris, where the police was most inefficient and often worse. - -The young noblemen sometimes indulged in the pastime of beating the -watch; that diversion was permitted to the nobility. To-day, the -prowlers about the barriers are the only class who undertake to beat the -gendarmes from time to time; but the gendarmes are not so accommodating -as the watch of the old days. - -There were not then some thirty or more theatres open every evening for -the entertainment of the people of the capital and of the strangers -drawn thither by its renown. A single one had been founded and was -patronized by Cardinal de Richelieu, who, unfortunately for his glory, -had undertaken to add to his other titles thereto the title of author. - -But all great men have had their weaknesses. Alexander drank too much, -which was infinitely more reprehensible than to write wretched verses; -Frederick the Great insisted that he was a talented performer on the -flute; and Louis XIV danced in the comédies-ballets which Molière -composed for him. - -The farces which were then being performed by Turlupin, Gros-Guillaume, -and Gauthier-Garguille ended with the daylight, their theatres being in -the open air. People dined at noon and supped at six o'clock; and when a -worthy bourgeois remained at a friend's house as late as nine o'clock, -he looked upon it as a genuine revel, as a youthful escapade, and -hurried home at the top of his speed, carrying a lantern, and shuddering -with terror many a time as he passed through the lanes which were then -called streets, and in which, if he should happen to meet any -evil-minded person, he was certain of obtaining no assistance from any -house or shop; for when the curfew had rung, everything must be closed, -and you might not even have a light in your house, if you wished to read -or work, or for any reason not to go to bed. - -Why do we call that period "the good old time"? - -That is a question I have often asked myself. - -Is it because people were not entitled to go to bed, to work, to -entertain their friends, to amuse themselves when they had the desire, -the need, or the fancy so to do? - -Is it because people broke their necks after dark in the streets? -because thieves, then called _Truands_, _Mauvais Garçons_, _Tireurs de -Laine_, or _Coupeurs de Bourses_, plied their trade in broad daylight on -Pont Neuf and in other localities, laughing in your face if you ventured -to remonstrate? - -Was it because the shops were dark and filthy, devoid of taste and -refinement? - -Was it because duels were fought on street corners, or in the public -squares, two or four or twelve a day, as unconcernedly as we go boating -to-day; and the authorities took no steps to prevent this butchery? - -Was it because edicts were promulgated every day whereby such a one was -forbidden to wear silk, another to wear velvet, this woman to have a -gilt girdle, another to dress in certain colors, which were too -brilliant, too conspicuous for her walk in life? - -O short-sighted politicians! O paltry critics! who anathematize luxury, -who seek to restrict refinement, who censure coquetry, and who do not -understand that by such theories you strike at our commerce, our -manufacturers, our mechanics--in a word, all our _workers_! - -In heaven's name, what harm is done if a plebeian who has money dresses -fashionably, luxuriously even, if such be his taste, his caprice? - -Are you afraid that he may eclipse you, who assume to belong to the beau -monde? Try to make yourself distinguished by your manners, your bearing, -your grace, your courtesy, your language; surely you must know that -those are things that cannot be bought! - -For my own part, I would be glad to see all the working girls in silk -dresses, velvet bonnets, and lace-trimmed caps, and all the workingmen -in patent-leather shoes and white gloves. - -Where would be the harm? - -Is not the picture of refinement more attractive than that of -slovenliness, poverty, and want? - -Does not the money that a man spends on his dress do him more honor than -that which he throws away at the wine shop? - -But let us return to Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine, and to the period -when the events that we are about to describe took place. - -A young man came out of Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and passed the Hôtel de -Carnavalet, before which artists and admirers of sculpture always paused -to gaze at the waving lines of the great portal, and the masks and -bas-reliefs that adorned the arches of the windows--the work of the -immortal Jean Goujon. - -Fortunate structure, which the genius of an artist was to make famous -forever, and to which, at a later time, a woman of intellect was to add -renewed lustre by making it her residence! - -But at the period of which we write, Madame de Sévigné had not taken up -her abode at the Hôtel de Carnavalet. - -The hour was not propitious for halting in front of the mansion, for it -was very near Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which at that time extended to -Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine; moreover, the person who came from the -first-named street did not seem to be in that frame of mind which fits -us to pass judgment on the objects of beauty we may meet on our road. - -He was, as we have said, a young man. Twenty-five years was his age; he -was tall, slender, and well built; there was in his carriage and in -every movement the ease of bearing which denotes the man of the world, -and the manners which point to familiarity with cultivated society, and -which one does not lose, even in low company, when one has inherited -them from a long line of ancestors. - -In addition to grace of form, this young man possessed a handsome face -and clean-cut features; his brow was lofty and proud; his black eyes -were large and bright, and surmounted by very dense eyebrows which -almost met, thus imparting at times a somewhat sombre expression to the -organs of vision below them, which flashed fire when animated by wrath, -but could, on occasion, assume an expression of gentleness and -tenderness which it was difficult to resist; a small mouth, well -supplied with teeth, and shaded by a small moustache; an oval chin -adorned by a _royale_; and a forest of black hair which fell in thick -curls over his neck and shoulders--such, physically, was Léodgard de -Marvejols. - -As for his moral character, this story will instruct us sufficiently -therein. - -Clad in a handsome doublet of crimson silk, slashed with white satin; -knee-breeches of the same material, held in place by a white belt with -silver fringe, to which was attached a long sword, with a hilt of the -finest steel, ornamented with fringe and bows of ribbon; the young -cavalier's feet and legs were encased in funnel-shaped top-boots of -yellow leather, with buckles at the instep; spurs affixed to those -light boots indicated that they seldom contributed to wear out the -pavements. A broad collarette, trimmed with lace, served as a cravat, -and a small velvet cloak was thrown over the shoulders and clasped on -one side. Lastly, a hat with a pointed crown and broad brim, turned up -in front, and surmounted by a long white plume attached by a steel -button, was the young man's headgear; and it must be said that it was -infinitely more graceful and refined than the hideous hats that we wear -to-day. - -We must do justice to the "good old times" in this respect: the costumes -worn by men were much more graceful, more dignified, more attractive, -than they now are; for we must, before everything, be impartial, and -award praise as well as blame. - -Léodgard de Marvejols walked rather quickly, but sometimes he stopped, -like a person who is very much preoccupied, and to whom it matters -little that it is two o'clock in the morning, and that the streets are -deserted. - -At these times he usually thought aloud, or talked to himself--a -practice which is more common than is generally supposed; and as the -young nobleman had supped very copiously, his monologues were quite as -energetic as if he were still accompanied by boisterous revellers. - -At this time Léodgard was very near the new convent of the _Annonciades -Célestes_, or _Filles Bleues_, which one of the mistresses of Henri IV, -the Marquise de Verneuil, had founded in the year 1626. - -The blue girdle and cloak worn by the Annonciades had already caused -them to be styled _Filles Bleues_; which fact did not prevent those -saintlike women from being held in great veneration in their quarter; so -that, in broad daylight, people would have been terribly scandalized to -hear our young man swear roundly so near that asylum of repentance, and -exclaim, as he leaned against the wall of the convent: - -"Par la mordieu! if that Jarnonville had not left the game, I should -have won twice as much, thrice as much; I was in luck; I should have won -until morning. And that D'Artigues, and Cournac--to refuse to take the -dice--when I offered them their revenge at lansquenet--that swindlers' -game! and when I was losing! God damn me! I would stake my patrimony, my -moustaches, my mistress, if anyone would give me anything on them, and -my soul, if the devil would take it.--Let me see: how much did I win -from them? five or six hundred pistoles at most; and even so, I am not -sure that their rose crowns aren't clipped or counterfeit. A noble -night's work, on my word! as if that would make up what I have lost! I -know that I may continue to win to-morrow, and the day after to-morrow; -that I may win as often as I have lost.--Ah! I will win! I must! I must -win enough to buy another _petite maison_, as I have lost mine to that -infernal De Montrevers.--Where in the devil am I to take my pretty -courtesan, Camilla, to-morrow?--This is strange; I feel dizzy; that -Jurançon wine was good, but it is heady.--Where in the devil shall I -take my new conquest to-morrow? Cournac refused to lend me his _petite -maison_, on the pretext that he was to have company there. The coxcomb! -he boasts of it, but it is a lie; I know from his esquire that when he -goes there he is always alone! However, we shall find some place of -shelter to take our belle; I am in funds now, and with a well-filled -purse one is welcomed cordially everywhere.--Apropos of my purse, let us -be sure that I haven't lost it. By hell! I am quite capable of it, I am -so dizzy!" - -At that thought, the young man hastily put his hand to his belt; but his -eyes almost immediately resumed a serene expression, as he felt his -purse, which was round and full. He could not resist the desire to take -it in his hands and feel the weight of it, saying to himself: - -"At last, I am not going home with an empty purse. Ten thousand devils! -it is a long time since that has happened to me!" - -And Léodgard was about to restore the purse to his belt, when a person -who had drawn near to him, quietly and unperceived, caught his arm, -saying: - -"It is unnecessary; don't give yourself the trouble to put it back." - - - - -II - -A ROBBER - - -The man who had halted in front of Léodgard was tall and strong, and -seemed rather young than old; he was so strangely attired, that, after -meeting him once, it would be difficult not to remember him. - -A black doublet fitted close to his body, like a silk shirt; he wore -laced half-boots; a leather belt, in which were thrust pistols and a -poniard; and a broad baldric, from which hung a short sabre--a sort of -dagger with a very broad blade. All this part of his costume was -concealed by an ample caftan of olive-green cloth, which had a hood of -the same material, and which we may compare to a modern _caban_.[A] His -head was covered with a red cap, trimmed with long wild boar's hair. -This cap was pulled down so far that one could hardly see his eyes; only -a long, thin nose could be distinguished, the lower part of the face -being completely hidden by moustaches and a heavy beard of the same -color as the hair on his cap. - -[A] A thick woollen cloak, with a hood. - -All these details formed a most unprepossessing whole, and gave the man -the aspect of a porcupine. - -But one was taken by surprise when there came from that bearded face, -instead of a harsh and threatening voice, a soft, almost melodious -sound; there was in the bandit's speech something mellow and vibrating, -which, with a rather pronounced Italian accent, gave it a decided charm. - -Léodgard raised his head and was completely taken aback when he saw this -individual standing in front of him; but, instead of complying with his -suggestion and refraining from putting his purse away, he instantly -withdrew his arm, replaced the gold in his belt, and, stepping back, -scrutinized the robber; who stood quietly in his place and submitted to -the examination, like one who was in no hurry at all and was content to -await the convenience of the traveller he proposed to plunder. - -"Pardieu! I cannot be mistaken," cried Léodgard, after a moment; "you -are the famous Giovanni, the Italian robber, but lately arrived in -France, who has already filled Paris with the fame of his exploits, his -audacity, and, above all, his address!" - -The man in the olive-green caftan bent his head slightly, replying in a -flute-like voice, as if highly flattered by the compliment: - -"Yes, signor, I am he." - -"Ah! By my faith, I do not regret the meeting! Since the beginning of -the winter, I have heard so much of you and your prowess, Master -Giovanni, that I have more than once longed to make your acquaintance. -For you are no ordinary robber--everybody does you that justice; you -are ceremonious and well-mannered, and, it is said, very agreeable to -the persons you rob. That is a decided change for us; our French thieves -are so vulgar, such pitiful wretches! Come, since chance has served me -so well to-night, let us talk a little. Have you a few moments to give -me before we decide the fate of this purse?" - -"I shall be very glad to talk with you, signor; I have time enough, for -yours is the last business I shall do to-night." - -"And it will not be the most profitable for you, I warn you, Giovanni; -for I am not in the mood to give up my purse to you; it is too well -filled for that!" - -The robber's only reply was a satirical laugh. - -Léodgard de Marvejols had found a stone, on which he seated himself; -Giovanni remained standing with arms folded, and the conversation began. - -"Why did you leave your beautiful Italy to come to France? Would you not -be more at ease in the vast plains that surround Rome, or on the slopes -of the Pausilippo, or lying lazily beside the blue sea that bathes the -feet of Naples, than in this dark and filthy street, beneath this gray -sky, in this cold mist which chills us to the bone as it clings to our -garments?" - -"The sky of Italy is beautiful, signor, but love of change lies deep in -the heart of man." - -"That is true; I grant you that. Moreover, since the days of Queen -Catherine de' Medici, of sinister memory, it seems that all Italians -have agreed to meet in Paris. We see your compatriots everywhere--at -court, in the city, in exalted positions, in the finances. The Italians -have brought us poisons,--with the way to make use of them,--the art of -telling fortunes by cards, of reading the stars, of learning the -future.--I try in vain to think what they have given us in exchange for -all this----" - -"Music, signor." - -"Ah! to be sure: music! They do, in fact, sing better than we do; but, -frankly, I do not think that that makes the balance even. I should have -supposed that Concini's tragic end would have allayed to some extent the -ardor of your compatriots for living in Paris. But I see that it is not -so, and that we have not yet seen the last of the Italians." - -"One finds much to entertain one in France, signor." - -"That must needs be so, since everybody desires to come here!--But tell -me,--for your manners and language seem to denote a man of some -education, and that you are not such a devil as you seek to appear, with -that shocking cap, in which you probably disguise yourself for a -purpose,--what train of events has led you to adopt the hazardous -profession in which you are now so famous? Do you feel disposed to tell -me?--For my own part, I confess that I am very curious to know your -adventures, assuming that you are not resolved to keep them secret." - -"Mon Dieu! signor, I am ready to gratify you: the events of my life are -very simple--like those that come to multitudes of young men in all -lands. I am the son of a most respectable physician of Florence; indeed, -my father had amassed some wealth; he desired to make me a _dottore_ -like himself, but I had not the slightest calling for the medical -profession. By way of compensation, I had a decided calling for -gambling, the joys of love, and of the table. I played, and contracted -debts. At first, my father paid them; but in time he tired of paying -money for me; he besought me to abandon the sort of life I was leading. -_Que diavolo!_--it was too late, the twig was bent! I allowed myself to -be led astray by fellows to whom all means of procuring money were -justifiable. I left Florence, I changed my name, from regard for my -family, and I followed the current. One travels rapidly on that road! As -I was dexterous and fearless, I soon left behind all those whose -imitator I had been. I became famous at Naples, at Rome, at Milan, -throughout Italy. But my description was spread broadcast, and, in spite -of the care with which I concealed my features, I was obliged to leave -my native land. Then it was that I came to France, to Paris, where I -have been plying my trade for six months, in the teeth of the watch, and -despite the efforts of the police and of monsieur le cardinal's -bloodhounds. However, I will confess to you in confidence that I have as -yet found no one among all your lovely Frenchwomen comparable to the -pretty girls of Florence and Milan. I have left some tender memories in -those cities. Indeed, I would stake my head that I am not yet entirely -forgotten there; and on my own part--but, pardon me! I am too -loquacious, I abuse your patience.--That is my story, signor; as you -see, there is nothing very extraordinary in it." - -While listening to the robber, Léodgard had become gloomy and pensive; -his head had fallen on his breast, and it was difficult to say whether -he was still listening or was lost in thought. - -Giovanni, having for some moments refrained from disturbing the silence -of the young man to whom he had related his adventures, said at last: - -"I beg pardon, signor; I have told you what you wished to know, but the -night is hastening, and I must soon think of returning to my lair. So, -give me your purse, and I will take leave of you." - -"Have you any companions, any confederates?" asked Léodgard abruptly, -without answering the robber. - -"No, indeed; I am no such fool! I work alone, and I am the better for so -doing. If I had had confederates, I should have been caught long ago! As -you must know, in all ranks of society, a man is never betrayed, except -by his own people. Come, my young gentleman, let us finish our business. -I know that this street abounds in memories, and that it is well worth -while to pause and consider it. A few steps from here, during the night -of June 13, 1392, the Connétable Olivier de Clisson, coming from the -Hôtel Saint-Pol, where he had supped with the king, was treacherously -assaulted and murdered by Pierre de Craon, chamberlain and favorite of -the Duc d'Orléans, brother of King Charles VI. By a most fortunate -chance, Clisson wore a coat of mail under his clothes; he received more -than sixty sword and knife thrusts which did not reach his body; but he -was finally wounded in the head and thrown from his horse; he fell -against the door of a baker's shop, which was ajar, and his assassins -took flight." - -"Malpeste! Giovanni, so you know our history too!" said Léodgard, -apparently taking pleasure in listening to the brigand. - -"And why not, signor? I have told you that I am the son of a -_dottore_!--And that Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which you have just -left--I have been following you for some time, you see--that Rue des -Francs-Bourgeois will always figure in your annals. There it was that -two miserable wretches lived toward the close of the last century--two -poor brothers, beggars, in short, who possessed the talent of imitating -perfectly the baying of a pack of hounds and the notes of a number of -hunting horns. Certain leaders of the League formed the plan of using -those beggars to lead your King Henri IV into a trap, knowing his -passion for the chase. One day when the king was enjoying that sport in -the forest of Vincennes, the noise of a pack of hounds, of horns, and of -hunters, very distant at first, suddenly drew near; a black man, forcing -his way through the underbrush, appeared before Henri IV and said to him -in an awe-inspiring voice: 'Did you hear me?'--But neither the king nor -any one of his train ventured to follow that man, who, it is said, was -to have hurled a lance at the king if he had tried to come up with him. -And all this was the work of the Leaguers and of the two beggars from -Rue des Francs-Bourgeois!" - -"By my faith, Master Giovanni, you have told me something that I did not -know!--Pray go on; I see that one cannot fail to profit by your -conversation." - -"I am extremely sorry, my young gentleman, but I can talk no longer. As -I reminded you just now, the hastening night forces me to retire, for I -know that my description is so well known that it is impossible for me -to show myself by daylight in this costume." - -"Aha! that means that you have another for the sunlight? Pardieu! you -are wise, for this one is very well known. Those persons who have had -dealings with you have not failed to draw your portrait. I have already -heard of this olive-green robe de chambre, so to speak, and of this -horrible hairy cap." - -"In that case, signor, you will understand that it is time for me to -disappear." - -"Very well! go! what prevents you? You have been too courteous to me for -me to seek to cause your arrest. No, no! that would be a downright -felony on my part!" - -"In that case, signor, add to your complaisance the favor of handing me -your purse, and I will go at once." - -"My purse!" rejoined Léodgard, with a slight contraction of his heavy -eyebrows; "you shall not have it! I told you that I would keep it. But -as I do not wish to have made you talk for nothing, I will give you two -pretty rose crowns." - -"No, my young gentleman; I cannot assent to that bargain; I have told -you that I must have your purse just as it is, and have it I will!" - -"Come, then, and take it!" - -As he spoke, Léodgard sprang to his feet and quickly drew his sword; -then he glanced at Giovanni as if to defy him. The Italian did not show -the slightest excitement, but simply shook his head, murmuring: - -"Oh! I knew that the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols was a gallant -youth!" - -"Ah! you know me, do you?" - -"Per Dio! Do I not always know those whom I address? Otherwise I should -run the risk of wasting my time by attacking poor devils without a sou!" - -"But you might often have found me in that condition." - -"I know that too; but to-night you played lansquenet at the Sire de -Jarnonville's, and luck smiled upon you; that is why I attacked you." - -"Clearly, you add to your other talents that of being a sorcerer. All -Italians smell of the stake!" - -"I should regret extremely, signor, to resort to my weapons; surely you -must have been told that that is not my habit! I must always be driven -to it. But if you do not give up your purse with a good grace----" - -"No, a thousand times no! Do you expect to frighten me, I wonder?" - -Giovanni gave the young count hardly time to finish his sentence; he -drew his broad sword, and, leaping upon his adversary with a rapidity -and address which left him no time to attack, in a few seconds he had -sent Léodgard's gleaming rapier flying through the air; and placing the -point of his weapon against the young nobleman's breast, with his left -hand he swiftly took the purse from his belt, saying, with a slight -movement of the head: - -"You see, my young gentleman, it was not worth while to go through so -many forms!" - -And in an instant the brigand had vanished. - -As for Léodgard, thoroughly ashamed of his discomfiture, he stood as if -stupefied, and could only mutter: - -"Beaten! beaten by that Giovanni!--Ah! I will have my revenge!" - - - - -III - -THE BATH KEEPERS - - -In the days of royal licenses, when the grocers and apothecaries formed -but a single guild, it was the same with the barbers and surgeons. - -In the year 1620, forty-eight patents had been granted to -_barbiers-baigneurs-étuvistes_, who were perruquiers following the -court. Later, their number was largely increased. - -The right to keep hot or cold baths was specially attached to the guild -of master perruquiers. - -A fashionable bathing establishment, with both hot and cold baths, stood -on Rue Saint-Jacques, near the corner of Rue des Mathurins. From a long -distance one could see its basins, painted a light blue as the ordinance -required; and over the door were these words in huge letters: - - BEARDS PROPERLY SHAVED WITHIN; HOT AND - COLD BATHS - -At this time the price of a bath varied from six to twelve livres -[francs]; and when we consider that a livre then was worth almost three -times as much as to-day, we must agree that there is a vast difference -between that price and the price in our modern bathing establishments, -where one obtains five tickets for three francs. The result is a great -improvement in respect to health and cleanliness, for everybody cannot -go to the river to bathe. - -What did the poor people do in those days; for six livres was an -enormous sum to them? - -If, in the good old times, a bath was such an expensive luxury, on the -other hand, the houses where they were supplied bore a very bad -reputation; they were, it is said, places of assignation for lewd women, -who, because of their rank or condition, were obliged to try to cloak -their evil conduct. - -Many preachers thundered from the pulpit against these places, which had -been adorned with an honest name. - -Maillard, in sermons noteworthy for their power and their crudity of -expression, said, as he declaimed against the scandal caused by these -establishments: - -"Mesdames, do not go to the baths, and do not do there what I need not -name!" - -Sauval tells us that the baths continued their existence for a long -time; people did not cease to frequent them until the end of the -seventeenth century. They had become so common then that a person could -hardly take a step without passing one. - -Let us return to our shop on Rue Saint-Jacques. It was kept by a stout -old fellow of some fifty years, as strong and bright and active as a -young man, whose name was Hugonnet. He was a red-faced _compère_, hasty -of speech and of gesture; his round, full, rubicund face exhaled health -and good humor; his little round gray eyes had a slightly mischievous -expression; his chin was beginning to become double, and his hair to -turn gray; but Master Hugonnet worried little about that; so long as his -place was well patronized, whether it was resorted to by cavaliers, -bachelors, esquires, courtiers, people from the city, or even from the -country, mattered little to him, if the customers paid promptly; for -after a profitable day, the bath keeper rarely failed to go to the -nearest wine shop, to regale and enjoy himself, whence he commonly -returned home tipsy; he called it having "a little point." - -The peculiar feature of Master Hugonnet's intoxication was that it -totally changed his disposition; and instead of intensifying his -passions and his vices, as wine so generally does, it endowed him with -qualities of which no one would ever have suspected him when he was -sober, and deprived him entirely of those which distinguished him in his -normal condition.--For instance, the bath keeper was far from patient; -he lost his temper easily, was quick to quarrel, would never give way, -and was always ready to fight. To be sure, when blows had once been -exchanged, Hugonnet bore his adversary no malice, and would soon be -laughing and drinking with him. But in his cups the old fellow became as -gentle and timid as a child; disposed to do what anyone desired, he was -easily moved to compassion for the misfortunes of his neighbor; and if -anyone told him some pitiful tale, it was no uncommon thing to see him -weep, and disturb the neighborhood by his groans as he stumbled home. -That always indicated that the libations had been copious, the bumpers -frequent, and that the bath keeper was completely drunk. - -Hugonnet was a widower and had but one child, a daughter, who, when our -tale opens, had just reached her eighteenth year. Ambroisine was a fine -girl, tall and strong, well set up and shapely. Her foot was not very -small, but her calf was symmetrical and of good size; her hand might -have been smaller, more tapering, but it was pink and white, and plump. - -Her bearing and her gestures were somewhat brusque at times, and gave -her rather too disdainful an air; but her smile was so frank and -pleasant that it excused any possible rudeness in her manner to persons -who did not know her well. - -Ambroisine was very good-looking; her hair was as black as jet; her dark -brown eyes were neither too large nor too small, and were amply fringed -by long lashes of the color of her hair; she fastened them with perfect -self-possession upon the person with whom she was speaking; but although -they did not express the ordinary shyness of a girl of her years, they -were so compassionate to the wretched, so amiable in joy, so fiery in -wrath, that they were always fine eyes. - -A mouth somewhat large, but well supplied with teeth, lips a little -heavy, but ruddy and smiling, a round chin, a high, white forehead, and -eyebrows clearly marked without being too thick--such was the daughter -of Master Hugonnet, who was usually spoken of in the Quartier -Saint-Jacques as La Belle Baigneuse. - -Ambroisine's charms undoubtedly had much to do with the popularity of -her father's establishment. - -Master Hugonnet's house was never empty; it was the rendezvous of young -noblemen, of the king's arquebusiers and halberdiers, of lordlings, of -country squires and students, of men of the sword and men of the pen, of -law clerks of the Basoche, and sometimes of a royal princess's pages. - -The ladies who came to the baths--and we have already said that there -were many of them--liked to be waited upon, cared for, and dressed by -Ambroisine, who was quick, active, skilful, and acquitted herself of her -task with a charming good humor which made it a pleasure to employ her. - -It is probable that among all the young sparks and popinjays who came to -Master Hugonnet's, more than one would have been equally glad to obtain -the services of the daughter of the house; but they were obliged to do -without them, for La Belle Baigneuse naturally was at the orders of the -ladies only. Still, when there was a crowd in the barber's shop -clamoring for the good offices of his razor and his comb, Ambroisine, -who could shave a beard as surely and rapidly as her father, sometimes -consented to lend him a hand, and to attend to the needs of one of the -cavaliers who were waiting to be put in trim. The man for whom she -offered to perform that service always accepted it as a favor, and -strove to impart to his face a most seductive expression; and he never -failed thereafter to proclaim all over the city that he had been shaved -by Master Hugonnet's daughter, while everyone gazed enviously at the -chin which La Belle Baigneuse had lathered. - -But such opportunities were rare. Ambroisine was too much occupied with -the baths to be often in her father's shop. And he loved his daughter -too well ever to require her to do anything against her will. In vain -did the young coxcombs, nay, even the great nobles, say to the barber: - -"Shall we not see your daughter to-day, Master Hugonnet?" or: "Messire -barbier, I have been awaiting my turn a long while, pray send for the -fair Ambroisine to shave me"; or "By my sword! I would gladly pay double -to be shaved by her!" - -To all these and many other like remarks, the good-natured gossip would -reply simply: - -"My lords, I am in despair that I am unable to gratify you; but my -daughter is engaged with some ladies who are pleased to patronize my -baths. I have two young men there; but to wait on the fair sex I have -only my daughter, who is sufficient for the task, because she is -fortunately endowed; and because she does in a few moments the work that -would take others an hour. Oh! she is a girl in a thousand, is my -Ambroisine! And as for shaving you, I know that she would do that -perfectly, too; she is my pupil! Such a sure, light, quick hand! Never -has she cut the skin of any man's chin, and yet even I have sometimes -done that! it may happen to the most skilful. But, I tell you again, -Ambroisine is at the orders of none but the ladies of all ranks who -choose to come to my establishment to take baths; and, frankly, that is -more suitable. When I see her shaving a gentleman with the dexterity and -self-possession which distinguish her, I am proud of my pupil! But, on -the other hand, I am humiliated to see her do that work, and I say to -myself: 'By Notre-Dame de Paris! this is no place for my -daughter!'--Moreover, you have little hesitation in making gallant -speeches to her, in saying obscene things.--However, I am not disturbed! -If Ambroisine cares to laugh sometimes,--and in our profession one would -be very foolish to be too surly,--she is well able none the less to keep -in their place those who presume to take too many liberties. My daughter -is a determined wench, I tell you; she has a hand as quick and a fist as -solid as her father's! And woe to those who take the risk of having it -proved to them!" - -By such harangues did Master Hugonnet reply to the young men who -displayed a too ardent desire to see his daughter. As a general rule, -the students, the country gentlemen, and the simple esquires listened to -reason; but it was not always so with the young nobles, who considered -themselves at liberty to do anything, because they were received at -court, and because the lieutenant of police closed his eyes too often to -their escapades. When one of them had taken it into his head that he -would see Ambroisine, all that the barber could say to convince him that -that might not be was of no avail, and sometimes was received in bad -part. - -But although he was very glad to have noble customers, Master Hugonnet -was not of a humor to endure the impertinences of any man whatsoever; -the marquis, no less than the humble bachelor, felt the effects of his -wrath. And when a young gentleman seemed disposed to take up his abode -in his shop, saying: - -"I will not go away until I have seen the fair Ambroisine!" - -The barber would shout in stentorian tones: - -"Well! you shall not see her, _triple savonnette_! there's no law to -compel her to be at your beck and call!" - -But the sonorous voice of Master Hugonnet would reach the ears of -Ambroisine, who, divining from her father's tone that he was in a -passion, would at once leave her work and run to the shop, to put an end -to the dispute. - -At sight of the girl, the person who had caused all the uproar would -begin to laugh and would exclaim, with a bantering glance at the barber: - -"I told you that I would not go away without a sight of the charming -Ambroisine! I have succeeded, you see!" - -Whereupon Master Hugonnet would look sheepish; but a word or two from -his daughter would speedily allay his anger, and more than one among the -witnesses of the scene would resolve to employ the same method when he -wished to see La Belle Baigneuse. - -Now that we are acquainted with Master Hugonnet's house and household, -we must pay a visit to the establishment of another bath keeper, on Rue -Dauphine. That street, which had been laid out twenty years earlier, on -the site of the garden of the Augustinians and of the buildings of the -Collège Saint-Denis, was already lined by fine houses, and had an air of -refinement and a class of inhabitants in striking contrast to Quartier -Saint-Jacques. - - - - -IV - -BATHILDE - - -The baths on Rue Dauphine were kept by one Landry. He was a man of -sixty, but still vigorous and robust, despite his gray moustache, which -he wore very long. By his soldierly bearing and the way he carried his -head, one could divine that he had seen military service. And Landry -was, in fact, an ex-soldier. He had fought under Henri IV, whose name he -never mentioned without carrying the back of his right hand to his -forehead, or without manifesting his emotion by the change in his voice. - -At the great king's death, Landry, then thirty-six years of age, had -left the service. Later, although his face was scarred, his martial -set-up and his military gait had fascinated Dame Ragonde, a widow with a -small hoard. She had married Landry, and they had obtained, by purchase, -a license to keep hot and cold baths. - -Landry was a tall, thin, stiff individual. He had an uncommunicative -air, and his long gray moustache tended to make his expression even less -inviting. However, Master Landry was not a bad-tempered man. He had -never been known to seek a quarrel with anyone; and when quarrels arose -among his neighbors, it was usually he who intervened to restore peace. -It is true that his voice was strong and that his moustache produced an -imposing effect on the vulgar. - -He performed his duties as bath keeper and barber with the scrupulous -exactness which old soldiers retain in civil life with respect to -everything that they consider a duty. But it was not wise to speak ill -of Henri IV or of his minister Sully in the old soldier's presence. When -such a thing occurred, a sudden change would take place in the whole -aspect of the man; usually calm and cold, he would become as quick to -explode as powder; his blood would boil anew with all the fervor of his -younger days; and the unhappy wight who had presumed to utter a word -derogatory to his idols would be chastised before he had time to -apologize. - -But such episodes were likely to be very infrequent, for the memory of -good King Henri was held in too great veneration by Frenchmen for anyone -to venture to impugn it. - -Dame Ragonde, the bath keeper's wife, was fifteen years younger than her -husband, but she seemed almost as old as he. - -She was a tall, thin, yellow-skinned woman. Had she ever been pretty? -That she had been seemed more than doubtful. Her small, pale-green eyes -were very bright, but they had an arrogant--yes, evil expression; they -were eyes of the sort that seem never to look in any direction with any -other purpose than that of finding something to blame, to reprove, or to -forbid. Her long nose, hooked at the end like a parrot's, made her -resemble in some degree a bird of prey. And her thin, bloodless, tightly -closed lips seemed destined to open only to emit harsh or bitter words. - -Since the day of her marriage to Landry, her second husband, nobody -remembered having seen Dame Ragonde smile; indeed, it was not certain -that she smiled on that day. - -Her voice was shrill and piercing, her words always short and sharp; -this fact, by the way, was creditable to the lady; she was no gossip and -never said a word more than she had to say. - -Who would have guessed that of that union between a man who was not -handsome and a woman who was downright ugly a daughter would be born who -would prove to be a veritable model of beauty, grace, and charm? - -Such, nevertheless, was Bathilde, the only child of Landry and Ragonde. - -At eighteen, her beauty had reached its perfect development: she was one -of those types which painters delight to find, when they wish to paint a -virgin, an angel, or a demon of temptation. - -Bathilde was blond, but the tint was not one of those dull blonds in -which there is a reflection of white; her long, thick, silky hair verged -rather on the chestnut. Her skin had that whiteness in which there is -life, and not that dull tone which imparts an aspect of inanition to a -living person. On the contrary, the lovely girl's cheeks had a rosy -tinge; and at the slightest word of reproof that was addressed to her, -they at once became a most brilliant carmine. Large, deep-blue eyes, -almond shaped, and shaded by long chestnut lashes; a small, fresh, -red-lipped mouth; irreproachable teeth of dazzling whiteness; a chin -slightly oval in shape; fine, but clearly marked eyebrows; a noble, -beautiful brow, over which thick curls seemed proud to be placed. - -Such was Bathilde, who possessed, in addition, a slender, lithe, dainty -figure, a remarkably small foot, and a hand worthy to serve as a model. - -But a mere enumeration of her advantages affords but a faint idea of the -fascination of that young girl, of the charm with which her whole person -was instinct, of the sweet melody of her voice, and of the pleasure that -one felt in hearing it. - -Sometimes one remains unmoved before the most unexceptionable beauty; -for that which attracts and captivates us is not so much the perfection -of the features, the regularity of the outlines of a face, as its -amiable and gracious expression--a second element of beauty which many -times exerts more power than the first; but when the two are combined, -when nature has endowed a single woman with both, then it is that it is -very difficult to avoid losing one's heart and one's reason. - -And that lovely, graceful, fascinating girl was the daughter of Landry -and Dame Ragonde! - -Nature sometimes indulges in such strange whims. Do we not see flowers -whose perfume intoxicates us and whose gorgeous colors dazzle our eyes, -blooming upon stunted, thorny stalks? - -As Bathilde's beauty would have attracted too many gallants, too many -seducers, to Master Landry's shop, the girl never appeared there, nor -did she wait upon the ladies who patronized her father's baths. - -Bathilde had been brought up very strictly; almost always confined to -her bedroom, which did not look on the street, the girl never went out -except with her mother; and then a long veil, attached to her hood, -covered almost the whole of her face, leaving nothing in sight save the -end of her nose. If the sweet girl ventured to disarrange the veil and -to expose one of her pink and white cheeks to the air for a moment, Dame -Ragonde would instantly exclaim in her shrill, harsh voice: - -"Your veil! your veil! Take care!" - -Bathilde knew what that meant, and would hasten to swathe her lovely -face anew. - -Certainly, if Master Landry had desired that his establishment should be -besieged by crowds of customers, he could easily have gratified his -wish: nothing more would have been necessary than to allow his daughter -to come to the shop now and then. Bathilde's beauty would have made a -sensation, the court and the city would have been stirred to their -depths, everyone would have desired to know that plebeian -chef-d'oeuvre, and, with the inevitable vogue of his place of -business, the bath keeper's fortune would have been assured. - -But in this respect Bathilde's parents proved that their own honor and -their child's virtue were to them treasures more precious than gold. - -Some neighbors, knowing how strictly Bathilde had been brought up, said, -and with some show of reason, that a mother should be able to watch over -her daughter without converting her house into a prison. That to keep a -child from knowledge of the world was not the way to protect her from -the dangers that are encountered there at every step; and that it was -downright barbarity to deprive a girl of all the pleasures suited to her -years because it had pleased the Creator to endow her with all those -physical qualities which charm and fascinate. - -If these or other similar remarks reached Dame Ragonde's ears, it is -probable that she paid little heed to them and that they made little -impression on her. Immovable in her determination, impassible in her -nature, rigorous in her conduct, she made no change whatever in her -methods with her daughter. - -And as for Master Landry, although he loved Bathilde dearly and was very -proud of her, he looked upon his wife as the general whose duty it was -to manage the internal economy of his household. As such general, he -obeyed her promptly, reserving to himself only the command of the two -apprentices employed in his baths. - -However, Landry's establishment was prosperous, as were almost all the -baths of those days, because they were very few in number. - -The neighborhood of Rue Dauphine, which was less thickly populated than -Rue Saint-Jacques, already contained some noble mansions and fine -houses, occupied by magistrates, members of the Parliament, men of the -robe, and rich annuitants. Moreover, the proximity of the -Pré-aux-Clercs, which was still a favorite promenade, although some -buildings were beginning to be erected there, contributed to attract to -Master Landry's baths a more distinguished and more fashionable -clientèle, better society, in a word, than the ordinary patrons of his -confrère, Master Hugonnet. - -Furthermore, although the fascinating Bathilde was concealed from prying -eyes, beauty spreads about it a perfume which causes its presence to be -divined, and which attracts connoisseurs, even though they are destined -to have nothing to show for their pains. - -Despite all the precautions taken by Dame Ragonde, she could not prevent -her neighbors from talking; they repeated, to whoever chose to listen, -that Master Landry had a daughter more beautiful than the marvellous -princesses of the _Thousand and One Nights_; that her surpassing beauty -was the reason that her father and mother concealed her from all eyes, -because they feared that somebody would take her away from them; and -that they destined her for some wealthy foreign prince. - -Others declared, on the contrary, that Master Landry's daughter was a -monster of ugliness and deformity, and that it was to shelter the poor -girl from the ridicule which was certain to be poured out upon her that -they were careful to keep her out of sight. - -This last version, however, obtained little credence. As a general rule, -people do not take so many precautions with an ugly girl, or keep such -close watch over one who has no reason to fear the enterprises of -gallants. - -Mystery always arouses curiosity, and the veil in which Dame Ragonde -swathed Bathilde's face intensified the general desire to see it. -Extremes are dangerous in everything: the man who puts too many bolts on -his door arouses a suspicion that he possesses a treasure. - -Chance had brought Landry and his confrère Hugonnet together. One -evening, when the latter was returning home, as usual, after a merry -evening over the bottle at a wine shop recently opened in the Cité, at -some distance from his house, he lost his way. Alone, late at night, the -barber wandered for a long while through the dark and muddy lanes which -were then called streets, feeling his way along the walls, seeking his -own door, and cursing because he did not find it. - -Two men, emerging suddenly from a blind alley, walked toward the drunken -man, who at once asked them to direct him. But he had applied to a pair -of vagabonds, whose only reply was to set about robbing Master Hugonnet -of his purse, his cloak, his great fur cap--in fact, of a large part of -his clothes. At the outset, as a result of his intoxication, which -entirely changed his disposition, Hugonnet placidly allowed himself to -be stripped, thinking that he had to do with unfortunate creatures who -needed all those things for their families. But one of the marauders -having been so imprudent as to strike him on the head, the blow, by -sobering the barber, instantly changed the face of affairs. Restored to -his senses, and realizing with what manner of men he had to do, he -defended himself stoutly; he dealt the two robbers some lusty blows, and -they, irritated at meeting with such stubborn resistance from an -intoxicated man, were already brandishing the daggers which they -proposed to use, when Master Landry appeared upon the stage of this -nocturnal attack. - -To draw the rapier which he always carried under his cloak, to rush to -the assistance of the man who was beset, to attack the two robbers with -cut and thrust, to put them to flight, and to restore to Master Hugonnet -his cloak, which had fallen to the ground--all this was the affair of a -moment for the old trooper of Henri IV. - -Hugonnet, completely sobered by the combat, offered Landry his hand and -exclaimed: - -"Vertudieu! I am inclined to think, comrade, that but for you those -scoundrels would have made me pass a bad quarter of an hour!" - -"I thank heaven that I arrived in time to offer you my assistance!" - -"Sapristi! you went about it in the right way. You seemed to be at home! -How you handle your sword! I think that my knaves went off with the -marks you made on them." - -"It would be a great pity if I did not know how to fight. When one has -had the honor of serving under the great Henri IV; when one has fought -under him at Arques and Ivry----" - -"Do you say that you served with the good king who wanted all his -subjects to have a fowl to put in the pot? Shake hands! I am doubly -happy to have met you; and, with your permission, I consider myself from -this moment one of your friends." - -"With all my heart, for you too are a brave man; I saw that by the way -you defended yourself against those cutthroats. And yet, you had no -weapons." - -"Well! I did my best. Besides--I can afford to confess it, now that it's -all over--those thieves surprised me rather easily, because I was a -little--er--tipsy. I was on my way home from a new wine shop just opened -in the Cité. The wine was good--it always is good in a new place--and we -did not spare it. When I set out to go home, I missed my way--for the -devil take me if I know where I am now!" - -"At the Carrefour de Bussy; see, this is the street leading from the -Porte de Bussy to the Pré-aux-Clercs." - -"In God's name, what road did I take?--I, who live on Rue Saint-Jacques, -corner of Rue des Mathurins, where I have baths, hot and cold--Master -Hugonnet, at your service; for it is right that you should know whose -life you have saved." - -"You are a bath keeper?--Pardieu! this is a strange meeting! I, too, am -one--Master Landry, Rue Dauphine, near Quai Conti." - -"Is it possible!--you are the bath keeper on Rue Dauphine? I have heard -of you.--You have a wife, I am a widower. You have a daughter, and so -have I. How old is yours?" - -"Twelve years." - -"So is mine. Parbleu! confrère, our daughters must be friends, as their -fathers will be; are you willing?" - -"Shake hands, ventre-saint-gris! as our good king used to say." - -The two bath keepers shook hands once more. Landry started Hugonnet on -the right road, and they returned to their respective homes. - -This meeting took place about five years before the time at which our -tale opens. Bathilde and Ambroisine were still children; people took -little notice of them, for we do not pause to consider whether little -girls of twelve are likely to be very beautiful some day. We prefer, and -wisely, to wait until they have become so, before ogling them. - -Dame Ragonde's surveillance was naturally less active then; being still -a mere child, Bathilde enjoyed some liberty. So she was allowed to see -her new friend, for Master Hugonnet did not fail to pay a visit to his -confrère. - -Landry was not expansive; he was not a frequenter of wine shops, and -never drank too much; but when he had pressed anyone's hand in token of -friendship, that person might be sure that he could rely upon the old -soldier's assistance, upon his arm, under all circumstances. - -Dame Ragonde had not looked with great pleasure upon this new intimacy -contracted by her husband; but she knew that it would be useless for her -to try to break it up. Landry was not one of those weathercocks who -change their sentiments and affections according to the advice that is -given them. The husband and wife each had a will of iron. A concession -once made, neither of them attempted to encroach on the other's rights; -it was doubtless to this mutual respect for each other's rights and each -other's will that they were indebted for the peace which reigned in -their household. - -The two little girls very soon learned to love each other; there was -between them just that difference in humor, in spirit, in temperament, -which attracts and binds together, and leads to those strong and lasting -attachments which defy time and the blows of fortune.--Observe that we -are speaking of friendship, not of love. As to the last-named sentiment, -we have never known an instance of it which resisted the slightest test -of its strength, when that test was applied with skill! - -That which people are pleased to call sympathy cannot be the similitude -between two natures. For, put together two gossips, two testy or -obstinate or irascible, quarrelsome and satirical characters, and see -whether they will love each other, whether they will be able to live -together. There would be a constant state of war. - -On the contrary, nature created the strong to support the weak, patience -to allay irascibility, gentleness to appease wrath, gayety to charm away -melancholy. - -Bathilde was shy and timid; she trembled at the slightest sharp word, -and her gentle and affectionate nature was more inclined to melancholy -than to gayety. - -Ambroisine was of a very different temperament: active, merry, -thoughtless, often angry; she said fearlessly whatever came into her -head; frankness lay at the foundation of her character; her heart was -susceptible, but it did not like to be sad for long. With her the tears -came quickly and disappeared no less quickly. - -When Bathilde seemed to be unhappy, when her lovely eyes seemed to -express some hidden grief, her little friend would say to her: - -"Somebody has been cross to you, I am sure. I can see that you have been -crying. Tell me who made you cry, and I will go to him and make him come -here and beg your pardon." - -But Bathilde would simply look down and murmur: - -"It was my mother." - -"Did you do anything naughty?" Ambroisine would inquire. - -"I asked her if I might go to see you soon." - -Ambroisine would not dare to say anything more, but she would turn her -head aside and furtively wipe away the tears that stood in her eyes; -then she would again look at her friend, seize both her hands, and make -her dance around the room, crying: - -"You mustn't think about that any more!" - -When the girls had reached their fourteenth year, Dame Ragonde began to -think that Ambroisine was too lively, too mischievous, too self-willed, -and that her companionship might be dangerous for her daughter; she -would no longer allow her daughter to go to see her friend under the -escort of a servant; she alleged as an excuse the necessity that -Bathilde should study; and when Ambroisine came to see her, Dame Ragonde -never left them together; she was always by to prevent those -affectionate confidences which she believed to be dangerous. Her -presence, her stern manner, her curt speech, froze Bathilde's heart, and -she forced back those impulsive outbursts of affection which she would -have liked to lavish on Ambroisine. But the latter, although -disappointed at being unable to chat at her ease with little Bathilde, -retained in Dame Ragonde's presence her playful humor, her vivacity, her -frankness, and she often found a way to bring a smile to her young -friend's lips. - -And so, as soon as Master Hugonnet's daughter had left the house, -Bathilde's mother never failed to exclaim: - -"What an ill-bred child that is! What a bold-faced creature she will be -some day! But, patience: I will put this matter to rights." - -And as the girls grew older, they were allowed to see each other less -and less. On Bathilde's side, the surveillance to which she was -subjected became more minute; she seldom went out, and she paid no more -visits. At Master Hugonnet's, on the other hand, Ambroisine, when she -grew tall and strong, was placed by her father at the head of the -establishment; and as a great many people came to the baths, she had -little time left to give to friendship. - -But as soon as Ambroisine had a moment to herself, she hastened to Rue -Dauphine, to exchange a clasp of the hand with her friend. - -Sometimes Dame Ragonde, who also had to overlook her apprentices and her -servants, was busy at the baths, and Bathilde was alone in her bedroom. -Then, what joy for the two friends! with what ardor they took advantage -of that moment of liberty! for the older they grew, the more interesting -their conversations became. At seventeen, two girls have other things to -say to each other than at twelve or thirteen. It is useless to keep them -sequestered all the time--they will always have something interesting to -tell each other. - -Ambroisine especially, who was entirely her own mistress, was certain to -have very many things to tell. And so, when a lucky accident enabled the -two girls to exchange their thoughts, they would hardly take the time -to embrace; questions and answers succeeded one another with astounding -rapidity. - -"Your mother isn't here? What luck!" - -"What a long time it is since I saw you!" - -"We are always so busy at home!" - -"I am so bored!" - -"I haven't a moment to myself during the day; such a lot of fine ladies -come to bathe!" - -"It's the same way here; but I am not allowed to wait on them." - -"I wait on them; I dress them when they don't bring their servants, and -that very often happens--they prefer to come alone; I don't know why--or -rather, yes, I think that I can guess why." - -"Oh! tell me, Ambroisine!" - -"No, no, it isn't worth while! Besides, I am not sure; it is just an -idea of mine." - -"Tell me your idea, please, Ambroisine! Mon Dieu! if you don't tell me -anything, if you don't teach me a little, how do you expect me to know -anything, when I am always shut up in this room and only go downstairs -to dinner; when I see nobody but my father and mother, who hardly ever -speak to me? Why do the fine ladies prefer to come to the baths alone?" - -"Why, you see, I do not quite know how to tell you.--But, no matter! -what difference does it make, after all? Many cavaliers, young men, come -to the baths also." - -"So they do here, but I never see them. Do you see them?" - -"Sometimes--when I go down to the shop, and when I help father; for I -know how to shave, I do; I can shave very well when I set about it." - -"What! you shave--men?" - -"Well! I surely don't shave women, as they have no beards." - -"Oh! what a lucky girl you are! what fun that must be!--Do you really -dare to take a man by the chin?" - -"Well, why not? I assure you that it doesn't frighten me; indeed, I must -not be frightened, for if my hand shook I should shave badly and cut the -customer.--Don't tell your mother this; for she thinks now that I am too -bold." - -"Oh! there is no danger of that!" - -"To be sure, it may be that my father tells yours." - -"Yes; but my father will never say a word to my mother about it--they -talk so little!--But these cavaliers whom you shave--they speak to you, -I suppose?" - -"To be sure--and those whom I don't shave speak to me, too; indeed, I -never know whom to answer, for as soon as I go down to the shop they are -all after me." - -"And you are not afraid?" - -"Not a bit; what do you suppose I am afraid of?" - -"Indeed, I don't know! but my mother tells me that a young girl runs so -much risk when she listens to a man; and you, who listen to more than -one, must run a much greater risk!" - -"But nothing happens to me, you see! for when the young gentlemen -presume to do things that are not nice, or make too--too gallant remarks -to me, why, it doesn't take me long to send them about their business!" - -"What are the too gallant remarks, and the things that are not nice?" - -"Mon Dieu! must I tell you everything? It is strange that you know -nothing!" - -"Where, then, do you suppose that I can learn anything?" - -"The too gallant remarks--those are when men tell us that we are pretty -or attractive--that they love us, that they adore us." - -"Oh! but it must be nice to have that said to you! Is it necessary to be -angry? what a pity!" - -"One must be very angry when they add: 'Love me, I implore you; -reciprocate my love, give me your heart; I will be faithful to -you!'--and a lot of oaths, of which they don't mean a word!" - -"Ah! do you think that they don't mean a word of them? In that case, why -do they say them?" - -"Because it amuses them. But if we listened to them, they would say much -more." - -"And the things that are not nice?" - -"That is when these fine fellows presume to suit the action to the word. -The ones who do that are the boldest; they take your hand, and, while -pretending to admire it, they don't hesitate to kiss it; or they put an -arm about your waist, and, if they can catch you napping, they try to -kiss you." - -"What! are there men so presumptuous as that?" - -"Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the -respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" - -"Well?" - -"Why, one might talk with them a little." - -"Have they ever tried to kiss you?" - -"Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself. I box -their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either." - -"What! you box your customers' ears?" - -"When the customers make too free with me; but no matter how well you -defend yourself, sometimes you cannot escape the kiss." - -"Have you ever been kissed, Ambroisine?" - -"Mon Dieu! yes! some of those little pages are so quick, and some of the -young nobles so audacious! There is one in particular, Comte Léodgard de -Marvejols--you must have heard of him?" - -"I! why, you forget that I hear nothing, see nothing, know -nothing!--What about Comte Léodgard?" - -"Oh! he's a terrible scapegrace, I tell you! a rake, a roisterer, a -seducer! There is only one opinion about him, and not a week passes that -he does not set people talking about him. He abducts girls, yes, married -women even; he beats their fathers or husbands; he fights duels, -cudgels the watch, passes whole days and nights in gambling hells, -gambling and drinking; in short, he is worse than the devil!" - -"O mon Dieu! how frightened I should be of him! He must be very ugly, -isn't he?" - -"Why, no, and that is just what deceives you; unfortunately, he is not -ugly at all; for if he were hideous to look at, he would be much less -dangerous. He is a handsome young man, with a forest of long black hair, -and eyes of the same color, that shine like carbuncles; and when he -looks at you, he has a way of giving them such a benignant expression! -You would think sometimes that he is a little saint; but you very soon -find out your mistake." - -"What a pity! A scapegrace is a reprobate, and that ought to appear on -his face. Has that young nobleman ever tried to kiss you?" - -"I should say so! there was a time when he came to our place every day; -he laid traps for me, tried to make appointments with me, and brought me -presents." - -"Presents?" - -"Which I never received.--It did no good for me to lose my temper, to -fly into a passion, to threaten to scratch him--that only made him -laugh; he declared that I was even prettier when I was angry.--As you -can imagine, it is when my father is not at home that they torment me -so; for he would not stand it. But one day I lost my patience: Comte -Léodgard had seized my hands, in spite of my struggles, and he was just -about to kiss me, when I called father. If you had seen how quickly he -took the young nobleman up in his arms and set him down in the street! -The count was frantic; he drew his sword and rushed at father. But you -know Master Hugonnet--it isn't wise to irritate him. In an instant, he -had seized Comte Léodgard's sword and had broken it across his knee. The -count strode away, uttering the most horrible threats, swearing that he -would teach father what it costs to lack respect for a great nobleman. -Father began to laugh, and in a moment he had forgotten all about it. -But, for my part, I confess that the count's threats frightened me, and -for a long time after I trembled whenever father left me, when he came -home later at night than usual; but that was three months ago, and -nothing has happened." - -"And the young man has not been to your shop again?" - -"Oh, no! not since that time." - -"In all this, you have not told me why the fine ladies who come to the -baths prefer not to bring their servants with them?" - -"Ah! what a memory you have!--Well, I have noticed very often that there -is a young gentleman below who knows one of the ladies; when she leaves -the bath, the young man is there, waiting for her; they talk together, -they go away together; so, you see, when a lady knows that she will have -a cavalier to escort her home, she does not need to bring a servant." - -"If you knew, Ambroisine, how I love to listen to you--you tell me -things that are so entirely new to me! Oh! please tell me some more of -your adventures!" - -But when Ambroisine was about to gratify her friend, perhaps they would -hear Dame Ragonde's slow, regular steps approaching. Thereupon, the -subject of conversation would instantly be changed, and they would talk -exclusively of serious or religious matters until Bathilde's mother -said: - -"You have talked enough; bid your friend adieu, it is time to separate." - -Thereupon Ambroisine would leave her young friend; but all that she had -heard furnished Bathilde with food for thought for many days. - - - - -V - -AN OLD MANSION.--AN OLD NOBLE - - -Alone in a large and handsome room, richly furnished, the hangings of -which, however, were very old and seemed to denote, on the part of the -proprietors, a profound respect for whatever had belonged to their -ancestors, an old man sat in an enormous easy-chair, whose carved and -gilded frame seemed as ancient as the hangings, before a desk on which -lay several boxes, books, and papers, which he was apparently engaged in -examining with care. - -Sometimes he paused in his labors; his brow was clouded, his expression -stern, and a deep sigh escaped from his breast. - -The Marquis de Marvejols was at this time nearly seventy years of age. -He was a tall, spare man, who still carried his head erect, whose gait -was firm and his grasp strong, while his proud and assured bearing would -have held in respect anyone who should attempt to impose upon him. - -The old man's face was handsome, although severe. His white hair left -bare a large part of his forehead, on which could be seen a scar caused -by a blow from a lance; his moustaches and his beard, also snow-white, -harmonized well with that martial countenance, which seemed to defy all -dangers; and if the old marquis's keen gray eyes ordinarily wore a -haughty expression that inspired fear rather than confidence, on the -other hand, the extreme urbanity of his manners soon made one forget the -stern and imposing effect of his general appearance. - -Knee-breeches and doublet of violet velvet, a leather belt, a very high -ruff, funnel-shaped top-boots, with spurs attached--such was the old -man's costume, which had something military about it. Over all this he -wore a long cloak, trimmed with ermine, which descended almost to his -spurs. - -Pushing aside with an angry gesture the papers he had been examining, -Monsieur de Marvejols threw himself back in his chair, and turned his -eyes upon several large portraits which hung on the walls. Two -represented cavaliers with helmets on their heads, and their hands on -their swords; a third was that of a young man wearing the little cap in -vogue in the time of Henri III; and the fourth was the portrait of a -young and lovely woman with a little boy on her knees. - -In the immense apartments of olden time, space was not spared; people -were not shut up, as we are to-day, in the foul atmosphere of rooms six -and a half feet in height; the lungs had an opportunity to do their work -freely and the chest must have been in much better case. - -In those days, it was easy to find room in a salon for those huge -full-length portraits, which are ordinarily larger than life. Indeed, -one sometimes saw them hung in two rows, and the furniture never reached -to the frames. - -To-day, in the apartments which our architects measure out for us so -sparingly, we must renounce all thought of having large canvases, fine -paintings of vast historical subjects, and in many cases even the -full-length portrait of one of our ancestors, unless we choose to take -the risk, when we sit down, of striking our heads against the painting -at the first unpremeditated movement we chance to make. - -The Marquis de Marvejol's mansion was on Rue Royale, where one may still -see, in our day, some relics of the magnificent apartments of an earlier -time. But what a difference! Although, on the outside, it still -presents a reasonably well preserved image of what it was under Louis -XIII; although it is still red and white, with its bricks surrounded by -courses of stone, with its slated roof, its light balconies, its tall -windows set in stone frames; although it has retained its low, dark, -heavy galleries, which seem to have been built to defy the ages and the -elements--on the other hand, the interior of its various wings is no -longer the same, and, except in some few instances, the grandeur and -magnificence of the olden time have entirely disappeared. - -But at the time of our narrative there were, in the neighborhood of the -Hôtel de Marvejols, the Hôtels de Lesdiguières, de Guémenée, de Sully, -d'Effiat, d'Aumont, de Chevreuse, de Chaulnes, de Saint-Paul, de -Liancourt, etc., etc. - -At that time, too, the Place Royale was the scene of all the fêtes and -_carrousels_, which attracted the nobility, the bourgeoisie, and the -people of Paris, who were called in those days _the good people_. When -the marriage of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria was announced, fêtes -lasting three days were given on that square, although it was not -entirely finished. - -In later times, on that same spot where noble knights broke lances to -entertain the ladies of their thoughts, who, seated on the balconies of -the neighboring houses, enjoyed the jousting, and encouraged the -champions of their charms by tender glances and by showing them in -advance the knot of ribbon which was to be the guerdon of victory--on -that same spot, we have seen and may still see the peaceable inhabitant -of the Marais, who has nothing in common with the paladins of old, -exercising his faithful dog and selecting a bench whereon to rest a -moment in the sunshine, whose beneficent warmth allays his rheumatic -pains. And the young nursemaid, too, with the children in her care, whom -she often leaves to bump against trees, or to fall as they run hither -and thither, while she is gossiping with other maids on the subject of -their employers, which is much more amusing than to watch children. And -the modest seamstress, on her way to carry home the work intrusted to -her, who crosses the Place Royale, although it is not directly on her -road, because she ordinarily meets there a young man who makes -flattering remarks to her; there is no law against seeking pleasant -meetings. - -All this is far removed from the tourneys, the fanfares of trumpets, the -sound of clarion and drum; from the great ladies at the windows, from -the knights in the arena, from the esquires and pages and servants -carrying their masters' weapons and bucklers, and from the charming -troubadours, or _trouvères_, who had seats of honor beside the high and -mighty nobles, because they were destined, later, to sing in laudation -of it all. - -Other times, other manners! - -The old Marquis de Marvejols gazed gloomily enough at the portraits -which adorned his study--for the enormous room in which he sat was -nothing more than that. Soon he leaned over his desk once more, and -seizing a bell rang it violently. - -A valet, almost as old as his master, instantly showed his bald head -beneath a velvet portière which he raised. His face, in respect to the -general effect of the features and their mild expression, might have -served as a model for a painting of Obedience, as personified in a -servant, except that when he raised the corners of his mouth in a smile -there were some slight indications of a tendency to be cunning; but if -that tendency actually existed in the old servant, it never went beyond -the corners of his mouth. - -"Did monsieur le marquis ring?" inquired a shrill, cracked voice. - -"Has my son gone out this morning, Hector?" - -Old Hector pressed his lips together, and the corners of his mouth -assumed their sly expression, as he replied in a drawling tone: - -"Monsieur le Comte Léodgard de Marvejols certainly has not left the -house this morning; I am certain of that." - -"In that case, go to my son and tell him that I wish to speak with -him--at once, before he goes out." - -The old servant looked down at his feet, but did not budge. - -"Well! did you not hear me, Hector?" continued the marquis, testily; -"have your ears grown dull, that I have to give you the same order -twice?" - -"No, monsieur le marquis, no, thank heaven! my ears are still good. I -have not the least occasion to reproach them. And if I have not obeyed -the command you have done me the honor to give me, it is because----" - -"Well! because what? finish, I say!" - -"I cannot tell Monsieur le Comte Léodgard to come to speak with you, -because he is not in the house." - -"Not in the house? Why, you told me only a moment ago that my son had -not gone out this morning!" - -"That is true, monseigneur; he has not gone out this morning, because he -did not come in last night." - -The marquis put his hand to his forehead. - -"Ah!" he cried; "of course, I understand! You did not wish to tell me -that, my poor Hector; you would like to conceal my son's disorderly -conduct from me! But it is useless for you to try to deceive me. I know -everything; and it is much better that I should know everything; for one -must know where the trouble lies, in order to put a stop to it. All this -has been going on a very long while, and it must come to an end!" - -"Monsieur le Comte Léodgard is still very young," murmured Hector, still -draped by the portière. - -"Very young--when he has nearly reached his twenty-sixth year! A man is -a man at that age, and he no longer has the first effervescence of youth -for an excuse! Ah! when I was at that age, you were already in my -service--do you remember, Hector?" - -"As if it was yesterday, monseigneur; my memory is as sound as my -ears." - -"Very well! I served in the army, I fought, I lived in camp. But, -although I was a bachelor,--for I married quite late,--did I ever lead -this life of licentiousness, of debauchery, which makes me blush for my -son?" - -"All young men are not as irreproachable as monseigneur has always -been--as bachelor, husband, and widower." - -"I do not expect that he shall be faultless! I do not demand the -impossible! But I do not propose that weaknesses shall become vices; -faults, crimes!" - -"Oh! monsieur le marquis! be indulgent to monsieur your son!" - -"I have been indulgent enough, too much so, perhaps. I must see -Léodgard; he must be made acquainted with my irrevocable -determination!--And that rascally Latournelle, his valet--is he still in -the house?" - -"No, monseigneur; I have not seen him for several days." - -"I told my son to discharge that knave; a scoundrel, a blackleg, a -gambler, who ought to be hanged." - -At that moment, the conversation was interrupted by the sound of a horse -galloping into the courtyard. - -Hector let the portière fall, went into a reception room, looked out of -the window, and returned with a radiant face, saying to his master: - -"Here is Monsieur le Comte Léodgard, just coming in." - -"Go to him, then; tell him that I await him. Go--do not lose an instant, -for he may have gone away again." - -Old Hector disappeared to execute his master's command. - -In a few moments, Léodgard entered his father's apartment. The young -count was pale, his face was drawn and haggard, his eyes sunken from -loss of sleep; and the disorder of his clothes, the dust with which they -were covered, seemed to indicate that he had recently ridden a long -distance on horseback. - -He walked forward with a respectful air, but was evidently out of -temper. He bowed to his father and remained standing in the middle of -the room. - -The old marquis pointed to a chair, saying in a stern tone: - -"Be seated, monsieur; what I have to say to you will take some moments, -and deserves to be listened to with attention." - -"I beg pardon, monsieur, but you see the disordered state of my dress; I -am ashamed to appear before you in such disarray; allow me simply the -necessary time to change, and I will at once return." - -"No, monsieur! your dress is a matter of great consequence, in very -truth! By Saint Jacques! what matters it to me whether your doublet is -more or less fresh? It is not the dust with which your clothes are -covered that will mar your escutcheon, but your disgraceful conduct! -That it is which sullies the honor of your name much more than the storm -has injured your cloak! Be seated--I insist!" - -Léodgard restrained with difficulty an impatient outburst; but he threw -himself on a chair, and his father continued: - -"I have remonstrated with you several times, monsieur, concerning your -dissolute conduct; you have not listened to me, you have despised your -father's judicious counsel. To-day, when your misconduct has gone beyond -all bounds, when your evil deeds--for they are no longer the escapades -of a young man, but evil deeds, of which you are guilty----" - -"Father----" - -"Do not interrupt me!--To-day, when your evil deeds recognize no -restraint, I no longer advise, I command you; and you will respect my -commands, or this _lettre de cachet_ will deal with you for me.--Look, -monsieur; you know that I do not indulge in empty threats; here is your -passport to the Bastille, sent me by Monsieur le Cardinal de Richelieu, -who also is aware of all your misconduct and has given me permission to -make use of this whenever I may think best, leaving in my hands the -punishment of him who bears my name." - -Léodgard could not help shuddering inwardly when he saw the _lettre de -cachet_ which his father took from his desk, and he faltered in a -tremulous voice: - -"What have I done--what more than many young gentlemen of my age, to -deserve to be treated so harshly?" - -"Ah! you ask what you have done? That, I presume, is because you hope -that I know only a part of it. Unhappily, monsieur, your conduct is too -notorious, your vices make too much noise in the world; you are cited -too often by all the wellborn debauchees, for the echo not to reach your -father's ears. Stealing wives from their husbands, young girls from -their parents, passing the night in wine shops and gambling hells, -fighting with the king's archers, with the watch, with citizens, -incurring debts and not paying them, breaking shop windows and offering -no other compensation than a sword thrust, binding yourself to Jews and -usurers, thrashing your creditors when they presume to demand what you -owe them, what they have been waiting for so long--such are your noble -exploits, monsieur! a descendant of the Marvejols does not blush to -conduct himself thus!--And yet, cast your eyes about you, look at these -portraits which surround you, your ancestors who have left you a -glorious name--are not you of their blood, you, who debase it? Ah! if -they could come forth from their tombs,--and your excellent mother, who -was so proud to have brought forth a descendant of our line,--it would -be to crush you with their wrath!" - -"Monsieur le marquis, allow me to say a word in my own defence.--My -faults have been exaggerated. I have committed some faults, I admit; but -they are not so serious as you seem to think." - -"And your debts--will you say that they are a mere trifle? You owe five -thousand pistoles at this moment, monsieur." - -"I do not know, monsieur le marquis, whether you have also been told -that I have been stripped clean by that miserable Giovanni, that Italian -brigand, who terrorizes all Paris?" - -"Yes, I have heard of that. But how did you allow yourself to be robbed -by that man?" - -"I venture to believe that my father has no doubt that if I was overcome -it was not without a vigorous resistance on my part." - -"Oh! I do justice to your courage; you would not be my son if you were a -coward!" - -"It was late at night, about a fortnight ago. I was returning home alone -and was passing through Rue Couture-Sainte-Catherine. Suddenly this -Giovanni appeared before me, and demanded my purse as courteously as if -he were inquiring for my health. The robber seemed to me such an -original character that I talked with him a few minutes. But when he -repeated his demand, I drew my sword. He had some sort of a short, broad -weapon. Practised as I am in fighting, that devil of a man dealt me a -thrust,--I do not know how to describe it,--and I was beaten. I felt the -point of his sword against my breast; but he was content to take my -purse, and disappeared as he had come, without giving me time to see -which way he went." - -"If I were lieutenant of police of this realm, that adroit thief would -have been hanged before this.--However, monsieur, this Giovanni did not -rob you of five thousand pistoles, I imagine?" - -"No; but I had a considerable sum upon me----" - -"Which you had won in some hell, I doubt not.--But let us have done, for -the subject of this interview is a painful one to both of us. Here, -Léodgard, are papers containing a statement of the amount of your debts; -here are your obligations to the Jews who are ruining you; here are your -receipts for various sums lent you at exorbitant rates, with a view, -doubtless, to my death, which does not come quickly enough to supply you -with another fortune to squander." - -"Ah! monsieur le marquis----" - -"All these papers cost me fifty thousand livres; but I paid it, to save -once more your honor, so seriously compromised." - -A ray of joy lighted up Léodgard's face; he stepped toward the old man, -crying: - -"What, father! you have deigned----" - -The marquis made a gesture as if to forbid his son to approach, and -continued with unabated austerity: - -"Yes, monsieur, I have paid the money; but mark well what I say: long -ago you squandered the last of the property which your mother left you. -I do not choose that you should have debts, but neither do I propose -that the fortune of my ancestors, which enables me to maintain my rank -becomingly, shall be the prey of harlots, gamblers, and rakes; so attend -closely to what I say: if I learn that you have contracted any new debt, -I shall instantly make use of this _lettre de cachet_, and send you to -the Bastille; and when you are once there, it may well be that you will -remain there for some time! This, monsieur, I will do--I swear it before -the portraits of my ancestors! You know now whether I will keep my -oath.--Mend your ways, Léodgard; make yourself worthy once more of the -name you bear. You know that it is my dearest wish to marry you to -Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin. I was her father's comrade in arms; -the idea that our children would be united some day made the baron's -heart beat fast with joy. Mademoiselle de Mongarcin is worthy of you, -her family is on a par with ours; she has a large fortune and is one of -the most beautiful women in France. Six months ago, she left the convent -where she had completed her education, and took up her abode with her -aunt; and she will soon be nineteen years old. What objection have you -to urge against this alliance, Léodgard?" - -"None, father. I agree that Mademoiselle de Mongarcin is very lovely, -although I have seen her but rarely." - -"What prevents you from paying court to her? Madame de Ravenelle, -Valentine's aunt, is aware of the baron's wishes.--Cease to be a -libertine, a rake, and she will give you the hand of this wealthy and -noble heiress.--Well, monsieur! what have you to say?" - -"Pardon me, monsieur le marquis--but--to marry--to put myself in chains -already----" - -"Already! A man cannot be happy too soon, monsieur; and you will be -happy with a woman who is worthy of you. You will realize the difference -between family joys and the orgies of debauchery. Furthermore, numerous -suitors for Mademoiselle de Mongarcin's hand have already entered the -lists; if you do not come forward, do you suppose that she will send to -beg for your homage? Hasten to present yourself, to disperse your -rivals! This marriage must take place ere long.--I have often repented, -myself, that I married so late in life! I was forty-three when I married -your excellent mother. What was the result? that I was already old when -you became a man; and that, instead of finding in me a friend, a -companion, my son has seen in me only an old man, to whom he has never -confided his secrets." - -"Father----" - -"You have heard me, Léodgard. It rests with you now to be happy and to -regain your father's affection. You know how you must conduct yourself -for that.--Go; I will keep you no longer." - -Léodgard bent his head respectfully before the old man, who responded -with a slight nod which indicated no great amount of confidence as yet. - -When he was out of range of his father's eyes, Léodgard tore his hair, -saying to himself: - -"Not incur debts! why, I have no money!--But I must have some! For I -promised Camilla that beautiful pearl necklace that she wants so much! -Now that I no longer owe anything, I can easily borrow.--But that -_lettre de cachet_!--Ah! I know my father; he did not threaten me -heedlessly; he would have me put in the Bastille, and I have no desire -to go to that horrible prison!" - - - - -VI - -CHAUDOREILLE'S GODSON - - -Among the numerous habitués of the various bathing establishments might -be noticed a tall, lean man, with a yellow complexion, like the -description of the Knight of the Rueful Countenance. This personage had -one of those elongated faces, with prominent cheek bones which call -attention to the hollowness of the cheeks; also a long, pointed nose, a -chin of the same type, an enormous mouth with a full complement of long -teeth, each one of which resembled a tusk, and which terrified beyond -words all the little children in whose presence this gentleman was -pleased to smile; for he then appeared exactly as if he proposed to -swallow the innocent creatures. A low forehead, yellow hair, and -moustaches of the same color, the latter twisted at the ends so that -they nearly joined the corners of the eyes--such was the Chevalier -Passedix, who claimed to be Chaudoreille's godson. - -We like to believe, dear reader, whichever your sex, that you have known -a certain _Barber of Paris_, whose adventures made some noise long ago; -in that case, you may not have forgotten entirely his friend the -Chevalier Chaudoreille, that vain, cowardly Gascon, gambler and -shameless liar, who boasted so loudly of his long sword, which he called -Roland, and who came to such a tragic end, falling from a roof, and -running himself through in his fall with his faithful Roland, which he -held in his hand to feel his way along the slippery roof on which he was -walking. - -The Chevalier Passedix, then, claimed to be the godson of Chaudoreille, -albeit the latter, in his negotiations with Touquet the barber, had -never mentioned his godson. But there are many people who forget that -they ever held a child over the baptismal font, or who do not choose to -remember that they have been godparents, in order to evade the duties -which that relation imposes on them. - -However, Passedix, himself a Gascon, resembled his godfather in many -respects; like him, he was a glutton, a gambler, and a liar; like him, -he sighed for every woman who looked at him, believing himself to be a -very attractive gallant, whereas he might fittingly have served as a -scarecrow in a community of women. - -But there was one respect in which the resemblance between him and his -godfather had no existence. Chaudoreille was always a coward, his -battles were mere bluster, and his very death was tragic only because -he was fleeing over the roofs from an imaginary danger. - -Passedix, on the contrary, was really brave; he would draw his sword on -the most trivial pretext, would often take up the cudgels for a perfect -stranger, and like Don Quixote, whom he resembled in his great height -and his leanness, he would readily have fought against a windmill. But -his courage was rarely fortunate, and whether because he handled Roland -unskilfully,--for he possessed his godfather's famous rapier,--or -because his excessive ardor made him imprudent, or because he was too -sure of victory, the chevalier was almost always beaten; indeed, he was -very lucky when he came off with a few scratches and was not nailed to -his bed to await the healing of his wounds. - -On a certain beautiful warm spring morning, several young nobles were -chatting and laughing in Master Hugonnet's shop. Some were waiting for -their inamoratas to come from the baths, others had come thither in the -hope of seeing Ambroisine, La Belle Baigneuse, and perhaps of being -shaved by her. The majority were there because it was a favorite -rendezvous of idlers, lady killers, and all the young dandies and rakes -who were eager to learn the news, the spicy anecdotes of the court and -city, to inquire concerning the scandalous intrigue of the moment, in -order that they might make merry at the expense of the poor betrayed -husband; for we must not forget that husbands were betrayed in the good -old times no less than they are to-day. - -As there were no cafés in those days for the idlers and gossips, the -bathing establishments filled their place. As there were no newspapers -to read, people were accustomed to collect to listen to the man who came -there to tell some anecdote or some new occurrence. The gossips were -welcome and held the floor. Many falsehoods were told, as will always be -the case in such assemblages; the man who lied with the most assurance -was almost always the one who was most eagerly listened to, and most -loudly applauded by those at whom he laughed in his sleeve. To-day, we -find _blagueurs_ who delight to hoodwink their auditors. The words have -changed, but the characters are the same. - -Some of the idlers who were assembled at Master Hugonnet's stood in the -doorway of the shop, both wings of the door being thrown open, and -amused themselves by watching the passers-by. Rue Saint-Jacques was -frequented by students, clerks of the Basoche, and a great number of the -lower classes; moreover, the proximity of the Hôtel de Cluny brought to -the quarter many ecclesiastics and doctors of the Sorbonne. - -Our young gentlemen did not always confine themselves to ogling the -passers-by. When a woman who was at all attractive, or a clown with a -particularly idiotic face, passed the barber's shop, they addressed a -compliment or an obscene jest to the one, to the other some unflattering -epithet or some insulting question. And woe to the unlucky wight who -should take the jest in bad part! for if he lost his temper and -presumed to reply, all the idlers and all the customers assembled at the -baths instantly ran out to listen to the complainant; and then, instead -of one jest, he had to undergo a perfect hailstorm of witticisms from -all sides. - -"Pardieu! messeigneurs," said one young blade, all covered with ribbons -and lace, as he left the door and threw himself carelessly on one of the -hard chairs in the shop, "I have just seen two women of rather -attractive aspect go in at the door leading to the baths." - -"How were they dressed, Sénange?" inquired the young man who was at that -moment in the barber's hands. - -"Oh! how curious this little Monclair is! He wants to make us believe -that he is waiting here for a fair; that someone is to come here to -fetch him!" - -"Yes, sambleu! I am expecting someone; what is there so surprising in -that? Haven't you at least one mistress yourself, Sénange?" - -"One mistress! Vertudieu! if I had but one, it seems to me that it would -be almost the same as if I had none." - -"Very pretty! but I shouldn't expect it from anyone but Léodgard.--Come, -Sénange, be decent; how were the damsels dressed who have just gone into -the baths?" - -"One--and she must have been the dowager--wore a brown pelisse and hood; -her head was all wrapped up in the hood, and there was a thick veil over -all; guess at the face, if you can!" - -"And the other?" - -"The other was dressed in pink; there was a border of black lace to her -hood, and it fell over her eyes; but her feet were small, her slippers -embroidered with silver thread, and her leg well turned, as one could -easily see, for she raised her skirts very generously!" - -"Oh! it is she, I am sure!" - -"By Notre-Dame de Paris!" cried Master Hugonnet, holding his razor in -the air; "if you move about like this, my lord, something will happen to -your face; that leap of yours nearly cost you your nose, and I assure -you that it would not have been my fault. Keep quiet, or I will not -answer for the consequences!" - -"'Tis well, barber; go on, do your duty; I will try to be calm.--By the -way, messieurs, it seems to me that it is a long while since we last saw -Passedix in this quarter!" - -"True; the valiant Passedix no longer shows himself; where can he -be?--Have you seen him lately, Hugonnet?" - -"No, messeigneurs; it is several weeks since the Chevalier Passedix has -been here." - -"That is the more surprising, because, if I remember aright, he was -deeply in love with your daughter Ambroisine." - -"In love with my daughter--he! He is in love with all women; but it -amounts to nothing." - -"Did you treat him a little--harshly? You are quite capable of it." - -"No, I was not put to that trouble; the chevalier has always been too -respectful for me to be angry with him." - -"Then it must be that poor Passedix has had some new affair of honor; he -has probably fought a duel and come out second best, as usual; and -doubtless he is stretched out on his bed of pain at this moment." - -"Perhaps he has been attacked by Giovanni, the fashionable robber!" - -"Giovanni would not have wounded him; he contents himself with robbing -and never does any harm." - -"But if a man doesn't choose to be robbed, and defends himself----" - -"Look at Léodgard, messieurs; he defended himself gallantly, and yet -Giovanni robbed him and did not hurt a hair of his head." - -At that moment, loud exclamations were heard at the shop door. - - - - -VII - -A YOUNG WOMAN _EN CROUPE_ - - -"Oh! what a fine head, my friends!" cried a cavalier who was standing in -the doorway. - -"What is it, La Valteline?" - -"A great clodhopper--some peasant from the South, doubtless, for he -wears the Béarnais costume, I believe. He is coming along on an enormous -horse. Come, look! it's worth the trouble!" - -"Do you expect us to put ourselves out for a country lout?" - -"But he has something very seductive _en croupe_; a fresh, red-cheeked -little wench, who, in her rustic costume, would carry off the palm from -all the fair who come to visit the baths!" - -"Oho! we must see that! we must see that!" - -A horse was coming along at a footpace, with two persons on his back. -First, a countryman with straight hair brushed flat, which fell to his -shoulders, and was partly hidden by a sort of woollen cap ending in a -point and surmounted by a small black plume; beneath that original -headgear appeared a broad, round, chubby, red face, a most perfect -specimen of careless health, with big eyes on a level with the face, -which expressed amazement at everything they saw, and at the same time -seemed happy to be amazed. The rest of his costume was that of a -Béarnais peasant. In his right hand he held a long branch of dogwood, -which he used as a crop to accelerate his horse's gait. - -Behind this rustic, on his horse's crupper, and clinging tightly to her -cavalier, was a young girl of eighteen years at most, as pretty as the -Italian madonnas to whom the painters make you long to pray, and as -fresh as a rosebud just opening. - -Her embarrassment and alarm made her even more beautiful, for she seemed -a little alarmed by her position; and while trying to seat herself more -firmly, she displayed every moment the upper part of a shapely calf, and -sometimes even the red garter that held her coarse woollen stocking in -place. - -"Jarnidié! that's a dainty morsel!" exclaimed the young men in chorus. - -"See the lovely black hair!" - -"And eyes quite as black, on my word!--fine lashes, heavy eyebrows!" - -"A straight nose, neither too large nor too small!" - -"A perfect chin and a tiny mouth!" - -"Oh! did you see, messieurs? She uttered a little cry of fright, and I -saw the prettiest teeth!" - -"Then she lacks nothing, for she is as fresh as she is pretty!" - -"Where in the devil is that clown taking this seductive morsel?" - -"Pardieu! messieurs, we will find out." - -"It shall not be said that a charming creature shall pass us like this, -without our taking measures to find her again." - -"But this girl, with her square cap and her veil on top of her head, -with her striped waist and skirt of such brilliant colors, certainly is -not a Frenchwoman; she wears an Italian costume." - -"Do you think so, La Valteline?" - -"I am sure; it's the costume of the peasants in the suburbs of Milan. -Pardieu! I ought to know; I was at Milan last year!" - -"You are right; the girl has something Italian or Israelitish in her -face, and her slightly bronzed complexion also tends to confirm your -conjectures." - -The horse and his riders had by this time reached the bath keeper's -house, and were about to pass it on their way down Rue Saint-Jacques, -when the young Marquis de Sénange ran out and placed himself in front of -the peaceful beast, which instantly halted. - -Thereupon the young noble, doffing his hat, saluted the girl and her -escort with respect, and all the other bystanders made haste to do the -like. - -The Béarnais peasant, astounded by all these courtesies, deemed it -advisable none the less to remove his cap and return the salutations of -all those young men who treated him so politely. - -As for the girl, she raised her great black eyes and, with an expression -in which there was more surprise than timidity, looked about at the -persons who were gazing at her. - -"Par la sambleu! my dear monsieur, how fortunate we are to fall in with -you, and to be the first to present you our respectful homage. But we -have been waiting for you a long while.--Pray put on your hat--we -entreat you! You must surely see by the joy which your arrival causes us -how impatiently you and your charming travelling companion were awaited -in Paris!" - -"Eh! damme! what's that? we were expected in Paris?" cried the big -countryman, who had listened with a dazed expression to young Sénange's -harangue. - -"Can you doubt it?" said the Chevalier de La Valteline, in his turn, -walking nearer to the horse's hind quarters in order to examine the girl -more closely. "Do you not know that we are notified in advance at Paris -when such interesting travellers as you are to arrive here? Deputations -were sent to all the barriers to welcome you. It is very strange that -you did not meet them--eh, messeigneurs?" - -Shouts arose on all sides, accompanied by roars of laughter, which the -clerks of the Basoche and the students could not restrain, and in which -the valets and all the blackguards of the quarter did not hesitate to -join. - -"Pray dismount, my master, and come with us to take some refreshment, -you and this lovely child; we will give you a taste of a certain choice -wine which we have put aside for the express purpose of celebrating your -arrival. I will help your companion to dismount first." - -As he spoke, the jovial Sénange offered his knee to the girl for use as -a stepping stone, while the peasant, bewildered by what he heard and, it -may be, a little tempted by the offer of wine, seemed to hesitate as to -what he ought to do, and to be inclined to accept the invitation. But -his pretty companion, instead of dismounting as she was invited to do, -seized her escort's arm with little ceremony, and said to him, under her -breath, but in a firm tone: - -"Don't get down, Cédrille; don't you see that all these fine gentlemen -are making sport of you and me, for all their courtesies and fine -manners? They say that they expected us, but I will wager that they do -not even know who we are. Just ask that most dandified one, who has such -a smooth tongue, to tell you your name and why we have come to Paris; -and you'll see that he won't be able to answer you." - -These words changed the peasant's plans. He sat more firmly in his -saddle, and, addressing the man who had spoken first, said in a tone -wherein it was easy to detect distrust: - -"One moment, my fine gentleman; we don't make acquaintances so fast, we -peasants don't, especially as we were told that we must be on the -lookout in Paris; and that there was a lot of fellows, law students and -ne'er-do-wells, yes, and some great nobles, who like to poke fun at -poor folks, especially peasants and people who work in the fields. -That's an entertainment that we don't care about giving, d'ye see!--You -say we were expected in Paris--so you know me and the little one, I -suppose? Well, if you know us--who are we?--tell us who we are? Answer, -if you please, messeigneurs." - -The young men looked at one another and winked. - -"This clod is not so stupid as he looks," said one. - -"That didn't come from him," said a page; "the little one prompted him -to say it." - -"He was all ready to dismount, but the girl held him back." - -"You ask me who you are," rejoined young Sénange, twirling his -moustache; "why, you know who you are! So what need is there for me to -tell you what you already know?--Nonsense! come with us, my master, and -drink and touch glasses; the wine we will give you is much better than -that you drink in your village." - -"Oh, no! oh, no! not till you have answered my questions; but you can't -do that!" - -"Your questions! By what right, pray, do you put questions to us, when -we are offering you a civil attention? Do you know, my handsome -traveller, that it is not decent to refuse to drink a glass, to empty a -goblet, to our health?--Are you afraid to drink? In that case, you would -make a dismal companion!--I say, messieurs, what do you think of this -lout who fears to compromise himself by drinking with us?" - -"Probably the knave has never tasted wine; he thinks that we intend to -purge him." - -"He is sadly in need of having the rust rubbed off--the clown!" - -"Ah! but he must drink! We will pour a pint or two down his throat from -the Souris Blanche, which is just across the way." - -"We will teach the fool what courtesy is!" - -"Ah! so silly talk is taking the place of your civilities now!" said the -peasant, with a frown. - -His companion touched him on the shoulder and murmured: - -"Go on, Cédrille! whip your horse. Don't stay in the midst of all these -young gentlemen. They look to me like bad fellows; their shouts and the -way they look at me--I am beginning to be frightened." - -"Whip Bourriquet! why, they have got hold of his bridle; and how can we -go on in the middle of all this crowd? I wouldn't like to ride over -anyone, for then they would make trouble for me.--Jarny! Miretta, I am -sorry already that you insisted on coming to this Paris!" - -"Pray dismount, my pretty Milanese," said the Chevalier de La Valteline, -offering his hand to the girl, whose name, as we now know, was Miretta. - -"Milanese!" she retorted, refusing the young nobleman's hand. "Ah! you -guess that from my costume; it is true that I have lived in the -neighborhood of Milan from infancy, but I was not born in Italy; I am -from the same province as Cédrille." - -"And Cédrille is a Béarnais?" - -"Yes, messieurs; from Pau, by your leave," said the peasant. - -"Vive Cédrille!" - -"Vive Cédrille of Pau!" - -And the young nobles, as they shouted the name, waved their hats and -handkerchiefs, while the bachelors and squires joined hands and began to -dance and caper around the horse and his riders. - -The girl's face flushed, her impatience got the better of her; she -struck the horse's flank with her hand, while the peasant did his best -to urge his steed forward, crying: - -"Let go of Bourriquet's rein, seigneurs! let go of my horse, ten -thousand devils!" - -"Ah! Bourriquet! the horse's name is Bourriquet!" - -"His rider should bear that name!" - -"Poor _bourrique_,[B] who has to carry another of his kind!" - -[B] _Bourrique_, an ass; _bourriquet_, an ass's colt. - -"No, no! your horse shall not take a step!" - -"Don't worry him with your rein." - -"Dismount, Cédrille of Pau; if not, we will forcibly remove you and your -companion from Bourriquet's back!" - -Some of Master Hugonnet's customers were already preparing to carry out -this threat; but at that crisis, the Béarnais peasant, whose face had -turned purple and had assumed a menacing expression, quickly raised his -right arm, and brandishing in the air the dogwood staff with which his -right hand was armed, twirled it about in the faces of those who -approached, with such fearless and uncompromising dexterity that in a -moment there was a large space cleared in front of the travellers; and -yet, some of the jokers did not move back quickly enough to avoid a blow -from the redoubtable dogwood staff. - -Meanwhile, the pretty girl threw both arms about her companion, and, -raising her head, seemed to defy with her glance those who surrounded -her, and to say to them: - -"Come forward now, if you dare!" - -All this had taken place in an instant; but the panic was soon over, and -all the young men, who were in the habit of beating the watch, fighting -with citizens, and brawling every night in the streets of Paris, were in -no humor to fly from a peasant's club. Having retired to a safe -distance, they turned about once more and drew their swords; the -bachelors, students, pages, and esquires did the same; for at that -blessed epoch almost every man wore a sword or a rapier of some sort, in -order to be always in a position to fight on the most trivial pretext: a -consequence of the gentle manners and pacific customs of the good old -times. - -At sight of the bare swords, Miretta said to her companion: - -"Come, push on, Cédrille! beat your horse! Let us get away from here, or -some disaster will happen to us." - -The peasant shook Bourriquet's rein with no gentle force; but although -the beast no longer felt a hand on his bit, he stood like a statue in -his tracks, and, in spite of the urging of his rider, refused to advance -a step, terrified doubtless by the noise that he heard and by the crowd -that stood in a circle about him. - -Meanwhile, the young men again approached, half threateningly, half -laughingly; they brandished their swords, and some of the points were -already in contact with the dogwood staff which Cédrille continued to -handle with much address, while they shouted in his ears: - -"Down! down, rustic!" - -"Dismount at once, and ask our pardon on your knees!" - -"Yes, let him apologize! or else we will carry off the girl!" - -"And Bourriquet too!" - -"And we will break the staff over Cédrille's back!" - -"Break my staff!--Oh! jarnidieu! there's more than one of you who will -have a few ribs broken first!" - -But when she saw all those gleaming blades directed against her -companion, and often, by inadvertence, threatening her own person, -pretty Miretta uttered piercing shrieks; she called imploringly for -help. To her cries, uttered as they were in a plaintive, grief-stricken -tone, the young men replied by a storm of jests and lamentations; they -tried to reassure the girl, to make her understand that they would do -her no harm; but she, too terrified to hear what they said, continued -her outcries. - -Thereupon Master Hugonnet, who thus far had continued to shave Monsieur -de Monclair, abandoned his customer and ran into the street to find out -what was happening. At the same time, Ambroisine left the baths to -ascertain the cause of the uproar and the shrieks that she heard. - -As the father and the daughter reached the street, two other persons -arrived on the scene, one by Rue des Mathurins, the other from -Saint-Benoît cemetery; and, having quickened their pace in order to -arrive sooner, they made their appearance at almost the same -moment--forcing their way through the crowd without ceremony, and -distributing blows to right and left among those who did not move aside -quickly enough to make way for them. - - - - -VIII - -A BATTLE - - -"Ah! here's our friend Passedix, whom we were so anxious about!" cried -several of the reckless youths, when they spied the long, lank, -yellow-faced chevalier, who always wore a helmet, which heightened his -resemblance to Don Quixote, although his helmet was not of the shape of -that worn by the Knight of the Rueful Countenance. - -"Ah! here is the Sire de Jarnonville!" exclaimed others of the young -men, at sight of the second of the two new-comers, who, by rough -handling of the crowd, had arrived in front of the barber's shop. - -He was a tall, handsome man, dressed in a rich but very sombre costume; -his black doublet, slashed with white satin, had the appearance of a -mourning garment; a black velvet cloak, faced with white, covered his -shoulders; his full, funnel-shaped top-boots also were black, although -most gentlemen wore yellow ones except when they went to war. His -broad-brimmed hat, turned up in front, had no other ornament than a long -plume of the same color as the cloak. So that the Sire de Jarnonville -was sometimes given the sobriquet of the _Black Chevalier_. - -He was thirty-eight years of age, but seemed much older, because his -brown hair was beginning to turn gray; because his noble and regular -features were almost always clouded, as if under the burden of painful -thoughts; because his eyes also had ordinarily an expression of profound -sadness; and lastly, because his brow was furrowed with premature -wrinkles, and the clouds which darkened it were rarely dissipated. - -And yet this gentleman, whose aspect was so gloomy, and whom one would -have taken to be the enemy of all pleasure, had for several years past -participated in all the amusements and festivities, and especially in -all the brutal tricks which were played on bourgeois, tradesmen, and -even attachés of the court. Whenever one of the most dissolute -frequenters of the bathing establishments proposed some new escapade--to -abduct a woman, to hoodwink a guardian, or to thrash the watch and throw -a whole quarter into dismay, he could be certain beforehand that the -Sire de Jarnonville would join him; he was one of the first volunteers -in all perilous undertakings; he always rushed to the spot where the -danger was greatest, fought like four men, and was the last to leave the -field. - -If anyone had a duel on hand and lacked a second, the Black Chevalier -was always ready to render him that service, without even inquiring as -to the subject of the dispute or the name of the adversary; but always -on condition that he should fight with the opposing seconds.--Did anyone -propose to gamble and drink, Jarnonville gambled and drank, and -sometimes drank too much. Amid the companions of his revels, at the -banquet table, in a midnight affray, in a duel, he almost always -retained that melancholy expression which had aged his features before -their time; to one who watched him fight and gamble and drink, it seemed -that he did all those things without inclination or pleasure, but solely -in the hope of diverting his thoughts; and that he could not succeed in -doing it. Such was the personage who had forced his way through the -crowd and taken his stand beside the Marquis de Sénange, while the -Chevalier de Passedix approached Bourriquet's hind quarters and -contemplated with admiration the pretty girl who was seated thereon. - -"Ah! here is Jarnonville! Vivat! the victory is ours!" - -"Come on our side, O Black Chevalier! you arrive in the nick of time; -there's a girl to be kidnapped, and a clown to be beaten!" - -"Vrai Dieu! it seems to me that there are a good many of you for such a -small matter!" rejoined the Sire de Jarnonville, casting his eye over -the crowd assembled before the barber's house. - -"Yes; but the task is not so simple as you might think, my master; for -we must obtain possession of this pretty wench without doing her the -slightest harm; and yonder idiot, with his club, is capable of wounding -the little one in trying to defend her." - -"Ah! he knows how to handle the staff, does he? So much the better! we -will judge of his talent." - -"Sandioux! messeigneurs," cried Passedix, "why do you attack this child? -and this stout youth whom she presses to her heart, rolling her lovely -eyes to beseech our compassion?--I wish, first of all, to know the -subject of the quarrel; and I object beforehand to any sort of force -being put upon such a charming wench!" - -"Come, come, valiant Passedix, just move away from that nag's hind -quarters and come over to our side! Do you mean to desert our camp? are -you going over to the Greeks?" - -"Beware, second Don Quixote; we shall have no mercy for traitors!" - -"Cadédis! if you think to frighten me, my boy, you waste your time and -your words! With my good Roland, this trusty blade which came to me from -my godfather Chaudoreille, I will spit you all like smelts, provided -that this lovely child accepts me for her knight. One word from her -sweet mouth, and I make mincemeat of you all!" - -Bursts of laughter greeted the Gascon chevalier's braggadocio; but he, -drawing his long sword, put the point to the ground before Miretta, and -bent his knee as he said to her: - -"Answer, O marvellous queen of Paphos and Cythera! Will you accept me -for your champion in the combat which I beg the privilege of undertaking -for you? Give me a pledge--the merest trifle--your glove; you have none? -then your pretty hand, that I may kiss it; and I am victor!" - -Miretta stared in utter amazement at that tall man, thin as an asparagus -stalk, who was almost kneeling at her horse's tail; she seemed not at -all inclined to accept him for her knight, for ugliness inspires women -with little confidence, and the Chevalier Passedix was perfectly ugly. - -But the Béarnais peasant, still twirling his staff, said to the Gascon: - -"Thanks for your offer, seigneur cavalier; it isn't to be refused.--Here -are I don't know how many of them setting on me, and I am all alone to -defend my travelling companion! My opinion is that it's a cowardly -trick! But come and take my side, and I'll warrant that with my club and -your spit we'll prevent these gentry from carrying off Miretta." - -Although he considered the term _spit_ in very bad taste as applied to -Roland, the valorous Passedix, whom Miretta's eyes had already taken -captive, instantly took his stand in front of the horse, threatening the -assailants with his sword. - -While these things were taking place about the travellers, Master -Hugonnet and his daughter, having learned the subject of the quarrel, -were striving to make the reckless youths drawn up in battle array in -front of the shop listen to reason. But that which at first was a simple -jest had become, in the eyes of those young dandies, a matter of -self-esteem, almost of honor. No one of them was willing to give ground -before Cédrille's staff. In order that the dispute should come to an -end without violence, it would have been necessary for the peasant to -agree to apologize to those who had jeered at him and insulted him, and -he was in no mood to humble himself before them. - -"By Notre-Dame! messeigneurs," said Hugonnet, going from one to another -of his customers, with his basin of soapsuds in one hand and his shaving -brush in the other, "what have this peasant and his companion done to -you that you should pick a quarrel with them? What an idea--to throw a -whole quarter into commotion and bring the whole neighborhood to the -windows, for two travellers who have only one horse between them!" - -"Leave us in peace, Hugonnet; attend to your own affairs; this doesn't -concern you!" - -"Pardieu! yes, it does concern me; for you are blocking the whole -street, you are in battle order in front of my house, so that it would -be impossible for anyone to come near who might happen to want a bath or -a shave! So you see that you injure me with your quarrelling, and that -it does concern me." - -"For heaven's sake, messieurs," said Ambroisine, in her turn, "do not -torment this poor traveller like this! What pleasure can you find in -frightening a woman? Let these people go their way. They are not -Parisians--anyone can see that! They do not know that you are only -threatening them in joke." - -"In joke!" repeated young La Valteline, with a frown. "But you are not -aware, _belle baigneuse_, that that peasant's staff has soiled my -cloak!--Oh! I must chastise him for that! These knaves must be taught -the respect that they owe us." - -"And why do you jeer at them and attack them, if you wish them to -respect you?" - -"Enough, fair Ambroisine! sermons are all right for preachers, but they -amount to nothing in a pretty girl's mouth!" - -"Come, Jarnonville! forward! have at him! have at him! let us trounce -the peasant!" - -"Not without my helping to defend him!" ejaculated Master Hugonnet, -running to take his stand beside the travellers, still carrying his -basin and shaving brush. - -"And I will not allow that girl to be insulted, without doing what I can -to help her!" cried Ambroisine, following her father and placing herself -in front of Miretta. - -"That is right! good! good for _la baigneuse_!" cried all the women, who -had been drawn to the scene by the noise of the quarrel. "You are on the -girl's side, and we too will defend her!" - -"All these ne'er-do-wells are fit for nothing but to insult women!" - -"Let us pick up stones and throw them at the villains!" - -"No, no! by Notre-Dame!" cried Hugonnet. "No stones, I entreat you! You -will break my windows and my sign, and I shall have to pay for all the -damage! We shall be able to settle this business without you!" - -The young gentlemen were embarrassed, for, although eager to fight and -having little fear of their adversaries, they were afraid that in the -scrimmage they might injure the pretty traveller and Ambroisine. - -The latter, divining what held them back, took delight in defying all -those fine cavaliers, who were in the habit of making love to her, and -several of whom called out to her: - -"Come away from there, _belle baigneuse_; that is no place for you!" - -"You are in our way. Besides, you ought not to take sides against your -customers!" - -"I don't care a fig for customers! Let these travellers go their way, -and I will agree to shave all of you." - -This proposition seemed to make an impression on several of the young -men; but the Sire de Jarnonville, irritated by all this discussion, drew -his sword and strode toward the horse's head. With a few passes he soon -sent the famous Roland flying through the air. Passedix, disarmed, -called loudly for another weapon. - -The Black Chevalier thereupon turned his attention to the dogwood staff, -but he had not so simple a task as with the Gascon's sword. - -At that moment, a young page, who had stolen forward to unseat Miretta, -was confronted by Master Hugonnet; and he, having no other weapons than -his basin and shaving brush, instantly covered the page with a thick -coating of lather, filling his nose and mouth and even his eyes with it; -whereupon the assailant began to shriek at the top of his voice. All -eyes were turned in that direction. At sight of that face completely -covered with lather, a roar of laughter burst from all who were present, -friends and foes, combatants and lookers-on; it was as if they were -trying to see who could laugh the loudest. - -This incident suspended the combat for a moment. But the Sire de -Jarnonville, who alone had taken no part in the general merriment, -immediately renewed his attack on the peasant's staff. Whether because -Cédrille's arm was tired, or because the sight of that gleaming weapon, -whirling through the air and sometimes striking sparks, dazzled his -eyes, he began to defend himself less vigorously. At last, a blow dealt -with more force than usual broke the staff. - -The peasant was beaten; the Black Chevalier's weapon was already on the -point of forcing him to dismount, when Ambroisine, who had left her post -a moment before, suddenly reappeared, carrying in her arms a little boy -of three or four years; and darting in front of Jarnonville, she held -the child out to him, crying: - -"Take care, seigneur, you will wound this child!" - -Those words and the sight of the little boy produced a magical effect on -the Black Chevalier. He paused and dropped his arm, which was raised to -strike; the warlike ardor which enlivened his face gave way to an -expression of sadness, almost of tenderness. He gazed for some seconds -at the little fellow, who, not realizing that he was in the midst of a -battle, was not in the least frightened, but smiled up at the chevalier, -crying: - -"I'd like to fight, too!" - -Jarnonville stooped to kiss the child's forehead, and replaced his sword -in its sheath. Then, turning to the young noblemen, who were utterly -amazed at the change that had taken place in him, he said to them: - -"It's all over, messieurs; the treaty of peace is signed!" - -"What! all over? How so, if we are not satisfied?" - -"I tell you that it is all over! This peasant has been conquered, -disarmed; what more do you want?" - -"We want him to apologize." - -"We want most of all to kiss the pretty girl whom he has _en croupe_." - -Jarnonville's only reply was to push aside with his arm all those who -stood in front of the horse, thus clearing a passage for him. Then he -made a sign to the peasant, who understood him and dug his heels into -Bourriquet's ribs. This time the poor beast seemed to share his master's -desire, and asked nothing better than to leave the field of battle. He -trotted off at full speed down Rue Saint-Jacques, and Cédrille and his -pretty companion soon disappeared from the eyes of the crowd. - -All this had happened so quickly that Miretta hardly had time to grasp -Ambroisine's hand and say: - -"Thanks! thanks! you have saved us! I shall come to see you, and to tell -you how grateful I am!" - -"Come; you will ask for Ambroisine, the daughter of Master Hugonnet the -bath keeper, on Rue Saint-Jacques." - - - - -IX - -CAUSES AND EFFECTS - - -Ambroisine's first care was to take the child back to its mother, a -woman of the people, who was there by the merest chance, having come to -find out why such a crowd had collected in front of the bath keeper's -establishment, little dreaming that her child would be the means of -adjusting that great quarrel. - -Hugonnet's daughter kissed the little fellow, put a coin in his hand -with which to buy a cake, and returned to her home, curious to learn how -the gentlemen had taken the conclusion of the affair. - -Sénange, La Valteline, Monclair, and their friends, were dazed for a -moment by the sudden departure of Cédrille and his companion. Some of -them were inclined to run after the peasant, others wanted to fight -Jarnonville, whom they accused of betraying them; they were all -displeased, and another battle was imminent perhaps, when general -attention was attracted by shouts and oaths proceeding from the place -recently occupied by Bourriquet. - -A battle with fists was in progress between Master Hugonnet and one of -his neighbors, named Lambourdin, a dealer in ribbons, tags, fringes, and -other toilet articles, whose shop was not more than fifty yards from the -baths. - -The two neighbors were ordinarily very good friends; they met sometimes -at the wine shop, which both were fond of frequenting; they laughed and -talked and drank together, and no one would ever have supposed that they -would one day entertain the inhabitants of the quarter with a genuine -pugilistic bout. - -But who can foretell the future? - -The most trivial cause is sometimes sufficient to embroil ambassadors -and to bring about war between two nations that could get along very -well without it; and we too often see old friends suddenly become -declared enemies. - -In our day, politics sometimes produces such revolutions by its gentle -and benignant influence. In the good old times, there were sometimes -conspiracies of great personages, nobles, and persons in high station, -but the people paid little heed to their plots. They went to see them -hanged at Montfaucon, but they were not tempted to meddle with matters -that led to such results. In those days, the workman thought of nothing -but working to support his family, to save a marriage portion for his -daughter, and to make sure of a home in his old age. That was the sum -total of his politics; it made him neither ill, nor infuriate, nor -insane, nor sophistical, nor evil-minded! It made him happy! - -In that respect we may well regret the good old times. - -Let us return to the two neighbors. - -Lambourdin, the dealer in small wares, was by inclination, and, above -all, by virtue of his trade, of the faction of the young nobles and the -courtiers. When a noble personage entered his shop and made a purchase, -Lambourdin puffed himself out like the frog in the fable, and never -failed to proclaim from the housetops that he supplied monsieur le -comte, or monsieur le marquis, or messieurs the pages attached to the -court. - -And so, when he learned the cause of the gathering, which he could see -from his shop, the dealer in small wares hastened to the scene of the -combat, fully disposed to take up the cudgels for the young nobles, to -whom he was intensely anxious to display his entire devotion. - -But the young men did not require the assistance of Master Lambourdin, -and he had had no other opportunity to show his interest in their -victory than by addressing an insulting remark or a threat to Cédrille -from time to time. - -But when Master Hugonnet besmeared a page so successfully with his -lather, Lambourdin, far from finding that amusing, flew into a transport -of rage, especially as the page who was so thoroughly lathered had -bought two beautiful bows of ribbon at his shop that morning. - -And so, as soon as the Black Chevalier's sword play had ceased, as soon -as Bourriquet had trotted away with his travellers on his back, -Lambourdin elbowed his way through the crowd to Master Hugonnet, and -said, eying him with a furious expression: - -"Do you know, Neighbor Hugonnet, that you have behaved very badly -throughout this affair?" - -"Ah! do you think so, Neighbor Lambourdin?" rejoined the barber, in a -bantering tone; for the wrathful expression blazing in the other's eyes -gave him a comical appearance, which inspired merriment rather than -alarm. - -"Yes, I do think so!--What! you, to whose place the young nobles come by -preference, whether to bathe, or to have their hair and beards arranged, -and bring customers to your establishment and make it fashionable!--you -take sides against them in this quarrel, instead of going to their -assistance, as every self-respecting man should do! You take part with -strangers--a rustic and a strumpet from no one knows where!" - -"I do what I please, what suits me, neighbor! I consult my heart before -my pocket. I look to see on which side the right and not the profit -is.--But why do you interfere? Is it any of your business?" - -"Yes, monsieur le baigneur; yes, it is my business--And that young page -whom you smeared with soapsuds so shamefully! He even had it in his -eyes! You spoiled a superb bow of ribbon that I sold him this morning!" - -"So much the better for you; he'll buy another one of you!" - -"No, he will not--I mean, yes, he will buy another one.--But your -conduct is none the less indecent!" - -"By Notre-Dame de Paris! you are beginning to make my ears burn, -Neighbor Lambourdin! Not another word, or I strike you!" - -"Do you think to frighten me, you low-lived bath keeper, unworthy to -shave noble chins! I am no boy of fifteen; and if you should touch me -with your shaving brush, I'd trample you under foot like an old -blanket!" - -"Ah! so! Well, take that! I won't touch you with my shaving brush!" - -As he spoke, Hugonnet buried his fist in Lambourdin's side; the latter -had gone too far to retreat; and then, too, there were so many -witnesses! So he answered the blow with a kick, but he measured the -distance so inaccurately that he kicked into space. - -Lambourdin was a little fellow, strong enough, but not of the build to -contend with Master Hugonnet. After a struggle that was not of long -duration, the two neighbors fell, still clinging to each other. -Unluckily, poor Lambourdin was underneath, and had to endure -simultaneously the weight of his adversary's body and the numerous blows -which he continued to administer. Then it was that the little man's -cries attracted the attention of the young gentlemen who had remained in -front of the bath keeper's house. - -They ran to the scene of conflict; Hugonnet was excited and would not -release his neighbor; but when he heard the voice of his daughter, who -came up to see who the combatants were, the barber grew calmer, rose, -and entered his shop, saying: - -"No matter! he got what he deserved! What need had he to meddle in the -affair?" - -As for Lambourdin, who was completely done up and could hardly walk, he -required the assistance of two arms to return to his home, but they were -neither pages nor nobles who supplied them, although it was in their -behalf that he had fought!--So much for the gratitude of those whose -quarrels one embraces! - -This incident diverted the young dandies, and made them forget Cédrille -and Miretta for a moment; and with a Frenchman, when the first ardor has -passed away, it very rarely returns. - -Furthermore, a number of fair dames, who had had time to leave the bath -and to dress, came from the house, with a wink to one, a slight nod to -another; so that in a few moments the whole crowd dispersed, the idlers -sauntered away, the neighbors returned to their homes, and there was no -one left in the barber's shop save the Chevalier Passedix, who was -wiping Roland, which he had picked out of the gutter, and the Sire de -Jarnonville, who had thrown himself into a chair and was apparently lost -in thought and entirely oblivious to what was going on about him. - -"Par la sandioux! my _belle baigneuse_," said the Gascon knight to -Ambroisine, who had remained in the shop, and who, as if by accident, -glanced very frequently in Jarnonville's direction, "I am very glad to -tell you that in this affair you comported yourself like a man of heart! -First, it was well done of you to take that stranger's part; what a -lovely face! sandis! what a fascinating profile! and the full face--it -is enough to bring one to one's knees! So that I knelt with ardor!