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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b71d17b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50688 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50688) diff --git a/old/50688-8.txt b/old/50688-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5a2bc4e..0000000 --- a/old/50688-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,19752 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of De L'Orme., by George Payne Rainsford James - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: De L'Orme. - The Works of G. P. R. James, Esq., Vol. XVI. - -Author: George Payne Rainsford James - -Release Date: December 14, 2015 [EBook #50688] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DE L'ORME. *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page images provided by -Google Books (University of California, Davis) - - - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - 1. Page scan source: - The Works of G.P.R. James, Esq.--Volume 16 - https://books.google.com/books?id=dTYoAQAAIAAJ - (University of California, Davis) - 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. - - - - - - -[Illustration: frontispiece] - - - - - - - -THE WORKS -OF -G. P. R. JAMES, ESQ. - - -REVISED AND CORRECTED BY THE AUTHOR. -WITH AN INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. - - -"D'autres auteurs l'ont encore plus avili, (le roman,) en y mêlant les -tableaux dégoutant du vice; et tandis que le premier avantage des -fictions est de rassembler autour de l'homme tout ce qui, dans la -nature, peut lui servir de leçon ou de modèle, on a imaginé qu'on -tirerait une utilité quelconque des peintures odieuses de mauvaises -moeurs; comme si elles pouvaient jamais; laisser le c[oe]ur qui les -repousse, dans une situation aussi pure que le c[oe]ur qui les aurait -toujours Ignorées. Mais un roman tel qu'on peut le concevoir, tel que -nous en avons quelques modèles, est une des plus belles productions de -l'esprit humain, une des plus influentes sur la morale des individus, -qui doit former ensuite les m[oe]urs publiques."--MADAME DE STAËL. -_Essai sur les Fictions_. - - "Poca favilla gran flamma seconda: - Forse diretro a me, con miglior voci - Si pregherà, perchè Cirra risonda." - DANTE. _Paradiso_, Canto I. - - - -VOL. XVI. -DE L'ORME. - - - -LONDON: -PARRY AND CO., LEADENHALL STREET. -M DCCCXLVIII. - - - - - - -DE L'ORME. - - -BY - -G. P. R. JAMES, ESQ. - - -AUTHOR OF - -"MARGARET GRAHAM," -"THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES," ETC. - - - -------------------------------- - - - -LONDON: -PARRY AND CO., LEADENHALL STREET. -M DCCCXLVIII. - - - - - - -PREFACE - -TO THE THIRD EDITION. - - -Romance writing, when rightly viewed and rightly treated, is of the -same nature as the teaching by parables of the eastern nations; and I -believe, when high objects are steadily kept in view and good -principles carefully inculcated, it may prove far more generally -beneficial than more severe forms of instruction. - -The man who is already virtuous and wise, or who, at least, seeks -eagerly to be so, takes up the Essay or the Lecture, and reads therein -the sentiments ever present in his own heart. But while the same man -may find equal pleasure in the work of fiction addressed to the same -great ends, how many thousands are there who will open the pages of -the Novel or the Romance, but who would avoid anything less amusing to -their fancy? If, then, while we excite their imagination with pleasant -images, we can cause the latent seeds of virtue to germinate in their -hearts; if we can point out the consequences of errors, follies, and -crimes; if we can recall good feelings fleeting away, or crush bad -ones rising up under temptation,--and that we can do so with great -effect, may be safely asserted,--we can benefit, in the most essential -particular, a large body of our fellow-men; a much larger body, I -fear, than that which can be attracted by anything that does not wear -the form of amusement. - -Such has been my conviction ever since I entered upon a career in -which the public has shown me such undeserved encouragement; and with -such a purpose, and for such an object, have I always written. In some -works I have striven alone to impress those general principles of -honour and virtue, and those high and elevated feelings, which do not -seem to me to be increasing in the world. In others, I have -endeavoured to advocate, without seeming too much to do so, some -particular principle, or to warn against some particular error. In the -following pages my purpose was to expose the evil consequences of an -ill-regulated spirit of enterprise and a love of adventure, and to -deter from errors, the magnitude of which I may have felt by sharing -in them. - -To do so, it was necessary to choose as my subject the life of a young -man placed in circumstances of difficulty and temptation; and no -writer can ever hope to produce a good effect by painting man -otherwise than man is. - -At the same time I have ever been convinced that no benefit can ensue -from drawing the mind of the reader through long scenes of vice and -guilt, for the sake of a short moral at the end; and in writing the -history of the Count de l'Orme, I determined to show, as was -absolutely necessary, that he was led by the love of adventure into -error nearly approaching to guilt: but to dwell upon his errors no -longer than was absolutely required; to point out, even while I -related them, that their consequences were terrible; and to make the -great bulk of the book display a life of regret, pain and difficulty, -consequent upon the fault I sought to reprehend. This I have done to -the best of my judgment, restricting all details of the error into -which the principal character of the book fell, to some ten or twelve -pages. Having read those pages again, after a lapse of many years, -with the deepest attention and consideration, I send them forth with -scarcely an alteration; being firmly convinced, that the mind which -can contract any evil from the terrible scene which they depict--a -scene which, I have every reason to believe, really occurred--must be -foul and corrupt ere it sits down to the perusal. One thing I -certainly know, that those pages were written in the spirit of purity, -and with the purpose of good; and I will never believe that such -feelings can generate, in the breast of others, likewise pure, aught -but their own likeness. - -De l'Orme was first published in 1830, and was written while I was -residing in France. The incidents, however, had been collected and -arranged long before, and only required form and compression. For some -curious details regarding the battle of Sedan I was indebted to a -gentleman of that city, and I believe the facts of the famous revolt -of the Count of Soissons will be found historically correct, even to -very minute particulars. - - - - - -DE L'ORME. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - -I was born in the heart of Bearn, in the year 1619; and if the scenery -amongst which we first open our eyes, and from which we receive our -earliest impressions, could communicate its own peculiar character to -our minds, I should certainly have possessed a thousand great and -noble qualities, that might have taught me to play a very different -part from that which I have done, in the great tragic farce of human -life. Nevertheless, in contemplating the strange contrasts of scenery, -the gay, the sparkling, the grand, the gloomy, the sublime, wherein my -infant years were passed, I have often thought I saw a sort of picture -of my own fate, with its abrupt and rapid changes; and even in some -degree of my own character, or rather of my own mood, varying -continually through all the different shades of disposition, from the -lightest mirth to the most profound gloom, from the idlest -heedlessness to the most anxious thought. - -However, it is not my own peculiar character that I sit down to -depict--that will be sufficiently displayed in the detail of my -adventures: but it is rather those strange and singular events which, -contrary to all probability, mingled me with great men, and with great -actions, and which, continually counteracting my own will, impelled me -ever on the very opposite course from that which I straggled to -pursue. - -For many reasons, it is necessary to commence this narrative with -those early years, wherein the mind of man receives its first bias, -when the seeds of all future actions are sown in the heart, and when -causes, in themselves so trifling as almost to be imperceptible, chain -us to good or evil, to fortune or misfortune, for ever. The character -of man is like a piece of potter's clay, which, when fresh and new, is -easily fashioned according to the will of those into whose hands it -falls; but its form once given, and hardened, either by the slow -drying of time, or by its passage through the ardent furnace of the -world, men may break it to atoms, but never bend it again to another -mould. - -Our parents, our teachers, our companions, all serve to modify our -dispositions. The very proximity of their faults, their failings, or -their virtues, leaves, as it were, an impress on the flexible mind of -infancy, which the steadiest reason can hardly do more than modify, -and years themselves can never erase. To the events of those early -years I owe many of my errors in life; and my faults and their -consequences are not without their moral: for in my history, as in -that of every other man, it will be found that punishment of some kind -never failed to tread fast upon the heels of each wrong action; and in -one instance, a few hours of indiscretion mingled a dark and fearful -current with the course of many an after year. - -To begin, then, with the beginning:--I was, as I have said, born in -the heart of the little mountainous principality of Bearn, which, -stretching along the northern side of the Pyrenees, contains within -itself some of the most fertile and some of the most picturesque, some -of the sweetest and some of the grandest scenes that any part of -Europe can boast. The chain of my native mountains, interposing -between France and Spain, forms a gigantic wall whereby the unerring -hand of nature has marked the limits of either land; and although this -immense bulwark is, in itself, scarcely broken by any but very narrow -and difficult passes, yet the mountainous ridges which it sends off, -like enormous buttresses, into the plain country on each side, are -intersected by a number of wide and beautiful valleys, rich with all -the gifts of summer, and glowing with all the loveliness of bright -fertility. - -One of the most striking, though perhaps not one of the most -extensive, of these valleys, is that which, running from east to west, -lies in a direct line between Bagneres de Bigorre and the little town -and castle of Lourdes.[1] Never have I seen, and certainly never shall -I now see, any other valley so sweet, so fair, so tranquil;--never, -one so bright in itself, or so surrounded by objects of grandeur and -magnificence. I need not say after this, that it was my native place. - -The dwelling of my father, Roger De l'Orme, Count de Bigorre, was -perched up high upon the hill-side, about two miles from Lourdes, and -looked far over all the splendid scene below. The wide valley, with -its rich carpet of verdure, the river dashing in liquid diamonds -amidst the rocks and over the precipices; the long far windings of the -deep purple mountains, filling the mind with vague, but grand -imaginings; the dark majestic shadows of the pine forest that every -here and there were cast like a black mantle round the enormous limbs -of each giant hill; the long wavy perspective, of the passes towards -Cauteretz, and the Pont d'Espagne, with the icy Vigne Malle raising up -his frozen head, as if to dare the full power of the summer sun -beyond,--all was spread out to the eye, offering in one grand view a -thousand various sorts of loveliness. - -I must be pardoned for dilating upon those sweet scenes of my early -childhood, whose very memory bestows a calm and placid joy, which I -have never found in any other spot, or in any other feeling; neither -in the gaiety and splendour of a court, the gratification of passion, -the hurry and energy of political intrigue, the excitement and triumph -of the battle field, the struggle of conflicting hosts, or the -maddening thrill of victory.--But for a moment, let me indulge, and -then I quit such memories for things and circumstances whose interest -is more easily communicable to the minds of others. - -The château in which my eyes first opened to the light was little -inferior in size to the castle of Lourdes, and infinitely too large -for the small establishment of servants and retainers which my -father's reduced finances enabled him to maintain. Our diminished -household looked, within its enormous walls, like the shrunken form of -some careful old miser, insinuated into the wide and hanging garments -of his youth; and yet my excellent parent fondly insisted upon as much -pomp and ceremony as his own father had kept up with a hundred and -fifty retainers waiting in his hall. Still the trumpet sounded at the -hour of dinner, though the weak lungs of the broken-winded old _maître -d'hôtel_ produced but a cacophonous sound from the hollow brass: still -all the servants, who amounted to five, including the gardener, the -shepherd, and the cook, were drawn up at the foot of the staircase, in -unstarched ruffs and tarnished liveries of green and gold, while my -father, with slow and solemn pace, handed down to dinner Madame la -Comtesse; still would he talk of his vassals, and his seigneurial -rights, though his domain scarce covered five hundred acres of wood -and mountain, and vassals, God knows, he had but few. However, the -banners still hung in the hall; and it was impossible to gaze upon the -walls, the pinnacles, the towers, and the battlements of the old -castle, without attaching the idea of power and influence to the lord -of such a hold; so that it was not extraordinary he himself should, in -some particulars forget the decay of his house, and fancy himself as -great as his ancestors. - -A thousand excellent qualities of the heart covered any little foibles -in my father's character. He was liberal to a fault; kind, with that -minute and discriminating benevolence which weighs every word ere it -be spoken, lest it should hurt the feelings of another; brave, to that -degree that scarcely believes in fear, yet at the same time so humane, -that his sympathy with others often proved the torture of his own -heart; but---- - -Oh! that in this world there should still be a _but_, to qualify -everything that is good and excellent!--but, still he had one fault -that served greatly to counteract all the high qualities which he -possessed. He was invincibly lazy in mind. He could endure nothing -that gave him trouble; and, though the natural quickness of his -disposition would lead him to purpose a thousand great undertakings, -yet long ere the time came for executing them, various little -obstacles and impediments had gradually worn down his resolution; or -else the trouble of thinking about one thing for long was too much for -him, and the enterprise dropped by its own weight. Had fortune brought -him great opportunities, no one would have seized them more willingly, -or used them to better or to nobler purposes; but fortune was to -seek--and he did nothing. - -The wars of the League, in which his father had taken a considerable -part, had gradually lopped away branch after branch of our estates, -and even hewn deeply into the trunk; and my father was not a man, -either by active enterprise or by court intrigue, to mend the failing -fortunes of his family. On the contrary, after having served in two -campaigns, and distinguished himself in several battles, out of pure -weariness, he retired to our château of De l'Orme, where, being once -fixed in quiet, he passed the rest of his days, never having courage -to undertake a longer journey than to Pau or to Tarbes; and forming in -his solitude a multitude of fine and glorious schemes, which fell to -nothing almost in the same moment that they were erected: as we may -see a child build up, with a pack of cards, many a high and ingenious -structure, which the least breath of air will instantly reduce to the -same flat nonentities from which they were reared at the first. - -My mother's character is soon told. It was all excellence; or if there -was, indeed, in its composition, one drop of that evil from which -human nature is probably never entirely free, it consisted in a touch -of family pride--and yet, while I write it, my heart reproaches me, -and says that it was not so. However, the reader shall judge by the -sequel; but if she had this fault, it was her only one, and all the -rest was virtue and gentleness. Restricted as were her means of -charity, still every one that came within the sphere of her influence -experienced her kindness, or partook of her bounty. Nor was her -charity alone the charity that gives; it was the charity that feels, -that excuses, that forgives. - -A willing aid in all that was amiable and benevolent was to be found -in good Father Francis of Allurdi, the chaplain of the château. In his -young days they said he had been a soldier; and on some slight, -received from a world for which he was too good, he threw away the -corslet and took the gown, not with the feeling of a misanthrope, but -of a philanthropist. For many years he remained as cure at the little -village of Allurdi, in the Val d'Ossau; but his sight and his strength -both failing him, and the cure being an arduous one, he resigned it to -a younger man, (who, he thought, might better perform the duties of -the station,) and brought as gentle a heart and as pure a spirit as -ever rested in a mortal frame, to dwell with the two others I have -described in the Château de l'Orme. - -It may be asked, if he too had his foible? Believe me, dear reader, -whoever thou art, that every one on this earth has some; nor was he -without one: and, strange as it may appear, his was superstition--I -say, strange as it may appear, for he was a man of a strong and -vigorous mind, calm, reflective, rational, without any of that hurried -and perturbed indistinctness of judgment which suffers imagination to -usurp the place of reason. But still he was superstitious to a great -degree, affording a striking instance of that union of opposite -qualities, which every one who takes the trouble of examining his own -bosom will find more or less exemplified in himself. His superstition, -however, grew in a mild and benevolent soil, and was, indeed, but as -one of those tender climbing plants which hang upon the ruined tower -or the shattered oak, and clothe them with a verdure not their own: -thus he fondly adhered to the imaginative tenets of ancient days fast -falling into decay. He peopled the air with spirits, and in his fancy -gave them visible shapes, and in some degree even corporeal qualities. -However, on an ardent and youthful mind like mine, such picturesque -superstitions were most likely to have effect; and so far, indeed, did -they influence me, that though reason in after-life exerted her power -to sweep them all away, imagination often rebelled, and clung fondly -to the delusion still. - -Such as I have described them were the denizens of the Château de -l'Orme at the time of my birth, which was unmarked by any other -peculiarity than that of my mother having been married, and yet -childless, for more than eight years. The joy which the unexpected -birth of an heir produced, may easily be imagined, though little -indeed was the inheritance which I came to claim. All with one consent -gave themselves up to hope and to gladness; and more substantial signs -of rejoicing were displayed in the hall than the château had known for -many a day. - -My father declared that I should infallibly retrieve the fortunes of -my house. Father Francis, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed that it -was evidently a blessing from Heaven; and even my mother discovered -that, though futurity was still misty and indistinct, there was now a -landmark to guide on hope across the wide ocean of the years to come. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - -I know not by what letters patent the privilege is held, but it seems -clearly established, that the parents of an only child have full right -and liberty to spoil him to whatsoever extent they may please; and -though, my grandfathers on both sides of the house being dead long -before my birth, I wanted the usual chief aiders and abettors of -over-indulgence, yet, in consideration of my being an unexpected gift, -my father thought himself entitled to expend more unrestrictive -fondness upon me than if my birth had taken place at an earlier period -of his marriage. - -My education was in consequence somewhat desultory. The persuasions of -Father Francis, indeed, often won me for a time to study, and the -wishes of my mother, whose word was ever law to her son, made me -perhaps attend to the instructions of the good old priest more than my -natural volatility would have otherwise admitted. At times, too, the -mad spirit of laughing and jesting at everything, which possessed me -from my earliest youth, would suddenly and unaccountably be changed -into the most profound pensiveness, and reading would become a delight -and a relief. I thus acquired a certain knowledge of Latin and of -Greek, the first principles of mathematics, and a great many of those -absurd and antiquated theories which were taught in that day under the -name of philosophy. But from Father Francis, also, I learned what -should always form one principal branch of a child's education--a very -tolerable knowledge of my native language, which I need not say is, in -general, spoken in Bearn in the most corrupt and barbarous manner. - -Thus, very irregularly, proceeded the course of my mental instruction; -my corporeal education my father took upon himself, and as his -laziness was of the mind rather than the body, he taught me -thoroughly, from my very infancy, all those exercises which, according -to his conception, were necessary to make a perfect cavalier. I could -ride, I could shoot, I could fence, I could wrestle, before I was -twelve years old; and of course the very nature of these lessons -tended to harden and confirm a frame originally strong, and a -constitution little susceptible of disease. - -The buoyancy of youth, the springy vigour of my muscles, and a good -deal of imaginative feeling, gave me a sort of indescribable passion -for adventure from my childhood, which required even the stimulus of -danger to satisfy. Had I lived in the olden time, I had certainly been -a knight errant. Everything that was wild, and strange, and even -fearful, was to me delight; and it needed many a hard morsel from the -rough hand of the world to quell such a spirit's appetite for -excitement. - -To climb the highest pinnacles of the rocks, to plunge into the -deepest caverns, to stand on the very brink of the precipices and look -down into the dizzy void below, to hang above the cataract on some -tottering stone, and gaze upon the frantic fury of the river boiling -in the pools beneath, till my eye was wearied, and my ear deafened -with the flashing whiteness of the stream, and the thundering roar of -its fall--these were the enjoyments of my youth, and many, I am -afraid, were the anxious pangs which my temerity inflicted on the -bosom of my mother. - -I will pass over all the little accidents and misadventure of youth; -but on one circumstance, which occurred when I was about twelve years -old, I must dwell more particularly, inasmuch as it was not only of -import at the time, but also affected all my future life by its -consequences. - -On a fine clear summer morning, I had risen in one of those thoughtful -moods, which rarely cloud the sunny mind of youth, but which, as I -have said, frequently succeeded to my gayest moments; and, walking -slowly down the side of the hill, I took my way through the windings -of a deep glen, that led far into the heart of the mountain. I was -well acquainted with the spot, and wandered on almost unconsciously, -with scarcely more attention to any external object than a casual -glance to the rocks that lay tossed about on either side, amidst a -profusion of shrubs and flowers, and trees of every hue and leaf. - -The path ran along on a high bank of rocks overhanging the river, -which, dashing in and out round a thousand stony promontories, and -over a thousand bright cascades, gradually collected its waters into a -fuller body, and flowed on in a deep swift stream towards a more -profound fall below. At the side of the cataract, the most industrious -of all the universe's insects, man, had taken advantage of the -combination of stream and precipice, and fixed a small mill-wheel -under the full jet of water, the clacking sound of which, mingling -with the murmur of the stream, and the savage scenery around, -communicated strange, undefined sensations to my mind, associating all -the cheerful ideas of human proximity, with the wild grandeur of rude -uncultivated nature. - -I was too young to unravel my feelings, or trace the sources of the -pleasure I experienced; but getting to the very verge of the rock, a -little way above the mill, I stood, watching the dashing eddies as -they hurried on to be precipitated down the fall, and listening to the -various sounds that came floating on the air. - -On what impulse I forget at this moment, but after gazing for some -time, I put my foot still farther towards the edge of the rocky stone -on which I stood, and bent over, looking down the side of the bank. -The stone was a detached fragment of grey marble, lying somewhat -loosely upon the edge of the descent--my weight overthrew its -balance--it tottered--I made a violent effort to recover myself, but -in vain--the rock rolled over, and I was pitched headlong into the -stream. - -The agony of finding myself irretrievably gone--the dazzle and the -flash of the water as it closed over my head--the thousand regrets -that whirled through my brain during the brief moment that I was below -the surface--the struggle of renewed hope as I rose again and beheld -the blue sky and the fair face of nature, are all as deeply graven on -my memory as if the whole had occurred but yesterday. Although all -panting when I got my head above the water, I succeeded in uttering a -loud shout for assistance, while I struggled to keep myself up with my -hand; but as I had never learned to swim, I soon sunk again, and on -rising a second time, my strength was so far gone, I could but give -voice to a feeble cry, though I saw myself drifting quickly towards -the mill and the waterfall, where death seemed inevitable. My only -hope was that the miller would hear me; but to my dismay, I found that -my call, though uttered with all the power I had left, was far too -faint to rise above the roar of the cascade and the clatter of the -mill-wheels. - -Hope gave way, and ceasing to struggle, I was letting myself sink, -when I caught a faint glimpse of some one running down amongst the -rocks towards me, but at that moment, in spite of my renewed efforts, -the water overwhelmed me again. For an instant there was an -intolerable sense of suffocation--a ringing in my ears, and a flashing -of light in my eyes that was very dreadful, but it passed quickly -away, and a sweet dreamy sensation came over me, as if I had been -walking in green fields, I did not well know where--the fear and the -struggle were all gone, and, gradually losing remembrance of -everything, I seemed to fall asleep. - -Such is all that my memory has preserved of the sensations I -experienced in drowning--a death generally considered a very dreadful -one, but which is, in reality, anything but painful. We have no means -of judging what is suffered in almost any other manner of passing from -the world; but were I to speak from what I myself felt in the -circumstances I have detailed, I should certainly say that _it is the -fear that is the death_. - -My next remembrance is of a most painful tingling, spreading itself -through every part of my body, even to my very heart, without any -other consciousness of active being, till at length, opening my eyes, -I found myself lying in a large barely furnished room in the mill, -with a multitude of faces gazing at me, some strange and some -familiar, amongst the last of which I perceived the pimpled nose of -the old _maître d'hôtel_, and the mild countenance of Father Francis -of Allurdi. - -My father, too, was there; and I remember seeing him with his arms -folded on his breast, and his eyes straining upon me as if his whole -soul was in them. When I opened mine, he raised his look towards -heaven, and a tear rolled over his cheek; but I saw or heard little of -what passed, for an irresistible sensation of weariness came over me; -and the moment after I awoke from the sleep of death, I fell into a -quiet and refreshing slumber, very different from the "cold -obstruction" of the others. - -I will pass over all the rejoicing that signalized my recovery--my -father's joy, my mother's thanks and prayers, the servants' carousing, -and the potations, deep and strong, of the pimple-nosed _maître -d'hôtel_, whose hatred of water never demonstrated itself more -strongly than the day after I had escaped drowning. As soon as I had -completely regained my strength, my mother told me, that after having -shown our gratitude to God, it became our duty to show our gratitude -also to the person who had been the immediate means of saving me from -destruction; and it was then I learned that I owed my life to the -courage and skill of a lad but little older than myself, the son of a -poor procureur, or attorney, at Lourdes. He had been fishing in the -stream at the time the rock gave way under my feet, and seeing my -fall, hurried to save me. With much difficulty and danger he -accomplished his object, and having drawn me from the water, carried -me to the mill, where he remained only long enough to see me open my -eyes, retiring modestly the moment he was assured of my safety. - -In those young days, life was to me so bright a plaything, all the -wheels of existence moved so easily, there was so much beauty in the -world, so much delight in being, that my most enthusiastic gratitude -was sure to follow such a service as that I had received. Readily did -I assent to my mother's proposal, that she should accompany me to -Lourdes to offer our thanks--not as with the world in general, in mere -empty words, as unsubstantial as the air that bears them, but by some -more lasting mark of our gratitude. - -Upon the nature of the recompense she was to offer, she held a long -consultation with my father, who, unwilling to give anything minute -consideration, left it entirely to her own judgment, promising the -fullest acquiescence in whatever she should think fit; and accordingly -we set out early the next day for Lourdes, my mother mounted on a -hawking palfrey, and I riding by her side on a small fleet Limousin -horse, which my father had given me a few days before. - -This was not, indeed, the equipage with which the Countess de Bigorre -should have visited a town once under the dominion of her husband's -ancestors; but what was to be done? A carriage, indeed, we had, which -would have held six, and if required, eight persons; though the -gilding was somewhat tarnished, and a few industrious spiders had spun -their delicate nets in the windows, and between the spokes of the -wheels. Neither were horses wanting, for on the side of the mountain -were eight coursers, with tails and manes as long as the locks of a -mermaid, and a plentiful supply of hair to correspond about their -feet. They were somewhat aged, indeed, and for the last six years they -had gone about slip-shod amongst the hills, enjoying the _otium cum -dignitate_ which neither men nor horses often find. Still they would -have done; but where were we to find the six men dressed in the -colours of the family, necessary to protect the foot-board behind? -where the four stout cavaliers, armed up to the teeth, to ride by the -side of the carriage? where the postilions? where the coachman? - -My mother did much more wisely than strive for a pomp which we were -never to see again. She went quietly and simply, to discharge what she -considered a duty, with as little ostentation as possible; and when -the worthy _maître d'hôtel_ lamented, with the familiarity of long -service, that the Countess de Bigorre should go without such a retinue -as in his day had always made the name respected, she replied, -quietly, that those who were as proud of the name as she was, would -find no retinue needful to make it respectable. My father retired into -his library, as we were about to depart, saying to my mother, that he -hoped she had commanded such a body of retainers to accompany her as -she thought necessary. She merely replied that she had; and set out, -with a single groom to hold the horses, and a boy to show us the way -to the dwelling of the procureur. - -Let it be observed, that, up to the commencement of the year of which -I speak, Lourdes had never been visited with the plague of an -attorney; but at that epoch, the father of the lad who had saved my -life, and who, like him, was named Jean Baptiste Arnault, had come to -settle in that place, much to the horror and astonishment of the -inhabitants. He had, it was rumoured, been originally _intendant_, or -steward, to some nobleman in Poitou, and having, by means best known -to himself, obtained the charge of procureur in Bearn, he had first -visited Pau, and thence removed to Lourdes. - -The name of an attorney had at first frightened the good Bearnois of -that town; but they soon discovered that Maître Jean Baptiste Arnault -was a very clever, quiet, amiable, little man, about two cubits in -height, of which stature his head monopolised at least the moiety. He -was not particularly handsome; but, as he appeared to have other -better qualities, that did not much signify, and they gradually made -him their friend, their confidant, and their adviser; in all of which -capacities, he acted in a mild, tranquil, easy little manner, that -seemed quite delightful: but, notwithstanding all this, the people of -the town of Lourdes began insensibly to get of a quarrelsome and a -litigious turn, so that Jean Baptiste Arnault had his study in general -pretty full of clients; and, though he made it appear clearly to the -most common understanding, that his sole object was to promote peace -and good-will, yet, strange to say, discord, the faithful jackal of -all attorneys, was a very constant attendant on his steps. - -Such were the reports that had reached us at the Château de l'Orme; -and the _maître d'hôtel_, when he repeated them, laid his finger upon -the side of his prominent and rubicund proboscis, and screwed up his -eye till it nearly suffered an eclipse, saying as plainly as nose and -eye could say, "Monsieur Jean Baptiste Arnault is a cunning fellow." -However, my father had no will to believe ill of any one, and my -mother as little; so that, when we set out for Lourdes, both were -fully convinced that the parent of their child's deliverer was one of -the most excellent of men. - -After visiting the church, and offering at the shrine of _Notre Dame -du bon secours_, we proceeded to the dwelling of the procureur, and -dismounting from our horses, entered the _étude_, or office, of the -lawyer; the boy, who had come to show us the way, throwing open the -door with a consequential fling, calculated to impress the mind of the -attorney with the honour which we did him. It was a miserable chamber, -with a low table, and a few chairs, both strewed with some books of -law, and written papers, greased and browned by the continual thumbing -of the coarse-handed peasants, in whose concerns they were written. - -Jean Baptiste Arnault was not there, but in his place appeared a -person, plainly dressed in a suit of black, with buttons of jet, -without any embroidery or ornament whatever. He wore a pair of riding -boots, with immense tops, shaped like a funnel, according to the mode -of the day, and the dust upon these appendages, as well as the -disordered state of his long wavy hair, seemed to announce that he had -ridden far; while a large Sombrero hat, and a long steel-hilted Toledo -sword, which lay beside him, led the mind naturally to conclude that -his journey had been from Spain. - -To judge of his station by his dress, one would have concluded him to -be some Spanish merchant of no very large fortune; but his person and -his air told a different tale. Pale, and even rather sallow in -complexion, the high broad forehead, rising almost upright from his -brow, and seen still higher through the floating curls of his dark -hair, the straight, finely turned nose, the small mouth curled with a -sort of smile, strangely mingled of various expressions, half cynical, -half bland, the full rounded chin, the very turn of his head and neck, -as he sat writing at a table exactly opposite the door, all gave that -nobility to his aspect, which was not to be mistaken. - -On our entrance, the stranger rose, and in answer to my mother's -inquiry for the procureur, replied, "Arnault is not at present here; -but if the Countess de Bigorre will sit down, he shall attend her -immediately," and taking up the letter he had been writing, he left -the apartment. The moment after, the door by which he had gone out -again opened, and Jean Baptiste Arnault entered the room, at once -verifying by his appearance everything we had heard of his person. He -was quite a dwarf in stature; and, in size at least, dame Nature had -certainly very much favoured his head, at the expense of the rest of -his body. His face, to my youthful eyes, appeared at least two feet -square, with all the features in proportion, except the eyes, which -were peculiarly small and black; and not being very regularly set in -his head, seemed like two small boats, nearly lost in the vast ocean -of countenance which lay before us. - -I do not precisely remember the particulars of the conversation which -took place upon his coming in, but I very well recollect laughing most -amazingly at his appearance, in spite of my mother's reproof, and -telling him, with the unceremonious candour of a spoiled child, that -he was certainly the ugliest man I had ever seen. He affected to take -my boldness in very good part, and called me a fine frank boy; but -there was a vindictive gleam in his little black eyes, which -contradicted his words; and I have since had reason to believe that he -never forgot or forgave my childish rudeness. It is a very general -rule, that a man is personally vain in proportion to his ugliness, and -hates the truth in the same degree that he deceives himself. Certain -it is, no man was ever more ugly, or ever more vain; and his conceit -had not been nourished a little by marrying a very handsome woman. - -Of course the first subject of conversation which arose between my -mother and himself was the service which his son had rendered me; and -as a recompense, she offered that the young Jean Baptiste should be -received into the Château de l'Orme, and educated with its heir, which -she considered as the highest honour that could be conferred on the -young _roturier_; and in the second place, she promised, in the name -of my father, that five hundred livres per annum should be settled -upon him for life,--a sum of no small importance in those days, and in -that part of the country. - -The surprise and gratitude of the attorney can hardly be properly -expressed. Of liberality he had not in his own bosom one single idea; -and, I verily believe, that at first he thought my mother had some -sinister object in the proposals which she made; but speedily -recovering himself, he accepted with great readiness the pension that -was offered to his son; at the same time hesitating a good deal in -regard to sending him to the Château de l'Orme. He enlarged upon his -sense of the honour, and the favour, and the condescension; but his -son, he said, was the only person he had who could act as his clerk, -and he was afraid he could not continue his business without him. In -short, his objections hurt my mother's pride, and she was rising with -an air of dignity to put an end to the matter, by taking her -departure, when, as if by a sudden thought, the procureur besought her -to stay one moment, and as her bounty had already been so great, -perhaps she would extend it one degree farther. His son, he said, was -absolutely necessary to him to carry on his business; but he had one -daughter, whom, her mother being dead, he had no means of educating as -he could wish. "If," said he, "Madame la Comtesse de Bigorre will -transfer the benefit she intended for my son to his sister, she will -lay my whole family under an everlasting obligation; and I will take -upon myself to affirm, that the disposition and talents of the child -are such as will do justice to the kindness of her benefactress." - -These words he pronounced in a loud voice, and then starting up, as if -to cut across all deliberation on the subject, he said he would call -both his children, and left the room. - -After having been absent some time, he returned with the lad who had -saved my life, and a little girl of about ten years old. Jean -Baptiste, the younger, was at this time about fifteen; and though -totally unlike his father in stature, in make, or in mind, he had -still a sufficient touch of the old procureur in his countenance, to -justify his mother in the matter of paternity. - -Not so the little Helen, whose face was certainly not the reflection -of her father's, if such he was. Her long soft dark eyes alone were -sufficient to have overset the whole relationship, without even the -glossy brown hair that curled round her brow, the high clear forehead, -the mouth like twin cherries, or the brilliant complexion, which -certainly put Monsieur Arnault's coffee-coloured skin very much out of -countenance. - -Her manners were as sweet and gentle as her person: my mother's heart -was soon won, and the exchange proposed readily conceded. The young -Jean Baptiste was thanked both by my mother and myself, in all the -terms we could find to express our gratitude, all which he received in -a good-humoured and yet a sheepish manner, as if he were at once -gratified and distressed by the commendations that were showered upon -him. Helen, it was agreed, should be brought over to the château the -next day; and having now acquitted ourselves of the debt of obligation -under which we had lain, we again mounted our horses and rode away -from Lourdes. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - -Though I have not gone very far into my history, I have learned to -hate being my own historian, stringing I, and I, and I, together to -the end of the chapter. Nevertheless, I believe that no man's history -can be so well told as by himself, if he will but be candid; for no -one can so completely enter into his feelings, or have so vivid an -impression of the circumstances amidst which he has acted. -Notwithstanding this, it shall be my endeavour to pass over the events -of my youth as rapidly as possible, for the purpose of arriving at -that part of this history where the stirring nature of the scenes in -which I mingled may cover the egotism of the detail; but still, as -there are persons and occurrences yet unmentioned, by which my after -life was entirely modified, I must still pause a little on this part -of my tale. - -Faithful to the charge she had undertaken, my mother made the -education of Helen Arnault her particular care. At first, she confined -her instructions to those arts alone that were likely to be useful to -her in the _bourgeoise_ class in which she had been born; but there -was a degree of ready genius mixed with the infinite gentleness of -Helen's disposition, which gradually seduced my mother into teaching -her much more than she had at first intended. Nor was she ill -qualified for the task, possessing every female accomplishment, both -mental and corporeal, in as much perfection as they had received in -those days. At first, the education of the sweet girl, thus placed -under her protection, formed a sort of amusement for her, when my -father and myself were absent in any of the long rides we used to take -through the country--gradually it became so habitual as to be -necessary to her comfort; and Helen so completely wound herself round -the Countess's heart, that she could not bear to be without her for -any considerable length of time. - -Perhaps it was the very attachment which she herself experienced -towards Helen, that made my mother feel how strong might be the effect -of such sweetness and such beauty at some after time upon the heart of -an ardent, sensitive, imaginative youth--and my mother from the first -knew me to be such. Whatever was the cause, certain it is she took -care that between Helen and myself should be placed a barrier of -severe and chilling formality, calculated to repress the least -intimacy in its very bud. Whenever she mentioned my name to her young -_protégée_, it was always under the ceremonious epithet of Count -Louis. Whenever I entered the room, Helen Arnault was sent away, upon -some excuse which prevented her return; or if she was permitted to -remain, there was a sort of courtly etiquette maintained, well -calculated to freeze all the warmer blood of youth. - -All this my mind has commented on since, though I only regarded it, at -the time, as something very disagreeable, without in the least -understanding why my mother chose to play so very different a part -from that which suited her natural character. She certainly acted for -the best, but I think she was mistaken in her judgment of the means to -be employed for effecting her object. It is probable, that had she -suffered me at the first to look upon Helen Arnault as a sister, and -taught her to consider me as her brother, the feelings which we -acquired towards each other at ten and twelve years old would have -remained unchanged at a later period. God knows how it would have -been! I am afraid that all experiments upon young hearts are dangerous -things. The only remedy is, I believe, a stone wall; and the example -of Pyramus and Thisbe demonstrates that even it must not have a crack -in it. - -As it was, the years rolled on, and I began to acquire the sensations -of manhood. I saw Helen Arnault but by glimpses, but I saw nothing on -earth so lovely. Every day new beauties broke forth upon me; and it -was impossible to behold her hour by hour expanding into the -perfection of womanhood, without experiencing those feelings with -which we see a bud open out into the rose--a wish to possess so -beautiful a thing. - -In the meanwhile, several changes took place in our vicinity; the most -important of which was the arrival of a neighbour. The Château de -l'Orme stood, as I have said, upon the side of the hill, commanding an -extensive view through the valley below. It had originally been -nothing more than one of those towers to be found in every gorge of -the Pyrenees, built in times long past to defend the country from the -incursions of the Moors of Spain. - -After the expulsion of the infidels from the Peninsula, it had been -converted into a hunting residence for the counts of Bigorre, and a -great many additions had been made to it, according to the various -tastes of a long line of proprietors, who had each in general followed -the particular style of architecture which accorded with his own -immediate pursuits. The more warlike had built towers, and walls, and -turrets, and battlements. One of the counts dying without children, it -had fallen into the hands of his brother, who was a bishop. He added a -Gothic chapel and a dormitory for ecclesiastics. His nephew, a famous -lawyer and President de Grenoble, no sooner succeeded, than he built -an immense hall, exactly copied from the hall of justice in which he -had so often presided; and others of different dispositions had -equally taken care of the stables, the dairy, and the kitchen. - -In short, they had been like the fairies called to the birth of a -child in our nursery tales; each had endowed the building with some -particular gift, so that on the whole, though somewhat straggling and -irregular, it contained an apartment of every kind, sort, and -description, that could be wanted or wished for. - -In one of the square towers, built upon the edge of a steep rock, some -ninety feet in height, my father had fixed his library. Here he could -read whatever book he chose, in a quiet, dozy sort of manner, without -hearing any noise from the rest of the house; though, at the same -time, he just caught, through the open windows, the murmuring of the -waterfall below, and could look up from what he was perusing, and run -his eye through all the windings of the valley, with a dreamy -contemplative listlessness, in which he was very fond to indulge. - -At about a quarter of a mile from the château, and amongst the first -objects within the scope of my father's view as he sat in this -library, was a small house, which had belonged to some of the -wealthier retainers of the family, when it had been in its flush -prosperity. This had since passed into the hands of a farmer, at the -time that my grandfather had judged proper to diminish the family -estate, and expend its current representative in gunpowder and cannon -balls; but a year or two before the time to which I refer, it had -become vacant by the death of its occupier, and had remained shut up -ever since. - -Little care being taken to keep this house in repair, it formed a sort -of eye-sore in my father's view, and regularly every month he declared -he would repurchase it, and arrange it according to his own taste, -with a degree of energy, and even vehemence of manner, which would -have led any one, who did not know him, to suppose that within an hour -the purchase would be completed, and the alterations put in train; but -the moment he had shut the library door behind him, he began to think -of something else, and before he was in the court-yard, he had -forgotten all about it. - -One morning, however, he was not a little surprised to see the windows -of the house opened, and two or three workmen of various kinds -employed in rendering it habitable. Without giving himself time to -recover from his astonishment, or to forget the change, he sent down -the lackey to inquire the name of its new occupier, and, in short, the -whole particulars. - -How the man executed his commission I know not; but the reply was, -that the Chevalier de Montenero would do himself the honour of waiting -upon the Count de Bigorre. My father said, "Very well," and resolved -to have everything prepared to receive this new neighbour with -ceremony; but finding that the arrangements required a good deal of -thought, he resolved to leave them all to my mother, and was -proceeding to her apartments for the purpose of casting the weight of -it upon her shoulders, when, in the corridor, he met little Helen -Arnault, who had then been with us about six months--began playing -with and caressing her--forgot the Chevalier de Montenero, and went -out to ride with me towards Bigorre. - -On our return, we found a strong iron grey horse saddled in the -court-yard, and were informed that the Chevalier de Montenero was in -the apartments of Madame la Comtesse. On following my father thither, -I instantly recognised the person we had seen in the _étude_ of the -procureur at Lourdes. The sight, I will own, was a pleasing one to me, -for from the moment I had first beheld him I had wished to hear and -see more. There was a sort of dignity in his aspect that struck my -boyish imagination, and captivated me in a way I cannot account for. I -am well aware that on every principle of right reasoning, the theory -of innate sympathies is one of the most ridiculous that ever the -theory-mongers of this earth produced, but yet, though strange, it is -no less a fact, which every one must have felt, that there are persons -whom we meet in the world, and who, without one personal beauty to -attract, and, even before we have had any opportunity of judging of -their minds, obtain a sort of hold upon our feelings and imagination, -more powerful than long acquaintance with their qualities of mind -could produce. Perhaps it may proceed from some association between -their persons and our preconceived ideas of goodness. - -The Chevalier de Montenero, however, in his youth must have been -remarkable for personal beauty, and the strongest traces of it -remained even yet, though, in this respect, years had been the less -merciful, inasmuch as they had been leagued with care. Deep lines of -painful and anxious thought were evident on the Chevalier's forehead -and in his cheek--but it was not thought of a mean or sordid nature. -The grandeur of his brow, the erect unshrinking dignity of his -carriage, all contradicted it. Powerful, or rather overpowering -passions, might perchance speak forth in the flash of his dark eye, -but its expression for good or bad was still great and elevated. There -was something also that might be called impenetrable in his air. It -was that of a man long accustomed to bury matters of much import deep -in his own bosom; and very few, I believe, would have liked to ask him -an impertinent question. - -In manner he was mild and grave; and though his name was evidently -Spanish, and his whole dress and appearance betrayed that he had very -lately arrived from that country, yet he spoke our language with -perfect facility, and without the slightest foreign accent. I believe -the pleasure I felt in seeing him again showed itself in somewhat of -youthful gladness; and as he was not a man to despise anything that -was pure and unaffected, he seemed gratified by my remembrance, and -invited me to visit him in his solitude. "I mean, madame," said he, -turning to my mother, "to make the house which I have bought in the -valley a hermitage, in almost everything but the name; but if you will -occasionally permit your son to cheer it with his company, I shall be -the happier in the society of one who as yet is certainly uncorrupted -by this bad world, and, in return, he may perhaps learn from me some -of that lore which long commerce with my fellow-creatures, and much -familiarity with great and strange events, have taught me." - -I eagerly seized on the permission, and from that day, whenever my -mood turned towards the serious and the thoughtful, my steps naturally -followed the path towards the dwelling of the Chevalier. I may say -that I won his affection; and much did he strive to correct and guide -my disposition to high and noble objects, marking keenly every -propensity in my nature, and endeavouring to direct them aright. There -was a charm in his conversation, an impressive truth in all he said, -that both persuaded and convinced; and, had I followed the lessons of -wisdom I heard from his lips, I should have been both happier and -better in my after life; but the struggle of youthful passion was ever -too strong for reason: and for many years of my being I was but a -creature of impulse, carried away by the wish of the moment, and -forgetting, at the time I most needed them, all the resolutions I had -founded upon the experience of others. - -The Chevalier evidently saw and regretted the wildness of my -disposition, but I do not think he loved me the less. There was -something in it that harmonized with his own character; for often, -notwithstanding all that he had learned in the impressive school of -the world, the original enthusiasm of his heart would shine out, in -spite of the veil of stern coldness with which he covered his warmer -feelings. This I remarked afterwards; but suffice it in this place to -say, that his regard for me assumed a character of almost paternal -tenderness, which I ever repaid by a respect and reverence I am afraid -more than filial. In his manners, to every one but the members of our -family, he was distant and cold, but it seemed as if towards us his -heart had expanded from the first. My mother he would often visit, -behaving on such occasions with the calm, elegant attention of high -bred courtesy, never stiffening into coldness or sinking into -familiarity. With my father he would sit for many hours at a time, -conversing over various subjects of life and morals, with which, even -to my young mind, it was apparent that he was actively and practically -acquainted; while my father, though perhaps his reasoning was as good, -spoke evidently but from what he had read and what he had heard, -without the clear precision of personal knowledge. - -Other acquaintances, also, though of an inferior class, and very -different character, must now be mentioned, though neither their -habits of life, or rank in society, were calculated to throw much -lustre on those who in any way consorted with them. - -The excessive height to which the gabelle had carried the price of -salt acted as one of the greatest encouragements to those Spanish -smugglers, who have in all times frequented the various passes of the -Pyrenees, and distinguished themselves by a daring and reckless -courage, and a keen penetrating sagacity, which might have raised them -individually to the highest stations of society, if employed for the -nobler and better purposes of existence. - -It unfortunately happens in the world, that talent is less frequently -wanting than the wisdom to employ it; and many men, who, to my -knowledge, might have established their own fortune, served their -country, and rendered their name immortal, have wasted grand abilities -upon petty schemes, and heroic courage upon disgraceful enterprises. -So was it, though in a minor degree, with many of the Spanish -smugglers that were continually passing to and fro in our immediate -neighbourhood; and a braver or more ingenious race of men never -existed. - -Of course they were not without their aiders and abettors on the -French side of the mountains; and it was very generally supposed that -the mill, near which I had fallen into the water, was a great -receptacle for the contraband goods which they imported. However, -nothing of the kind was to be discovered, although the officers of the -gabelle, called Gabellateurs, and the Douaniers, or custom-house -officers, had visited it at all times and seasons. The mill had ever -been found clear and fair, and the miller, a quiet, civil sort of -person, who let them look where they listed, and took it all in good -part. - -Notwithstanding all this fair appearance, which baffled even the keen -eyes of those interested in the discovery, and deceived completely all -who were not interested in the smuggling itself, whenever my father -wanted some good Alicante wine, or Xeres, or anything else of the same -nature, he sent to the miller, who was always found ready to oblige -_Monseigneur le Comte_. Often also, in my childhood, did I visit the -mill in company with the old _maître d'hôtel_, whose predilection for -the good things of this life, especially in the form of liquids, would -have led him to cultivate the acquaintance of the Devil himself, if he -had appeared with a bottle of wine under his arm. Many was the curious -scene that I thus saw, now floating faintly before my memory as a -remembered dream; and many were the means employed to make the amiable -practice of smuggling palatable to the taste of the heir of Bigorre. -Oranges, and pomegranates, and dates, were always brought forward to -gratify the young Count, and my bold and daring spirit, even as a -child, excited the admiration and delight of many of the dark -smugglers, who used, in return, to tell me long stories of their -strange adventures, which, heightened by the barbarous yet picturesque -dialect that they spoke, excited my fancy to the utmost, and sent me -away with my brain full of wild imaginations. - -Very often, if any of these men had something peculiarly rare or -curious to dispose of, they went so far as to bring it up to the -Château de l'Orme, where my father generally became a purchaser, -notwithstanding a remonstrance which my mother would occasionally -venture to make against the encouragement of persons habitually -infringing the law of the land. Our family thus acquired the -reputation amongst the smugglers of being their patrons and -benefactors; and violent in all their passions, whether good or bad, -their gratitude was enthusiastic in proportion. One of them, named -Pedro Garcias, deserves more particular notice than the rest on many -accounts. When I first knew him, he was a man of about forty, perhaps -more; but time and danger, and excited passion and fatigue, had made -as little impression upon him as the soft waves of some sheltered bay -do upon the granite rocks that surround it. He was born at the little -village of Jacca, on the other side of the mountains, the son of a -wealthy farmer, who afforded him an education much superior to his -rank in life. The blood of his ancestors, they said, was mingled with -that of the Moors; but instead of feeling this circumstance as a stain -upon his race, like most of his countrymen, he seemed rather to glory -in his descent from a valiant and conquering people, and to exult in -the African fire that circled in his veins. - -His complexion was not peculiarly swarthy, though his long stiff black -hair, and flashing eyes, spoke out in favour of his Moorish origin. In -height he was nearly six feet three inches; but instead of any of the -awkward disproportion which we sometimes see in tall people, his form -was cast in the most exquisite mould of vigorous masculine beauty. - -There existed between his mind and person that similarity which we -more frequently find amongst the uncultivated children of nature, than -where education has changed the character, or impeded its development. -His intellect and all his perceptions were strong, powerful, and -active, with a certain cast of fearless grandeur about them, that gave -something great and fine even to the employment he had chosen. His -disposition also was quick, hasty, and unsparing, but full of a rude -enthusiastic generosity, that would have taught him to die for those -he considered his friends, and also a bold dignity, which led him to -trust to daring more than cunning. He had in his nature much of the -beast of prey, but it was of the nobler kind. - -Heaven knows how, with so many qualities of mind and person--qualities -calculated to raise him above, rather than sink him below, the station -in which he was born--Heaven knows how he fell into the perilous but -inglorious life of a simple _contrabandisto_ between France and Spain. - -This man was one of the smugglers who most frequently visited the -château, and it sometimes happened that the intermediation of the old -_maître d'hôtel_ was dispensed with, and that he would be admitted to -an audience of my father himself, which generally lasted a -considerable time; for Garcias possessed that sort of natural -eloquence which, mingled with a degree of caustic humour, was sure to -command attention, and to engage without wearying. There was -something, too, in his very appearance that attracted and interested. -Certainly never was a more picturesque, I may say, a more striking -figure seen, than he presented, as I have beheld him often, coming -down amongst the mountains, whose child he seemed to be: his long -black hair gathered into a net under his broad sombrero; his cloak of -chequered cloth, mantling all the upper part of his figure, and only -leaving free the left hip, with the steel hilt of his sword, and the -right arm ready to make use of it; while his legs, whose swelling -muscles told of their gigantic strength, appeared striding underneath, -covered to the knees with the tight elastic silk breeches of the -Aragonese mountaineers. The rest of his dress generally consisted of a -brown cloth jacket, a crimson sash round his waist, containing his -pistols and long knife, white stockings, and a pair of mountain -sandals, made of untanned cowhide, laced up to his ankle. - -Such were the various persons that surrounded me in my youth; and such -indeed were the only ones with whom I had any communication, except -the young Jean Baptiste Arnault, who used to come frequently to see -his sister. Her father troubled himself very little about her, after -she was once fairly under the protection of my mother; but her brother -was not so remiss, and, whenever he came, was received with kindness -by all the family, nor suffered to depart without some little token of -regard. For my own part, the memory of the service he had rendered me -remained ever upon my mind, and showed itself in every way that my -youthful imagination could devise; till, at length, the good -simple-hearted lad, from the person obliging, began to feel himself -the obliged, and both feelings mingling in his heart together, -produced towards me the most generous and disinterested attachment. - -I have said that I was between twelve and thirteen years old when -Helen Arnault first became an inmate of the same dwelling. Two years -rapidly passed by, and not long after I had reached the age of -fourteen, I was sent to the college of Pau, where three years and a -half more glided away in unperturbed tranquillity--calm--quiet--slow; -but what a change had taken place in all my thoughts and feelings by -the time they had passed! I was farther advanced both in stature, in -form, and ideas, than most youths of my age. Childhood was -gone--manhood was at hand. I left the placid, innocent bowers of -infancy, with their cool and passionless shades; and I stood with my -footstep on the threshold of man's busy and tumultuous theatre, ready -to plunge into the arena and struggle with the rest. My heart full of -strong and ardent passions, my imagination vivid and uncontrolled, -with some knowledge gained from books, and some shrewd sense of my -own, but with little self-government, and no experience, I set out -from Pau, to return to my paternal mansion; and as from that day I may -date the commencement of a new existence, I will pause, and begin my -manhood with a chapter to itself. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - -I was now eighteen; slim, tall, and vigorous, inheriting some portion -both of my father's and of my mother's personal beauty, and -superadding all those graces which are peculiarly the property of -youth; the flowers which partial nature bestows upon the spring of -life, and which are rarely compensated by the fruits of manhood's -summer. I know not why I should refrain from saying I was handsome. -Long before any one reads these lines, that which was so, will be dust -and ashes--a thing that creatures composed of the same sordid -materials, cemented by the same fragile medium of life, will turn from -with insect disgust. With this consciousness before me, I will -venture, then, to say, that I _was_ handsome:--if ever I was -personally vain, such a folly is amongst those that have left me. - -However, with some good looks, and some knowledge that I did possess -them, it is not very wonderful that I should try to set them off to -the best advantage, on my return home after a long absence. There -might be a little native puppyism in the business; there might be, -also, some thought of looking well in the eyes of Helen Arnault, for -even at that early age I had begun to think about her a great deal -more than was necessary; and to pamper my imagination with a thousand -fine romances which need the lustrous air, the glowing skies, the -magnificent scenes, of the romance-breathing Pyrenees, to make them at -all comprehensible. Certain it is, that I did think of Helen Arnault -very often; but never was her idea more strongly in my mind than on -that morning when I was awakened for the purpose of bidding adieu to -my college studies, and of returning once more to my home, and my -parents, and the scenes of my infancy. I am afraid, that amongst all -the expectations which crowded upon my imagination, the thought of -Helen Arnault was most prominent. - -At five o'clock precisely, old Houssaye, who had been trumpeter to my -grandfather's regiment of royalists in the wars of the League, and was -now promoted to the high and dignified station of my valet-de-chambre -and gouverneur, stood at my bed-side, and told me that our horses were -saddled, our baggage packed up, and that I had nothing to do but to -dress myself, mount, and set out. He was somewhat astonished, I -believe, at seeing me lie, for some ten minutes after he had drawn the -curtains, in the midst of meditations which to him seemed very simple -meditations indeed, but which were, in fact, so complicated of -thoughts, and feelings, and hopes, and wishes, and remembrances, that -I defy any mortal being to have disentangled the Gordian knot into -which I had twisted them. After trying some time in vain, I took the -method of that great Macedonian baby, who found the world too small a -plaything, and by jumping up, I cut the knot with all its involutions -asunder. But my farther proceedings greatly increased good master -Houssaye's astonishment; for instead of contenting myself with my -student's dress of simple black, with a low collar devoid of lace, -which he judged would suit a dusty road better than any other suit I -had, I insisted on his again opening the valise, and taking out my -very best slashed pourpoint, my lace collar, my white buskins, and my -gilt spurs. Then, having dressed myself _en cavalier parfait_, drawn -the long curls of my dark hair over my forehead, and tossed on my -feathered hat, instead of the prim looking conceit with which I had -covered my head at college, I rushed down the interminable staircase -into the courtyard, with a sudden burst of youthful extravagance; and, -springing on my horse, left poor Houssaye to follow as he best might. - -Away I went out of Pau, like a young colt when first freed from the -restraint of the stable, and turned out to grass in the joy-inspiring -fields. Over hill and dale, and rough and smooth, I spurred on, with -very little regard to my horse's wind, till I came to the rising -ground which presents itself just before crossing the river to reach -Estelle. The first object on the height is the Château of Coarasse, in -which Henry IV. passed the earlier years of his youth, and wherein he -received that education which gave to the world one of the most noble -and generous-hearted of its kings. I had seen it often before; and I -know not what chain of association established itself between my own -feelings at the time, and the memories that hovered round its old gray -walls, but I drew in my horse's bridle on the verge, and gazed upon -the building before me, as if interrogating it of greatness, and of -fame, and of the world's applause. There was, however, a chill and a -sternness about all that it replied, which fell coldly upon the warm -wishes of youth. It spoke of glory, indeed, and of honour, and the -immortality of a mighty name; but it spoke also of the dead--of those -who could not hear, who could not enjoy the cheerless recompence of -posthumous renown. It told, too, of Fortune's fickleness--of a world's -ingratitude--of the vanity of greatness--and the emptiness of hope. - -With a tightened bridle, and slow pace, I pursued my way to Estelle, -and dismounting in the yard of the post-house, I desired the saddle to -be taken off my horse, which was wearied with my inconsiderate -galloping up and down hill, and to be then placed on the best beast -which was disengaged in the stable. - -While this was in execution, I walked into the kitchen with some -degree of sulkiness of mood, at not being able to press out some -brighter encouragement from a place so full of great memories as the -château of Henri Quatre, and laying my hat on the table, I amused -myself, for some time, with twisting the straws upon the floor into -various shapes with the point of my sword; and then returned to the -court to see if I had been obeyed. The saddle, it is true, had been -placed upon the fresh horse; but just as this was finished, a -gentleman rode into the yard with four or five servants--smooth-faced, -pink-and-white lackeys--with that look of swaggering tiptoe insolence -which bespeaks, in general, either a weak or an uncourteous lord. -Seeing my saddle on a horse that suited his whim, the stranger, -without ceremony, ordered the hostler to take it off instantly, and -prepare the beast for his use. - -He was a tall, elegant man, of about forty, with an air of most -insufferable pride; which--though ever but tinsel quality at the -best--shone like gold in the master, when compared with the genuine -brass of his servants, who, while their lord dismounted, treated the -hostler with the sweet and delectable epithets of villain, hog, slave, -and ass, for simply setting forth that the horse was pre-engaged. - -There have been many moments in my life, when either laziness, or -good-humour, or carelessness, would have prevented me from opposing -this sort of infraction of my prior right; but, on the present -occasion, I was not in a humour to yield one step to anybody. Without -seeking my hat, therefore, I walked up to the cavalier, who still -stood in the court, and informed him that the saddle must not be -removed, for that I had engaged the horse. Without turning round, he -looked at me for a moment over his shoulder, and seeing a face fringed -by no martial beard, yet insolent enough to contradict his will, he -bestowed a buffet upon it with the back of his hand, which deluged my -fine lace collar in blood from my nose. - -The soul of Laure de Bigorre, my ancestress, who contended for her -birthright with a king, rose in my bosom at the affront, and drawing -my sword, without a moment's hesitation, I lunged straight at his -heart. The dazzling of my eyes from the blow he had given me just gave -him time to draw and parry my thrust, or that instant he had lain a -dead man at my feet. The scorn with which he treated me at first now -turned to rage at the boldness of my attack; and the moment he had -parried, he pressed me hard in return, thinking, doubtless, soon to -master the sword of an inexperienced boy. A severe wound in his -sword-arm was the first thing that showed him his mistake, and in an -instant after, in making a furious lunge, his foot slipped, and he -fell; his weapon at the same time flying out of his hand in another -direction, while his thunder-struck lackeys stood gaping with open -mouths and bloodless cheeks, turned into statues by a magical mixture -of fright and astonishment. - -I am ashamed to say, that anger overpowered my better feelings, and I -was about to wash out the indignity he had offered me in his blood, -when I heard some one opposite exclaim, "Ha!" in an accent both of -surprise and reproach. I looked up, and immediately my eyes -encountered those of Chevalier de Montenero, standing in the yard, -with his arms crossed upon his bosom, regarding us intently. - -I understood the meaning of his exclamation at once, and dropping the -point of my weapon, I turned to my adversary, saying, "Rise, sir, and -take up your sword." - -He rose slowly and sullenly; and while his servants pressed round to -aid him, returned his blade into its scabbard, bending his brows upon -me with a very sinister frown:--"We shall meet again, young sir," said -he, with a meaning nod; "we shall meet again, where I may have better -space to chastise your insolence." - -"I dare say we shall meet again," answered I; "what may come then, God -knows;" and I turned upon my heel towards the Chevalier, who embraced -me affectionately, whispering at the same time, "Wash the blood from -your face, and mount as quickly as you can; your adversary is not a -man who may be offended with impunity." - -I did as he bade me, and we rode out of the court together, taking our -way onward towards Lourdes. As we went, the Chevalier threw back his -hat from his face, and with one of those beaming smiles that sometimes -lighted up his whole countenance, bestowed the highest praises on my -conduct. - -"Believe me, my dear Louis," said he, "such is the way to pass -tranquilly through life: for with courage, and skill, and moderation, -such as you have shown to-day, bad men will be afraid to be your -enemies, and good men will be proud to be your friends." He then -informed me that my opponent was the famous Marquis de Saint Brie, who -had been strongly suspected in two instances of having used somewhat -foul means to rid himself of a successful rival. "He prevailed on the -Chevalier de Valençais to sup with him," proceeded the Chevalier. "The -supper was good, the wine excellent, the marquis fascinating; and poor -De Valençais returned home, believing that he had lost an enemy and -gained a friend. Ere he had been half an hour in bed, he called his -valet in great agony, and before morning he had lost all his enemies -together, and gone to join his friends in heaven. The physician shook -his head; but after having had an hour's conversation with the -marquis, he became quite convinced that the poor youth had died of an -inflammation. - -"The other is not so distinct a tale," continued the Chevalier, "or I -have not heard it so completely; but from this man's general -character, I have no doubt of his criminality. He some years ago -proposed to marry the beautiful Henriette de Vergne, and offered -himself to her father. The old man examined his rents, and finding -that he had three hundred thousand livres per annum, he felt instantly -convinced the Marquis de St. Brie was the most noble-minded, -honourable, sweet-tempered, and amiable man in the world; and -possessed all these qualities in exactly the proportion of three to -one more than the Count de Bagnols, to whom he had before promised his -daughter, and who had but one hundred thousand livres per annum. His -calculation was soon made; and sending for the young Count, he -informed him that he was not near so good a man as the Marquis de St. -Brie, and gave him his reasons for thinking so, at the same time -breaking formally his former engagement. De Bagnols instantly sent his -cartel to the Marquis de St. Brie, who accepted it, but named a -distant day. Before that day arrived, the young Count was accused of -aiding the Huguenots at Rochelle, and was arrested; but he contrived -to escape and transfer great part of his property to Spain. Now comes -the more obscure part of the tale. The marriage of the Marquis with -Mademoiselle de Vergne approached, and great preparations were made at -her father's château; but a man was seen lurking about the park, whom -many of the servants recognised as the Count de Bagnols. They were -wise, however, and said nothing, though it was generally rumoured -amongst them that the Count had been privately married to their young -lady some weeks before his arrest. The night, however, on which -Monsieur de St. Brie arrived, and which was to precede his marriage by -one week, an uneasy conscience having rendered him restless, he by -chance beheld a man descend from the window of Mademoiselle de -Vergne's apartment. He gave the alarm, and with much fury declared he -had been cheated, deceived, betrayed; and it then appeared, they say, -that the fair Henriette had really married her lover. He was now, -however, an exile, and a wanderer; and her father declared he would -have the marriage annulled if the Marquis de St. Brie would but do him -the honour to stay and wed his daughter. The Marquis, however, sternly -refused, and that very night departed, and took up his lodging at the -village hard by. The Count de Bagnols was never heard of more. Two -mornings afterwards, there was found in the park of M. de Vergne a -broken sword, near the spot where it was supposed the lover used to -leap the wall. The ground round about was dented with the struggling -of many feet, died and dabbled with gore. Part of a torn cloak, too, -was found, and a long train of bloody drops from that place to the -bank of the river; a peasant also deposed to having seen two men fling -a heavy burden into the stream at that spot--he would not swear that -it was a dead body, but he thought it was." - -"And what became of Mademoiselle de la Vergne?" demanded I. - -"The Countess de Bagnols," said the Chevalier,--"for no doubt remained -of her marriage, removed, or was removed, I know not precisely which, -to a convent, where she died about five or six months afterwards." - -The Chevalier ceased, and we both fell into a deep silence. The fate -of the two lovers, whose story he had just told, was one well -calculated to excite many of those feelings in my young heart, which, -when really strong, do not evaporate in words. I could have wept for -the fate of the two lovers, and my heart burned like fire to think -that such base wrongs should exist--and exist unpunished. All the -sympathy I felt for them easily changed into indignation towards him -whom I looked upon as the cause of the death of both; and I regretted -that I had not passed my sword through the heart of their murderer -when he lay prostrate on the ground before me. - -"Had I known," cried I, at length--"had I known but half an hour ago, -who was the man, and what were his actions, yon black-hearted assassin -should have gone to another world to answer for the crimes he has -committed in this. - -"You did wisely to refrain," replied the chevalier, with a tone of -calmness that, to my unrepressed heat, smacked of apathetic frigidity. -"Viewed by an honourable mind, my dear Louis, his very fall covered -him with a shield more impenetrable than the sevenfold buckler of -Telamon. Never regret an act of generosity, however worthless the -object. If you act nobly to one that deserves nobly, you confer a -benefit on him and a benefit on yourself: if he be undeserving, still -the very action does good to your own heart. In the present instance, -had you slain that bad man, you would probably have entailed ruin on -yourself for ever. Allied as he is to all the most powerful of the -land, the direst vengeance would infallibly follow his fall, from -whatever hand it came, and instant flight or certain death must have -been your choice. Even as it is, you have called upon yourself the -hatred of a man who was never known to forgive. When the first heat of -his rage is past, he may seem to forget the affront he has received, -but still it will be remembered and treasured up till occasion serves -for wiping it out in the most remorseless manner. At present, I would -certainly advise your father to take advantage of the temporary peace -that exists with Spain, and send you into that land, till the man you -have offended has quitted this part of the country, and it is possible -you may never meet with him again. If you do, however, beware of his -anger. Believe me, it is as imperishable as the fabled wrath of Juno. -I am going to Saragossa myself upon business of importance, and will -willingly take all charge of you, if you will join me there. Tell the -Count what has happened--tell him what I say, and bid him lose no -time--I would urge it upon him personally, but the affairs that call -me into Spain admit of no delay." - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - -As the chevalier concluded, he put his horse into a quicker pace, and -in a minute or two after, the road opened out into the beautiful -valley of Lourdes. It would be difficult to express the thrilling -feelings of exquisite delight with which I beheld again the scenes of -my early remembrances. One must be a mountaineer to feel that strange -attachment to one particular spot of earth which makes all the rest of -the world but a desert to the heart. I have read a thousand theories, -by a thousand philosophers, intended to show the latent causes of such -sensations, and on comparing them with the living feelings of my own -breast, I have found them what I believe the theories of philosophers -generally are, chains of reasoning as fragile and unsubstantial as -those links which the children in the country weave out of flowers, -graceful in formation and apparently firmly united, but which the -slightest touch will snap asunder. Such feelings are too fine, too -subtle for the grasp of reason; they cannot be analyzed; they cannot -be described; and even while we experience them, we can render to -ourselves no account of why they are felt. The first sight of the -Castle of Lourdes, perched upon its high rock, with its battlements, -and turrets, and watch-towers; while the mountains sweeping round it -formed a glorious purple background to its bold features, and the -sparkling stream seemed playing at its feet--the very first sight made -my heart beat like a young lover's, when he sees again after a long -absence the first inspirer of his airy dreams. - -Each blue hill, each winding path, each detached rock, each ancient -tree, that my eye rested upon, was a landmark to guide the wanderer, -memory, back through the waste of years, to some joy, or some sport, -or some pleasure, long left behind. Eagerly I followed the chevalier -on, from one object to another, gleaning bright remembrances as I went -along; while the rapid mind, with every footfall of my horse, still -ran through a thousand associations, and came back like light to mark -some new theme of memory. Even the dirty, little, insignificant town -of Lourdes had greater charms, in my eyes, than a city of palaces -would, at that moment, have possessed, and I looked upon all the faces -that I saw as if I recognised them for my kinsfolk. - -When we arrived at the market-place, the Chevalier, who was about to -visit the house of Arnault, his procureur, left me, and I proceeded -alone, riding rapidly on, till the path, winding through the narrow -gorge beyond Lourdes, opened out into the wide basin of Argelés. I -paused for a moment to look over its far extent, rich in sunny -magnificence. All seemed brightness, and tranquillity, and summer; -every asperity was smoothed and harmonized, and the lustrous purple of -the distant air spread a misty softness over each rough feature of the -mountains; while a thousand blue and indistinct passes wound away on -every side, promising to lead to calm and splendid lands beyond. It -was like the prospect of life to a young and ardent imagination, -before years have clouded the scene, or experience has exposed its -ruggedness. There, was the dazzling misty sunshine with which fancy -invests every distant object--there, the sweet valleys of repose where -we promise ourselves peace and enjoyment--there, the mighty steps -whereby ambition would mount unto the sky; while the dim passes, that -branched away on either hand, imaged not ill the thousand vague and -dreamy schemes of youth for reaching fancied delights which shall -never be attained. - -There were, however, real and substantial joys before me, which I -hurried on to taste, and in the expectation of which was mingled no -probable alloy, although I had been so long absent from my native -home. The meeting of long-separated friends is rarely indeed without -its pain. To mark the ravages that Time's deliberate, remorseless -hand has worked upon those we love--to see a grace fled--or a -happiness--any, any change in what is dear, is something to regret. -But I was not at a time of life to anticipate sorrow; and my parents -had seen me at Pau some four months before, so that but little -alteration could have taken place. - -Nothing, therefore, waited me but delight. My horse flew rather than -ran, and the dwelling of my sires was soon within sight. I sprang to -the ground in the courtyard, and, without a moment's pause, ran up the -stairs to my mother's apartments, not hearing or attending to the old -_maître d'hôtel_, who reiterated that she was in the garden. - -There was delight in treading each old-accustomed step of my infancy, -of gazing round upon objects, every line of which was a memory. The -gloom of the old vestibule, the channeled marble of the grand -staircase, the immense oaken door of my mother's apartments, all -called up remembrances of the sweet past; and I hurried on, gathering -recollections, till I entered the embroidery-room, where I had sprung -a thousand times to her arms in my early boyhood. - -The only person that I found there was Helen. She had risen on hearing -my step, and what was passing in her mind I know not, but the blood -rushed up through her beautiful clear skin till it covered her whole -forehead and her temples with a hue like the rose; and I could see her -lip quiver, and her knees shake, as she waited to receive my first -salutation. I was carried on by the joyful impetus of my return, or, -perhaps, I might have been as embarrassed as herself; but springing -forward towards her, without giving myself time to become agitated, I -kissed the one fair cheek she turned towards me, and was going on, in -the usual form, to have kissed the other; but in travelling round, my -lips passed hers, and they were so round, so full, so sweet, for my -life I could not get any farther, and I stopped my journey there. - -Helen started back, and, gazing at me with a look of deep surprise and -even distress, sunk into the chair from which she had risen at my -coming; while I, with a brain reeling with strange and new feelings, -and a heart palpitating with I knew not what, hurried away to seek my -mother; unable even to find one word of excuse for what I had done, -and feeling it wrong, very wrong, but finding it impossible to wish it -undone. - -The garden consisted of about an acre of ground, disposed in a long -parallelogram, and forced into a level much against the will of the -mountain, which invaded its rectilinear figure with several -unmathematical rocks. Luckily my mother was at the extreme end, -leaning on the arm of my father, who, with an affection that the -chilly touch of Time had found no power to cool, was supporting her in -her walk with as much attentive kindness as he had shown to his bride -upon his wedding-day. - -I had thus time to get rid of a certain sort of whirl in my brain, -which the impress of Helen's lips had left, and to turn the current of -my thoughts back to those parents, for whom in truth I entertained the -deepest affection. - -My mother, I found, had been ill, and was so still, though in some -degree better; so that my sorrow to see her so much enfeebled as she -appeared to be, together with many other feelings, drove my adventure -of the morning, the Marquis de St. Brie, and the advice of the -chevalier, entirely out of my thoughts, till poor Houssaye, whom I had -left at Pau, arrived, bringing a sadly mangled and magnified account -of my rencontre, gathered from hostlers and postilions at Estelle. - -As his history of my exploits went to give me credit for the death of -five or six giants and anthropophagi, I thought it necessary to -interrupt him, and tell my own tale myself. The different effects that -it produced upon a brave man and a timid woman may well be conceived. -My father said I had acted right in everything, and my mother nearly -fainted. Perceiving her agitation, I thought it better to delay the -message of the chevalier till dinner, when I judged that her mind -would be in some degree calmed, for she wept over the first essay of -my sword, as if it had been a misfortune. My father and myself -conducted the Countess to her apartments, where Helen still sat, -hardly recovered from the agitation into which I had thrown her. On -seeing me again, she cast down her look, and the tell-tale blood -rushed up into her cheek so quickly, that had not my mother's eyes -been otherwise engaged in weeping, she must have remarked her sudden -change of colour. Observing the Countess's tears, Helen glided -forward, and cast her arms round the neck of her patroness, saying, -that she hoped that nothing had occurred to give her alarm or -discomfort. - -"Both, Helen," replied my mother; "both!" and then proceeded to detail -the whole story, foreboding danger and sorrow, from my early -initiation into strife and bloodshed. Yet, although not knowing it, my -mother, I am sure, did not escape without feeling some small share of -maternal pride at her son's first achievement. I saw it in her face, I -heard it in her tone; and often since I have had occasion to remark, -how like the passions, the feelings, and the prejudices, which swarm -in our bosoms, are to a large mixed society, wherein the news that is -painful to one is pleasing to another, and joy and sorrow are the -results of the same cause, at the same moment. Man's heart is a -microcosm, the actors in which are the passions, as varied, as -opposed, as shaded one into the other, as we see the characters of -men, in the great scene of the world. - -As my mother spoke, Helen's lovely face grew paler and paler, and I -could see her full snowy bosom, which was just panting into womanhood, -heave as with some strong internal emotion, till at length she -suddenly fell back, apparently lifeless. - -It was long ere we could bring her back to sensation; but when she was -fully recovered, she attributed her illness to having remained the -whole day stooping over a miniature picture, which she was drawing of -my mother; and the Countess, whose love for her had by this time -become nearly maternal, exacted a promise from her that she would take -a mountain walk every morning before she began her task. - -This may seem a trifle; but I have learned by many a rude rebuff to -know, that there is no such thing as a trifle in this world. All is of -consequence--all may be of import. Helen's mountain walks sealed my -fate. At dinner I delivered the message and advice, with which the -chevalier had charged me; and after some discussion, it was determined -that it should be followed. My father at first opposed it, and -indignantly spurned at the idea of any one attempting injury to the -heir of Bigorre in his paternal dwelling; but my mother's anxiety -prevailed, backed by the advice and persuasions of good Father Francis -of Allurdi, who offered to accompany me for the short time that my -absence might be necessary. My father soon grew weary of making any -opposition; and it was agreed that myself, Father Francis, and -Houssaye, my valet, should take our departure for Spain within two -days, and, joining the chevalier at Saragossa, should remain there -till we received information that the Marquis de St. Brie had quitted -Bearn. - -That day ended, and another began, and, springing from my bed with the -vigorous freshness that dwellers in cities never know, I took my gun, -and proceeded to the mountain, purposing to search the rocks for an -izzard. Gradually, however, I became thoughtful; and, revolving the -events just past, many a varied feeling rose in my mind; and I found -that one stirring and active day had changed me more than years of -what had gone before--that it was, in fact, my first day of manhood. - -I had staked and won in the perilous game of mortal strife. I had shed -blood--I had passed the rubicon--I was a man. Onward! onward! onward! -was the cry of my heart. I felt that I could not--and I wished not -that I could--go back from that I was to that which I had been. - -And yet there was a regret--a feeling of undefinable clinging to the -past--a sort of innate conviction that the peaceful, the quiet, the -tranquil, was left behind for ever; and even while I joyed in the -active and gay existence that Fancy and Hope spread out before me, I -looked back to the gone, and yielded it a sigh, for the calm -enjoyments that were lost for ever. - -From these ideas, my mind easily turned to the latter part of that day -which formed the theme of my thoughts, and I could not help hoping, -nay, even believing, that the fainting of Helen Arnault was linked in -some degree with concern for me. I had remarked the blush and the -agitation when first I came; I had noted her behaviour on the kiss -which I had taken; and from the whole I gathered hope. - -Yet, nevertheless, I reproached myself for having used a liberty with -her, which her dependent situation might lead her to look upon less as -a token of love than as an insult, and I resolved to justify myself in -her eyes. And how to justify myself? it may be asked. By taking that -irrevocable step, which would clear all doubt from her mind. But -whether it was solely to efface any bad impression that my conduct -might have caused, or whether it was, that I gladly availed myself of -that pretext to act as my heart rather than my reason prompted, I -cannot tell. Certain it is, that I loved her with an ardour and a -truth that I did not even know myself; and such a passion could not -long have been concealed, even if the impatience of my disposition had -not hurried me on to acknowledge it to her so soon. - -By the time I had taken this resolution, I had climbed high amongst -the hills, and was wandering on upon the rocky ridge that overhung the -valley of the Gave, when I caught a glimpse of some one strolling -slowly onward along the path by the riverside. It wanted but one look -to tell me that it was Helen. High above her as I was, I could -distinguish neither her figure nor her face; but it mattered not--I -felt as well convinced that it was she, as if I had stood within a -pace of her, and began descending the rocks as quickly as I could to -join her in her walk, watching her as I did so, to see that she did -not turn back before I could reach her. - -After having gone some way up the valley, looking back every ten steps -towards the château, as if she had imposed on herself the task of -walking a certain distance, and would be glad when it was over, Helen -at length seated herself on a piece of rock, under the shade of an old -oak, that started out across the stream; and there, with her head bent -over the running waters, she offered one of the loveliest pictures my -eyes ever beheld. She was, as I have said, in the spring of womanhood. -Time had not laid his withering touch upon a single grace, or a single -beauty; it was all expanding loveliness--that perfect moment of human -existence, when all has been gained, and nothing has been lost; when -nature has done her utmost, and years have yet known nothing of decay. - -I approached her as quietly as I could, and when I came near, only -said, "Helen," in a low tone, not calculated to surprise her. She -started up, however, and the same blush mantled in her cheeks which I -had seen the day before. The good-morrow that she gave me was confused -enough; and, in truth, my own heart beat so fast, that I did not know -how to proceed, till I saw her about to return to the château. - -"Stay, Helen," said I, taking her hand, and bringing her again to the -rock on which she had been sitting--"stay for one moment, and listen -to me; for I have something to say to you, which, perhaps, I may never -have an opportunity of saying hereafter." - -The colours varied in her cheek like the hues of an evening sky, and -she trembled very much, but she let me lead her back; and for a moment -raising her eyes from the ground, they glanced towards my face, from -under their long dark lashes, with a look in which fear and timidity, -and love, too, I thought, were all mingled; but it fell in a moment, -and I went on with a greater degree of boldness; for all that love -well, I believe, are, in some degree, cowards, and but gain courage -from the fears of those they seek to win. - -"There is a secret, Helen," I said, assuming as calm a tone as I -could, "which I cannot go into Spain without communicating to some -one, as it is one of the greatest importance, and I have fixed upon -you to tell it to, because, I am sure, you will keep it well and -truly; without, indeed," I added, "I were by any chance to die in -Spain, when you may freely reveal it--nay, more, I request you would -do so to both my parents." - -Helen was deceived, and looked up with some degree of curiosity, -brushing back the dark ringlets from her clear fair brow. "Will you -promise me, Helen," I asked, "by all you hold most sacred, never to -reveal my secret so long as I am in life?" - -"Had you not better make some other person the depositary of so -serious a trust?" she answered, half afraid, half curious -still.--"Think, Count Louis, I am but a poor inexperienced girl--tell -it to Father Francis, he will both respect your secret and counsel you -as to your actions." - -"He will not do," I replied. "Besides, he is going with me. Will you -promise me, Helen? It is necessary to my happiness." - -"Oh, then I will," replied she, with a tone and a look that went to my -very heart, and had almost made me cast myself at her feet at once. - -"You must know, then, Helen," I proceeded, "that there is, on this -earth, one sweet girl that I love more than any other thing that it -contains"--while I spoke, she turned so deadly pale, that I thought -she was going to faint again. "Listen to me, Helen," I continued, -rapidly--"listen to me, dear Helen--I love her, I adore her, and I -would not offend her for the world. If, therefore, I pained her for -one instant, by robbing her lips of a kiss in the full joy of my -return, I am here to atone it by any penance which she may think fit -to impose." - -While I spoke, my arm had glided round her waist, and my hand had -clasped one of hers. Helen's head sunk upon my shoulder, and she wept -so long, that I could have fancied her deeply grieved at the discovery -of my love, but that the hand which I had taken remained entirely -abandoned in mine, and that, from time to time, she murmured, "Oh, -Louis!" in a voice indistinct to anything but the ears of love. - -At length, however, she recovered herself, and raised her head, though -she still left her hand in mine:--"Oh, Louis," she said, "you have -made me both very happy and very unhappy: very happy, because I am -sure that you are too generous, too noble, to deceive, even in the -least, a poor girl that doubts not one word from your lips; but I am -very unhappy to feel sure, as I do, that neither your father nor your -mother will ever consent that you should wed any one in the class -bourgeoise, even though it were their own little Helen, on whom they -have already showered so many bounties. It cannot be, indeed it cannot -be! The very mention of it would make them wretched, and that must -never happen, on account of one who owes them so deep a debt of -gratitude." - -I tried to persuade her, as I had persuaded myself, that in time they -would consent; but I failed in the endeavour, and as the first -agitation subsided, and she began to reflect upon her situation at the -moment, she became anxious to leave me.--"Let me return home," she -said; "and oh, Louis! if you love me, never try to meet me in this way -again, for I shall always feel like a guilty thing when I see your -mother afterwards. I have your secret, and as I have promised, I will -keep it: you have mine, and let me conjure you to hold it equally -sacred. Forget poor Helen Arnault as soon as you can, and marry some -lady in your own rank, who may love you perhaps as----" - -The tears prevented her going on. - -"Never, Helen, never!" exclaimed I, still holding her hand. "Stay yet -one moment:--we are about to part for some months; promise me before I -go, if you would make my absence from you endurable, that sooner or -later you will be my wife!" - -"No, Louis, no!" answered she, firmly, "that I will not promise; for I -will never be your wife without the consent of your parents. But I -_will_ promise," she added, seeing that her refusal to accede to what -I asked had pained my impatient spirit more than she expected, "I will -_vow_, if you require it, never, never, to be the wife of another." - -With these words she withdrew her hand, and left me, turning her steps -towards the château; while I, delighted to find myself loved, yet -vexed she would not promise more, darted away into the hills; and, as -if to escape the pursuit of feelings which, though in some degree -happy, were still too strong for endurance, I sprang from rock to rock -after the izzards, with agility and daring little less than their own, -making the crags ring with my carbine, till I could return home -sufficiently successful in the chase to prevent any one supposing I -had been otherwise employed. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - -We were very young to feel such passions as then throbbed within our -bosoms, so strong, so keen, so durable; but our hearts had never known -any other--they had not been hardened in the petrifying stream of -time, nor had the world engraved so many lines upon the tablets of -feeling as to render them unsusceptible of any deep and defined -impression. Our whole hearts were open to love, and we loved with our -whole hearts. - -The two days of my stay soon drew to an end, and on the morning of the -third, my horse, and that of Houssaye, together with a mule for Father -Francis, were brought into the courtyard; and, after receiving my -mother's counsel and my father's blessing, I mounted and rode forth -with few of those pleasurable feelings which I had anticipated in -setting out to explore foreign lands. But love was at that moment the -predominant feeling in my bosom, and I would have resigned all, -abandoned all, to have stayed and passed my life in tranquillity -beside Helen. - -It was not to be, and I went forth; but a sensation of swelling at my -heart prevented me from either conversing with Father Francis, or -noticing the beautiful country through which we travelled--a thing -seldom lost to my eyes. - -By the time we reached Pierrefitte, however, a distance of about ten -miles, the successive passing of different objects, though each but -called my attention in the very slightest degree, upon the whole, -began to draw my mind from itself; and when proceeding onward we wound -our horses through the narrow gorge leading towards Luz, the -magnificent scenery of the pass, with its enormous rocks, its -luxuriant woods, and its rushing river, stole from me my feelings of -regret, and left me nothing but admiration of the grand and beautiful -works which nature had spread around. By this time the day had -somewhat waned, for we were obliged to conform our horses' pace to the -humour of Father Francis' mule, which was not the most vivacious of -animals. The sun had got beyond the high mountains on our right, -which, now robed in one vast pall of purple shadow, rose like Titans -against the sky, and seemed to cover at least one third of its extent; -but the western hills still caught the rays, and kept glowing with a -thousand varied hues as we went along, like the quick changes of hope -as man advances along the tortuous and varied path of existence. - -Amongst other objects on which the sunshine still caught, was a little -woody mound projecting from the surface of the hill, and crowned with -an old round tower beginning to fall into ruins. As we passed it, the -good priest, who never loved to see me in any of those fits of gloom -which sometimes fell upon me--the natural placidity of his disposition -leading him to miscomprehend the variability of mine--pointed out to -me the mound and the crumbling tower as the spot where a great victory -had been gained over the Moors, in times long gone; and our -conversation gradually turned to war and deeds of renown: but Father -Francis had abjured the sword, and little appreciated the word -_glory_. - -"Glory, my dear Louis," said he, "according to the world's acceptation -of the word, is, I am afraid, little better in general than the -gilding with which mighty robbers cover over great crimes. When I was -young, however, I thought like you, and I am afraid all young men will -think so, till reason teaches them that the only true glory which man -can have, is to be found in the love of his fellow-creatures, not in -their fears. All other glory is but emptiness. You remember the -Italian poet's lines on the field of Cannæ. - - - I. - - "Glory! alas! what is it but a name? - Go search the records of the years of old, - And thou shalt find, too sure, that brightest fame, - For which hard toiled the skilful and the bold, - Was but a magic gift that none could hold-- - A name, traced with an infant's finger in the sand, - O'er which dark Time's effacing waves are rolled-- - A fragile blossom in a giant's hand, - Crushed with a thousand more, that die as they expand. - - II. - - "I stand on Cannæ:--here for endless years, - Might fond remembrance dream o'er days pass'd by, - Tracing this bitter place of many tears: - But mem'ry too has flown, and leaves the eye - To rest on nought but bleakness, and the sigh - To mourn the frailty of man's greatest deeds-- - Oh, would he learn by truth such deeds to try, - Lo! how devouring Time on conquest feeds; - Forgot the hand that slays, forgot the land that bleeds. - - III. - - "Time! mighty vaunter! Thou of all the race - That strive for glory, o'er thine acts canst raise - The monument that never falls, and place - The ruins of a world to mark thy ways. - Each other conq'ror's memory decays - To heap the pile that comments on thy name; - Thy column rises with increasing days, - And desolation adds unto thy fame; - But Cannae was forgot--Time, 'tis with thee the same." - - -It is astonishing how chilly the words of age fall upon the glowing -enthusiasm of youth. As we go on through life, doubtless we gather all -the same cold truths; but it is by degrees, not all at once, as when -the freezing experience of many years is poured forth, like a sudden -fall of snow upon our hearts. Lucky, most lucky is it, that we cannot -believe the lessons which the old would teach us; for certainly if we -were as wise when we come into life as we are when we go out of it, -there would be nothing great, and very little good, done in the world; -I mean that there would be no enthusiasm of wish or of endeavour. - -Nevertheless, there is always some damp rests upon the mind from such -views of human existence, however warm may be the fire of the heart; -and when Father Francis had repeated his lines upon Glory, he left a -weight upon me which I found difficult to throw off. - -We were now near Luz, and the good father's mule--which, by the way, -was the best epitome I ever saw of a selfish and interested spirit--as -if it entertained a presentiment of approaching hay and oats, suffered -its sober legs to be seduced into an amble that speedily brought us to -the door of the little cabaret where we were to pass the night. The -accommodations which its appearance promised, were not of the most -exquisite description, and one must have been very charitable to -suppose it contained anything better than pumpkin soup and goose's -thighs.[2] Father Francis, however, was tired and exhausted with a -longer ride than he had taken for more than fifty years. Houssaye was -an old soldier, and I was too young and in too high health to trouble -myself much about the quality of my entertainment. Dismounting then, -our horses were led into the stable, and we ourselves were shown to -the room of general reception, which we found already tenanted by a -fat monk, all grease and jollity; and a thin gentleman in black, who, -for grimness and solemnity, looked like a mourning sword in a black -scabbard. It seemed as if nature, having made a more fat and jovial -man than ordinary in the capuchin, had been fain to patch up his -companion out of the scrapings of her dish. - -Father Francis did not appear to like the couple, and indeed he had -reason; for it wanted no great skill in physiognomy to read in the -jovial countenance of the monk a very plain history of the sort of -self-denial and sensual mortification which he practised on himself. -As for his companion, had I known as much of the world as I do now, I -should instantly have understood him to be one of those solemn -villains, who, if they sometimes lose a good opportunity by want of -conversational powers, often catch many a gull by their gravity, and -escape many an error into which a talkative rascal is sure to fall by -his very volubility. - -However, I was at an age when every one, more or less, pays for -experience; and if I took upon me to judge the pair of worthies before -me, I did not judge them rightly. Immediately after our entrance, -Father Francis, as I have said, being very much fatigued, retired to -bed, whispering to me that I had better get my supper and follow his -example as soon as I could. To this, however, I was not very well -inclined, my stock of animal powers for the day not being yet half -exhausted; and as I saw the aubergiste beginning to place on the -table, before the monk and his companion, various savoury dishes, for -which my ride had provided an appetite, I whispered to Houssaye, and -proposed to them to join their table. The matter was soon arranged, my -Capuchin professing a taste for good cheer and good company, somewhat -opposed to his vows of fasting and meditation, and my thin cavalier, -laying his hand on his heart, and making the most solemn bow that his -stiff back-bone could achieve. - -The viands set before us offered a very palatable contradiction to -what the appearance of the house had promised: and the conversation -was as savoury as the dishes, for the monk was a man whose fat and -happiness overflowed in a jocose and merry humour; and even the thin -person in black, though his mustachios were rather of a grave cast, -would occasionally venture a dry and solemn joke, which was a good -deal enhanced by his appearance. The wine, however, was the most thin, -poor, miserable abortion of vinegar that ever I tasted; and, after -having made every tooth in my head as sharp as a drawn sword by -attempting to drink it, I inquired of the Capuchin whether any better -could be procured within twenty miles for love or money. - -"Most assuredly," answered he, "for money, though not for love. No one -gives any thing for love, except a young girl of sixteen, or an old -woman of seventy. But the truth is, my host tells us always that this -is the best wine in the world, till he sees a piece of silver between -the fingers of some worthy signor who desires to treat a poor Capuchin -to a horn of the best Cahors." - -"Oh, if that be all," I answered, "we will soon have something -better;" and I drew a crown piece from my purse. - -"Ho! aubergiste!" exclaimed the Capuchin, as soon as he saw it; "a -flagon of your best for this sweet youth; and mind, I tell you, 'tis a -mortal sin to give bad wine when 'tis well paid for, and a Capuchin is -to drink it." - -I was not at the time of life to estimate very critically every -propriety in the demeanour of a companion for half an hour. Man, -unlike the insect, begins the being as a butterfly, which he generally -ends as a chrysalis. Amusement, or as it should be called, excitement, -is everything at nineteen; and the butterfly, though it destroys not -like the worm, nor hoards like the bee, still flies to every leaf that -meets its sight, if it be but for the sake of the flutter. The -Capuchin's gaiety amused me, and I saw no deeper into his character. -The wine was brought; and having passed once round and proved to all -our tastes, the jovial monk set the flagon between himself and me, and -enlivened the next half-hour with a variety of tales, at the end of -each taking a deep draught, and exclaiming, "If it be not a true -story, may this be the last drop I ever shall drink in my life!" At -length, with a story far more marvellous than any of the others, the -Capuchin emptied the flagon, adding his usual asseveration in regard -to its truth. - -"I don't believe a word of it," said the man in black. - -"And I say it's true," reiterated the Capuchin, laughing till a stag -might have jumped down his throat. "Order another flagon of wine, and -I will drink upon it till the death." - -"Nay," replied the other, "I will play you for a flagon of the best -at trictrac, and treat the company." - -The Capuchin readily accepted the defiance; the cards were brought, -the window shut, and mine host lighted six large candles in an immense -sconce, just behind the Capuchin and myself. The thin gentleman with -his mustachios was on the other side of the table with old Houssaye, -who, though an indefatigable old soldier, seemed tired out, and, -laying his head upon his folded arms, fell asleep. - -In the meanwhile, the wine made its appearance, and passed round; -after which the game began, and the poor player in black lost his -flagon of wine in the space of five minutes, much to the amusement of -the Capuchin, who chuckled and drank with much profane glee. - -The whole scene amused me. I flattered myself I was fond of studying -character, and I would have done a great deal to excite the two -originals before me to unfold themselves. This they seemed very well -inclined to do, without my taking any trouble to bring it about. The -thin gentleman got somewhat angry, and claimed his revenge of the -Capuchin, who beat him again, and chuckled more than ever. The other's -rage then burst forth: he attributed his defeat to ill luck, and -demanded what the monk meant by laughing, and whether he meant to say -he had played ill. - -"Ay, truly!" replied the Capuchin, "and so ill, that I will answer for -it this young gentleman, even if he knows nothing of the game, will -beat you for a pistole;" and, turning round, he asked me "if I knew -the game?" or if I was afraid to play with so skilful an antagonist. - -I said that I knew very little of it, but that I was willing to play, -and took the cards, only intending to sit one game, seeing that my -opponent played miserably ill. He lost as before, and, still cursing -his luck, demanded his revenge, which was worse. Nothing could be more -diverting than the fury into which he cast himself, twisting up his -mustachios, and wriggling his back into contortions, of which I had -not deemed its rigidity capable, while the Capuchin chuckled, and, -looking over my cards, advised me what to do. At length my adversary -proposed to double, to which I agreed, hoping heartily that he would -win, and thus leave us as we had sat down; but fortune was still -against him, or rather his bad playing, for he laid his game entirely -open, and suffered me to play through it. He lost, and drawing forth a -leathern pouch, was about to pay me, when the Capuchin said, that -perhaps I would play one more game for the twelve pistoles. The thin -gentleman said it would be but generous of me, but, however, he could -not demand it, if I chose to refuse. So much foolish shame did I feel -about taking his money, that, to tell the truth, I was glad to sit -down again, and we recommenced, each staking twelve pistoles. Fortune -had changed, however; the dice favoured him; he played more carefully, -and won the game, but by so slight a matter, that it showed nothing -but extraordinary luck could have made him gain it. - -It was now my turn to be anxious. I had lost six pistoles out of the -money my father had given for my journey to Spain. How could I tell -Father Francis? I asked myself, especially when I had lost them in -such a manner, and in such company. My antagonist, too, had won by -such a mere trifle, that it made me angry; I therefore resolved to try -again--and again I lost. The sum was so considerable, I dared not now -stop, and I claimed my revenge. My adversary was all complaisance, -and, as before, we doubled our stake. An intolerable thirst had now -seized upon me, and pouring out a cup of wine, I set it down beside me -while I played. The game went on, and I never suspected false play, -though my opponent paused long between each of his cards; but that was -natural, as the stake was large, and I fancied that he felt the same -palpitating anxiety that I did myself. To conceal this as much as -possible, while he pondered, I fixed my eyes upon the cup of wine, in -which the lights of the sconce were reflected very brilliantly. -Suddenly, two of the flames seemed to become obscured, for I lost the -reflection in the wine. This surprised me; but I had still sufficient -presence of mind to take no notice, and keep my eyes fixed, when -presently the lights appeared again. The moment after the same eclipse -took place, and, raising my eyes to my opponent's countenance, I -perceived that his glance was fixed upon a point immediately above my -head. - -The matter was now clear; my good friend, the Capuchin, who was kindly -giving me his advice and assistance, seeming all the while most -anxious that I should recover my loss, and assuring me that it was a -momentary run of ill luck, which must change within five minutes, took -care, at the same time, to communicate to my adversary, by signs above -my head, the cards I had in my hand, and what I was likely to play. - -What was to be done I knew not. To be cheated in so barefaced a manner -was unendurable; and yet, how to avoid paying what I lost, unless I -could prove the fraud, was a question difficult to solve. In this -dilemma, I resolved to wake my faithful Houssaye, by touching his foot -under the table, at the moment the Capuchin was executing his fraud. -What was my joy then, when, on glancing towards the _ci-devant_ -trumpeter, I perceived his eyes twinkling brightly just above his -arms, notwithstanding that he still pretended to sleep, and I -immediately saw that he had, from the first, appreciated the talents -of my companions. - -My resolution was instantly taken; and letting the game proceed to its -most anxious point, I saw, in the accidental mirror that the wine -afforded me, the signs of the worthy Capuchin proceeding with vast -celerity, when, starting suddenly up, I caught his wrist, as the hand -was in the very act, and held it there with all the vigour of a young -and powerful frame, excited to unusual energy by anger and -indignation. - -Houssaye was upon his feet in a moment, and, catching the collar of -the black cavalier, who was beginning to swear some very big oaths, he -flung him back upon the ground with little ceremony, at the same time -dislodging from the lawn frills which adorned his wrists a pair of -dice, that the honest gentleman kept there to meet all occasions. - -For a minute or two the presence of mind, which is part of a sharper's -profession, abandoned our two amiable companions; the Capuchin, -especially, remaining without motion of any kind, his mouth open, his -eyes staring, and his hands up in the air, with three fingers -extended, exactly in the same attitude as he was when I detected his -knavery. He soon, however, recovered himself, and jerking his hand out -of my grasp with a force I knew not he possessed, he burst into a fit -of laughter--"Very good; very good indeed," cried he: "so you have -found it out. Well, are you not very much obliged to us for the -lesson? Remember it, young man; remember it, to the last day you have -to live; for you may chance to fall into the hands of sharpers, from -whom you may not escape very easily." - -The impudence of the fellow was beyond my patience, especially as, -while he was speaking, I had split one of the dice produced from his -companion's sleeve, and found it loaded with a piece of lead the size -of a pea. "Whenever I meet with sharpers," said I, "I shall treat them -but one way--namely, if they do not get out of the room whenever they -are found out, I shall kick them down stairs, from the top to the -bottom." - -"Suppose there are no stairs?" said the Capuchin, coolly, moving -towards the door at the same time. - -"Then I shall throw them out of the window," replied I. - -"I weigh two hundred weight," answered the monk, with the same -imperturbable composure. "Good night, my young Wittol; you'll be -caught yet, though your wings are so free. Come along, Count Crack!" -he continued to his companion, whom I suffered to take up his own -money after I had repossessed myself of the pistoles which he had won -before I had discovered his fraud. "Your game is over for to-night. -Goodnight, fair sirs; good night! God bless you, and keep you from -_sharpers_," and leering his small leaden eyes, with a look strangely -compounded of humour and cunning, and even stupidity, he rolled out of -the room with his companion, leaving us to our own reflections. - -When they were gone, my worthy attendant and myself stood looking at -each other for some moments in silence. At length, however, he began -laughing. "I saw," cried he, "what they were about from the first, but -I did not think your young wit was sharp as my old knowledge; so I -pretended to be asleep, and lay watching them. But you served them a -famous trick, Count Louis, that you did; your father would laugh -heartily to hear it." - -"Hush, hush!" cried I; "for Heaven's sake, never mention it to my -father, or to any one; but, above all, on no account to Father -Francis." I then exacted a promise to this effect from the good old -soldier, feeling heartily ashamed of my night's employment; and -turning as red as fire every time the thought crossed my mind, that I -had been sitting drinking and playing with a couple of vulgar -sharpers, who had nearly succeeded in cheating me of all the money -which my father had given me from his own limited means. To get rid of -these pleasant reflections, I hurried to bed; and meeting the rotund -form of the Capuchin on the stairs, nearly jostled him to the bottom -in pure ill-humour. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - -Early the next morning we arose, and took our departure for Gavarnie. -Mine host at Luz, however, drew me aside as we were setting out, and -said he hoped we had not suffered ourselves to be cheated by the -Capuchin or his companion, each of whom he was sure was a great rogue, -and the Capuchin, he believed, had no more of the monk about him than -the gown and shaved head. "Be cautious, be cautious," said he, "and if -ever you meet them again, have nothing to do with them." I thanked -this candid host for his information, giving him at the same time to -understand, that he had better have warned me the night before, and -that I took his tardy caution at no more than it was worth; after -which I spurred on, and joined Father Francis and Houssaye, who had -not proceeded far on their journey ere I reached them. - -Our road to Gavarnie lay through scenery of that grand and magnificent -nature, which mocks the feeble power of language. The change was still -from sublime to sublime, till the heart seemed to ache at its own -expansion. The vast, the wonderful, the beautiful, the sweet, were -spread around in dazzling confusion. The gigantic rocks and -precipices, the profuse vegetation, the peculiar lustrous atmosphere -of the mountains, the thousand rare and lovely flowers with which -every spot of soil was carpeted and every rock adorned, the very -butterflies which, fluttering about in thousands, seemed like flying -blossoms; all occupied my mind with new and beautiful objects, till it -was almost wearied with the exhaustless novelty. All was lovely, and -yet I felt then, and always do feel, in such scenes, a degree of calm -melancholy, so undefined in its nature, that I know not in what to -seek its cause. Whether it is, that man feels all the weaknesses and -follies of his passions reproved by the calm grandeur of nature's -vaster works; or whether his spirit, excited by the view of things so -beautiful, seemed clogged and shackled by the clay to which she is -joined, and longs to throw off those earthly trammels which -circumscribe her powers to enjoy, to estimate, to comprehend--I know -not. - -Had the scenery through which we passed needed a climax even more -sublime than itself, it could not have been more exquisitely -terminated than by the famous Circle of Gavarnie, where above -an amphitheatre of black marble fourteen hundred feet in -height--perpendicular as a wall, and sweeping round an extent of half -a league--rises the icy summit of the Pyrenees, flashing back the rays -of the sun in long beams of many-coloured light. When we arrived in -the centre of the amphitheatre, a light cloud was stretched across the -top of the cascade, while the stream, shooting over the precipice -above us, fell with one burst full fourteen hundred feet; and, before -it reached the ground, also spread out into another cloud. Gazing upon -it, as we did, from a distance, we saw it thus pouring on, between the -two, without perceiving whence it came, or whither it went; so that -the long defined line of its waters, streaming from the one indistinct -vapour to the other, offered no bad image of the course of mortal time -flowing on between two misty eternities. At the same time, the bright -diamond heads of the mountains shone out above the clouds, with a -grand, unearthly lustre, like those mighty visions of heaven seen by -the inspired apostle at Samos. - -I could have gazed on it for ever, but the evening light soon began to -fail; and as we had to rise early also the next morning, our stay in -the amphitheatre was necessarily curtailed. Winding round the little -lakes[3] that the stream forms after its fall, we returned to the -filthy hut in which we were to pass the night, often looking back by -the way to catch another glance of that grand and wonderful scene, -whose very remembrance makes every other object seem small and -insignificant. - -By sunrise we were once more upon our way, and passing through what is -called the Porte de Gavarnie, entered Spain, after having been -examined from top to toe by the officers of the Spanish custom-house. -A wide and wavy sea of blue interminable hills now presented -themselves; and a guide, whom we had hired at Gavarnie, pointed out a -spot in the distance which he called Saragossa. Had he called it -Jerusalem, he might have done so uncontradicted by any object visible -to our eyes, for nothing was to be seen but hill beyond hill, valley -running into valley, till the far distance and the blue sky mingled -together, with scarcely a perceptible line to mark the division. - -Thitherward, however, we wended on, and some hours after reached -Jacca, where, out of complaisance to Father Francis's mule, we -remained for the night, and set off before daybreak the next morning, -hoping to escape the heat of the middle of the day. In this we were -deceived, making less progress than we anticipated, and enjoying the -scorching of a meridian sun till we reached the gates of Saragossa. - -On arriving at the inn, we inquired for the Chevalier, as we had been -directed, but found that he had ridden out early in the morning. He -returned, however, soon after, and having welcomed us cordially to -Spain, as no apartments could be procured in the house, he led us out -to seek for a lodging in the immediate neighbourhood. It was some time -before we could discover one to our mind, for it is with great -difficulty that the Spaniards can be induced to receive any foreigner -into their dwelling; and even when we did so, we had to undergo as -strict an examination by the old lady of the house, as we had bestowed -upon her apartments. She said it was but just that both parties should -be satisfied, she with us as well as we with her; and not content with -asking all manner of questions, which had as much to do with her -lodgings as with her hopes of heaven, she actually turned me round to -take a more complete view of my figure. - -This was carrying the ridiculous to so high a point, that I burst out -into a fit of laughter, which, far from offending the good dame, -tickled her own organs of risibility, and from that moment we were the -best friends in the world. Our baggage being brought, and it being -agreed that we should eat at the _posada_ with the Chevalier, nothing -remained but to distribute the three chambers upon the same floor, -which constituted our apartments, according to our various tastes. As -Father Francis sought more quiet than amusement, he fixed upon the -large room behind, where he certainly could be quiet enough, for if -ever even the distant voice of an amorous cat on the house-top reached -his solitude, it must have been a far and a faint sound, like the -hymns of angels said to be heard by monks in the cells of a monastery. -Houssaye took up with the small chamber between the two larger ones, -and I occupied the front room of a tall house in a narrow street, -whose extreme width of which might possibly be two ells. Nevertheless, -whatever was to be seen, was to be seen from my window; and my very -first determination was to see as much of Spain while I was in it, as -I possibly could. - -At eighteen, one has very few doubts, and very few fears; much -passion, and much curiosity; and for my own part, I had resolved if I -did not view the Spaniard in all situations, it should not be my -fault. In short, by the time I arrived at Saragossa, I was willing to -enter into any sort of adventure that might present itself, and though -the memory of Helen might act as some restraint upon me, yet I am -afraid I wanted that strong moral principle, which ought ever to guide -us in all our actions. I make this acknowledgment, because I look upon -these sheets to be a sort of confession, which in making at all, I am -bound to write truly; and though I shall not dwell upon any of those -scenes of vice which might lead others by the mere detail into the -very errors that I commemorate, be it remembered, that I seek not to -show myself at any period of my life as better or purer than I was. -With regard to every feeling that came within the direct code of -honour, or even its refinements, I had imbibed them from my earliest -days; but I was a countryman of Henri Quatre, and not without a great -share of that weakness, which in the gallant monarch was redeemed by a -thousand great and shining qualities. But the love of adventure was my -principal failing, which is a sort of mental spirit drinking, as hard -to be overcome as the passion for strong waters itself. - -I know not why or how, but the Chevalier seemed to have an instinctive -perception of my character which almost frightened me; and while -Father Francis was seeking in his bags for a parcel which Arnault at -Lourdes had intrusted to his care, my keen-sighted companion drew me -to the window of the front chamber, and after having, by a few brief -observations on my disposition, shown me that he saw into my bosom -even more clearly than I did myself, he warned me of many of the -dangers of a Spanish town. "Remember, my dear Louis," continued he, -"that I only tell you that such things exist--I do not tell you to -avoid them. Your own good sense, as far as the good sense of a very -young man can go, will tell you how to act, and I am afraid that all -men in this world must buy experience for themselves; for if an angel -from heaven were to vouch its truths, they would not believe the -experience of others. However, loving you as I do--and you do not know -how much I love you--there is one thing I must exact--if you want -advice, apply to me--if you want assistance, apply to me--if you want -a sword to back your quarrel, you must seek none but mine." - -As he spoke, Father Francis entered the room with a look of much -consternation and sorrow. "I hope and trust," said he, advancing to -the Chevalier, "that the packet which your procureur Arnault intrusted -to me for you is of no great value, for on my honour it has been -stolen by some one out of my bags." - -The pale cheek of the Chevalier grew a shade paler, and though no -other emotion was visible, that one sign led me to think that the -packet was of the utmost import, for never before did I see him yield -the least symptom of agitation to any event whatever. "I did expect," -replied he, in a calm, unshaken voice, "some papers of much -consequence, but I know not whether this packet you mention contained -them. There is no use, my good Father Francis, of distressing yourself -upon the subject," he added, seeing the very great pain which the -accident had caused to the worthy old man; "if by calling to mind the -circumstances you can find a probability of its recovery, we will -immediately take measures to effect it. If not, the packet is lost, -and we will forget it." - -"How it has been abstracted, or when," answered the good priest, "I -know not. On arriving at Luz, at the end of our first day's journey, I -opened my valise on purpose to put that packet in safety, wrapping it -up with some small stock of money that I had laid by for the purpose -of doing alms; but both are gone." - -"Stolen for the sake of the money!" said the Chevalier, shutting his -teeth, and compressing his lips, as if to master the vexation he felt. -"Well," proceeded he, with a sigh, "it is in vain we struggle against -destiny. For sixteen years I have been seeking those papers, but -always by some unfortunate accident they have been thrown out of my -reach; destiny wills not that I shall have them, and I will give it -up." - -"And what do you mean by destiny, my dear son?" demanded Father -Francis, with the anxious haste of an enthusiastic man, who fancies he -discovers some great error or mistake in a person he esteems. "Many -people allow their energies to be benumbed, and even their religion, -by a theory of fatalism which has its foundation in a great mistake." - -"It appears to me, my good father," replied the Chevalier, with a -smile, "that fate grasps us, as it were, in a cleft stick, as I have -seen many a boor catch a viper--there we may struggle as much as we -like, but we are fixed down, and cannot escape." - -"Nay, nay," said Father Francis, "it is denying the goodness of God. -Every one must feel within himself the power of choosing whatever way -or whatever conduct he thinks fit. A man standing at a spot where two -roads separate, does he not always feel within himself the power to -follow whichever he likes? and yet, perhaps, death lies on the one -road, and good fortune on the other." - -"But if he is destined to die that day, that day will he die," replied -the Chevalier. "And if you allow that God foresees which the traveller -will take, of course he must take it, and his free will is at an end." - -"Nay, my son, not so," replied the old man. "What you call foresight, -is in the Deity what memory would be in man, if it were perfect. It is -knowledge. Standing in the midst of eternity, all is present to the -eye of God; and he knows what man will do, as well as what man has -done; but that does not imply that man has not the liberty of choice, -for it is his very own choice that conducts him to the results which -God already knows. When a lizard runs away frightened from before your -footsteps, you may know positively that it will fly to its hole, but -your knowledge does not affect its purpose; nor would it, if your -knowledge was as certain as Omniscience. If you ask me why, if man's -choice will be bad, the Omnipotent does not will it to be good? I say, -it is to leave him that very freedom of choice which you deny. -Farther, if there were no evil in the world, morally or -physically,--and it would be easy to show that one cannot exist -without the other--what would the world be? There would be no virtue, -because there could be no possibility of vice; there would be no -passions, because there would be nothing to excite them; there would -be no wishes, because privation being an ill, no desire for anything -could possibly exist; there could be no motion, for the movement of -one thing would displace another, which was in its proper place -before; there would be no action, for there being neither passions nor -wishes, nothing would prompt action. In short, the argument might be -carried on to show that the universe would not be, and that the whole -would be God alone. No one will deny that the least imperfection -is in itself evil, and that without God created what was equal to -himself--which implies, as far as the act of creation goes, a -mathematical impossibility--whatever he created must have been subject -to imperfection, and consequently would admit of evil. Evil once -admitted, all the rest follows; and if any one dare to ask, why then -God created at all? let him look round on the splendid universe, the -thousand magnificent effects of divine love, of divine bounty, and of -divine power, and feel himself rebuked for thinking that such -attributes could slumber unexerted." - -"But," said the Chevalier, "it appears to me that your argument -militates against the first principle of our religion--the divinity of -Christ: for you say it implies an impossibility that God should create -what was equal to himself." - -"Christ was not created," replied the priest, and laying his hand on -his breast he bowed his head reverently, repeating the words of -Scripture: "This is my only begotten Son, in whom I am well pleased." - -Whether the Chevalier retained his own opinions or not I cannot tell; -but most probably he did, for certain it is, that nothing is more -difficult to find in any man, than the _faculty_ of being convinced. -However, he dropped the subject, and never more to my knowledge, -resumed it. - -Father Francis, whose whole heart was mildness and humility, began to -fancy after a few minutes that he had been guilty of some presumption -in arguing so boldly on the secrets of Providence. "God forgive me," -said he, "if I have done irreverently in seeking, as far as my poor -intellect could go, to demonstrate by simple reasoning, that which we -ought to receive as a matter of faith; but often, in my more solitary -hours, in thinking over these subjects I would find a degree of -obscurity and confusion in my own ideas, which impelled me to -endeavour to clear and to arrange them." - -"I am convinced you did very right, my good father," replied the -Chevalier, "and that one great object in the good regulations of one's -mind is to obtain fixed principles on every subject which comes under -our review, carrying to the examination an ardent desire for truth; -and to religious inquiries, that profound reverence and humble -diffidence of human reason, that so deep and so important a subject -imperatively requires." - -Here dropped the conversation, leaving both parties better satisfied -with each other than usually happens after any discussion, but more -especially where religion is at all involved. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -My first care, after finding myself completely settled at Saragossa, -was to overcome the difficulties of the Spanish language. I had -studied it superficially long before, and, thanks to my Bearnaise -tongue, I now accomplished the hardest part of the undertaking, -namely, the pronunciation, which is very rarely acquired by Frenchmen -in general. By the time this was gained, I had been three months in -Spain, living in a state of high ease and tranquillity, very much -against my will; finding nothing to excite or to romance upon; and, at -best, meeting with but those little adventures which are unworthy, if -not unfit for detail. It was not, however, my fault. I went -continually to the Teatro, to the Plaza de Toros, and to all those -places where one may most easily get one's self into mischief, without -accomplishing my object; going from one to the other with the most -provoking, quiet, uninterrupted facility that fortune could furnish -forth to annoy me withal. Every one was calm, polite, and cold; no one -fell in love with me; no one quarrelled with me; no one took any -notice of me, and I was beginning to think the Spaniards the most -stupid, sober, mole-like race that the world contained, when some -circumstances occurred, which, from the very first excited my -curiosity, if they did not reach any more violent passion. - -I have said, that the room which I had chosen looked into the street -wherein we lodged, and also that that street was very narrow. At -first, I had hoped to draw something from this circumstance, having -always entertained high ideas of the pleasures and agitations of -making love across a street, and for the whole first night after our -arrival, I amused myself with fancying some very beautiful lady, with -some very horrible guardian, who would find means of conversing with -me from the _jalousies_ on the other side. - -I was soon undeceived; a very little knowledge of the localities -showing me that the windows opposite to my own were placed in the back -of a row of houses, forming one side of the principal street, to which -our own was parallel; and I had reason to believe that none but -servants and inferior persons in general dwelt in those rooms, the -windows of which might communicate with mine. This was a -disappointment, and I thought no more of it till one evening, when I -had been riding in the environs with the Chevalier de Montenero, who, -in general, gave me about an hour of his society every day. The rest -of his time was principally spent, I understood, in reading and -writing, and in bringing to a conclusion some affairs of importance, -which had accumulated during a long absence in the New World, where, -my talkative landlady assured me, he had won high honours both as a -statesman and a warrior. On the day which I speak of, however, we had -been absent nearly three hours, and, returning somewhat heated, I -threw myself down before the open window, with a book in my hand. How -I happened to raise my eyes to the opposite houses, I know not; but -doing so, I saw the fingers of a hand so fair, that it could belong to -no servant, resting on the bars of the _jalousie_, while, at the same -time, a very bright pair of eyes glittered through the aperture, -apparently rather turned down the street, as if watching for the -coming of some one. - -My own _jalousie_ was drawn for the sake of the shade, so that I could -observe without being remarked; and, approaching the window, in a few -minutes after, I saw a priest enter at a small door, just below the -window, where the eyes were watching. I concluded that this was the -father confessor, and I took care to see him depart; after which I -partly opened my blind, and remarked, behind the one opposite, the -same eyes I had before seen, but now evidently turned towards myself, -and I determined not to lose, for lack of boldness, whatever good -fortune should fall in my way. - -Love, of course, was out of the question: for I certainly loved Helen -now as deeply as ever; and having no excuse, I shall not seek one, nor -even try to palliate my fault. The only incentives I had, were -idleness, youth, and a passion for adventure; but these were quite -sufficient to carry me headlong on, upon the first mad scheme that -opened to my view. Every one, I believe, feels, or must have felt, -sensations somewhat similar, when the heart's wild spirit seems -rioting to be free, and hurrying on reason, and thought, and virtue -tumultuously along the mad course of passion, till each is trodden -down in turn beneath the feet of the follies that come after. What I -sought I hardly know. It was not vice--it was adventure. - -From that day forward, I was more frequently at my window than -anywhere else; and I cannot say that the fair object of my watchings -seemed, after a time, to find the proximity of her own blind the most -disagreeable part of her apartment. Indeed, the weather was so warm -and so oppressive, that on more than one occasion she partially opened -her _jalousie_ to admit a freer current of air, giving me, at the same -time, an opportunity of beholding one of the loveliest faces and forms -I ever beheld, though so shadowed by the semi-darkness of the room, as -to throw over the whole a mysterious air of dimness, doubly exciting. -Of course the matter paused not here. I had heard and read a thousand -tales of such encounters; I was as deeply read in all romances of -love, as the Knight of La Mancha was in those of chivalry; and I had -recourse to the only means in my power of commencing a communication -with my fair neighbour--namely, by signs. At first she withdrew, as if -indignant; then endured them; then laughed at them; and, in the end, -somewhat suddenly and abruptly seemed to return them, though so -slightly, that all my ingenuity would not serve me to comprehend what -she sought to express. I had heard that the ladies of Spain were so -skilful in finding the means of carrying on these mute conversations, -that many a tender tale had been told in silently playing with a fan; -and I somewhat wondered to find even one Spanish girl so ignorant of -the language of signs. She had evidently, however, endeavoured to -return an answer to mine, and that was enough to make my heart beat -high. - -As soon as night followed upon the day which had beheld this gracious -and favourable change, I returned to my station at the window. The -_jalousies_ were closed, and no sign or symptom announced that any one -was within for near half an hour, when suddenly I heard them move, and -beheld them slowly and cautiously open, to perhaps the extent of three -inches. I could see nothing, but that they were open, though I -strained my eyes to discover what was beyond. However, after a -moment's silence I had my recompense, by hearing a very soft and -musical voice demand, in a low tone, "Are you there?" - -"I am," answered I, in the hyperbolic style usual to Spanish -gallants,--"I am, fairest of earth's creatures! and ready to serve you -with life and----" - -"Hush!" said the voice. "Go instantly to the theatre, and ask for the -box marked G. Wait there, whatever betide--and say no more." - -The _jalousie_ immediately closed; and snatching up my hat, I prepared -to obey the command, when my door opened, and Father Francis appeared -with a light. - -"In the dark, my dear Louis!" said he, with some astonishment; "what -are you doing in the dark? Better come and read Seneca with me." - -"I am just going to the play," replied I, holding up my hand to my -eyes, as if the sudden light affected them, but, in reality, to cover -a certain crimsoning of the cheek, which the mere presence of so good -and pure a being called up, in spite of my efforts to prevent it. -"They play to-night Calderon's _Cisma de Inglaterra_." - -"You are all too fond of that bad place, a theatre," said Father -Francis; "but I suppose, Louis, that it will always be so at your age. -I must not forget now, when I can no longer enjoy, that you are in the -season of enjoyment, and that I was once like you. However, I hope -that your love of theatres will soon pass. They were instituted, -doubtless, to promote morality, and to do good, but they are sadly -perverted in our day. Well, God be with you!" - -I could have well spared the interruption, but more especially the -good father's recommendation to God, when my purpose was not what my -own heart could fully approve. Not that I had any formed design of -evil--not that I had any wish of wronging innocence--nay, nor of -breaking my faith to Helen. 'Twas but excitement I sought; and though -perhaps I wished I had not advanced so far, I was ashamed of drawing -back, and I hurried on to the theatre. - -A great crowd was going in; and, following the course of the stream, I -sought for the box marked G. On finding it, I was surprised to -discover that it was one of the curtained boxes reserved for the -principal officers of the city. An old woman had the keys of these -boxes in charge, and to her I applied for admission. The face of -surprise which she assumed I shall not easily forget. "Heyday!" she -exclaimed, "let you into the box of the corregidor! I dare say! Pray, -young sir, where is your order?" - -"Here!" said I, nothing abashed, and resolved to accomplish my object; -and, putting my hand in my pocket, I seemed to search for the order -till some persons who were near had passed on. I then produced a -pistole, which the old lady found to be an order in so good and -authentic a form, that she drew forth the key, and proceeded towards -the door, saying, "The corregidor went out of town this morning, and -will not return for two days, so there can be no great harm in letting -you in; but keep the curtains close. You can see and hear very well -through the chinks, without showing yourself in the corregidor's box, -I warrant." - -I promised to observe her directions, and entered the box, which was -empty. I seated myself behind the curtains, which, drawn completely -across the front, hid me from the spectators, though I had still a -good view of the stage. The play, indeed, was not what I came to see; -and at first I listened with eager and attentive ears to the sound of -every foot that passed by the door of the box. Actually trembling with -anxiety and excitement, I could hear one person after another go by, -till the tide of spectators began to slacken, and, at last, but the -solitary step of some late straggler sounded along the passage, -hurrying on to make up for his delay. Two or three times, when the -foot was lighter than the rest, or when it seemed to pause near the -door, I started up, and my heart beat till it was actually painful to -feel it throbbing against my side: but, after a while, in order to -calm such sensations, I endeavoured to fix my mind upon the play; and, -won by the cunning of the scene, I gradually entered into the passions -I saw portrayed. - -The play (La Cisma de Inglaterra) contained all Calderon's rigour and -wit, and also all his extravagance. The first scene, representing the -dream of Henry VIII., King of England, and his reception of the two -letters from the pope, and from Martin Luther, was too full of petty -conceits to engage me for a moment; but the description of Anne -Bullen, as given by Carlos in the second scene, caught my young -imagination, and the exquisite wit of the court-fool, Pasquin, soon -riveted my attention. This character had been allotted to one of the -best performers of the company; and it was wonderful what point he -gave to the least word of the jester. Calderon had done much, but -every theatrical writer must leave much for the player; and, in this -instance, nothing he could have wished expressed was either omitted or -caricatured. It was all true and simple, from the broad childish -stare, half folly, half satire, with which he exclaimed, "_Que soy -galan de galanes_," to the face of moralizing meditation, half -bewildered, half severe, with which he commented on the king's -melancholy:-- - - - "Triste està Rey, de què sirve - Quanto puede, quanto manda - Si no puede, estàr alegre - Quando quiere?" - - -The play had proceeded for some time, and I was listening with deep -interest to the exquisite dialogue between the king and Anne Bullen, -in which he first discovers his passion to her, when the door of the -box opened, and a lady entered, wrapped in a black mantilla. Her face -was also concealed with a black velvet mask; and though, after -shutting the door of the box carefully, she dropped the mantilla, -discovering a form on whose beauties I will not dwell, she still -retained the mask for some moments, and I could see her hand shake as -it leaned on the back of one of the seats. My heart beat so violently, -that I could scarcely speak; and I would have given worlds for one -word from her lips, to which I might have replied. Time, however, was -not to be lost, and advancing, I offered my hand to lead her forward; -but she raised her finger, saying, in a very low voice, "Hush! Is -there any one in the box to the left?" - -"I have heard no one," replied I, rejoicing to recognise the same -tones in which the appointment had been made with me. "Nay, do not -tremble so," I added, laying my hand on hers; and I believe the -agitation which that touch must have told her I experienced myself, -served more to re-assure her than my words. "Why should you fear, with -a friend, a lover, an adorer? Why, too, should you hide your face from -one to whom its lightest look is joy? Will you not take off your -mask?" - -The lady made no reply; but, seating herself in the back part of the -box, leaned her head for some time upon her hand, over which the -ringlets of her rich black hair fell in glossy profusion. My agitation -gradually subsided; I added caresses to tender language--I held her -hand in mine--I ventured to carry it to my lips, and I am afraid many -a burning word did passion suggest to my tongue. For a moment or two -she let me retain her hand, seeming totally absorbed by feelings which -gave no other sense power to act; but at length she gently withdrew it -from mine, and, untying a string that passed through her hair, let the -mask drop from her face. If her figure had struck me as lovely, how -transcendently beautiful did her face appear when that which hid it -was thus suddenly removed. She could not be more than eighteen, and -each clear, exquisite feature seemed moulded after the enchanting -specimens of ancient art, but animated with that living grace which -leaves the statue far below. Her lip was all sweetness, and her brow -all bland expanse; but there was a wild energetic fire in her eye, -which spoke of the strong and ardent passions of her country; and -there was also an occasional gleam in it, that had something almost -approaching the intensity of mental wandering. Let me not say that -those eyes were anything less than beautiful. They were of those full, -dark, thrilling orbs, that seem to look deep into the heart of man, -and exercise upon all its pulses a strange, attracting influence, like -that which the bright moon holds over the waters of the world; and -round them swept a long, black, silky fringe, that shaded and softened -without diminishing their lustre by a ray. - -As soon as she recovered herself sufficiently to speak, she replied to -my ardent professions in language which, though somewhat wild and -undefined, left me no doubt of her feelings. She told me, too, that -she was the daughter of the corregidor; that her mother was dead, and -that her father loved her even to idolatry; that she returned his -affection; and that never, even were it to wed a monarch, would she -leave him. At the same time she spoke enthusiastically, even wildly, -of love and passion, and to what it might prompt a determined heart. -She spoke, too, of jealousy, but she said it was incompatible with -love, for that a mind which felt like hers would instantly convert its -love into hate, if it once found itself deceived: and what was there, -she asked, that such hate would not do? - -On this subject she threw out some dark and mysterious hints, which, -at any other moment, might have made me estimate the dangerous excess -of all her passions; but I was infatuated, and would not see the -perils that surrounded the dim gulf into which I was plunging. We -talked long, and we talked ardently, and in the end, when, some little -time before the play was concluded, she rose to leave me, my brain was -in a whirl that wanted little but the name to be madness. - -"Though I have unlimited power over my own actions," said she, "even -perhaps too much so--for, ungrateful that I am!--I sometimes wish my -father loved me less, or more wisely;--but, as I said, though I have -unlimited power over my own actions, some reasons forbade me to-night -receiving you in my own house. To-morrow night you may come. You have -remarked," she added, putting on her mask, and wrapping her mantilla -round her, "a small door under the window of my dressing-room; at -midnight it will be open--come thither, for there are many things I -wish to say." She then enjoined me not to leave the theatre till the -play was completely over, and left me, my whole mind and thoughts in a -state of agitation and confusion hardly to be expressed. I will not -say that conscience did not somewhat whisper I was doing wrong; but -the tumult of excited passion, and the gratification of my spirit of -romance, prevented me even from calculating how far I might be -hurried. There was certainly some vague point where I proposed to stop -short of vice; and I trust I should have done so, even had not other -circumstances intervened to save me therefrom. However that may be, -let it be marked and remembered, from the first, that _the steps I -took in wrong, by an extraordinary chain of circumstances, caused all -the misery of my existence_. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - -Never, perhaps, in my existence--an existence varied by dangers, by -difficulties, by passions, and by follies--never did any day seem to -drag so heavily towards its conclusion as that which lay between me -and the meeting appointed for the following night. It was not alone -that impatient expectation which lengthens time till moments seem -eternities, but it was, added to this, that I had to find occupation -for every moment, lest tardy regrets should interpose, and mingle -bitter with what was ever a sweet cup to me--excitement. Verily do I -believe that I crowded into that one day more employments than many -men bestow upon a year. I rode through the whole town; I witnessed the -bull-fight; I wrote a letter to my father--God knows what it -contained, for I know not, and I never knew; I read Plato, which was -like pouring cold water on a burning furnace; I played on my guitar--I -sung to it; I solved a problem of Euclid; I read a page of Descartes: -and thousands of other things did I do to fill up the horrid vacancy -of each long-expectant minute. At length, however, day waned, night -came, and the hour approached nearer and more near. At ten o'clock I -pretended fatigue, and leaving Father Francis, who seemed well -inclined to consume the midnight oil, I retired to my apartment as if -to bed. Old Houssaye came to assist me, but I made an excuse to send -him away, which, though perhaps a lame one, he was too old a soldier -not to take at once. He was a man that never asked any questions; -whatever the order was, he obeyed it instantly, and he was unrivalled -at the quick conception of a hint. Thus I had scarcely finished my -first sentence, explanatory of my reasons for not requiring his -services, than running on at once to the conclusion, he made his bow, -and quitted the room. - -Being left alone, two more long hours did I wear out in the fever of -expectation. All noises gradually subsided in the town and in the -house, and everybody was evidently at repose before half-past eleven. -This was now the longest half-hour of all. I thought the church clock -must have gone wrong, and have stopped; and I was confirmed in this -idea when I heard the midnight round of the patrol of the Holy -Brotherhood pass by the house, as usual pushing at every door to see -that all were closed for the night. Shortly after, however, the chimes -of midnight began; and, with a beating heart, I descended the stairs, -having previously insured the means of opening the door without noise. -In a moment after, the fresh night air blew chill upon my cheek, and -conveyed a sort of shudder to my heart, which I could scarce help -feeling as a sinister omen; but, closing the door as near as I could, -without shutting it entirely, I darted across the street, pushed open -the little door, and entered. As I did so, the garments of a woman -rustled against me, and I caught the same fair soft hand I had held -the former night. It burned like a living fire; and, as I held it in -mine, it did not return or even seem sensible to the pressure, but my -fingers felt almost scorched with the feverish heat of hers. - -Cautiously shutting the door, she led me by the hand up a flight -of stairs to a small, elegant dressing-room, wherein, on the -toilet-table, was a burning lamp. It shone dimly, but with sufficient -light to show me that my fair companion, though lovely as ever, was -deadly pale; and, attributing it to that agitation which she could not -but feel a thousand times more than even I did, I attempted to compose -her by a multitude of caresses and vows, which she suffered me to -lavish upon her almost unnoticed, remaining with a mute tongue and -wandering eye, as if my words scarcely found their way to the seat of -intellect. At length, laying her hand upon the hilt of my sword, with -a faint smile, she said, "What! a sword! You should never come to see -a lady with a sword;" and unbuckling it with her own hand, she laid it -on the table. - -"Now," proceeded she, taking up the lamp, and leading the way into a -splendid room beyond--"now you must give me a proof of your love;" and -she shut the door suddenly behind us with a quickness which almost -made me start. Her whole conduct, her whole appearance was strange. -That a girl of such high station should appear agitated at receiving -in secret the first visit of one whom she had every right to look upon -as a lover, was not surprising; but her eye wandered with a fearful -sort of wildness, and her cheek was so deadly, deadly pale, that I -scarcely ever thought to see such a hue in anything living. At the -same time, the hand with which she held one of mine, as she led me on, -confirmed its grasp with a tighter and a tighter clasp, till every -slender burning finger seemed impressing itself on my flesh. "Have you -a firm heart?" asked she at length, fixing her eyes upon me, and -compressing her full beautiful lips, as if to master her own -sensations. - -I answered that I had; and, indeed, as the agitation of passion gave -way to other feelings, called forth by her singular manner and -behaviour, the natural unblenching courage of my race returned to my -aid, and I was no longer the tremblingly empassioned boy that I -entered her house. - -"It is well!" said she. "Come hither, then!" and she led me towards -what seemed a heap of cushions covered with a large sheet of linen. -For a moment she paused before them, with her foot advanced, as if -about to make another step forward, and her eye straining upon the -motionless pile before her, as if it were some very horrible object; -then, suddenly taking the edge of the cloth, she threw it back at -once, discovering the dead body of a priest weltering in its gore. He -seemed to have been a man of about thirty, both by his form and face, -which was full, and unmarked by any lines of age. It was turned -towards me, and had been slightly convulsed by the pang of death; but -still, even in the cold, meaningless features, I thought I could -perceive that look of an habitually dissolute mind, which stamps -itself in ineffaceable characters; and there was a dark determined -scowl still upon the brow of death, which, to my fancy, spoke of the -remorseless violation of the most sacred duties. The limbs were -contracted, and one of the hands clenched, as if there had been a -momentary struggle before he was mastered to his fate; while the other -hand was stretched out, with all the fingers wide extended, as while -still striving to draw the last few agonizing breaths. His gown was -gashed on the left side, and dripping with gore; and it is probable -that the wound it covered went directly to his heart, from the great -effusion of blood that had taken place. - -It was a dreadful sight; and, after looking on it for a few moments in -astonishment and horror, I turned my aching eyes towards the lovely -girl that had conducted me to such a strange and awful exhibition. -She, too, was gazing at it with that sort of fixed intensity of look, -which told that her mind gathered there materials for strong and -all-absorbing thoughts. "In the name of Heaven!" cried I, "who has -done this?" - -"I!" answered she, with a strange degree of calmness;--"I did it!" - -"And what on earth could tempt you," I continued, "to so bloody and -horrible a crime?" - -"You shall hear," she replied. "That man was my confessor. He took -advantage of his power over my mind--he won me to all that he -wished--and then--he turned to another--fairer, perhaps, and equally -weak. I discovered his treachery, but I heeded it the less, as I had -seen you, and, for the first time, knew what love was; but I warned -him never to approach me again, if he would escape that Spanish -revenge whose power he ought to have known. He came, this very -night--perhaps from the arms of another,--and he yet dared to talk to -me of passion and of love! thinking me still weak enough to yield to -him. Oh! with what patience I was endued not to slay him then! I bade -him go forth, and never to approach me again. He became enraged--he -threatened to betray me--to publish my shame--and he is--what he is!" -There was a dreadful pause: she had worked herself up by the details -to a pitch of almost frenzied rage; and, gazing upon the body of him -that had wronged her with a flushed cheek and flashing eyes, she -seemed as if she would have smote him again. "The story is told," -cried she at length; "and now, if you love me, as you have said, you -must carry him forth, and cast him into the great fosse of the city. -Ha! you will not! You hate me!--you despise me! Then I must speak -another language. You shall! Yes, you shall! or both you and I will -join him in the grave!" and, drawing a poniard from her bosom, she -placed herself between me and the door. - -"And do you think me so great a coward," replied I, hastily, "to be -frightened into doing what I disapprove, by a poniard in the hand of a -woman? No, lady, no," I continued, more kindly, believing her, as I -did, to be disordered in mind by the intensity of her feelings; "I -pity you from my heart--I pity you for the base injuries you have -suffered; and even, though I cannot but condemn the crime you have -committed, I would do much, very much, to soothe, to calm, to heal -your wounded spirit; but----" - -I spoke long--gently--kindly to her. It reached her heart--it touched -the better feelings of what might have been a fine, though exquisitely -sensitive, mind; and, throwing away the poniard, she cast herself at -my feet, where, clasping my knees, she wept till her agony of tears -became perfectly fearful. I did everything I could to tranquillize -her; I entreated, I persuaded, I reasoned, I even caressed. There -was something so lovely, yet so terrible in it all--her face, her -form, her agitation, the sweetness of her voice, the despairing, -heart-broken expression of her eyes, that, in spite of her crime, I -raised her from my feet, I held her in my arms, and I promised to do -all that she would have me. - -After a time she began to recover herself; and, gently disengaging -herself from me, she gazed at me with a look of calm, powerful, -painful regret, that I never can forget. "Count Louis," she said, "you -must abhor me; and you have, alas! learned to do so at a moment when I -have learned to love you the more. Your kindness has made me weep. It -was what I needed,--it has cleared a cloud from my brain, and I now -find how very, very guilty I am. Do not take me to your arms; I am -unworthy they should touch me;--but fly from me, and from this place -of horror, as speedily as you can, for I will not take advantage of -the generous offer you make, to do that which I so ungenerously asked. -I asked it in madness; for I feel that, within the last few hours, my -reason has not been with me. It slept:--I have now wept; and it is -awake to all the misery I have brought upon myself. Go--go--leave me; -I will stay and meet the fate my crime deserves. But, oh! I cannot -bear to think upon the dishonour and misery of my father's old age!" -and again she wept as bitterly as before. - -Again I applied myself to soothe her; and imprudently certainly, -perhaps wrongly, insisted upon carrying away the evidence of her -guilt, and disposing of it as she had at first demanded. But two short -streets lay between the spot where we were and the old boundary of the -city, over which it was easy to cast the body into the water below. At -that hour I was not likely to meet with any one, as all the sober -inhabitants of the town were by this time in their first sleep, and -the guard had made its round some time before. I told her all this, -and expressed my determination not to leave her in such dreadful -circumstances; so that, seeing me resolved upon doing what I had -proposed, the natural horror of death and shame overcame her first -regret at the thought of implicating me, and she acquiesced. - -As I approached the body for the purpose of taking it in my arms, I -will own, a repulsive feeling of horror gathered about my heart, and a -slight shudder passed over me. She saw it, and casting her beautiful -arms round my neck, held me back with a melancholy shake of the head, -saying, "No, no, no!" But I again expressed myself determined, and -suddenly pressing her burning lips to mine, she let me go. "Pardon -me!" said she; "it is the last I shall ever have, most generous of -human beings." And turning away, she kneeled by her bed-side, hiding -her face upon the clothes, while I raised the body of the priest in my -arms, and bore it down stairs. - -Being fortunately of a very strong and vigorous mould, and well -hardened by athletic exercises, I could carry a very great weight, but -never did I know till then, how much more ponderous and unwieldy a -dead body is than a living one. I however gained the street with my -burden; and with a beating heart, and anxious glaring eye proceeded as -fast as I could towards the walls. Everything I saw caused me anxiety -and alarm; the small fountain at the corner of the Calle del Sol made -me start and almost drop the body; and each shadow that the moon cast -across the street, cost me many a painful throb. At length, however, I -reached the old rampart, where it looks out over the olive grounds, -and advancing hurriedly forward, I gave a glance around to see that no -one was there, and cast the corpse down into the fosse, which was full -of water; I heard the plunge of the body and the rush of the agitated -waters, and a shudder passed over me to think of thus consigning the -frail tabernacle, that not long since had enshrined a sinful but -immortal spirit, to a dark and nameless grave. All the weaknesses of -our nature cling to the rites of sepulture, and at any time I should -have felt, in so dismissing a dead body to unmourned oblivion, that I -was violating the most sacred prejudices of our nature; but when I -thought upon the how, and the wherefore, my blood felt chill, and I -dared not look back to see the full completions of that night's -dreadful deeds. - -My heart was lightened, however, that it was now done, and I turned to -proceed home, having had enough of adventure to serve me for a long -while. Before I went, I gave an anxious glance around to see whether -any one was watching me, but all seemed void and lonely. I then darted -away as fast as I could, still concealing myself in the shadowy sides -of the streets, and following a thousand turnings and windings to -insure that my path was not tracked. At length, approaching the street -wherein I lived, I looked round carefully on all sides, and seeing no -one, darted up it, sprang forward, and pushed open the door of my -lodging. At that moment a figure passed me coming the other way; it -was the Chevalier de Montenero, and though he evidently saw me, he -went on without remark. I closed the door carefully, groped my way up -to my own chamber, and striking a light, examined my doublet, to see -if it had received any stains from the gory burden I had carried. In -spite of every precaution I had taken, it was wet with blood in three -places, and I had much trouble in washing out the marks, though it was -itself of murrey-coloured cloth, somewhat similar in hue. - -Difficult is it to tell my feelings while engaged in this -employment--the horror, the disgust, at each new stain I discovered, -mingled with the painful anxiety to efface every trace which the blood -of my fellow-being had left. Then to dispose of the water, whose -sanguine colour kept glaring in my eye wherever I turned, as if I -could see nothing but it, became the question; and I was obliged to -open the casement, and pour it gently over the window-sill, without -unclosing the _jalousies_, so as to permit its trickling down the -front of the house, where I knew it must be evaporated before the next -morning. This took me some time, as I did it by but very cautious -degrees: but then, when it was done, all vestiges of the deed in which -I had been engaged were effaced, and to my satisfaction I discovered, -on examining every part of my apparel with the most painful -minuteness, that all was free and clear. - -Extinguishing my light, I now undressed and went to bed, but of course -not to sleep. For hours and hours, the scenes in which I had that -night taken part floated upon the blank darkness before my eyes, and -filled me with horrible imaginations. A thousand times did I attempt -to banish them, and give myself up to slumber, and a thousand times -did they return in new and more horrible shapes; till the faint light -of the morning began to shine through the openings of the blinds, when -I fell into a disturbed and feverish sleep. It was no relief--it was -no oblivion. The same dreadful scenes returned with their full -original force, heightened and rendered still more terrific by a -thousand wild accessories that uncontrolled fancy brought forward to -support them. All was horror and despair; and I again woke, haggard -and worn out, as the matin bell was sounding from the neighbouring -convent: I tried it once more, and at length succeeded in obtaining a -temporary forgetfulness. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - -I was still in a most profound sleep, when I was woke by some one -shaking me rudely by the arm; and starting up, I found my chamber full -of the officers of justice. By my side stood an alguacil, and at my -table, a sort of escribano was already taking a precise account of the -state of the apartment, while in conjunction with him, various members -of the Holy Brotherhood were examining without ceremony every article -of my apparel. - -For a moment or two, the surprise, mingled with the consciousness of -what might be laid to my charge, confounded and bewildered me, and I -gazed about upon all that was taking place with the stupid stare of -one still half asleep. I soon, however, recovered myself, and -hurriedly determined in my own mind the line of conduct that it was -necessary to pursue, both for the purpose of saving myself, and -shielding the unfortunate girl, of whose crime I doubted not that I -should be accused. - -The alguacil was proceeding, with a face in which he had concentrated -all the stray beams of transmitted authority, to question me in a very -high tone respecting my occupations of the foregoing night; when I cut -him short by demanding what he and his myrmidons did in my apartment, -and warning him, that if he expected to extort money from me by such a -display, he was labouring in vain. The worthy officer expressed -himself as much offended at this insinuation as if it had been true, -and informed me that he had come to arrest me on the charge of having -the night before murdered in cold blood one Father Acevido, and cast -him into the fosse below the old wall. He farther added, that a -messenger had been sent for the corregidor, who was at a small town -not far off, and that he was expected in an hour. - -"Well, then," replied I, boldly, "wake me when he comes, and make as -little noise as possible at present," and I turned round on my other -side, as if to address myself to sleep. My real purpose, however, was -twofold: to gain time for thought, and to avoid all questions from the -alguacil, till I had learned upon what grounds I was accused. - -But in this I was defeated by Father Francis, who interfered with the -best intentions in the world, and advancing, addressed me in French, -whereupon the alguacil instantly stopped him, declaring he would not -have any conversation in a foreign tongue. - -"Houssaye!" cried I, turning to the old soldier, and pointing to the -alguacil, while I spoke out in Spanish,--"if that fellow meddles any -more kick him down stairs. And now, my good father, what were you -about to say?" - -This conduct, impudent as it was, I well knew was the only thing that -could save me from being questioned and cross-examined by the inferior -officers before the arrival of the corregidor. If I answered, I might -embarrass myself in my after-defence, and if I refused to answer, my -contumacy would be construed into guilt; all that remained, therefore, -was to treat the alguacils with a degree of scorn which would check -their interrogation in its very commencement, and which was in some -degree justified by the well-known corruption and mercenary character -of the inferior officers of the Spanish police. This proceeding seemed -to have the full effect which I intended; for the pompous official not -only ceased his questions, but at the hint of being kicked, suffered -Father Francis to go on, judging very wisely, that, however justice -might afterwards avenge him, his posteriors would at all events suffer -in the meantime. - -"My dear Louis," said the good priest, "you had better rise and clear -yourself from the accusation of these men. Every one in this house -knows your innocence; but here is an officer of the _real hacienda_ -without, who swears that he saw the murderer enter this house, and we -have all suffered ourselves to be examined previous to your having -been disturbed. Rise, then, and when you have dressed yourself, permit -him to see that you are not the person, and probably by answering the -questions of these people, you may save yourself from being dragged -before the corregidor, like a culprit." - -I replied with the same bold tone which I had at first assumed, and -still speaking aloud in Spanish, "In regard to answering any questions -put to me by these knaves, who are but as the skirts of the robe of -office, I shall certainly not demean myself so far; but, to whatever -the corregidor chooses to demand, I will reply instantly, for I am -sure that he will not countenance a plot of this kind, which, beyond -all doubt, has been contrived to extort money from a stranger; I will -rise, however, as you seem to wish it, and then all the world may look -at me as long as they will." - -I accordingly rose and dressed myself, putting on, though I own it was -not without much reluctance, the same murrey-coloured suit I had worn -the night before. As soon as I was dressed, the officer of the _real -hacienda_ was called in, and immediately pointed me out, saying, "That -is the man!" in so positive a tone, that it required all the -resolution I possessed to demand, with a contemptuous smile, "Pray, -sir, how much is it you expect to extort from me, by averring such a -notorious falsehood?--Take notice, if it be above half a rial, you -shall not have it." - -"If you were to give me all that you possess, young gentleman," -answered the man, calmly and civilly, "I would still aver the same -thing--that you are the man who cast the dead body of Father Acevido -into the fosse last night, while I was on duty, seeing that no -contraband things were brought into the city. I tracked you through -the streets till you entered this house, and I took good care to -remark your person so as to identify it anywhere." - -The man was so clear in his statement, and I knew it to be so true, -that the blood mounted up into my face, in spite of every effort I -could make to maintain my air of scornful indignation. - -"Ha, ha! you colour!" said the alguacil; "what do you say to that, my -young don?" - -"I say," replied I, turning upon him fiercely, "that this man's story -has been well contrived, and that he tells it coolly; but, depend on -it, my good friend, when I have cleared myself of this, my remembrance -and thanks shall light upon your shoulders in the most tangible form I -can discover. But now, take me to the corregidor; only, while I am -gone, let some honest person stay and watch these gentry who are -fingering my apparel, or they will save Senor Escribano the trouble of -making a very long catalogue." - -A crowd of persons were round the door, gossiping with an alguacil, -who had been left there as a sort of guard; and the moment I was -brought out, the noise they were making very much increased with the -vociferous delight which all vulgar minds experience on beholding -criminals. It is a strange, devilish propensity that in human nature: -the child loves to torture the fly or the worm, the serf runs to see -the victim struggling at the gallows, or writhing on the wheel; and it -is in the child and the vulgar that human nature shines out in its -original metal, unsilvered over by the false hue of education. Those -who have best defended man, attribute his passion for scenes of blood -and horror to the renewed feeling which he thence derives of his own -security. And is there, then, no way of showing him not cruel, but by -proving him base? Must he ever be vilely selfish, if he is not -savagely brutal? - -The populace roared, as I came forth, with such a shout as we may -suppose those refined tigers the Romans bestowed on the devoted -gladiator when he entered the arena. I felt certain the sounds must -reach another person, to whose bosom they would convey greater pangs -than even to mine; and though I could not pause to observe anything -minutely, as I was hurried on, I glanced my eye up towards the window -on the other side of the way, and I am sure I saw a female hand rest -on one of the bars of the _jalousie_. - -Scarcely two minutes were occupied in bringing me round to the great -entrance of the corregidor's house; and finding that he had not -arrived, the alguacils made me sit down in a large hall, keeping every -one else out, even Father Francis and Houssaye; and enjoying my -society, uninterrupted by the presence of any one but the servants of -the corregidor. - -Whether it was done on purpose, or not, I cannot say; but first one -dropped away, and then another, till I was left alone with the chief -alguacil, who, the moment they were all gone, addressed me with a -meaning sort of smile--"Now, young sir," said he, "what would you give -to get off?" - -Doubtless, as many bargains are made in halls of justice as on the -exchange, and I was even then very well aware that such is the case; -but I knew not whether, if my offers did not equal the incorruptible -officer's expectation, my words might not be made use of against -myself, and therefore I simply replied, "Nothing!" At the same time, I -cannot deny that I would willingly have given my whole inheritance to -have been safe on the other side of the Pyrenees. - -No long time was allowed for deliberation, for a moment after, the -corregidor arrived, and, as if by magic, I found myself instantly -surrounded by all the alguacils and servants who had before -disappeared. - -The magistrate did not pass through the hall wherein I was detained, -but after a few minutes, probably spent by him in receiving an account -of the whole transaction, an officer approached, and led me to a small -audience-room, in which he was seated. Before him was a table with a -clerk, and behind him two doors leading to the domestic parts of his -dwelling. - -He appeared to me about sixty, and was as noble a looking man as I had -ever beheld. In his face I could trace all his daughter's features, -raised and strengthened into the perfection of masculine beauty; and, -though his hair was as white as snow, and time had laid a long wrinkle -or two across the broad expanse of his forehead, yet age, in other -respects, had dealt mildly with him, and left the fine arch of his lip -unbroken, nor stolen one ray of light from his clear intellectual eye. - -As I approached the table at which he was seated, he gazed at me with -a steady, but yet a feeling glance, and pointed to a seat:--"I am -sorry, sir," he said, "that one so young, so noble in appearance, and -especially a stranger to this country, should be accused before me of -a great and dreadful crime, by an officer who, having in all relations -of life conducted himself well, leaves no reason to suppose he acts on -culpable motives. The duty of my office is a strict one; and whatever -prepossession I may feel in your favour, all I can do is to receive -the accuser's evidence before you; and then, if no evident falsehood -appears in his testimony, to order your detention till the case can be -examined at large, and judged according to its merits." - -In the calm dignity of his manner, and the mild firmness of his tone, -there was something far more appalling to my mind, knowing well, as I -did, the truth of the charge against me, than any menaces could have -been. I felt no inclination, and indeed no power, to treat the -accusation with that scorn and indignation which I had formerly -affected, but advancing towards the table at which the corregidor was -seated, I replied as calmly as I could, "You seem, sir, well inclined -to do me justice, and I must consequently leave my fate in your hands; -but before you commit me to a prison, which is in itself a punishment, -and consequently an act of injustice to an innocent man, permit me to -make one or two observations in my own defence." - -"Certainly," replied the corregidor. "I hold myself bound to attend to -every reasonable argument you can adduce, although I am afraid my duty -will not permit me to interpose between an accused person and the -regular course of investigation. But proceed!" - -"In the first place, then," I replied, "I have to protest my innocence -of the blood which is laid to my charge, in the most solemn manner--on -my honour as a gentleman, on my faith as a Christian. In the next -place, I have to ask whether there exists the least probability that I -should murder in cold blood a stranger, with whom I had no -acquaintance; for I defy any one to show that I knew one single priest -in this city, or was ever seen to speak to one. In addition to this, -which makes my guilt highly improbable, let me beg you to examine my -preceptor, my valet, and the proprietors of the house in which I -lodge." - -"I am afraid that will be impossible in this stage of the business," -replied the magistrate, "without some glaring discrepancy appears in -the accuser's testimony; but let him be called in." - -Hitherto the audience-chamber had been occupied alone by the -corregidor, his secretary, two alguacils, and myself, but the moment -afterwards the doors were opened, and a rush of people took place from -without, filling up the space behind me. The presence of the multitude -made my heart beat, I confess, and turning my head, I beheld amongst -other faces those of Father Francis, of Houssaye, of the landlady of -our dwelling, and, lastly, of the Chevalier de Montenero. The last was -a countenance I wished not to behold, and the one glance of his eye -pained me more than all the busy whispering and observations of the -mob. The officer of the _real hacienda_ was now called forward, and -immediately swore positively to my person, as well as to having -tracked me through various turnings and windings to the end of the -street wherein I lodged, from whence he saw me enter the house in -which I was taken. He then clearly described the manner in which I had -cast the body over into the water, and its state and situation when he -found it, after having called the city guard to his assistance. - -At this moment the Chevalier advanced through the crowd, and passing -round the table, took a seat beside the corregidor, who seemed to know -him well. "Will you permit me," said he, addressing the magistrate, -"to ask this man a few questions? I am deeply interested in the young -gentleman whom he accuses, and who, I feel sure, is incapable of -committing an action like that attributed to him. Do you permit me?" - -The corregidor signified his assent; and the Chevalier, without a word -or a look towards me, proceeded to question my accuser with the keen -and rapid acumen of one long accustomed to hunt out truth through all -the intricacies in which human cunning can involve her. He did not, -indeed, attempt to puzzle or to frighten him, but by what he wrung -from him he gave a very different colouring to his evidence against -me. He made him own that he had but seen me in the shadow; that I had -never for a moment emerged into even the moonlight; and that when he -arrived at the end of the street where I lodged, he was so far behind -that he but caught a glimpse of my figure entering the house. The -Chevalier did more; he drew from him an acknowledgment that he had -entertained some doubts as to which house it was; and then he argued -how liable one might be to mistake the person of another under such -circumstances. "Even I myself," said the Chevalier, in a tone full of -meaning to my ears--"even I myself have been sometimes greatly -deceived in thinking I recognised those even I know best, when -circumstances have afterwards proved that it could not have been -them"--and he glanced his eye to my face with a look that I could not -misunderstand. - -The man, however, still swore decidedly to my person; and my good -friend the pompous alguacil, probably to repay me for the disrespect -with which I had treated him in the morning, now advanced, and pointed -out to the corregidor that my pourpoint had been washed in more than -one place. - -This was quite sufficient. A loud murmur ran through the crowd; the -Chevalier clenched his teeth and was silent, and the corregidor's brow -gathered into a heavy frown:--but as he was in the very act of -ordering me to be conveyed to the town prison, one of the doors behind -him opened, and a servant entering, whispered something in his ear. - -"I cannot come now!" cried the corregidor, hastily; "I am -busy--engaged in the duties of my office--and I will not be -disturbed." - -"Then I am to give you this, sir," replied the servant, and, placing -in his hand a small note, he bowed and retired. - -The corregidor opened the paper, and glanced his eye over its -contents. As he did so, his cheek became deadly pale, and the ball of -his eye seemed straining from its socket. "Wait, wait!" cried he at -length to the alguacils; "wait till I come back!" and, starting from -his seat, he retired by the same door which had admitted the servant. - -As soon as he was gone, the restraint which respect for his person and -office had before imposed upon the people, seemed at once thrown off, -the murmur of voices canvassing the whole affair became loud and -general, and many persons advanced to look at me, though the officers -would not allow any one to speak to me. The Chevalier turned away, and -walking to one of the windows, folded his arms upon his breast, and -continued to look into the street, without offering me even a look of -consolation. I understood all the doubts that now tenanted his bosom, -and yet, though I knew their cause, I felt hurt and offended that he -should entertain them. In the meanwhile, I heard the tongue of our -good landlady, whose favour I had won by joking with her whenever I -met her on the stairs, now loud in my defence; and however weak an -organ may seem the tongue of an old woman, it in this instance, by -continual reiteration and replication, completely effected a -revolution in the popular feeling towards me; so much so, indeed, that -two monks, who had before been whispering that I ought to be given up -to the holy Inquisition, now took a different view of the case, and -declared they believed me innocent. - -Half an hour--an hour elapsed, and yet the corregidor did not return, -during which time the feelings of my heart may easily be conceived. At -length, however, he came, but never, before or since, have I beheld -such a change take place in any man so rapidly. I have seen age come -on by slow degrees, one year after another, stealing still some -faculty or some power, till all was nothing--I have seen rapid disease -wear quickly away each grace of youth, and each energy of manhood; but -never but that once have I seen the pangs of the mind, in one single -hour, change health, and vigour, and noble bearing to age, infirmity, -and almost decrepitude. - -A murmur of astonishment and grief ran through the people, by whom he -was much beloved. Casting himself recklessly in the chair, he turned -to his secretary. "Call the witnesses," said he, "that the accused -proposed to adduce.--This case is an obscure one.--Take their -evidence--I am not capable." - -The clerk immediately desired me, in the name of the corregidor, to -bring forward any persons who were likely to disprove the testimony -against me. - -Father Francis was of course the first I called. He swore that I had -left him, and entered my own chamber for the purpose of going to bed, -at ten o'clock on the night of the murder. He farther said, that he -had remained reading till one in the morning, and must have heard me -if I had gone down the stairs--which, indeed, would have been the case -if my step had been as heavy as it usually was. - -As to Houssaye, he swore through thick and thin, and, could he have -known my wishes, would have witnessed anything I liked to dictate. In -the first place, he declared he had undressed me, and seen me in bed. -In the next, he vowed he had washed out several oil spots upon my -doublet the day before: and in the third, that he lay with his door, -at the top of the stairs, open all night; that he had never closed an -eye till daybreak, and, finally, that I had certainly never passed -that way. "I might have got out at the window, it was true," he -observed; "but that, my window being forty feet from the street, it -was not very probable I should have chosen such a means of descent." - -I need scarcely say, that though his deposition was assuredly a very -splendid effort of genius, yet there was, nevertheless, not a word of -truth in it. - -The next person I called was the landlady, who gave evidence that she -found the door (which she had fastened the night before with various -bolts, bars, and locks, which she described,) exactly in the same -state as that in which she left it; and, in the end, availing herself -of her privilege, she turned round, and abused my accuser with great -volubility and effect. - -The uncertain wind of popular opinion had now completely veered about; -and many of those who were behind me scrupled not to proclaim aloud -that I had established my innocence, the news of which, spreading to a -multitude of persons collected without, produced a shout amongst them, -which seemed painfully to affect the corregidor. "Hush!" cried he, -raising his hand,--"Hush! I entreat--I command! This young gentleman -is evidently innocent; but do not insult my sorrow. My good friends -and fellow-citizens," he proceeded, making a great effort to speak -calmly, "I have always tried to act towards you all as a common -father, and I am sure that you love me sufficiently to leave me, and -retire quietly and in silence, when I tell you, that I have now no -other children but yourselves. My daughter--is dead!" and covering his -eyes with his hands, he gave way to a passionate burst of tears. - -A deep silence reigned for a moment or two amongst the people, as if -they could scarcely believe what they had heard: then one whispered to -another, and dropping gradually away, they left the audience chamber. -A momentary murmur was heard without, as the sad news was told and -commented in the crowd: it also died away, and all was silence. - -But what were my own sensations? I can hardly tell. At first I stood -as one thunder-struck, with power to feel much, but not to reason on -it. It seemed as if I had killed her; and for long I could not -persuade myself that I was in no way accessory to her death. After a -moment or two, however, my thoughts were interrupted by the -corregidor, who recovered himself, and, wiping the tears from his -eyes, rose and turned towards Father Francis. - -"Your pupil, sir," said he, in a calm, firm tone, "is free; but yet, -notwithstanding the melancholy event which has occurred in my family, -I will ask a few minutes' private conversation with him, as I wish to -give him some advice, which he may find of service. He shall return -home in half an hour. Signor Conde de Montenero," he proceeded, -speaking to the Chevalier, "I know you will pardon me in leaving you. -Young gentleman, will you accompany me?" - -The Chevalier bowed, and retired with Father Francis and Houssaye, and -the corregidor led me into a long gallery, and thence into private -room beyond. - -On the table lay my sword, which I had left behind the night before, -forgetting it in the agitation of the moment. The corregidor shut the -door, and pointed to the weapon with a look of that unutterable, -heart-broken despair, which was agonising even to behold. The thoughts -of all that had passed--the lovely enchanting girl that he had -lost--his passionate affection towards her--the knowledge he must now -have of her crime--the desolation of his age--the void that must be in -his heart--the horrid absence of love and of hope--the agony of -memory--I saw them all in that look, and they found their way to every -sympathy of my nature. - -I must have been marble, or have wept--I could not help it; and the -old man cast himself upon my neck, and mingled his tears with mine. - -"Count Louis," said the corregidor, after we had somewhat mastered our -first agitation, "I know all. My unfortunate child, before the poison -she had taken had completed her fatal intention, told me everything. -Her love for you--your generous self-sacrifice to her--all is -known to me. You pity me--I see you pity me. If you do, grant me -the only solace that my misery can have--respect my poor child's -memory!--Promise me--and I know your promise is inviolable--never -while you are in Spain, or to a Spaniard, on any account, or for any -reason, to divulge the fatal history, of which you are the only -depository; and even if you tell her story in other countries, oh! add -that her crimes were greatly her weak father's fault, who, with a -foolish fondness, gave way to all her inclinations, and thus pampered -the passions that proved her ruin and her death." - -I could not refuse him; I promised--and was glad, at least, to see -that the assurance of my secrecy took some part, even though a small -one, from the load of misery that had fallen upon him. He spoke to me -long and tenderly, advising me to quit Spain as soon as possible, lest -the Inquisition should regard the matter as within their cognisance, -from the murdered man having been a priest. At length I took leave of -him, renewing my promise, and returned home, with a heart saddened and -rebuked, but I hope amended and improved. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - -With a slow and thoughtful step I mounted the staircase, glad to -escape, by the quiet tardiness of my return, the importunate -congratulations which my landlady, attributing my delivery entirely to -her own eloquence, was prepared to shower upon me as soon as I came -back. - -Cutting her off then from this very laudable exercise of her tongue -and gratification of her vanity, I ascended the stairs, as I have -said, in silence, and was first met by Father Francis, who, after -embracing me, drew me into his own apartment, and informed me that a -letter had arrived from my father, requiring my immediate return to -France; "and, God be praised! my dear son," said the old man, "that -you are at liberty to quit this dark and fearful country, and return -to your parents and happy native land. But go," continued he, "into -your own apartment, where your good friend the Chevalier waits you. I -know not why, but he seems in a strange agitation, speaks abruptly, -and appears to me displeased, though with what I know not, without it -be your sudden recall to your own home. In truth, I never saw him so -affected." - -I well understood the meaning of the Chevalier's agitation; I myself -was agitated, and embarrassed how to act, and consequently I acted -ill. - -When I entered, my friend was walking up and down the room, with his -eyes fixed upon the ground; but, on hearing my step, he raised them, -and fixed them sternly on my face. The fear of appearing guilty, and -the impossibility of clearly exculpating myself, had a greater effect -upon my countenance than perhaps real guilt would have had, and the -rebellious blood flew up with provoking hurry to my cheek. Angry at my -own embarrassment, I resolved to master it; but the effort -communicated something of bitterness to my manner towards the -Chevalier, who had hitherto said nothing to call it forth. He remarked -it, and striding towards the door, which I had left open, he shut it -impatiently; then turned towards me, and with a straining eye, -demanded--"Tell me, Count Louis de Bigorre, after all the evidence -brought forward to prove that you passed last night in this -house--tell me, was it, or was it not you, that I saw enter this door -at two o'clock this morning?" - -"I should think," replied I, coldly, "that what satisfied the judge -before whom I was accused, would be enough to satisfy any one really -my friend." - -"Not when their own eyes were evidence against you," answered the -Chevalier, indignantly. "I thought you incapable of a subterfuge. Once -more, was it you, or was it not?" - -"Though I deny your right to question me," I replied, growing heated -at the authority he assumed, "yet to show that I seek no subterfuge, -I answer it was; but, at the same time, I repeat, that I am -innocent--perfectly innocent of the crime with which I was charged." - -"Pshaw!" cried the Chevalier, with an air of scorn that almost -mastered my patience--"Pshaw!" and turning on his heel, he quitted the -room and the house. When what we have done produces a disagreeable -consequence, whether we have really acted right or not, we are apt to -call to mind every line of conduct which we might have pursued, and -fix upon any other as preferable to that which we have adopted. Thus, -no sooner had the Chevalier left me, than I thought of a thousand -means whereby I might have persuaded him of my innocence, without -breaking my promise to the corregidor; and I resolved to seek him, as -soon as the preparations for my return to France were completed, and -explain myself, as far as I could, without violating the confidence -reposed in me. - -My resolution, however, came too late. About an hour after his -departure, one of the servants of the house where he lodged, brought -me a letter from him, of the following tenure:-- - -"I leave you, and for ever. You have done me the greatest injury that -one man can inflict upon another. You have shown me what human nature -really is, and you have made me a misanthrope. I had watched you from -your infancy, and I had fancied that amongst the many faults and -errors, from which youth is never exempt, I perceived the germ of -great and shining qualities of heart and mind. I devoted myself to -cultivate them to maturity, and to train them aright. Perhaps I was -selfish in doing so; for what man is not selfish? but bitter is the -atonement which you have forced me to make. Adieu! seek me not -henceforth--know me not if we meet--be to me as a stranger. Though, -for the sake of your unhappy father, I rejoice in your escape from the -punishment your crime deserves, my interest in yourself is over; and I -would fain rase out from the tablets of memory all that concerns one -so unworthy of the esteem I once entertained for him." - -This was hard to endure, especially from one that I both respected and -loved. My heart swelled with a mixture of indignation and sorrow, both -at the loss of a friend, and at his unjust suspicions; and though my -consciousness of innocence guarded me from bitterer regrets, yet it -increased my painful irritation at the wrong I suffered, and at my -disappointment in not being able to exculpate myself. Occupation, -however--in every situation of life the greatest blessing and -relief--now came to my aid, and called my attention for a time from -the dark and gloomy views that the circumstances of my fate presented -at the moment. Our departure was fixed for the next morning, and all -the thousand petty accumulations of business, which always hang about -the last day of one's sojourn in any place, now came upon me at once. - -The weather had much altered since our arrival at Saragossa; for three -months had tamed the lion of the summer, and it was not, at all -events, heat that we had to fear on our journey. Cold autumn winds -were now blowing, and saluted us rudely the moment we got beyond the -sheltering walls of the city, piercing to our very bones. I would have -given a pistole for half an hour of the hot-breathed _siroc_ to warm -the air till we could heat ourselves by exercise. - -As we approached the mountains, however, it became colder and more -cold, and the prospect of their snowy passes fell chill and cheerless -upon our anticipations. Yet there was something vast and majestic in -their aspect, which raised and elevated the mind above the petty cares -and sorrows of existence. I had been grave, I had been gloomy--I had -been perhaps peevish--but the contrast between the transitory -littleness of all human things, and the eternal grandeur of such -objects, reproved the impatient repinings of my heart. I felt a -consolation in looking upon them as they stretched along before me, in -the same bold towering forms that they had presented unmemoried -centuries ago. It seemed as if they said, "Ages and generations, -nations and languages, have passed away and been forgotten, with all -their idle hopes and vain solicitudes, while we have stood unmoved, -unaged, unaltered. Even Time, the inexorable enemy of all man's works, -lays not upon us his profaning finger; and while he overthrows the -arch that records man's glory, and hurls down the column that -monuments his grave, he dares not spoil the fabrics of that great God -who created him and us." - -Under the influence of such thoughts, the recollections of the last -two days gradually lost themselves; and though I rode along, grave and -perhaps melancholy, my melancholy was not of that bitter and gloomy -nature produced by worldly cares and griefs. Father Francis was well -acquainted with the many changes of my mood, and, consequently, found -it not at all extraordinary that I was silent and thoughtful; but, -attributing my seriousness to the events which had happened at -Saragossa, he wisely let them sleep, hoping that they would soon pass -from my memory. - -Towards the evening, on the second day of our journey, we arrived at a -little village consisting of about half a dozen shepherds' huts, -situated at the very foot of the mountains; and here we learned that -the _Port de Gavarnie_, by which we intended to have entered France, -was completely blocked up with snow; but that less had fallen near -Gabas, and that, consequently, the passes in that direction were -practicable. Thither, then, we directed our steps the next morning, -having procured a guide amongst the shepherds, who agreed to conduct -us as far as Laruns, though he often looked at the sky, which had by -this time become covered with heavy leaden-looking clouds, and shook -his head, saying, that we must make all speed. There was but little -good augury in his looks, and less in the prospect around us; for, as -we began to ascend, the whole scene appeared covered with the cold -robe of winter. All the higher parts of the mountains showed but one -mass of snow; and every precipice under which we passed seemed crowned -with an impending avalanche, which nothing but the black limbs of the -gigantic pines, in which that region abounds, held from an -instantaneous descent upon our heads. - -No frost, however, had yet reached the bottom of the ravines through -which we travelled. The path was rather damp and slippy, and the -stream rushed on over the rocks without showing one icicle to mark the -reign of winter. Father Francis's mule, which had delayed us on our -former journey, now proved more sure-footed, at least, than either of -the horses; and the good priest, finding himself quite secure and at -his ease, dilated on the grandeur of the scenery and the magnificence -of nature, even in her rudest forms. - -"I am nothing of a misanthrope," said he, "and yet I find in the -contemplation of the works of God a charm that man and all his -arts can never communicate. When I look upon the mighty efforts -of creation, I feel them to be all true and genuine--all -unchangeable--the effect of universal Beneficence acting with Almighty -power: but when I consider even the greatest and most splendid deeds -of man, I am never certain in what base motives they originated, or -for what bad ends they were designed; how much pain and injustice -their execution may have cost, or how much misery and vice may attend -upon their consequences. In all man does there is that germ from which -evil may ever spring, while the works of God are always beautiful in -themselves, and excellent in their purpose." - -"And yet, my good father," said I, willing enough to shorten the -tedious way with conversation, "though you pronounce the flash of -glory to be but a misleading meteor, and power a dangerous precipice, -and love a volcano as full of earthquakes as fertility, yet still -there are some things amongst men's deeds which even you can -contemplate with delight and admiration,--the protecting the weak, the -assuaging grief, the dispensing joy, the leading unto virtue and -right." - -"True, Louis! true!" answered he; "and yet I know not whether my mind -is saddened to-day; but though all these actions are admirable, how -rare it is we can be certain that the motives which prompted them were -good! Only, I believe, when we look into our own breast; and then--if -we examine steadfastly, clearly, accurately, how many faults, how many -weaknesses, how many follies, how many crimes, do we not find to make -us turn away our eyes from the sad prospect of the human heart! Here I -can look around me, and see beauty springing from Beneficence, and -everything that is magnificent proceeding from everything that is -wise. And oh! how happy, how full of joy and tranquillity is the -conviction, that death itself, the worst evil which can happen to this -frail body, is the work of that great Creator who made both the body -and the soul, and certainly made them not in vain." - -A moment or two after, indeed, but so close upon what he said that no -other observation had been made, I heard a kind of rushing noise; and, -looking up towards the cloud above us, which hid with a thick veil the -whole tops of the mountains, I saw it agitated as if by a strong wind, -while a roar, more awful than that of thunder, made itself heard -above. I knew the voice of the _lavange_, and with an instant -perception, I know not how nor why, that it was rather behind than -before us, I laid my hand upon Father Francis's bridle, and spurred -forward like lightning. To my surprise, the obstinate mule on which he -was mounted, instead of resisting my effort to make it go on, put -itself at once into a gallop, as if it were instinctively aware of the -approaching danger. Houssaye and the guide followed with all speed; -and, in a moment after, we reached a spot where the valley, turning -abruptly to the left, afforded a certain shelter. - -Here I turned to look, and never shall I forget the scene that I -witnessed. Thundering down the side of the hill, rushing, and roaring, -and devastating in its course, came an immense shapeless mass of a dim -hue, raising a sort of misty atmosphere round itself as it fell. The -mountain, even to where we stood, shook under its descent; the -valleys, and the precipices, and the caverns, echoed back the -tremendous roar of its fall. Immense masses of rock rolled down before -it, impelled by the violent pressure of the air which it occasioned; -and long ere it reached them, the tall pines tottered and swayed as if -writhing under the consciousness of approaching destruction, till at -length it touched them, when one after another fell crashing and -uprooted into its tremendous mass, and were hurled along with it down -the side of the steep. - -Down, down it rushed, dazzling the eye and deafening the ear, and -sweeping all before it, till, striking the bottom of the valley with a -sound as if a thousand cannon had been discharged at once, it blocked -up the whole pass, dispersing the stream in a cloud of mist, and -shaking by the mere concussion a multitude of crags and rocks down -from the summit of the mountain. Long after it fell, the hollow -windings of the ravines prolonged its roar with many an echoing sound, -dying slowly away till all again was silence, and the mist dispersing -left the frowning destruction that the _lavange_ had caused exposed to -the sight in all its full horrors. - -Father Francis raised his hands to heaven; and though I am sure that -few men were better prepared to leave this earth, and had less of -man's lingering desire still to remain upon it, yet with that -instinctive love of life, which neither religion nor philosophy can -wholly banish, he thanked God most fervently for our preservation from -the fate which had just passed us by. We had, indeed, many reasons to -be thankful, not only for our escape from the immediate danger of the -_lavange_, but also for having been enabled to accomplish our passage -before its fall had blocked up the path along which we were -proceeding. The guide, indeed, seemed little disposed to prophesy -good, even from what we had escaped. The avalanches, he said, were -very uncommon at that season of the year, and when they did happen, -they were always indicative of some great commotion likely to take -place in the atmosphere. Neither did he love, he proceeded to say, -those heavy clouds that rested halfway down the sides of the -mountains, nor the dead stillness of the air; both of which seemed to -him to forbode a snow-storm, the most certain agent of the traveller's -destruction in the winter. - -Nothing remained, however, but to urge our course forward as fast as -possible; but the mule of the good priest had now resumed her -hereditary obstinacy, and neither blows nor fair words would induce -her to move one step faster than suited her immediate convenience; so -that it bade fair to be near midnight before we could reach the first -town in the valley _D'Ossau_. - -After many a vain attempt upon the impassible animal, we were obliged -to yield, and proceed onward as slowly as she chose, while -occasionally a sort of low howling noise in the gorges of the mountain -gave notice that the apprehensions of the guide were likely to be -verified. A large eagle, too, kept sailing slowly before us, breaking -with its ill-omened voice, as it flitted down the ravine, the profound -death-like silence of the air. Over the whole of the scene there was a -dark, inexpressible gloom, which found its way heavily to our own -hearts. All was still, too, and noiseless, except the dull melancholy -sounds I have mentioned: it seemed as if nature had become dumb with -awe at the approaching tempest. No bird enlivened the air with its -song, no insect interrupted the stillness with the hum, no object of -life presented itself, except a hawk or a raven, shooting quickly -across, evidently not in pursuit of prey, but in search of shelter. -The hills and rocks were all cold and grey, except where the snow had -lodged in large white masses, which rendered their aspect still more -cheerless and desolate. The sky was dark, heavy, and frowning, and -every object seemed benumbed by the hand of death; so that it was -impossible, on looking around upon that sad, chill, powerless scene, -to fancy it could ever re-awaken into life, and sunshine, and summer. - -Gradually the howling of the mountains increased, and the wind began -to break upon us with quick sharp gusts, that almost threw us from our -horses, while a shower of small, fine sleet drove in our faces, -fatiguing and teasing us, as well as impeding our progress. The guide -began now to grumble loudly at the slowness of Father Francis's mule, -and to declare that he would not stay and risk his life for any mule -in France or Arragon. - -We were now upon the French side of the mountains, and, as the road -was sufficiently defined, I doubted not that we should be able to find -our way without his assistance. As his insolence became louder, -therefore, I told him, if he were a coward, and afraid to stay by -those persons he had undertaken to guide, to spur on his horse, and -deliver us from his tongue as speedily as possible. He took me at my -word, replying that he was no coward, but that having his wife and -children to provide for, his life was of value; that if we would go -faster, he would stay with us and guide us on; but that if we would -not, the path was straight before us, and that we had nothing to do -but follow it by the side of the stream till it led us to a town. -Seeing him thus determined, I thought it better to send forward -Houssaye along with him, giving him directions to return with some -people of the country to lead us right if we should have missed our -way, and to relieve us in case we should be overwhelmed by the snow. -Houssaye still smacked too much of the old soldier to say a word in -opposition to a received order, and though he looked very much as if -he would have willingly stayed with Father Francis and myself, yet he -instantly obeyed, and putting spurs to his horse, followed the guide -on towards Laruns. - -The storm every moment began to increase, and so sharp was the wind in -our faces, that we could hardly distinguish our way, being nearly -blinded with snow, mingled with a sort of extremely fine hail. The -atmosphere, also, loaded with thin particles, was now so dim and -obscure, that it was not possible to see more than fifty yards before -us, and, while wandering on through the semi-opaque air, the objects -around appeared to assume a thousand strange and fantastic shapes, of -giants, and towers, and castles, as their indistinct forms were -changed by the hand of fancy. Even to the animals that bore us, these -transformations seemed to be visible, for more than once my horse -started from a rock which had taken the shape of some beast; and once -we were nearly half-an-hour in getting the mule past an old pine, -which the tempest had hurled down the mountain, and which, leaning -over a mass of stone, looked like an immense serpent, stretching out -its neck to devour whatever living thing should pass before it. - -In the meanwhile, the ground gradually became thickly covered with -snow, and every footfall of the horse left a deep mark, telling -plainly how rapidly the accumulation was going on. Still we made but -little progress, and, what between slipping and climbing, both the -mule and the horse soon lost their vigour with fatigue, and we had now -much difficulty in making them proceed. - -Not long after the guide left us, it evidently began to grow dark, and -it was with feelings I have seldom felt that I observed the gathering -gloom which grew around. The white glare of the snow did, indeed, -afford some light, but so confused and indistinct, that it served to -dazzle, but not to guide. - -All vestige of a path was soon effaced, and the only means of -ascertaining in which way our road lay, was by the murmuring of the -stream that still continued to rush on at the bottom of the precipice -over which we passed. Even the black patches which had been left, -where some large stone or salient crag had sheltered any spot from the -drift, were soon lost, and it became evident that much more snow had -fallen on the French side of the mountains, even before that day, than -we had been led to expect. - -Our farther progress became at every step more and more perilous, for -none of the crevices and gaps in the path were now visible, and the -tormenting dashing of the snow in our eyes, and in those of our -beasts, prevented us or them from choosing even those parts which -appeared most solid and secure. I had hitherto led the way, but Father -Francis now insisted upon going first, on account of the sure-footed -nature of the mule, whose instinctive perception of every dangerous -step was certain to secure him, he observed, from perils of the nature -we were most likely to encounter. The mule might also, he continued, -in some degree serve to guide my horse, who had more than once -stumbled upon the slippery and uneven rocks, concealed as they were by -the snow. - -After some opposition, I consented to his doing so, feeling a sort of -depression of mind which I can only attribute to fatigue. It was not -fear: but there was a sort of deep despondency grew upon me, which -made me give up all hope of ever disentangling ourselves from the -dangerous situation in which we were placed. The cold, the darkness, -the chilly, piercing wind, the void, yawning expanse of the dim hollow -before me, the melancholy howling of the mountains, the rush and the -tumult of the swelling stream below, the whispering murmur of the -pine-woods above, beginning with a gentle sigh, and growing hoarser -and hoarser, till it ended in a roar like the angry billows of the -ocean--all affected my mind with dark and gloomy presentiments;--I -never hoped to save my life from the rude hand of the tempest--I -hardly know whether I wished it; despair had obtained so firm a hold -of my mind, that it had scarcely power even to conceive a desire. - -After we had changed the order of our progression, however, we went on -for some time much more securely, the mule stepping on with a quiet -caution and certainty peculiar to those animals, and my horse -following it step by step, as if perfectly well understanding her -superiority in such circumstances, and allowing her to lead without -one feeling of jealousy. - -Still the snow fell, and the wind blew, and the irritating howling and -roaring of the mountains continued with increasing violence, while the -blank darkness of the night surrounded us on all sides; when suddenly -the mule stopped, and showed an evident determination of proceeding no -farther. Fearful lest there should be any hidden danger which she did -not choose to pass, I dismounted as carefully from my horse as I -could, and proceeding round the spot where she stood, I went on a few -paces, trying the ground at each step I took; but all was firm and -even--indeed, much more smooth than any we had hitherto passed. The -path, it is true, ran along on the verge of the precipice, but there -wanted no room for two or three horses to have advanced abreast, and, -consequently, seeing that the beast was actuated by a fit of -obstinacy, I mounted again, and proceeded to ride round for the -purpose of leading the way, to try whether she would not then follow. -Accordingly, I spurred on my horse to pass her, but he had scarcely -taken two steps forward, when the vicious mule struck out with her -hind feet full in his chest. He reared--plunged--reared again, and in -a moment I found his haunches slipping over the precipice behind. It -was the work of a moment; but, with the overpowering instinct of -self-preservation, I let go the bridle, sprang forward from his back, -and catching hold of the rhododendrons and other tough shrubs on the -brink, found myself hanging in the air with my feet just beating -against the face of the rock. My brain turned giddy, and an agonising -cry, something between a neigh and a scream, from the depth below, -told me dreadfully the fate which I had just escaped. - -Slowly, and cautiously, fearing every moment that the slender twigs by -which I held would give way, and precipitate me down into the horrid -abyss that had received my poor horse, I contrived to raise myself -till I stood once more upon firm ground; and then replied to the -anxious calls of Father Francis, who had dimly seen the horse plunge -over, and had heard his cry from below, but knew not whether I had -fallen with him or not. - -My heart still beat too fast, and my brain turned round too much to -permit of our proceeding for some minutes; the loss of my horse, also, -was likely to prove a serious addition, if not to our danger, at least -to my fatigues. Nothing, however, could be done to remedy the -misfortune; and, after pausing for a while, in order to gain breath, -we attempted to recommence our journey. For the purpose of leading her -on, I laid my hand upon the mule's bridle, but nothing would make her -move; and the moment I tried to pull her forward, or Father Francis -touched her with the whip, she ran back towards the edge of the -precipice, till another step would have plunged her over. Nothing now -remained but for the good priest to descend and take his journey -forward also on foot. As soon as he was safely off the back of the -vicious beast which had caused us so much uncomfort and danger, I -again attempted to make her proceed; resolving, in the height of my -anger, if she again approached the side, rather to push her over than -save her: but with cunning equal to her obstinacy, she perceived that -we should not entertain the same fear as when her rider was upon her -back, and instead of pulling backwards as before, she calmly laid -herself down on her side, leaving us no resource but to go forward -without her. - -The most painful part of our journey now began. Every step was -dangerous--every step was difficult; nothing but horror and gloom -surrounded us on all sides, and death lay around us in a thousand -unknown shapes. Wherever we ascended, we had to struggle with the full -force of the overpowering blast, and wherever the path verged into a -descent, there we had slowly to choose our way with redoubled caution, -with a road so slippery, that it was hardly possible to keep one's -feet, and a profound precipice below; while the wind tore us in its -fury, and the snow and sleet beat upon us without ceasing. For nearly -an hour we continued to bear up against it, struggling onward with -increasing difficulties, sometimes falling, sometimes dashed back by -the wind, with our clothes drenched in consequence of the snow melting -upon us, and the cold of the atmosphere growing more intense as every -minute of the night advanced. At length hope itself was wearied out; -and at a spot where the ravine opened out into a valley to the right -and left, while our path continued over a sort of causeway, with the -river on one hand, and a deep dell filled up with snow on the other, -Father Francis, who had hitherto struggled on with more vigour than -might have been expected from his age, suddenly stopped, and resting -on a rock, declared his incapacity to go any farther. "My days are -over, Louis," said he: "leave me, and go forward as fast as you can. -If I mistake not, that is the pass just above Laruns. Speed on, speed -on, my dear boy; a quarter of an hour, I know, would put us in safety, -but I have not strength to sustain myself any longer: I have done my -utmost, and I must stop." - -He spoke so feebly, that the very tone of his voice left me no hope -that he would be able to proceed, especially across that open part of -the valley, where we were exposed to the full force of the wind. It -already dashed against us with more tremendous gusts than we had yet -felt, whirling up the snow into thick columns that threatened every -moment to overwhelm us, and I doubted not that the path beyond lay -still more open to its fury. To leave the good old man in that -situation was of course what I never dreamed of; and, consequently, I -expressed my own determination to wait there also for the return of -Houssaye, who, I deemed, could not be long in coming to search for us. - -"No, Louis, no!" cried Father Francis; "the wind, the snow, the cold, -are all increasing. You must attempt to go on, for, if you do not, you -will perish also. But first listen to an important piece of -information which has been confided to me. As I cannot bear the -message myself, you must deliver it to your mother.--Tell her----" - -I could hardly hear what he said, his voice was so faint, and the -howling of the storm so dreadful: a few more broken words were added; -but before he had concluded, a gust of wind more violent than any we -had hitherto encountered whirled round us both with irresistible -power. I strove to hold by the rock with all my force, but in vain. I -was torn from it as if I had been a straw, and the next moment was -dashed with the good priest into the midst of the snow that had -collected in the dell below. We sunk deep down into the yielding -drift, which, rising high above our heads, for a moment nearly -suffocated me. Soon, however, I found that I could breathe, and though -all hope was now over, I contrived to remove the snow that lay between -myself and Father Francis, of whose gown I had still retained a hold. -I told him I was safe, and called to him to answer me. He made no -reply--I raised his head--he moved not--I put my hand upon his -heart--it had ceased to beat! - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - -I have told all that I remember of that night,--a night whose horrible -events still haunt my memory like the ghosts of the unburied on the -banks of Styx, often flitting across my mind's eye, when it would fain -turn to scenes of happiness and joy. If ever a horrible dream disturbs -my slumber, it is also sure to refer to that night, and I find myself -labouring on in the midst of wilds and darkness, rocks and precipices, -the tempest dashing in my face, and the wind hurling me into the midst -of the suffocating snow. - -My recovery from the sort of stupor into which I had fallen after I -had discovered the death of poor Father Francis was very different in -all its sensations from my resuscitation after drowning. I remember -nothing of the actual return to life, and it must, indeed, have been -some weeks before I regained my powers of reason and perception in -their full force, passing the interval in a state of delirium, brought -on by the cold, and also, perhaps, by the excessive excitement in -which I had been for some hours previous to my losing my recollection. - -When I first woke, as it were, from this state of mental alienation, I -found myself lying on a bed, stretched in my mother's toilet chamber. -I believe I had been asleep, and felt excessively enfeebled--so much -so, indeed, that, though I plainly saw my mother just rising from -beside me, I could not summon sufficient energy to speak to her, and I -reclosed my eyes. I heard her say, however, "He wakes! try, dear -Helen, to soothe him to sleep again, while I go and endeavour to rest -myself, for I am very much worn with watching last night." Her steps -retreated, for she fancied me still delirious; and I could hear some -one else glide forward--though the footfall was, perhaps, the lightest -that ever touched the earth--and take the seat my mother had left. So -acute had become my sense of hearing, that the least sound was -perceptible to my ears, even for many weeks afterwards, to such a -degree as to be positively painful to me. - -I was well aware that it was Helen Arnault--my beloved Helen--that sat -beside me; and yet, though I can scarcely say my senses were -sufficiently restored for me positively to exercise that faculty which -is called _thinking_, there was upon my mind a vague dreamy -remembrance that I had acted wrong in her regard, which made me still -keep my eyes closed, trying to call up more clearly the images of all -my adventures at Saragossa. As I lay thus, I felt a soft sweet breath -fan my cheek, like the air of spring, and then a warm drop or two fall -upon it, like a spring shower. I opened my eyes, and saw Helen gazing -upon me and weeping. She raised her head slightly, for her lips had -been close to my cheek; but thinking that my mind was still in the -same wandering state, she continued to gaze upon my face, and I could -see in her eyes the look of that deep, devoted, resolute affection, -with which woman is pre-eminently endowed--her blessing or her curse! -I laid my hand gently upon one of hers which rested on the side of my -bed, and drawing it towards me, I pressed it to my lips. She instantly -started up, and looked at me with a glance of surprise and joy that I -can see even now. - -"Oh, is it possible!" cried she: "are you better really?" and she -seemed as if to start away to convey the tidings to my mother; but I -beckoned her to bend her head down towards me, and when she had done -so, I thanked her, in a low voice, but with energetic words, for her -care, her kindness, and for her love. Her blushing cheek was close to -my lips, but sickness, which had rendered all my sensations morbidly -acute, had also made my feelings of delicacy much more refined, and -had given a degree of timidity I did not often otherwise feel. I would -not for the world have taken advantage of the opportunity which her -kindness and confidence afforded; and though, as I have said, her -cheek, looking like the summer side of a blooming peach, was within -the reach of my lips, I let her raise it without a touch, when I had -poured forth my thanks into her ear; and I then suffered her to do her -joyful errand to my mother, only venturing to tell her, ere she went, -how much I loved, and how much I would love her to the end of my -existence. - -A moment after, my mother returned herself, her eyes streaming with -tears of joy; and, kneeling by my bedside, she covered my cheek with -those fond maternal kisses, whose unmixed purity gives them a sweet -and holy balm, which love with all its fire and brightness can seldom, -seldom attain. - -My convalescence was tedious, and months elapsed before I regained -anything like the robust health which I had formerly enjoyed. Months -of sickness are very apt to make a spoilt child; and had I not lately -received some lessons hard to be forgot, such might have been the case -with me, when I saw the whole happiness of the three persons I myself -loved best depending upon my slightest change of looks. My father's -delight at my recovery was not less than my mother's; and every day -that I met Helen, I could see her eye rest for an instant upon my -face, as if to watch what progress returning health had made since the -day before; and when, by chance it gained a deeper touch of red, or my -eyes had acquired a ray of renewed fire, the happiness of her heart -raised the blood into her cheek, and made her look a thousand times -lovelier than ever. - -We now also met oftener than formerly. The ties which she had entwined -round my mother's heart had been, during my illness, drawn more -tightly than ever. That restraint no longer existed which had formerly -proved so irksome to me; Helen was in every way treated as a child of -the family; and, had she chosen it, might have yielded me many an hour -of that private conversation which I was not remiss in seeking. But -far from it; with an ingenuity, which mingled gentleness, perhaps even -affection, with reserve, she avoided all opportunity of hearing what -her heart forbade her to reprove, and to which she yet felt it wrong -to listen. - -When before my father or mother, instead of appearing to feel a -greater degree of timidity, it seemed as if the restraint was removed, -and she would behave towards me as a gentle and affectionate sister; -but if ever she encountered me alone, she had still some excuse to -leave me, ere I could tell her all that was passing in my heart, or -win from her any reiteration of her once acknowledged regard. - -Her conduct made me grave and melancholy. My bosom was full of a -passion that I burned to pour forth with all the ardour of youth, and -it drove me forth to solitude to dream over the feelings I was denied -the power to communicate. My father observed my long and lonely -rambles; and remonstrated with me on giving way to such melancholy -gloom, when I had so many causes for happiness and for gratitude to -Heaven. "Not," said he, "that I contemn an occasional recourse to the -commune of one's own thoughts; it enlarges, it elevates, it improves -the mind; and I am convinced that the beautiful Roman fable of Numa -and Egeria was but a fine allegory, to express that the Roman king -learned wisdom by a frequent intercourse with the divine and -instructive spirit of solitude. But your retirement, my dear Louis, -seems to me of a gloomy and dissatisfied nature; perhaps it originates -in a desire to see more of courts and cities than you have hitherto -done. If so, it is easy to gratify you, however painful it may be to -your mother and myself to lose your society." - -In reply, I assured him that I entertained no desire of the kind; but -he had persuaded himself that such was the case, and still retained -his first opinion, though God knows to leave Helen was the last thing -I sought. He continued, however, to turn in his own mind his project -of sending me to the court, notwithstanding which, it is probable that -the whole would have gradually passed away from his memory, had not my -mother, to whom he had communicated his wishes, from other motives, -determined upon the same proceeding; and with her calm but active -spirit, while my father spoke of it every day, yet took no step -towards its accomplishment, she hardly mentioned the subject, but -carried it into effect. - -As I recovered my health, there was of course much to hear concerning -all that had occurred, both during my absence in Spain, and my illness -after my return. - -In regard to the first, I shall merely notice the circumstance which -occasioned my father to recal me: this was nothing else than a visit -from the Marquis de St. Brie, of whom the Chevalier had instilled into -our minds so unfavourable an opinion. - -On his presenting himself at the château, my father received him -coldly and haughtily; but the Marquis soon, by the polished elegance -of his manners, and the apparent frankness of his character, did away -the evil impression which had been created against him. He spoke of -his rencontre with me, and he praised my conduct in the highest -manner. Courage, and skill, and generous forbearance, were all -attributed to me; and the ears of the parent were easily soothed by -the commendation bestowed upon his child. Besides, my father was too -lazy to hold his opinion steadfastly, when any one strove to steal it -from him; and he gradually brought himself to believe that the Marquis -de St. Brie was a very much slandered person, and that, so far from -having any evil intent towards me, the Marquis was my very good friend -and well-wisher. - -My mother was slower to be convinced; but the language of my former -adversary was so high whenever he spoke of me, that she also gradually -yielded her unfavourable impressions, and willingly consented to my -recal--the Marquis having promised to revisit the Château de l'Orme in -the spring, and expressed a wish to see me, offering at the same time, -if his interest could be of service to my views, to use it to the -utmost in my behalf. My mother looked upon this, at the worst, as an -empty profession, and my father almost believed him to be sincere. - -Thus I was recalled; and my adventures on my return being already -told, I have only farther to relate the means by which I was saved -from the fate that menaced me. Immediately on quitting Father Francis -and myself, my faithful Houssaye had ridden on with the guide to -Laruns, as hard as he could. The wind, however, and the snow had -delayed them far longer than he had anticipated; and, anxious for my -safety, he galloped to the little cabaret in search of some one to -return and lend their assistance in finding me out, and rescuing me -from the peril in which he had left me. - -The first persons whom he encountered in the auberge were Arnault, the -procureur of Lourdes, and his son, the latter of whom instantly -proffered to join the party, and aid with all his heart. But the old -procureur was thereupon immediately smitten with a fit of paternal -tenderness, such as had not visited him for many years before; and he -not only positively prohibited Jean Baptiste from encountering the -dangers of the snow himself, but he also pronounced such a pathetic -oration upon the horrors and dangers of the undertaking, that of the -whole party collected in the cabaret not one could be found to -venture. - -Houssaye's next resource was amongst the cottagers round about, and, -by promises and persuasion, he induced eight sturdy mountaineers to -accompany him with the resin torches for which they are famous in that -part of the country, and which are almost as difficult to extinguish -as the celebrated fire of Callinicus. With these they began their -search on the road towards Gabas; but scarcely had they passed the -defile immediately above Laruns, than the light of the torches flashed -over a spot where the snow had evidently been disturbed, and on -examining they found a part of my clothes not yet covered with the -drift which had come down since the wind had swept Father Francis and -myself from the path. We were soon extricated, and carried to Laruns -apparently dead. - -Here all means were applied to recall us to life, but they proved -successful only with me; on Father Francis they had no effect, though -Houssaye assured me that everything which could be devised was -employed in vain. - -Amongst the most active in rendering me every assistance after I was -extricated was the good youth who had saved me before from a watery -grave; but in the midst of his endeavours, his father checked him, and -calling him on one side, spoke to him for long in a low voice. - -"The old fox thought I could hear nothing," said Houssaye; "but enough -reached me to make me understand he would rather have had you die than -live. If he dies, I heard him say, you shall have both--something -which I did not hear--and all the property; but if he lives, mark if -he do not thwart us, though I will take care to throw obstacles enough -in his way! The lad seemed well enough inclined to help you still," -proceeded Houssaye, "but his father would not let him; though he came -the next morning himself, fawning and asking if he could bear any -message back to Lourdes, whither he was about to return, finding that -he could not pass into Spain as he had intended." - -This latter part of the worthy old trumpeter's narration astonished -and embarrassed me a good deal; and after turning it in every way that -my imagination could suggest, without being able to discover any -solution of the mystery, I was obliged to conclude that, in what the -narrator declared he had overheard, fancy had full as great a share as -matter of fact. Arnault might dislike me--indeed, I was very sure that -he did so--but how my life might thwart his views, or my death might -profit him, I was at a loss to discover. - -One thing, however, I remarked--Arnault, after my recovery, came more -than once to see his daughter, which he had not done more than twice -before, since she had been at the château. Her brother, also, was more -frequently with her; and on these occasions, the father, if he met any -member of my family, was humble and fawning, the son awkward and -sheepish; and it struck me that the behaviour of the latter was very -much changed towards myself, as if he were playing a part learned by -rote, which neither assimilated with his character nor suited his -inclination. - -I also perceived a change take place in Helen--she grew silent, pale, -thoughtful. When she looked at me, it seemed as if her eyes would -overflow with tears, were it not for the restraint imposed upon her by -the presence of others. Her gaiety was gone; and even the servants, -amongst whom she was almost adored, began to remark the sadness of -_Mademoiselle Helene_, and comment on its cause. All this was to me a -mystery; and doubt of any kind, even concerning a trifle, has ever -been to me a thousand times more painful than evident danger or real -misfortune. Doubt is to my mind what the darkness of night is to a -ghost-frightened school-boy--I go on gazing anxiously about me on -every side, conjuring up a thousand ideal spectres, and distorting -every dim object that I see into the likeness of some fearful phantom -of the imagination. Nor can all the reasoning in my power divest my -mind of the credulity with which I listen either to hope or to -apprehension: though I well know that apprehension is to sorrow what -hope is to joy--a sort of _avant courier_, who greatly magnifies the -importance of the personage whom he precedes. - -In the present instance, I determined to change my doubts to -certainties, if human ingenuity might do so. Probably I should have -accomplished it, but passion--which generally interferes with the best -laid schemes of human wisdom, suggesting that the gratification which -the heart seeks may easily be blended with the designs which the brain -has formed--was ingenious enough to persuade me that the very best -thing I could do for the accomplishment of my object was suddenly to -explain myself with Helen. She avoided giving me any opportunity of -doing so. I persisted with all the ardour of my nature, watching with -unwearied assiduity even to gain a quarter of an hour; but I watched -in vain. - -Thus lapsed first a week, and then another, at the end of which the -Marquis de St. Brie arrived at the château, full ten days before he -had been expected. He came, however, with no train which could -incommode his host and hostess. Two servants were all that accompanied -him; and the seeming frankness of this conduct even won much upon my -opinion. I found him a different person from what I had conceived. He -was proud, perhaps, in manner, but not haughty; he was witty--he was -well informed--he was pleasing. In short, he was the opposite to that -Marquis de St. Brie whom I had more than once regretted not having -sent to his long account at the time it was in my power to do so. - -Was he changed--or was I? Perhaps both; and I am afraid that a degree -of pique towards the Chevalier did certainly make me easily receive -every favourable impression that the manners and appearance of my -former adversary were calculated to produce. In latter years I have -tried to judge my own motives in the various events of life--I have -judged them strictly--as strictly as it is possible for a man to do; -but not too much so, for it is impossible that any one can be too -severe upon himself. The result of my self-investigation on this point -has been, that had my friendship for the Chevalier been as lively as -ever, I should have found less charms in the society of the Marquis de -St. Brie. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - -By a long system of exact economy, my mother had, by this time, -repaired, in some degree, the ravages which many generations of -extravagance had committed on our family estates; and though the -pimple-nosed _maître d'hôtel_ and old Houssaye, with two other -septuagenarian lackeys, who might be considered as heirlooms in the -family, still maintained their faces in the hall, yet four other more -youthful attendants had been added to the number; and on the first day -of the Marquis de St. Brie's arrival, all eight figured in new bright -liveries of green and gold, with well-starched ruffs, and white sword -scabbards. This was an expansion of liberality on the part of my -mother which I had not expected; not that for a moment I mean to -insinuate that the spirit of frugality was in her the effect of a -sordid heart--far, far from it; it was an effort of her mind, and had -ever been a painful one. She had herself experienced all the -uncomforts of that miserable combination, a great name and an inferior -fortune; and she was resolved, if possible, to save her son from the -same distresses. - -In the present instance, she was actuated by a feeling of that refined -delicacy towards her husband, which ever taught her not only to -respect him herself, but to throw a veil even round his foibles, for -the purpose of hiding them from the eyes of the others. She had heard -my father calmly talk to the Marquis de St. Brie, on the former visit, -of his retinue and his vassals; and a slight smile had played about -the guest's lip, which my father never saw, but which wounded my -mother for him. She instantly determined to sacrifice some part of her -system of economy, without attempting any vain display, or going -beyond what she could reasonably afford; and the present effect was -that which I have described. - -We dined in general a little after noon; but on the day of the -Marquis's arrival, which was looked upon by the servants as one of -those occasions of ceremony, when their rights and privileges were to -be as strictly enforced as the official tenures at a royal coronation, -the announcement of dinner was somewhat delayed by a contest between -Houssaye and the _maître d'hôtel_, in regard to which should sound the -trumpet. Houssaye grounded his claim upon patent of office, as the -trumpeter-general to the Counts of Bigorre; and the _maître d'hôtel_, -contended for the honour as a right prescriptive, which he had -exercised for thirty years. The _maître d'hôtel_ would certainly have -carried the day, being in possession of the brazen tube in dispute; -but Houssaye, like a true old soldier, hung upon his flanks, -embarrassed his man[oe]uvres, and at length defeated him by a _coup de -main_. The _maître d'hôtel_ having possession, as I have said, -resolved to exercise his right; and, at the hour appointed, raised the -trumpet to his lips, and prepared an energetic breath. His red cheeks -swelled till they looked like a ripe pomegranate; his eyes stared as -if they would start from their sockets; his long, pimpled nose was -nearly eclipsed by its rubicund neighbours, the cheeks, and would -hardly have been seen but for a vibratory sort of movement about the -end, produced, probably, by the compression of his breath. All -announced a most terrible explosion, when suddenly the undaunted -Houssaye stepped up, and applying his thumb to the cheek of this -unhappy aspirant to _tubicinal_ honours, expelled the breath before -the lips were prepared. The cheeks sunk, the eyes relapsed, the nose -protruded, and a hollow murmur died along the resonant cavities of the -brass--a sort of dirge to the pseudo-trumpeter's defeat. - -The whole scene was visible to me through the open door of the -vestibule, and so irresistibly comic was it altogether, that I could -not refrain from staying to witness its termination. Again the _maître -d'hôtel_ essayed the feat, and again the malicious Houssaye rendered -his efforts abortive; upon which the discomfited party declared he -would carry his cause before a higher tribunal, and was proceeding -towards my father's apartments to state his grievances. But he -committed one momentous oversight which completed his defeat. - -In the agitation of the moment he laid the trumpet down; Houssaye -pounced upon it like lightning, started upon a chair, and applied the -brass to his lips. The _maître d'hôtel_ threw his arms round him to -pull him down, but Houssaye's weight overbalanced his adversary, and -both rolled upon the floor together. - -The old trumpeter, however, had blown many an inspiring blast on -horseback and on foot, in the charge, in the retreat, in the camp, or -in the rage of the battle; all situations were alike to him, and as he -rolled over and over with the _maître d'hôtel_, he still kept the -trumpet to his lips, and blew, and blew, and blew, till such a call to -the standard echoed through the château as had never before disturbed -its peaceful halls. - -After I had seen the conclusion of this doughty contention, I was -proceeding towards my father's library, when I was met in the corridor -by the whole party coming from their various apartments. My father -resigned to no one the honour of handing down the Countess; and the -Marquis turned to offer his hand to Helen, who followed her, giving a -slight sort of start as his eye fell upon so much loveliness. - -"I did not know, madam," said he, "that you had so fair a daughter." - -"She is no farther my daughter," replied the Countess, looking back to -Helen with a smile, "than in being the daughter of my love. -Mademoiselle Arnault, Monsieur le Marquis de St. Brie!" - -The hall, as we entered it, looked more splendid than ever I had seen -it. With infinite labour, the old banners, that flaunted in the air -above the table, had been cleared of their antique dust; all our -family plate was displayed upon the buffet; and the eight liveried -lackeys, in their new suits, gave an air of feudal state to the hall, -that it had not possessed since the days of Henri Quatre. - -During the first service but little was said by any one. After the -grave employment of half an hour, however, the mind would fain have -its share of activity; and, though somewhat impeded by the gross -aliments of the body, found means to issue forth and mingle with the -banquet. - -"The bird of Juno," said the Marquis, pointing to a peacock that, with -its spread tail and elevated crest, ornamented the centre of the -table, "is a fitting dish in such a proud hall as this. I love to dine -in a vast and antique room, with every haughty accessory that can give -solemnity to the repast." - -"And is it," demanded my father with a smile, "from a conviction of -the importance, or the littleness of the employment?" - -"Oh, of its meanness, certainly!" replied the Marquis; "it needs, I -think, all the ingenuity of man's pride--all that he can collect of -grand or striking, associated with himself--to soothe his vanity under -the weight of his weaknesses and necessities; and what can be more -painfully degrading than this propensity to devour!" - -"It is a philosophy I can hardly admit," replied my father; "the -simple act of eating is surely not degrading, and, when employed but -as the means of support, it becomes dignified by the great objects to -which it tends--the preservation of life, the invigorating the body, -and, consequently, the liberation of the mind from all those -oppressive chains with which corporeal weakness or ill health is sure -to enthral it. In my eyes, everything that nature has given or taught, -is beautiful; and never becomes degrading but by the corruption with -which it is mingled by man himself." - -"I know not," answered the Marquis, smiling at the enthusiasm with -which my father sustained what was one of his most favourite theses, -"but I can conceive no dignity in eating the mangled limbs of other -animals slaughtered for our use." - -"You look not so cynically, I hope, on all other failings of -humanity?" demanded my mother, willing to change the subject; and -changing it to one on which every Frenchwoman thinks or has thought a -great deal, she added, "Love for instance?" - -The Marquis bowed. "No one can be more devoted," replied he, "to the -lovelier part of the creation than I am, and yet I cannot but think -that the ancients did well to represent Venus as springing from the -foam of the sea." - -"Somewhat light, you would say, in her nature," rejoined my father, -"and variable as her parent waves----" - -"And sometimes as cold and as uncertain too," said I; but, as I did -so, I saw a slight flush pass over Helen's brow, and I added, "But you -forget, Monsieur le Marquis, or rather, like a skilful arguer, you do -not notice, that the blood of C[oe]lus, which we translate, almost -literally, a drop from heaven, was mingled with the foam of the sea to -produce the goddess." - -"Happily turned!" replied the Marquis with a smile; "but I trust, my -young friend, you are aware that the queen of love is only to be won -by thes god of arms, as our sweet and tumid Raccan would put it. Have -you yet entered the path in which you are born to distinguish -yourself; I mean the service of your king?" - -With somewhat of a blush, I replied that I had not, and the Marquis -proceeded:--"Fie, now! 'tis a shame that a sword, which I know, to my -cost, is a good one, should rust in its scabbard. Every gentleman, -whatever may be his ultimate objects in life, should serve his country -for at least one campaign. It is rumoured that our wars in Italy will -infallibly be renewed: in that case, I shall of course take the -command of my regiment; and if your noble father will allow you to -accompany me, we will turn the two good swords, that once crossed upon -a foolish quarrel, against the enemies of our king and our country." - -Without a moment's hesitation I should have accepted the proposal; but -my mother interposed. "I have already," said she, after having -expressed her thanks to the Marquis for the honour he proposed to her -son--"I have already written to her highness the Countess de Soissons, -who honoured me in my youth with her favour and affection, soliciting, -if it be possible, that Louis may, for a short period, enjoy the -advantage of being near Monsieur le Comte, her son. I have no doubt -that she will comply with my request; and, at all events, we must, of -course, suspend every other plan till her highness's answer is -received." - -The Marquis appeared somewhat mortified, but immediately changed the -conversation to other subjects, and certainly no man I ever met could -render himself more fascinating when he chose to do so. His language -was as elegant as his manners, and he mingled, with a playful, -shining, unforced wit, a slight degree of cynical bitterness, which -rendered it more exciting by its pungency. He had the great art, too, -of suiting his conversation exactly to those with whom he conversed; -not precisely as the cameleon, taking its hue from the object next to -it, but rather like a fine piece of polished china, receiving a -sufficient reflection from whatever salient colour was placed near, -without losing the original figures with which it was itself marked. -Thus he never lost in manner a certain degree of pride, which was the -great master-passion of his soul; but when he wished to please or win, -he made even this pride subservient to his purpose, by acting as an -opposition to his courtesy and condescension. Nor did he ever in the -fits of that cynical humour, which he either affected or possessed -from nature, go beyond the exact point at which it could amuse or -stimulate those that listened to him; and he calculated, with -wonderful insight into their characters, the precise portions that -each could bear or relish. - -With whatever feelings one entered his society, one quitted it struck -and fascinated. I did so myself, notwithstanding the warning I had -received with regard to him--notwithstanding a strong prepossession -against him. I felt attracted, amused, and pleased; and every minute -that I passed in his company, I had to recall the demoniacal passions -his countenance had expressed at Estelle, and ask myself--Can this be -the same man? It was; and when closely observed, there was a glance of -malignity in the eye, which, if rightly read, would have told that -there the real man shone out, and that the rest was all a mask. The -nations of the East have a superstition, that their _Dives_, _Afrits_, -and other evil spirits, have the power of transforming themselves into -the most beautiful and enticing shapes; but that some one spot of -their body is always exempt from this change, and remains in its -original hideousness. Thus I believe it is with the human character; -give it what gracious form you will, there is still some original -feature will rest unchanged, to show what shape it has at first -received from Nature. - -The Marquis de St. Brie, however, maintained the doubtful favour he -had gained with the inhabitants of the Château de l'Orme as long as he -remained within its walls, which was during the space of three days. -Each passed much like the former, with the exception of the second, in -the course of which we went out upon the mountains to shoot the -izzard. - -At the hour appointed for setting forth, it so happened that I was a -moment later than my father and the Marquis. My mother, too, was in -the court seeing the preparations for our departure; when, on going -from my bedchamber into the corridor, I was met by Helen, who, instead -of passing me hastily, as she usually did, paused a moment, as if -anxious to speak. Her cheek was rather flushed, and never did I behold -her looking more lovely. The temptation to delay was not to be -resisted, and besides, such a moment might never come again. "Helen!" -said I, taking her hand, "dearest Helen, I would give a world to speak -with you alone, for but five minutes. You once said you loved me--you -promised you would always love me. Helen, you must have seen how much -I have wished for such an opportunity, and yet you have never, since -my return, given me one moment of your private time." - -"Indeed, Louis," she answered, still letting me keep her hand, "I -could not then--I thought it would be wrong. Now, perhaps, I may think -differently; and I will no longer avoid you as I have done. But what I -sought you for now, was to say, beware of that Marquis de St. Brie. I -am sure--I _feel_ sure--that he is a villain. And oh, Louis, beware of -him! for your sake--for mine." So saying, she waited for no reply, but -drawing away her hand, glided back to the Countess's apartments. - -Oh what a nicely balanced lever is the mind of youth! a breath will -depress it, or a breath will raise. For days before, I had been gloomy -and desponding. Existence, and all that surrounded it, I had looked -upon with a jaundiced eye, which saw only defects. I could have -quarrelled with the sunbeam for ever casting a shade--the summer -breeze for ever bearing a vapour on its wings; and now I went away -from Helen with a heart beating high with expectation and delight! One -kind word, one affectionate look, one expression of interest and love, -and every cloud was banished from my mind; and all was again sunshine, -and summer, and enjoyment. My father and the Marquis had already set -out, but a few steps brought me to their side; and, speeding on -towards the heights above the valley of Argelez, we separated, to beat -a narrow lateral dell, while the servants, spreading in a larger -circle, drove the game in towards us. My father took his range along -one side of the hollow, and I on the other; while the Marquis chose a -path above mine, having a view of the whole side of the hill. - -For some time we met with little success, when suddenly an izzard -bounded away along the path, about three hundred yards in advance. -Before I could fire, it was out of shot; but springing after it, I -followed eagerly along the shelf of rock, knowing that a little -farther a precipice intervened, which I did not believe the animal -could leap; and consequently, if it escaped me, it must run up the -hill and cross the Marquis, or go down into the valley and come within -my father's range. As I went on, circling round the mountain, a piece -of rock jutted out across the path about thirty yards in advance, and -hid the precipice from my view. The izzard I doubted not was there, -hesitating on the brink, as they often do when the leap is dangerous; -and hoping to obtain a shot at it before it turned, I was hurrying on, -when suddenly I heard the ringing of a carbine, and a bullet whistled -close to my ear. Its course must have lain within two inches of my -head; and, not a little angry, I turned, and saw the Marquis standing -on a rock a little way above me. - -"There! there!" cried he, pointing with his hand: "there, I have -missed him! Why don't you fire?" - -At that moment I caught a sight of the izzard actually springing up -the most perpendicular part of the mountain. It was almost beyond the -range of my carbine, but, however, I fired, and the animal rolled down -dead into the valley. Neither the Marquis nor myself alluded to the -shot which he had discharged, and it remains a very great doubt in my -mind whether he had missed me or the izzard. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - -It may seem strange, very strange, that with such suspicions on my -mind, I should accept an invitation to visit the man who had excited -them. Nevertheless I did, and what is perhaps still more strange, -those very suspicions were in some degree the cause of my doing so. - -When the Marquis first proposed that I should spend a day or two with -him at his _pavilion de chasse_, in the neighbourhood of Bagneres, I -felt a doubt in regard to it, of which I was ashamed--I was afraid of -feeling afraid of anything, and I instantly accepted his invitation. I -know not whether this may be very comprehensible to every one, but let -any man remember his feelings when he was nineteen--an age at which we -have not learned to distinguish between courage and rashness, prudence -and timidity--and he will, at least, in some degree, understand, -though he may blame my having acted as I did. - -I would willingly have suffered the Marquis to be a day in advance -before I fulfilled my engagement, longing for that promised half-hour -of conversation with Helen, which was to me one of those cherished -anticipations on which the heart of youth spends half its ardour. Oh, -how often I wish now-a-day that I could long for anything as I did in -my childhood, and fill up the interval between the promise and the -fulfilment with bright dreams worth a world of realities. But, alas! -the uncertainty of everything earthly gradually teaches man to crowd -the vacancy of expectation with fears instead of hopes, and to guard -against disappointment instead of dreaming of enjoyment. However, as -the Marquis was only to remain three days at his _pavilion_ ere he set -out for Paris, he insisted on my accompanying him when he left the -Château de l'Orme. - -The ride was delightful in itself, but he contrived to withdraw my -attention from the scenery by the charms of his conversation. The -first subject that he entered upon was my proposed visit to the court; -and he drew a thousand light, yet faithful sketches of all the -principal courtiers of the day. - -"Amongst others," said he, after specifying several that I now forget, -"you will see the Duke of Bouillon, brave, shrewd, yet hasty, always -hurrying into danger with fearless impetuosity, and then finding means -of escape with a coolness which, if exerted at first, would have kept -him free from peril. He puts me in mind of a rope-dancer, whose every -spring seems as if it would be his last, and yet he catches himself -somehow when he appears inevitably gone. In his brother, Turenne, a -very different character is to be met with, or rather, perhaps, the -same character without its defects. What in Bouillon is rashness, in -Turenne is courage; what is cunning in the one is wisdom in the other. -I believe Turenne would sacrifice himself to his country; but if -Bouillon were to erect an altar to any deity, it would be, I am -afraid, to himself. Then there is the young and daring Jean de Gondi, -who is striving for the archbishopric of Paris; the most talented man -in Europe, but gifted or cursed with that strange lightness of soul -which sports with everything as if it were a trifle--who would -overthrow an empire but to re-model it, or raise an insurrection but -to guide the wild horses that draw the chariot of tumult. Had he lived -in the ancient days, he would have burnt the temple of the Ephesian -goddess to build, in one olympiad, what cost two hundred years. His -mind, in short, is like the ocean, deep and profound; that plays with -a feather, or supports a navy; that now is rippling in golden -tranquillity, and now is raging in fury and in tumult; that now scarce -shakes the pebble on the shore, and now spreads round confusion, -destruction, and death. In regard to the Count de Soissons, to whom -you go, his character is difficult to know: but yet I think I know it. -He has many high and noble qualities, and though at present he appears -intolerably proud, yet that is a fault of his education, not of his -disposition; he has it from his mother, and will conquer it, I doubt -not. But there is one virtue he wants, without which talents, and -skill, and courage are nothing--he wants resolution. He is somewhat -obstinate, but that does not imply that he is resolute; and a man -without resolution may be looked upon in the light of a miser: all the -riches that nature can give are useless to him, because he has not the -courage to make use of them." - -"You must have been a very keen observer," said I, "of those persons -with whom you have mingled, and doubtless also of human life in -general." - -"Life," replied he, "as life, is very little worth considering. It is -a stream that flows by us without our knowing how. Its turbulence or -its tranquillity, I believe, depend little upon ourselves. If there be -rain in the mountains, it will be a torrent; if it prove a dry season, -it will be a rivulet. We must let it flow as it will till it come to -an end, and then we have nothing to do but die." - -"And of death," said I, "have you not thought of that? As it is the -very opposite of life it may have merited some more thought." - -"Less, far less!" said he: "with some trouble, we may change the -course of the rivulet, but with all our efforts we cannot alter the -bounds of the sea. Look on death how we will, we can derive nothing -from it. The pleasures and pains of existence are so balanced, we -cannot tell whether death be a relief or a deprivation; and as to the -bubble of something after death, it is somewhat emptier than that now -floating down the stream." - -I started, and said nothing, and gradually the conversation dropped of -itself. After a pause, he again turned it into other channels, -speaking of pleasure, and the excesses and gratifications of a court; -and though he recommended _moderation_, as the most golden word that -any language possessed, yet it was upon no principle of virtue, either -moral or religious. It was for the sake of pleasure alone--that it -might be more durable in itself, and never counterbalanced by painful -consequences. - -My mind naturally turned to my many conversations with the Chevalier, -and, by comparison, I found his morality of a very different quality. -I merely replied, however, that I believed, if people had no stronger -motives to moderation than the expectation of remote effects, they -would seldom put much restraint upon their passions. - -Soon after, we arrived at the _pavilion de chasse_; and, I must own, -that never did a more exquisitely luxurious dwelling meet my eye. It -was not large, but all was disposed for ease and pleasure. Piles of -cushions, rich carpets, easy chairs, Persian sofas, exquisite -tapestries, filled every chamber. Books, too, and pictures were there, -but the books and the pictures were generally of one class. Catullus, -Ovid, Petronius, or Tibullus, lay upon the tables or on the shelves; -while the walls were adorned with many a nymph and many a goddess, -liberal of their charms: though, at the same time, Horace and Virgil -appeared cast upon one of the sofas; and, every now and then, the eye -would fall on one of the sunshiny landscapes of Claude de Lorraine, -and dream for a moment amidst the sleepy splendour of his far -perspectives. - -"And is it possible," said I, turning to the Marquis as he led me -through this luxurious place--"is it possible that you can quit such a -spot willingly, for the dangers and hardships of war?" - -"There are various sorts of pleasure," replied he, "and without -varying, and changing, and opposing them one to another, we cannot -enjoy any long. Every man has his particular pleasures, and his -particular arrangement of them. I, for instance, require the stimulus -of war, to make me enjoy these luxuries of peace. But you have yet -seen little of the beauties of the place. Let us go out into the park. -The perfection of a house of this kind depends, almost entirely, upon -the grounds that surround it." - -The two days that I spent at the pavilion of Monsieur de St. Brie -passed like lightning. Not a moment paused, for he contrived to fill -every hour with some pleasure of its own; but it was all too sweet. -One felt it to be luscious. Like the luxurious Romans, he mingled his -wine with honey, and the draught was both cloying and intoxicating. - -On the third morning, I rose early from my bed to take a review of the -beautiful grounds which surrounded the house; and after wandering -about for half-an-hour, I turned to a river that ran through the park, -resolving to take my way towards the house by the side of the waters. -The path that I followed was hidden by trees, but there was a -transverse alley that came down to the water, and joined the one in -which I walked, about one hundred yards farther on. As I advanced, I -heard the voice of the Marquis talking earnestly with some other -person; and though at first what he said was very indistinct, yet I -soon heard more without seeking to do so, or, indeed, wishing it. -"Hold him down," said the Marquis, "when you have got him safely on -the ground, and cut his throat just under the jaws--if you go deep -enough he is dead in a moment." - -As he gave this somewhat bloody direction, he turned into the same -path with myself, accompanied by another person, whose appearance is -worthy of some description. He was about my own height, which is not -inconsiderable, but, at the same time, he was remarkably stout--I -should say even fat, with a face in which a great degree of jollity -and merriment was mingled with a leering sort of slyness of eye, and a -slight twist of the mouth, that gave rather a sinister expression to -the drollery of his countenance. He wore short black mustachios, and a -small pointed beard; and from his head hung down upon his shoulders a -profusion of black wavy hair. His dress also was somewhat singular. -Instead of the broad, low-crowned plumed hats which were then in -fashion, his head was surmounted with an interminable beaver, whose -high-pointed crown resembled the steeple of a church. We have seen -many of them since amongst the English and the Swiss, but, at that -time, such a thing was so uncommon, and its effect appeared so -ridiculous, that I could scarce refrain from laughing, though my blood -was somewhat chilled with the conversation I had just overheard. The -rest of this stout gentleman's habiliments consisted of a somewhat -coarse brown pourpoint, laced with tarnished gold, and a slashed _haut -de chausse_, tied with black ribands; while a huge sword and dagger -ornamented his side, and a pair of funnel-shaped riding-boots -completed his equipment. - -The Marquis's eye fell upon me instantly, and, advancing without -embarrassment, he embraced me, and gave me the compliments of the -morning. Then turning, he introduced his friend, Monsieur de Simon. -"The greatest fisherman in France," said he: "we were speaking just -now about killing a carp," he continued, "which, you know is -dreadfully tenacious of life. Are you a fisherman at all?" - -I answered, "Not in the least;" and the conversation went on for some -time on various topics, till at length Monsieur de Simon took his -leave. - -"I am sorry you cannot take your breakfast with us," said the Marquis; -"but remember, when I am gone, you are most welcome to fish, whenever -you think fit, upon my property." - -"I thank you, I thank you, most noble Marquis," said the other, with a -curious sort of roguish twinkle of the eye; "I will take you at your -word, and will rid your streams of all those gudgeons which you -dislike so much, but which I dote upon. Oh, 'tis a dainty fish--a -gudgeon!" - -At about one o'clock my horse was ready, and I took leave of the -Marquis--I cannot say with feelings either of reverence or regard; and -I have always found it an invariable fact, that when a man has amused -us without gaining our esteem, and pleased without winning our -confidence, there is something naturally bad at the bottom of his -character, which we should do well to avoid. - -As I mounted my horse, I remarked that my worthy valet, Houssaye, had -imbibed as much liquor as would permit him to stand upright, and that -it was not without great difficulty and scrupulous attention to the -equipoise that he at all maintained his vertical position. - -"Your servant is tipsy," said the Marquis; "you had better leave him -here till he recovers his intellects." - -"I am as sober as a priest," hickupped Houssaye, who overheard the -accusation the Marquis brought against him, and repelled it with the -most drunken certainty of his own sobriety. "Monseigneur, you do me -wrong. I am sober, upon my conscience and my trumpet!" So saying, he -swung himself up to his horse's back, and forgetting to wait for me, -galloped on before, sounding a charge through his fist, as if he was -leading on a regiment of horse. - -The Marquis laughed; and once more bidding him adieu, I followed the -pot-valiant trumpeter, who, without any mercy on his poor horse, urged -him on upon the road to Lourdes as fast as he could go. Very soon, I -doubt not, he quite forgot that I was behind, for, following much more -slowly, as I did not choose to fatigue my jennet at the outset, I soon -lost sight of him, and for half an hour perceived no traces of him -whatever. - -I have heard that the effect of the fresh air, far from diminishing -the inebriation of a drunkard, greatly increases it. Probably this was -the case with Houssaye; for at the distance of about four miles from -the park of the Marquis, I found him lying by the side of the road, -apparently sound asleep, while his horse was calmly turning the -accident of his master to the best account, by cropping the grass and -shrubs at the roadside. - -This accident embarrassed me a good deal, for I had set out late; and, -of course, I could not leave the poor drunkard to be gnawed by the -bears, or devoured by the wolves, whose regard for a sleeping man -might be found of somewhat too selfish a nature. After having shaken -him, therefore, two or three times for the purpose of recalling him to -himself, without producing any other effect than an inarticulate -grunt, I returned to a village about a mile nearer Bagneres, and -having procured the aid of some cottagers, I had the overthrown -trumpeter carried back, and left him there in security, till he should -have recovered from the state of intoxication in which he had plunged -himself. - -All this delayed me for some time, so that it was near four o'clock -before I again resumed my journey. Nor was I sorry, indeed, that the -sun had got behind the mountains, whose long shadows saved my eyes -from the horizontal rays, which, as my way lay due west, would have -dazzled me all along the road had I set out earlier. In about two -hours it began to grow dusk, and I put my horse into a quicker pace, -lest the family at the château should conclude that I intended to -remain another night. There was one person also that, I knew, would be -anxious till they saw me return safe; and, for the world, I would not -have given Helen a moment's unnecessary pain. What made her suspect -the Marquis of any evil designs towards me I knew not, but I knew that -she did suspect him, and that was sufficient to make me hurry on to -assure her of my safety. - -There is a thick wood covers the side of the mountain about five miles -from the Château de l'Orme, extending high up on the one hand, very -nearly to the crest of the hill, and spreading down on the other till -the stream in the valley bathes the roots of its trees. In a few -minutes after I had entered this wood, I suddenly heard the clatter of -a horse's hoofs close behind me--so near, it must have sprung out of -the coppice. I instantly turned my head to ascertain what it was, when -I received a violent blow just above the eyebrow, which nearly laid my -skull bare, and struck me headlong to the ground, before I could see -who was the horseman. - -Though bruised and dizzied, I endeavoured to struggle up; but my -adversary threw himself from his horse, grappled with me, and cast me -back upon the ground with my face upwards. Oh how shall I describe the -fearful struggle for life that then ensued?--the agonising grasp with -which I clenched the hands wherewith he endeavoured to reach my -neck--the pressure of his knees upon my chest--the beating of my heart -as I still strove, yet found myself overmastered, and my strength -failing--the dreadful, eager haste with which he tried to hold back my -head, and gash my throat with the knife he held in his hand--and the -muttered curses he vented, on finding my resistance so long -protracted. - -Five times he shook off my grasp, and five times I caught his hands -again, as they were in the act of completing his object. At the same -time, I could hear his teeth cranching against each other with the -violence of his efforts. My hands were all cut and bleeding, his dress -was nearly torn to pieces, the strength of both was well nigh -exhausted, when we heard the sounds of voices advancing along the -road. Though our struggle had hitherto been silent, I now called -loudly for assistance. He heard the noise also. "This then shall -settle it," cried he, raising his arm to plunge the knife into my -chest, but I interposed my hand; and though the force with which he -dealt the blow was such as to drive the point through my palm, yet -this saved my life, for before he could repeat the stroke the horsemen -had come up, attracted by the cries I continued to utter. One of them -sprang from his horse, beheld the deathly struggle going on, and not -knowing which was the aggressor, but seeing that one held the other at -a fatal disadvantage, called to my assailant instantly to desist or -die. The assassin again raised his arm: the horseman saw him about to -strike--levelled a pistol at his head--fired--and the murderer, -dropping the weapon from his hand, staggered up upon his feet--reeled -for a moment, and then fell dead across my chest. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - -Oh, life! thou strange mysterious tie between the spirit and the clay; -what is it makes the bravest of us shrink from that separation which -the small dagger or the tiny asp can so easily effect. - -For a moment I lay to recover myself from all the agitated feelings -that hurried through my heart, and then struggling up, I rolled the -ponderous mass of the dead man from off my breast, and rose from the -ground. - -"Is it Count Louis de Bigorre?" said the voice of the Chevalier de -Montenero. I answered that it was; and he proceeded,--"I thought so: -infatuated young man, why would you trust yourself in the hands of -your enemy, when you were warned of his cruelty and his baseness?" - -"Because," I answered, "I thought that a person who had done injustice -to me, might also do injustice to him." - -"When a man has the means of clearing himself, and does not choose to -do so," replied the Chevalier, well understanding to what I alluded, -"he must rest under the imputation of guilt till he does. Now, sir, I -leave you. Arnault, give him your assistance, and rejoin me to-morrow -morning;" and so saying, without farther explanation, he turned his -horse and galloped away. - -Though the evening light was of that dim and dusky nature which -affords, perhaps, less assistance to the eye than even the more -positive darkness of the night, yet I could very well distinguish by -the height and form, that the person the Chevalier called Arnault was -not the little, large-headed procureur of Lourdes, but rather his son; -and as soon as we were alone, he confirmed my conjecture by his voice -asking if I were hurt. - -"Not much, Jean Baptiste," replied I: "my hands are cut, and he has -grazed my throat with his knife; but he has not injured me seriously. -Catch my horse, good Arnault," I continued, "and ride on to the -cottage, about half a mile on the road--bring some one with lights, -that we may see who this is--though, in truth I guess." - -"You had better take my pistols, Monsieur le Comte," said the honest -youth, "lest there should be a second of these gentlemen in the wood." - -I took one, and leaving him the other for his own defence, sent him on -as fast as possible to the cottage; for although, from the manner in -which my assailant had attempted to effect my death, so like the -Marquis de St. Brie's directions for killing the carp, I had little -doubt in regard to whom I should find in the person of the dead man, -yet I wished to ascertain the fact more precisely, that no doubt -should remain upon my mind in regard to Monsieur de St. Brie himself. - -Soon after Jean Baptiste was gone, the moon began to raise her head -over the mountain; and, streaming directly down the road, showed me -fully the person of the dead man, through whose head the ball of the -Chevalier's pistol had passed in a direct line, causing almost -instantaneous death. - -All doubt was now at an end: there lay the large heavy limbs of the -man, who had been called Monsieur de Simon, while his steeple-crowned -hat appeared rolled to some distance on the road. The effects of the -dreadful struggle between us were visible in all his apparel. His -doublet was torn in twenty different places with the straining grasp -in which I had held him, and an immense black wig, which he had worn -as a sort of disguise, had followed his hat, and left his head bare. -In rising I had rolled him off me on his back, so that he was lying -with the beams of the moon shining full in his face. - -I advanced and gazed upon him for a moment; and now, as he appeared -with his shaved head, and the fraise, or ruff torn off his neck, I -could not help thinking that his countenance was familiar to me. The -mustachios and the beard, it was true, made a great alteration, but in -every other respect it was the face of the Capuchin who had joined in -attempting to plunder me at Luz. I looked nearer, and remembering that -in six months his beard would have had full time to grow, I became -convinced that it was the same. - -As I examined him attentively, I perceived a sort of packet protruding -from a pocket in the breast of his doublet, and taking it out I found -it to be a bundle of old, and somewhat worn papers, wrapped in a piece -of sheep's skin, and tied round with a leathern thong. - -Amongst these I doubted not that I should find some interesting -correspondence between the subordinate assassin and his instigator, -and, consequently, took care to secure them; after which I waited -quietly for the return of Jean Baptiste, who I doubted not would -relieve me from my troublesome guard over the dead body, as soon as he -could procure lights and assistance. His absence, of course, appeared -long; but after the lapse of about ten minutes I began to perceive -some glimmering sparks through the trees, and a moment after the -inhabitants of the cottage appeared, men and children, with as many -resin candles as their dwelling could afford. - -Jean Baptiste was with them; but another personage of much more -extraordinary mien led the way, bearing in his hand a candle about the -thickness of his little finger, but which he brandished above his head -in the manner of a torch, striding on at the same time with enormous -steps, and somewhat grotesque gestures. "Where is the body?" exclaimed -he with a loud tone and vast emphasis,--"Where is the body of the -sacred dead?" - -The person who asked this question was a man of about five feet three -in height, fluttering in a pourpoint, whose ribands and rags vied in -number, while the brass buttons with which it was thickly strewed -might, by their irregularity of position, have induced me to believe -him to be a poet, had not his theatrical tone and air stamped him as a -disciple of Thespis. - - - "'Percé jusqu'au fond du c[oe]ur - D'une atteinte imprévue, aussi-bien que mortelle,'" - - -cried he, when he beheld the dead body. "Oh what would I have given to -have been here when he was killed. Did he fall so at once--I beseech -you tell me, did he fall thus?" and down he cast himself upon his -back, in the attitude of the dead body. - -If anything could have rendered so dreadful a sight as the corpse of -the murderer with his blackened temples, clenched hands, and cold -meaningless glare of eye, in any degree ridiculous, it would have been -to see the little player cast upon the ground beside the vast bulk of -the dead man, striving to imitate the position in which he lay; and -every now and then raising his pert head from his mockery of death's -stillness, and peeping over the corpse to see how the arm or the hand -had fallen in dying. - -I was in no mood, however, for such fooleries; my head ached violently -from the blow I had received above the eye; my hands, especially the -one that had intercepted the stab of the knife, gave me intolerable -pain. I was fatigued also, and fevered with the struggle and the -agitation, so that my corporeal sensations were not at all favourable -to the wretched player's buffoonery, even had the scene been one that -admitted of merriment. - -Stirring him then rather rudely with my foot, I bade him rise and -assist in carrying the body to the cottage. Up started the actor in a -moment, and, taking the corpse by the feet, replied he was ready to do -anything the manager bade him: one of the cottagers lent his aid, and -we soon reached the cottage with our burden. Here all the women made a -vast outcry at the sight of the dead body, but more still on beholding -the state in which the assassin's efforts had left their young Count -Louis, for I was now within the old domain of our own château. - -I know not whether from the loss of blood, or the irritating pain of -the wounds, but I certainly felt very faint, and probably my -countenance showed how much I was suffering, for while the young -Arnault and some others were examining the person of the dead man, and -taking what papers and effects he had upon him, the player stepped -forward, and offered to render me his assistance as a surgeon. -Thinking that the devil of buffoonery still possessed him, I repulsed -him somewhat rudely; but yet unrepelled, he laid his hand upon his -heart, made me a low bow, and said, "Listen, noble youth, scion of an -illustrious house, and you shall hear that which shall make you yield -yourself to my hands, as willingly as Maladine gave herself up to -Milsenio. Know then, before my superior genius prompted me to fit on -the buskin, I trod the stage of life in a high-heeled shoe--not, -indeed, the Cothurnus; far, far from it, for in those days, alas! -though I was clothed in tragic black, and held the dagger and the -bowl, I shed real blood behind the curtain, and inflicted my cruelties -on the real flesh and blood." - -"I begin somewhat to understand you," I replied; "but if you would -have me attend to you seriously, my friend, you must drop that exalted -style, and speak common sense in common language." - -"Well, then, sir, I will," he answered, instantly changing his tone, -and taking one which strangely blended in itself insignificance and -sharpness, but which harmonized much better with his little eager -countenance and twinkling black eyes, than his tumid, bombastic -loudness had done. "What I mean is, that before I went on the stage, I -studied under an apothecary. My disposition is not naturally cruel, -and I was not hard-hearted enough to succeed in that profession. Now, -though, with the devil's assistance and my master's skill, I aided in -conveying many a worthy patient from their bed to their coffin, yet I -think I remember some few simples which would allay the irritation of -your wounds, and I will undertake for their innocuousness." - -No surer aid was at hand, and therefore I willingly allowed the -metamorphosed apothecary to bandage up my forehead with such -applications as he thought fit, as well as to use his skill upon my -hands; and certainly the ease which I derived from his assistance -fully repaid the confidence I had placed in him. - -In the meanwhile, the body of the murderer had been searched, and the -various objects found upon him being brought to me, proved to consist -of nothing more, besides the packet of papers which I had already -taken, than a few pieces of gold, one or two licentious letters and -songs, a pack of cards, some loaded dice, a missal, two short daggers, -and a rosary, all articles very serviceable in one or other of his -callings. One of the cottage-boys had by this time caught the horse -which this very respectable person had ridden, and strapped upon it -behind was found what at first appeared a cloak, but which proved, -upon examination, to be a Capuchin's gown, confirming my opinion in -regard to the owner's identity with the card-player at Luz. - -When this examination was over, I prepared to mount my horse and -proceed home, but before I went, I turned to gaze once more upon the -lifeless form of my dead adversary; and in looking upon his clumsy -limbs and obesity of body, I could not understand how he could have so -easily overcome me, endowed, as I felt myself to be, with equal -strength and far superior agility. The sudden surprise could alone -have been the cause, and I resolved through my future life, to -struggle for that presence of mind which in circumstances of danger -and difficulty is a buckler worth all the armour of Achilles. After -this, I bestowed a gold piece upon the player-apothecary for the ease -he had given me, and bade him come over to the Château de l'Orme the -next day for a farther reward, and then escaping as fast as I could -from his hyperbolical thanks, I mounted, and, accompanied by Jean -Baptiste, rode on towards my home. - -My first question, as we went, was how long the Chevalier had returned -from Spain, and what had brought him on the road towards Lourdes at -that time of night. At first, Jean Baptiste seemed somewhat reserved, -but upon being pressed closely on the subject, his frank nature would -not let him maintain his silence; and he informed me, that the -Chevalier had returned that very morning from Spain; but on hearing -that the Marquis de St. Brie had been received as a visitor at the -château, and that I, in return, had gone to pass some time with him, -he had desired the young procureur to accompany him and set out for -Bagneres without delay, saying that I must be saved at all risks. "But -still," continued Jean Baptiste, "you have done something in Spain to -lose the Chevalier's love; for though he would come away after you -to-night, in spite of all my father could do to prevent him, he always -took care to say, 'for his father's sake--for his mother's sake, he -would rescue Count Louis from the dangers into which he was plunged.'" - -The gloomiest knell that rings over the fall from virtue must be to -hear of the lost esteem of those we love. That must be the dark, the -damning scourge which drives on human weakness to despairing crime. -Could the great fallen angel ever have returned? I do not believe it. -The glorious confidence of Heaven was lost, and mercy would have been -nothing without oblivion. - -I felt that my friend did me wrong, but even that did not save me from -the whole bitterness of having lost his regard. And I internally asked -myself, what would my feelings have been, had I really merited his bad -opinion? - -"Where is the Chevalier?" demanded I. "Is he at his own house?" - -"No," answered the young man; "he is at my father's, at Lourdes." - -My determination was taken immediately, to ride over to Lourdes the -next day, and explain to the Chevalier my conduct, as far as I could -with honour; to represent to him, that I was under a most positive -promise not to disclose to any Spaniard the events of that night -wherein his suspicions had been excited, and to add my most solemn -asseverations to convince him of my innocence. My pride, I will own, -struggled against this resolution, but still I saw, in the Chevalier's -conduct towards me, a degree of lingering affection, which I could not -bear to lose. The good spirit triumphed; and I determined to sacrifice -my pride for the sake of his esteem. - -These thoughts kept me silent till our arrival at the Château de -l'Orme, where my appearance in such a state, I need not say, created -the most terrible consternation. But I will pass by all that; suffice -it, that I had to tell my story over at least one hundred times, -before I was suffered to retire to bed. Helen, happily, was not -present when I arrived, but my mother's embroidery woman did not fail -to wake her, as I afterwards heard, for the purpose of communicating -the agreeable intelligence, and doubtless made it a thousand times -worse than it really was. My poor Helen's night, I am afraid, was but -sadly spent. - -However, when I had satisfied both my father and mother that I was not -dangerously injured, and related my story to every old servant in the -family, who thought they had a right to be as accurately informed in -regard to all that occurred to Count Louis as his confessor, I retired -to my chamber; and while the _maître d'hôtel_ fulfilled the functions -of Houssaye in assisting to undress me, I opened the packet I had -found upon the monk, and examined the papers which it contained, but -to my surprise I found nothing at all relating directly to the Marquis -de St. Brie. - -The first thing that presented itself was a regular certificate of the -marriage of Gaston Francois de Bagnol, Count de Bagnol, with Henriette -de Vergne, dated some seventeen years before, with the names of -several witnesses attached. Then followed a paper of a much fresher -appearance, containing the names of these witnesses, with the word -_dead_ marked after one, and the address of their present residence -affixed to each of the others. Then came a long epistolary -correspondence between the above Count de Bagnol and various persons -in the town of Rochelle, at the time of its siege; by reading which I -clearly found that though influenced by every motive of friendship or -relationship to give his aid to the rebellious Rochellois, had -constantly refused to do so, and, that in consequence, the accusation -which the Chevalier informed me had been brought against that young -nobleman, must have been false. On remembering, also, the cause of -enmity which the Marquis de St. Brie had against him, and associating -that fact with the circumstance of my having found these papers on the -body of an assassin hired by the same man, I doubted not for a moment -that the charge had been forged by the Marquis himself, and these -letters withheld on purpose to prevent the Count from establishing his -innocence. Why the Marquis had let them pass from his own hands I -could not divine; without, indeed, he considered them as valueless, -now he had taken care that the justice or injustice of this world -could no way affect his victim. I knew that he was far too much a -lover of this life alone, to value, in his own case or that of others, -the cold meed of posthumous renown. - -Long before I had finished these reflections and the reading of the -letters, the _maître d'hôtel_, who, as I have said, supplied -Houssaye's place, had done his part in undressing me; and soon, after -ordering my horse to be ready early, I dismissed him and slept. - -Before closing this chapter, however, I must remark that, for many -reasons, I had restricted to the safe guardianship of my own breast -the various reasons that led me to suppose the Marquis de St. Brie had -instigated the attack under which I had so nearly fallen. The -suspicions of both my parents turned naturally in that direction; but -I well knew that if my father had possessed half the knowledge which I -did upon the subject, he would have allowed no consideration to -prevent his pursuing the Marquis with the most determined vengeance, -to the destruction, perhaps, of all parties. I therefore merely -described the attack, but withheld the circumstances which preceded -it; and though there are few actions in a man's life which do not -either afford him regret or disappointment, this piece of prudence is -amongst the scanty number I have never had cause to wish undone. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - -I slept soundly, and I rose refreshed, although my hands were very -stiff, and my head was not without its pains from the rude treatment -that each had undergone. No one in the house was up when I woke, and -saddling my own horse as well as I could, I left word with the old -gardener that I should return before the hour of breakfast, and set -out for Lourdes. - -If I was not always very considerate in forming my resolutions, as the -wise axiom recommends, I was certainly not slow in executing them; and -I now proceeded at full speed to fulfil my determination of the night -before in regard to the Chevalier. Stopping at Arnault's house, I -threw myself off my horse, and entered his _étude_, which appeared to -be just opened; nor did the least doubt enter my mind that the person -I sought was still there. - -The first thing, however, that I perceived was the enormous head of -the old procureur himself, looking through the sort of barred screen -that surrounded his writing-table, like some strange beast in a -menagerie. I was not very much inclined to treat this incubus of the -law with any great civility on my own account, as I was aware that, -for some reason to himself best known, he bore me no extraordinary -love; but as Helen's father, he commanded other feelings, and I -therefore addressed him as politely as I could. - -In answer to my inquiries for the Chevalier, he bowed most profoundly, -replying that the Monsieur de Montenero would be quite in despair when -he found that I had come to honour him with a visit only five minutes -after his departure. - -"What! is he gone already?" cried I. "When did he go?--where did he go -to?" - -"He is indeed, I am sorry to say, gone, Monsieur le Comte," replied -the procureur; "and in answer to your second interrogatory, I can -reply, that he has been gone precisely nine minutes and three -quarters; but in regard to the third question, all I can depone is, -that I do not at all know--only that he spoke of being absent some -three months or more." - -Angry, vexed, and disappointed, I turned unceremoniously on my heel; -and as I went out, I heard a sort of suppressed laugh issue through -the wide, unmoved jaws of the procureur, whose imperturbable -countenance announced nothing in the least like mirth; and yet I am -certain that he was at that moment laughing most heartily at the -deceit he had put upon me; for, as I afterwards learned, the Chevalier -was in his house at the very time. - -The distance between Lourdes and the château was narrowed speedily; -and on my arrival, I found the domestic microcosm I had left behind -sound asleep an hour before, now just beginning to buzz. My father had -not yet quitted his own room, but the servants were all bustling about -in the preparations of the morning; and as I rode up, old Houssaye -himself, recovered from his drunkenness, sneaked into the court like a -beaten dog--not that he was at all ashamed of having been drunk--it -was a part of his profession; but upon the road he had heard my -adventures of the night before detailed in very glowing language; and -he justly feared that the indignation of the whole household would -fall upon his head for having been absent in the moment of danger. - -Beckoning him to speak to me, I gave him a hint that I had been tender -of his name, and that, if he chose to keep his own counsel, he might -yet pass scathless from the rest of the family. "I shall punish you -myself, Maître Houssaye," continued I; "for I _will_ teach you to get -drunk at proper times and seasons only." - -"As I hope to live," answered the trumpeter, "I did but drink two -cups; and you well know, monsieur, that two cups of wine to me, or the -_maître d'hôtel_, who have drunk so many hundred tuns in our lives, is -but as a cup of cold water to another man. They must have been drugged -those two cups--for a certainty, they must have been drugged." - -At breakfast, I found Helen with my father. They were alone; for my -mother was ill from the agitation of the night before, and had -remained in her own chamber, desiring not to be disturbed. The moment -my step sounded in the vestibule, Helen's eyes darted towards the -door, and I could see the flush of eagerness on her cheek, and the -paleness that then overspread it, as she saw my head bound up; and -then again the blood mounting quickly, lest any one should see the -busy feelings of her swelling heart. It was a mute language which I -could read as easily as my own thoughts; but still I would have given -worlds to have been permitted to hear and speak to her with the -openness of acknowledged love. The breakfast passed over. Helen left -the hall; and after a few minutes' conversation, my father went to the -library, while I gazed for a moment from the window, meditating over a -thousand hopes, in all of which Helen had her part--letting thought -wander gaily through a thousand mazy turns, like a child sporting in a -meadow without other object than delight, roaming heedlessly here and -there, and gathering fresh flowers at every step. - -As I gazed, I saw the figure of Helen glide from the door of the -square tower, and take her way towards the park.--Now, now then was -the opportunity. She had promised not to avoid me any longer. Now then -was the moment for which my heart had longed, more than language can -express; and snatching a gun to excuse the wanderings, which indeed -needed no excuse, I was hastening to pour forth the multitude of -accumulated feelings, and thoughts, and dreams, and wishes, which had -gathered in my bosom during so many months of silence, when I was -called to speak with my father, just as my foot was on the step of the -door. - -I will own, that if ever I felt undutiful, it was then. However, I -could not avoid going, and certainly with a very unwilling heart I -mounted the stairs, and entered the library. My father had a letter in -his hand, which I soon found came from the Countess de Soissons, and -contained a reply favourable to my mother's request, that I might be -placed near the person of the prince, her son, so well known under the -name of _Monsieur le Comte_. My father placed it in my hands, and -seemed to expect that I should be very much gratified at the news; but -I could only reply, as I had done before, that I had not the least -inclination to quit my paternal home, without, indeed, it was for the -purpose of serving for a campaign or two in the armies of my country. -"Well, Louis," replied my father, thinking me doubtless a wayward and -whimsical boy, "if you will look at the _proscriptum_, you will -perceive that you are likely to be gratified in that point at least, -for the Countess states that his highness, her son, though at present -at Sedan, from some little rupture with the court, is likely to -receive the command of one of the armies. However, take the letter, -consider its contents, and at dinner let me know when you will be -prepared to set out." - -Glad to escape so soon, I flew out into the park in search of my -beautiful Helen. It was now a fine day in the beginning of May, as -warm as summer--as bright, as lovely. Nature was in her very freshest -robe of green: the air was full of sweetness and balm; and as I went, -a lark rose up before my steps, and mounting high in the sunshine, -hung afar speck upon its quivering wings, making the whole air thrill -with its melodious happiness. I love the lark above all other birds. -Though there is something more tender and plaintive in the liquid -music of the nightingale, yet there seems a touch of repining in its -solitude and its gloom: but the lark images always to my mind a happy -and contented spirit, who, full of love and delight, soars up towards -the beneficent heaven, and sings its song of joy and gratitude in -presence of all the listening creation. - -All objects in external nature have a very great effect upon my mind; -whether I will or not, they are received by my imagination as omens. -And catching the lark's song as a happy augury, I sped on upon my way. -As much had been done as possible to render the park, which extended -behind the château, regular and symmetrical; but the ground was so -uneven in its nature, so broken with rocks, and hills, and streams, -and dells, that it retained much more of the symmetry of nature than -anything else; which, after all, to my taste, is more beautiful than -aught man can devise. - -If Helen had wandered very far from the house, it would have been a -difficult matter to have found her; but a sort of instinct guided me -to where she was. I thought of the spot, I believe, which I myself -would have chosen for lonely musing--a spot where a bower of high -trees arched over a little cascade of about ten feet in height, whose -waters, after escaping from the clear pool into which they fell, -rushed quickly down the slanting ravine before them, nourishing the -roots of innumerable shrubs, and trees, and flowers, and spreading a -soft murmur and a cool freshness wherever they turned. - -Helen was sitting on the bank over which the stream fell; and though -she held in her hand some piece of female work, which, while my mother -slept, she had brought out to occupy herself in the park, yet her eyes -were fixed upon the rushing waters of the fall. At that moment, -catching a stray sunbeam that found its way through the trees, the -cascade had decorated itself with a fluttering iris, which, varied -with a thousand hues, waved over the cataract like those changeful -hopes of life, which, hanging bright and beautiful over all the -precipices of human existence, still waver and change to suit every -wind that blows along the course of time. My footstep was upon the -greensward, so that Helen heard it not; and she continued to sit with -her full dark eyes fixed upon the waterfall, her soft downy cheek -resting upon the slender, graceful hand, which might have formed a -model for the statuary or the painter, and her whole figure leaning -forward with that untaught elegance of form and position, which never -but once _did_ painter or statuary succeed in representing. - -When she did hear me she looked up; but there was no longer the quick -start to avoid me, as if she feared a moment's unobserved -conversation. Her cheek, it is true, turned a shade redder, and I -could see that she was somewhat agitated; but still those dear, tender -eyes turned upon me; and a smile, that owned she was happy in my -presence, broke from her heart itself, and found its way to her lips. - -"Dear, dear Helen," said I, seating myself beside her, "thank you for -the promise that you would not avoid me, and thank you for its -fulfilment; and thank you for that look, and thank you for that smile. -Oh, Helen! you know not how like a monarch you are, in having the -power, by a word, or a glance, or a tone, to confer happiness, and to -raise from misery and doubt, to hope, and life, and delight." - -"Indeed, Louis," answered she, in a very different manner from that -which I had ever seen in her before--"if I do possess such power, I am -not sorry that it is so; for I am sure that while it remains with me -to make you happy, you shall never be otherwise.--You think it very -strange," she added, with a smile, "to hear me talk as I do now; and I -would never, never have done so had not circumstances changed. But -they have changed, Louis; and as I now see some hope of----" she -paused a moment, as if seeking means to express herself, and I saw a -bright, ingenuous blush spread over her whole countenance. "Why should -I hesitate to say it?" she added, "as I see some hope now of becoming -your wife, without entering into a family unwilling to receive me, I -know not why I should not tell _you_ also _this_ that has made me so -happy." - -"A thousand and a thousand thanks, dearest Helen," answered I; "but -tell me on what circumstance you, who once doubted my parents' consent -so much more than I ever did, now found expectations so joyful--let me -say, for us both." - -"You must not ask me, Louis," answered Helen; "the only reason -that could at all have influenced me to withhold from you what I -hoped--what I was sure would make you happy--was, that I felt myself -bound to be silent on more than one subject. You cannot fancy how I -dislike anything that seems to imply mystery and want of confidence -between two people that love one another; and, indeed, it is the -greatest happiness I anticipate in being yours, that then I shall have -neither thought, nor feeling, nor action, that you may not know--but -in the present case you must spare me. Do not ask me, Louis, if you -love me." - -Of course, however much my curiosity might be excited, I put no -farther question, merely asking, as calmly as I could, fearful lest I -should instil some new doubts in Helen's mind, if she was sure, very -sure, that the joyful news she gave me was perfectly certain; for I -owned that it took such a burden from my heart, I could scarce believe -my own hopes. - -"All I can say, Louis," answered she, "is, that I feel sure neither -your father nor your mother will object to our union, when the time -arrives to think that it may take place--of course we are yet far too -young." - -"Too young!" said I; "why too young, dear Helen?" - -"Oh, for many reasons," she answered, smiling. "You have yet to mingle -with the world; at least, so I have heard people, who know the world, -say that it is necessary for a young man to do before he dreams of -marriage. You have to see all the fair, and the young, and the gay, -which that world contains, before you can rightly judge whether your -poor Helen may still possess your heart." - -"And do you doubt me?" demanded I. "Helen, you have promised me never -to give your hand to another; and, without one doubt, or one -hesitation, do I promise the same to you--by yourself--by my hopes of -happiness in this world or the next--by all that I hold sacred----" - -"Hush, hush, dear Louis!" replied she; "do not swear so deeply. There -are many, many temptations, I have heard, in the great world, which -are difficult for a young man to resist. Louis, have you not found it -so already?" - -There was a peculiar emphasis in her question, which surprised and -hurt me; but in a moment it flashed through my mind--the Chevalier had -communicated his suspicions of me to Arnault, and Arnault had taken -care to impart them to his daughter. I stood for a moment as one -stupified--then, taking her hands in mine, I asked, "Helen, what is -it that you mean? Can you--do you in the least believe me guilty?" - -"No, Louis--no, dear Louis!" answered she, with a look of full, -undoubting, unhesitating confidence; "if all the world were to declare -you guilty, mine should be the dissenting voice; and I would never, -never believe it.--I will not deny that tales have reached me, which I -do not dwell on, because I am sure they are false--basely, -ungenerously false, or originating in some mistake which you can -correct when you will, and will correct when you ought. Do not explain -them to me--do not waste a word or a thought upon them, as far as I am -concerned," she added, seeing me about to speak, "for I believe not a -word of them--not one single word." - -Oh, woman's love! It is like the sunshine, so pure, so bright, so -cheering; and there is nothing in all creation equal to it! I threw my -arms round her unopposed--I pressed my lips upon hers; but the -kiss that I then took was as pure as gratitude for such generous -affection could suggest--I say not that it was brotherly, for it was -dearer--sweeter; but if there be a man on earth who says there was one -unholy feeling mingled therein, I tell him, in his throat, he lies! - -At that moment the figure of a man broke at once through the boughs -upon us. Helen turned, and, confused and ashamed at any one having -seen her so clasped in my arms, fled instinctively like lightning, -while the intruder advanced upon me in a menacing attitude.--It was -Jean Baptiste Arnault; and with a flushed cheek and a raised stick he -came quickly upon me, exclaiming, "Villain, you have seduced my -sister, and, by the God above, your nobility shall not protect you!" - -"Hear me, Arnault!" cried I; but he still advanced with the stick -lifted, in an attitude to strike. My blood took fire. "Hear me," -repeated I, snatching up my carbine,--"hear me, or take the -consequences;" and I retreated up the hill, with the gun pointed -towards his breast. Mad, I believe--for his conduct can hardly be -attributed to anything but frenzy--he rushed on upon me without giving -time for any explanation, and struck a violent blow at my head with -his stick. I started back to avoid it; my foot struck against an angle -of the rock; I stumbled; the gun went off; and Arnault, after reeling -for a moment with an ineffectual effort to stand, pressed his hand -upon his bosom, and fell lifeless at my feet. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - - -There is nothing like remorse:--it is the fiery gulf into which our -passions and our follies lash us with whips of snakes. What language -can tell the feelings of my bosom, while I stood and gazed upon the -lifeless form of Helen's brother, as he lay before me slain by my -hand? And oh! what words of horror and of agony did I not read in -every line of that cold, still, mindless countenance, as it glared at -me with an expression still mingled of the anger which had animated -him, and the pang with which he had died. - -It was terrible beyond all description. My whole heart, and mind, and -brain, and soul, was one whirl of dreadful sensations. I had done that -which it was impossible to recal--I had taken from my fellow-being -that which I could never restore--I had extinguished the bright -mysterious lamp of life; and where, oh, where, could I find the -Promethean flame wherewith to light it again to action and to being? - -In vain! The irrevocable deed had gone forth; and sorrow, and tears, -and regret, and agony could have no more effect upon it than on the -granite of the mountains that surrounded me. It was done! It was -written on the book of fate! It was between me and my God,--a dreadful -account, never to pass from my memory. I felt the finger, that had -branded _murderer!_ on the brow of Cain, tracing the same damning word -in characters of fire upon my heart. And yet I gazed on, upon the -thing that I made, with horror amounting to stupefaction. Like the -head of the Gorgon, it seemed to have turned me into stone; and though -I would have given worlds to have banished it for ever from my sight -and my memory, I stood with my eyes fixed upon it as if I sought to -impress every lifeless lineament on my remembrance with lines that -time should never have power to efface. - -A heavy hand, laid upon my shoulder, was the first thing that roused -me; and turning round, I beheld Pedro Garcias, the Spanish smuggler, -standing by my side. The discharged gun was still in my hand; the -bleeding corpse lay before me; and had he had occasion to ask who had -done the deed, whose consequences he beheld, I am sure that my -countenance would have afforded a sufficient reply. No one but a -murderer could have looked and felt as I did. - -"How did this happen?" asked he bluntly, and without giving me either -name or title; for no one could look upon the humbling object before -us, and cast away one name of honour upon earthly rank. For a moment, -I gazed upon the smuggler wildly and vacantly; for the strong -impression of the thing itself had almost banished from my mind the -circumstances that preceded it; but recollecting myself at length, I -gave him a scarcely coherent account of what had happened. - -"You should not have seduced his sister," replied the smuggler, fixing -his large dark eye upon me. "You men of rank think that the plain -_bourgeois_ feels not such a stain upon his honour as the loss of his -child's or of his sister's virtue. But they do--they do, as bitterly, -as keenly, as madly, as the proudest count that ever spread his banner -to the wind." - -"Seduce his sister!--seduce Helen!" cried I, turning quickly upon him. -"It is false! Who dares to say it? I would not wrong her for a -world--not for a thousand worlds!" - -"That changes the case," replied the smuggler. "He wronged you then, -and deserved to die. But come away from this spot. Fie! do not look so -ghastly. We shall all wear his likeness one day, and it matters little -whether it be a day sooner or a day later. But come along to the mill. -Harm may come of this; for his father will not want friends to pursue -this deed to the utmost. Come, come! You shall not stay here, and risk -your life too. One dead man is enough for one day at least. Come!" - -So saying, he hurried me away to the mill, where we found the door -apparently locked, the wheel at rest, and the miller out; but on -tapping three times, thrice repeated, we were admitted by the miller, -who seemed somewhat surprised to see me with Garcias. The event that -had driven me there was soon told; and after a consultation between -the two, it was agreed that, beyond all doubt, I might compromise my -own life, and the security of my family, by remaining in France. How -far they were right would have been difficult to determine, even had -my mind been in a state to have examined the question. The privileges -of the nobility were great, but not such as to have secured my -immunity, if it could have been proved that the homicide had been -intentional. Nothing remained for me, according to their showing, but -once more to try the air of Spain, till such time as my pardon could -be obtained, which might, indeed, be long; for it had lately been the -policy of the prime minister to strike every possible blow at the -power of the nobility, and to show less lenity towards any member of -their body, than to those of the common classes. Little did I heed -their reasoning on the subject. The conclusion was all that reached my -mind; and the idea of there being an absolute necessity for my -quitting the country was in itself a relief. Even to think of -remaining in those scenes was horror, and to have met Helen's eyes, -after slaying her brother, would have been a thousand times worse than -death. - -"Come, cheer up, Count Louis!" cried Garcias; "I did not think to see -so brave a heart as yours overset by a thing that happens to every one -now and then. Give him a horn of La Mancha brandy, Señor Miller; -'twill comfort his heart, and get rid of such foolish qualms. In the -meanwhile, I will go out and see after the body. If no one has come -near it, and I can get it down to the river, I will cast it in below -the fall. The waters are full, and it may go down for ten or fifteen -miles, so that nobody will hear more of it, and the Count may stay in -his own land. But if they have discovered the business, our young -Seigneur must lie here till midnight, and then be off with me into -Spain. I shall meet my good fellows in the mountains; and then the -_douaniers_ who would stop us must have iron hands and a brazen face." - -I let them do with me whatsoever they liked. It seemed that those fine -ties which connect the mind and the body were so far broken or -relaxed, that the sensations of the one had no longer their effect -upon the other. My heart was on fire, and my thoughts were as busy as -hell could wish; but I scarcely saw, or heard, or knew what was -passing around me; and I let Garcias and the miller manage me as if I -had been an automaton, without exerting any volition of my own. I -drank the raw spirit that the miller gave me; and indeed it might as -well have been water. I suffered him, when Garcias was gone, to pour -on his consolations, which fell cold and heavy upon my ear, but found -not their way to my heart. Nor, indeed, did he seem to understand the -cause of that despairing melancholy in which I was plunged, -attributing my grief to fear of the consequences, or to dislike to -quit my country. I had not the spirit even to repel such a -supposition, though my feelings were very, very different. The -absorbing consciousness of guilt prevented me at first from even -remembering or thinking of the impassable barrier now placed between -me and Helen. That was an after-thought, infinitely painful, it is -true, but it came not at once. The only thought which occupied me--if, -indeed, thought it can be called,--was the mental endeavour to qualify -the bitterness of my feelings, by remembering that the act which had -so suddenly plunged me into misery was not a voluntary one; and I had -continually to reiterate, to press upon my own mind, that it was -accidental, and to call up the memory of every painful circumstance, -in order to assure myself that I was practising no self-deception. -Then, too, came the consciousness that I had pointed the gun; and a -thousand times I asked myself, what would have been my conduct had I -not stumbled over the rock?--Would I have fired? Would I have -refrained? I know not; and still my own heart condemned me, and -branded me with the name of murderer. - -It seemed long, long ere Garcias came back; for to those who despair, -as well as to those who hope, each minute lingers out an age. When he -came, he brought the news that the body had been removed before he had -arrived at the spot; and that, by creeping on behind the trees, he had -caught a glimpse of the persons that bore it, who were evidently -proceeding towards the château. - -As he spoke, I covered my eyes with my hands, as if to shut out the -view of Helen's first sight of her brother's corpse. She had fled so -fast at the first sound of footsteps, that she could not have known -who it was had approached; but now she would see him, bleeding from a -wound by my hand; and by the place where he was found, she would -easily divine who was the murderer. It wanted but that thought to work -up my agony to the highest pitch, and it burst forth in a torrent of -passionate tears. - -"Fie! fie!" cried Garcias. "Señor, are you a man? I would not, for -very shame, have any one see you look so womanly. You have slain a -man!--good! Had you not good cause? Were he alive again, and were to -offer you a blow, would you not slay him again? If you would not, you -are yourself unworthy to live; for the man that outlives his honour, -is a disgrace to existence. A man once told me I lied," continued the -smuggler, advancing and laying his gigantic hand upon my arm, to call -my attention, while the dark fire flashed out of his eyes, as if his -heart still flamed at the insult. "He told me, I lied! We were sitting -in a peaceful circle upon the green top of the first step of the -Maladetta, where it juts out over the plain, with a precipice two -hundred feet high. He told me, I lied, in the presence of the girl I -loved--he told me, I lied; and I pitched him as far into the open air -as I have seen a hurler cast a disk. I can see him now, sprawling -midway between heaven and earth, till he fell dashed to atoms on the -rocks below. And think you that I give it one vain regret, one weak -womanish thought? Did he and I stand there again, with the same -provocation, I would send him again as far--ay, farther, were it -possible. Come come," he added, "no more of this! Miller, give him -another cup of consolation." - -The smuggler took, perhaps, the best way of teaching me to bear the -weight of what I had done, by showing me that there were others who -walked under it so lightly. Wondering at his coolness, yet envying it, -I took another and another cup of the spirit, till I began to find -some relief, and could look around me and gain some knowledge of the -external objects. It was then I perceived the reason why the miller -had been so slow in admitting us. The whole place was strewed with -various contraband goods, which had not yet been deposited in their -usual receptacle, which was apparently an under-chamber, reached by a -trap-door in the floor of the mill, so artfully contrived that it had -escaped even my eyes in my frequent visits to the place. - -It now stood open; and no sooner did Garcias perceive that the brandy -and his conversation had produced some effect upon me, than, pointing -to a low bed in one corner, he advised me to lie down and go to sleep, -while he helped the miller to conceal the salt and other prohibited -articles, with which the floor was encumbered. I said I could not -sleep; and he made me take a fourth cup of brandy, which soon plunged -me at least into forgetfulness. - -How long I lay I know not; but when I woke, the interior of the mill -was quite dark, except where a moonbeam streamed in through a high -window and fell upon the dark gigantic figure of Garcias standing with -the miller near the door, apparently in the act of listening. At the -same time a high pile of salt, moved to the edge of the trap-door, but -not yet let down, proved that the smugglers had been interrupted in -their employment. In an instant a tremendous knocking, which had most -probably been the cause of my waking, was repeated against the -mill-door, and a voice was heard crying, "If you do not open the door, -take the consequences, for I give you notice that I shall break it -open: I am François Derville, officer of his majesty's _douane_; and I -charge you to yield me entrance." - -"Ay, I know you well!" muttered Garcias to himself, "and a bold fellow -you are too.--See, miller, by the loop hole," he continued in the same -under-tone,--"see whether there is any one with him?" - -The miller climbed up to a small aperture high in the wall, which -apparently commanded a view of the door; and after looking through it -for a moment, while the blows were reiterated on the outside, he -descended, saying, "He is alone: I have looked all up the valley, and -no one is near him; but I see he has got an iron crow to break open -the door." - -"He will not try that when he knows I am here," said Garcias; and -elevating his voice to a tone that drowned the knocking without, he -added, "Hold! Derville, hold! I am here,--Pedro Garcias:--you know me, -and you know I am not one to be disturbed; so go away about your -business, if you would not have worse come of it. - -"Pedro Garcias, or Pedro Devil!" replied the man without, "what -matters it to me? I will do my duty. Therefore, let me in, or I will -break open the door;" and a heavy blow of his crow confirmed this -expression of his intention. - -"The man is mad!" said Garcias, with that calm, cold tone which very -often in men of stormy passions announces a more deadly degree of -wrath than when their anger exhausts itself in noisy fury;--"the man -is mad!" and stooping down he took up one of the heavy wooden mallets -with which he had been breaking the salt. - -In the meanwhile, the blows without were redoubled, and the door -evidently began to give way. "Take care what you are doing!" cried -Garcias, in a voice of thunder; "you are rushing into the lion's den!" -Another and another blow were instantly struck: the door staggered -open, and the douanier stood full in the portal. - -Garcias raised his arm--the mallet fell, and the unhappy officer -rolled upon the floor with his scull dashed to atoms, like an ox -before the blow of the butcher. He made no cry or sound, except a sort -of inarticulate moan, but fell dead at once, without a struggle. - -"Good God! what have you done?" cried I, starting from the bed where I -had hitherto lain, and approaching Garcias. - -"Punished a villain for breaking the law of every civilized land," -replied the smuggler; "for no country authorizes one man to -infringe the dwelling of another without authority; and he had no -authority, or he would have shown it. At least," he added in a lighter -tone,--though, perhaps, what he did add, proceeded from a more serious -feeling--for that dark and wily thing, the human heart, thus often -covers itself, even from ourselves, with a disguise the most opposite -to its native character,--"at least, I hope he had none. At all -events, he knew well what he was about: I warned him beforehand: and -now--I think he will never break into any one's house again.--Shut the -door, miller, and let us have a light." - -The coolness with which he contemplated the body of his victim -produced very strange and perhaps evil impressions in my breast. -Certainly, in that small, silent court of justice which every man -holds within his own breast, both upon his and upon other people's -actions, I condemned the deed I had seen committed; and I found -myself, too, guilty; but his crime seemed so much more enormous than -mine, that the partial judge was willing, I am afraid, to pardon the -minor offender. But it was the example of his calmness that had -strongest effect upon me; and I began to value human life at less, -since I saw it estimated so low by others. - -Neither Garcias nor the miller seemed to give one thought of remorse -to the deed; the miller speaking of it in his cool, placid manner, and -Garcias treating it as one of those matters which every man was called -to perform at some time of his life. Both of them also justified it to -themselves as an act of absolute necessity for their own security. - -To what crime, to what folly has not that plea of necessity pandered -at one time or another in this world? From the statesman to the -pick-purse, from the warrior to the cut-throat, all, all shield -themselves behind necessity from the arrows which conscience vainly -aims at the rebellious heart of man. - -The question now became how to dispose of the body; but the smuggler -soon arranged his plan, with an art in concealing such deeds, which, -though doubtless gained in the wild hazardous traffic he carried on, I -own, made me shudder with associations I liked not to dwell upon. -Without any apparent reluctance, he raised the corpse in his arms, and -carried it out to a crag that overhung the stream, having an elevation -of about a hundred yards perpendicular. Underneath this point were -several masses of rock and stone, a fall on which would infallibly -have produced death, with much the same appearances as those to be -found on the body of the douanier. But without trusting to this, -Garcias carried the body to the top of the rock, and cast it down -headlong upon the stones below, which it spattered with its blood and -brains, and then, rolling over into the river, was carried away with -the stream. The next thing was to cast down the iron crow, which might -have been supposed to drop from his hand in falling; and then the -smuggler broke away a part of the mould and turf that covered the top -of the rock, leaving such an appearance as the spot would have -presented had the ground given way under the officer's feet. - -All this being done, he returned to the mill; and telling me that it -would soon be time for us to set out, he applied himself to concluding -the work in which he had been disturbed by the arrival of the -douanier, as calmly as if the fearful transactions of the last -half-hour had left no impress upon his memory. The only thing that -might perchance betray any regret or remorse was the dead silence with -which he proceeded, as if his thoughts were deeply occupied with some -engrossing subject. - -At length, however, he turned to the miller: "Come, give me a horn of -the _aguardente!_" cried he, with a sigh that commented on his demand; -"and stow away those two lumps of salt yourself.--Have you put the -door to rights? It will tell tales to-morrow if you do not take heed; -and wipe up that blood upon the floor." - -So saying, he cast his gigantic limbs upon a seat, mused a moment or -two with a frowning brow; and I thought I could see that he strove to -summon up again, in his bosom, the angry feelings under which he had -slain his fellow-creature, to counterbalance the regret that was -gaining mastery over his heart. His lip curled, and his eye flashed, -and, tossing off the cup of spirits which the miller proffered, he -cast his mantle across his shoulders and prepared to set out. - -Had he shown no touch of remorse, there would have existed no link of -association between his feelings and mine; but I saw that though his -heart had been hardened in scenes of danger and guilt, it was still -accessible to some better sensations. There was also a similarity in -the events which had that day happened to us both, that created a -degree of sympathy between us; and I rose willingly to accompany the -smuggler, when he announced that he was ready to depart. - -To my surprise, however, he turned not towards the door by which we -had entered, but going into a small sort of closet, in which appeared -a variety of sacks, and measures, and other accessories of a miller's -trade, he bade me do precisely as he did. For my part, I saw no means -of exit from that place; but I found that there were more secrets in -the mill than I had dreamed of. Choosing out a large spare millstone, -that lay upon the floor of the closet, Garcias mounted thereon, and -dropped his arms by his sides, when instantly the stone began to sink -under his weight, and he disappeared by degrees like some gigantic -genius in a fairy tale. The miller handed him a lantern the moment he -had descended sufficiently to be clear of the hole through which the -stone had sunk. He then jumped off the millstone, which rose up -rapidly in its place, counterbalanced by some other weight; and on my -stepping upon it, it again descended with me, when I found myself in a -sort of cave, whether artificial or natural I know not, but which ran -some way into the rock under the mill. The miller followed with a key, -and a gourd fashioned into a bottle, which he bestowed upon me, and -which I afterwards found to be full of brandy. He then opened a small -door which gave us egress close to the water-wheel; and bidding him -farewell, we issued forth, and in a moment stood in the moonlight by -the side of the river. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - - -With a quick step Garcias led the way towards that side of the hill -which from its position was cast into shadow, and taking an upward -path, that we both knew, he soon arrived in those high and lonely -parts of the mountain, where solitude and silence reigned undisturbed. -High above earth's habitations, nothing looked upon us but the clear -blue sky and the bright calm moon, whose beams fell soft and silvery -upon the tall mountain peaks around--poured into every valley--danced -in every stream, and contrasted the broad, deep shadows thrown by each -projecting rock, with the bright effulgence of those spots whereon she -glowed with her full power. - -It was a grand and solemn scene; and there was something inexpressibly -awful in the calm, sublime aspect of the giant world in which we -stood--in the silence--in the moonlight--in the deep, clear expanse of -the profound blue sky, especially when each of those who contemplated -it had heavy on his heart the weight of human blood. It felt as if we -were more immediately in the presence of Heaven itself--as if the -calm, bright eye of eternal Justice looked sternly into the deepest -recesses of our bosoms. - -Garcias seemed to feel nearly as much as I did; and bending his eyes -upon the ground, he pursued his way silently and fast, till, -descending for some hundred yards, and turning the angle of the hill, -we came under a group of high trees, which formed a beautiful object -on the mountain side when viewed from the windows of the Château de -l'Orme, and from which I could now discern the dwelling of my -ancestors. - -Here the smuggler stopped as if to allow me a last view of the scenes -of my infancy; and my eye instantly running down the valley, rested on -the grey towers and pinnacles of my paternal mansion with a lingering -regret impossible to describe. - -There lay all that I loved on earth, the objects of every better -affection of my nature--there lay the scenes amongst which every -happier hour had passed--there lay the spot where every early dream -had been formed--where hope had arisen--where every wish returned; and -I was leaving it--leaving it, perhaps, for ever, with a stain upon my -name, and the kindred blood of her most dear upon my hand. My heart -swelled as if it would have burst, my brain burned as with fire, and -my eyes would fain have wept. - -I struggled long to prevent them, and I should have succeeded; but -just while I was gazing--while a thousand overpowering remembrances -and bitter regrets seemed tearing my heart to pieces, a nightingale -broke out in the trees above my head, and poured forth so wild, so -sweet, so melancholy a song, that my excited feelings would bear no -more, and the tears rolled over my cheeks like the large drops of a -thunder-storm. - -"Poor boy!" said Garcias, "I am sorry for thee! I can feel now, more -than I could this morning, what thou feelest, for, in truth, I would -that I had not slain that Derville so rashly: and, I know not why, but -I wish what I never wished before, that the moon was not so bright--it -seems as if that poor wretch were looking at me. But come, 'tis no use -to think of these things. When we are in Spain we will get us -absolution, and that is all that we can do. Pardon me, monseigneur," -he added, suddenly resuming that peculiar sort of haughtiness which -leads many a proud man in an inferior station to give a full portion -of ceremonious deference to his superior--"pardon me, if now, or in -future, I treat you, too, like a companion of Pedro Garcias, the -smuggler. During this day, my wish to check your grief has made me -unceremonious, and till you can return, perhaps you had better waive -that respect which your rank entitles you to require, for it may not -please you hereafter, to have many of those with whom you now consort -for a time, boast of having been your very good friends and fellow -adventurers." - -I told him to call me what he liked, and to use his own discretion in -regard to what account he gave of me to those, whose companion I was -about to become. Little, indeed, cared I for any part of the future: -it had nothing for hope to fix upon; and once having withdrawn my eyes -from that valley, and turned upon the path before me, I was reckless -about all the rest. - -It seemed, however, that Garcias had found a relief in breaking the -dead silence which had hung upon us so long, for he continued speaking -on various topics as we went, and gradually succeeded in drawing my -mind from the actual objects of my regret. Not that I forgot my grief; -far from it. It still lay a dead and heavy weight upon my heart; but -my thoughts did not continue to trace every painful remembrance with -the agonizing minuteness which they had lately done. Such is ever the -first effect of that balm which Time pours into every wound. It -scarcely seems to lessen the anguish, but it renders it less defined. - -Gradually I listened and replied, and though each minute or two my -mind reverted to myself, yet the intervals became longer, and I found -it every time more easy than the last to abstract my thoughts from my -own situation, and to apply them to the subjects on which he spoke. - -For more than two hours we continued walking on till we arrived at the -heights nearly opposite to Argelez, during which time we had climbed -the hills and descended into the valleys more than once. We were now -again upon the very crest of the mountain, and the moon was just -sinking behind the hills to the west of the Balindrau, when Garcias -paused and pointed down the course of a stream that burst -precipitately over the side of the hill with so perpendicular a fall -that it almost deserved the name of a cataract. - -The body of water, though then but a rivulet, was at some part of the -year undoubtedly considerable, for it had channelled for itself a deep -ravine, which, for some space, wound away from the valley, as if -obstinately resolved to bear its tribute in any other direction than -towards the principal river that flowed in the midst: but, after -pursuing these capricious meanderings for a considerable way, it was -obliged at length to follow the direction of the hills, and turn -towards the valley in its own despite, as we often see, in some far -province, a stubborn contemner of established authorities pursue for a -while his own wilful way, fancying himself a man of great spirit and -an independent soul, till comes some stiff official of the law, who -turns him sneaking back into the common course of life. - -The bottom of the ravine, left free by the shrinking of the stream, -was lined on either hand with the most luxuriant verdure, and overhung -by a thousand shrubs and trees, now in their ruffling dresses of -summer green. Where we then stood, however, many hundred yards above, -with the moon, as I have said, sinking behind the opposite mountains, -all that I could see was a dark and fearful chasm below, at the bottom -of which I caught every now and then the flash and sparkle of the -stream, whose roar, as it broke from fall to fall, reached my ear even -at that height. - -Down this abyss it was that Garcias pointed, saying that our journey's -end lay there, for the present. - -"If you are a true mountaineer," added he, "you will be able to follow -me; but attempt it not if you feel the least fear; for I have seldom -seen a place more likely to break the neck of any but a good -cragsman." - -"Go on," replied I, "I have no fear;" and, indeed, I had become so -reckless about life, that had it been the jaws of hell, I would have -plunged in. And yet it appeared I was even then in the act of flying -from death. Man is so made up of inconsistencies, that this would not -have been extraordinary, granting it to have been the case--but it was -not so. I was not flying from death, but from ignominy and shame, and -the reproachful eyes of those I loved. - -Garcias led the way; and certainly never did a more hazardous and -precarious path receive the steps of two human beings. Its course lay -down the very face of the precipice over which the stream fell, and -the only tenable steps that it afforded were formed by the broken -faces of the schistus rock, without one bough of shrub or tree to -offer a hold for the hands. The river at the same time kept roaring in -our ears, within a yard of our course; and every now and then, where -it took a more furious bound than ordinary, it dashed its spray in our -faces, and over our path, confusing the sight, whose range was already -circumscribed by the darkness, and rendering the rock so slippy that -nothing but the talons of an eagle would have fastened steadily upon -it. - -At length we came to a spot of smooth turf, with still the same degree -of perpendicular declination; and to keep one's feet became now almost -impossible; so that nothing seemed left but to lie down and slip from -the top to the bottom. It was a dangerous experiment, for the descent -might probably have terminated in a precipice which would have been -difficult to avoid; but I little cared: and, with the usual success of -boldness, I lighted on a small round plot of turf, crowning another -turn of the ravine. A man anxious for life would, most probably, have -avoided the course of the stream, slipped past the spot on which I -found a safe resting place, and been dashed over the precipice which -lay scarce two yards from me. - -In a moment Garcias was by my side, and asked, with some concern lest -his place of retreat had been discovered, whether I had ever visited -that spot before, for I seemed to know it, he said, as well as he did -himself. Having assured him I never had, and that my fortunate descent -was entirely accidental, he laid his hand on my arm, as if to stay me -from any farther trial of the kind. "You have escaped strangely," said -he: "but never make the same experiment again, unless you are -something more than merely careless about life. We are now close upon -my men," he added, "and we must give them notice of our approach or we -may risk a shot;" and he stooped over the edge of the cliff looking -down into the ravine. - -It was here that the trees and shrubs, which lined thickly the lower -parts of the dell first began to sprout; and, forming a dark screen -between our eyes and the course of the stream, they would have cut off -all view of what was passing below, had it been day; but at that hour, -when all was darkness around us, and no glare of sunshine outshone any -other light, we could just catch through the foliage the sparkling of -a fire, about forty yards below us; and as we gazed, a very musical -voice broke out in a Spanish song. Being directly above the singer, -the sounds rose distinctly to our ears, so that we could very well -distinguish the words that he sang, which were to the following -tenour, as near as I can recollect:-- - - -SONG. - - Tread thou the mountain, brother, brother! - Tread thou the mountain wild! - In each other land men betray one another; - Be thou then the mountain's child. - - I. - - Hark! how hidalgo to hidalgo vows, - To serve him he'd hazard his life-- - But woe to the foolish and confident spouse - If he leave him alone with his wife.-- - Tread then the mountain, brother, brother! - Tread then the mountain wild! - In each other land men betray one another; - Be thou then the mountain's child. - - II. - - Lo! how the merchant to merchant will say, - His credit and purse to command: - But let him fall bankrupt, I doubt, well-a-day! - No credit he'll have at his hand. - Tread then the mountain, brother, brother! - Tread then the mountain wild! - In each other land men betray one another; - Be thou then the mountain's child. - - III. - - Lo! how the statesman will promise his tool, - To raise him to honours some day: - But when he's done all he would wish, the poor fool - Will regret taking fine words for pay. - Tread then the mountain, brother, brother! - Tread then the mountain wild! - In each other land men betray one another; - Be thou then the mountain's child. - - IV. - - Hark! what the courtier vows to his king, - To serve him whatever befal; - But if evil luck dark misfortune should bring, - The courtier turns sooner than all. - Tread then the mountain, brother, brother! - Tread then the mountain wild! - In court, crowd, and city, men cheat one another; - Be thou then the mountain's child. - - -"He says true! By Saint Jago, he says true!" cried Garcias, who had -been listening as well as myself. "Thank God, for being born a -mountaineer!" - -He ended his self-gratulation with a long whistle, so shrill that it -reached the ears of the singer, to whom the noise of our voices had -not arrived from the height we were above him, although his song by -the natural tendency of sounds had come up to us. He answered the -signal of his captain immediately, and we instantly began to descend, -making steps of the boles and roots of the trees, till lighting once -more on somewhat level ground, we stood beside his watch-fire. The -singer was a tall, fine Arragonese, about my own age, or perhaps -somewhat older, who had been thrown out as a sentinel to guard the -little encampment of the smugglers, which lay a couple of hundred -yards farther down the ravine. He bore a striking resemblance to -Garcias, whom he called cousin, and also seemed to possess some -portion of his gigantic strength, if one might judge by the swelling -muscles of his legs and arms, which were easily discernible through -the tight netted silk breeches and stockings he wore in common with -most of his companions. - -He gazed upon me for a moment or two with some surprise, and I -returned his look with one of equal curiosity. In truth, I should not -particularly have liked to encounter him as an adversary; for with his -long gun, his knife, and his pistols, added to the vigour and activity -indicated by his figure, he would have offered as formidable an -opponent as I ever beheld. No questions, however, did he ask -concerning me. Not a word, not an observation did he make; but -resuming the characteristic gravity of the Spaniard, from which, -perhaps, he thought his song might have somewhat derogated in the eyes -of a stranger, he merely replied to a question of his cousin, that all -had passed tranquilly during his absence, and cast himself down upon -his checkered cloak, by the side of the watch-fire, with an air of the -most perfect indifference. - -At another time I might have smiled to see how true it is that nations -have their affectations as well as individuals, but I was in no -smiling mood, and were I to own the truth, I turned away with a -feeling of contemptuous anger at his arrogation of gravity, fully as -ridiculous in me as even his mock solemnity. What had I to do to be -angry with him? I asked myself, after a moment's reflection: I was not -born to be the whipper of all fools; and if I was, I thought my -castigation had certainly better begin with myself. - -Garcias led me on to the rest of his companions, who were stretched -sleeping on the ground; some wrapped in their cloaks, some partly -sheltered from the winds, which in those mountains lose not their -wintry sharpness till summer is far advanced, by little stone walls, -built up from the various masses of rock that from time to time had -rolled down the mountain, and strewed the bottom of the ravine. The -younger men, though engaged in a life of danger and risk, slept on -with the fearless slumber of youth; but four or five of the elder -smugglers, whom ancient habits of watchful anxiety rendered light of -sleep, started up with musket and dagger in their hands, long before -our steps had reached their halting-place. - -The figure of Garcias, however, soon quieted their alarm; and I was -astonished to see how little agitation the return of their absent -leader, from what had been, and always must be, a dangerous part of -their enterprise, caused amongst them; nor did my presence excite any -particular attention. Garcias informed them simply, that I was a -friend he had long known, who now came to join them; on which they -welcomed me cordially, without farther inquiry, giving me merely the -_Buenas noches tenga usted caballero_, and assigning me a spot to -sleep in, near the horses, which was indeed the place of honour, being -more sheltered than any other. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - - -Sleep--calm, natural sleep--was not, however, to be procured so soon; -and though I laid down and remained quiet, in imitation of the -smugglers, what, what would I not have given for the slumber they -enjoyed! I need not go farther into my feelings--I need not tell all -the bitter and agonising reflections that reiterated themselves upon -my brain, till I thought reason would have abandoned me. What I had -been--what I was--what I was to be--each one of them had some peculiar -pang; so that on neither the past, the present, nor the future, could -my mind rest without torture; and yet I could not sleep. - -It may easily be conceived, then, that the two hours which elapsed, -between our arrival at the rendezvous and the break of day, was a -space too dreadful to be rested on without pain, even now, when -the whole has been given over to the more calm dominion of -remembrance:--remembrance, that has the power to rob every part of the -past of its bitter, except remorse; and to mingle some sweet with even -the memory of pain and misfortune, provided our own heart finds -nothing therein for reproach. - -As soon as the very first faint streaks of light began to interweave -themselves with the grey clouds in the east, the smugglers were upon -their feet, and, gathering round Garcias and myself, began to ask a -great many more questions than they had ventured on the night before. -My dress and my person became objects of some curiosity among them; -and it so unfortunately happened that more than one of the smugglers, -who had seen me at the mill in former days, instantly recognised me at -present. However, as probably no one of them would have found it -agreeable himself to assign his exact reasons for joining the lawless -band with which he consorted, I escaped all questions as to the cause -of my appearing amongst them. Each, probably, attributed it to some -separate imagination of his own; but the high favour in which our -house stood with this honourable fraternity, assured me the most -enthusiastic reception; and they mutually rivalled one another in -their endeavours to serve me, and render my situation comfortable. - -It was in vain now to attempt concealing from any one of the band my -rank in life; but in order that accident should not extend my real -name beyond the mere circle of those who knew me, I followed a custom -which I found they generally adopted themselves--that of -distinguishing themselves, each by a different appellation, when -actually engaged in any of their hazardous enterprises, from that by -which they were ordinarily known in the world. I therefore took the -name of De l'Orme, to which I was really entitled by birth; the Comté -de l'Orme having been in our family from time immemorial. - -These arrangements, the quick questions of the smugglers, their wild, -strange manners, and picturesque appearance, all formed a relief to a -mind anxious to escape from itself; and perhaps no society into which -I could have fallen would have afforded me so much the means of -abstracting my thoughts from all that was painful in my situation. -After having satisfied their curiosity in regard to me, the Spaniards, -to the number of twenty, gathered round Garcias to hear how he had -disposed of the smuggled goods, which had been deposited at the mill; -and certainly, never did a more picturesque group meet my view, than -that which they presented, with their fine muscular limbs, rich -coloured dresses, deep sun-burnt countenances, and flashing black -eyes; while each cast himself into some of those wild and picturesque -attitudes, which seem natural to mountaineers; and the form of Garcias -towering above them all, looked like that of the Farnesian Hercules, -fresh from the garden of the Hesperides. - -Garcias' story was soon told. He informed them simply, that all was -safe, produced the little bag which contained the profits of their -last adventure, and told them how much the miller expected to gain for -the goods at present in his hands. I remarked, however, he wisely said -not a word of the death of Derville the douanier, although undoubtedly -it would have met with the high approbation of his companions; and -probably would have given him still greater sway, than even that which -he already possessed, over the minds of a class of men, on whom -anything striking and bold is never without its effect. - -All this being concluded, instant preparation was made for our -departure. A horse was assigned to me from amongst those which had -borne the smuggled wares across the mountains; and all the worthy -fraternity being mounted, we had already begun to wind down the -ravine, in an opposite direction from that on which Garcias and myself -had arrived, when the sound of voices, heard at a little distance -before us, made us halt in our march. In a moment after, one of the -smugglers, who had been sent out as a sort of piquette in front, and -whose voice we had heard, returned, dragging along a poor little man, -in whom I instantly recognised the unfortunate player apothecary, who -had given me so much relief by his chirurgical applications a day or -two before. He had a small bundle strapped upon his back, as if -equipped for travelling; and seemed to be in mortal fear, holding back -with all his might, while the smuggler pulled him along by the arm, as -we often see a boy drag on an unwilling puppy by the collar, while the -obstinate beast hangs back with its haunches, and sets its four feet -firmly forward, contending stoutly every step that it is forced to -make in advance. - -"Here is a spy," cried the smuggler, pulling his prisoner forward into -the midst of the wild group, that our halt had occasioned; "I caught -him dodging about in the bushes there, at the entrance of the ravine; -and, depend on it, the _gabellateurs_ are not far off." - -The poor player, who understood not one word of this Spanish -accusation, gazed about, with open mouth, and starting eyes, upon the -dark countenances of the smugglers, who, I believe, were only -meditating whether it would be better to throw him over the first -precipice, or hang him up on the first tree; and whose looks, in -consequence, did not offer anything re-assuring. - -"_Messieurs! messieurs! respectable messieurs!_" cried he, gazing -round and round in an agony of terror, without being able to say any -more; when suddenly his eye fell upon me, and darting forward with a -quick spring, that loosed him from the smuggler's hold, he cast -himself upon his knees, embracing my stirrup; while half-a-dozen guns -were instantly pointed at his head, from the idea that he was about to -make his escape. The clicking of the gun-locks increased his terror -almost to madness; and, creeping under my horse's belly, he made a -sort of shield for his head, with my foot and the large clumsy -stirrup-iron, crying out with the most doleful accents, "Don't fire! -don't fire! pray don't fire!--Monseigneur!--Illustrious scion of a -noble house!--pray don't fire--exert thine influence benign, for the -preservation of a lowly supplicant." - -By this time, one of the smugglers had again got the player by the -collar; and, dragging him out with some detriment to his doublet, he -placed him once more in the midst. "Garcias," cried I, seeing them -rather inclined to maltreat their captive, "do not let them hurt him; -your companion is under a mistake. This poor little wretch, depend on -it, had no more idea of spying upon your proceedings, than he had of -spying into the intrigues of the moon. He is a miserable player, who -is unemployed, and half starving, I believe. I will answer for his -being no spy." - -At my intercession, Garcias interfered to prevent any further -annoyance being inflicted upon the hero of the buskin, and questioned -him, in French, in regard to what he did there. For a moment or two, -his terror and agitation deprived him of the power of explaining -himself; but soon beginning to perceive that the storm had in some -degree subsided, he took courage, and summoning up his most elevated -style, he proceeded to explain his appearance amongst them, mingling, -as he went on, a slight degree of satire with his bombast, which I was -afraid might do him but little service with his hearers. - -"Gentlemen!" cried he, "if ye be--as, from your gay attire and -splendid arms, your noble bearing and your bronzed cheeks, I judge ye -are--lords of the forest and the mountain--knights, wanderers of the -wild--magistrates, executors of your own laws, and abrogators of the -laws of every other person--I beseech ye, show pity and fellow-feeling -towards one who has the honour of being fully as penniless as -yourselves; who, though he never yet had courage enough to cut a -purse, or talent enough to steal one, has ever been a great admirer of -those bold and witty men, who maintain the blessed doctrine of the -community of this world's goods at the point of the sword, and put -down the villanous monopoly of gold and silver with a strong hand and -a loaded pistol." - -"Make haste, good friend!" cried Garcias, smiling; "we are not what -you take us for, but we have as much need of concealment as if we -were. Therefore, if you would escape hanging on that bough, give a -true account of yourself in as few words as possible. Such active -tongues as yours sometimes slip into the mire of falsehood. See that -it be not the case with you. Say, how came you in this unfrequented -part of the country, at this early hour?" - -"Admirable captain!" cried the player, again beginning to tremble for -his life, "you shall hear the strange mysterious turns of fate that -conducted me hither, to a part of which, that noble scion of an -illustrious house--who seems either to be your prisoner or your -friend, I know not which; but who, in either capacity, is equally -honourable and to be honoured--can bear witness. Know, then, -magnanimous chief, no later than yesterday morning, towards the hour -of noon, according to that illustrious scion's express command, I -proceeded to the principal gate of the mighty Château de l'Orme, where -I had expected a certain further fee or reward, which he promised me -for having solaced and assuaged the pains of those wounds still -visible upon his brow and hands. But judge of my surprise when, on -entering the court-yard, I found the whole place in confusion and -dismay; men mounting in haste, women screaming at leisure, dogs -barking, horses neighing, and asses braying; and on my addressing -myself to an elderly gentleman with a long nose, for all the world -like a sausage of Bigorre, asking him, with a sweet respectful smile, -if he could show me to my lord the young count, he bestowed a buffet -on my cheek, which had even a greater effect than the buffet which -Moses gave the rock, for it brought fire as well as water out of my -eyes both at once." - -"And what was the cause of all this tumult? Did you hear?" demanded -Garcias, who had observed my eye, while the player told what he had -seen at the Château de l'Orme, straining up his countenance with an -anxiety that would bear no delay. - -"To speak the truth, most mighty potentate of the mountains," replied -the stroller, "I asked no farther questions where such answers seemed -amongst the most common forms of speech. I thought the striking reply -of my first respondent quite sufficient, though not very satisfactory; -and, judging he might like my back better than my face, I got my heels -over the threshold, and came away as fast as possible. I did not -return to the cottage where I had spent the last six weeks, for I had -happily my pack on my back, and my worthy host and hostess were so -much obliged to me for boarding and lodging with them all that time, -that I doubt they would have retained my goods and chattels as a -keepsake, if I had ventured myself within reach of their affectionate -embraces; though, God help me! they had already kept, as a -remembrance, the gold piece which monseigneur gave me at first. I, -last night, made my way to Argelez, and liberally offered the -gross-minded _aubergiste_ of the place, to treat himself and his -company to the whole of 'The Cid,' to be enacted by myself alone, for -the simple consideration of a night's lodging and a dinner; but he, -most grovelling brute! fingered my doublet with his cursed paw, and -said he was afraid the dresses and decorations would be too expensive, -as they must evidently all be new. Indignantly I turned upon my heel, -and walked on till I came to this valley, where I found a nice warm -bush, and slept out my night after Father Adam's fashion. This -morning, hearing voices, and knowing not whence they came, I began to -look about with some degree of caution, when suddenly pounces upon me -this dark-browed gentleman, and drags me hither, to the manifest -injury of my poor doublet, which, God help it! has had so many a pull -from old mischievous Time, that it can ill bear the rude touch of any -other fingers. This is my tale, renowned sir; and if it be not true, -may the buskin never fit my foot, may the dagger break in my grasp, -and the bowl tumble out of my fingers!" - -The latter part of the poor player's speech had been sufficiently long -to give me the time necessary for recovering from the effect of that -portion of it which had personally affected myself, and I pointed out -to Garcias that his tale must undoubtedly be true, begging him at the -same time, to free the poor little man and send him away. - -"No, no!" replied the smuggler, "that must not be. He has found his -way to a retreat which none but ourselves knew; such secrets are heavy -things to carry, and he might drop his burden at some _douanier's_ -door who would pay for it in gold. No, no! willing or unwilling, he -must come with us to Spain, and we will teach him a better trade than -ranting other people's nonsense to amuse as great fools as himself." - -The little player at first seemed somewhat astounded at such an -unexpected alteration in his prospects; but learning that, in the very -first place, board and lodging was to be provided for him, and a horse -as soon as one could be procured, his countenance brightened up, and -he trudged contentedly after the band of smugglers, eating a large -lump of cheese and a biscuit, which Garcias had given him as -occupation on the road. Strange, strange world, where the most abject -poverty is the surest buckler against misfortune! When I stood and -considered that wretched player's feelings and my own, and saw how -little he was affected by things which would have pained me to the -very soul--how little he heeded being torn from his native land, with -nothing but blank uncertainty before him--and how he enjoyed the crust -which fortune had given him--I could hardly help envying his very -misery, which so armoured him against all the shafts of adversity to -which I stood nakedly opposed. - -My present journey through the Pyrenees, though tending very nearly in -the same direction as the first, lay amongst scenes of a still wilder -description, for the smugglers carefully avoid all the ordinary paths, -and, though now unburdened with any seizable goods, as heedfully -guarded against a meeting with the officers of the _douane_ as if they -were escorting a whole cargo. They seemed to take a delight in the -mystery and secrecy of their ways; but, in truth they found it -necessary to keep the whole world, except those concerned, in perfect -ignorance of the great extent to which their contraband traffic was -carried on, and for this purpose, glided along through the deepest -shades of the pine forests, and over the highest and least frequented -parts of the hills, by paths impracticable to any but themselves. - -Towards the close of the first day, we halted by the side of a small -mountain-lake, whose calm, still, shadowy waves, I almost hoped were -the waters of oblivion. Round about, the mountains rose up on every -side, seeming to shelter it from a world, and not a breath of wind -rippled the surface of the water, so that the reflections of the high -snowy peaks of the hills above, the dark rocks that dipped themselves -in its waves, and the gloomy pines that skirted it to the east, were -all seen looking up like ghosts from below, while ever and anon a -light evening cloud skimming over the sky found there its reflection -too, and was seen gliding over the bosom of the calm expanse. The turf -that spread from the margin of the lake to the bases of the mighty -rocks that towered up around, was covered with every kind of flower, -though at so great an elevation; and the rhododendron in full blossom, -vied with the beautiful pink saffron, as if striving which should most -embellish that favoured spot of green that nature seemed to have -fancifully placed there, as a contrast between the cold dark waters -and the stern grey rock. - -When, after alighting from my horse, I gazed round on the whole scene, -and then thought of returning to the world, with its idle bustle, and -its thronging pains, and its vain babble, and unbroken discontent, I -was tempted to cast it all from me at once, and become a hermit even -there, spending my time in the contemplation of eternity; but the -thoughts that thronged upon me during one brief half hour of solitude, -while the smugglers were occupied in making their arrangements for the -night, showed me that the gayest scenes of the busy world would still -leave me, perhaps, more time for memory than I could wish memory to -fill. - -At length my meditations were disturbed by the approach of the little -player, who seemed quite contented with his fate. As he came near, he -stretched forth his hand, threw back his head, and was beginning with -his usual emphasis to address me as "_Illustrious scion of a noble -house_," when I stopped him in the midst somewhat peevishly, bidding -him drop his high-flown style if he would have me listen to him, and -never to use it to me again if he wished not such a reply as had been -bestowed upon him by my father's _maître d'hôtel_. This warning and -threat had a very happy effect, for he seldom afterwards poured forth -any of his rodomontade upon me; and when denuded of its frippery, his -conversation was not without poignancy. - -"Well, sir," said he, after my rebuff, "I will treat you to plain -prose, as you love not the high and metaphorical. Be it known then -unto your worship, that our friends with the dark faces have prepared -something for dinner, and invite you to partake of some excellent -Bayonne ham, and some unfortunate young trout, that an artful vagabond -with an insinuating countenance has seduced out of the protecting -bosom of their parent lake, and abandoned to the vile appetite of his -companions. Added to this, you will find some excellent _botargis_, -which you doubtless are aware is manufactured out of the roe of the -mullet, and provokes drinking, a propensity that you may satisfy at -discretion, out of certain skins of wine for that purpose made and -provided--as my poor dear supposed father used to say, who turned me -out of his house when I was nine years old." - -I had too little love for my own thoughts to remain any longer alone -than I could avoid, and rising, I followed the little player to a spot -where the smugglers had spread out their supper upon Nature's table. -This was the first meal I had seen amongst them, and I found that they -ate but once a day: but to do them all manner of justice, when they -did apply themselves to satisfy their hunger, they amply compensated -for their abstinence; and as they intended to proceed no farther that -night, they were not more sparing of their wine than of their other -viands. Gradually, as the potent juice of the grape began to warm -their veins, all Spanish reserve wore away, and mirth and jocularity -succeeded. Jest, and tale, and song went round; and even Garcias -seemed to banish every circumstance of the past, and to enjoy himself -as fully, as forgetfully as the rest. - -To what was this owing? I asked myself.--To the wine-cup!--It had -taught them forgetfulness!--it was temporary oblivion!--it was -happiness!--and I drained it, and redrained it, to obtain the same -blessing for myself. Strange how one error ever brings on another! and -thus it is that amendment is still so difficult to those who have done -wrong--'tis not alone that they have to renounce the fault they have -once committed, but that they have also to struggle against all those -which that one brings in its train. - -I drank deep for forgetfulness; and certainly, amongst the companions -into whose society circumstances had thrown me, I was not without -encouragement. The wine they had brought with them was excellent and -abundant; and when any one began to flag in his potation, the rest -seemed to cry him on, as soldiers encourage one another in a march. -Sometimes it was a story, sometimes a jest, sometimes a song; and of -the latter, they had more amongst them than I had supposed could be -invented on one subject. The last that I remember, was sung by the -same musical youth whom Garcias and myself had found acting as -sentinel when we joined the smugglers near Argelez. His single voice -gave out the separate verses of the song to a merry Spanish air, while -all the rest joining in at the end, raised a deafening din with the -very absurd chorus. - - -SONG. - - "Woman first invented wine, - Ere man found out to drink it;[4] - If otherwise she wer'n't divine, - For this we're bound to think it. - - CHORUS. - - Malaga and Alicant, - Xeres and La Mancha! - Whatever cup she offers man, - We'll take it, and we'll thank her! - - Cold water's but a sober thing, - That's only fit for asses--" - * * * * * * - -But before he had concluded, or his companions began roaring again -about Malaga and Alicant, my cup fell out of my hand, and I slept. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -I believe my sleep would have lasted longer than the night, had -Garcias not woke me towards daybreak, and told me that they were -preparing to depart. Amongst the smugglers, every one took care of his -own horse, and of course I could not expect to be exempt from the same -charge in their wandering republic, where the only title to require -service oneself was the having shown it to others. I started up, -therefore, in order to repair, as much as I could, my negligence of -the night before. To my surprise, however, I found that the horse had -been already rubbed down and saddled by the little player; who, having -drunk more cautiously than myself, had woke early in the morning; and, -after having shown this piece of attention to me, was engaged in -tricking out, for his own use, an ass, which one of the smugglers had -procured from some acquaintance at the foot of the mountain. I thanked -the little man for his civility; when, laying his hand upon his heart, -he professed his pleasure in serving me, and begged, in humble terms, -if I had any thought of engaging a servant in the expedition wherein -we were both engaged, that he might be preferred to that high post. - -"The post would certainly be more honourable than profitable, my good -friend," replied I, with some very melancholy feelings concerning my -own destitute condition, for my whole fortune consisted of about -thirty Louis d'ors and a diamond ring, the value of which I did not -know. "I must tell you thus much concerning my situation," I added; "I -am now quitting my father's house and my native land, from -circumstances which concern me alone, but which may render my absence -long; and during that absence, I expect no supply or pecuniary aid -from any one. You may now judge," I proceeded, with somewhat of a -painful smile, "whether such a man's service be the one to suit you." - -"Exactly!" replied the little player, to my surprise; "for during the -time you have nothing to give me, you will judge whether I am like to -suit you when you can pay me well. I ask no wages but meat and drink. -That, I am sure, you will give me while you can get any for yourself; -and if a time should come when you can get none, perhaps it may be my -turn to put my hand in fortune's bag, and pull out a dinner. Alone, -and with no one to help me, I have never wanted food, but that one day -at Argelez; and, God knows, I never knew from day to day where I -should fill my cup or load my platter, but in company with your -lordship--never fear, we shall always find plenty. Two people can -accomplish a thousand things that one cannot. You can do a thousand -that I do not know how to do, and I can do a thousand that you would -be ashamed to do. Thank God, for having been turned out upon the world -at nine years old, without a sous in my pocket. 'Twas the best school -in nature for finishing my education." - -I was hurt, I own, at the sort of companionship which the miserable -little player seemed to have established, in his own mind, so -completely between himself and me; and the haughty noble was rising -with some acrimony to my lips, when I suddenly bethought me, what a -thing I was to be proud over my fellow-worm! It was a thought to take -down the high stomach of my nobility, and after a moment's pause, I -merely replied, "Your life must afford a curious history, and -doubtless has been full both of turns of fate and turns of ingenuity." - -"Oh, 'tis a very simple history," answered the player, "as brief as -the courtship of a widow. When your lordship has got on horseback, and -I have clambered on my ass, I will tell it to you as we go along. -'Twill at least spend a long five minutes." - -His proposal was not disagreeable to me, for my mind was in that state -when anything which could fill up a moment with some external feeling -or interest was in itself a blessing. Had he told such a tale as those -with which they amuse children in a nursery, I should have been -contented; and accordingly, as soon, after having mounted, as we were -once more on our journey, I begged he would proceed, which he complied -with as follows:-- - -"My mother's husband, who had the credit--if any honour was thereunto -attached--of being my father, was, when I can first remember him, -intendant to the estates of M. le Comte de Bagnols. He had originally -studied the law; but not having money enough to purchase any charge at -the bar, he was very glad to take the management of a young nobleman's -estates, who, though not indeed careless and extravagant, was still -young--consequently inexperienced--consequently plunderable, and -consequently a hopeful speculation for one in my father's situation. -The Count was liberal, and therefore the appointments were in -themselves good, consisting of a separate house half a mile from the -château, a considerable glebe of land, and a salary of a thousand -crowns. I must remark here, that the intendant was the ugliest man in -Christendom, but he had the advantage of possessing in my poor dear -mother a very handsome wife, whose beauties he considered as a certain -means of performing the curious alchymical process of the -transmutation of metals; that is to say, the changing his own brass -into the Count's gold. - -"Now I should be most happy could I claim any kindred with the noble -family of Bagnols, but sorry I am to say, I was several years old when -the young Count returned to the château from his campaigns with the -army. Nor, indeed, should I have been much better off had fortune -decreed me to be born afterwards; for though the worthy intendant was -as liberal as Cato in many respects, and the most decided foe to all -sorts of jealousy, and though my mother also was a complete prodigal -in the dispensation of her smiles, the Count was as cold as ice. -Indeed, as his marriage with the beautiful Henriette de Vergne was -soon after brought on the carpet, I can hardly blame him for thinking -of no one else. All went on well for two years, during which time my -mother had twice occasion to call upon Lucina, and the intendant was -gratified by finding himself the father of two other sturdy children. -At the end of that time, however, the marriage of the Count was broken -off with Mademoiselle de Vergne, and the young lady was promised to -the Marquis de St. Brie. You have heard all that sad story, I dare -say! The Marquis not liking a rival at liberty--for they began to -whisper that the Count still privately saw Mademoiselle de Vergne, and -some even said was married to her--had him arrested and thrown into -prison, on an accusation of aiding the rebels at Rochelle. The count, -however, found means to write to the intendant a letter from the -Bastille, containing two orders: one was to send him instantly a -certain packet of papers containing the proofs of his innocence; the -other, to sell as speedily as possible all the alienable part of his -property, and to transmit the amount to a commercial house at -Saragossa. The worthy intendant set himself to consider his own -interests, and finding that it would be best to keep his lord in -prison, he could never discover the papers. At the same time, the -buying and selling of a large property is never without its advantage -to the steward, and therefore he punctually obeyed the Count's command -in this particular, selling all that he could sell, and transmitting -the money to Spain, at the end of which transaction he found himself -very comfortably off in the world. One night, while he sat counting -his gains, however, he was somewhat surprised by a visit from the -count, who had made his escape from the Bastille, and came to make his -intendant a call, much more disagreeable than interesting. - -"So much did the intendant wish his lord at the devil, that he was -civil to him beyond all precedent; and having gone up in the dark -to the château, they spent two hours in diligent search for the -papers, which they unfortunately could not find, for this very good -reason--the intendant had taken care to remove them three or four -days before, and had given them in charge to his dear friend and -co-labourer, the Count's apothecary, to keep them as a sacred deposit -as much out of the Count's way as possible." - -"After all this, sorry to have lost the papers, but glad to find he -had a considerable fortune placed securely in Spain, the Count set out -to seek his fair Henriette, resolving to carry her to another land; -and thinking all the while that his intendant was the honestest man in -the world. Under this impression, he made him his chief agent in all -his plans, told him of his private marriage, and, in short, did what -very wise men often do, let the greatest rogue of his acquaintance -into all his most important secrets. - -"The Marquis de St. Brie very soon found out the proceedings of his -friend the Count. The Count was of course assassinated, and thrown -into the river; the Countess was put into a convent, where she died in -childbirth, and God knows what became of the money in Spain. Matters -being thus settled to the satisfaction of every one, the intendant -found he had quite enough money to set up procureur, and went to live -in the same town with his dear friend the apothecary." - -"But what became of the papers?" demanded I; "and why do you always -call him the intendant? Were you a son by some former marriage of your -mother?" - -"Be patient! be patient! Monsieur le Comte, and you shall hear," -replied the little player. "I was just about to return to my mother, -with regard to whom a man may feel himself tolerably certain. There is -a proverb against human presumption in speaking of one's father, -'_Sage enfant qui connoit son père!_' However, my mother was, as I -have said, a very handsome woman, and she made use of her advantages; -but, at the same time, she was a very superstitious one, and though -she governed her husband in all domestic matters with a rod of iron, -she suffered herself to be governed by her confessor in a manner still -more despotic. Never used she to fail in her attendance at the -confessional, and yet I never heard the good priest complain she -troubled him unnecessarily. - -"At length it so happened that she fell ill, and the only thing that -could have saved her, namely, the physicians giving her up, having -been tried in vain, and she being both in the jaws of death and in a -great fright, her priest would not give her absolution except upon a -very hard condition, which she executed as follows--She sent for her -husband, and having bade him adieu in very touching terms, upon which -he wept--he could always weep when he liked--she sent for his dear -friend the apothecary, for a worthy goldsmith of the city, and for a -couple of young gentlemen our neighbours, and having brought them all -into her bedroom, she acknowledged to her husband all her faults and -failings, comprising many which I, in my filial piety, will pass over; -after which she begged his forgiveness, and obtained it--requested and -received in so touching a manner, that every one wept. She then made -her excellent spouse embrace his injurers, which he did like a -charitable soul and a sensible man, with a most solemn and edifying -countenance. After this she called all her children, of which there -were by this time four, round her, and having given us her blessing -and her last advice in a very striking and instructive manner, she -allotted us severally to the care of her friends. My next brother she -bequeathed to the fatherly tenderness of the intendant himself; though -there was an unfortunately small degree of likeness between them. I -fell to the portion of the apothecary; the youngest son was assigned -to the protection of the goldsmith, and so on. When this distribution -was concluded, she found herself very much exhausted, and, sending us -all away, fell into a profound sleep, from which she woke the next -morning in a fair way for recovery. The confessor declared that it was -the special interposition of Heaven, as a reward for her punctual -obedience to his commands; but her husband thought it the handiwork of -the devil; on which difference of conclusion I shall not offer an -opinion. Suffice it, my mother recovered, and finding that the story -had got abroad, and that every one she met laughed at or avoided her, -she insisted on her husband changing his abode and carrying her and -her family to another town. At length, however, her malady returned -upon her after a year's absence, and she died for good and all, -leaving her husband inconsolable for her loss. The moment the breath -was out of her body, the excellent procureur took me to the door of -his house, and told me tenderly to get along for a graceless little -vagabond, and none of his. 'Go to Auch! go to Auch!' cried he, 'and -tell that villain of an apothecary I have sent him his own.' To Auch I -accordingly went, and delivered the procureur's message to the -apothecary, who held up his hands and eyes at the hard-heartedness of -his former friend, and giving me a silver piece of a livre tournois, -he bade me go along, and not trouble him any more. - -"The next morning, when my livre was spent, and I began to grow -hungry, I naturally turned my steps towards the apothecary's, and hung -about near his door without daring to enter, when suddenly I saw him -driving out in fury the boy that carried his medicines, who had been -guilty, I found afterwards, of drinking the wine set apart for making -antimonial wine; and so great was the rage of my worthy parent, that -he threw both the pestle and the mortar into the street after the -culprit. - -"Having had all my life a sort of instinctive dislike to the society of -an angry man, I was in the act of gliding away as fast as I could, -when his eye fell upon me, and beckoning me to him, he called me to -come near, in a tone that made me obey instantly. 'Come hither,' cried -he, 'come hither! Now I wager an ounce of kermes to a grain of jalap -that thou hast been well taught to thieve and to lie! Hey? Is it not -so?'--'No, your worship,' answered I, trembling every limb, 'but I -dare say I shall soon learn under your teaching.'--'Holla! thou art -malapert,' cried he; 'but come in; out of pure charity I will give -thee the place of that thief I have just kicked out. But remember, it -is out of pure charity--thou hast no claim on me whatever! mark that! -But if thou servest me truly, and appliest thyself to my lessons, I -will make thee a rival to Galen and Hippocrates.' Thus was I -established as medicine-boy at my father the apothecary's, after -having been turned out of my father the procureur's, and soon learned -his mood and his practice. The first was somewhat arbitrary but -despotic, and, by taking care never to contradict him, except where he -wished to be contradicted, I soon ingratiated myself with him to a -very high degree. - -"His practice also was very simple. Whenever he was called in to any -patient, he began by giving them an emetic, to clear away all -obstructions, as he said. He next inquired if the complaint was local, -and where? If it was in the head he put a blister on the soles of the -feet; if it was in the lower extremities he placed one on the crown of -the head; if it was between the two he took care to blister both. When -the malady was general, he began by bleeding, and went on by bleeding, -till the patient died or recovered; declaring all the while, that let -the disease be as bad as it would, he would have it out of him one way -or other. He had a good deal of practice when I came, and it rapidly -increased, for he was always called in by poor dependents, who -expected legacies, to their rich relatives; by young heirs of estates -to old annuitants; by the expectants of abbeys, and persons possessing -survivorships to their dear friends the long-lived incumbents: and he -was also applied to frequently by young wives for their old husbands, -and other cases of the kind, wherein he was supposed to practise very -successfully. As I grew up, he initiated me into all the secrets of -his profession, took me to the bedside of his patients; and, in fact -gave me many a paternal mark of his regard! Nor did he confine his -confidence in me entirely to professional subjects. It was from him -that I learned the earlier part of my own history, and that of the -Count de Bagnols, whose papers I had many an opportunity of seeing, -for they lay wrapped in a piece of old sheepskin in the drawer with -the syringes. Thus passed the time till a company of players visited -Auch; and as every night of their performance I went to see them, I -speedily acquired a taste--I may say a passion, for the stage, which -evidently showed that nature had destined me to wear the buskin. From -that moment I was seized with horror at the indiscriminate slaughter -which I daily aided in committing, and I resolved to quit Auch the -very first opportunity. This, however, did not occur immediately, for -before I could prepare my plans the players had left the place, and I -was obliged to remain in my sanguinary profession for another year, -during which I learned by heart every play that had ever been written -in the French language. One day, while I was sitting alone reading -Rotrou, a man came in and addressed me with an air of cajolery which -instantly put me on my guard; but when he gave me to understand, after -a thousand doublings, that he wished to know if ever I had heard my -father, or, as he called him, 'master,' talk of certain papers -belonging to the late Count de Bagnols, which might be of the greatest -service in clearing the honour of his family; and when, at the same -time he offered me ten Louis d'ors if I could find the papers, I -became as pliant as wax, slipped one hand into the drawer, took the -money with the other, delivered the papers, and recommenced my book. -My father never missed the papers; and when the players returned I -lost no time, but addressed myself to their manager, who made me -recite some verses, applauded me highly, declared he wanted a new -star, and that if I would steal away from my gallipots and join the -company a mile from Auch, I should meet with my desert. I took him at -his word, and easily executed my plan during the apothecary's absence. -My name was soon changed to Achilles Lefranc, and the provincial -spectators found out that I was a genius of a superior class. -Ambition, the fault of gods, misled our little troop; and thinking to -carry all before us, we went to Paris, obtained permission to perform, -and chose a deep tragedy, at which the malicious Parisians roared with -laughter from beginning to end. We slunk out of Paris in the middle of -the night, but the bond of union was gone amongst us, and we -dispersed. Since then I have hawked my talents from village to -village, and from company to company; sometimes I have risen to the -highest flights of tragedy, and have trod the stage as a king or a -hero, and at others I have descended to the lowest walk of comedy, -and, for the sake of a mere dinner, performed the part of jester -at a marriage entertainment or a _fête de village_; I have been -applauded and hissed, wept at and laughed at, but I have always -contrived to make my way through the world, till here I am at last -your lordship's--humble servant." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - - -The player's account of himself had interested me more than he knew, -especially that part of it which referred to the unfortunate Count de -Bagnols. There seemed something extraordinary in the chance, which -threw circumstance after circumstance of his history upon my -knowledge; and I felt a superstitious sort of feeling about it, which -was weak, I own, but which was pardonable perhaps in a mind labouring -like mine under a high degree of morbid excitement. - -I fancied that I was destined to be the Count's avenger; and I felt, -at the same time, that I should be doing human nature good service in -ridding the world of such a man as the Marquis de St. Brie; nor did I -believe that the eye of Heaven could look frowningly upon so signal an -act of justice. I reasoned, finely too, upon the right of an -individual to execute that retributive punishment which either the -laws of his country were inadequate to perform, or its judges -unwilling to enforce. But where was there ever yet a deed -unsusceptible of fine reasoning to justify it to the doer? Acts well -nigh as black as the revolt of Satan have met able defenders in their -day; and in the prejudiced tribunal of my own bosom I easily found a -voice to sanction what I had already determined. - -In regard to the papers of the Count de Bagnols, which had fallen into -my possession by so curious a train of circumstances, I had them still -about me; but I did not think fit to mention the circumstance to -Monsieur Achilles Lefranc, upon whose judgment I had no great reason -to rely. I determined, however, if fortune should ever permit me to -revisit my own country, to seek out the nearest relations of the -count, and to deliver the papers into their hands as an act of justice -to the memory of that unhappy nobleman; and I also felt a sort of -stern pleasure in the hope of once more measuring my sword with the -daring villain whose many detestable actions seemed to call loudly for -chastisement. There might be a touch of over-excited enthusiasm--of -that sort of exaltation of mind which men call fanaticism in religion, -and which borders upon frenzy, when it relates to the common affairs -of life, but I hope--I believe--nay, I am sure that there was no -thirst of personal revenge in that wish. I felt indignant that such a -man should have been allowed to live so long, and that neither private -vengeance nor public justice should yet have overtaken him with the -fate he so well merited; and my sensations, which were at all times -irritable enough, had been worked up, by the scenes and circumstances -I had lately gone through, to a pitch of excitement which not every -man could feel, and none perhaps can describe. - -While little Achilles had been engaged in recounting his history, he -had kept close by my side, jogging on upon his ass, looking like a -less corpulent and more youthful Sancho Panza, accompanying a less -gaunt and grimly Quixote. Not that I believe my appearance had been -much improved by two such nights as I had passed, nor indeed was the -bandage round my head very ornamental; and in this respect was I but -the better qualified to represent the doughty hero of La Mancha. No -adventures, however, of any kind attended our journey; and we passed -the mountains and descended into Spain undisturbed. Towards three -o'clock, after having proceeded near ten miles in an eastern -direction, we reached a little village, which seemed a great resort of -the smugglers; for here every one of them was known, and several of -them had their habitations--if indeed such a name could be applied to -the spot where they only rested a few brief days in the intervals of -their long and frequent absences. The moment our cavalcade was seen -upon the hill above the village, a bustle made itself manifest amongst -the inhabitants; and we could perceive a boy running from house to -house spreading the glad news. A crowd of women and children assembled -in an instant, and coming out to meet us, expressed their joy with a -thousand gratulatory exclamations. The rich golden air of a spring -afternoon in Spain; the picturesque cottages covered with their young -vines, and scattered amongst the broken masses of the mountain; the -gay dresses of the Spanish mountaineers, the graceful forms of the -women and children, and the beautiful groups into which they fell as -they advanced to greet us,--all offered a lovely and interesting sight -to the eyes of a stranger. It was one of the pictures of Claude Gelée -wakened into life. - -Every one sprang to the ground, and a thousand welcomes and embraces -were exchanged; the sight of which made my heart swell with feelings I -cannot describe. There were none to embrace or welcome me! - -Amongst the foremost of those who came to meet us on our arrival, was -a beautiful young woman of the most delicate form and feature I ever -beheld; exquisitely lovely in every line; but so slight, so fragile, -it seemed as if the very breath of the mountain wind would have torn -her like a butterfly. She ran on, however, with a quicker step than -all the rest, and casting herself into the gigantic arms of Garcias, -gazed up in his face with a look of that tender affection not to be -mistaken, while a glistening moisture in her eye told how very, very -glad she was to see him returned in safety. She was the last person on -earth one would have imagined the wife of the fierce and daring man to -whom her fate was united. But Garcias with her was not fierce; it -seemed as if to him her tenderness was contagious; and the moment his -eye met hers, its fire sunk and softened, and it only seemed to -reflect the tender glance of her own. - -After giving a delicious moment or two to the first sweet feelings of -his return, the smuggler appeared suddenly to remember me, and taking -me by the hand, he presented me to his wife as a French gentleman, to -whom he and his were indebted for much; adding, that all the -hospitality she could show me would not repay the kindness and -patronage he had received from my house. She received me with a -modesty, and a grace, and a simple elegance, I had hardly expected to -meet in an insignificant mountain village; and led the way to their -dwelling, which was by far the best in the place, not even excepting -that of the principal officer of the Spanish customs, who, somewhat to -my surprise, came out of his house to welcome back Garcias, with more -friendship than I could have supposed to exist between a smuggler and -a _douanier_. - -Our arrival was the signal for feasting and merriment. Some of the -youths of the village had been very successful in the chase; and the -delicate flesh of the izzard, with fine white bread and excellent -wine, were in such abundance, that my poor little follower, Achilles -Lefranc, ate, and drank, and sang, and gesticulated, seeming to think -himself quite in the land of promise. He busied himself about -everything; and though he neither understood nor spoke one word of the -language, he was so gay, and so lively, and so well pleased himself, -that he won the goodwill of the whole village. - -After affording us shelter till we had supped, as soon as the sun -began to sink behind the mountains every house in the place poured -forth its inhabitants upon a little green. In the centre stood a group -of high ash trees, under which the great majority seated themselves, -notwithstanding the disagreeable odour of the cantharides which were -buzzing about thickly amongst the branches; the rest took it in turns -to dance to the music of a guitar, which was played by the young -smuggler whose vocal powers I had already been made acquainted with. - -Never in court or drawing-room did I see more grace or more beauty -than on that village green; while the awful masses of the mountains, -stretching blue and vast behind, offered a strange grand contrast to -the light figures of the gay ephemeral beings that were sporting like -butterflies before me. The mingling of the two scenes, and the calm -placidity which both tended to inspire, did not fail to find its way -to my heart, and to soothe and quiet the anguish which had not yet -left it. In the meanwhile, the musician joined his voice to the notes -of his guitar, and sang one of their village songs. - - - SONG. - - I. - - "Dance! dance! dance! Life so quick is past, - Seize ye its minutes for joy as they fly: - Existence' flowers so brief a space may last, - 'Twere pity to see them but blossom and die. - - II. - - "Dance! dance! dance! On the roses tread, - That swift-fleeting Time shall let fall ere he go; - He's now in his spring, but full soon shall he shed - On every dark ringlet his wintry snow. - - III. - - "Dance! dance! dance! Cheat the heavy hours, - They're tyrants would bind us to Time's chariot fast; - Weave then a chain of gay summer flowers, - And make them our slaves while youth's reign shall last." - - -He had scarcely ended, and was still continuing the air upon his -guitar, when a horse's feet were heard clattering up over the stones -of the village, and in a minute or two after, a young man rode up, -dressed in a costume somewhat different from that of the villagers, -but still decidedly Spanish. On his appearance, the dance instantly -stopped, several voices crying, "It is Francisco from Lerida. He -brings news of Fernandez! What news of Fernandez?" together with a -variety of other exclamations and interrogatories, making a quantum of -noise and confusion sufficient to prevent his answering any one -distinctly for at least five minutes after his arrival. The horseman, -however, seemed but little disposed to reply to any one, slowly -dismounting from his horse with what appeared to me an air of assumed -importance. - -"Ah! he is playing his old tricks," cried one of the merry boys of the -village; "he wants to frighten us about Fernandez." - -"No, indeed!" cried Francisco, with a sigh; "I have, as the old -story-book goes, so often cried out _wolf!