--You -will pardon me, I trust, _belle baigneuse_, for praising another woman -in your presence. You too are superb, after a different type." - -"Oh! say on, monsieur le chevalier, do not hesitate. Why should I take -it ill of you that you praise that girl? In the first place, she -deserves it, for she is very pretty. And then, have you not the right to -fall in love with her, if you please? does it concern me?" - -"True, true! it could not affect you, since you have refused the homage -of my heart--for I think that I offered it to you----" - -"But you are not quite sure, eh?" - -"Why, you see, I have disposed of it so often! But let us return to the -stranger, to pretty Miretta--for her name is Miretta, is it not?" - -"Yes, that is the name by which her companion, the stout peasant, called -her." - -"And she is an Italian?" - -"No; she told us that she was from Béarn; but it seems that she has -lived in Italy a long while." - -"O mia cara!--I know a few words of Italian--they may be very useful to -me. As I was saying, superb Ambroisine, your conduct was glorious! You -showed a courage--a valor--if you had been of my family, you could have -done no better. That damned Jarnonville---- He does not hear me; I think -that he's asleep." - -"Oh, no! he is not asleep; he is thinking, but not of us. Indeed, I -would wager that he doesn't even see that we are here!" - -"He may hear me or not, I snap my fingers at him! That damned -Jarnonville, by a bungler's thrust--for it is never used, everybody -scorns to use it--however, he knocked my sword from my hand; and I said -to myself just now: 'How in the deuce could I have let Roland go? There -must have been some deviltry about it, for it is the first time I was -ever disarmed!'--Well, sandioux! I have found the cause, while wiping -the hilt of my weapon.--What do you suppose I found on it, just at the -spot where one grasps it? I will give you ten thousand guesses." - -"I prefer that you should tell me at once." - -"Well, my beauty, I found a strip of pork twisted around the hilt of -Roland. So you will see that it is not surprising that my sword slipped -from my hand. Ah! cadédis! if I knew who played me that vile trick of -larding my sword like a partridge!--You laugh, I believe----" - -"Bless me! monsieur le chevalier, it seems to me so amusing that your -rapier should have been treated like a fowl; it is laughable enough!" - -"Do you doubt what I say? Never has a lie soiled my lips!--Look, lovely -girl! yonder is that accursed pork which I found on Roland; I threw it -into that corner; you can see for yourself." - -"I do not doubt what you say, monsieur le chevalier; but as the quarrel -attracted many people to this spot, and as there were several housewives -among them, returning from market with well-filled baskets on their -arms, it is probable that one of them dropped that fine strip of pork on -your sword as it lay on the ground; and she is probably looking -everywhere for it now." - -This explanation did not seem to the liking of Passedix, for he -compressed his lips angrily and muttered: - -"There are some people who distort the simplest things.--But enough of -that. Tell me now, young Hugonnetté, by what miracle you so suddenly -appeased the wrath of that miscreant Jarnonville? How did it happen that -at sight of a little brat of three or four years that madman, who knows -neither God nor the devil, became absolutely calm. I confess that I was -so surprised that I feel it yet." - -Ambroisine motioned to Passedix to follow her to the rear of the shop, -where the Sire de Jarnonville could neither see nor hear them. - -The Gascon, who was very curious to know what the girl had to tell him, -lost no time in seating himself by her side on a bench; whereupon -Ambroisine resumed the conversation, taking care, however, to speak in -undertones. - -"Have you known the Sire de Jarnonville long?" - -"No--about a year; and even so, I know him only from having been with -him in several affrays. He fights well, I am bound to admit, but he's a -good-for-nothing fellow. He doesn't believe in anything, and I don't -like atheists. I am a bad man with the fair, a libertine, a rake, a -seducer!--anything you please, I will not say _nay_. But all that does -not prevent my being religious, for without religion there is no true -chivalry; and all those stainless knights who fought in Palestine would -then be mere braggarts.--But why do you ask me that question?" - -"Because, if you had known the Sire de Jarnonville long, you would -probably know as much about him as I do, and you would have a very -different opinion of him.--I will tell you what I have heard here. About -five or six months ago, the Black Chevalier, for he is sometimes so -called, had just left our house, where he had been telling the story of -one of his exploits--he had broken everything in a tavern, I believe. -When he had gone, a gentleman quite advanced in years, but with a face -that inspired respect, said to another gentleman who was with him: 'Poor -Jarnonville! how he has changed! who would believe, to look at him now, -that he was once the mildest, most obliging, most virtuous of men! the -man who was held up as a model to young gentlemen who were just entering -the world!'--'What can have changed him so?' the other -inquired.--'Jarnonville was married, and he lost his wife, whom he loved -very dearly; but she had left him a child, a little girl, who was, they -say, an angel of beauty, sweetness, and docility. Jarnonville adored -little Blanche--that was his daughter's name; she had become his only -love, his sole joy, his whole hope for the future; constantly intent -upon providing some pleasure, some delight for his darling child, his -grief for his wife's death gradually faded away. Happy and proud to be -all in all to his daughter, who became every day more charming in body -and mind, Jarnonville hardly ever left little Blanche. At four years of -age--and that is very, very young!--at four years of age, the child -understood all that she owed to her father, all the sacrifices to which -he submitted for her sake; but she repaid them all by her love. Never -did a child of that age manifest such affection for its father! If he -left her for an instant, her eyes filled with tears; but as soon as she -saw him, an enchanting smile lighted up her lovely face.--Poor child! -You will understand how he must have loved her!--Well! that child, -already so far beyond her years in her feelings and her intelligence, -that pretty Blanche--he lost her after an illness of a few days only! -One of those cruel diseases which feed upon childhood, and which the -doctors are as yet unable to cure, carried off the poor little -darling!--I will not try to describe her father's grief; it would be -impossible. But the frightful calamity that had befallen him changed his -character absolutely. Jarnonville accused heaven, Providence. Having -never been guilty in his whole life of any evil deed, he rebelled -against the fate that dealt him such a cruel blow, which snatched away -that little creature to whom life seemed to offer such a beautiful and -peaceful prospect--in short, that man, who had always been so religious, -ceased utterly to be so, and blasphemed God. Deaf to all consolation, he -lived a long while in retirement. When, by dint of constant -solicitation, his friends succeeded in luring him back into society, he -was no longer the Jarnonville of other days. To divert his thoughts from -his grief, he joins all the parties conceived by the worst scapegraces -in the city; not a duel, not a nocturnal affray, in which he does not -take part. He drinks, drinks to excess, gambles, passes whole nights in -debauchery, serves as second to all the young scatterbrains who sow -discord in families. He has become the bugbear of the petits bourgeois, -the terror of cabaretiers, tavern keepers, of all decent folk; in a -word, he is just the opposite of all that he used to be.--But, for my -part, I cannot help pitying him; it is his head which is at fault, not -his heart; it is despair that has changed his nature. Nor do I believe -that he is altogether lost! He still wears mourning for his daughter. In -the midst of his debauchery, he has not chosen to lay aside his sombre -garments; and when he seems most excited by gambling, wine, or passion, -show him a child of about the age of his little Blanche when she died, -and you will see a magical change take place in him instantly; his eyes -will fill with tears, and that man, whose glance made you tremble a -moment before, will become silent and as gentle as a child.' - -"That is what the gentleman told his friend. I listened, at first from -curiosity, then with deep interest; and since then, whenever I see the -Sire de Jarnonville, despite his harsh or brusque manner, he does not -seem to me such a bad man as he used.--To-day, when I saw him interfere -in that battle and take sides against us with his long sword, which he -uses so skilfully, I said to myself: 'Those poor travellers are lost!' -And, in fact, your Roland was already on the ground and the peasant's -staff was beginning to give way, when I remembered what I had heard. A -little boy was close by, in his mother's arms; I ran and seized him--and -you saw how successful my idea was; for the Black Chevalier instantly -ceased to fight, and himself looked to the safe departure of the -travellers." - -Passedix had listened to Ambroisine, making from time to time one of -those little grimaces which indicate that one places little credence in -what one hears. When she had finished her narrative, he said, shaking -his head: - -"Between ourselves, _belle baigneuse_, what you have told me seems most -extraordinary, and in my opinion this story of the Sire de Jarnonville -is a trifle chimerical!" - -"Why so, seigneur?" replied Ambroisine, leaving the bench. "It seems to -me no more extraordinary than your story of the pork twisted round your -sword hilt; and I should say that the event has proved that the -gentleman's story was true." - -Passedix did not think it best to reply. He walked toward Jarnonville, -who had risen and was standing in the doorway. - -"Sire de Jarnonville," said the Gascon, offering him his hand, "we both -fought like brave men; you were victorious, but I bear you no ill will! -especially as I am able to explain why Roland slipped from my hand. We -were not on the same side, but, since peace has been concluded, shake -hands, and let bygones be bygones!" - -Instead of putting his hand in the hand that was offered him, -Jarnonville, who had seemed not to listen to the Gascon, suddenly -hurried away, without a word in reply. - -"Sandioux! what does that mean?" cried Passedix, still standing with -outstretched hand, while Ambroisine turned her face away to laugh. -"Damme! is this the way that discourteous _sombrinos_ responds to my -civility! Evidently, this Jarnonville is nothing more than a felon, a -boor, whom I will chastise handsomely at our first meeting. And let no -one presume to thrust a child in between us, sandis! or I will give him -a good kick somewhere!" - -At that moment, a young bachelor, who had been in front of Master -Hugonnet's house when Cédrille and his companion were blockaded there, -and who had disappeared simultaneously with Bourriquet, returned to the -shop, shouting: - -"Ah! I know where the pretty girl has gone! I know what that charming -Milanese came to Paris for!" - -"You know that, boy!" cried the Chevalier Passedix, running up to the -young man. "Oh! tell me quickly what you know, and I swear to you, by -Roland and my godfather Chaudoreille, that I will treat you to a jar of -wine at the next _fête carillonnée_." - -"I had just as lief tell you for nothing!" - -"Well, tell me for nothing; I agree, I will consent to whatever you -wish; but speak, I am dying with impatience!" - -"While everybody else stood here in open-mouthed amazement at the sudden -departure of the travellers, I followed the horse at a distance. He went -at a fast trot, but I have good legs, and I am not broken-winded." - -"Arrive at the point, accursed chatterbox!" - -"It was the travellers who arrived; that is to say, they stopped first -to inquire the way of a dealer in pottery; then they trotted off again -to Rue Saint-Honoré and stopped in front of a fine house." - -"On Rue Saint-Honoré! Are you sure of that? Why, sandis! that is my -quarter; it could not happen better! But to whom does the house belong?" - -"It was the Hôtel de Mongarcin, where Mademoiselle Valentine de -Mongarcin is now living with her aunt, Madame de Ravenelle." - -"Very good! this boy is no fool; go on." - -"All three of the travellers entered the courtyard--I say all three, -counting the horse." - -"Go on, I say, sandioux!" - -"As I was curious to know what they were going to do there, I strolled -back and forth in front of the house." - -"That was very ingenious." - -"And, sure enough, before long came out an old servant who knows my -father. I ran up to him and questioned him, and he said: 'That young -girl has come here to enter the service of Mademoiselle Valentine de -Mongarcin. She has been recommended to her, it seems; so it's all -settled. As for the peasant who brought her here, he is going to rest a -day or two and then go back to his province, unless he also prefers to -find a place in Paris; but it seems that that is not to his -taste.'--That is what I have learned." - -"Thanks! a thousand thanks, my boy! Hôtel de Mongarcin, Rue -Saint-Honoré. I shall be seen frequently in that vicinity.--Sandis! I am -sorry that she is only a lady's-maid. But, after all, Dulcinea del -Toboso was not a princess; and whatever anyone may say, Don Quixote was -a hearty blade, and as good a man as another.--Au revoir, my boy! I will -treat you whenever you choose, you know." - -And Chevalier Passedix walked away by Rue des Mathurins, and the young -bachelor by Place Cambray. - -After a day so well employed, it was natural enough that Master Hugonnet -should visit his usual wine shop in the evening; and he did not fail to -do so. Doubtless there was a large assemblage of patrons, and the events -of the morning, as they gave rise to much talk, naturally resulted in a -proportionate amount of drinking. - -The consequence was that Master Hugonnet returned home very late, -completely drunk, and exceedingly susceptible to emotion, as he always -was when in that condition. - -Ambroisine, who was sitting up for her father, was not at all surprised -by his state, and she urged him to go up to bed. - -But Hugonnet had tears in his eyes, and he groaned mournfully as he -stammered: - -"Poor Lambourdin--it breaks my heart! Just imagine, daughter--he was -shamefully beaten this morning!" - -"I know it, father, and so do you, as it was you who beat him." - -"I! do you think so?--Oh! what a calamity!--my dear friend Lambourdin! -Just imagine--he was beaten so--it's an outrage! Poor Lambourdin! my -heart is heavy!--How could anyone beat such an honorable man?" - -"Why, it was you who beat him." - -"I! impossible!--When I heard of it, I wept with grief.--Poor -Lambourdin! I will avenge him!" - -And Master Hugonnet would not consent to go to bed until he had wept -freely over the fate of his friend Lambourdin, and had sworn again to -avenge him. - - - - -X - -THE PLACE AUX CHATS - - -The Chevalier Passedix lived on Place aux Chats. - -You will not be sorry, reader, to know where that square was situated, -for you would seek in vain for the slightest trace of it to-day. We will -proceed to enlighten you upon that subject. - -In the year 1634, Place aux Chats was near Rue de la Ferronnerie, close -by the Impasse des Bourdonnais, where Rue de la Limace had recently been -cut through. - -The Cemetery of the Innocents was on one side, and had one entrance on -the square, another on Rue de la Ferronnerie, and a third on Rue aux -Fers. Before it was christened Place aux Chats, it was called Place aux -Pourceaux; and in 1575 Rue de la Limace bore the name of Vieille Place -aux Pourceaux. - -Do not imagine one of those spacious, airy squares, such as you are -familiar with in our day. What was called a square [_place_] in those -days was often nothing more than the junction of two streets. - -The houses which surrounded Place aux Chats bore no resemblance to one -another. One had four stories, its next neighbor only two; but in all -alike the heavy framework, the enormous beams, were visible, as it was -not then thought worth while to cover them with plaster. - -The roof of each of the houses hung over far beyond the gable end, thus -diminishing the air and light; the windows were small, irregular, and -loosely set, the panes of glass were tiny and dirty; the doors were low -and narrow; the halls dark and begrimed with dirt; the staircases, which -were gloomy, dirty, and slippery, had huge posts of stone or wood for -rails; and there were absolutely no lights. - -Let us not regret the disappearance of Place aux Chats. - -Over the door of one of the tallest houses on this square, which stood -opposite the Cemetery of the Innocents, there was a long, wide board, -painted yellow, bearing these words written in red on the yellow -background: - - HÔTEL DU SANGLIER. FURNISHED LODGINGS FOR MAN, - BUT NOT FOR BEAST - -The Hôtel du Sanglier had three windows on the square; that was almost -luxurious; and it boasted five stories, counting the attics nestled in -the roof. - -It was one of the largest houses on Place aux Chats; and although the -sign stated that horses would not be entertained, it was no infrequent -occurrence for a mounted man to stop and take up his quarters there; in -such cases, his nag was taken to an ass keeper's, on the same square, -who did not entertain horsemen, but was glad to take care of their -beasts, and he almost always had tenants. - -The Hôtel du Sanglier was kept by a widow, already past middle age, -named Dame Cadichard. She was a short, fat woman, who had been rather -piquant and alluring in her springtime and even during her summer; her -great fault was that she was determined to be piquant and alluring -still, and to forget that her hair was no longer black, her waist no -longer slender, and her complexion no longer fresh. She still had the -flashing glance, the merry laugh, and the sly jest; and from time to -time she talked of remarrying, of giving the late Cadichard a successor. -But at such times the neighbors of the Hôtel du Sanglier asked one -another where the future spouse could be, for, among the guests of the -house or the strangers who frequented it, no one ever had been observed -to pay court to the Widow Cadichard. - -Chaudoreille's godson had lived at the Hôtel du Sanglier for more than a -year; he occupied a very modest little chamber under the eaves, above -the fourth floor. His room was lighted only by a little round window -looking on the square, which, however, he could not see on account of -the overhanging roof; the window, moreover, was so small that only one -person could possibly have looked out at one time. - -The furniture of the apartment was extremely modest; it consisted of a -white wooden bedstead, of the simplest construction, the headboard and -footboard being so insecure that when, in a moment of forgetfulness, the -long, lank chevalier tried to stretch his legs, he instantly started -all the screws from their holes, the bed fell apart and vanished, and -the man who was lying upon it found himself stretched on the floor. - -Two straw beds, a mattress as flat as a pancake, and a bolster of hay -composed the bed furnishings. Beside that far from luxurious couch were -a small oak table, two stools, and an enormous chest without a cover, in -which the tenant was entitled to keep his effects; it was probably -intended to serve as a commode. - -A few boards nailed to the wall served the purpose of a wardrobe, and -were embellished by those articles which the tenant found indispensable. -This was called a furnished lodging. - -It is probable, however, that all the rooms in the Hôtel du Sanglier -were not furnished so shabbily; and the Chevalier Passedix knew -something about it; for when he first became a tenant of Dame Cadichard, -he occupied a room on the first floor; at the next quarter day, the -Gascon had gone up to the second floor; three months later, he had been -consigned to the third; the following term, he had occupied the fourth; -and the fifth term, which was now running, he had been relegated to the -eaves. In case the chevalier should prolong his residence at Madame -Cadichard's, he could be sure, at all events, that they would send him -no higher. - -Why these peregrinations of the gallant Passedix on each succeeding -quarter day? That we shall probably learn in the sequel. - -On leaving Master Hugonnet's house, the Gascon returned with long -strides to Place aux Chats, his mind engrossed by the pretty foreigner -with whom he had fallen in love so suddenly. He was already meditating -the means to which he might resort in order to see her; and from time to -time he put his hand to his belt, in which he usually carried his purse; -but the little leather bag in which he kept his money contained at that -moment only a few copper coins. - -"Sandioux! my family is very dilatory about sending me money!" muttered -Passedix, shaking his head angrily. "And without money it is very -difficult to corrupt servants, to procure the delivery of a billet-doux. -I know that my genius will supply the lack, but it would go more quickly -with the help of funds.--But, no matter! first of all, I must put on an -entirely clean ruff. I must also have those two buttons sewn on my -doublet; then I will take my stand as a sentinel in front of the Hôtel -de Mongarcin, and I will observe what goes on there, and what persons -come from and go to the citadel." - -Passedix, arrived at his hotel, entered by the low door, then, turning -to the right, passed into a room where the mistress of the house was -usually to be found, and where each tenant's keys hung on the wall, with -the numbers attached. - -Widow Cadichard was seated in a capacious armchair, before a table; she -was in the act of eating a vegetable soup so thick that one could eat it -with a fork; beside the soup tureen, which exhaled a vapor by no means -disagreeable to a keen appetite, four very fine eggs lay on a napkin in -a plate. An egg glass and a bountiful supply of small squares of toast, -which were beside the plate, indicated in what manner the eggs were to -be eaten. - -When her tenant entered the room, the short, stout dame flashed a glance -at him in which there was vexation and anger; but in an instant she -resumed her sprightly manner and went on eating her soup. - -The chevalier bowed to the widow and walked toward the place where the -keys were hanging. - -"Well, well!" he cried; "what does this mean, cadédis! my key is not on -its nail! Have you it in your possession, Madame Cadichard?" - -"I! On my word! Why should I have the key to your room, I should like to -know? Do I go to your room? Do I have any occasion to go there?" - -"Then it must be Popelinette, the servant, who has it?" - -"Apparently!" - -"So she is doing my housework, is she? That happens very conveniently, -for I will ask her to sew two buttons on my doublet. I suppose that she -is supplied with needles and thread, as every good servant should be." - -"I don't know whether Popelinette has needles and thread with her; but -what I can tell you is this--that she isn't in your room now." - -"Then she must be here; do me the favor to call her, Dame Cadichard; I -am in haste to go up and make a bit of a toilet." - -"I am distressed to be unable to gratify you, monsieur le chevalier, but -Popelinette is not in the house; she has gone out; she has gone to do an -errand for the new tenant who came a week ago, and who occupies my fine -apartment on the first floor." - -"Ah! your first floor is let, is it? I am very glad for you, my -respected hostess, although I might be justified in complaining of the -rather harsh manner in which you have behaved toward me! Capédébious! -every quarter day, you make me move--go up one flight--on the pretext -that my last lodging is let; whereas only the mice take my place. Do you -know, Widow Cadichard, that I should be fully justified in complaining -of such treatment?" - -"You would be justified also in paying me your rent each quarter, and -that is what you haven't done, monsieur le chevalier; for I don't know -the color of your money, and you have been living in my house more than -a year!" - -"It is true, my family is very dilatory; I haven't received my allowance -for a long time; but they will send it all to me in a lump!--After all, -how have I injured you? You never have a cat in your Hôtel du Sanglier! -You ought to thank me for brightening up this old house a bit!" - -"Thank you! yes, if you had been agreeable, gallant, attentive to me, I -might not have made you go up so high, perhaps; but you never passed an -evening here chatting with me! Monsieur always has to go running about -the city! Monsieur has so many intrigues!" - -Passedix turned his face away, biting his lips, and hastened to change -the subject. - -"Sandioux! how good that soup smells!" he cried. "I don't know what it's -made of, but, judging from the odor, it must be a most delicious -compound!" - -The stout hostess refused to be melted by this exclamation; she -continued to eat and talk: - -"But luckily all my tenants do not resemble Monsieur de Passedix! There -are some who pay, and who are very amiable with me besides. For -instance, this new-comer, this foreigner who has been here a week--he -paid a fortnight in advance, he didn't haggle at all over the price, and -yet he pays me forty crowns a month for my first floor!" - -"Bigre! that's rather good!" - -"But I am sure that that man is a grand seigneur--but that doesn't -prevent him from often talking with me; he isn't a bit proud!--Yesterday -I dined alone--well! he sat down here and kept me company. He's a very -good-looking fellow, and quite young still--thirty at most!" - -"What do you call this fascinating cavalier?" - -"The Comte de Carvajal; he's a Spaniard." - -"The deuce! the Comte de Carvajal!--Yes, I believe that is a great -Spanish family.--Sandis! but I must confess, lovely hostess, that it -seems to me rather strange that this grand seigneur, instead of -occupying a handsome mansion in the neighborhood of the Palais-Cardinal -or the Arsenal, comes to Place aux Chats to nest--with the Cemetery of -the Innocents opposite! It is not absolutely cheerful--and a hotel where -his horses and carriages cannot be accommodated!" - -"What does this mean, Monsieur Passedix? you are crying down my hotel -now! You call this a bad quarter--then why did you come here to lodge? -And why have you lodged more than a year on this Place aux Chats, which -you despise?" - -"I, despise Place aux Chats! God forbid, dear Madame Cadichard! On the -contrary, I consider it most romantic; and then I, being afraid of -nothing, not even of ghosts and phantoms, am not at all sorry to live -just opposite a cemetery; for if it should happen to occur to some dead -man to come to say a word to me at night, I swear to you that I should -be overjoyed to have news from the other world." - -"Hush--impious man!--He makes me shudder over my soup!--You know -perfectly well that the dead don't return!" - -"I know that there are a great many things that don't return, unhappily; -and you know it, too, plump Cadichard!" - -"What do you mean by that, monsieur le chevalier?" - -"Mon Dieu! how time flies with us all!--But let us return to your -Spanish grandee, who has chosen the Hôtel du Sanglier for his abode; he -must have a numerous suite of servants and horses and carriages?" - -"Not at all; he has none of those things. He is alone; it seems that he -is at Paris incognito!" - -"What! not an esquire, not a valet, not even a single little mule to -prance along the Fossés Jaunes?" - -"Nothing, I tell you; for he doesn't go to court, so that the grands -seigneurs of his acquaintance need not know that he is in Paris." - -Passedix shook his head and muttered: - -"Hum! a Spanish grandee who hasn't one poor lackey in his service--that -seems suspicious to me! Where does this noble cavalier pass his time, -pray, if he doesn't frequent good society, the agreeable rakes of the -court, and dandies like myself." - -"Monsieur de Carvajal doesn't often go out during the day. In the first -place, he rises very late; but, to tell the truth, he comes home very -late, too. As he doesn't want to disturb anyone, he has told Popelinette -not to sit up for him; he asked me to give him a duplicate key to the -street door, so that he can come in at whatever hour of the night he -pleases; and he takes pains not to make any noise, for we never hear him -coming and going; it seems that in Spain people are in the habit of -walking about at night." - -"In Spain, perhaps, because it's warm there and the nights are fine; but -here, where it still freezes in the morning--for our spring is -devilishly behindhand! I believe that your gallant stranger is a blade -who does his work under the rose. There must be some love intrigue on -the carpet--some husband to be deceived.--Sandioux! I don't blame your -Spaniard for that. Love is such a delicious thing--and when it attacks -us--ah!" - -Here Passedix heaved a sigh which lasted so long that his hostess -dropped her spoon and stared at him, as if trying to make out whether -she had anything to do with that prolonged groan. But the Gascon, -instead of responding to the Widow Cadichard's alluring glance, turned -away abruptly and began to pace the floor, crying: - -"Cadédis! Popelinette does not return! it is insufferable! I want to -dress!" - -"Dress? I didn't know that you had any other doublet than that." - -"Possibly not; but there are different ways of wearing it; besides, I -want to put on a clean ruff, and I need to have two buttons sewn on." - -"Mon Dieu! have you an assignation for this afternoon?" - -"If that were so, it seems to me, Widow Cadichard, that it is my -business!--Will you sew on my buttons?" - -"I! I should think not! Go to your mistress!" - -Passedix stamped the floor in vexation. At that moment the door of the -room was suddenly thrown open, and the Gascon uttered an exclamation of -satisfaction, for he expected to see the maid-servant of the hotel; but -he was speedily undeceived. Instead of Popelinette, it was the foreigner -who appeared in the doorway. - - - - -XI - -THE FOREIGNER - - -The new tenant of the Hôtel du Sanglier paused on the threshold when he -saw that there was someone with his hostess; he even took a step -backward, as if he did not intend to enter. But in a moment, changing -his mind, he walked into the room with a certain gravity of demeanor -which was not without distinction. - -The Gascon chevalier scrutinized the new arrival with interest, for he -suspected that it was the foreigner whom Dame Cadichard was so proud to -have under her roof, and he was curious to see whether he deserved the -high-flown praise which his hostess had lavished on him. - -A single glance was sufficient to satisfy Passedix that the sprightly -widow had not exaggerated at all. The gentleman who had just entered the -room was still young, tall and well built; his features were handsome -and refined, his eyes slightly veiled, but full of fire and expression; -he wore no beard on his chin, but only small moustaches curled a little -upward at the ends. - -He wore with easy grace a rich velvet cloak, over an elegant pale-blue -doublet; a beautiful white plume lay along the broad brim of his hat, -and the sword at his side was suspended from a belt trimmed with rich -lace. - -The stranger bowed most courteously as he walked into the room. Passedix -made haste to return his salutation, saying to himself: - -"He is a good-looking fellow, sandioux! I am too just to deny it. Almost -as handsome a man as myself, and that is no small thing to say!" - -Widow Cadichard had risen hastily on the entrance of her tenant, to whom -she made a low reverence. - -"Monsieur de Carvajal, your servant," she exclaimed; "I have the honor -to salute you! Pray be kind enough to take a seat, monsieur le comte; do -you wish for anything? Perhaps you are looking for Popelinette? She -hasn't returned yet, and that annoys you. She is not very quick when she -has an errand to do. Would you like me to go to meet her, monseigneur?" - -The stranger waited till this torrent of words had ceased, then replied, -with a smile: - -"What I wish first of all, my dear hostess, is that you will not put -yourself out and that you will continue your repast." - -"Oh! indeed I will do nothing of the sort, monsieur le comte; I know too -well what I owe to you." - -"In that case, madame, you will compel me to withdraw, for I do not like -ceremony." - -"Oh! monsieur le comte, since you insist, since you command me, I will -do it to obey you. But allow me first to offer you a chair." - -While Madame Cadichard bustled about the room, looking for her best -easy-chair and the best place in the room to put it, Passedix approached -the new-comer and addressed him, trying all the while to hide with his -cloak that part of his doublet from which the buttons were missing. - -"I presume that I have the honor to salute one of my neighbors? I say -_neighbors_, because we both live in the same hotel; only I am at the -top and monsieur le comte is at the bottom. But men of honor are always -on the same level." - -"Ah! does monsieur live in this hotel?" rejoined the stranger, bowing to -the Gascon. - -"With your kind permission." - -"What, monsieur! why, I can only be flattered to have monsieur for my -neighbor." - -"Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix, godson of the most honorable Chaudoreille, -who left me only this sword, his trusty Roland, a finely tempered blade, -which I dare to say that I use in an honorable way! My reputation in -that regard is made!--And monsieur is the Comte de Carvajal, the noble -Spaniard whom Dame Cadichard is so fortunate as to have as her tenant in -the Hôtel du Sanglier?" - -"Madame Cadichard would do well, then, to be a little more discreet, and -to respect the incognito which her guests desire to maintain." - -The stout landlady blushed when she heard that; she realized that she -deserved the rebuke, and in her despair dropped the spoon which she was -about to raise to her mouth, and which remained standing upright in the -soup. - -But the stranger, as he lay back in the easy-chair she had offered him, -continued, with something very like a smile: - -"However, I do not feel that I have the courage to bear any ill will to -our excellent hostess, since I owe to her the acquaintance of so -illustrious a knight as Monsieur de Passedix, who, I am convinced, will -not betray the incognito which important considerations compel me to -adopt at this moment, in Paris." - -The Gascon bowed again, taking care not to relax his hold of the corners -of his cloak, and replied: - -"You may rely on my discretion, monsieur le comte; the secrets that are -intrusted to me will go down with me into the darkness of the grave, -unless I am released from my oath." - -Thereupon the chevalier seized a chair and placed it at the table, -opposite Madame Cadichard, who had taken one of the eggs from the plate -and was trying to devise some refined method of breaking the shell and -dipping her pieces of toast into the egg, in her illustrious tenant's -presence. - -"I will not presume to ask monsieur le comte how he passes his time in -Paris; that is his business, and I never meddle in other people's -affairs! But I venture to say that I should be an invaluable guide for a -stranger who wished to become acquainted with the pleasures, the merry -gatherings, of the capital. I go about a great deal in the best society. -I am a jovial companion, a sturdy toper; all the dandies, all the young -noblemen who love to fight and drink and make love to the fair, are my -friends. Does anyone need a second for a duel, a fourth for a party of -four, Passedix is always there! I do not like to boast, but I could -mention exploits of my own which the Amadises and Renauds would not have -disavowed!" - -"One needs only to see you, chevalier, to entertain no manner of doubt -that you would be successful in whatever you might undertake!" - -"Monsieur le comte is too kind! But it is quite true that I count only -victories, sandioux!" - -"If I remember aright," murmured the little widow, carefully placing a -bit of toast in her egg, "you were on your back a fortnight as a result -of the blows you received the last time that you tried to rob several -bourgeois on Rue Mauconseil of their sleep!" - -Passedix cast a savage glance at his landlady, as he cried: - -"No, no! you are wrong, Dame Cadichard. I covered myself with glory in -that affair; and if I did keep my bed for some time after, it was only -because, in the heat of the affray, I gave myself a strain which kept me -from going to my usual resorts for a few days. Your eggs are too hard, -_belle dame_, you will never be able to dip your toast in them. I advise -you to eat them as a salad." - -"They are all right, monsieur le chevalier; I like them this way.--Mon -Dieu! how sorry I am, monsieur le comte, that my servant keeps you -waiting like this!" - -"There is no harm done, madame, I am in no hurry." - -"If only I had something to offer monsieur le comte; but this breakfast -is not worthy of him." - -"I should think it very nice, if I had not already eaten mine." - -"In any case," observed Passedix, "you wouldn't offer your tenants -boiled eggs, I trust; for these are as hard as rocks--like Easter eggs." - -"Oh! what a tease you are, monsieur le chevalier! But I think that you -know very little about cooking!" - -"Sandioux! Dame Cadichard--on the contrary, I know a great deal about -it. My godfather Chaudoreille used to give his friends banquets that -lasted a whole week; I remember that he used to have delicacies from the -four quarters of the globe, and he was not satisfied unless his guests -had indigestion.--If Monsieur de Carvajal has no restaurant to which he -is attached, I could take him to a cabaret where they serve the most -delicious calves' heads, and stewed rabbits _en crapaudine_--you would -swear they were hares." - -"I thank you, chevalier; but I do not take my meals at wine shops." - -"I understand--I understand. You prefer darkness and mystery, with some -fair lady who awaits you in her _petite maison_; for we have ladies who -have them, as well as men; I know something about it, for I have supped -in more than one of those enchanting retreats--near Porte Saint-Antoine, -on the other side of the Fossés Jaunes. I am not inquisitive, I do not -mean to ask you indiscreet questions; but, between us, monsieur le -comte, I will take the liberty to give you a piece of advice; it is -this: it is not very safe in certain quarters of Paris at night; people -are attacked, robbed, and sometimes murdered, without anyone interfering -to prevent it. I warn you of this, because our landlady told me that you -went out very late, and returned at very advanced hours of the night. -That is imprudent! extremely imprudent!" - -"Ah! madame told you that, did she?" rejoined the stranger, with a -glance at Widow Cadichard that arrested one of the pieces of toast on -its way to her mouth. - -"I," murmured the little woman--"I said--that is--no, I said nothing. I -don't know why monsieur le chevalier brings me into all the fables he -invents. He would do better to pay the rent he owes me!" - -"What is that, Widow Cadichard? I believe that you dared to say that I -invent!--Cadédis! that is too much! I, invent anything!--I suppose that -you didn't tell me also just now that monsieur had asked you for a -duplicate key to the street door, so that he could go in and out at -night without disturbing anyone; and that he had forbidden Popelinette -to sit up for him; and that it was the fashion in Spain to walk the -streets at night? To which I replied that it was not so warm in France -as in the beautiful land of the Andalusians.--Ah! I invented all -that--sandioux! If all that I have just said was not told me by you, I -hope that this egg will choke me while I speak!--Look! didn't I tell you -that they were all hard? But I am an ignoramus, I don't know anything -about cooking. And this one is just the same; as they all are!" - -As he spoke, the Gascon took up an egg and dexterously stripped it of -its shell; after which, he made but one mouthful of it, and was about to -do as much with a second one, when the landlady angrily pounced on the -plate in which the others were and put it in her lap, saying: - -"Well, monsieur, have you nearly finished swallowing my eggs as if they -were little tarts? Really, you don't stand on ceremony! If it wasn't for -my respect for monsieur le comte, I would tell you what I think of your -conduct." - -"What would you tell me, alluring Cadichard?--that I am a libertine, a -scatterbrain, and that I owe you for four quarters? Cadédis! that is no -crime; every day, gentlemen of good family find themselves short of -money; and a few days later they roll in gold and doubloons.--Isn't that -so, Monsieur de Carvajal?" - -"It is, in truth, a common occurrence, monsieur le chevalier." - -"At this moment, I know several noble lords who are in my plight. Among -others, the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, of whom you have heard, -doubtless?" - -"Yes, the name is not unknown to me." - -"It is one of the oldest families of Languedoc. The old Marquis de -Marvejols is very rich, but he is a little strict with his son, although -he has no other child. To be sure, Léodgard did run through the fortune -he got from his mother rather rapidly. He's a young buck who travels -fast--a gallant of my stamp; he loves cards and wine and the -ladies.--Yes, sweet Cadichard, we love the ladies; but they must not fly -into a passion when we condescend to taste a little egg in their -honor.--To return to Léodgard, he has had hard luck of late! He had won -a very neat little sum at cards, contrary to his custom, and was -returning to his house at night, when he was attacked by Giovanni, that -famous brigand, you know, who is at this moment the terror of the -capital. You must have heard of him, monsieur le comte?" - -"No; this is the first time that I have heard that name." - -"You surprise me! Sandioux! Giovanni already has a tremendous reputation -in this country. He must be very skilful with the sword to have beaten -young Marvejols, who fights--almost as well as I do.--The result is that -everybody is afraid of the man. But so far as I am concerned, the -contrary is true; indeed, I would like very much to meet this famous -robber!" - -"Oh! that's because you are not afraid of being robbed!" said the little -landlady, pressing her lips together spitefully. - -"Always some piquant little remark, sweet Cadichard!--I overlook them, I -overlook anything in the fair sex!" - -"And why would you like to meet this--this Giovanni, monsieur le -chevalier?" asked the stranger, playing with his sword hilt. - -"Why, monsieur le comte, because I flatter myself that I should be more -fortunate than poor Léodgard! And that infernal knave would receive at -my hand the reward of his brigandage! I would give myself the pleasure -of burying six inches of Roland in his throat. Ah! sandioux! I can see -from here the wry face he would make!--Does that make you laugh, -Monsieur de Carvajal?" - -"Why, yes, because it occurs to me, too, that in such a battle as you -suggest one of the two would, in fact, be likely to cause the other to -make a strange grimace." - -"One of the two! Do you doubt that I should triumph?" - -"I in no wise doubt your valor, monsieur le chevalier; but as for your -triumph, permit me to think that it is better not to make any assertions -beforehand--the most valiant are conquered sometimes; fortune is -capricious to fighting men as well as to lovers." - -Passedix bit his lips and drew his eyebrows together. The hostess, who -had decided to remove the shells from her eggs, said to the tenant of -her first floor: - -"In any case, monsieur le comte, it is always prudent not to go out at -night unless you are well armed; for my part, I don't dare to go to the -theatre at the Hôtel de Bourgogne, because it ends too late! It's -half-past eight sometimes when they finish the beautiful tragedy of -_Sophonisbé_, by Monsieur Mairet, which I would have liked to see, all -the same!" - -"_Sophonisbé!_ Faith! I prefer his last tragedy, the _Duc d'Ossone_--the -verses are more sonorous, the subject more warlike.--What say you, -monsieur le comte?" - -"I do not go to the play." - -"Where in the devil does the Spaniard go?" thought Passedix, draping -himself in his cloak; "never to the court, never to a wine shop, never -to the play! He wants to make us think that he's always shut up with -some petticoat!" - -And the Gascon swayed to and fro on his chair and caressed his chin, as -he continued: - -"For my part, I am a great frequenter of the theatre." - -"You go to Brioché's theatre on Pont Neuf!" laughed Madame Cadichard; -"there's a show outside; that doesn't cost anything!" - -"I go where I choose, madame! It seems to me that I am entitled to. -Brioché's marionettes are not to be despised, and the proof is that -great crowds go there--leaders of society and idlers, _belles dames_ and -_bourgeoises_. But that does not interfere with my being one of the most -assiduous spectators at the Hôtel de Bourgogne; I know all Alexandre -Hardy's plays, and I believe he has written over six hundred; he is my -favorite author, and I prefer him to this Jean Mairet, who is laden -with favors by the Cardinal de Richelieu, the Duc de Longueville, and -the Comte de Soissons, because he has written a dozen or so of -tragedies! A fine showing, forsooth, beside Hardy's six hundred -plays!--Ah! cadédis! if I had ever undertaken to write, it would have -been a different story!--But I prefer the sword to the pen; one must not -derogate from his rank!" - -At that moment, an old servant of more than sixty years, whose skin had -such a dark-yellow tinge that she might at need have been passed off as -a Moor, entered the room and approached the stranger. It was -Popelinette, just returned from performing her commission. - -"Here are all the things you told me to get, monsieur le comte--gloves, -perfumery--the nicest and daintiest I could find; and _mouches_ and -paint; and here is the money that is left." - -"Very good; keep that for your trouble." - -"Oh! you are very kind, monseigneur! I thank you very humbly!" - -"Does the fellow mean to disguise himself as a woman?" Passedix thought, -glancing furtively at Popelinette's purchases, which she had placed on a -table. "Paint! _mouches!_ perfumery! Fie, fie! all those things do very -well for shepherds in Arcady. I begin to conceive a very singular -opinion of this Spaniard!" - -"It took you a very long time to do the errand monsieur le comte gave -you to do!" said the plump Cadichard to her servant. "You must try to -make your legs work a little livelier when you go out." - -"But, madame, I went to the best perfumer on Rue Saint-Honoré, near the -Couvent des Capucines; that's a long way." - -"Monsieur le Chevalier Passedix has been waiting impatiently for you; he -needs your help--some buttons to sew on his doublet." - -"Again!" muttered Popelinette, with a most disrespectful gesture. - -"What do you mean by that?" cried the Gascon, raising his head; "I -should like to know if you are not here to wait upon the tenants? I -consider your reply a little impertinent, my girl!" - -"Mon Dieu! don't be angry, monsieur le chevalier; I don't refuse to do -what you want; but I meant that your doublet has been patched and mended -so often that the buttons I sew on are likely not to hold, for lack of -material to sew them to." - -"It is easy to see, old Popelinette, that you no longer have your eyes -of twenty years! otherwise, you would not abuse thus a garment which is -almost new, and which owes the numerous patches that cover it solely to -the sword thrusts I have received in single combats and others. But they -are titles to renown, and that is why I am fond of this doublet; if I -should buy a new one, within a week it would be riddled by sword thrusts -as this one is; one doesn't go to the water without getting wet.--Well! -my girl, take a needle and thread and let us have done with it, for the -day is advancing, and I should already be somewhere else!" - -The old servant grumblingly took what she needed to repair the Gascon's -doublet. For some moments, the stranger had been examining what -Popelinette had brought him; at last he carefully replaced all the -articles in paper and put them in his pocket one after another, as if he -were preparing to take his leave. - -"Yes, sandioux!" cried Passedix, partly unbuttoning his doublet so that -the servant could work more conveniently; "yes, I long to pursue a -certain adventure, the heroine of which surpasses the Venus of Medici!" - -"Oh! monsieur le chevalier makes Venuses out of every retroussé nose he -meets!" said Dame Cadichard, shrugging her shoulders. - -"Do you think so, charming hostess? I should say that I have never given -you reason to think that my taste was bad!" - -The landlady turned her little eyes on the Gascon, like a person who -does not know whether she ought to take in good or ill part what is said -to her. Passedix continued: - -"By the way, I made her acquaintance in such singular fashion!--Ah! be -careful, Popelinette, you are pricking me as if I were a pincushion!" - -"Goodness! it isn't my fault, monsieur; you keep moving all the time!" - -"That is my nature; I could not keep still for a moment; that is due to -the heat of my blood--to the smoking lava that flows in my veins! I am a -volcano! and then, the image of that Italian was well adapted to make my -legs twitch!" - -"Ah! your conquest is an Italian, is she, monsieur le chevalier?" said -the stranger, who had taken a step or two toward the door, but who -turned at that and looked at Passedix. - -"Yes, monsieur le comte; that is to say, she isn't exactly an Italian, -although she wears the costume of a Milanese; she was born in Béarn, but -it seems that she has lived in Milan many years. I give you my word that -she is a dainty morsel, that little Miretta!" - -When he heard the name Miretta, the foreigner could not restrain a -gesture of surprise; but he recovered himself instantly, walked back to -the easy-chair he had just left, and resumed his seat, saying: - -"Really, monsieur le chevalier, you make me very curious; and if I were -not afraid of being indiscreet in asking you how you made the -acquaintance of this girl, who, you say, is so pretty, I should take -great pleasure in hearing of it." - -"There is no indiscretion in your request, count; indeed, the affair -took place in the presence of numerous witnesses and made quite a -sensation this morning. I will stake my head that it will be the talk of -the court and the whole city this evening. I will tell you all about -it.--Go on, Popelinette; it needn't prevent you from sewing on my -buttons." - -Thereupon the Gascon chevalier described what had taken place that -morning in front of Master Hugonnet's house; and in his narrative, -carried away doubtless by his interest in the pretty Milanese, Passedix -embellished the truth with a number of episodes which he deemed likely -to heighten the effect. For instance, he did not fail to say that on -several occasions he had saved Cédrille from certain death by throwing -himself in front of the swords that threatened him; in a word, it was -due to his courage that the two travellers succeeded in escaping from -the fury of those who surrounded them. - -The foreigner listened to the Gascon with the closest attention. When -the latter had finished, the other looked fixedly at him and said: - -"Now, what do you expect to do, chevalier?" - -"What! By Venus! follow up the adventure, watch for the little one to -come out, join her, declare my passion, soften her heart--a mere trifle! -The rest will go of itself." - -"No doubt!" muttered Dame Cadichard; "if the girl is a good-for-nothing -who listens to the first comer!" - -"Whom do you call a first comer, madame? do you dare to apply those -words to Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix?--Sandioux! you are pricking me, -Popelinette! do be careful!" - -"I mean to say, monsieur, that this girl does not know you; and if she -is virtuous----" - -"Cadédis! all women are virtuous before they have sinned; and since the -days of Eve, who allowed herself to be tempted by a serpent, how many -women have stumbled---- Oh! this old woman is determined to spit me like -a roasted hare!" - -"But in order to watch for this Italian," observed the Spaniard, "it is -necessary first of all that you should know where she lives in Paris." - -"Oh! I know that; I know where Miretta is at this moment; I even know -why she has come to Paris. I am perfectly informed--but upon this matter -you will allow me to keep silent. The little one is too dainty a morsel -for me to show her nest to other men, and I am sure that you will -consider that I am right to act thus." - -The foreigner rose and bowed to the Gascon. - -"Good luck in your love affairs, Chevalier Passedix!" - -"Infinitely obliged! Much pleasure in your nocturnal walks, monsieur le -comte!" - -The foreigner took his leave. The landlady renewed her humble -reverences, and Passedix muttered: - -"A singular man, this Monsieur de Carvajal!" - -"You are all sewed up, monsieur," said Popelinette; "but, bless me! I -won't swear it will hold long, the stuff is so rotten!" - -"Very good! all right! I didn't ask you about that!--He buys paint, -_mouches_, perfumes!--he's an effeminate creature!" - -"I don't think," said the little hostess, "that it is so unpleasant to -perfume one's self, and to leave an agreeable odor behind one as one -passes!" - -"I have never needed that to please the fair! And when I eat wild duck, -I don't like to have it smell of musk!" - -The Gascon hurried from the room and went up to his fifth floor, while -Dame Cadichard exclaimed: - -"Ah! if I only had a loft over his room!" - -Popelinette put away her needle and thread, muttering: - -"Oh, no! he doesn't smell of musk, that fellow! he doesn't need to deny -it!" - - - - -XII - -VALENTINE DE MONGARCIN - - -Let us transport ourselves to Rue Saint-Honoré, to the interior of a -magnificent mansion, where everything is eloquent of wealth, splendor, -and refinement, where the furniture and hangings represent all that is -most beautiful and dainty in the products of that age. There we shall -find Madame de Ravenelle and her niece, Valentine de Mongarcin. - -Madame de Ravenelle was seventy-two years of age; she had once been -pretty, she was still fresh and plump; for the anxieties, the cares, -the griefs, which often make one old much more rapidly than time, had -never darkened her life, which had flowed on as placidly and gently as -the waters of a stream hidden by tall grasses and never disturbed by the -traveller's oar. - -The old lady, blessed with a cheerful, heedless, and, above all, selfish -disposition, had known how to submit philosophically to those petty -disagreements from which no one is wholly exempt throughout the course -of a long life. Having an excellent stomach, and very little -susceptibility, she always sat down at the table with a good appetite, -and never had recourse to the doctors. Incapable of doing anything -unkind or spiteful, which would have disturbed the harmony of her -temperament, she listened without emotion to the tale of another -person's woes; and yet, she was quite ready to be humane, and often did -a kind deed, when it was not likely to cause her either fatigue or -trouble. - -Valentine de Mongarcin had been brought up at a convent; but there, no -less than in society, she had been fully aware that she was the sole -inheritress of a great name and a great fortune; flattery, which -insinuates itself everywhere, makes its way into convents; pretty, -clever, but proud of her name and her rank, Valentine had discovered too -early in life that people were eager to gratify all her desires; she had -grown up with the idea that her will was never to be thwarted; and, -although possessed of a sensitive heart, and of a noble soul capable of -noble deeds, she had contracted a haughty, disdainful manner, which had -made her but few friends. - -At the age of eighteen, her figure had developed, her bearing had become -noble and dignified, her features were regular, and the outlines of her -face exquisitely pure; her hair was as black as ebony, and her great -gray eyes, with their long black lashes, had a most seductive expression -when they did not choose to express arrogance or scorn. - -On leaving the convent to occupy her father's mansion, Valentine had not -presented herself to her aunt in the guise of a timid girl who claims -the support and protection of her only remaining relation; she had -appeared like a conqueror making his triumphal entry into a city which -he has compelled to capitulate; but she had to deal with a person who -worried her head very little over the airs and tone which other people -adopted toward her. - -Madame de Ravenelle received her niece with the smile which had become -stereotyped on her face; she considered her beautiful and well made, and -was gratified that that was the case; but if Valentine had been ugly or -deformed, the old lady would speedily have consoled herself. Between two -persons of such temperaments, there was no danger that there would ever -be any lack of harmony; for to every question that Valentine asked on -her arrival, Madame de Ravenelle replied: - -"Do whatever you please in the house; command and you will be obeyed, -provided that you disturb nothing in my apartment and my personal -service. I have my women, you will have yours; I shall not thwart you in -anything, for my brother's daughter would be incapable of doing anything -unworthy of her rank. And if the company I receive should bore you, you -will be at liberty not to appear in the salon." - -Mademoiselle de Mongarcin could not ask for more liberty or greater -power; the confidence that her aunt manifested in her pleased her; she -would have rebelled against a stern affection that would have tried to -guide her, but she was amiable and affectionate with one who was simply -indifferent to her. - -Young Valentine considered the old hangings of the Hôtel de Mongarcin -gloomy and repellent; she had them all changed or renewed, and the -furniture as well. But nothing was disturbed in the apartment occupied -by Madame de Ravenelle. Some of the servants having failed to carry out -the girl's orders quickly enough, she dismissed them and engaged others; -but her aunt's maid and her old male attendant were outside of her -authority. - -The Hôtel de Mongarcin became more fashionable; it assumed a more -youthful, a gayer aspect; frequent entertainments were given there by -musicians, jugglers, and gypsies; it amused Valentine, and it was all a -matter of indifference to Madame de Ravenelle. - -One day, however, the old lady said to her niece: - -"By the way, Valentine, have you ever heard of the young Comte Léodgard -de Marvejols?" - -"The name is familiar to me, and I have an idea that my father often -mentioned it.--Why do you ask me that question, aunt?" - -"Because my brother was very desirous that young Léodgard should some -day become your husband." - -"Ah! my father desired it?" - -"Yes; he told me so again just before he died. He was very closely -attached to young Léodgard's father, who had the same wish." - -"Well, aunt?" - -"Well, niece, you shall marry the young count, if that meets your -views!" - -"Oh! there's time for that! for my father surely would not desire to -force my inclination, if he were alive." - -"I cannot say what your father would have done if he had lived; but I -know very well that I have no desire to torment you." - -"You are so good, aunt!" - -"Why, yes, I am tolerably good!" - -"And do you know this young Comte de Marvejols?" - -"I have seen him two or three times in company." - -"What is he like, aunt?" - -"A very good-looking young man; very well built, and with a decidedly -rakish air. But young men sometimes assume those airs in society, in -order to give themselves an appearance of aplomb and self-assurance; -very often they mean nothing at all!" - -"Well, if this Monsieur Léodgard desires to become my husband, I suppose -that he will come to pay court to me first." - -"Why, that is to be presumed. However, you will see his father, Monsieur -le Marquis de Marvejols, at my receptions before long; he is a man very -highly considered, in very good odor at court, but of a rather severe -humor." - -"What does that matter to me? it is not the father who wishes to marry -me!" - -"That is true." - -"And if this Monsieur Léodgard shared his father's wishes, it seems to -me, aunt, that he would manifest more eagerness to see me; for it is -nearly two months since I left the convent, and he has not called here -as yet." - -"That is true, niece; but perhaps the young man is travelling." - -Madame de Ravenelle's invariably placid and equable temperament -sometimes irritated Valentine, whose blood was ardent and boiling; but -she dissembled her impatience, for she could not be angry with her aunt, -who always agreed with her. - -About a month after this conversation, Valentine had attended a large -party given by the Duchesse de Longueville, and had met Léodgard there. -The young count had presented his respects to Madame de Ravenelle and -her niece, but with the cold and formal manner of a man who had the -greatest disinclination to marriage and did not desire to gratify his -parents' wishes. - -On her side, Valentine de Mongarcin, piqued by the young man's lack of -zeal in cultivating her acquaintance, had received his compliments with -an air of indifference, almost of disdain, which deprived her face of -all the fascination it sometimes had. - -We have seen that the result of the meeting had been to confirm Léodgard -in his repugnance to that alliance. - -As for Valentine, she had not said a single word on the subject of -Léodgard, and Madame de Ravenelle had thought it advisable to imitate -her silence. - -One evening, after receiving a visit from one of her friends, or rather -acquaintances, at the convent, Valentine said to her aunt: - -"Mademoiselle de Vertmonteil spoke to me this morning of a girl whom her -sister has seen at Milan. This girl wishes to find a place in Paris. She -is said to be clever at millinery work and dressmaking; in fact, -Mademoiselle de Vertmonteil recommended her to me. My maid is a fool, -who does not know how to dress my hair, and I am tempted to discharge -her and take this Italian in her place. What do you think about it, -aunt?" - -Madame de Ravenelle, who had listened as to something that was utterly -indifferent to her, replied: - -"You will do well to do whatever is most agreeable to you, my dear." - -It was a fortnight after this conversation that Miretta appeared at the -Hôtel de Mongarcin, escorted by Cédrille, and still greatly excited by -the risks she had run in front of Master Hugonnet's house. - -Valentine was impatiently awaiting the arrival of the girl of whom she -had heard such marvellous things. She was in an immense salon, where her -aunt persisted in having a fire, although the weather was no longer -cold, when the young traveller was announced. Valentine uttered a joyful -exclamation and said: - -"Bring her to speak to me; I wish to see her at once!--Will you allow -her to come to this salon, aunt?" - -"It is entirely indifferent to me, niece. However, if any visitor should -come, I presume that this girl will know that it is her duty to -withdraw." - -Miretta soon made her appearance before the two ladies; she walked into -the salon with an assured step; there was embarrassment, but neither -awkwardness nor stupidity in her bearing. The reverence that she made -was not without a certain charm. Add to this the beauty of her face, her -fresh complexion, her youth, and her piquant costume, and you will -understand Valentine's exclamation: - -"Ah! why, the child is very pretty!--Come nearer, come nearer! Your name -is Miretta?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, Miretta Dartaize. Here is the letter of -recommendation with which I have been favored, for mademoiselle." - -"Very well; but it is unnecessary--I have seen the sister of the person -who gave you the letter.--You are a Milanese?" - -"No, mademoiselle; I was born at Pau, in Béarn; but I have lived at -Milan, or in the suburbs, ever since I was a child." - -"And your relations?" - -"I lost them when I was very young, all except an old female cousin, who -still lives at Pau, and whose son, who is very fond of me, was kind -enough to undertake to bring me to Paris." - -"Where is this youth?" - -"In the courtyard, mademoiselle." - -"How did you make the journey?" - -"On Bourriquet's back, both of us. Bourriquet is Cédrille's horse; he's -a good beast and carried us finely; but we made short days, so as not to -tire him." - -"And your travelling companion--does he too hope to find a place in -Paris?" - -"Oh! no, mademoiselle; Cédrille came with me only as a favor to me; and -he is going right back to his province, after he has rested a little in -Paris." - -"This Cédrille, who is your cousin, is your betrothed too, perhaps?" -said Madame de Ravenelle, carelessly turning her head toward the girl. -But she replied: - -"Oh, no! Cédrille is not my betrothed, madame; he loves me very dearly -though, and he has asked me if I would be his wife; but I refused him, -refused him flatly, telling him that I should never have anything but a -sisterly affection for him. Cédrille made the best of it and is content -with that." - -"Why did you refuse to marry your cousin? Was it because he has nothing, -and can't do anything?" - -"I beg pardon, madame, Cédrille has quite enough to live comfortably; -he's a worthy, honest man--a hard worker, who knows more about -agriculture and plowing than anybody in our neighborhood." - -"And in spite of all that, you would not consent to be his wife?" -continued the old lady, fixing her eyes on Miretta, who looked down and -blushed as she faltered: - -"No, madame." - -"You had some reason for refusing him, doubtless?" - -"Mon Dieu! a single one, madame; but it seems to me that it should be -sufficient in such a matter: I have no love for him, and I do not care -to marry without love." - -"Ah! very well answered!" cried Valentine, smiling at the girl; -"certainly that reason is quite sufficient! As if a woman ought to marry -a man she does not love! that would be equivalent to deliberately -choosing to be unhappy all her life!" - -"Such things have been seen, however, niece! And a woman is not always -unhappy on that account; it often turns out just the other way." - -"Well, aunt, I consider that Miretta has done well not to marry her -cousin, as she has no love for him." - -"Perhaps you will not always talk so, my dear!" - -"Miretta," continued Valentine, turning to the girl, "I take you into my -service, that is settled; and I will give you---- How much should I -give her, aunt?" - -"Whatever you please, niece." - -"Very well! two hundred livres a year.--Is that enough, Miretta? does -that satisfy you?" - -"Oh! that is a great deal, mademoiselle! I probably am not worth so much -as that, and I shall always be satisfied with whatever you give me; I do -not care for money!" - -"You don't care for money, you don't care to marry," murmured Madame de -Ravenelle, shaking her head; "nor do you care for your province, since -you leave it--Pray, little one, to what do you aspire?" - -Miretta was silent a moment, then replied: - -"I aspire to be in the service of honorable persons, and to show myself -deserving of their kindness." - -"Well said!" exclaimed Valentine; "that is an answer that does you -honor.--Oh! you will be happy with me, I trust. In the first place, all -the dresses I have ceased to wear will belong to you, and I am very fond -of changing often. But you must serve me promptly, you must always be at -hand when I ring for you, and never step foot outside of the house -unless I send you to do some errand." - -The girl raised her head quickly and cried: - -"What, mademoiselle! never go out of this house? Why, in that case, I -shall be a prisoner! I shall not be able to take a free step! Oh, no! -no! I did not come to Paris to be deprived of my liberty; I will serve -you faithfully, mademoiselle, I will be submissive to your lightest -word, I will work day and night if you desire; but I wish to be able, -when I feel the need of it, to fly away as freely as the birds of our -fields! I shall return to my cage far happier, when I know that the door -is not closed upon me!" - -"Well, well, hothead!" said Valentine, with a smile; "never fear; you -will not be a prisoner! I will not prevent your flying away -sometimes.--Ah! how her eyes sparkle when she hears me say that! She has -a little will of her own, I see. So much the better! I do not like -people who are incapable of having a will!" - -"But," interposed Madame de Ravenelle, "as you have just arrived in -Paris, where you know no one; and as your cousin is going away--whom -will you go to see when you go out? or will it be simply to take a -walk?" - -"Pardon me, madame, but there is already one person whom I wish to see, -to thank her for the service she rendered my cousin and myself just now. -Ah! madame does not know that we barely escaped a very great danger this -morning--before we reached this house." - -"A danger! Pray tell us about it, little one." - -"Come here," said Valentine, "and sit on this stool, for your journey on -horseback must have tired you. There! that is right; and now tell us -what happened to you this morning." - -Miretta gave them an exact account of what had taken place on Rue -Saint-Jacques; she omitted no detail, nor did she add anything. The -truth was sufficiently interesting to engross the attention of those -who listened to her. Madame de Ravenelle could not help taking an -interest in it, and Valentine was much excited--so much so that she -exclaimed: - -"Why, it was shameful behavior on the part of those gentlemen! To try to -compel people who are passing to stop and act as their playthings! Did -you hear the names of those who insulted you?" - -"I heard several, mademoiselle, but I remember only two: the gentleman -who took up our defence and fought for us, after offering to be my -knight--in jest, doubtless--his name was Passedix." - -"Passedix!--Do you know any gentleman of that name, aunt?" - -"No, no one! He must be some _chevalier d'industrie!_" - -"Then the man who was so fierce against us, and whose terrible sword -beat down all obstacles--him they called the Sire de Jarnonville. Oh! -that man had a terrifying look!" - -"The Sire de Jarnonville!" repeated Madame de Ravenelle. "That is a very -old name--a noble family; but it is a long while since the descendant of -the Jarnonvilles ceased to appear in society--that is to say, in the -society frequented by self-respecting persons." - -"And you did not hear any one of those young nobles called Léodgard de -Marvejols?" - -"No, mademoiselle, I am quite sure that I did not hear that name." - -"What are you worrying about now, niece?" - -"I am not worrying at all, aunt; but as it was a gathering of -scapegraces, it seemed to me quite natural that Monsieur Léodgard should -be there.--Miretta, I understand your gratitude for the brave girl -who--I do not quite know how--rescued you from your dangerous position. -You will do well to go to thank her, for ingratitude is the vice of base -minds, and it always indicates the presence of other vices. Go to the -reception room and ask for Béatrix; she will take you to the room that -has been prepared for you; it is not far from mine, and you can hear my -bell there.--But, by the way, this Cédrille, your cousin--what have you -done with him?" - -"Mon Dieu! mademoiselle, he stayed below, in the courtyard, with his -horse; I will go and bid him adieu, and he will go away." - -"But surely the boy does not mean to start for Béarn at once? He is -probably curious to see a little of Paris, is he not?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, but he will find an inn for himself and Bourriquet. -Oh! Cédrille is not hard to please; he is capable of sleeping in a -stable, with his horse." - -"I do not see why your cousin should go elsewhere in search of lodgings; -we have enough unoccupied rooms upstairs, and stables sufficiently -extensive to make it unnecessary for him and his horse to go to an -inn.--This youth may remain here a few days, aunt, may he not? There is -room in the servants' quarters; he may eat with our people, when it -suits his pleasure to stay in the house." - -"I have no objection, niece; arrange everything as you choose." - -"Oh! madame and mademoiselle are too kind; and Cédrille will come -himself to thank them." - -"It is not worth while!" said the old lady; "I excuse him from all -thanks." - -"Go, Miretta," said Valentine, "go tell your cousin that we will -accommodate him with my servants; then find Béatrix, who will install -you." - -Miretta made several reverences and left the salon. - -"That girl pleases me," said Valentine, after watching her leave the -room. "Do not you agree with me, madame, that there is something -original about her--a sort of firmness, and an indefinable naïveté, -which is charming?" - -"Yes, yes!" replied Madame de Ravenelle, slowly shaking her head; "but I -believe that there is something in the girl's heart that she has not -told us." - -"What can it be, aunt?" - -"I have no desire to fatigue my brain trying to guess!" - -"Well, I will try, aunt; it will amuse me instead of fatiguing me." - -"As you please, niece." - -Miretta ran quickly down into the courtyard, and found Cédrille there, -doing sentry duty beside his horse. The poor fellow stood close to -Bourriquet's side, having given him the last wisps of hay from the -bundle attached to his crupper. - -The young Béarnais peasant was gazing with respectful admiration at the -sculptures and decorations which embellished the mansion; nothing so -magnificent had met his eye since he had left his fields; for, on -entering Paris, he had been too much occupied in breaking out a path and -guiding his horse through the crowd to have any leisure to look about -him. - -Cédrille smiled sadly when he saw the girl coming toward him. - -"Ah! I was waiting to see you before going away, Miretta," he said; "and -I am going to say adieu at once, for I wouldn't dare to come to this -splendid palace and ask for you; I feel all dazed here; I don't dare to -walk, for fear of making a noise!" - -"And yet, my dear Cédrille, here is where you are to live, as long as -you stay in Paris. They are going to give you a room in this house; my -new mistress will have it so. She has a noble and generous manner, and -this that she is doing for you to-day, cousin, makes me love her -already." - -"Ah, ah! is it possible? What do you say, cousin--I am to be lodged -here--I?--Why, it's a palace!" - -"No; it's a private mansion." - -"Ah! but wait a minute! What about my horse--this poor Bourriquet? I -don't want to leave him, you know." - -"You will not have to leave him; Bourriquet will be put in the stable, -and you may be sure that the horses are well taken care of there." - -"Do you mean it? Bourriquet will be fed? and what about me?" - -"You will be, too, when you happen to be here at the hour when the -household of these ladies dines." - -"If this is the way one is treated in Paris, I begin to believe that you -may be happy here, cousin; but, in that case, I must go and thank the -masters of the house for offering to take me in." - -"No, no; that is not necessary; there are no masters here, only -mistresses: Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin, in whose service I am -now, and her aunt--an old lady, who does whatever her niece wishes; I -saw that at once." - -"Oh! you are shrewd, you are, Miretta! So I needn't go and thank those -ladies?" - -"They excuse you. In Paris, you see, everyone is expected to keep in his -own place.--But that reminds me that there is someone whom I must thank; -but she is not a great lady, and I am sure that she will be very glad to -see me." - -"Who is it?" - -"That fine girl who stationed herself in front of us and defended us, -when we were being insulted. What! have you forgotten already?" - -"Oh, no! no! I know whom you mean; and I remember that those young -gentlemen called out to her: 'Stand away from there, Ambroisine; that's -no place for you!'" - -"Yes, you are right: her name is Ambroisine. But I must go now to find a -lady who is to show me my room and tell me what I have to do. You are -free, Cédrille; you can go out and see Paris--walk about, amuse -yourself, do whatever you choose." - -"But it isn't the same with you, cousin; you're at other people's orders -now; but you would have it, you preferred to come to Paris and go into -service, rather than be your cousin's wife. And yet, you know that you -would always have been the mistress of the house, and that I would have -been your servant!" - -"Enough, Cédrille, enough! I thought that it was agreed that you would -not go back to that subject. I told you once for all that I could not be -your wife." - -"Yes, that's true; but you didn't tell me why you couldn't be." - -"Because it doesn't suit me, apparently; it seems to me that my wish -should be sufficient." - -"Oh! of course, if it is because you don't love me. It's true enough -that we can't compel a woman to love us!" - -"I love you like a friend, like a brother, Cédrille." - -"Well, I'd have been content to be your husband on those terms; and -then, nobody knows, love might have come afterward!--But here you are -looking cross at me, and drawing your eyebrows together.--It's all -over, cousin; I will keep my word and never speak of the subject -again." - -"Good! otherwise, I would save you the trouble of saying adieu to -me.--By the way, Cédrille, if you would, you might take me to Rue -Saint-Jacques this evening. I will come out, if I can, at nightfall." - -"I should like to, cousin; I will wait for you in the street." - -At that moment a middle-aged woman came to Miretta and told her to -follow her. - -While the girl, with an _au revoir_ to her companion, returned to the -house, a servant wearing a handsome livery with heavy gold lace -approached the Béarnais peasant and courteously invited him to come to -the servants' quarters and refresh himself. - -Cédrille returned with interest all the servant's salutations, and -followed him, crying: - -"Jarni! that isn't to be refused, monsieur! I shall be glad to take -something, and I would even eat a bit, with your permission." - -"You shall have whatever you may wish," replied the valet, with a smile. - -"Well, well!" said Cédrille to himself; "this reconciles me to Paris and -makes me forget this morning's battle." - - - - -XIII - -THE _LOUP DE MER_ WINE SHOP - - -Cédrille found a large company in the offices: footmen, coachmen, -lackeys, scullions, and household servants vied with one another in -being kind to the new-comer, who had been commended to them by their -young mistress and was not there as a competitor for her favor; for they -knew that the peasant was to return to his province as soon as he should -have recovered from the fatigues of his journey. That was an additional -reason why they should give him a cordial welcome. - -They made the Béarnais relate his adventures; the battle in the street -amused the servants immensely. They drank to Cédrille's courage and his -cousin Miretta's; they drank to their mistresses, and to the peasant's -safe return to his hearth and home. - -By dint of drinking toasts in excellent wines, such as he had never -tasted before, Cédrille felt considerably bewildered; and when he left -the table and the house, to take a little walk about Paris, it was all -the Béarnais could do to walk straight. He had not walked a hundred -yards from the house, opening his eyes to their utmost extent and -stopping constantly to straighten out his legs, when he felt an arm -slip through his and heard a voice say to him: - -"Sandioux! a happy meeting! I did not expect it, but I rejoice. I will -say more: it causes me extreme pleasure, on my honor!--Why, my dear -friend, you gaze at me with a surprised air, as if you did not recognize -me! Can it be that you have forgotten a gallant knight who defended you -sturdily this morning at a moment when your danger was most -threatening?" - -Cédrille, after straining his eyes and examining the long, lean, yellow -man who had seized his arm, cried at last: - -"Ah! why, yes, to be sure--your long face--that's so--I have seen it -before; and this morning, when all those fine sparks tried to make me -dismount, it was you who came and took our part--with your long sword, -as long as a turnspit!" - -"Ah! this is very fortunate; you recognize me at last, do you, my fine -fellow?--If my sword is long, I trust that that didn't prevent my -handling it rather prettily against your assailants this morning." - -"Certainly not, monsieur le chevalier. Oh! you wasn't afraid!" - -"Afraid! I! I never could understand how there could be such a thing as -a coward!" - -"Yes, yes! now I remember it all. What a pity that that tall black -chevalier knocked your sword out of your hand at the first blow!" - -"Sandis! my dear fellow, I will tell you why. Lean on me; you will walk -more firmly." - -"Faith! I'd be glad to.--I don't know what's the matter with me -to-night; or, rather, yes--I do know; they made me drink so much at that -house, and such good wine, that it made me a little dizzy; but it will -pass off.--What were you saying?" - -"I was saying that I would explain what made Roland slip out of my -hand." - -"Jarni! it was the blow the other man--the black one--hit it. He strikes -hard, that fellow does!" - -"No, no! cadédis! that wasn't it!--He might have struck ten times as -hard, and I would never have let go Roland, that fiercer assaults than -that have not lowered! But just fancy, my boy---- Lean on me, don't be -afraid; I am firm on my legs.--Just fancy, my worthy Béarnais, that -someone had played me the despicable trick of twisting a strip of pork -around Roland's hilt! So you see, it was just when I brandished it most -vigorously that it slipped from my hand!" - -"Well, well! pardi! that was a curious idea; to twist pork round a -sword! But didn't you notice it when you drew your sword from the -sheath?" - -"What do you expect?--in the heat of battle, when it is a question of -saving a lovely girl and an excellent youth, one does not amuse one's -self examining one's sword hilt.--However, it's all over, we were -victors, and, thanks to my assistance, you were able to continue your -journey. I trust that you reached the safe harbor for which you were -bound?" - -"Yes, seigneur chevalier. Mon Dieu! my cousin is already settled in the -Hôtel de Mongarcin." - -"Ah! that charming little brunette whom you had _en croupe_ is your -cousin?" - -"To be sure! my mother and I, we are the only relations she has." - -"Well! I congratulate you; you have a charming cousin; and, in fact, now -that I look at you--yes, there is a resemblance, at the corners of the -mouth." - -"You are the first person who ever thought that I resembled -Miretta.--Ah! jarni! there's holes here. If it hadn't been for you, -monsieur le chevalier, I believe I should have fallen full length in the -street." - -"You must have turned your foot." - -"Yes; and then, my head is in the same fix." - -"Hold fast to me; don't be afraid to lean on me. I am made of iron, of -steel." - -"For my part, I feel as if my legs were made of cotton; it's because -I've had so much to drink. Oh! what famous wines! How polite those -liveried servants are! they kept filling my glass for me.--Ha! hold me -up!" - -"They filled you, finally. So it was the servants at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin who treated you so well?" - -"To be sure.--By the way, did I tell you that I came to Paris to bring -Miretta to Mademoiselle de Mongarcin?" - -"You must have told me, as I know it." - -"To be sure, that's so; as you know it, I must have told you.--Bah! -there's another hole; and then, I don't know whether it's because I am -dizzy, but it seems to me that I can't see very plain." - -"Oh! that is no mistake; it is growing dark. Look you, it is after -half-past seven. Where were you going, my worthy man, my dear fellow, -when I met you?--Sandis! I know your name, but it doesn't come to my -lips." - -"Cédrille, at your service." - -"Cédrille--that's it.--Whither were you bending your steps, my good -Cédrille?" - -"I--mon Dieu! I don't know; you see, Monsieur le Chevalier--what d'ye -call it--what _is_ your name?" - -"Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix." - -"Oh! those names are pretty hard to remember. Must I say them all?" - -"No! call me Passedix; that will be enough." - -"Ah! good! Passe--six." - -"No, no! deuce take it! Passedix, not _six!_ You cut me down four -points!" - -"That makes no difference! Well, monsieur le chevalier, I came away from -the house because I felt as if I needed the fresh air--and then, to see -a little of Paris, which I don't know at all." - -"In that case, my friend Cédrille--will you allow me to call you my -friend? When two people have met on the field of battle, it seems to me -that that brings them together at once. Brave men understand each other -at a glance." - -"You are very polite! It's a great honor to me, Chevalier -Passe--Passe----" - -"Dix.--Well, to return to our subject, if you will permit me, dear -friend, I will be your pilot, your guide, this evening. But I shall not -be able to show you what Paris contains in the way of beautiful and -interesting churches, palaces, squares, and promenades, for the reason -that it is dark, and, none of those lovely things being lighted, you -would see nothing and your steps would be wasted." - -"Then you can't take me anywhere to-night? The deuce! that's a pity, for -I feel just in the mood to enjoy myself. I don't want to go home to bed -already, for I am not in the least sleepy." - -Passedix, who had had nothing to eat during the day except the two eggs -he had swallowed so rapidly before his landlady's eyes, passed his hand -across his forehead and, after pretending to reflect a moment, cried: - -"Yes, yes, cadédis! we will enjoy ourselves this evening. If we go along -Rue Saint-Honoré, we shall find, just before we reach the Couvent des -Capucines, a certain wine shop, the resort of lusty blades, good fellows -like you and me; the curfew has not rung yet, so it will still be open; -and even if the doors were closed, the habitués always have a way of -gaining admission. Moreover, the keeper of the Loup de Mer--that is the -name of the place--is an old soldier, an ex-trooper, who has friends in -the watch--and they allow him to keep his guests later; indeed, I know -some who pass the whole night there. Forward, my good friend, and let us -betake ourselves to the Loup de Mer!" - -"All right; I will go I don't care where to-night, provided that we have -some sport." - -"But I tell you that this wine shop is frequented by all the jovial -blades and lovers of the sex in Paris. And then, it has a famous name -for omelets _au lard_; they are excellent there. I once ate a dozen at a -sitting; it was a wager, and I won it in a trice." - -"Ah! they make omelets _au lard_, do they?" muttered the Béarnais -peasant, shaking his head; "what a pity that I ain't hungry! But I ate -so much at the house that I couldn't eat a mouthful, on my word! I would -much rather see something besides omelets." - -"If you are not hungry, you must be thirsty; good fellows are always -thirsty." - -"Oh! as for drinking, why, I'll drink some more, although I have had a -good deal now." - -"That doesn't matter; you will drink, and I will eat and drink with you; -we will play cards, we will sing, we will pass a delightful -evening.--Lean upon me--steady now, and forward!" - -Cédrille suffered himself to be led away, and, his companion almost -carrying him, they soon reached the Loup de Mer. - -It would have been useless in those days to seek in taverns the blaze of -light which dazzles our eyes to-day when we enter a café; a smoky lamp -or two lighted but dimly the room and the drinkers; but the latter, -being accustomed to nothing better, found the place where they assembled -very much to their liking, so there was always a numerous company at the -Loup de Mer; it was not so select as the Chevalier Passedix had tried to -persuade Cédrille; but, by way of compensation, it was very hilarious -and animated, and, above all, exceedingly noisy. - -Almost all the tables were occupied, and covered with pewter pots and -goblets; they were not so pretty to look at as our bottles and glasses, -but they were less fragile. - -Not without difficulty did Passedix succeed in finding an unoccupied end -of a table and in obtaining two stools. Although an habitué of the -place, the chevalier did not seem to be greeted with great cordiality, -and the first words of the waiter to whom he applied were: - -"There's no more room, monsieur le chevalier; it isn't worth while for -you to come in." - -But the Gascon, pushing aside the waiter, who was standing in front of -him, glared savagely around the room and cried: - -"Ah! there's no room, eh?--Capédébious! we will see about that! There -must always be room for me and my friends! and, at need, Roland will -find a way to make room!" - -"Let Monsieur de Passedix come in," said a woman of uncertain age, who -sat at the desk; and she added, with a slight shrug of her shoulders: -"if you don't, you know that he will make a scene, pick a quarrel with -someone, and end by bringing the watch here." - -"Well! I only said what the master ordered me to say," muttered the -waiter, sulkily. - -But meanwhile our Gascon had found a corner at a table, and had -established himself there with Cédrille. The latter tried to look about; -but the crowd, the noise, the heat, and the fumes of wine that filled -the room, added to his intoxication instead of sobering him. - -"Poussinet! Poussinet!" cried the chevalier, hammering the table with -his sword hilt; "come here, knave! are you deaf to-night?" - -The waiter approached, making a grimace, and stared at Cédrille as if he -were a strange beast. - -"Come, Poussinet, listen carefully to my orders. You will serve us an -omelet of fifteen eggs, with half of a small ham inside; also, a large -jug of your best, and some fresh bread if possible." - -"Fifteen eggs! an omelet of fifteen eggs for you two! Do you expect more -friends?" - -"That doesn't concern you! do what you are told, and don't keep your -great, stupid eyes fastened on my companion; that isn't polite, and I -don't ever allow anyone to insult the persons who are in my company! Do -you hear, clown?" - -As he spoke, the chevalier seized the waiter by one ear and twisted it -so hard in his fingers that the unlucky Poussinet was beginning to -shriek with pain, when a gray-bearded man in jacket and apron came up -and said to the chevalier, in a decidedly unamiable tone: - -"What are you pulling my waiter's ears for? What has he done to you, -Monsieur Passedix? Must you always make trouble here as soon as you -arrive? I am tired of it, I warn you! Although you fight with everybody, -I warn you that you don't frighten me; and when the day comes that I -make up my mind to turn you out of my place, you will never come into it -again; and your sword will stay here in pawn for all that you owe me!" - -"Let's go away," said Cédrille, trying to rise; "I am not having any fun -here!" - -But Passedix forced Cédrille to remain on his stool; and having -reflected that if he should beat the keeper of the wine shop he would -have no supper, he restrained his wrath and tried to smile as he -replied: - -"La, la! old sea-wolf [_loup de mer_]--for you well deserve the name -written on your sign!--here's a lot of pother because I hardly pinched -the tip of an ear. I do not seek a quarrel with anyone who is courteous -to me. If you have in your place louts who tread on my toes, I am never -in a mood to put up with it. If I owe you money, that proves that you -have given me credit." - -"And I am very sorry that I ever gave you credit; but after this, -nothing will be served you here unless you pay cash. As to that matter, -I have given Poussinet my orders, and it will do you no good to pull his -ears! Nothing without the money--those are his orders." - -"Yes," muttered the waiter, "and he beats me; that's all the _pourboire_ -I get from him!" - -Passedix rose and made a motion with his arm as if to strike Poussinet; -but the wine shop keeper caught his arm in mid-air and shouted, with a -horrible oath: - -"So we are going to begin again, eh?" - -"I want to go away; I don't enjoy myself here!" said Cédrille, half -rising; but the chevalier threw him back on his seat, and continued in a -haughty and dignified tone: - -"Cabaretier, you may serve us in all confidence this evening; it is not -I who treat, but my friend, this excellent Béarnais here; and his -pockets are well filled." - -"That makes a difference!" murmured the host; and he walked away with -his waiter, saying to him: "No matter, you will make them pay when you -serve; if they don't, take the dishes away." - -"Yes, and look out for my ears!--Ah! what a lousy customer that lanky, -hamstringing villain of a Gascon is!" - - - - -XIV - -A GAME WITH DICE - - -Cédrille sat as if glued to his seat, from which he dared not stir since -his friend had forced him back into it so unceremoniously; but he cut a -singular figure as he rolled his eyes around the room, staring at all -the people about him; and he had not the slightest appearance of a -person who had come there for amusement. - -As for the Chevalier Passedix, his eyes seemed to be trying to discover -the contents of the Béarnais's pockets; and, as he caressed his chin, he -reflected thus: - -"I said that his pockets were well filled, but I know nothing about it; -he didn't whisper a word when I said it Sandis! if it should turn out -that he hasn't a sou about him--that old pirate of a cabaretier would -take back his omelet. But I feel that Dame Cadichard's two little eggs -are at the bottom of Roland's sheath. I dare not question this stout -little Béarnais. But, come what may, I don't propose to go away from -here without filling my belly. The proverb well says: 'Without Bacchus -and Ceres, Venus congeals!'--Now, then, as I do not choose that my love -shall congeal, I absolutely must do a little work with my jaws!" - -Thereupon, turning to the other persons seated at the table at which he -had taken his place, tall Passedix observed that they were bourgeois, -very well dressed and having all the appearance of shopkeepers from the -vicinity come thither for recreation. In front of them were goblets and -a generous measure of wine; also dice and diceboxes. - -"These fellows are probably playing for their reckoning!" thought the -Gascon. "An idea! suppose I should suggest a game to the little fellow, -especially as he seems inclined to go to sleep.--Holà! I say, worthy -Cédrille!" - -"What is it?" cried the peasant, staring in order to see better. - -"Suppose we have a game of dice, like our neighbors.--You gentlemen are -playing _quinze_, I think?" - -One of the players looked up at the lean chevalier, and contented -himself with an assenting nod. - -"Good! what do you say to a game of _quinze_, friend Cédrille? I'll play -you for a rose crown. There's a pleasant suggestion for you?" - -"No, thanks! I have never played; I don't know any game. At our house, -my mother used to say very often: 'Don't let anybody induce you to -gamble, my son, it's too dangerous a sport; it becomes a vice and it may -lead to crime!'" - -"Ta ta ta! that speech smells strongly of the barn! If gambling is -dangerous in your province, it isn't so in Paris; and the proof is that -everybody gambles, from the lowest to the highest. The greatest nobles -set us the example; they wouldn't be gentlemen if they didn't gamble." - -"Oh! I don't claim to be a gentleman, myself!" - -"Sandis! that's lucky!" said Passedix to himself. "What a blockhead this -young Béarnais is; he doesn't gamble and he won't eat; he doesn't know -how to carry his wine! If only he has money!--but I must make sure of -that before they bring us that famous omelet."--And, addressing his -young companion once more, Passedix said: "Can it be that we are -miserly, by any chance, my young shepherd? Fie! fie! that would be a -wretched failing, and one that is much ridiculed in Paris, where every -man of heart, if he wants to enjoy himself, should pay, without -reckoning, every bill presented to him." - -"I, miserly!" rejoined Cédrille, with a smile; "oh! I am not afraid of -anyone charging me with that; I have never had anything of my own! -Whenever my fob is full, what there is in it is at my friends' service!" - -"Bravo! very good! shake! I am just like that, myself!--Well, then, my -good Cédrille, as you don't know the game of dice, and as I am -absolutely determined to lose a rose crown to you, we will play for it -at _wet finger_. I trust that you know that game, at least!" - -"At wet finger!" muttered Cédrille, putting his hands to his pockets. -"Oh! I know that game, yes. But, by the way, I just remember that I -can't play to-night, unless I play on credit----" - -"On credit! What does that mean?" - -"It means that the servants at the Hôtel de Mongarcin--all those -splendid fellows in handsome livery, who treated me so handsomely at the -offices----" - -"Well! what then? Let us have it, mordioux!" - -"Well! when I left them, saying that I was going to walk round the city -a bit, they said: 'Have you got any money about you?'--I said _yes_, and -took a good fat purse out of my pocket.--Oh! I didn't start out on my -travels without the means of travelling.--'Well,' they said, 'leave your -purse here; don't take it with you, or it will be stolen; and it won't -do you any good to be on your guard, for you won't see anything; Paris -is full of vagabonds, cloak snatchers, cutpurses, who strip you without -your knowing how it's done. You don't need your purse to walk about the -city; so, leave it here, where it will be safe, the maître d'hôtel will -be responsible for it; and then you can stroll all over Paris and snap -your fingers at the robbers.'--Faith! I followed their advice and left -my purse in their hands; and I haven't a sou about me!" - -It would be difficult to describe the expression of his valiant -companion's face while Cédrille was speaking. Chevalier Passedix, -ordinarily yellow, became green one moment, then violet, then -ash-colored; his features seemed to lengthen, his cheeks to sink in more -than usual; his eyes flashed fire, and he muttered, clenching his fists: - -"This passes all bounds! He hasn't a sou, and he wants to enjoy himself -in Paris! What an ignorant fool!--Ah! if you were not your cousin's -cousin! what pleasure it would give me to thrash you, knave! to teach -you to hang on my arm when your pockets are empty!--But the omelet will -soon be here, and they will take it away again! That will be an outrage! -Vertuchoux! at embarrassing moments one must be bold; fortune favors the -brave!--another proverb. Let us stake all to win all!" - -And Passedix, turning to his neighbors the dice throwers, suddenly -exclaimed: - -"Twelve! that's a good throw, but, damn the odds! I will stake six -livres _tournois_ against monsieur!" - -The bourgeois who had just thrown the dice stared at the chevalier and -rejoined: - -"You don't know the game; we have three dice, and the one who throws -nearest to fifteen wins; I have thrown twelve; I have a great many -chances in my favor, for anything above fifteen loses." - -"I know the game as well as the man who invented it; that doesn't -prevent my saying that I will stake six livres _tournois_ against you." - -"Very good! I take your bet." - -"All right! agreed!--Now, it's your turn, monsieur, on whom I am -betting." - -The other gambler, after casting a surprised glance at the Gascon, took -the dicebox and shook it, saying: - -"Ah! you bet on me, do you, seigneur chevalier? Faith! I hope with all -my heart that I may win for you." - -Cédrille turned toward his neighbors, curious to see the result of the -wager. - -As for Passedix, he had risen, his long body towered above the table, -but his eyes never swerved from the box in which the dice were; and his -anxious expression, the way in which he twisted the ends of his cloak in -his hands, and the trembling of his whole person, all tended to show how -important it was to him that he should win the stake. - -At last the bourgeois threw the three dice on the table, and the sum of -the points was only eleven. - -"Faith! that was rather near!" said the man who had thrown; "but it is -not enough--I have lost!" - -"And you too, chevalier!" exclaimed the other; "come, hand over your -rose crown--it was your own suggestion." - -Passedix, whose face had assumed a threatening aspect when he saw the -result of the throw, slowly caressed his moustache and replied, dwelling -on each word: - -"I have lost? that may be!--It was monsieur's fault for throwing badly." - -"What's that? I threw badly?" - -"Why, yes, to be sure; you shouldn't spend two hours shaking the dice in -the box--it tires them, and they can only turn up small numbers!" - -"Ah! that's a pretty good one! I play as I please. Why did you bet on -me? who forced you to?" - -"Oh! God bless me! enough of this! I have lost--that is all right; but I -demand my revenge; I should say that that is one of the things no -gentleman refuses." - -"Your revenge--very good! I agree!" - -"That is lucky for you! Sandis!" - -"Here, throw the dice yourself!" said the man who had lost, offering the -Gascon the box; "then you cannot say that I play badly." - -"With pleasure, I prefer it so!" cried the chevalier, seizing the -dicebox and resuming his seat. - -Thereupon he rattled the dice in the box in his turn, and, having raised -his hand above his head, threw them on the table; the throw was -fourteen. - -A joyful cry escaped from Passedix's lips and he looked about with a -triumphant air, saying: - -"That is what I call throwing! that is how we throw dice at court! -Fourteen! what do you say to that, _compère_?" - -"That's a good throw," replied his adversary; "but I may equal it." - -And having picked up the three dice and put them in his box, he played, -and threw only five. - -Passedix was radiant; his face lighted up, and he began to laugh -uproariously, opening his enormous mouth and showing his sharp fangs. - -"I have lost," said the shopkeeper; "well, we are just where we -started.--I think it's time to go home, _compère_." - -But at that moment the odor of cooked eggs reached their nostrils. -Poussinet appeared, carrying in both hands a pewter platter upon which -was the enormous omelet; under one arm he had a jug of wine, and under -the other a round loaf. - -The waiter gazed admiringly at the omelet, but he walked with slow and -measured steps, like a person who expects a catastrophe, or one who is -marching to the sacrifice. - -The odor of the dish so eagerly coveted dilated the chevalier's -nostrils; he seized the shopkeeper by his doublet as he was about to -leave the table, and said: - -"Well! are we to stop at that? Don't you know that among gentlemen, when -each wins a game, the rubber is always played?" - -"The rubber! the rubber! But it is late, and I ought to be at home." - -"You will be there a few minutes late! What a misfortune! But we cannot -afford to play like children, with no result; everyone would laugh at -us! Come! it will take but a minute!" - -And Passedix retained his hold on the tradesman's doublet, which he was -very careful not to release, for Poussinet had already said twice: - -"Here's the omelet _au lard_, the wine, and the bread--total, two livres -eight sous six deniers, which you must pay me now, or I shall take it -all away." - -"'Tis well! 'tis well! Sandis! Wait a moment, Poussinet; as you see, I -am just finishing a game with monsieur. Let us finish!" - -Tired of being detained by his doublet, the shopkeeper decided to resume -his seat. - -"Well, monsieur," he exclaimed; "since I absolutely must do it to -satisfy you, let us play this rubber, which, however, I should be -justified in refusing, for, after all, I do not know you! You -interfered in the game of dice I was playing with my friend, not with -you." - -"Par la mordioux! are you afraid of compromising yourself by playing -with me, my friend? You do not know me, evidently! Very well! learn that -I am Chevalier Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix, the favorite of Monseigneur -le Cardinal de Richelieu, and an officer in the queen's -_Mousquetaires_!--Say--are you satisfied now?--In a moment, -Poussinet--don't go. Let us settle this business, and don't put your -nose so near the omelet!" - -The two tradesmen had glanced at each other with a sneering expression -while the Gascon chevalier enumerated his name and offices, and they -whispered to each other: - -"The cardinal's favorite, forsooth! Just look at his doublet; there's a -hole in the elbow, and his ruff is all ragged!" - -"He is some schemer, some scurvy knave! Shall I play with him?" - -"Yes; it would be a good job to win his rose crown." - -"But, if he loses, by Notre-Dame! he will have to pay! I will not be put -off with his bluster!" - -"Well! what about that rubber! Capédébious! shall we finish to-night?" -cried Passedix, assuming a surly air and bringing his fist down on the -table. - -"I am ready, monsieur le favori du cardinal. But you will not ask me for -your revenge again. I declare now that I will not throw after this." - -"All right! that is understood. Who the devil asks you to?" - -"There are the dice, monsieur; will you begin?" - -"I have no objection." - -Passedix put the three dice in the box that he held; this time, despite -his efforts, one could see that his hand trembled and that he did not -raise the box with the same confidence. However, the dice were thrown, -and again the sum was fourteen. - -Passedix jumped for joy, so that he nearly overturned the table; he -breathed like a man who had been stifling for five minutes, then burst -out in a roar of laughter that extinguished one of the lamps. His -demonstration ended with the words: - -"I think that you have lost, my boy! You will pay for our supper." - -"But I believe that I am entitled to take my throw first." - -"Oh! that is true; take your throw, it's your right; but if I were in -your place, I would give it up and pay at once." - -"No, indeed! Fortune is like the sun; it shines for everybody!" - -"There's a proverb that I never heard! I believe it to be absolutely -false!" - -However, the chevalier's adversary calmly took up the dice, shook them -with the air of a man to whom it matters little whether he loses a rose -crown, but who is amused by the impatience of his opponent. - -"Sandis! have you nearly finished shaking your dicebox?" said Passedix; -"you trifle too much." - -The shopkeeper threw--fifteen! It was his turn to laugh, which he did -with a good heart, in company with his friend, who cried: - -"Pardieu! there's a throw that's worth all of yours, monsieur le -cardinal's friend!" - -But Passedix did not seem to hear these words; he was so thunderstruck -when he counted his opponent's points, that he stood like one turned to -stone, with his eyes fixed on the six, the five, and the four. - -"Come, monsieur le chevalier, give me the rose crown you were so anxious -to lose. Quickly, if you please! I ought to have gone long ago!" - -"I, pay you!" cried Passedix, drawing himself up to his full height, and -with the back of his hand giving a tilt over one ear to the sort of cap -he wore; "pay you! No, indeed! for the throw was not fair; it doesn't -count!" - -"Doesn't count! that throw of mine! I suppose that you say that in jest, -_beau sire_, but I don't like that sort of pleasantry, I warn you. Pay -me quickly, and let us have done with it!" - -"Once more I tell you, I will not pay! The throw was bad. You threw the -dice with your left hand. I don't play with a left-handed----" - -"Chevalier, you are trying to find a pretext for not paying. In the -first place, I did not throw with my left hand; and in the second -place, if I did, the throw would be perfectly fair." - -"No; in that case, you are bound to notify your opponent." - -"I did not play with my left hand!" - -"Then I lie, do I?" - -"Yes; and you are nothing but a blackleg!" - -"Ah! by Roland! you shall pay dearly for that insult--you vile -clodhopper!" - -"Meanwhile, you are going to get what you deserve, you long-legged -sharper who wanted to sup at our expense!" - -As he spoke, that one of the tradesmen who had played with the Gascon -put out his arm and rushed forward to strike him with his fist. But his -opponent had anticipated the blow and jumped back quickly. As ill luck -would have it, Cédrille had risen when he saw that the quarrel had -become serious, and muttering: "I want to go away; I am not enjoying -myself at all here!" received full in the face the blow intended for his -friend. He uttered a cry of pain. Instantly Passedix whipped out his -sword, and Roland's blade was directed at the shopkeeper, who had seized -the pewter pot with which to defend himself. - -But a new personage had entered the café and forced his way through the -crowd that already surrounded the combatants. - - - - -XV - -A BOHEMIAN - - -The man who had entered the wine shop wore a long cloak of dark-colored -cloth, which reached almost to his feet and was caught in at the waist -by a striped red and black belt adorned with a fringe. On his head was a -sort of pointed cap trimmed with fur. Cloak and cap alike were soiled -and in wretched condition. - -This was the type of costume worn at that period by those persons who -undertook to draw horoscopes, and who were commonly called Bohemians. -They were very different from the Bohemians of our day, who dress well -and have not a sou, for they wore shabby clothes and often had gold -hidden in the pockets or the lining of their shabby garments. - -Gray hair and an almost snow-white beard indicated a man of advanced -years. However, he seemed to be robust still, for he easily put aside -the bystanders and forced a passage for himself through the crowd. - -Reaching the Gascon's side, he seized the arm that held Roland; and his -pressure must have been very powerful, for the chevalier made a horrible -grimace and slowly lowered his sword, crying: - -"Zounds! what an iron grip!" - -"What does this mean?" cried the Bohemian, in a cracked but piercing -voice. "Do people draw their swords in a wine shop? Fie! seigneur -chevalier, this is not a battlefield worthy of you! accustomed as you -are to conquer in single combat and to excel in jousting!--And you, -Master Bougard, you are out very late; the curfew rang long ago; your -shopboys pay little heed to it when their master is not there. And God -knows whether your shop is not at the mercy of cutpurses and footpads -to-night!--As for you, neighbor Dupont, you have a pretty young wife, -and it seems to me that you do not watch her very closely. Beware! -gallants abound in your neighborhood; they know that you come to this -wine shop every night and stay late. That makes it very convenient for -them to go sparking your wife." - -The two tradesmen listened to nothing more; they hurriedly pushed aside -those who stood in their way, and rushed from the shop, paying no -further heed to the Gascon and abandoning the idea of following up their -quarrel. - -Meanwhile, Passedix, flattered by the words that the Bohemian had -addressed to him, replaced Roland in his sheath, saying: - -"After all, this old man is right. And then, those two clowns are not -foemen worthy of my wrath. But still----" - -And the Gascon glanced languishingly at the superb omelet, which -Poussinet was preparing to carry away, when the Bohemian stopped him -and said, putting a piece of money in his hand: - -"Do not carry that away; put the supper on the table--before these two -gallant fellows, who will permit me to entertain them and to sup with -them. Fetch also a piece of your best cheese and another full pint of -your oldest wine, so that we may drink longer." - -The waiter, being paid, made haste to execute the orders he had -received. Meanwhile, Passedix, who could hardly believe his ears, gazed -at the Bohemian as the Incas gazed at the sun, then opened his long arms -and threw himself into those of the man with the gray beard, crying: - -"By the shades of my ancestors! you are a noble old man! I do not know -you; but it would seem that you know me; for your behavior toward me is -that of an old friend!" - -"Oh! who has not heard of the valiant Chevalier Passedix, godson of the -worthy Chaudoreille!--of his exploits, of his prowess, and of his -triumphs with the ladies! I am only a poor Bohemian, but, by virtue of -my profession, I know very well what is happening in Paris. So do not be -surprised, seigneur chevalier, that I am so well informed with respect -to your affairs." - -"Capédébious! this old man talks better than our ediles!--Don't you -think so, friend Cédrille, eh? Why do you refuse to speak, and keep your -hand over your left eye?" - -Cédrille took his hand from his face and showed his left eye, which had -received the full force of the shopkeeper's blow, and which was -surrounded by a black and blue circle and weeping profusely. - -"Bigre! what is all this, my boy? Did you fall on something unhealthy?" - -"Yes, I fell on the fisticuff that was intended for you; and it was well -directed, as you see; that miserable man didn't strike with a light -hand!" - -"Ah! poor fellow! can it be? I am sorry now that I didn't run that clown -through!" - -"Come, come! to table, and let us forget about all that!" said the -Bohemian, seating himself and filling the glasses. "After all is said, -life is always a mixture of battles and pleasures, of strife and -feasting; we must forget the former and make the most of the latter." - -"Yes, that is so; to table! the old Bohemian talks like Nostradamus, -from whom he is probably descended." - -"Not in a direct line, but that makes no difference; I try to walk in -his footsteps by reading the future as best I may. Let us drink, -messeigneurs, and let us attack this omelet." - -"Ah, yes! let us attack the omelet and give it no quarter." - -Passedix took his place in front of the supper, the Bohemian being -opposite; Cédrille was still standing, and seemed undecided as to what -he should do. - -"Well, young man, is my company not agreeable to you, that you do not -take a seat with us?" said the old man, glancing at the Béarnais -peasant. - -"Your company cannot help flattering him!" cried Passedix, stuffing -enormous slices of omelet into his mouth, and pieces of bread of equal -dimensions. "Sandioux! who wouldn't be happy to drink with such a -venerable old man, who has the grip of a Hercules?--Come, comrade -Cédrille, sit you down there." - -"Oh! I'll tell you what," replied Cédrille, as he seated himself; "I -don't feel a bit hungry, and that blow made me sick!" - -"The idea of a man of your age paying any attention to that little tap! -you are strong enough to stand harder knocks than that!--Come! drink, as -you are not hungry, and we will eat for you." - -"Well said, venerable Bohemian! He need have no fear, I will eat his -share; but let us drink; one can always drink, even when one is not -thirsty." - -The Bohemian was careful not to leave the glasses of his guests empty; -and Cédrille, led on by the example set him, finally decided to partake -of the omelet. - -"All the same," he muttered, "I haven't enjoyed myself much here!" - -"Bigre! my boy, you are hard to please! You see before you a delicious -supper--with two jovial companions; this venerable Bohemian fills your -glass every instant; this wine is very good--and you are not satisfied. -Is it because we had a quarrel with two boors? But in Paris it rarely -happens that one passes a day without an affair, more or less serious. -Why, I myself, as you see me, when I return home at night without -having drawn my sword, am not content with my day; I feel that something -is lacking.--You must know, respected Bohemian, that this young man has -been in Paris only since this morning; he cannot as yet be acquainted -with our customs; but I have undertaken his education, and I will push -him!" - -"Thanks!" said Cédrille to himself; "if he pushes me the way he has this -evening, I shall risk nothing by keeping on my guard." - -"Yes, yes," said the old man, caressing his beard, "I know that this -young man arrived in Paris to-day, with his cousin, a very pretty young -woman--a fascinating brunette." - -"I say! you know that?" exclaimed Cédrille, staring at the old man in -amazement. "You're a sorcerer, are you?" - -"That is my profession." - -"And I bow before your magic power!" cried Passedix, emptying his glass -at a draught. - -"But they burn sorcerers!" muttered the peasant, moving his chair away -from the table and looking at the Bohemian with a distrustful -expression. - -"And so I fully expect to be roasted some day! But meanwhile I must make -merry during the time I still have to pass on this earth.--Waiter, -eau-de-vie--a large measure!" - -Passedix grasped the Bohemian's hand and shook it effusively, saying: - -"If anyone should ever be so ill-advised as to touch a hair of your -head!--You know that I am devoted to you and that I am fearless?--I will -undertake to deliver you, even from the Bastille, if they should -imprison you there!" - -Poussinet brought the eau-de-vie, for which the old man paid on the -spot. - -Meanwhile, most of the drinkers and habitués of the establishment had -gone; and the proprietor, approaching our three friends, bowed to them, -very respectfully this time, and said: - -"Messeigneurs, the curfew has rung; I must warn you that I shall soon be -obliged, to my regret, to send you away; for if the watch should see a -light in my shop, I----" - -"Very good, very good, my man!" replied the Bohemian; "we are drinking -quietly, we are making no disturbance, and we have some time before us -still. Moreover, there are ways of arranging matters with the watch." - -As he spoke, the old man slipped into the cabaretier's hand a piece of -silver which he took from his belt. - -The proprietor of the Loup de Mer bowed again, saying: - -"Well, messeigneurs, do as you please; my first duty is to satisfy my -customers." - -"Sandis! let the watch come!" cried Passedix, drinking eau-de-vie as if -it were wine. "We will give them a warm reception; they'll find someone -to talk to, eh! friend Cédrille?--Let us take a drink! this young -new-comer hangs back!" - -"No, I don't; but my eye pains me!" - -"An additional reason for drinking! this eau-de-vie is nectar.--Here's -the health of the man who treats us so courteously! Our host is a sly -rascal! he pretends to be afraid of the watch, but the watch isn't so -strict, so severe, as formerly. It doesn't date from yesterday, you -know; as long ago as the time of Clotaire II, every large town in the -kingdom had a night watch. In 595, an edict was issued, of which the -principal provisions were: - -"When a robbery is committed at night, those who are of the watch in the -quarter will be held responsible if they do not arrest the robber; if -the robber, fleeing from them, is seen in another quarter, and the guard -of that other quarter, being forthwith notified, fail to arrest him, the -loss occasioned by the robbery shall fall upon them, and they will be -condemned in addition to pay a fine of five sous; and in like manner -from quarter to quarter.--Peste! there was no joking about such matters -in those days!" - -"What I admire most of all, monsieur le chevalier," said the Bohemian, -filling the glasses, "is your profound erudition; you know -everything--yes, everything! I will wager that you are able to quote the -_Capitulaires_ of Charlemagne." - -"In truth, I am rather well informed; and but for this infernal vocation -for the sword and for fighting, I believe that I should have become a -troubadour, a trouvère, of the first rank; I should have contended for -the palm with Clémence Isaure and all her supporters!--Delicious -eau-de-vie! it is like whey!" - -"Come, come, Seigneur Cédrille; you do not drink, you do not follow your -gallant companion's example!" - -"Oh! you see, I am not empty, like the chevalier; I had a good lot to -drink at the hôtel." - -"At the hôtel where you lodge?" - -"No; at the Hôtel de Mongarcin, where I took my cousin Miretta and left -her." - -"Ah! so your pretty cousin is at the Hôtel de Mongarcin?" - -"Yes, on Rue Saint-Honoré--close by." - -"On this same street, eh?" - -"She has a fine place there with the young lady of the house; and -I--they are kind enough to keep me too, as long as I stay in Paris. But -I shall not stay long; I have no desire to enjoy myself every evening -the way I have this evening." - -The Bohemian seemed to reflect; Passedix, whose eyes were beginning to -close and his utterance to thicken, heaved a profound sigh and muttered: - -"Look you, comrade Cédrille, I am going to tell you something in -confidence: you can't be in love with your cousin, as you leave her here -in Paris and go back to your mountains!" - -"You think I ain't in love with her, do you? Well, that is where you are -mistaken! On the contrary, I love Miretta with all my heart, and I'd -have liked right well to marry her! But she won't have me! So all I can -do is make the best of it! She refused me flat, and she's a girl with a -very strong will! When she says no, that's the end of it; she never -changes her mind." - -"Since she has refused you, we are friends once more; for you are no -longer my rival." - -"Your rival?" - -"Sandis! yes! I do not choose to dissemble any longer. I am in love with -your enchanting cousin! Ah! so much in love that it would make me an -idiot if that were possible! And with me, I venture to think that she -will not say _no_!" - -Cédrille rubbed his uninjured eye, and stared for several seconds at the -long, lank, yellow chevalier, who had declared his love for his pretty -cousin; then, without replying, he began to laugh heartily. - -This outburst of hilarity seemed to displease Passedix, who said: - -"What are you laughing at, young countryman? I am not fond of having -anyone laugh at me without telling me why, capédébious! I am your -friend, but you must not presume upon the rights which that title gives -you." - -"Seigneur chevalier," said the Bohemian, "you seem to me to forget at -this moment that this young man is the kinsman of the woman you love." - -"You are right, venerable old man.--Your hand, Cédrille; no quarrel -between us! I drink to your health!" - -"Ah! jarni!" cried the Béarnais peasant, putting his hand to his brow. -"I remember now--and it had gone entirely out of my head!" - -"What, my fine fellow?" - -"My cousin told me that she would look for me this evening, at dusk, to -take her to Rue Saint-Jacques, to Master Hugonnet's bath keeper, whose -daughter came to our assistance this morning during that infernal -battle." - -"What, little cousin! pretty Miretta makes an appointment with you, and -you forget it!--Mordioux! if she had said that to me! But perhaps it is -not too late; let us go there." - -Passedix tried to rise, as did Cédrille, but neither of them was able to -stand on his legs, and they fell back heavily on their chairs. - -Meanwhile, the Bohemian had taken from beneath his cloak a small phial -filled with a reddish liquid, from which he poured into his companions' -goblets, pretended to put some into his own glass, and took it up, -saying: - -"Can you think of such a thing, _beaux sires_? it is too late now, a -young girl cannot go out at this time of night; the fair Miretta must -have abandoned her walk, and you will take her some other time. -Meanwhile, taste this _rozolio_, of which my lucky star enabled me to -obtain a flask, and which I could not drink in better company!" - -Passedix hastened to drink the liqueur which had been put before him, -not, however, without pausing now and then to smack his lips; Cédrille -did the same, stammering: - -"Ah! jarnigué! that's good! That smacks of all sorts of things; I never -drank anything so sweet. What do you call this?" - -"Our venerable friend has just told you," hiccoughed Passedix, resting -his arms on the table. "It's _ro--ro--rozo_----" - -He was unable to finish the word. In a moment, his head sank on his arms -and he fell asleep; Cédrille soon followed his example. - -Thereupon the Bohemian rose, left the table, and walked hastily from the -wine shop. - - - - -XVI - -THE NIGHT - - -As soon as he was in the street, the pretended Bohemian walked at a gait -which did not resemble that of an old man; he went hastily along Rue -Saint-Honoré toward the Hôtel de Mongarcin. There he stopped, looked -about in all directions, and listened for sounds inside the house, where -some windows were still lighted; then he tried to pierce the darkness -that prevailed in the street; for at that time Paris was very poorly -lighted, or, rather, was not lighted at all. - -Toward the beginning of the sixteenth century, the Parisians had been -ordered to place lighted lanterns in front of their houses, but the -order had never been strictly complied with. And even when a lantern was -placed before a door, it contained only a candle; so that you can judge -how much light it was likely to give and how long it would burn. From -time to time, one spied a bright light in the distance, but it did not -remain in one place; and when it happened to come toward you, you -discovered that it was a torchbearer. In most cases, that industry was -carried on by children; there was a bureau on the Estrapade, where boys -were supplied with torches to provide light for persons using the -streets at night. - -After a few moments' reflection, our Bohemian suddenly walked on; he -continued up the street, and took what seemed to him the shortest road -to Rue Saint-Jacques. But, as he walked, he scrutinized carefully every -woman whom he met; to be sure, his curiosity found few subjects to -investigate, for it was nearly ten o'clock, which was very late at that -period; so that but few people were abroad; and a woman who appeared in -the street alone, at that time of night, might well expect that people -would form a very poor opinion of her and treat her accordingly. - -But as he drew near the fortress called the Grand Châtelet, the Bohemian -stopped; he had espied a woman, alone, who was looking about her and -seemed not to know which way to turn. - -She made up her mind at last, and was starting toward the Petit-Pont, -when a voice called to her: - -"Where are you going, Miretta? You are wrong; that is not your road." - -At the first sound of that voice, Miretta--for it was she--stopped as if -paralyzed by surprise; but it had no sooner ceased to speak than she -cried out, with a delight which she could not hold in check: - -"That voice--oh! it is his! I cannot be mistaken! Where are you, -Giova----" - -Before the girl could finish the name, the pretended Bohemian had taken -her in his arms and strained her to his heart, saying in an undertone: - -"Hush! hush! never utter that name! for it would be my destruction! it -would be condemning me to death!" - -"To death! Oh! forgive me, forgive me! but I am so happy, you see, at -this moment! I see you once more, I find you the very first day that I -am in Paris. Ah! I did not hope for so much good fortune! My dearest -friend, my only love! oh! tell me that you still love me, and I will -forget all the tears I have shed since you abandoned me. Tell me that -you are still my lover, my beloved, my Giova----" - -"Again! Ah! Miretta, you will cause my ruin!" - -"Oh! forgive me! but the pleasure, the joy of seeing you after such a -long separation---- I am mad, you see; I do not know what I say! Here, -feel how my heart beats! it is you, it is you, who are the cause! Oh! -speak to me, let me hear your loved voice again; let me be quite certain -that I am not the plaything of an illusion; for this costume, this gray -beard---- Oh! but it makes no difference! I see your eyes, I am sure -that I am not mistaken!" - -"Come, come!" said Giovanni, passing the girl's arm through his; "let us -go away, first of all, from this fortress; the neighborhood of the Grand -Châtelet is not healthy for me." - -The girl allowed her lover to lead her away; it mattered little to her -whither he took her; she was with the man to whom she had given her -heart and had sworn to devote her life. That great city which she did -not know, the darkness that encompassed her, the distant outcries that -reached her ears from time to time--thenceforth none of those things -frightened her, for she held Giovanni's arm. - -The false Bohemian kept the girl walking for some time, pressing her arm -as soon as she attempted to speak, and motioning to her to maintain the -most profound silence. But Miretta's conductor seemed to know Paris -perfectly, and its most crooked, most deserted streets. After leading -her through several dark and narrow lanes, he came out on a small -square, stopped in front of a house, took a key from his pocket, opened -the door, and led his companion into the hall, saying: - -"This is the hôtel where I live; give me your hand and let me lead you. -Don't be afraid; in a moment we shall be able to see; make no noise." - -"Afraid! afraid! when I am with you! ah! you know me very little! See, -here is my hand! does it tremble? I am with you; what does it matter to -me where you take me? I shall always be happy with you." - -A slight pressure of the hand replied to these words from Miretta; then -her guide led her up a staircase, stopped on the first floor, softly -opened a door, and ushered the girl into an apartment, where, by means -of a lamp burning at the back of the hearth, he speedily lighted several -candles. Giovanni then laid aside his cap, his wig, his great cloak, and -revealed a young man with a refined Italian face, whom we have already -seen in the plumed hat of the _soi-disant_ Comte de Carvajal, a guest at -the Hôtel du Sanglier, to which he had taken Miretta. - -When she saw her lover stripped of all that paraphernalia which -disguised him, the girl ran to him and threw herself into his arms, -crying: - -"Ah! now you are as I knew you at Milan; as you were when you invited me -to dance, the first time we met at the Balestrino. How gladly I -accepted! How happy I felt even then to be dancing with you! for, you -know, I fell in love with you on the spot. That sentiment which was -destined to bind me to you struck me to the heart like thought, like -lightning. It is always like that when love is genuine, when it is -destined to last forever. Isn't it so, my beloved? And you loved me at -once, too, did you not?" - -As Giovanni listened to Miretta, his eyes assumed an expression of -tender melancholy. He had thrown himself on a sofa; he drew the young -girl to a seat by his side, took one of her hands, which he put to his -lips from time to time, and said in an undertone: - -"Speak, speak on; you recall a very happy time!" - -"Very happy, do you say? But in that case, my love, why not have -prolonged it? I was free, my own mistress, and, listening only to my -heart, I gave myself to you; Giovanni was my idol, my god! How -impatiently I awaited your coming at night, under the shade of the -orange trees where you used to meet me! I asked nothing of you but to -love me and to tell me so. Ah! you know, Giovanni, how little I envied -the jewels and fine dresses of other girls! I had no desire for those -costly pleasures which one enjoys in cities! I wanted only you--only -your love! But after a few short months of that happiness, which I -believed was to last forever, you grew sad and anxious, you began to -fail frequently to keep our appointments. When I reproached you, you -lost your temper instead of apologizing. At last, one evening you told -me that you were going to start for Paris. 'With me?' I instantly asked. -But you turned your head away. All my entreaties were useless. I wept a -long while at your feet; you said to me simply: 'I will return!'" - -"Yes," Giovanni replied, looking the girl in the face; "and I forbade -you to follow me." - -"And so I did not follow you." - -"But why have you come to Paris, then?" - -"And why have you not returned? It is six months since you went -away--six months! Cannot you understand that that is a fearfully long -time when one loves, when one is waiting, when one lives only on hope?" - -"I would have returned." - -"Oh! don't tell me that, Giovanni! No, you would not have returned--or -else you would have come too late and would have found me dead! Clearly, -you do not understand how much I love you; you know not that to me this -love is above and beyond the whole world, that it makes me capable of -defying everything, of undertaking any enterprise.--But why do I disturb -the happiness that is mine now that I have found you?--Why these clouds -on your brow? I will not utter one word of reproach--I will not ask a -question. Let me live in the same city with you, let me see you, speak -to you sometimes, and I shall be happy; and I will not even ask you what -you are doing in Paris, or why you are afraid to have me mention your -name!" - -"But I propose to tell you!" muttered Giovanni, in a gloomy voice, -dropping the girl's hand, so that she shuddered, although she did not -yet know why her heart was turned to ice. "Since you have chosen to come -to Paris despite my prohibition, you must know what your lover is doing; -otherwise, you might unsuspectingly compromise his safety every day." - -The young man rose and walked about the room, with a sinister -expression, saying: - -"Ah! why did you come to Paris, Miretta?" - -"Mon Dieu! in what a tone you say that! You would make me tremble if I -did not love you so dearly!" - -"Your love will not resist, I will swear, the confidence I am about to -make to you." - -"My love is stronger than everything! You may put it to the test!" - -"But if your lover were--a man banished from society--a--a criminal, in -short?" - -Miretta ran to Giovanni and threw herself into his arms, crying in a -tone of savage joy: - -"Ah! I was afraid that you were going to say that you loved someone -else! I breathe again, since it is not that." - -Giovanni kept his eyes fixed for some moments on the girl's, then said, -shaking his head: - -"Ah! it is the truth! she loves me truly!" - -Thereupon he resumed his seat and continued, but more calmly: - -"Listen, Miretta: there has been in Paris, for several months past, a -man who spreads terror through all classes of society, but especially -among the wealthiest; this man--this robber, for I am talking of a -robber--attacks every night those people whose purses he knows to be -well lined. Adroit, active, fearless, he intimidates his victims by his -audacity, he inspires terror by his mere presence, and never, up to the -present moment, has he been obliged to shed blood in order to accomplish -his ends. When--which rarely happens--he falls in with a gentleman who -is brave enough to defend himself, he easily disarms him, and then -contents himself with taking his gold. You may imagine that the police -are straining every nerve to capture this brigand; but thus far all -their efforts have been fruitless. And yet his description, or rather -his costume, is known everywhere; for the robber always wears the same -dress when he performs his exploits. An ample olive-green cloak envelops -his body, a red cap with a fringe of boar's hair covers his head and -comes down to his eyes, and a long black beard conceals the lower part -of his face." - -"Mon Dieu!" said Miretta; "the man must present a terrifying appearance, -in very truth! But what have I to do with this robber? I am not afraid -that he will take my gold. And why do you tell me of all his doughty -deeds?" - -Giovanni rose without replying; he went to an old chest secured by a -stout padlock, opened it, and took out the olive-green cloak, the cap -with the boar's hair, and the enormous black beard. He threw them all at -the girl's feet, saying: - -"See! here is the costume that this redoubtable brigand assumes every -night; for this man whom the police seek and pursue to no purpose, this -man who spreads terror and dismay throughout Paris--is I--your -lover--Giovanni!" - -Miretta covered her face with her hands. - -"You!" she murmured; "you! Oh! it is impossible!" - -"I have told you the truth, Miretta; indeed, why should I tell you this -story, if it were untrue?" - -"O mon Dieu! But what can have induced you to take up this horrible -trade?" - -"Oh! it goes back a long way! Alas! in life, one thing leads to another, -all things are connected. The child who refuses to study, the youth who -leads a vagabond life, the young man who seeks only to enjoy himself and -to gratify his passions--all these are insensibly marching on to the -goal which I have reached. They approach it less openly, perhaps! Some -become swindlers, others Greeks--that is to say, they cheat at cards in -fashionable society. I consider myself as good as they are; I run -greater risks, that is all the difference! Yes, the man who seeks -nothing but pleasure comes to this, unless he has the strength, the -common sense, to stop in time. But I did not stop. I determined to -indulge myself with all the forms of pleasure which the favorites of -fortune enjoy--or those men whose talents raise them to the highest -positions, to the greatest honors. But I had neither fortune nor talent. -I might tell you that it was the decree of fate, that my destiny was -written in advance, that I could not avoid it. I will not say that, -because I do not believe it; because, on the contrary, everything tends -to prove that men make themselves what they are.--Besides, why should I -seek to excuse myself? I had a momentary respite from my passions--a -moment of calm and almost unalloyed happiness; that was when I knew you, -Miretta! Your sincere love made me think, for a brief period, that to -love was all that was necessary to be happy. But soon those passions, -which you had had the art to lull to sleep, reawoke in my being; it was -impossible for me to resist them. You yourself unsuspectingly aroused -them sometimes; for when I saw you dressed so simply, so shabbily, I -would say to myself: - -"'Ah! how lovely she would be in a handsome silk dress! in the jewels -with which so many old and ugly women bedeck themselves! What joy to -drive with her in a fine carriage! to see everyone admire her and envy -my good fortune!'" - -"Ah! did I need fine clothes to love you, Giovanni?" - -"No, not you; but I--I wanted to give them to you, to see you dressed in -them.--Well, Miretta, that desire I am able to satisfy now. Come, look!" - -Giovanni took Miretta's hand, led her to the chest, opened a false -bottom, and showed her a heap of gold pieces, jewels, and diamonds, -which half filled the great box. - -"Do you see that gold? do you see all those treasures? A few more months -in Paris, and I shall have twice as much! Then I will return to Italy; -and if you will go with me, you shall be the most fashionable, the most -coquettish, the most richly dressed of women!" - -Miretta turned away from the chest with a gesture of horror. - -"I! array myself in jewels that you have stolen! Oh! never! never! That -gold makes me ill! Look you, Giovanni--I must needs love you very dearly -to be still in the room with you after the confession you have made to -me! And yet, I am grateful to you for having confided this terrible -secret to me; I thank you for having such confidence in me.--Ah! you -know full well that I will not betray it!--Yes, my love is so great that -I can forgive everything, forget everything! But, in pity's name! for -the love of God! renounce this ghastly career; leave this path of crime -in which, sooner or later, you will meet your punishment! You wanted -wealth--well, have you not enough? Take what you have acquired by such -evil means, since you have the courage to make use of it without -remorse. But come with me; let us leave Paris, and France, -to-morrow--nay, this very night! I will stay with you, to watch over -your safety, to turn aside the dangers that may threaten you. When all -danger is at an end, then I will leave you, if my presence annoys you; -but, near or far, I will watch over you, and every morning and every -evening I will pray God to forgive your crimes and open your heart to -repentance.--Giovanni, my Giovanni, do not spurn my entreaties; trust a -secret voice which tells me that death awaits you in the frightful trade -you ply. I beg you on my knees--abandon it, and let us fly--far, far -from Paris--to the end of the world--so far that you will be in no -danger.--Oh! I was mad just now when I preferred to know that you were a -criminal rather than in love with another woman; heaven is punishing me -for that blasphemy.--Giovanni, I give you back your liberty, your -oaths; I will forgive you if you do love another woman. But, in the name -of the Madonna who presided over your birth, tell me, oh! tell me that -you will abandon this career, which will surely lead you to the -scaffold!" - -The girl had thrown herself at her lover's feet, she held his hands, she -raised to his face her eyes wet with tears; and at that moment there was -something sublime in the expression of her features. - -But Giovanni had listened to her with no outward evidence of emotion. -When she ceased to speak, he raised her, seated her on the sofa, took -his seat beside her, and said with perfect tranquillity: - -"My dear love, I forbade you to follow me, to come to France. I was wise -to do so; I anticipated some such scene as this. If you will take my -advice, you will return instantly to Milan." - -"With you?" - -"No; without me." - -"Never! My mind is made up: I shall remain where you are. I have nothing -left to lose! I have sacrificed to you a maiden's most precious -treasure, and it is easy for me to give you now my repose and my life." - -"But I do not ask you for either. You are too excitable, my poor -Miretta! you have an ardent imagination. Now, I am thoroughly practical. -You choose to remain in Paris--very good! But you must understand that -it is impossible for you to live with me; you would embarrass me; in -this trade of mine, a woman is always in the way; when she thinks that -she is helping us, she ruins us!" - -"So you are not willing to abandon this--this infamous trade?" - -Giovanni darted a glance at the girl which almost made her shudder, as -he replied: - -"No woman will ever change my resolutions; when it pleases me to enjoy -my wealth, to return to Italy, the robber will vanish, and Giovanni, -favored of fortune, assuming a stately name and title, will make a -brilliant appearance in the world, where everyone will cringe to him -without trying to ascertain the source of his fortune.--You have heard -me, Miretta; so never recur to this subject, or you will see me no -more." - -Miretta made no other reply than to let her head sink sadly on her -breast. - -"You have a place in Paris, I am told: you are in the service of -Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin?" - -"Yes; how do you know that?" - -"I know much more! It was Cédrille, your cousin, who brought you to -Paris?" - -"Yes; and I had arranged to meet him in front of the house this evening, -at dusk; I thought that he would be my escort and would take me to see a -young girl who lives on Rue Saint-Jacques, where her father keeps baths; -for that girl rendered us a great service this morning, when we arrived -in Paris. You do not know that----" - -"I know all! the miserable jests, the jibes that they discharged at your -travelling companion, poor Cédrille; and the compliments they paid to -the pretty foreigner; and the quarrel and the battle that followed!--Oh! -I recognized in all that the untamed highborn youth, which is determined -to be master in France--more master than the king, in truth! But let -them beware! There is at the head of the government a certain Cardinal -de Richelieu, who, I fancy, will straighten all this out! He will be -called a tyrant, for every man is so called who attempts to put down -abuses, to put a curb on license and disorder, to give power to the -laws, and, above all, to have them executed, whatever the name, the -rank, or the exalted position of the person whom they strike!--But the -man of genius, the strong man, is not at all disturbed by the clamor -which he stirs up about him; he goes his way and reaches his goal, often -calumniated by his contemporaries; it is posterity that takes it upon -itself to do him justice!--Well! it seems to me, Miretta, that I reason -rather well for a robber, eh? You see that, even though one lives at war -with society, that does not prevent one from doing justice to those who -are able to protect it.--But let us return to yourself: you waited in -vain for Cédrille, for I was plying him with drink at a wine shop, with -a certain Gascon chevalier, as long and lean as a beanpole, who claims -also to be your liberator." - -"Oh, yes! I remember; a tall man, and very thin; he almost knelt in -front of our horse; he insisted on kissing my hand and on my accepting -him for my knight! But he is horribly ugly!" - -"That is true; but that does not prevent him from being in love with -you. Ah! Seigneur Passedix--that is this hero's name--is not discreet in -his love affairs. Beware, Miretta! he has sworn to triumph over your -rigor." - -"He is not dangerous! But even if he were the handsomest, most -fascinating man in the kingdom of France, you well know that my heart is -no longer mine to give!" - -Giovanni bestowed an affectionate glance on the girl and pressed her -hand lovingly, murmuring: - -"Poor girl! I know well that that is true! You are not like other -women!" - -But soon, as if regretting that momentary weakness, the Italian resumed -his indifferent air and began to pace the floor. - -"Well," he said, "have you been to see the bath keeper's daughter on Rue -Saint-Jacques?" - -"Mon Dieu! no; in the first place, I waited for Cédrille a long while; -and when he did not come, I decided to go alone, for I am not timid, as -you know. But when I found myself all alone, at night, in the streets of -this great city, of which I have heard so many terrible things, I felt -troubled, my heart beat fast; however, I walked on, thinking that I knew -my road. At last, as I was afraid of going astray, I spoke to a -gentleman who was passing, and asked him to direct me to Master -Hugonnet's baths, on Rue Saint-Jacques.--Ah! how I regretted speaking to -that man! If you knew how he treated me!--'Aha! you wanton!' he said; -'going to the baths so late? then the assignation must be very -important!'--And he added a lot of insulting remarks, and tried to put -his arm about my waist and to detain me by force. But anger gave me -strength; I pushed the man away so violently that he seemed dazed, and I -fled, running at random; then it was that I lost my way altogether. I -walked a long, long while, trying to find my way back to the Hôtel de -Mongarcin; but I would have passed the whole night in the street rather -than ask my way again! Then you met me." - -"This should serve you as a lesson, Miretta; you must not venture out -alone in Paris at night; it is dangerous for a man, much more so for a -pretty young girl; and if the watch had fallen in with you, they would -have taken you to the Filles Repenties. But the clock struck ten long -ago; I will take you back to the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Do you know that -they will form a strange opinion of you there? On the very day of your -arrival, you disappear for a large part of the evening." - -"I shall tell my young mistress what happened to me; I shall tell her -the whole truth; Mademoiselle Valentine will forgive me, for I will -promise to be more prudent hereafter." - -"You will tell her the _whole_ truth?" repeated Giovanni, fastening his -eyes on the girl's face. - -"Yes, but without naming you. Oh! never fear: I will not tell--your -secret." - -"I rely upon it; come! But wait a moment." - -Giovanni took the horrible hairy cap, the huge beard, and the -olive-green cloak, and held them all up before Miretta, saying: - -"Look at these carefully; if you should ever see a man dressed in these -clothes, fly, fly at once--do not go near that man!--Do you swear, -Miretta?" - -"I swear," faltered the girl, in a trembling voice. - -"On that condition, you will see me again sometimes, now as a wealthy -gentleman, now as a simple artisan, or a bourgeois; but I will speak -first to you." - -With that, the Italian hastily resumed the costume of an old Bohemian; -when that was done, he said: - -"Come, now, let us make haste; but, above all things, make no noise." - -Giovanni quickly extinguished the candles and replaced in its corner the -smoking lamp, which but dimly lighted the apartment. Then he took -Miretta's hand and led her from the room and the house with the same -precautions and without meeting anybody. Once in the street, he drew his -companion's arm through his and forced her to walk rapidly. - -They walked the whole distance in silence; the girl was oppressed by -grief and alarm; when they met anyone, she pressed her guide's arm -tight, for she imagined that he would be recognized and arrested. But -Giovanni knew Paris and its most crooked streets perfectly; in a very -short time he and his companion stopped in front of a large house, and -he said to her: - -"This is the place; here is the Hôtel de Mongarcin; you are at home." - -"Already!" - -"You say _already_, and you are trembling like a leaf, my poor girl!" - -"Oh! not for myself! For now I must leave you; but when shall I see you -again?" - -Giovanni made a movement with his head which seemed to indicate that he -did not himself know. Then, before Miretta had had time to detain him, -he disappeared, and she soon ceased to hear his footsteps. - -Thereupon Miretta gave free vent to her sobs and went into the house, -murmuring: - -"Ah! the unhappy man!" - - - - -XVII - -THE FIRE OF SAINT-JEAN - - -Long before the reign of King Louis XIII, the sheriffs of Paris were -wont, on Saint-Jean's Eve, to cause huge piles of sticks of all -dimensions, with thorn bushes and small twigs quick to ignite, to be -constructed on Place de Grève, whither the king would come, in solemn -state, to set fire to that enormous mass with his own hand. - -In 1471, Louis XI followed the example of his predecessors and presided -at that ceremony, which eventually came to be attended with fêtes and -entertainments to which the good people of Paris always looked forward -with impatience. - -The Fire of Saint-Jean in 1573 was a magnificent ceremony, so it is -said. A mast about sixty feet in height had been erected on Place de -Grève, with many wooden crossbars, to which an enormous quantity of -fagots and bundles of brushwood was attached. A number of loads of wood -and countless bundles of straw were heaped about the base of this -structure. The whole was decorated, or rather disguised, by wreaths and -garlands. Bouquets were distributed to the king and his suite, to the -notables of the city, and to the magistrates. Fireworks also were -placed under the fagots. A hundred and twenty archers from the city, a -hundred bowmen, and a hundred arquebusiers kept order. Lastly, they hung -on the mast a large basket containing two dozen cats and a fox. This -last then was, no doubt, the _ne plus ultra_ of the fête. Poor cats! -poor foxes! We leave you in peace now when we have public rejoicings; -and to say the truth, I am persuaded that they are none the less -attractive for that reason. - -Under Cardinal de Richelieu, the ceremony of the Fire of Saint-Jean had -lost much of its brilliancy; cats were no longer burned, as it was -natural that they should not be, the first minister having a deep -affection for those animals, by which he loved to be surrounded. - -However, the ceremony continued to take place, and still attracted a -goodly number of sightseers, idlers, students, young girls, and even -young gentlemen, who came thither in search of adventures, or to play -tricks on rustics. - -A few weeks after the events we have narrated, the Place de Grève was -adorned by a pile of combustibles, which, while it could not be compared -with those which we have described, was very presentable none the less. - -When the night began to fall, there was a large number of people -assembled on the square; but that was a mere nothing, for every moment -thereafter the quays or the narrow streets leading into the square -poured forth a constant stream of bourgeois parties, bands of young -clerks of the Basoche, young men arm in arm, people of the lower -classes, esquires, pages, and elegant young gentlemen carefully -enveloped in their cloaks, beneath which they tried to conceal the -richness of their costumes, but always betrayed it by the too gorgeous -plumes that adorned their hats or the magnificence of the spurs attached -to their boots. - -By the time that it was quite dark, the square was crowded, and one -could not move without difficulty, especially in the direction of the -pile. But what life! what animation! what a fusillade of voices! what a -din of remarks and questions bandied about in all directions! It was an -incessant humming sound. - -Many people reflected aloud, in order to be overheard by everybody -within earshot; for at all times there have been plenty of those fine -talkers, those pretentious personages who deem themselves called upon to -declaim, to put themselves forward, and who often put forward nothing -but their folly or their conceit! - -"This way, father; let us go this way; I promise you that we shall have -a much better place to see the fire!" said a tall, fine-looking girl, in -whom we meet once more a pleasant acquaintance from Rue Saint-Jacques. - -It was Ambroisine, whose right arm was passed through the arm of a girl -even prettier than herself, but with a shy, timid air, who was evidently -surprised beyond measure to find herself in the midst of that tumult. -That girl was Bathilde, the daughter of Landry the bath keeper of Rue -Dauphine. - -How did it happen that she was so far from home, and without her mother, -in the midst of that bold and curious crowd, where beauty and youth were -the objective point of the glances of most of the sightseers? How did it -happen that she was arm in arm with Ambroisine, upon whom Dame Ragonde -had looked coldly for so long a time, and with whom she seemed afraid to -allow her daughter to talk? - -The reason was that Bathilde's mother had an old kinswoman in Normandie, -who had always manifested much affection for her, and had refrained from -marrying, with the intention of leaving all her property to Ragonde some -day. That property consisted of a few acres of land and a wretched -house--the whole being worth, perhaps, fifteen hundred livres; but we -must remember that in those days fifteen hundred livres was equal to six -thousand to-day; that Landry had no other property than his business; -and lastly, that in Ragonde's eyes that fifteen hundred livres would be -a sufficient dowry to obtain for Bathilde the hand of some respectable -Parisian tradesman. - -It happened that one fine day a message arrived from Caudebec, the old -kinswoman's residence. A neighbor of hers wrote to Dame Landry, to -inform her that her cousin was very ill, and was most anxious to have -her by her side, to close her eyes. He added that haste was important, -because the old maid seemed to have only a short time to live. - -On receipt of this message, Dame Ragonde instantly made preparations for -her journey; the famous inheritance being at stake, she felt that she -must not hesitate! But as she was about to start, she thought of -Bathilde, whom in her absorption she had forgotten. Should she take her -or leave her with her father? To trust the old trooper of Henri IV to -watch over a young girl was imprudent, perhaps. But, on the other hand, -to take on a journey the child whom she had guarded so carefully up to -that time was to expose her to the risk of listening to the chatter of -every comer; of being the object of gallant attentions, perhaps even of -bold enterprises, on the part of their fellow travellers. For Dame -Ragonde had not the means to travel in a litter; and in those days -travel was so slow, the means of transport so difficult, that one was -obliged to pass a long time in a coach or other vehicle, even when one -had not a long distance to travel. And then there was the matter of -expense, which was of great importance to the bath keeper's wife. It -cost a great deal to travel; and the expense would be doubled if she -should take her daughter. - -The result of her reflections was that Dame Ragonde set out alone, but -not without saying to her husband many times: - -"Keep a sharp eye on your daughter! Don't let her leave the house or -receive any visits; make no change in the order which I have -established in our household, so that no one may notice that I am -absent! And always tell everyone that I am coming back in the course of -the day." - -If the person who goes away knew how soon her injunctions are forgotten, -she would not take the trouble to repeat them so many times. It is not -always disinclination to comply with them on the part of those whom you -leave in your place; but when you give your instructions, you cannot at -the same time impart your habits, your intelligence, your rigidity, your -searching glance, your observant mind--in a word, your nature; and -everyone acts according to his nature. - -Landry, despite his moustaches and his surly manner, had a softer heart -than his wife; and then, too, this persistent watching, this making -one's self a spy upon one's daughter, is much more consonant with a -woman's habit than with a man's. Moreover, as the old soldier had not -the slightest doubt of his child's virtue, he did not understand why he -must be incessantly on his guard, as with a prisoner who is always -trying to escape. - -The first days that followed Dame Ragonde's departure brought about no -change in Bathilde's usual mode of life, for it did not occur to her to -ask leave to go out, and no one came to divert her. - -But one morning Ambroisine came to Landry's establishment, and was much -surprised to be able to reach Bathilde's room without meeting her -mother's sour face and hearing her say: - -"My daughter is busy; don't stay long, for it disturbs her." - -When she learned that her friend's mother was away from Paris, -Ambroisine uttered a cry of joy, and said to Bathilde: - -"What! you have been free for several days, and you haven't sent me word -or come to see me?" - -"You know very well that I never go out." - -"Because your mother is not willing; but when she is away----" - -"Oh! father wouldn't let me go out, either; mother is sure to have told -him not to!" - -"Well, I will bet that he would; I will bet that your father will not be -so strict, that he will understand that you have no pleasure, no -distraction at all, and that it is not fair that a poor girl should pass -her best days shut up in her room. Look you, I have a godmother, a nice -old woman, a farmer's wife, who lives in the village of Vincennes. I -never have time to go there, nor does my father; and yet Mère -Moulineau--that is my godmother--often sends us little cheeses and -cream, and begs us to come to see her. The poor woman is old and infirm -and can't come to Paris. Every day, I say to father: 'To-morrow I will -go to see my godmother Moulineau;' and he says: 'Go, my child.'--Well, -Bathilde, if you like, I will take you with me, and we will sleep at -godmother's. Ah! she will give us a warm welcome; she will be so glad to -see me!" - -"Oh! father wouldn't allow me to sleep away from our house." - -"After all, perhaps you would find it tiresome at my godmother's.--By -the way, it just occurs to me--the day after to-morrow is the day for -the Fire of Saint-Jean on Place de Grève. Father has promised to take me -there; I have never seen it, and they say it's beautiful; will you come -with us?" - -"Will I! Why, you know very well that I should be overjoyed--I who know -nothing and have never seen anything. But I shall never dare to ask -father to let me go; he would refuse." - -"Perhaps so, if you asked him; but if my father, his friend, his -comrade, should undertake the mission----" - -"Your father! do you think that he would be willing to ask him that?" - -"Why not? Father is kind-hearted, he loves me dearly, he sees no harm in -his daughter having a little enjoyment sometimes. When it is a -respectable kind of pleasure, where is the harm? Because one enjoys -one's self a little, does that prevent one from behaving decently. Never -fear--I will send him here, to your father, to-morrow, and the day after -to-morrow you will come with us." - -"Oh! if it might be true!" - -"I have made up my mind, and it shall be. I have a will of my own, you -see!" - -And in fact, on the day following this interview, Master Hugonnet, to -gratify his daughter's wish, betook himself to his confrère Landry's -shop, and, while emptying a jug of wine with him, said: - -"I have a request to make of you, comrade." - -"Speak; you know that if I can be of service to you in any way, I am at -your disposal--I and my old blade, which is still serviceable at need!" - -"Oh! I know the worth of your blade and the strength of your arm, but -there is no question of them in what I have to ask.--You know that my -girl is a friend of yours, that it is her greatest joy to be with -her--for they have known each other a number of years; they were -children when their acquaintance began; but now they are big girls, and -their friendship has grown like their bodies!" - -While Master Hugonnet was speaking, Landry played with his moustache, -but did not frown. - -"I know all that," he said at last, when his friend paused to take a -drink. "Well! what then?" - -"Well! I myself seize every opportunity that presents itself to provide -my daughter with a little pleasure; for Ambroisine deserves it! The -wench keeps my house in fine shape! she has brains and activity and -character! She's a good girl, I tell you, and doesn't let the coxcombs -and gallants, no, nor the grands seigneurs themselves,--and many of them -come to my shop, God knows!--talk nonsense to her. When they try to be -too free in their manners with Ambroisine--jernidié! she has a tongue -and nails, and a stout fist. You should see how she makes them dance!" - -"She does well. But what then?" - -"Why, to-morrow is the ceremony of the Fire of Saint-Jean on Place de -Grève; Ambroisine has never seen it, so she asked me to take her there, -and I promised; but she told me, too, that she would be much happier if -her young friend Bathilde could come with us, because she knew it would -be a great pleasure for your daughter, who--who--who has none too many! -You see, comrade, it isn't right to work all the time and never have any -amusement; on the contrary, when one is young is when one should enjoy -one's self. We old fellows still make merry once in a way, when we have -an opportunity; and then, after all, where's the harm in a young girl -having a little amusement, when it's with the knowledge of her parents -and under their eyes? To cut it short, comrade, the purpose of all this -is to ask you to confide your daughter Bathilde to me to-morrow, in the -latter part of the afternoon, so that I may take her with Ambroisine to -see the Fire of Saint-Jean; unless you will come with us, which would be -much better." - -As he listened to this request from his old friend, the ex-trooper's -brow became clouded, and he caressed his gray moustache for a long while -before replying: - -"But, you see, I promised Ragonde not to let Bathilde go out." - -"Alone! I understand that; but won't she be as safe with me and my -daughter as with you? Come, come! jernidié! let us not be so strict with -our children; if our parents had always been so with us, it wouldn't -have tended to make us worship them." - -"Well!" Landry said at last, after a moment's hesitation; "come -to-morrow and fetch Bathilde; I will try to join you later." - -You know now by what concatenation of circumstances Bathilde found -herself on Ambroisine's arm on the square where the Fire of Saint-Jean -was to be celebrated. - - - - -XVIII - -THE CROWD - - -"I say, Bahuchet! come this way; we can see the show explode much -better!" - -"Just wait, Plumard; before I can pass, this lady in front of me will -have to move; and her equilibrium is stable, I tell you! Once planted, -she's like the tower of Notre-Dame! there's no way of moving her." - -"What's that you say, blackguards, ne'er-do-wells, miserable little -Basochians! You come here to insult ladies! you're good for nothing -else! The idea of moving for such gentry!" - -"Oh! mon Dieu! madame seems to be getting excited! because she has a -fine new petticoat with fal-lals on it, and a silver buckle on her -belt!--I say, Plumard, I thought there was an edict providing that only -strumpets and pickpockets might wear gold or silver on their clothes?" - -"Oh, yes! an edict of Henri IV. But perhaps this stout lady is within -her rights!" - -"Ah! you little villains, if the watch was passing, I'd have you -apprehended!" - -"Oho! the watch!" - -"Aha! apprehended! she must be an attorney's wife." - -"Don't push me, or I'll box your ears!" - -"If you don't choose to be pushed here, you should come in a sedan -chair." - -"Or on your husband's mule." - -"With his junior clerk.--Well! I must pass, all the same." - -"You are treading on my foot, monsieur!" - -"Why do you put your feet on the ground? in a crowd like this, you -should stand on the air or perch on your neighbors." - -"Oh! look yonder, Bahuchet! there's a lady with a mask!" - -"Because she is ugly; that is why she doesn't choose to show her face." - -"Or else she is here on the sly." - -"Look you! I prefer to look at the faces of those two little hussies in -blue caps." - -"Yes, they are very pretty; but I know them by sight; they come here to -meet a couple of pages; I often meet them walking with their lovers on -the Pré-aux-Clercs." - -"I say, Plumard, do you know whether they are going to broil any cats in -the fire to-night?" - -"Why, no; don't you see that there isn't a single basket hung on the -great tree?" - -"Well, if they have stopped burning cats, there's no more sport! That's -the way that all our noblest customs are being allowed to fall into -decay! If I had known that, I'd have brought a bag of mice!" - -"Do you sell mice?" - -"No; but my landlord is very fond of them, for his house is always full; -I believe he eats them." - -The two young blades who were conversing thus in the midst of the crowd -as unconcernedly as if they were alone were two attorney's clerks, but -of the class that one meets more frequently in the streets, in front of -shops and open-air theatres, than in the employer's office; genuine -idlers, who, in the excitement of playing a joke on some passer-by, -entirely forget the errand on which they have been sent, important -though it may be, and who always remain under clerks, unless their -parents have the means to buy them an office. - -Bahuchet was very short--less than four feet nine; he had a wretched -figure, in addition to his shortness, and an ugly face as well; his -forehead was low, his too retroussé nose displayed two nostrils of -enormous size, which played a very important rôle in his countenance; -his mouth was too wide and his eyes too narrow; but in those small eyes -there was an intelligent and mocking expression, which his cunning smile -intensified. - -Monsieur Bahuchet, albeit he was always disposed to laugh at other -people, took in very bad part the jests that were aimed at his person; -he lost his temper very easily. As a general rule, short men are much -more choleric than tall ones; why? Rabelais will give you the -explanation, which I dare not quote here. - -Plumard, Bahuchet's friend and usual companion, measured just the five -feet necessary for military service; but beside his comrade he -considered himself a fine figure of a man, and ostentatiously looked -down on him. - -Monsieur Plumard, while he was not handsome, was less ugly than -Bahuchet; he had a nose of respectable appearance; an ordinary mouth, -but of modest dimensions; and his eyes, level with his face, might have -attracted attention by their size had it not been that they did so first -of all by the utter idiocy of their expression. But all that did not -prevent Monsieur Plumard from esteeming himself a very good-looking -youth. - -There was something, however, that poisoned the enjoyment of this -diminutive Apollo; his hair did not correspond with his other physical -advantages. At the age of twenty-seven, the young clerk of the Basoche, -who had never possessed more than a few scanty locks, saw with dismay -that that scant supply was diminishing; an affection of the skin had -already caused three-fourths of it to drop out. He had for a long time -flattered himself that it would grow again, but he found that even the -little that remained was growing less. - -In vain did the clerk rub himself--in default of pomades, which were -then very expensive--with all the greasy substances that he thought -capable of restoring the fertility of his scalp; the fatal round spot, -having appeared on the summit of his head, had grown so much larger, and -the brow had so extended its limits, that Monsieur Plumard was almost -bald. - -The result was that he wore almost always the small cap, in the shape of -a hood, which the clerks of the Basoche then affected, and removed it -only when he was absolutely obliged to do so. - -Bahuchet, who knew his comrade from top to toe, and knew that his hair -was the subject on which his self-esteem was most sensitive, often -amused himself by attacking him at that point. It was not very manly; -but Plumard retaliated by jeering at his comrade's small stature and his -nose. Thus the two friends were quits, if we may call two persons -friends who continually make fun of each other. But I am inclined to -think that we may, for those who call themselves friends nowadays behave -in much the same way. - -"Are you in a good place, Bathilde? Can you see the pile?" Ambroisine -asked her young friend, who had not eyes enough to look about the -square, which was lighted by a vast number of torches which the -shopkeepers had placed in front of their shops, and by lanterns which -had been brought there by order of the lieutenant of police. - -"Yes, yes, my dear Ambroisine, I am all right; I can see enough. I see -so many things! all these people, all these costumes--it all seems so -strange to me! Oh! but it is amusing!" - -"If you like, children," said Master Hugonnet, "we might go somewhere -and sit at a table? At one of yonder wine shops, we should have a very -comfortable place to wait for the fire, and you would be sitting down, -at all events, instead of standing all the time." - -"Oh, no! my dear father, I see what you are aiming at--you would like -something to drink. Upon my word! that would be very nice! When you have -two girls to take care of, you don't drink, father--do you hear?" - -"Ah! you would have me catch the pip, then?--And to think that devil of -a Landry promised to join us! To be sure, he may be on the square; I -should like to see anyone find an acquaintance in a mob like this! If we -could find him, he would relieve me for a while. This crowd causes a -heat that--that makes one thirsty." - -"Ah! sandis! what a pleasant meeting! 'Tis the haughty Ambroisine, with -her worthy father, whom I see before me!" - -"Oho! it is Monsieur le Chevalier Passedix!" replied Ambroisine, as the -long, lean gentleman planted himself in front of her. "Have you also -come to see the Fire of Saint-Jean?" - -"Ah! little do I care for these celebrations. The fire that burns in the -depths of my heart would eclipse all possible Saint-Jeans. Do not be -alarmed, cruel girl! it is no longer to you that those words are -addressed. You spurned me, and I have carried elsewhere my sighs and my -prayers!" - -"Oh! I know it, monsieur le chevalier, and I congratulate you." - -"You know it? Ah, yes! I remember; you even know for whom I sigh. You -know Miretta?" - -"Do I know her! Oh! she is my friend, too. I am very fond of her! She -has shown such gratitude to me for the trivial service I rendered! She -comes to see me now and then." - -"Pardieu! I know it. The little one doesn't take a step without my -knowledge, without having me at her heels!" - -"She told me so, monsieur le chevalier, and I warn you that she dislikes -it extremely. She has said to me several times: 'If that tall, thin, -yellow man continues to follow me as soon as I set foot in the street, I -shall be obliged to tell him that he is wasting his time and his -steps.'" - -"Ha! ha! ha! First of all, I will wager that Miretta did not say: 'that -tall, thin, yellow man'; those are your own words, cruel tongue! Oh! I -know women! They complain when we follow them; but they would be sorely -disappointed if we did not follow them!" - -"Well! try to disappoint Miretta; that will gratify her." - -"I hoped to meet her here.--Bigre! I had not noticed; you have a most -charming young lady on your arm!" - -"Is she not? This is Bathilde, my closest friend. I suppose, of course, -that you will at once fall in love with her too?" - -"Oh, no! it is all over with me! You judge me ill, fair Ambroisine; I -have given my heart to Miretta! For her alone do I propose henceforth to -perform doughty deeds.--Sandis! what in the devil is this slipping -between my legs like a lizard? Is it a man? is it an eel?" - -"Don't disturb yourself, seigneur," replied Bahuchet; "I have got -through. You must understand that I couldn't remain behind you; you are -as tall as a giant!" - -"And you are a dwarf, apparently! Ought atoms to be allowed in the -crowd? Someone will crush you without noticing it, my little fellow!" - -"Ouiche! I won't allow myself to be flattened out without saying -_beware_!--I say, Plumard! do you hear this long asparagus stalk, who -thinks that I am to be crushed like a grain of salt?" - -Plumard was a few feet away, gazing at Bathilde, and apparently -speechless with admiration. - -"Plumard! Plumard! _ubi es_?--Ah! there he is!--Why don't you answer? -What's the matter with you, pray? One would say that you were changed -into a wooden man!" - -Plumard simply motioned with his head, calling his comrade's attention -to the fascinating girl. Whereupon Bahuchet looked at Bathilde and said, -with a wink: - -"Ah! famous! that's famous!--You see, Plumard, when I see such an -attractive young woman, I begin by saluting her, to show my respect. Do -as I do." - -And Monsieur Bahuchet took off his cap to Bathilde, who paid no -attention to him. - -But Plumard, who did not choose to uncover his head, made an impatient -gesture and moved a little farther away, muttering: - -"I have a cold in my head." - -From time to time Ambroisine turned, and her eyes seemed to seek someone -in that multitude, made up of people of all ranks and classes, who -seemed to have appointed to meet on Place de Grève. - -"Do you see Landry?" Master Hugonnet asked his daughter, who shook her -head, murmuring: - -"No, father, no, I don't see Monsieur Landry." - -But was it Landry for whom she was looking? Was it not rather Miretta, -who had told her that she too would try to go to see the Fire of -Saint-Jean? Indeed, I would not swear that the _belle baigneuse_ was not -looking for someone else, for there was in her eyes a certain expression -that might have aroused the suspicions of a jealous husband. - -"Well! aren't they going to light the fire this evening? Are they going -to make us wait till Saint-Martin's? I say! Plumard! Plumard! are you -still playing the wooden man?" - -"Come here, Bahuchet; this is a much better place, it's nearer the -fire." - -"What! do you dare to go so near as that? Look out, Plumard! the flame -may singe your hair. Give me a lock first; I am sure that before long it -will bring a high price, your hair! and, even so, everyone won't get it -who would like some of it." - -"You have forgotten something, Bahuchet!" - -"What is that?" - -"The two corks that you put in your nose when you go out on a windy -night. Look out! there's a man with a torch beside you; don't turn, your -nose would blow it out." - -"Ah! Monsieur Plumard is pleased to be sarcastic.--However, you have a -right to swagger; you know that I won't take you by the hair." - -"Wait! just wait! I will give you a drubbing, you miserable dwarf!" - -The two clerks approached to exchange blows; but as the Chevalier -Passedix was between them, they used him as a rampart behind which to -shelter themselves, and that rampart received many of the blows which -the young gentlemen intended for each other. - -"Sandioux! here are two rascals fighting between my legs now! Have you -nearly finished, pygmies? If you force me to draw Roland from its -sheath, I promise you that you will both be spitted like starlings!" - -The two clerks, trying to run away in order to escape the effects of the -Gascon's wrath, collided with two women from the market, who pushed them -away with so much force that Monsieur Plumard fell to the ground, and, -to put the finish to his misfortunes, he lost his cap in the fall, so -that that youthful head was disclosed to view, already almost bald, -having only a narrow band of vegetation left, just above the ears. - -A general laugh arose, and the merriment was increased by the furious -manner in which the unfortunate clerk ran through the crowd on all -fours, looking between every pair of legs, and shouting: - -"My cap! my cap! don't step on it!" - - - - -XIX - -TWO MEN ON ALL FOURS - - -Ambroisine laughed like the rest when she saw Monsieur Plumard's bald -head. She turned toward her friend, to see if she had noticed that -sight; but she was thunderstruck by the strange expression presented by -Bathilde's face at that moment. - -The charming girl seemed happy and confused at the same time. Her eyes, -half lowered, but in such wise that she could look out of the corners, -were more brilliant than usual. Her cheeks wore a deeper flush, her -mouth was half open in a smile. All this was not natural; and -Ambroisine, with the knowledge that she possessed of the human heart, -tried to discover what could cause her friend's emotion. Thereupon -Master Hugonnet's daughter saw at Bathilde's left a young man wrapped in -a cloak, his head covered by a broad-brimmed hat adorned with waving -plumes, and beneath that hat a very comely face, haughty and -distinguished, but most seductive when it chose to take the trouble, and -that is what it was doing at that moment. - -"Mon Dieu! it is Comte Léodgard!" said Ambroisine to herself, as she -recognized the young man who held Bathilde as if fascinated by the -eloquence of his glance; and almost instantly, as if she divined the -danger that threatened her friend, she seized her arm and shook it, -saying: - -"Well, well! what is the matter? what are you thinking about, Bathilde? -I speak to you, and you do not answer!" - -"I, Ambroisine? oh! forgive me! I did not hear you." - -"You seem confused, excited; has anyone been pushing you or incommoding -you? would you like to take my other arm?" - -"Oh, no! no! nobody has troubled me; nothing is the matter." - -"But I say that there is; it is that young gentleman beside you, who -keeps his eyes on you all the time! It is intolerable, isn't it?" - -"Oh! it doesn't trouble me; just look at him, Ambroisine, without -seeming to; you will see what a handsome man that gentleman is." - -"I don't need to look at him again; I know him perfectly well!" - -"You know him?" - -Before Ambroisine had had time to reply, Léodgard, who had recognized -the _belle baigneuse_ in her whose arm was passed through that of the -girl who had taken his fancy, quickly stepped toward her and accosted -her with his most affable air: - -"Hail to the fair Ambroisine! Ah! and Master Hugonnet too! Really, this -Fire of Saint-Jean is a delightful ceremony; one makes pleasant meetings -here, and I congratulate myself that I came!" - -"Your servant, Monsieur le Comte Léodgard! You are very glad that you -came, perhaps; but, faith! I can't say as much. I have to stay here to -watch these two girls--impossible to go to quench my thirst. I don't -find it amusing, myself!" - -"Why, my good Hugonnet, if you are anxious to take something, intrust -your daughter and her young friend to me for a few moments; I promise -you, on my honor, that they will be as safe as with you." - -Master Hugonnet, who was exceedingly thirsty, seemed to hesitate a -moment; but his daughter squeezed his arm tightly and whispered: - -"Surely, father, you will not listen to that suggestion! you will not -leave two young girls with the Comte de Marvejols, who is so notorious -as a rake and a seducer! with his pretty speeches! If I were alone, I -could defend myself; for, as you know, this gentleman tried to make -love to me once, and I gave him such a reception that he never tried it -again. But Bathilde, who knows nothing of the world, who is likely to -believe whatever anyone tells her--Bathilde, whom her father placed in -your care, because you promised him that she should not run any -risk--oh! you won't intrust her to this young nobleman!" - -"No, no! you are right, my child! I will not leave you," replied the -bath keeper, whom his daughter's words had caused to reflect. "You talk -sensibly; it would be imprudent, especially with the Comte de -Marvejols." - -"Oh! yes, father!" - -"All the same, Landry might have joined us!" - -While father and daughter conversed thus in undertones, Léodgard did not -take his eyes from Bathilde, whose beauty had made a profound impression -on him. She had begun to tremble when she heard the name of Léodgard de -Marvejols, for she instantly remembered all that Ambroisine had said to -her touching that young nobleman. The terrifying portrait that she had -drawn of him was well adapted to take from Bathilde any wish to look at -him again. But, on the contrary, whether from a spirit of contradiction, -or from mere curiosity, or from that desire to learn which has so much -potency in woman's heart, all the evil that one may say to them of a man -will never induce them to shun his presence, and their eyes will seek -him in preference to any other. - -Léodgard saw that his proposition was not accepted; but what did it -matter to him? Place de Grève belonged to everybody. If that fascinating -girl remained there, he would remain by her side; if she went away, he -would follow her. So that his face wore a pleasant smile as he addressed -Master Hugonnet again: - -"Well, my good man, you do not answer me? Is it because you no longer -feel the inclination to take a little walk to one of the nearby wine -shops?" - -"Oh! no, monsieur le comte; I should lie if I said that it was the -inclination that was lacking; but I cannot do it; for monsieur le comte -himself well knows that I ought not to intrust two young girls to him. -No, thanks! one might as well put two lambs in the custody of a fox!" - -"Eh! why so, Hugonnet? Is it because of the little dispute we had some -time ago? But you see that I have forgotten all about it. Besides, I was -in the wrong; I admit it.--Oh! I am not one of those men who will not -hear reason; look you--in those days I was a good-for-nothing fellow--a -roisterer, a libertine! But since then I have turned over a new leaf. If -you but knew how virtuous I am now!" - -"I congratulate you, seigneur; it must be a great source of satisfaction -to monsieur le marquis, your father." - -Léodgard concealed a faint smile, and his glance rested sweetly on -Bathilde's face, who, although she kept her eyes on the ground, did not -lose a word of what was said. - -"Yes, my good Hugonnet, yes, my father felicitates himself now on having -a son who is radically cured of his evil tastes; who no longer cudgels -the watch, drives peaceful citizens to frenzy, raises the deuce with -tradesmen, and, above all things, who no longer talks nonsense to every -woman he sees! For, as to that----" - -"Cadédis! the assemblage is becoming most select! Here is our dear Comte -Léodgard de Marvejols!" - -"Ah! is it you, Chevalier Passedix?" - -"Myself, who deeply regretted my inability to join the jovial party with -you and your friends and divers charming ladies, the day before -yesterday. Ah! you rascal! I fancy that you enjoyed yourselves!--Cards, -wine, women! You always were the king of kings for handling such -affairs. It seems that everybody was drunk the next morning; there was -fighting, and a general scandal; and the ladies were taken to the -Repenties! That is what I call sport!" - -"May the devil fly away with you, you long-legged idiot!" muttered -Léodgard, turning his head away, while Ambroisine nudged Bathilde and -whispered: - -"Do you hear? That is how he has turned virtuous, how he has reformed, -the scapegrace! That is how he turns over a new leaf!" - -"Mon Dieu! Ambroisine, what difference does it make to me? You say that -as if it interested me." - -"Well! he stared at you so! And then, you think him good-looking." - -"I think him so, because he is. But what does that prove? Are you going -to scold me now because that young gentleman looked at me? Is it my -fault?" - -"Scold you, dear Bathilde! oh, no! But, you see, it is my duty to look -after you, as if I were your older sister; for we made ourselves -responsible for you to your father, and I should not want any misfortune -to happen to you; it would seem to me as if I were the cause." - -"Misfortune! Mon Dieu! what misfortune do you dread for me?" - -Ambroisine dared not reply. Suddenly the Chevalier Passedix stood on -tiptoe and exclaimed: - -"Sandioux! she is over there! I see her in the light of a torch. She is -a Venus, the little dear! By Roland! I must join her, even though I have -to push this whole crowd out of my way!" - -And the tall Gascon, beginning at once to work his arms and legs like a -windmill, forced aside all those who stood in his path, and soon reached -that part of the square where Miretta had stopped. - -Ambroisine followed Passedix with her glance, and she also spied her new -friend in the crowd at some distance; but in order to join her she would -have had to plunge into the midst of the mob that separated them and to -give up the good places they had secured; and Master Hugonnet had -declared that he would not stir. Ambroisine tried in vain, by raising -her arms and making signs, to attract Miretta's attention. - -Nevertheless, Cédrille's pretty cousin turned her eyes in every -direction. Surely she too was looking for someone; but was it her friend -Ambroisine? - -Suddenly Miretta felt a hand on her arm, and a shrill voice exclaimed: - -"Ah! sandis! so I have found you at last, O my goddess! I was seeking -you, I will not say _per montes et vitulos_, but among all the groups of -pretty women. Will you do me the honor to accept my arm?" - -Miretta assumed a stern expression and answered curtly: - -"No, monsieur, I will not accept your arm; and since I meet you here, I -will take the opportunity to tell you that you are wasting your time by -following me constantly, that your obstinacy in pursuing me is most -annoying to me----" - -"Eh! cadédis! the little one plays the haughty dame! So you refuse my -homage--and this is the way you acknowledge the services I rendered you, -ingrate! I, who saved you from the most imminent danger! Your cousin -Cédrille did me more justice! I was his friend, his faithful companion. -I am very sorry that he has returned to Pau; he would have spoken to you -in my behalf." - -"Cédrille would not have encouraged your undertakings, monsieur le -chevalier; he knew too well that you had nothing to hope from me. I do -not know whether he had reason to congratulate himself on having taken -you for a comrade, but I know very well that he made only a very brief -stay in Paris, and that he went away with a black eye, saying that he -had had enough of the capital and that he had not enjoyed himself here -at all.--However, monsieur, if you did take up my defence when I was -insulted, it seems to me that you should not regret it; it was your duty -as a man of honor. But I do not consider that it gave you the right to -spy upon my every movement and to be always at my heels." - -The Gascon chevalier was cut to the quick, and the firm and decided tone -in which Miretta had answered him added to his irritation; for a woman's -voice, while it may sometimes soften the most severe words, is no less -able to impart greater bitterness to the simplest rebuke. In all things, -it is the tone that makes the music. - -The tone adopted by the pretty brunette exasperated Passedix; he ran his -fingers through his beard and tried to sneer, as he muttered: - -"Ah! so that's the way it is! so we choose to adopt that tone! By -Roland! it is very pretty! And it is a paltry serving maid--a -lady's-maid--a mere fille de chambre, who indulges in these manners of a -grand duchess, when I condescend to honor her by letting my glance rest -on her back hair! Ah! my love, beware! I have never met any cruel -charmers--especially among your kind--and if you do not take my arm, I -am capable----" - -"Capable of what?" demanded a young man, dressed as a simple mechanic, -who had suddenly stepped between Miretta and Passedix, at the latter of -whom he gazed fixedly, while forcing him back several steps with his -left arm. - -"What business is it of yours, clown, who presume to question me? I find -you exceedingly bold! Knave! stand aside instantly, or I unsheathe----" - -And the Gascon chevalier, crimson with wrath, was already standing on -guard, with his right hand on the hilt of Roland; while Miretta, having -glanced at the young man who had come to her rescue, uttered an -exclamation of surprise, while her eyes beamed with joy and delight. - -"I will not stand aside, unless it is mademoiselle's pleasure to accept -my arm and leave this crowd which is pressing upon her," rejoined the -new-comer. - -"You! take this little one away from under my nose--from my very beard! -You shall die ten deaths first!" - -And Passedix instantly drew Roland from its sheath. The sight of that -bare sword waving in the midst of the crowd made the women shriek and -the children weep; but before he who held it could make use of it the -young man's hand seized the chevalier's wrist and squeezed it with such -force that the fingers opened and the sword fell to the ground. - -"Sandioux! I know that grip; I have felt it before somewhere!" cried -Passedix. "Disarm me! Shame! that is unfair! it is treachery!" - -But while the Gascon shouted, and shook his benumbed arm, the -_soi-disant_ mechanic took Miretta's arm and disappeared with her in the -crowd. - -At that moment loud cries arose on all sides; the great pile had been -set on fire. Thereupon the crowd swayed hither and thither, some trying -to draw nearer the fire in order to see better, others to move away -because they were afraid. - -A powerful wave carried Passedix ten or fifteen yards away from the spot -where his sword had fallen. Thereupon he began to whine and lament in -the midst of the crowd, these words being distinguishable: - -"Look out, my friends! In the name of what you hold most dear, do not -step on it! If it is broken, I shall not survive; I shall bury the -fragments in my heart!" - -But the multitude, engrossed by what it had come to see, paid no heed to -the cries and groans and entreaties of the unhappy chevalier, who -struggled in vain to return to the place where he had lost Roland, and -who before long had no idea himself in which direction it was. - -This lasted until the fire died out. - -As soon as it was entirely extinct, the crowd scattered; everyone -returned home discussing the pleasure he had had, and some looking -forward to that which the evening promised them. - -Soon nobody was left on the square except two men, one very short, the -other quite tall, both of whom were on their hands and knees searching -in every corner, one for his cap, the other for his sword. Suddenly -they came nose to nose, or rather head to head, in that occupation. - -"Are you helping me to look for it!" Passedix asked the clerk of the -Basoche; "thanks, my boy, that is very amiable on your part. If you find -it, I will give you six deniers; I have received some funds from my -family." - -"If I find it, I don't want your deniers!" rejoined Plumard, in a surly -tone. "It is mine, my own property, and if you find it you will have to -give it to me; don't think for a moment that I will let you keep it!" - -"What is the little fellow chattering about? If you find it, you propose -to keep it? Why, you are mad, my dear fellow! What would you do with it, -pray? It is twice too long for you; you could not even wear it." - -"I couldn't wear it! that's a good one, that is! On the contrary, it -fits me like an angel; while you don't need it, for you have a cap on -your head." - -"Why should my cap prevent me from wearing it, fool that you are?" - -"Do you mean to say that you would put it on over your cap? That would -look very pretty! At all events, it's my property." - -"Hold your tongue, you little thief! just let me find it and I'll punish -you with it!" - -The two worthies who had had this altercation, being still on all fours, -were about to rush at each other like two frantic cats, when a third -personage appeared on the scene, laughing and singing. It was Bahuchet, -with long Roland in his hand, twirling his comrade's cap at the end of -the blade. - -"I say! you fellows! here's a find! the cap is mine, and the sword is -mine!" - -At sight of the objects they were seeking, Passedix and Plumard rose -spontaneously and pounced upon them. The former seized his sword, the -latter his cap, which he pulled over his eyes, and ran away at full -speed. The chevalier replaced Roland in its sheath, and then he strode -rapidly away. - -Bahuchet, left alone in the square, looked after them and said to -himself: - -"Well! they are very polite! they did not so much as thank me!" - - - - -XX - -THE ROSEBUSH - - -A week after the memorable night on which the Fire of Saint-Jean -attracted so many people to Place de Grève and gave rise to so many -adventures, one evening, just at nightfall, a young man enveloped in a -brown cloak was walking on Rue Dauphine in front of Landry the bath -keeper's house, toward which he glanced every minute, scrutinizing with -especial care a window on the first floor, with a jutting balcony, on -which could be seen a superb rosebush covered with flowers and buds. -And as, when one is looking in the air, one does not see before one's -face, the young man suddenly collided with a person who was walking -along the street at a rapid pace. - -"Ten thousand devils! be careful! can you not see where you are going?" - -"Par le mordieu! you had only to look, yourself!" - -"That voice! why, it is the young Comte de Marvejols!" - -"Ah! it is the Sire de Jarnonville. Pray excuse me; but I was too -distraught to see you. I am waiting--I am watching." - -"Very good; I understand; you are _en bonne fortune_--there is some new -intrigue on the carpet?" - -"A new intrigue, yes; but _en bonne fortune_--not yet. Oh! it will be a -hard task; there are great obstacles; but I must come out of it with -credit to myself!" - -"Are there blows to be dealt, sword thrusts to be exchanged? Do you need -me to cudgel someone? to break down a door or to scale a wall?" - -"Thanks, Jarnonville, thanks; but my intrigue must be carried on quietly -and without fighting.--It has to do with a young and pretty girl! Oh! -the word _pretty_ falls far short of describing her! She is an -enchanting creature, an angel of innocence and beauty, whom I met by -chance, a week ago, at the Fire of Saint-Jean. She was with Ambroisine -and her father--you know whom I mean, the bath keeper on Rue -Saint-Jacques?" - -"Yes, Master Hugonnet.--Well?" - -"It was impossible to talk with the girl, for Ambroisine watched her -like a duenna! But I saw that my aspect did not displease her; she -blushed, and lowered her eyes. Her head is worthy of Titian's brush. Ah! -I am mad over her!--You will understand that I did not lose sight of -that adorable girl! After the fire, they left the square; I followed -them and found that they brought that angel to this house. She is the -daughter of Landry, the bath keeper; I tell you this in confidence, -Jarnonville, because I know that you will not try to rob me of my -conquest." - -"I! oh, no! My heart is closed henceforth to all such tender sentiments; -it no longer knows aught but regret and grief!" - -As he spoke, the Black Chevalier let his head sink on his breast. - -"Come, come, Jarnonville! do not abandon yourself constantly to your sad -memories; you are still young; my word for it, you may again see happy -days!--But let me finish my story: - -"The next day I went boldly to Master Hugonnet's shop. Ambroisine had -surprised me with my eyes fixed on her friend; I did not choose to feign -with her, so I asked her about her pretty companion of the preceding -night. She received me very harshly, as I expected; she told me that I -would have nothing to show for my sighs, my amorous enterprises; that -Bathilde--that is the divine creature's name--that Bathilde never went -out; that it was an exceptional event, her going to see the fire the -night before; but that her father and mother kept watch over her day and -night as their most precious treasure--in fact, the haughty _baigneuse_ -went so far as to read me a lecture. She told me that it would be -frightful in me to think of seducing so much innocence and -simplicity.--Poor Ambroisine! she did not realize that the more she -expatiated on Bathilde's virtue, the more she increased my desire to -possess her.--But I think that you are not listening, Jarnonville." - -"I beg pardon; go on." - -"I left Ambroisine, swearing that I would respect her friend, and I came -at once to this street and began to do sentry duty here. For two days I -saw no sign of the girl. I entered the baths--nothing. I was shaved in -the shop--still nothing--no Bathilde. At last, three days ago, the -window looking on yonder balcony opened, and a young woman appeared -carrying a pot of flowers. She placed it carefully where it is now.--It -was she, it was Bathilde. But had she seen me pacing the street? had she -recognized me? That was something that I could not know; but the sight -of her gave me hope. That beautiful rosebush had never been at that -window; to place it on the balcony was to afford herself an excuse for -coming there again. And, in fact, a few hours after the rosebush was -placed there, the sweet girl appeared again and examined her flowers -with much care. Never was a rosebush more scrupulously cleaned. She did -not look at me while she was thus engaged, but I was certain that she -saw me. Now and then a furtive glance was cast in my direction; but as -it always met mine, she hastened to turn her head away.--However, since -that day Bathilde continues to tend her flowers, to water them, to come -several times a day to look at them. At first, I sent her kisses; -yesterday, I did better--I wrote a few words, rolled the note around a -stone, and, after dark, seizing a moment when no one was passing through -the street, I tossed it on the balcony. I am certain that she picked it -up, for the stone is no longer there. But to-day she has not once -appeared at the window; the rosebush has been pitilessly neglected! Is -it to punish me for writing to her? Is it to make me understand that she -does not share my love, that I must renounce all hope? Oh, no! that is -impossible! I read that charming girl's eyes, her whole expression; she -has not yet learned the art of concealing what she feels. I noticed her -cheeks flush when she saw me, her lovely eyes kindle with a brighter -light, a gleam of joy illumine her face!--Oh! she loves me! she loves -me, Jarnonville! And she will be mine!" - -The Black Chevalier had listened to Léodgard with a gloomy expression; -when the young man had finished his story, he shook his head, saying: - -"I do not like this business of seducing young girls! There is at the -root of the whole matter something that offends and oppresses the heart. -Tell me of a deceived husband, of a jealous rival, of a cruel guardian, -if you please. In such cases there is some danger, some risk to be run; -there are often sword thrusts or dagger thrusts to be received or -exchanged.--You fight, and that occupies, distracts, the mind. But in -this instance! seduction! desertion! To make a poor creature weep who -has not had the power to defend herself!" - -"Ha! ha! ha! On my word, my dear Jarnonville, I cannot help laughing to -listen to you! What! is it really you, the bully, the miscreant, the man -who believes in nothing--for that is what you are called--who shed tears -over the fate of a girl, because I propose to make love to her, and she -is likely to hear me? A terrible catastrophe, truly!--How does it happen -that you, whose heart, as you have just told me, is closed henceforth to -all tender sentiments; that you who have taken the world in hatred and -who look upon existence as a burden; who seek, in short, by doing ill to -others, to avenge yourself for the ill that destiny has done to -you--that you blame me for gratifying my passions at the risk of causing -a few tears to flow?" - -The Sire de Jarnonville drew his heavy eyebrows together and muttered -some words which Léodgard could not hear; then he raised his head -abruptly and said to the young count: - -"As I cannot be of any service to you here, I will leave you. Adieu! -good luck!" - -"Oh! I beg your pardon--another word, Jarnonville," cried Léodgard, -detaining the Black Chevalier. "I have a favor to ask of you--that is, -if you are in a position to grant it. I lost yesterday at brelan all -that I possessed; I have not a sou.--Money! money! When, in God's name, -shall I have enough to gratify my desires? to enjoy life? For there is -no enjoyment when one is constantly obliged to borrow, to have recourse -to usurers. I have been in such straits of late that my valet, that -knave Latournelle, has left me, on the pretext that I gambled away his -wages! I no longer have any servants, except my father's; but I prefer -to go without. That old villain Isaac Lehmann, the money lender, who -ordinarily supplies me with funds, is away from Paris at this moment. Do -you know another, Jarnonville? If so, will you give me his address; -especially as Isaac is beginning to make trouble about lending me any -more, although the old rascal knows well enough that he will be paid -sooner or later." - -"I thought that your father paid all your debts some time ago?" - -"Yes, and forbade me to incur any more. Ah! if he knew!--Why, he -threatened me with the Bastille!" - -"And that does not prevent your running in debt again?" - -"Can I live on the miserable allowance he gives me?--Well, Jarnonville, -do you know a money lender who may consent to help me at this moment?" - -"No, I do not know one, for I have never had any relations with those -gentry; but I have two hundred gold pieces about me bearing the effigy -of our monarch; I intended to play lansquenet to-night. Here is my -purse; if you would like it, it is at your disposal." - -"Faith! Jarnonville, it would be a great service to me; but I am afraid -of being importunate." - -"Not at all--take it." - -"And your game of lansquenet?" - -"If need be, I will play on credit; but, instead of going to La -Valteline's to gamble, I will go to Durfeuille the financier's, and get -drunk; that will be one way of employing my time." - -"Very well; in that case, I accept; but it is my duty to warn you that I -do not now know when I shall be able to repay this loan." - -"No matter! no matter! Do not worry about that; it is the least of my -anxieties. Adieu, count, adieu!" - -The Sire de Jarnonville walked rapidly away, without listening to his -debtor's thanks; and Léodgard placed the purse filled with gold in his -belt, saying to himself: - -"He has done me a great service. He's an original fellow, but he has his -good points.--When I have spent this money, what shall I do to get some -more?--But what am I thinking about? I have a well-lined purse upon me -and I am sighing for a lovely girl. Pardieu! this is not the time to -worry about the future! What disturbs me now is to see that window -remain closed. It has been dark a long while; can it be that Bathilde -will not come to the balcony?--Ah! it seems to me that I have never -loved a woman as I love her. How different she is from the coquettes of -the court! from our courtesans--aye, from our _petites bourgeoises_! The -purest innocence shines on that child's brow.--What bliss to teach her -what love is--to be the first to make her heart beat!--But she does not -appear!" - -Léodgard stamped his foot impatiently and began to pace the street, -without losing sight of the bath keeper's house. - -Let us see what Bathilde was doing at that moment. - -I need not tell you that on leaving the Place de Grève to return to her -home Landry's daughter had not failed to discover that the handsome -Comte de Marvejols was following her. She had not seemed to notice it, -she had not released her hold of Ambroisine's arm for an instant, she -had not turned her head; and yet she had seen that the young man was -following her. - -How had she done it? - -That is a mystery which I am unable to solve. I can simply assure you -that all women, young or old, from the most sophisticated to the most -innocent, possess that faculty. Probably it is the second-sight of the -Scotch, except that they have it in the back of the head. - -Bathilde returned to her little room, disturbed by a sentiment that was -entirely novel to her; her bosom rose and fell more rapidly, she felt -happier than she had ever felt. - -Was it her pride that was flattered, or her self-esteem? - -No; the sweet child did not as yet know either of those sentiments. - -It was something sweeter, more tender, which had found its way into her -heart with the fiery glances of the handsome cavalier, and against which -she had not known how to defend herself, for she was unaware of the -danger; it had not occurred to her that it was wrong to glance -occasionally at a comely youth who kept his eyes constantly fixed on -her. - -When she learned that the comely youth was Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, -the girl had felt perhaps a secret thrill of terror; but it had not -lasted--the young man's glances had soon dispelled it. - -Bathilde occupied a room that looked on a yard behind the house. It was -impossible for her to see from her window anything that took place in -the street. But since her mother had been absent, the girl had enjoyed -more liberty; so long as she avoided the baths, a place which it would -have been imprudent for her to frequent, she was free to range over the -whole first floor at her pleasure. Knowing that his daughter was in the -house, Landry asked nothing more. - -On the day following the Fire of Saint-Jean, Bathilde, although she did -not know why, could not keep still. She went in and out, from one room -to another, arranging the furniture, or rather disarranging it, in order -to have an excuse for putting it to rights again. - -In her peregrinations she visited most frequently a room at the front of -the house, which Dame Ragonde used as a linen closet; it was the room -with the balcony. Bathilde had put aside the curtain and glanced into -the street from time to time, without opening the window. She had soon -discovered the young seigneur of the preceding night walking back and -forth in front of the baths, and stopping frequently to scrutinize the -house from top to bottom. - -Bathilde had felt the blood rush to her cheeks, although no one could -have seen her put aside the curtain. She had left the window, but had -returned to it a moment later. - -"He is there!" she said to herself, trembling with excitement; "he is -still there! Mon Dieu! why does he keep looking at our house?" - -The little innocent guessed well enough why he did it; but there are -things which we do not choose to admit at once, even to ourselves, -especially when they give us pleasure; we are much less ceremonious with -those that make us unhappy. - -The next day, Bathilde did not fail to go early to the linen closet; she -resumed her manoeuvres of the day before, and looked into the street -after cautiously raising a corner of the curtain. - -This lasted four days, during which she saw the handsome cavalier almost -always in the street, gazing sadly at the windows, with his hand to his -heart, and probably sighing; she did not hear the sigh, but she divined -it. - -On the fifth day, she no longer had the heart to keep the window closed, -and yet she did not wish to appear on the balcony without a reason for -going there. - -Suddenly she remembered that she had a rosebush in her chamber, where, -by the way, it rarely received a ray of sunlight. - -She ran instantly to Master Landry and said: - -"Father, you know I have a lovely rosebush, which Ambroisine gave me two -years ago, on my birthday." - -"Very likely; what then?" - -"It is in my room, on the window sill, but I have just noticed that it's -dying, the leaves are turning yellow. It's because it doesn't get enough -air. The yard is so small, and then the steam from the baths is bad for -it, perhaps. I should be awfully sorry if it should die. Will you let me -put it on the balcony outside the window of the linen closet? There is -nothing there, so it won't be in the way; it will have the sun, and I am -sure that it will do better there." - -"Put your rosebush where you please, my child; what hinders you?" - -"Oh! thank you, father!" - -And Bathilde went away, pleased beyond words. Dame Ragonde would never -have allowed her to put a rosebush at a window on the front of the -house. A woman would have felt, divined, an intrigue therein. But the -old soldier saw nothing but a rosebush. - - - - -XXI - -LOVE TRAVELS FAST - - -Bathilde made haste to take advantage of the permission her father had -given her. - -Before carrying the rosebush to the balcony, she cast a glance at her -mirror. Was it coquetry? No. But the daughter of a master bath keeper -did not wish to show herself to the eyes of chance passers-by without -being quite sure that nothing was lacking in her dress. - -We know already that for three days the girl did not forget to visit the -balcony several times during the day, and even after dark, to make sure -that her beautiful rosebush needed nothing. Never was flower more -sedulously tended, never were rosebuds examined with such care; and -certainly no insect could have found a resting place on their stems, -unless it had shown the most determined obstinacy in returning thither. - -On the third day, or rather the third evening, Bathilde heard the stone -fall on the balcony, where she did not happen to be at the time, -although she was always close at hand. She instantly detected the paper -wrapped about the stone. Her first impulse was to rush out and pick it -up; but she reflected that he who had thrown it must still be in the -street, and that, if she picked up his note at once, she would show him -that she was there, watching behind the curtain. - -See how slyly even the most innocent can act sometimes! La Fontaine -tells us _how wit comes to young maids_; for my part, I believe that it -is all there as soon as they feel love for a man. - -Bathilde waited, therefore, until the evening was well advanced before -she stole noiselessly out and picked up the stone and the paper. Then -she hastened to her room and locked herself in, to read at her ease that -first love letter, which was destined to put the finishing touch to this -turmoil in her heart, and perhaps to cause her much suffering, and which -it would have been wiser for her not to read. - -But wisdom is often the fruit of experience, and Bathilde had had none. - -She opened Léodgard's letter with a trembling hand, and eagerly read -these words: - - "CHARMING BATHILDE: - - "Need I tell you that I love you, that from the moment I first saw - you your cherished image has not gone from my memory and my heart? - You must know who I am: your friend Ambroisine called me by name - before you, but she has slandered me if she has told you that I am - incapable of keeping my faith. - - "I shall love you always, Bathilde; because my love is sincere, - because you are the first woman who ever caused me to know a - genuine passion. - - "You will say, perhaps, that too great a distance separates us, - that my name, my rank, keep us apart.--But only tell me that you - love me a little, and I will find a way to remove all obstacles. - What does it matter to me in what station of life you were born? In - my eyes, you are far above the _grandes dames_ of the court. - - "My fortune, my name--I lay everything at your feet! Yes, before - God, I swear to take you for my wife! - - "But come to your balcony, do not fly at night when I come near; - and, in pity's name, grant a few moments' interview to one who will - die if you refuse to love him. - - "LÉODGARD DE MARVEJOLS." - -Such a loving, ardent note was certain to make great ravages in an -inexperienced heart, in a heart which was conscious of a craving to -love. Love travels fast when it follows an unbeaten path. - -Moreover, a secret sympathy drew the girl on; she too loved Léodgard. -Only an instant, a single glance, was necessary for that. - -Bathilde read and reread and read again the young count's letter; she -held it in her hand when she went to bed, she kept it against her heart -all night. Ah! a first love letter is such a priceless treasure! A woman -may receive many of them in the course of her life, but the others are -never worth so much as that one. - -The next morning Bathilde knew the letter by heart, and she said to -herself every instant: - -"He loves me! he will always love me! I am the first woman whom he has -ever really loved! My birth is no obstacle, he says; in that case, he -will ask my parents for my hand, and will marry me. What joy! how happy -I shall be! Not because I shall be a countess; what do I care for that? -But I shall be his wife! and I shall be able, in my turn, to tell him -that I love him!--But then, I must go out on the balcony to-night and -speak to him. Suppose I consult my father first, and show him this -letter? But perhaps he would scold me for receiving it and reading it -without his permission!" - -Bathilde was in dire perplexity, not knowing what she ought to do. But -her heart was bursting with joy and happiness because she knew that -Léodgard loved her. - -She was still hesitating about going to her window, when Ambroisine -suddenly appeared. - -The _belle baigneuse_ had not had time to visit her friend since the -Fire of Saint-Jean; and yet a secret presentiment told her that her -friendship was more than ever necessary to Bathilde. At last, she stole -a moment during the morning and hastened to Rue Dauphine; she ran up to -her friend's room and did not find her there; a servant told her that -her master's daughter passed almost all her time now in the linen -closet, and pointed it out to her. - -This change of habit surprised Ambroisine. However, she went to the -small room where Bathilde was. The latter, when she saw her friend, was -confused for a moment, and hastily thrust into her bosom the letter -which she was reading for the hundredth time. - -Ambroisine ran to Bathilde and kissed her, saying: - -"Well! here I am at last! I succeeded in making my escape to-day.--We -have so many people at our baths, and so many young men come to be -shaved by father! But I found a moment this morning, and I ran away. I -was so anxious to see you! And you--have you no desire to talk over our -evening on the Place de Grève? We have so many things to say to each -other! haven't we?" - -"Oh, yes! yes! I longed to see you, too." - -"It's strange, but you don't say that with all your heart, as I do! You -have a curious manner. Have you been sick? You are quite pale.--Oh! -there is certainly something wrong!" - -"Why, no--you are mistaken; I am not sick at all!" - -"So much the better.--But how does it happen that you are in this room -looking on the street--you, who never used to leave your own bedroom?" - -"Why, I am here--I am here----" - -"Yes, I see that you are here!" - -"I am here because I asked father's permission to put my lovely rosebush -on this balcony, which is a much better place for it; and then--I--I -have to come here to tend it." - -"Ah! so it's on account of your rosebush?" - -"And then, it is much livelier here than in my room." - -"That is true enough. But when your mother comes home, I am very sure -that she will make you carry your rosebush back to your room, and will -forbid your coming here any more." - -"Do you think so? O mon Dieu!" - -"Well! now you are as pale as a ghost! Come, Bathilde, kiss me and tell -me all; you have something on your mind, and you do not want to confide -it to me. Am I no longer your sister, your friend? Do you propose to -have secrets from me? Oh, no! that is impossible! You are going to tell -me why it is that you are so distressed, that your eyes are full of -tears, that you are afraid to look me in the face. Do you mean to tell -me that you will not open your heart to me any more? Come, speak out!" - -Bathilde hesitated, but at last she faltered: - -"Ah! but you will say more unkind things about him!" - -Ambroisine shuddered; those few words told her the whole story. Her face -assumed an expression of profound sadness. - -"About him! him! Mon Dieu! have you seen Comte Léodgard again?" - -"Did I say that?" - -"Yes. The words you have just dropped tell me that it is so.--Come, -Bathilde, tell me everything now. You cannot have anything to conceal -from your sister, who loves you so dearly. I will not scold you, I have -no right to; but my friendship may be useful to you.--Speak, I entreat -you!" - -Bathilde no longer felt strong enough to resist her friend's entreaties; -she had not yet learned to dissemble. She seated herself beside -Ambroisine and told her all that had happened since they had met; and -finally, taking Léodgard's letter from her bosom with a trembling hand -she gave it to her friend. - -Ambroisine shuddered as she read the letter, then turned her eyes on -Bathilde, who was gazing into her face and waiting to hear what she -would say. - -But Hugonnet's daughter was silent for several minutes; her eyes were -swimming in tears. At last she took Bathilde's head in her hands, -pressed it to her breast, and covered it with tears and kisses, -murmuring: - -"No! no! I do not propose that you shall be ruined! Poor child, I am -determined to save you. It is my duty; for is it not my fault that this -man, who is now trying to seduce you, ever saw you? Was it not I who -insisted on taking you to see the Fire of Saint-Jean? Mon Dieu! was it -possible for one to foresee, to divine, that the Evil One would be there -in the person of this Comte Léodgard, seeking to ruin you? For he is the -Evil One, I tell you; that man is the fallen angel!--But I trust that -you do not believe him? Surely you place no faith in what he has written -you? This letter--why, there is not a word of truth in it!" - -"Not a word of truth!" cried Bathilde, in a heart-rending tone. "But in -that case, why should he write me all this, if he did not think it? Why -should he pass whole days walking in front of our house? Why should he -come here again in the evening--always looking at this window? And I am -not sure that he is not here at night too.--Ah! when I go out on the -balcony to tend my rosebush, if you could see how he looks at me--how -happy he seems all the time that I am there!" - -"So you look at him too, do you? O Bathilde!" - -"Oh, no! I don't look at him; indeed, I should not dare to. But, you -know, one can see, out of the corner of one's eye, without seeming to -look." - -"My poor dear! can it be that you already love this Monsieur Léodgard?" - -"Oh! I don't know--I don't dare to tell you. But since I read his -letter, in which he swears that he will always love me--ah! I no longer -know how I feel, what I am doing, what I am saying; my head is on fire, -and my whole body is like my head. I believe that I have a fever; I -think of nothing but him, I cannot drive away his image; I seem to feel -pain and pleasure at the same time.--Mon Dieu! I no longer know myself!" - -"Dear child! be calm. Listen to me; you have too much good sense not to -understand me.--Now, Bathilde, let us admit that the count loves you at -this moment; in the first place, his love will very soon pass away. But -even if it should be more sincere than all the loves that he has -promised, sworn, to other women, how would that help you? You know -perfectly well that you can never become the wife of a count, of a great -nobleman." - -"But you see that in his letter he says that he cares nothing for rank -and fortune." - -"In his letter he has put down everything that was likely to turn your -head!--Ah! Bathilde, do the great nobles ever marry us poor girls, the -daughters of humble tradesmen? When we are pretty, they make love to us -and try to seduce us, and they are not sparing of lies and promises to -effect that purpose! But if we are unfortunate enough to listen to them, -they very soon abandon us, leaving us nothing but shame and -regret.--What I say is absolutely true, Bathilde. You know perfectly -well that I desire nothing but your happiness. But if you listen to -Comte Léodgard, you will be unhappy, you will be ruined!--Think of your -father, who is so proud of you. Think of your mother, who has watched -over you so carefully. They would curse you!" - -"Oh! do not say any more! Yes, you are right; I was mad! But you bring -me back to myself.--Tell me how I must act; I will do whatever you -wish." - -Ambroisine embraced her friend again, and said: - -"Dear Bathilde, you suffer at this moment, because I am tearing away -illusions that made you happy. But I do it so that you may enjoy truer -happiness in the future. Listen: first of all, you must not appear on -this balcony for a week, at least; nay, you must not even come into -this room, for you would look into the street in spite of yourself. -Resume your usual mode of life, work as if your mother were by your -side.--In the second place, you must--you must not read this letter any -more; and, in order to be certain of not yielding to temptation, you -must burn it." - -"Burn his letter! the only token I shall have of his love--the only -souvenir of him when he has ceased to think of me! Oh, no! let me keep -it, Ambroisine, I implore you! I will do everything that you have said; -but don't burn his letter!" - -And Bathilde almost fell at her friend's knees. Ambroisine raised her -and replied: - -"How do you expect to be cured if you keep that paper with you, in which -he says such sweet things--things that turn the heads of us poor women? -You will read it every day, and it will simply keep your grief alive." - -"Very well! take it, Ambroisine, carry it away, but keep it for me; and -later--in a very long time--when I am cured, if I ever can be cured, -then you will give the letter back to me, and I shall be very glad to -read it again." - -"Very well; then I will take the letter away." - -"But you won't burn it, will you?" - -"No, I promise." - -"And you will take good care of it? you will not lose it?" - -"I will put it away in my little jewel box. How do you suppose that I -can lose it?" - -"But you--you won't read it, either, will you? For, if I deprive myself -of that happiness, it would not be fair for another to enjoy it in my -place!" - -"Dear Bathilde! this letter, which is so priceless in your eyes, is of -no value at all to another woman.--Never fear, I will not touch it.--Now -I must leave you, I must go home.--You will surely do as I have told -you. And first of all, my dear, to begin with, you will leave this -room?" - -"Yes." - -"And you will not come here again--for ten days?" - -"You said a week!" - -"Well, so long as Comte Léodgard continues to walk this street." - -"I will not come here." - -"And your mother--will she not return soon?" - -"I think not. It seems that she is having litigation about her -inheritance there in Normandie, where she is; for our kinswoman is dead; -but our mother has all the right on her side, so she is not alarmed." - -"Litigation--in Normandie! That will take some time!" muttered -Ambroisine, shaking her head. Then she kissed her young friend again. -"Adieu! I will come to see you as soon as possible. Courage, my poor -Bathilde! Your heart is heavy at this moment; but that will pass away. -And then, you see, when one is doing one's duty, it gives one strength -to endure sorrow." - -"Adieu, Ambroisine! I will try to be brave. But take good care of my -letter; don't lose it on your way home. I shall never be consoled if you -lose it!" - -"Never fear, I am no child. Au revoir!" - -Ambroisine ran down the staircase; and Bathilde followed her to the -foot, whispering to her: - -"Remember that you are to give it back to me!" - - - - -XXII - -THE BALCONY - - -Bathilde having followed her friend's advice to the letter, Léodgard -walked Rue Dauphine in vain on the evening of his meeting with the Sire -de Jarnonville. And as Léodgard was very much in love, as he flattered -himself that he would win a facile triumph over Landry's daughter, he -remained until midnight in front of the barber's house; but the balcony -was deserted, the window dark; the girl did not appear. - -Thereupon vexation and wrath took possession of our lover. Accustomed as -he was to defy and surmount all obstacles, his desires were sharpened by -the disdain with which he was treated. He was especially enraged -because his note, instead of completing his conquest of Bathilde, had -produced just the contrary effect. - -He struck the ground impatiently with his spurs and measured with his -eye the height of the balcony. If some friend had been there to lend him -his shoulders, he would already have tried to scale it. But, instead of -a friend, Léodgard spied a patrol coming down the street; and as he was -not anxious to fight a patrol single-handed, he decided to decamp. But -as he walked away, he said to himself, looking back at the balcony: - -"Oh! it is useless for you to conceal yourself, Bathilde; it is useless -for you to try to escape from my love; you shall be mine, for I have -sworn it--for you are the loveliest, the most fascinating girl whom I -know in Paris to-day!" - -Early the next morning Léodgard entered the barber's shop; he ordered a -bath, and while it was being prepared he looked at all the windows on -the yard, and entered into conversation with the attendant who waited on -him. - -"Is Master Landry married?" - -"Yes, seigneur." - -"Where is his wife?" - -"Travelling at present; she has gone to Normandie to secure an -inheritance." - -"Master Landry has a daughter?" - -"Yes, seigneur." - -"Very pretty, I am told?" - -"That is true, seigneur." - -"Why do we never see her in the shop or about the baths?" - -"For the very reason, seigneur, that she is so pretty." - -"Is she watched so closely, pray?" - -"When Dame Ragonde, her mother, is here, she doesn't leave her daughter -for an instant." - -"But now that she is away, is there no way of obtaining a word with the -girl--a single word? Here--take this piece of gold and just tell me -where Bathilde's room is." - -But Léodgard had applied in the wrong quarter. Landry was an old soldier -who had a keen eye for an honest man; he had selected his attendants -with care, and they esteemed him too highly to betray him. The gold -piece was declined; Léodgard insisted to no purpose, for the attendant -merely replied: - -"I don't work on the women's side, seigneur; I don't know where their -rooms are. I am too well treated in Master Landry's service to do -anything that would cause my discharge." - -"Pardieu! I have bad luck!" said Léodgard to himself. "All our valets -and esquires are ready to be bribed; and I must come to a bath keeper's -to find an incorruptible servant. And people calumniate these houses! -They say that they serve to cloak clandestine love affairs, that the -most delicious intrigues are formed and consummated in them.--Gad! that -surely is not true of Master Landry's!" - -And Léodgard cast his eye over all the windows looking on the yard; but -they were closed and supplied with very heavy curtains; it was -impossible to discover anything, to guess where Bathilde's room was; for -the young man was confident that she did not occupy the front room with -the balcony, as there had been no light there throughout the preceding -evening. - -The young count left the establishment without taking the bath he had -ordered; once more he marched up and down the street, but with no better -fortune; and at last, weary of the struggle, he left the place, saying -to himself: - -"I am very sure, none the less, that I did not displease her." - -The two following days, Léodgard played sentinel again to no purpose. -Bathilde did not appear. The windows on the balcony remained closed, and -she did not even come to tend the poor rosebush, which, however, was -sorely in need of being watered, for the buds were beginning to droop on -their stems. - -"What! she will allow her rosebush to die, for fear of seeing me!" said -Léodgard to himself. "She must be terribly afraid of me, then! Ah! when -a woman is so afraid of a man, it is a good sign; she does not fear -those who are indifferent to her. But I will stake my head that -Ambroisine has been to see her, that it was she who urged her not to -show herself any more. How do I know that Bathilde, without letting -herself be seen, is not hidden somewhere, at some other window, whence -she watches what I do, and says to herself: 'He is still thinking of -me!'--If I thought that!--However, I will try this method: I will force -myself to stay away for several days, to avoid passing through this -street; she will believe that I have ceased to think of her; and perhaps -her vexation, or her confidence, will serve me better than this -fruitless watching." - -Thereupon our lover wrapped himself in his cloak, pulled his hat over -his eyes, and, with the air of a man who has suddenly decided upon a -course of action, he walked rapidly away and disappeared, without once -turning his head. - -Léodgard had read only too well Bathilde's guileless heart, that heart -which longed to love, and which found happiness even in the pangs which -that sentiment already caused it to feel. - -The girl had kept the promise she had made her friend; she had not -returned to the room with the balcony; but adjoining that room, and, -like it, at the front of the house, there was another, occupied by -Master Landry and his wife. Since Dame Ragonde had been away, that room -had been deserted throughout the day; for the old soldier went down -early to his baths, and did not go up to his room again until bedtime. - -On the day following Ambroisine's visit, Bathilde remembered that her -father had given her an old jacket to mend; the work was not at all -urgent, but Bathilde hastened to do it so that she might have an excuse -for going to her parents' bedroom. She went there to return the garment -belonging to her father; and once she was in that room, which looked on -the street, but had no balcony at the windows--because the architects of -those days did not make a point of regularity in their buildings--once -there, Bathilde could not resist the temptation to go to one of the -windows; and, while she pretended to adjust a curtain which presumably -did not fall gracefully, she allowed her glance to wander into the -street, where she instantly espied the man she had promised to forget. - -This first step once taken, Bathilde found other excuses for going every -day to her father's chamber, where, by putting the curtain aside the -least bit in the world, she could look into the street--the eye requires -such a narrow space to see so many things! - -To excuse herself to her own conscience, Bathilde reasoned thus: - -"I promised Ambroisine not to go to the linen closet for a week; and I -do not go there. I have business in this room, and I am obliged to come -here! It isn't my fault that there are windows here from which I can -look into the street." - -This reasoning was that of a lawyer rather than of an innocent maiden; -wit, you see, comes to the most inexperienced simultaneously with love. - -Thus Bathilde knew that Léodgard was there, always there, with his eyes -fixed on the balcony; and with every moment that passed, she put less -faith in what her friend had said to her. - -"If he did not love me sincerely," she said to herself, "would he pass -his days like this, trying to see me?" - -It is so pleasant to make excuses for those whom we love. - -But when the young count changed his plan of attack, when he ceased -entirely to appear on Rue Dauphine, a new form of torture, a pang -sharper than all the rest, tore the poor child's heart. - -A whole day passed, and Léodgard did not appear. At first she flattered -herself with the thought that he had come just at the time when she was -not peering from behind the curtain; for, with the best will in the -world, one cannot pass every moment with one's face glued against a -window. - -But on the following day there was no lover on the street, and so on the -day following that. - -Bathilde's heart was heavy and oppressed; the tears longed to flow, but -she forced them back; she was pale; she was consumed by fever and she -could not eat. - -Landry noticed his daughter's depression and was disturbed by it; he -asked her if she was in pain, if she felt sick. - -"Nothing is the matter with me, father, nothing!"--Such is the -invariable reply of a maiden whose suffering has its source in her -heart. - -But Ambroisine was determined not to leave her friend without -consolation, and one morning she paid her a hurried visit. She was -alarmed by her pallor, her prostration, and the grief-stricken -expression of her face. - -When she saw Ambroisine, however, Bathilde strove to conceal the misery -that was devouring her. - -"I came to find out if you have been brave, if you have kept the -promises you made me?" said Ambroisine, as she embraced Bathilde, who -submitted to her friend's caresses without responding to them. - -"Yes," she faltered, "I have done what you ordered." - -"Ordered!--As if I gave you any orders! don't you know that it is my -affection which leads me to advise you, to keep watch over you?--But how -pale you are! Are you so very unhappy?" - -"I? oh, no!" - -"You have not been on the balcony again?" - -"No; but I might as well go there now; for it is all over; he doesn't -come any more; he has not passed the house, not once, for four days." - -"How do you know? So you have been looking out of the window, have you?" - -"Indeed! I was in father's room, and I could not help seeing. Besides, I -wanted to be certain that he was not there.--It is all over; he has -forgotten me!" - -As she said these words, Bathilde, despite all her efforts, could no -longer restrain her tears; she let her head fall on Ambroisine's -shoulder and gave free vent to her sobs. - -Hugonnet's daughter mingled her tears with her friend's, for at that -moment she could think of no better way to comfort her. A grief which -is able to find a vent always loses its force; it is a torrent changed -into a brook. - -Bathilde recovered her courage to some degree, and wiped her tears away, -saying: - -"I will be sensible; I will forget him, too; I will imitate him!--Ah! -you were right, Ambroisine, his letter contained nothing but falsehoods; -for he told me that he would die rather than cease to love me. Yes, it -was nothing but lies, false oaths--so I never want to read it again; you -may burn that letter, which deceived me so, you may destroy it; I must -not keep anything to remind me of that--that fatal meeting." - -"What you say is very wise, my dear child; yes, I will burn his letter -this very day--as soon as I go home.--Ah! he well deserves to be -roasted, too, the villain! who has caused my poor Bathilde so much -misery!" - -"Oh, no! you must not wish him ill, Ambroisine! On the contrary, I wish -that he may be happy! And when I pray, I will beseech God to watch over -him too, and to give him every felicity!" - -"Upon my word! you are too kind! But heaven will take pity on you; and -before long, I am sure, it will have banished from your memory, from -your heart, everything that can possibly recall that seducer! If you -could come to see me--if you could go out a little to divert your -thoughts.--But, no! no! that would be dangerous; he might be on the -watch for you and follow you again! I will come here; I will come -whenever I have a moment to myself. I would have liked to bring my -other friend with me,--Miretta, the girl I have spoken to you about; she -is very agreeable, and she has so many interesting things to tell about -Italy! But she never comes to see me, except in the evening; and father -will not let me go out after dark, because there is a very dangerous -brigand in Paris who attacks everybody, and whom they cannot succeed in -arresting. So that many people declare that he is not a natural person -at all, that he has dealings with the devil! Indeed, there are some who -say that this Giovanni is the devil in person! As if that was not -absurd! Why should the devil amuse himself robbing and stripping people -in the streets?--But my friend Miretta is no coward, I tell you. She -isn't afraid of the brigand, for she sometimes stays at our house quite -late; and when father hasn't gone out to drink with the neighbors, he -always offers to take Miretta home to the Hôtel de Mongarcin, but she -will never accept anybody's escort. Several times father has said to -her: 'Beware! you will fall in with Giovanni, and he will attack -you!'--But she simply shakes her head and replies: 'I am not afraid of -robbers.'--I am not very timid myself; but I confess that I haven't as -much courage as Miretta, that I would not dare to go out alone so late, -especially as they say that this Giovanni is horrible to look at. It -seems that his head is all covered with bristling black hair like a wild -beast, and that he has a beard that reaches to his breast.--He must be a -frightful creature, mustn't he?" - -Bathilde, who had ceased to listen when her friend no longer spoke of -Léodgard, answered with a sigh: - -"Look you, Ambroisine, I have been reflecting. You must not burn his -letter; I prefer to keep it, because it is a proof--because it shows -that men tell us things that they don't mean! Oh, no! you must not burn -it, but you must give it back to me, after a while, when I can read it -without danger, you know!" - -Ambroisine shrugged her shoulders; and finding that it was useless to -try to divert Bathilde's thoughts, she decided to leave her. - -"Very well," she said; "I will not burn that wicked letter, since you -wish to treasure it!--Adieu! you no longer listen to my words of -consolation, but I trust that time will have more power than I have." - -And the _belle baigneuse_ took her leave. - -It was midnight; the hour which it is said that lovers and burglars -select for their enterprises. - -Everything was quiet in Landry's house; it was the hour of repose. But -one does not sleep at eighteen, when one's heart is torn by the torments -and pangs of love. - -Bathilde was in her room; she had risen because it was impossible for -her to find rest on her solitary couch; she opened her window, which -looked on the yard, and after standing there for a moment left it -because there was no air; only that which came from the street could do -her any good. - -Suddenly the girl remembered her rosebush, which she had neglected for a -week; she thought that it must be dying for lack of water, or that it -must at least be very sickly; and taking her lamp, which was still -burning on the table, she softly opened her door and went to the linen -closet, delighted to have found a pretext for going out on the balcony. - -Bathilde placed her lamp in a corner, then opened the window without -noise, and in a moment was on the balcony, beside the rosebush. But -instead of examining the plant, she gazed into the darkness that -surrounded her. - -The street was dark and seemed entirely deserted. Now and then she could -hear shouts in the distance and shrill whistles that seemed to answer -one another--signals far from reassuring to the belated bourgeois, who -quickened his pace as he hurried homeward preceded by a hired -torchbearer. - -At other moments the silence of the night was disturbed by the songs of -students and pages, assembled to make an uproar and break windows. - -But these lasted only an instant, then everything became quiet once -more. - -The girl could see nothing in the dark street; there was no moon to -dissipate the gloom; and yet, she could not make up her mind to leave -the balcony. She felt better there; it seemed to her almost as if she -were with him of whom she thought constantly. - -Suddenly she heard her name; the voice came from beneath the balcony. -She shuddered, but not with fear; she listened--her name was called -again. The voice was soft and supplicating. - -"Who is there?" faltered Bathilde. - -"He who thinks only of you, who cannot exist without you!" - -"Oh! that is not true, monsieur; for you have not been here for four -days, you have not even tried to see me; therefore, you no longer think -of me!" - -"Oh! you were so cruel, Bathilde! Not a word in reply to my letter; but, -instead of that, you ceased to come out, you no longer appeared on the -balcony!--Yes, I tried to forget you, to return here no more! But that -was impossible; my love is stronger than your disdain!" - -"Ah! if that were true! But, no, I must not believe you! You seduce all -the women--Ambroisine told me so." - -"Ambroisine simply repeats what she hears. Ought you to give credit to -the assertions of people who do not know me? Dear Bathilde, you should -believe your heart alone, for the heart never deceives." - -"But I must not listen to you, for you are a great noble and I am only a -poor girl." - -"You are an angel! and angels so rarely appear on earth!" - -"Ambroisine told me that you were making sport of me when you swore that -I should be your wife!" - -"Why have you more confidence in another person's word than in my oaths, -Bathilde?" - -"Ah! I should be very happy if I could believe you!" - -"You restore my hope, my life!" - -"O mon Dieu! I think I hear my father coughing! adieu! fly!" - -Bathilde hurriedly left the balcony, closed the window, took her lamp, -and returned to her room, without giving a thought to the poor rosebush, -which was the pretext of her nocturnal venture. We are ungrateful -creatures; in our happiness, we forget all those to whom we owe it. - -And Bathilde was so happy now! he still loved her, he had not for one -instant ceased to think of her! His tender oaths intoxicated her heart -with joy and love. The love that possessed her was so true, so pure, so -sincere, that she no longer felt strong enough to contend against it. - -Léodgard went his way no less happy than she; being perfectly certain -now of her love, he had but one thought: to possess her person whose -heart was already his; and with the young count it was a short interval -between the desire and its gratification. - -The next night, about half-past eleven, Léodgard was in front of -Landry's house. He listened attentively; everything was quiet; not a -light was to be seen, and the night was as dark as the preceding one. - -But the young count was well acquainted with the position of the -balcony, and he had measured its height from the ground beforehand. -Taking from beneath his cloak a short silk ladder to which a strong -iron hook was attached, he dexterously threw the hook over the balcony -rail, satisfied himself that it was firm, then climbed the ladder with -the agility of a squirrel, stepped onto the balcony, drew up the ladder, -and softly opened the window. On the preceding night, Bathilde in her -haste had closed the window without fastening it, so that everything -favored Léodgard's audacious enterprise. - -But although he was in the linen closet, he must still find the girl's -bedroom. He opened the door, stepped into the hall, and cautiously felt -his way along, stopping frequently to listen. Something told him that -Bathilde herself would point out the direction he must follow. - -And so it proved; he heard a sweet voice singing an old villanelle with -a slow and melancholy refrain. - -Léodgard walked in the direction from which the sound came, and soon -spied a light shining through the crack of a door not entirely closed. - -It was Bathilde's bedroom. - -Suddenly she saw the door open and Léodgard appear before her; she -screamed, but her lover fell at her feet; she tried to fly from him, but -he already held her in his arms. - -Poor Bathilde! she loved him too dearly to be capable of defending -herself. - -The next morning her rosebush was dead. - - * * * * * - -Let us allow two months to elapse, during which the lovers rarely passed -a night without meeting. The silk ladder remained in Bathilde's room, -and she herself fastened it to the balcony at the hour agreed upon with -Léodgard, who no longer appeared in the morning in front of Master -Landry's abode. - -Thus the lovers were able to enjoy their happiness in peace; no one was -in their confidence, therefore they feared no treachery. - -Ambroisine had come more than once to see her friend, and had asked her -if she was beginning to be consoled, to forget Comte Léodgard. And -Bathilde had lied; for her lover had told her that their liaison must be -kept a profound secret until the time when he could mention it to her -father; and to obey Léodgard, Bathilde had pretended, in answer to her -friend, to be cured of her love. - -But at the end of the two months which had passed so swiftly for -Bathilde, a message arrived for Landry: he learned that his wife, having -finished her litigation at last and received the amount of her -inheritance, was returning to Paris, and that she would arrive in two -days. - -The thought that she was about to stand once more in her mother's -presence made the guilty girl tremble; it seemed to her that her mother -would read her shame on her forehead; and on the night following the -receipt of the news, being with her lover, she looked up at him with her -eyes full of tears, and said: - -"Save me! My mother will be here to-morrow! If she learns of my fault, I -shall be undone! Oh! I implore you, delay no longer! Ask my father for -my hand; avow your love to him, so that I may be your wife, so that I -may love you without blushing! Otherwise, my mother will find a way to -prevent me from seeing you; and I shall die of shame and grief -combined!" - -Léodgard tried to allay Bathilde's terror and grief; he did not seem -deeply afflicted to learn that Dame Ragonde's return would put an end to -those pleasant nocturnal meetings. But for two months he had had nothing -more to wish for, and he was only waiting for an opportunity to break -off an intrigue in which he had obtained all that he sought. - -However, he concealed what was taking place in his mind from the girl, -who wept bitterly; he pretended to share her chagrin; he was most lavish -of oaths and promises, and swore that before long they would meet to -part no more. - -The next day Dame Ragonde returned home, bringing the funds which she -destined for her daughter's marriage portion. - - - - -XXIII - -THE HÔTEL DE MONGARCIN - - -It was the morrow of a grand reception given at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin,--a function which had brought together the most noble dames -and the gentlemen of the first families of France then residing in the -capital. - -Madame de Ravenelle and her niece had done the honors of the fête; but -Valentine especially had displayed that grace and refinement of manner -which made her a noteworthy figure everywhere. - -It was she who had conceived the idea of giving a reception; and her -aunt had consented, but on condition that her niece should take it upon -herself to arrange and manage everything. - -The guests had conversed; they had played lansquenet, brelan, primero, -dice, and other fashionable games; they had danced sarabands, -_passe-pieds, branles_, and all the dances then in vogue. In fact, -everybody had seemed delighted with the evening's entertainment, and had -lavished compliments upon Valentine and Madame de Ravenelle, -congratulating the latter upon having a niece who did the honors of her -house so gracefully. - -And as the givers of a large party are usually very tired on the -following day, the old aunt was stretched out on a reclining chair, -from which she did not stir; while Valentine sat on a sofa, with her -feet on a soft hassock, holding in her hands a piece of embroidery upon -which she was not working. - -"Are you asleep, aunt?" inquired Valentine, after a very long silence. - -"I think not, niece; at all events, if I had been, your question would -have waked me!" - -"Oh! I see that you were not asleep at all.--Our reception last night -was very brilliant, was it not?" - -"If it is to ask me that that you interfere with my doze----" - -"No; I wanted to ask you also if you noticed that all those whom we -invited came?" - -"All! do you think so?" - -"Yes, aunt, with the exception of a single one.--Oh! I am quite sure -that you noticed that, too." - -"It is true," said Madame de Ravenelle, partly rising, "that the young -Comte de Marvejols did not come." - -"He is the one I mean. I trust that now you will not give another -thought to my marrying this gentleman, who shows--I will not say so -little zeal, for he has shown zeal in avoiding me!--but who is almost -discourteous to us!" - -"But, Valentine, young Léodgard's father, the Marquis de Marvejols, -accepted our invitation; he apologized for his son and said that -fatigue, an attack of fever, kept him at home." - -"Of course you do not suppose that I believe a word of that! Fatigue! -fever! If he were ill, would his father have come to our party?" - -"He may be only indisposed; the marquis, his father, was delightfully -amiable with me! He is a man of the old school; he stands very well at -court; it is said that the king is much attached to him, and that the -cardinal himself has the highest esteem for Monsieur de Marvejols." - -"Mon Dieu! aunt, I have never ventured to doubt any of monsieur le -marquis's estimable qualities, although his manner seems to me rather -stern than amiable. That he stands very well at court is possible; but -that does not make it any the less true that his son will never be my -husband. Upon my word! fancy my taking for my husband a man who despises -me!" - -"Oh! my dear niece!" - -"Why, my dear aunt, since this gentleman does not deign to take the -trouble to pay court to me, since he even avoids my society, does it not -mean that he disdains an alliance with me?" - -"Have you heard of his paying court to any other woman? No!--If you -could name some nobly born person, some _grande dame_, whose assiduous -attendant he was, I could understand your irritation. But young Léodgard -goes most rarely into society; he likes those parties of young men, -where they gamble and drink and fight and raise the deuce with -passers-by.--Mon Dieu! niece, such amusements have been indulged in by -many young men of illustrious birth. Why, some even go so far as to say -that one of our kings took great pleasure in going out at night with his -favorites, his _mignons_, and that they used to steal cloaks from the -people they met!" - -"Oh! aunt! do you approve of that?" - -"No, surely not! But I simply mean to say that young Léodgard may be -only a heedless youth, who dreads the moment when he must marry; because -he knows that then he will have to reform, to change his mode of life -altogether and live in a circle where he must maintain his rank -worthily." - -Valentine made no reply. - -A few moments later she rang, and said to Madame de Ravenelle: - -"I am going to tell Miretta to finish this tapestry; the work tires me, -and the little Béarnaise does it so beautifully!--She did that corner, -and it's much better than I can do. She is running over with talent, -that girl--she has excellent taste in everything; she trims a cap with -marvellous skill!--Will you allow her to work here, aunt, on my stool? -We shall not have any visitors to-day." - -The old lady confined herself to a nod of assent. - -Miretta entered the salon. - -"Come here, Miretta," said Valentine, pointing to the stool; "sit here, -and work on my embroidery; this work bores me; in any event, I am in no -mood to hold a needle this morning; I am tired. Sit down. Are you -comfortable?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle." - -"Don't hurry, work at your ease; this foot rest is not needed at -present.--Did you see everybody last night, Miretta?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I helped the ladies to take off their cloaks and -mantles and shawls in the small reception room." - -"Ah! to be sure. There were some very pretty ladies, were there not?" - -"Oh, yes! but----" - -"Well! finish." - -"Mademoiselle will think that I mean to pay her a compliment; but I am -not given to flattery--I say just what I think." - -"Well, say it; what do you think?" - -"That mademoiselle was the most beautiful of all the ladies, married or -single, who were at the house last evening." - -"Really? Why, that is very prettily said.--Do you hear what Miretta says -to me, aunt?" - -Madame de Ravenelle did not reply, but they heard a sound as of -prolonged breathing. - -"Ah! my aunt is asleep this time," continued Valentine; "so much the -better; we can talk more freely; but we will speak a little -lower.--Well! my poor Miretta, so you consider me beautiful enough to -carry the day over many other women. Several gentlemen told me last -night what you have just told me. I received a multitude of compliments, -attentions, even declarations! I am well aware that I must look upon -them as the little courtesies which it is customary to address to -ladies, but, after all, I know also that I am not ugly! And, -nevertheless, there is one young man who does not choose to see me, for -fear that he may be obliged to show me a little attention." - -"Oh! that is most surprising, mademoiselle; unless, indeed, this young -noble has some other passion in his heart!" - -"That is what I thought, myself; but I am told that it is not so!" - -"But can anyone know such things?" - -"Oh! you are right, Miretta; is it possible to know the secrets of the -heart? But look you, Miretta: I am very sure of one thing--that is, that -you love someone!" - -"I, mademoiselle?" replied the girl, blushing. - -"Yes, yes! you! Come, tell me the secrets of your heart; since you have -been in my service, I have watched you closely; in the first place, you -are not light-hearted and merry, as a girl should be; you sigh very -often; and when you think that you are not observed, you raise your eyes -to heaven as if in entreaty--for whom? Ah! it can only be for the man -whom one loves that one addresses such eloquent glances to heaven! Am I -wrong, Miretta? have you not in your heart a love which makes you -unhappy? Come, confess it!" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, you are not mistaken; it is true that my heart -is--is no longer mine." - -"Ah! I was perfectly sure of it; but then the man whom you love so -dearly does not reciprocate, since you sigh so much?" - -"I beg pardon, mademoiselle; the man I love does return my love." - -"Then why are you sad so often? Perhaps it is because there are -obstacles; you are not allowed to see each other, you are forbidden to -love." - -"There are many obstacles, mademoiselle, in truth, and I meet him very -rarely." - -"But he is in Paris, is he?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle." - -"And it was to join him that you came hither, I will warrant." - -"That is true, mademoiselle." - -"See what a power of divination I possess! But what does your lover do? -Is he not free? Are you not able to marry?" - -Miretta lowered her eyes, her bosom heaved painfully, the pallor of -deadly alarm overspread her brow. - -"Well! I see that I make you unhappy!" continued Valentine; "let us say -no more about it. But still, you do see your lover sometimes, and then -you are very happy. Oh! when that happens, I can detect it by your -face; you are no longer the same girl that you were the day before; you -smile and are almost gay. Because, as I believe it is as difficult to -conceal one's happiness as one's suffering.--For my part, I have no love -for the man they would like me to marry; no, indeed! I have not the -slightest love for him, although he is a very well-favored young man." - -"Ah! do you know him, mademoiselle?" - -"Very little; I have seen him once or twice in society. He is the son of -that old nobleman who was here last night--that tall, thin man with a -severe expression, dressed all in black, in the style of the time of -Henri IV, with a ruff that concealed his chin--the Marquis de Marvejols, -in fact." - -"The Marquis de Marvejols! Is it his son whom you are expected to marry, -mademoiselle?" - -"To be sure! why that exclamation?" - -"Because, last night I was in the main vestibule when that old gentleman -arrived." - -"Well! what then?" - -"All your servants were there, and also a clerk from the office of your -aunt's solicitor, who had come to give her some information about some -business--a debt due her, or something else, I don't know what! But, as -you may imagine, they told the little clerk--for he is a very small -fellow--they told him that there was a grand reception going on, and -that madame could not receive him." - -"What relation has all this to the old Marquis de Marvejols?" - -"Why, mademoiselle, when Monsieur Bahuchet--that is the little clerk's -name--when he found that he could not be received, he put his papers in -his pocket, saying: 'Very well; I will return to-morrow.'--But, instead -of going away at once, as the guests were arriving, he remained a long -while in the vestibule, talking with the major-domo and the servants. He -is a great gossip, but he is amusing; for he made comments on everybody -who arrived, and I assure you, mademoiselle, that sometimes he said some -very comical things.--So, when this old gentleman arrived, and the -servant announced Monsieur le Marquis de Marvejols, the little clerk -cried: - -"'Ah! I know that nobleman, and his son too. He had a pretty little pile -of debts, had the son; but the father paid them all some time ago; it -was my master, my solicitor, who called the creditors together. Comte -Léodgard promised to reform, but he doesn't reform; he is beginning to -run in debt again; and then, he's a great fellow for midnight intrigues! -I'll wager that he won't come here to-night; he is too fully occupied -elsewhere!'" - -"The clerk said that?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I was quite near him and I heard him plainly." - -"Well! what else did he say? go on!" - -"He said nothing more on that subject, mademoiselle; for other persons -arrived, and he had comments to make on them. It seems that that young -man knows all Paris; but nothing more was said about the son of Monsieur -le Marquis de Marvejols." - -"What a pity! I should be so glad to know something more; and it is very -probable that this clerk--what did you call him?" - -"Bahuchet, mademoiselle; a bit of a man, not so tall as I am, and with a -most original face!" - -"This Monsieur Bahuchet must know more; and as he is so talkative, if -one had an opportunity to question him----" - -At that moment the door of the salon opened, and a servant appeared and -said: - -"The clerk from the office of madame's solicitor, who came last evening, -wishes to know if he may speak to Madame de Ravenelle." - -"Oh, yes! yes!" cried Valentine, jumping for joy. "Let him come in; he -could not come more opportunely!" - -"Eh! mon Dieu! what is it? why this noise, these cries?" demanded the -old lady, rudely awakened from her nap. "What is the matter, Valentine?" - -"Your solicitor's clerk wishes to speak with you, aunt." - -"And that is your reason for shrieking so! Let them send the clerk away; -I do not care to attend to any business to-day, I am too tired." - -"But, aunt, he came last night; and then, if you knew--he will tell us -some very interesting things about the young Comte de Marvejols." - -"What! my solicitor?" - -"His clerk. I beg you, my dear aunt, let me question him; do not you -take the trouble to speak, if it tires you; I will speak for you." - -Madame de Ravenelle threw herself back in her reclining chair, and at -the same instant Monsieur Bahuchet was ushered into the presence of the -ladies. - - - - -XXIV - -THE WHITE PLUME - - -At sight of that young man of four feet eight, with his enormous head, -his huge mouth, his gaping nostrils, and, with all the rest, a -self-assured and pretentious air which bordered closely upon -impertinence, Valentine turned her head away in order not to laugh in -his face. - -Bahuchet took four steps into the salon, then made two very low -reverences, one to Madame de Ravenelle, the other to her niece. As for -Miretta, he simply bestowed a patronizing smile upon her, as if to say: - -"I know you, my dear; I know that you are the lady's-maid." - -"What do you want with me, monsieur?" inquired the old lady, without -moving. - -"Madame, I am sent hither by my employer, Maître Pierre-Guillaume -Bourdinard, your solicitor before the courts, and am instructed to -inform you, on the part of said Bourdinard, that Sieur Benoît-Gervais -Cocatrix, your tenant and debtor, now occupying your property on Rue des -Lions-Saint-Paul, has not yet paid his rent for the current term, or for -previous terms since he has occupied the said property, albeit we have -duly and frequently served upon him notices and citations on stamped -paper, which citations, engrossed by your humble servant, Nicolas -Bahuchet, should be paid for by the debtor, who, however----" - -"Enough! enough!" said the old lady, motioning to the little clerk to -hold his peace; "you drive me mad with your pettifogger's jargon. Come -to the point, if you please; has my tenant paid his rent?" - -"I was proceeding to certify the contrary by my peroration, if madame -had allowed me to finish.--I continue: And Maître Bourdinard, my worthy -employer, having to no purpose threatened your tenant, desires to know -whether he shall grant him still more time, or shall force him to vacate -the premises _ex abrupto_." - -"How now, monsieur! Are you talking Latin to me? Do you imagine that by -any chance I can understand it? Let my solicitor procure my money for -me; he may employ whatever method he chooses--that is his affair. But I -do not choose to be pestered any more with this business; that, I trust, -is understood." - -"Perfectly, madame; your orders shall be carried out. I will transmit -them to Maître Bourdinard personally, as I now have the honor to speak -with you, and the law will take its course. _Dixi!_ Whereupon I have the -honor----" - -And the little clerk was already preparing to take his leave, when -Valentine said to him: - -"One moment, monsieur; I have a question or two--some information to -request from you. But I would be very glad if, in answering me, you -would employ neither Latin nor the phraseology of the courtroom." - -"Oh! with pleasure, mademoiselle; now that my employer's errand is done, -I become once more a jovial Basochian, master of his acts and his -tongue. But when we are performing our duties as clerk, we must needs -adopt the manner and language of the office. Moreover, it is always well -to show that one has education! That is what I constantly tell Plumard, -who thinks of nothing but finding pomades to make his hair grow. Plumard -is my fellow clerk, but he is bald and----" - -"I do not desire to speak to you of your fellow clerk Plumard, monsieur; -but last evening you made comments in a loud tone upon a large number of -persons who came to our reception." - -"That is quite possible, mademoiselle; comments of no consequence. One -must talk and laugh a bit, and show that one has conversational -powers." - -"All your comments were not without consequence, monsieur; especially -those in which you indulged concerning the son of Monsieur le Marquis de -Marvejols." - -"Concerning the marquis's son? Ah, yes! Monsieur le Comte Léodgard; what -did I say about him?--In the first place, I do not know him personally; -I have never seen him except at a distance; I may have repeated what -everybody says: that he was in debt; that his father paid fifty thousand -livres for him lately! That is true, for Maître Bourdinard, my employer, -called the creditors together in his office, in order to obtain the best -conditions and the greatest possible abatement." - -"That is not all; you added that Comte Léodgard certainly would not come -to our reception.--What made you think so, monsieur?" - -Bahuchet smiled cunningly, scratched his forehead, and shifted from one -leg to the other like a canary; he seemed to hesitate before replying, -and looked now at the old lady, now at her niece, and again at Miretta. - -"Well, monsieur, did you not hear my question?" added Mademoiselle de -Mongarcin impatiently, and in an imperious tone. - -"I beg your pardon, mademoiselle, I heard you perfectly; but there are -some things which we young clerks of the Basoche say to one another, or -when talking with the common people, which we should not dare to say to -a young lady of noble birth." - -"Since you have had a good education, monsieur, you should be able to -use suitable terms in which to state a fact, and to refrain from saying -anything that can offend my ears. So much the worse for you, if you -cannot find a way to express yourself becomingly." - -Bahuchet's self-esteem was stung to the quick; Valentine had hit upon -the way to make him speak. He rested the hand in which he held his hat -on his hip, and, striking an attitude like an advocate, said: - -"Mademoiselle, I am very well able to express myself, and to select my -words according to my audience. Thank heaven, I have fitted myself for -the profession! My parents were poor, but poverty is not a vice! I do -not know who it was that dared to say: 'It is something much worse!' but -I do not share his opinion. Ignorance is a vice, and so is stupidity! -Wealth does not always go hand in hand with merit! On the contrary, it -seems to take pleasure in sneering at it!--Homer, poor and blind, -wandered through the streets and public squares, reciting verses to -obtain a crust of bread. Plautus, that original, satirical comic poet, -turned the wheel of a mill for his livelihood. Agrippa died in the -hospital. And it is said that the illustrious author of _Don Quixote_, -Miguel Cervantes, died of want. Tasso was often reduced to the necessity -of borrowing a crown." - -"Mon Dieu! will he never be done?" said Valentine, turning to Miretta; -"I am sure that my aunt has fallen asleep again." - -The little clerk, observing that the beautiful young lady paid no -attention to him, decided to return to the subject upon which she had -questioned him. - -"Pardon me, mademoiselle; I allow myself to be led astray by my -schoolboy reminiscences. I return to the question which you did me the -honor to ask me. I did say, it is true, that I believed Monsieur le -Comte Léodgard to be too much engrossed by new intrigues at this moment -to have time to come to your fête. My reason for saying that was that I -have a friend--that is to say, a confrère--or a friend, no matter -which!--one Plumard, who is bald already, at twenty-six! That is rather -early to be bald!--Now, Plumard lives on Rue Dauphine--a small room -under the eaves. And a few days ago we were leaning out of his window, -looking into the street, and I recognized the young Comte de Marvejols -walking back and forth and watching, out of the corner of his eye, the -house of a bath keeper, who it seems has a charming daughter, a model of -grace, beauty, and innocence. The parents never allow this enchanting -creature to go out; the mother especially watches her with the greatest -care. But Plumard said to me, laughingly: 'That young gentleman comes -prowling about the house every day--he even comes in the evening! and it -is probable that he comes late at night! He surely must have seen the -bath keeper's daughter, and it is on her account that he passes his time -in this quarter.'" - -"A bath keeper's daughter!" exclaimed Valentine, with a disdainful air. -"Is it possible that the son of the Marquis de Marvejols forgets himself -to such a degree as to address his sighs to one so far beneath him!" - -"But if the little one is a model of beauty, as they say," murmured the -undersized clerk, "that causes much to be overlooked!" - -"You know a bath keeper's daughter, Miretta; you go to see her -sometimes, do you not? Can it be the same one?" - -"No, mademoiselle; the one I know is very good-looking too, but she -lives on Rue Saint-Jacques; she lost her mother long ago." - -"I know whom you mean!" cried Bahuchet; "you mean Ambroisine, whom they -call La Belle Baigneuse. Ah! she's a very handsome girl--tall and well -built! She is Master Hugonnet's daughter, whose baths are very -popular.--Oh! I know her; I know all Paris, I do! But she isn't the one -in question, for my friend Plumard--his name ought to be _Plumé_ -[plucked], for before long he will not have three hairs on his scalp---- -But, no matter; Plumard told me about the daughter of his neighbor, the -bath keeper on Rue Dauphine. His name is Landry; he is an old soldier, -who will not look on it as a joke if he learns that a gallant is making -love to his daughter, whatever the gallant's name and rank may be!" - -"And--was it long ago, monsieur, that you had this conversation at your -friend's window on Rue Dauphine?" - -"About six weeks, mademoiselle." - -"Have you seen your friend again since? Has he told you anything more -concerning Monsieur Léodgard de Marvejols's love affairs?" - -"I have seen Plumard very often since. We sometimes dine together at the -cook shop. A few days, or rather a few nights ago, I escorted my comrade -home; it was very late, almost midnight; we had been singing and playing -cards and drinking a long, long while, and Plumard, who is not over -brave, was afraid to go home alone. He was in dread of falling in with -Giovanni the robber--the famous Italian brigand whom our archers, our -arquebusiers, our watch, in fact, all our soldiery, have not succeeded -in catching. They are not shrewd. To secure that villain's arrest, I -shall have to take a hand in it. But I will show them how to catch him. -I know how they must go to work to do it, and----" - -"You will have Giovanni arrested?" cried Miretta, whose face had turned -deathly pale. - -"Well, well! what has happened to you, child?" said Valentine, almost -alarmed by her maid's abrupt exclamation. "Mon Dieu! how excited you -are!" - -"I beg pardon, mademoiselle; excuse me; but monsieur said that he knew -how they could arrest this Italian--this Giovanni." - -"How does that concern you? You do not seem to be afraid of him, for you -never go out except at night, and you come home quite late, so Béatrix -tells me." - -"That is true, mademoiselle; but, for all that, I would like to -know----" - -"But I wish to know what concerns Monsieur Léodgard. I am not at all -interested in this famous robber.--For heaven's sake, Monsieur Bahuchet, -go on. You were taking your friend Plumard home, to Rue Dauphine." - -"Yes, mademoiselle; we were walking quietly along, arm in arm, talking -together, and he was assuring me that he had discovered three more hairs -on his head since the night before, and he attributed that capillary -recrudescence to some grease made from a man who had been hanged, which -an old woman had presented to him." - -"Ah! monsieur, you abuse my patience!" - -"A thousand pardons, mademoiselle! I continue.--About a hundred yards -from the bath keeper's house, Plumard stopped and squeezed my arm. - -"'What is it?' I asked, without wincing. 'I am not afraid of anything; I -am as brave as a lion. What did you see, Plumard?' - -"'What I saw,' he replied, 'was a man climbing into a window on the -first floor of yonder house.' - -"And he pointed to Master Landry's house. - -"'Let us hurry,' said I; 'we must make sure of the fact.' - -"And I pulled Plumard along by the arm; but he did not go any more -quickly for that. When we drew near the window in question, at which -there is a balcony, we thought that we saw a rope, or a rope ladder, -which someone hastily drew up. When we were in front of the house, we -saw nothing.--Was it a lover? was it a thief?--I recalled Comte -Léodgard's watches in front of the bathing establishment, and I said to -Plumard: - -"'This must be the sequel of what we saw from your window.' - -"But Plumard, who sees thieves everywhere, did not agree with me; he -wanted to call the watch and the neighbors; but, happening to glance at -my feet, directly beneath the balcony, I saw something white on the -ground. I stooped, and picked up a beautiful white plume, like those -with which our young seigneurs adorn their hats. Then I remembered that -Comte Léodgard had one of them on his hat, and I said to my friend, -showing him the plume: - -"'Look! here is something that our climber lost on the way. Thieves -don't wear such plumes as this on their nocturnal expeditions; so this -is some lovers' affair. Let us leave them in peace; go home to bed and -stop trembling.' - -"Thereupon I left Plumard at his door and went home." - -"And the plume that you found?" - -"I carried it home with me, and I still have it; it's a very fine one! -too fine for me to wear it, with my modest clothes. But no one knows; if -I should have a handsome cloak and rich doublet some day, and a velvet -cap, why, the plume would go very well with all those things!" - -Valentine seemed to reflect; she glanced at her aunt, who was sound -asleep, then continued, taking care to speak in a low tone: - -"Is that all you know concerning Monsieur Léodgard?" - -"No, indeed! Oh! I have not emptied my bag yet, as my employer says. -Mademoiselle must know that I have a relation who lives near Vincennes; -he is a simple farmer; he has a little cottage with a sizable piece of -land, where he grows vegetables and fruit, which he brings to Paris to -sell. Thomas's cottage--Thomas is my kinsman's name--is in a very lonely -spot, just this side of the village and château of Vincennes. Ah! how -frightened Plumard would be there! so when I suggest to him to go to -Thomas's with me, he always refuses; and yet, my relative has a very -nice little wine.--But to come to my story: when you leave our quarter -of the Cité, you have to cross Pont Saint-Louis, otherwise called the -Pont-aux-Choux. And that is a very dangerous place, especially at this -time, for it is the favorite resort of Giovanni, the robber whom I -mentioned just now. I am confident that he has his lair in the -neighborhood. About five days ago, no more, Thomas's ass was stolen on -the Pont-aux-Choux; he did not see the robber, therefore it was -Giovanni. Also, an old peasant woman of Vincennes was found murdered -within fifty yards of that infernal bridge; that too was done by that -damned brigand!" - -"No, monsieur, no; that is not true!" cried Miretta. "Giovanni did not -murder that woman! it is impossible!" - -"And why is it impossible, I pray to know, young lady's-maid?" demanded -Bahuchet, staring at the girl in amazement. - -Miretta tried to dissemble her emotion as she replied: - -"Why, because I have been assured--I have heard everybody say that -Giovanni never sheds blood, that no one had ever been injured by him!" - -"Really, my pretty child! And why do they not also say that when he -pillages travellers, the brigand gives them sweetmeats and preserves to -make up to them for the money he steals? What an absurd idea--that a man -who attacks with arms in his hand does not use his arms when he is -resisted! But there are people who delight to tell such foolish tales, -and who pretend to know everything better than anybody else.--I would -just like to have a hundred men, well armed; I would lie in ambush under -the Pont-aux-Choux, and within a week I would have captured, hanged, or -shot the famous Giovanni!" - -"Ah! so that is how you expect to capture him?" muttered Miretta in a -trembling voice, gazing at the little man with eyes that flashed fire. - -"It seems to me to be very easy; when you know almost the spot where a -bird has its nest, you can find it. But I beg pardon, mademoiselle; I -see that you consider me too talkative.--I was saying that Thomas's -cottage is isolated; but within about three gunshots of it, toward -Paris, there is a very pretty place, a very elegant sort of pavilion, -which belongs now, I believe, to the Baron de Montrevert, but which -formerly belonged to Comte Léodgard, who lost it at cards. This pavilion -is what our seigneurs of the court call a _petite maison_, a place to -which they go to enjoy themselves in secret, to which they take their -mistresses or courtesans; and the young count----" - -"Enough, monsieur, enough!" said Valentine, with a glance at the young -man which cut him short. "This does not interest me. That the Comte de -Marvejols should ruin himself like a gentleman, that he should commit a -thousand follies--fight, drink too much, run in debt--all that I can -understand! But that he should fall in love with a bath keeper's -daughter, that that passion should keep him away from the world--that is -what seems inconceivable to me!--But this plume that you found--are you -willing to give it to me?" - -Bahuchet rubbed his chin, assumed his mocking expression, and said at -last: - -"Give it to you, mademoiselle?--You are most worthy of it, certainly, -but I have tried it on my hood, and it was not unbecoming to me; on the -word of a Basochian, it made me quite the dandy! Ha! ha!" - -"Not so loud, monsieur; you will wake my aunt!" - -"Ah! to be sure; the honorable and venerable lady is taking a nap." - -"When I ask you for this plume, which is of some value doubtless, I do -not mean to suggest, monsieur, that you should make me a present of it; -and I will beg you to accept this purse in exchange, not as the price of -what I ask of you, but as a souvenir of me." - -The little clerk hastily cast a furtive glance at the pretty velvet -purse, which was not unlike an alms purse, and from which issued a sound -very pleasant to his ear. He bowed to the floor before the noble maiden, -and, almost kneeling, took the purse from her hand. - -"I accept this in obedience to you, mademoiselle," he said; "to-morrow -you shall have the plume. I am too happy to be able to do anything that -is agreeable to you!" - -"Very well, monsieur; now, leave us." - -Bahuchet bowed once more, then smiled at Miretta, who answered his smile -by a wrathful glance. But the little clerk hurried from the room and the -house, paying no heed to the young lady's-maid's threatening expression. -He was no sooner in the street than he opened the purse and found four -gold pieces inside. - -Thereupon he shouted for joy, tossed his cap in the air, bumped against -the passers-by, and finally ran off at full speed, crying: - -"O Plumard! I say, Plumard! where are you? I have got enough to buy you -a wig! but I won't buy it!" - - - - -XXV - -THE MAN WITH FIVE FACES - - -When the messenger from her aunt's solicitor had gone, Valentine rose -noiselessly and beckoned to her maid to follow her. They soon reached -Mademoiselle de Mongarcin's bedroom, and the latter, after bidding -Miretta to lock the door, said to her: - -"We can talk more at ease here, Miretta. I do not know how to tell you -what is taking place in my heart. I am chagrined, angry, almost furious. -And yet, I do not love this Léodgard; but I would be glad to make sure -that that youth has not been telling us a parcel of lies.--Miretta, you -must help me to discover the truth; you are in my service to do whatever -I wish; you will help me, will you not?" - -"I am devoted to you, mademoiselle, and you may rely upon me." - -"Good! good! Oh! I will reward you handsomely, I promise you!" - -"Do not speak of rewards, mademoiselle; I am in need of nothing; you are -too kind to me now; I shall be happy to prove to you that I am not -ungrateful." - -"You are not moved by selfish motives, I have noticed that already; you -are not an ordinary lady's-maid; besides, you love, you adore your -lover. Therefore, you will understand me.--The Comte de Marvejols, the -man whom my friends have selected for my husband, make love to a bath -keeper's daughter! pass all his time with her! and, to be with her, -refuse to attend balls and receptions! Oh! I cannot believe it yet; but -if it is so, you will agree that I shall be justified in refusing him, -in spurning that alliance; and if anyone should ask me for my reasons, -how sweet it would be to me to avenge myself by revealing the noble -conduct, the honorable love affairs of Comte Léodgard! that fashionable -nobleman, that soul of honor, that gentleman of the court of Louis XIII! -A noble gentleman, on my word! who does not shrink from marring his -escutcheon!--Oh! I don't know what is the matter with me! Give me water; -give me that phial of salts! I need to inhale it a moment." - -Miretta zealously waited upon her young mistress, whose nerves were in a -state of high tension because her self-esteem was humiliated and she -could not endure the thought that a bath keeper's daughter had prevented -her destined husband from accepting her invitation. - -At last, when she had become somewhat calmer, Valentine sat for some -time deep in thought. Miretta awaited in silence the commands of the -nobly born heiress, who already felt that she hated the plebeian maiden -whom she did not know. - -"You are not timid, Miretta; you must be brave, since you are not afraid -to go out alone at night, here in Paris, which is said to be such a -dangerous place.--Well! you must go to Rue Dauphine, you must see this -girl, this wonderful beauty." - -"Yes, mademoiselle." - -"You will ascertain whether there are, in fact, any rumors afloat -respecting her love affairs; make the neighbors and servants talk; in a -word, I rely upon you to discover the truth." - -"Mademoiselle, the bath keeper's daughter whom I go to see, Ambroisine, -knows this Landry's daughter, I think.--Yes, I remember now that she has -often spoken to me of her friend Bathilde--that is the name of the girl -on Rue Dauphine." - -"Bathilde!--oh! her name is Bathilde! I thought that her name would -prove to be Marion, or Margot!" - -"I will go first to see Ambroisine; and through her I shall perhaps -learn more than from others!" - -"Do as you think best; I leave you entirely free. From this moment I -relieve you from all service and give you permission to go out whenever -you please, and to stay away as long as you please. The concierge will -have orders to await your return; and if anyone in the house should -venture to make any impertinent comments on your conduct, he will be -dismissed at once; for I am mistress here!--As you see, my aunt is good -for nothing but to sleep! She paid no attention to that young clerk's -story, and yet her niece's future and happiness were directly concerned. -Henceforth I myself will look after everything that concerns my repose, -my name, my honor.--Here is money--you may need it to bribe someone, to -induce people to speak. Do not spare it, spend it lavishly if necessary; -but act, act promptly." - -On the evening following this interview between Valentine and Miretta, -the latter left the house as soon as it was dark. - -But do not think that she bent her steps toward Ambroisine's abode. -While Mademoiselle de Mongarcin had been profoundly impressed by the -little clerk's gossip, Cédrille's pretty cousin had been no less moved -by what she had heard concerning Giovanni. Monsieur Bahuchet's words -with respect to him had struck her to the heart; she saw her lover -arrested and led to execution; and her feeling for Giovanni was stronger -than her devotion to her mistress. - -On leaving the house, she proposed first of all to try to meet Giovanni -that night. The little clerk had declared that his favorite lurking -place was the neighborhood of the Pont-aux-Choux, and Miretta said to -herself: - -"I will go in that direction; I have no idea where that bridge is, but -someone will tell me." - -The first person whom Miretta addressed, on Rue Saint-Honoré, to ask for -directions, seemed much surprised. - -"Pont-aux-Choux, mademoiselle!" he exclaimed. "The deuce! it's a long -way from here; it's outside of the city, beyond the Fossés Jaunes, -between the Porte du Temple and Porte Saint-Antoine; you don't expect -to go there to-night, I presume?" - -"Pardon me, I do." - -"And you are all alone! Beware! it's a lonely neighborhood, and very -dangerous at night." - -"I am not afraid; but please tell me which way I must go." - -He directed her as well as he could, concluding with the usual phrase: - -"When you get there, inquire again." - -Miretta walked a long while; she was not sufficiently familiar with -Paris to tell where she was, so that she did not know if she was -approaching her destination. - -Most of the shops were already closed; and the girl, remembering that -she had money about her, regretted that she had not secured the -assistance of a torchbearer or messenger, who would have guided her -directly to the place to which she wished to go; but it was too late now -to find any of those hard-worked men in the street. - -More than once, bands of students and pages had attempted to accost the -girl, offering her their services in very familiar fashion; but she had -run away from them without replying. - -She had just made her escape from a group of young men who seemed well -disposed for mirth, when, as she halted, all out of breath from running, -at the corner of a street, a well-known voice fell upon her ear. - -"Eh! sandis! my eyes do not deceive me! it is in very truth our cruel -infanta whom I see before me!--By Roland, my dear, you expose yourself -to great risk, rambling about alone at night in such an unsavory -quarter; none but knights of my temper should haunt such places by -night!" - -When she recognized the voice of her faithful suitor, the Gascon -chevalier, Miretta felt relieved; for although Passedix pestered her -with his love, at all events she knew him; and while she found him -intolerable as a lover, she believed him to be incapable of attempting -any enterprise calculated to offend a woman's modesty. It was with -something like pleasure, therefore, that the pretty brunette recognized -the chevalier at that moment, the result being that she answered in a -much more amiable tone than she usually adopted with him. - -"Is it you, monsieur le chevalier? I confess that I did not expect to -meet you here!" - -"That is because you were not looking for me, little one; whereas I am -always hoping to meet you!" - -"As you are here, you will help me out of my perplexity." - -"I will help you in whatever you wish to undertake! Do you wish to -ascend to the moon--to revolve about a planet? I will escort you to the -celestial empire; I have no very clear idea what road we must take; but, -no matter! I would act as your escort, even to hell, if such were your -whim!" - -"I thank you, monsieur le chevalier, but I have no intention of asking -you to go so high or so low; I do not deem myself worthy as yet to dwell -with the angels, but I have no desire, either, to pay a visit to the -demons!" - -"Sandis! I would gladly sell myself to the devil to win your love!" - -"Be kind enough not to talk to me of love, and please be my guide to the -Pont-aux-Choux, for that is where I am going." - -"Ah! I understand; that is where you make assignations with your lover; -probably you are going there to join that rough fellow, that rustic, -that artisan, who was awkward enough to make Roland drop from my hand on -the Place de Grève, solely by favor of the crowd that pushed me from -behind!--Ah! ten thousand _bombardes_! I would like right well to meet -your spark again; I would show him this time that I know how to use my -sword, and that it is not in the habit of escaping from my hand." - -"But if I remember aright, chevalier, it escaped from your hand on the -day you were kind enough to espouse my cause and to stand in front of -Cédrille and myself on Rue Saint-Jacques." - -"That day there was another reason," muttered Passedix, with a frown. -"But let us return to the present; you wish to go to Pont Saint-Louis?" - -"No; to the Pont-aux-Choux." - -"It is the same thing. You are going there very late, my dear. Is your -lover a market gardener, pray? has he his lair among the cabbages and -carrots that cover the road toward Vincennes?" - -"If you propose to begin your questions again, monsieur, I will leave -you and try to find some more obliging cavalier." - -"No! no!" cried the Gascon, detaining the girl, who had already started -to leave him; "why, the child is like a train of powder! what a hothead! -If you were a man, we should have killed each other ten or twelve times -before this. But I love this effervescent nature; it bears some -resemblance to mine.--So you want to go to the Pont-aux-Choux? Take my -arm, my love; I shall have the honor of escorting you thither." - -Miretta decided to put her arm through the chevalier's; and he, -overjoyed to have beside him the pretty girl of whom he was enamored, -drew himself up and tossed his head, which made him appear even taller -and diminished the stature of his companion. - -They walked on for some time, the Gascon making his rusty spurs and -Roland's scabbard ring on the stones; Miretta thinking of Giovanni and -glancing all about at the slightest sound. - -"Are we still far from the place to which I am going?" the girl asked -her guide at last. - -Passedix did not reply for some seconds. Since he had felt Miretta's arm -in his, his love for the dark maiden had made rapid progress; his heart -beat violently beneath his patched doublet, his head burned, and his -imagination indulged in a multitude of wild antics. - -At last he argued the matter out with himself thus: - -"Since my good star has caused me to meet my inhuman fair, I should be -very stupid to take her to my rival, that knave who nearly made me lose -Roland; should I not rather seize the opportunity which offers to avenge -myself and to triumph over a cruel enslaver? The little one does not -know her way; instead of taking her to her rendezvous, I will take her -to the Place aux Chats, and tell her that it is the Pont-aux-Choux! -Then, by frightening her with tales of robbers, I will try to induce her -to accept shelter in the Hôtel du Sanglier; and once there!--Sandioux! -it's a daring plan, it has a suggestion of felony about it! But this -girl is a demon, and I shall not vanquish her unless I resort to heroic -means!" - -"Well, monsieur le chevalier, you have not yet answered me; are we still -far from the Pont-aux-Choux?" - -"Why, yes, my sweet child, rather far. Oh! you had gone entirely astray, -you were not going in the right direction." - -"That is strange; I followed the directions that were given me." - -"Some persons are so unkind! they take delight in making people go -astray who ask them to point out their road.--Lean on me, tender -blossom! Do not be afraid of wearying me; it is a joy to me to feel your -round arm in mine. Ah! ye gods!" - -"It would be a great joy to me to arrive. I cannot understand this; it -seems to me that you are making me retrace my steps." - -"As you were not going toward your destination, I must, of course, take -you back. This is one of the most blissful evenings of my life!" - -"Do not press my arm so tightly, I beg you." - -"This loving pressure is a magnetic effect of the fire which consumes my -heart, and which snaps devilishly so near to you!" - -"Are you going to begin again to talk to me of your love? I thought that -you were cured." - -"Cured! I!--Better to die than to be cured! What would you have me talk -about, sweet friend, when I am with you?" - -"Have you forgotten, pray, that I am only a servant, upon whom you -conferred too much honor simply by looking at her?" - -"A man may say that when he is angry, my dear; but, in reality, he does -not mean a word of it." - -"Oh!" cried Miretta, suddenly stopping at a street corner; "I am sure -now that it is you who have lost your way! I recognize this street -perfectly; it runs into the street I live on; you have brought me back -to the quarter I came from." - -"Sandis! I am taking you where you want to go. Come, we shall soon be -there." - -"No!" cried the girl, as she withdrew her arm from the chevalier's, -refusing to go any farther; "no! I will not go with you, for it is not -possible that the Pont-aux-Choux is in this direction." - -Passedix tried to take Miretta's arm again; she resisted, but the Gascon -was excited, and he was determined not to let the girl escape him anew. - -Suddenly a new personage, whose approach neither of them had observed or -heard, appeared on the scene and put an end to the contest by releasing -Miretta from the chevalier's grasp. - -The new-comer wore the costume of a citizen of the middle class; his -chin was cleanly shaven. - -The girl had no sooner glanced at him than her face regained its -serenity; and she hastened to take her place by his side, while the -unknown said to the Gascon: - -"How now, my master! Do you propose to make this young girl go with you -against her will? For a chevalier who wears a helmet and sword, that is -hardly chivalrous." - -"Eh! where in the devil did this fellow spring from? I neither heard nor -saw him coming. Do me the favor to go your way, my dear fellow; this -young shepherdess is in my company, and we do not require your -interference in our affairs." - -"But it seemed to me that you were hardly in accord, and I always -protect the ladies.--Tell me, my lovely child, did not this gentleman -try to make you take a road which you did not wish to take?" - -"He did indeed, monsieur; for I wished to go to the Pont-aux-Choux, and -I am sure that he was not taking me there!" - -"Oh, no! by no means! He was taking you to the Place aux Chats, to the -Hôtel du Sanglier; a most excellent hotel, i' faith! of which he -proposed to do the honors for you, I doubt not." - -"Sandioux! it seems that you know me! But whoever you are, I forbid you -to take this girl's arm! Back, instantly!" - -Passedix tried to push away the stranger, who had already taken the -girl's arm in his; but with his free hand the _soi-disant_ bourgeois -seized the Gascon's wrist and pressed it with his fingers with such -force that he cried: - -"Oh! oh! That cursed grip again! Ah! it is the very same, I recognize -it! You are the mechanic of the Place de Grève; you are the Bohemian of -the Loup de Mer!" - -"Search your memory--it is possible that I am still another person." - -"Yes--those eyes, that expression! Ten thousand devils! it is the face -of the Comte de Carvajal, the noble guest of Dame Cadichard! But whoever -you may be, double, triple, or quadruple! even though you be the devil -in person--if you are a man of heart, you will give me satisfaction like -a gallant champion, sword in hand!" - -"Ah! you wish to measure swords with me, do you, chevalier? Very good! -it shall be as you wish. On guard!--Have no fear, my girl! it is a -matter of an instant." - -As he spoke, the pretended bourgeois drew from beneath his cloak a short -sword with a broad blade. Meanwhile, Passedix had drawn Roland from the -scabbard; but when he saw his adversary's weapon, he paused and -exclaimed: - -"What in the devil do you expect to do with that little cutlass against -my noble blade? Sandis! I have too great an advantage over you!" - -"Let not that deter you, chevalier, but try to hold your long sword more -firmly in your hand this time." - -With that, the stranger attacked Roland with such vigor and dexterity, -that in less than two minutes the long sword went flying through the -air, and Passedix, stepping back, put his foot in a hole, fell over, and -rolled at the feet of his adversary, who placed the point of his short -sword against the prostrate man's breast, saying: - -"Well! do you think that my little cutlass is worthy to measure itself -against your illustrious blade?" - -"I cannot understand it! You have a way of fighting that bewilders one! -deceives one! Sandis! it is impossible; it must be that I have the gout -in my right hand!--But, no matter! I am vanquished! Strike!" - -"I should be very sorry to do so. Au revoir, Chevalier Passedix! try to -find your sword; it went in that direction. But take my advice and do -not again lead young girls astray." - -As he spoke, the victor joined Miretta, drew her arm through his, and -walked rapidly off with her, paying no further heed to his adversary, -who made a piteous face when he saw them go away together. - -"Ah! what good fortune to have met you, Giovanni!" said Miretta, when -they were far enough away to have no fear of being overheard. "I was not -afraid for a single instant during the battle I have just been watching; -I was perfectly sure that you would be the victor!" - -"But why did you wish to go to the Pont-aux-Choux so late?" - -"Why! Because I want to save you; because you are in danger; because, -guilty as you are, I do not want you to be arrested and put to death!" - -"_Què diavolo è questo?_ What is the source of this dread, of these new -alarms?" - -"Ah! because I heard a young man say: 'I know where Giovanni's usual -lurking place is; it is near the Pont-aux-Choux that he ordinarily lies -in hiding; if they would surround that place with archers, it would be -very easy to capture the famous brigand.'" - -"Ah! indeed!" - -"'It is in that neighborhood,' he added, 'that he usually attacks -people; not long ago he stole an ass from my cousin, and murdered an old -peasant woman of Vincennes!'--Oh! those words made me shudder; I said -that it was not true, that Giovanni never shed blood.--Was I right in -saying that?" - -"You did right to think it, but you did wrong to say it. Do you wish -people to suspect that you know me? You are an imprudent child, Miretta; -you forget what I have told you.--Never a word about me, never a comment -that may lead anyone to infer that we are not strangers to each other! -Listen, but do not seem to pay any attention to what people say about -me." - -"Oh! do you think that it is possible for me to remain unmoved when I -hear someone say that he knows where you hide, that you will be -arrested, that you will be---- Oh! I will not utter that horrible word!" - -"In the first place, my dear love, why are you so silly as to place any -faith in these fables, invented by one person to give himself -importance, and repeated by others because lies always find fools enough -who are ready to spread them? I, kill a peasant! to take her vegetables, -I presume? I, steal an ass! Why, what on earth should I do with it?--And -you could believe that, Miretta! you, who have seen my wealth, and who -know of the thirst for gold that possesses me now!" - -"Mon Dieu! will it never be satisfied, this passion which drives you to -crime? Giovanni, do you mean to pass your whole life in this way?" - -"No; a few months more.--Hark ye, next spring I mean to return to my -lovely Italy." - -"You will take me, will you not?" - -"Yes, I will take you. I will buy a palace, a superb villa. I will have -splendid equipages. You shall be covered with diamonds! I propose that -Milan and Florence shall be dazzled by my magnificence and my luxurious -mode of life." - -"Why do you not carry out your plan now?" - -"No; this will be a good winter in Paris; we will go in the spring." - -"Giovanni, no one can defy danger forever with impunity! No one can be -always stronger than the laws and his fellow men! The moment of -retribution arrives when he believes that he is safe from all danger." - -"Enough, Miretta, enough! I have told you before that your arguments are -of no avail.--Let us take this street--we shall soon be at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin." - -"Then let us take another, for I do not want to leave you so soon, -Giovanni. I do not know why, but it seems to me that I shall not see you -again for a long while. I have a heavy weight on my heart; do not leave -me yet, I implore you, unless your safety requires it!" - -"My safety has nothing to fear. But it is very late, and I thought that -it was necessary for you to return." - -"Oh! I am in no hurry now; I may remain as long as I please; my mistress -herself gave me permission, for she thinks that I am employing my time -in her service." - -"What does that mean?" - -"That Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin, furious with rage because she -is disdained by the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, who was to marry -her, wishes to know if he is really in love with the daughter of a bath -keeper on Rue Dauphine, and if it is really he who obtains access to her -at night by scaling the balcony of a window on the first floor. -Mademoiselle instructed me to investigate, to resort to every possible -means of ascertaining the truth." - -"Your investigation is all made, the truth is ascertained for you.--I -know better than anyone what takes place in Paris at night. I know Comte -Léodgard; on a certain night last winter I had quite a long conversation -with him; and for some time past I have, in fact, noticed him several -times scaling the bath keeper Landry's balcony. It would never have -occurred to me to interfere with him; I should have been more inclined -to assist him, if he had needed assistance." - -"In that case, my errand is done. Mademoiselle Valentine is not happy in -her love; for, although she will not admit it, I am very certain that -she loves this young seigneur; but not so much, surely, as I love my -Giovanni! O Giovanni! why must I leave you again? If you would----" - -"The day will soon break," said Giovanni, interrupting her, "and I must -not wait for it. Let us go this way and walk faster; I am going to take -you home." - -Miretta dared not remonstrate; but she sighed as she quickened her pace, -and they walked along in silence. - -They were soon within a few yards of the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Giovanni -released his companion's arm, saying: - -"Here you are at home; adieu!" - -"Already! what! must I leave you so soon? Just a moment more!" - -"Really, Miretta, you are not reasonable to-night; do you not see that -point of light in the sky, which announces the dawn? The stars are -growing dim, the darkness is beginning to fade away. Do not keep me -longer; adieu!" - -Giovanni dropped the hand which tried to press his once more; he hurried -away and disappeared. - -Miretta stood like a statue when he had left her; she was conscious of a -sharp pain at her heart, as if she had been stabbed. - - - - -XXVI - -THE PONT-AUX-CHOUX - - -Historians are not agreed as to the first two encircling walls which -were built around Paris; but there is no doubt as to the location of the -third, which we owe to Philippe-Auguste, and which was begun in 1190. - -This wall, starting from the right bank of the Seine, where the Pont des -Arts now is, traversed the site of the Louvre in the direction of the -Oratoire Saint-Honoré, where Porte Saint-Honoré stood; it then described -a curve to the _carrefour_ now formed by Rues Jean-Jacques Rousseau, -Coquillière, and de Grenelle. When it reached Rue Montmartre, the wall -was broken by Porte Montmartre. It continued along the northern side of -Rue Mauconseil to Rue Saint-Martin, where there was a gate called Porte -de Nicolas Huidelon. Crossing the sites of Rues Michel-le-Comte, -Geoffroy-Langevin, du Chaume, de Paradis, where Porte de Braque stood, -to Vieille Rue du Temple, it went on to Porte Beaudoyer, crossed the -enclosure of the Convent of the Ave Maria and Rue des Barres, and ended -at the right bank of the Seine. - -The work on the wall south of the river began in 1208. This wall, built -through gardens and vineyards as far as Porte Saint-Marcel, skirted the -enclosure of Sainte-Geneviève to the Château de Hautefeuille, cut across -Clos Bruneau to Porte de Bussy, and, following the outer wall of the -Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the smaller Pré-aux-Clercs, came to -an end at the Tour de Nesle. - -This third wall had round towers at intervals to protect it. But the -most formidable ones were at the extremities, on the banks of the Seine. - -Under the reign of François I, the wall had been considerably enlarged. -But, in the year 1536, the Cardinal du Bellai, lieutenant-general of the -armies of King François, being informed of the approach of the English, -who were already devastating Normandie and Picardie, and dreading the -result of an attack upon Paris, ordered trenches and moats to be dug -from Porte Saint-Antoine to Porte Saint-Honoré. These were afterward -called the Fossés Jaunes [yellow moats]. - -This little digression into the domain of history is necessary to recall -old Paris to the minds of our readers, especially so that they may be -able to form an accurate idea of the localities where the events took -place which we are about to describe. - -Pont Saint-Louis, otherwise called the Pont-aux-Choux, because of the -proximity of Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and because it was principally used -by the market gardeners, who crossed it to carry their vegetables into -the heart of the city, was situated between Porte du Temple and Porte -Saint-Antoine, and was built over the moats of which we have just -described the origin. Over this bridge, which was a dismal and often -deserted structure, there was a gate of a commonplace type of -architecture, called Porte Saint-Louis. But as it had not been closed -for many years, there was no keeper; it was very dilapidated, and on the -point of falling in ruins. - -All about the Pont-aux-Choux were swamps, a large portion of which was -uncultivated. Tall grass grew along the edges of the moat, which -contained nothing but a little slimy water, through which it would have -been difficult to force a boat. Thus the whole locality had a sort of -wild and forbidding aspect, well calculated to inspire terror in the -solitary traveller whom the darkness surprised on that road. - -However, on a certain lovely night in summer, several young gentlemen, -some of whom were acquaintances of ours, having crossed the -Pont-aux-Choux on their way back to Paris, halted about three hundred -yards beyond it, and one of them threw himself on the turf, crying: - -"Faith, I don't care! go on if you choose, my masters; but I am going to -rest here; it is very comfortable on the grass. Besides, I feel that I -am drunk; I cannot stand on my legs." - -"How now, my poor Monclair! Can you carry your wine no better than this? -What a pity!" - -"Don't put on airs, Sénange! You are at least as drunk as I am, if not -more so." - -"The fact is that I am quite as willing to sit down as to stumble at -every step on these horrible roads.--What an infernal way for Léodgard -to make us take!--I say, Comte de Marvejols, where are you? I want to -congratulate you!--Where in the devil is my valet Bruno? Let him bring a -torch here, and we will have another game." - -"Your esquire is ahead; he walked on." - -"I must call him.--Messieurs, messieurs, you fellows who are still on -your legs, have the kindness to call my esquire, my page, my -varlet--that rascal who is going off with the lanterns yonder, without -taking the trouble to see if his master is following him." - -These words were addressed to three other young gentlemen who had halted -a few yards away. Among them was Léodgard de Marvejols, whose features -were far from denoting hilarity, and who did not seem, like some of his -friends, to have left his reason at the bottom of his glass. - -The servant, being recalled, came back and placed a lighted lantern on -the ground, near the two gentlemen who were already seated on the grass. -The others decided to join them; but Léodgard remained a little behind, -leaning thoughtfully against a solitary tree. - -"Do you propose to stay here, my fine fellows?" he asked. - -"Yes; the fresh air has finished us, we cannot stand on our legs any -longer." - -"It is a fact that the supper was delicious and the wines exquisite. -Montrevert did things very handsomely; his _petite maison_ is a -delightful place." - -"Speaking of Montrevert, did he not say that he was coming with us?" - -"Yes; he said: 'Go on, and I will overtake you.'" - -"Well, he does not seem to have overtaken us, and we are a good quarter -of a league from his house." - -"That is true, and it is an additional reason why we should rest here -and wait for him." - -"Bah! he won't come; he has probably remained with his infanta. She is a -very pretty girl, that Herminie!" - -"But I tell you, messieurs, that Montrevert will come; he cannot stay at -his _petite maison_, for he must be in Paris to-morrow for the king's -_lever_. He has hopes of being admitted to the company of Gray -Mousquetaires, which his majesty has just organized; it is a bodyguard -that is to attend him everywhere, even to the hunt.--Vive Dieu! -messieurs, but it is a fine corps! Such a coquettish uniform--red, -trimmed with gold. Ah! what conquests those fellows will make with that -uniform!" - -"Look you, I too have some hope of entering this corps of -mousquetaires," said the young Marquis de Sénange, trying to straighten -up and maintain a sitting posture on the grass. "I too ought to be at -the king's _lever_ to-morrow--or rather, this morning. But I think that -I shall not be there! I am too dizzy--deuce take it! Youth is the age of -folly and pleasure.--Ah! I wish I could find someone who would sit back -to back with me; we would support each other.--Monclair, sit behind me." - -"No; I am very comfortable, I refuse to stir." - -"What a selfish beast that little Monclair is!--Come, La Valteline, and -you, Beausseilly--come and sit down with us." - -The two young men who were still standing decided to seat themselves on -the grass near their companions. But he who was called La Valteline -turned toward Léodgard and shouted: - -"Well! Comte de Marvejols, aren't you going to join us? What the deuce -are you doing there, all alone, with your eyes fixed on the sky? are you -going into astrology? Beware! you know that a commission is sitting at -the Arsenal, in the Poison Chamber, for the express purpose of trying -persons accused of magic! And astrologers are very closely related to -sorcerers!" - -"Messieurs," said the Sire de Beausseilly, lowering his voice, "poor -Léodgard is in no laughing mood, and you must understand why: he was -very unlucky at cards to-night, he lost all that he possessed to -Montrevert, and, I believe, a hundred pistoles more on credit." - -"He is always unlucky with Montrevert, he ought never to play with him; -for that charming _petite maison_ where we supped, which is decorated so -suggestively, used to belong to Marvejols; he staked it against heaven -knows what sum with Montrevert! And now that delicious resort no longer -belongs to him! To be sure, Montrevert often invites him there." - -"If he does it in order to win his money, as he has done to-night, it is -not very amusing for Léodgard. I have noticed that fortune has been very -adverse to him for some time past. He always loses, poor fellow!" - -"And I believe he is in debt; he owes everybody!" - -"Vive Dieu! messieurs, should a man torment himself because he is in -debt? As for myself, I have creditors, and plenty of them--I am proud of -the fact! But when the knaves have the impudence to ask me for money, -then I draw my sword and shout and curse and excite myself to such a -frenzy that they run away as if the devil was at their heels! That is -the way to arrange one's affairs!" - -Léodgard had not heard La Valteline's call, for he was still looking at -the stars. - -"Stay, messieurs; I will wager that I will make him come; I know the -way.--Holà! Bruno! come here, knave! Have you the dice and diceboxes in -your pocket?" - -"Yes, seigneur." - -"Give them to me." - -The valet handed to his master, the Marquis de Sénange, two ivory -diceboxes and the dice; the young man placed the dice in one of the -boxes and shook them a long while, then began to exclaim: - -"Seven--eleven--twelve! I have won! I have won!" - -The rattling of the dice produced the effect which Sénange anticipated: -Léodgard, roused from his reverie, left his place and drew near the -gentlemen who were seated about the torch. - -"What, messieurs! are you shaking dice on the grass?" he asked. - -"Sénange is shaking all by himself at this moment." - -"I heard him say that he had won." - -"Pardieu! yes, for I have won; I bet that with my dice I would draw the -Comte de Marvejols hither.--Tell me, my masters, did I succeed?--Come, -Léodgard, sit down and laugh a bit with us! What is the use of losing -your temper with Fortune? What good does it do? She's a woman; what she -will not grant to-day, she will grant to-morrow." - -"Moreover, Comte Léodgard cannot accuse Fortune with a good grace; for -if she is adverse to him at play, with the fair she seems to treat him -like a spoiled child." - -"There is a report of a certain _bonne fortune_ with a damsel on Rue -Dauphine; and I hear that the little one is as beautiful as Cupid. She -was kept carefully concealed, but that devil of a Léodgard would -discover her kind at the bottom of a well or on top of the steepest -cliffs!" - -"Come, Léodgard, tell us about this intrigue." - -"Yes, yes! tell us about this bourgeois _bonne fortune_. It will help us -to pass the time until Montrevert comes; he must have fallen into some -hole in the road." - -Léodgard stretched himself out carelessly on the grass and looked at his -companions, saying: - -"Has anyone anything to drink? I am extremely thirsty, and I can't tell -my story unless I have something to drink." - -"By Saint Jacques! I would like a drink, too!" muttered young Monclair, -making vain efforts to sit up. - -"What! not a drop? and no wine shops near by!" - -"A cheerful spot, the neighborhood of this horrible -Pont-aux-Choux!--There is not a house in sight--not even a hovel!" - -"Wait, my friends, wait.--Holà! Bruno!" - -The Marquis de Sénange's valet approached the group. - -"Bruno, do you not always carry a gourd, like the pilgrims when they set -out on a long journey?" - -"Yes, seigneur, I do." - -"What is there in your gourd?" - -"There is some--some very bad eau-de-vie." - -"Very bad!--Ah! you rascal! from the way in which you say that, I would -swear that you are lying. Give us your gourd; and we will judge whether -its contents are so bad as you say." - -"But, seigneur, I have been drinking from it, and I could not allow----" - -"Give it to me, all the same; we must be governed by circumstances. -Come, gallows bird! I verily believe that you hesitate!" - -Repressing a sigh, the valet handed his master an enormous gourd. -Sénange swallowed a mouthful, then cried: - -"Ah! I suspected as much; it is exquisite, delicious,--it is thirty -years old, I will stake my head! The villain must have stolen it from my -father's cellar.--Here, Léodgard, judge for yourself." - -Léodgard took the gourd and drank slowly but at great length, so that -the young men called out: - -"Enough, count, enough!--He will drink it all! We too want a chance to -judge of the liquor!" - -At last Léodgard passed the gourd to his neighbor, who, after drinking, -passed it to another. They did not cease to drink, until they had -exhausted the contents of the gourd. Then they returned it to Bruno and -made themselves comfortable on the grass, some half reclining, others at -full length. Léodgard, who had maintained a sitting posture, with his -head resting on his left hand, said to his companions: - -"What do you wish me to tell you about, messieurs? an amourette among -the common people? Mon Dieu! it is always the same story! They kept the -girl closely confined, but not so closely that she did not see me pacing -the street under her window." - -"So long as parents leave windows in their houses," said Monclair, "they -cannot answer for the innocence of their daughters!" - -"There was a balcony on which she had placed a pot of flowers, which she -used to come out to water." - -"Messieurs, it is not without a motive that women display so much love -for flowers; intrigues almost always begin with bouquets." - -"Hold your tongue, Monclair! sleep off your wine, and allow the count to -finish his story." - -"Sleep off your eau-de-vie, you fellows!" - -"I threw a billet-doux in at the window; she pretended to be angry at -first; I did not appear again for four days, and on the fifth I found -the little one on the balcony at midnight, peering into the darkness in -quest of me!" - -"Ah! that's the way! it is always like that!" - -"The next day, with the aid of a silk ladder, I stood by my charmer's -side!--You see, messieurs, that this affair was like every other; -indeed, it was too easy--no jealous husband, no guardian keeping watch." - -"Oh! that sort of thing is very insipid; when there's no danger, there's -no pleasure." - -"Oh! Sire de Beausseilly, what you say is altogether false; there is -always pleasure in the conquest of a pretty girl! And it seems that this -one is an angel of beauty.--Is that so, Léodgard?" - -"Yes, she was very pretty." - -"She _was_! Is she dead, pray?" - -"No, but I have not seen her for several weeks; that is why I use the -past tense." - -"Oho! so it is already over?" - -"Already? An amourette that lasts two months--is not that long enough?" - -"It's a long time!" - -"It is too long!" - -"It is never too long when one is happy." - -"And then a mother arrived--a very unamiable person, so it seems, who -had been absent a long while. If I had still been in love, the obstacles -that would thenceforth have made our rendezvous an affair of some -difficulty would have served only to sharpen my desires; but my love was -extinct. Faith! the little one may look out for herself now as best she -can; it is no longer any concern of mine." - -"Well said! Of course, a gentleman could not run the risk of a -controversy with churls!" - -"Faith! messieurs, for my part, I care for none but _grandes dames_! -They are so adroit in carrying on an intrigue, they display so much -coquetry, that it keeps you in breathless suspense! A fellow is much -more in love when he is not certain that he is loved in return!" - -"And you, Sire de Beausseilly?" - -"I! do you suppose that I have patience to make love to a woman? to -dance attendance on her and languish and sigh? Nonsense! never! I like -the love affairs that give one no trouble!" - -"Oh, yes! we all know what that means! He frequents Rue Fromenteau, Rue -Tire-Boudin, Rue Brisemiche, Rue du Hurleur, Rue de la Vieille-Bouclerie." - -"Peste! La Valteline, you seem to know perfectly where all the wantons' -houses are; for you mention all the streets to which _girls who are mad -over their bodies_, as they are called, are obliged to confine -themselves." - -"One must needs know his Paris, messieurs." - -"Yes; especially when one desires to meet _golden girdles_." - -"Oh! messeigneurs, the edict of King Louis VIII has long been forgotten, -and those damsels no longer comply with it; so that the proverb: 'A good -reputation is worth more than a golden girdle' has no meaning now." - -"I say, messieurs, it must be very late." - -"You mean that it must be very early in the morning!" - -"About three o'clock, I fancy." - -"Oh! more than that; it is four o'clock at least; I am sure that the -dawn will soon be here." - -"Do we propose to finish the night in this place?" - -"It is very strange that Montrevert has not overtaken us!" - -"He certainly will not come now!" - -"I do not propose to wait for daylight to return to Paris, in the -condition in which I am! If some _âme damnée_ of the cardinal should -happen to meet me, Richelieu would hear of it, and I should receive a -sharp reprimand.--Come, messieurs, let us get up and go on." - -"No, no!" murmured the Marquis de Sénange, rolling over on the grass; "I -am very comfortable here. Let La Valteline go, if he pleases! I shall -stay; for when day breaks, the little dairymaids from the country will -cross the Pont-aux-Choux; we will watch for the prettiest ones, and they -will have to pay toll,--eh, Léodgard?--Well, he is still thinking of his -losses at cards!" - -"Sénange, you have dice there," cried Léodgard suddenly, raising his -head; "I will play you for my cloak--you were admiring it last night. I -will stake it against fifty livres, and, on my word as a gentleman, it -cost me more than a hundred--which I have not yet paid, it is true, but -which I still owe to my tailor." - -"What, Léodgard! do you want to play again?" cried Beausseilly; "but you -are not in luck, and if you lose your cloak, how can you return to -Paris?" - -"I will stake my sword, my doublet, my knee-breeches! I will stake -myself, when I have nothing else left! But I must play! So long as I -have anything left to stake, by hell! it will always be so.--Well, -Sénange, do you accept the stake I propose?" - -"Yes, I agree; your cloak against fifty livres. But what shall we play -on? We can't throw dice on the grass; they would not lie evenly, and the -result would be doubtful." - -"Play on my back, messieurs," said Monclair, lying flat on his stomach -on the grass. "I promise not to stir." - -"So be it; on Monclair's back." - -The two young men each took a dicebox, and their companions drew near to -watch the game. The valet brought the lantern nearer, while Monclair -lay on his stomach and did not stir. - -"Begin!" said Léodgard in a gloomy voice, handing the dice to his -adversary. - -"As you please," said Sénange; and placing the dice in the box, he threw -them on Monclair's back. - -"Four!" cried Beausseilly and La Valteline. - -"Four!" echoed Léodgard, with a smile of satisfaction. - -"What a beastly throw!" muttered Sénange; "I fancy that I may say -good-bye to my fifty livres.--Go on, count--play!" - -Léodgard took the dice and threw them with a trembling hand. - -"Three!" cried Sénange. "Pardieu! but I am in luck! Your cloak belongs -to me, Léodgard!" - -The young Comte de Marvejols dropped his head on his breast, while the -other gentlemen held their peace and seemed distressed by the ill -fortune which pursued Léodgard. - -At that moment a distant, indistinct noise reached the ears of the young -men. - -"Do you hear, messieurs?" said La Valteline, listening intently; "do you -hear?" - -"I hear nothing," said Monclair. - -"I do," said Beausseilly; "I hear a noise that seems to be coming -nearer; it sounds like outcries, imprecations." - -"It seems to me that someone is coming toward us. Listen! listen! the -footsteps are becoming more distinct." - -"Suppose it were Montrevert?" - -"Can he have been attacked? We must go to his assistance!" - -"We had better hail him first.--Take that lantern, Bruno, and hold it in -the air.--Do as I do, messieurs.--Holà, Montrevert! is that you?" - -The shouts of the young men were met by an answering shout. - -"It is he," said Léodgard; "and he is not far away." - -"There he is! there he is!" - -"Come this way! this way!" - -A young man of twenty-eight to thirty years, dressed with elegance, but -with his garments in disorder, his belt gone, his face transformed by -excitement, and without his sword, crossed the Pont-aux-Choux at full -speed and joined the friends whose shouts had guided him. - -"It is Montrevert!" - -"Mon Dieu! what is the matter with him? what a ghastly pallor!" - -"What a state his clothes are in!" - -"What has happened to you, Montrevert?" - -"Have you been attacked?" - -"Wait a moment, messieurs; give me a chance to breathe.--Yes, I have -been attacked." - -"Are you wounded?" - -"No, not a scratch! And yet, I assure you that I tried to defend myself. -It was Giovanni, the famous brigand, who attacked me--yonder, on the -other side of the bridge, on the right." - -"Giovanni?" - -"Oh, yes! he was dressed just as those whom he has robbed describe him, -just as he was when Léodgard saw him: the long olive-green cloak, and -the cap bristling with hair---- Ah! the villain!--Look you, messieurs, -this is how it happened. I stayed behind longer than I expected after -your departure; so that when I started, wishing to make up for lost time -and to overtake you the sooner, I walked very rapidly; I lengthened my -strides, sometimes cutting across the market gardeners' gardens, and -devoting all my thought to keeping my feet out of the holes and ruts and -excavations which make such cross cuts extremely dangerous. So it is not -surprising that I did not see my robber approaching. However, I think -that he must have been hiding behind a tree, for he suddenly blocked my -path without my hearing the sound of his footsteps. I was thunderstruck -at seeing before me a man whose aspect was so truly frightful, and I -instantly put my hand to my sword hilt; but instead of the raucous tones -which I expected to hear, it was almost a falsetto voice that said to -me: - -"'Do not draw your sword, but give me your purse, seigneur; that will be -the quickest way.' - -"'My purse!' I cried. 'Ah! do you expect to obtain it without striking a -blow? I propose to kill you instead of giving you my money.' - -"As I spoke, I drew my sword and expected to transfix the robber with -ease. But the rascal must be a powerful hand at fence. With two blows of -a weapon which he held, he shattered mine; then, throwing me to the -ground, he snatched my purse from my belt! Vive Dieu! my purse, which -contained two hundred gold pieces! Ah! the gallows bird!--And it was all -done so dexterously and so quickly that I was hardly on the ground when -it was all over; no purse, no robber--Giovanni had disappeared!--Then it -was that I began to shout imprecations, to relieve myself a little. I am -not wounded, it is true; but to be beaten and robbed like that by that -bandit! It is enough to make a man damn himself!" - -The young men were stupefied by what they had heard. Léodgard alone -sprang to his feet, crying: - -"Damnation! I will not let this opportunity escape. It was on the -right-hand side of the road, beyond the bridge, that you were attacked, -you said, Montrevert, did you not? It was on the path leading to -Vincennes, then?" - -"Yes; but what do you mean to do, Léodgard?" - -"To avenge you, or rather to avenge us both; for I, like yourself, have -been beaten and stripped by Giovanni! But this time I will kill him, or -he will kill me!" - -"Can you think of such a thing, Léodgard? Pursue that brigand? Why, he -must be far away before now! He will not have remained near the scene -of his latest exploit." - -"Perhaps he will. However, I will go a long distance, if need be; but I -will find that man!" - -"In that case," said La Valteline, "we will go with you; we will not -allow you to run such a risk alone." - -"No, messieurs, I beg you, do not come with me; you will make success -impossible. If the robber can be surprised, it must be done by cunning. -He would hear the footsteps of several people, and that would put him on -his guard. Once more, I say, let me make the attempt alone. One man -against one man--that is enough; and if I meet my death in this -undertaking, do not pity me; at this moment I care very little for -life!" - -When he had finished speaking, Léodgard ran across the Pont-aux-Choux -and disappeared in the darkness. - -"Léodgard! Léodgard!" called Beausseilly; "we will wait for you here; we -will not move until you return.--I don't know if he heard me." - -"What the devil ever put that idea into his head?" - -"There is no sense in what he has undertaken to do," said Montrevert; -"judging from the address and agility that this Giovanni shows in his -attacks, it is inconceivable that he should allow himself to be taken by -surprise." - -"I agree with you; but Léodgard is intensely excited! He has gambled -away all that he possessed--even more. Life has little attraction for -him at this moment! Faith! if he meets Giovanni, I fancy that the -villain will not come off so cheaply." - -"Pardieu!" said Sénange, half rising; "you remind me that the handsome -cloak which the count is wearing is my property now, as I won it from -him a moment ago at dice. I ought not to have let him go off with it!" - -"Ah! Sénange, you are a very pitiless creditor!" - -"Look you, if he meets Giovanni, the latter will be the victor, in my -opinion; and as he will not find an obolus on Léodgard, he will take his -cloak. Would it not be better that I should have it than that brigand?" - -"Listen, messieurs! don't you hear a noise?" - -"No, nothing." - -"Oh! how the time drags! I wish Léodgard would come back." - -Ten minutes passed, and with each minute the young men became more -anxious; they no longer laughed, they even ceased to talk, for they -listened with all their ears. - -"Here comes the day," muttered Montrevert, "and Léodgard does not -return! I begin to tremble lest he has been the victim of his own -boldness." - -"Messieurs," said La Valteline, "if he does not return in five minutes, -we must go in search of him." - -"Yes, yes!" - -"Wait--I hear footsteps." - -"Bah! it's a peasant going to market; look--you can make her out now on -the bridge." - -"True; the time for thieves to be abroad has passed." - -"Poor Léodgard!" - -"Messieurs, see that man walking so fast across the bridge. Ah! this -time it is he! it is our friend!" - -"Victory! it must be that he has carried the day!" - -All the young men ran to meet Léodgard, for it was really he who was -approaching. As they drew near him they were struck by his pallor and by -the sinister gleam of his eyes, which avoided theirs. - -"Well, comte, did you win the fight?" - -"Or did you fail to find the brigand?" - -"Oh! messieurs, they fought; for, see, Léodgard has blood on his -clothes!" - -"Ah! Giovanni has ceased to live!" - -"You are mistaken," murmured Léodgard, in an altered voice; "it is true -that I fought with the brigand; I wounded him, for his blood spurted on -me. But it seems that his wound was of trifling consequence, for it did -not prevent him from running away, and it was impossible for me to -overtake him! He disappeared behind the hedges, and I saw him no more." - -"Ah! so much the worse!" - -"What a pity!" - -"The poor count has nothing to show for his exploit.--Luckily, you are -not wounded, are you?" - -"No, not at all." - -"That is the principal thing, for we were beginning to be very anxious -about you!" - -"Messieurs, messieurs, it is broad daylight; let us hasten home, or we -too shall be taken for robbers." - -"Yes, yes, let us go!" - -"Are not you coming with us, Léodgard?" - -"No, messieurs; I am in no hurry to return to Paris. This adventure, -this fight, has tired me; the country air will do me good." - -"Au revoir, then!" - -"Au revoir!" - -The young men walked rapidly away toward the city, while Léodgard slowly -crossed the Pont-aux-Choux, glancing furtively behind him from time to -time. - - - - -XXVII - -THE FOSSÉS JAUNES - - -Valentine de Mongarcin was reclining carelessly on a sofa in her music -room. That was her usual place of refuge when she was not with her aunt; -but for several days past the study of the zither and mandolin had been -abandoned. - -The noble heiress had learned from her maid that the little clerk's -tales were founded on truth; Miretta had told her what she had learned -from Giovanni. From that moment Valentine's lovely features had shown -signs of gloomy preoccupation. If a smile sometimes played about her -lips, it seemed inspired rather by the hope of vengeance than by one of -those agreeable thoughts which usually cause young girls to smile. - -Valentine rang a bell, and Miretta soon stood before her. - -"Did you do my errand, Miretta? Did you go to the office of my aunt's -solicitor?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I went there this morning. I easily found Maître -Bourdinard's office; it is on Rue du Bac. I crossed Pont-Rouge, which, -they say, was built not long ago to take the place of the ferry [_bac_] -that used to be established there, opposite that street, which took its -name therefrom.--Oh! I am beginning to know Paris very well now!" - -"Well, did you find that little clerk who came here the other day, and -to whom I owe such--such valuable discoveries?" - -"Monsieur Bahuchet? No, mademoiselle, he was not at the office; but -there were several other clerks, who stared at me so insolently that I -was very much embarrassed. When I asked for Monsieur Bahuchet, all the -scribblers began to laugh; and they made some very coarse jests among -themselves, which brought the blood to my cheeks. - -"'Ah! you want to see Bahuchet, do you?' they said; 'ah! it is that -villain, that seducer of a Bahuchet, whom you want to see?--On my word, -he's a lucky rascal!--It seems that you don't go in for height, or for -physique!--Who would believe that such a pygmy would be picked out by -such a pretty girl?--I say, when you take his arm, you must tower above -him! and if he doesn't walk fast enough to suit you, you can easily take -him under your arm and carry him; he weighs only thirty-three pounds and -a half.' - -"To put an end to all this nonsense, I said loudly: - -"'Messieurs, I wish to see Monsieur Bahuchet in behalf of Mademoiselle -Valentine de Mongarcin, who is my mistress, and who desires to speak -with him.' - -"Ah! mademoiselle, you should have seen what a change took place in the -office when they heard your name! All the clerks assumed a most sedate -air, and the jests instantly came to an end; they became very polite, -and one of them, who, when he took off his cap to salute me, showed a -head prematurely bald, said: 'Mademoiselle, Bahuchet is out, on business -for the master, and he will not return for an hour at the earliest. But -if mademoiselle your mistress wishes to speak with Bahuchet on business, -one of us might take his place; myself, for example, Eudoxe Plumard; I -am ready to go at once to the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Unless you prefer to -speak to the solicitor himself; but he is not in, he has just mounted -his mule to go to the Palais.' - -"I answered that it was about a matter with which Monsieur Bahuchet was -already familiar, and that, for that reason, you desired to speak with -him personally. Thereupon they promised to send him to you as soon as he -returned. - -"'But,' added the clerk who called himself Plumard, 'don't expect him -very early; for when Bahuchet goes out, it is always an eternity before -he comes back.' - -"And that, mademoiselle, is the result of my visit to the solicitor's -office." - -"Very well," said Valentine, apparently lost in thought. After a few -moments, she added: "Is it a long while, Miretta, since you have been to -see your acquaintance the bath keeper's daughter on Rue Saint-Jacques?" - -"No, mademoiselle, not more than a week." - -"Did you ask her about--about her friend, the other bath keeper's -daughter?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle; I asked her if she had seen her lately. She answered -that, as Bathilde's mother had returned, she could see her only very -rarely. And when I tried to question her further on the subject, she -abruptly changed the conversation. Which led me to think that, if she is -in her friend's confidence, she does not propose to betray her secret." - -"A fine secret, on my word! which must be known ere this to the whole -city, except perhaps those who are most deeply interested in it; but it -is always so.--At what time were you on Rue du Bac, Miretta?" - -"At half-past ten, mademoiselle." - -"And it is now?" - -"After twelve." - -"Well, we must wait until it pleases Monsieur Bahuchet to return to his -desk. Really, these solicitors are very patient with messieurs their -clerks! Go, Miretta; and as soon as the fellow arrives at the house, -bring him hither yourself--instantly! Above all things, do not let my -aunt know anything of all this!" - -"Never fear, mademoiselle; in fact, Madame de Ravenelle is at this -moment shut up in her oratory, and she is paying little heed to what -goes on in the house." - -The clock on the Capucines Church, which could be heard at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin, struck four. Valentine had been for a long time in a state of -the most intense impatience; she could not stay in one place; she -wandered hither and thither; took up a book and threw it down again in a -moment; attempted to play on her zither, but let the instrument fall -from her hands; and exclaimed continually: - -"He will not come! Four o'clock, and he went out early this morning! And -a solicitor keeps such clerks in his employ! Ah! how quickly I would -dismiss such fellows if I were in his place!--Suppose I should intrust -to Miretta the execution of my plan? But, no! no woman can perform such -a commission; besides, she is in my service--she would be recognized, -and I do not want to be compromised; I want to be revenged! but in such -wise that no one will know from what quarter the vengeance comes." - -Valentine had abandoned all hope of seeing the solicitor's clerk that -day, when the door of the room in which she was sitting was suddenly -thrown open, and Miretta announced: - -"Monsieur Bahuchet." - -At a sign from her mistress she admitted the little man, who confounded -himself in reverences to Mademoiselle de Mongarcin. - -"Here you are at last, monsieur! that is most fortunate!" cried -Valentine; "it seems that it is very difficult to have speech with -you.--Stay, Miretta, stay; I have no secrets from you, as you -know.--When you go out for an hour, monsieur le clerc, does it mean that -you will not return during the day?" - -"A thousand pardons, mademoiselle!" replied Bahuchet, trying to assume a -graceful attitude; "most certainly, if I had known, if I had been able -to guess, that mademoiselle wished to speak with me, I would have -returned to the office much sooner; and yet, mademoiselle, I am very -excusable this time. I did not pass my time, as I often do, watching the -open-air exhibitions of Turlupin and Gauthier-Garguille, or Brioché's -Marionettes. No, indeed! The news was too interesting to-day; it had to -do with so serious an event, accompanied by such mysterious -circumstances, that--I give you my word, mademoiselle--the least -inquisitive man could not have resisted the desire to see what I saw." - -"Some new amourette, I suppose? some nocturnal rendezvous that you -surprised?" - -"No, mademoiselle; this is no question of amourettes, but of a murder -committed last night. When I say _last night_, I am wrong; it was -perhaps a fortnight ago, perhaps longer; but the victim was not -discovered until last night." - -"A murder! and you witnessed it?" - -"No, thank God! When I say _thank God_, I do not mean that I am not very -curious to know how it came about. But, no, although I am very brave, -there are things that make one shudder simply to think of them!" - -"Come, monsieur, pray explain to us what you have learned that is so -shocking?" - -"Mademoiselle, I had been as far as the corner of Rue Barbette on -business for the office; I was about to return to Maître Bourdinard's, -planning, I admit, to go by way of Pont-Neuf, for I know no more -attractive, more diverting spot for the curious observer. It is the -rendezvous of the whole city! Who does not cross Pont-Neuf? One sees -there at the same moment, soldiers, bourgeois, priests, students, abbés, -courtiers, pages, peasants, and women!" - -"Do you propose to tell us the history of Pont-Neuf, Monsieur Bahuchet?" - -"No, mademoiselle, no; excuse me. My story has to do with a much less -cheerful bridge, the dismal Pont-aux-Choux!" - -At the mention of the Pont-aux-Choux, Miretta involuntarily shuddered -and listened more closely to what the little clerk said. - -"Yes, mademoiselle; it was close by the Pont-aux-Choux that the horrible -tragedy, which was discovered only this morning, took place.--I was -saying--where was I?--Oh, yes! I was about to return to my solicitor's -office, when, as I was taking a glass in a wine shop, I heard a peasant -say to a good woman--I say a good woman, she may have been a bad one, -but it's the custom, you know, to say _good woman_ when you are speaking -of a woman advanced in years--he said: 'Yes, mother, there has been -someone murdered on the road I take from Faubourg Saint-Antoine to the -Market. And I tell you, it isn't very pleasant; I don't know yet whether -I shall dare to go across Pont-aux-Choux after dark.' - -"My curiosity being aroused at that, I accosted the peasant and asked -him what he meant, and he answered: - -"'About two hours ago, they found in the Fossés Jaunes----'" - -"What are the Fossés Jaunes, Monsieur Bahuchet?" said Valentine; "I am -very ignorant, am I not? but we are taught so few things!" - -"The Fossés Jaunes, mademoiselle, were made in the time of King Charles -V, and they surrounded the outer wall of Paris that was built long ago, -in the time of Philippe-Auguste; they extend from the Bastille to Porte -Saint-Honoré." - -"Are they filled with water?" - -"There used to be water in them, no doubt, mademoiselle, but for a long -time they have contained nothing but muddy pools, in which very tall -grass grows, and from which it isn't at all easy to get out if you -happen to fall in. But as they are no longer of any use, I presume they -will very soon be filled up.--I resume my narrative. The peasant said: - -"'They found a dead man in the Fossés Jaunes, near Porte Saint-Antoine, -on the other side of the Pont-aux-Choux. From the condition of his -wounds, they know that he must have been killed quite a while ago; -consequently, no one knows just when the crime was committed. And to -think that I went by there at three o'clock in the morning, monsieur! -Suppose the brigands had seen me! No doubt they would have murdered me -too!' - -"'But,' I said to the peasant, 'as you passed the place at three o'clock -this morning, how do you know that they found a dead man there two hours -ago? Have you been back there?' - -"'No; but I just heard about it from a neighbor, a market gardener like -myself, who just came from the faubourg. He saw the poor fellow they had -taken out of the Fossés Jaunes; it seems he is a young man, and as -handsome as a picture! He is still lying there at full length on the -bank. Near the place where they found him, there are archers and -soldiers keeping watch; and they have gone to tell the magistrates, who -will make an investigation, of course, and search the neighborhood, and -try to find something to put them on the track of the guilty ones.' - -"I' faith, mademoiselle, I no sooner heard that than I felt a most -intense longing to see the unfortunate man, who was found last night in -the Fossés Jaunes. And I said to myself: 'If they need the magistrates, -they may need a solicitor's clerk too; I must go and see the man, and -then I can tell the whole story _de visu_!' - -"So I took my legs around my neck--the phrase is still in use, although -it lacks sense--and I can assure you that I ran without stopping, -although I overturned two children, an ass, and a milkwoman on the way; -but that is a detail. - -"When I arrived at the Pont-aux-Choux, someone pointed out the spot -where the poor young man still lay. I hurried to the place, and I was -not the only one whom curiosity had drawn thither; there was a large -crowd, and the soldiers had much ado to keep a space clear about the -corpse. But as I am never at a loss for an expedient, I said to one of -the guards that I was a clerk and employed in the magistracy, so he let -me go near." - -"So that you saw the man who was found dead?" said Miretta, in a voice -trembling with emotion. - -"Yes, my pretty lady's-maid, I saw it as plainly as I see you.--Ah! what -a calamity! It was a young man--that is to say, a man of twenty-seven or -twenty-eight at most, with a graceful figure, very well built, and a -face--oh! a fascinating face! so refined and distinguished! He must have -been a nobleman, or a gentleman of some ancient family." - -"He was not disfigured, then, not wounded in the face?" - -"Not a scratch! A surgeon who was there, with the lieutenant of -police--for the lieutenant had come in person to examine the victim--the -surgeon said, after looking at the wounds: - -"'This young man was struck from behind, evidently when he was seated; -he received a sword thrust in the back, which went completely through -his body, and then another in the heart; but the latter when he had -already fallen to the ground and lost consciousness. There cannot have -been any struggle; death must have been instantaneous, and the -unfortunate man had no time to defend himself.'" - -"But did no one recognize the young man?" said Valentine; "his rank or -his profession must have been indicated by his clothing. Did the -lieutenant of police discover anything to put him on the track?" - -"Mon Dieu! mademoiselle, it was very difficult to guess. In the first -place, the victim had been robbed of his cloak and hat and belt. The -poor young man had nothing on him but his doublet and short-clothes, -both of black cloth, and boots of a very common sort. But there was -nothing in his pockets--neither money, nor papers, nor weapons; -absolutely nothing! How is it possible, then, to guess who he is?--The -lieutenant of police, after a careful examination of the body and the -clothes, said: - -"'Evidently this young gentleman had just arrived in Paris, for we do -not remember having seen him before. He must have been attacked and -robbed by Giovanni, who took his money, his papers, his weapons, and -even a part of his clothes. Yes, such a crime can have been committed by -none but that bold Italian, who then hurled the body of his victim into -the moat, so that this latest crime might be less quickly discovered.'" - -"Giovanni!" cried Miretta; "always Giovanni! As soon as a murder is -committed, everyone agrees to charge it to his account! What is there to -prove that it was he who killed this young man?" - -"Hoity-toity! here is the little brunette defending the robber again!" -exclaimed Bahuchet, with a laugh. "Really, my dear, I begin to think -that you are one of his band!" - -Miretta flushed crimson. - -"I say that," she faltered, "because people tell so many lies, and -invent so many stories that----" - -"Mon Dieu! you do not need to justify yourself!" said Valentine, smiling -at her.--"But is that all, Monsieur Bahuchet? Is your terrible story at -an end?" - -"Yes, mademoiselle, that is all. The lieutenant of police has had a -search made in the neighborhood, hoping that something might be found -belonging to the victim; but what is the use of searching now, when the -crime was committed perhaps three weeks ago? If it had not been for a -dog, nothing would have been discovered! But those excellent beasts are -often much cleverer and more cunning than we are, and they have a most -astonishing scent! This one stopped on the edge of the Fossés Jaunes, -and his master called him in vain--he would not budge. As such -persistence on the dog's part seemed very strange, his master went to -him to find out what he was doing. By peering intently into the high -grass in the moat, he finally discovered something that looked like a -man's arm; he ran for a ladder, and they found the unfortunate victim. -But that was all; for they have not succeeded in finding anything in the -fields round about, or in the moat where the poor young man lay! -Doubtless he was coming to Paris for enjoyment and diversion, and he met -death before he had put his foot in the city.--But so it goes!" - -"I am very, very sorry for the poor fellow who perished so miserably!" -said Valentine; "but I did not know him; and as I can do nothing to -avenge him, you will allow me, Monsieur Bahuchet, to turn my attention -now to the subject that led me to ask you to call here." - -"I am listening, mademoiselle; I am entirely at your service; I desired -simply to prove to you that if I returned late to the office, I was not -without some excuse. That idiot of a Plumard began at once to make -remarks!" - -"Enough, monsieur!--Listen: I expect a service from you. Are you -disposed to oblige me, and, above all things, never to say a word which -may lead anyone to suspect that you have acted by my orders?" - -"Mademoiselle, I am entirely devoted to you; and as for my -discretion---- Oh! there is no danger!" - -"But you are very fond of talking, monsieur, and of telling everything -you have learned!" - -"Everything! That depends; I know many things now that nobody else -knows--secrets; for instance, when Plumard----" - -"Well! do you propose to betray them now, monsieur?" - -"No, mademoiselle, no! I was about to say; even if Plumard should -question me, he would learn nothing.--But what sort of service does -mademoiselle require of me?" - -"Something very simple and very easy," said Valentine, opening a small -desk and taking from it the white plume that Bahuchet had sold her. -"Look, Monsieur Bahuchet, do you recognize this plume?" - -"Perfectly: it is the one I picked up on Rue Dauphine, under the balcony -which Monsieur Léodgard de Marvejols had just scaled." - -"That is right. Well, I wish you to go to Landry's bathing -establishment, and ask to see the fascinating Bathilde's mother. I know -that she has returned home. You will hand this white plume to that woman -and say to her: 'Your daughter's lovers lose their plumes at night when -they scale balconies to join her; here is one belonging to a noble lord, -whose name Mademoiselle Bathilde will be able to give you.'--Then you -will bow and take your leave; and that is all. As I do not wish to put -you out for nothing, be kind enough to accept this purse as compensation -for the trouble I cause you." - -The little clerk observed at a glance the plumpness of the purse which -Valentine offered him with the plume; but he hesitated about taking -them. - -"Well?" continued the nobly born maiden, testily; "are you not willing -to do what I ask?" - -"Pardon, pardon, mademoiselle; assuredly, I am too fortunate in the -confidence which you manifest in me." - -"Then take this plume and this purse!" - -"But, you see, I am wondering in my own mind how Dame Ragonde will take -it--that is young Bathilde's mother's name. I know the family. Dame -Ragonde is a very bad one, they say; and when I tell her that her -daughter receives lovers at night, that will not afford her great -pleasure! What if she should fall on me with fists and claws?" - -"What, Monsieur Bahuchet! You, who claim to be so brave, afraid of a -woman's anger?" - -"Because with a woman one must accept anything without retaliating; -whereas, with a man--what a difference! If he ventures to lack respect, -to strike us, why, we fall on him and pay him back twice or thrice what -we have received." - -"Very well, monsieur; instead of taking the plume to this Bathilde's -mother, hand it to her father, Landry the bath keeper; then, if he -resorts to violence, you can pay him back twice or thrice." - -The little clerk scratched his ear and opened his nostrils wider than -ever; he saw that the young lady had no faith in his courage; however, -he made up his mind at last and took both plume and purse, saying: - -"I will do as you first suggested, mademoiselle; I will hand this plume -to Dame Ragonde; I think that that will be the better way; and as for -her claws, I will brave them without a tremor." - -"And if she should ask who sent you?" - -"No one! I am acting on my own account. I picked up the plume, and I -bring it back; and that will be no falsehood." - -"Very good; discretion so far as I am concerned, monsieur, is what I -especially enjoin upon you. You will carry this plume to the bath -keeper's to-day?" - -"It shall be handed to Dame Ragonde to-day." - -"If my errand is left undone, I warn you that I shall know it!" - -"It shall be done; I swear it by the Basoche!" - -"Au revoir, Monsieur Bahuchet!" - -"Mademoiselle, I have the honor to present my respectful -homage.--Bonsoir, pretty brunette! Oh! what eyes you make at me, my -dear!--Come, come! be calm! I won't speak ill of robbers again!" - -"Well!" said Valentine to Miretta, who sat as if lost in thought after -the solicitor's clerk had gone. "You say nothing, Miretta; is it because -you do not approve of what I have done?" - -"That poor girl! She will be very unhappy when her parents know of her -fault!" murmured Miretta, with a sigh. - -"And suppose another woman should become the mistress of the man you -love?" rejoined Valentine, seizing her maid's arm; "would not you be -revenged?" - -"Oh, yes! yes! You have done well!" - -And Miretta raised her eyes, which seemed to emit flames. - - - - -XXVIII - -PLUMARD - - -On leaving the Hôtel de Mongarcin on this occasion, Bahuchet did not -jostle the passers-by or jingle the money in his purse; the little clerk -was beginning to be accustomed to windfalls. Moreover, at that moment -his joy was moderated by another sentiment. He had carefully concealed -the white plume under his doublet; then he had counted the contents of -the purse twice over. He found therein a hundred livres tournois in -coins of various denominations, and he gazed with admiration at the -money; then he carefully bestowed the purse in his belt, saying to -himself: - -"It is a great pity that I have to carry this plume to Landry the bath -keeper! There is nothing pleasant about that commission; it may even be -dangerous! Pardieu! Mademoiselle de Mongarcin knows it well enough! She -would not pay such a price to have an errand done that is apparently so -simple, if she did not foresee that the messenger would be exposed to -great risk!--Let me see, let me see! I must cudgel my brain a bit and -try to think if there is not some way of keeping my back or my face out -of reach of cudgels or claws.--I have promised that this white plume -shall be handed to-day to young Bathilde's parents; it shall be, for an -honest youth has only his word! Moreover, I am in a solicitor's office! -But solicitors know how to get around the most knotty questions; suppose -I should get around this errand of mine--suppose I should send somebody -else in my place to carry this infernal plume, prescribing the words he -was to say? Why, that would come to precisely the same thing in the end, -and my person would run no risk whatever!" - -Having decided upon this plan, Bahuchet bent his steps toward the -wretched eating house where he and his comrade Plumard generally dined. - -On entering the place, he saw his friend seated at his usual table; he -took his seat opposite him, with an even more than ordinarily expansive -smile. - -"Enchanted to find you, Plumard, my boy! I should have been disappointed -if you had not come here to-night. You are having supper--I will do -likewise, for I have a keen appetite. What you are eating looks very -good, Plumard; what in the devil is it?" - -"It is a rabbit stew, according to our host; but it's too good to be -rabbit, it must be cat at least!" - -"Ah! bigre! I propose to have some of it, too.--Holà! waiter! bring me a -portion of the same dish that my friend has; if it isn't the same -animal, I won't have it! And by the way, waiter, you may also bring me -some fricot of veal, with small onions--a large portion! Make it double, -and I will give my friend Plumard some; he has a weakness for veal, like -myself. And, waiter, I could eat some of that delicious fish which is -noted for its bones--a carp, as fine as those at Fontainebleau, where -they resemble whales; a fried carp! That is a feast in itself--with a -sprig of parsley on it; and I know that my friend Plumard does not -profess a profound contempt for the carp. Moisten it all with that -Argenteuil light wine that is so well _stripped_--you know what I mean, -don't you? the old, not the new; the really old, that you don't make -yourself.--Go, waiter, and if I am content with you I will grease your -palm, as we say at the office." - -"But I say!" said Plumard, fixing his great round eyes on his vis-à-vis; -"what does this mean, Bahuchet? Have you had a legacy left you? or has a -fair lady of mature years let her favors fall upon you?" - -"No! nothing of the sort! Certainly, a lady might fall in love with me -as well as with another. I am not a foe of the fair sex. Although there -is always a reverse side to the medal, I will not say of women, with -Suetonius, that we must _missam facere uxorem_!--That Suetonius was not -a gallant man." - -"Answer what I ask you, instead of quoting your classics!" - -"It seems to me, Plumard, that with you I may venture to take a few -strides into the domain of science. You are a clerk like myself; you -must understand Latin. If you do not understand it, I grieve for you." - -"What an infernal chatterbox! he keeps branching off from his subject." - -"That proves that I have facility in elocution, elasticity in my ideas. -There are many people who would like to branch off from their subject, -and who cannot. They have to remain nailed fast to it, for lack of -imagination to think up anything else;--_quid agis_? You wish to know -why I treat you so handsomely this evening, do you not? Well, I propose -to tell you: I won a dozen livres in a game of _brisque_ with a churl, -and I propose to consume a part of it with you. Do you think that I do -wrong?" - -"No, no! far from it; it is an excellent idea of yours!" - -"Ah! it is very lucky that you approve of my action." - -"Do you play at _brisque_?" - -"I play at all games at which I win; they are the only ones that amuse -me.--But here comes the veal. Let us attend strictly to business. There -are idiots who say: _Non ut edam vivo, sed ut vivam edo_. For my part, I -am not ashamed to say that I live for nothing else except to eat; for if -I did not eat, I should die. Why, then, should not one do with pleasure, -with sensuous delight, a thing which we are bound to do every day?--Let -us fall to!" - -Bahuchet, possessor of a stomach whose capacity was extraordinary, -swallowed with surprising rapidity everything that the waiter placed -between him and Plumard; he consumed, unaided, almost the entire -contents of the dishes which he had ordered for two; so that his friend -stopped him at last, saying: - -"It was hardly worth while to offer to treat me, if you propose to eat -everything!" - -"_Quid rogas_, comrade? why do you eat so slowly? I concluded that you -were not hungry, and I thought that it was useless to leave anything." - -"If I ate as fast as you, I should choke to death!" - -"Well, I will go slower now.--Besides, I want to talk with you; and when -one is talking, one cannot eat; that is why I laid in a stock in -advance.--Plumard, I am going to tell you something which will make you -very happy." - -"Bah! is it that our solicitor is going to give us a crown more a -month?" - -"Ouiche! I advise you to count on that! He is more likely to cut us -down; he has already threatened to do it to me!--Come, think, think of -something that might be of immense benefit to you." - -Plumard raised his great eyes to the beams which sustained the ceiling. - -"Have you met a rich woman who wishes to marry me?" - -"You haven't guessed yet; but with what I have discovered, I make no -doubt that you will very soon fascinate some wealthy dowager, who will -lay her crowns at your feet." - -"Come, explain yourself, Bahuchet; you know that I am not very strong at -guessing, and you keep me in suspense too long!" - -"_Quid festinas_? What's the hurry? Think; take your time!" - -"If you don't tell me, I will go away!" - -"What a keg of powder!" - -"That is my nature!" - -"Well, listen: I have discovered in a _cul-de-sac_ an old hag who has -invented a pomade that infallibly makes the hair grow on the baldest -skulls and those most rebellious under cultivation!" - -Plumard frowned and looked at his comrade with a wrathful air, -muttering: - -"Do you mean to make sport of me, as usual? You know, Bahuchet, that I -don't like that. You have already told me a lot of stories about pomades -that did not exist. You have sent me to ask for them to people who have -laughed in my face. I want no more of your practical jokes! I will fight -you if you begin that game again. I am not afraid to fight; I am no -coward! Look out, or I will hit you a crack!" - -"Ta! ta! ta! What a nice, amiable boy it is!--You treat a person, and -try to make yourself agreeable to him, and to reward you he threatens to -beat you!--All right; we will say no more about it, my dear fellow; I -will keep my discovery to myself, and if a few of my hairs should fall -out some day I shall know how to remedy it." - -Plumard was silent for a moment, nibbling a piece of dry bread. - -Then he murmured, in a softer tone: - -"Then why have you fooled me so often? How do you expect me to have -confidence in you?" - -"It's all right! it's all right! let us say no more about it." - -"But this old hag who makes the pomade--do you know her address?" - -"No, I tell you, I no longer know anything; I was lying, I was trying to -make fun of you! I deserve nothing better than the rope's end or the -cudgel!" - -"Come, come, Bahuchet! I was too quick; I am sorry." - -"Ah! when a friend tells me that he is sorry, I cannot harbor ill will -against him.--Yes, I know where to find the hag." - -"And she sells this pomade?" - -"No, she won't sell it to anybody!--but to me, having taken a fancy to -me, she will give a jar." - -"Oh! that is much more agreeable! And when will you have this jar?" - -"To-morrow, if I choose." - -"And you will give it to me?--Ah! you are a friend!" - -"Yes, I will give it to you, but on one little condition, and that is -that you will do me a favor in return. Between friends, you know, when -one obliges the other, he always expects reciprocity." - -"What is it that I must do?" asked Plumard, with a frown. - -"A very simple thing, which will not disturb you in the least. When you -go home to-night, go into Landry the bath keeper's place--he is your -neighbor--and hand his wife this white plume, which I picked up under -their balcony one night when I walked home with you. Then you will say -to Dame Ragonde: 'Your daughter's lovers lose their plumes at night, -scaling your balcony; here is one which I picked up, and which belongs -to a young nobleman whose name your daughter will tell you.'--And then -you will go away. It's the simplest thing in the world." - -Plumard pushed his stool away from the table, crying: - -"A very pretty commission that! I shall be well treated when I deliver -that message.--No, no! do your errand yourself--you may have all the -profit." - -"As you please; but since you refuse to do it, we will say no more about -the jar of pomade." - -And Bahuchet began to whistle with an indifferent air. After a few -minutes Plumard said, between his teeth: - -"What an idea, to send to that girl's mother the plume her lover -lost!--That is downright wicked, it's a villainous trick!--Have you any -reason to complain of pretty Bathilde? I am surprised at that; I thought -that you didn't know her." - -"Plumard! there are mysteries which it is impossible to divulge.--As for -the girl, she will say to her mother: 'It is not true, I have no lover'; -and that will be the end of it." - -"Do you think so?" - -"Parbleu! are girls who have lovers ever at a loss for a lie?" - -"That is true.--But another suggestion occurs to me." - -"State it." - -"Let us assume that I undertake this--thorny commission; how do I know -that you will give me the jar of pomade then? You will laugh in my face -when I claim it." - -"I understand your suspicion, having now and then played some rather -neat tricks on you; and I am so far from being angry with you, that I -propose to prove to you that it will not be so this time." - -And taking from his belt the purse he had received, Bahuchet produced a -beautiful rose crown and placed it in Plumard's hand, saying: - -"See, here is gold--and of good alloy. If I do not give you the jar of -pomade when you claim it, I will allow you to keep this gold piece and -not return it to me.--Do you think that I am tricking you, now?" - -Plumard turned the coin over and over in his hand; he weighed it, rang -it on the table, then put it in his pocket, and offered his comrade his -hand, saying: - -"It is a bargain; I will deliver the plume." - -"And you will say exactly what I have told you?" - -"I will say it without omitting a word. Where is the plume?" - -"Here it is; conceal it under your doublet, as I have done. Let us empty -this jug of wine, then you must go about your commission." - -"This evening?" - -"Why not? It is better to have it done with at once." - -"And you will go for the jar of pomade?" - -"I told you that I would give it to you to-morrow, and you may rely upon -it. In any event, it seems to me that you have a sufficient guaranty." - -"That is true." - -The two clerks emptied the jug of wine, and Bahuchet paid the bill. - -They left the wine shop. - -The day was nearing its end. - -"Until to-morrow!" said Bahuchet, shaking hands with his comrade. - -"Until to-morrow!" - -And the little man ran off in the opposite direction to that which -Plumard took to go to Rue Dauphine. And as he ran, he laughed in his -sleeve, saying to himself: - -"Take the plume, dear boy; I am going to enjoy myself, to pass the night -in jollification at a wine shop, and to make up a pomade to redeem my -gold piece!" - -As Plumard drew near to Master Landry's establishment, he felt that his -resolution weakened; a nervous shiver ran through his limbs. To restore -his courage, he passed his hand over his bald head several times, saying -to himself: - -"Hair! it will make my hair grow! I shall have as much as Samson, -perhaps! How handsome I shall be when I have some hair! No woman will be -able to resist me then. And when they ask me for a lock, I shall not be -compelled to refuse them, as I am to-day.--Ah! corbleu! sacrebleu! -morbleu! I must shrink at nothing in face of that hope! How beautifully -I will dress my hair! I will have curls falling over my ears.--But -suppose that old woman should rush at me and claw my eyes out! Peste! -then I should not see my hair grow!--My eyes are superb; I should never -be able to console myself for the loss of even half of one of -them.--This is a very embarrassing, very delicate affair! Let me think a -little. Might I not make some change in what I have to say when I -deliver the plume? After all, Bahuchet won't be at my back to listen to -what I say! He has taken me in many times; and if I should cheat him a -little, where would be the harm?--And then, I should be sorry to make -trouble for that girl, who, they say, is so pretty! Who knows whether -some day, when I have some hair, she may not feel a tender affection for -me, on being told of the service I rendered her?--Yes, I must be -generous to beauty, and shelter my face from scratches." - -In due time, Plumard reached the bath keeper's house. - -It was dark and the shopkeepers were beginning to close their doors. - -The old trooper of Henri IV sat in his doorway, smoking his pipe. - -The clerk walked up and down the street several times; at last he -decided to accost Landry, saying to himself: - -"It matters little whether I give the plume to the father or the mother. -I prefer to address myself to the father; men understand each other -better. I must be shrewd and subtle.--Ah! good evening, Master Landry! -How are you this evening? You are smoking, I see; that is a pleasant -pastime. I should like very much to smoke, if it did not make me sick -and make my head ache so that I can't see. I have an uncle who went into -consumption from smoking a pipe, and two cousins who were made -insane!--Ah! how pleasant it is to smoke!--The skies are dark to-night, -and I am afraid we shall have a storm to-morrow; that would be a -disappointment to me. I have a longing to take a ride in a _chaise à -porteurs_, or a _brouette_--the new invention, you know? it is very -convenient, and very fashionable in the best society; _brouettes_ cost -only sixteen sous for the trip, or eighteen by the hour; while the -_chaise à porteurs_ costs thirty sous for the trip. That is dear--yes, -it's very dear! But how comfortable it must be in one!--Still, it's very -nice in a _brouette_!" - -Landry listened tranquilly to this outflow of words, eying the young -clerk the while; when it was at an end, he answered coldly: - -"As I don't know you, and as it makes no difference to me whether you -ride in a _chaise_ or in a _brouette_, I am going to bed. Good-night!" - -"Oh! stay a moment! You are in a terrible hurry. You do not recognize -me, because it is beginning to grow dark, but I am one of your best -customers; I bathe as many as fifteen times a week!--But so many people -come to your place that you can't recognize all their faces!" - -"That is possible! In that case, excuse me; but I am tired, and I am -going to bed." - -"One moment more, I beg!--Does your charming daughter also enjoy perfect -health, like her worthy father?" - -The old soldier began to examine the clerk more closely, muttering: - -"My daughter! do you know my daughter, monsieur de la Basoche?" - -"Ah! I know her--without knowing her. I know that she is enchanting, -because I have seen her sometimes on your balcony, when she was watering -her flowers." - -"Ah! you have seen her, have you? Very good; I begin to -understand.--Well, what are you trying to come at to-night?" - -"I' faith! I will tell you. See--I have here a superb white plume; I had -it from an aunt who had it from an uncle, who was train bearer at the -court of King Charles IX.--To make a long story short, I said to -myself: 'Such a handsome plume as this is a pure luxury in my hands; if -I should offer it to Master Landry's daughter, it would be a gift worthy -of her charms, and it would shade becomingly her brow of roses and -lilies.'--That idea once conceived, I determined to put it in execution. -Here, excellent bath keeper, is the plume in question; you see how -beautiful it is! Pray take it and hand it to your fascinating progeny; I -desire no other reward than the pleasure of knowing that she is -gratified by the gift." - -"Aha! my rascal! so you presume to offer a plume to my daughter, do you? -And you dare to ask her father to be your messenger? Ten thousand cannon -balls! this passes all bounds! It was probably you who prowled about -this street so much that it made the neighbors gossip!" - -"Master Landry, I live on this street, it is true; but I have never -prowled about your----" - -"Enough! enough! you impertinent rascal! coming to ask a father to take -charge of a present intended to seduce his daughter!" - -"Why, not at all! you are off the track, my good Landry; I have no such -purpose." - -"Ah! you take me for one of those half-witted or obliging fathers who -shut their eyes to such manoeuvres! I am going to show you how I -receive gallants who would like to talk nonsense to my daughter!--Here, -you blackguard, here is the price of your gift!" - -As he spoke, the bath keeper planted his foot in Plumard's -short-clothes, and repeated the movement several times, running after -the young clerk, who fled, yelling at the top of his voice. - -Satisfied with the chastisement he had administered to the man whom he -believed to be in love with his daughter, Landry returned to his house -and locked the door. - -As for the ill-fated Plumard, he hastened to his lodgings, holding his -hand to the portion of his frame that had been so roughly treated by the -bath keeper, and saying to himself: - -"I should have done as well to execute my commission without making any -change in the text, without diverging from my instructions!--What a -brutal wretch that bath keeper is! He thinks now that I am in love with -his daughter! I shall not dare to pass his door--I shall have to -move.--However, if the pomade has the virtue that Bahuchet attributes to -it, I shall find some consolation for my late disagreeable experience. I -shall be so handsome with plenty of hair! I will go about bareheaded, I -will carry my cap in my hand all the time!" - - * * * * * - -These typographical errors were corrected by the etext transcriber: - -Collége Saint-Denis=>Collège Saint-Denis - -this underaking, do not pity me=>this undertaking, do not pity me - -Turlupin and Gautier-Garguille=>Turlupin and Gauthier-Garguille - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul -de Kock Volume VII), by Charles Paul de Kock - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BATH KEEPERS, V.1 *** - -***** This file should be named 40335-8.txt or 40335-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/3/3/40335/ - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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/license - - -Title: The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume VII) - -Author: Charles Paul de Kock - -Release Date: July 25, 2012 [EBook #40335] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BATH KEEPERS, V.1 *** - - - - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="398" height="550" alt="image of the book's cover" title="" /> -</p> - -<p class="figcenter"> -<span class="caption">Copyright 1903 by G. Barrie & Sons</span><br /> -<a href="images/front-lg.jpg"> -<img src="images/front-sml.jpg" width="373" height="522" alt="Copyright 1903 by G. Barrie & Sons" title="" /></a> -</p> - -<div class="lfriends"> -<p class="c">LÉODGARD RETURNS TO HIS FRIENDS</p> - -<p>All the young men ran to meet Léodgard, for it was really he who was -approaching. As they drew near him they were struck by his pallor and by -the sinister gleam of his eyes, which avoided theirs.</p> -</div> - -<h1> -<small>NOVELS<br /> -<br /> -<small>BY</small></small><br /><br /> -<big>Paul de Kock</big><br /> -<br /> -<small><small><span class="red">VOLUME VII</span></small></small><br /> -<br /> -<small><span class="red">THE BATH KEEPERS;<br /> - -<small>OR,</small><br /> - -PARIS IN THOSE DAYS<br /> -<small>VOL. I</small></span></small></h1> - -<p> </p> - -<p class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/colophon.png" width="150" height="63" alt="colophon" title="colophon" /> -</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p class="cb">THE JEFFERSON PRESS<br /> -<br /> -BOSTON <span style="margin-left: 8em;">NEW YORK</span></p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p class="c"><small><i>Copyrighted, 1903-1904, by G. B. & Sons.</i></small></p> - -<p><a name="page_001" id="page_001"></a></p> - -<h1> -THE BATH KEEPERS;<br /> -<br /> -OR,<br /> -<br /> -PARIS IN THOSE DAYS</h1> - -<p><a name="page_002" id="page_002"></a></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<p class="c"> -<a href="#I"><b>I, </b></a> -<a href="#II"><b>II, </b></a> -<a href="#III"><b>III, </b></a> -<a href="#IV"><b>IV, </b></a> -<a href="#V"><b>V, </b></a> -<a href="#VI"><b>VI, </b></a> -<a href="#VII"><b>VII, </b></a> -<a href="#VIII"><b>VIII, </b></a> -<a href="#IX"><b>IX, </b></a> -<a href="#X"><b>X, </b></a> -<a href="#XI"><b>XI, </b></a> -<a href="#XII"><b>XII, </b></a> -<a href="#XIII"><b>XIII, </b></a> -<a href="#XIV"><b>XIV, </b></a> -<a href="#XV"><b>XV, </b></a> -<a href="#XVI"><b>XVI, </b></a> -<a href="#XVII"><b>XVII, </b></a> -<a href="#XVIII"><b>XVIII, </b></a> -<a href="#XIX"><b>XIX, </b></a> -<a href="#XX"><b>XX, </b></a> -<a href="#XXI"><b>XXI, </b></a> -<a href="#XXII"><b>XXII, </b></a> -<a href="#XXIII"><b>XXIII, </b></a> -<a href="#XXIV"><b>XXIV, </b></a> -<a href="#XXV"><b>XXV, </b></a> -<a href="#XXVI"><b>XXVI, </b></a> -<a href="#XXVII"><b>XXVII, </b></a> -<a href="#XXVIII"><b>XXVIII</b></a></p> - -<p><a name="page_003" id="page_003"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>I<br /><br /> -<small>RUE COUTURE-SAINTE-CATHERINE</small></h2> - -<p>It was two o'clock on a cold, damp morning; the fine snow, which melted -as soon as it touched the ground, made the streets slippery and dirty, -and Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine,—then called -Couture-Sainte-Catherine,—although it was one of the broadest streets -in Paris, was as black and gloomy as any blind alley in the Cité to-day.</p> - -<p>But these things took place in the year one thousand six hundred and -thirty-four; and I need not tell you that in those days no such devices -for street lighting as lanterns, gas, or electric lights were known. The -man who should have discovered the last-named invention, which, in -truth, savors strongly of the magical, would surely have been subjected -to the ordinary and extraordinary torture for a recompense.</p> - -<p>Those were the good old times!</p> - -<p>Everything new aroused suspicion; people believed much more readily in -sorcerers, the devil, and magic, than<a name="page_004" id="page_004"></a> in the results of study and -learning and the reasoning of the human intellect.</p> - -<p>Was it that men were too modest in those days? If so, they have reformed -most effectually since then.</p> - -<p>In those days, very few persons ventured to be out late in the streets -of Paris, where the police was most inefficient and often worse.</p> - -<p>The young noblemen sometimes indulged in the pastime of beating the -watch; that diversion was permitted to the nobility. To-day, the -prowlers about the barriers are the only class who undertake to beat the -gendarmes from time to time; but the gendarmes are not so accommodating -as the watch of the old days.</p> - -<p>There were not then some thirty or more theatres open every evening for -the entertainment of the people of the capital and of the strangers -drawn thither by its renown. A single one had been founded and was -patronized by Cardinal de Richelieu, who, unfortunately for his glory, -had undertaken to add to his other titles thereto the title of author.</p> - -<p>But all great men have had their weaknesses. Alexander drank too much, -which was infinitely more reprehensible than to write wretched verses; -Frederick the Great insisted that he was a talented performer on the -flute; and Louis XIV danced in the comédies-ballets which Molière -composed for him.</p> - -<p>The farces which were then being performed by Turlupin, Gros-Guillaume, -and Gauthier-Garguille ended with<a name="page_005" id="page_005"></a> the daylight, their theatres being in -the open air. People dined at noon and supped at six o'clock; and when a -worthy bourgeois remained at a friend's house as late as nine o'clock, -he looked upon it as a genuine revel, as a youthful escapade, and -hurried home at the top of his speed, carrying a lantern, and shuddering -with terror many a time as he passed through the lanes which were then -called streets, and in which, if he should happen to meet any -evil-minded person, he was certain of obtaining no assistance from any -house or shop; for when the curfew had rung, everything must be closed, -and you might not even have a light in your house, if you wished to read -or work, or for any reason not to go to bed.</p> - -<p>Why do we call that period "the good old time"?</p> - -<p>That is a question I have often asked myself.</p> - -<p>Is it because people were not entitled to go to bed, to work, to -entertain their friends, to amuse themselves when they had the desire, -the need, or the fancy so to do?</p> - -<p>Is it because people broke their necks after dark in the streets? -because thieves, then called <i>Truands</i>, <i>Mauvais Garçons</i>, <i>Tireurs de -Laine</i>, or <i>Coupeurs de Bourses</i>, plied their trade in broad daylight on -Pont Neuf and in other localities, laughing in your face if you ventured -to remonstrate?</p> - -<p>Was it because the shops were dark and filthy, devoid of taste and -refinement?</p> - -<p>Was it because duels were fought on street corners, or in the public -squares, two or four or twelve a day, as<a name="page_006" id="page_006"></a> unconcernedly as we go boating -to-day; and the authorities took no steps to prevent this butchery?</p> - -<p>Was it because edicts were promulgated every day whereby such a one was -forbidden to wear silk, another to wear velvet, this woman to have a -gilt girdle, another to dress in certain colors, which were too -brilliant, too conspicuous for her walk in life?</p> - -<p>O short-sighted politicians! O paltry critics! who anathematize luxury, -who seek to restrict refinement, who censure coquetry, and who do not -understand that by such theories you strike at our commerce, our -manufacturers, our mechanics—in a word, all our <i>workers</i>!</p> - -<p>In heaven's name, what harm is done if a plebeian who has money dresses -fashionably, luxuriously even, if such be his taste, his caprice?</p> - -<p>Are you afraid that he may eclipse you, who assume to belong to the beau -monde? Try to make yourself distinguished by your manners, your bearing, -your grace, your courtesy, your language; surely you must know that -those are things that cannot be bought!</p> - -<p>For my own part, I would be glad to see all the working girls in silk -dresses, velvet bonnets, and lace-trimmed caps, and all the workingmen -in patent-leather shoes and white gloves.</p> - -<p>Where would be the harm?</p> - -<p>Is not the picture of refinement more attractive than that of -slovenliness, poverty, and want?<a name="page_007" id="page_007"></a></p> - -<p>Does not the money that a man spends on his dress do him more honor than -that which he throws away at the wine shop?</p> - -<p>But let us return to Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine, and to the period -when the events that we are about to describe took place.</p> - -<p>A young man came out of Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and passed the Hôtel de -Carnavalet, before which artists and admirers of sculpture always paused -to gaze at the waving lines of the great portal, and the masks and -bas-reliefs that adorned the arches of the windows—the work of the -immortal Jean Goujon.</p> - -<p>Fortunate structure, which the genius of an artist was to make famous -forever, and to which, at a later time, a woman of intellect was to add -renewed lustre by making it her residence!</p> - -<p>But at the period of which we write, Madame de Sévigné had not taken up -her abode at the Hôtel de Carnavalet.</p> - -<p>The hour was not propitious for halting in front of the mansion, for it -was very near Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which at that time extended to -Rue Culture-Sainte-Catherine; moreover, the person who came from the -first-named street did not seem to be in that frame of mind which fits -us to pass judgment on the objects of beauty we may meet on our road.</p> - -<p>He was, as we have said, a young man. Twenty-five years was his age; he -was tall, slender, and well built;<a name="page_008" id="page_008"></a> there was in his carriage and in -every movement the ease of bearing which denotes the man of the world, -and the manners which point to familiarity with cultivated society, and -which one does not lose, even in low company, when one has inherited -them from a long line of ancestors.</p> - -<p>In addition to grace of form, this young man possessed a handsome face -and clean-cut features; his brow was lofty and proud; his black eyes -were large and bright, and surmounted by very dense eyebrows which -almost met, thus imparting at times a somewhat sombre expression to the -organs of vision below them, which flashed fire when animated by wrath, -but could, on occasion, assume an expression of gentleness and -tenderness which it was difficult to resist; a small mouth, well -supplied with teeth, and shaded by a small moustache; an oval chin -adorned by a <i>royale</i>; and a forest of black hair which fell in thick -curls over his neck and shoulders—such, physically, was Léodgard de -Marvejols.</p> - -<p>As for his moral character, this story will instruct us sufficiently -therein.</p> - -<p>Clad in a handsome doublet of crimson silk, slashed with white satin; -knee-breeches of the same material, held in place by a white belt with -silver fringe, to which was attached a long sword, with a hilt of the -finest steel, ornamented with fringe and bows of ribbon; the young -cavalier's feet and legs were encased in funnel-shaped top-boots of -yellow leather, with buckles at the<a name="page_009" id="page_009"></a> instep; spurs affixed to those -light boots indicated that they seldom contributed to wear out the -pavements. A broad collarette, trimmed with lace, served as a cravat, -and a small velvet cloak was thrown over the shoulders and clasped on -one side. Lastly, a hat with a pointed crown and broad brim, turned up -in front, and surmounted by a long white plume attached by a steel -button, was the young man's headgear; and it must be said that it was -infinitely more graceful and refined than the hideous hats that we wear -to-day.</p> - -<p>We must do justice to the "good old times" in this respect: the costumes -worn by men were much more graceful, more dignified, more attractive, -than they now are; for we must, before everything, be impartial, and -award praise as well as blame.</p> - -<p>Léodgard de Marvejols walked rather quickly, but sometimes he stopped, -like a person who is very much preoccupied, and to whom it matters -little that it is two o'clock in the morning, and that the streets are -deserted.</p> - -<p>At these times he usually thought aloud, or talked to himself—a -practice which is more common than is generally supposed; and as the -young nobleman had supped very copiously, his monologues were quite as -energetic as if he were still accompanied by boisterous revellers.</p> - -<p>At this time Léodgard was very near the new convent of the <i>Annonciades -Célestes</i>, or <i>Filles Bleues</i>, which one of the mistresses of Henri IV, -the Marquise de Verneuil, had founded in the year 1626.<a name="page_010" id="page_010"></a></p> - -<p>The blue girdle and cloak worn by the Annonciades had already caused -them to be styled <i>Filles Bleues</i>; which fact did not prevent those -saintlike women from being held in great veneration in their quarter; so -that, in broad daylight, people would have been terribly scandalized to -hear our young man swear roundly so near that asylum of repentance, and -exclaim, as he leaned against the wall of the convent:</p> - -<p>"Par la mordieu! if that Jarnonville had not left the game, I should -have won twice as much, thrice as much; I was in luck; I should have won -until morning. And that D'Artigues, and Cournac—to refuse to take the -dice—when I offered them their revenge at lansquenet—that swindlers' -game! and when I was losing! God damn me! I would stake my patrimony, my -moustaches, my mistress, if anyone would give me anything on them, and -my soul, if the devil would take it.—Let me see: how much did I win -from them? five or six hundred pistoles at most; and even so, I am not -sure that their rose crowns aren't clipped or counterfeit. A noble -night's work, on my word! as if that would make up what I have lost! I -know that I may continue to win to-morrow, and the day after to-morrow; -that I may win as often as I have lost.—Ah! I will win! I must! I must -win enough to buy another <i>petite maison</i>, as I have lost mine to that -infernal De Montrevers.—Where in the devil am I to take my pretty -courtesan, Camilla, to-morrow?—This is strange; I feel dizzy; that -Jurançon wine was good, but it is<a name="page_011" id="page_011"></a> heady.—Where in the devil shall I -take my new conquest to-morrow? Cournac refused to lend me his <i>petite -maison</i>, on the pretext that he was to have company there. The coxcomb! -he boasts of it, but it is a lie; I know from his esquire that when he -goes there he is always alone! However, we shall find some place of -shelter to take our belle; I am in funds now, and with a well-filled -purse one is welcomed cordially everywhere.—Apropos of my purse, let us -be sure that I haven't lost it. By hell! I am quite capable of it, I am -so dizzy!"</p> - -<p>At that thought, the young man hastily put his hand to his belt; but his -eyes almost immediately resumed a serene expression, as he felt his -purse, which was round and full. He could not resist the desire to take -it in his hands and feel the weight of it, saying to himself:</p> - -<p>"At last, I am not going home with an empty purse. Ten thousand devils! -it is a long time since that has happened to me!"</p> - -<p>And Léodgard was about to restore the purse to his belt, when a person -who had drawn near to him, quietly and unperceived, caught his arm, -saying:</p> - -<p>"It is unnecessary; don't give yourself the trouble to put it back."<a name="page_012" id="page_012"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="II" id="II"></a>II<br /><br /> -<small>A ROBBER</small></h2> - -<p>The man who had halted in front of Léodgard was tall and strong, and -seemed rather young than old; he was so strangely attired, that, after -meeting him once, it would be difficult not to remember him.</p> - -<p>A black doublet fitted close to his body, like a silk shirt; he wore -laced half-boots; a leather belt, in which were thrust pistols and a -poniard; and a broad baldric, from which hung a short sabre—a sort of -dagger with a very broad blade. All this part of his costume was -concealed by an ample caftan of olive-green cloth, which had a hood of -the same material, and which we may compare to a modern <i>caban</i>.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> His -head was covered with a red cap, trimmed with long wild boar's hair. -This cap was pulled down so far that one could hardly see his eyes; only -a long, thin nose could be distinguished, the lower part of the face -being completely hidden by moustaches and a heavy beard of the same -color as the hair on his cap.</p> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> A thick woollen cloak, with a hood.</p></div> - -<p>All these details formed a most unprepossessing whole, and gave the man -the aspect of a porcupine.<a name="page_013" id="page_013"></a></p> - -<p>But one was taken by surprise when there came from that bearded face, -instead of a harsh and threatening voice, a soft, almost melodious -sound; there was in the bandit's speech something mellow and vibrating, -which, with a rather pronounced Italian accent, gave it a decided charm.</p> - -<p>Léodgard raised his head and was completely taken aback when he saw this -individual standing in front of him; but, instead of complying with his -suggestion and refraining from putting his purse away, he instantly -withdrew his arm, replaced the gold in his belt, and, stepping back, -scrutinized the robber; who stood quietly in his place and submitted to -the examination, like one who was in no hurry at all and was content to -await the convenience of the traveller he proposed to plunder.</p> - -<p>"Pardieu! I cannot be mistaken," cried Léodgard, after a moment; "you -are the famous Giovanni, the Italian robber, but lately arrived in -France, who has already filled Paris with the fame of his exploits, his -audacity, and, above all, his address!"</p> - -<p>The man in the olive-green caftan bent his head slightly, replying in a -flute-like voice, as if highly flattered by the compliment:</p> - -<p>"Yes, signor, I am he."</p> - -<p>"Ah! By my faith, I do not regret the meeting! Since the beginning of -the winter, I have heard so much of you and your prowess, Master -Giovanni, that I have more than once longed to make your acquaintance. -For you are no ordinary robber—everybody does you that<a name="page_014" id="page_014"></a> justice; you -are ceremonious and well-mannered, and, it is said, very agreeable to -the persons you rob. That is a decided change for us; our French thieves -are so vulgar, such pitiful wretches! Come, since chance has served me -so well to-night, let us talk a little. Have you a few moments to give -me before we decide the fate of this purse?"</p> - -<p>"I shall be very glad to talk with you, signor; I have time enough, for -yours is the last business I shall do to-night."</p> - -<p>"And it will not be the most profitable for you, I warn you, Giovanni; -for I am not in the mood to give up my purse to you; it is too well -filled for that!"</p> - -<p>The robber's only reply was a satirical laugh.</p> - -<p>Léodgard de Marvejols had found a stone, on which he seated himself; -Giovanni remained standing with arms folded, and the conversation began.</p> - -<p>"Why did you leave your beautiful Italy to come to France? Would you not -be more at ease in the vast plains that surround Rome, or on the slopes -of the Pausilippo, or lying lazily beside the blue sea that bathes the -feet of Naples, than in this dark and filthy street, beneath this gray -sky, in this cold mist which chills us to the bone as it clings to our -garments?"</p> - -<p>"The sky of Italy is beautiful, signor, but love of change lies deep in -the heart of man."</p> - -<p>"That is true; I grant you that. Moreover, since the days of Queen -Catherine de' Medici, of sinister memory,<a name="page_015" id="page_015"></a> it seems that all Italians -have agreed to meet in Paris. We see your compatriots everywhere—at -court, in the city, in exalted positions, in the finances. The Italians -have brought us poisons,—with the way to make use of them,—the art of -telling fortunes by cards, of reading the stars, of learning the -future.—I try in vain to think what they have given us in exchange for -all this——"</p> - -<p>"Music, signor."</p> - -<p>"Ah! to be sure: music! They do, in fact, sing better than we do; but, -frankly, I do not think that that makes the balance even. I should have -supposed that Concini's tragic end would have allayed to some extent the -ardor of your compatriots for living in Paris. But I see that it is not -so, and that we have not yet seen the last of the Italians."</p> - -<p>"One finds much to entertain one in France, signor."</p> - -<p>"That must needs be so, since everybody desires to come here!—But tell -me,—for your manners and language seem to denote a man of some -education, and that you are not such a devil as you seek to appear, with -that shocking cap, in which you probably disguise yourself for a -purpose,—what train of events has led you to adopt the hazardous -profession in which you are now so famous? Do you feel disposed to tell -me?—For my own part, I confess that I am very curious to know your -adventures, assuming that you are not resolved to keep them secret."</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! signor, I am ready to gratify you: the events of my life are -very simple—like those that come<a name="page_016" id="page_016"></a> to multitudes of young men in all -lands. I am the son of a most respectable physician of Florence; indeed, -my father had amassed some wealth; he desired to make me a <i>dottore</i> -like himself, but I had not the slightest calling for the medical -profession. By way of compensation, I had a decided calling for -gambling, the joys of love, and of the table. I played, and contracted -debts. At first, my father paid them; but in time he tired of paying -money for me; he besought me to abandon the sort of life I was leading. -<i>Que diavolo!</i>—it was too late, the twig was bent! I allowed myself to -be led astray by fellows to whom all means of procuring money were -justifiable. I left Florence, I changed my name, from regard for my -family, and I followed the current. One travels rapidly on that road! As -I was dexterous and fearless, I soon left behind all those whose -imitator I had been. I became famous at Naples, at Rome, at Milan, -throughout Italy. But my description was spread broadcast, and, in spite -of the care with which I concealed my features, I was obliged to leave -my native land. Then it was that I came to France, to Paris, where I -have been plying my trade for six months, in the teeth of the watch, and -despite the efforts of the police and of monsieur le cardinal's -bloodhounds. However, I will confess to you in confidence that I have as -yet found no one among all your lovely Frenchwomen comparable to the -pretty girls of Florence and Milan. I have left some tender memories in -those cities. Indeed, I would stake my head that<a name="page_017" id="page_017"></a> I am not yet entirely -forgotten there; and on my own part—but, pardon me! I am too -loquacious, I abuse your patience.—That is my story, signor; as you -see, there is nothing very extraordinary in it."</p> - -<p>While listening to the robber, Léodgard had become gloomy and pensive; -his head had fallen on his breast, and it was difficult to say whether -he was still listening or was lost in thought.</p> - -<p>Giovanni, having for some moments refrained from disturbing the silence -of the young man to whom he had related his adventures, said at last:</p> - -<p>"I beg pardon, signor; I have told you what you wished to know, but the -night is hastening, and I must soon think of returning to my lair. So, -give me your purse, and I will take leave of you."</p> - -<p>"Have you any companions, any confederates?" asked Léodgard abruptly, -without answering the robber.</p> - -<p>"No, indeed; I am no such fool! I work alone, and I am the better for so -doing. If I had had confederates, I should have been caught long ago! As -you must know, in all ranks of society, a man is never betrayed, except -by his own people. Come, my young gentleman, let us finish our business. -I know that this street abounds in memories, and that it is well worth -while to pause and consider it. A few steps from here, during the night -of June 13, 1392, the Connétable Olivier de Clisson, coming from the -Hôtel Saint-Pol, where he had supped with the king, was treacherously -assaulted and murdered by Pierre<a name="page_018" id="page_018"></a> de Craon, chamberlain and favorite of -the Duc d'Orléans, brother of King Charles VI. By a most fortunate -chance, Clisson wore a coat of mail under his clothes; he received more -than sixty sword and knife thrusts which did not reach his body; but he -was finally wounded in the head and thrown from his horse; he fell -against the door of a baker's shop, which was ajar, and his assassins -took flight."</p> - -<p>"Malpeste! Giovanni, so you know our history too!" said Léodgard, -apparently taking pleasure in listening to the brigand.</p> - -<p>"And why not, signor? I have told you that I am the son of a -<i>dottore</i>!—And that Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which you have just -left—I have been following you for some time, you see—that Rue des -Francs-Bourgeois will always figure in your annals. There it was that -two miserable wretches lived toward the close of the last century—two -poor brothers, beggars, in short, who possessed the talent of imitating -perfectly the baying of a pack of hounds and the notes of a number of -hunting horns. Certain leaders of the League formed the plan of using -those beggars to lead your King Henri IV into a trap, knowing his -passion for the chase. One day when the king was enjoying that sport in -the forest of Vincennes, the noise of a pack of hounds, of horns, and of -hunters, very distant at first, suddenly drew near; a black man, forcing -his way through the underbrush, appeared before Henri IV and said to him -in an awe-inspiring voice: 'Did you hear me?'—But neither the king nor -any one<a name="page_019" id="page_019"></a> of his train ventured to follow that man, who, it is said, was -to have hurled a lance at the king if he had tried to come up with him. -And all this was the work of the Leaguers and of the two beggars from -Rue des Francs-Bourgeois!"</p> - -<p>"By my faith, Master Giovanni, you have told me something that I did not -know!—Pray go on; I see that one cannot fail to profit by your -conversation."</p> - -<p>"I am extremely sorry, my young gentleman, but I can talk no longer. As -I reminded you just now, the hastening night forces me to retire, for I -know that my description is so well known that it is impossible for me -to show myself by daylight in this costume."</p> - -<p>"Aha! that means that you have another for the sunlight? Pardieu! you -are wise, for this one is very well known. Those persons who have had -dealings with you have not failed to draw your portrait. I have already -heard of this olive-green robe de chambre, so to speak, and of this -horrible hairy cap."</p> - -<p>"In that case, signor, you will understand that it is time for me to -disappear."</p> - -<p>"Very well! go! what prevents you? You have been too courteous to me for -me to seek to cause your arrest. No, no! that would be a downright -felony on my part!"</p> - -<p>"In that case, signor, add to your complaisance the favor of handing me -your purse, and I will go at once."</p> - -<p>"My purse!" rejoined Léodgard, with a slight contraction of his heavy -eyebrows; "you shall not have it! I told you that I would keep it. But -as I do not wish<a name="page_020" id="page_020"></a> to have made you talk for nothing, I will give you two -pretty rose crowns."</p> - -<p>"No, my young gentleman; I cannot assent to that bargain; I have told -you that I must have your purse just as it is, and have it I will!"</p> - -<p>"Come, then, and take it!"</p> - -<p>As he spoke, Léodgard sprang to his feet and quickly drew his sword; -then he glanced at Giovanni as if to defy him. The Italian did not show -the slightest excitement, but simply shook his head, murmuring:</p> - -<p>"Oh! I knew that the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols was a gallant -youth!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! you know me, do you?"</p> - -<p>"Per Dio! Do I not always know those whom I address? Otherwise I should -run the risk of wasting my time by attacking poor devils without a sou!"</p> - -<p>"But you might often have found me in that condition."</p> - -<p>"I know that too; but to-night you played lansquenet at the Sire de -Jarnonville's, and luck smiled upon you; that is why I attacked you."</p> - -<p>"Clearly, you add to your other talents that of being a sorcerer. All -Italians smell of the stake!"</p> - -<p>"I should regret extremely, signor, to resort to my weapons; surely you -must have been told that that is not my habit! I must always be driven -to it. But if you do not give up your purse with a good grace——"</p> - -<p>"No, a thousand times no! Do you expect to frighten me, I wonder?"<a name="page_021" id="page_021"></a></p> - -<p>Giovanni gave the young count hardly time to finish his sentence; he -drew his broad sword, and, leaping upon his adversary with a rapidity -and address which left him no time to attack, in a few seconds he had -sent Léodgard's gleaming rapier flying through the air; and placing the -point of his weapon against the young nobleman's breast, with his left -hand he swiftly took the purse from his belt, saying, with a slight -movement of the head:</p> - -<p>"You see, my young gentleman, it was not worth while to go through so -many forms!"</p> - -<p>And in an instant the brigand had vanished.</p> - -<p>As for Léodgard, thoroughly ashamed of his discomfiture, he stood as if -stupefied, and could only mutter:</p> - -<p>"Beaten! beaten by that Giovanni!—Ah! I will have my revenge!"</p> - -<h2><a name="III" id="III"></a>III<br /><br /> -<small>THE BATH KEEPERS</small></h2> - -<p>In the days of royal licenses, when the grocers and apothecaries formed -but a single guild, it was the same with the barbers and surgeons.</p> - -<p>In the year 1620, forty-eight patents had been granted to -<i>barbiers-baigneurs-étuvistes</i>, who were perruquiers following the -court. Later, their number was largely increased.</p> - -<p>The right to keep hot or cold baths was specially attached to the guild -of master perruquiers.<a name="page_022" id="page_022"></a></p> - -<p>A fashionable bathing establishment, with both hot and cold baths, stood -on Rue Saint-Jacques, near the corner of Rue des Mathurins. From a long -distance one could see its basins, painted a light blue as the ordinance -required; and over the door were these words in huge letters:</p> - -<p class="c"><small>BEARDS PROPERLY SHAVED WITHIN; HOT AND -COLD BATHS</small></p> - -<p>At this time the price of a bath varied from six to twelve livres -[francs]; and when we consider that a livre then was worth almost three -times as much as to-day, we must agree that there is a vast difference -between that price and the price in our modern bathing establishments, -where one obtains five tickets for three francs. The result is a great -improvement in respect to health and cleanliness, for everybody cannot -go to the river to bathe.</p> - -<p>What did the poor people do in those days; for six livres was an -enormous sum to them?</p> - -<p>If, in the good old times, a bath was such an expensive luxury, on the -other hand, the houses where they were supplied bore a very bad -reputation; they were, it is said, places of assignation for lewd women, -who, because of their rank or condition, were obliged to try to cloak -their evil conduct.</p> - -<p>Many preachers thundered from the pulpit against these places, which had -been adorned with an honest name.<a name="page_023" id="page_023"></a></p> - -<p>Maillard, in sermons noteworthy for their power and their crudity of -expression, said, as he declaimed against the scandal caused by these -establishments:</p> - -<p>"Mesdames, do not go to the baths, and do not do there what I need not -name!"</p> - -<p>Sauval tells us that the baths continued their existence for a long -time; people did not cease to frequent them until the end of the -seventeenth century. They had become so common then that a person could -hardly take a step without passing one.</p> - -<p>Let us return to our shop on Rue Saint-Jacques. It was kept by a stout -old fellow of some fifty years, as strong and bright and active as a -young man, whose name was Hugonnet. He was a red-faced <i>compère</i>, hasty -of speech and of gesture; his round, full, rubicund face exhaled health -and good humor; his little round gray eyes had a slightly mischievous -expression; his chin was beginning to become double, and his hair to -turn gray; but Master Hugonnet worried little about that; so long as his -place was well patronized, whether it was resorted to by cavaliers, -bachelors, esquires, courtiers, people from the city, or even from the -country, mattered little to him, if the customers paid promptly; for -after a profitable day, the bath keeper rarely failed to go to the -nearest wine shop, to regale and enjoy himself, whence he commonly -returned home tipsy; he called it having "a little point."</p> - -<p>The peculiar feature of Master Hugonnet's intoxication was that it -totally changed his disposition; and instead<a name="page_024" id="page_024"></a> of intensifying his -passions and his vices, as wine so generally does, it endowed him with -qualities of which no one would ever have suspected him when he was -sober, and deprived him entirely of those which distinguished him in his -normal condition.—For instance, the bath keeper was far from patient; -he lost his temper easily, was quick to quarrel, would never give way, -and was always ready to fight. To be sure, when blows had once been -exchanged, Hugonnet bore his adversary no malice, and would soon be -laughing and drinking with him. But in his cups the old fellow became as -gentle and timid as a child; disposed to do what anyone desired, he was -easily moved to compassion for the misfortunes of his neighbor; and if -anyone told him some pitiful tale, it was no uncommon thing to see him -weep, and disturb the neighborhood by his groans as he stumbled home. -That always indicated that the libations had been copious, the bumpers -frequent, and that the bath keeper was completely drunk.</p> - -<p>Hugonnet was a widower and had but one child, a daughter, who, when our -tale opens, had just reached her eighteenth year. Ambroisine was a fine -girl, tall and strong, well set up and shapely. Her foot was not very -small, but her calf was symmetrical and of good size; her hand might -have been smaller, more tapering, but it was pink and white, and plump.</p> - -<p>Her bearing and her gestures were somewhat brusque at times, and gave -her rather too disdainful an air; but<a name="page_025" id="page_025"></a> her smile was so frank and -pleasant that it excused any possible rudeness in her manner to persons -who did not know her well.</p> - -<p>Ambroisine was very good-looking; her hair was as black as jet; her dark -brown eyes were neither too large nor too small, and were amply fringed -by long lashes of the color of her hair; she fastened them with perfect -self-possession upon the person with whom she was speaking; but although -they did not express the ordinary shyness of a girl of her years, they -were so compassionate to the wretched, so amiable in joy, so fiery in -wrath, that they were always fine eyes.</p> - -<p>A mouth somewhat large, but well supplied with teeth, lips a little -heavy, but ruddy and smiling, a round chin, a high, white forehead, and -eyebrows clearly marked without being too thick—such was the daughter -of Master Hugonnet, who was usually spoken of in the Quartier -Saint-Jacques as La Belle Baigneuse.</p> - -<p>Ambroisine's charms undoubtedly had much to do with the popularity of -her father's establishment.</p> - -<p>Master Hugonnet's house was never empty; it was the rendezvous of young -noblemen, of the king's arquebusiers and halberdiers, of lordlings, of -country squires and students, of men of the sword and men of the pen, of -law clerks of the Basoche, and sometimes of a royal princess's pages.</p> - -<p>The ladies who came to the baths—and we have already said that there -were many of them—liked to be waited<a name="page_026" id="page_026"></a> upon, cared for, and dressed by -Ambroisine, who was quick, active, skilful, and acquitted herself of her -task with a charming good humor which made it a pleasure to employ her.</p> - -<p>It is probable that among all the young sparks and popinjays who came to -Master Hugonnet's, more than one would have been equally glad to obtain -the services of the daughter of the house; but they were obliged to do -without them, for La Belle Baigneuse naturally was at the orders of the -ladies only. Still, when there was a crowd in the barber's shop -clamoring for the good offices of his razor and his comb, Ambroisine, -who could shave a beard as surely and rapidly as her father, sometimes -consented to lend him a hand, and to attend to the needs of one of the -cavaliers who were waiting to be put in trim. The man for whom she -offered to perform that service always accepted it as a favor, and -strove to impart to his face a most seductive expression; and he never -failed thereafter to proclaim all over the city that he had been shaved -by Master Hugonnet's daughter, while everyone gazed enviously at the -chin which La Belle Baigneuse had lathered.</p> - -<p>But such opportunities were rare. Ambroisine was too much occupied with -the baths to be often in her father's shop. And he loved his daughter -too well ever to require her to do anything against her will. In vain -did the young coxcombs, nay, even the great nobles, say to the barber:<a name="page_027" id="page_027"></a></p> - -<p>"Shall we not see your daughter to-day, Master Hugonnet?" or: "Messire -barbier, I have been awaiting my turn a long while, pray send for the -fair Ambroisine to shave me"; or "By my sword! I would gladly pay double -to be shaved by her!"</p> - -<p>To all these and many other like remarks, the good-natured gossip would -reply simply:</p> - -<p>"My lords, I am in despair that I am unable to gratify you; but my -daughter is engaged with some ladies who are pleased to patronize my -baths. I have two young men there; but to wait on the fair sex I have -only my daughter, who is sufficient for the task, because she is -fortunately endowed; and because she does in a few moments the work that -would take others an hour. Oh! she is a girl in a thousand, is my -Ambroisine! And as for shaving you, I know that she would do that -perfectly, too; she is my pupil! Such a sure, light, quick hand! Never -has she cut the skin of any man's chin, and yet even I have sometimes -done that! it may happen to the most skilful. But, I tell you again, -Ambroisine is at the orders of none but the ladies of all ranks who -choose to come to my establishment to take baths; and, frankly, that is -more suitable. When I see her shaving a gentleman with the dexterity and -self-possession which distinguish her, I am proud of my pupil! But, on -the other hand, I am humiliated to see her do that work, and I say to -myself: 'By Notre-Dame de Paris! this is no place for my -daughter!'—Moreover, you have little<a name="page_028" id="page_028"></a> hesitation in making gallant -speeches to her, in saying obscene things.—However, I am not disturbed! -If Ambroisine cares to laugh sometimes,—and in our profession one would -be very foolish to be too surly,—she is well able none the less to keep -in their place those who presume to take too many liberties. My daughter -is a determined wench, I tell you; she has a hand as quick and a fist as -solid as her father's! And woe to those who take the risk of having it -proved to them!"</p> - -<p>By such harangues did Master Hugonnet reply to the young men who -displayed a too ardent desire to see his daughter. As a general rule, -the students, the country gentlemen, and the simple esquires listened to -reason; but it was not always so with the young nobles, who considered -themselves at liberty to do anything, because they were received at -court, and because the lieutenant of police closed his eyes too often to -their escapades. When one of them had taken it into his head that he -would see Ambroisine, all that the barber could say to convince him that -that might not be was of no avail, and sometimes was received in bad -part.</p> - -<p>But although he was very glad to have noble customers, Master Hugonnet -was not of a humor to endure the impertinences of any man whatsoever; -the marquis, no less than the humble bachelor, felt the effects of his -wrath. And when a young gentleman seemed disposed to take up his abode -in his shop, saying:<a name="page_029" id="page_029"></a></p> - -<p>"I will not go away until I have seen the fair Ambroisine!"</p> - -<p>The barber would shout in stentorian tones:</p> - -<p>"Well! you shall not see her, <i>triple savonnette</i>! there's no law to -compel her to be at your beck and call!"</p> - -<p>But the sonorous voice of Master Hugonnet would reach the ears of -Ambroisine, who, divining from her father's tone that he was in a -passion, would at once leave her work and run to the shop, to put an end -to the dispute.</p> - -<p>At sight of the girl, the person who had caused all the uproar would -begin to laugh and would exclaim, with a bantering glance at the barber:</p> - -<p>"I told you that I would not go away without a sight of the charming -Ambroisine! I have succeeded, you see!"</p> - -<p>Whereupon Master Hugonnet would look sheepish; but a word or two from -his daughter would speedily allay his anger, and more than one among the -witnesses of the scene would resolve to employ the same method when he -wished to see La Belle Baigneuse.</p> - -<p>Now that we are acquainted with Master Hugonnet's house and household, -we must pay a visit to the establishment of another bath keeper, on Rue -Dauphine. That street, which had been laid out twenty years earlier, on -the site of the garden of the Augustinians and of the buildings of the -Collège Saint-Denis, was already lined by fine houses, and had an air of -refinement and a class of inhabitants in striking contrast to Quartier -Saint-Jacques.<a name="page_030" id="page_030"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="IV" id="IV"></a>IV<br /><br /> -<small>BATHILDE</small></h2> - -<p>The baths on Rue Dauphine were kept by one Landry. He was a man of -sixty, but still vigorous and robust, despite his gray moustache, which -he wore very long. By his soldierly bearing and the way he carried his -head, one could divine that he had seen military service. And Landry -was, in fact, an ex-soldier. He had fought under Henri IV, whose name he -never mentioned without carrying the back of his right hand to his -forehead, or without manifesting his emotion by the change in his voice.</p> - -<p>At the great king's death, Landry, then thirty-six years of age, had -left the service. Later, although his face was scarred, his martial -set-up and his military gait had fascinated Dame Ragonde, a widow with a -small hoard. She had married Landry, and they had obtained, by purchase, -a license to keep hot and cold baths.</p> - -<p>Landry was a tall, thin, stiff individual. He had an uncommunicative -air, and his long gray moustache tended to make his expression even less -inviting. However, Master Landry was not a bad-tempered man. He had -never been known to seek a quarrel with anyone; and<a name="page_031" id="page_031"></a> when quarrels arose -among his neighbors, it was usually he who intervened to restore peace. -It is true that his voice was strong and that his moustache produced an -imposing effect on the vulgar.</p> - -<p>He performed his duties as bath keeper and barber with the scrupulous -exactness which old soldiers retain in civil life with respect to -everything that they consider a duty. But it was not wise to speak ill -of Henri IV or of his minister Sully in the old soldier's presence. When -such a thing occurred, a sudden change would take place in the whole -aspect of the man; usually calm and cold, he would become as quick to -explode as powder; his blood would boil anew with all the fervor of his -younger days; and the unhappy wight who had presumed to utter a word -derogatory to his idols would be chastised before he had time to -apologize.</p> - -<p>But such episodes were likely to be very infrequent, for the memory of -good King Henri was held in too great veneration by Frenchmen for anyone -to venture to impugn it.</p> - -<p>Dame Ragonde, the bath keeper's wife, was fifteen years younger than her -husband, but she seemed almost as old as he.</p> - -<p>She was a tall, thin, yellow-skinned woman. Had she ever been pretty? -That she had been seemed more than doubtful. Her small, pale-green eyes -were very bright, but they had an arrogant—yes, evil expression; they -were eyes of the sort that seem never to look in any direction<a name="page_032" id="page_032"></a> with any -other purpose than that of finding something to blame, to reprove, or to -forbid. Her long nose, hooked at the end like a parrot's, made her -resemble in some degree a bird of prey. And her thin, bloodless, tightly -closed lips seemed destined to open only to emit harsh or bitter words.</p> - -<p>Since the day of her marriage to Landry, her second husband, nobody -remembered having seen Dame Ragonde smile; indeed, it was not certain -that she smiled on that day.</p> - -<p>Her voice was shrill and piercing, her words always short and sharp; -this fact, by the way, was creditable to the lady; she was no gossip and -never said a word more than she had to say.</p> - -<p>Who would have guessed that of that union between a man who was not -handsome and a woman who was downright ugly a daughter would be born who -would prove to be a veritable model of beauty, grace, and charm?</p> - -<p>Such, nevertheless, was Bathilde, the only child of Landry and Ragonde.</p> - -<p>At eighteen, her beauty had reached its perfect development: she was one -of those types which painters delight to find, when they wish to paint a -virgin, an angel, or a demon of temptation.</p> - -<p>Bathilde was blond, but the tint was not one of those dull blonds in -which there is a reflection of white; her long, thick, silky hair verged -rather on the chestnut. Her skin had that whiteness in which there is -life, and not that dull tone which imparts an aspect of inanition to a -living<a name="page_033" id="page_033"></a> person. On the contrary, the lovely girl's cheeks had a rosy -tinge; and at the slightest word of reproof that was addressed to her, -they at once became a most brilliant carmine. Large, deep-blue eyes, -almond shaped, and shaded by long chestnut lashes; a small, fresh, -red-lipped mouth; irreproachable teeth of dazzling whiteness; a chin -slightly oval in shape; fine, but clearly marked eyebrows; a noble, -beautiful brow, over which thick curls seemed proud to be placed.</p> - -<p>Such was Bathilde, who possessed, in addition, a slender, lithe, dainty -figure, a remarkably small foot, and a hand worthy to serve as a model.</p> - -<p>But a mere enumeration of her advantages affords but a faint idea of the -fascination of that young girl, of the charm with which her whole person -was instinct, of the sweet melody of her voice, and of the pleasure that -one felt in hearing it.</p> - -<p>Sometimes one remains unmoved before the most unexceptionable beauty; -for that which attracts and captivates us is not so much the perfection -of the features, the regularity of the outlines of a face, as its -amiable and gracious expression—a second element of beauty which many -times exerts more power than the first; but when the two are combined, -when nature has endowed a single woman with both, then it is that it is -very difficult to avoid losing one's heart and one's reason.</p> - -<p>And that lovely, graceful, fascinating girl was the daughter of Landry -and Dame Ragonde!<a name="page_034" id="page_034"></a></p> - -<p>Nature sometimes indulges in such strange whims. Do we not see flowers -whose perfume intoxicates us and whose gorgeous colors dazzle our eyes, -blooming upon stunted, thorny stalks?</p> - -<p>As Bathilde's beauty would have attracted too many gallants, too many -seducers, to Master Landry's shop, the girl never appeared there, nor -did she wait upon the ladies who patronized her father's baths.</p> - -<p>Bathilde had been brought up very strictly; almost always confined to -her bedroom, which did not look on the street, the girl never went out -except with her mother; and then a long veil, attached to her hood, -covered almost the whole of her face, leaving nothing in sight save the -end of her nose. If the sweet girl ventured to disarrange the veil and -to expose one of her pink and white cheeks to the air for a moment, Dame -Ragonde would instantly exclaim in her shrill, harsh voice:</p> - -<p>"Your veil! your veil! Take care!"</p> - -<p>Bathilde knew what that meant, and would hasten to swathe her lovely -face anew.</p> - -<p>Certainly, if Master Landry had desired that his establishment should be -besieged by crowds of customers, he could easily have gratified his -wish: nothing more would have been necessary than to allow his daughter -to come to the shop now and then. Bathilde's beauty would have made a -sensation, the court and the city would have been stirred to their -depths, everyone would have desired to know that plebeian -chef-d'Å“uvre, and, with the inevitable<a name="page_035" id="page_035"></a> vogue of his place of -business, the bath keeper's fortune would have been assured.</p> - -<p>But in this respect Bathilde's parents proved that their own honor and -their child's virtue were to them treasures more precious than gold.</p> - -<p>Some neighbors, knowing how strictly Bathilde had been brought up, said, -and with some show of reason, that a mother should be able to watch over -her daughter without converting her house into a prison. That to keep a -child from knowledge of the world was not the way to protect her from -the dangers that are encountered there at every step; and that it was -downright barbarity to deprive a girl of all the pleasures suited to her -years because it had pleased the Creator to endow her with all those -physical qualities which charm and fascinate.</p> - -<p>If these or other similar remarks reached Dame Ragonde's ears, it is -probable that she paid little heed to them and that they made little -impression on her. Immovable in her determination, impassible in her -nature, rigorous in her conduct, she made no change whatever in her -methods with her daughter.</p> - -<p>And as for Master Landry, although he loved Bathilde dearly and was very -proud of her, he looked upon his wife as the general whose duty it was -to manage the internal economy of his household. As such general, he -obeyed her promptly, reserving to himself only the command of the two -apprentices employed in his baths.<a name="page_036" id="page_036"></a></p> - -<p>However, Landry's establishment was prosperous, as were almost all the -baths of those days, because they were very few in number.</p> - -<p>The neighborhood of Rue Dauphine, which was less thickly populated than -Rue Saint-Jacques, already contained some noble mansions and fine -houses, occupied by magistrates, members of the Parliament, men of the -robe, and rich annuitants. Moreover, the proximity of the -Pré-aux-Clercs, which was still a favorite promenade, although some -buildings were beginning to be erected there, contributed to attract to -Master Landry's baths a more distinguished and more fashionable -clientèle, better society, in a word, than the ordinary patrons of his -confrère, Master Hugonnet.</p> - -<p>Furthermore, although the fascinating Bathilde was concealed from prying -eyes, beauty spreads about it a perfume which causes its presence to be -divined, and which attracts connoisseurs, even though they are destined -to have nothing to show for their pains.</p> - -<p>Despite all the precautions taken by Dame Ragonde, she could not prevent -her neighbors from talking; they repeated, to whoever chose to listen, -that Master Landry had a daughter more beautiful than the marvellous -princesses of the <i>Thousand and One Nights</i>; that her surpassing beauty -was the reason that her father and mother concealed her from all eyes, -because they feared that somebody would take her away from them; and -that they destined her for some wealthy foreign prince.<a name="page_037" id="page_037"></a></p> - -<p>Others declared, on the contrary, that Master Landry's daughter was a -monster of ugliness and deformity, and that it was to shelter the poor -girl from the ridicule which was certain to be poured out upon her that -they were careful to keep her out of sight.</p> - -<p>This last version, however, obtained little credence. As a general rule, -people do not take so many precautions with an ugly girl, or keep such -close watch over one who has no reason to fear the enterprises of -gallants.</p> - -<p>Mystery always arouses curiosity, and the veil in which Dame Ragonde -swathed Bathilde's face intensified the general desire to see it. -Extremes are dangerous in everything: the man who puts too many bolts on -his door arouses a suspicion that he possesses a treasure.</p> - -<p>Chance had brought Landry and his confrère Hugonnet together. One -evening, when the latter was returning home, as usual, after a merry -evening over the bottle at a wine shop recently opened in the Cité, at -some distance from his house, he lost his way. Alone, late at night, the -barber wandered for a long while through the dark and muddy lanes which -were then called streets, feeling his way along the walls, seeking his -own door, and cursing because he did not find it.</p> - -<p>Two men, emerging suddenly from a blind alley, walked toward the drunken -man, who at once asked them to direct him. But he had applied to a pair -of vagabonds, whose only reply was to set about robbing Master Hugonnet -of his purse, his cloak, his great fur<a name="page_038" id="page_038"></a> cap—in fact, of a large part of -his clothes. At the outset, as a result of his intoxication, which -entirely changed his disposition, Hugonnet placidly allowed himself to -be stripped, thinking that he had to do with unfortunate creatures who -needed all those things for their families. But one of the marauders -having been so imprudent as to strike him on the head, the blow, by -sobering the barber, instantly changed the face of affairs. Restored to -his senses, and realizing with what manner of men he had to do, he -defended himself stoutly; he dealt the two robbers some lusty blows, and -they, irritated at meeting with such stubborn resistance from an -intoxicated man, were already brandishing the daggers which they -proposed to use, when Master Landry appeared upon the stage of this -nocturnal attack.</p> - -<p>To draw the rapier which he always carried under his cloak, to rush to -the assistance of the man who was beset, to attack the two robbers with -cut and thrust, to put them to flight, and to restore to Master Hugonnet -his cloak, which had fallen to the ground—all this was the affair of a -moment for the old trooper of Henri IV.</p> - -<p>Hugonnet, completely sobered by the combat, offered Landry his hand and -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Vertudieu! I am inclined to think, comrade, that but for you those -scoundrels would have made me pass a bad quarter of an hour!"</p> - -<p>"I thank heaven that I arrived in time to offer you my assistance!"<a name="page_039" id="page_039"></a></p> - -<p>"Sapristi! you went about it in the right way. You seemed to be at home! -How you handle your sword! I think that my knaves went off with the -marks you made on them."</p> - -<p>"It would be a great pity if I did not know how to fight. When one has -had the honor of serving under the great Henri IV; when one has fought -under him at Arques and Ivry——"</p> - -<p>"Do you say that you served with the good king who wanted all his -subjects to have a fowl to put in the pot? Shake hands! I am doubly -happy to have met you; and, with your permission, I consider myself from -this moment one of your friends."</p> - -<p>"With all my heart, for you too are a brave man; I saw that by the way -you defended yourself against those cutthroats. And yet, you had no -weapons."</p> - -<p>"Well! I did my best. Besides—I can afford to confess it, now that it's -all over—those thieves surprised me rather easily, because I was a -little—er—tipsy. I was on my way home from a new wine shop just opened -in the Cité. The wine was good—it always is good in a new place—and we -did not spare it. When I set out to go home, I missed my way—for the -devil take me if I know where I am now!"</p> - -<p>"At the Carrefour de Bussy; see, this is the street leading from the -Porte de Bussy to the Pré-aux-Clercs."</p> - -<p>"In God's name, what road did I take?—I, who live on Rue Saint-Jacques, -corner of Rue des Mathurins,<a name="page_040" id="page_040"></a> where I have baths, hot and cold—Master -Hugonnet, at your service; for it is right that you should know whose -life you have saved."</p> - -<p>"You are a bath keeper?—Pardieu! this is a strange meeting! I, too, am -one—Master Landry, Rue Dauphine, near Quai Conti."</p> - -<p>"Is it possible!—you are the bath keeper on Rue Dauphine? I have heard -of you.—You have a wife, I am a widower. You have a daughter, and so -have I. How old is yours?"</p> - -<p>"Twelve years."</p> - -<p>"So is mine. Parbleu! confrère, our daughters must be friends, as their -fathers will be; are you willing?"</p> - -<p>"Shake hands, ventre-saint-gris! as our good king used to say."</p> - -<p>The two bath keepers shook hands once more. Landry started Hugonnet on -the right road, and they returned to their respective homes.</p> - -<p>This meeting took place about five years before the time at which our -tale opens. Bathilde and Ambroisine were still children; people took -little notice of them, for we do not pause to consider whether little -girls of twelve are likely to be very beautiful some day. We prefer, and -wisely, to wait until they have become so, before ogling them.</p> - -<p>Dame Ragonde's surveillance was naturally less active then; being still -a mere child, Bathilde enjoyed some liberty. So she was allowed to see -her new friend, for Master Hugonnet did not fail to pay a visit to his -confrère.<a name="page_041" id="page_041"></a></p> - -<p>Landry was not expansive; he was not a frequenter of wine shops, and -never drank too much; but when he had pressed anyone's hand in token of -friendship, that person might be sure that he could rely upon the old -soldier's assistance, upon his arm, under all circumstances.</p> - -<p>Dame Ragonde had not looked with great pleasure upon this new intimacy -contracted by her husband; but she knew that it would be useless for her -to try to break it up. Landry was not one of those weathercocks who -change their sentiments and affections according to the advice that is -given them. The husband and wife each had a will of iron. A concession -once made, neither of them attempted to encroach on the other's rights; -it was doubtless to this mutual respect for each other's rights and each -other's will that they were indebted for the peace which reigned in -their household.</p> - -<p>The two little girls very soon learned to love each other; there was -between them just that difference in humor, in spirit, in temperament, -which attracts and binds together, and leads to those strong and lasting -attachments which defy time and the blows of fortune.—Observe that we -are speaking of friendship, not of love. As to the last-named sentiment, -we have never known an instance of it which resisted the slightest test -of its strength, when that test was applied with skill!</p> - -<p>That which people are pleased to call sympathy cannot be the similitude -between two natures. For, put together<a name="page_042" id="page_042"></a> two gossips, two testy or -obstinate or irascible, quarrelsome and satirical characters, and see -whether they will love each other, whether they will be able to live -together. There would be a constant state of war.</p> - -<p>On the contrary, nature created the strong to support the weak, patience -to allay irascibility, gentleness to appease wrath, gayety to charm away -melancholy.</p> - -<p>Bathilde was shy and timid; she trembled at the slightest sharp word, -and her gentle and affectionate nature was more inclined to melancholy -than to gayety.</p> - -<p>Ambroisine was of a very different temperament: active, merry, -thoughtless, often angry; she said fearlessly whatever came into her -head; frankness lay at the foundation of her character; her heart was -susceptible, but it did not like to be sad for long. With her the tears -came quickly and disappeared no less quickly.</p> - -<p>When Bathilde seemed to be unhappy, when her lovely eyes seemed to -express some hidden grief, her little friend would say to her:</p> - -<p>"Somebody has been cross to you, I am sure. I can see that you have been -crying. Tell me who made you cry, and I will go to him and make him come -here and beg your pardon."</p> - -<p>But Bathilde would simply look down and murmur:</p> - -<p>"It was my mother."</p> - -<p>"Did you do anything naughty?" Ambroisine would inquire.<a name="page_043" id="page_043"></a></p> - -<p>"I asked her if I might go to see you soon."</p> - -<p>Ambroisine would not dare to say anything more, but she would turn her -head aside and furtively wipe away the tears that stood in her eyes; -then she would again look at her friend, seize both her hands, and make -her dance around the room, crying:</p> - -<p>"You mustn't think about that any more!"</p> - -<p>When the girls had reached their fourteenth year, Dame Ragonde began to -think that Ambroisine was too lively, too mischievous, too self-willed, -and that her companionship might be dangerous for her daughter; she -would no longer allow her daughter to go to see her friend under the -escort of a servant; she alleged as an excuse the necessity that -Bathilde should study; and when Ambroisine came to see her, Dame Ragonde -never left them together; she was always by to prevent those -affectionate confidences which she believed to be dangerous. Her -presence, her stern manner, her curt speech, froze Bathilde's heart, and -she forced back those impulsive outbursts of affection which she would -have liked to lavish on Ambroisine. But the latter, although -disappointed at being unable to chat at her ease with little Bathilde, -retained in Dame Ragonde's presence her playful humor, her vivacity, her -frankness, and she often found a way to bring a smile to her young -friend's lips.</p> - -<p>And so, as soon as Master Hugonnet's daughter had left the house, -Bathilde's mother never failed to exclaim:<a name="page_044" id="page_044"></a></p> - -<p>"What an ill-bred child that is! What a bold-faced creature she will be -some day! But, patience: I will put this matter to rights."</p> - -<p>And as the girls grew older, they were allowed to see each other less -and less. On Bathilde's side, the surveillance to which she was -subjected became more minute; she seldom went out, and she paid no more -visits. At Master Hugonnet's, on the other hand, Ambroisine, when she -grew tall and strong, was placed by her father at the head of the -establishment; and as a great many people came to the baths, she had -little time left to give to friendship.</p> - -<p>But as soon as Ambroisine had a moment to herself, she hastened to Rue -Dauphine, to exchange a clasp of the hand with her friend.</p> - -<p>Sometimes Dame Ragonde, who also had to overlook her apprentices and her -servants, was busy at the baths, and Bathilde was alone in her bedroom. -Then, what joy for the two friends! with what ardor they took advantage -of that moment of liberty! for the older they grew, the more interesting -their conversations became. At seventeen, two girls have other things to -say to each other than at twelve or thirteen. It is useless to keep them -sequestered all the time—they will always have something interesting to -tell each other.</p> - -<p>Ambroisine especially, who was entirely her own mistress, was certain to -have very many things to tell. And so, when a lucky accident enabled the -two girls to<a name="page_045" id="page_045"></a> exchange their thoughts, they would hardly take the time -to embrace; questions and answers succeeded one another with astounding -rapidity.</p> - -<p>"Your mother isn't here? What luck!"</p> - -<p>"What a long time it is since I saw you!"</p> - -<p>"We are always so busy at home!"</p> - -<p>"I am so bored!"</p> - -<p>"I haven't a moment to myself during the day; such a lot of fine ladies -come to bathe!"</p> - -<p>"It's the same way here; but I am not allowed to wait on them."</p> - -<p>"I wait on them; I dress them when they don't bring their servants, and -that very often happens—they prefer to come alone; I don't know why—or -rather, yes, I think that I can guess why."</p> - -<p>"Oh! tell me, Ambroisine!"</p> - -<p>"No, no, it isn't worth while! Besides, I am not sure; it is just an -idea of mine."</p> - -<p>"Tell me your idea, please, Ambroisine! Mon Dieu! if you don't tell me -anything, if you don't teach me a little, how do you expect me to know -anything, when I am always shut up in this room and only go downstairs -to dinner; when I see nobody but my father and mother, who hardly ever -speak to me? Why do the fine ladies prefer to come to the baths alone?"</p> - -<p>"Why, you see, I do not quite know how to tell you.—But, no matter! -what difference does it make, after all? Many cavaliers, young men, come -to the baths also."<a name="page_046" id="page_046"></a></p> - -<p>"So they do here, but I never see them. Do you see them?"</p> - -<p>"Sometimes—when I go down to the shop, and when I help father; for I -know how to shave, I do; I can shave very well when I set about it."</p> - -<p>"What! you shave—men?"</p> - -<p>"Well! I surely don't shave women, as they have no beards."</p> - -<p>"Oh! what a lucky girl you are! what fun that must be!—Do you really -dare to take a man by the chin?"</p> - -<p>"Well, why not? I assure you that it doesn't frighten me; indeed, I must -not be frightened, for if my hand shook I should shave badly and cut the -customer.—Don't tell your mother this; for she thinks now that I am too -bold."</p> - -<p>"Oh! there is no danger of that!"</p> - -<p>"To be sure, it may be that my father tells yours."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but my father will never say a word to my mother about it—they -talk so little!—But these cavaliers whom you shave—they speak to you, -I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure—and those whom I don't shave speak to me, too; indeed, I -never know whom to answer, for as soon as I go down to the shop they are -all after me."</p> - -<p>"And you are not afraid?"</p> - -<p>"Not a bit; what do you suppose I am afraid of?"</p> - -<p>"Indeed, I don't know! but my mother tells me that a young girl runs so -much risk when she listens to a man; and you, who listen to more than -one, must run a much greater risk!"<a name="page_047" id="page_047"></a></p> - -<p>"But nothing happens to me, you see! for when the young gentlemen -presume to do things that are not nice, or make too—too gallant remarks -to me, why, it doesn't take me long to send them about their business!"</p> - -<p>"What are the too gallant remarks, and the things that are not nice?"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! must I tell you everything? It is strange that you know -nothing!"</p> - -<p>"Where, then, do you suppose that I can learn anything?"</p> - -<p>"The too gallant remarks—those are when men tell us that we are pretty -or attractive—that they love us, that they adore us."</p> - -<p>"Oh! but it must be nice to have that said to you! Is it necessary to be -angry? what a pity!"</p> - -<p>"One must be very angry when they add: 'Love me, I implore you; -reciprocate my love, give me your heart; I will be faithful to -you!'—and a lot of oaths, of which they don't mean a word!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! do you think that they don't mean a word of them? In that case, why -do they say them?"</p> - -<p>"Because it amuses them. But if we listened to them, they would say much -more."</p> - -<p>"And the things that are not nice?"</p> - -<p>"That is when these fine fellows presume to suit the action to the word. -The ones who do that are the boldest; they take your hand, and, while -pretending to admire it, they don't hesitate to kiss it; or they put an -arm about<a name="page_048" id="page_048"></a> your waist, and, if they can catch you napping, they try to -kiss you."</p> - -<p>"What! are there men so presumptuous as that?"</p> - -<p>"Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the -respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so——"</p> - -<p>"Well?"</p> - -<p>"Why, one might talk with them a little."</p> - -<p>"Have they ever tried to kiss you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself. I box -their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."</p> - -<p>"What! you box your customers' ears?"</p> - -<p>"When the customers make too free with me; but no matter how well you -defend yourself, sometimes you cannot escape the kiss."</p> - -<p>"Have you ever been kissed, Ambroisine?"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! yes! some of those little pages are so quick, and some of the -young nobles so audacious! There is one in particular, Comte Léodgard de -Marvejols—you must have heard of him?"</p> - -<p>"I! why, you forget that I hear nothing, see nothing, know -nothing!—What about Comte Léodgard?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! he's a terrible scapegrace, I tell you! a rake, a roisterer, a -seducer! There is only one opinion about him, and not a week passes that -he does not set people talking about him. He abducts girls, yes, married -women even; he beats their fathers or husbands; he fights duels,<a name="page_049" id="page_049"></a> -cudgels the watch, passes whole days and nights in gambling hells, -gambling and drinking; in short, he is worse than the devil!"</p> - -<p>"O mon Dieu! how frightened I should be of him! He must be very ugly, -isn't he?"</p> - -<p>"Why, no, and that is just what deceives you; unfortunately, he is not -ugly at all; for if he were hideous to look at, he would be much less -dangerous. He is a handsome young man, with a forest of long black hair, -and eyes of the same color, that shine like carbuncles; and when he -looks at you, he has a way of giving them such a benignant expression! -You would think sometimes that he is a little saint; but you very soon -find out your mistake."</p> - -<p>"What a pity! A scapegrace is a reprobate, and that ought to appear on -his face. Has that young nobleman ever tried to kiss you?"</p> - -<p>"I should say so! there was a time when he came to our place every day; -he laid traps for me, tried to make appointments with me, and brought me -presents."</p> - -<p>"Presents?"</p> - -<p>"Which I never received.—It did no good for me to lose my temper, to -fly into a passion, to threaten to scratch him—that only made him -laugh; he declared that I was even prettier when I was angry.—As you -can imagine, it is when my father is not at home that they torment me -so; for he would not stand it. But one day I lost my patience: Comte -Léodgard had seized my hands, in spite<a name="page_050" id="page_050"></a> of my struggles, and he was just -about to kiss me, when I called father. If you had seen how quickly he -took the young nobleman up in his arms and set him down in the street! -The count was frantic; he drew his sword and rushed at father. But you -know Master Hugonnet—it isn't wise to irritate him. In an instant, he -had seized Comte Léodgard's sword and had broken it across his knee. The -count strode away, uttering the most horrible threats, swearing that he -would teach father what it costs to lack respect for a great nobleman. -Father began to laugh, and in a moment he had forgotten all about it. -But, for my part, I confess that the count's threats frightened me, and -for a long time after I trembled whenever father left me, when he came -home later at night than usual; but that was three months ago, and -nothing has happened."</p> - -<p>"And the young man has not been to your shop again?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! not since that time."</p> - -<p>"In all this, you have not told me why the fine ladies who come to the -baths prefer not to bring their servants with them?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! what a memory you have!—Well, I have noticed very often that there -is a young gentleman below who knows one of the ladies; when she leaves -the bath, the young man is there, waiting for her; they talk together, -they go away together; so, you see, when a lady knows that she will have -a cavalier to escort her home, she does not need to bring a servant."<a name="page_051" id="page_051"></a></p> - -<p>"If you knew, Ambroisine, how I love to listen to you—you tell me -things that are so entirely new to me! Oh! please tell me some more of -your adventures!"</p> - -<p>But when Ambroisine was about to gratify her friend, perhaps they would -hear Dame Ragonde's slow, regular steps approaching. Thereupon, the -subject of conversation would instantly be changed, and they would talk -exclusively of serious or religious matters until Bathilde's mother -said:</p> - -<p>"You have talked enough; bid your friend adieu, it is time to separate."</p> - -<p>Thereupon Ambroisine would leave her young friend; but all that she had -heard furnished Bathilde with food for thought for many days.</p> - -<h2><a name="V" id="V"></a>V<br /><br /> -<small>AN OLD MANSION.—AN OLD NOBLE</small></h2> - -<p>Alone in a large and handsome room, richly furnished, the hangings of -which, however, were very old and seemed to denote, on the part of the -proprietors, a profound respect for whatever had belonged to their -ancestors, an old man sat in an enormous easy-chair, whose carved and -gilded frame seemed as ancient as the hangings, before a desk on which -lay several boxes, books, and papers, which he was apparently engaged in -examining with care.<a name="page_052" id="page_052"></a></p> - -<p>Sometimes he paused in his labors; his brow was clouded, his expression -stern, and a deep sigh escaped from his breast.</p> - -<p>The Marquis de Marvejols was at this time nearly seventy years of age. -He was a tall, spare man, who still carried his head erect, whose gait -was firm and his grasp strong, while his proud and assured bearing would -have held in respect anyone who should attempt to impose upon him.</p> - -<p>The old man's face was handsome, although severe. His white hair left -bare a large part of his forehead, on which could be seen a scar caused -by a blow from a lance; his moustaches and his beard, also snow-white, -harmonized well with that martial countenance, which seemed to defy all -dangers; and if the old marquis's keen gray eyes ordinarily wore a -haughty expression that inspired fear rather than confidence, on the -other hand, the extreme urbanity of his manners soon made one forget the -stern and imposing effect of his general appearance.</p> - -<p>Knee-breeches and doublet of violet velvet, a leather belt, a very high -ruff, funnel-shaped top-boots, with spurs attached—such was the old -man's costume, which had something military about it. Over all this he -wore a long cloak, trimmed with ermine, which descended almost to his -spurs.</p> - -<p>Pushing aside with an angry gesture the papers he had been examining, -Monsieur de Marvejols threw himself<a name="page_053" id="page_053"></a> back in his chair, and turned his -eyes upon several large portraits which hung on the walls. Two -represented cavaliers with helmets on their heads, and their hands on -their swords; a third was that of a young man wearing the little cap in -vogue in the time of Henri III; and the fourth was the portrait of a -young and lovely woman with a little boy on her knees.</p> - -<p>In the immense apartments of olden time, space was not spared; people -were not shut up, as we are to-day, in the foul atmosphere of rooms six -and a half feet in height; the lungs had an opportunity to do their work -freely and the chest must have been in much better case.</p> - -<p>In those days, it was easy to find room in a salon for those huge -full-length portraits, which are ordinarily larger than life. Indeed, -one sometimes saw them hung in two rows, and the furniture never reached -to the frames.</p> - -<p>To-day, in the apartments which our architects measure out for us so -sparingly, we must renounce all thought of having large canvases, fine -paintings of vast historical subjects, and in many cases even the -full-length portrait of one of our ancestors, unless we choose to take -the risk, when we sit down, of striking our heads against the painting -at the first unpremeditated movement we chance to make.</p> - -<p>The Marquis de Marvejol's mansion was on Rue Royale, where one may still -see, in our day, some relics of the magnificent apartments of an earlier -time. But what a difference! Although, on the outside, it still<a name="page_054" id="page_054"></a> -presents a reasonably well preserved image of what it was under Louis -XIII; although it is still red and white, with its bricks surrounded by -courses of stone, with its slated roof, its light balconies, its tall -windows set in stone frames; although it has retained its low, dark, -heavy galleries, which seem to have been built to defy the ages and the -elements—on the other hand, the interior of its various wings is no -longer the same, and, except in some few instances, the grandeur and -magnificence of the olden time have entirely disappeared.</p> - -<p>But at the time of our narrative there were, in the neighborhood of the -Hôtel de Marvejols, the Hôtels de Lesdiguières, de Guémenée, de Sully, -d'Effiat, d'Aumont, de Chevreuse, de Chaulnes, de Saint-Paul, de -Liancourt, etc., etc.</p> - -<p>At that time, too, the Place Royale was the scene of all the fêtes and -<i>carrousels</i>, which attracted the nobility, the bourgeoisie, and the -people of Paris, who were called in those days <i>the good people</i>. When -the marriage of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria was announced, fêtes -lasting three days were given on that square, although it was not -entirely finished.</p> - -<p>In later times, on that same spot where noble knights broke lances to -entertain the ladies of their thoughts, who, seated on the balconies of -the neighboring houses, enjoyed the jousting, and encouraged the -champions of their charms by tender glances and by showing them in -advance the knot of ribbon which was to be the guerdon<a name="page_055" id="page_055"></a> of victory—on -that same spot, we have seen and may still see the peaceable inhabitant -of the Marais, who has nothing in common with the paladins of old, -exercising his faithful dog and selecting a bench whereon to rest a -moment in the sunshine, whose beneficent warmth allays his rheumatic -pains. And the young nursemaid, too, with the children in her care, whom -she often leaves to bump against trees, or to fall as they run hither -and thither, while she is gossiping with other maids on the subject of -their employers, which is much more amusing than to watch children. And -the modest seamstress, on her way to carry home the work intrusted to -her, who crosses the Place Royale, although it is not directly on her -road, because she ordinarily meets there a young man who makes -flattering remarks to her; there is no law against seeking pleasant -meetings.</p> - -<p>All this is far removed from the tourneys, the fanfares of trumpets, the -sound of clarion and drum; from the great ladies at the windows, from -the knights in the arena, from the esquires and pages and servants -carrying their masters' weapons and bucklers, and from the charming -troubadours, or <i>trouvères</i>, who had seats of honor beside the high and -mighty nobles, because they were destined, later, to sing in laudation -of it all.</p> - -<p>Other times, other manners!</p> - -<p>The old Marquis de Marvejols gazed gloomily enough at the portraits -which adorned his study—for the enormous room in which he sat was -nothing more than that.<a name="page_056" id="page_056"></a> Soon he leaned over his desk once more, and -seizing a bell rang it violently.</p> - -<p>A valet, almost as old as his master, instantly showed his bald head -beneath a velvet portière which he raised. His face, in respect to the -general effect of the features and their mild expression, might have -served as a model for a painting of Obedience, as personified in a -servant, except that when he raised the corners of his mouth in a smile -there were some slight indications of a tendency to be cunning; but if -that tendency actually existed in the old servant, it never went beyond -the corners of his mouth.</p> - -<p>"Did monsieur le marquis ring?" inquired a shrill, cracked voice.</p> - -<p>"Has my son gone out this morning, Hector?"</p> - -<p>Old Hector pressed his lips together, and the corners of his mouth -assumed their sly expression, as he replied in a drawling tone:</p> - -<p>"Monsieur le Comte Léodgard de Marvejols certainly has not left the -house this morning; I am certain of that."</p> - -<p>"In that case, go to my son and tell him that I wish to speak with -him—at once, before he goes out."</p> - -<p>The old servant looked down at his feet, but did not budge.</p> - -<p>"Well! did you not hear me, Hector?" continued the marquis, testily; -"have your ears grown dull, that I have to give you the same order -twice?"</p> - -<p>"No, monsieur le marquis, no, thank heaven! my ears are still good. I -have not the least occasion to reproach<a name="page_057" id="page_057"></a> them. And if I have not obeyed -the command you have done me the honor to give me, it is because——"</p> - -<p>"Well! because what? finish, I say!"</p> - -<p>"I cannot tell Monsieur le Comte Léodgard to come to speak with you, -because he is not in the house."</p> - -<p>"Not in the house? Why, you told me only a moment ago that my son had -not gone out this morning!"</p> - -<p>"That is true, monseigneur; he has not gone out this morning, because he -did not come in last night."</p> - -<p>The marquis put his hand to his forehead.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" he cried; "of course, I understand! You did not wish to tell me -that, my poor Hector; you would like to conceal my son's disorderly -conduct from me! But it is useless for you to try to deceive me. I know -everything; and it is much better that I should know everything; for one -must know where the trouble lies, in order to put a stop to it. All this -has been going on a very long while, and it must come to an end!"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur le Comte Léodgard is still very young," murmured Hector, still -draped by the portière.</p> - -<p>"Very young—when he has nearly reached his twenty-sixth year! A man is -a man at that age, and he no longer has the first effervescence of youth -for an excuse! Ah! when I was at that age, you were already in my -service—do you remember, Hector?"</p> - -<p>"As if it was yesterday, monseigneur; my memory is as sound as my -ears."<a name="page_058" id="page_058"></a></p> - -<p>"Very well! I served in the army, I fought, I lived in camp. But, -although I was a bachelor,—for I married quite late,—did I ever lead -this life of licentiousness, of debauchery, which makes me blush for my -son?"</p> - -<p>"All young men are not as irreproachable as monseigneur has always -been—as bachelor, husband, and widower."</p> - -<p>"I do not expect that he shall be faultless! I do not demand the -impossible! But I do not propose that weaknesses shall become vices; -faults, crimes!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! monsieur le marquis! be indulgent to monsieur your son!"</p> - -<p>"I have been indulgent enough, too much so, perhaps. I must see -Léodgard; he must be made acquainted with my irrevocable -determination!—And that rascally Latournelle, his valet—is he still in -the house?"</p> - -<p>"No, monseigneur; I have not seen him for several days."</p> - -<p>"I told my son to discharge that knave; a scoundrel, a blackleg, a -gambler, who ought to be hanged."</p> - -<p>At that moment, the conversation was interrupted by the sound of a horse -galloping into the courtyard.</p> - -<p>Hector let the portière fall, went into a reception room, looked out of -the window, and returned with a radiant face, saying to his master:</p> - -<p>"Here is Monsieur le Comte Léodgard, just coming in."</p> - -<p>"Go to him, then; tell him that I await him. Go—do not lose an instant, -for he may have gone away again."<a name="page_059" id="page_059"></a></p> - -<p>Old Hector disappeared to execute his master's command.</p> - -<p>In a few moments, Léodgard entered his father's apartment. The young -count was pale, his face was drawn and haggard, his eyes sunken from -loss of sleep; and the disorder of his clothes, the dust with which they -were covered, seemed to indicate that he had recently ridden a long -distance on horseback.</p> - -<p>He walked forward with a respectful air, but was evidently out of -temper. He bowed to his father and remained standing in the middle of -the room.</p> - -<p>The old marquis pointed to a chair, saying in a stern tone:</p> - -<p>"Be seated, monsieur; what I have to say to you will take some moments, -and deserves to be listened to with attention."</p> - -<p>"I beg pardon, monsieur, but you see the disordered state of my dress; I -am ashamed to appear before you in such disarray; allow me simply the -necessary time to change, and I will at once return."</p> - -<p>"No, monsieur! your dress is a matter of great consequence, in very -truth! By Saint Jacques! what matters it to me whether your doublet is -more or less fresh? It is not the dust with which your clothes are -covered that will mar your escutcheon, but your disgraceful conduct! -That it is which sullies the honor of your name much more than the storm -has injured your cloak! Be seated—I insist!"<a name="page_060" id="page_060"></a></p> - -<p>Léodgard restrained with difficulty an impatient outburst; but he threw -himself on a chair, and his father continued:</p> - -<p>"I have remonstrated with you several times, monsieur, concerning your -dissolute conduct; you have not listened to me, you have despised your -father's judicious counsel. To-day, when your misconduct has gone beyond -all bounds, when your evil deeds—for they are no longer the escapades -of a young man, but evil deeds, of which you are guilty——"</p> - -<p>"Father——"</p> - -<p>"Do not interrupt me!—To-day, when your evil deeds recognize no -restraint, I no longer advise, I command you; and you will respect my -commands, or this <i>lettre de cachet</i> will deal with you for me.—Look, -monsieur; you know that I do not indulge in empty threats; here is your -passport to the Bastille, sent me by Monsieur le Cardinal de Richelieu, -who also is aware of all your misconduct and has given me permission to -make use of this whenever I may think best, leaving in my hands the -punishment of him who bears my name."</p> - -<p>Léodgard could not help shuddering inwardly when he saw the <i>lettre de -cachet</i> which his father took from his desk, and he faltered in a -tremulous voice:</p> - -<p>"What have I done—what more than many young gentlemen of my age, to -deserve to be treated so harshly?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! you ask what you have done? That, I presume, is because you hope -that I know only a part of it.<a name="page_061" id="page_061"></a> Unhappily, monsieur, your conduct is too -notorious, your vices make too much noise in the world; you are cited -too often by all the wellborn debauchees, for the echo not to reach your -father's ears. Stealing wives from their husbands, young girls from -their parents, passing the night in wine shops and gambling hells, -fighting with the king's archers, with the watch, with citizens, -incurring debts and not paying them, breaking shop windows and offering -no other compensation than a sword thrust, binding yourself to Jews and -usurers, thrashing your creditors when they presume to demand what you -owe them, what they have been waiting for so long—such are your noble -exploits, monsieur! a descendant of the Marvejols does not blush to -conduct himself thus!—And yet, cast your eyes about you, look at these -portraits which surround you, your ancestors who have left you a -glorious name—are not you of their blood, you, who debase it? Ah! if -they could come forth from their tombs,—and your excellent mother, who -was so proud to have brought forth a descendant of our line,—it would -be to crush you with their wrath!"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur le marquis, allow me to say a word in my own defence.—My -faults have been exaggerated. I have committed some faults, I admit; but -they are not so serious as you seem to think."</p> - -<p>"And your debts—will you say that they are a mere trifle? You owe five -thousand pistoles at this moment, monsieur."<a name="page_062" id="page_062"></a></p> - -<p>"I do not know, monsieur le marquis, whether you have also been told -that I have been stripped clean by that miserable Giovanni, that Italian -brigand, who terrorizes all Paris?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have heard of that. But how did you allow yourself to be robbed -by that man?"</p> - -<p>"I venture to believe that my father has no doubt that if I was overcome -it was not without a vigorous resistance on my part."</p> - -<p>"Oh! I do justice to your courage; you would not be my son if you were a -coward!"</p> - -<p>"It was late at night, about a fortnight ago. I was returning home alone -and was passing through Rue Couture-Sainte-Catherine. Suddenly this -Giovanni appeared before me, and demanded my purse as courteously as if -he were inquiring for my health. The robber seemed to me such an -original character that I talked with him a few minutes. But when he -repeated his demand, I drew my sword. He had some sort of a short, broad -weapon. Practised as I am in fighting, that devil of a man dealt me a -thrust,—I do not know how to describe it,—and I was beaten. I felt the -point of his sword against my breast; but he was content to take my -purse, and disappeared as he had come, without giving me time to see -which way he went."</p> - -<p>"If I were lieutenant of police of this realm, that adroit thief would -have been hanged before this.—However, monsieur, this Giovanni did not -rob you of five thousand pistoles, I imagine?"<a name="page_063" id="page_063"></a></p> - -<p>"No; but I had a considerable sum upon me——"</p> - -<p>"Which you had won in some hell, I doubt not.—But let us have done, for -the subject of this interview is a painful one to both of us. Here, -Léodgard, are papers containing a statement of the amount of your debts; -here are your obligations to the Jews who are ruining you; here are your -receipts for various sums lent you at exorbitant rates, with a view, -doubtless, to my death, which does not come quickly enough to supply you -with another fortune to squander."</p> - -<p>"Ah! monsieur le marquis——"</p> - -<p>"All these papers cost me fifty thousand livres; but I paid it, to save -once more your honor, so seriously compromised."</p> - -<p>A ray of joy lighted up Léodgard's face; he stepped toward the old man, -crying:</p> - -<p>"What, father! you have deigned——"</p> - -<p>The marquis made a gesture as if to forbid his son to approach, and -continued with unabated austerity:</p> - -<p>"Yes, monsieur, I have paid the money; but mark well what I say: long -ago you squandered the last of the property which your mother left you. -I do not choose that you should have debts, but neither do I propose -that the fortune of my ancestors, which enables me to maintain my rank -becomingly, shall be the prey of harlots, gamblers, and rakes; so attend -closely to what I say: if I learn that you have contracted any new debt, -I shall instantly make use of this <i>lettre de cachet</i>, and<a name="page_064" id="page_064"></a> send you to -the Bastille; and when you are once there, it may well be that you will -remain there for some time! This, monsieur, I will do—I swear it before -the portraits of my ancestors! You know now whether I will keep my -oath.—Mend your ways, Léodgard; make yourself worthy once more of the -name you bear. You know that it is my dearest wish to marry you to -Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin. I was her father's comrade in arms; -the idea that our children would be united some day made the baron's -heart beat fast with joy. Mademoiselle de Mongarcin is worthy of you, -her family is on a par with ours; she has a large fortune and is one of -the most beautiful women in France. Six months ago, she left the convent -where she had completed her education, and took up her abode with her -aunt; and she will soon be nineteen years old. What objection have you -to urge against this alliance, Léodgard?"</p> - -<p>"None, father. I agree that Mademoiselle de Mongarcin is very lovely, -although I have seen her but rarely."</p> - -<p>"What prevents you from paying court to her? Madame de Ravenelle, -Valentine's aunt, is aware of the baron's wishes.—Cease to be a -libertine, a rake, and she will give you the hand of this wealthy and -noble heiress.—Well, monsieur! what have you to say?"</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, monsieur le marquis—but—to marry—to put myself in chains -already——"<a name="page_065" id="page_065"></a></p> - -<p>"Already! A man cannot be happy too soon, monsieur; and you will be -happy with a woman who is worthy of you. You will realize the difference -between family joys and the orgies of debauchery. Furthermore, numerous -suitors for Mademoiselle de Mongarcin's hand have already entered the -lists; if you do not come forward, do you suppose that she will send to -beg for your homage? Hasten to present yourself, to disperse your -rivals! This marriage must take place ere long.—I have often repented, -myself, that I married so late in life! I was forty-three when I married -your excellent mother. What was the result? that I was already old when -you became a man; and that, instead of finding in me a friend, a -companion, my son has seen in me only an old man, to whom he has never -confided his secrets."</p> - -<p>"Father——"</p> - -<p>"You have heard me, Léodgard. It rests with you now to be happy and to -regain your father's affection. You know how you must conduct yourself -for that.—Go; I will keep you no longer."</p> - -<p>Léodgard bent his head respectfully before the old man, who responded -with a slight nod which indicated no great amount of confidence as yet.</p> - -<p>When he was out of range of his father's eyes, Léodgard tore his hair, -saying to himself:</p> - -<p>"Not incur debts! why, I have no money!—But I must have some! For I -promised Camilla that beautiful<a name="page_066" id="page_066"></a> pearl necklace that she wants so much! -Now that I no longer owe anything, I can easily borrow.—But that -<i>lettre de cachet</i>!—Ah! I know my father; he did not threaten me -heedlessly; he would have me put in the Bastille, and I have no desire -to go to that horrible prison!"</p> - -<h2><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>VI<br /><br /> -<small>CHAUDOREILLE'S GODSON</small></h2> - -<p>Among the numerous habitués of the various bathing establishments might -be noticed a tall, lean man, with a yellow complexion, like the -description of the Knight of the Rueful Countenance. This personage had -one of those elongated faces, with prominent cheek bones which call -attention to the hollowness of the cheeks; also a long, pointed nose, a -chin of the same type, an enormous mouth with a full complement of long -teeth, each one of which resembled a tusk, and which terrified beyond -words all the little children in whose presence this gentleman was -pleased to smile; for he then appeared exactly as if he proposed to -swallow the innocent creatures. A low forehead, yellow hair, and -moustaches of the same color, the latter twisted at the ends so that -they nearly joined the corners of the eyes—such was the Chevalier -Passedix, who claimed to be Chaudoreille's godson.<a name="page_067" id="page_067"></a></p> - -<p>We like to believe, dear reader, whichever your sex, that you have known -a certain <i>Barber of Paris</i>, whose adventures made some noise long ago; -in that case, you may not have forgotten entirely his friend the -Chevalier Chaudoreille, that vain, cowardly Gascon, gambler and -shameless liar, who boasted so loudly of his long sword, which he called -Roland, and who came to such a tragic end, falling from a roof, and -running himself through in his fall with his faithful Roland, which he -held in his hand to feel his way along the slippery roof on which he was -walking.</p> - -<p>The Chevalier Passedix, then, claimed to be the godson of Chaudoreille, -albeit the latter, in his negotiations with Touquet the barber, had -never mentioned his godson. But there are many people who forget that -they ever held a child over the baptismal font, or who do not choose to -remember that they have been godparents, in order to evade the duties -which that relation imposes on them.</p> - -<p>However, Passedix, himself a Gascon, resembled his godfather in many -respects; like him, he was a glutton, a gambler, and a liar; like him, -he sighed for every woman who looked at him, believing himself to be a -very attractive gallant, whereas he might fittingly have served as a -scarecrow in a community of women.</p> - -<p>But there was one respect in which the resemblance between him and his -godfather had no existence. Chaudoreille was always a coward, his -battles were mere<a name="page_068" id="page_068"></a> bluster, and his very death was tragic only because -he was fleeing over the roofs from an imaginary danger.</p> - -<p>Passedix, on the contrary, was really brave; he would draw his sword on -the most trivial pretext, would often take up the cudgels for a perfect -stranger, and like Don Quixote, whom he resembled in his great height -and his leanness, he would readily have fought against a windmill. But -his courage was rarely fortunate, and whether because he handled Roland -unskilfully,—for he possessed his godfather's famous rapier,—or -because his excessive ardor made him imprudent, or because he was too -sure of victory, the chevalier was almost always beaten; indeed, he was -very lucky when he came off with a few scratches and was not nailed to -his bed to await the healing of his wounds.</p> - -<p>On a certain beautiful warm spring morning, several young nobles were -chatting and laughing in Master Hugonnet's shop. Some were waiting for -their inamoratas to come from the baths, others had come thither in the -hope of seeing Ambroisine, La Belle Baigneuse, and perhaps of being -shaved by her. The majority were there because it was a favorite -rendezvous of idlers, lady killers, and all the young dandies and rakes -who were eager to learn the news, the spicy anecdotes of the court and -city, to inquire concerning the scandalous intrigue of the moment, in -order that they might make merry at the expense of the poor betrayed -husband; for we must not forget that husbands were betrayed in the good -old times no less than they are to-day.<a name="page_069" id="page_069"></a></p> - -<p>As there were no cafés in those days for the idlers and gossips, the -bathing establishments filled their place. As there were no newspapers -to read, people were accustomed to collect to listen to the man who came -there to tell some anecdote or some new occurrence. The gossips were -welcome and held the floor. Many falsehoods were told, as will always be -the case in such assemblages; the man who lied with the most assurance -was almost always the one who was most eagerly listened to, and most -loudly applauded by those at whom he laughed in his sleeve. To-day, we -find <i>blagueurs</i> who delight to hoodwink their auditors. The words have -changed, but the characters are the same.</p> - -<p>Some of the idlers who were assembled at Master Hugonnet's stood in the -doorway of the shop, both wings of the door being thrown open, and -amused themselves by watching the passers-by. Rue Saint-Jacques was -frequented by students, clerks of the Basoche, and a great number of the -lower classes; moreover, the proximity of the Hôtel de Cluny brought to -the quarter many ecclesiastics and doctors of the Sorbonne.</p> - -<p>Our young gentlemen did not always confine themselves to ogling the -passers-by. When a woman who was at all attractive, or a clown with a -particularly idiotic face, passed the barber's shop, they addressed a -compliment or an obscene jest to the one, to the other some unflattering -epithet or some insulting question. And woe to the unlucky wight who -should take the jest in bad part! for if he<a name="page_070" id="page_070"></a> lost his temper and -presumed to reply, all the idlers and all the customers assembled at the -baths instantly ran out to listen to the complainant; and then, instead -of one jest, he had to undergo a perfect hailstorm of witticisms from -all sides.</p> - -<p>"Pardieu! messeigneurs," said one young blade, all covered with ribbons -and lace, as he left the door and threw himself carelessly on one of the -hard chairs in the shop, "I have just seen two women of rather -attractive aspect go in at the door leading to the baths."</p> - -<p>"How were they dressed, Sénange?" inquired the young man who was at that -moment in the barber's hands.</p> - -<p>"Oh! how curious this little Monclair is! He wants to make us believe -that he is waiting here for a fair; that someone is to come here to -fetch him!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sambleu! I am expecting someone; what is there so surprising in -that? Haven't you at least one mistress yourself, Sénange?"</p> - -<p>"One mistress! Vertudieu! if I had but one, it seems to me that it would -be almost the same as if I had none."</p> - -<p>"Very pretty! but I shouldn't expect it from anyone but Léodgard.—Come, -Sénange, be decent; how were the damsels dressed who have just gone into -the baths?"</p> - -<p>"One—and she must have been the dowager—wore a brown pelisse and hood; -her head was all wrapped up in the hood, and there was a thick veil over -all; guess at the face, if you can!"</p> - -<p>"And the other?"<a name="page_071" id="page_071"></a></p> - -<p>"The other was dressed in pink; there was a border of black lace to her -hood, and it fell over her eyes; but her feet were small, her slippers -embroidered with silver thread, and her leg well turned, as one could -easily see, for she raised her skirts very generously!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! it is she, I am sure!"</p> - -<p>"By Notre-Dame de Paris!" cried Master Hugonnet, holding his razor in -the air; "if you move about like this, my lord, something will happen to -your face; that leap of yours nearly cost you your nose, and I assure -you that it would not have been my fault. Keep quiet, or I will not -answer for the consequences!"</p> - -<p>"'Tis well, barber; go on, do your duty; I will try to be calm.—By the -way, messieurs, it seems to me that it is a long while since we last saw -Passedix in this quarter!"</p> - -<p>"True; the valiant Passedix no longer shows himself; where can he -be?—Have you seen him lately, Hugonnet?"</p> - -<p>"No, messeigneurs; it is several weeks since the Chevalier Passedix has -been here."</p> - -<p>"That is the more surprising, because, if I remember aright, he was -deeply in love with your daughter Ambroisine."</p> - -<p>"In love with my daughter—he! He is in love with all women; but it -amounts to nothing."</p> - -<p>"Did you treat him a little—harshly? You are quite capable of it."<a name="page_072" id="page_072"></a></p> - -<p>"No, I was not put to that trouble; the chevalier has always been too -respectful for me to be angry with him."</p> - -<p>"Then it must be that poor Passedix has had some new affair of honor; he -has probably fought a duel and come out second best, as usual; and -doubtless he is stretched out on his bed of pain at this moment."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he has been attacked by Giovanni, the fashionable robber!"</p> - -<p>"Giovanni would not have wounded him; he contents himself with robbing -and never does any harm."</p> - -<p>"But if a man doesn't choose to be robbed, and defends himself——"</p> - -<p>"Look at Léodgard, messieurs; he defended himself gallantly, and yet -Giovanni robbed him and did not hurt a hair of his head."</p> - -<p>At that moment, loud exclamations were heard at the shop door.<a name="page_073" id="page_073"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="VII" id="VII"></a>VII<br /><br /> -<small>A YOUNG WOMAN <i>EN CROUPE</i></small></h2> - -<p>"Oh! what a fine head, my friends!" cried a cavalier who was standing in -the doorway.</p> - -<p>"What is it, La Valteline?"</p> - -<p>"A great clodhopper—some peasant from the South, doubtless, for he -wears the Béarnais costume, I believe. He is coming along on an enormous -horse. Come, look! it's worth the trouble!"</p> - -<p>"Do you expect us to put ourselves out for a country lout?"</p> - -<p>"But he has something very seductive <i>en croupe</i>; a fresh, red-cheeked -little wench, who, in her rustic costume, would carry off the palm from -all the fair who come to visit the baths!"</p> - -<p>"Oho! we must see that! we must see that!"</p> - -<p>A horse was coming along at a footpace, with two persons on his back. -First, a countryman with straight hair brushed flat, which fell to his -shoulders, and was partly hidden by a sort of woollen cap ending in a -point and surmounted by a small black plume; beneath that original -headgear appeared a broad, round, chubby, red face, a most perfect -specimen of careless health, with big<a name="page_074" id="page_074"></a> eyes on a level with the face, -which expressed amazement at everything they saw, and at the same time -seemed happy to be amazed. The rest of his costume was that of a -Béarnais peasant. In his right hand he held a long branch of dogwood, -which he used as a crop to accelerate his horse's gait.</p> - -<p>Behind this rustic, on his horse's crupper, and clinging tightly to her -cavalier, was a young girl of eighteen years at most, as pretty as the -Italian madonnas to whom the painters make you long to pray, and as -fresh as a rosebud just opening.</p> - -<p>Her embarrassment and alarm made her even more beautiful, for she seemed -a little alarmed by her position; and while trying to seat herself more -firmly, she displayed every moment the upper part of a shapely calf, and -sometimes even the red garter that held her coarse woollen stocking in -place.</p> - -<p>"Jarnidié! that's a dainty morsel!" exclaimed the young men in chorus.</p> - -<p>"See the lovely black hair!"</p> - -<p>"And eyes quite as black, on my word!—fine lashes, heavy eyebrows!"</p> - -<p>"A straight nose, neither too large nor too small!"</p> - -<p>"A perfect chin and a tiny mouth!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! did you see, messieurs? She uttered a little cry of fright, and I -saw the prettiest teeth!"</p> - -<p>"Then she lacks nothing, for she is as fresh as she is pretty!"<a name="page_075" id="page_075"></a></p> - -<p>"Where in the devil is that clown taking this seductive morsel?"</p> - -<p>"Pardieu! messieurs, we will find out."</p> - -<p>"It shall not be said that a charming creature shall pass us like this, -without our taking measures to find her again."</p> - -<p>"But this girl, with her square cap and her veil on top of her head, -with her striped waist and skirt of such brilliant colors, certainly is -not a Frenchwoman; she wears an Italian costume."</p> - -<p>"Do you think so, La Valteline?"</p> - -<p>"I am sure; it's the costume of the peasants in the suburbs of Milan. -Pardieu! I ought to know; I was at Milan last year!"</p> - -<p>"You are right; the girl has something Italian or Israelitish in her -face, and her slightly bronzed complexion also tends to confirm your -conjectures."</p> - -<p>The horse and his riders had by this time reached the bath keeper's -house, and were about to pass it on their way down Rue Saint-Jacques, -when the young Marquis de Sénange ran out and placed himself in front of -the peaceful beast, which instantly halted.</p> - -<p>Thereupon the young noble, doffing his hat, saluted the girl and her -escort with respect, and all the other bystanders made haste to do the -like.</p> - -<p>The Béarnais peasant, astounded by all these courtesies, deemed it -advisable none the less to remove his cap and return the salutations of -all those young men who treated him so politely.<a name="page_076" id="page_076"></a></p> - -<p>As for the girl, she raised her great black eyes and, with an expression -in which there was more surprise than timidity, looked about at the -persons who were gazing at her.</p> - -<p>"Par la sambleu! my dear monsieur, how fortunate we are to fall in with -you, and to be the first to present you our respectful homage. But we -have been waiting for you a long while.—Pray put on your hat—we -entreat you! You must surely see by the joy which your arrival causes us -how impatiently you and your charming travelling companion were awaited -in Paris!"</p> - -<p>"Eh! damme! what's that? we were expected in Paris?" cried the big -countryman, who had listened with a dazed expression to young Sénange's -harangue.</p> - -<p>"Can you doubt it?" said the Chevalier de La Valteline, in his turn, -walking nearer to the horse's hind quarters in order to examine the girl -more closely. "Do you not know that we are notified in advance at Paris -when such interesting travellers as you are to arrive here? Deputations -were sent to all the barriers to welcome you. It is very strange that -you did not meet them—eh, messeigneurs?"</p> - -<p>Shouts arose on all sides, accompanied by roars of laughter, which the -clerks of the Basoche and the students could not restrain, and in which -the valets and all the blackguards of the quarter did not hesitate to -join.</p> - -<p>"Pray dismount, my master, and come with us to take some refreshment, -you and this lovely child; we will give<a name="page_077" id="page_077"></a> you a taste of a certain choice -wine which we have put aside for the express purpose of celebrating your -arrival. I will help your companion to dismount first."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, the jovial Sénange offered his knee to the girl for use as -a stepping stone, while the peasant, bewildered by what he heard and, it -may be, a little tempted by the offer of wine, seemed to hesitate as to -what he ought to do, and to be inclined to accept the invitation. But -his pretty companion, instead of dismounting as she was invited to do, -seized her escort's arm with little ceremony, and said to him, under her -breath, but in a firm tone:</p> - -<p>"Don't get down, Cédrille; don't you see that all these fine gentlemen -are making sport of you and me, for all their courtesies and fine -manners? They say that they expected us, but I will wager that they do -not even know who we are. Just ask that most dandified one, who has such -a smooth tongue, to tell you your name and why we have come to Paris; -and you'll see that he won't be able to answer you."</p> - -<p>These words changed the peasant's plans. He sat more firmly in his -saddle, and, addressing the man who had spoken first, said in a tone -wherein it was easy to detect distrust:</p> - -<p>"One moment, my fine gentleman; we don't make acquaintances so fast, we -peasants don't, especially as we were told that we must be on the -lookout in Paris; and that there was a lot of fellows, law students and -ne'er-do-wells, yes, and some great nobles, who like to poke<a name="page_078" id="page_078"></a> fun at -poor folks, especially peasants and people who work in the fields. -That's an entertainment that we don't care about giving, d'ye see!—You -say we were expected in Paris—so you know me and the little one, I -suppose? Well, if you know us—who are we?—tell us who we are? Answer, -if you please, messeigneurs."</p> - -<p>The young men looked at one another and winked.</p> - -<p>"This clod is not so stupid as he looks," said one.</p> - -<p>"That didn't come from him," said a page; "the little one prompted him -to say it."</p> - -<p>"He was all ready to dismount, but the girl held him back."</p> - -<p>"You ask me who you are," rejoined young Sénange, twirling his -moustache; "why, you know who you are! So what need is there for me to -tell you what you already know?—Nonsense! come with us, my master, and -drink and touch glasses; the wine we will give you is much better than -that you drink in your village."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! oh, no! not till you have answered my questions; but you can't -do that!"</p> - -<p>"Your questions! By what right, pray, do you put questions to us, when -we are offering you a civil attention? Do you know, my handsome -traveller, that it is not decent to refuse to drink a glass, to empty a -goblet, to our health?—Are you afraid to drink? In that case, you would -make a dismal companion!—I say, messieurs, what do you think of this -lout who fears to compromise himself by drinking with us?"<a name="page_079" id="page_079"></a></p> - -<p>"Probably the knave has never tasted wine; he thinks that we intend to -purge him."</p> - -<p>"He is sadly in need of having the rust rubbed off—the clown!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! but he must drink! We will pour a pint or two down his throat from -the Souris Blanche, which is just across the way."</p> - -<p>"We will teach the fool what courtesy is!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! so silly talk is taking the place of your civilities now!" said the -peasant, with a frown.</p> - -<p>His companion touched him on the shoulder and murmured:</p> - -<p>"Go on, Cédrille! whip your horse. Don't stay in the midst of all these -young gentlemen. They look to me like bad fellows; their shouts and the -way they look at me—I am beginning to be frightened."</p> - -<p>"Whip Bourriquet! why, they have got hold of his bridle; and how can we -go on in the middle of all this crowd? I wouldn't like to ride over -anyone, for then they would make trouble for me.—Jarny! Miretta, I am -sorry already that you insisted on coming to this Paris!"</p> - -<p>"Pray dismount, my pretty Milanese," said the Chevalier de La Valteline, -offering his hand to the girl, whose name, as we now know, was Miretta.</p> - -<p>"Milanese!" she retorted, refusing the young nobleman's hand. "Ah! you -guess that from my costume; it is true that I have lived in the -neighborhood of Milan<a name="page_080" id="page_080"></a> from infancy, but I was not born in Italy; I am -from the same province as Cédrille."</p> - -<p>"And Cédrille is a Béarnais?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, messieurs; from Pau, by your leave," said the peasant.</p> - -<p>"Vive Cédrille!"</p> - -<p>"Vive Cédrille of Pau!"</p> - -<p>And the young nobles, as they shouted the name, waved their hats and -handkerchiefs, while the bachelors and squires joined hands and began to -dance and caper around the horse and his riders.</p> - -<p>The girl's face flushed, her impatience got the better of her; she -struck the horse's flank with her hand, while the peasant did his best -to urge his steed forward, crying:</p> - -<p>"Let go of Bourriquet's rein, seigneurs! let go of my horse, ten -thousand devils!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! Bourriquet! the horse's name is Bourriquet!"</p> - -<p>"His rider should bear that name!"</p> - -<p>"Poor <i>bourrique</i>,<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> who has to carry another of his kind!"</p> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> <i>Bourrique</i>, an ass; <i>bourriquet</i>, an ass's colt.</p></div> - -<p>"No, no! your horse shall not take a step!"</p> - -<p>"Don't worry him with your rein."</p> - -<p>"Dismount, Cédrille of Pau; if not, we will forcibly remove you and your -companion from Bourriquet's back!"</p> - -<p>Some of Master Hugonnet's customers were already preparing to carry out -this threat; but at that crisis,<a name="page_081" id="page_081"></a> the Béarnais peasant, whose face had -turned purple and had assumed a menacing expression, quickly raised his -right arm, and brandishing in the air the dogwood staff with which his -right hand was armed, twirled it about in the faces of those who -approached, with such fearless and uncompromising dexterity that in a -moment there was a large space cleared in front of the travellers; and -yet, some of the jokers did not move back quickly enough to avoid a blow -from the redoubtable dogwood staff.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the pretty girl threw both arms about her companion, and, -raising her head, seemed to defy with her glance those who surrounded -her, and to say to them:</p> - -<p>"Come forward now, if you dare!"</p> - -<p>All this had taken place in an instant; but the panic was soon over, and -all the young men, who were in the habit of beating the watch, fighting -with citizens, and brawling every night in the streets of Paris, were in -no humor to fly from a peasant's club. Having retired to a safe -distance, they turned about once more and drew their swords; the -bachelors, students, pages, and esquires did the same; for at that -blessed epoch almost every man wore a sword or a rapier of some sort, in -order to be always in a position to fight on the most trivial pretext: a -consequence of the gentle manners and pacific customs of the good old -times.</p> - -<p>At sight of the bare swords, Miretta said to her companion:<a name="page_082" id="page_082"></a></p> - -<p>"Come, push on, Cédrille! beat your horse! Let us get away from here, or -some disaster will happen to us."</p> - -<p>The peasant shook Bourriquet's rein with no gentle force; but although -the beast no longer felt a hand on his bit, he stood like a statue in -his tracks, and, in spite of the urging of his rider, refused to advance -a step, terrified doubtless by the noise that he heard and by the crowd -that stood in a circle about him.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the young men again approached, half threateningly, half -laughingly; they brandished their swords, and some of the points were -already in contact with the dogwood staff which Cédrille continued to -handle with much address, while they shouted in his ears:</p> - -<p>"Down! down, rustic!"</p> - -<p>"Dismount at once, and ask our pardon on your knees!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, let him apologize! or else we will carry off the girl!"</p> - -<p>"And Bourriquet too!"</p> - -<p>"And we will break the staff over Cédrille's back!"</p> - -<p>"Break my staff!—Oh! jarnidieu! there's more than one of you who will -have a few ribs broken first!"</p> - -<p>But when she saw all those gleaming blades directed against her -companion, and often, by inadvertence, threatening her own person, -pretty Miretta uttered piercing shrieks; she called imploringly for -help. To her cries, uttered as they were in a plaintive, grief-stricken -tone, the young men replied by a storm of jests and lamentations;<a name="page_083" id="page_083"></a> they -tried to reassure the girl, to make her understand that they would do -her no harm; but she, too terrified to hear what they said, continued -her outcries.</p> - -<p>Thereupon Master Hugonnet, who thus far had continued to shave Monsieur -de Monclair, abandoned his customer and ran into the street to find out -what was happening. At the same time, Ambroisine left the baths to -ascertain the cause of the uproar and the shrieks that she heard.</p> - -<p>As the father and the daughter reached the street, two other persons -arrived on the scene, one by Rue des Mathurins, the other from -Saint-Benoît cemetery; and, having quickened their pace in order to -arrive sooner, they made their appearance at almost the same -moment—forcing their way through the crowd without ceremony, and -distributing blows to right and left among those who did not move aside -quickly enough to make way for them.<a name="page_084" id="page_084"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>VIII<br /><br /> -<small>A BATTLE</small></h2> - -<p>"Ah! here's our friend Passedix, whom we were so anxious about!" cried -several of the reckless youths, when they spied the long, lank, -yellow-faced chevalier, who always wore a helmet, which heightened his -resemblance to Don Quixote, although his helmet was not of the shape of -that worn by the Knight of the Rueful Countenance.</p> - -<p>"Ah! here is the Sire de Jarnonville!" exclaimed others of the young -men, at sight of the second of the two new-comers, who, by rough -handling of the crowd, had arrived in front of the barber's shop.</p> - -<p>He was a tall, handsome man, dressed in a rich but very sombre costume; -his black doublet, slashed with white satin, had the appearance of a -mourning garment; a black velvet cloak, faced with white, covered his -shoulders; his full, funnel-shaped top-boots also were black, although -most gentlemen wore yellow ones except when they went to war. His -broad-brimmed hat, turned up in front, had no other ornament than a long -plume of the same color as the cloak. So that the Sire de Jarnonville -was sometimes given the sobriquet of the <i>Black Chevalier</i>.<a name="page_085" id="page_085"></a></p> - -<p>He was thirty-eight years of age, but seemed much older, because his -brown hair was beginning to turn gray; because his noble and regular -features were almost always clouded, as if under the burden of painful -thoughts; because his eyes also had ordinarily an expression of profound -sadness; and lastly, because his brow was furrowed with premature -wrinkles, and the clouds which darkened it were rarely dissipated.</p> - -<p>And yet this gentleman, whose aspect was so gloomy, and whom one would -have taken to be the enemy of all pleasure, had for several years past -participated in all the amusements and festivities, and especially in -all the brutal tricks which were played on bourgeois, tradesmen, and -even attachés of the court. Whenever one of the most dissolute -frequenters of the bathing establishments proposed some new escapade—to -abduct a woman, to hoodwink a guardian, or to thrash the watch and throw -a whole quarter into dismay, he could be certain beforehand that the -Sire de Jarnonville would join him; he was one of the first volunteers -in all perilous undertakings; he always rushed to the spot where the -danger was greatest, fought like four men, and was the last to leave the -field.</p> - -<p>If anyone had a duel on hand and lacked a second, the Black Chevalier -was always ready to render him that service, without even inquiring as -to the subject of the dispute or the name of the adversary; but always -on condition that he should fight with the opposing seconds.—Did anyone -propose to gamble and drink, Jarnonville<a name="page_086" id="page_086"></a> gambled and drank, and -sometimes drank too much. Amid the companions of his revels, at the -banquet table, in a midnight affray, in a duel, he almost always -retained that melancholy expression which had aged his features before -their time; to one who watched him fight and gamble and drink, it seemed -that he did all those things without inclination or pleasure, but solely -in the hope of diverting his thoughts; and that he could not succeed in -doing it. Such was the personage who had forced his way through the -crowd and taken his stand beside the Marquis de Sénange, while the -Chevalier de Passedix approached Bourriquet's hind quarters and -contemplated with admiration the pretty girl who was seated thereon.</p> - -<p>"Ah! here is Jarnonville! Vivat! the victory is ours!"</p> - -<p>"Come on our side, O Black Chevalier! you arrive in the nick of time; -there's a girl to be kidnapped, and a clown to be beaten!"</p> - -<p>"Vrai Dieu! it seems to me that there are a good many of you for such a -small matter!" rejoined the Sire de Jarnonville, casting his eye over -the crowd assembled before the barber's house.</p> - -<p>"Yes; but the task is not so simple as you might think, my master; for -we must obtain possession of this pretty wench without doing her the -slightest harm; and yonder idiot, with his club, is capable of wounding -the little one in trying to defend her."</p> - -<p>"Ah! he knows how to handle the staff, does he? So much the better! we -will judge of his talent."<a name="page_087" id="page_087"></a></p> - -<p>"Sandioux! messeigneurs," cried Passedix, "why do you attack this child? -and this stout youth whom she presses to her heart, rolling her lovely -eyes to beseech our compassion?—I wish, first of all, to know the -subject of the quarrel; and I object beforehand to any sort of force -being put upon such a charming wench!"</p> - -<p>"Come, come, valiant Passedix, just move away from that nag's hind -quarters and come over to our side! Do you mean to desert our camp? are -you going over to the Greeks?"</p> - -<p>"Beware, second Don Quixote; we shall have no mercy for traitors!"</p> - -<p>"Cadédis! if you think to frighten me, my boy, you waste your time and -your words! With my good Roland, this trusty blade which came to me from -my godfather Chaudoreille, I will spit you all like smelts, provided -that this lovely child accepts me for her knight. One word from her -sweet mouth, and I make mincemeat of you all!"</p> - -<p>Bursts of laughter greeted the Gascon chevalier's braggadocio; but he, -drawing his long sword, put the point to the ground before Miretta, and -bent his knee as he said to her:</p> - -<p>"Answer, O marvellous queen of Paphos and Cythera! Will you accept me -for your champion in the combat which I beg the privilege of undertaking -for you? Give me a pledge—the merest trifle—your glove; you have none? -then your pretty hand, that I may kiss it; and I am victor!"<a name="page_088" id="page_088"></a></p> - -<p>Miretta stared in utter amazement at that tall man, thin as an asparagus -stalk, who was almost kneeling at her horse's tail; she seemed not at -all inclined to accept him for her knight, for ugliness inspires women -with little confidence, and the Chevalier Passedix was perfectly ugly.</p> - -<p>But the Béarnais peasant, still twirling his staff, said to the Gascon:</p> - -<p>"Thanks for your offer, seigneur cavalier; it isn't to be refused.—Here -are I don't know how many of them setting on me, and I am all alone to -defend my travelling companion! My opinion is that it's a cowardly -trick! But come and take my side, and I'll warrant that with my club and -your spit we'll prevent these gentry from carrying off Miretta."</p> - -<p>Although he considered the term <i>spit</i> in very bad taste as applied to -Roland, the valorous Passedix, whom Miretta's eyes had already taken -captive, instantly took his stand in front of the horse, threatening the -assailants with his sword.</p> - -<p>While these things were taking place about the travellers, Master -Hugonnet and his daughter, having learned the subject of the quarrel, -were striving to make the reckless youths drawn up in battle array in -front of the shop listen to reason. But that which at first was a simple -jest had become, in the eyes of those young dandies, a matter of -self-esteem, almost of honor. No one of them was willing to give ground -before Cédrille's staff. In order<a name="page_089" id="page_089"></a> that the dispute should come to an -end without violence, it would have been necessary for the peasant to -agree to apologize to those who had jeered at him and insulted him, and -he was in no mood to humble himself before them.</p> - -<p>"By Notre-Dame! messeigneurs," said Hugonnet, going from one to another -of his customers, with his basin of soapsuds in one hand and his shaving -brush in the other, "what have this peasant and his companion done to -you that you should pick a quarrel with them? What an idea—to throw a -whole quarter into commotion and bring the whole neighborhood to the -windows, for two travellers who have only one horse between them!"</p> - -<p>"Leave us in peace, Hugonnet; attend to your own affairs; this doesn't -concern you!"</p> - -<p>"Pardieu! yes, it does concern me; for you are blocking the whole -street, you are in battle order in front of my house, so that it would -be impossible for anyone to come near who might happen to want a bath or -a shave! So you see that you injure me with your quarrelling, and that -it does concern me."</p> - -<p>"For heaven's sake, messieurs," said Ambroisine, in her turn, "do not -torment this poor traveller like this! What pleasure can you find in -frightening a woman? Let these people go their way. They are not -Parisians—anyone can see that! They do not know that you are only -threatening them in joke."<a name="page_090" id="page_090"></a></p> - -<p>"In joke!" repeated young La Valteline, with a frown. "But you are not -aware, <i>belle baigneuse</i>, that that peasant's staff has soiled my -cloak!—Oh! I must chastise him for that! These knaves must be taught -the respect that they owe us."</p> - -<p>"And why do you jeer at them and attack them, if you wish them to -respect you?"</p> - -<p>"Enough, fair Ambroisine! sermons are all right for preachers, but they -amount to nothing in a pretty girl's mouth!"</p> - -<p>"Come, Jarnonville! forward! have at him! have at him! let us trounce -the peasant!"</p> - -<p>"Not without my helping to defend him!" ejaculated Master Hugonnet, -running to take his stand beside the travellers, still carrying his -basin and shaving brush.</p> - -<p>"And I will not allow that girl to be insulted, without doing what I can -to help her!" cried Ambroisine, following her father and placing herself -in front of Miretta.</p> - -<p>"That is right! good! good for <i>la baigneuse</i>!" cried all the women, who -had been drawn to the scene by the noise of the quarrel. "You are on the -girl's side, and we too will defend her!"</p> - -<p>"All these ne'er-do-wells are fit for nothing but to insult women!"</p> - -<p>"Let us pick up stones and throw them at the villains!"</p> - -<p>"No, no! by Notre-Dame!" cried Hugonnet. "No stones, I entreat you! You -will break my windows and<a name="page_091" id="page_091"></a> my sign, and I shall have to pay for all the -damage! We shall be able to settle this business without you!"</p> - -<p>The young gentlemen were embarrassed, for, although eager to fight and -having little fear of their adversaries, they were afraid that in the -scrimmage they might injure the pretty traveller and Ambroisine.</p> - -<p>The latter, divining what held them back, took delight in defying all -those fine cavaliers, who were in the habit of making love to her, and -several of whom called out to her:</p> - -<p>"Come away from there, <i>belle baigneuse</i>; that is no place for you!"</p> - -<p>"You are in our way. Besides, you ought not to take sides against your -customers!"</p> - -<p>"I don't care a fig for customers! Let these travellers go their way, -and I will agree to shave all of you."</p> - -<p>This proposition seemed to make an impression on several of the young -men; but the Sire de Jarnonville, irritated by all this discussion, drew -his sword and strode toward the horse's head. With a few passes he soon -sent the famous Roland flying through the air. Passedix, disarmed, -called loudly for another weapon.</p> - -<p>The Black Chevalier thereupon turned his attention to the dogwood staff, -but he had not so simple a task as with the Gascon's sword.</p> - -<p>At that moment, a young page, who had stolen forward to unseat Miretta, -was confronted by Master Hugonnet; and he, having no other weapons than -his basin<a name="page_092" id="page_092"></a> and shaving brush, instantly covered the page with a thick -coating of lather, filling his nose and mouth and even his eyes with it; -whereupon the assailant began to shriek at the top of his voice. All -eyes were turned in that direction. At sight of that face completely -covered with lather, a roar of laughter burst from all who were present, -friends and foes, combatants and lookers-on; it was as if they were -trying to see who could laugh the loudest.</p> - -<p>This incident suspended the combat for a moment. But the Sire de -Jarnonville, who alone had taken no part in the general merriment, -immediately renewed his attack on the peasant's staff. Whether because -Cédrille's arm was tired, or because the sight of that gleaming weapon, -whirling through the air and sometimes striking sparks, dazzled his -eyes, he began to defend himself less vigorously. At last, a blow dealt -with more force than usual broke the staff.</p> - -<p>The peasant was beaten; the Black Chevalier's weapon was already on the -point of forcing him to dismount, when Ambroisine, who had left her post -a moment before, suddenly reappeared, carrying in her arms a little boy -of three or four years; and darting in front of Jarnonville, she held -the child out to him, crying:</p> - -<p>"Take care, seigneur, you will wound this child!"</p> - -<p>Those words and the sight of the little boy produced a magical effect on -the Black Chevalier. He paused and dropped his arm, which was raised to -strike; the warlike<a name="page_093" id="page_093"></a> ardor which enlivened his face gave way to an -expression of sadness, almost of tenderness. He gazed for some seconds -at the little fellow, who, not realizing that he was in the midst of a -battle, was not in the least frightened, but smiled up at the chevalier, -crying:</p> - -<p>"I'd like to fight, too!"</p> - -<p>Jarnonville stooped to kiss the child's forehead, and replaced his sword -in its sheath. Then, turning to the young noblemen, who were utterly -amazed at the change that had taken place in him, he said to them:</p> - -<p>"It's all over, messieurs; the treaty of peace is signed!"</p> - -<p>"What! all over? How so, if we are not satisfied?"</p> - -<p>"I tell you that it is all over! This peasant has been conquered, -disarmed; what more do you want?"</p> - -<p>"We want him to apologize."</p> - -<p>"We want most of all to kiss the pretty girl whom he has <i>en croupe</i>."</p> - -<p>Jarnonville's only reply was to push aside with his arm all those who -stood in front of the horse, thus clearing a passage for him. Then he -made a sign to the peasant, who understood him and dug his heels into -Bourriquet's ribs. This time the poor beast seemed to share his master's -desire, and asked nothing better than to leave the field of battle. He -trotted off at full speed down Rue Saint-Jacques, and Cédrille and his -pretty companion soon disappeared from the eyes of the crowd.</p> - -<p>All this had happened so quickly that Miretta hardly had time to grasp -Ambroisine's hand and say:<a name="page_094" id="page_094"></a></p> - -<p>"Thanks! thanks! you have saved us! I shall come to see you, and to tell -you how grateful I am!"</p> - -<p>"Come; you will ask for Ambroisine, the daughter of Master Hugonnet the -bath keeper, on Rue Saint-Jacques."</p> - -<h2><a name="IX" id="IX"></a>IX<br /><br /> -<small>CAUSES AND EFFECTS</small></h2> - -<p>Ambroisine's first care was to take the child back to its mother, a -woman of the people, who was there by the merest chance, having come to -find out why such a crowd had collected in front of the bath keeper's -establishment, little dreaming that her child would be the means of -adjusting that great quarrel.</p> - -<p>Hugonnet's daughter kissed the little fellow, put a coin in his hand -with which to buy a cake, and returned to her home, curious to learn how -the gentlemen had taken the conclusion of the affair.</p> - -<p>Sénange, La Valteline, Monclair, and their friends, were dazed for a -moment by the sudden departure of Cédrille and his companion. Some of -them were inclined to run after the peasant, others wanted to fight -Jarnonville, whom they accused of betraying them; they were all -displeased, and another battle was imminent perhaps, when general<a name="page_095" id="page_095"></a> -attention was attracted by shouts and oaths proceeding from the place -recently occupied by Bourriquet.</p> - -<p>A battle with fists was in progress between Master Hugonnet and one of -his neighbors, named Lambourdin, a dealer in ribbons, tags, fringes, and -other toilet articles, whose shop was not more than fifty yards from the -baths.</p> - -<p>The two neighbors were ordinarily very good friends; they met sometimes -at the wine shop, which both were fond of frequenting; they laughed and -talked and drank together, and no one would ever have supposed that they -would one day entertain the inhabitants of the quarter with a genuine -pugilistic bout.</p> - -<p>But who can foretell the future?</p> - -<p>The most trivial cause is sometimes sufficient to embroil ambassadors -and to bring about war between two nations that could get along very -well without it; and we too often see old friends suddenly become -declared enemies.</p> - -<p>In our day, politics sometimes produces such revolutions by its gentle -and benignant influence. In the good old times, there were sometimes -conspiracies of great personages, nobles, and persons in high station, -but the people paid little heed to their plots. They went to see them -hanged at Montfaucon, but they were not tempted to meddle with matters -that led to such results. In those days, the workman thought of nothing -but working to support his family, to save a marriage portion for his -daughter, and to make sure of a home in his old age.<a name="page_096" id="page_096"></a> That was the sum -total of his politics; it made him neither ill, nor infuriate, nor -insane, nor sophistical, nor evil-minded! It made him happy!</p> - -<p>In that respect we may well regret the good old times.</p> - -<p>Let us return to the two neighbors.</p> - -<p>Lambourdin, the dealer in small wares, was by inclination, and, above -all, by virtue of his trade, of the faction of the young nobles and the -courtiers. When a noble personage entered his shop and made a purchase, -Lambourdin puffed himself out like the frog in the fable, and never -failed to proclaim from the housetops that he supplied monsieur le -comte, or monsieur le marquis, or messieurs the pages attached to the -court.</p> - -<p>And so, when he learned the cause of the gathering, which he could see -from his shop, the dealer in small wares hastened to the scene of the -combat, fully disposed to take up the cudgels for the young nobles, to -whom he was intensely anxious to display his entire devotion.</p> - -<p>But the young men did not require the assistance of Master Lambourdin, -and he had had no other opportunity to show his interest in their -victory than by addressing an insulting remark or a threat to Cédrille -from time to time.</p> - -<p>But when Master Hugonnet besmeared a page so successfully with his -lather, Lambourdin, far from finding that amusing, flew into a transport -of rage, especially as the page who was so thoroughly lathered had -bought two beautiful bows of ribbon at his shop that morning.<a name="page_097" id="page_097"></a></p> - -<p>And so, as soon as the Black Chevalier's sword play had ceased, as soon -as Bourriquet had trotted away with his travellers on his back, -Lambourdin elbowed his way through the crowd to Master Hugonnet, and -said, eying him with a furious expression:</p> - -<p>"Do you know, Neighbor Hugonnet, that you have behaved very badly -throughout this affair?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! do you think so, Neighbor Lambourdin?" rejoined the barber, in a -bantering tone; for the wrathful expression blazing in the other's eyes -gave him a comical appearance, which inspired merriment rather than -alarm.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do think so!—What! you, to whose place the young nobles come by -preference, whether to bathe, or to have their hair and beards arranged, -and bring customers to your establishment and make it fashionable!—you -take sides against them in this quarrel, instead of going to their -assistance, as every self-respecting man should do! You take part with -strangers—a rustic and a strumpet from no one knows where!"</p> - -<p>"I do what I please, what suits me, neighbor! I consult my heart before -my pocket. I look to see on which side the right and not the profit -is.—But why do you interfere? Is it any of your business?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, monsieur le baigneur; yes, it is my business—And that young page -whom you smeared with soapsuds so shamefully! He even had it in his -eyes! You spoiled a superb bow of ribbon that I sold him this morning!"<a name="page_098" id="page_098"></a></p> - -<p>"So much the better for you; he'll buy another one of you!"</p> - -<p>"No, he will not—I mean, yes, he will buy another one.—But your -conduct is none the less indecent!"</p> - -<p>"By Notre-Dame de Paris! you are beginning to make my ears burn, -Neighbor Lambourdin! Not another word, or I strike you!"</p> - -<p>"Do you think to frighten me, you low-lived bath keeper, unworthy to -shave noble chins! I am no boy of fifteen; and if you should touch me -with your shaving brush, I'd trample you under foot like an old -blanket!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! so! Well, take that! I won't touch you with my shaving brush!"</p> - -<p>As he spoke, Hugonnet buried his fist in Lambourdin's side; the latter -had gone too far to retreat; and then, too, there were so many -witnesses! So he answered the blow with a kick, but he measured the -distance so inaccurately that he kicked into space.</p> - -<p>Lambourdin was a little fellow, strong enough, but not of the build to -contend with Master Hugonnet. After a struggle that was not of long -duration, the two neighbors fell, still clinging to each other. -Unluckily, poor Lambourdin was underneath, and had to endure -simultaneously the weight of his adversary's body and the numerous blows -which he continued to administer. Then it was that the little man's -cries attracted the attention of the young gentlemen who had remained in -front of the bath keeper's house.<a name="page_099" id="page_099"></a></p> - -<p>They ran to the scene of conflict; Hugonnet was excited and would not -release his neighbor; but when he heard the voice of his daughter, who -came up to see who the combatants were, the barber grew calmer, rose, -and entered his shop, saying:</p> - -<p>"No matter! he got what he deserved! What need had he to meddle in the -affair?"</p> - -<p>As for Lambourdin, who was completely done up and could hardly walk, he -required the assistance of two arms to return to his home, but they were -neither pages nor nobles who supplied them, although it was in their -behalf that he had fought!—So much for the gratitude of those whose -quarrels one embraces!</p> - -<p>This incident diverted the young dandies, and made them forget Cédrille -and Miretta for a moment; and with a Frenchman, when the first ardor has -passed away, it very rarely returns.</p> - -<p>Furthermore, a number of fair dames, who had had time to leave the bath -and to dress, came from the house, with a wink to one, a slight nod to -another; so that in a few moments the whole crowd dispersed, the idlers -sauntered away, the neighbors returned to their homes, and there was no -one left in the barber's shop save the Chevalier Passedix, who was -wiping Roland, which he had picked out of the gutter, and the Sire de -Jarnonville, who had thrown himself into a chair and was apparently lost -in thought and entirely oblivious to what was going on about him.<a name="page_100" id="page_100"></a></p> - -<p>"Par la sandioux! my <i>belle baigneuse</i>," said the Gascon knight to -Ambroisine, who had remained in the shop, and who, as if by accident, -glanced very frequently in Jarnonville's direction, "I am very glad to -tell you that in this affair you comported yourself like a man of heart! -First, it was well done of you to take that stranger's part; what a -lovely face! sandis! what a fascinating profile! and the full face—it -is enough to bring one to one's knees! So that I knelt with ardor!—You -will pardon me, I trust, <i>belle baigneuse</i>, for praising another woman -in your presence. You too are superb, after a different type."</p> - -<p>"Oh! say on, monsieur le chevalier, do not hesitate. Why should I take -it ill of you that you praise that girl? In the first place, she -deserves it, for she is very pretty. And then, have you not the right to -fall in love with her, if you please? does it concern me?"</p> - -<p>"True, true! it could not affect you, since you have refused the homage -of my heart—for I think that I offered it to you——"</p> - -<p>"But you are not quite sure, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Why, you see, I have disposed of it so often! But let us return to the -stranger, to pretty Miretta—for her name is Miretta, is it not?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, that is the name by which her companion, the stout peasant, called -her."</p> - -<p>"And she is an Italian?"</p> - -<p>"No; she told us that she was from Béarn; but it seems that she has -lived in Italy a long while."<a name="page_101" id="page_101"></a></p> - -<p>"O mia cara!—I know a few words of Italian—they may be very useful to -me. As I was saying, superb Ambroisine, your conduct was glorious! You -showed a courage—a valor—if you had been of my family, you could have -done no better. That damned Jarnonville—— He does not hear me; I think -that he's asleep."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! he is not asleep; he is thinking, but not of us. Indeed, I -would wager that he doesn't even see that we are here!"</p> - -<p>"He may hear me or not, I snap my fingers at him! That damned -Jarnonville, by a bungler's thrust—for it is never used, everybody -scorns to use it—however, he knocked my sword from my hand; and I said -to myself just now: 'How in the deuce could I have let Roland go? There -must have been some deviltry about it, for it is the first time I was -ever disarmed!'—Well, sandioux! I have found the cause, while wiping -the hilt of my weapon.—What do you suppose I found on it, just at the -spot where one grasps it? I will give you ten thousand guesses."</p> - -<p>"I prefer that you should tell me at once."</p> - -<p>"Well, my beauty, I found a strip of pork twisted around the hilt of -Roland. So you will see that it is not surprising that my sword slipped -from my hand. Ah! cadédis! if I knew who played me that vile trick of -larding my sword like a partridge!—You laugh, I believe——"</p> - -<p>"Bless me! monsieur le chevalier, it seems to me so amusing that your -rapier should have been treated like a fowl; it is laughable enough!"<a name="page_102" id="page_102"></a></p> - -<p>"Do you doubt what I say? Never has a lie soiled my lips!—Look, lovely -girl! yonder is that accursed pork which I found on Roland; I threw it -into that corner; you can see for yourself."</p> - -<p>"I do not doubt what you say, monsieur le chevalier; but as the quarrel -attracted many people to this spot, and as there were several housewives -among them, returning from market with well-filled baskets on their -arms, it is probable that one of them dropped that fine strip of pork on -your sword as it lay on the ground; and she is probably looking -everywhere for it now."</p> - -<p>This explanation did not seem to the liking of Passedix, for he -compressed his lips angrily and muttered:</p> - -<p>"There are some people who distort the simplest things.—But enough of -that. Tell me now, young Hugonnetté, by what miracle you so suddenly -appeased the wrath of that miscreant Jarnonville? How did it happen that -at sight of a little brat of three or four years that madman, who knows -neither God nor the devil, became absolutely calm. I confess that I was -so surprised that I feel it yet."</p> - -<p>Ambroisine motioned to Passedix to follow her to the rear of the shop, -where the Sire de Jarnonville could neither see nor hear them.</p> - -<p>The Gascon, who was very curious to know what the girl had to tell him, -lost no time in seating himself by her side on a bench; whereupon -Ambroisine resumed the conversation, taking care, however, to speak in -undertones.<a name="page_103" id="page_103"></a></p> - -<p>"Have you known the Sire de Jarnonville long?"</p> - -<p>"No—about a year; and even so, I know him only from having been with -him in several affrays. He fights well, I am bound to admit, but he's a -good-for-nothing fellow. He doesn't believe in anything, and I don't -like atheists. I am a bad man with the fair, a libertine, a rake, a -seducer!—anything you please, I will not say <i>nay</i>. But all that does -not prevent my being religious, for without religion there is no true -chivalry; and all those stainless knights who fought in Palestine would -then be mere braggarts.—But why do you ask me that question?"</p> - -<p>"Because, if you had known the Sire de Jarnonville long, you would -probably know as much about him as I do, and you would have a very -different opinion of him.—I will tell you what I have heard here. About -five or six months ago, the Black Chevalier, for he is sometimes so -called, had just left our house, where he had been telling the story of -one of his exploits—he had broken everything in a tavern, I believe. -When he had gone, a gentleman quite advanced in years, but with a face -that inspired respect, said to another gentleman who was with him: 'Poor -Jarnonville! how he has changed! who would believe, to look at him now, -that he was once the mildest, most obliging, most virtuous of men! the -man who was held up as a model to young gentlemen who were just entering -the world!'—'What can have changed him so?' the other -inquired.—'Jarnonville was married, and he lost his wife, whom he loved -very dearly; but she had left<a name="page_104" id="page_104"></a> him a child, a little girl, who was, they -say, an angel of beauty, sweetness, and docility. Jarnonville adored -little Blanche—that was his daughter's name; she had become his only -love, his sole joy, his whole hope for the future; constantly intent -upon providing some pleasure, some delight for his darling child, his -grief for his wife's death gradually faded away. Happy and proud to be -all in all to his daughter, who became every day more charming in body -and mind, Jarnonville hardly ever left little Blanche. At four years of -age—and that is very, very young!—at four years of age, the child -understood all that she owed to her father, all the sacrifices to which -he submitted for her sake; but she repaid them all by her love. Never -did a child of that age manifest such affection for its father! If he -left her for an instant, her eyes filled with tears; but as soon as she -saw him, an enchanting smile lighted up her lovely face.—Poor child! -You will understand how he must have loved her!—Well! that child, -already so far beyond her years in her feelings and her intelligence, -that pretty Blanche—he lost her after an illness of a few days only! -One of those cruel diseases which feed upon childhood, and which the -doctors are as yet unable to cure, carried off the poor little -darling!—I will not try to describe her father's grief; it would be -impossible. But the frightful calamity that had befallen him changed his -character absolutely. Jarnonville accused heaven, Providence. Having -never been guilty in his whole life of any evil deed, he rebelled<a name="page_105" id="page_105"></a> -against the fate that dealt him such a cruel blow, which snatched away -that little creature to whom life seemed to offer such a beautiful and -peaceful prospect—in short, that man, who had always been so religious, -ceased utterly to be so, and blasphemed God. Deaf to all consolation, he -lived a long while in retirement. When, by dint of constant -solicitation, his friends succeeded in luring him back into society, he -was no longer the Jarnonville of other days. To divert his thoughts from -his grief, he joins all the parties conceived by the worst scapegraces -in the city; not a duel, not a nocturnal affray, in which he does not -take part. He drinks, drinks to excess, gambles, passes whole nights in -debauchery, serves as second to all the young scatterbrains who sow -discord in families. He has become the bugbear of the petits bourgeois, -the terror of cabaretiers, tavern keepers, of all decent folk; in a -word, he is just the opposite of all that he used to be.—But, for my -part, I cannot help pitying him; it is his head which is at fault, not -his heart; it is despair that has changed his nature. Nor do I believe -that he is altogether lost! He still wears mourning for his daughter. In -the midst of his debauchery, he has not chosen to lay aside his sombre -garments; and when he seems most excited by gambling, wine, or passion, -show him a child of about the age of his little Blanche when she died, -and you will see a magical change take place in him instantly; his eyes -will fill with tears, and that man, whose glance made you tremble a<a name="page_106" id="page_106"></a> -moment before, will become silent and as gentle as a child.'</p> - -<p>"That is what the gentleman told his friend. I listened, at first from -curiosity, then with deep interest; and since then, whenever I see the -Sire de Jarnonville, despite his harsh or brusque manner, he does not -seem to me such a bad man as he used.—To-day, when I saw him interfere -in that battle and take sides against us with his long sword, which he -uses so skilfully, I said to myself: 'Those poor travellers are lost!' -And, in fact, your Roland was already on the ground and the peasant's -staff was beginning to give way, when I remembered what I had heard. A -little boy was close by, in his mother's arms; I ran and seized him—and -you saw how successful my idea was; for the Black Chevalier instantly -ceased to fight, and himself looked to the safe departure of the -travellers."</p> - -<p>Passedix had listened to Ambroisine, making from time to time one of -those little grimaces which indicate that one places little credence in -what one hears. When she had finished her narrative, he said, shaking -his head:</p> - -<p>"Between ourselves, <i>belle baigneuse</i>, what you have told me seems most -extraordinary, and in my opinion this story of the Sire de Jarnonville -is a trifle chimerical!"</p> - -<p>"Why so, seigneur?" replied Ambroisine, leaving the bench. "It seems to -me no more extraordinary than your story of the pork twisted round your -sword hilt; and I should say that the event has proved that the -gentleman's story was true."<a name="page_107" id="page_107"></a></p> - -<p>Passedix did not think it best to reply. He walked toward Jarnonville, -who had risen and was standing in the doorway.</p> - -<p>"Sire de Jarnonville," said the Gascon, offering him his hand, "we both -fought like brave men; you were victorious, but I bear you no ill will! -especially as I am able to explain why Roland slipped from my hand. We -were not on the same side, but, since peace has been concluded, shake -hands, and let bygones be bygones!"</p> - -<p>Instead of putting his hand in the hand that was offered him, -Jarnonville, who had seemed not to listen to the Gascon, suddenly -hurried away, without a word in reply.</p> - -<p>"Sandioux! what does that mean?" cried Passedix, still standing with -outstretched hand, while Ambroisine turned her face away to laugh. -"Damme! is this the way that discourteous <i>sombrinos</i> responds to my -civility! Evidently, this Jarnonville is nothing more than a felon, a -boor, whom I will chastise handsomely at our first meeting. And let no -one presume to thrust a child in between us, sandis! or I will give him -a good kick somewhere!"</p> - -<p>At that moment, a young bachelor, who had been in front of Master -Hugonnet's house when Cédrille and his companion were blockaded there, -and who had disappeared simultaneously with Bourriquet, returned to the -shop, shouting:</p> - -<p>"Ah! I know where the pretty girl has gone! I know what that charming -Milanese came to Paris for!"<a name="page_108" id="page_108"></a></p> - -<p>"You know that, boy!" cried the Chevalier Passedix, running up to the -young man. "Oh! tell me quickly what you know, and I swear to you, by -Roland and my godfather Chaudoreille, that I will treat you to a jar of -wine at the next <i>fête carillonnée</i>."</p> - -<p>"I had just as lief tell you for nothing!"</p> - -<p>"Well, tell me for nothing; I agree, I will consent to whatever you -wish; but speak, I am dying with impatience!"</p> - -<p>"While everybody else stood here in open-mouthed amazement at the sudden -departure of the travellers, I followed the horse at a distance. He went -at a fast trot, but I have good legs, and I am not broken-winded."</p> - -<p>"Arrive at the point, accursed chatterbox!"</p> - -<p>"It was the travellers who arrived; that is to say, they stopped first -to inquire the way of a dealer in pottery; then they trotted off again -to Rue Saint-Honoré and stopped in front of a fine house."</p> - -<p>"On Rue Saint-Honoré! Are you sure of that? Why, sandis! that is my -quarter; it could not happen better! But to whom does the house belong?"</p> - -<p>"It was the Hôtel de Mongarcin, where Mademoiselle Valentine de -Mongarcin is now living with her aunt, Madame de Ravenelle."</p> - -<p>"Very good! this boy is no fool; go on."</p> - -<p>"All three of the travellers entered the courtyard—I say all three, -counting the horse."</p> - -<p>"Go on, I say, sandioux!"<a name="page_109" id="page_109"></a></p> - -<p>"As I was curious to know what they were going to do there, I strolled -back and forth in front of the house."</p> - -<p>"That was very ingenious."</p> - -<p>"And, sure enough, before long came out an old servant who knows my -father. I ran up to him and questioned him, and he said: 'That young -girl has come here to enter the service of Mademoiselle Valentine de -Mongarcin. She has been recommended to her, it seems; so it's all -settled. As for the peasant who brought her here, he is going to rest a -day or two and then go back to his province, unless he also prefers to -find a place in Paris; but it seems that that is not to his -taste.'—That is what I have learned."</p> - -<p>"Thanks! a thousand thanks, my boy! Hôtel de Mongarcin, Rue -Saint-Honoré. I shall be seen frequently in that vicinity.—Sandis! I am -sorry that she is only a lady's-maid. But, after all, Dulcinea del -Toboso was not a princess; and whatever anyone may say, Don Quixote was -a hearty blade, and as good a man as another.—Au revoir, my boy! I will -treat you whenever you choose, you know."</p> - -<p>And Chevalier Passedix walked away by Rue des Mathurins, and the young -bachelor by Place Cambray.</p> - -<p>After a day so well employed, it was natural enough that Master Hugonnet -should visit his usual wine shop in the evening; and he did not fail to -do so. Doubtless there was a large assemblage of patrons, and the events -of the morning, as they gave rise to much talk, naturally resulted in a -proportionate amount of drinking.<a name="page_110" id="page_110"></a></p> - -<p>The consequence was that Master Hugonnet returned home very late, -completely drunk, and exceedingly susceptible to emotion, as he always -was when in that condition.</p> - -<p>Ambroisine, who was sitting up for her father, was not at all surprised -by his state, and she urged him to go up to bed.</p> - -<p>But Hugonnet had tears in his eyes, and he groaned mournfully as he -stammered:</p> - -<p>"Poor Lambourdin—it breaks my heart! Just imagine, daughter—he was -shamefully beaten this morning!"</p> - -<p>"I know it, father, and so do you, as it was you who beat him."</p> - -<p>"I! do you think so?—Oh! what a calamity!—my dear friend Lambourdin! -Just imagine—he was beaten so—it's an outrage! Poor Lambourdin! my -heart is heavy!—How could anyone beat such an honorable man?"</p> - -<p>"Why, it was you who beat him."</p> - -<p>"I! impossible!—When I heard of it, I wept with grief.—Poor -Lambourdin! I will avenge him!"</p> - -<p>And Master Hugonnet would not consent to go to bed until he had wept -freely over the fate of his friend Lambourdin, and had sworn again to -avenge him.<a name="page_111" id="page_111"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="X" id="X"></a>X<br /><br /> -<small>THE PLACE AUX CHATS</small></h2> - -<p>The Chevalier Passedix lived on Place aux Chats.</p> - -<p>You will not be sorry, reader, to know where that square was situated, -for you would seek in vain for the slightest trace of it to-day. We will -proceed to enlighten you upon that subject.</p> - -<p>In the year 1634, Place aux Chats was near Rue de la Ferronnerie, close -by the Impasse des Bourdonnais, where Rue de la Limace had recently been -cut through.</p> - -<p>The Cemetery of the Innocents was on one side, and had one entrance on -the square, another on Rue de la Ferronnerie, and a third on Rue aux -Fers. Before it was christened Place aux Chats, it was called Place aux -Pourceaux; and in 1575 Rue de la Limace bore the name of Vieille Place -aux Pourceaux.</p> - -<p>Do not imagine one of those spacious, airy squares, such as you are -familiar with in our day. What was called a square [<i>place</i>] in those -days was often nothing more than the junction of two streets.</p> - -<p>The houses which surrounded Place aux Chats bore no resemblance to one -another. One had four stories, its next neighbor only two; but in all -alike the heavy<a name="page_112" id="page_112"></a> framework, the enormous beams, were visible, as it was -not then thought worth while to cover them with plaster.</p> - -<p>The roof of each of the houses hung over far beyond the gable end, thus -diminishing the air and light; the windows were small, irregular, and -loosely set, the panes of glass were tiny and dirty; the doors were low -and narrow; the halls dark and begrimed with dirt; the staircases, which -were gloomy, dirty, and slippery, had huge posts of stone or wood for -rails; and there were absolutely no lights.</p> - -<p>Let us not regret the disappearance of Place aux Chats.</p> - -<p>Over the door of one of the tallest houses on this square, which stood -opposite the Cemetery of the Innocents, there was a long, wide board, -painted yellow, bearing these words written in red on the yellow -background:</p> - -<p class="c"> - <small>HÔTEL DU SANGLIER. FURNISHED LODGINGS FOR MAN, - BUT NOT FOR BEAST</small> -</p> - -<p>The Hôtel du Sanglier had three windows on the square; that was almost -luxurious; and it boasted five stories, counting the attics nestled in -the roof.</p> - -<p>It was one of the largest houses on Place aux Chats; and although the -sign stated that horses would not be entertained, it was no infrequent -occurrence for a mounted man to stop and take up his quarters there; in -such cases, his nag was taken to an ass keeper's, on the same square, -who did not entertain horsemen, but was glad to take care of their -beasts, and he almost always had tenants.<a name="page_113" id="page_113"></a></p> - -<p>The Hôtel du Sanglier was kept by a widow, already past middle age, -named Dame Cadichard. She was a short, fat woman, who had been rather -piquant and alluring in her springtime and even during her summer; her -great fault was that she was determined to be piquant and alluring -still, and to forget that her hair was no longer black, her waist no -longer slender, and her complexion no longer fresh. She still had the -flashing glance, the merry laugh, and the sly jest; and from time to -time she talked of remarrying, of giving the late Cadichard a successor. -But at such times the neighbors of the Hôtel du Sanglier asked one -another where the future spouse could be, for, among the guests of the -house or the strangers who frequented it, no one ever had been observed -to pay court to the Widow Cadichard.</p> - -<p>Chaudoreille's godson had lived at the Hôtel du Sanglier for more than a -year; he occupied a very modest little chamber under the eaves, above -the fourth floor. His room was lighted only by a little round window -looking on the square, which, however, he could not see on account of -the overhanging roof; the window, moreover, was so small that only one -person could possibly have looked out at one time.</p> - -<p>The furniture of the apartment was extremely modest; it consisted of a -white wooden bedstead, of the simplest construction, the headboard and -footboard being so insecure that when, in a moment of forgetfulness, the -long, lank chevalier tried to stretch his legs, he instantly<a name="page_114" id="page_114"></a> started -all the screws from their holes, the bed fell apart and vanished, and -the man who was lying upon it found himself stretched on the floor.</p> - -<p>Two straw beds, a mattress as flat as a pancake, and a bolster of hay -composed the bed furnishings. Beside that far from luxurious couch were -a small oak table, two stools, and an enormous chest without a cover, in -which the tenant was entitled to keep his effects; it was probably -intended to serve as a commode.</p> - -<p>A few boards nailed to the wall served the purpose of a wardrobe, and -were embellished by those articles which the tenant found indispensable. -This was called a furnished lodging.</p> - -<p>It is probable, however, that all the rooms in the Hôtel du Sanglier -were not furnished so shabbily; and the Chevalier Passedix knew -something about it; for when he first became a tenant of Dame Cadichard, -he occupied a room on the first floor; at the next quarter day, the -Gascon had gone up to the second floor; three months later, he had been -consigned to the third; the following term, he had occupied the fourth; -and the fifth term, which was now running, he had been relegated to the -eaves. In case the chevalier should prolong his residence at Madame -Cadichard's, he could be sure, at all events, that they would send him -no higher.</p> - -<p>Why these peregrinations of the gallant Passedix on each succeeding -quarter day? That we shall probably learn in the sequel.<a name="page_115" id="page_115"></a></p> - -<p>On leaving Master Hugonnet's house, the Gascon returned with long -strides to Place aux Chats, his mind engrossed by the pretty foreigner -with whom he had fallen in love so suddenly. He was already meditating -the means to which he might resort in order to see her; and from time to -time he put his hand to his belt, in which he usually carried his purse; -but the little leather bag in which he kept his money contained at that -moment only a few copper coins.</p> - -<p>"Sandioux! my family is very dilatory about sending me money!" muttered -Passedix, shaking his head angrily. "And without money it is very -difficult to corrupt servants, to procure the delivery of a billet-doux. -I know that my genius will supply the lack, but it would go more quickly -with the help of funds.—But, no matter! first of all, I must put on an -entirely clean ruff. I must also have those two buttons sewn on my -doublet; then I will take my stand as a sentinel in front of the Hôtel -de Mongarcin, and I will observe what goes on there, and what persons -come from and go to the citadel."</p> - -<p>Passedix, arrived at his hotel, entered by the low door, then, turning -to the right, passed into a room where the mistress of the house was -usually to be found, and where each tenant's keys hung on the wall, with -the numbers attached.</p> - -<p>Widow Cadichard was seated in a capacious armchair, before a table; she -was in the act of eating a vegetable soup so thick that one could eat it -with a fork; beside the soup tureen, which exhaled a vapor by no means<a name="page_116" id="page_116"></a> -disagreeable to a keen appetite, four very fine eggs lay on a napkin in -a plate. An egg glass and a bountiful supply of small squares of toast, -which were beside the plate, indicated in what manner the eggs were to -be eaten.</p> - -<p>When her tenant entered the room, the short, stout dame flashed a glance -at him in which there was vexation and anger; but in an instant she -resumed her sprightly manner and went on eating her soup.</p> - -<p>The chevalier bowed to the widow and walked toward the place where the -keys were hanging.</p> - -<p>"Well, well!" he cried; "what does this mean, cadédis! my key is not on -its nail! Have you it in your possession, Madame Cadichard?"</p> - -<p>"I! On my word! Why should I have the key to your room, I should like to -know? Do I go to your room? Do I have any occasion to go there?"</p> - -<p>"Then it must be Popelinette, the servant, who has it?"</p> - -<p>"Apparently!"</p> - -<p>"So she is doing my housework, is she? That happens very conveniently, -for I will ask her to sew two buttons on my doublet. I suppose that she -is supplied with needles and thread, as every good servant should be."</p> - -<p>"I don't know whether Popelinette has needles and thread with her; but -what I can tell you is this—that she isn't in your room now."</p> - -<p>"Then she must be here; do me the favor to call her, Dame Cadichard; I -am in haste to go up and make a bit of a toilet."<a name="page_117" id="page_117"></a></p> - -<p>"I am distressed to be unable to gratify you, monsieur le chevalier, but -Popelinette is not in the house; she has gone out; she has gone to do an -errand for the new tenant who came a week ago, and who occupies my fine -apartment on the first floor."</p> - -<p>"Ah! your first floor is let, is it? I am very glad for you, my -respected hostess, although I might be justified in complaining of the -rather harsh manner in which you have behaved toward me! Capédébious! -every quarter day, you make me move—go up one flight—on the pretext -that my last lodging is let; whereas only the mice take my place. Do you -know, Widow Cadichard, that I should be fully justified in complaining -of such treatment?"</p> - -<p>"You would be justified also in paying me your rent each quarter, and -that is what you haven't done, monsieur le chevalier; for I don't know -the color of your money, and you have been living in my house more than -a year!"</p> - -<p>"It is true, my family is very dilatory; I haven't received my allowance -for a long time; but they will send it all to me in a lump!—After all, -how have I injured you? You never have a cat in your Hôtel du Sanglier! -You ought to thank me for brightening up this old house a bit!"</p> - -<p>"Thank you! yes, if you had been agreeable, gallant, attentive to me, I -might not have made you go up so high, perhaps; but you never passed an -evening here<a name="page_118" id="page_118"></a> chatting with me! Monsieur always has to go running about -the city! Monsieur has so many intrigues!"</p> - -<p>Passedix turned his face away, biting his lips, and hastened to change -the subject.</p> - -<p>"Sandioux! how good that soup smells!" he cried. "I don't know what it's -made of, but, judging from the odor, it must be a most delicious -compound!"</p> - -<p>The stout hostess refused to be melted by this exclamation; she -continued to eat and talk:</p> - -<p>"But luckily all my tenants do not resemble Monsieur de Passedix! There -are some who pay, and who are very amiable with me besides. For -instance, this new-comer, this foreigner who has been here a week—he -paid a fortnight in advance, he didn't haggle at all over the price, and -yet he pays me forty crowns a month for my first floor!"</p> - -<p>"Bigre! that's rather good!"</p> - -<p>"But I am sure that that man is a grand seigneur—but that doesn't -prevent him from often talking with me; he isn't a bit proud!—Yesterday -I dined alone—well! he sat down here and kept me company. He's a very -good-looking fellow, and quite young still—thirty at most!"</p> - -<p>"What do you call this fascinating cavalier?"</p> - -<p>"The Comte de Carvajal; he's a Spaniard."</p> - -<p>"The deuce! the Comte de Carvajal!—Yes, I believe that is a great -Spanish family.—Sandis! but I must confess, lovely hostess, that it -seems to me rather strange that this grand seigneur, instead of -occupying a handsome mansion in the neighborhood of the Palais-Cardinal -or<a name="page_119" id="page_119"></a> the Arsenal, comes to Place aux Chats to nest—with the Cemetery of -the Innocents opposite! It is not absolutely cheerful—and a hotel where -his horses and carriages cannot be accommodated!"</p> - -<p>"What does this mean, Monsieur Passedix? you are crying down my hotel -now! You call this a bad quarter—then why did you come here to lodge? -And why have you lodged more than a year on this Place aux Chats, which -you despise?"</p> - -<p>"I, despise Place aux Chats! God forbid, dear Madame Cadichard! On the -contrary, I consider it most romantic; and then I, being afraid of -nothing, not even of ghosts and phantoms, am not at all sorry to live -just opposite a cemetery; for if it should happen to occur to some dead -man to come to say a word to me at night, I swear to you that I should -be overjoyed to have news from the other world."</p> - -<p>"Hush—impious man!—He makes me shudder over my soup!—You know -perfectly well that the dead don't return!"</p> - -<p>"I know that there are a great many things that don't return, unhappily; -and you know it, too, plump Cadichard!"</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that, monsieur le chevalier?"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! how time flies with us all!—But let us return to your -Spanish grandee, who has chosen the Hôtel du Sanglier for his abode; he -must have a numerous suite of servants and horses and carriages?"<a name="page_120" id="page_120"></a></p> - -<p>"Not at all; he has none of those things. He is alone; it seems that he -is at Paris incognito!"</p> - -<p>"What! not an esquire, not a valet, not even a single little mule to -prance along the Fossés Jaunes?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing, I tell you; for he doesn't go to court, so that the grands -seigneurs of his acquaintance need not know that he is in Paris."</p> - -<p>Passedix shook his head and muttered:</p> - -<p>"Hum! a Spanish grandee who hasn't one poor lackey in his service—that -seems suspicious to me! Where does this noble cavalier pass his time, -pray, if he doesn't frequent good society, the agreeable rakes of the -court, and dandies like myself."</p> - -<p>"Monsieur de Carvajal doesn't often go out during the day. In the first -place, he rises very late; but, to tell the truth, he comes home very -late, too. As he doesn't want to disturb anyone, he has told Popelinette -not to sit up for him; he asked me to give him a duplicate key to the -street door, so that he can come in at whatever hour of the night he -pleases; and he takes pains not to make any noise, for we never hear him -coming and going; it seems that in Spain people are in the habit of -walking about at night."</p> - -<p>"In Spain, perhaps, because it's warm there and the nights are fine; but -here, where it still freezes in the morning—for our spring is -devilishly behindhand! I believe that your gallant stranger is a blade -who does his work under the rose. There must be some love intrigue on -the<a name="page_121" id="page_121"></a> carpet—some husband to be deceived.—Sandioux! I don't blame your -Spaniard for that. Love is such a delicious thing—and when it attacks -us—ah!"</p> - -<p>Here Passedix heaved a sigh which lasted so long that his hostess -dropped her spoon and stared at him, as if trying to make out whether -she had anything to do with that prolonged groan. But the Gascon, -instead of responding to the Widow Cadichard's alluring glance, turned -away abruptly and began to pace the floor, crying:</p> - -<p>"Cadédis! Popelinette does not return! it is insufferable! I want to -dress!"</p> - -<p>"Dress? I didn't know that you had any other doublet than that."</p> - -<p>"Possibly not; but there are different ways of wearing it; besides, I -want to put on a clean ruff, and I need to have two buttons sewn on."</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! have you an assignation for this afternoon?"</p> - -<p>"If that were so, it seems to me, Widow Cadichard, that it is my -business!—Will you sew on my buttons?"</p> - -<p>"I! I should think not! Go to your mistress!"</p> - -<p>Passedix stamped the floor in vexation. At that moment the door of the -room was suddenly thrown open, and the Gascon uttered an exclamation of -satisfaction, for he expected to see the maid-servant of the hotel; but -he was speedily undeceived. Instead of Popelinette, it was the foreigner -who appeared in the doorway.<a name="page_122" id="page_122"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="XI" id="XI"></a>XI<br /><br /> -<small>THE FOREIGNER</small></h2> - -<p>The new tenant of the Hôtel du Sanglier paused on the threshold when he -saw that there was someone with his hostess; he even took a step -backward, as if he did not intend to enter. But in a moment, changing -his mind, he walked into the room with a certain gravity of demeanor -which was not without distinction.</p> - -<p>The Gascon chevalier scrutinized the new arrival with interest, for he -suspected that it was the foreigner whom Dame Cadichard was so proud to -have under her roof, and he was curious to see whether he deserved the -high-flown praise which his hostess had lavished on him.</p> - -<p>A single glance was sufficient to satisfy Passedix that the sprightly -widow had not exaggerated at all. The gentleman who had just entered the -room was still young, tall and well built; his features were handsome -and refined, his eyes slightly veiled, but full of fire and expression; -he wore no beard on his chin, but only small moustaches curled a little -upward at the ends.<a name="page_123" id="page_123"></a></p> - -<p>He wore with easy grace a rich velvet cloak, over an elegant pale-blue -doublet; a beautiful white plume lay along the broad brim of his hat, -and the sword at his side was suspended from a belt trimmed with rich -lace.</p> - -<p>The stranger bowed most courteously as he walked into the room. Passedix -made haste to return his salutation, saying to himself:</p> - -<p>"He is a good-looking fellow, sandioux! I am too just to deny it. Almost -as handsome a man as myself, and that is no small thing to say!"</p> - -<p>Widow Cadichard had risen hastily on the entrance of her tenant, to whom -she made a low reverence.</p> - -<p>"Monsieur de Carvajal, your servant," she exclaimed; "I have the honor -to salute you! Pray be kind enough to take a seat, monsieur le comte; do -you wish for anything? Perhaps you are looking for Popelinette? She -hasn't returned yet, and that annoys you. She is not very quick when she -has an errand to do. Would you like me to go to meet her, monseigneur?"</p> - -<p>The stranger waited till this torrent of words had ceased, then replied, -with a smile:</p> - -<p>"What I wish first of all, my dear hostess, is that you will not put -yourself out and that you will continue your repast."</p> - -<p>"Oh! indeed I will do nothing of the sort, monsieur le comte; I know too -well what I owe to you."</p> - -<p>"In that case, madame, you will compel me to withdraw, for I do not like -ceremony."<a name="page_124" id="page_124"></a></p> - -<p>"Oh! monsieur le comte, since you insist, since you command me, I will -do it to obey you. But allow me first to offer you a chair."</p> - -<p>While Madame Cadichard bustled about the room, looking for her best -easy-chair and the best place in the room to put it, Passedix approached -the new-comer and addressed him, trying all the while to hide with his -cloak that part of his doublet from which the buttons were missing.</p> - -<p>"I presume that I have the honor to salute one of my neighbors? I say -<i>neighbors</i>, because we both live in the same hotel; only I am at the -top and monsieur le comte is at the bottom. But men of honor are always -on the same level."</p> - -<p>"Ah! does monsieur live in this hotel?" rejoined the stranger, bowing to -the Gascon.</p> - -<p>"With your kind permission."</p> - -<p>"What, monsieur! why, I can only be flattered to have monsieur for my -neighbor."</p> - -<p>"Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix, godson of the most honorable Chaudoreille, -who left me only this sword, his trusty Roland, a finely tempered blade, -which I dare to say that I use in an honorable way! My reputation in -that regard is made!—And monsieur is the Comte de Carvajal, the noble -Spaniard whom Dame Cadichard is so fortunate as to have as her tenant in -the Hôtel du Sanglier?"</p> - -<p>"Madame Cadichard would do well, then, to be a little more discreet, and -to respect the incognito which her guests desire to maintain."<a name="page_125" id="page_125"></a></p> - -<p>The stout landlady blushed when she heard that; she realized that she -deserved the rebuke, and in her despair dropped the spoon which she was -about to raise to her mouth, and which remained standing upright in the -soup.</p> - -<p>But the stranger, as he lay back in the easy-chair she had offered him, -continued, with something very like a smile:</p> - -<p>"However, I do not feel that I have the courage to bear any ill will to -our excellent hostess, since I owe to her the acquaintance of so -illustrious a knight as Monsieur de Passedix, who, I am convinced, will -not betray the incognito which important considerations compel me to -adopt at this moment, in Paris."</p> - -<p>The Gascon bowed again, taking care not to relax his hold of the corners -of his cloak, and replied:</p> - -<p>"You may rely on my discretion, monsieur le comte; the secrets that are -intrusted to me will go down with me into the darkness of the grave, -unless I am released from my oath."</p> - -<p>Thereupon the chevalier seized a chair and placed it at the table, -opposite Madame Cadichard, who had taken one of the eggs from the plate -and was trying to devise some refined method of breaking the shell and -dipping her pieces of toast into the egg, in her illustrious tenant's -presence.</p> - -<p>"I will not presume to ask monsieur le comte how he passes his time in -Paris; that is his business, and I never meddle in other people's -affairs! But I venture to say that I should be an invaluable guide for a -stranger who<a name="page_126" id="page_126"></a> wished to become acquainted with the pleasures, the merry -gatherings, of the capital. I go about a great deal in the best society. -I am a jovial companion, a sturdy toper; all the dandies, all the young -noblemen who love to fight and drink and make love to the fair, are my -friends. Does anyone need a second for a duel, a fourth for a party of -four, Passedix is always there! I do not like to boast, but I could -mention exploits of my own which the Amadises and Renauds would not have -disavowed!"</p> - -<p>"One needs only to see you, chevalier, to entertain no manner of doubt -that you would be successful in whatever you might undertake!"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur le comte is too kind! But it is quite true that I count only -victories, sandioux!"</p> - -<p>"If I remember aright," murmured the little widow, carefully placing a -bit of toast in her egg, "you were on your back a fortnight as a result -of the blows you received the last time that you tried to rob several -bourgeois on Rue Mauconseil of their sleep!"</p> - -<p>Passedix cast a savage glance at his landlady, as he cried:</p> - -<p>"No, no! you are wrong, Dame Cadichard. I covered myself with glory in -that affair; and if I did keep my bed for some time after, it was only -because, in the heat of the affray, I gave myself a strain which kept me -from going to my usual resorts for a few days. Your eggs are too hard, -<i>belle dame</i>, you will never be able to dip your toast in them. I advise -you to eat them as a salad."<a name="page_127" id="page_127"></a></p> - -<p>"They are all right, monsieur le chevalier; I like them this way.—Mon -Dieu! how sorry I am, monsieur le comte, that my servant keeps you -waiting like this!"</p> - -<p>"There is no harm done, madame, I am in no hurry."</p> - -<p>"If only I had something to offer monsieur le comte; but this breakfast -is not worthy of him."</p> - -<p>"I should think it very nice, if I had not already eaten mine."</p> - -<p>"In any case," observed Passedix, "you wouldn't offer your tenants -boiled eggs, I trust; for these are as hard as rocks—like Easter eggs."</p> - -<p>"Oh! what a tease you are, monsieur le chevalier! But I think that you -know very little about cooking!"</p> - -<p>"Sandioux! Dame Cadichard—on the contrary, I know a great deal about -it. My godfather Chaudoreille used to give his friends banquets that -lasted a whole week; I remember that he used to have delicacies from the -four quarters of the globe, and he was not satisfied unless his guests -had indigestion.—If Monsieur de Carvajal has no restaurant to which he -is attached, I could take him to a cabaret where they serve the most -delicious calves' heads, and stewed rabbits <i>en crapaudine</i>—you would -swear they were hares."</p> - -<p>"I thank you, chevalier; but I do not take my meals at wine shops."</p> - -<p>"I understand—I understand. You prefer darkness and mystery, with some -fair lady who awaits you in her <i>petite maison</i>; for we have ladies who -have them, as well<a name="page_128" id="page_128"></a> as men; I know something about it, for I have supped -in more than one of those enchanting retreats—near Porte Saint-Antoine, -on the other side of the Fossés Jaunes. I am not inquisitive, I do not -mean to ask you indiscreet questions; but, between us, monsieur le -comte, I will take the liberty to give you a piece of advice; it is -this: it is not very safe in certain quarters of Paris at night; people -are attacked, robbed, and sometimes murdered, without anyone interfering -to prevent it. I warn you of this, because our landlady told me that you -went out very late, and returned at very advanced hours of the night. -That is imprudent! extremely imprudent!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! madame told you that, did she?" rejoined the stranger, with a -glance at Widow Cadichard that arrested one of the pieces of toast on -its way to her mouth.</p> - -<p>"I," murmured the little woman—"I said—that is—no, I said nothing. I -don't know why monsieur le chevalier brings me into all the fables he -invents. He would do better to pay the rent he owes me!"</p> - -<p>"What is that, Widow Cadichard? I believe that you dared to say that I -invent!—Cadédis! that is too much! I, invent anything!—I suppose that -you didn't tell me also just now that monsieur had asked you for a -duplicate key to the street door, so that he could go in and out at -night without disturbing anyone; and that he had forbidden Popelinette -to sit up for him; and that it was the fashion in Spain to walk the -streets at night? To which I replied that it was not so warm in France -as in the<a name="page_129" id="page_129"></a> beautiful land of the Andalusians.—Ah! I invented all -that—sandioux! If all that I have just said was not told me by you, I -hope that this egg will choke me while I speak!—Look! didn't I tell you -that they were all hard? But I am an ignoramus, I don't know anything -about cooking. And this one is just the same; as they all are!"</p> - -<p>As he spoke, the Gascon took up an egg and dexterously stripped it of -its shell; after which, he made but one mouthful of it, and was about to -do as much with a second one, when the landlady angrily pounced on the -plate in which the others were and put it in her lap, saying:</p> - -<p>"Well, monsieur, have you nearly finished swallowing my eggs as if they -were little tarts? Really, you don't stand on ceremony! If it wasn't for -my respect for monsieur le comte, I would tell you what I think of your -conduct."</p> - -<p>"What would you tell me, alluring Cadichard?—that I am a libertine, a -scatterbrain, and that I owe you for four quarters? Cadédis! that is no -crime; every day, gentlemen of good family find themselves short of -money; and a few days later they roll in gold and doubloons.—Isn't that -so, Monsieur de Carvajal?"</p> - -<p>"It is, in truth, a common occurrence, monsieur le chevalier."</p> - -<p>"At this moment, I know several noble lords who are in my plight. Among -others, the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, of whom you have heard, -doubtless?"<a name="page_130" id="page_130"></a></p> - -<p>"Yes, the name is not unknown to me."</p> - -<p>"It is one of the oldest families of Languedoc. The old Marquis de -Marvejols is very rich, but he is a little strict with his son, although -he has no other child. To be sure, Léodgard did run through the fortune -he got from his mother rather rapidly. He's a young buck who travels -fast—a gallant of my stamp; he loves cards and wine and the -ladies.—Yes, sweet Cadichard, we love the ladies; but they must not fly -into a passion when we condescend to taste a little egg in their -honor.—To return to Léodgard, he has had hard luck of late! He had won -a very neat little sum at cards, contrary to his custom, and was -returning to his house at night, when he was attacked by Giovanni, that -famous brigand, you know, who is at this moment the terror of the -capital. You must have heard of him, monsieur le comte?"</p> - -<p>"No; this is the first time that I have heard that name."</p> - -<p>"You surprise me! Sandioux! Giovanni already has a tremendous reputation -in this country. He must be very skilful with the sword to have beaten -young Marvejols, who fights—almost as well as I do.—The result is that -everybody is afraid of the man. But so far as I am concerned, the -contrary is true; indeed, I would like very much to meet this famous -robber!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! that's because you are not afraid of being robbed!" said the little -landlady, pressing her lips together spitefully.<a name="page_131" id="page_131"></a></p> - -<p>"Always some piquant little remark, sweet Cadichard!—I overlook them, I -overlook anything in the fair sex!"</p> - -<p>"And why would you like to meet this—this Giovanni, monsieur le -chevalier?" asked the stranger, playing with his sword hilt.</p> - -<p>"Why, monsieur le comte, because I flatter myself that I should be more -fortunate than poor Léodgard! And that infernal knave would receive at -my hand the reward of his brigandage! I would give myself the pleasure -of burying six inches of Roland in his throat. Ah! sandioux! I can see -from here the wry face he would make!—Does that make you laugh, -Monsieur de Carvajal?"</p> - -<p>"Why, yes, because it occurs to me, too, that in such a battle as you -suggest one of the two would, in fact, be likely to cause the other to -make a strange grimace."</p> - -<p>"One of the two! Do you doubt that I should triumph?"</p> - -<p>"I in no wise doubt your valor, monsieur le chevalier; but as for your -triumph, permit me to think that it is better not to make any assertions -beforehand—the most valiant are conquered sometimes; fortune is -capricious to fighting men as well as to lovers."</p> - -<p>Passedix bit his lips and drew his eyebrows together. The hostess, who -had decided to remove the shells from her eggs, said to the tenant of -her first floor:</p> - -<p>"In any case, monsieur le comte, it is always prudent not to go out at -night unless you are well armed; for my part, I don't dare to go to the -theatre at the Hôtel de<a name="page_132" id="page_132"></a> Bourgogne, because it ends too late! It's -half-past eight sometimes when they finish the beautiful tragedy of -<i>Sophonisbé</i>, by Monsieur Mairet, which I would have liked to see, all -the same!"</p> - -<p>"<i>Sophonisbé!</i> Faith! I prefer his last tragedy, the <i>Duc d'Ossone</i>—the -verses are more sonorous, the subject more warlike.—What say you, -monsieur le comte?"</p> - -<p>"I do not go to the play."</p> - -<p>"Where in the devil does the Spaniard go?" thought Passedix, draping -himself in his cloak; "never to the court, never to a wine shop, never -to the play! He wants to make us think that he's always shut up with -some petticoat!"</p> - -<p>And the Gascon swayed to and fro on his chair and caressed his chin, as -he continued:</p> - -<p>"For my part, I am a great frequenter of the theatre."</p> - -<p>"You go to Brioché's theatre on Pont Neuf!" laughed Madame Cadichard; -"there's a show outside; that doesn't cost anything!"</p> - -<p>"I go where I choose, madame! It seems to me that I am entitled to. -Brioché's marionettes are not to be despised, and the proof is that -great crowds go there—leaders of society and idlers, <i>belles dames</i> and -<i>bourgeoises</i>. But that does not interfere with my being one of the most -assiduous spectators at the Hôtel de Bourgogne; I know all Alexandre -Hardy's plays, and I believe he has written over six hundred; he is my -favorite author, and I prefer him to this Jean Mairet, who is laden -with<a name="page_133" id="page_133"></a> favors by the Cardinal de Richelieu, the Duc de Longueville, and -the Comte de Soissons, because he has written a dozen or so of -tragedies! A fine showing, forsooth, beside Hardy's six hundred -plays!—Ah! cadédis! if I had ever undertaken to write, it would have -been a different story!—But I prefer the sword to the pen; one must not -derogate from his rank!"</p> - -<p>At that moment, an old servant of more than sixty years, whose skin had -such a dark-yellow tinge that she might at need have been passed off as -a Moor, entered the room and approached the stranger. It was -Popelinette, just returned from performing her commission.</p> - -<p>"Here are all the things you told me to get, monsieur le comte—gloves, -perfumery—the nicest and daintiest I could find; and <i>mouches</i> and -paint; and here is the money that is left."</p> - -<p>"Very good; keep that for your trouble."</p> - -<p>"Oh! you are very kind, monseigneur! I thank you very humbly!"</p> - -<p>"Does the fellow mean to disguise himself as a woman?" Passedix thought, -glancing furtively at Popelinette's purchases, which she had placed on a -table. "Paint! <i>mouches!</i> perfumery! Fie, fie! all those things do very -well for shepherds in Arcady. I begin to conceive a very singular -opinion of this Spaniard!"</p> - -<p>"It took you a very long time to do the errand monsieur le comte gave -you to do!" said the plump Cadichard<a name="page_134" id="page_134"></a> to her servant. "You must try to -make your legs work a little livelier when you go out."</p> - -<p>"But, madame, I went to the best perfumer on Rue Saint-Honoré, near the -Couvent des Capucines; that's a long way."</p> - -<p>"Monsieur le Chevalier Passedix has been waiting impatiently for you; he -needs your help—some buttons to sew on his doublet."</p> - -<p>"Again!" muttered Popelinette, with a most disrespectful gesture.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?" cried the Gascon, raising his head; "I -should like to know if you are not here to wait upon the tenants? I -consider your reply a little impertinent, my girl!"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! don't be angry, monsieur le chevalier; I don't refuse to do -what you want; but I meant that your doublet has been patched and mended -so often that the buttons I sew on are likely not to hold, for lack of -material to sew them to."</p> - -<p>"It is easy to see, old Popelinette, that you no longer have your eyes -of twenty years! otherwise, you would not abuse thus a garment which is -almost new, and which owes the numerous patches that cover it solely to -the sword thrusts I have received in single combats and others. But they -are titles to renown, and that is why I am fond of this doublet; if I -should buy a new one, within a week it would be riddled by sword thrusts -as this one is; one doesn't go to the water without getting wet.—Well! -my<a name="page_135" id="page_135"></a> girl, take a needle and thread and let us have done with it, for the -day is advancing, and I should already be somewhere else!"</p> - -<p>The old servant grumblingly took what she needed to repair the Gascon's -doublet. For some moments, the stranger had been examining what -Popelinette had brought him; at last he carefully replaced all the -articles in paper and put them in his pocket one after another, as if he -were preparing to take his leave.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sandioux!" cried Passedix, partly unbuttoning his doublet so that -the servant could work more conveniently; "yes, I long to pursue a -certain adventure, the heroine of which surpasses the Venus of Medici!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! monsieur le chevalier makes Venuses out of every retroussé nose he -meets!" said Dame Cadichard, shrugging her shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Do you think so, charming hostess? I should say that I have never given -you reason to think that my taste was bad!"</p> - -<p>The landlady turned her little eyes on the Gascon, like a person who -does not know whether she ought to take in good or ill part what is said -to her. Passedix continued:</p> - -<p>"By the way, I made her acquaintance in such singular fashion!—Ah! be -careful, Popelinette, you are pricking me as if I were a pincushion!"</p> - -<p>"Goodness! it isn't my fault, monsieur; you keep moving all the time!"<a name="page_136" id="page_136"></a></p> - -<p>"That is my nature; I could not keep still for a moment; that is due to -the heat of my blood—to the smoking lava that flows in my veins! I am a -volcano! and then, the image of that Italian was well adapted to make my -legs twitch!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! your conquest is an Italian, is she, monsieur le chevalier?" said -the stranger, who had taken a step or two toward the door, but who -turned at that and looked at Passedix.</p> - -<p>"Yes, monsieur le comte; that is to say, she isn't exactly an Italian, -although she wears the costume of a Milanese; she was born in Béarn, but -it seems that she has lived in Milan many years. I give you my word that -she is a dainty morsel, that little Miretta!"</p> - -<p>When he heard the name Miretta, the foreigner could not restrain a -gesture of surprise; but he recovered himself instantly, walked back to -the easy-chair he had just left, and resumed his seat, saying:</p> - -<p>"Really, monsieur le chevalier, you make me very curious; and if I were -not afraid of being indiscreet in asking you how you made the -acquaintance of this girl, who, you say, is so pretty, I should take -great pleasure in hearing of it."</p> - -<p>"There is no indiscretion in your request, count; indeed, the affair -took place in the presence of numerous witnesses and made quite a -sensation this morning. I will stake my head that it will be the talk of -the court and the whole city this evening. I will tell you all about<a name="page_137" id="page_137"></a> -it.—Go on, Popelinette; it needn't prevent you from sewing on my -buttons."</p> - -<p>Thereupon the Gascon chevalier described what had taken place that -morning in front of Master Hugonnet's house; and in his narrative, -carried away doubtless by his interest in the pretty Milanese, Passedix -embellished the truth with a number of episodes which he deemed likely -to heighten the effect. For instance, he did not fail to say that on -several occasions he had saved Cédrille from certain death by throwing -himself in front of the swords that threatened him; in a word, it was -due to his courage that the two travellers succeeded in escaping from -the fury of those who surrounded them.</p> - -<p>The foreigner listened to the Gascon with the closest attention. When -the latter had finished, the other looked fixedly at him and said:</p> - -<p>"Now, what do you expect to do, chevalier?"</p> - -<p>"What! By Venus! follow up the adventure, watch for the little one to -come out, join her, declare my passion, soften her heart—a mere trifle! -The rest will go of itself."</p> - -<p>"No doubt!" muttered Dame Cadichard; "if the girl is a good-for-nothing -who listens to the first comer!"</p> - -<p>"Whom do you call a first comer, madame? do you dare to apply those -words to Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix?—Sandioux! you are pricking me, -Popelinette! do be careful!"</p> - -<p>"I mean to say, monsieur, that this girl does not know you; and if she -is virtuous——"<a name="page_138" id="page_138"></a></p> - -<p>"Cadédis! all women are virtuous before they have sinned; and since the -days of Eve, who allowed herself to be tempted by a serpent, how many -women have stumbled—— Oh! this old woman is determined to spit me like -a roasted hare!"</p> - -<p>"But in order to watch for this Italian," observed the Spaniard, "it is -necessary first of all that you should know where she lives in Paris."</p> - -<p>"Oh! I know that; I know where Miretta is at this moment; I even know -why she has come to Paris. I am perfectly informed—but upon this matter -you will allow me to keep silent. The little one is too dainty a morsel -for me to show her nest to other men, and I am sure that you will -consider that I am right to act thus."</p> - -<p>The foreigner rose and bowed to the Gascon.</p> - -<p>"Good luck in your love affairs, Chevalier Passedix!"</p> - -<p>"Infinitely obliged! Much pleasure in your nocturnal walks, monsieur le -comte!"</p> - -<p>The foreigner took his leave. The landlady renewed her humble -reverences, and Passedix muttered:</p> - -<p>"A singular man, this Monsieur de Carvajal!"</p> - -<p>"You are all sewed up, monsieur," said Popelinette; "but, bless me! I -won't swear it will hold long, the stuff is so rotten!"</p> - -<p>"Very good! all right! I didn't ask you about that!—He buys paint, -<i>mouches</i>, perfumes!—he's an effeminate creature!"<a name="page_139" id="page_139"></a></p> - -<p>"I don't think," said the little hostess, "that it is so unpleasant to -perfume one's self, and to leave an agreeable odor behind one as one -passes!"</p> - -<p>"I have never needed that to please the fair! And when I eat wild duck, -I don't like to have it smell of musk!"</p> - -<p>The Gascon hurried from the room and went up to his fifth floor, while -Dame Cadichard exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Ah! if I only had a loft over his room!"</p> - -<p>Popelinette put away her needle and thread, muttering:</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! he doesn't smell of musk, that fellow! he doesn't need to deny -it!"</p> - -<h2><a name="XII" id="XII"></a>XII<br /><br /> -<small>VALENTINE DE MONGARCIN</small></h2> - -<p>Let us transport ourselves to Rue Saint-Honoré, to the interior of a -magnificent mansion, where everything is eloquent of wealth, splendor, -and refinement, where the furniture and hangings represent all that is -most beautiful and dainty in the products of that age. There we shall -find Madame de Ravenelle and her niece, Valentine de Mongarcin.</p> - -<p>Madame de Ravenelle was seventy-two years of age; she had once been -pretty, she was still fresh and plump;<a name="page_140" id="page_140"></a> for the anxieties, the cares, -the griefs, which often make one old much more rapidly than time, had -never darkened her life, which had flowed on as placidly and gently as -the waters of a stream hidden by tall grasses and never disturbed by the -traveller's oar.</p> - -<p>The old lady, blessed with a cheerful, heedless, and, above all, selfish -disposition, had known how to submit philosophically to those petty -disagreements from which no one is wholly exempt throughout the course -of a long life. Having an excellent stomach, and very little -susceptibility, she always sat down at the table with a good appetite, -and never had recourse to the doctors. Incapable of doing anything -unkind or spiteful, which would have disturbed the harmony of her -temperament, she listened without emotion to the tale of another -person's woes; and yet, she was quite ready to be humane, and often did -a kind deed, when it was not likely to cause her either fatigue or -trouble.</p> - -<p>Valentine de Mongarcin had been brought up at a convent; but there, no -less than in society, she had been fully aware that she was the sole -inheritress of a great name and a great fortune; flattery, which -insinuates itself everywhere, makes its way into convents; pretty, -clever, but proud of her name and her rank, Valentine had discovered too -early in life that people were eager to gratify all her desires; she had -grown up with the idea that her will was never to be thwarted; and, -although possessed of a sensitive heart, and of a noble soul capable of -noble<a name="page_141" id="page_141"></a> deeds, she had contracted a haughty, disdainful manner, which had -made her but few friends.</p> - -<p>At the age of eighteen, her figure had developed, her bearing had become -noble and dignified, her features were regular, and the outlines of her -face exquisitely pure; her hair was as black as ebony, and her great -gray eyes, with their long black lashes, had a most seductive expression -when they did not choose to express arrogance or scorn.</p> - -<p>On leaving the convent to occupy her father's mansion, Valentine had not -presented herself to her aunt in the guise of a timid girl who claims -the support and protection of her only remaining relation; she had -appeared like a conqueror making his triumphal entry into a city which -he has compelled to capitulate; but she had to deal with a person who -worried her head very little over the airs and tone which other people -adopted toward her.</p> - -<p>Madame de Ravenelle received her niece with the smile which had become -stereotyped on her face; she considered her beautiful and well made, and -was gratified that that was the case; but if Valentine had been ugly or -deformed, the old lady would speedily have consoled herself. Between two -persons of such temperaments, there was no danger that there would ever -be any lack of harmony; for to every question that Valentine asked on -her arrival, Madame de Ravenelle replied:</p> - -<p>"Do whatever you please in the house; command and you will be obeyed, -provided that you disturb nothing<a name="page_142" id="page_142"></a> in my apartment and my personal -service. I have my women, you will have yours; I shall not thwart you in -anything, for my brother's daughter would be incapable of doing anything -unworthy of her rank. And if the company I receive should bore you, you -will be at liberty not to appear in the salon."</p> - -<p>Mademoiselle de Mongarcin could not ask for more liberty or greater -power; the confidence that her aunt manifested in her pleased her; she -would have rebelled against a stern affection that would have tried to -guide her, but she was amiable and affectionate with one who was simply -indifferent to her.</p> - -<p>Young Valentine considered the old hangings of the Hôtel de Mongarcin -gloomy and repellent; she had them all changed or renewed, and the -furniture as well. But nothing was disturbed in the apartment occupied -by Madame de Ravenelle. Some of the servants having failed to carry out -the girl's orders quickly enough, she dismissed them and engaged others; -but her aunt's maid and her old male attendant were outside of her -authority.</p> - -<p>The Hôtel de Mongarcin became more fashionable; it assumed a more -youthful, a gayer aspect; frequent entertainments were given there by -musicians, jugglers, and gypsies; it amused Valentine, and it was all a -matter of indifference to Madame de Ravenelle.</p> - -<p>One day, however, the old lady said to her niece:</p> - -<p>"By the way, Valentine, have you ever heard of the young Comte Léodgard -de Marvejols?"<a name="page_143" id="page_143"></a></p> - -<p>"The name is familiar to me, and I have an idea that my father often -mentioned it.—Why do you ask me that question, aunt?"</p> - -<p>"Because my brother was very desirous that young Léodgard should some -day become your husband."</p> - -<p>"Ah! my father desired it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; he told me so again just before he died. He was very closely -attached to young Léodgard's father, who had the same wish."</p> - -<p>"Well, aunt?"</p> - -<p>"Well, niece, you shall marry the young count, if that meets your -views!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! there's time for that! for my father surely would not desire to -force my inclination, if he were alive."</p> - -<p>"I cannot say what your father would have done if he had lived; but I -know very well that I have no desire to torment you."</p> - -<p>"You are so good, aunt!"</p> - -<p>"Why, yes, I am tolerably good!"</p> - -<p>"And do you know this young Comte de Marvejols?"</p> - -<p>"I have seen him two or three times in company."</p> - -<p>"What is he like, aunt?"</p> - -<p>"A very good-looking young man; very well built, and with a decidedly -rakish air. But young men sometimes assume those airs in society, in -order to give themselves an appearance of aplomb and self-assurance; -very often they mean nothing at all!"<a name="page_144" id="page_144"></a></p> - -<p>"Well, if this Monsieur Léodgard desires to become my husband, I suppose -that he will come to pay court to me first."</p> - -<p>"Why, that is to be presumed. However, you will see his father, Monsieur -le Marquis de Marvejols, at my receptions before long; he is a man very -highly considered, in very good odor at court, but of a rather severe -humor."</p> - -<p>"What does that matter to me? it is not the father who wishes to marry -me!"</p> - -<p>"That is true."</p> - -<p>"And if this Monsieur Léodgard shared his father's wishes, it seems to -me, aunt, that he would manifest more eagerness to see me; for it is -nearly two months since I left the convent, and he has not called here -as yet."</p> - -<p>"That is true, niece; but perhaps the young man is travelling."</p> - -<p>Madame de Ravenelle's invariably placid and equable temperament -sometimes irritated Valentine, whose blood was ardent and boiling; but -she dissembled her impatience, for she could not be angry with her aunt, -who always agreed with her.</p> - -<p>About a month after this conversation, Valentine had attended a large -party given by the Duchesse de Longueville, and had met Léodgard there. -The young count had presented his respects to Madame de Ravenelle and -her niece, but with the cold and formal manner of a man who had the -greatest disinclination to marriage and did not desire to gratify his -parents' wishes.<a name="page_145" id="page_145"></a></p> - -<p>On her side, Valentine de Mongarcin, piqued by the young man's lack of -zeal in cultivating her acquaintance, had received his compliments with -an air of indifference, almost of disdain, which deprived her face of -all the fascination it sometimes had.</p> - -<p>We have seen that the result of the meeting had been to confirm Léodgard -in his repugnance to that alliance.</p> - -<p>As for Valentine, she had not said a single word on the subject of -Léodgard, and Madame de Ravenelle had thought it advisable to imitate -her silence.</p> - -<p>One evening, after receiving a visit from one of her friends, or rather -acquaintances, at the convent, Valentine said to her aunt:</p> - -<p>"Mademoiselle de Vertmonteil spoke to me this morning of a girl whom her -sister has seen at Milan. This girl wishes to find a place in Paris. She -is said to be clever at millinery work and dressmaking; in fact, -Mademoiselle de Vertmonteil recommended her to me. My maid is a fool, -who does not know how to dress my hair, and I am tempted to discharge -her and take this Italian in her place. What do you think about it, -aunt?"</p> - -<p>Madame de Ravenelle, who had listened as to something that was utterly -indifferent to her, replied:</p> - -<p>"You will do well to do whatever is most agreeable to you, my dear."</p> - -<p>It was a fortnight after this conversation that Miretta appeared at the -Hôtel de Mongarcin, escorted by Cédrille,<a name="page_146" id="page_146"></a> and still greatly excited by -the risks she had run in front of Master Hugonnet's house.</p> - -<p>Valentine was impatiently awaiting the arrival of the girl of whom she -had heard such marvellous things. She was in an immense salon, where her -aunt persisted in having a fire, although the weather was no longer -cold, when the young traveller was announced. Valentine uttered a joyful -exclamation and said:</p> - -<p>"Bring her to speak to me; I wish to see her at once!—Will you allow -her to come to this salon, aunt?"</p> - -<p>"It is entirely indifferent to me, niece. However, if any visitor should -come, I presume that this girl will know that it is her duty to -withdraw."</p> - -<p>Miretta soon made her appearance before the two ladies; she walked into -the salon with an assured step; there was embarrassment, but neither -awkwardness nor stupidity in her bearing. The reverence that she made -was not without a certain charm. Add to this the beauty of her face, her -fresh complexion, her youth, and her piquant costume, and you will -understand Valentine's exclamation:</p> - -<p>"Ah! why, the child is very pretty!—Come nearer, come nearer! Your name -is Miretta?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle, Miretta Dartaize. Here is the letter of -recommendation with which I have been favored, for mademoiselle."</p> - -<p>"Very well; but it is unnecessary—I have seen the sister of the person -who gave you the letter.—You are a Milanese?"<a name="page_147" id="page_147"></a></p> - -<p>"No, mademoiselle; I was born at Pau, in Béarn; but I have lived at -Milan, or in the suburbs, ever since I was a child."</p> - -<p>"And your relations?"</p> - -<p>"I lost them when I was very young, all except an old female cousin, who -still lives at Pau, and whose son, who is very fond of me, was kind -enough to undertake to bring me to Paris."</p> - -<p>"Where is this youth?"</p> - -<p>"In the courtyard, mademoiselle."</p> - -<p>"How did you make the journey?"</p> - -<p>"On Bourriquet's back, both of us. Bourriquet is Cédrille's horse; he's -a good beast and carried us finely; but we made short days, so as not to -tire him."</p> - -<p>"And your travelling companion—does he too hope to find a place in -Paris?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! no, mademoiselle; Cédrille came with me only as a favor to me; and -he is going right back to his province, after he has rested a little in -Paris."</p> - -<p>"This Cédrille, who is your cousin, is your betrothed too, perhaps?" -said Madame de Ravenelle, carelessly turning her head toward the girl. -But she replied:</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! Cédrille is not my betrothed, madame; he loves me very dearly -though, and he has asked me if I would be his wife; but I refused him, -refused him flatly, telling him that I should never have anything but a -sisterly affection for him. Cédrille made the best of it and is content -with that."<a name="page_148" id="page_148"></a></p> - -<p>"Why did you refuse to marry your cousin? Was it because he has nothing, -and can't do anything?"</p> - -<p>"I beg pardon, madame, Cédrille has quite enough to live comfortably; -he's a worthy, honest man—a hard worker, who knows more about -agriculture and plowing than anybody in our neighborhood."</p> - -<p>"And in spite of all that, you would not consent to be his wife?" -continued the old lady, fixing her eyes on Miretta, who looked down and -blushed as she faltered:</p> - -<p>"No, madame."</p> - -<p>"You had some reason for refusing him, doubtless?"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! a single one, madame; but it seems to me that it should be -sufficient in such a matter: I have no love for him, and I do not care -to marry without love."</p> - -<p>"Ah! very well answered!" cried Valentine, smiling at the girl; -"certainly that reason is quite sufficient! As if a woman ought to marry -a man she does not love! that would be equivalent to deliberately -choosing to be unhappy all her life!"</p> - -<p>"Such things have been seen, however, niece! And a woman is not always -unhappy on that account; it often turns out just the other way."</p> - -<p>"Well, aunt, I consider that Miretta has done well not to marry her -cousin, as she has no love for him."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you will not always talk so, my dear!"</p> - -<p>"Miretta," continued Valentine, turning to the girl, "I take you into my -<a name="page_149" id="page_149"></a>service, that is settled; and I will give you—— How much should I -give her, aunt?"</p> - -<p>"Whatever you please, niece."</p> - -<p>"Very well! two hundred livres a year.—Is that enough, Miretta? does -that satisfy you?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! that is a great deal, mademoiselle! I probably am not worth so much -as that, and I shall always be satisfied with whatever you give me; I do -not care for money!"</p> - -<p>"You don't care for money, you don't care to marry," murmured Madame de -Ravenelle, shaking her head; "nor do you care for your province, since -you leave it—Pray, little one, to what do you aspire?"</p> - -<p>Miretta was silent a moment, then replied:</p> - -<p>"I aspire to be in the service of honorable persons, and to show myself -deserving of their kindness."</p> - -<p>"Well said!" exclaimed Valentine; "that is an answer that does you -honor.—Oh! you will be happy with me, I trust. In the first place, all -the dresses I have ceased to wear will belong to you, and I am very fond -of changing often. But you must serve me promptly, you must always be at -hand when I ring for you, and never step foot outside of the house -unless I send you to do some errand."</p> - -<p>The girl raised her head quickly and cried:</p> - -<p>"What, mademoiselle! never go out of this house? Why, in that case, I -shall be a prisoner! I shall not be able to take a free step! Oh, no! -no! I did not come to Paris to be deprived of my liberty; I will serve -you faithfully, mademoiselle, I will be submissive to your<a name="page_150" id="page_150"></a> lightest -word, I will work day and night if you desire; but I wish to be able, -when I feel the need of it, to fly away as freely as the birds of our -fields! I shall return to my cage far happier, when I know that the door -is not closed upon me!"</p> - -<p>"Well, well, hothead!" said Valentine, with a smile; "never fear; you -will not be a prisoner! I will not prevent your flying away -sometimes.—Ah! how her eyes sparkle when she hears me say that! She has -a little will of her own, I see. So much the better! I do not like -people who are incapable of having a will!"</p> - -<p>"But," interposed Madame de Ravenelle, "as you have just arrived in -Paris, where you know no one; and as your cousin is going away—whom -will you go to see when you go out? or will it be simply to take a -walk?"</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, madame, but there is already one person whom I wish to see, -to thank her for the service she rendered my cousin and myself just now. -Ah! madame does not know that we barely escaped a very great danger this -morning—before we reached this house."</p> - -<p>"A danger! Pray tell us about it, little one."</p> - -<p>"Come here," said Valentine, "and sit on this stool, for your journey on -horseback must have tired you. There! that is right; and now tell us -what happened to you this morning."</p> - -<p>Miretta gave them an exact account of what had taken place on Rue -Saint-Jacques; she omitted no detail, nor did she add anything. The -truth was sufficiently interesting<a name="page_151" id="page_151"></a> to engross the attention of those -who listened to her. Madame de Ravenelle could not help taking an -interest in it, and Valentine was much excited—so much so that she -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Why, it was shameful behavior on the part of those gentlemen! To try to -compel people who are passing to stop and act as their playthings! Did -you hear the names of those who insulted you?"</p> - -<p>"I heard several, mademoiselle, but I remember only two: the gentleman -who took up our defence and fought for us, after offering to be my -knight—in jest, doubtless—his name was Passedix."</p> - -<p>"Passedix!—Do you know any gentleman of that name, aunt?"</p> - -<p>"No, no one! He must be some <i>chevalier d'industrie!</i>"</p> - -<p>"Then the man who was so fierce against us, and whose terrible sword -beat down all obstacles—him they called the Sire de Jarnonville. Oh! -that man had a terrifying look!"</p> - -<p>"The Sire de Jarnonville!" repeated Madame de Ravenelle. "That is a very -old name—a noble family; but it is a long while since the descendant of -the Jarnonvilles ceased to appear in society—that is to say, in the -society frequented by self-respecting persons."</p> - -<p>"And you did not hear any one of those young nobles called Léodgard de -Marvejols?"</p> - -<p>"No, mademoiselle, I am quite sure that I did not hear that name."</p> - -<p>"What are you worrying about now, niece?"<a name="page_152" id="page_152"></a></p> - -<p>"I am not worrying at all, aunt; but as it was a gathering of -scapegraces, it seemed to me quite natural that Monsieur Léodgard should -be there.—Miretta, I understand your gratitude for the brave girl -who—I do not quite know how—rescued you from your dangerous position. -You will do well to go to thank her, for ingratitude is the vice of base -minds, and it always indicates the presence of other vices. Go to the -reception room and ask for Béatrix; she will take you to the room that -has been prepared for you; it is not far from mine, and you can hear my -bell there.—But, by the way, this Cédrille, your cousin—what have you -done with him?"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! mademoiselle, he stayed below, in the courtyard, with his -horse; I will go and bid him adieu, and he will go away."</p> - -<p>"But surely the boy does not mean to start for Béarn at once? He is -probably curious to see a little of Paris, is he not?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle, but he will find an inn for himself and Bourriquet. -Oh! Cédrille is not hard to please; he is capable of sleeping in a -stable, with his horse."</p> - -<p>"I do not see why your cousin should go elsewhere in search of lodgings; -we have enough unoccupied rooms upstairs, and stables sufficiently -extensive to make it unnecessary for him and his horse to go to an -inn.—This youth may remain here a few days, aunt, may he not? There is -room in the servants' quarters; he may<a name="page_153" id="page_153"></a> eat with our people, when it -suits his pleasure to stay in the house."</p> - -<p>"I have no objection, niece; arrange everything as you choose."</p> - -<p>"Oh! madame and mademoiselle are too kind; and Cédrille will come -himself to thank them."</p> - -<p>"It is not worth while!" said the old lady; "I excuse him from all -thanks."</p> - -<p>"Go, Miretta," said Valentine, "go tell your cousin that we will -accommodate him with my servants; then find Béatrix, who will install -you."</p> - -<p>Miretta made several reverences and left the salon.</p> - -<p>"That girl pleases me," said Valentine, after watching her leave the -room. "Do not you agree with me, madame, that there is something -original about her—a sort of firmness, and an indefinable naïveté, -which is charming?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes!" replied Madame de Ravenelle, slowly shaking her head; "but I -believe that there is something in the girl's heart that she has not -told us."</p> - -<p>"What can it be, aunt?"</p> - -<p>"I have no desire to fatigue my brain trying to guess!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I will try, aunt; it will amuse me instead of fatiguing me."</p> - -<p>"As you please, niece."</p> - -<p>Miretta ran quickly down into the courtyard, and found Cédrille there, -doing sentry duty beside his horse. The poor fellow stood close to -Bourriquet's side, having given<a name="page_154" id="page_154"></a> him the last wisps of hay from the -bundle attached to his crupper.</p> - -<p>The young Béarnais peasant was gazing with respectful admiration at the -sculptures and decorations which embellished the mansion; nothing so -magnificent had met his eye since he had left his fields; for, on -entering Paris, he had been too much occupied in breaking out a path and -guiding his horse through the crowd to have any leisure to look about -him.</p> - -<p>Cédrille smiled sadly when he saw the girl coming toward him.</p> - -<p>"Ah! I was waiting to see you before going away, Miretta," he said; "and -I am going to say adieu at once, for I wouldn't dare to come to this -splendid palace and ask for you; I feel all dazed here; I don't dare to -walk, for fear of making a noise!"</p> - -<p>"And yet, my dear Cédrille, here is where you are to live, as long as -you stay in Paris. They are going to give you a room in this house; my -new mistress will have it so. She has a noble and generous manner, and -this that she is doing for you to-day, cousin, makes me love her -already."</p> - -<p>"Ah, ah! is it possible? What do you say, cousin—I am to be lodged -here—I?—Why, it's a palace!"</p> - -<p>"No; it's a private mansion."</p> - -<p>"Ah! but wait a minute! What about my horse—this poor Bourriquet? I -don't want to leave him, you know."<a name="page_155" id="page_155"></a></p> - -<p>"You will not have to leave him; Bourriquet will be put in the stable, -and you may be sure that the horses are well taken care of there."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean it? Bourriquet will be fed? and what about me?"</p> - -<p>"You will be, too, when you happen to be here at the hour when the -household of these ladies dines."</p> - -<p>"If this is the way one is treated in Paris, I begin to believe that you -may be happy here, cousin; but, in that case, I must go and thank the -masters of the house for offering to take me in."</p> - -<p>"No, no; that is not necessary; there are no masters here, only -mistresses: Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin, in whose service I am -now, and her aunt—an old lady, who does whatever her niece wishes; I -saw that at once."</p> - -<p>"Oh! you are shrewd, you are, Miretta! So I needn't go and thank those -ladies?"</p> - -<p>"They excuse you. In Paris, you see, everyone is expected to keep in his -own place.—But that reminds me that there is someone whom I must thank; -but she is not a great lady, and I am sure that she will be very glad to -see me."</p> - -<p>"Who is it?"</p> - -<p>"That fine girl who stationed herself in front of us and defended us, -when we were being insulted. What! have you forgotten already?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! no! I know whom you mean; and I remember that those young -gentlemen called out to her:<a name="page_156" id="page_156"></a> 'Stand away from there, Ambroisine; that's -no place for you!'"</p> - -<p>"Yes, you are right: her name is Ambroisine. But I must go now to find a -lady who is to show me my room and tell me what I have to do. You are -free, Cédrille; you can go out and see Paris—walk about, amuse -yourself, do whatever you choose."</p> - -<p>"But it isn't the same with you, cousin; you're at other people's orders -now; but you would have it, you preferred to come to Paris and go into -service, rather than be your cousin's wife. And yet, you know that you -would always have been the mistress of the house, and that I would have -been your servant!"</p> - -<p>"Enough, Cédrille, enough! I thought that it was agreed that you would -not go back to that subject. I told you once for all that I could not be -your wife."</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's true; but you didn't tell me why you couldn't be."</p> - -<p>"Because it doesn't suit me, apparently; it seems to me that my wish -should be sufficient."</p> - -<p>"Oh! of course, if it is because you don't love me. It's true enough -that we can't compel a woman to love us!"</p> - -<p>"I love you like a friend, like a brother, Cédrille."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'd have been content to be your husband on those terms; and -then, nobody knows, love might have come afterward!—But here you are -looking cross at me, and drawing your eyebrows together.—It's all -over,<a name="page_157" id="page_157"></a> cousin; I will keep my word and never speak of the subject -again."</p> - -<p>"Good! otherwise, I would save you the trouble of saying adieu to -me.—By the way, Cédrille, if you would, you might take me to Rue -Saint-Jacques this evening. I will come out, if I can, at nightfall."</p> - -<p>"I should like to, cousin; I will wait for you in the street."</p> - -<p>At that moment a middle-aged woman came to Miretta and told her to -follow her.</p> - -<p>While the girl, with an <i>au revoir</i> to her companion, returned to the -house, a servant wearing a handsome livery with heavy gold lace -approached the Béarnais peasant and courteously invited him to come to -the servants' quarters and refresh himself.</p> - -<p>Cédrille returned with interest all the servant's salutations, and -followed him, crying:</p> - -<p>"Jarni! that isn't to be refused, monsieur! I shall be glad to take -something, and I would even eat a bit, with your permission."</p> - -<p>"You shall have whatever you may wish," replied the valet, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"Well, well!" said Cédrille to himself; "this reconciles me to Paris and -makes me forget this morning's battle."<a name="page_158" id="page_158"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="XIII" id="XIII"></a>XIII<br /><br /> -<small>THE <i>LOUP DE MER</i> WINE SHOP</small></h2> - -<p>Cédrille found a large company in the offices: footmen, coachmen, -lackeys, scullions, and household servants vied with one another in -being kind to the new-comer, who had been commended to them by their -young mistress and was not there as a competitor for her favor; for they -knew that the peasant was to return to his province as soon as he should -have recovered from the fatigues of his journey. That was an additional -reason why they should give him a cordial welcome.</p> - -<p>They made the Béarnais relate his adventures; the battle in the street -amused the servants immensely. They drank to Cédrille's courage and his -cousin Miretta's; they drank to their mistresses, and to the peasant's -safe return to his hearth and home.</p> - -<p>By dint of drinking toasts in excellent wines, such as he had never -tasted before, Cédrille felt considerably bewildered; and when he left -the table and the house, to take a little walk about Paris, it was all -the Béarnais could do to walk straight. He had not walked a hundred -yards from the house, opening his eyes to their utmost extent and -stopping constantly to straighten out his legs,<a name="page_159" id="page_159"></a> when he felt an arm -slip through his and heard a voice say to him:</p> - -<p>"Sandioux! a happy meeting! I did not expect it, but I rejoice. I will -say more: it causes me extreme pleasure, on my honor!—Why, my dear -friend, you gaze at me with a surprised air, as if you did not recognize -me! Can it be that you have forgotten a gallant knight who defended you -sturdily this morning at a moment when your danger was most -threatening?"</p> - -<p>Cédrille, after straining his eyes and examining the long, lean, yellow -man who had seized his arm, cried at last:</p> - -<p>"Ah! why, yes, to be sure—your long face—that's so—I have seen it -before; and this morning, when all those fine sparks tried to make me -dismount, it was you who came and took our part—with your long sword, -as long as a turnspit!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! this is very fortunate; you recognize me at last, do you, my fine -fellow?—If my sword is long, I trust that that didn't prevent my -handling it rather prettily against your assailants this morning."</p> - -<p>"Certainly not, monsieur le chevalier. Oh! you wasn't afraid!"</p> - -<p>"Afraid! I! I never could understand how there could be such a thing as -a coward!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes! now I remember it all. What a pity that that tall black -chevalier knocked your sword out of your hand at the first blow!"<a name="page_160" id="page_160"></a></p> - -<p>"Sandis! my dear fellow, I will tell you why. Lean on me; you will walk -more firmly."</p> - -<p>"Faith! I'd be glad to.—I don't know what's the matter with me -to-night; or, rather, yes—I do know; they made me drink so much at that -house, and such good wine, that it made me a little dizzy; but it will -pass off.—What were you saying?"</p> - -<p>"I was saying that I would explain what made Roland slip out of my -hand."</p> - -<p>"Jarni! it was the blow the other man—the black one—hit it. He strikes -hard, that fellow does!"</p> - -<p>"No, no! cadédis! that wasn't it!—He might have struck ten times as -hard, and I would never have let go Roland, that fiercer assaults than -that have not lowered! But just fancy, my boy—— Lean on me, don't be -afraid; I am firm on my legs.—Just fancy, my worthy Béarnais, that -someone had played me the despicable trick of twisting a strip of pork -around Roland's hilt! So you see, it was just when I brandished it most -vigorously that it slipped from my hand!"</p> - -<p>"Well, well! pardi! that was a curious idea; to twist pork round a -sword! But didn't you notice it when you drew your sword from the -sheath?"</p> - -<p>"What do you expect?—in the heat of battle, when it is a question of -saving a lovely girl and an excellent youth, one does not amuse one's -self examining one's sword hilt.—However, it's all over, we were -victors, and, thanks to my assistance, you were able to continue your<a name="page_161" id="page_161"></a> -journey. I trust that you reached the safe harbor for which you were -bound?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, seigneur chevalier. Mon Dieu! my cousin is already settled in the -Hôtel de Mongarcin."</p> - -<p>"Ah! that charming little brunette whom you had <i>en croupe</i> is your -cousin?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure! my mother and I, we are the only relations she has."</p> - -<p>"Well! I congratulate you; you have a charming cousin; and, in fact, now -that I look at you—yes, there is a resemblance, at the corners of the -mouth."</p> - -<p>"You are the first person who ever thought that I resembled -Miretta.—Ah! jarni! there's holes here. If it hadn't been for you, -monsieur le chevalier, I believe I should have fallen full length in the -street."</p> - -<p>"You must have turned your foot."</p> - -<p>"Yes; and then, my head is in the same fix."</p> - -<p>"Hold fast to me; don't be afraid to lean on me. I am made of iron, of -steel."</p> - -<p>"For my part, I feel as if my legs were made of cotton; it's because -I've had so much to drink. Oh! what famous wines! How polite those -liveried servants are! they kept filling my glass for me.—Ha! hold me -up!"</p> - -<p>"They filled you, finally. So it was the servants at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin who treated you so well?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure.—By the way, did I tell you that I came to Paris to bring -Miretta to Mademoiselle de Mongarcin?"</p> - -<p>"You must have told me, as I know it."<a name="page_162" id="page_162"></a></p> - -<p>"To be sure, that's so; as you know it, I must have told you.—Bah! -there's another hole; and then, I don't know whether it's because I am -dizzy, but it seems to me that I can't see very plain."</p> - -<p>"Oh! that is no mistake; it is growing dark. Look you, it is after -half-past seven. Where were you going, my worthy man, my dear fellow, -when I met you?—Sandis! I know your name, but it doesn't come to my -lips."</p> - -<p>"Cédrille, at your service."</p> - -<p>"Cédrille—that's it.—Whither were you bending your steps, my good -Cédrille?"</p> - -<p>"I—mon Dieu! I don't know; you see, Monsieur le Chevalier—what d'ye -call it—what <i>is</i> your name?"</p> - -<p>"Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix."</p> - -<p>"Oh! those names are pretty hard to remember. Must I say them all?"</p> - -<p>"No! call me Passedix; that will be enough."</p> - -<p>"Ah! good! Passe—six."</p> - -<p>"No, no! deuce take it! Passedix, not <i>six!</i> You cut me down four -points!"</p> - -<p>"That makes no difference! Well, monsieur le chevalier, I came away from -the house because I felt as if I needed the fresh air—and then, to see -a little of Paris, which I don't know at all."</p> - -<p>"In that case, my friend Cédrille—will you allow me to call you my -friend? When two people have met on the field of battle, it seems to me -that that brings them<a name="page_163" id="page_163"></a> together at once. Brave men understand each other -at a glance."</p> - -<p>"You are very polite! It's a great honor to me, Chevalier -Passe—Passe——"</p> - -<p>"Dix.—Well, to return to our subject, if you will permit me, dear -friend, I will be your pilot, your guide, this evening. But I shall not -be able to show you what Paris contains in the way of beautiful and -interesting churches, palaces, squares, and promenades, for the reason -that it is dark, and, none of those lovely things being lighted, you -would see nothing and your steps would be wasted."</p> - -<p>"Then you can't take me anywhere to-night? The deuce! that's a pity, for -I feel just in the mood to enjoy myself. I don't want to go home to bed -already, for I am not in the least sleepy."</p> - -<p>Passedix, who had had nothing to eat during the day except the two eggs -he had swallowed so rapidly before his landlady's eyes, passed his hand -across his forehead and, after pretending to reflect a moment, cried:</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, cadédis! we will enjoy ourselves this evening. If we go along -Rue Saint-Honoré, we shall find, just before we reach the Couvent des -Capucines, a certain wine shop, the resort of lusty blades, good fellows -like you and me; the curfew has not rung yet, so it will still be open; -and even if the doors were closed, the habitués always have a way of -gaining admission. Moreover, the keeper of the Loup de Mer—that is the -name of the<a name="page_164" id="page_164"></a> place—is an old soldier, an ex-trooper, who has friends in -the watch—and they allow him to keep his guests later; indeed, I know -some who pass the whole night there. Forward, my good friend, and let us -betake ourselves to the Loup de Mer!"</p> - -<p>"All right; I will go I don't care where to-night, provided that we have -some sport."</p> - -<p>"But I tell you that this wine shop is frequented by all the jovial -blades and lovers of the sex in Paris. And then, it has a famous name -for omelets <i>au lard</i>; they are excellent there. I once ate a dozen at a -sitting; it was a wager, and I won it in a trice."</p> - -<p>"Ah! they make omelets <i>au lard</i>, do they?" muttered the Béarnais -peasant, shaking his head; "what a pity that I ain't hungry! But I ate -so much at the house that I couldn't eat a mouthful, on my word! I would -much rather see something besides omelets."</p> - -<p>"If you are not hungry, you must be thirsty; good fellows are always -thirsty."</p> - -<p>"Oh! as for drinking, why, I'll drink some more, although I have had a -good deal now."</p> - -<p>"That doesn't matter; you will drink, and I will eat and drink with you; -we will play cards, we will sing, we will pass a delightful -evening.—Lean upon me—steady now, and forward!"</p> - -<p>Cédrille suffered himself to be led away, and, his companion almost -carrying him, they soon reached the Loup de Mer.<a name="page_165" id="page_165"></a></p> - -<p>It would have been useless in those days to seek in taverns the blaze of -light which dazzles our eyes to-day when we enter a café; a smoky lamp -or two lighted but dimly the room and the drinkers; but the latter, -being accustomed to nothing better, found the place where they assembled -very much to their liking, so there was always a numerous company at the -Loup de Mer; it was not so select as the Chevalier Passedix had tried to -persuade Cédrille; but, by way of compensation, it was very hilarious -and animated, and, above all, exceedingly noisy.</p> - -<p>Almost all the tables were occupied, and covered with pewter pots and -goblets; they were not so pretty to look at as our bottles and glasses, -but they were less fragile.</p> - -<p>Not without difficulty did Passedix succeed in finding an unoccupied end -of a table and in obtaining two stools. Although an habitué of the -place, the chevalier did not seem to be greeted with great cordiality, -and the first words of the waiter to whom he applied were:</p> - -<p>"There's no more room, monsieur le chevalier; it isn't worth while for -you to come in."</p> - -<p>But the Gascon, pushing aside the waiter, who was standing in front of -him, glared savagely around the room and cried:</p> - -<p>"Ah! there's no room, eh?—Capédébious! we will see about that! There -must always be room for me and my friends! and, at need, Roland will -find a way to make room!"<a name="page_166" id="page_166"></a></p> - -<p>"Let Monsieur de Passedix come in," said a woman of uncertain age, who -sat at the desk; and she added, with a slight shrug of her shoulders: -"if you don't, you know that he will make a scene, pick a quarrel with -someone, and end by bringing the watch here."</p> - -<p>"Well! I only said what the master ordered me to say," muttered the -waiter, sulkily.</p> - -<p>But meanwhile our Gascon had found a corner at a table, and had -established himself there with Cédrille. The latter tried to look about; -but the crowd, the noise, the heat, and the fumes of wine that filled -the room, added to his intoxication instead of sobering him.</p> - -<p>"Poussinet! Poussinet!" cried the chevalier, hammering the table with -his sword hilt; "come here, knave! are you deaf to-night?"</p> - -<p>The waiter approached, making a grimace, and stared at Cédrille as if he -were a strange beast.</p> - -<p>"Come, Poussinet, listen carefully to my orders. You will serve us an -omelet of fifteen eggs, with half of a small ham inside; also, a large -jug of your best, and some fresh bread if possible."</p> - -<p>"Fifteen eggs! an omelet of fifteen eggs for you two! Do you expect more -friends?"</p> - -<p>"That doesn't concern you! do what you are told, and don't keep your -great, stupid eyes fastened on my companion; that isn't polite, and I -don't ever allow anyone to insult the persons who are in my company! Do -you hear, clown?"<a name="page_167" id="page_167"></a></p> - -<p>As he spoke, the chevalier seized the waiter by one ear and twisted it -so hard in his fingers that the unlucky Poussinet was beginning to -shriek with pain, when a gray-bearded man in jacket and apron came up -and said to the chevalier, in a decidedly unamiable tone:</p> - -<p>"What are you pulling my waiter's ears for? What has he done to you, -Monsieur Passedix? Must you always make trouble here as soon as you -arrive? I am tired of it, I warn you! Although you fight with everybody, -I warn you that you don't frighten me; and when the day comes that I -make up my mind to turn you out of my place, you will never come into it -again; and your sword will stay here in pawn for all that you owe me!"</p> - -<p>"Let's go away," said Cédrille, trying to rise; "I am not having any fun -here!"</p> - -<p>But Passedix forced Cédrille to remain on his stool; and having -reflected that if he should beat the keeper of the wine shop he would -have no supper, he restrained his wrath and tried to smile as he -replied:</p> - -<p>"La, la! old sea-wolf [<i>loup de mer</i>]—for you well deserve the name -written on your sign!—here's a lot of pother because I hardly pinched -the tip of an ear. I do not seek a quarrel with anyone who is courteous -to me. If you have in your place louts who tread on my toes, I am never -in a mood to put up with it. If I owe you money, that proves that you -have given me credit."</p> - -<p>"And I am very sorry that I ever gave you credit; but after this, -nothing will be served you here unless you<a name="page_168" id="page_168"></a> pay cash. As to that matter, -I have given Poussinet my orders, and it will do you no good to pull his -ears! Nothing without the money—those are his orders."</p> - -<p>"Yes," muttered the waiter, "and he beats me; that's all the <i>pourboire</i> -I get from him!"</p> - -<p>Passedix rose and made a motion with his arm as if to strike Poussinet; -but the wine shop keeper caught his arm in mid-air and shouted, with a -horrible oath:</p> - -<p>"So we are going to begin again, eh?"</p> - -<p>"I want to go away; I don't enjoy myself here!" said Cédrille, half -rising; but the chevalier threw him back on his seat, and continued in a -haughty and dignified tone:</p> - -<p>"Cabaretier, you may serve us in all confidence this evening; it is not -I who treat, but my friend, this excellent Béarnais here; and his -pockets are well filled."</p> - -<p>"That makes a difference!" murmured the host; and he walked away with -his waiter, saying to him: "No matter, you will make them pay when you -serve; if they don't, take the dishes away."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and look out for my ears!—Ah! what a lousy customer that lanky, -hamstringing villain of a Gascon is!"<a name="page_169" id="page_169"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="XIV" id="XIV"></a>XIV<br /><br /> -<small>A GAME WITH DICE</small></h2> - -<p>Cédrille sat as if glued to his seat, from which he dared not stir since -his friend had forced him back into it so unceremoniously; but he cut a -singular figure as he rolled his eyes around the room, staring at all -the people about him; and he had not the slightest appearance of a -person who had come there for amusement.</p> - -<p>As for the Chevalier Passedix, his eyes seemed to be trying to discover -the contents of the Béarnais's pockets; and, as he caressed his chin, he -reflected thus:</p> - -<p>"I said that his pockets were well filled, but I know nothing about it; -he didn't whisper a word when I said it Sandis! if it should turn out -that he hasn't a sou about him—that old pirate of a cabaretier would -take back his omelet. But I feel that Dame Cadichard's two little eggs -are at the bottom of Roland's sheath. I dare not question this stout -little Béarnais. But, come what may, I don't propose to go away from -here without filling my belly. The proverb well says: 'Without Bacchus -and Ceres, Venus congeals!'—Now, then, as I do not choose that my love -shall congeal, I absolutely must do a little work with my jaws!"<a name="page_170" id="page_170"></a></p> - -<p>Thereupon, turning to the other persons seated at the table at which he -had taken his place, tall Passedix observed that they were bourgeois, -very well dressed and having all the appearance of shopkeepers from the -vicinity come thither for recreation. In front of them were goblets and -a generous measure of wine; also dice and diceboxes.</p> - -<p>"These fellows are probably playing for their reckoning!" thought the -Gascon. "An idea! suppose I should suggest a game to the little fellow, -especially as he seems inclined to go to sleep.—Holà ! I say, worthy -Cédrille!"</p> - -<p>"What is it?" cried the peasant, staring in order to see better.</p> - -<p>"Suppose we have a game of dice, like our neighbors.—You gentlemen are -playing <i>quinze</i>, I think?"</p> - -<p>One of the players looked up at the lean chevalier, and contented -himself with an assenting nod.</p> - -<p>"Good! what do you say to a game of <i>quinze</i>, friend Cédrille? I'll play -you for a rose crown. There's a pleasant suggestion for you?"</p> - -<p>"No, thanks! I have never played; I don't know any game. At our house, -my mother used to say very often: 'Don't let anybody induce you to -gamble, my son, it's too dangerous a sport; it becomes a vice and it may -lead to crime!'"</p> - -<p>"Ta ta ta! that speech smells strongly of the barn! If gambling is -dangerous in your province, it isn't so in Paris; and the proof is that -everybody gambles, from the lowest<a name="page_171" id="page_171"></a> to the highest. The greatest nobles -set us the example; they wouldn't be gentlemen if they didn't gamble."</p> - -<p>"Oh! I don't claim to be a gentleman, myself!"</p> - -<p>"Sandis! that's lucky!" said Passedix to himself. "What a blockhead this -young Béarnais is; he doesn't gamble and he won't eat; he doesn't know -how to carry his wine! If only he has money!—but I must make sure of -that before they bring us that famous omelet."—And, addressing his -young companion once more, Passedix said: "Can it be that we are -miserly, by any chance, my young shepherd? Fie! fie! that would be a -wretched failing, and one that is much ridiculed in Paris, where every -man of heart, if he wants to enjoy himself, should pay, without -reckoning, every bill presented to him."</p> - -<p>"I, miserly!" rejoined Cédrille, with a smile; "oh! I am not afraid of -anyone charging me with that; I have never had anything of my own! -Whenever my fob is full, what there is in it is at my friends' service!"</p> - -<p>"Bravo! very good! shake! I am just like that, myself!—Well, then, my -good Cédrille, as you don't know the game of dice, and as I am -absolutely determined to lose a rose crown to you, we will play for it -at <i>wet finger</i>. I trust that you know that game, at least!"</p> - -<p>"At wet finger!" muttered Cédrille, putting his hands to his pockets. -"Oh! I know that game, yes. But, by the way, I just remember that I -can't play to-night, unless I play on credit——"</p> - -<p>"On credit! What does that mean?"<a name="page_172" id="page_172"></a></p> - -<p>"It means that the servants at the Hôtel de Mongarcin—all those -splendid fellows in handsome livery, who treated me so handsomely at the -offices——"</p> - -<p>"Well! what then? Let us have it, mordioux!"</p> - -<p>"Well! when I left them, saying that I was going to walk round the city -a bit, they said: 'Have you got any money about you?'—I said <i>yes</i>, and -took a good fat purse out of my pocket.—Oh! I didn't start out on my -travels without the means of travelling.—'Well,' they said, 'leave your -purse here; don't take it with you, or it will be stolen; and it won't -do you any good to be on your guard, for you won't see anything; Paris -is full of vagabonds, cloak snatchers, cutpurses, who strip you without -your knowing how it's done. You don't need your purse to walk about the -city; so, leave it here, where it will be safe, the maître d'hôtel will -be responsible for it; and then you can stroll all over Paris and snap -your fingers at the robbers.'—Faith! I followed their advice and left -my purse in their hands; and I haven't a sou about me!"</p> - -<p>It would be difficult to describe the expression of his valiant -companion's face while Cédrille was speaking. Chevalier Passedix, -ordinarily yellow, became green one moment, then violet, then -ash-colored; his features seemed to lengthen, his cheeks to sink in more -than usual; his eyes flashed fire, and he muttered, clenching his fists:</p> - -<p>"This passes all bounds! He hasn't a sou, and he wants to enjoy himself -in Paris! What an ignorant fool!—Ah! if you were not your cousin's -cousin! what pleasure<a name="page_173" id="page_173"></a> it would give me to thrash you, knave! to teach -you to hang on my arm when your pockets are empty!—But the omelet will -soon be here, and they will take it away again! That will be an outrage! -Vertuchoux! at embarrassing moments one must be bold; fortune favors the -brave!—another proverb. Let us stake all to win all!"</p> - -<p>And Passedix, turning to his neighbors the dice throwers, suddenly -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Twelve! that's a good throw, but, damn the odds! I will stake six -livres <i>tournois</i> against monsieur!"</p> - -<p>The bourgeois who had just thrown the dice stared at the chevalier and -rejoined:</p> - -<p>"You don't know the game; we have three dice, and the one who throws -nearest to fifteen wins; I have thrown twelve; I have a great many -chances in my favor, for anything above fifteen loses."</p> - -<p>"I know the game as well as the man who invented it; that doesn't -prevent my saying that I will stake six livres <i>tournois</i> against you."</p> - -<p>"Very good! I take your bet."</p> - -<p>"All right! agreed!—Now, it's your turn, monsieur, on whom I am -betting."</p> - -<p>The other gambler, after casting a surprised glance at the Gascon, took -the dicebox and shook it, saying:</p> - -<p>"Ah! you bet on me, do you, seigneur chevalier? Faith! I hope with all -my heart that I may win for you."</p> - -<p>Cédrille turned toward his neighbors, curious to see the result of the -wager.<a name="page_174" id="page_174"></a></p> - -<p>As for Passedix, he had risen, his long body towered above the table, -but his eyes never swerved from the box in which the dice were; and his -anxious expression, the way in which he twisted the ends of his cloak in -his hands, and the trembling of his whole person, all tended to show how -important it was to him that he should win the stake.</p> - -<p>At last the bourgeois threw the three dice on the table, and the sum of -the points was only eleven.</p> - -<p>"Faith! that was rather near!" said the man who had thrown; "but it is -not enough—I have lost!"</p> - -<p>"And you too, chevalier!" exclaimed the other; "come, hand over your -rose crown—it was your own suggestion."</p> - -<p>Passedix, whose face had assumed a threatening aspect when he saw the -result of the throw, slowly caressed his moustache and replied, dwelling -on each word:</p> - -<p>"I have lost? that may be!—It was monsieur's fault for throwing badly."</p> - -<p>"What's that? I threw badly?"</p> - -<p>"Why, yes, to be sure; you shouldn't spend two hours shaking the dice in -the box—it tires them, and they can only turn up small numbers!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! that's a pretty good one! I play as I please. Why did you bet on -me? who forced you to?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! God bless me! enough of this! I have lost—that is all right; but I -demand my revenge; I should say that that is one of the things no -gentleman refuses."</p> - -<p>"Your revenge—very good! I agree!"</p> - -<p>"That is lucky for you! Sandis!"<a name="page_175" id="page_175"></a></p> - -<p>"Here, throw the dice yourself!" said the man who had lost, offering the -Gascon the box; "then you cannot say that I play badly."</p> - -<p>"With pleasure, I prefer it so!" cried the chevalier, seizing the -dicebox and resuming his seat.</p> - -<p>Thereupon he rattled the dice in the box in his turn, and, having raised -his hand above his head, threw them on the table; the throw was -fourteen.</p> - -<p>A joyful cry escaped from Passedix's lips and he looked about with a -triumphant air, saying:</p> - -<p>"That is what I call throwing! that is how we throw dice at court! -Fourteen! what do you say to that, <i>compère</i>?"</p> - -<p>"That's a good throw," replied his adversary; "but I may equal it."</p> - -<p>And having picked up the three dice and put them in his box, he played, -and threw only five.</p> - -<p>Passedix was radiant; his face lighted up, and he began to laugh -uproariously, opening his enormous mouth and showing his sharp fangs.</p> - -<p>"I have lost," said the shopkeeper; "well, we are just where we -started.—I think it's time to go home, <i>compère</i>."</p> - -<p>But at that moment the odor of cooked eggs reached their nostrils. -Poussinet appeared, carrying in both hands a pewter platter upon which -was the enormous omelet; under one arm he had a jug of wine, and under -the other a round loaf.</p> - -<p>The waiter gazed admiringly at the omelet, but he walked with slow and -measured steps, like a person who<a name="page_176" id="page_176"></a> expects a catastrophe, or one who is -marching to the sacrifice.</p> - -<p>The odor of the dish so eagerly coveted dilated the chevalier's -nostrils; he seized the shopkeeper by his doublet as he was about to -leave the table, and said:</p> - -<p>"Well! are we to stop at that? Don't you know that among gentlemen, when -each wins a game, the rubber is always played?"</p> - -<p>"The rubber! the rubber! But it is late, and I ought to be at home."</p> - -<p>"You will be there a few minutes late! What a misfortune! But we cannot -afford to play like children, with no result; everyone would laugh at -us! Come! it will take but a minute!"</p> - -<p>And Passedix retained his hold on the tradesman's doublet, which he was -very careful not to release, for Poussinet had already said twice:</p> - -<p>"Here's the omelet <i>au lard</i>, the wine, and the bread—total, two livres -eight sous six deniers, which you must pay me now, or I shall take it -all away."</p> - -<p>"'Tis well! 'tis well! Sandis! Wait a moment, Poussinet; as you see, I -am just finishing a game with monsieur. Let us finish!"</p> - -<p>Tired of being detained by his doublet, the shopkeeper decided to resume -his seat.</p> - -<p>"Well, monsieur," he exclaimed; "since I absolutely must do it to -satisfy you, let us play this rubber, which, however, I should be -justified in refusing, for, after all,<a name="page_177" id="page_177"></a> I do not know you! You -interfered in the game of dice I was playing with my friend, not with -you."</p> - -<p>"Par la mordioux! are you afraid of compromising yourself by playing -with me, my friend? You do not know me, evidently! Very well! learn that -I am Chevalier Castor Pyrrhus de Passedix, the favorite of Monseigneur -le Cardinal de Richelieu, and an officer in the queen's -<i>Mousquetaires</i>!—Say—are you satisfied now?—In a moment, -Poussinet—don't go. Let us settle this business, and don't put your -nose so near the omelet!"</p> - -<p>The two tradesmen had glanced at each other with a sneering expression -while the Gascon chevalier enumerated his name and offices, and they -whispered to each other:</p> - -<p>"The cardinal's favorite, forsooth! Just look at his doublet; there's a -hole in the elbow, and his ruff is all ragged!"</p> - -<p>"He is some schemer, some scurvy knave! Shall I play with him?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; it would be a good job to win his rose crown."</p> - -<p>"But, if he loses, by Notre-Dame! he will have to pay! I will not be put -off with his bluster!"</p> - -<p>"Well! what about that rubber! Capédébious! shall we finish to-night?" -cried Passedix, assuming a surly air and bringing his fist down on the -table.</p> - -<p>"I am ready, monsieur le favori du cardinal. But you will not ask me for -your revenge again. I declare now that I will not throw after this."<a name="page_178" id="page_178"></a></p> - -<p>"All right! that is understood. Who the devil asks you to?"</p> - -<p>"There are the dice, monsieur; will you begin?"</p> - -<p>"I have no objection."</p> - -<p>Passedix put the three dice in the box that he held; this time, despite -his efforts, one could see that his hand trembled and that he did not -raise the box with the same confidence. However, the dice were thrown, -and again the sum was fourteen.</p> - -<p>Passedix jumped for joy, so that he nearly overturned the table; he -breathed like a man who had been stifling for five minutes, then burst -out in a roar of laughter that extinguished one of the lamps. His -demonstration ended with the words:</p> - -<p>"I think that you have lost, my boy! You will pay for our supper."</p> - -<p>"But I believe that I am entitled to take my throw first."</p> - -<p>"Oh! that is true; take your throw, it's your right; but if I were in -your place, I would give it up and pay at once."</p> - -<p>"No, indeed! Fortune is like the sun; it shines for everybody!"</p> - -<p>"There's a proverb that I never heard! I believe it to be absolutely -false!"</p> - -<p>However, the chevalier's adversary calmly took up the dice, shook them -with the air of a man to whom it matters little whether he loses a rose -crown, but who is amused by the impatience of his opponent.<a name="page_179" id="page_179"></a></p> - -<p>"Sandis! have you nearly finished shaking your dicebox?" said Passedix; -"you trifle too much."</p> - -<p>The shopkeeper threw—fifteen! It was his turn to laugh, which he did -with a good heart, in company with his friend, who cried:</p> - -<p>"Pardieu! there's a throw that's worth all of yours, monsieur le -cardinal's friend!"</p> - -<p>But Passedix did not seem to hear these words; he was so thunderstruck -when he counted his opponent's points, that he stood like one turned to -stone, with his eyes fixed on the six, the five, and the four.</p> - -<p>"Come, monsieur le chevalier, give me the rose crown you were so anxious -to lose. Quickly, if you please! I ought to have gone long ago!"</p> - -<p>"I, pay you!" cried Passedix, drawing himself up to his full height, and -with the back of his hand giving a tilt over one ear to the sort of cap -he wore; "pay you! No, indeed! for the throw was not fair; it doesn't -count!"</p> - -<p>"Doesn't count! that throw of mine! I suppose that you say that in jest, -<i>beau sire</i>, but I don't like that sort of pleasantry, I warn you. Pay -me quickly, and let us have done with it!"</p> - -<p>"Once more I tell you, I will not pay! The throw was bad. You threw the -dice with your left hand. I don't play with a left-handed——"</p> - -<p>"Chevalier, you are trying to find a pretext for not paying. In the -first place, I did not throw with my left<a name="page_180" id="page_180"></a> hand; and in the second -place, if I did, the throw would be perfectly fair."</p> - -<p>"No; in that case, you are bound to notify your opponent."</p> - -<p>"I did not play with my left hand!"</p> - -<p>"Then I lie, do I?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; and you are nothing but a blackleg!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! by Roland! you shall pay dearly for that insult—you vile -clodhopper!"</p> - -<p>"Meanwhile, you are going to get what you deserve, you long-legged -sharper who wanted to sup at our expense!"</p> - -<p>As he spoke, that one of the tradesmen who had played with the Gascon -put out his arm and rushed forward to strike him with his fist. But his -opponent had anticipated the blow and jumped back quickly. As ill luck -would have it, Cédrille had risen when he saw that the quarrel had -become serious, and muttering: "I want to go away; I am not enjoying -myself at all here!" received full in the face the blow intended for his -friend. He uttered a cry of pain. Instantly Passedix whipped out his -sword, and Roland's blade was directed at the shopkeeper, who had seized -the pewter pot with which to defend himself.</p> - -<p>But a new personage had entered the café and forced his way through the -crowd that already surrounded the combatants.<a name="page_181" id="page_181"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="XV" id="XV"></a>XV<br /><br /> -<small>A BOHEMIAN</small></h2> - -<p>The man who had entered the wine shop wore a long cloak of dark-colored -cloth, which reached almost to his feet and was caught in at the waist -by a striped red and black belt adorned with a fringe. On his head was a -sort of pointed cap trimmed with fur. Cloak and cap alike were soiled -and in wretched condition.</p> - -<p>This was the type of costume worn at that period by those persons who -undertook to draw horoscopes, and who were commonly called Bohemians. -They were very different from the Bohemians of our day, who dress well -and have not a sou, for they wore shabby clothes and often had gold -hidden in the pockets or the lining of their shabby garments.</p> - -<p>Gray hair and an almost snow-white beard indicated a man of advanced -years. However, he seemed to be robust still, for he easily put aside -the bystanders and forced a passage for himself through the crowd.</p> - -<p>Reaching the Gascon's side, he seized the arm that held Roland; and his -pressure must have been very powerful, for the chevalier made a horrible -grimace and slowly lowered his sword, crying:</p> - -<p>"Zounds! what an iron grip!"<a name="page_182" id="page_182"></a></p> - -<p>"What does this mean?" cried the Bohemian, in a cracked but piercing -voice. "Do people draw their swords in a wine shop? Fie! seigneur -chevalier, this is not a battlefield worthy of you! accustomed as you -are to conquer in single combat and to excel in jousting!—And you, -Master Bougard, you are out very late; the curfew rang long ago; your -shopboys pay little heed to it when their master is not there. And God -knows whether your shop is not at the mercy of cutpurses and footpads -to-night!—As for you, neighbor Dupont, you have a pretty young wife, -and it seems to me that you do not watch her very closely. Beware! -gallants abound in your neighborhood; they know that you come to this -wine shop every night and stay late. That makes it very convenient for -them to go sparking your wife."</p> - -<p>The two tradesmen listened to nothing more; they hurriedly pushed aside -those who stood in their way, and rushed from the shop, paying no -further heed to the Gascon and abandoning the idea of following up their -quarrel.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Passedix, flattered by the words that the Bohemian had -addressed to him, replaced Roland in his sheath, saying:</p> - -<p>"After all, this old man is right. And then, those two clowns are not -foemen worthy of my wrath. But still——"</p> - -<p>And the Gascon glanced languishingly at the superb omelet, which -Poussinet was preparing to carry away,<a name="page_183" id="page_183"></a> when the Bohemian stopped him -and said, putting a piece of money in his hand:</p> - -<p>"Do not carry that away; put the supper on the table—before these two -gallant fellows, who will permit me to entertain them and to sup with -them. Fetch also a piece of your best cheese and another full pint of -your oldest wine, so that we may drink longer."</p> - -<p>The waiter, being paid, made haste to execute the orders he had -received. Meanwhile, Passedix, who could hardly believe his ears, gazed -at the Bohemian as the Incas gazed at the sun, then opened his long arms -and threw himself into those of the man with the gray beard, crying:</p> - -<p>"By the shades of my ancestors! you are a noble old man! I do not know -you; but it would seem that you know me; for your behavior toward me is -that of an old friend!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! who has not heard of the valiant Chevalier Passedix, godson of the -worthy Chaudoreille!—of his exploits, of his prowess, and of his -triumphs with the ladies! I am only a poor Bohemian, but, by virtue of -my profession, I know very well what is happening in Paris. So do not be -surprised, seigneur chevalier, that I am so well informed with respect -to your affairs."</p> - -<p>"Capédébious! this old man talks better than our ediles!—Don't you -think so, friend Cédrille, eh? Why do you refuse to speak, and keep your -hand over your left eye?"</p> - -<p>Cédrille took his hand from his face and showed his left eye, which had -received the full force of the shopkeeper's<a name="page_184" id="page_184"></a> blow, and which was -surrounded by a black and blue circle and weeping profusely.</p> - -<p>"Bigre! what is all this, my boy? Did you fall on something unhealthy?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I fell on the fisticuff that was intended for you; and it was well -directed, as you see; that miserable man didn't strike with a light -hand!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! poor fellow! can it be? I am sorry now that I didn't run that clown -through!"</p> - -<p>"Come, come! to table, and let us forget about all that!" said the -Bohemian, seating himself and filling the glasses. "After all is said, -life is always a mixture of battles and pleasures, of strife and -feasting; we must forget the former and make the most of the latter."</p> - -<p>"Yes, that is so; to table! the old Bohemian talks like Nostradamus, -from whom he is probably descended."</p> - -<p>"Not in a direct line, but that makes no difference; I try to walk in -his footsteps by reading the future as best I may. Let us drink, -messeigneurs, and let us attack this omelet."</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes! let us attack the omelet and give it no quarter."</p> - -<p>Passedix took his place in front of the supper, the Bohemian being -opposite; Cédrille was still standing, and seemed undecided as to what -he should do.</p> - -<p>"Well, young man, is my company not agreeable to you, that you do not -take a seat with us?" said the old man, glancing at the Béarnais -peasant.<a name="page_185" id="page_185"></a></p> - -<p>"Your company cannot help flattering him!" cried Passedix, stuffing -enormous slices of omelet into his mouth, and pieces of bread of equal -dimensions. "Sandioux! who wouldn't be happy to drink with such a -venerable old man, who has the grip of a Hercules?—Come, comrade -Cédrille, sit you down there."</p> - -<p>"Oh! I'll tell you what," replied Cédrille, as he seated himself; "I -don't feel a bit hungry, and that blow made me sick!"</p> - -<p>"The idea of a man of your age paying any attention to that little tap! -you are strong enough to stand harder knocks than that!—Come! drink, as -you are not hungry, and we will eat for you."</p> - -<p>"Well said, venerable Bohemian! He need have no fear, I will eat his -share; but let us drink; one can always drink, even when one is not -thirsty."</p> - -<p>The Bohemian was careful not to leave the glasses of his guests empty; -and Cédrille, led on by the example set him, finally decided to partake -of the omelet.</p> - -<p>"All the same," he muttered, "I haven't enjoyed myself much here!"</p> - -<p>"Bigre! my boy, you are hard to please! You see before you a delicious -supper—with two jovial companions; this venerable Bohemian fills your -glass every instant; this wine is very good—and you are not satisfied. -Is it because we had a quarrel with two boors? But in Paris it rarely -happens that one passes a day without an affair, more or less serious. -Why, I myself, as you see<a name="page_186" id="page_186"></a> me, when I return home at night without -having drawn my sword, am not content with my day; I feel that something -is lacking.—You must know, respected Bohemian, that this young man has -been in Paris only since this morning; he cannot as yet be acquainted -with our customs; but I have undertaken his education, and I will push -him!"</p> - -<p>"Thanks!" said Cédrille to himself; "if he pushes me the way he has this -evening, I shall risk nothing by keeping on my guard."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," said the old man, caressing his beard, "I know that this -young man arrived in Paris to-day, with his cousin, a very pretty young -woman—a fascinating brunette."</p> - -<p>"I say! you know that?" exclaimed Cédrille, staring at the old man in -amazement. "You're a sorcerer, are you?"</p> - -<p>"That is my profession."</p> - -<p>"And I bow before your magic power!" cried Passedix, emptying his glass -at a draught.</p> - -<p>"But they burn sorcerers!" muttered the peasant, moving his chair away -from the table and looking at the Bohemian with a distrustful -expression.</p> - -<p>"And so I fully expect to be roasted some day! But meanwhile I must make -merry during the time I still have to pass on this earth.—Waiter, -eau-de-vie—a large measure!"</p> - -<p>Passedix grasped the Bohemian's hand and shook it effusively, saying:<a name="page_187" id="page_187"></a></p> - -<p>"If anyone should ever be so ill-advised as to touch a hair of your -head!—You know that I am devoted to you and that I am fearless?—I will -undertake to deliver you, even from the Bastille, if they should -imprison you there!"</p> - -<p>Poussinet brought the eau-de-vie, for which the old man paid on the -spot.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, most of the drinkers and habitués of the establishment had -gone; and the proprietor, approaching our three friends, bowed to them, -very respectfully this time, and said:</p> - -<p>"Messeigneurs, the curfew has rung; I must warn you that I shall soon be -obliged, to my regret, to send you away; for if the watch should see a -light in my shop, I——"</p> - -<p>"Very good, very good, my man!" replied the Bohemian; "we are drinking -quietly, we are making no disturbance, and we have some time before us -still. Moreover, there are ways of arranging matters with the watch."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, the old man slipped into the cabaretier's hand a piece of -silver which he took from his belt.</p> - -<p>The proprietor of the Loup de Mer bowed again, saying:</p> - -<p>"Well, messeigneurs, do as you please; my first duty is to satisfy my -customers."</p> - -<p>"Sandis! let the watch come!" cried Passedix, drinking eau-de-vie as if -it were wine. "We will give them a warm reception; they'll find someone -to talk to, eh!<a name="page_188" id="page_188"></a> friend Cédrille?—Let us take a drink! this young -new-comer hangs back!"</p> - -<p>"No, I don't; but my eye pains me!"</p> - -<p>"An additional reason for drinking! this eau-de-vie is nectar.—Here's -the health of the man who treats us so courteously! Our host is a sly -rascal! he pretends to be afraid of the watch, but the watch isn't so -strict, so severe, as formerly. It doesn't date from yesterday, you -know; as long ago as the time of Clotaire II, every large town in the -kingdom had a night watch. In 595, an edict was issued, of which the -principal provisions were:</p> - -<p>"When a robbery is committed at night, those who are of the watch in the -quarter will be held responsible if they do not arrest the robber; if -the robber, fleeing from them, is seen in another quarter, and the guard -of that other quarter, being forthwith notified, fail to arrest him, the -loss occasioned by the robbery shall fall upon them, and they will be -condemned in addition to pay a fine of five sous; and in like manner -from quarter to quarter.—Peste! there was no joking about such matters -in those days!"</p> - -<p>"What I admire most of all, monsieur le chevalier," said the Bohemian, -filling the glasses, "is your profound erudition; you know -everything—yes, everything! I will wager that you are able to quote the -<i>Capitulaires</i> of Charlemagne."</p> - -<p>"In truth, I am rather well informed; and but for this infernal vocation -for the sword and for fighting, I believe that I should have become a -troubadour, a trouvère,<a name="page_189" id="page_189"></a> of the first rank; I should have contended for -the palm with Clémence Isaure and all her supporters!—Delicious -eau-de-vie! it is like whey!"</p> - -<p>"Come, come, Seigneur Cédrille; you do not drink, you do not follow your -gallant companion's example!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! you see, I am not empty, like the chevalier; I had a good lot to -drink at the hôtel."</p> - -<p>"At the hôtel where you lodge?"</p> - -<p>"No; at the Hôtel de Mongarcin, where I took my cousin Miretta and left -her."</p> - -<p>"Ah! so your pretty cousin is at the Hôtel de Mongarcin?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, on Rue Saint-Honoré—close by."</p> - -<p>"On this same street, eh?"</p> - -<p>"She has a fine place there with the young lady of the house; and -I—they are kind enough to keep me too, as long as I stay in Paris. But -I shall not stay long; I have no desire to enjoy myself every evening -the way I have this evening."</p> - -<p>The Bohemian seemed to reflect; Passedix, whose eyes were beginning to -close and his utterance to thicken, heaved a profound sigh and muttered:</p> - -<p>"Look you, comrade Cédrille, I am going to tell you something in -confidence: you can't be in love with your cousin, as you leave her here -in Paris and go back to your mountains!"</p> - -<p>"You think I ain't in love with her, do you? Well, that is where you are -mistaken! On the contrary, I love<a name="page_190" id="page_190"></a> Miretta with all my heart, and I'd -have liked right well to marry her! But she won't have me! So all I can -do is make the best of it! She refused me flat, and she's a girl with a -very strong will! When she says no, that's the end of it; she never -changes her mind."</p> - -<p>"Since she has refused you, we are friends once more; for you are no -longer my rival."</p> - -<p>"Your rival?"</p> - -<p>"Sandis! yes! I do not choose to dissemble any longer. I am in love with -your enchanting cousin! Ah! so much in love that it would make me an -idiot if that were possible! And with me, I venture to think that she -will not say <i>no</i>!"</p> - -<p>Cédrille rubbed his uninjured eye, and stared for several seconds at the -long, lank, yellow chevalier, who had declared his love for his pretty -cousin; then, without replying, he began to laugh heartily.</p> - -<p>This outburst of hilarity seemed to displease Passedix, who said:</p> - -<p>"What are you laughing at, young countryman? I am not fond of having -anyone laugh at me without telling me why, capédébious! I am your -friend, but you must not presume upon the rights which that title gives -you."</p> - -<p>"Seigneur chevalier," said the Bohemian, "you seem to me to forget at -this moment that this young man is the kinsman of the woman you love."</p> - -<p>"You are right, venerable old man.—Your hand, Cédrille; no quarrel -between us! I drink to your health!"<a name="page_191" id="page_191"></a></p> - -<p>"Ah! jarni!" cried the Béarnais peasant, putting his hand to his brow. -"I remember now—and it had gone entirely out of my head!"</p> - -<p>"What, my fine fellow?"</p> - -<p>"My cousin told me that she would look for me this evening, at dusk, to -take her to Rue Saint-Jacques, to Master Hugonnet's bath keeper, whose -daughter came to our assistance this morning during that infernal -battle."</p> - -<p>"What, little cousin! pretty Miretta makes an appointment with you, and -you forget it!—Mordioux! if she had said that to me! But perhaps it is -not too late; let us go there."</p> - -<p>Passedix tried to rise, as did Cédrille, but neither of them was able to -stand on his legs, and they fell back heavily on their chairs.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the Bohemian had taken from beneath his cloak a small phial -filled with a reddish liquid, from which he poured into his companions' -goblets, pretended to put some into his own glass, and took it up, -saying:</p> - -<p>"Can you think of such a thing, <i>beaux sires</i>? it is too late now, a -young girl cannot go out at this time of night; the fair Miretta must -have abandoned her walk, and you will take her some other time. -Meanwhile, taste this <i>rozolio</i>, of which my lucky star enabled me to -obtain a flask, and which I could not drink in better company!"</p> - -<p>Passedix hastened to drink the liqueur which had been put before him, -not, however, without pausing now and then to smack his lips; Cédrille -did the same, stammering:<a name="page_192" id="page_192"></a></p> - -<p>"Ah! jarnigué! that's good! That smacks of all sorts of things; I never -drank anything so sweet. What do you call this?"</p> - -<p>"Our venerable friend has just told you," hiccoughed Passedix, resting -his arms on the table. "It's <i>ro—ro—rozo</i>——"</p> - -<p>He was unable to finish the word. In a moment, his head sank on his arms -and he fell asleep; Cédrille soon followed his example.</p> - -<p>Thereupon the Bohemian rose, left the table, and walked hastily from the -wine shop.</p> - -<h2><a name="XVI" id="XVI"></a>XVI<br /><br /> -<small>THE NIGHT</small></h2> - -<p>As soon as he was in the street, the pretended Bohemian walked at a gait -which did not resemble that of an old man; he went hastily along Rue -Saint-Honoré toward the Hôtel de Mongarcin. There he stopped, looked -about in all directions, and listened for sounds inside the house, where -some windows were still lighted; then he tried to pierce the darkness -that prevailed in the street; for at that time Paris was very poorly -lighted, or, rather, was not lighted at all.</p> - -<p>Toward the beginning of the sixteenth century, the Parisians had been -ordered to place lighted lanterns in<a name="page_193" id="page_193"></a> front of their houses, but the -order had never been strictly complied with. And even when a lantern was -placed before a door, it contained only a candle; so that you can judge -how much light it was likely to give and how long it would burn. From -time to time, one spied a bright light in the distance, but it did not -remain in one place; and when it happened to come toward you, you -discovered that it was a torchbearer. In most cases, that industry was -carried on by children; there was a bureau on the Estrapade, where boys -were supplied with torches to provide light for persons using the -streets at night.</p> - -<p>After a few moments' reflection, our Bohemian suddenly walked on; he -continued up the street, and took what seemed to him the shortest road -to Rue Saint-Jacques. But, as he walked, he scrutinized carefully every -woman whom he met; to be sure, his curiosity found few subjects to -investigate, for it was nearly ten o'clock, which was very late at that -period; so that but few people were abroad; and a woman who appeared in -the street alone, at that time of night, might well expect that people -would form a very poor opinion of her and treat her accordingly.</p> - -<p>But as he drew near the fortress called the Grand Châtelet, the Bohemian -stopped; he had espied a woman, alone, who was looking about her and -seemed not to know which way to turn.</p> - -<p>She made up her mind at last, and was starting toward the Petit-Pont, -when a voice called to her:<a name="page_194" id="page_194"></a></p> - -<p>"Where are you going, Miretta? You are wrong; that is not your road."</p> - -<p>At the first sound of that voice, Miretta—for it was she—stopped as if -paralyzed by surprise; but it had no sooner ceased to speak than she -cried out, with a delight which she could not hold in check:</p> - -<p>"That voice—oh! it is his! I cannot be mistaken! Where are you, -Giova——"</p> - -<p>Before the girl could finish the name, the pretended Bohemian had taken -her in his arms and strained her to his heart, saying in an undertone:</p> - -<p>"Hush! hush! never utter that name! for it would be my destruction! it -would be condemning me to death!"</p> - -<p>"To death! Oh! forgive me, forgive me! but I am so happy, you see, at -this moment! I see you once more, I find you the very first day that I -am in Paris. Ah! I did not hope for so much good fortune! My dearest -friend, my only love! oh! tell me that you still love me, and I will -forget all the tears I have shed since you abandoned me. Tell me that -you are still my lover, my beloved, my Giova——"</p> - -<p>"Again! Ah! Miretta, you will cause my ruin!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! forgive me! but the pleasure, the joy of seeing you after such a -long separation—— I am mad, you see; I do not know what I say! Here, -feel how my heart beats! it is you, it is you, who are the cause! Oh! -speak to me, let me hear your loved voice again; let me be quite certain -that I am not the plaything of an illusion; for this costume,<a name="page_195" id="page_195"></a> this gray -beard—— Oh! but it makes no difference! I see your eyes, I am sure -that I am not mistaken!"</p> - -<p>"Come, come!" said Giovanni, passing the girl's arm through his; "let us -go away, first of all, from this fortress; the neighborhood of the Grand -Châtelet is not healthy for me."</p> - -<p>The girl allowed her lover to lead her away; it mattered little to her -whither he took her; she was with the man to whom she had given her -heart and had sworn to devote her life. That great city which she did -not know, the darkness that encompassed her, the distant outcries that -reached her ears from time to time—thenceforth none of those things -frightened her, for she held Giovanni's arm.</p> - -<p>The false Bohemian kept the girl walking for some time, pressing her arm -as soon as she attempted to speak, and motioning to her to maintain the -most profound silence. But Miretta's conductor seemed to know Paris -perfectly, and its most crooked, most deserted streets. After leading -her through several dark and narrow lanes, he came out on a small -square, stopped in front of a house, took a key from his pocket, opened -the door, and led his companion into the hall, saying:</p> - -<p>"This is the hôtel where I live; give me your hand and let me lead you. -Don't be afraid; in a moment we shall be able to see; make no noise."</p> - -<p>"Afraid! afraid! when I am with you! ah! you know me very little! See, -here is my hand! does it tremble?<a name="page_196" id="page_196"></a> I am with you; what does it matter to -me where you take me? I shall always be happy with you."</p> - -<p>A slight pressure of the hand replied to these words from Miretta; then -her guide led her up a staircase, stopped on the first floor, softly -opened a door, and ushered the girl into an apartment, where, by means -of a lamp burning at the back of the hearth, he speedily lighted several -candles. Giovanni then laid aside his cap, his wig, his great cloak, and -revealed a young man with a refined Italian face, whom we have already -seen in the plumed hat of the <i>soi-disant</i> Comte de Carvajal, a guest at -the Hôtel du Sanglier, to which he had taken Miretta.</p> - -<p>When she saw her lover stripped of all that paraphernalia which -disguised him, the girl ran to him and threw herself into his arms, -crying:</p> - -<p>"Ah! now you are as I knew you at Milan; as you were when you invited me -to dance, the first time we met at the Balestrino. How gladly I -accepted! How happy I felt even then to be dancing with you! for, you -know, I fell in love with you on the spot. That sentiment which was -destined to bind me to you struck me to the heart like thought, like -lightning. It is always like that when love is genuine, when it is -destined to last forever. Isn't it so, my beloved? And you loved me at -once, too, did you not?"</p> - -<p>As Giovanni listened to Miretta, his eyes assumed an expression of -tender melancholy. He had thrown himself<a name="page_197" id="page_197"></a> on a sofa; he drew the young -girl to a seat by his side, took one of her hands, which he put to his -lips from time to time, and said in an undertone:</p> - -<p>"Speak, speak on; you recall a very happy time!"</p> - -<p>"Very happy, do you say? But in that case, my love, why not have -prolonged it? I was free, my own mistress, and, listening only to my -heart, I gave myself to you; Giovanni was my idol, my god! How -impatiently I awaited your coming at night, under the shade of the -orange trees where you used to meet me! I asked nothing of you but to -love me and to tell me so. Ah! you know, Giovanni, how little I envied -the jewels and fine dresses of other girls! I had no desire for those -costly pleasures which one enjoys in cities! I wanted only you—only -your love! But after a few short months of that happiness, which I -believed was to last forever, you grew sad and anxious, you began to -fail frequently to keep our appointments. When I reproached you, you -lost your temper instead of apologizing. At last, one evening you told -me that you were going to start for Paris. 'With me?' I instantly asked. -But you turned your head away. All my entreaties were useless. I wept a -long while at your feet; you said to me simply: 'I will return!'"</p> - -<p>"Yes," Giovanni replied, looking the girl in the face; "and I forbade -you to follow me."</p> - -<p>"And so I did not follow you."</p> - -<p>"But why have you come to Paris, then?"<a name="page_198" id="page_198"></a></p> - -<p>"And why have you not returned? It is six months since you went -away—six months! Cannot you understand that that is a fearfully long -time when one loves, when one is waiting, when one lives only on hope?"</p> - -<p>"I would have returned."</p> - -<p>"Oh! don't tell me that, Giovanni! No, you would not have returned—or -else you would have come too late and would have found me dead! Clearly, -you do not understand how much I love you; you know not that to me this -love is above and beyond the whole world, that it makes me capable of -defying everything, of undertaking any enterprise.—But why do I disturb -the happiness that is mine now that I have found you?—Why these clouds -on your brow? I will not utter one word of reproach—I will not ask a -question. Let me live in the same city with you, let me see you, speak -to you sometimes, and I shall be happy; and I will not even ask you what -you are doing in Paris, or why you are afraid to have me mention your -name!"</p> - -<p>"But I propose to tell you!" muttered Giovanni, in a gloomy voice, -dropping the girl's hand, so that she shuddered, although she did not -yet know why her heart was turned to ice. "Since you have chosen to come -to Paris despite my prohibition, you must know what your lover is doing; -otherwise, you might unsuspectingly compromise his safety every day."</p> - -<p>The young man rose and walked about the room, with a sinister -expression, saying:<a name="page_199" id="page_199"></a></p> - -<p>"Ah! why did you come to Paris, Miretta?"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! in what a tone you say that! You would make me tremble if I -did not love you so dearly!"</p> - -<p>"Your love will not resist, I will swear, the confidence I am about to -make to you."</p> - -<p>"My love is stronger than everything! You may put it to the test!"</p> - -<p>"But if your lover were—a man banished from society—a—a criminal, in -short?"</p> - -<p>Miretta ran to Giovanni and threw herself into his arms, crying in a -tone of savage joy:</p> - -<p>"Ah! I was afraid that you were going to say that you loved someone -else! I breathe again, since it is not that."</p> - -<p>Giovanni kept his eyes fixed for some moments on the girl's, then said, -shaking his head:</p> - -<p>"Ah! it is the truth! she loves me truly!"</p> - -<p>Thereupon he resumed his seat and continued, but more calmly:</p> - -<p>"Listen, Miretta: there has been in Paris, for several months past, a -man who spreads terror through all classes of society, but especially -among the wealthiest; this man—this robber, for I am talking of a -robber—attacks every night those people whose purses he knows to be -well lined. Adroit, active, fearless, he intimidates his victims by his -audacity, he inspires terror by his mere presence, and never, up to the -present moment, has he been obliged to shed blood in order to accomplish -his ends. When—which rarely happens—he falls in with a gentleman who<a name="page_200" id="page_200"></a> -is brave enough to defend himself, he easily disarms him, and then -contents himself with taking his gold. You may imagine that the police -are straining every nerve to capture this brigand; but thus far all -their efforts have been fruitless. And yet his description, or rather -his costume, is known everywhere; for the robber always wears the same -dress when he performs his exploits. An ample olive-green cloak envelops -his body, a red cap with a fringe of boar's hair covers his head and -comes down to his eyes, and a long black beard conceals the lower part -of his face."</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu!" said Miretta; "the man must present a terrifying appearance, -in very truth! But what have I to do with this robber? I am not afraid -that he will take my gold. And why do you tell me of all his doughty -deeds?"</p> - -<p>Giovanni rose without replying; he went to an old chest secured by a -stout padlock, opened it, and took out the olive-green cloak, the cap -with the boar's hair, and the enormous black beard. He threw them all at -the girl's feet, saying:</p> - -<p>"See! here is the costume that this redoubtable brigand assumes every -night; for this man whom the police seek and pursue to no purpose, this -man who spreads terror and dismay throughout Paris—is I—your -lover—Giovanni!"</p> - -<p>Miretta covered her face with her hands.</p> - -<p>"You!" she murmured; "you! Oh! it is impossible!"</p> - -<p>"I have told you the truth, Miretta; indeed, why should I tell you this -story, if it were untrue?"<a name="page_201" id="page_201"></a></p> - -<p>"O mon Dieu! But what can have induced you to take up this horrible -trade?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! it goes back a long way! Alas! in life, one thing leads to another, -all things are connected. The child who refuses to study, the youth who -leads a vagabond life, the young man who seeks only to enjoy himself and -to gratify his passions—all these are insensibly marching on to the -goal which I have reached. They approach it less openly, perhaps! Some -become swindlers, others Greeks—that is to say, they cheat at cards in -fashionable society. I consider myself as good as they are; I run -greater risks, that is all the difference! Yes, the man who seeks -nothing but pleasure comes to this, unless he has the strength, the -common sense, to stop in time. But I did not stop. I determined to -indulge myself with all the forms of pleasure which the favorites of -fortune enjoy—or those men whose talents raise them to the highest -positions, to the greatest honors. But I had neither fortune nor talent. -I might tell you that it was the decree of fate, that my destiny was -written in advance, that I could not avoid it. I will not say that, -because I do not believe it; because, on the contrary, everything tends -to prove that men make themselves what they are.—Besides, why should I -seek to excuse myself? I had a momentary respite from my passions—a -moment of calm and almost unalloyed happiness; that was when I knew you, -Miretta! Your sincere love made me think, for a brief period, that to -love was all that was necessary to be happy.<a name="page_202" id="page_202"></a> But soon those passions, -which you had had the art to lull to sleep, reawoke in my being; it was -impossible for me to resist them. You yourself unsuspectingly aroused -them sometimes; for when I saw you dressed so simply, so shabbily, I -would say to myself:</p> - -<p>"'Ah! how lovely she would be in a handsome silk dress! in the jewels -with which so many old and ugly women bedeck themselves! What joy to -drive with her in a fine carriage! to see everyone admire her and envy -my good fortune!'"</p> - -<p>"Ah! did I need fine clothes to love you, Giovanni?"</p> - -<p>"No, not you; but I—I wanted to give them to you, to see you dressed in -them.—Well, Miretta, that desire I am able to satisfy now. Come, look!"</p> - -<p>Giovanni took Miretta's hand, led her to the chest, opened a false -bottom, and showed her a heap of gold pieces, jewels, and diamonds, -which half filled the great box.</p> - -<p>"Do you see that gold? do you see all those treasures? A few more months -in Paris, and I shall have twice as much! Then I will return to Italy; -and if you will go with me, you shall be the most fashionable, the most -coquettish, the most richly dressed of women!"</p> - -<p>Miretta turned away from the chest with a gesture of horror.</p> - -<p>"I! array myself in jewels that you have stolen! Oh! never! never! That -gold makes me ill! Look you, Giovanni—I must needs love you very dearly -to be still<a name="page_203" id="page_203"></a> in the room with you after the confession you have made to -me! And yet, I am grateful to you for having confided this terrible -secret to me; I thank you for having such confidence in me.—Ah! you -know full well that I will not betray it!—Yes, my love is so great that -I can forgive everything, forget everything! But, in pity's name! for -the love of God! renounce this ghastly career; leave this path of crime -in which, sooner or later, you will meet your punishment! You wanted -wealth—well, have you not enough? Take what you have acquired by such -evil means, since you have the courage to make use of it without -remorse. But come with me; let us leave Paris, and France, -to-morrow—nay, this very night! I will stay with you, to watch over -your safety, to turn aside the dangers that may threaten you. When all -danger is at an end, then I will leave you, if my presence annoys you; -but, near or far, I will watch over you, and every morning and every -evening I will pray God to forgive your crimes and open your heart to -repentance.—Giovanni, my Giovanni, do not spurn my entreaties; trust a -secret voice which tells me that death awaits you in the frightful trade -you ply. I beg you on my knees—abandon it, and let us fly—far, far -from Paris—to the end of the world—so far that you will be in no -danger.—Oh! I was mad just now when I preferred to know that you were a -criminal rather than in love with another woman; heaven is punishing me -for that blasphemy.—Giovanni, I give you back your liberty, your<a name="page_204" id="page_204"></a> -oaths; I will forgive you if you do love another woman. But, in the name -of the Madonna who presided over your birth, tell me, oh! tell me that -you will abandon this career, which will surely lead you to the -scaffold!"</p> - -<p>The girl had thrown herself at her lover's feet, she held his hands, she -raised to his face her eyes wet with tears; and at that moment there was -something sublime in the expression of her features.</p> - -<p>But Giovanni had listened to her with no outward evidence of emotion. -When she ceased to speak, he raised her, seated her on the sofa, took -his seat beside her, and said with perfect tranquillity:</p> - -<p>"My dear love, I forbade you to follow me, to come to France. I was wise -to do so; I anticipated some such scene as this. If you will take my -advice, you will return instantly to Milan."</p> - -<p>"With you?"</p> - -<p>"No; without me."</p> - -<p>"Never! My mind is made up: I shall remain where you are. I have nothing -left to lose! I have sacrificed to you a maiden's most precious -treasure, and it is easy for me to give you now my repose and my life."</p> - -<p>"But I do not ask you for either. You are too excitable, my poor -Miretta! you have an ardent imagination. Now, I am thoroughly practical. -You choose to remain in Paris—very good! But you must understand that -it is impossible for you to live with me; you would embarrass me; in -this trade of mine, a woman is always in<a name="page_205" id="page_205"></a> the way; when she thinks that -she is helping us, she ruins us!"</p> - -<p>"So you are not willing to abandon this—this infamous trade?"</p> - -<p>Giovanni darted a glance at the girl which almost made her shudder, as -he replied:</p> - -<p>"No woman will ever change my resolutions; when it pleases me to enjoy -my wealth, to return to Italy, the robber will vanish, and Giovanni, -favored of fortune, assuming a stately name and title, will make a -brilliant appearance in the world, where everyone will cringe to him -without trying to ascertain the source of his fortune.—You have heard -me, Miretta; so never recur to this subject, or you will see me no -more."</p> - -<p>Miretta made no other reply than to let her head sink sadly on her -breast.</p> - -<p>"You have a place in Paris, I am told: you are in the service of -Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; how do you know that?"</p> - -<p>"I know much more! It was Cédrille, your cousin, who brought you to -Paris?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; and I had arranged to meet him in front of the house this evening, -at dusk; I thought that he would be my escort and would take me to see a -young girl who lives on Rue Saint-Jacques, where her father keeps baths; -for that girl rendered us a great service this morning, when we arrived -in Paris. You do not know that——"<a name="page_206" id="page_206"></a></p> - -<p>"I know all! the miserable jests, the jibes that they discharged at your -travelling companion, poor Cédrille; and the compliments they paid to -the pretty foreigner; and the quarrel and the battle that followed!—Oh! -I recognized in all that the untamed highborn youth, which is determined -to be master in France—more master than the king, in truth! But let -them beware! There is at the head of the government a certain Cardinal -de Richelieu, who, I fancy, will straighten all this out! He will be -called a tyrant, for every man is so called who attempts to put down -abuses, to put a curb on license and disorder, to give power to the -laws, and, above all, to have them executed, whatever the name, the -rank, or the exalted position of the person whom they strike!—But the -man of genius, the strong man, is not at all disturbed by the clamor -which he stirs up about him; he goes his way and reaches his goal, often -calumniated by his contemporaries; it is posterity that takes it upon -itself to do him justice!—Well! it seems to me, Miretta, that I reason -rather well for a robber, eh? You see that, even though one lives at war -with society, that does not prevent one from doing justice to those who -are able to protect it.—But let us return to yourself: you waited in -vain for Cédrille, for I was plying him with drink at a wine shop, with -a certain Gascon chevalier, as long and lean as a beanpole, who claims -also to be your liberator."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! I remember; a tall man, and very thin; he almost knelt in -front of our horse; he insisted on kissing<a name="page_207" id="page_207"></a> my hand and on my accepting -him for my knight! But he is horribly ugly!"</p> - -<p>"That is true; but that does not prevent him from being in love with -you. Ah! Seigneur Passedix—that is this hero's name—is not discreet in -his love affairs. Beware, Miretta! he has sworn to triumph over your -rigor."</p> - -<p>"He is not dangerous! But even if he were the handsomest, most -fascinating man in the kingdom of France, you well know that my heart is -no longer mine to give!"</p> - -<p>Giovanni bestowed an affectionate glance on the girl and pressed her -hand lovingly, murmuring:</p> - -<p>"Poor girl! I know well that that is true! You are not like other -women!"</p> - -<p>But soon, as if regretting that momentary weakness, the Italian resumed -his indifferent air and began to pace the floor.</p> - -<p>"Well," he said, "have you been to see the bath keeper's daughter on Rue -Saint-Jacques?"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! no; in the first place, I waited for Cédrille a long while; -and when he did not come, I decided to go alone, for I am not timid, as -you know. But when I found myself all alone, at night, in the streets of -this great city, of which I have heard so many terrible things, I felt -troubled, my heart beat fast; however, I walked on, thinking that I knew -my road. At last, as I was afraid of going astray, I spoke to a -gentleman who was passing, and asked him to direct me to Master<a name="page_208" id="page_208"></a> -Hugonnet's baths, on Rue Saint-Jacques.—Ah! how I regretted speaking to -that man! If you knew how he treated me!—'Aha! you wanton!' he said; -'going to the baths so late? then the assignation must be very -important!'—And he added a lot of insulting remarks, and tried to put -his arm about my waist and to detain me by force. But anger gave me -strength; I pushed the man away so violently that he seemed dazed, and I -fled, running at random; then it was that I lost my way altogether. I -walked a long, long while, trying to find my way back to the Hôtel de -Mongarcin; but I would have passed the whole night in the street rather -than ask my way again! Then you met me."</p> - -<p>"This should serve you as a lesson, Miretta; you must not venture out -alone in Paris at night; it is dangerous for a man, much more so for a -pretty young girl; and if the watch had fallen in with you, they would -have taken you to the Filles Repenties. But the clock struck ten long -ago; I will take you back to the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Do you know that -they will form a strange opinion of you there? On the very day of your -arrival, you disappear for a large part of the evening."</p> - -<p>"I shall tell my young mistress what happened to me; I shall tell her -the whole truth; Mademoiselle Valentine will forgive me, for I will -promise to be more prudent hereafter."</p> - -<p>"You will tell her the <i>whole</i> truth?" repeated Giovanni, fastening his -eyes on the girl's face.<a name="page_209" id="page_209"></a></p> - -<p>"Yes, but without naming you. Oh! never fear: I will not tell—your -secret."</p> - -<p>"I rely upon it; come! But wait a moment."</p> - -<p>Giovanni took the horrible hairy cap, the huge beard, and the -olive-green cloak, and held them all up before Miretta, saying:</p> - -<p>"Look at these carefully; if you should ever see a man dressed in these -clothes, fly, fly at once—do not go near that man!—Do you swear, -Miretta?"</p> - -<p>"I swear," faltered the girl, in a trembling voice.</p> - -<p>"On that condition, you will see me again sometimes, now as a wealthy -gentleman, now as a simple artisan, or a bourgeois; but I will speak -first to you."</p> - -<p>With that, the Italian hastily resumed the costume of an old Bohemian; -when that was done, he said:</p> - -<p>"Come, now, let us make haste; but, above all things, make no noise."</p> - -<p>Giovanni quickly extinguished the candles and replaced in its corner the -smoking lamp, which but dimly lighted the apartment. Then he took -Miretta's hand and led her from the room and the house with the same -precautions and without meeting anybody. Once in the street, he drew his -companion's arm through his and forced her to walk rapidly.</p> - -<p>They walked the whole distance in silence; the girl was oppressed by -grief and alarm; when they met anyone, she pressed her guide's arm -tight, for she imagined that he would be recognized and arrested. But -Giovanni<a name="page_210" id="page_210"></a> knew Paris and its most crooked streets perfectly; in a very -short time he and his companion stopped in front of a large house, and -he said to her:</p> - -<p>"This is the place; here is the Hôtel de Mongarcin; you are at home."</p> - -<p>"Already!"</p> - -<p>"You say <i>already</i>, and you are trembling like a leaf, my poor girl!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! not for myself! For now I must leave you; but when shall I see you -again?"</p> - -<p>Giovanni made a movement with his head which seemed to indicate that he -did not himself know. Then, before Miretta had had time to detain him, -he disappeared, and she soon ceased to hear his footsteps.</p> - -<p>Thereupon Miretta gave free vent to her sobs and went into the house, -murmuring:</p> - -<p>"Ah! the unhappy man!"<a name="page_211" id="page_211"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="XVII" id="XVII"></a>XVII<br /><br /> -<small>THE FIRE OF SAINT-JEAN</small></h2> - -<p>Long before the reign of King Louis XIII, the sheriffs of Paris were -wont, on Saint-Jean's Eve, to cause huge piles of sticks of all -dimensions, with thorn bushes and small twigs quick to ignite, to be -constructed on Place de Grève, whither the king would come, in solemn -state, to set fire to that enormous mass with his own hand.</p> - -<p>In 1471, Louis XI followed the example of his predecessors and presided -at that ceremony, which eventually came to be attended with fêtes and -entertainments to which the good people of Paris always looked forward -with impatience.</p> - -<p>The Fire of Saint-Jean in 1573 was a magnificent ceremony, so it is -said. A mast about sixty feet in height had been erected on Place de -Grève, with many wooden crossbars, to which an enormous quantity of -fagots and bundles of brushwood was attached. A number of loads of wood -and countless bundles of straw were heaped about the base of this -structure. The whole was decorated, or rather disguised, by wreaths and -garlands. Bouquets were distributed to the king and his suite, to the -notables of the city, and to the magistrates. Fireworks<a name="page_212" id="page_212"></a> also were -placed under the fagots. A hundred and twenty archers from the city, a -hundred bowmen, and a hundred arquebusiers kept order. Lastly, they hung -on the mast a large basket containing two dozen cats and a fox. This -last then was, no doubt, the <i>ne plus ultra</i> of the fête. Poor cats! -poor foxes! We leave you in peace now when we have public rejoicings; -and to say the truth, I am persuaded that they are none the less -attractive for that reason.</p> - -<p>Under Cardinal de Richelieu, the ceremony of the Fire of Saint-Jean had -lost much of its brilliancy; cats were no longer burned, as it was -natural that they should not be, the first minister having a deep -affection for those animals, by which he loved to be surrounded.</p> - -<p>However, the ceremony continued to take place, and still attracted a -goodly number of sightseers, idlers, students, young girls, and even -young gentlemen, who came thither in search of adventures, or to play -tricks on rustics.</p> - -<p>A few weeks after the events we have narrated, the Place de Grève was -adorned by a pile of combustibles, which, while it could not be compared -with those which we have described, was very presentable none the less.</p> - -<p>When the night began to fall, there was a large number of people -assembled on the square; but that was a mere nothing, for every moment -thereafter the quays or the narrow streets leading into the square -poured forth a<a name="page_213" id="page_213"></a> constant stream of bourgeois parties, bands of young -clerks of the Basoche, young men arm in arm, people of the lower -classes, esquires, pages, and elegant young gentlemen carefully -enveloped in their cloaks, beneath which they tried to conceal the -richness of their costumes, but always betrayed it by the too gorgeous -plumes that adorned their hats or the magnificence of the spurs attached -to their boots.</p> - -<p>By the time that it was quite dark, the square was crowded, and one -could not move without difficulty, especially in the direction of the -pile. But what life! what animation! what a fusillade of voices! what a -din of remarks and questions bandied about in all directions! It was an -incessant humming sound.</p> - -<p>Many people reflected aloud, in order to be overheard by everybody -within earshot; for at all times there have been plenty of those fine -talkers, those pretentious personages who deem themselves called upon to -declaim, to put themselves forward, and who often put forward nothing -but their folly or their conceit!</p> - -<p>"This way, father; let us go this way; I promise you that we shall have -a much better place to see the fire!" said a tall, fine-looking girl, in -whom we meet once more a pleasant acquaintance from Rue Saint-Jacques.</p> - -<p>It was Ambroisine, whose right arm was passed through the arm of a girl -even prettier than herself, but with a shy, timid air, who was evidently -surprised beyond measure to find herself in the midst of that tumult. -That girl<a name="page_214" id="page_214"></a> was Bathilde, the daughter of Landry the bath keeper of Rue -Dauphine.</p> - -<p>How did it happen that she was so far from home, and without her mother, -in the midst of that bold and curious crowd, where beauty and youth were -the objective point of the glances of most of the sightseers? How did it -happen that she was arm in arm with Ambroisine, upon whom Dame Ragonde -had looked coldly for so long a time, and with whom she seemed afraid to -allow her daughter to talk?</p> - -<p>The reason was that Bathilde's mother had an old kinswoman in Normandie, -who had always manifested much affection for her, and had refrained from -marrying, with the intention of leaving all her property to Ragonde some -day. That property consisted of a few acres of land and a wretched -house—the whole being worth, perhaps, fifteen hundred livres; but we -must remember that in those days fifteen hundred livres was equal to six -thousand to-day; that Landry had no other property than his business; -and lastly, that in Ragonde's eyes that fifteen hundred livres would be -a sufficient dowry to obtain for Bathilde the hand of some respectable -Parisian tradesman.</p> - -<p>It happened that one fine day a message arrived from Caudebec, the old -kinswoman's residence. A neighbor of hers wrote to Dame Landry, to -inform her that her cousin was very ill, and was most anxious to have -her by her side, to close her eyes. He added that haste was<a name="page_215" id="page_215"></a> important, -because the old maid seemed to have only a short time to live.</p> - -<p>On receipt of this message, Dame Ragonde instantly made preparations for -her journey; the famous inheritance being at stake, she felt that she -must not hesitate! But as she was about to start, she thought of -Bathilde, whom in her absorption she had forgotten. Should she take her -or leave her with her father? To trust the old trooper of Henri IV to -watch over a young girl was imprudent, perhaps. But, on the other hand, -to take on a journey the child whom she had guarded so carefully up to -that time was to expose her to the risk of listening to the chatter of -every comer; of being the object of gallant attentions, perhaps even of -bold enterprises, on the part of their fellow travellers. For Dame -Ragonde had not the means to travel in a litter; and in those days -travel was so slow, the means of transport so difficult, that one was -obliged to pass a long time in a coach or other vehicle, even when one -had not a long distance to travel. And then there was the matter of -expense, which was of great importance to the bath keeper's wife. It -cost a great deal to travel; and the expense would be doubled if she -should take her daughter.</p> - -<p>The result of her reflections was that Dame Ragonde set out alone, but -not without saying to her husband many times:</p> - -<p>"Keep a sharp eye on your daughter! Don't let her leave the house or -receive any visits; make no change in<a name="page_216" id="page_216"></a> the order which I have -established in our household, so that no one may notice that I am -absent! And always tell everyone that I am coming back in the course of -the day."</p> - -<p>If the person who goes away knew how soon her injunctions are forgotten, -she would not take the trouble to repeat them so many times. It is not -always disinclination to comply with them on the part of those whom you -leave in your place; but when you give your instructions, you cannot at -the same time impart your habits, your intelligence, your rigidity, your -searching glance, your observant mind—in a word, your nature; and -everyone acts according to his nature.</p> - -<p>Landry, despite his moustaches and his surly manner, had a softer heart -than his wife; and then, too, this persistent watching, this making -one's self a spy upon one's daughter, is much more consonant with a -woman's habit than with a man's. Moreover, as the old soldier had not -the slightest doubt of his child's virtue, he did not understand why he -must be incessantly on his guard, as with a prisoner who is always -trying to escape.</p> - -<p>The first days that followed Dame Ragonde's departure brought about no -change in Bathilde's usual mode of life, for it did not occur to her to -ask leave to go out, and no one came to divert her.</p> - -<p>But one morning Ambroisine came to Landry's establishment, and was much -surprised to be able to reach Bathilde's room without meeting her -mother's sour face and hearing her say:<a name="page_217" id="page_217"></a></p> - -<p>"My daughter is busy; don't stay long, for it disturbs her."</p> - -<p>When she learned that her friend's mother was away from Paris, -Ambroisine uttered a cry of joy, and said to Bathilde:</p> - -<p>"What! you have been free for several days, and you haven't sent me word -or come to see me?"</p> - -<p>"You know very well that I never go out."</p> - -<p>"Because your mother is not willing; but when she is away——"</p> - -<p>"Oh! father wouldn't let me go out, either; mother is sure to have told -him not to!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I will bet that he would; I will bet that your father will not be -so strict, that he will understand that you have no pleasure, no -distraction at all, and that it is not fair that a poor girl should pass -her best days shut up in her room. Look you, I have a godmother, a nice -old woman, a farmer's wife, who lives in the village of Vincennes. I -never have time to go there, nor does my father; and yet Mère -Moulineau—that is my godmother—often sends us little cheeses and -cream, and begs us to come to see her. The poor woman is old and infirm -and can't come to Paris. Every day, I say to father: 'To-morrow I will -go to see my godmother Moulineau;' and he says: 'Go, my child.'—Well, -Bathilde, if you like, I will take you with me, and we will sleep at -godmother's. Ah! she will give us a warm welcome; she will be so glad to -see me!"<a name="page_218" id="page_218"></a></p> - -<p>"Oh! father wouldn't allow me to sleep away from our house."</p> - -<p>"After all, perhaps you would find it tiresome at my godmother's.—By -the way, it just occurs to me—the day after to-morrow is the day for -the Fire of Saint-Jean on Place de Grève. Father has promised to take me -there; I have never seen it, and they say it's beautiful; will you come -with us?"</p> - -<p>"Will I! Why, you know very well that I should be overjoyed—I who know -nothing and have never seen anything. But I shall never dare to ask -father to let me go; he would refuse."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so, if you asked him; but if my father, his friend, his -comrade, should undertake the mission——"</p> - -<p>"Your father! do you think that he would be willing to ask him that?"</p> - -<p>"Why not? Father is kind-hearted, he loves me dearly, he sees no harm in -his daughter having a little enjoyment sometimes. When it is a -respectable kind of pleasure, where is the harm? Because one enjoys -one's self a little, does that prevent one from behaving decently. Never -fear—I will send him here, to your father, to-morrow, and the day after -to-morrow you will come with us."</p> - -<p>"Oh! if it might be true!"</p> - -<p>"I have made up my mind, and it shall be. I have a will of my own, you -see!"</p> - -<p>And in fact, on the day following this interview, Master Hugonnet, to -gratify his daughter's wish, betook himself<a name="page_219" id="page_219"></a> to his confrère Landry's -shop, and, while emptying a jug of wine with him, said:</p> - -<p>"I have a request to make of you, comrade."</p> - -<p>"Speak; you know that if I can be of service to you in any way, I am at -your disposal—I and my old blade, which is still serviceable at need!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! I know the worth of your blade and the strength of your arm, but -there is no question of them in what I have to ask.—You know that my -girl is a friend of yours, that it is her greatest joy to be with -her—for they have known each other a number of years; they were -children when their acquaintance began; but now they are big girls, and -their friendship has grown like their bodies!"</p> - -<p>While Master Hugonnet was speaking, Landry played with his moustache, -but did not frown.</p> - -<p>"I know all that," he said at last, when his friend paused to take a -drink. "Well! what then?"</p> - -<p>"Well! I myself seize every opportunity that presents itself to provide -my daughter with a little pleasure; for Ambroisine deserves it! The -wench keeps my house in fine shape! she has brains and activity and -character! She's a good girl, I tell you, and doesn't let the coxcombs -and gallants, no, nor the grands seigneurs themselves,—and many of them -come to my shop, God knows!—talk nonsense to her. When they try to be -too free in their manners with Ambroisine—jernidié! she has a tongue -and nails, and a stout fist. You should see how she makes them dance!"<a name="page_220" id="page_220"></a></p> - -<p>"She does well. But what then?"</p> - -<p>"Why, to-morrow is the ceremony of the Fire of Saint-Jean on Place de -Grève; Ambroisine has never seen it, so she asked me to take her there, -and I promised; but she told me, too, that she would be much happier if -her young friend Bathilde could come with us, because she knew it would -be a great pleasure for your daughter, who—who—who has none too many! -You see, comrade, it isn't right to work all the time and never have any -amusement; on the contrary, when one is young is when one should enjoy -one's self. We old fellows still make merry once in a way, when we have -an opportunity; and then, after all, where's the harm in a young girl -having a little amusement, when it's with the knowledge of her parents -and under their eyes? To cut it short, comrade, the purpose of all this -is to ask you to confide your daughter Bathilde to me to-morrow, in the -latter part of the afternoon, so that I may take her with Ambroisine to -see the Fire of Saint-Jean; unless you will come with us, which would be -much better."</p> - -<p>As he listened to this request from his old friend, the ex-trooper's -brow became clouded, and he caressed his gray moustache for a long while -before replying:</p> - -<p>"But, you see, I promised Ragonde not to let Bathilde go out."</p> - -<p>"Alone! I understand that; but won't she be as safe with me and my -daughter as with you? Come, come! jernidié! let us not be so strict with -our children; if our<a name="page_221" id="page_221"></a> parents had always been so with us, it wouldn't -have tended to make us worship them."</p> - -<p>"Well!" Landry said at last, after a moment's hesitation; "come -to-morrow and fetch Bathilde; I will try to join you later."</p> - -<p>You know now by what concatenation of circumstances Bathilde found -herself on Ambroisine's arm on the square where the Fire of Saint-Jean -was to be celebrated.</p> - -<h2><a name="XVIII" id="XVIII"></a>XVIII<br /><br /> -<small>THE CROWD</small></h2> - -<p>"I say, Bahuchet! come this way; we can see the show explode much -better!"</p> - -<p>"Just wait, Plumard; before I can pass, this lady in front of me will -have to move; and her equilibrium is stable, I tell you! Once planted, -she's like the tower of Notre-Dame! there's no way of moving her."</p> - -<p>"What's that you say, blackguards, ne'er-do-wells, miserable little -Basochians! You come here to insult ladies! you're good for nothing -else! The idea of moving for such gentry!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! mon Dieu! madame seems to be getting excited! because she has a -fine new petticoat with fal-lals on it, and a silver buckle on her -belt!—I say, Plumard, I<a name="page_222" id="page_222"></a> thought there was an edict providing that only -strumpets and pickpockets might wear gold or silver on their clothes?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! an edict of Henri IV. But perhaps this stout lady is within -her rights!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! you little villains, if the watch was passing, I'd have you -apprehended!"</p> - -<p>"Oho! the watch!"</p> - -<p>"Aha! apprehended! she must be an attorney's wife."</p> - -<p>"Don't push me, or I'll box your ears!"</p> - -<p>"If you don't choose to be pushed here, you should come in a sedan -chair."</p> - -<p>"Or on your husband's mule."</p> - -<p>"With his junior clerk.—Well! I must pass, all the same."</p> - -<p>"You are treading on my foot, monsieur!"</p> - -<p>"Why do you put your feet on the ground? in a crowd like this, you -should stand on the air or perch on your neighbors."</p> - -<p>"Oh! look yonder, Bahuchet! there's a lady with a mask!"</p> - -<p>"Because she is ugly; that is why she doesn't choose to show her face."</p> - -<p>"Or else she is here on the sly."</p> - -<p>"Look you! I prefer to look at the faces of those two little hussies in -blue caps."</p> - -<p>"Yes, they are very pretty; but I know them by sight; they come here to -meet a couple of pages; I often<a name="page_223" id="page_223"></a> meet them walking with their lovers on -the Pré-aux-Clercs."</p> - -<p>"I say, Plumard, do you know whether they are going to broil any cats in -the fire to-night?"</p> - -<p>"Why, no; don't you see that there isn't a single basket hung on the -great tree?"</p> - -<p>"Well, if they have stopped burning cats, there's no more sport! That's -the way that all our noblest customs are being allowed to fall into -decay! If I had known that, I'd have brought a bag of mice!"</p> - -<p>"Do you sell mice?"</p> - -<p>"No; but my landlord is very fond of them, for his house is always full; -I believe he eats them."</p> - -<p>The two young blades who were conversing thus in the midst of the crowd -as unconcernedly as if they were alone were two attorney's clerks, but -of the class that one meets more frequently in the streets, in front of -shops and open-air theatres, than in the employer's office; genuine -idlers, who, in the excitement of playing a joke on some passer-by, -entirely forget the errand on which they have been sent, important -though it may be, and who always remain under clerks, unless their -parents have the means to buy them an office.</p> - -<p>Bahuchet was very short—less than four feet nine; he had a wretched -figure, in addition to his shortness, and an ugly face as well; his -forehead was low, his too retroussé nose displayed two nostrils of -enormous size, which played a very important rôle in his countenance;<a name="page_224" id="page_224"></a> -his mouth was too wide and his eyes too narrow; but in those small eyes -there was an intelligent and mocking expression, which his cunning smile -intensified.</p> - -<p>Monsieur Bahuchet, albeit he was always disposed to laugh at other -people, took in very bad part the jests that were aimed at his person; -he lost his temper very easily. As a general rule, short men are much -more choleric than tall ones; why? Rabelais will give you the -explanation, which I dare not quote here.</p> - -<p>Plumard, Bahuchet's friend and usual companion, measured just the five -feet necessary for military service; but beside his comrade he -considered himself a fine figure of a man, and ostentatiously looked -down on him.</p> - -<p>Monsieur Plumard, while he was not handsome, was less ugly than -Bahuchet; he had a nose of respectable appearance; an ordinary mouth, -but of modest dimensions; and his eyes, level with his face, might have -attracted attention by their size had it not been that they did so first -of all by the utter idiocy of their expression. But all that did not -prevent Monsieur Plumard from esteeming himself a very good-looking -youth.</p> - -<p>There was something, however, that poisoned the enjoyment of this -diminutive Apollo; his hair did not correspond with his other physical -advantages. At the age of twenty-seven, the young clerk of the Basoche, -who had never possessed more than a few scanty locks, saw with dismay -that that scant supply was diminishing; an affection of the skin had -already caused three-fourths<a name="page_225" id="page_225"></a> of it to drop out. He had for a long time -flattered himself that it would grow again, but he found that even the -little that remained was growing less.</p> - -<p>In vain did the clerk rub himself—in default of pomades, which were -then very expensive—with all the greasy substances that he thought -capable of restoring the fertility of his scalp; the fatal round spot, -having appeared on the summit of his head, had grown so much larger, and -the brow had so extended its limits, that Monsieur Plumard was almost -bald.</p> - -<p>The result was that he wore almost always the small cap, in the shape of -a hood, which the clerks of the Basoche then affected, and removed it -only when he was absolutely obliged to do so.</p> - -<p>Bahuchet, who knew his comrade from top to toe, and knew that his hair -was the subject on which his self-esteem was most sensitive, often -amused himself by attacking him at that point. It was not very manly; -but Plumard retaliated by jeering at his comrade's small stature and his -nose. Thus the two friends were quits, if we may call two persons -friends who continually make fun of each other. But I am inclined to -think that we may, for those who call themselves friends nowadays behave -in much the same way.</p> - -<p>"Are you in a good place, Bathilde? Can you see the pile?" Ambroisine -asked her young friend, who had not eyes enough to look about the -square, which was lighted by a vast number of torches which the -shopkeepers had<a name="page_226" id="page_226"></a> placed in front of their shops, and by lanterns which -had been brought there by order of the lieutenant of police.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, my dear Ambroisine, I am all right; I can see enough. I see -so many things! all these people, all these costumes—it all seems so -strange to me! Oh! but it is amusing!"</p> - -<p>"If you like, children," said Master Hugonnet, "we might go somewhere -and sit at a table? At one of yonder wine shops, we should have a very -comfortable place to wait for the fire, and you would be sitting down, -at all events, instead of standing all the time."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! my dear father, I see what you are aiming at—you would like -something to drink. Upon my word! that would be very nice! When you have -two girls to take care of, you don't drink, father—do you hear?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! you would have me catch the pip, then?—And to think that devil of -a Landry promised to join us! To be sure, he may be on the square; I -should like to see anyone find an acquaintance in a mob like this! If we -could find him, he would relieve me for a while. This crowd causes a -heat that—that makes one thirsty."</p> - -<p>"Ah! sandis! what a pleasant meeting! 'Tis the haughty Ambroisine, with -her worthy father, whom I see before me!"</p> - -<p>"Oho! it is Monsieur le Chevalier Passedix!" replied Ambroisine, as the -long, lean gentleman planted himself in front of her. "Have you also -come to see the Fire of Saint-Jean?"<a name="page_227" id="page_227"></a></p> - -<p>"Ah! little do I care for these celebrations. The fire that burns in the -depths of my heart would eclipse all possible Saint-Jeans. Do not be -alarmed, cruel girl! it is no longer to you that those words are -addressed. You spurned me, and I have carried elsewhere my sighs and my -prayers!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! I know it, monsieur le chevalier, and I congratulate you."</p> - -<p>"You know it? Ah, yes! I remember; you even know for whom I sigh. You -know Miretta?"</p> - -<p>"Do I know her! Oh! she is my friend, too. I am very fond of her! She -has shown such gratitude to me for the trivial service I rendered! She -comes to see me now and then."</p> - -<p>"Pardieu! I know it. The little one doesn't take a step without my -knowledge, without having me at her heels!"</p> - -<p>"She told me so, monsieur le chevalier, and I warn you that she dislikes -it extremely. She has said to me several times: 'If that tall, thin, -yellow man continues to follow me as soon as I set foot in the street, I -shall be obliged to tell him that he is wasting his time and his -steps.'"</p> - -<p>"Ha! ha! ha! First of all, I will wager that Miretta did not say: 'that -tall, thin, yellow man'; those are your own words, cruel tongue! Oh! I -know women! They complain when we follow them; but they would be sorely -disappointed if we did not follow them!"<a name="page_228" id="page_228"></a></p> - -<p>"Well! try to disappoint Miretta; that will gratify her."</p> - -<p>"I hoped to meet her here.—Bigre! I had not noticed; you have a most -charming young lady on your arm!"</p> - -<p>"Is she not? This is Bathilde, my closest friend. I suppose, of course, -that you will at once fall in love with her too?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! it is all over with me! You judge me ill, fair Ambroisine; I -have given my heart to Miretta! For her alone do I propose henceforth to -perform doughty deeds.—Sandis! what in the devil is this slipping -between my legs like a lizard? Is it a man? is it an eel?"</p> - -<p>"Don't disturb yourself, seigneur," replied Bahuchet; "I have got -through. You must understand that I couldn't remain behind you; you are -as tall as a giant!"</p> - -<p>"And you are a dwarf, apparently! Ought atoms to be allowed in the -crowd? Someone will crush you without noticing it, my little fellow!"</p> - -<p>"Ouiche! I won't allow myself to be flattened out without saying -<i>beware</i>!—I say, Plumard! do you hear this long asparagus stalk, who -thinks that I am to be crushed like a grain of salt?"</p> - -<p>Plumard was a few feet away, gazing at Bathilde, and apparently -speechless with admiration.</p> - -<p>"Plumard! Plumard! <i>ubi es</i>?—Ah! there he is!—Why don't you answer? -What's the matter with you, pray? One would say that you were changed -into a wooden man!"<a name="page_229" id="page_229"></a></p> - -<p>Plumard simply motioned with his head, calling his comrade's attention -to the fascinating girl. Whereupon Bahuchet looked at Bathilde and said, -with a wink:</p> - -<p>"Ah! famous! that's famous!—You see, Plumard, when I see such an -attractive young woman, I begin by saluting her, to show my respect. Do -as I do."</p> - -<p>And Monsieur Bahuchet took off his cap to Bathilde, who paid no -attention to him.</p> - -<p>But Plumard, who did not choose to uncover his head, made an impatient -gesture and moved a little farther away, muttering:</p> - -<p>"I have a cold in my head."</p> - -<p>From time to time Ambroisine turned, and her eyes seemed to seek someone -in that multitude, made up of people of all ranks and classes, who -seemed to have appointed to meet on Place de Grève.</p> - -<p>"Do you see Landry?" Master Hugonnet asked his daughter, who shook her -head, murmuring:</p> - -<p>"No, father, no, I don't see Monsieur Landry."</p> - -<p>But was it Landry for whom she was looking? Was it not rather Miretta, -who had told her that she too would try to go to see the Fire of -Saint-Jean? Indeed, I would not swear that the <i>belle baigneuse</i> was not -looking for someone else, for there was in her eyes a certain expression -that might have aroused the suspicions of a jealous husband.</p> - -<p>"Well! aren't they going to light the fire this evening? Are they going -to make us wait till Saint-Martin's?<a name="page_230" id="page_230"></a> I say! Plumard! Plumard! are you -still playing the wooden man?"</p> - -<p>"Come here, Bahuchet; this is a much better place, it's nearer the -fire."</p> - -<p>"What! do you dare to go so near as that? Look out, Plumard! the flame -may singe your hair. Give me a lock first; I am sure that before long it -will bring a high price, your hair! and, even so, everyone won't get it -who would like some of it."</p> - -<p>"You have forgotten something, Bahuchet!"</p> - -<p>"What is that?"</p> - -<p>"The two corks that you put in your nose when you go out on a windy -night. Look out! there's a man with a torch beside you; don't turn, your -nose would blow it out."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Monsieur Plumard is pleased to be sarcastic.—However, you have a -right to swagger; you know that I won't take you by the hair."</p> - -<p>"Wait! just wait! I will give you a drubbing, you miserable dwarf!"</p> - -<p>The two clerks approached to exchange blows; but as the Chevalier -Passedix was between them, they used him as a rampart behind which to -shelter themselves, and that rampart received many of the blows which -the young gentlemen intended for each other.</p> - -<p>"Sandioux! here are two rascals fighting between my legs now! Have you -nearly finished, pygmies? If you force me to draw Roland from its -sheath, I promise you that you will both be spitted like starlings!"<a name="page_231" id="page_231"></a></p> - -<p>The two clerks, trying to run away in order to escape the effects of the -Gascon's wrath, collided with two women from the market, who pushed them -away with so much force that Monsieur Plumard fell to the ground, and, -to put the finish to his misfortunes, he lost his cap in the fall, so -that that youthful head was disclosed to view, already almost bald, -having only a narrow band of vegetation left, just above the ears.</p> - -<p>A general laugh arose, and the merriment was increased by the furious -manner in which the unfortunate clerk ran through the crowd on all -fours, looking between every pair of legs, and shouting:</p> - -<p>"My cap! my cap! don't step on it!"</p> - -<h2><a name="XIX" id="XIX"></a>XIX<br /><br /> -<small>TWO MEN ON ALL FOURS</small></h2> - -<p>Ambroisine laughed like the rest when she saw Monsieur Plumard's bald -head. She turned toward her friend, to see if she had noticed that -sight; but she was thunderstruck by the strange expression presented by -Bathilde's face at that moment.</p> - -<p>The charming girl seemed happy and confused at the same time. Her eyes, -half lowered, but in such wise that she could look out of the corners, -were more brilliant than usual. Her cheeks wore a deeper flush, her -mouth<a name="page_232" id="page_232"></a> was half open in a smile. All this was not natural; and -Ambroisine, with the knowledge that she possessed of the human heart, -tried to discover what could cause her friend's emotion. Thereupon -Master Hugonnet's daughter saw at Bathilde's left a young man wrapped in -a cloak, his head covered by a broad-brimmed hat adorned with waving -plumes, and beneath that hat a very comely face, haughty and -distinguished, but most seductive when it chose to take the trouble, and -that is what it was doing at that moment.</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! it is Comte Léodgard!" said Ambroisine to herself, as she -recognized the young man who held Bathilde as if fascinated by the -eloquence of his glance; and almost instantly, as if she divined the -danger that threatened her friend, she seized her arm and shook it, -saying:</p> - -<p>"Well, well! what is the matter? what are you thinking about, Bathilde? -I speak to you, and you do not answer!"</p> - -<p>"I, Ambroisine? oh! forgive me! I did not hear you."</p> - -<p>"You seem confused, excited; has anyone been pushing you or incommoding -you? would you like to take my other arm?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! no! nobody has troubled me; nothing is the matter."</p> - -<p>"But I say that there is; it is that young gentleman beside you, who -keeps his eyes on you all the time! It is intolerable, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! it doesn't trouble me; just look at him, Ambroisine, without -seeming to; you will see what a handsome man that gentleman is."<a name="page_233" id="page_233"></a></p> - -<p>"I don't need to look at him again; I know him perfectly well!"</p> - -<p>"You know him?"</p> - -<p>Before Ambroisine had had time to reply, Léodgard, who had recognized -the <i>belle baigneuse</i> in her whose arm was passed through that of the -girl who had taken his fancy, quickly stepped toward her and accosted -her with his most affable air:</p> - -<p>"Hail to the fair Ambroisine! Ah! and Master Hugonnet too! Really, this -Fire of Saint-Jean is a delightful ceremony; one makes pleasant meetings -here, and I congratulate myself that I came!"</p> - -<p>"Your servant, Monsieur le Comte Léodgard! You are very glad that you -came, perhaps; but, faith! I can't say as much. I have to stay here to -watch these two girls—impossible to go to quench my thirst. I don't -find it amusing, myself!"</p> - -<p>"Why, my good Hugonnet, if you are anxious to take something, intrust -your daughter and her young friend to me for a few moments; I promise -you, on my honor, that they will be as safe as with you."</p> - -<p>Master Hugonnet, who was exceedingly thirsty, seemed to hesitate a -moment; but his daughter squeezed his arm tightly and whispered:</p> - -<p>"Surely, father, you will not listen to that suggestion! you will not -leave two young girls with the Comte de Marvejols, who is so notorious -as a rake and a seducer! with his pretty speeches! If I were alone, I -could defend<a name="page_234" id="page_234"></a> myself; for, as you know, this gentleman tried to make -love to me once, and I gave him such a reception that he never tried it -again. But Bathilde, who knows nothing of the world, who is likely to -believe whatever anyone tells her—Bathilde, whom her father placed in -your care, because you promised him that she should not run any -risk—oh! you won't intrust her to this young nobleman!"</p> - -<p>"No, no! you are right, my child! I will not leave you," replied the -bath keeper, whom his daughter's words had caused to reflect. "You talk -sensibly; it would be imprudent, especially with the Comte de -Marvejols."</p> - -<p>"Oh! yes, father!"</p> - -<p>"All the same, Landry might have joined us!"</p> - -<p>While father and daughter conversed thus in undertones, Léodgard did not -take his eyes from Bathilde, whose beauty had made a profound impression -on him. She had begun to tremble when she heard the name of Léodgard de -Marvejols, for she instantly remembered all that Ambroisine had said to -her touching that young nobleman. The terrifying portrait that she had -drawn of him was well adapted to take from Bathilde any wish to look at -him again. But, on the contrary, whether from a spirit of contradiction, -or from mere curiosity, or from that desire to learn which has so much -potency in woman's heart, all the evil that one may say to them of a man -will never induce them to shun his presence, and their eyes will seek -him in preference to any other.<a name="page_235" id="page_235"></a></p> - -<p>Léodgard saw that his proposition was not accepted; but what did it -matter to him? Place de Grève belonged to everybody. If that fascinating -girl remained there, he would remain by her side; if she went away, he -would follow her. So that his face wore a pleasant smile as he addressed -Master Hugonnet again:</p> - -<p>"Well, my good man, you do not answer me? Is it because you no longer -feel the inclination to take a little walk to one of the nearby wine -shops?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! no, monsieur le comte; I should lie if I said that it was the -inclination that was lacking; but I cannot do it; for monsieur le comte -himself well knows that I ought not to intrust two young girls to him. -No, thanks! one might as well put two lambs in the custody of a fox!"</p> - -<p>"Eh! why so, Hugonnet? Is it because of the little dispute we had some -time ago? But you see that I have forgotten all about it. Besides, I was -in the wrong; I admit it.—Oh! I am not one of those men who will not -hear reason; look you—in those days I was a good-for-nothing fellow—a -roisterer, a libertine! But since then I have turned over a new leaf. If -you but knew how virtuous I am now!"</p> - -<p>"I congratulate you, seigneur; it must be a great source of satisfaction -to monsieur le marquis, your father."</p> - -<p>Léodgard concealed a faint smile, and his glance rested sweetly on -Bathilde's face, who, although she kept her eyes on the ground, did not -lose a word of what was said.<a name="page_236" id="page_236"></a></p> - -<p>"Yes, my good Hugonnet, yes, my father felicitates himself now on having -a son who is radically cured of his evil tastes; who no longer cudgels -the watch, drives peaceful citizens to frenzy, raises the deuce with -tradesmen, and, above all things, who no longer talks nonsense to every -woman he sees! For, as to that——"</p> - -<p>"Cadédis! the assemblage is becoming most select! Here is our dear Comte -Léodgard de Marvejols!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! is it you, Chevalier Passedix?"</p> - -<p>"Myself, who deeply regretted my inability to join the jovial party with -you and your friends and divers charming ladies, the day before -yesterday. Ah! you rascal! I fancy that you enjoyed yourselves!—Cards, -wine, women! You always were the king of kings for handling such -affairs. It seems that everybody was drunk the next morning; there was -fighting, and a general scandal; and the ladies were taken to the -Repenties! That is what I call sport!"</p> - -<p>"May the devil fly away with you, you long-legged idiot!" muttered -Léodgard, turning his head away, while Ambroisine nudged Bathilde and -whispered:</p> - -<p>"Do you hear? That is how he has turned virtuous, how he has reformed, -the scapegrace! That is how he turns over a new leaf!"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! Ambroisine, what difference does it make to me? You say that -as if it interested me."</p> - -<p>"Well! he stared at you so! And then, you think him good-looking."<a name="page_237" id="page_237"></a></p> - -<p>"I think him so, because he is. But what does that prove? Are you going -to scold me now because that young gentleman looked at me? Is it my -fault?"</p> - -<p>"Scold you, dear Bathilde! oh, no! But, you see, it is my duty to look -after you, as if I were your older sister; for we made ourselves -responsible for you to your father, and I should not want any misfortune -to happen to you; it would seem to me as if I were the cause."</p> - -<p>"Misfortune! Mon Dieu! what misfortune do you dread for me?"</p> - -<p>Ambroisine dared not reply. Suddenly the Chevalier Passedix stood on -tiptoe and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Sandioux! she is over there! I see her in the light of a torch. She is -a Venus, the little dear! By Roland! I must join her, even though I have -to push this whole crowd out of my way!"</p> - -<p>And the tall Gascon, beginning at once to work his arms and legs like a -windmill, forced aside all those who stood in his path, and soon reached -that part of the square where Miretta had stopped.</p> - -<p>Ambroisine followed Passedix with her glance, and she also spied her new -friend in the crowd at some distance; but in order to join her she would -have had to plunge into the midst of the mob that separated them and to -give up the good places they had secured; and Master Hugonnet had -declared that he would not stir. Ambroisine tried in vain, by raising -her arms and making signs, to attract Miretta's attention.<a name="page_238" id="page_238"></a></p> - -<p>Nevertheless, Cédrille's pretty cousin turned her eyes in every -direction. Surely she too was looking for someone; but was it her friend -Ambroisine?</p> - -<p>Suddenly Miretta felt a hand on her arm, and a shrill voice exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Ah! sandis! so I have found you at last, O my goddess! I was seeking -you, I will not say <i>per montes et vitulos</i>, but among all the groups of -pretty women. Will you do me the honor to accept my arm?"</p> - -<p>Miretta assumed a stern expression and answered curtly:</p> - -<p>"No, monsieur, I will not accept your arm; and since I meet you here, I -will take the opportunity to tell you that you are wasting your time by -following me constantly, that your obstinacy in pursuing me is most -annoying to me——"</p> - -<p>"Eh! cadédis! the little one plays the haughty dame! So you refuse my -homage—and this is the way you acknowledge the services I rendered you, -ingrate! I, who saved you from the most imminent danger! Your cousin -Cédrille did me more justice! I was his friend, his faithful companion. -I am very sorry that he has returned to Pau; he would have spoken to you -in my behalf."</p> - -<p>"Cédrille would not have encouraged your undertakings, monsieur le -chevalier; he knew too well that you had nothing to hope from me. I do -not know whether he had reason to congratulate himself on having taken<a name="page_239" id="page_239"></a> -you for a comrade, but I know very well that he made only a very brief -stay in Paris, and that he went away with a black eye, saying that he -had had enough of the capital and that he had not enjoyed himself here -at all.—However, monsieur, if you did take up my defence when I was -insulted, it seems to me that you should not regret it; it was your duty -as a man of honor. But I do not consider that it gave you the right to -spy upon my every movement and to be always at my heels."</p> - -<p>The Gascon chevalier was cut to the quick, and the firm and decided tone -in which Miretta had answered him added to his irritation; for a woman's -voice, while it may sometimes soften the most severe words, is no less -able to impart greater bitterness to the simplest rebuke. In all things, -it is the tone that makes the music.</p> - -<p>The tone adopted by the pretty brunette exasperated Passedix; he ran his -fingers through his beard and tried to sneer, as he muttered:</p> - -<p>"Ah! so that's the way it is! so we choose to adopt that tone! By -Roland! it is very pretty! And it is a paltry serving maid—a -lady's-maid—a mere fille de chambre, who indulges in these manners of a -grand duchess, when I condescend to honor her by letting my glance rest -on her back hair! Ah! my love, beware! I have never met any cruel -charmers—especially among your kind—and if you do not take my arm, I -am capable——"<a name="page_240" id="page_240"></a></p> - -<p>"Capable of what?" demanded a young man, dressed as a simple mechanic, -who had suddenly stepped between Miretta and Passedix, at the latter of -whom he gazed fixedly, while forcing him back several steps with his -left arm.</p> - -<p>"What business is it of yours, clown, who presume to question me? I find -you exceedingly bold! Knave! stand aside instantly, or I unsheathe——"</p> - -<p>And the Gascon chevalier, crimson with wrath, was already standing on -guard, with his right hand on the hilt of Roland; while Miretta, having -glanced at the young man who had come to her rescue, uttered an -exclamation of surprise, while her eyes beamed with joy and delight.</p> - -<p>"I will not stand aside, unless it is mademoiselle's pleasure to accept -my arm and leave this crowd which is pressing upon her," rejoined the -new-comer.</p> - -<p>"You! take this little one away from under my nose—from my very beard! -You shall die ten deaths first!"</p> - -<p>And Passedix instantly drew Roland from its sheath. The sight of that -bare sword waving in the midst of the crowd made the women shriek and -the children weep; but before he who held it could make use of it the -young man's hand seized the chevalier's wrist and squeezed it with such -force that the fingers opened and the sword fell to the ground.</p> - -<p>"Sandioux! I know that grip; I have felt it before somewhere!" cried -Passedix. "Disarm me! Shame! that is unfair! it is treachery!"<a name="page_241" id="page_241"></a></p> - -<p>But while the Gascon shouted, and shook his benumbed arm, the -<i>soi-disant</i> mechanic took Miretta's arm and disappeared with her in the -crowd.</p> - -<p>At that moment loud cries arose on all sides; the great pile had been -set on fire. Thereupon the crowd swayed hither and thither, some trying -to draw nearer the fire in order to see better, others to move away -because they were afraid.</p> - -<p>A powerful wave carried Passedix ten or fifteen yards away from the spot -where his sword had fallen. Thereupon he began to whine and lament in -the midst of the crowd, these words being distinguishable:</p> - -<p>"Look out, my friends! In the name of what you hold most dear, do not -step on it! If it is broken, I shall not survive; I shall bury the -fragments in my heart!"</p> - -<p>But the multitude, engrossed by what it had come to see, paid no heed to -the cries and groans and entreaties of the unhappy chevalier, who -struggled in vain to return to the place where he had lost Roland, and -who before long had no idea himself in which direction it was.</p> - -<p>This lasted until the fire died out.</p> - -<p>As soon as it was entirely extinct, the crowd scattered; everyone -returned home discussing the pleasure he had had, and some looking -forward to that which the evening promised them.</p> - -<p>Soon nobody was left on the square except two men, one very short, the -other quite tall, both of whom were on their hands and knees searching -in every corner, one<a name="page_242" id="page_242"></a> for his cap, the other for his sword. Suddenly -they came nose to nose, or rather head to head, in that occupation.</p> - -<p>"Are you helping me to look for it!" Passedix asked the clerk of the -Basoche; "thanks, my boy, that is very amiable on your part. If you find -it, I will give you six deniers; I have received some funds from my -family."</p> - -<p>"If I find it, I don't want your deniers!" rejoined Plumard, in a surly -tone. "It is mine, my own property, and if you find it you will have to -give it to me; don't think for a moment that I will let you keep it!"</p> - -<p>"What is the little fellow chattering about? If you find it, you propose -to keep it? Why, you are mad, my dear fellow! What would you do with it, -pray? It is twice too long for you; you could not even wear it."</p> - -<p>"I couldn't wear it! that's a good one, that is! On the contrary, it -fits me like an angel; while you don't need it, for you have a cap on -your head."</p> - -<p>"Why should my cap prevent me from wearing it, fool that you are?"</p> - -<p>"Do you mean to say that you would put it on over your cap? That would -look very pretty! At all events, it's my property."</p> - -<p>"Hold your tongue, you little thief! just let me find it and I'll punish -you with it!"</p> - -<p>The two worthies who had had this altercation, being still on all fours, -were about to rush at each other like two frantic cats, when a third -personage appeared on the scene, laughing and singing. It was Bahuchet, -with long<a name="page_243" id="page_243"></a> Roland in his hand, twirling his comrade's cap at the end of -the blade.</p> - -<p>"I say! you fellows! here's a find! the cap is mine, and the sword is -mine!"</p> - -<p>At sight of the objects they were seeking, Passedix and Plumard rose -spontaneously and pounced upon them. The former seized his sword, the -latter his cap, which he pulled over his eyes, and ran away at full -speed. The chevalier replaced Roland in its sheath, and then he strode -rapidly away.</p> - -<p>Bahuchet, left alone in the square, looked after them and said to -himself:</p> - -<p>"Well! they are very polite! they did not so much as thank me!"</p> - -<h2><a name="XX" id="XX"></a>XX<br /><br /> -<small>THE ROSEBUSH</small></h2> - -<p>A week after the memorable night on which the Fire of Saint-Jean -attracted so many people to Place de Grève and gave rise to so many -adventures, one evening, just at nightfall, a young man enveloped in a -brown cloak was walking on Rue Dauphine in front of Landry the bath -keeper's house, toward which he glanced every minute, scrutinizing with -especial care a window on the first floor, with a jutting balcony, on -which could be seen a superb<a name="page_244" id="page_244"></a> rosebush covered with flowers and buds. -And as, when one is looking in the air, one does not see before one's -face, the young man suddenly collided with a person who was walking -along the street at a rapid pace.</p> - -<p>"Ten thousand devils! be careful! can you not see where you are going?"</p> - -<p>"Par le mordieu! you had only to look, yourself!"</p> - -<p>"That voice! why, it is the young Comte de Marvejols!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! it is the Sire de Jarnonville. Pray excuse me; but I was too -distraught to see you. I am waiting—I am watching."</p> - -<p>"Very good; I understand; you are <i>en bonne fortune</i>—there is some new -intrigue on the carpet?"</p> - -<p>"A new intrigue, yes; but <i>en bonne fortune</i>—not yet. Oh! it will be a -hard task; there are great obstacles; but I must come out of it with -credit to myself!"</p> - -<p>"Are there blows to be dealt, sword thrusts to be exchanged? Do you need -me to cudgel someone? to break down a door or to scale a wall?"</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Jarnonville, thanks; but my intrigue must be carried on quietly -and without fighting.—It has to do with a young and pretty girl! Oh! -the word <i>pretty</i> falls far short of describing her! She is an -enchanting creature, an angel of innocence and beauty, whom I met by -chance, a week ago, at the Fire of Saint-Jean. She was with Ambroisine -and her father—you know whom I mean, the bath keeper on Rue -Saint-Jacques?"<a name="page_245" id="page_245"></a></p> - -<p>"Yes, Master Hugonnet.—Well?"</p> - -<p>"It was impossible to talk with the girl, for Ambroisine watched her -like a duenna! But I saw that my aspect did not displease her; she -blushed, and lowered her eyes. Her head is worthy of Titian's brush. Ah! -I am mad over her!—You will understand that I did not lose sight of -that adorable girl! After the fire, they left the square; I followed -them and found that they brought that angel to this house. She is the -daughter of Landry, the bath keeper; I tell you this in confidence, -Jarnonville, because I know that you will not try to rob me of my -conquest."</p> - -<p>"I! oh, no! My heart is closed henceforth to all such tender sentiments; -it no longer knows aught but regret and grief!"</p> - -<p>As he spoke, the Black Chevalier let his head sink on his breast.</p> - -<p>"Come, come, Jarnonville! do not abandon yourself constantly to your sad -memories; you are still young; my word for it, you may again see happy -days!—But let me finish my story:</p> - -<p>"The next day I went boldly to Master Hugonnet's shop. Ambroisine had -surprised me with my eyes fixed on her friend; I did not choose to feign -with her, so I asked her about her pretty companion of the preceding -night. She received me very harshly, as I expected; she told me that I -would have nothing to show for my sighs, my amorous enterprises; that -Bathilde—that is the divine creature's name—that Bathilde never went -out; that it<a name="page_246" id="page_246"></a> was an exceptional event, her going to see the fire the -night before; but that her father and mother kept watch over her day and -night as their most precious treasure—in fact, the haughty <i>baigneuse</i> -went so far as to read me a lecture. She told me that it would be -frightful in me to think of seducing so much innocence and -simplicity.—Poor Ambroisine! she did not realize that the more she -expatiated on Bathilde's virtue, the more she increased my desire to -possess her.—But I think that you are not listening, Jarnonville."</p> - -<p>"I beg pardon; go on."</p> - -<p>"I left Ambroisine, swearing that I would respect her friend, and I came -at once to this street and began to do sentry duty here. For two days I -saw no sign of the girl. I entered the baths—nothing. I was shaved in -the shop—still nothing—no Bathilde. At last, three days ago, the -window looking on yonder balcony opened, and a young woman appeared -carrying a pot of flowers. She placed it carefully where it is now.—It -was she, it was Bathilde. But had she seen me pacing the street? had she -recognized me? That was something that I could not know; but the sight -of her gave me hope. That beautiful rosebush had never been at that -window; to place it on the balcony was to afford herself an excuse for -coming there again. And, in fact, a few hours after the rosebush was -placed there, the sweet girl appeared again and examined her flowers -with much care. Never was a rosebush more scrupulously cleaned. She did -not<a name="page_247" id="page_247"></a> look at me while she was thus engaged, but I was certain that she -saw me. Now and then a furtive glance was cast in my direction; but as -it always met mine, she hastened to turn her head away.—However, since -that day Bathilde continues to tend her flowers, to water them, to come -several times a day to look at them. At first, I sent her kisses; -yesterday, I did better—I wrote a few words, rolled the note around a -stone, and, after dark, seizing a moment when no one was passing through -the street, I tossed it on the balcony. I am certain that she picked it -up, for the stone is no longer there. But to-day she has not once -appeared at the window; the rosebush has been pitilessly neglected! Is -it to punish me for writing to her? Is it to make me understand that she -does not share my love, that I must renounce all hope? Oh, no! that is -impossible! I read that charming girl's eyes, her whole expression; she -has not yet learned the art of concealing what she feels. I noticed her -cheeks flush when she saw me, her lovely eyes kindle with a brighter -light, a gleam of joy illumine her face!—Oh! she loves me! she loves -me, Jarnonville! And she will be mine!"</p> - -<p>The Black Chevalier had listened to Léodgard with a gloomy expression; -when the young man had finished his story, he shook his head, saying:</p> - -<p>"I do not like this business of seducing young girls! There is at the -root of the whole matter something that offends and oppresses the heart. -Tell me of a deceived husband, of a jealous rival, of a cruel guardian, -if you<a name="page_248" id="page_248"></a> please. In such cases there is some danger, some risk to be run; -there are often sword thrusts or dagger thrusts to be received or -exchanged.—You fight, and that occupies, distracts, the mind. But in -this instance! seduction! desertion! To make a poor creature weep who -has not had the power to defend herself!"</p> - -<p>"Ha! ha! ha! On my word, my dear Jarnonville, I cannot help laughing to -listen to you! What! is it really you, the bully, the miscreant, the man -who believes in nothing—for that is what you are called—who shed tears -over the fate of a girl, because I propose to make love to her, and she -is likely to hear me? A terrible catastrophe, truly!—How does it happen -that you, whose heart, as you have just told me, is closed henceforth to -all tender sentiments; that you who have taken the world in hatred and -who look upon existence as a burden; who seek, in short, by doing ill to -others, to avenge yourself for the ill that destiny has done to -you—that you blame me for gratifying my passions at the risk of causing -a few tears to flow?"</p> - -<p>The Sire de Jarnonville drew his heavy eyebrows together and muttered -some words which Léodgard could not hear; then he raised his head -abruptly and said to the young count:</p> - -<p>"As I cannot be of any service to you here, I will leave you. Adieu! -good luck!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! I beg your pardon—another word, Jarnonville," cried Léodgard, -detaining the Black Chevalier. "I have<a name="page_249" id="page_249"></a> a favor to ask of you—that is, -if you are in a position to grant it. I lost yesterday at brelan all -that I possessed; I have not a sou.—Money! money! When, in God's name, -shall I have enough to gratify my desires? to enjoy life? For there is -no enjoyment when one is constantly obliged to borrow, to have recourse -to usurers. I have been in such straits of late that my valet, that -knave Latournelle, has left me, on the pretext that I gambled away his -wages! I no longer have any servants, except my father's; but I prefer -to go without. That old villain Isaac Lehmann, the money lender, who -ordinarily supplies me with funds, is away from Paris at this moment. Do -you know another, Jarnonville? If so, will you give me his address; -especially as Isaac is beginning to make trouble about lending me any -more, although the old rascal knows well enough that he will be paid -sooner or later."</p> - -<p>"I thought that your father paid all your debts some time ago?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and forbade me to incur any more. Ah! if he knew!—Why, he -threatened me with the Bastille!"</p> - -<p>"And that does not prevent your running in debt again?"</p> - -<p>"Can I live on the miserable allowance he gives me?—Well, Jarnonville, -do you know a money lender who may consent to help me at this moment?"</p> - -<p>"No, I do not know one, for I have never had any relations with those -gentry; but I have two hundred gold<a name="page_250" id="page_250"></a> pieces about me bearing the effigy -of our monarch; I intended to play lansquenet to-night. Here is my -purse; if you would like it, it is at your disposal."</p> - -<p>"Faith! Jarnonville, it would be a great service to me; but I am afraid -of being importunate."</p> - -<p>"Not at all—take it."</p> - -<p>"And your game of lansquenet?"</p> - -<p>"If need be, I will play on credit; but, instead of going to La -Valteline's to gamble, I will go to Durfeuille the financier's, and get -drunk; that will be one way of employing my time."</p> - -<p>"Very well; in that case, I accept; but it is my duty to warn you that I -do not now know when I shall be able to repay this loan."</p> - -<p>"No matter! no matter! Do not worry about that; it is the least of my -anxieties. Adieu, count, adieu!"</p> - -<p>The Sire de Jarnonville walked rapidly away, without listening to his -debtor's thanks; and Léodgard placed the purse filled with gold in his -belt, saying to himself:</p> - -<p>"He has done me a great service. He's an original fellow, but he has his -good points.—When I have spent this money, what shall I do to get some -more?—But what am I thinking about? I have a well-lined purse upon me -and I am sighing for a lovely girl. Pardieu! this is not the time to -worry about the future! What disturbs me now is to see that window -remain closed. It has been dark a long while; can it be that Bathilde -will not come to the balcony?—Ah! it seems to me that I<a name="page_251" id="page_251"></a> have never -loved a woman as I love her. How different she is from the coquettes of -the court! from our courtesans—aye, from our <i>petites bourgeoises</i>! The -purest innocence shines on that child's brow.—What bliss to teach her -what love is—to be the first to make her heart beat!—But she does not -appear!"</p> - -<p>Léodgard stamped his foot impatiently and began to pace the street, -without losing sight of the bath keeper's house.</p> - -<p>Let us see what Bathilde was doing at that moment.</p> - -<p>I need not tell you that on leaving the Place de Grève to return to her -home Landry's daughter had not failed to discover that the handsome -Comte de Marvejols was following her. She had not seemed to notice it, -she had not released her hold of Ambroisine's arm for an instant, she -had not turned her head; and yet she had seen that the young man was -following her.</p> - -<p>How had she done it?</p> - -<p>That is a mystery which I am unable to solve. I can simply assure you -that all women, young or old, from the most sophisticated to the most -innocent, possess that faculty. Probably it is the second-sight of the -Scotch, except that they have it in the back of the head.</p> - -<p>Bathilde returned to her little room, disturbed by a sentiment that was -entirely novel to her; her bosom rose and fell more rapidly, she felt -happier than she had ever felt.<a name="page_252" id="page_252"></a></p> - -<p>Was it her pride that was flattered, or her self-esteem?</p> - -<p>No; the sweet child did not as yet know either of those sentiments.</p> - -<p>It was something sweeter, more tender, which had found its way into her -heart with the fiery glances of the handsome cavalier, and against which -she had not known how to defend herself, for she was unaware of the -danger; it had not occurred to her that it was wrong to glance -occasionally at a comely youth who kept his eyes constantly fixed on -her.</p> - -<p>When she learned that the comely youth was Comte Léodgard de Marvejols, -the girl had felt perhaps a secret thrill of terror; but it had not -lasted—the young man's glances had soon dispelled it.</p> - -<p>Bathilde occupied a room that looked on a yard behind the house. It was -impossible for her to see from her window anything that took place in -the street. But since her mother had been absent, the girl had enjoyed -more liberty; so long as she avoided the baths, a place which it would -have been imprudent for her to frequent, she was free to range over the -whole first floor at her pleasure. Knowing that his daughter was in the -house, Landry asked nothing more.</p> - -<p>On the day following the Fire of Saint-Jean, Bathilde, although she did -not know why, could not keep still. She went in and out, from one room -to another, arranging the furniture, or rather disarranging it, in order -to have an excuse for putting it to rights again.<a name="page_253" id="page_253"></a></p> - -<p>In her peregrinations she visited most frequently a room at the front of -the house, which Dame Ragonde used as a linen closet; it was the room -with the balcony. Bathilde had put aside the curtain and glanced into -the street from time to time, without opening the window. She had soon -discovered the young seigneur of the preceding night walking back and -forth in front of the baths, and stopping frequently to scrutinize the -house from top to bottom.</p> - -<p>Bathilde had felt the blood rush to her cheeks, although no one could -have seen her put aside the curtain. She had left the window, but had -returned to it a moment later.</p> - -<p>"He is there!" she said to herself, trembling with excitement; "he is -still there! Mon Dieu! why does he keep looking at our house?"</p> - -<p>The little innocent guessed well enough why he did it; but there are -things which we do not choose to admit at once, even to ourselves, -especially when they give us pleasure; we are much less ceremonious with -those that make us unhappy.</p> - -<p>The next day, Bathilde did not fail to go early to the linen closet; she -resumed her manÅ“uvres of the day before, and looked into the street -after cautiously raising a corner of the curtain.</p> - -<p>This lasted four days, during which she saw the handsome cavalier almost -always in the street, gazing sadly at the windows, with his hand to his -heart, and probably sighing; she did not hear the sigh, but she divined -it.<a name="page_254" id="page_254"></a></p> - -<p>On the fifth day, she no longer had the heart to keep the window closed, -and yet she did not wish to appear on the balcony without a reason for -going there.</p> - -<p>Suddenly she remembered that she had a rosebush in her chamber, where, -by the way, it rarely received a ray of sunlight.</p> - -<p>She ran instantly to Master Landry and said:</p> - -<p>"Father, you know I have a lovely rosebush, which Ambroisine gave me two -years ago, on my birthday."</p> - -<p>"Very likely; what then?"</p> - -<p>"It is in my room, on the window sill, but I have just noticed that it's -dying, the leaves are turning yellow. It's because it doesn't get enough -air. The yard is so small, and then the steam from the baths is bad for -it, perhaps. I should be awfully sorry if it should die. Will you let me -put it on the balcony outside the window of the linen closet? There is -nothing there, so it won't be in the way; it will have the sun, and I am -sure that it will do better there."</p> - -<p>"Put your rosebush where you please, my child; what hinders you?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! thank you, father!"</p> - -<p>And Bathilde went away, pleased beyond words. Dame Ragonde would never -have allowed her to put a rosebush at a window on the front of the -house. A woman would have felt, divined, an intrigue therein. But the -old soldier saw nothing but a rosebush.<a name="page_255" id="page_255"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="XXI" id="XXI"></a>XXI<br /><br /> -<small>LOVE TRAVELS FAST</small></h2> - -<p>Bathilde made haste to take advantage of the permission her father had -given her.</p> - -<p>Before carrying the rosebush to the balcony, she cast a glance at her -mirror. Was it coquetry? No. But the daughter of a master bath keeper -did not wish to show herself to the eyes of chance passers-by without -being quite sure that nothing was lacking in her dress.</p> - -<p>We know already that for three days the girl did not forget to visit the -balcony several times during the day, and even after dark, to make sure -that her beautiful rosebush needed nothing. Never was flower more -sedulously tended, never were rosebuds examined with such care; and -certainly no insect could have found a resting place on their stems, -unless it had shown the most determined obstinacy in returning thither.</p> - -<p>On the third day, or rather the third evening, Bathilde heard the stone -fall on the balcony, where she did not happen to be at the time, -although she was always close at hand. She instantly detected the paper -wrapped about the stone. Her first impulse was to rush out and pick it -up; but she reflected that he who had thrown it must still be in the -street, and that, if she picked up his note at<a name="page_256" id="page_256"></a> once, she would show him -that she was there, watching behind the curtain.</p> - -<p>See how slyly even the most innocent can act sometimes! La Fontaine -tells us <i>how wit comes to young maids</i>; for my part, I believe that it -is all there as soon as they feel love for a man.</p> - -<p>Bathilde waited, therefore, until the evening was well advanced before -she stole noiselessly out and picked up the stone and the paper. Then -she hastened to her room and locked herself in, to read at her ease that -first love letter, which was destined to put the finishing touch to this -turmoil in her heart, and perhaps to cause her much suffering, and which -it would have been wiser for her not to read.</p> - -<p>But wisdom is often the fruit of experience, and Bathilde had had none.</p> - -<p>She opened Léodgard's letter with a trembling hand, and eagerly read -these words:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"><p class="nind">"C<small>HARMING</small> B<small>ATHILDE</small>:</p> - -<p>"Need I tell you that I love you, that from the moment I first saw -you your cherished image has not gone from my memory and my heart? -You must know who I am: your friend Ambroisine called me by name -before you, but she has slandered me if she has told you that I am -incapable of keeping my faith.</p> - -<p>"I shall love you always, Bathilde; because my love is sincere, -because you are the first woman who ever caused me to know a -genuine passion.<a name="page_257" id="page_257"></a></p> - -<p>"You will say, perhaps, that too great a distance separates us, -that my name, my rank, keep us apart.—But only tell me that you -love me a little, and I will find a way to remove all obstacles. -What does it matter to me in what station of life you were born? In -my eyes, you are far above the <i>grandes dames</i> of the court.</p> - -<p>"My fortune, my name—I lay everything at your feet! Yes, before -God, I swear to take you for my wife!</p> - -<p>"But come to your balcony, do not fly at night when I come near; -and, in pity's name, grant a few moments' interview to one who will -die if you refuse to love him.</p> - -<p class="r">"L<small>ÉODGARD DE</small> M<small>ARVEJOLS</small>."</p></div> - -<p>Such a loving, ardent note was certain to make great ravages in an -inexperienced heart, in a heart which was conscious of a craving to -love. Love travels fast when it follows an unbeaten path.</p> - -<p>Moreover, a secret sympathy drew the girl on; she too loved Léodgard. -Only an instant, a single glance, was necessary for that.</p> - -<p>Bathilde read and reread and read again the young count's letter; she -held it in her hand when she went to bed, she kept it against her heart -all night. Ah! a first love letter is such a priceless treasure! A woman -may receive many of them in the course of her life, but the others are -never worth so much as that one.</p> - -<p>The next morning Bathilde knew the letter by heart, and she said to -herself every instant:<a name="page_258" id="page_258"></a></p> - -<p>"He loves me! he will always love me! I am the first woman whom he has -ever really loved! My birth is no obstacle, he says; in that case, he -will ask my parents for my hand, and will marry me. What joy! how happy -I shall be! Not because I shall be a countess; what do I care for that? -But I shall be his wife! and I shall be able, in my turn, to tell him -that I love him!—But then, I must go out on the balcony to-night and -speak to him. Suppose I consult my father first, and show him this -letter? But perhaps he would scold me for receiving it and reading it -without his permission!"</p> - -<p>Bathilde was in dire perplexity, not knowing what she ought to do. But -her heart was bursting with joy and happiness because she knew that -Léodgard loved her.</p> - -<p>She was still hesitating about going to her window, when Ambroisine -suddenly appeared.</p> - -<p>The <i>belle baigneuse</i> had not had time to visit her friend since the -Fire of Saint-Jean; and yet a secret presentiment told her that her -friendship was more than ever necessary to Bathilde. At last, she stole -a moment during the morning and hastened to Rue Dauphine; she ran up to -her friend's room and did not find her there; a servant told her that -her master's daughter passed almost all her time now in the linen -closet, and pointed it out to her.</p> - -<p>This change of habit surprised Ambroisine. However, she went to the -small room where Bathilde was.<a name="page_259" id="page_259"></a> The latter, when she saw her friend, was -confused for a moment, and hastily thrust into her bosom the letter -which she was reading for the hundredth time.</p> - -<p>Ambroisine ran to Bathilde and kissed her, saying:</p> - -<p>"Well! here I am at last! I succeeded in making my escape to-day.—We -have so many people at our baths, and so many young men come to be -shaved by father! But I found a moment this morning, and I ran away. I -was so anxious to see you! And you—have you no desire to talk over our -evening on the Place de Grève? We have so many things to say to each -other! haven't we?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! yes! I longed to see you, too."</p> - -<p>"It's strange, but you don't say that with all your heart, as I do! You -have a curious manner. Have you been sick? You are quite pale.—Oh! -there is certainly something wrong!"</p> - -<p>"Why, no—you are mistaken; I am not sick at all!"</p> - -<p>"So much the better.—But how does it happen that you are in this room -looking on the street—you, who never used to leave your own bedroom?"</p> - -<p>"Why, I am here—I am here——"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I see that you are here!"</p> - -<p>"I am here because I asked father's permission to put my lovely rosebush -on this balcony, which is a much better place for it; and then—I—I -have to come here to tend it."<a name="page_260" id="page_260"></a></p> - -<p>"Ah! so it's on account of your rosebush?"</p> - -<p>"And then, it is much livelier here than in my room."</p> - -<p>"That is true enough. But when your mother comes home, I am very sure -that she will make you carry your rosebush back to your room, and will -forbid your coming here any more."</p> - -<p>"Do you think so? O mon Dieu!"</p> - -<p>"Well! now you are as pale as a ghost! Come, Bathilde, kiss me and tell -me all; you have something on your mind, and you do not want to confide -it to me. Am I no longer your sister, your friend? Do you propose to -have secrets from me? Oh, no! that is impossible! You are going to tell -me why it is that you are so distressed, that your eyes are full of -tears, that you are afraid to look me in the face. Do you mean to tell -me that you will not open your heart to me any more? Come, speak out!"</p> - -<p>Bathilde hesitated, but at last she faltered:</p> - -<p>"Ah! but you will say more unkind things about him!"</p> - -<p>Ambroisine shuddered; those few words told her the whole story. Her face -assumed an expression of profound sadness.</p> - -<p>"About him! him! Mon Dieu! have you seen Comte Léodgard again?"</p> - -<p>"Did I say that?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. The words you have just dropped tell me that it is so.—Come, -Bathilde, tell me everything now. You cannot have anything to conceal -from your sister, who<a name="page_261" id="page_261"></a> loves you so dearly. I will not scold you, I have -no right to; but my friendship may be useful to you.—Speak, I entreat -you!"</p> - -<p>Bathilde no longer felt strong enough to resist her friend's entreaties; -she had not yet learned to dissemble. She seated herself beside -Ambroisine and told her all that had happened since they had met; and -finally, taking Léodgard's letter from her bosom with a trembling hand -she gave it to her friend.</p> - -<p>Ambroisine shuddered as she read the letter, then turned her eyes on -Bathilde, who was gazing into her face and waiting to hear what she -would say.</p> - -<p>But Hugonnet's daughter was silent for several minutes; her eyes were -swimming in tears. At last she took Bathilde's head in her hands, -pressed it to her breast, and covered it with tears and kisses, -murmuring:</p> - -<p>"No! no! I do not propose that you shall be ruined! Poor child, I am -determined to save you. It is my duty; for is it not my fault that this -man, who is now trying to seduce you, ever saw you? Was it not I who -insisted on taking you to see the Fire of Saint-Jean? Mon Dieu! was it -possible for one to foresee, to divine, that the Evil One would be there -in the person of this Comte Léodgard, seeking to ruin you? For he is the -Evil One, I tell you; that man is the fallen angel!—But I trust that -you do not believe him? Surely you place no faith in what he has written -you? This letter—why, there is not a word of truth in it!"<a name="page_262" id="page_262"></a></p> - -<p>"Not a word of truth!" cried Bathilde, in a heart-rending tone. "But in -that case, why should he write me all this, if he did not think it? Why -should he pass whole days walking in front of our house? Why should he -come here again in the evening—always looking at this window? And I am -not sure that he is not here at night too.—Ah! when I go out on the -balcony to tend my rosebush, if you could see how he looks at me—how -happy he seems all the time that I am there!"</p> - -<p>"So you look at him too, do you? O Bathilde!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! I don't look at him; indeed, I should not dare to. But, you -know, one can see, out of the corner of one's eye, without seeming to -look."</p> - -<p>"My poor dear! can it be that you already love this Monsieur Léodgard?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! I don't know—I don't dare to tell you. But since I read his -letter, in which he swears that he will always love me—ah! I no longer -know how I feel, what I am doing, what I am saying; my head is on fire, -and my whole body is like my head. I believe that I have a fever; I -think of nothing but him, I cannot drive away his image; I seem to feel -pain and pleasure at the same time.—Mon Dieu! I no longer know myself!"</p> - -<p>"Dear child! be calm. Listen to me; you have too much good sense not to -understand me.—Now, Bathilde, let us admit that the count loves you at -this moment; in the first place, his love will very soon pass away. But -even if it should be more sincere than all the loves that<a name="page_263" id="page_263"></a> he has -promised, sworn, to other women, how would that help you? You know -perfectly well that you can never become the wife of a count, of a great -nobleman."</p> - -<p>"But you see that in his letter he says that he cares nothing for rank -and fortune."</p> - -<p>"In his letter he has put down everything that was likely to turn your -head!—Ah! Bathilde, do the great nobles ever marry us poor girls, the -daughters of humble tradesmen? When we are pretty, they make love to us -and try to seduce us, and they are not sparing of lies and promises to -effect that purpose! But if we are unfortunate enough to listen to them, -they very soon abandon us, leaving us nothing but shame and -regret.—What I say is absolutely true, Bathilde. You know perfectly -well that I desire nothing but your happiness. But if you listen to -Comte Léodgard, you will be unhappy, you will be ruined!—Think of your -father, who is so proud of you. Think of your mother, who has watched -over you so carefully. They would curse you!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! do not say any more! Yes, you are right; I was mad! But you bring -me back to myself.—Tell me how I must act; I will do whatever you -wish."</p> - -<p>Ambroisine embraced her friend again, and said:</p> - -<p>"Dear Bathilde, you suffer at this moment, because I am tearing away -illusions that made you happy. But I do it so that you may enjoy truer -happiness in the future. Listen: first of all, you must not appear on -this balcony for a week, at least; nay, you must not even<a name="page_264" id="page_264"></a> come into -this room, for you would look into the street in spite of yourself. -Resume your usual mode of life, work as if your mother were by your -side.—In the second place, you must—you must not read this letter any -more; and, in order to be certain of not yielding to temptation, you -must burn it."</p> - -<p>"Burn his letter! the only token I shall have of his love—the only -souvenir of him when he has ceased to think of me! Oh, no! let me keep -it, Ambroisine, I implore you! I will do everything that you have said; -but don't burn his letter!"</p> - -<p>And Bathilde almost fell at her friend's knees. Ambroisine raised her -and replied:</p> - -<p>"How do you expect to be cured if you keep that paper with you, in which -he says such sweet things—things that turn the heads of us poor women? -You will read it every day, and it will simply keep your grief alive."</p> - -<p>"Very well! take it, Ambroisine, carry it away, but keep it for me; and -later—in a very long time—when I am cured, if I ever can be cured, -then you will give the letter back to me, and I shall be very glad to -read it again."</p> - -<p>"Very well; then I will take the letter away."</p> - -<p>"But you won't burn it, will you?"</p> - -<p>"No, I promise."</p> - -<p>"And you will take good care of it? you will not lose it?"<a name="page_265" id="page_265"></a></p> - -<p>"I will put it away in my little jewel box. How do you suppose that I -can lose it?"</p> - -<p>"But you—you won't read it, either, will you? For, if I deprive myself -of that happiness, it would not be fair for another to enjoy it in my -place!"</p> - -<p>"Dear Bathilde! this letter, which is so priceless in your eyes, is of -no value at all to another woman.—Never fear, I will not touch it.—Now -I must leave you, I must go home.—You will surely do as I have told -you. And first of all, my dear, to begin with, you will leave this -room?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"And you will not come here again—for ten days?"</p> - -<p>"You said a week!"</p> - -<p>"Well, so long as Comte Léodgard continues to walk this street."</p> - -<p>"I will not come here."</p> - -<p>"And your mother—will she not return soon?"</p> - -<p>"I think not. It seems that she is having litigation about her -inheritance there in Normandie, where she is; for our kinswoman is dead; -but our mother has all the right on her side, so she is not alarmed."</p> - -<p>"Litigation—in Normandie! That will take some time!" muttered -Ambroisine, shaking her head. Then she kissed her young friend again. -"Adieu! I will come to see you as soon as possible. Courage, my poor -Bathilde! Your heart is heavy at this moment; but that will pass away. -And then, you see, when one<a name="page_266" id="page_266"></a> is doing one's duty, it gives one strength -to endure sorrow."</p> - -<p>"Adieu, Ambroisine! I will try to be brave. But take good care of my -letter; don't lose it on your way home. I shall never be consoled if you -lose it!"</p> - -<p>"Never fear, I am no child. Au revoir!"</p> - -<p>Ambroisine ran down the staircase; and Bathilde followed her to the -foot, whispering to her:</p> - -<p>"Remember that you are to give it back to me!"</p> - -<h2><a name="XXII" id="XXII"></a>XXII<br /><br /> -<small>THE BALCONY</small></h2> - -<p>Bathilde having followed her friend's advice to the letter, Léodgard -walked Rue Dauphine in vain on the evening of his meeting with the Sire -de Jarnonville. And as Léodgard was very much in love, as he flattered -himself that he would win a facile triumph over Landry's daughter, he -remained until midnight in front of the barber's house; but the balcony -was deserted, the window dark; the girl did not appear.</p> - -<p>Thereupon vexation and wrath took possession of our lover. Accustomed as -he was to defy and surmount all obstacles, his desires were sharpened by -the disdain with which he was treated. He was especially enraged -because<a name="page_267" id="page_267"></a> his note, instead of completing his conquest of Bathilde, had -produced just the contrary effect.</p> - -<p>He struck the ground impatiently with his spurs and measured with his -eye the height of the balcony. If some friend had been there to lend him -his shoulders, he would already have tried to scale it. But, instead of -a friend, Léodgard spied a patrol coming down the street; and as he was -not anxious to fight a patrol single-handed, he decided to decamp. But -as he walked away, he said to himself, looking back at the balcony:</p> - -<p>"Oh! it is useless for you to conceal yourself, Bathilde; it is useless -for you to try to escape from my love; you shall be mine, for I have -sworn it—for you are the loveliest, the most fascinating girl whom I -know in Paris to-day!"</p> - -<p>Early the next morning Léodgard entered the barber's shop; he ordered a -bath, and while it was being prepared he looked at all the windows on -the yard, and entered into conversation with the attendant who waited on -him.</p> - -<p>"Is Master Landry married?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, seigneur."</p> - -<p>"Where is his wife?"</p> - -<p>"Travelling at present; she has gone to Normandie to secure an -inheritance."</p> - -<p>"Master Landry has a daughter?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, seigneur."</p> - -<p>"Very pretty, I am told?"</p> - -<p>"That is true, seigneur."<a name="page_268" id="page_268"></a></p> - -<p>"Why do we never see her in the shop or about the baths?"</p> - -<p>"For the very reason, seigneur, that she is so pretty."</p> - -<p>"Is she watched so closely, pray?"</p> - -<p>"When Dame Ragonde, her mother, is here, she doesn't leave her daughter -for an instant."</p> - -<p>"But now that she is away, is there no way of obtaining a word with the -girl—a single word? Here—take this piece of gold and just tell me -where Bathilde's room is."</p> - -<p>But Léodgard had applied in the wrong quarter. Landry was an old soldier -who had a keen eye for an honest man; he had selected his attendants -with care, and they esteemed him too highly to betray him. The gold -piece was declined; Léodgard insisted to no purpose, for the attendant -merely replied:</p> - -<p>"I don't work on the women's side, seigneur; I don't know where their -rooms are. I am too well treated in Master Landry's service to do -anything that would cause my discharge."</p> - -<p>"Pardieu! I have bad luck!" said Léodgard to himself. "All our valets -and esquires are ready to be bribed; and I must come to a bath keeper's -to find an incorruptible servant. And people calumniate these houses! -They say that they serve to cloak clandestine love affairs, that the -most delicious intrigues are formed and consummated in them.—Gad! that -surely is not true of Master Landry's!"<a name="page_269" id="page_269"></a></p> - -<p>And Léodgard cast his eye over all the windows looking on the yard; but -they were closed and supplied with very heavy curtains; it was -impossible to discover anything, to guess where Bathilde's room was; for -the young man was confident that she did not occupy the front room with -the balcony, as there had been no light there throughout the preceding -evening.</p> - -<p>The young count left the establishment without taking the bath he had -ordered; once more he marched up and down the street, but with no better -fortune; and at last, weary of the struggle, he left the place, saying -to himself:</p> - -<p>"I am very sure, none the less, that I did not displease her."</p> - -<p>The two following days, Léodgard played sentinel again to no purpose. -Bathilde did not appear. The windows on the balcony remained closed, and -she did not even come to tend the poor rosebush, which, however, was -sorely in need of being watered, for the buds were beginning to droop on -their stems.</p> - -<p>"What! she will allow her rosebush to die, for fear of seeing me!" said -Léodgard to himself. "She must be terribly afraid of me, then! Ah! when -a woman is so afraid of a man, it is a good sign; she does not fear -those who are indifferent to her. But I will stake my head that -Ambroisine has been to see her, that it was she who urged her not to -show herself any more. How do I know that Bathilde, without letting -herself be seen, is not hidden somewhere, at some other window, whence -she<a name="page_270" id="page_270"></a> watches what I do, and says to herself: 'He is still thinking of -me!'—If I thought that!—However, I will try this method: I will force -myself to stay away for several days, to avoid passing through this -street; she will believe that I have ceased to think of her; and perhaps -her vexation, or her confidence, will serve me better than this -fruitless watching."</p> - -<p>Thereupon our lover wrapped himself in his cloak, pulled his hat over -his eyes, and, with the air of a man who has suddenly decided upon a -course of action, he walked rapidly away and disappeared, without once -turning his head.</p> - -<p>Léodgard had read only too well Bathilde's guileless heart, that heart -which longed to love, and which found happiness even in the pangs which -that sentiment already caused it to feel.</p> - -<p>The girl had kept the promise she had made her friend; she had not -returned to the room with the balcony; but adjoining that room, and, -like it, at the front of the house, there was another, occupied by -Master Landry and his wife. Since Dame Ragonde had been away, that room -had been deserted throughout the day; for the old soldier went down -early to his baths, and did not go up to his room again until bedtime.</p> - -<p>On the day following Ambroisine's visit, Bathilde remembered that her -father had given her an old jacket to mend; the work was not at all -urgent, but Bathilde hastened to do it so that she might have an excuse -for<a name="page_271" id="page_271"></a> going to her parents' bedroom. She went there to return the garment -belonging to her father; and once she was in that room, which looked on -the street, but had no balcony at the windows—because the architects of -those days did not make a point of regularity in their buildings—once -there, Bathilde could not resist the temptation to go to one of the -windows; and, while she pretended to adjust a curtain which presumably -did not fall gracefully, she allowed her glance to wander into the -street, where she instantly espied the man she had promised to forget.</p> - -<p>This first step once taken, Bathilde found other excuses for going every -day to her father's chamber, where, by putting the curtain aside the -least bit in the world, she could look into the street—the eye requires -such a narrow space to see so many things!</p> - -<p>To excuse herself to her own conscience, Bathilde reasoned thus:</p> - -<p>"I promised Ambroisine not to go to the linen closet for a week; and I -do not go there. I have business in this room, and I am obliged to come -here! It isn't my fault that there are windows here from which I can -look into the street."</p> - -<p>This reasoning was that of a lawyer rather than of an innocent maiden; -wit, you see, comes to the most inexperienced simultaneously with love.</p> - -<p>Thus Bathilde knew that Léodgard was there, always there, with his eyes -fixed on the balcony; and with every<a name="page_272" id="page_272"></a> moment that passed, she put less -faith in what her friend had said to her.</p> - -<p>"If he did not love me sincerely," she said to herself, "would he pass -his days like this, trying to see me?"</p> - -<p>It is so pleasant to make excuses for those whom we love.</p> - -<p>But when the young count changed his plan of attack, when he ceased -entirely to appear on Rue Dauphine, a new form of torture, a pang -sharper than all the rest, tore the poor child's heart.</p> - -<p>A whole day passed, and Léodgard did not appear. At first she flattered -herself with the thought that he had come just at the time when she was -not peering from behind the curtain; for, with the best will in the -world, one cannot pass every moment with one's face glued against a -window.</p> - -<p>But on the following day there was no lover on the street, and so on the -day following that.</p> - -<p>Bathilde's heart was heavy and oppressed; the tears longed to flow, but -she forced them back; she was pale; she was consumed by fever and she -could not eat.</p> - -<p>Landry noticed his daughter's depression and was disturbed by it; he -asked her if she was in pain, if she felt sick.</p> - -<p>"Nothing is the matter with me, father, nothing!"—Such is the -invariable reply of a maiden whose suffering has its source in her -heart.</p> - -<p>But Ambroisine was determined not to leave her friend without -consolation, and one morning she paid her a<a name="page_273" id="page_273"></a> hurried visit. She was -alarmed by her pallor, her prostration, and the grief-stricken -expression of her face.</p> - -<p>When she saw Ambroisine, however, Bathilde strove to conceal the misery -that was devouring her.</p> - -<p>"I came to find out if you have been brave, if you have kept the -promises you made me?" said Ambroisine, as she embraced Bathilde, who -submitted to her friend's caresses without responding to them.</p> - -<p>"Yes," she faltered, "I have done what you ordered."</p> - -<p>"Ordered!—As if I gave you any orders! don't you know that it is my -affection which leads me to advise you, to keep watch over you?—But how -pale you are! Are you so very unhappy?"</p> - -<p>"I? oh, no!"</p> - -<p>"You have not been on the balcony again?"</p> - -<p>"No; but I might as well go there now; for it is all over; he doesn't -come any more; he has not passed the house, not once, for four days."</p> - -<p>"How do you know? So you have been looking out of the window, have you?"</p> - -<p>"Indeed! I was in father's room, and I could not help seeing. Besides, I -wanted to be certain that he was not there.—It is all over; he has -forgotten me!"</p> - -<p>As she said these words, Bathilde, despite all her efforts, could no -longer restrain her tears; she let her head fall on Ambroisine's -shoulder and gave free vent to her sobs.</p> - -<p>Hugonnet's daughter mingled her tears with her friend's, for at that -moment she could think of no better<a name="page_274" id="page_274"></a> way to comfort her. A grief which -is able to find a vent always loses its force; it is a torrent changed -into a brook.</p> - -<p>Bathilde recovered her courage to some degree, and wiped her tears away, -saying:</p> - -<p>"I will be sensible; I will forget him, too; I will imitate him!—Ah! -you were right, Ambroisine, his letter contained nothing but falsehoods; -for he told me that he would die rather than cease to love me. Yes, it -was nothing but lies, false oaths—so I never want to read it again; you -may burn that letter, which deceived me so, you may destroy it; I must -not keep anything to remind me of that—that fatal meeting."</p> - -<p>"What you say is very wise, my dear child; yes, I will burn his letter -this very day—as soon as I go home.—Ah! he well deserves to be -roasted, too, the villain! who has caused my poor Bathilde so much -misery!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! you must not wish him ill, Ambroisine! On the contrary, I wish -that he may be happy! And when I pray, I will beseech God to watch over -him too, and to give him every felicity!"</p> - -<p>"Upon my word! you are too kind! But heaven will take pity on you; and -before long, I am sure, it will have banished from your memory, from -your heart, everything that can possibly recall that seducer! If you -could come to see me—if you could go out a little to divert your -thoughts.—But, no! no! that would be dangerous; he might be on the -watch for you and follow you again! I will come here; I will come -whenever I have a moment<a name="page_275" id="page_275"></a> to myself. I would have liked to bring my -other friend with me,—Miretta, the girl I have spoken to you about; she -is very agreeable, and she has so many interesting things to tell about -Italy! But she never comes to see me, except in the evening; and father -will not let me go out after dark, because there is a very dangerous -brigand in Paris who attacks everybody, and whom they cannot succeed in -arresting. So that many people declare that he is not a natural person -at all, that he has dealings with the devil! Indeed, there are some who -say that this Giovanni is the devil in person! As if that was not -absurd! Why should the devil amuse himself robbing and stripping people -in the streets?—But my friend Miretta is no coward, I tell you. She -isn't afraid of the brigand, for she sometimes stays at our house quite -late; and when father hasn't gone out to drink with the neighbors, he -always offers to take Miretta home to the Hôtel de Mongarcin, but she -will never accept anybody's escort. Several times father has said to -her: 'Beware! you will fall in with Giovanni, and he will attack -you!'—But she simply shakes her head and replies: 'I am not afraid of -robbers.'—I am not very timid myself; but I confess that I haven't as -much courage as Miretta, that I would not dare to go out alone so late, -especially as they say that this Giovanni is horrible to look at. It -seems that his head is all covered with bristling black hair like a wild -beast, and that he has a beard that reaches to his breast.—He must be a -frightful creature, mustn't he?"<a name="page_276" id="page_276"></a></p> - -<p>Bathilde, who had ceased to listen when her friend no longer spoke of -Léodgard, answered with a sigh:</p> - -<p>"Look you, Ambroisine, I have been reflecting. You must not burn his -letter; I prefer to keep it, because it is a proof—because it shows -that men tell us things that they don't mean! Oh, no! you must not burn -it, but you must give it back to me, after a while, when I can read it -without danger, you know!"</p> - -<p>Ambroisine shrugged her shoulders; and finding that it was useless to -try to divert Bathilde's thoughts, she decided to leave her.</p> - -<p>"Very well," she said; "I will not burn that wicked letter, since you -wish to treasure it!—Adieu! you no longer listen to my words of -consolation, but I trust that time will have more power than I have."</p> - -<p>And the <i>belle baigneuse</i> took her leave.</p> - -<p>It was midnight; the hour which it is said that lovers and burglars -select for their enterprises.</p> - -<p>Everything was quiet in Landry's house; it was the hour of repose. But -one does not sleep at eighteen, when one's heart is torn by the torments -and pangs of love.</p> - -<p>Bathilde was in her room; she had risen because it was impossible for -her to find rest on her solitary couch; she opened her window, which -looked on the yard, and after standing there for a moment left it -because there was no air; only that which came from the street could do -her any good.<a name="page_277" id="page_277"></a></p> - -<p>Suddenly the girl remembered her rosebush, which she had neglected for a -week; she thought that it must be dying for lack of water, or that it -must at least be very sickly; and taking her lamp, which was still -burning on the table, she softly opened her door and went to the linen -closet, delighted to have found a pretext for going out on the balcony.</p> - -<p>Bathilde placed her lamp in a corner, then opened the window without -noise, and in a moment was on the balcony, beside the rosebush. But -instead of examining the plant, she gazed into the darkness that -surrounded her.</p> - -<p>The street was dark and seemed entirely deserted. Now and then she could -hear shouts in the distance and shrill whistles that seemed to answer -one another—signals far from reassuring to the belated bourgeois, who -quickened his pace as he hurried homeward preceded by a hired -torchbearer.</p> - -<p>At other moments the silence of the night was disturbed by the songs of -students and pages, assembled to make an uproar and break windows.</p> - -<p>But these lasted only an instant, then everything became quiet once -more.</p> - -<p>The girl could see nothing in the dark street; there was no moon to -dissipate the gloom; and yet, she could not make up her mind to leave -the balcony. She felt better there; it seemed to her almost as if she -were with him of whom she thought constantly.<a name="page_278" id="page_278"></a></p> - -<p>Suddenly she heard her name; the voice came from beneath the balcony. -She shuddered, but not with fear; she listened—her name was called -again. The voice was soft and supplicating.</p> - -<p>"Who is there?" faltered Bathilde.</p> - -<p>"He who thinks only of you, who cannot exist without you!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! that is not true, monsieur; for you have not been here for four -days, you have not even tried to see me; therefore, you no longer think -of me!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! you were so cruel, Bathilde! Not a word in reply to my letter; but, -instead of that, you ceased to come out, you no longer appeared on the -balcony!—Yes, I tried to forget you, to return here no more! But that -was impossible; my love is stronger than your disdain!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! if that were true! But, no, I must not believe you! You seduce all -the women—Ambroisine told me so."</p> - -<p>"Ambroisine simply repeats what she hears. Ought you to give credit to -the assertions of people who do not know me? Dear Bathilde, you should -believe your heart alone, for the heart never deceives."</p> - -<p>"But I must not listen to you, for you are a great noble and I am only a -poor girl."</p> - -<p>"You are an angel! and angels so rarely appear on earth!"</p> - -<p>"Ambroisine told me that you were making sport of me when you swore that -I should be your wife!"<a name="page_279" id="page_279"></a></p> - -<p>"Why have you more confidence in another person's word than in my oaths, -Bathilde?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! I should be very happy if I could believe you!"</p> - -<p>"You restore my hope, my life!"</p> - -<p>"O mon Dieu! I think I hear my father coughing! adieu! fly!"</p> - -<p>Bathilde hurriedly left the balcony, closed the window, took her lamp, -and returned to her room, without giving a thought to the poor rosebush, -which was the pretext of her nocturnal venture. We are ungrateful -creatures; in our happiness, we forget all those to whom we owe it.</p> - -<p>And Bathilde was so happy now! he still loved her, he had not for one -instant ceased to think of her! His tender oaths intoxicated her heart -with joy and love. The love that possessed her was so true, so pure, so -sincere, that she no longer felt strong enough to contend against it.</p> - -<p>Léodgard went his way no less happy than she; being perfectly certain -now of her love, he had but one thought: to possess her person whose -heart was already his; and with the young count it was a short interval -between the desire and its gratification.</p> - -<p>The next night, about half-past eleven, Léodgard was in front of -Landry's house. He listened attentively; everything was quiet; not a -light was to be seen, and the night was as dark as the preceding one.</p> - -<p>But the young count was well acquainted with the position of the -balcony, and he had measured its height from the ground beforehand. -Taking from beneath his<a name="page_280" id="page_280"></a> cloak a short silk ladder to which a strong -iron hook was attached, he dexterously threw the hook over the balcony -rail, satisfied himself that it was firm, then climbed the ladder with -the agility of a squirrel, stepped onto the balcony, drew up the ladder, -and softly opened the window. On the preceding night, Bathilde in her -haste had closed the window without fastening it, so that everything -favored Léodgard's audacious enterprise.</p> - -<p>But although he was in the linen closet, he must still find the girl's -bedroom. He opened the door, stepped into the hall, and cautiously felt -his way along, stopping frequently to listen. Something told him that -Bathilde herself would point out the direction he must follow.</p> - -<p>And so it proved; he heard a sweet voice singing an old villanelle with -a slow and melancholy refrain.</p> - -<p>Léodgard walked in the direction from which the sound came, and soon -spied a light shining through the crack of a door not entirely closed.</p> - -<p>It was Bathilde's bedroom.</p> - -<p>Suddenly she saw the door open and Léodgard appear before her; she -screamed, but her lover fell at her feet; she tried to fly from him, but -he already held her in his arms.</p> - -<p>Poor Bathilde! she loved him too dearly to be capable of defending -herself.</p> - -<p>The next morning her rosebush was dead.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p>Let us allow two months to elapse, during which the lovers rarely passed -a night without meeting. The<a name="page_281" id="page_281"></a> silk ladder remained in Bathilde's room, -and she herself fastened it to the balcony at the hour agreed upon with -Léodgard, who no longer appeared in the morning in front of Master -Landry's abode.</p> - -<p>Thus the lovers were able to enjoy their happiness in peace; no one was -in their confidence, therefore they feared no treachery.</p> - -<p>Ambroisine had come more than once to see her friend, and had asked her -if she was beginning to be consoled, to forget Comte Léodgard. And -Bathilde had lied; for her lover had told her that their liaison must be -kept a profound secret until the time when he could mention it to her -father; and to obey Léodgard, Bathilde had pretended, in answer to her -friend, to be cured of her love.</p> - -<p>But at the end of the two months which had passed so swiftly for -Bathilde, a message arrived for Landry: he learned that his wife, having -finished her litigation at last and received the amount of her -inheritance, was returning to Paris, and that she would arrive in two -days.</p> - -<p>The thought that she was about to stand once more in her mother's -presence made the guilty girl tremble; it seemed to her that her mother -would read her shame on her forehead; and on the night following the -receipt of the news, being with her lover, she looked up at him with her -eyes full of tears, and said:</p> - -<p>"Save me! My mother will be here to-morrow! If she learns of my fault, I -shall be undone! Oh! I implore you, delay no longer! Ask my father for -my hand; avow<a name="page_282" id="page_282"></a> your love to him, so that I may be your wife, so that I -may love you without blushing! Otherwise, my mother will find a way to -prevent me from seeing you; and I shall die of shame and grief -combined!"</p> - -<p>Léodgard tried to allay Bathilde's terror and grief; he did not seem -deeply afflicted to learn that Dame Ragonde's return would put an end to -those pleasant nocturnal meetings. But for two months he had had nothing -more to wish for, and he was only waiting for an opportunity to break -off an intrigue in which he had obtained all that he sought.</p> - -<p>However, he concealed what was taking place in his mind from the girl, -who wept bitterly; he pretended to share her chagrin; he was most lavish -of oaths and promises, and swore that before long they would meet to -part no more.</p> - -<p>The next day Dame Ragonde returned home, bringing the funds which she -destined for her daughter's marriage portion.<a name="page_283" id="page_283"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="XXIII" id="XXIII"></a>XXIII<br /><br /> -<small>THE HÔTEL DE MONGARCIN</small></h2> - -<p>It was the morrow of a grand reception given at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin,—a function which had brought together the most noble dames -and the gentlemen of the first families of France then residing in the -capital.</p> - -<p>Madame de Ravenelle and her niece had done the honors of the fête; but -Valentine especially had displayed that grace and refinement of manner -which made her a noteworthy figure everywhere.</p> - -<p>It was she who had conceived the idea of giving a reception; and her -aunt had consented, but on condition that her niece should take it upon -herself to arrange and manage everything.</p> - -<p>The guests had conversed; they had played lansquenet, brelan, primero, -dice, and other fashionable games; they had danced sarabands, -<i>passe-pieds, branles</i>, and all the dances then in vogue. In fact, -everybody had seemed delighted with the evening's entertainment, and had -lavished compliments upon Valentine and Madame de Ravenelle, -congratulating the latter upon having a niece who did the honors of her -house so gracefully.</p> - -<p>And as the givers of a large party are usually very tired on the -following day, the old aunt was stretched out<a name="page_284" id="page_284"></a> on a reclining chair, -from which she did not stir; while Valentine sat on a sofa, with her -feet on a soft hassock, holding in her hands a piece of embroidery upon -which she was not working.</p> - -<p>"Are you asleep, aunt?" inquired Valentine, after a very long silence.</p> - -<p>"I think not, niece; at all events, if I had been, your question would -have waked me!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! I see that you were not asleep at all.—Our reception last night -was very brilliant, was it not?"</p> - -<p>"If it is to ask me that that you interfere with my doze——"</p> - -<p>"No; I wanted to ask you also if you noticed that all those whom we -invited came?"</p> - -<p>"All! do you think so?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, aunt, with the exception of a single one.—Oh! I am quite sure -that you noticed that, too."</p> - -<p>"It is true," said Madame de Ravenelle, partly rising, "that the young -Comte de Marvejols did not come."</p> - -<p>"He is the one I mean. I trust that now you will not give another -thought to my marrying this gentleman, who shows—I will not say so -little zeal, for he has shown zeal in avoiding me!—but who is almost -discourteous to us!"</p> - -<p>"But, Valentine, young Léodgard's father, the Marquis de Marvejols, -accepted our invitation; he apologized for his son and said that -fatigue, an attack of fever, kept him at home."<a name="page_285" id="page_285"></a></p> - -<p>"Of course you do not suppose that I believe a word of that! Fatigue! -fever! If he were ill, would his father have come to our party?"</p> - -<p>"He may be only indisposed; the marquis, his father, was delightfully -amiable with me! He is a man of the old school; he stands very well at -court; it is said that the king is much attached to him, and that the -cardinal himself has the highest esteem for Monsieur de Marvejols."</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! aunt, I have never ventured to doubt any of monsieur le -marquis's estimable qualities, although his manner seems to me rather -stern than amiable. That he stands very well at court is possible; but -that does not make it any the less true that his son will never be my -husband. Upon my word! fancy my taking for my husband a man who despises -me!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! my dear niece!"</p> - -<p>"Why, my dear aunt, since this gentleman does not deign to take the -trouble to pay court to me, since he even avoids my society, does it not -mean that he disdains an alliance with me?"</p> - -<p>"Have you heard of his paying court to any other woman? No!—If you -could name some nobly born person, some <i>grande dame</i>, whose assiduous -attendant he was, I could understand your irritation. But young Léodgard -goes most rarely into society; he likes those parties of young men, -where they gamble and drink and fight and raise the deuce with -passers-by.—Mon Dieu!<a name="page_286" id="page_286"></a> niece, such amusements have been indulged in by -many young men of illustrious birth. Why, some even go so far as to say -that one of our kings took great pleasure in going out at night with his -favorites, his <i>mignons</i>, and that they used to steal cloaks from the -people they met!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! aunt! do you approve of that?"</p> - -<p>"No, surely not! But I simply mean to say that young Léodgard may be -only a heedless youth, who dreads the moment when he must marry; because -he knows that then he will have to reform, to change his mode of life -altogether and live in a circle where he must maintain his rank -worthily."</p> - -<p>Valentine made no reply.</p> - -<p>A few moments later she rang, and said to Madame de Ravenelle:</p> - -<p>"I am going to tell Miretta to finish this tapestry; the work tires me, -and the little Béarnaise does it so beautifully!—She did that corner, -and it's much better than I can do. She is running over with talent, -that girl—she has excellent taste in everything; she trims a cap with -marvellous skill!—Will you allow her to work here, aunt, on my stool? -We shall not have any visitors to-day."</p> - -<p>The old lady confined herself to a nod of assent.</p> - -<p>Miretta entered the salon.</p> - -<p>"Come here, Miretta," said Valentine, pointing to the stool; "sit here, -and work on my embroidery; this work bores me; in any event, I am in no -mood to hold a needle<a name="page_287" id="page_287"></a> this morning; I am tired. Sit down. Are you -comfortable?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle."</p> - -<p>"Don't hurry, work at your ease; this foot rest is not needed at -present.—Did you see everybody last night, Miretta?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle; I helped the ladies to take off their cloaks and -mantles and shawls in the small reception room."</p> - -<p>"Ah! to be sure. There were some very pretty ladies, were there not?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! but——"</p> - -<p>"Well! finish."</p> - -<p>"Mademoiselle will think that I mean to pay her a compliment; but I am -not given to flattery—I say just what I think."</p> - -<p>"Well, say it; what do you think?"</p> - -<p>"That mademoiselle was the most beautiful of all the ladies, married or -single, who were at the house last evening."</p> - -<p>"Really? Why, that is very prettily said.—Do you hear what Miretta says -to me, aunt?"</p> - -<p>Madame de Ravenelle did not reply, but they heard a sound as of -prolonged breathing.</p> - -<p>"Ah! my aunt is asleep this time," continued Valentine; "so much the -better; we can talk more freely; but we will speak a little -lower.—Well! my poor Miretta, so you consider me beautiful enough to -carry the day over<a name="page_288" id="page_288"></a> many other women. Several gentlemen told me last -night what you have just told me. I received a multitude of compliments, -attentions, even declarations! I am well aware that I must look upon -them as the little courtesies which it is customary to address to -ladies, but, after all, I know also that I am not ugly! And, -nevertheless, there is one young man who does not choose to see me, for -fear that he may be obliged to show me a little attention."</p> - -<p>"Oh! that is most surprising, mademoiselle; unless, indeed, this young -noble has some other passion in his heart!"</p> - -<p>"That is what I thought, myself; but I am told that it is not so!"</p> - -<p>"But can anyone know such things?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! you are right, Miretta; is it possible to know the secrets of the -heart? But look you, Miretta: I am very sure of one thing—that is, that -you love someone!"</p> - -<p>"I, mademoiselle?" replied the girl, blushing.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes! you! Come, tell me the secrets of your heart; since you have -been in my service, I have watched you closely; in the first place, you -are not light-hearted and merry, as a girl should be; you sigh very -often; and when you think that you are not observed, you raise your eyes -to heaven as if in entreaty—for whom? Ah! it can only be for the man -whom one loves that one addresses such eloquent glances to heaven! Am I -wrong,<a name="page_289" id="page_289"></a> Miretta? have you not in your heart a love which makes you -unhappy? Come, confess it!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle, you are not mistaken; it is true that my heart -is—is no longer mine."</p> - -<p>"Ah! I was perfectly sure of it; but then the man whom you love so -dearly does not reciprocate, since you sigh so much?"</p> - -<p>"I beg pardon, mademoiselle; the man I love does return my love."</p> - -<p>"Then why are you sad so often? Perhaps it is because there are -obstacles; you are not allowed to see each other, you are forbidden to -love."</p> - -<p>"There are many obstacles, mademoiselle, in truth, and I meet him very -rarely."</p> - -<p>"But he is in Paris, is he?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle."</p> - -<p>"And it was to join him that you came hither, I will warrant."</p> - -<p>"That is true, mademoiselle."</p> - -<p>"See what a power of divination I possess! But what does your lover do? -Is he not free? Are you not able to marry?"</p> - -<p>Miretta lowered her eyes, her bosom heaved painfully, the pallor of -deadly alarm overspread her brow.</p> - -<p>"Well! I see that I make you unhappy!" continued Valentine; "let us say -no more about it. But still, you do see your lover sometimes, and then -you are very happy. Oh! when that happens, I can detect it by your<a name="page_290" id="page_290"></a> -face; you are no longer the same girl that you were the day before; you -smile and are almost gay. Because, as I believe it is as difficult to -conceal one's happiness as one's suffering.—For my part, I have no love -for the man they would like me to marry; no, indeed! I have not the -slightest love for him, although he is a very well-favored young man."</p> - -<p>"Ah! do you know him, mademoiselle?"</p> - -<p>"Very little; I have seen him once or twice in society. He is the son of -that old nobleman who was here last night—that tall, thin man with a -severe expression, dressed all in black, in the style of the time of -Henri IV, with a ruff that concealed his chin—the Marquis de Marvejols, -in fact."</p> - -<p>"The Marquis de Marvejols! Is it his son whom you are expected to marry, -mademoiselle?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure! why that exclamation?"</p> - -<p>"Because, last night I was in the main vestibule when that old gentleman -arrived."</p> - -<p>"Well! what then?"</p> - -<p>"All your servants were there, and also a clerk from the office of your -aunt's solicitor, who had come to give her some information about some -business—a debt due her, or something else, I don't know what! But, as -you may imagine, they told the little clerk—for he is a very small -fellow—they told him that there was a grand reception going on, and -that madame could not receive him."<a name="page_291" id="page_291"></a></p> - -<p>"What relation has all this to the old Marquis de Marvejols?"</p> - -<p>"Why, mademoiselle, when Monsieur Bahuchet—that is the little clerk's -name—when he found that he could not be received, he put his papers in -his pocket, saying: 'Very well; I will return to-morrow.'—But, instead -of going away at once, as the guests were arriving, he remained a long -while in the vestibule, talking with the major-domo and the servants. He -is a great gossip, but he is amusing; for he made comments on everybody -who arrived, and I assure you, mademoiselle, that sometimes he said some -very comical things.—So, when this old gentleman arrived, and the -servant announced Monsieur le Marquis de Marvejols, the little clerk -cried:</p> - -<p>"'Ah! I know that nobleman, and his son too. He had a pretty little pile -of debts, had the son; but the father paid them all some time ago; it -was my master, my solicitor, who called the creditors together. Comte -Léodgard promised to reform, but he doesn't reform; he is beginning to -run in debt again; and then, he's a great fellow for midnight intrigues! -I'll wager that he won't come here to-night; he is too fully occupied -elsewhere!'"</p> - -<p>"The clerk said that?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle; I was quite near him and I heard him plainly."</p> - -<p>"Well! what else did he say? go on!"<a name="page_292" id="page_292"></a></p> - -<p>"He said nothing more on that subject, mademoiselle; for other persons -arrived, and he had comments to make on them. It seems that that young -man knows all Paris; but nothing more was said about the son of Monsieur -le Marquis de Marvejols."</p> - -<p>"What a pity! I should be so glad to know something more; and it is very -probable that this clerk—what did you call him?"</p> - -<p>"Bahuchet, mademoiselle; a bit of a man, not so tall as I am, and with a -most original face!"</p> - -<p>"This Monsieur Bahuchet must know more; and as he is so talkative, if -one had an opportunity to question him——"</p> - -<p>At that moment the door of the salon opened, and a servant appeared and -said:</p> - -<p>"The clerk from the office of madame's solicitor, who came last evening, -wishes to know if he may speak to Madame de Ravenelle."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! yes!" cried Valentine, jumping for joy. "Let him come in; he -could not come more opportunely!"</p> - -<p>"Eh! mon Dieu! what is it? why this noise, these cries?" demanded the -old lady, rudely awakened from her nap. "What is the matter, Valentine?"</p> - -<p>"Your solicitor's clerk wishes to speak with you, aunt."</p> - -<p>"And that is your reason for shrieking so! Let them send the clerk away; -I do not care to attend to any business to-day, I am too tired."<a name="page_293" id="page_293"></a></p> - -<p>"But, aunt, he came last night; and then, if you knew—he will tell us -some very interesting things about the young Comte de Marvejols."</p> - -<p>"What! my solicitor?"</p> - -<p>"His clerk. I beg you, my dear aunt, let me question him; do not you -take the trouble to speak, if it tires you; I will speak for you."</p> - -<p>Madame de Ravenelle threw herself back in her reclining chair, and at -the same instant Monsieur Bahuchet was ushered into the presence of the -ladies.</p> - -<h2><a name="XXIV" id="XXIV"></a>XXIV<br /><br /> -<small>THE WHITE PLUME</small></h2> - -<p>At sight of that young man of four feet eight, with his enormous head, -his huge mouth, his gaping nostrils, and, with all the rest, a -self-assured and pretentious air which bordered closely upon -impertinence, Valentine turned her head away in order not to laugh in -his face.</p> - -<p>Bahuchet took four steps into the salon, then made two very low -reverences, one to Madame de Ravenelle, the other to her niece. As for -Miretta, he simply bestowed a patronizing smile upon her, as if to say:</p> - -<p>"I know you, my dear; I know that you are the lady's-maid."<a name="page_294" id="page_294"></a></p> - -<p>"What do you want with me, monsieur?" inquired the old lady, without -moving.</p> - -<p>"Madame, I am sent hither by my employer, Maître Pierre-Guillaume -Bourdinard, your solicitor before the courts, and am instructed to -inform you, on the part of said Bourdinard, that Sieur Benoît-Gervais -Cocatrix, your tenant and debtor, now occupying your property on Rue des -Lions-Saint-Paul, has not yet paid his rent for the current term, or for -previous terms since he has occupied the said property, albeit we have -duly and frequently served upon him notices and citations on stamped -paper, which citations, engrossed by your humble servant, Nicolas -Bahuchet, should be paid for by the debtor, who, however——"</p> - -<p>"Enough! enough!" said the old lady, motioning to the little clerk to -hold his peace; "you drive me mad with your pettifogger's jargon. Come -to the point, if you please; has my tenant paid his rent?"</p> - -<p>"I was proceeding to certify the contrary by my peroration, if madame -had allowed me to finish.—I continue: And Maître Bourdinard, my worthy -employer, having to no purpose threatened your tenant, desires to know -whether he shall grant him still more time, or shall force him to vacate -the premises <i>ex abrupto</i>."</p> - -<p>"How now, monsieur! Are you talking Latin to me? Do you imagine that by -any chance I can understand it? Let my solicitor procure my money for -me; he may employ whatever method he chooses—that is his affair.<a name="page_295" id="page_295"></a> But I -do not choose to be pestered any more with this business; that, I trust, -is understood."</p> - -<p>"Perfectly, madame; your orders shall be carried out. I will transmit -them to Maître Bourdinard personally, as I now have the honor to speak -with you, and the law will take its course. <i>Dixi!</i> Whereupon I have the -honor——"</p> - -<p>And the little clerk was already preparing to take his leave, when -Valentine said to him:</p> - -<p>"One moment, monsieur; I have a question or two—some information to -request from you. But I would be very glad if, in answering me, you -would employ neither Latin nor the phraseology of the courtroom."</p> - -<p>"Oh! with pleasure, mademoiselle; now that my employer's errand is done, -I become once more a jovial Basochian, master of his acts and his -tongue. But when we are performing our duties as clerk, we must needs -adopt the manner and language of the office. Moreover, it is always well -to show that one has education! That is what I constantly tell Plumard, -who thinks of nothing but finding pomades to make his hair grow. Plumard -is my fellow clerk, but he is bald and——"</p> - -<p>"I do not desire to speak to you of your fellow clerk Plumard, monsieur; -but last evening you made comments in a loud tone upon a large number of -persons who came to our reception."</p> - -<p>"That is quite possible, mademoiselle; comments of no consequence. One -must talk and laugh a bit, and show that one has conversational -powers."<a name="page_296" id="page_296"></a></p> - -<p>"All your comments were not without consequence, monsieur; especially -those in which you indulged concerning the son of Monsieur le Marquis de -Marvejols."</p> - -<p>"Concerning the marquis's son? Ah, yes! Monsieur le Comte Léodgard; what -did I say about him?—In the first place, I do not know him personally; -I have never seen him except at a distance; I may have repeated what -everybody says: that he was in debt; that his father paid fifty thousand -livres for him lately! That is true, for Maître Bourdinard, my employer, -called the creditors together in his office, in order to obtain the best -conditions and the greatest possible abatement."</p> - -<p>"That is not all; you added that Comte Léodgard certainly would not come -to our reception.—What made you think so, monsieur?"</p> - -<p>Bahuchet smiled cunningly, scratched his forehead, and shifted from one -leg to the other like a canary; he seemed to hesitate before replying, -and looked now at the old lady, now at her niece, and again at Miretta.</p> - -<p>"Well, monsieur, did you not hear my question?" added Mademoiselle de -Mongarcin impatiently, and in an imperious tone.</p> - -<p>"I beg your pardon, mademoiselle, I heard you perfectly; but there are -some things which we young clerks of the Basoche say to one another, or -when talking with the common people, which we should not dare to say to -a young lady of noble birth."<a name="page_297" id="page_297"></a></p> - -<p>"Since you have had a good education, monsieur, you should be able to -use suitable terms in which to state a fact, and to refrain from saying -anything that can offend my ears. So much the worse for you, if you -cannot find a way to express yourself becomingly."</p> - -<p>Bahuchet's self-esteem was stung to the quick; Valentine had hit upon -the way to make him speak. He rested the hand in which he held his hat -on his hip, and, striking an attitude like an advocate, said:</p> - -<p>"Mademoiselle, I am very well able to express myself, and to select my -words according to my audience. Thank heaven, I have fitted myself for -the profession! My parents were poor, but poverty is not a vice! I do -not know who it was that dared to say: 'It is something much worse!' but -I do not share his opinion. Ignorance is a vice, and so is stupidity! -Wealth does not always go hand in hand with merit! On the contrary, it -seems to take pleasure in sneering at it!—Homer, poor and blind, -wandered through the streets and public squares, reciting verses to -obtain a crust of bread. Plautus, that original, satirical comic poet, -turned the wheel of a mill for his livelihood. Agrippa died in the -hospital. And it is said that the illustrious author of <i>Don Quixote</i>, -Miguel Cervantes, died of want. Tasso was often reduced to the necessity -of borrowing a crown."</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! will he never be done?" said Valentine, turning to Miretta; -"I am sure that my aunt has fallen asleep again."<a name="page_298" id="page_298"></a></p> - -<p>The little clerk, observing that the beautiful young lady paid no -attention to him, decided to return to the subject upon which she had -questioned him.</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, mademoiselle; I allow myself to be led astray by my -schoolboy reminiscences. I return to the question which you did me the -honor to ask me. I did say, it is true, that I believed Monsieur le -Comte Léodgard to be too much engrossed by new intrigues at this moment -to have time to come to your fête. My reason for saying that was that I -have a friend—that is to say, a confrère—or a friend, no matter -which!—one Plumard, who is bald already, at twenty-six! That is rather -early to be bald!—Now, Plumard lives on Rue Dauphine—a small room -under the eaves. And a few days ago we were leaning out of his window, -looking into the street, and I recognized the young Comte de Marvejols -walking back and forth and watching, out of the corner of his eye, the -house of a bath keeper, who it seems has a charming daughter, a model of -grace, beauty, and innocence. The parents never allow this enchanting -creature to go out; the mother especially watches her with the greatest -care. But Plumard said to me, laughingly: 'That young gentleman comes -prowling about the house every day—he even comes in the evening! and it -is probable that he comes late at night! He surely must have seen the -bath keeper's daughter, and it is on her account that he passes his time -in this quarter.'"<a name="page_299" id="page_299"></a></p> - -<p>"A bath keeper's daughter!" exclaimed Valentine, with a disdainful air. -"Is it possible that the son of the Marquis de Marvejols forgets himself -to such a degree as to address his sighs to one so far beneath him!"</p> - -<p>"But if the little one is a model of beauty, as they say," murmured the -undersized clerk, "that causes much to be overlooked!"</p> - -<p>"You know a bath keeper's daughter, Miretta; you go to see her -sometimes, do you not? Can it be the same one?"</p> - -<p>"No, mademoiselle; the one I know is very good-looking too, but she -lives on Rue Saint-Jacques; she lost her mother long ago."</p> - -<p>"I know whom you mean!" cried Bahuchet; "you mean Ambroisine, whom they -call La Belle Baigneuse. Ah! she's a very handsome girl—tall and well -built! She is Master Hugonnet's daughter, whose baths are very -popular.—Oh! I know her; I know all Paris, I do! But she isn't the one -in question, for my friend Plumard—his name ought to be <i>Plumé</i> -[plucked], for before long he will not have three hairs on his scalp—— -But, no matter; Plumard told me about the daughter of his neighbor, the -bath keeper on Rue Dauphine. His name is Landry; he is an old soldier, -who will not look on it as a joke if he learns that a gallant is making -love to his daughter, whatever the gallant's name and rank may be!"</p> - -<p>"And—was it long ago, monsieur, that you had this conversation at your -friend's window on Rue Dauphine?"<a name="page_300" id="page_300"></a></p> - -<p>"About six weeks, mademoiselle."</p> - -<p>"Have you seen your friend again since? Has he told you anything more -concerning Monsieur Léodgard de Marvejols's love affairs?"</p> - -<p>"I have seen Plumard very often since. We sometimes dine together at the -cook shop. A few days, or rather a few nights ago, I escorted my comrade -home; it was very late, almost midnight; we had been singing and playing -cards and drinking a long, long while, and Plumard, who is not over -brave, was afraid to go home alone. He was in dread of falling in with -Giovanni the robber—the famous Italian brigand whom our archers, our -arquebusiers, our watch, in fact, all our soldiery, have not succeeded -in catching. They are not shrewd. To secure that villain's arrest, I -shall have to take a hand in it. But I will show them how to catch him. -I know how they must go to work to do it, and——"</p> - -<p>"You will have Giovanni arrested?" cried Miretta, whose face had turned -deathly pale.</p> - -<p>"Well, well! what has happened to you, child?" said Valentine, almost -alarmed by her maid's abrupt exclamation. "Mon Dieu! how excited you -are!"</p> - -<p>"I beg pardon, mademoiselle; excuse me; but monsieur said that he knew -how they could arrest this Italian—this Giovanni."</p> - -<p>"How does that concern you? You do not seem to be afraid of him, for you -never go out except at night, and you come home quite late, so Béatrix -tells me."<a name="page_301" id="page_301"></a></p> - -<p>"That is true, mademoiselle; but, for all that, I would like to -know——"</p> - -<p>"But I wish to know what concerns Monsieur Léodgard. I am not at all -interested in this famous robber.—For heaven's sake, Monsieur Bahuchet, -go on. You were taking your friend Plumard home, to Rue Dauphine."</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle; we were walking quietly along, arm in arm, talking -together, and he was assuring me that he had discovered three more hairs -on his head since the night before, and he attributed that capillary -recrudescence to some grease made from a man who had been hanged, which -an old woman had presented to him."</p> - -<p>"Ah! monsieur, you abuse my patience!"</p> - -<p>"A thousand pardons, mademoiselle! I continue.—About a hundred yards -from the bath keeper's house, Plumard stopped and squeezed my arm.</p> - -<p>"'What is it?' I asked, without wincing. 'I am not afraid of anything; I -am as brave as a lion. What did you see, Plumard?'</p> - -<p>"'What I saw,' he replied, 'was a man climbing into a window on the -first floor of yonder house.'</p> - -<p>"And he pointed to Master Landry's house.</p> - -<p>"'Let us hurry,' said I; 'we must make sure of the fact.'</p> - -<p>"And I pulled Plumard along by the arm; but he did not go any more -quickly for that. When we drew near the window in question, at which -there is a balcony, we thought that we saw a rope, or a rope ladder, -which<a name="page_302" id="page_302"></a> someone hastily drew up. When we were in front of the house, we -saw nothing.—Was it a lover? was it a thief?—I recalled Comte -Léodgard's watches in front of the bathing establishment, and I said to -Plumard:</p> - -<p>"'This must be the sequel of what we saw from your window.'</p> - -<p>"But Plumard, who sees thieves everywhere, did not agree with me; he -wanted to call the watch and the neighbors; but, happening to glance at -my feet, directly beneath the balcony, I saw something white on the -ground. I stooped, and picked up a beautiful white plume, like those -with which our young seigneurs adorn their hats. Then I remembered that -Comte Léodgard had one of them on his hat, and I said to my friend, -showing him the plume:</p> - -<p>"'Look! here is something that our climber lost on the way. Thieves -don't wear such plumes as this on their nocturnal expeditions; so this -is some lovers' affair. Let us leave them in peace; go home to bed and -stop trembling.'</p> - -<p>"Thereupon I left Plumard at his door and went home."</p> - -<p>"And the plume that you found?"</p> - -<p>"I carried it home with me, and I still have it; it's a very fine one! -too fine for me to wear it, with my modest clothes. But no one knows; if -I should have a handsome cloak and rich doublet some day, and a velvet -cap, why, the plume would go very well with all those things!"<a name="page_303" id="page_303"></a></p> - -<p>Valentine seemed to reflect; she glanced at her aunt, who was sound -asleep, then continued, taking care to speak in a low tone:</p> - -<p>"Is that all you know concerning Monsieur Léodgard?"</p> - -<p>"No, indeed! Oh! I have not emptied my bag yet, as my employer says. -Mademoiselle must know that I have a relation who lives near Vincennes; -he is a simple farmer; he has a little cottage with a sizable piece of -land, where he grows vegetables and fruit, which he brings to Paris to -sell. Thomas's cottage—Thomas is my kinsman's name—is in a very lonely -spot, just this side of the village and château of Vincennes. Ah! how -frightened Plumard would be there! so when I suggest to him to go to -Thomas's with me, he always refuses; and yet, my relative has a very -nice little wine.—But to come to my story: when you leave our quarter -of the Cité, you have to cross Pont Saint-Louis, otherwise called the -Pont-aux-Choux. And that is a very dangerous place, especially at this -time, for it is the favorite resort of Giovanni, the robber whom I -mentioned just now. I am confident that he has his lair in the -neighborhood. About five days ago, no more, Thomas's ass was stolen on -the Pont-aux-Choux; he did not see the robber, therefore it was -Giovanni. Also, an old peasant woman of Vincennes was found murdered -within fifty yards of that infernal bridge; that too was done by that -damned brigand!"</p> - -<p>"No, monsieur, no; that is not true!" cried Miretta. "Giovanni did not -murder that woman! it is impossible!"<a name="page_304" id="page_304"></a></p> - -<p>"And why is it impossible, I pray to know, young lady's-maid?" demanded -Bahuchet, staring at the girl in amazement.</p> - -<p>Miretta tried to dissemble her emotion as she replied:</p> - -<p>"Why, because I have been assured—I have heard everybody say that -Giovanni never sheds blood, that no one had ever been injured by him!"</p> - -<p>"Really, my pretty child! And why do they not also say that when he -pillages travellers, the brigand gives them sweetmeats and preserves to -make up to them for the money he steals? What an absurd idea—that a man -who attacks with arms in his hand does not use his arms when he is -resisted! But there are people who delight to tell such foolish tales, -and who pretend to know everything better than anybody else.—I would -just like to have a hundred men, well armed; I would lie in ambush under -the Pont-aux-Choux, and within a week I would have captured, hanged, or -shot the famous Giovanni!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! so that is how you expect to capture him?" muttered Miretta in a -trembling voice, gazing at the little man with eyes that flashed fire.</p> - -<p>"It seems to me to be very easy; when you know almost the spot where a -bird has its nest, you can find it. But I beg pardon, mademoiselle; I -see that you consider me too talkative.—I was saying that Thomas's -cottage is isolated; but within about three gunshots of it, toward -Paris, there is a very pretty place, a very elegant sort<a name="page_305" id="page_305"></a> of pavilion, -which belongs now, I believe, to the Baron de Montrevert, but which -formerly belonged to Comte Léodgard, who lost it at cards. This pavilion -is what our seigneurs of the court call a <i>petite maison</i>, a place to -which they go to enjoy themselves in secret, to which they take their -mistresses or courtesans; and the young count——"</p> - -<p>"Enough, monsieur, enough!" said Valentine, with a glance at the young -man which cut him short. "This does not interest me. That the Comte de -Marvejols should ruin himself like a gentleman, that he should commit a -thousand follies—fight, drink too much, run in debt—all that I can -understand! But that he should fall in love with a bath keeper's -daughter, that that passion should keep him away from the world—that is -what seems inconceivable to me!—But this plume that you found—are you -willing to give it to me?"</p> - -<p>Bahuchet rubbed his chin, assumed his mocking expression, and said at -last:</p> - -<p>"Give it to you, mademoiselle?—You are most worthy of it, certainly, -but I have tried it on my hood, and it was not unbecoming to me; on the -word of a Basochian, it made me quite the dandy! Ha! ha!"</p> - -<p>"Not so loud, monsieur; you will wake my aunt!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! to be sure; the honorable and venerable lady is taking a nap."</p> - -<p>"When I ask you for this plume, which is of some value doubtless, I do -not mean to suggest, monsieur, that<a name="page_306" id="page_306"></a> you should make me a present of it; -and I will beg you to accept this purse in exchange, not as the price of -what I ask of you, but as a souvenir of me."</p> - -<p>The little clerk hastily cast a furtive glance at the pretty velvet -purse, which was not unlike an alms purse, and from which issued a sound -very pleasant to his ear. He bowed to the floor before the noble maiden, -and, almost kneeling, took the purse from her hand.</p> - -<p>"I accept this in obedience to you, mademoiselle," he said; "to-morrow -you shall have the plume. I am too happy to be able to do anything that -is agreeable to you!"</p> - -<p>"Very well, monsieur; now, leave us."</p> - -<p>Bahuchet bowed once more, then smiled at Miretta, who answered his smile -by a wrathful glance. But the little clerk hurried from the room and the -house, paying no heed to the young lady's-maid's threatening expression. -He was no sooner in the street than he opened the purse and found four -gold pieces inside.</p> - -<p>Thereupon he shouted for joy, tossed his cap in the air, bumped against -the passers-by, and finally ran off at full speed, crying:</p> - -<p>"O Plumard! I say, Plumard! where are you? I have got enough to buy you -a wig! but I won't buy it!"<a name="page_307" id="page_307"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="XXV" id="XXV"></a>XXV<br /><br /> -<small>THE MAN WITH FIVE FACES</small></h2> - -<p>When the messenger from her aunt's solicitor had gone, Valentine rose -noiselessly and beckoned to her maid to follow her. They soon reached -Mademoiselle de Mongarcin's bedroom, and the latter, after bidding -Miretta to lock the door, said to her:</p> - -<p>"We can talk more at ease here, Miretta. I do not know how to tell you -what is taking place in my heart. I am chagrined, angry, almost furious. -And yet, I do not love this Léodgard; but I would be glad to make sure -that that youth has not been telling us a parcel of lies.—Miretta, you -must help me to discover the truth; you are in my service to do whatever -I wish; you will help me, will you not?"</p> - -<p>"I am devoted to you, mademoiselle, and you may rely upon me."</p> - -<p>"Good! good! Oh! I will reward you handsomely, I promise you!"</p> - -<p>"Do not speak of rewards, mademoiselle; I am in need of nothing; you are -too kind to me now; I shall be happy to prove to you that I am not -ungrateful."</p> - -<p>"You are not moved by selfish motives, I have noticed that already; you -are not an ordinary lady's-maid; besides,<a name="page_308" id="page_308"></a> you love, you adore your -lover. Therefore, you will understand me.—The Comte de Marvejols, the -man whom my friends have selected for my husband, make love to a bath -keeper's daughter! pass all his time with her! and, to be with her, -refuse to attend balls and receptions! Oh! I cannot believe it yet; but -if it is so, you will agree that I shall be justified in refusing him, -in spurning that alliance; and if anyone should ask me for my reasons, -how sweet it would be to me to avenge myself by revealing the noble -conduct, the honorable love affairs of Comte Léodgard! that fashionable -nobleman, that soul of honor, that gentleman of the court of Louis XIII! -A noble gentleman, on my word! who does not shrink from marring his -escutcheon!—Oh! I don't know what is the matter with me! Give me water; -give me that phial of salts! I need to inhale it a moment."</p> - -<p>Miretta zealously waited upon her young mistress, whose nerves were in a -state of high tension because her self-esteem was humiliated and she -could not endure the thought that a bath keeper's daughter had prevented -her destined husband from accepting her invitation.</p> - -<p>At last, when she had become somewhat calmer, Valentine sat for some -time deep in thought. Miretta awaited in silence the commands of the -nobly born heiress, who already felt that she hated the plebeian maiden -whom she did not know.</p> - -<p>"You are not timid, Miretta; you must be brave, since you are not afraid -to go out alone at night, here in Paris,<a name="page_309" id="page_309"></a> which is said to be such a -dangerous place.—Well! you must go to Rue Dauphine, you must see this -girl, this wonderful beauty."</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle."</p> - -<p>"You will ascertain whether there are, in fact, any rumors afloat -respecting her love affairs; make the neighbors and servants talk; in a -word, I rely upon you to discover the truth."</p> - -<p>"Mademoiselle, the bath keeper's daughter whom I go to see, Ambroisine, -knows this Landry's daughter, I think.—Yes, I remember now that she has -often spoken to me of her friend Bathilde—that is the name of the girl -on Rue Dauphine."</p> - -<p>"Bathilde!—oh! her name is Bathilde! I thought that her name would -prove to be Marion, or Margot!"</p> - -<p>"I will go first to see Ambroisine; and through her I shall perhaps -learn more than from others!"</p> - -<p>"Do as you think best; I leave you entirely free. From this moment I -relieve you from all service and give you permission to go out whenever -you please, and to stay away as long as you please. The concierge will -have orders to await your return; and if anyone in the house should -venture to make any impertinent comments on your conduct, he will be -dismissed at once; for I am mistress here!—As you see, my aunt is good -for nothing but to sleep! She paid no attention to that young clerk's -story, and yet her niece's future and happiness were directly concerned. -Henceforth I myself will look after<a name="page_310" id="page_310"></a> everything that concerns my repose, -my name, my honor.—Here is money—you may need it to bribe someone, to -induce people to speak. Do not spare it, spend it lavishly if necessary; -but act, act promptly."</p> - -<p>On the evening following this interview between Valentine and Miretta, -the latter left the house as soon as it was dark.</p> - -<p>But do not think that she bent her steps toward Ambroisine's abode. -While Mademoiselle de Mongarcin had been profoundly impressed by the -little clerk's gossip, Cédrille's pretty cousin had been no less moved -by what she had heard concerning Giovanni. Monsieur Bahuchet's words -with respect to him had struck her to the heart; she saw her lover -arrested and led to execution; and her feeling for Giovanni was stronger -than her devotion to her mistress.</p> - -<p>On leaving the house, she proposed first of all to try to meet Giovanni -that night. The little clerk had declared that his favorite lurking -place was the neighborhood of the Pont-aux-Choux, and Miretta said to -herself:</p> - -<p>"I will go in that direction; I have no idea where that bridge is, but -someone will tell me."</p> - -<p>The first person whom Miretta addressed, on Rue Saint-Honoré, to ask for -directions, seemed much surprised.</p> - -<p>"Pont-aux-Choux, mademoiselle!" he exclaimed. "The deuce! it's a long -way from here; it's outside of the city, beyond the Fossés Jaunes, -between the Porte du Temple<a name="page_311" id="page_311"></a> and Porte Saint-Antoine; you don't expect -to go there to-night, I presume?"</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, I do."</p> - -<p>"And you are all alone! Beware! it's a lonely neighborhood, and very -dangerous at night."</p> - -<p>"I am not afraid; but please tell me which way I must go."</p> - -<p>He directed her as well as he could, concluding with the usual phrase:</p> - -<p>"When you get there, inquire again."</p> - -<p>Miretta walked a long while; she was not sufficiently familiar with -Paris to tell where she was, so that she did not know if she was -approaching her destination.</p> - -<p>Most of the shops were already closed; and the girl, remembering that -she had money about her, regretted that she had not secured the -assistance of a torchbearer or messenger, who would have guided her -directly to the place to which she wished to go; but it was too late now -to find any of those hard-worked men in the street.</p> - -<p>More than once, bands of students and pages had attempted to accost the -girl, offering her their services in very familiar fashion; but she had -run away from them without replying.</p> - -<p>She had just made her escape from a group of young men who seemed well -disposed for mirth, when, as she halted, all out of breath from running, -at the corner of a street, a well-known voice fell upon her ear.<a name="page_312" id="page_312"></a></p> - -<p>"Eh! sandis! my eyes do not deceive me! it is in very truth our cruel -infanta whom I see before me!—By Roland, my dear, you expose yourself -to great risk, rambling about alone at night in such an unsavory -quarter; none but knights of my temper should haunt such places by -night!"</p> - -<p>When she recognized the voice of her faithful suitor, the Gascon -chevalier, Miretta felt relieved; for although Passedix pestered her -with his love, at all events she knew him; and while she found him -intolerable as a lover, she believed him to be incapable of attempting -any enterprise calculated to offend a woman's modesty. It was with -something like pleasure, therefore, that the pretty brunette recognized -the chevalier at that moment, the result being that she answered in a -much more amiable tone than she usually adopted with him.</p> - -<p>"Is it you, monsieur le chevalier? I confess that I did not expect to -meet you here!"</p> - -<p>"That is because you were not looking for me, little one; whereas I am -always hoping to meet you!"</p> - -<p>"As you are here, you will help me out of my perplexity."</p> - -<p>"I will help you in whatever you wish to undertake! Do you wish to -ascend to the moon—to revolve about a planet? I will escort you to the -celestial empire; I have no very clear idea what road we must take; but, -no matter! I would act as your escort, even to hell, if such were your -whim!"<a name="page_313" id="page_313"></a></p> - -<p>"I thank you, monsieur le chevalier, but I have no intention of asking -you to go so high or so low; I do not deem myself worthy as yet to dwell -with the angels, but I have no desire, either, to pay a visit to the -demons!"</p> - -<p>"Sandis! I would gladly sell myself to the devil to win your love!"</p> - -<p>"Be kind enough not to talk to me of love, and please be my guide to the -Pont-aux-Choux, for that is where I am going."</p> - -<p>"Ah! I understand; that is where you make assignations with your lover; -probably you are going there to join that rough fellow, that rustic, -that artisan, who was awkward enough to make Roland drop from my hand on -the Place de Grève, solely by favor of the crowd that pushed me from -behind!—Ah! ten thousand <i>bombardes</i>! I would like right well to meet -your spark again; I would show him this time that I know how to use my -sword, and that it is not in the habit of escaping from my hand."</p> - -<p>"But if I remember aright, chevalier, it escaped from your hand on the -day you were kind enough to espouse my cause and to stand in front of -Cédrille and myself on Rue Saint-Jacques."</p> - -<p>"That day there was another reason," muttered Passedix, with a frown. -"But let us return to the present; you wish to go to Pont Saint-Louis?"</p> - -<p>"No; to the Pont-aux-Choux."<a name="page_314" id="page_314"></a></p> - -<p>"It is the same thing. You are going there very late, my dear. Is your -lover a market gardener, pray? has he his lair among the cabbages and -carrots that cover the road toward Vincennes?"</p> - -<p>"If you propose to begin your questions again, monsieur, I will leave -you and try to find some more obliging cavalier."</p> - -<p>"No! no!" cried the Gascon, detaining the girl, who had already started -to leave him; "why, the child is like a train of powder! what a hothead! -If you were a man, we should have killed each other ten or twelve times -before this. But I love this effervescent nature; it bears some -resemblance to mine.—So you want to go to the Pont-aux-Choux? Take my -arm, my love; I shall have the honor of escorting you thither."</p> - -<p>Miretta decided to put her arm through the chevalier's; and he, -overjoyed to have beside him the pretty girl of whom he was enamored, -drew himself up and tossed his head, which made him appear even taller -and diminished the stature of his companion.</p> - -<p>They walked on for some time, the Gascon making his rusty spurs and -Roland's scabbard ring on the stones; Miretta thinking of Giovanni and -glancing all about at the slightest sound.</p> - -<p>"Are we still far from the place to which I am going?" the girl asked -her guide at last.</p> - -<p>Passedix did not reply for some seconds. Since he had felt Miretta's arm -in his, his love for the dark maiden<a name="page_315" id="page_315"></a> had made rapid progress; his heart -beat violently beneath his patched doublet, his head burned, and his -imagination indulged in a multitude of wild antics.</p> - -<p>At last he argued the matter out with himself thus:</p> - -<p>"Since my good star has caused me to meet my inhuman fair, I should be -very stupid to take her to my rival, that knave who nearly made me lose -Roland; should I not rather seize the opportunity which offers to avenge -myself and to triumph over a cruel enslaver? The little one does not -know her way; instead of taking her to her rendezvous, I will take her -to the Place aux Chats, and tell her that it is the Pont-aux-Choux! -Then, by frightening her with tales of robbers, I will try to induce her -to accept shelter in the Hôtel du Sanglier; and once there!—Sandioux! -it's a daring plan, it has a suggestion of felony about it! But this -girl is a demon, and I shall not vanquish her unless I resort to heroic -means!"</p> - -<p>"Well, monsieur le chevalier, you have not yet answered me; are we still -far from the Pont-aux-Choux?"</p> - -<p>"Why, yes, my sweet child, rather far. Oh! you had gone entirely astray, -you were not going in the right direction."</p> - -<p>"That is strange; I followed the directions that were given me."</p> - -<p>"Some persons are so unkind! they take delight in making people go -astray who ask them to point out their<a name="page_316" id="page_316"></a> road.—Lean on me, tender -blossom! Do not be afraid of wearying me; it is a joy to me to feel your -round arm in mine. Ah! ye gods!"</p> - -<p>"It would be a great joy to me to arrive. I cannot understand this; it -seems to me that you are making me retrace my steps."</p> - -<p>"As you were not going toward your destination, I must, of course, take -you back. This is one of the most blissful evenings of my life!"</p> - -<p>"Do not press my arm so tightly, I beg you."</p> - -<p>"This loving pressure is a magnetic effect of the fire which consumes my -heart, and which snaps devilishly so near to you!"</p> - -<p>"Are you going to begin again to talk to me of your love? I thought that -you were cured."</p> - -<p>"Cured! I!—Better to die than to be cured! What would you have me talk -about, sweet friend, when I am with you?"</p> - -<p>"Have you forgotten, pray, that I am only a servant, upon whom you -conferred too much honor simply by looking at her?"</p> - -<p>"A man may say that when he is angry, my dear; but, in reality, he does -not mean a word of it."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" cried Miretta, suddenly stopping at a street corner; "I am sure -now that it is you who have lost your way! I recognize this street -perfectly; it runs into the street I live on; you have brought me back -to the quarter I came from."<a name="page_317" id="page_317"></a></p> - -<p>"Sandis! I am taking you where you want to go. Come, we shall soon be -there."</p> - -<p>"No!" cried the girl, as she withdrew her arm from the chevalier's, -refusing to go any farther; "no! I will not go with you, for it is not -possible that the Pont-aux-Choux is in this direction."</p> - -<p>Passedix tried to take Miretta's arm again; she resisted, but the Gascon -was excited, and he was determined not to let the girl escape him anew.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a new personage, whose approach neither of them had observed or -heard, appeared on the scene and put an end to the contest by releasing -Miretta from the chevalier's grasp.</p> - -<p>The new-comer wore the costume of a citizen of the middle class; his -chin was cleanly shaven.</p> - -<p>The girl had no sooner glanced at him than her face regained its -serenity; and she hastened to take her place by his side, while the -unknown said to the Gascon:</p> - -<p>"How now, my master! Do you propose to make this young girl go with you -against her will? For a chevalier who wears a helmet and sword, that is -hardly chivalrous."</p> - -<p>"Eh! where in the devil did this fellow spring from? I neither heard nor -saw him coming. Do me the favor to go your way, my dear fellow; this -young shepherdess is in my company, and we do not require your -interference in our affairs."</p> - -<p>"But it seemed to me that you were hardly in accord, and I always -protect the ladies.—Tell me, my lovely<a name="page_318" id="page_318"></a> child, did not this gentleman -try to make you take a road which you did not wish to take?"</p> - -<p>"He did indeed, monsieur; for I wished to go to the Pont-aux-Choux, and -I am sure that he was not taking me there!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! by no means! He was taking you to the Place aux Chats, to the -Hôtel du Sanglier; a most excellent hotel, i' faith! of which he -proposed to do the honors for you, I doubt not."</p> - -<p>"Sandioux! it seems that you know me! But whoever you are, I forbid you -to take this girl's arm! Back, instantly!"</p> - -<p>Passedix tried to push away the stranger, who had already taken the -girl's arm in his; but with his free hand the <i>soi-disant</i> bourgeois -seized the Gascon's wrist and pressed it with his fingers with such -force that he cried:</p> - -<p>"Oh! oh! That cursed grip again! Ah! it is the very same, I recognize -it! You are the mechanic of the Place de Grève; you are the Bohemian of -the Loup de Mer!"</p> - -<p>"Search your memory—it is possible that I am still another person."</p> - -<p>"Yes—those eyes, that expression! Ten thousand devils! it is the face -of the Comte de Carvajal, the noble guest of Dame Cadichard! But whoever -you may be, double, triple, or quadruple! even though you be the devil -in person—if you are a man of heart, you will give me satisfaction like -a gallant champion, sword in hand!"<a name="page_319" id="page_319"></a></p> - -<p>"Ah! you wish to measure swords with me, do you, chevalier? Very good! -it shall be as you wish. On guard!—Have no fear, my girl! it is a -matter of an instant."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, the pretended bourgeois drew from beneath his cloak a short -sword with a broad blade. Meanwhile, Passedix had drawn Roland from the -scabbard; but when he saw his adversary's weapon, he paused and -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"What in the devil do you expect to do with that little cutlass against -my noble blade? Sandis! I have too great an advantage over you!"</p> - -<p>"Let not that deter you, chevalier, but try to hold your long sword more -firmly in your hand this time."</p> - -<p>With that, the stranger attacked Roland with such vigor and dexterity, -that in less than two minutes the long sword went flying through the -air, and Passedix, stepping back, put his foot in a hole, fell over, and -rolled at the feet of his adversary, who placed the point of his short -sword against the prostrate man's breast, saying:</p> - -<p>"Well! do you think that my little cutlass is worthy to measure itself -against your illustrious blade?"</p> - -<p>"I cannot understand it! You have a way of fighting that bewilders one! -deceives one! Sandis! it is impossible; it must be that I have the gout -in my right hand!—But, no matter! I am vanquished! Strike!"</p> - -<p>"I should be very sorry to do so. Au revoir, Chevalier Passedix! try to -find your sword; it went in that<a name="page_320" id="page_320"></a> direction. But take my advice and do -not again lead young girls astray."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, the victor joined Miretta, drew her arm through his, and -walked rapidly off with her, paying no further heed to his adversary, -who made a piteous face when he saw them go away together.</p> - -<p>"Ah! what good fortune to have met you, Giovanni!" said Miretta, when -they were far enough away to have no fear of being overheard. "I was not -afraid for a single instant during the battle I have just been watching; -I was perfectly sure that you would be the victor!"</p> - -<p>"But why did you wish to go to the Pont-aux-Choux so late?"</p> - -<p>"Why! Because I want to save you; because you are in danger; because, -guilty as you are, I do not want you to be arrested and put to death!"</p> - -<p>"<i>Què diavolo è questo?</i> What is the source of this dread, of these new -alarms?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! because I heard a young man say: 'I know where Giovanni's usual -lurking place is; it is near the Pont-aux-Choux that he ordinarily lies -in hiding; if they would surround that place with archers, it would be -very easy to capture the famous brigand.'"</p> - -<p>"Ah! indeed!"</p> - -<p>"'It is in that neighborhood,' he added, 'that he usually attacks -people; not long ago he stole an ass from my cousin, and murdered an old -peasant woman of Vincennes!'—Oh! those words made me shudder; I said<a name="page_321" id="page_321"></a> -that it was not true, that Giovanni never shed blood.—Was I right in -saying that?"</p> - -<p>"You did right to think it, but you did wrong to say it. Do you wish -people to suspect that you know me? You are an imprudent child, Miretta; -you forget what I have told you.—Never a word about me, never a comment -that may lead anyone to infer that we are not strangers to each other! -Listen, but do not seem to pay any attention to what people say about -me."</p> - -<p>"Oh! do you think that it is possible for me to remain unmoved when I -hear someone say that he knows where you hide, that you will be -arrested, that you will be—— Oh! I will not utter that horrible word!"</p> - -<p>"In the first place, my dear love, why are you so silly as to place any -faith in these fables, invented by one person to give himself -importance, and repeated by others because lies always find fools enough -who are ready to spread them? I, kill a peasant! to take her vegetables, -I presume? I, steal an ass! Why, what on earth should I do with it?—And -you could believe that, Miretta! you, who have seen my wealth, and who -know of the thirst for gold that possesses me now!"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! will it never be satisfied, this passion which drives you to -crime? Giovanni, do you mean to pass your whole life in this way?"</p> - -<p>"No; a few months more.—Hark ye, next spring I mean to return to my -lovely Italy."</p> - -<p>"You will take me, will you not?"<a name="page_322" id="page_322"></a></p> - -<p>"Yes, I will take you. I will buy a palace, a superb villa. I will have -splendid equipages. You shall be covered with diamonds! I propose that -Milan and Florence shall be dazzled by my magnificence and my luxurious -mode of life."</p> - -<p>"Why do you not carry out your plan now?"</p> - -<p>"No; this will be a good winter in Paris; we will go in the spring."</p> - -<p>"Giovanni, no one can defy danger forever with impunity! No one can be -always stronger than the laws and his fellow men! The moment of -retribution arrives when he believes that he is safe from all danger."</p> - -<p>"Enough, Miretta, enough! I have told you before that your arguments are -of no avail.—Let us take this street—we shall soon be at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin."</p> - -<p>"Then let us take another, for I do not want to leave you so soon, -Giovanni. I do not know why, but it seems to me that I shall not see you -again for a long while. I have a heavy weight on my heart; do not leave -me yet, I implore you, unless your safety requires it!"</p> - -<p>"My safety has nothing to fear. But it is very late, and I thought that -it was necessary for you to return."</p> - -<p>"Oh! I am in no hurry now; I may remain as long as I please; my mistress -herself gave me permission, for she thinks that I am employing my time -in her service."</p> - -<p>"What does that mean?"</p> - -<p>"That Mademoiselle Valentine de Mongarcin, furious with rage because she -is disdained by the young Comte<a name="page_323" id="page_323"></a> Léodgard de Marvejols, who was to marry -her, wishes to know if he is really in love with the daughter of a bath -keeper on Rue Dauphine, and if it is really he who obtains access to her -at night by scaling the balcony of a window on the first floor. -Mademoiselle instructed me to investigate, to resort to every possible -means of ascertaining the truth."</p> - -<p>"Your investigation is all made, the truth is ascertained for you.—I -know better than anyone what takes place in Paris at night. I know Comte -Léodgard; on a certain night last winter I had quite a long conversation -with him; and for some time past I have, in fact, noticed him several -times scaling the bath keeper Landry's balcony. It would never have -occurred to me to interfere with him; I should have been more inclined -to assist him, if he had needed assistance."</p> - -<p>"In that case, my errand is done. Mademoiselle Valentine is not happy in -her love; for, although she will not admit it, I am very certain that -she loves this young seigneur; but not so much, surely, as I love my -Giovanni! O Giovanni! why must I leave you again? If you would——"</p> - -<p>"The day will soon break," said Giovanni, interrupting her, "and I must -not wait for it. Let us go this way and walk faster; I am going to take -you home."</p> - -<p>Miretta dared not remonstrate; but she sighed as she quickened her pace, -and they walked along in silence.<a name="page_324" id="page_324"></a></p> - -<p>They were soon within a few yards of the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Giovanni -released his companion's arm, saying:</p> - -<p>"Here you are at home; adieu!"</p> - -<p>"Already! what! must I leave you so soon? Just a moment more!"</p> - -<p>"Really, Miretta, you are not reasonable to-night; do you not see that -point of light in the sky, which announces the dawn? The stars are -growing dim, the darkness is beginning to fade away. Do not keep me -longer; adieu!"</p> - -<p>Giovanni dropped the hand which tried to press his once more; he hurried -away and disappeared.</p> - -<p>Miretta stood like a statue when he had left her; she was conscious of a -sharp pain at her heart, as if she had been stabbed.<a name="page_325" id="page_325"></a></p> - -<h2><a name="XXVI" id="XXVI"></a>XXVI<br /><br /> -<small>THE PONT-AUX-CHOUX</small></h2> - -<p>Historians are not agreed as to the first two encircling walls which -were built around Paris; but there is no doubt as to the location of the -third, which we owe to Philippe-Auguste, and which was begun in 1190.</p> - -<p>This wall, starting from the right bank of the Seine, where the Pont des -Arts now is, traversed the site of the Louvre in the direction of the -Oratoire Saint-Honoré, where Porte Saint-Honoré stood; it then described -a curve to the <i>carrefour</i> now formed by Rues Jean-Jacques Rousseau, -Coquillière, and de Grenelle. When it reached Rue Montmartre, the wall -was broken by Porte Montmartre. It continued along the northern side of -Rue Mauconseil to Rue Saint-Martin, where there was a gate called Porte -de Nicolas Huidelon. Crossing the sites of Rues Michel-le-Comte, -Geoffroy-Langevin, du Chaume, de Paradis, where Porte de Braque stood, -to Vieille Rue du Temple, it went on to Porte Beaudoyer, crossed the -enclosure of the Convent of the Ave Maria and Rue des Barres, and ended -at the right bank of the Seine.</p> - -<p>The work on the wall south of the river began in 1208. This wall, built -through gardens and vineyards as far<a name="page_326" id="page_326"></a> as Porte Saint-Marcel, skirted the -enclosure of Sainte-Geneviève to the Château de Hautefeuille, cut across -Clos Bruneau to Porte de Bussy, and, following the outer wall of the -Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the smaller Pré-aux-Clercs, came to -an end at the Tour de Nesle.</p> - -<p>This third wall had round towers at intervals to protect it. But the -most formidable ones were at the extremities, on the banks of the Seine.</p> - -<p>Under the reign of François I, the wall had been considerably enlarged. -But, in the year 1536, the Cardinal du Bellai, lieutenant-general of the -armies of King François, being informed of the approach of the English, -who were already devastating Normandie and Picardie, and dreading the -result of an attack upon Paris, ordered trenches and moats to be dug -from Porte Saint-Antoine to Porte Saint-Honoré. These were afterward -called the Fossés Jaunes [yellow moats].</p> - -<p>This little digression into the domain of history is necessary to recall -old Paris to the minds of our readers, especially so that they may be -able to form an accurate idea of the localities where the events took -place which we are about to describe.</p> - -<p>Pont Saint-Louis, otherwise called the Pont-aux-Choux, because of the -proximity of Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and because it was principally used -by the market gardeners, who crossed it to carry their vegetables into -the heart of the city, was situated between Porte du Temple<a name="page_327" id="page_327"></a> and Porte -Saint-Antoine, and was built over the moats of which we have just -described the origin. Over this bridge, which was a dismal and often -deserted structure, there was a gate of a commonplace type of -architecture, called Porte Saint-Louis. But as it had not been closed -for many years, there was no keeper; it was very dilapidated, and on the -point of falling in ruins.</p> - -<p>All about the Pont-aux-Choux were swamps, a large portion of which was -uncultivated. Tall grass grew along the edges of the moat, which -contained nothing but a little slimy water, through which it would have -been difficult to force a boat. Thus the whole locality had a sort of -wild and forbidding aspect, well calculated to inspire terror in the -solitary traveller whom the darkness surprised on that road.</p> - -<p>However, on a certain lovely night in summer, several young gentlemen, -some of whom were acquaintances of ours, having crossed the -Pont-aux-Choux on their way back to Paris, halted about three hundred -yards beyond it, and one of them threw himself on the turf, crying:</p> - -<p>"Faith, I don't care! go on if you choose, my masters; but I am going to -rest here; it is very comfortable on the grass. Besides, I feel that I -am drunk; I cannot stand on my legs."</p> - -<p>"How now, my poor Monclair! Can you carry your wine no better than this? -What a pity!"</p> - -<p>"Don't put on airs, Sénange! You are at least as drunk as I am, if not -more so."<a name="page_328" id="page_328"></a></p> - -<p>"The fact is that I am quite as willing to sit down as to stumble at -every step on these horrible roads.—What an infernal way for Léodgard -to make us take!—I say, Comte de Marvejols, where are you? I want to -congratulate you!—Where in the devil is my valet Bruno? Let him bring a -torch here, and we will have another game."</p> - -<p>"Your esquire is ahead; he walked on."</p> - -<p>"I must call him.—Messieurs, messieurs, you fellows who are still on -your legs, have the kindness to call my esquire, my page, my -varlet—that rascal who is going off with the lanterns yonder, without -taking the trouble to see if his master is following him."</p> - -<p>These words were addressed to three other young gentlemen who had halted -a few yards away. Among them was Léodgard de Marvejols, whose features -were far from denoting hilarity, and who did not seem, like some of his -friends, to have left his reason at the bottom of his glass.</p> - -<p>The servant, being recalled, came back and placed a lighted lantern on -the ground, near the two gentlemen who were already seated on the grass. -The others decided to join them; but Léodgard remained a little behind, -leaning thoughtfully against a solitary tree.</p> - -<p>"Do you propose to stay here, my fine fellows?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes; the fresh air has finished us, we cannot stand on our legs any -longer."<a name="page_329" id="page_329"></a></p> - -<p>"It is a fact that the supper was delicious and the wines exquisite. -Montrevert did things very handsomely; his <i>petite maison</i> is a -delightful place."</p> - -<p>"Speaking of Montrevert, did he not say that he was coming with us?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; he said: 'Go on, and I will overtake you.'"</p> - -<p>"Well, he does not seem to have overtaken us, and we are a good quarter -of a league from his house."</p> - -<p>"That is true, and it is an additional reason why we should rest here -and wait for him."</p> - -<p>"Bah! he won't come; he has probably remained with his infanta. She is a -very pretty girl, that Herminie!"</p> - -<p>"But I tell you, messieurs, that Montrevert will come; he cannot stay at -his <i>petite maison</i>, for he must be in Paris to-morrow for the king's -<i>lever</i>. He has hopes of being admitted to the company of Gray -Mousquetaires, which his majesty has just organized; it is a bodyguard -that is to attend him everywhere, even to the hunt.—Vive Dieu! -messieurs, but it is a fine corps! Such a coquettish uniform—red, -trimmed with gold. Ah! what conquests those fellows will make with that -uniform!"</p> - -<p>"Look you, I too have some hope of entering this corps of -mousquetaires," said the young Marquis de Sénange, trying to straighten -up and maintain a sitting posture on the grass. "I too ought to be at -the king's <i>lever</i> to-morrow—or rather, this morning. But I think <a name="page_330" id="page_330"></a>that -I shall not be there! I am too dizzy—deuce take it! Youth is the age of -folly and pleasure.—Ah! I wish I could find someone who would sit back -to back with me; we would support each other.—Monclair, sit behind me."</p> - -<p>"No; I am very comfortable, I refuse to stir."</p> - -<p>"What a selfish beast that little Monclair is!—Come, La Valteline, and -you, Beausseilly—come and sit down with us."</p> - -<p>The two young men who were still standing decided to seat themselves on -the grass near their companions. But he who was called La Valteline -turned toward Léodgard and shouted:</p> - -<p>"Well! Comte de Marvejols, aren't you going to join us? What the deuce -are you doing there, all alone, with your eyes fixed on the sky? are you -going into astrology? Beware! you know that a commission is sitting at -the Arsenal, in the Poison Chamber, for the express purpose of trying -persons accused of magic! And astrologers are very closely related to -sorcerers!"</p> - -<p>"Messieurs," said the Sire de Beausseilly, lowering his voice, "poor -Léodgard is in no laughing mood, and you must understand why: he was -very unlucky at cards to-night, he lost all that he possessed to -Montrevert, and, I believe, a hundred pistoles more on credit."</p> - -<p>"He is always unlucky with Montrevert, he ought never to play with him; -for that charming <i>petite maison</i> where we supped, which is decorated so -suggestively, used to belong to Marvejols; he staked it against heaven<a name="page_331" id="page_331"></a> -knows what sum with Montrevert! And now that delicious resort no longer -belongs to him! To be sure, Montrevert often invites him there."</p> - -<p>"If he does it in order to win his money, as he has done to-night, it is -not very amusing for Léodgard. I have noticed that fortune has been very -adverse to him for some time past. He always loses, poor fellow!"</p> - -<p>"And I believe he is in debt; he owes everybody!"</p> - -<p>"Vive Dieu! messieurs, should a man torment himself because he is in -debt? As for myself, I have creditors, and plenty of them—I am proud of -the fact! But when the knaves have the impudence to ask me for money, -then I draw my sword and shout and curse and excite myself to such a -frenzy that they run away as if the devil was at their heels! That is -the way to arrange one's affairs!"</p> - -<p>Léodgard had not heard La Valteline's call, for he was still looking at -the stars.</p> - -<p>"Stay, messieurs; I will wager that I will make him come; I know the -way.—Holà ! Bruno! come here, knave! Have you the dice and diceboxes in -your pocket?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, seigneur."</p> - -<p>"Give them to me."</p> - -<p>The valet handed to his master, the Marquis de Sénange, two ivory -diceboxes and the dice; the young man placed the dice in one of the -boxes and shook them a long while, then began to exclaim:<a name="page_332" id="page_332"></a></p> - -<p>"Seven—eleven—twelve! I have won! I have won!"</p> - -<p>The rattling of the dice produced the effect which Sénange anticipated: -Léodgard, roused from his reverie, left his place and drew near the -gentlemen who were seated about the torch.</p> - -<p>"What, messieurs! are you shaking dice on the grass?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Sénange is shaking all by himself at this moment."</p> - -<p>"I heard him say that he had won."</p> - -<p>"Pardieu! yes, for I have won; I bet that with my dice I would draw the -Comte de Marvejols hither.—Tell me, my masters, did I succeed?—Come, -Léodgard, sit down and laugh a bit with us! What is the use of losing -your temper with Fortune? What good does it do? She's a woman; what she -will not grant to-day, she will grant to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Moreover, Comte Léodgard cannot accuse Fortune with a good grace; for -if she is adverse to him at play, with the fair she seems to treat him -like a spoiled child."</p> - -<p>"There is a report of a certain <i>bonne fortune</i> with a damsel on Rue -Dauphine; and I hear that the little one is as beautiful as Cupid. She -was kept carefully concealed, but that devil of a Léodgard would -discover her kind at the bottom of a well or on top of the steepest -cliffs!"</p> - -<p>"Come, Léodgard, tell us about this intrigue."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes! tell us about this bourgeois <i>bonne fortune</i>. It will help us -to pass the time until Montrevert comes; he must have fallen into some -hole in the road."<a name="page_333" id="page_333"></a></p> - -<p>Léodgard stretched himself out carelessly on the grass and looked at his -companions, saying:</p> - -<p>"Has anyone anything to drink? I am extremely thirsty, and I can't tell -my story unless I have something to drink."</p> - -<p>"By Saint Jacques! I would like a drink, too!" muttered young Monclair, -making vain efforts to sit up.</p> - -<p>"What! not a drop? and no wine shops near by!"</p> - -<p>"A cheerful spot, the neighborhood of this horrible -Pont-aux-Choux!—There is not a house in sight—not even a hovel!"</p> - -<p>"Wait, my friends, wait.—Holà ! Bruno!"</p> - -<p>The Marquis de Sénange's valet approached the group.</p> - -<p>"Bruno, do you not always carry a gourd, like the pilgrims when they set -out on a long journey?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, seigneur, I do."</p> - -<p>"What is there in your gourd?"</p> - -<p>"There is some—some very bad eau-de-vie."</p> - -<p>"Very bad!—Ah! you rascal! from the way in which you say that, I would -swear that you are lying. Give us your gourd; and we will judge whether -its contents are so bad as you say."</p> - -<p>"But, seigneur, I have been drinking from it, and I could not allow——"</p> - -<p>"Give it to me, all the same; we must be governed by circumstances. -Come, gallows bird! I verily believe that you hesitate!"<a name="page_334" id="page_334"></a></p> - -<p>Repressing a sigh, the valet handed his master an enormous gourd. -Sénange swallowed a mouthful, then cried:</p> - -<p>"Ah! I suspected as much; it is exquisite, delicious,—it is thirty -years old, I will stake my head! The villain must have stolen it from my -father's cellar.—Here, Léodgard, judge for yourself."</p> - -<p>Léodgard took the gourd and drank slowly but at great length, so that -the young men called out:</p> - -<p>"Enough, count, enough!—He will drink it all! We too want a chance to -judge of the liquor!"</p> - -<p>At last Léodgard passed the gourd to his neighbor, who, after drinking, -passed it to another. They did not cease to drink, until they had -exhausted the contents of the gourd. Then they returned it to Bruno and -made themselves comfortable on the grass, some half reclining, others at -full length. Léodgard, who had maintained a sitting posture, with his -head resting on his left hand, said to his companions:</p> - -<p>"What do you wish me to tell you about, messieurs? an amourette among -the common people? Mon Dieu! it is always the same story! They kept the -girl closely confined, but not so closely that she did not see me pacing -the street under her window."</p> - -<p>"So long as parents leave windows in their houses," said Monclair, "they -cannot answer for the innocence of their daughters!"</p> - -<p>"There was a balcony on which she had placed a pot of flowers, which she -used to come out to water."<a name="page_335" id="page_335"></a></p> - -<p>"Messieurs, it is not without a motive that women display so much love -for flowers; intrigues almost always begin with bouquets."</p> - -<p>"Hold your tongue, Monclair! sleep off your wine, and allow the count to -finish his story."</p> - -<p>"Sleep off your eau-de-vie, you fellows!"</p> - -<p>"I threw a billet-doux in at the window; she pretended to be angry at -first; I did not appear again for four days, and on the fifth I found -the little one on the balcony at midnight, peering into the darkness in -quest of me!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! that's the way! it is always like that!"</p> - -<p>"The next day, with the aid of a silk ladder, I stood by my charmer's -side!—You see, messieurs, that this affair was like every other; -indeed, it was too easy—no jealous husband, no guardian keeping watch."</p> - -<p>"Oh! that sort of thing is very insipid; when there's no danger, there's -no pleasure."</p> - -<p>"Oh! Sire de Beausseilly, what you say is altogether false; there is -always pleasure in the conquest of a pretty girl! And it seems that this -one is an angel of beauty.—Is that so, Léodgard?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, she was very pretty."</p> - -<p>"She <i>was</i>! Is she dead, pray?"</p> - -<p>"No, but I have not seen her for several weeks; that is why I use the -past tense."</p> - -<p>"Oho! so it is already over?"</p> - -<p>"Already? An amourette that lasts two months—is not that long enough?"<a name="page_336" id="page_336"></a></p> - -<p>"It's a long time!"</p> - -<p>"It is too long!"</p> - -<p>"It is never too long when one is happy."</p> - -<p>"And then a mother arrived—a very unamiable person, so it seems, who -had been absent a long while. If I had still been in love, the obstacles -that would thenceforth have made our rendezvous an affair of some -difficulty would have served only to sharpen my desires; but my love was -extinct. Faith! the little one may look out for herself now as best she -can; it is no longer any concern of mine."</p> - -<p>"Well said! Of course, a gentleman could not run the risk of a -controversy with churls!"</p> - -<p>"Faith! messieurs, for my part, I care for none but <i>grandes dames</i>! -They are so adroit in carrying on an intrigue, they display so much -coquetry, that it keeps you in breathless suspense! A fellow is much -more in love when he is not certain that he is loved in return!"</p> - -<p>"And you, Sire de Beausseilly?"</p> - -<p>"I! do you suppose that I have patience to make love to a woman? to -dance attendance on her and languish and sigh? Nonsense! never! I like -the love affairs that give one no trouble!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! we all know what that means! He frequents Rue Fromenteau, Rue -Tire-Boudin, Rue Brisemiche, Rue du Hurleur, Rue de la -Vieille-Bouclerie."</p> - -<p>"Peste! La Valteline, you seem to know perfectly where all the wantons' -houses are; for you mention all<a name="page_337" id="page_337"></a> the streets to which <i>girls who are mad -over their bodies</i>, as they are called, are obliged to confine -themselves."</p> - -<p>"One must needs know his Paris, messieurs."</p> - -<p>"Yes; especially when one desires to meet <i>golden girdles</i>."</p> - -<p>"Oh! messeigneurs, the edict of King Louis VIII has long been forgotten, -and those damsels no longer comply with it; so that the proverb: 'A good -reputation is worth more than a golden girdle' has no meaning now."</p> - -<p>"I say, messieurs, it must be very late."</p> - -<p>"You mean that it must be very early in the morning!"</p> - -<p>"About three o'clock, I fancy."</p> - -<p>"Oh! more than that; it is four o'clock at least; I am sure that the -dawn will soon be here."</p> - -<p>"Do we propose to finish the night in this place?"</p> - -<p>"It is very strange that Montrevert has not overtaken us!"</p> - -<p>"He certainly will not come now!"</p> - -<p>"I do not propose to wait for daylight to return to Paris, in the -condition in which I am! If some <i>âme damnée</i> of the cardinal should -happen to meet me, Richelieu would hear of it, and I should receive a -sharp reprimand.—Come, messieurs, let us get up and go on."</p> - -<p>"No, no!" murmured the Marquis de Sénange, rolling over on the grass; "I -am very comfortable here. Let La Valteline go, if he pleases! I shall -stay; for when<a name="page_338" id="page_338"></a> day breaks, the little dairymaids from the country will -cross the Pont-aux-Choux; we will watch for the prettiest ones, and they -will have to pay toll,—eh, Léodgard?—Well, he is still thinking of his -losses at cards!"</p> - -<p>"Sénange, you have dice there," cried Léodgard suddenly, raising his -head; "I will play you for my cloak—you were admiring it last night. I -will stake it against fifty livres, and, on my word as a gentleman, it -cost me more than a hundred—which I have not yet paid, it is true, but -which I still owe to my tailor."</p> - -<p>"What, Léodgard! do you want to play again?" cried Beausseilly; "but you -are not in luck, and if you lose your cloak, how can you return to -Paris?"</p> - -<p>"I will stake my sword, my doublet, my knee-breeches! I will stake -myself, when I have nothing else left! But I must play! So long as I -have anything left to stake, by hell! it will always be so.—Well, -Sénange, do you accept the stake I propose?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I agree; your cloak against fifty livres. But what shall we play -on? We can't throw dice on the grass; they would not lie evenly, and the -result would be doubtful."</p> - -<p>"Play on my back, messieurs," said Monclair, lying flat on his stomach -on the grass. "I promise not to stir."</p> - -<p>"So be it; on Monclair's back."</p> - -<p>The two young men each took a dicebox, and their companions drew near to -watch the game. The valet<a name="page_339" id="page_339"></a> brought the lantern nearer, while Monclair -lay on his stomach and did not stir.</p> - -<p>"Begin!" said Léodgard in a gloomy voice, handing the dice to his -adversary.</p> - -<p>"As you please," said Sénange; and placing the dice in the box, he threw -them on Monclair's back.</p> - -<p>"Four!" cried Beausseilly and La Valteline.</p> - -<p>"Four!" echoed Léodgard, with a smile of satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"What a beastly throw!" muttered Sénange; "I fancy that I may say -good-bye to my fifty livres.—Go on, count—play!"</p> - -<p>Léodgard took the dice and threw them with a trembling hand.</p> - -<p>"Three!" cried Sénange. "Pardieu! but I am in luck! Your cloak belongs -to me, Léodgard!"</p> - -<p>The young Comte de Marvejols dropped his head on his breast, while the -other gentlemen held their peace and seemed distressed by the ill -fortune which pursued Léodgard.</p> - -<p>At that moment a distant, indistinct noise reached the ears of the young -men.</p> - -<p>"Do you hear, messieurs?" said La Valteline, listening intently; "do you -hear?"</p> - -<p>"I hear nothing," said Monclair.</p> - -<p>"I do," said Beausseilly; "I hear a noise that seems to be coming -nearer; it sounds like outcries, imprecations."<a name="page_340" id="page_340"></a></p> - -<p>"It seems to me that someone is coming toward us. Listen! listen! the -footsteps are becoming more distinct."</p> - -<p>"Suppose it were Montrevert?"</p> - -<p>"Can he have been attacked? We must go to his assistance!"</p> - -<p>"We had better hail him first.—Take that lantern, Bruno, and hold it in -the air.—Do as I do, messieurs.—Holà , Montrevert! is that you?"</p> - -<p>The shouts of the young men were met by an answering shout.</p> - -<p>"It is he," said Léodgard; "and he is not far away."</p> - -<p>"There he is! there he is!"</p> - -<p>"Come this way! this way!"</p> - -<p>A young man of twenty-eight to thirty years, dressed with elegance, but -with his garments in disorder, his belt gone, his face transformed by -excitement, and without his sword, crossed the Pont-aux-Choux at full -speed and joined the friends whose shouts had guided him.</p> - -<p>"It is Montrevert!"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! what is the matter with him? what a ghastly pallor!"</p> - -<p>"What a state his clothes are in!"</p> - -<p>"What has happened to you, Montrevert?"</p> - -<p>"Have you been attacked?"</p> - -<p>"Wait a moment, messieurs; give me a chance to breathe.—Yes, I have -been attacked."</p> - -<p>"Are you wounded?"<a name="page_341" id="page_341"></a></p> - -<p>"No, not a scratch! And yet, I assure you that I tried to defend myself. -It was Giovanni, the famous brigand, who attacked me—yonder, on the -other side of the bridge, on the right."</p> - -<p>"Giovanni?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! he was dressed just as those whom he has robbed describe him, -just as he was when Léodgard saw him: the long olive-green cloak, and -the cap bristling with hair—— Ah! the villain!—Look you, messieurs, -this is how it happened. I stayed behind longer than I expected after -your departure; so that when I started, wishing to make up for lost time -and to overtake you the sooner, I walked very rapidly; I lengthened my -strides, sometimes cutting across the market gardeners' gardens, and -devoting all my thought to keeping my feet out of the holes and ruts and -excavations which make such cross cuts extremely dangerous. So it is not -surprising that I did not see my robber approaching. However, I think -that he must have been hiding behind a tree, for he suddenly blocked my -path without my hearing the sound of his footsteps. I was thunderstruck -at seeing before me a man whose aspect was so truly frightful, and I -instantly put my hand to my sword hilt; but instead of the raucous tones -which I expected to hear, it was almost a falsetto voice that said to -me:</p> - -<p>"'Do not draw your sword, but give me your purse, seigneur; that will be -the quickest way.'<a name="page_342" id="page_342"></a></p> - -<p>"'My purse!' I cried. 'Ah! do you expect to obtain it without striking a -blow? I propose to kill you instead of giving you my money.'</p> - -<p>"As I spoke, I drew my sword and expected to transfix the robber with -ease. But the rascal must be a powerful hand at fence. With two blows of -a weapon which he held, he shattered mine; then, throwing me to the -ground, he snatched my purse from my belt! Vive Dieu! my purse, which -contained two hundred gold pieces! Ah! the gallows bird!—And it was all -done so dexterously and so quickly that I was hardly on the ground when -it was all over; no purse, no robber—Giovanni had disappeared!—Then it -was that I began to shout imprecations, to relieve myself a little. I am -not wounded, it is true; but to be beaten and robbed like that by that -bandit! It is enough to make a man damn himself!"</p> - -<p>The young men were stupefied by what they had heard. Léodgard alone -sprang to his feet, crying:</p> - -<p>"Damnation! I will not let this opportunity escape. It was on the -right-hand side of the road, beyond the bridge, that you were attacked, -you said, Montrevert, did you not? It was on the path leading to -Vincennes, then?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; but what do you mean to do, Léodgard?"</p> - -<p>"To avenge you, or rather to avenge us both; for I, like yourself, have -been beaten and stripped by Giovanni! But this time I will kill him, or -he will kill me!"</p> - -<p>"Can you think of such a thing, Léodgard? Pursue that brigand? Why, he -must be far away before now!<a name="page_343" id="page_343"></a> He will not have remained near the scene -of his latest exploit."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he will. However, I will go a long distance, if need be; but I -will find that man!"</p> - -<p>"In that case," said La Valteline, "we will go with you; we will not -allow you to run such a risk alone."</p> - -<p>"No, messieurs, I beg you, do not come with me; you will make success -impossible. If the robber can be surprised, it must be done by cunning. -He would hear the footsteps of several people, and that would put him on -his guard. Once more, I say, let me make the attempt alone. One man -against one man—that is enough; and if I meet my death in this -undertaking, do not pity me; at this moment I care very little for -life!"</p> - -<p>When he had finished speaking, Léodgard ran across the Pont-aux-Choux -and disappeared in the darkness.</p> - -<p>"Léodgard! Léodgard!" called Beausseilly; "we will wait for you here; we -will not move until you return.—I don't know if he heard me."</p> - -<p>"What the devil ever put that idea into his head?"</p> - -<p>"There is no sense in what he has undertaken to do," said Montrevert; -"judging from the address and agility that this Giovanni shows in his -attacks, it is inconceivable that he should allow himself to be taken by -surprise."</p> - -<p>"I agree with you; but Léodgard is intensely excited! He has gambled -away all that he possessed—even more. Life has little attraction for -him at this moment! Faith!<a name="page_344" id="page_344"></a> if he meets Giovanni, I fancy that the -villain will not come off so cheaply."</p> - -<p>"Pardieu!" said Sénange, half rising; "you remind me that the handsome -cloak which the count is wearing is my property now, as I won it from -him a moment ago at dice. I ought not to have let him go off with it!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! Sénange, you are a very pitiless creditor!"</p> - -<p>"Look you, if he meets Giovanni, the latter will be the victor, in my -opinion; and as he will not find an obolus on Léodgard, he will take his -cloak. Would it not be better that I should have it than that brigand?"</p> - -<p>"Listen, messieurs! don't you hear a noise?"</p> - -<p>"No, nothing."</p> - -<p>"Oh! how the time drags! I wish Léodgard would come back."</p> - -<p>Ten minutes passed, and with each minute the young men became more -anxious; they no longer laughed, they even ceased to talk, for they -listened with all their ears.</p> - -<p>"Here comes the day," muttered Montrevert, "and Léodgard does not -return! I begin to tremble lest he has been the victim of his own -boldness."</p> - -<p>"Messieurs," said La Valteline, "if he does not return in five minutes, -we must go in search of him."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes!"</p> - -<p>"Wait—I hear footsteps."</p> - -<p>"Bah! it's a peasant going to market; look—you can make her out now on -the bridge."<a name="page_345" id="page_345"></a></p> - -<p>"True; the time for thieves to be abroad has passed."</p> - -<p>"Poor Léodgard!"</p> - -<p>"Messieurs, see that man walking so fast across the bridge. Ah! this -time it is he! it is our friend!"</p> - -<p>"Victory! it must be that he has carried the day!"</p> - -<p>All the young men ran to meet Léodgard, for it was really he who was -approaching. As they drew near him they were struck by his pallor and by -the sinister gleam of his eyes, which avoided theirs.</p> - -<p>"Well, comte, did you win the fight?"</p> - -<p>"Or did you fail to find the brigand?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! messieurs, they fought; for, see, Léodgard has blood on his -clothes!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! Giovanni has ceased to live!"</p> - -<p>"You are mistaken," murmured Léodgard, in an altered voice; "it is true -that I fought with the brigand; I wounded him, for his blood spurted on -me. But it seems that his wound was of trifling consequence, for it did -not prevent him from running away, and it was impossible for me to -overtake him! He disappeared behind the hedges, and I saw him no more."</p> - -<p>"Ah! so much the worse!"</p> - -<p>"What a pity!"</p> - -<p>"The poor count has nothing to show for his exploit.—Luckily, you are -not wounded, are you?"</p> - -<p>"No, not at all."</p> - -<p>"That is the principal thing, for we were beginning to be very anxious -about you!"<a name="page_346" id="page_346"></a></p> - -<p>"Messieurs, messieurs, it is broad daylight; let us hasten home, or we -too shall be taken for robbers."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, let us go!"</p> - -<p>"Are not you coming with us, Léodgard?"</p> - -<p>"No, messieurs; I am in no hurry to return to Paris. This adventure, -this fight, has tired me; the country air will do me good."</p> - -<p>"Au revoir, then!"</p> - -<p>"Au revoir!"</p> - -<p>The young men walked rapidly away toward the city, while Léodgard slowly -crossed the Pont-aux-Choux, glancing furtively behind him from time to -time.</p> - -<h2><a name="XXVII" id="XXVII"></a>XXVII<br /><br /> -<small>THE FOSSÉS JAUNES</small></h2> - -<p>Valentine de Mongarcin was reclining carelessly on a sofa in her music -room. That was her usual place of refuge when she was not with her aunt; -but for several days past the study of the zither and mandolin had been -abandoned.</p> - -<p>The noble heiress had learned from her maid that the little clerk's -tales were founded on truth; Miretta had told her what she had learned -from Giovanni. From that moment Valentine's lovely features had shown -signs of gloomy preoccupation. If a smile sometimes played<a name="page_347" id="page_347"></a> about her -lips, it seemed inspired rather by the hope of vengeance than by one of -those agreeable thoughts which usually cause young girls to smile.</p> - -<p>Valentine rang a bell, and Miretta soon stood before her.</p> - -<p>"Did you do my errand, Miretta? Did you go to the office of my aunt's -solicitor?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle; I went there this morning. I easily found Maître -Bourdinard's office; it is on Rue du Bac. I crossed Pont-Rouge, which, -they say, was built not long ago to take the place of the ferry [<i>bac</i>] -that used to be established there, opposite that street, which took its -name therefrom.—Oh! I am beginning to know Paris very well now!"</p> - -<p>"Well, did you find that little clerk who came here the other day, and -to whom I owe such—such valuable discoveries?"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur Bahuchet? No, mademoiselle, he was not at the office; but -there were several other clerks, who stared at me so insolently that I -was very much embarrassed. When I asked for Monsieur Bahuchet, all the -scribblers began to laugh; and they made some very coarse jests among -themselves, which brought the blood to my cheeks.</p> - -<p>"'Ah! you want to see Bahuchet, do you?' they said; 'ah! it is that -villain, that seducer of a Bahuchet, whom you want to see?—On my word, -he's a lucky rascal!—It seems that you don't go in for height, or for -physique!—Who would believe that such a pygmy would be picked<a name="page_348" id="page_348"></a> out by -such a pretty girl?—I say, when you take his arm, you must tower above -him! and if he doesn't walk fast enough to suit you, you can easily take -him under your arm and carry him; he weighs only thirty-three pounds and -a half.'</p> - -<p>"To put an end to all this nonsense, I said loudly:</p> - -<p>"'Messieurs, I wish to see Monsieur Bahuchet in behalf of Mademoiselle -Valentine de Mongarcin, who is my mistress, and who desires to speak -with him.'</p> - -<p>"Ah! mademoiselle, you should have seen what a change took place in the -office when they heard your name! All the clerks assumed a most sedate -air, and the jests instantly came to an end; they became very polite, -and one of them, who, when he took off his cap to salute me, showed a -head prematurely bald, said: 'Mademoiselle, Bahuchet is out, on business -for the master, and he will not return for an hour at the earliest. But -if mademoiselle your mistress wishes to speak with Bahuchet on business, -one of us might take his place; myself, for example, Eudoxe Plumard; I -am ready to go at once to the Hôtel de Mongarcin. Unless you prefer to -speak to the solicitor himself; but he is not in, he has just mounted -his mule to go to the Palais.'</p> - -<p>"I answered that it was about a matter with which Monsieur Bahuchet was -already familiar, and that, for that reason, you desired to speak with -him personally. Thereupon they promised to send him to you as soon as he -returned.<a name="page_349" id="page_349"></a></p> - -<p>"'But,' added the clerk who called himself Plumard, 'don't expect him -very early; for when Bahuchet goes out, it is always an eternity before -he comes back.'</p> - -<p>"And that, mademoiselle, is the result of my visit to the solicitor's -office."</p> - -<p>"Very well," said Valentine, apparently lost in thought. After a few -moments, she added: "Is it a long while, Miretta, since you have been to -see your acquaintance the bath keeper's daughter on Rue Saint-Jacques?"</p> - -<p>"No, mademoiselle, not more than a week."</p> - -<p>"Did you ask her about—about her friend, the other bath keeper's -daughter?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle; I asked her if she had seen her lately. She answered -that, as Bathilde's mother had returned, she could see her only very -rarely. And when I tried to question her further on the subject, she -abruptly changed the conversation. Which led me to think that, if she is -in her friend's confidence, she does not propose to betray her secret."</p> - -<p>"A fine secret, on my word! which must be known ere this to the whole -city, except perhaps those who are most deeply interested in it; but it -is always so.—At what time were you on Rue du Bac, Miretta?"</p> - -<p>"At half-past ten, mademoiselle."</p> - -<p>"And it is now?"</p> - -<p>"After twelve."</p> - -<p>"Well, we must wait until it pleases Monsieur Bahuchet to return to his -desk. Really, these solicitors are<a name="page_350" id="page_350"></a> very patient with messieurs their -clerks! Go, Miretta; and as soon as the fellow arrives at the house, -bring him hither yourself—instantly! Above all things, do not let my -aunt know anything of all this!"</p> - -<p>"Never fear, mademoiselle; in fact, Madame de Ravenelle is at this -moment shut up in her oratory, and she is paying little heed to what -goes on in the house."</p> - -<p>The clock on the Capucines Church, which could be heard at the Hôtel de -Mongarcin, struck four. Valentine had been for a long time in a state of -the most intense impatience; she could not stay in one place; she -wandered hither and thither; took up a book and threw it down again in a -moment; attempted to play on her zither, but let the instrument fall -from her hands; and exclaimed continually:</p> - -<p>"He will not come! Four o'clock, and he went out early this morning! And -a solicitor keeps such clerks in his employ! Ah! how quickly I would -dismiss such fellows if I were in his place!—Suppose I should intrust -to Miretta the execution of my plan? But, no! no woman can perform such -a commission; besides, she is in my service—she would be recognized, -and I do not want to be compromised; I want to be revenged! but in such -wise that no one will know from what quarter the vengeance comes."</p> - -<p>Valentine had abandoned all hope of seeing the solicitor's clerk that -day, when the door of the room in which she was sitting was suddenly -thrown open, and Miretta announced:<a name="page_351" id="page_351"></a></p> - -<p>"Monsieur Bahuchet."</p> - -<p>At a sign from her mistress she admitted the little man, who confounded -himself in reverences to Mademoiselle de Mongarcin.</p> - -<p>"Here you are at last, monsieur! that is most fortunate!" cried -Valentine; "it seems that it is very difficult to have speech with -you.—Stay, Miretta, stay; I have no secrets from you, as you -know.—When you go out for an hour, monsieur le clerc, does it mean that -you will not return during the day?"</p> - -<p>"A thousand pardons, mademoiselle!" replied Bahuchet, trying to assume a -graceful attitude; "most certainly, if I had known, if I had been able -to guess, that mademoiselle wished to speak with me, I would have -returned to the office much sooner; and yet, mademoiselle, I am very -excusable this time. I did not pass my time, as I often do, watching the -open-air exhibitions of Turlupin and Gauthier-Garguille, or Brioché's -Marionettes. No, indeed! The news was too interesting to-day; it had to -do with so serious an event, accompanied by such mysterious -circumstances, that—I give you my word, mademoiselle—the least -inquisitive man could not have resisted the desire to see what I saw."</p> - -<p>"Some new amourette, I suppose? some nocturnal rendezvous that you -surprised?"</p> - -<p>"No, mademoiselle; this is no question of amourettes, but of a murder -committed last night. When I say <i>last night</i>, I am wrong; it was -perhaps a fortnight ago,<a name="page_352" id="page_352"></a> perhaps longer; but the victim was not -discovered until last night."</p> - -<p>"A murder! and you witnessed it?"</p> - -<p>"No, thank God! When I say <i>thank God</i>, I do not mean that I am not very -curious to know how it came about. But, no, although I am very brave, -there are things that make one shudder simply to think of them!"</p> - -<p>"Come, monsieur, pray explain to us what you have learned that is so -shocking?"</p> - -<p>"Mademoiselle, I had been as far as the corner of Rue Barbette on -business for the office; I was about to return to Maître Bourdinard's, -planning, I admit, to go by way of Pont-Neuf, for I know no more -attractive, more diverting spot for the curious observer. It is the -rendezvous of the whole city! Who does not cross Pont-Neuf? One sees -there at the same moment, soldiers, bourgeois, priests, students, abbés, -courtiers, pages, peasants, and women!"</p> - -<p>"Do you propose to tell us the history of Pont-Neuf, Monsieur Bahuchet?"</p> - -<p>"No, mademoiselle, no; excuse me. My story has to do with a much less -cheerful bridge, the dismal Pont-aux-Choux!"</p> - -<p>At the mention of the Pont-aux-Choux, Miretta involuntarily shuddered -and listened more closely to what the little clerk said.</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle; it was close by the Pont-aux-Choux that the horrible -tragedy, which was discovered<a name="page_353" id="page_353"></a> only this morning, took place.—I was -saying—where was I?—Oh, yes! I was about to return to my solicitor's -office, when, as I was taking a glass in a wine shop, I heard a peasant -say to a good woman—I say a good woman, she may have been a bad one, -but it's the custom, you know, to say <i>good woman</i> when you are speaking -of a woman advanced in years—he said: 'Yes, mother, there has been -someone murdered on the road I take from Faubourg Saint-Antoine to the -Market. And I tell you, it isn't very pleasant; I don't know yet whether -I shall dare to go across Pont-aux-Choux after dark.'</p> - -<p>"My curiosity being aroused at that, I accosted the peasant and asked -him what he meant, and he answered:</p> - -<p>"'About two hours ago, they found in the Fossés Jaunes——'"</p> - -<p>"What are the Fossés Jaunes, Monsieur Bahuchet?" said Valentine; "I am -very ignorant, am I not? but we are taught so few things!"</p> - -<p>"The Fossés Jaunes, mademoiselle, were made in the time of King Charles -V, and they surrounded the outer wall of Paris that was built long ago, -in the time of Philippe-Auguste; they extend from the Bastille to Porte -Saint-Honoré."</p> - -<p>"Are they filled with water?"</p> - -<p>"There used to be water in them, no doubt, mademoiselle, but for a long -time they have contained nothing but muddy pools, in which very tall -grass grows, and from which it isn't at all easy to get out if you -happen<a name="page_354" id="page_354"></a> to fall in. But as they are no longer of any use, I presume they -will very soon be filled up.—I resume my narrative. The peasant said:</p> - -<p>"'They found a dead man in the Fossés Jaunes, near Porte Saint-Antoine, -on the other side of the Pont-aux-Choux. From the condition of his -wounds, they know that he must have been killed quite a while ago; -consequently, no one knows just when the crime was committed. And to -think that I went by there at three o'clock in the morning, monsieur! -Suppose the brigands had seen me! No doubt they would have murdered me -too!'</p> - -<p>"'But,' I said to the peasant, 'as you passed the place at three o'clock -this morning, how do you know that they found a dead man there two hours -ago? Have you been back there?'</p> - -<p>"'No; but I just heard about it from a neighbor, a market gardener like -myself, who just came from the faubourg. He saw the poor fellow they had -taken out of the Fossés Jaunes; it seems he is a young man, and as -handsome as a picture! He is still lying there at full length on the -bank. Near the place where they found him, there are archers and -soldiers keeping watch; and they have gone to tell the magistrates, who -will make an investigation, of course, and search the neighborhood, and -try to find something to put them on the track of the guilty ones.'</p> - -<p>"I' faith, mademoiselle, I no sooner heard that than I felt a most -intense longing to see the unfortunate man,<a name="page_355" id="page_355"></a> who was found last night in -the Fossés Jaunes. And I said to myself: 'If they need the magistrates, -they may need a solicitor's clerk too; I must go and see the man, and -then I can tell the whole story <i>de visu</i>!'</p> - -<p>"So I took my legs around my neck—the phrase is still in use, although -it lacks sense—and I can assure you that I ran without stopping, -although I overturned two children, an ass, and a milkwoman on the way; -but that is a detail.</p> - -<p>"When I arrived at the Pont-aux-Choux, someone pointed out the spot -where the poor young man still lay. I hurried to the place, and I was -not the only one whom curiosity had drawn thither; there was a large -crowd, and the soldiers had much ado to keep a space clear about the -corpse. But as I am never at a loss for an expedient, I said to one of -the guards that I was a clerk and employed in the magistracy, so he let -me go near."</p> - -<p>"So that you saw the man who was found dead?" said Miretta, in a voice -trembling with emotion.</p> - -<p>"Yes, my pretty lady's-maid, I saw it as plainly as I see you.—Ah! what -a calamity! It was a young man—that is to say, a man of twenty-seven or -twenty-eight at most, with a graceful figure, very well built, and a -face—oh! a fascinating face! so refined and distinguished! He must have -been a nobleman, or a gentleman of some ancient family."</p> - -<p>"He was not disfigured, then, not wounded in the face?"<a name="page_356" id="page_356"></a></p> - -<p>"Not a scratch! A surgeon who was there, with the lieutenant of -police—for the lieutenant had come in person to examine the victim—the -surgeon said, after looking at the wounds:</p> - -<p>"'This young man was struck from behind, evidently when he was seated; -he received a sword thrust in the back, which went completely through -his body, and then another in the heart; but the latter when he had -already fallen to the ground and lost consciousness. There cannot have -been any struggle; death must have been instantaneous, and the -unfortunate man had no time to defend himself.'"</p> - -<p>"But did no one recognize the young man?" said Valentine; "his rank or -his profession must have been indicated by his clothing. Did the -lieutenant of police discover anything to put him on the track?"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! mademoiselle, it was very difficult to guess. In the first -place, the victim had been robbed of his cloak and hat and belt. The -poor young man had nothing on him but his doublet and short-clothes, -both of black cloth, and boots of a very common sort. But there was -nothing in his pockets—neither money, nor papers, nor weapons; -absolutely nothing! How is it possible, then, to guess who he is?—The -lieutenant of police, after a careful examination of the body and the -clothes, said:</p> - -<p>"'Evidently this young gentleman had just arrived in Paris, for we do -not remember having seen him before. He must have been attacked and -robbed by Giovanni,<a name="page_357" id="page_357"></a> who took his money, his papers, his weapons, and -even a part of his clothes. Yes, such a crime can have been committed by -none but that bold Italian, who then hurled the body of his victim into -the moat, so that this latest crime might be less quickly discovered.'"</p> - -<p>"Giovanni!" cried Miretta; "always Giovanni! As soon as a murder is -committed, everyone agrees to charge it to his account! What is there to -prove that it was he who killed this young man?"</p> - -<p>"Hoity-toity! here is the little brunette defending the robber again!" -exclaimed Bahuchet, with a laugh. "Really, my dear, I begin to think -that you are one of his band!"</p> - -<p>Miretta flushed crimson.</p> - -<p>"I say that," she faltered, "because people tell so many lies, and -invent so many stories that——"</p> - -<p>"Mon Dieu! you do not need to justify yourself!" said Valentine, smiling -at her.—"But is that all, Monsieur Bahuchet? Is your terrible story at -an end?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mademoiselle, that is all. The lieutenant of police has had a -search made in the neighborhood, hoping that something might be found -belonging to the victim; but what is the use of searching now, when the -crime was committed perhaps three weeks ago? If it had not been for a -dog, nothing would have been discovered! But those excellent beasts are -often much cleverer and more cunning than we are, and they have a most -astonishing scent! This one stopped on the edge<a name="page_358" id="page_358"></a> of the Fossés Jaunes, -and his master called him in vain—he would not budge. As such -persistence on the dog's part seemed very strange, his master went to -him to find out what he was doing. By peering intently into the high -grass in the moat, he finally discovered something that looked like a -man's arm; he ran for a ladder, and they found the unfortunate victim. -But that was all; for they have not succeeded in finding anything in the -fields round about, or in the moat where the poor young man lay! -Doubtless he was coming to Paris for enjoyment and diversion, and he met -death before he had put his foot in the city.—But so it goes!"</p> - -<p>"I am very, very sorry for the poor fellow who perished so miserably!" -said Valentine; "but I did not know him; and as I can do nothing to -avenge him, you will allow me, Monsieur Bahuchet, to turn my attention -now to the subject that led me to ask you to call here."</p> - -<p>"I am listening, mademoiselle; I am entirely at your service; I desired -simply to prove to you that if I returned late to the office, I was not -without some excuse. That idiot of a Plumard began at once to make -remarks!"</p> - -<p>"Enough, monsieur!—Listen: I expect a service from you. Are you -disposed to oblige me, and, above all things, never to say a word which -may lead anyone to suspect that you have acted by my orders?"</p> - -<p>"Mademoiselle, I am entirely devoted to you; and as <a name="page_359" id="page_359"></a>for my -discretion—— Oh! there is no danger!"</p> - -<p>"But you are very fond of talking, monsieur, and of telling everything -you have learned!"</p> - -<p>"Everything! That depends; I know many things now that nobody else -knows—secrets; for instance, when Plumard——"</p> - -<p>"Well! do you propose to betray them now, monsieur?"</p> - -<p>"No, mademoiselle, no! I was about to say; even if Plumard should -question me, he would learn nothing.—But what sort of service does -mademoiselle require of me?"</p> - -<p>"Something very simple and very easy," said Valentine, opening a small -desk and taking from it the white plume that Bahuchet had sold her. -"Look, Monsieur Bahuchet, do you recognize this plume?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly: it is the one I picked up on Rue Dauphine, under the balcony -which Monsieur Léodgard de Marvejols had just scaled."</p> - -<p>"That is right. Well, I wish you to go to Landry's bathing -establishment, and ask to see the fascinating Bathilde's mother. I know -that she has returned home. You will hand this white plume to that woman -and say to her: 'Your daughter's lovers lose their plumes at night when -they scale balconies to join her; here is one belonging to a noble lord, -whose name Mademoiselle Bathilde will be able to give you.'—Then you -will bow and take your leave; and that is all. As I do not wish to put -you out for nothing, be kind enough to accept this purse as compensation -for the trouble I cause you."<a name="page_360" id="page_360"></a></p> - -<p>The little clerk observed at a glance the plumpness of the purse which -Valentine offered him with the plume; but he hesitated about taking -them.</p> - -<p>"Well?" continued the nobly born maiden, testily; "are you not willing -to do what I ask?"</p> - -<p>"Pardon, pardon, mademoiselle; assuredly, I am too fortunate in the -confidence which you manifest in me."</p> - -<p>"Then take this plume and this purse!"</p> - -<p>"But, you see, I am wondering in my own mind how Dame Ragonde will take -it—that is young Bathilde's mother's name. I know the family. Dame -Ragonde is a very bad one, they say; and when I tell her that her -daughter receives lovers at night, that will not afford her great -pleasure! What if she should fall on me with fists and claws?"</p> - -<p>"What, Monsieur Bahuchet! You, who claim to be so brave, afraid of a -woman's anger?"</p> - -<p>"Because with a woman one must accept anything without retaliating; -whereas, with a man—what a difference! If he ventures to lack respect, -to strike us, why, we fall on him and pay him back twice or thrice what -we have received."</p> - -<p>"Very well, monsieur; instead of taking the plume to this Bathilde's -mother, hand it to her father, Landry the bath keeper; then, if he -resorts to violence, you can pay him back twice or thrice."</p> - -<p>The little clerk scratched his ear and opened his nostrils wider than -ever; he saw that the young lady had no faith<a name="page_361" id="page_361"></a> in his courage; however, -he made up his mind at last and took both plume and purse, saying:</p> - -<p>"I will do as you first suggested, mademoiselle; I will hand this plume -to Dame Ragonde; I think that that will be the better way; and as for -her claws, I will brave them without a tremor."</p> - -<p>"And if she should ask who sent you?"</p> - -<p>"No one! I am acting on my own account. I picked up the plume, and I -bring it back; and that will be no falsehood."</p> - -<p>"Very good; discretion so far as I am concerned, monsieur, is what I -especially enjoin upon you. You will carry this plume to the bath -keeper's to-day?"</p> - -<p>"It shall be handed to Dame Ragonde to-day."</p> - -<p>"If my errand is left undone, I warn you that I shall know it!"</p> - -<p>"It shall be done; I swear it by the Basoche!"</p> - -<p>"Au revoir, Monsieur Bahuchet!"</p> - -<p>"Mademoiselle, I have the honor to present my respectful -homage.—Bonsoir, pretty brunette! Oh! what eyes you make at me, my -dear!—Come, come! be calm! I won't speak ill of robbers again!"</p> - -<p>"Well!" said Valentine to Miretta, who sat as if lost in thought after -the solicitor's clerk had gone. "You say nothing, Miretta; is it because -you do not approve of what I have done?"</p> - -<p>"That poor girl! She will be very unhappy when her parents know of her -fault!" murmured Miretta, with a sigh.<a name="page_362" id="page_362"></a></p> - -<p>"And suppose another woman should become the mistress of the man you -love?" rejoined Valentine, seizing her maid's arm; "would not you be -revenged?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! yes! You have done well!"</p> - -<p>And Miretta raised her eyes, which seemed to emit flames.</p> - -<h2><a name="XXVIII" id="XXVIII"></a>XXVIII<br /><br /> -<small>PLUMARD</small></h2> - -<p>On leaving the Hôtel de Mongarcin on this occasion, Bahuchet did not -jostle the passers-by or jingle the money in his purse; the little clerk -was beginning to be accustomed to windfalls. Moreover, at that moment -his joy was moderated by another sentiment. He had carefully concealed -the white plume under his doublet; then he had counted the contents of -the purse twice over. He found therein a hundred livres tournois in -coins of various denominations, and he gazed with admiration at the -money; then he carefully bestowed the purse in his belt, saying to -himself:</p> - -<p>"It is a great pity that I have to carry this plume to Landry the bath -keeper! There is nothing pleasant about that commission; it may even be -dangerous! Pardieu! Mademoiselle de Mongarcin knows it well enough! She -would not pay such a price to have an<a name="page_363" id="page_363"></a> errand done that is apparently so -simple, if she did not foresee that the messenger would be exposed to -great risk!—Let me see, let me see! I must cudgel my brain a bit and -try to think if there is not some way of keeping my back or my face out -of reach of cudgels or claws.—I have promised that this white plume -shall be handed to-day to young Bathilde's parents; it shall be, for an -honest youth has only his word! Moreover, I am in a solicitor's office! -But solicitors know how to get around the most knotty questions; suppose -I should get around this errand of mine—suppose I should send somebody -else in my place to carry this infernal plume, prescribing the words he -was to say? Why, that would come to precisely the same thing in the end, -and my person would run no risk whatever!"</p> - -<p>Having decided upon this plan, Bahuchet bent his steps toward the -wretched eating house where he and his comrade Plumard generally dined.</p> - -<p>On entering the place, he saw his friend seated at his usual table; he -took his seat opposite him, with an even more than ordinarily expansive -smile.</p> - -<p>"Enchanted to find you, Plumard, my boy! I should have been disappointed -if you had not come here to-night. You are having supper—I will do -likewise, for I have a keen appetite. What you are eating looks very -good, Plumard; what in the devil is it?"</p> - -<p>"It is a rabbit stew, according to our host; but it's too good to be -rabbit, it must be cat at least!"<a name="page_364" id="page_364"></a></p> - -<p>"Ah! bigre! I propose to have some of it, too.—Holà ! waiter! bring me a -portion of the same dish that my friend has; if it isn't the same -animal, I won't have it! And by the way, waiter, you may also bring me -some fricot of veal, with small onions—a large portion! Make it double, -and I will give my friend Plumard some; he has a weakness for veal, like -myself. And, waiter, I could eat some of that delicious fish which is -noted for its bones—a carp, as fine as those at Fontainebleau, where -they resemble whales; a fried carp! That is a feast in itself—with a -sprig of parsley on it; and I know that my friend Plumard does not -profess a profound contempt for the carp. Moisten it all with that -Argenteuil light wine that is so well <i>stripped</i>—you know what I mean, -don't you? the old, not the new; the really old, that you don't make -yourself.—Go, waiter, and if I am content with you I will grease your -palm, as we say at the office."</p> - -<p>"But I say!" said Plumard, fixing his great round eyes on his vis-à -vis; -"what does this mean, Bahuchet? Have you had a legacy left you? or has a -fair lady of mature years let her favors fall upon you?"</p> - -<p>"No! nothing of the sort! Certainly, a lady might fall in love with me -as well as with another. I am not a foe of the fair sex. Although there -is always a reverse side to the medal, I will not say of women, with -Suetonius, that we must <i>missam facere uxorem</i>!—That Suetonius was not -a gallant man."<a name="page_365" id="page_365"></a></p> - -<p>"Answer what I ask you, instead of quoting your classics!"</p> - -<p>"It seems to me, Plumard, that with you I may venture to take a few -strides into the domain of science. You are a clerk like myself; you -must understand Latin. If you do not understand it, I grieve for you."</p> - -<p>"What an infernal chatterbox! he keeps branching off from his subject."</p> - -<p>"That proves that I have facility in elocution, elasticity in my ideas. -There are many people who would like to branch off from their subject, -and who cannot. They have to remain nailed fast to it, for lack of -imagination to think up anything else;—<i>quid agis</i>? You wish to know -why I treat you so handsomely this evening, do you not? Well, I propose -to tell you: I won a dozen livres in a game of <i>brisque</i> with a churl, -and I propose to consume a part of it with you. Do you think that I do -wrong?"</p> - -<p>"No, no! far from it; it is an excellent idea of yours!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! it is very lucky that you approve of my action."</p> - -<p>"Do you play at <i>brisque</i>?"</p> - -<p>"I play at all games at which I win; they are the only ones that amuse -me.—But here comes the veal. Let us attend strictly to business. There -are idiots who say: <i>Non ut edam vivo, sed ut vivam edo</i>. For my part, I -am not ashamed to say that I live for nothing else except to eat; for if -I did not eat, I should die. Why, then, should not one do with pleasure, -with sensuous delight, a thing which we are bound to do every day?—Let -us fall to!"<a name="page_366" id="page_366"></a></p> - -<p>Bahuchet, possessor of a stomach whose capacity was extraordinary, -swallowed with surprising rapidity everything that the waiter placed -between him and Plumard; he consumed, unaided, almost the entire -contents of the dishes which he had ordered for two; so that his friend -stopped him at last, saying:</p> - -<p>"It was hardly worth while to offer to treat me, if you propose to eat -everything!"</p> - -<p>"<i>Quid rogas</i>, comrade? why do you eat so slowly? I concluded that you -were not hungry, and I thought that it was useless to leave anything."</p> - -<p>"If I ate as fast as you, I should choke to death!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I will go slower now.—Besides, I want to talk with you; and when -one is talking, one cannot eat; that is why I laid in a stock in -advance.—Plumard, I am going to tell you something which will make you -very happy."</p> - -<p>"Bah! is it that our solicitor is going to give us a crown more a -month?"</p> - -<p>"Ouiche! I advise you to count on that! He is more likely to cut us -down; he has already threatened to do it to me!—Come, think, think of -something that might be of immense benefit to you."</p> - -<p>Plumard raised his great eyes to the beams which sustained the ceiling.</p> - -<p>"Have you met a rich woman who wishes to marry me?"</p> - -<p>"You haven't guessed yet; but with what I have discovered, I make no -doubt that you will very soon<a name="page_367" id="page_367"></a> fascinate some wealthy dowager, who will -lay her crowns at your feet."</p> - -<p>"Come, explain yourself, Bahuchet; you know that I am not very strong at -guessing, and you keep me in suspense too long!"</p> - -<p>"<i>Quid festinas</i>? What's the hurry? Think; take your time!"</p> - -<p>"If you don't tell me, I will go away!"</p> - -<p>"What a keg of powder!"</p> - -<p>"That is my nature!"</p> - -<p>"Well, listen: I have discovered in a <i>cul-de-sac</i> an old hag who has -invented a pomade that infallibly makes the hair grow on the baldest -skulls and those most rebellious under cultivation!"</p> - -<p>Plumard frowned and looked at his comrade with a wrathful air, -muttering:</p> - -<p>"Do you mean to make sport of me, as usual? You know, Bahuchet, that I -don't like that. You have already told me a lot of stories about pomades -that did not exist. You have sent me to ask for them to people who have -laughed in my face. I want no more of your practical jokes! I will fight -you if you begin that game again. I am not afraid to fight; I am no -coward! Look out, or I will hit you a crack!"</p> - -<p>"Ta! ta! ta! What a nice, amiable boy it is!—You treat a person, and -try to make yourself agreeable to him, and to reward you he threatens to -beat you!—All right; we will say no more about it, my dear fellow; I<a name="page_368" id="page_368"></a> -will keep my discovery to myself, and if a few of my hairs should fall -out some day I shall know how to remedy it."</p> - -<p>Plumard was silent for a moment, nibbling a piece of dry bread.</p> - -<p>Then he murmured, in a softer tone:</p> - -<p>"Then why have you fooled me so often? How do you expect me to have -confidence in you?"</p> - -<p>"It's all right! it's all right! let us say no more about it."</p> - -<p>"But this old hag who makes the pomade—do you know her address?"</p> - -<p>"No, I tell you, I no longer know anything; I was lying, I was trying to -make fun of you! I deserve nothing better than the rope's end or the -cudgel!"</p> - -<p>"Come, come, Bahuchet! I was too quick; I am sorry."</p> - -<p>"Ah! when a friend tells me that he is sorry, I cannot harbor ill will -against him.—Yes, I know where to find the hag."</p> - -<p>"And she sells this pomade?"</p> - -<p>"No, she won't sell it to anybody!—but to me, having taken a fancy to -me, she will give a jar."</p> - -<p>"Oh! that is much more agreeable! And when will you have this jar?"</p> - -<p>"To-morrow, if I choose."</p> - -<p>"And you will give it to me?—Ah! you are a friend!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I will give it to you, but on one little condition, and that is -that you will do me a favor in return.<a name="page_369" id="page_369"></a> Between friends, you know, when -one obliges the other, he always expects reciprocity."</p> - -<p>"What is it that I must do?" asked Plumard, with a frown.</p> - -<p>"A very simple thing, which will not disturb you in the least. When you -go home to-night, go into Landry the bath keeper's place—he is your -neighbor—and hand his wife this white plume, which I picked up under -their balcony one night when I walked home with you. Then you will say -to Dame Ragonde: 'Your daughter's lovers lose their plumes at night, -scaling your balcony; here is one which I picked up, and which belongs -to a young nobleman whose name your daughter will tell you.'—And then -you will go away. It's the simplest thing in the world."</p> - -<p>Plumard pushed his stool away from the table, crying:</p> - -<p>"A very pretty commission that! I shall be well treated when I deliver -that message.—No, no! do your errand yourself—you may have all the -profit."</p> - -<p>"As you please; but since you refuse to do it, we will say no more about -the jar of pomade."</p> - -<p>And Bahuchet began to whistle with an indifferent air. After a few -minutes Plumard said, between his teeth:</p> - -<p>"What an idea, to send to that girl's mother the plume her lover -lost!—That is downright wicked, it's a villainous trick!—Have you any -reason to complain of pretty Bathilde? I am surprised at that; I thought -that you didn't know her."<a name="page_370" id="page_370"></a></p> - -<p>"Plumard! there are mysteries which it is impossible to divulge.—As for -the girl, she will say to her mother: 'It is not true, I have no lover'; -and that will be the end of it."</p> - -<p>"Do you think so?"</p> - -<p>"Parbleu! are girls who have lovers ever at a loss for a lie?"</p> - -<p>"That is true.—But another suggestion occurs to me."</p> - -<p>"State it."</p> - -<p>"Let us assume that I undertake this—thorny commission; how do I know -that you will give me the jar of pomade then? You will laugh in my face -when I claim it."</p> - -<p>"I understand your suspicion, having now and then played some rather -neat tricks on you; and I am so far from being angry with you, that I -propose to prove to you that it will not be so this time."</p> - -<p>And taking from his belt the purse he had received, Bahuchet produced a -beautiful rose crown and placed it in Plumard's hand, saying:</p> - -<p>"See, here is gold—and of good alloy. If I do not give you the jar of -pomade when you claim it, I will allow you to keep this gold piece and -not return it to me.—Do you think that I am tricking you, now?"</p> - -<p>Plumard turned the coin over and over in his hand; he weighed it, rang -it on the table, then put it in his pocket, and offered his comrade his -hand, saying:</p> - -<p>"It is a bargain; I will deliver the plume."<a name="page_371" id="page_371"></a></p> - -<p>"And you will say exactly what I have told you?"</p> - -<p>"I will say it without omitting a word. Where is the plume?"</p> - -<p>"Here it is; conceal it under your doublet, as I have done. Let us empty -this jug of wine, then you must go about your commission."</p> - -<p>"This evening?"</p> - -<p>"Why not? It is better to have it done with at once."</p> - -<p>"And you will go for the jar of pomade?"</p> - -<p>"I told you that I would give it to you to-morrow, and you may rely upon -it. In any event, it seems to me that you have a sufficient guaranty."</p> - -<p>"That is true."</p> - -<p>The two clerks emptied the jug of wine, and Bahuchet paid the bill.</p> - -<p>They left the wine shop.</p> - -<p>The day was nearing its end.</p> - -<p>"Until to-morrow!" said Bahuchet, shaking hands with his comrade.</p> - -<p>"Until to-morrow!"</p> - -<p>And the little man ran off in the opposite direction to that which -Plumard took to go to Rue Dauphine. And as he ran, he laughed in his -sleeve, saying to himself:</p> - -<p>"Take the plume, dear boy; I am going to enjoy myself, to pass the night -in jollification at a wine shop, and to make up a pomade to redeem my -gold piece!"</p> - -<p>As Plumard drew near to Master Landry's establishment, he felt that his -resolution weakened; a nervous<a name="page_372" id="page_372"></a> shiver ran through his limbs. To restore -his courage, he passed his hand over his bald head several times, saying -to himself:</p> - -<p>"Hair! it will make my hair grow! I shall have as much as Samson, -perhaps! How handsome I shall be when I have some hair! No woman will be -able to resist me then. And when they ask me for a lock, I shall not be -compelled to refuse them, as I am to-day.—Ah! corbleu! sacrebleu! -morbleu! I must shrink at nothing in face of that hope! How beautifully -I will dress my hair! I will have curls falling over my ears.—But -suppose that old woman should rush at me and claw my eyes out! Peste! -then I should not see my hair grow!—My eyes are superb; I should never -be able to console myself for the loss of even half of one of -them.—This is a very embarrassing, very delicate affair! Let me think a -little. Might I not make some change in what I have to say when I -deliver the plume? After all, Bahuchet won't be at my back to listen to -what I say! He has taken me in many times; and if I should cheat him a -little, where would be the harm?—And then, I should be sorry to make -trouble for that girl, who, they say, is so pretty! Who knows whether -some day, when I have some hair, she may not feel a tender affection for -me, on being told of the service I rendered her?—Yes, I must be -generous to beauty, and shelter my face from scratches."</p> - -<p>In due time, Plumard reached the bath keeper's house.<a name="page_373" id="page_373"></a></p> - -<p>It was dark and the shopkeepers were beginning to close their doors.</p> - -<p>The old trooper of Henri IV sat in his doorway, smoking his pipe.</p> - -<p>The clerk walked up and down the street several times; at last he -decided to accost Landry, saying to himself:</p> - -<p>"It matters little whether I give the plume to the father or the mother. -I prefer to address myself to the father; men understand each other -better. I must be shrewd and subtle.—Ah! good evening, Master Landry! -How are you this evening? You are smoking, I see; that is a pleasant -pastime. I should like very much to smoke, if it did not make me sick -and make my head ache so that I can't see. I have an uncle who went into -consumption from smoking a pipe, and two cousins who were made -insane!—Ah! how pleasant it is to smoke!—The skies are dark to-night, -and I am afraid we shall have a storm to-morrow; that would be a -disappointment to me. I have a longing to take a ride in a <i>chaise à -porteurs</i>, or a <i>brouette</i>—the new invention, you know? it is very -convenient, and very fashionable in the best society; <i>brouettes</i> cost -only sixteen sous for the trip, or eighteen by the hour; while the -<i>chaise à porteurs</i> costs thirty sous for the trip. That is dear—yes, -it's very dear! But how comfortable it must be in one!—Still, it's very -nice in a <i>brouette</i>!"</p> - -<p>Landry listened tranquilly to this outflow of words, eying the young -clerk the while; when it was at an end, he answered coldly:<a name="page_374" id="page_374"></a></p> - -<p>"As I don't know you, and as it makes no difference to me whether you -ride in a <i>chaise</i> or in a <i>brouette</i>, I am going to bed. Good-night!"</p> - -<p>"Oh! stay a moment! You are in a terrible hurry. You do not recognize -me, because it is beginning to grow dark, but I am one of your best -customers; I bathe as many as fifteen times a week!—But so many people -come to your place that you can't recognize all their faces!"</p> - -<p>"That is possible! In that case, excuse me; but I am tired, and I am -going to bed."</p> - -<p>"One moment more, I beg!—Does your charming daughter also enjoy perfect -health, like her worthy father?"</p> - -<p>The old soldier began to examine the clerk more closely, muttering:</p> - -<p>"My daughter! do you know my daughter, monsieur de la Basoche?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! I know her—without knowing her. I know that she is enchanting, -because I have seen her sometimes on your balcony, when she was watering -her flowers."</p> - -<p>"Ah! you have seen her, have you? Very good; I begin to -understand.—Well, what are you trying to come at to-night?"</p> - -<p>"I' faith! I will tell you. See—I have here a superb white plume; I had -it from an aunt who had it from an uncle, who was train bearer at the -court of King Charles IX.—To make a long story short, I said to -myself:<a name="page_375" id="page_375"></a> 'Such a handsome plume as this is a pure luxury in my hands; if -I should offer it to Master Landry's daughter, it would be a gift worthy -of her charms, and it would shade becomingly her brow of roses and -lilies.'—That idea once conceived, I determined to put it in execution. -Here, excellent bath keeper, is the plume in question; you see how -beautiful it is! Pray take it and hand it to your fascinating progeny; I -desire no other reward than the pleasure of knowing that she is -gratified by the gift."</p> - -<p>"Aha! my rascal! so you presume to offer a plume to my daughter, do you? -And you dare to ask her father to be your messenger? Ten thousand cannon -balls! this passes all bounds! It was probably you who prowled about -this street so much that it made the neighbors gossip!"</p> - -<p>"Master Landry, I live on this street, it is true; but I have never -prowled about your——"</p> - -<p>"Enough! enough! you impertinent rascal! coming to ask a father to take -charge of a present intended to seduce his daughter!"</p> - -<p>"Why, not at all! you are off the track, my good Landry; I have no such -purpose."</p> - -<p>"Ah! you take me for one of those half-witted or obliging fathers who -shut their eyes to such manÅ“uvres! I am going to show you how I -receive gallants who would like to talk nonsense to my daughter!—Here, -you blackguard, here is the price of your gift!"<a name="page_376" id="page_376"></a></p> - -<p>As he spoke, the bath keeper planted his foot in Plumard's -short-clothes, and repeated the movement several times, running after -the young clerk, who fled, yelling at the top of his voice.</p> - -<p>Satisfied with the chastisement he had administered to the man whom he -believed to be in love with his daughter, Landry returned to his house -and locked the door.</p> - -<p>As for the ill-fated Plumard, he hastened to his lodgings, holding his -hand to the portion of his frame that had been so roughly treated by the -bath keeper, and saying to himself:</p> - -<p>"I should have done as well to execute my commission without making any -change in the text, without diverging from my instructions!—What a -brutal wretch that bath keeper is! He thinks now that I am in love with -his daughter! I shall not dare to pass his door—I shall have to -move.—However, if the pomade has the virtue that Bahuchet attributes to -it, I shall find some consolation for my late disagreeable experience. I -shall be so handsome with plenty of hair! I will go about bareheaded, I -will carry my cap in my hand all the time!"</p> - -<p> </p> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="" -style="border:3px dotted gray;padding:2%;"> -<tr><th align="left">These typographical errors were corrected by the etext transcriber:</th></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="errata">Collége</span> Saint-Denis=>Collège Saint-Denis</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">this <span class="errata">underaking</span>, do not pity me=>this undertaking, do not pity me</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Turlupin and <span class="errata">Gautier</span>-Garguille=>Turlupin and Gauthier-Garguille</td></tr> -</table> -<hr class="full" /> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bath Keepers, v.1 (Novels of Paul -de Kock Volume VII), by Charles Paul de Kock - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BATH KEEPERS, V.1 *** - -***** This file should be named 40335-h.htm or 40335-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/3/3/40335/ - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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