_ that perhaps you will not -believe me now when it is true: but I bring you all sad news, and with -a heavy heart I bring it. To you, my cousin, especially," he -continued, speaking to Garcias' wife, who sat beside her husband, with -her elbow leaning on his knee--"I know not well how to tell you what I -have got to relate; but I came off in speed this morning, to see what -we could all do to mend a bad business. Your brother Fernandez is now -in prison at Lerida, and I am afraid that worse may come of it." - -"In prison! Why? How? What for?" exclaimed Garcias, starting up; "he -shall not be in prison long!" - -"I fear me he will," replied the other, shaking his head,--"I fear me -he will, if ever he come out of it. You all know the dreadful state of -our province of Catalonia since that tyrant villain the count-duke has -filled it with the most lawless and undisciplined soldiers in Spain. -For the last three months our minds have been worked up to a pitch of -desperation which every day threatened to plunge us into anarchy and -revolt; wrong upon wrong, exaction after exaction, oppression outdoing -oppression----" - -"But Fernandez--what of him?" cried Garcias. "Speak of him, Francisco. -We well know what you have endured." - -"Well, then, all I can tell you of him is this," proceeded the -Catalonian, apparently not well pleased at having been interrupted in -the fine oration he was making: "as far as I could hear, for I was not -present, he interfered to prevent one of the base soldados from -maltreating a woman in the street. The soldier struck him. Fernandez -is not a man to bear a blow, and he plunged his knife some six inches -into his body. He was immediately arrested, disarmed, and carried to -the castle. If the soldier dies, he will, they say, be shot off from -one of the cannons' mouths; if he recovers, the galleys are to be -Fernandez's doom for life." - -The wife of the smuggler had listened to this account of her brother's -situation without proffering a word either of inquiry or remark; but I -saw her cheek, like a withering rose, growing paler and paler as the -incautious narrator proceeded, till at length, as he mentioned the -horrible fate likely to befall the hero of his tale, she fell back -upon the turf totally insensible. - -The effect of the history had been different upon Garcias; his brow -became bent as the speaker went on, it is true; but the passionate -agitation, which at first seemed to affect him, wore away, and he -assumed a cold sort of calmness, which remained uninterrupted even -upon the fainting of his wife. He raised her in his arms, however, and -bidding Francisco wait a moment till he could return, he carried her -away towards their own dwelling, accompanied by all the women of the -place, in whose care he left her. On coming back, he questioned the -Catalonian keenly to ascertain whether his brother-in-law had been in -any degree to blame; but from all the replies he could obtain, it -appeared that the conduct of the soldier had been gross and outrageous -in the extreme; that Fernandez, as they called him, had merely -interfered, when no man but a coward or a pander could have refrained, -and that he actually stabbed the soldier in defence of his own life. - -Garcias made no observation, but he held his hand upon the pommel of -his sword; and every now and then his fingers clasped upon it, with a -sort of convulsive motion, which seemed to indicate that all was not -so quiet within as the tranquillity of his countenance bespoke. - -"Well," said he, at length looking up to the sky, which by this time -began to show more than one twinkling star, shining like a diamond -through the blue expanse;--"well, it is too late tonight to think of -what can be done. Come, Francisco, you want both food and rest--come, -you must lodge with us. Monsieur de l'Orme," he added, turning to me, -and speaking in French, "you will find our lodging but hard, and our -fare but poor, but if you will take the best of welcomes for seasoning -to the one, and for down to the other, you could not have more of it -in a palace." - -I returned home with him to his cottage; but not wishing to intrude -more than I could help upon his privacy, when I knew his wife was both -ill in body and in mind, and fearful also of interrupting any -conversation he might wish to have with his companion, I retired to a -room which had been prepared for me, and undressing myself with the -assistance of my little follower Achilles, who made a most excellent -extempore valet-de-chambre, I cast myself on the bed, hardly hoping to -sleep. A long day of fatigue had been friendly to me, however, in this -respect; and I scarcely saw my little attendant nestle himself into a -high pile of dried rosemary, with which the mountains abound, and -which, with the addition of a cloak, forms the bed of many a -mountaineer, before I was myself asleep. My slumbers remained unbroken -till I was awakened by Garcias shaking me by the arm. It was still -deep night, and starting up, I saw by the light of a lamp which he -carried, that he was completely dressed, and armed with more -precaution than even during his excursions into France. - -"I have to ask your pardon, monseigneur," said he, in a low deep tone, -as soon as I was completely awake, "for thus disturbing you, and, -indeed, it was my intention not to have done so; but I am about to set -out for Lerida, and before I go, I wish to lay before you such plans -as are most feasible for your comfort and safety in Spain. In the -first place, you can remain here, if a poor village, and poor fare, -and mountain sports, may suit you; but if you do, your time may hang -heavy on your hands, and beware of lightening it with the smiles of -our women--remember, the Spaniard is jealous by nature, and -revengeful, too; and there is not a black-eyed girl in this village -that has not some one to watch and to protect her." - -The blood rose in my cheek, and I replied somewhat hastily, "Were she -as unprotected as a wild flower, do you think I would take advantage -of her friendlessness? You do me wrong, Garcias; and by Heaven, were I -so willed, it would be no fear of a revengeful Spaniard would stand in -the way of my pursuit! But, as I said, you do me wrong,--great wrong!" - -"Be not angry, my noble Count," replied the smuggler, with a calm -smile; "I know what youth and idleness may do with many a one, even -with the best dispositions? I warned you for your own good, and I am -not a man who values any of this earth's empty bubbles so highly as -not to say my mind when I am sure that it is right. But hear me -still:--humble as I am in station, I have one or two friends of a -higher class, and I can give you a letter to the new corregidor of -Saragossa, who will easily obtain you rank in the Spanish armies, if -you choose to employ yourself in war, which I know is the only -occupation that you nobles of France can hold." - -"Not to Saragossa," replied I; "no, not to Saragossa; I cannot go -there. But you say the new corregidor; what has become of the former -one?" - -"He died this last month," replied Garcias; "and a good man he -was--God rest his soul! He was much beloved by all classes of the -people. He died, they say, of grief for the loss of his only child. -But if you love not Saragossa, hark to another plan. I go to Lerida. -You can accompany me as far as the town gates, but you must not go -with me farther. You have heard of the fate of my wife's brother--he -must, he shall be saved, or I will light such a flame in Catalonia as -shall burn up these mercenary sworders by whom it is consumed, as by a -flight of devastating locusts--ay, shall burn them up like stubble! -What may come of my journey, I know not--death, perhaps, to many; and -therefore, though you may go with me to Lerida, turn off before you -enter the town, and make all speed to Barcelona, where you will find -many a vessel ready to sail for France. You will easily find your way -to Paris, where you may conceal yourself as well as if you were in -Spain; and as you will land in a different part of the country from -that where your appearance might prove dangerous to yourself, you will -run no risk of interruption in your journey; at the same time, you -will be able more easily to communicate with your family and friends, -and negotiate at the court for your pardon." - -I did not hesitate in regard to which I should choose of the three -plans that Garcias propounded. At once, and without difficulty, I -fixed upon that course which, by carrying me directly to Paris, would -give me a thousand facilities that I could not possess in Spain. -Though so far from the capital, of course, a frequent communication -existed between my native province and Paris, and I thus hoped soon to -satisfy myself in regard to all the circumstances which had followed -my flight from the Château de l'Orme; I should also be in the -immediate neighbourhood of the Count de Soissons; and I doubted not, -that, by putting myself under his protection, I could easily obtain -those letters of grace which would insure me from all the painful -circumstances of a trial for murder: for although the severities which -the Cardinal de Richelieu had exercised upon the nobles, in every case -where they laid themselves open to the blow of the law, showed -evidently that my nobility would be no protection, yet, knowing little -of the politics of the court, I fancied that he would not reject the -intercession of a prince of the blood royal. There is no reason why I -should not acknowledge that, in these respects, I was most anxious -about that life which I would have cast into the most hazardous -circumstances--ay, even thrown away in any honourable manner; but to -die the death of a common felon, or even to be arraigned as one, was -what I could not bear to dream of. There is something naturally more -valuable to man than life itself--something more fearful than death; -for though my whole mind was bent on saving myself from the fate that -menaced me, at the same time with every thought came the remembrance -that it was Helen's brother I had slain--that she could never, never -be mine; and I cursed the life I struggled for. - -As soon as my determination was expressed, Garcias pressed me to -hasten my movements; and as the little player had awoke, and, seeing -me about to depart, insisted on accompanying me, the next -consideration became, how to mount him, so as to enable him to keep up -with the quick pace at which we proposed to proceed. Horses, however, -were plentiful in the village; and the smuggler, although it was now -midnight, took upon himself to appropriate the beast of one of his -companions, for which I left three gold pieces as payment. I was soon -dressed; and Garcias having supplied me with some articles of apparel, -of which I stood in some need, we proceeded to the green, where we -found Francisco, who had brought the news of his kinsman's arrest, -together with the horses, and four or five of Garcias' associates, -armed like himself, and prepared to mount. - -We were instantly in our saddles, and set off at all speed, greatly to -the annoyance of poor little Achilles; who, not much accustomed to -equestrian exercise, and perched upon the ridge of a tall strong -horse, looked as if he was riding the Pyrenees, and riding them ill. I -kept him close to myself, however, and contrived to maintain him in -his seat, till such time as he had in some degree got shaken into the -saddle; after which he began to feel himself more at his ease, and to -play the good horseman. - -Little conversation took place on the road, the mind of Garcias -labouring evidently under a high degree of excitement, which he was -afraid might break forth if he spoke, and I myself being far too much -swallowed up in the selfishness of painful thoughts to care much about -the schemes or wishes of others. I gathered, however, from the -occasional questions which Garcias addressed to Francisco, and the -replies he received, that the whole of Catalonia was ripe for revolt; -that the sufferings of the people, and the outrages of the Castilian -soldiery, had arrived at a point no longer to be endured; and that the -murmurs and inflammatory placards which had lately been much spoken -of, were but the roarings of the volcano before an eruption. Several -private meetings of the citizens and the peasantry had been held, -Francisco observed; and at more than one of these, aid, arms, -ammunition, money, and co-operation, had been promised on the part of -France. All was ready for revolt; the pile was already laid whereon to -sacrifice to the god of liberty, and it wanted but some hand to apply -the torch. - -"That hand shall be mine," muttered Garcias;--"that hand shall be -mine, if they change not their doings mightily;" and here the -conversation again dropped. - -For three hours we rode on in darkness, by rough and narrow paths, -which probably we might not have passed so safely had it been day; for -we went on with that sort of fearlessness which is almost always sure -to conduct one securely through the midst of danger. Although I felt -my horse make many a slip and many a flounder as we went along, I knew -not the real state of the roads over which we passed, till I found him -plunge up to his shoulders in a pit of water that lay in the midst. By -spurring him on, however, I forced him up the other side; and shortly -after the day broke, showing what might, indeed, be called by courtesy -a road, but which seemed in truth but an old watercourse, obstructed -with large stones and deep holes, and, in short, a thousand degrees -worse in every respect than any path we had followed through the -gorges of the Pyrenees. - -No feeling, I believe, is more consistently inconsistent than -cowardice. Children shut their eyes in the dark to avoid seeing -ghosts; and as long as my little companion Achilles could not exactly -discover the dangers of the path, he proceeded very boldly; but no -sooner did he perceive, by the light of the dawn, the holes, the -rocks, and the channels, which obstructed the road at every step, than -he fell into the most ludicrous trepidation, and called down upon his -head many an objurgation from Garcias for hanging behind in the worst -parts, floundering like a fish left in the shallows. - -During the whole of our journey hitherto we had passed neither house -nor village, as far as I could discover; and we still went on for -about an hour before we came even to a solitary cottage, where Garcias -drew in his rein to allow our horses a little refreshment. - -Here he paced up and down before the door, seemingly anxious and -impatient to proceed, knitting his brows and gnawing his lip with an -air of deep and bitter meditation. I interrupted his musings, -nevertheless, to inquire whether he could convey a few lines to their -destination, which I had written to inform my father that I was, at -least, in safety. - -"To be sure," replied he hastily, taking the letter out of my hand. -"Did I not deliver the packet safely to Mademoiselle Arnault, at the -château? and doubt not I will deliver yours too, if I be alive; and if -I be dead," he added with a smile, "I will send it." - -"What packet did you deliver to Mademoiselle Arnault?" demanded I, -somewhat surprised; "I never heard of any packet." - -"Nay, I know not what it contained," answered the smuggler; "it was -brought to me by a friend at Jaca, and I know nothing farther than -that I delivered it truly. That is all I have to do with it, and fully -as much as any one else has." - -I turned upon my heel, again feeling the proud blood of the ancient -noble rising angrily at the careless tone with which a peasant -presumed to treat my inquiries; but the overpowering passions which, -under the calm exterior of the Spaniard, were working silently but -tremendously, like an earthquake preceded by a heavy calm, levelled in -his eyes all the unsubstantial distinctions of rank. Nor did I, though -struck by a breach of habitual respect, give above a thought to the -manner of his speech; the matter of it soon occupied my whole mind, -and for the rest of the journey I was as full of musing as the -smuggler himself. A packet from Spain!--for Helen Arnault! What could -it mean? She, who had no friends, no acquaintances beyond the circle -of our own hall! A new flame was added to the fires already kindled in -my bosom; I suppose that my mind was weakened by all that I had lately -suffered, for I cannot otherwise account for the wild, vague, jealous -suspicions that took possession of me. But so it was--I was jealous! -At other times my character was anything but suspicious; but now I -pondered over the circumstance which had just reached my knowledge, -viewed it in a thousand different lights, regarded it in every aspect, -and still the jaundiced medium of my own mind communicated to Helen's -conduct a hue that, however extraordinary, it did not deserve. - -With thoughts thus occupied, I scarcely perceived the length of the -way, till, as we climbed a slight eminence, Garcias pulled in his -rein, and looking forward, I perceived at no great distance a group of -towers and steeples, announcing Lerida. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - - -The irritable suspicions which, without his own knowledge, he had -excited in my bosom, made me still regard the careless manner in which -Garcias had treated my inquiries concerning the packet he had conveyed -to Helen, as matter of some offence. I forgot that he knew not my -feelings on this subject, and I am afraid I made no allowance for his, -excited and overwrought as they were. Notwithstanding the degree of -irritation that I felt, however, I could not resist the frankness of -manner with which he addressed me, when we came within sight of -Lerida. - -"Here, Monsieur le Comte," said he, "you had better leave us. That -path will take you into the high road to Barcelona, whither, if I -might advise, you would make all possible speed. My way is towards -those towers, where my poor Catelina's brother lies in bonds. What may -come of it, I do not know; but either this night shall see him once -more a freeman, or my head shall lie lower than it ever yet has done. -Farewell, Monsieur le Comte! I doubt not we shall meet again. Do not -forget me till then: and ever believe that a warm and grateful heart, -however rude, may dwell in the bosom even of a Spanish smuggler; and -that if this arm, or this sword, ever can serve you, you may command -it. Are you too proud to accept that horse you ride, as a present from -one who is under many a debt of gratitude to your house?" - -I hardly know what it was, for there was certainly very little in his -words to change the angry feelings with which I had regarded him a -moment before; but the manner wherewith a thing is said, more than -the thing itself, has often the power to let us into the dark -council-chamber of man's bosom, and show us the motives which govern -his actions. Gleaming through the very coldness of Garcias' demeanour, -I saw the wish to act towards me in the kindest and most grateful -manner, only overpowered by the excitement of his own circumstances; -and I instantly made those allowances which I should have done at -first. - -"I will accept it, Garcias, with pleasure," replied I, "because I hope -hereafter to repay it, with other debts to you, in a way that I have -not now the means of doing." A word or two more passed, and then, -bidding him adieu, I rode along the path he pointed out, followed by -Achilles Lefranc, and soon reached the highroad of which he had -spoken. Here my poor little companion, who had hitherto smothered the -torments of St. Bartholomew rather than risk being left behind, found -it impossible to contain his expostulations any longer. - -"Monseigneur," said he, in a tone which mingled the doleful and the -theatrical in a very ludicrous degree, "God knows that I am willing to -follow on your steps to the last grain of my sand, to serve you with -my best service to my last breath--but indeed! indeed! it must be on -foot. Horseback becomes me not--I am already worn to the bone! So help -me Heaven! as I would rather ride a grindstone by the hour together, -than the stiff ridge of this hard-backed charger! Consider, my lord, -consider, that my business has ever been on foot; and that never but -once before did I venture to cast my legs across that iron-spined -beast called a horse. At least, in pity, give me half an hour's repose -at the first cottage we pass, for I can get no farther!" - -The request of the poor little man was but reasonable; and after -proceeding about half a league farther on our way, we stopped at a -small sort of inn, where I suppose the carriers from Lerida ordinarily -paused to water their horses. Here, with rest, and food, and wine, I -strove to put Achilles into a fit state for proceeding on his journey; -but none of these applications seemed to touch the part affected, and -the ludicrous stiffness that supervened when he had sat still for a -few minutes, almost made me abandon the hope of going forward that -day. After about an hour, however, a very powerful incentive to motion -came in aid of my wishes, and soon induced Monsieur Achilles to start -from his settle, and though every joint seemed made of wood, and -creaked in the moving, he nevertheless got to his horse even more -quickly than myself. The cause of this revolution in his feelings was -very simple, and consisted in nothing more than a sound, somewhat -disagreeable to one of his peculiar temperament. - -The morning was clear and the wind high, coming in quick gusts from -the side of Lerida, which, as near as I could judge, lay at the -distance of two miles. It was not far enough, however, to prevent our -hearing, after having rested, as I said, near an hour, the beating of -a drum, mingled with the retreat-call upon the trumpet. At this -Achilles pricked up his ears, and the good dame of the house shrugged -up her shoulders, saying, "The soldiers again! They will never stop -till they have taken our all!" - -A pause then ensued; but the moment after, an irregular fire of -musketry made itself heard, and close again upon that, burst after -burst, came the roaring of some heavy pieces of cannon. The good -hostess, who was alone in the house, threw herself upon her knees -before a picture of St. Jago, and beseeched him so heartily for -protection, that I could hardly divert her attention to receive -payment for what ourselves and our horses had consumed. - -In the meanwhile, Achilles, who seemed heartily to sympathise with the -hostess, though his feelings urged him in another direction, had moved -to his horse with a very white face; and before I could mount, was -already on the road. "Let us make haste," cried he, "in God's name! To -my ears, the noise of cannon is no way harmonious. Let us make haste, -monseigneur--I am sure I hear them coming! I do not even love the -sound of a firelock. The only drum that should be tolerated is that of -a charlatan; for though he may kill as many people or more than a -soldier, he does it quietly, promising to cure them all the while. -Don't you hear a noise behind us, monseigneur?--I am sure I hear a -drum, of which sound the drum of my ear has all the jealousy of a -rival:--_Morbleu!_ what a roar of cannon! That must have killed a -great many people!" - -Such broken exclamations did he continue to pour forth from time to -time, as fast as the jolts of his horse admitted, till we had placed a -good many miles between us and Lerida. We were then obliged to slacken -our pace, though we still heard occasionally the distant roaring of -the cannon, proving incontestably that the struggle between the -populace and the soldiery continued unabated. - -Though from very different motives, I was as glad to avoid taking any -part in the transactions which, I had reason to believe, were going on -at Lerida, as little Achilles himself. I had gathered from the -conversation of Francisco and Garcias, that the Catalonian peasantry -had been instigated to revolt, in no slight degree, by secret agents -of the French government; and I had but little inclination to be -identified with schemes which I could not look upon as highly -honourable. To have been mistaken for one of these agents by the -populace, would have placed me in a very embarrassing situation, -unacquainted, as I was with the designs and measures of my own -government; and I well knew, that to disclaim a character with which -the multitude chose to invest one, was the surest way to provoke, -without convincing them. I was therefore anxious on every account to -reach Barcelona as speedily as possible, and to quit a country where -no pleasing part was left me to play, before the first news of the -insurrection caused an embargo to be laid upon the ports. But, -unfortunately, our horses had by this time become so jaded, that I was -obliged to slacken my pace and proceed more slowly, lest they should -fail us altogether. - -About an hour more elapsed before we reached any place that could give -shelter and rest for our horses; for I remarked here, as in the -country near Saragossa, though Catalonia is better peopled than many -parts of Spain, that the towns and villages are sadly distant from one -another, when compared with the overflowing population of France. - -At length, however, the road wound up the side of a gentle hill, upon -whose green and velvet top a group of old rough cork-trees, scarcely -yet bearing a blush of tardy verdure upon their branches, were mingled -with a number of earlier trees, all clothed in the thousand bright -hues of spring. Amongst these, as we rode up, we could every now and -then discern the straight lines of a cottage, diversifying the wild -and irregular masses of the foliage, and offering here and there a -hard outline, cutting upon the clear back-ground of the sky. Yet the -whole was the more picturesque and beautiful for those very stiff -lines of the buildings--whether from the contrast of the forms -alone--or from the mingled associations called up in the mind by the -sight of man's habitations combined with the more graceful productions -of simple nature--or from both, I know not. However, there was an air -of calm tranquillity in that little village and its group of trees, -raised up upon the soft green hill, and standing clear and defined in -the pure sunshiny sky, which formed a strange mild contrast with the -distant roar that the wind bore in sullen gusts from Lerida. There is -a latent moral in every look of nature's face, which--did man but -study it--would prove a great corrector of the heart; and when I -thought of the carnage and the crime which that far-off roar -announced, the peaceful aspect of the scene before me made me shudder -at the effect of excited human passions, and I hurried on upon my way -to escape as fast as possible from the tumults which I doubted not -were then in action at Lerida. - -Knowing, as I did, that horses are cheap in this part of the country, -I resolved to venture some portion of my remaining money, rather than -delay my progress to Barcelona. Accordingly, as soon as I perceived -the least appearance of hospitable walls, I asked poor little Achilles -if he thought he could muster strength to continue his journey, -representing to him that any delay might probably prevent us from -quitting Spain, if it did not induce still more disagreeable -consequences. A tear of pain and fatigue actually rose in the weary -player's eye, as he abandoned the hope of repose with which the sight -of the village had inspired him; but the sound of the cannon, and the -beating of the drum, still rung in his ears, and he professed his -willingness to go on, as long as he was able--to do anything, in -short, to get out of hearing of such sounds as the wind had borne from -Lerida. - -The village, however, was but a poor one, and on inquiring at the -posada whether we could exchange our horses for two fresh ones, -offering at the same time a suitable repayment for the accommodation, -I was informed that no horse could be obtained in the place for love -or money, except those employed in agriculture, which were not -precisely suited to my purpose. Nothing remained then but to stay -where we were, to give our horses food, and four hours' rest, and to -take what repose we could ourselves obtain. - -So nearly balanced had been the wishes of poor little Achilles, -between fear in the one scale, and fatigue in the other, that I do not -believe he was at all sorry to hear that a halt was inevitable; and -while I acted as the groom, and took care that every means was -employed to renovate the vigour of our beasts, he cast himself upon a -truckle-bed, and within two minutes was sound asleep. I followed his -example as soon as I had provided for the renewal of our journey; for, -though well calculated to bear no ordinary portion of exercise, I was -now considerably exhausted, having ridden more than thirty leagues -that day, in addition to all that I had undergone before. My sleep, -however, was feverish and interrupted, and before the four hours were -concluded I was again upon my feet. It was about the hour that the -Spaniards generally devote to sleeping, during the great heat of the -middle of the day, but on going to seek for my horse, I found the -villagers collected in various groups at the different doors, all -eagerly talking upon some subject that seemed to excite their feelings -to the uttermost. I easily conceived that some news had reached them -from Lerida; but judging it best to remain as innocent of all -knowledge concerning any tumults that might have occurred as possible, -I asked no questions, but proceeded towards the stable for the purpose -of preparing for our departure, leaving my weary follower to enjoy his -slumbers till the last moment. - -Before I reached the door, however, a clattering of horses' hoofs made -me turn my head, and I saw a Castilian trooper galloping as fast as -his horse would bear him into the village. He was armed with a steel -headpiece, cuirass, and gauntlets, and mounted on a horse which, -though wounded and bloody, still bore him on stoutly. His offensive -arms consisted of his long heavy sword, a case of large pistols, a -dagger, and two musketoons, so that considering him as an opponent, -his aspect would have been somewhat formidable. As he came up, he -glanced his eye ferociously over the various groups of peasantry, -amongst whom two or three muskets were visible, but without taking -farther notice of any one, he cut in between me and the stable-door, -and springing to the ground, in a moment led out the horse which had -borne my little follower thither, evidently with the purpose of -transferring his heavy _demipique_ saddle from his own wounded charger -to its back. - -This, however, did not at all suit my purposes, and laying my hand -upon the halter, I told him the horse was mine, and that he must stand -off. This information brought upon my head a torrent of Castilian -abuse, and thrusting himself in between me and the horse, he struggled -to make me quit my hold, raising his gauntleted hand as if to strike -me in the face. He was a smaller man than myself in every respect, and -also embarrassed with the weight of his arms, so that it was with ease -I caught his wrist with one hand to prevent his striking me, while -with the other I grasped the lower rim of his cuirass, and threw him -back clanking upon the pavement. In an instant, half a dozen young -villagers sprang out of the houses, surrounded the prostrated trooper -before he could make an attempt to rise, and would, I believe, have -despatched him with their long knives, had not I interfered to save -his life. - -"_Viva la Francia! Viva la Francia!_" cried half a dozen voices at -once. "Let him rise! let him rise! The French caballero commands it. -Let him rise! let him rise!" - -Some of the Catalonians, however, were for opposing this piece of -clemency, and, evidently animated by the same spirit of hatred to the -soldiery as their countrymen of Lerida, cried aloud to kill the tiger. -"How many of ours has he killed!" exclaimed they. "How often has he -plundered our houses, assaulted ourselves, insulted our women!--Let -him die! let him die!" - -But the discussion had for a moment diverted their attention from -their prisoner, and though one of the strongest villagers had his foot -upon the soldier's corslet, he contrived suddenly to throw him off, -and, springing up, to catch his wounded horse, which still stood nigh. -Half a dozen blows with musket-stocks and knives were now aimed at him -in an instant; but leaping into the saddle, he spurred his horse -through the crowd, and, saved by his corslet and morion from many a -random stroke, galloped down the road like lightning. - -At the distance of about a hundred yards, however, he turned in the -saddle, and while his horse went on, aimed one of his musketoons -calmly at the group assembled round me, and fired. - -The ball whizzed close by me, and grazed the cheek of a villager near, -leaving a long black wound along that side of his face. Fortunately -for the fugitive, none of the muskets were loaded which graced the -hands of those he left behind, otherwise his flight would have been -but short. As it was, he departed undisturbed, and the whole of the -group around turned to me, inquiring, as of one who had some title to -command them, what was to be done next? "Were they," they asked, "to -collect and join the patriots at Lerida, or to march forward upon -Barcelona, collecting what troops they could on the road, and at once -attack the tyrants in their head-quarters?" - -I of course disclaimed not only all right to direct them, but all -knowledge of the subject, telling them that I had merely cast the -soldier from me in defence of my own property, and that I was not -aware what patriots they spoke of at Lerida, or what tyrants at -Barcelona. - -"What!" cried one of the young men, with a look divided between -surprise and incredulity; "do you not know that the inhabitants of -Lerida have risen, and cast off the yoke of the Castilian tyrants? Do -you not know the glorious news, that they have beat the mercenary -soldados of Castile through every street of the city wherever they -dared to make a stand, till the few that escaped have shut themselves -up in the citadel? Do you pretend not to know that they have well -avenged the death of the poor youth that the bloody-minded -slaughterers fired off last night from a cannon's mouth? Pshaw! you -know it well enough; and we know too, that it is with arms and -ammunition from France, that all this has been done: so, '_Viva la -Francia! Viva el Francés!_'" - -It was in vain I protested my ignorance of the whole; they were -determined to believe me an agent of the French government, and -nothing I could say had any effect in persuading them to the contrary. -The only means I could devise for extricating myself from the -unpleasant situation in which I was placed, without violating the -truth, was to tell them, that I was going on myself to Barcelona, but -that I thought the best thing they could do, would be to remain quiet -till they heard more particularly from Lerida, taking care to be -prepared for whatever event might occur. - -They received this advice as if it had come from the Delphic Oracle. -"Yes, yes, he is right," cried one; "we will wait for orders from -Lerida."--"He will get to Barcelona before the Castilian now!" cried a -second: "Quick! saddle the cavalier's horse!"--"Send us off a despatch -as soon as all is safe at Barcelona," cried a third; but to this last -I did not think fit to make any reply, as I had not the least -intention of complying with the request. All was soon ready to set -out, but a sudden difficulty delayed me some time, which was, that -when about to depart, I could nowhere discover Monsieur Achilles -Lefranc, whom I had left up stairs sound asleep. To leave the poor -little man alone, in a country, the language of which was as unknown -to him as Hebrew, was a piece of cruelty I could not think of -committing. I was nevertheless nearly obliged to do so, for after -looking for him in vain in the room where he had slept, and in every -other place I could think of, with the assistance of half a dozen -Spaniards, men, women, and children, he was drawn out from below the -bed, where he had ensconced himself on hearing the sound of a musket, -with the various shouts of the Spaniards in the street. - -He seemed, however, in no degree ashamed of his cowardice. "I own it! -I own it!" cried he; "I have nothing of Achilles about me but the -name. I am vulnerable from top to toe; and so great a coward into the -bargain, that I think the only wise thing my great namesake ever did, -was in staying away so long from the fields of Troy; and the most -foolish thing in going back again at all." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - - -The horses of the smugglers were accustomed to hard service, and -therefore soon refreshed, so that when we again mounted, they wanted -but little of the vigour with which they had at first set out. Still, -however, twenty leagues lay between us and Barcelona, and since my -unfortunate encounter with the trooper, the necessity became more -urgent of arriving there with all speed. Nevertheless, it was in vain -that we spurred on as rapidly as we could, even little Achilles -exerting himself in proportion to his ideas of the danger; night fell -upon our journey ere it was more than two thirds finished, and as we -could not arrive before the gates were shut, we were obliged to pause -and await the return of day at a small town about ten miles from -Barcelona. Here, however, all was quiet, and I judged from the -tranquillity that no news had yet reached this place from Lerida; -concluding, also, that the soldado, whose wounded horse must have been -soon exhausted, had not yet passed through. In this case there was -still hope of arriving at the city before the insurrection was known, -so that we might embark on board any vessel about to quit the port -immediately, or even hire one of the light boats that are continually -running across the Gulf of Lyons, between Barcelona and Marseilles. -The next morning, an hour before day-break, we were again upon our -journey, and arrived at the gates of the city not long after they were -opened. A crowd of country people were going in, carrying fruit and -milk, and other articles of consumption to the town, and mingling -amongst the horses and mules that bore these supplies, we endeavoured -to pass in unnoticed. All proceeded very well for some way, till we -passed the guard-house near the inner gate: in fact, we had proceeded -a few paces beyond, when suddenly a couple of soldiers rushed out, -half a dozen more followed, and I was knocked off my horse by a -violent blow on my head, which they chose to bestow upon me with a -prospective view to prevent my resisting. - -As soon as I was on my feet again, the cause of this brutal conduct -became evident, without question, as my good friend, the trooper, from -Lerida, was the first person that met my eyes. "Ha! ha!" cried he, -coming before me, while the others pinioned my arms behind, and -shaking his clenched hand in my face, with a grin of unutterable -rage--"Ha! ha! we have thee now; and, by the soul of a Castilian, I -would pluck thy heart out with my own hands, did not the viceroy wish -to examine thee himself. But never fear! before two hours be over, -thou, too, shalt have a flight from a cannon's mouth!" - -My situation was not a very agreeable one, but yet it was not one that -impressed me with much fear. Indeed, it was never any circumstances of -mere personal danger that much agitated me. Anything that touched me -through my affections, or through my imagination, ever had a great and -visible effect upon my mind; but to all which came in the simple form -of bodily danger, I was, I believe, constitutionally callous. - -While the soldiers were engaged in pinioning my arms with cords, which -they drew so tight as almost to tear my flesh, some of their -companions dismounted my trembling little companion, and as his -excessive fear and non-resistant qualities were very evident, they did -not think it necessary to decorate his wrists with the same sort of -strict bracelets which they had adapted to mine, but simply led him -along after me in a kind of procession towards the arsenal; whither, -it seems, the viceroy had removed from his own palace the night -before, on the news of the insurrection at Lerida. The way was long, -and I believe the brutal Castilians found a sort of pleasure in -parading us through the various streets, and showing to the populace a -new instance of the height to which the daring authority they assumed -might be carried. Their insolence, however, seemed to me, even from -the glances of the people as we passed, to be likely to receive a -check sooner than they imagined. Not a Catalonian did we approach, but -I recognised that flash in his eye, which told of a burning and -indignant heart within; and though they suffered themselves to be -shouldered by the licentious and ill-disciplined soldiers as we went -along, it was with a bent brow and clenched teeth, which seemed to -say, "The day of retribution is at hand!" - -As we approached the arsenal, I caught a glimpse of the wide, grand -ocean; and there was something in the sight of its vast free waves, -which seemed to reproach me with the bonds I suffered to rest upon my -hands. I believe, involuntarily, I made an effort to burst them -asunder, for one of the guard, seeing some movement of my hands, -struck me a violent blow with the pommel of his sword, exclaiming, -"What! trying to escape! Do so again, and I will send a ball through -your brains!" - -I was silent, giving him a glance of contempt, which only excited his -laughter, and calling to his companions, he bade them look at the -proud Frenchman. Patience was the only remedy; and still maintaining -my silence, though I own it cost me no small effort, I suffered them -to lead me on, with many a taunt and insult, till we arrived at the -port and arsenal. Here I was dragged through two large courts, and -conducted into a stone hall, where I was subjected, for near an hour, -to the insolent jeering of the soldiery, while the Count de Saint -Colomma, then Viceroy, finished his breakfast. - -To all they could say, however, I answered nothing, which enraged them -more than anything I could have replied. - -"Have you cut out his tongue, Hernan?" asked one of the soldiers. - -"No," replied the other, "though he well deserves it; I spared it to -speak to the Viceroy." - -"Slit it then, as they do the magpies to make them speak," said a -third. - -"Ob, the viceroy will find him a tongue," replied the first. "Mind you -that sullen boor, that would not betray the conspiracy at Taragona; -and how the Count of Molino, who then commanded our _tercia_, found a -way to make him speak?" - -"How was that?" demanded one of the others; "I served in the tenth -_legero_ then, and was not present." - -"Why, he made us tie him on a table," answered the first, "and then -fix a nice wet napkin over his face, pricking some holes in it, -however, or it would have smothered him altogether, they say. As it -was, every breath was like the gasp of a dying man, it was so hard to -draw it through the cloth! and one might see his fists clenching with -the agony, and his feet drawn up every time we poured a fresh ladleful -of water over his face. Every now and then, Don Antonio told him to -stretch out his hand when he would confess; but he bore it stoutly, -till the blood began to ooze out of his eyes and ears, and then he -could not hold to it any longer, but stretched out his hand, and -betrayed the whole story; after which, the conde was merciful, and had -him hanged without more ado." - -It was fortunate for poor little Achilles, who sat beside me, that his -knowledge of Spanish did not extend to the comprehension of a single -word that passed, or this story would probably have bereft him of the -little life he had left. Terror had already made him as silent as the -grave--for which quality of silence he had never been very conspicuous -before--and he sat with his eyes staring and meaningless, his mouth -half open, his feet drawn up under the bench, and his hands laid flat -upon his knees--the very image of folly struck dumb with fright. There -was something so naturally small and unmeaning in his whole -appearance, that the soldiers seemed to look upon him altogether as a -cipher; and, in this respect, his insignificance for some time stood -him in as good stead as the armour of his namesake; but at length, -finding that they could draw nothing from me, my companion's look of -terror caught the Castilians' attention, and they were proceeding to -exercise their guard-room wit at the expense of poor little Achilles, -when suddenly the noise of drums and trumpets was heard, announcing, -as I found by their observations, that the viceroy was retiring from -the great hall to his own cabinet. - -In a few minutes, a messenger arrived with orders for the officer of -the guard to conduct the prisoners to his presence; but in the lax -state of discipline which seemed to reign amongst the Castilian troops -in Catalonia, it was not surprising that no officer could be found. I -was placed, however, between two soldiers, and, with some attention to -military form, led up the grand staircase towards the cabinet of the -viceroy, at the door of which I was detained till the messenger had -announced my attendance. - -The pause was not long; for shortly the door again opened, and I was -told in a harsh tone to go in, which I instantly complied with, -followed by little Achilles, while the soldiers and the Viceroy's -officer remained without. - -The scene which presented itself was very different from that which I -had anticipated. The room was large and lofty, lighted by two high -windows, commanding a view of the sea, and altogether possessing an -air of cheerfulness rarely found in the interior of Spanish houses. -The furniture was luxurious, even amidst a luxurious nation. Fine -arras and tapestry, carpets of the richest figures, cushions covered -with cloth of gold, tables and chairs inlaid with silver, and a -thousand other rare and curious objects that I now forget, met the eye -in every direction; while on the walls appeared some of the most -exquisite paintings that the master-hand of Velasquez ever produced. -It put me strongly in mind of the saloon in the Marquis de St. Brie's -_pavilion de chasse_; but the lords of these two splendid chambers -were as opposite, at least in appearance, as any two men could be. - -Seated in an ivory chair,[5] somewhat resembling in form the curule -chair of the ancient Romans, appeared a short fat man, not unlike the -renowned governor of Barataria, as described by Cervantes; I mean in -his figure; the excessive rotundity of which was such, that the paunch -of Sancho himself would have ill borne the comparison. His face, -though full in proportion, had no coarseness in it. The skin was of a -clear pale brown, and the features small, but rather handsome. The -eyebrows were high, and strongly marked, the eyes large and calm, and -the expression of the countenance, on the whole, noble and dignified, -but not powerful. It offered lines of talent, it is true, but few of -thought; and there was a degree of sleepy listlessness in the whole -air of the head, which to my mind spoke a luxurious and idle -disposition. The dress of the Viceroy--for such was the person before -me--smacked somewhat of the habits which I mentally attributed to him. -Instead of the stiff _fraise_, or raised ruff, round the neck, still -almost universally worn in Spain, he had adopted the falling collar of -lace, which left his neck and throat at full liberty. His -_justaucorps_ of yellow silk had doubtless caused the tailor some -trouble to fashion it dexterously to the protuberance of his stomach; -but still many of the points of this were left open, showing a shirt -of the finest lawn. His hat and plume, buttoned with a sapphire of -immense value, lay upon a table before him; and as I entered, he put -it on for an instant, as representative of the sovereign, but -immediately after, again laid it down, and left his head uncovered, -for the sake of the free air, which breathed sweetly in at one of the -open windows, and fanned him as he leaned back on the cushions of his -chair. - -Behind the viceroy stood his favourite negro slave, splendidly dressed -in the Oriental costume, with a turban of gold muslin on his head, and -bracelets of gold upon his naked arms. He was a tall, powerful man; -and there was something noble and fine in the figure of the black, -with his upright carriage, and the free bearing of every limb, that -one looked for in vain in the idle listlessness of his lord. His -distance from the viceroy was but a step, so that he could lean over -the chair and catch any remark which his lord might choose to address -to him, in however low a tone it was made, and at the same time, he -kept his hand resting upon the rich hilt of a long dagger; which -seemed to show that he was there as a sort of guard, as well as a -servant, there being no one else in the room when we entered. - -I advanced a few steps into the room, followed, as I have said, by -Achilles alone, and paused at a small distance from the Viceroy, on a -sign he made me with his hand, intimating that I had approached near -enough. After considering me for a moment or two in silence, he -addressed me in a sweet musical voice. "I perceive, sir," said he, -"notwithstanding the disarray of your dress, and the dust and dirt -with which you are covered, that you are originally a gentleman--I am -seldom mistaken in such things. Is it not so?" - -"In the present instance your excellence is perfectly right," replied -I; "and the only reason for my appearing before the Viceroy of -Catalonia in such a deranged state of dress, is the brutal conduct of -a party of soldiery, who seized upon me while travelling peacefully on -the high road, and brought me here without allowing me even a moment's -repose." - -"I thought I was right," rejoined the viceroy, somewhat raising his -voice: "but do you know, young sir, that your being a gentleman -greatly aggravates the crime of which you are guilty. The vulgar herd, -brought up without that high sense of honour which a gentleman -receives in his very birth, commit not half so great a crime when they -lend themselves to base and mean actions, as a gentleman does, who -sullies himself and his class with anything dishonourable and wrong. -From the mean, what can be expected but meanness, and consequently the -crime remains without aggravation? but when the well born, and the -well educated, derogate from their station, and mingle in base -schemes, their punishment should be, not only that inflicted by -society on those that trouble its repose, but a separate punishment -should be added, for the breach of all the honourable ties imposed -upon a gentleman--for the stigma they cast upon high birth--and from -the certainty, in their case, that they fall into error with their -eyes open--what say you, sir?" - -"I think your excellence is perfectly right," replied I, the Viceroy's -observations having given me time to lay down a line of conduct for -myself; "I have always thought so, from the time I could reason for -myself; and such have been always the principles instilled into my -mind." - -"Then what excuse, sir, have you," demanded the viceroy, rather -surprised at the calmness with which I agreed to all his -corollaries--"what excuse have you for meanly insinuating yourself -into another country, and, by the basest arts, stirring up the people -to sedition and revolt?" - -"If I had done so, my lord," replied I, "I should be without excuse, -and the severest punishment you could inflict would not be more than I -merited. But I deny that I ever did so; and more! I can prove it -impossible that I should have done so, from the short space of time -which I have been in Spain, not allowing opportunity for such a crime -as has been imputed to me. This is the third day I have been in this -country." - -The viceroy looked over his shoulder to his slave, who, stooping -forward, listened, while his lord said, in a low tone, "You were -right, Scipio--I am glad I looked to this myself--I am afraid I must -exert myself, or these rude soldados will stir up the people to worse -than even that of Lerida:" then turning to me, he added, in a louder -voice, "I looked upon your guilt, sir, as so evident a matter, that I -did not think you would have had the boldness even to deny it; but as -you do, it is but just that you hear the charge against you. It is -this, that you, a subject of Louis the French king, have, together -with many others, found your way into this province of Catalonia, and, -as spies and traitors, have instigated the people to revolt against -their liege lord and sovereign Philip the Fourth; in evidence of -which, a Castilian trooper of the eleventh _tercia_ deposes to having -seen you with the rebels now in arms at Lerida, and that, moreover, -you overtook him on the road hither, and with other rebels at the -village of Meila, would have slain him, had it not been for the -goodness and speed of his horse. What can you reply to this?" - -"Merely that it is false," replied I; "and if your Excellence will -permit, I will tell my tale against his, and leave it to your wisdom -to find means of judging which is false and which is true." - -"Proceed! proceed!" said the viceroy, throwing himself back in his -chair, seemingly tired with an exertion that was probably not usual -with him, and had only been called up by the pressing circumstances of -the times--circumstances which his own inactivity had suffered to -become much more dangerous than he thought them even now. "Proceed, -sir; but do not make your tale a long one, for I have many important -things to attend to." - -"It shall be a very short one, my Lord," I replied: "my reason for -quitting my own country, Bearn, was that I had slain a man who -attempted to strike me----" - -"A gentleman, or a serf?" demanded the Viceroy. - -"He was in the _classe bourgeoise_," replied I. - -"You did very right," said the Viceroy; "go on." - -"To escape the immediate consequences," I continued, "I fled across -the Pyrenees, guided by some Spanish smugglers, who conducted me to a -village not far from Jacca, whence I intended to proceed to Barcelona, -and thence embark for Marseilles. From Marseilles, I intended to -proceed to Paris, and there negotiate my pardon, so that I might -eventually return to my own country in security." - -"But," said the Viceroy, "what did you at Lerida? That town lies not -in your road from Jacca to Barcelona." - -"My Lord, I never was at Lerida," replied I; "though I have been in -Spain before, I never was within the gates of Lerida in my life." The -viceroy looked over his shoulder to his African confidant, saying, in -the same low tone with which he had formerly addressed him, "Mark his -words, Scipio!" then, turning to me, he asked, with rather a heedless -air, "Then I am to believe, young sir, that the whole tale of the -soldier who accuses you is false, and that you and he never met till, -for the purpose of plundering you, or something of the same nature, he -seized you this morning at the city gates?" - -"Not so, my Lord," I answered; "far be it from me to say so, for I -have a heavy charge myself to lay against that soldier. He overtook me -yesterday on the high road, seized upon my attendant's horse, and -raised his hand to strike me for opposing him." - -"Good!" exclaimed the Viceroy. "Had you denied meeting him you were -undone, for he gave last night a full description of your person. I -now hear you with more confidence. Explain to me how, then, you -happened to be on the road between Barcelona and Lerida, which is -quite as much out of your way from Jacca as Lerida itself." - -"Your Excellence will remember, that I said I was guided by -smugglers," I replied; "these smugglers were bound to Lerida; but they -assured me that they would put me in the high road to Barcelona, after -which I could not miss my way. They kept their word; and I proceeded -safely and quietly on my journey, till, arriving at a village which -your Excellence calls, I think, Meila, I stopped for a few hours to -rest my horses. Here I was overtaken by this soldier, who, without -asking permission, or making an excuse, seized upon my servant's -horse, and on my opposing him, raised his hand to strike me. I threw -him back on the pavement, and the villagers, rushing out of their -houses, would, I believe, have murdered him, had I not interfered; for -which good office, no sooner was he on horseback, than he fired his -carbine at my head, the ball of which missed me, but wounded one of -the peasants in the face." - -The viceroy paused for a moment, while the African whispered to him -over his shoulder, in so low a tone that the words did not reach me. - -"Did you, then, not hear any report of a revolt at Lerida?" demanded -the viceroy, at length. - -"I did," replied I, "at Meila; and before that I heard the sound of -cannon and musketry from the side of Lerida." - -"Can your attendant speak Spanish?" - -"Not a word." - -"Does he understand it?" - -"No." - -The Viceroy, while he spoke, looked steadfastly at Achilles, whose -face happily betrayed nothing but the most confirmative stupidity of -aspect; he then called him forward in French, and bade him detail what -had occurred during the course of the foregoing day. The little player -had by this time, in some degree, recovered his intellects, and -hearing the mild tone in which the viceroy had hitherto questioned me, -as well as the calmness with which he addressed him himself, his -_penchant_ for bombast was excited by the solemnity of the occasion, -and the presence of a representative of royalty, and he poured forth a -stupendous piece of eloquence, such as he thought the ears of a -Viceroy required. - -"May it please your sublime Highness," said he, "the following is a -true account of what occurred to my noble and estimable lord, and to -myself, during our woful peregrinations of yesterday; and if it is not -the exact and simple verity, may all the stars of the golden firmament -fall upon my head and crush me into atoms!" - -The viceroy looked back to the African and laughed; but the slave, -whose Oriental imagination was perhaps more in harmony with the -tumidity of little Achilles's style, than the more refined taste of -his lord, opened his large eyes, and seemed to think it very fine -indeed. Neither of them interrupted him, however, and the player -proceeded. - -"Shortly after Aurora had drawn back the curtains of the Sun, and -Ph[oe]bus himself jumped out of bed and began running up the arch of -heaven, the illicit dealers, who had been hitherto our guides, our -guards, and our suttlers, all in one, left us, to proceed themselves I -know not where. We were now upon the broad and substantial causeway -which leads from the far-famed city of Lerida--as I am given to -understand, for I never was there--to this renowned metropolis of -Catalonia, when, I being much fatigued with the unwonted extension of -my legs across the back of my equine quadruped, my noble and -considerate lord permitted me to stop and repose my weary limbs at a -small pot-house by the road-side. Suddenly, after we had been there -about an hour, loud roared the cannon, and quick beat the drum; and my -lord not loving tumults amongst the people, as he said, and I not -loving tumults amongst the cannon, we got upon horseback, and rode on -till our horses could go no farther. Truly, I was thankful that their -weariness came to back my own, or verily, I believe, that my lord, -whose thighs must be made of cast iron, would not have left a bit of -skin upon me, by riding on till night. However, we stopped; and, by -the blessing of God, I lay down to take what the people of this land -call a _siesta_, but what I call a nap; when, after having lain in the -arms of Somnus for about half an hour, (four hours, he should have -said,) I was startled by the tremendous sound of a musket, and -incontinent, crept under the bed, from whence I was dragged out -shortly after by my master, mounted on the awful pinnacle of my -horse's back, and compelled to ride on to another village, where we -slept in quiet until day this morning. After that, we proceeded to -these hospitable walls, where a generous soldier rushed forth upon us, -and invited us in with a pressing courtesy which was not to be -resisted. He bestowed upon my lord a long piece of cord, which your -sublime majesty may observe upon his wrists. Me he decorated not in -the same manner, but they took care of both our horses and----" - -"Hold!" said the Viceroy, "I have heard enough.--You said," continued -he, turning to me, "that you had been in Spain before. Where did you -then reside, and to whom were you known?" - -"I resided at Saragossa," replied I, "and was known to the corregidor, -and to the Chevalier de Montenero." - -"The Conde de Montenero!" said the Viceroy. "Good! I expect him here -this very day, or to-morrow at the farthest. If he witness in your -favour, your history needs no other confirmation; for though a -foreigner, all Spain knows his honour." - -"A foreigner!" exclaimed I: "is he not a Spaniard?" - -"Certainly not," answered the Viceroy; "knew you not that? But to -speak of yourself; mark me, young sir, you are safe for the present, -for your story bears the air of truth; but woe to you if you have -deceived me, for you shall die under tortures such as you never -dreamed of; and to show you that in such things I will no longer be -trifled with between these cut-throat soldiers and the factious -peasantry, I will instantly order your accuser to have the strappado -till his back be flayed. By the Mother of Heaven! I will no longer -have my repose troubled at every hour with the rapacity of these base -soldados, and the turbulence of the still baser serfs." And the full -countenance of the Count took on an air of stern determination, which -I had not before imagined that it could assume. "Scipio," continued he -to the negro, "see that these two be placed in security, where they -may be well treated, but cannot escape; bid my secretary, when he -arrives from the palace, take both their names in writing, and note -down their separate stories from their own mouths. Henceforth, I will -investigate each case to the most minute particular; and, be it -peasant or be it soldier that commits a crime, he shall find that I -can be a Draco, and write my laws in blood." - -His resolution unfortunately came somewhat too late, for his indolence -and inactivity had permitted the growth of a spirit that no measures -could now quell. The hatred between the soldiery and the people had -been nourished by the incessant outrages which the former had been -suffered to commit under the lax government of the Count de St. -Colomma; and now that the populace had drawn the sword to avenge -themselves, they were not likely to sheath it till they had done so -effectually. - -When he had finished speaking, the viceroy threw himself back in his -chair, fatigued with the unwonted exertion he had made, and waving his -hand, signed to us to withdraw, with which, as may be supposed, we -were not long in complying. The African followed us; and being again -placed between two soldiers, we were conducted to a small low-roofed -room, which filled up the vacancy between the two principal floors in -that body of the building. The soldier who had been my accuser did not -fail to follow, addressing many a triumphant jest upon our situation -to the negro. The slave affected to laugh at them all heartily, but -was, I believe, amusing himself with very different thoughts; for the -moment we were safely lodged in the room he had chosen, he beckoned -our good friend the soldier forward, and made him untie my hands. As -he did so, an impulse I could scarcely resist almost made me seize him -and dash his head against the floor; but the negro avenged me more -fully, for he instantly commanded the other soldiers, with a tone of -authority they dared not disobey, to bind the delinquent with the same -cord, and taking him down into the court, to give him fifty blows of -the strappado, and farther, to keep him in strict confinement till the -Viceroy's farther pleasure was known. "Ha, ha, ha!" cried he to the -soldier, with a grin, that showed every milk-white tooth in his head; -"Ha, ha, ha! why do you not laugh now?" And having placed a guard at -our door, he left us. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - - -The chamber in which we were now placed was not an unpleasant one, nor -was it ill furnished, It had probably been heretofore occupied by some -of the inferior officers on duty at the arsenal; and there were still -to be seen hanging up above the bed, a head-piece and pair of -gauntlets of steel, and an unloaded musketoon. The walls, which were -entirely destitute of hangings, were, however, ornamented with sundry -curious carvings, the occupation, possibly, of many an idle hour, -representing battles, and tournaments, and bull-fights, wherein -neither perspective nor anatomy had been very much consulted; and -mingled with these rare designs, appeared various ciphers and -initials, together with Christian names, both male and female, in -great profusion. - -The windows of the apartment were little better than loopholes, with a -strong iron bar down the centre. They possessed, however, a view over -the whole of the lower part of the city; and being situated in the -south-western side of the principal _corps de logis_ of the arsenal, -faced the inner gate communicating with the town, and commanded both -the inner and outer walls, with a part of the counterscarp and glacis. - -On approaching one of these scanty apertures, to reconnoitre the -objects which surrounded the place of our detention, I heard a party -of soldiers conversing under the windows, and stopping the babbling of -little Achilles by a motion of my hand, I listened to gain any -information that I could, considering my present situation as one of -the very few in which eaves-dropping was not only justifiable but -necessary. - -They were merely speaking, however, of some military movements which -had just taken place, by order of the Viceroy, for quelling the -insurrection at Lerida; and they did not at all scruple to censure -their commander in their discourse, for detaching so great a force -from Barcelona, at a moment it might be required to overawe the city. - -This conversation soon ceased, and after some coarse vituperation of -the Catalonians, they separated, and I heard no more. Notwithstanding -their departure, I continued to stand at the window, as if I were -still listening, in order to collect and arrange my own thoughts, -uninterrupted by the merciless tongue of my attendant, who now having -recovered his speech, of which fright had deprived him for a time, -seemed resolved to make up by redoubled loquacity for the time he had -been obliged to waste in silence. I had, in truth, much to think of. -The whole circumstances which had lately happened to me, as well as my -present situation, would have afforded sufficient matter for -reflection; but, nevertheless, the news which I had heard from the -viceroy concerning the Chevalier de Montenero engaged my thoughts -perhaps more than all the rest, and made me look upon the chance which -brought me to Barcelona, rather than to any other Spanish town, and -even my detention there, as rather fortunate than otherwise, -notwithstanding all the unpleasant circumstances by which it had been -accompanied. - -I doubted not for an instant, that, however the Chevalier might be -prepossessed against me in some respects, he would instantly do me -justice in the matter of the present charge, and show the viceroy that -it was impossible I could be guilty; which none could know better than -himself. At the same time, the knowledge that I had now obtained of -his not being Spanish by birth, freed me at once from the difficulty -under which I had before laboured, and left me at liberty to exculpate -myself from every circumstance which had before appeared suspicious in -his eyes, without violating my promise to the unfortunate corregidor -of Saragossa. After considering these points for a minute or two, I -applied myself to calculate how long it would take him to arrive at -Barcelona, supposing that he travelled with all speed from the place -where I last saw him; and I judged that, passing by Bagneres and -Venasque, he might have already arrived, as I doubted not that when he -left Lourdes he had directed his course immediately towards Spain. - -Nothing did I long for more ardently than his coming; not alone from -the desire of obtaining my liberation, but because I longed to -re-establish myself in his good opinion--I longed to be near one that -I esteemed and loved--to confide in him all my thoughts, my feelings, -my sorrows, my regrets--to tell him my own tale--to ask for -consolation, and to seek for advice; and, certainly, never, never did -I feel so much as at that moment the desolate solitariness of man, -when, with none to aid him, he stands in the midst of sorrow and -misfortune by himself. - -With all his follies and his weaknesses, I will own, I had even clung -to the society of the little player, merely because it was something -human that seemed to attach itself to me; and while he was near, I did -not appear so totally abandoned to myself and my evil fate; but when I -thought of the coming of the Chevalier, of clearing myself from all -suspicions, regaining his regard, and walking by his counsel, my heart -was lightened of half its load, and I felt as if I had again entered -within the magic circle of hope, that had long been shut against me. - -While I was thus reflecting, the door of the chamber opened, and the -Viceroy's favourite negro slave entered, followed by a servant, loaded -with various kinds of viands, and a flask of wine. The servant put his -burden down on the table, and withdrew; but the negro remained, and -shutting the door, invited me in a civil tone to partake of the -provisions which his Excellence had ordered to be brought me. "My lord -the Viceroy," said he, "has given me in charge to see that you be -hospitably treated, and I have pleasure in the task, young sir; for I -hope, through your means, to rouse my master to a just sense of the -oppression which these poor Catalonians suffer from the unruly and -insolent soldiers." - -There was something in this speech so different from what might be -expected in a negro slave and a favourite, that I did him the wrong of -suspecting that he wished to entrap me into some avowal of opinions -contrary to the Viceroy's government; and I therefore replied, "You -must know more of the subject than I do; I have been but three days in -Catalonia, and therefore have had but little opportunity of judging -whether the people be oppressed or not, even if I had any interest in -the matter." - -"Interest! Spoke like a white man!" muttered the black to himself. -"Ah, young sir, young sir! If you had known oppression as I have, you -would find an _interest_ in every one you saw oppressed." - -"I should have imagined," replied I, still doubting him, though I own -most unworthily, "that your situation was as happy a one as well might -be; and that your service on his Excellence the Viceroy was not very -oppressive?" - -He laid his jet black finger upon the rich golden bracelet that -surrounded his arm. "Think you," asked he, "that that chain, because -it happens to be gold, does not weigh as heavily as if it were of -iron? It does--I tell you, Frenchman, it does. True, I am slave to the -best of masters, the noblest of lords--true, if I were free this -moment, I would dedicate my life to serve him. But still I am a -slave--still I have been torn from my home and my native land--still I -have been injured--wronged--oppressed; and every one I see injured, -every one I see wronged, becomes my fellow and my brother. But you -understand not that!" - -"I do, my good friend, more than you think," replied I, convinced by -the earnestness of his manner that what he said was genuine. - -"Whether you do or not," said he, "there is one principle on which you -_will_ understand me. You can fancy that I love my benefactor. I love -him; but I also know his faults. He is of a soft and idle humour, so -that his virtues, like jewels cast upon a quicksand, are lost, -unknown, and swallowed up. His idleness is a disease of the body, not -a defect of the mind--though the mind suffers for the fault of the -body--and so much does he value repose, that nothing seems to him of -sufficient importance to embitter its sweetness. Fearless as a lion of -death or of danger, he is a very coward when opposed to trouble and -fatigue; he is just, honourable, and wise, but this invincible apathy -of nature has brought him to the brink of a precipice, over which he -would sooner fall than make one strong effort to save himself. For two -years he has governed Catalonia, and during those two all the reports -of the brute soldiery have been believed--few of the complaints of the -injured peasants have reached him. Those few have been through me, for -his guards and his officers, who all join in the pillage of the -people, take care to cut off from him every other source of -information. Thus the soldiers have heaped wrong upon wrong, till the -people will bear no more; till at Lerida, at Taragona--over half the -country, in short, they are already in revolt. Barcelona still remains -quiet; and, by the exertion of proper authority--by showing the -Catalonians that the viceroy will do equal justice between them and -the soldiery, that in future he will be the defender of their rights -and liberties--the province--his government--perhaps even his life, -may be saved. For this object, when the news reached him last night of -the insurrection at Lerida, and, at the same time, the charge against -you, I persuaded him to examine you himself, without the presence of -his officers or his council. You answered wisely, and saved yourself. -When next he shall examine you, do more--answer nobly, and save him, -and perhaps a whole people! Tell him the oppression you have seen, -tell him the murmurs you have heard; aid me to stir him up to -exertion, and you may, if it be not too late, avert the evils that are -gathering round so thickly!" - -"I will willingly do what you wish," replied I; "but I fear, unless he -can send one obnoxious regiment after another out of Catalonia, and -supply their place with troops whose discipline is more strict, and -who have not yet made themselves abhorred by the populace, that your -viceroy will do but little to allay this fermentation among the -people." - -The negro shook his head. "They will never be changed," said he, -"while Olivarez, the Count-duke, governs both Spain and the king. Why -did he send them here at first? He knew them to be the worst -disciplined, the most cruel, turbulent, rapacious troops that all -Spain contained; but he wished to punish the Catalonians for holding a -junta on one of his demands, and he sent them these locusts as a -scourge. However, I have your promise. Before night the Count will -send for you again; he will ask you what rumours you heard--how the -Castilian troops were looked upon by the people--and other questions -to the same effect. Conceal nothing! Let him hear the truth from -_your_ lips at least. Will you do so?" - -"I will!" replied I, decidedly. - -"Then fare you well!" said the negro, "and fall to your meat with the -consciousness of doing what is noble and right." And thus saying he -left the chamber. - -"Good faith! monseigneur," said little Achilles, who had already -settled upon the basket of provisions, and was making considerable -progress through the contents, "I could not resist this charming sight -had you been the king, and my master into the bargain. I must have -fallen to. Hunger, like love, levels all conditions." - -"You did right, my good Achilles," replied I; "but hold a moment, I -must join the party;" and sitting down with my little attendant, I -aided him to conclude what he had so happily begun. The wine-flask -succeeded, and we neither of us spared it, proceeding to the bottom -with very equal steps, for though, as his lord, Achilles always -conceded to me two draughts for his one, he found means to compensate -for this forbearance, by making his draught twice as long as mine. -Indeed, when the bottle reached his mouth (for the negro had supplied -us with no cup), the matter became hopeless, so long did he point it -at the sky. - -During one of these deep draughts, which occupied him so entirely, -that he neither heard nor saw anything else, a distant shout reached -my ear, and then all was silent. There was something ominous in the -sound, for it contained a very different tone from that which bursts -from a crowd on any occasion of mirth or rejoicing. It was a cry -somewhat mingled of horror and hate; at least my fancy lent it such a -character. At the same time, I heard the soldiers in the court below -running out to the gates, as if they had been disturbed by the same -sound, and went to inquire into its cause. Little Achilles had not -heard it, so deeply was he engaged in the worship of the purple god, -and the moment he dismissed the bottle, he recommenced his attack upon -a fine piece of mountain mutton which still remained in the basket; -but in a moment or two his attention was called by a renewal of the -shouts, and by the various exclamations of the soldiers in the court, -from which we gathered that, most unhappily, some new outrage had been -offered to the people, who, encouraged probably by the news of a -revolt at Lerida, had resisted, and were even then engaged with the -soldiery. - -"Let them fight it out," cried my companion, encouraged by the good -viands, and still better wine of the Viceroy--"Let them fight it out! -By my great namesake's immortal deeds, methinks I could push a pike -against one of those base soldados myself. Pray Heaven the peasants -cut them up into mincemeat! But while you look out of the window, -monseigneur, I will lie down, and, in imitation of that most wise -animal, an ox, will ruminate for some short while after my dinner." - -As he said, I had placed myself at the window, and while he cast -himself on the bed, and I believe fell asleep, I continued to watch -the various streets within the range of my sight, to discover, if I -could, the event of the tumult, the shouts and cries of which were -still to be heard, varying in distance and direction, as if the crowds -from which they proceeded were rapidly changing their place. After a -moment or two, some musket-shots were heard mingling with the outcry, -and then a whole platoon. A louder shout than ever succeeded, and then -again a deep silence. In the meanwhile, several officers came running -at all speed to the arsenal; and in a few minutes, two or three small -bodies of troops marched out, proceeding up a long street, of which I -had a view almost in its whole length. About half way up, the soldiers -defiled down another street to the right, and I lost sight of them. -The shouts, however, still continued, rising and falling, with -occasional discharges of musketry; but in general, the noise seemed to -me farther off than it had been at first. Shortly it began to come -rapidly near, growing louder and louder; and straining my eyes in the -direction in which the tumult seemed to lie, I beheld a party of the -populace driven across the long street I have mentioned by a body of -pikemen. - -The Catalonians were evidently fighting desperately; but the superior -skill of the troops prevailed, and the undisciplined mob was borne -back at the point of the pike, notwithstanding an effort to make a -stand at the crossing of the streets. - -This first success of the military, however, did not absolutely infer -that their ascendency would be permanent. The tumult was but begun; -and far from being a momentary effervescence of popular feeling, -which, commencing with a few, is only increased by the accession of -idlers and vagabonds, this was the pouring forth of long-suppressed -indignation--the uprising of a whole people to work retribution on the -heads of their oppressors, and every moment might be expected to bring -fresh combatants, excited by the thirst of vengeance, and animated by -the hope of liberty. - -All was now bustle and activity in the arsenal. The gates were shut, -the soldiers underarms, the officers called together, the walls -manned; and, from the court below, the stirring sounds of military -preparation rose up to the windows at which I stood, telling that the -pressing danger of the circumstances had at length roused the viceroy -from his idle mood, and that he was now taking all the means which a -good officer might, to put down the insurrection that his negligence -had suffered to break out. From time to time, I caught the calm full -tones of his voice, giving a number of orders and directions--now -ordering parties of soldiers to issue forth and support their -comrades--commanding at the same time that they should advance up the -several streets, which bore upon the arsenal, taking especial care -that their retreat was not cut off, and that a continual communication -should be kept up--pointing out to the inferior officers where to -establish posts, so as to best guard their flanks and avoid the -dangers of advancing through the streets of the city, where every -house might be considered as an enemy's fort; and finally directing -that in such and such conjunctures, certain flags should be raised on -the steeples of the various churches, thus establishing a particular -code of signals for the occasion. - -In the meanwhile the tumult in the city increased, the firing became -more continuous, the bells of the churches mingled their clang with -the rest, and the struggle was evidently growing more and more fierce, -as fresh combatants poured in on either party. At length I saw an -officer riding down the opposite street at full speed, and dashing -into the arsenal, the gates of which opened to give him admission, he -seemed to approach the viceroy, whose voice I instantly heard, -demanding, "Well, Don Ferdinand, where are the cavalry? Why have you -not brought up the men-at-arms?" - -"Because it was impossible," replied the officer: "the rebels, your -Excellence, have set fire to the stables--not a horse would move, even -after Don Antonio Molina had dispersed the traitors that did it. Not -ten horses have been saved. What is to be done, my lord?" - -"Return instantly," answered the Viceroy, promptly, "collect your -men-at-arms,--bid them fight on foot for the honour of Castile--for -the safety of the province--for their own lives. Marshal them in two -bodies. Let one march, by the Plaza Nueva down to the port, and the -other by the Calle de la Cruz to the Lerida gate." - -"I am sorry to say, the Lerida gate is in the possession of the -rebels," replied the officer. "A large body of peasants,[6] well armed -and mounted, attacked it and drove in the soldiers half an hour ago. -They come from Lerida itself, as we learn by the shouts of the -others." - -"The more need to march on it instantly," replied the Viceroy. "See! -The flag is up on the church of the Assumption! Don Francisco is -there, with part of the second _tercia_. Divide as I have said--send -your brother down with one body to the port--with the other, join Don -Francisco, at the church of the Assumption; take the two brass cannon -from the Barrio Nuevo, and march upon the gate of Lerida. Drive back -the rebels, or die!" - -The Viceroy's orders were given like lightning, and turning his horse, -the officer rode away with equal speed to execute them. I marked him -as he dashed through the gates of the arsenal, and a more soldier-like -man I never saw. He galloped fast over the drawbridge, and through the -second gate, crossed the open space between the arsenal and the houses -of the town, and darted up the street by which he had come, when -suddenly a flash and some smoke broke from the window of a house as he -passed; I saw him reel in the saddle, catch at his horse's mane, and -fall headlong to the ground; while the charger, freed from his load, -ran wildly up the street, till he was out of sight. - -The sentinel on the counterscarp had seen the officer's fall, and -instantly passed the news to the Viceroy. "Pedro Marona!" cried the -Count, promptly:--"Quick! mount, and bear the same orders to Don -Antonio Molina. Take the Calle de la Paz. Quick! One way or another, -we lose our most precious moments. Don Ferdinando should have seen his -corslet was better tempered. However, let half a dozen men be sent out -to bring him in, perhaps he may not yet be dead." - -The gates of the arsenal were thrown open accordingly, and a small -party carrying a board to bring home the body issued out; but they had -scarcely proceeded half way to the spot where the officer had fallen, -when the sound of the tumult, the firing, the cheers, the cries, the -screams, mingled in one terrific roar, rolled nearer and nearer. A -single soldier then appeared in full flight in the long street on -which my eyes were fixed; another followed, and another. A shout -louder than all the rest rang up to the sky; and rolling, and rushing, -like the billows of a troubled ocean, came pouring down the street a -large body of the Castilian soldiery, urged on by an immense mass of -armed peasantry, with whom the first rank of the Castilians was -mingled. - -Though some of the soldiers were still fighting man to man with the -Catalonians, the mass were evidently flying as fast as the nature of -the circumstances would permit, crushing and pressing over each other; -and many more must have been trampled to death by the feet of their -comrades than fell by the swords of their enemies. In the meanwhile, -the pursuers, the greater part of whom were on horseback, continued -spurring their horses into the disorderly mass of the fugitives, -hewing them down on every side with the most remorseless vengeance; -while from the houses on each hand a still more dreadful and less -noble sort of warfare was carried on against the flying soldiery. -Scarce a house, but one or two of its windows began to flash with -musketry, raining a tremendous shower of balls upon the heads of the -unfortunate Castilians, who, jammed up in the small space of a narrow -street, had no room either to avoid their own fate or avenge their -fellows. - -Just then, however, the pursuers received a momentary check from the -cannon of the arsenal, some of which being placed sufficiently high -for the balls to fall amidst the mass of peasantry, without taking -effect upon the nearer body of the flying soldiers, began to operate -as a diversion in favour of the fugitives. The very sound caused -several of the horsemen to halt. At that moment, my eye fell upon the -figure of Garcias the smuggler, at the head of the peasantry, cheering -them on; and by his gestures, appearing to tell them that those who -would escape the cannon-balls must close upon those for whose safety -they were fired; that now was the moment to make themselves masters of -the arsenal; and that if they would but follow close, they would force -their way in with the flying soldiers. - -So animated, so vehement was his gesticulation, that there hardly -needed words to render his wishes comprehensible. The panic, however, -though but momentary, allowed sufficient time for greater part of the -soldiers to throw themselves into the arsenal. Some, indeed, being -again mingled with the peasantry, were shut out, and slaughtered to a -man; the rest prepared to make good the very defensible post they now -possessed, knowing well that _mercy_ was a word they had themselves -blotted out from the language of their enemies. - -In the meanwhile, my little companion Achilles had evinced much more -courage than I had anticipated; whether it was that he found, or -rather fancied, greater security in the walls of the arsenal; or -whether it was that necessity produced the same change in his nature, -that being in a corner is said to effect upon a cat; or whether the -quantity of wine which he had drunk had conveyed with itself an equal -portion of valour, I do not know; but certain it is, that he lay quite -quiet for the greater part of the time, without attempting to creep -under the bed, and only took the precaution of wrapping the bolster -round his head to deaden the sound of the cannon. Once he even rose, -and approaching the other window, stood upon tiptoes to take a -momentary glance at what was proceeding without. The scene he beheld, -however, was no way encouraging, and he instantly retreated to the -bed, and settled himself once more comfortably amongst the clothes, -after having drained the few last drops of wine that remained in the -flask. - -It may easily be supposed, that the viceroy was not particularly -anxious to spare the houses of a town which had shown itself so -generally inimical, and, consequently, every cannon which could be -brought to bear upon the point where the insurgents were principally -collected, was kept in constant activity, and the dreadful havoc which -they made began to be evident both amongst the insurgents and upon the -houses round about. - -Garcias, however, who was now evidently acting as commander-in-chief -of the populace, was prompt to remedy all the difficulties of his -situation; and animating and encouraging the peasantry by his voice, -his gestures, and his example, he kept alive the spirit which had -hitherto carried them on to such great deeds. - -It is not to be imagined that any regular fascines should have been -prepared by the peasantry for the assault of the arsenal, but they had -with them six small pieces of cannon which they had taken, and which -they hastily brought against the gate. - -The murderous fire, however, both of cannon and musketry, kept up upon -the only point where they could have any effect, would have prevented -the possibility of working them, had not the fire of the arsenal -itself, by demolishing the wall of one of the houses opposite, -discovered the inside of a wool warehouse. Fascines were no longer -wanting; the immense woolpacks were instantly brought forward and -arranged, by the orders of Garcias, into as complete a traverse as -could have been desired, supported from behind by the stones of the -streets, which the insurgents threw up with pickaxes and spades. Their -position being now much more secure, a movement took place amongst the -people; and, while Garcias with a considerable body continued to ply -the principal gate with his battery, two large masses of the -insurgents moved off on either hand, and presently after, re-appeared -at the entrance of the various streets which surrounded the arsenal, -rolling before them their woolpacks, which put them in comparative -security. - -It was evident that a general attack was soon to be expected; and, -exerting himself with an activity of which I had not thought him -capable, the viceroy put himself forward in every situation of danger. -From time to time I caught a glimpse of his figure, toiling, -commanding, assisting, and slackening not in his activity, though the -marks of excessive fatigue were sufficiently evident in his -countenance. - -Of course, the gate could not long resist the continued fire of the -insurgents' battery; and as soon as it gave way, upon some signal -which I did not perceive, the whole mass of the peasantry poured forth -from every street, and advancing steadily under a most tremendous fire -from the guns of the arsenal, ran up the glacis, and easily effected a -lodgment on the counterscarp with the woolpacks. - -The moment was one of excessive interest, and I was gazing from the -window, marking with anxiety every turn of a scene that possessed all -the sublime of horror, and danger, and excited passion, when I heard a -step behind me, and a cry from my little friend Achilles, which -instantly made me turn my head. - -I had but time to see the Spanish soldier who had accused me to the -viceroy, with his broadsword raised over my head, and to spring aside, -when the blow fell with such force, as to dash a piece out of the -solid masonry of the window-frame. - -"By the eyes of St. Jeronimo!" cried the man, "thou shalt not escape -me--though I die this day, thou shalt go half an hour before me!"--and -darting forward he raised his weapon to aim another blow at my head. - -Unarmed as I was, my only chance was to rush in upon him, and getting -within his guard, render the struggle one of mere personal strength; -and making a feint, as if I would leap aside again, I took advantage -of a movement of his hand, and cast myself into his chest with my full -force. - -He gave way sooner than I had expected, and we both went down; but -somehow, though in general a good wrestler, certainly infinitely -stronger than my adversary, and though at first also I was uppermost, -I soon lost my advantage. I believe it was that in attempting to place -my knee on his breast, it slipped from off his corslet, flinging me -forward, so that my balance being lost, he easily cast me off and set -his own knee upon me. His sword he had let fall, but he drew his long -poniard, and threw back his arm to plunge it into my bosom: when -suddenly he received a tremendous blow on the side of the head, which -dashed him prostrate on the floor; and to my surprise and -astonishment, I saw little Achilles in the person of my deliverer. - -My pressing danger had communicated to his bosom a spark of generous -courage which he had never before felt, and, seizing the unloaded -musketoon, he had come behind my adversary and dealt him the blow -which had proved my salvation. Nor did he stop here; for what with joy -and excitement at his success, and fear that our enemy should recover -from the stupefaction which the blow had caused, he continued to -belabour his head and face with strokes of the musketoon, with a -silent vehemence and rapidity which not all my remonstrances could -stop. Even after the man was evidently dead, he continued to reiterate -blow upon blow; sometimes pausing and looking at him with eyes in -which horror, and fear, and excitement, were all visible; and then -adding another and another stroke, as I have often seen a dog after he -has killed a rat, or any other noisome animal, every now and then -start back and look at him, and then give it another bite, and -another, till he has left it scarce a vestige of its original form. - -Seizing his arm, however, during one of these pauses, I begged him to -cease; and would have fain called his attention by thanking him for -his timely aid; but the little man could not yet overcome the idea -that his enemy might still get up and take vengeance on him for the -unheard of daring which he had exercised. - -"Let me kill him! monseigneur! Let me kill him!" cried he. "Don't you -see he moves? look, look!" - -And, with straining eyes, he struggled forward to make quite sure that -his victory wanted nothing of completion, by adding another blow to -those he had already given. - -"He will never move again, Achilles," replied I; "spare your blows, -for you bestow them on a dead man, and well has he merited his -fate----" - -"Had we not better tie his hands, at least?" cried the little player. -"He lies still enough too. Only think of my having killed a man--I -shall be a brave man for all the rest of my life. But if I had not -killed him, you would have been lying there as still as he is." - -I expressed my gratitude as fully as I could, but objected to the -proposal of tying a dead man's hands. No doubt, indeed, could remain -of his being no longer in a state to endanger any one; for having no -helmet on at the time he entered, the very first blow of the musketoon -must have nearly stunned him, and several of the after ones had driven -in his skull in various places. It is probable, that, having been kept -in confinement by the order of the viceroy, he had been liberated at -the moment the danger became pressing, and that, instead of presenting -himself where he might do his duty, his first care had been to seek -the means of gratifying his revenge, no doubt attributing to me the -punishment he had received. Such an event as my death, in the -confusion and danger of the circumstances, he most probably imagined, -would pass unnoticed; and no one, at all events, could prove that it -had been committed by his hands. Whether his comrade, who had been -placed as sentinel at the door where we were confined, had been -removed for the more active defence of the place, or whether he had -connived at the entrance of the assassin, I know not; but at all -events, if he was there, he must have been an accomplice, and -consequently would not have betrayed his fellow. - -Such, however, was a strange fate for a daring and ferocious man--to -fall by the hands of one of the meekest cowards that ever crept -quietly through existence! and yet I have often remarked that bad -actions, the most boldly undertaken, and the best designed, -often--nay, most frequently--fall back upon the head of their -projectors, repelled from their intended course by something petty, -unexpected, or despised. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - - -While this was taking place within, the tumult without had increased a -thousand-fold; and the din of cries, and screams, and blows, and -groans, mingled in one wild shriek of human passion, hellish, as if -they rose from Phlegethon. But to my surprise, the roar of the cannon -no longer drowned the rest, and looking again from the window, I saw -all the outward defences in the hands of the populace. The -fortifications of the arsenal had only been completed, so far as -regarded the mere external works; but even had they been as perfect as -human ingenuity could have devised, the small number of soldiers which -were now within the gates would never have sufficed to defend so great -a space from a multitude like that of the insurgents. At the moment -that I returned to my loophole, the peasantry were pouring on every -side into the inner court; and the Viceroy, with not more than a -hundred Castilians, was endeavouring in vain to repel them. If ever -what are commonly called prodigies of valour were really wrought, that -unhappy nobleman certainly did perform them, fighting in the very -front, and making good even the open court of the arsenal against the -immense body of populace which attacked it, for nearly a quarter of an -hour. - -At length, mere fatigue from such unwonted exertions seemed to -overcome him, and, in making a blow at one of the peasants, he fell -upon his knees. A dozen hands were raised to despatch him; but at the -sight of his danger the Castilians rallied, and closing in, saved him -from the fury of the people; while his faithful negro, catching him in -his arms, bore him into the body of the building. - -Though certainly but ill-disposed towards the soldiery, there was -something in the chivalrous valour which the viceroy had displayed in -these last scenes, combined with the lenity he had shown to myself -when brought before him, which created an interest in my bosom that I -will own greatly divided my wishes for the success of the oppressed -Catalonians. The idea, too, entered my mind, that by exerting my -influence with Garcias, whom I still saw in the front of the -insurgents, I might obtain for the viceroy some terms of capitulation. - -Calling to little Achilles to follow me, then, I snatched up the sword -of the dead Castilian; and proceeding to the door, which, as I had -expected, was now open, I ran out into the long corridor, and thence -began to search for the staircase that led down to the gate by which -the viceroy must have entered. On every side, however, I heard the -cries of the soldiery, who had now retreated into the building, and -were proceeding to take every measure for its defence to the utmost. -Several times these cries misled me; and it was not till I had -followed many a turning and winding, that I arrived at the head of a -staircase, half way down which I beheld the Viceroy, sitting on one of -the steps, evidently totally exhausted; while Scipio, the negro, -kneeling on a lower step, offered him a cup of wine, and seemed -pressing him to drink. - -At the sound of my steps the slave started up and laid his hand upon -his dagger; but seeing me, he gave a melancholy glance towards his -lord, and again begged him to take some refreshment. Unused to all -exertion, and enormously weighty, the excessive toil to which the -Viceroy had subjected himself had left him no powers of any kind, and -he sat as I have described, with his eyes shut, his hand leaning on -the step, and his head fallen heavily forward on his chest, without -seeming to notice anything that was passing around him. It was in vain -that I made the proposal to parley with Garcias: he replied nothing; -and I was again repeating it, hoping by reiteration to make him attend -to what I said, when one of his officers came running down from above. - -"My lord," cried he, "the galleys answer the signal, and from the -observatory I see the boats putting off. If your Excellence makes -haste, you will get to the shore at the same moment they do, and will -be safe." - -The viceroy raised his head. "At all events I will try," said he: -"they cannot say that I have abandoned my post while it was tenable. -Let the soldiers take torches." - -The officer flew to give the necessary directions, and taking the cup -from the negro, the viceroy drank a small quantity of the wine, after -which he turned to me:--"I am glad you are here," said he: "they talk -of my escape--I do not think I can effect it; but whether I live or -die, Sir Frenchman, report me aright to the world. Now, if you would -come with us, follow me--but you might stay with safety--they would -not injure _you_." - -I determined, however, to accompany him, at least as far as the boats -they talked of, though I knew not how they intended to attempt their -escape, surrounded as the arsenal was by the hostile populace. I felt -convinced, however, that I should be in greater personal safety in the -open streets than shut up in the arsenal, where the first troop of the -enraged peasantry who broke their way in might very possibly murder -me, without at all inquiring whether I was there as a prisoner or not. -At the same time I fancied, that in case of the viceroy being -overtaken, if Garcias was at the head of the pursuers, I should have -some influence in checking the bloodshed that was likely to follow. - -While these thoughts passed through my brain, half a dozen voices from -below were heard exclaiming, "The torches are lighted, my lord! the -torches are lighted!" and the Viceroy, rising, began to descend, -leaning on the negro. I followed with Achilles, and as we passed -through the great hall, sufficient signs of the enemies' progress were -visible to make us hasten our flight. The immense iron door was -trembling and shivering under the continual and incessant blows of -axes and crows, with which it was plied by the people, in spite of a -fire of musketry that a party of the most determined of the soldiery -was keeping up through the loopholes of the ground story, and from the -windows above. A great number of the soldiers, whose valour was -secondary to their discretion, had already fled down a winding -staircase, the mouth of which stood open at the farther end of the -hall, with an immense stone trap-door thrown back, which, when down, -doubtless concealed all traces of the passage below. When we -approached it, only two or three troopers remained at the mouth -holding torches to light the viceroy as he descended. - -"Don Jose," said the viceroy, in a faint voice, addressing the officer -who commanded the company which still kept up the firing from the -windows, "call your men together--let them follow me to the galleys--but -take care, when you descend, to shut down the stone door over the -mouth of the stairs--lock it and bar it as you know how;--and make -haste." - -"I will but roll these barrels of powder to the door, my lord," -replied the officer, "lay a train between them, and place a minute -match by way of a spigot, and then will join your Excellence with my -trusty iron hearts, who are picking out the fattest rebels from the -windows. Should need be, we will cover your retreat, and as we have -often tasted your bounty, will die in your defence." - -In dangerous circumstances there is much magic in a fearless tone; and -Don Jose spoke of death in so careless a manner, that I could not help -thinking some of the soldiers who had been most eager to light the -Viceroy were somewhat ashamed of their cowardly civility. About forty -of the bravest soldiers in the garrison, who remained with the officer -who had spoken, would indeed have rendered the Viceroy's escape to the -boats secure, but Don Jose was prevented from fulfilling his design. -We descended the stairs as fast as the Viceroy could go; and, at the -end of about a hundred steps, entered a long excavated passage leading -from the arsenal to the sea-shore, cut through the earth and rock for -nearly half a mile, and lined throughout with masonry. At the farther -extremity of this were just disappearing, as we descended, the torches -of the other soldiers who had taken the first mention of flight as an -order to put themselves in security, and had consequently led the way -with great expedition. In a moment or two after--by what accident it -happened I know not--an explosion took place that shook the earth on -which we stood, and roared through the cavern as if the world were -riven with the shock. - -"God of heaven! they have blown themselves up!" cried the Viceroy, -pausing; but the negro hurried him on, and we soon reached the sands -under the cliffs to the left of the city. To the cold chilliness of -the vault through which we had hitherto proceeded, now succeeded the -burning heat of a cloudless sun in Spain. It was but spring, but no -one knows what some spring-days are at Barcelona, except those who -have experienced them; and by the pale cheek, haggard eye, and -staggering pace of the Viceroy, I evidently saw that if the boats were -far off, he would never be able to reach them. We saw them, however, -pulling towards the shore about three quarters of a mile farther up, -and the very sight was gladdening. Four or five soldiers remained, as -I have said, with their commander, and lighted us along the gallery; -but the moment they were in the open air, the view of the boats, -towards which their companions who had gone on before were now -crowding, was too much for the constancy of most of them, and without -leave or orders, all but two ran forward to join the rest. - -The tide was out; and stretching along the margin of the sea, a smooth -dry sand offered a firm and pleasant footing; but a multitude of large -black rocks, strewed irregularly about upon the shore, obliged us to -make a variety of turns and circuits, doubling the actual distance we -were from the boats. The cries and shouts from the place of the late -combat burst upon our ears the moment we had issued from the passage, -and sped us on with greater rapidity. Seeing that he could hardly -proceed, I took the left arm of the viceroy, while his faithful negro -supported him on the right, and hurried him towards the boats; but the -moment after, another shout burst upon our ear. It was nearer--far -nearer than the rest; and turning my head, I beheld a body of the -peasantry pursuing us, and arrived at about the same distance from us -that we were from the boats. - -The Viceroy heard it also, and easily interpreted its meaning. "I can -go no farther," said he; "but I can die here as well as a few paces or -a few years beyond;" and he made a faint effort to draw his sword. - -"Yet a little farther, my lord, yet a little farther," cried the -African; "they are a long way off still--we are nearing the -boats.--See, the head boat is steering towards us! Yet a little -farther, for the love of Heaven!" - -The unfortunate Viceroy staggered on for a few paces more, when his -weariness again overcame him; his lips turned livid, his eyes closed, -and he fell fainting upon the sand. Running down as fast as I could to -the sea, I filled two of the large shells that I found with water; and -carrying them back, dashed the contents on his face, but it was in -vain; and I went back again for more, when, on turning round, I saw a -fresh party of the insurgents coming down a sloping piece of ground -that broke the height close by. It would have been base to have -abandoned him at such a moment, and I returned to his side with all -speed. The first of the peasantry were already within a few paces, and -their brows were still knit, and their eyes still flashing with the -ferocious excitement of all the deeds they had done during the course -of that terrible morning. As they rushed on, I saw Garcias a step or -two behind, and called to him loudly in French to come forward and -protect the viceroy, assuring him that he had wished the people well, -and even had been the means of saving my life. - -The smuggler made no reply, but starting forward, knocked aside the -point of a gun that one of the peasants had levelled at my head, and -catching me firmly by the arm, held me with his gigantic strength, -while the people rushed on upon their victim. - -The negro strode across his master and drew his dagger--one of the -insurgents instantly rushed upon him, and fell dead at his feet. -Another succeeded, when the dagger broke upon his ribs--the noble -slave cast it from him, and throwing himself prostrate on the body of -his master, died with him, under a hundred wounds. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - - -"Beware how you stand between a lion and his prey," said Garcias, -releasing my arm; "and let me tell you, Sir Count, it were a thousand -times easier to tear his food from the hungry jaws of the wild beast, -than to save from the fury of this oppressed people the patron and -chief of all their oppressors." - -"You are wrong, Garcias! you are wrong!" replied I: "since I have been -a prisoner here at the arsenal, I have had full opportunity to see and -judge whether he wished to be your oppressor or not; and, on my -honour, no man would more willingly have done you justice, and -punished those who injured you, had he been allowed to hear the evils -that were committed under the name of his authority." - -"That, then, was his crime!" replied Garcias. "He _should_ have -heard--he _should_ have known the wrongs and miseries of the people he -governed. All in life depends on situation, and in his, indolence was -a crime--a crime which has been deeply, but not too deeply expiated. -Believe me, Count Louis, that kings and governors, who suffer -injustice to be committed, deserve and will ever meet a more tragic -fall than those even who commit it themselves." - -"But see," cried I, "they are going to mutilate the bodies; for -Heaven's sake, stop them, and let them not show themselves utterly -savages." - -"What matters it?" asked he; "the heads they are about to strike off -will never feel the indignity; but speak to them if you will, and try -whether you can persuade them from their wrath.--Ho! stand back, my -friends," he continued, addressing the people, who even glared upon -him with somewhat of fierceness in their look, as he interrupted their -bloody occupation;--"hear what this noble Frenchman has to say to you, -and respect him, for he is my friend." - -"_Viva Garcias!_" shouted the people. "_Viva el Librador!_" and, -standing forward, I endeavoured, as well as I could, to calm their -excited feelings. - -"My good friends," said I, "you all know me to be sincerely the -well-wisher of Catalonia and the cause of freedom. Many who are here -present, saw me dragged through the streets of Barcelona, no later -than this morning; tied like a slave, and insulted, as I went, by the -brutal soldiery, your enemies and mine, for no other cause but that I -was a Frenchman, and that the French are friendly to the Catalonians. -I therefore have good cause to triumph in your success, and to -participate in your resentment; but there is a bound, my friends, -within which resentment should always be confined, to mark it as -grand, as noble, as worthy of a great and generous people. It is just, -it is right, to punish the offender, to smite the oppressor, and to -crush him with is own wrong." - -A loud shout announced that this was the point where the angry flame -still burned most furiously. - -"But," continued I, "is it right, is it just, is it noble, to insult -the inanimate clay after the spirit has departed? Is it dignified? Is -it grand? Is it worthy of a great and free people like the -Catalonians?" - -"No, no," cried one or two voices amongst the better class of the -insurgents; "do not insult the body." - -"No, indeed!" proceeded I; "it is beneath a people who have done such -great and noble deeds. The moment you attempt to degrade that corpse -by any unbecoming act, what was an act of justice becomes an act of -barbarity; and instead of looking on that unhappy man as a sacrifice -to justice, all civilized people must regard him as the victim of -revenge. You, my friend--you," I continued, addressing the man who had -been kneeling on the body for the purpose of cutting off the head with -a long girdle knife, and who still glared at it like a wolf -disappointed of its prey--"you, I am sure, would be the last to sully -the justice of the Catalonians with a stain of cruelty. A few hours -ago this unhappy man possessed riches, and power, and friends, and -kindred--all the warm blessings of human existence--you have taken -them from him--all! Is not that punishment enough? You have sent him -to the presence of God to answer for his sins--let God then judge him; -and reverencing the sanctity of that tribunal to which you yourselves -have referred him, take up the frail remains of earth, and laying them -side by side with the faithful, the noble, the generous-hearted slave, -whose self-devotion we all admire, and whose death we all regret, bear -them silently to the high church, and deliver them into the hands of -some holy priest, to pray that God may pardon him in heaven the faults -which you have punished upon earth. Thus shall you show, my friend, -that it is justice you seek, not cruelty. Thus shall your friends -esteem you, your enemies fear you, and your deeds of this day descend -as an example to nations yet unborn." - -In a multitude there is always a latent degree of good feeling amongst -the majority, which, in moments of tumult and action, is overborne by -the more violent and excitable passions of human nature; but once get -the people to pause and listen, and mingle with your speech a few of -those talismanic words which compel the evil spirit, vanity, to the -side of good, and every better sentiment, thus encouraged, will come -forth, and often lead them to the greatest and noblest actions. When I -began to address the Catalonians, all I could obtain was bare -attention; but, as they heard their own deeds spoken of and commended, -they gathered round me, pressing one another for the purpose of -hearing. I gained more boldness as I found myself listened to; and, -seeming to take it for granted that they possessed the feelings I -sought to instil into them, I gradually brought them to the sentiments -I wished. - -The great majority received with shouts the proposal of carrying the -bodies to the cathedral, and the rest dared not oppose the opinion of -the many. - -I had fancied Garcias cold--nay, savage, from the check he had laid -upon me at first; but the energy with which he pressed the execution -of my proposal, before the fickle multitude had time again to change, -cleared him in my opinion, and we prepared to return to the city as -friends. At this moment, however, I perceived the loss of my little -companion, Achilles, and mentioned the circumstance to Garcias, who -gave orders to search for him; but the poor player was to be found -nowhere, and I began to entertain serious apprehensions, that, in case -of his having fled, he might be massacred by the first body of the -insurgents he encountered. - -Garcias instantly took advantage of this possibility, making it an -excuse for positively prohibiting all promiscuous slaughter; and so -great seemed his influence with the people, from the very -extraordinary services he had rendered to their cause, that I doubted -not his orders would be received as a law. The news of the Viceroy -having been taken, had by this time collected the great body of the -insurgents round us; and on a proposal from Garcias, they proceeded, -in somewhat a tumultuous manner, to elect a council of twelve, who -were to have a supreme command of the army, as they called themselves, -and to possess the power of life and death over all prisoners who -might hereafter be taken. - -Garcias, as might naturally be expected, was appointed president of -this council, and commander-in-chief of the army; and as a -representative of the town of Lerida, the alcayde of that city was -chosen, he having joined the insurgents from the first breaking out of -the insurrection. Added to these were several popular and respectable -citizens of Barcelona, with a wealthy merchant of Taragona; and much -to my surprise, I was myself eventually proposed to the people, and my -name received with a shout, which, from having opposed the fury of the -populace in its course, I had not at all expected. Though whoever has -once guided a popular assembly even against their inclination, becomes -in some degree a favourite with them, this was not, I believe, the -sole cause of the confidence they reposed in me. The idea of -assistance from France was their great support in their present -enterprise; and without staying to inquire whether he possessed any -official character, the very knowledge that they had a Frenchman in -their councils gave them a sort of confidence in themselves, which -their ill-cemented union required not a little. Involved as I now was -in the insurrection, I did not refuse the office they put upon me, and -my reason was very simple: I hoped to do good, and to act as a check -upon men whose passions were still excited. - -When all this was concluded, a sort of bier was formed of pikes bound -together, and the bodies of the viceroy and his slave placed thereon. -Six stout Barcelonese porters raised it from the ground and marched -on: the insurrectionary council followed next; and then the populace, -armed with a thousand varied sort of weapons; and thus, in -half-triumphant, half-funereal procession, we returned towards the -city. - -As we went, Garcias, with a rapidity of thought and clearness of -arrangement which eminently fitted him for a leader in such great, but -irregular, enterprises as that in which he was now engaged, sketched -out to me his plans for organizing the people, maintaining the civil -government of the province, repelling any attempt to reimpose the yoke -which the nation had cast off, raising funds for the use of the common -weal, and gradually restoring that order and tranquillity which had of -course been lost in the tumultuous scenes of the last two days. - -He took care, also, to despatch messengers in every direction through -the town, bearing strict commands to all the various posts of the -insurgents, that no more blood should be spilt without form of trial; -and two of the members of the council also were detached on a mission -to the corregidor and other civil officers of the city, requiring -their union with the great body of the Catalonian people, for the -purpose of maintaining and cementing the liberties which they had that -day reconquered. His wise conduct, in both respects, produced the most -beneficial effects. The news of the cessation of bloodshed spread like -lightning through the city, and induced many of the Catalonian -nobility, who previously had not known whether the insurrection was a -mere democratical outrage, or a really patriotic effort for the good -of all, to come forth from their houses and give their hearty -concurrence to an enterprise, whose leaders showed so much moderation. -At the gate of the cathedral, also, we were met by the corregidor and -all the chief officers of the city, accompanied by a large _posse_ of -alguacils and halberdiers attached to their official station. These -officers, as a body, declared their willingness to co-operate with the -liberators of their country; for though they had received their -offices from the King of Spain, they were Catalonians before they were -Spaniards. This annunciation produced a shout from the people, which -gave notice to the Chapter of the Cathedral of our approach, and -coming forth in their rich robes, they received with the solemn chant -of the church the bodies of the unhappy Viceroy and his slave. When -the corpses had been laid before the high altar, the Bishop himself -came forward to the portal, and addressed the people, who heard him -with reverential attention; while the leaders of the revolution which -had just been effected, clothed indeed in wild and various vestments, -but dignified in air and look, by the consciousness of great deeds, -spread on one side of the gate, and the nobility and high municipal -officers ranged themselves on the other, leaving room for the populace -to catch the words of the prelate. - -"My children," said the old man, "you have this day done great and -fearful deeds; and sure I am, that the motives which impelled ye -thereunto were such as ye could in conscience acknowledge and -maintain. I myself can witness how long ye endured oppressions and -injuries, almost beyond the patience of mortal men--your children and -brothers slaughtered, your wives and sisters insulted, and God's -altars overturned and profaned. May Heaven forgive ye for the blood ye -have spilt; but as some of the innocent _must_ have perished with the -guilty, I enjoin you all to keep to-morrow as a strict and rigorous -fast, to confess you of your sins, and to receive absolution; after -which, may God bless and prosper you, and strengthen you in the -right." - -The good Bishop's speech was received with shouts by the populace, who -took it for granted that it proceeded entirely from love and affection -towards them, though, individually, I could not help thinking that -there was a slight touch of fear in the business, as the prelate was -well aware that in pulling down one house the neighbouring ones are -very often injured; and perhaps he might think, that in overthrowing -the edifice of Castilian dominion in Catalonia, the populace might -shake the power of the church also. I know not whether I did him -wrong, but of course I did not give the benefit of my thoughts to any -of the rest; and when he had done, we took our departure from the -Cathedral, and proceeded towards the Viceroy's palace, which Garcias -named for his head-quarters. - -As we went, we were encountered by a large body of the insurgents who -had just concluded the pillage of a house in the same street, -belonging to the Marquis de Villafranca, general of the galleys. They -were of the lowest order of the populace; and we heard that a good -deal of blood had been shed, and various enormities committed by them, -which, as yet, it would have been dangerous to punish. Advancing with -loud shouts, they hailed us as their brother patriots, from which -appellation the better part of the insurgents were somewhat inclined -to shrink, receiving their fraternal salutations with much the shy air -of a _parvenu_ when visited by his poor relations. - -I must say, however, that never did a more brutal rabble meet my -sight. Amongst other instances of their savage ignorance was one, -which at the same time strongly displayed the spirit of the vulgar -Catalonians. In rifling the Marquis de Villafranca's house, they had -found, amongst other rare and curious articles which that officer took -great delight in collecting, a small bronze figure, representing a -negro, the body of which contained a clock. At the same time, the -works were so contrived, as to make the eyes of the figure move; and -when the mob surrounded the table on which it was placed, the little -negro continued to roll his eyes round and round upon them, in so bold -and menacing a manner, that the whole multitude were frightened, and -dared not approach! From his love of study, and search for everything -that was curious and antique, it had long been rumoured, amongst the -lower orders, that the marquis had addicted himself to magic, and they -instantly fixed upon this ingenious piece of clockwork as his familiar -demon. Under this impression, it was long before any one dared to -touch it, as, after having signed it with the cross, and even held up -a crucifix before it, it still continued to roll its eyes upon them -with most sacrilegious obstinacy. At length, one more courageous than -the rest dashed to pieces the glass which covered it, and seizing hold -of the unfortunate clock, tied it to the end of a pike, and carried it -out into the street. When we encountered them, the first thing we -beheld was this bronze figure, borne above the heads of the people. -They instantly exhibited it to us with great triumph, assuring us that -they had caught the Marquis de Villafranca's familiar, and were about -to carry it to the chief inquisitor, that it might be consigned to its -proper place, with all convenient despatch. For my own part, I could -scarcely refrain from laughing; and as Garcias seemed to take the -matter quite seriously, I explained to him in French that the supposed -familiar was nothing but a piece of mechanism, ingenious enough, but -not at all uncommon. He cut me short, however, praised the crowd for -their zeal, and bade them by all means carry the demon to the -inquisitor, and then disperse for the night. - -"Reasoning with such a mob as that," said he, as he went on, "is as -vain as talking to the winds or the seas. The only way of managing -them, is to leave them in possession of all their prejudices and -follies, but to turn those prejudices and follies to the best purposes -one can. You see that cart, Monsieur de l'Orme, with its great clumsy -wheels, which are not half so good as the light wheels that we have in -Navarre and Arragon, but if I wanted to send a load quickly to the -port, I would not think of sitting down to take off those wheels--to -make lighter, and to put them on--but would, of course, make use of -the cart as I found it. Thus, when you want to guide a multitude, -never attempt to give them new ideas, but take advantage of those -which they have already got." - -We had now arrived at the viceregal palace; and, leaving Garcias to -make what arrangements he thought proper for the accommodation of the -five hundred men which he had brought with him from Lerida, and for -organizing the people of Barcelona into a sort of irregular militia, -the insurrectionary council repaired to the great hall, and, with the -corregidor and alcayde, sat till midnight, deciding on the fate of all -those persons that the various parties of the armed multitude thought -fit to bring before it. The task was somewhat a severe one; for every -person that did not know another brought him before the council, if he -could, and if he could not he was himself brought. Their zeal, -however, in this respect, began to slacken as night fell; and it was -only the more resolute and exasperated part of the insurgents that -continued their perquisitions for Castilians, and other suspected -persons, patrolling the streets of the city in bodies of tens and -twelves, and making every one they met give an account of himself and -his occupations. - -As it was the sincere wish of every member of the council to allay the -popular fury, and stop the effusion of blood, various extraordinary -shifts were we obliged to make for the purpose of saving many of the -poor wretches that were brought before us, from the more inveterate -and bloodthirsty of the insurgents. The part we had to play was -certainly a very difficult one; for we were surrounded by men over -whom we had not the check of long established control, and whose -inflamed passions and long-smothered revenge was not half quenched -with all the gore that had already drenched the streets of Barcelona. -Blood was still their cry, and they contrived to find out almost every -individual who had been in any way connected with the Castilian -government of the province, and drag him before us. Our very principal -object was to check their indiscriminate cruelty, and yet, if we -refused in every instance to gratify them in their revenge, it was -likely we should annul our own authority, and that the populace would -betake themselves again to the massacres which we sought to prevent. - -Under these circumstances, upon the plea of weariness and want of time -to examine thoroughly, we committed greater part of the unfortunate -wretches, whom we were called to notice, to the government prison, -sending off the most violent of the insurgents to renew their patrol -in the streets, upon the pretence of fearing that during their absence -some of the more obnoxious persons should escape. The prison we took -care to surround with a strong guard of the men from Lerida, the major -part of whom had served in the old Catalonian militia, and were -consequently in a very good state of subordination, looking up also to -Garcias almost as a god, from his having led them on to two such -signal victories as that which they had achieved that day, and the -morning of the day before. - -At midnight the corregidor rose, and addressing me by the name which -Garcias had given me, the Count de l'Orme, requested me to lodge at -his house, as most probably I had not apartments prepared in the city. -I willingly accepted his hospitality, and, escorted by a strong body -of alguacils, we proceeded to his dwelling, where a very handsome -chamber was assigned to me, and I was preparing to go to rest after a -day of such excessive excitement and fatigue, when I was interrupted -by some one knocking at the door. I bade him come in, and to my great -surprise I beheld my little attendant, Achilles, completely dressed in -Spanish costume; though, to own the truth, his _haut de chausse_ came -a good way below his knees, and his _just-au-corps_ hung with rather a -slovenly air about his haunches. His hat, too, which was ornamented -with a high plume, fell so far over his forehead as to cover his -eyebrows, which were themselves none of the highest; and, in short, -his whole suit seemed as if it intended to eat him up. - -"Ah, my dearly beloved lord and master!" cried the little player, -"thank God, that when I celebrate my _februa_ in memory of my deceased -friends, I shall not have to call upon your name among the number; -though I little thought that you would get out of the hands of that -dreadful multitude so safely as you have done." - -I welcomed my little attendant as his merits deserved; and -congratulating him on his fine new feathers, asked him how he had -contrived to escape the fury of the people, without even having been -brought before the council. - -"Why, to speak sooth, I escaped but narrowly," answered little -Achilles; "and but that my lord loves not the high and tragic style, I -could tell my tale like Corneille and Rotrou--ay, and make it full, -full of horrors. But to keep to the lowly walk in which it is your -will to chain my soaring spirit; when I saw that poor unhappy Viceroy -faint, and a great many folks coming along the shore with lances, and -muskets, and knives, and a great many other things, which are -occasionally used for worse purposes than to eat one's dinner, I -looked out for a place where my meditations were not likely to be -interrupted by the clash of cold iron, and seeing none such upon the -shore, I betook me to a small piece of green turf that came slanting -down from the hill to the beach, and there I began to run faster than -I ever plied my legs on an upland before. The exercise I found very -pleasant, and God knows how long I should have continued it, -especially as some of the folks on the beach, seeing me run, pointed -me out with their muskets, that their friends might admire my agility, -and I began to hear something whistle by my head every now and then in -a very encouraging manner; but just when I got to the top of the -hill--plump--I came upon a mob twice as big as the other. Instantly -they seized me, and asked me a thousand questions, which I could not -answer, for I did not understand one of them; when suddenly one fellow -got hold of me, threw me down, and--blessed be the sound from -henceforth for ever, Amen!--though he held a knife to my throat, and -stretched out his arm in a very unbecoming manner, he at the same time -muttered to himself,--'_Diantre!_' between his teeth, in a way that -none but a true-born Frenchman could have done it.--'_Diantre!_' -cried he, grasping my throat.--'_Diantre!_' replied I, in the same -tone.--'_Diantre!_' exclaimed he, letting go his hold, and opening his -mouth wider than before.--'_Diantre!_' repeated I, devilish glad to -get rid of him.--'_Foutre!_ the fellow mocks me!' cried he, drawing -back his knife to run it into my gizzard.--'Ah!' exclaimed I, 'if your -poor dear father could see you now about to murder me, what would he -say?'--'_Diable!_' cried he, 'are you a Frenchman?'--'Certainly,' -answered I, 'nothing less, though a little one.'--'And do you know my -father?' exclaimed he, catching me in his arms, and hugging me very -fraternally.--'Not a whit,' answered I: 'I wish I did, for then -possibly you would for his sake show me how I can save my throat from -these rude ruffians.'--'That I will, for our country's sake,' answered -he, and helping me up, he told some half dozen dogged-looking fellows, -who had remained to help him to stick me, a long story, full of -Spanish _oses_ and _anoses_, which seemed to satisfy them very well, -for instead of running me through, they hugged me till I was nearly -strangled, crying out, _Viva la Francia!_ all the while. - -"After this, my companion, who is the corregidor's French cook, gave -me a green feather, which has ever since proved the best feather in my -cap; for this green, it seems, is the colour of the Catalonians, and -since I put it in my hat, every one I have met has made me a low bow. -The cook and myself swore eternal amity on the field of battle, and -instead of going on to murder the Viceroy, by which nothing was to be -got, we went back, and joined the good folks who had just broken into -the palace of the general of the galleys. There had been a little -assassination done before we came up; but the general himself had got -off on board his ships, and the multitude were taking care of his -goods and chattels for him. I entered into their sentiments with a -fellow feeling, which is quite surprising; and while great part of -them were standing staring at a foolish little black figure that -rolled its eyes, and were swearing that it was first cousin to -Beelzebub, I got hold of a drawer, in which were these pretty things," -and he produced a string of clear-set diamonds of inestimable value: -"these I brought away for your lordship," he added; "they are too good -for me, and I had just heard you were safe and sound, and a great man -amongst the rebels. For my part, I satisfied myself with a handful or -two of commoner trash in the shape of gold pieces, and this suit of -clothes, with a few lace shirts and other articles of apparel, which I -thought you might want." - -I had by this time got into bed, but I could not refrain from -examining the diamonds, which were certainly most splendid. After I -had done, I returned them to Achilles, telling him, of course, that I -could not accept of anything so acquired; upon which he took them back -again very coolly, saying, "Very well, my lord, then I will keep them -myself. Times may change, and your opinion too. If I had not taken -them, some Catalonian rebel would, and therefore I will guard them -safely as lawful plunder," and so saying, he left me to repose. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - - -So fatigued was I, that the night passed like an instant; and when -Achilles came to wake me the next morning, I could scarcely believe I -had slept half an hour. The good little player returned instantly, as -he began to dress me, to the subject of the diamonds, with the value -of which he seemed well acquainted; and as he found me positive in my -determination to appropriate no one article of his plunder, except a -rich laced shirt or two, which had belonged to the Marquis de -Villafranca, and was a very convenient accession to my wardrobe, he -requested that, at all events, I would mention his possession of the -diamonds to no one. - -With this I willingly complied, as I felt that I had no right to use -the generous offer he had made me against himself. - -Before I was dressed, a message was conveyed to me from the -corregidor, stating that, as we should probably be occupied at the -council till late, he had ordered some refreshment to be prepared for -us before we went; and farther, that he waited my leisure for a few -minutes' conversation with me. I bade the servant stay for a moment, -and then followed him to the corregidor's eating room, where I was not -at all displeased to find a very substantial breakfast; for not having -eaten anything since the meal which the Viceroy's negro had conveyed -to me in prison, I was not lightly tormented with the demon of hunger. -The corregidor received me with a great deal more profound respect -than I found myself entitled to; and, seating me at the table, helped -me to various dishes, which did great honour to the skill and taste of -Achilles' friend, the cook. After a little, the servants were sent -away, and the officer addressed me with an important and mysterious -tone, upon the views and determinations of France. - -"I am well aware, Monsieur le Comte de l'Orme," said he, "that the -utmost secrecy and discretion are required in an agent of your -character; and that, of course, you are bound to communicate with no -one who cannot show you some authority for so doing; but if you will -look at that letter from Monsieur de Noyers, one of your ministers, -and written also, as you will see, by the express command of his -eminence of Richelieu, you will have no longer, I am sure, any -hesitation of informing me clearly, what aid and assistance your -government intends to give us in our present enterprise." - -I took the letter which he offered, but replied without opening it, "I -am afraid, sir, that you greatly mistake the character in which I am -here. You must look upon me simply as a French gentleman whom accident -has conducted to your city, unauthorized, and, indeed, incompetent to -communicate with any body upon affairs of state, and probably more in -the dark than yourself, in regard to what aid, assistance, or -countenance the French government intends to give to the people of -Catalonia." - -The corregidor shook his head, and opened his eyes, and seemed very -much astonished. After falling into a reverie, however, for a moment -or two, he began to look wiser, and replied, "Well, sir, I admire your -prudence and discretion, and doubtless you act according to the orders -of your government; but at the same time I must beg that, when you -write to France, you will inform his eminence of Richelieu, that the -Catalonian people are not to be trifled with, and that having, under -promises of assistance from the French government, thrown off the -Castilian yoke, we expect that France will immediately realize her -promises, or we must apply to some other power for more substantial -aid." - -"Although I once more inform you, my dear sir," answered I, "that you -entirely mistake my situation, yet at the same time, I shall be very -happy to bear any communication you may think fit to the Cardinal de -Richelieu, and in the meantime set your mind quite at ease about the -assistance you require. The French government, depend upon it, will -keep to the full every promise which has been made you. It is too much -the interest of France to alienate Catalonia from the dominions of -King Philip, to leave a doubt of her even surpassing your expectations -in regard to the aid you hope for." - -"Nay, this is consoling me most kindly!" cried the corregidor, -persisting in attributing to me the character of a diplomatist, in -spite of all my abnegation thereof; "may I communicate what you say to -the members of the council, and the chief nobility of the province?" - -"As my private opinion, decidedly," replied I; "but not in the least -as coming from one in a public capacity, which would be grossly -deceiving them." - -"My dear young friend," said the corregidor, rising and embracing me -with the most provoking self-satisfaction in all his looks, "doubt not -my discretion. I understand you perfectly, and will neither commit you -nor myself, depend upon it. As to your return to France, there is not -a merchant in the town who will not willingly put the best vessel in -the harbour at your command when you like; but if you wish to set out -instantly, there is a brigantine appointed to sail for Marseilles this -very day, at high water, which takes place at noon. Our despatches for -the cardinal shall be prepared directly. I will superintend the -embarkation of your sea-store, and though sorry to lose the assistance -of your wise counsel, I am satisfied that your journey will produce -the most beneficial effects to the general cause." - -As I now saw that the corregidor had perfectly determined in his own -mind that I should bear the character of an agent of the French -government, whether I liked it or not, I was fain to submit, and take -advantage of the opportunity of returning to my own country with all -speed. It was therefore arranged that I should depart by the -brigantine for Marseilles; and having seen Achilles, and ascertained -that he would rather accompany me to France than stay beside the -flesh-pots of Egypt, I gave him twenty louis from my little stock, and -bade him embark with all speed, after having bought me some clothes, -through the intervention of his friend the cook. I then proceeded with -the corregidor to the viceregal palace. - -On each side of the grand entrance were tied a number of horses, -apparently lately arrived, heated and dusty, and, it appeared to me, -stained with blood. There was a good deal of bustle and confusion, -too, in the halls and passages--persons pushing in and out, parties of -six and seven gathered together in corners, and various other signs of -some new event having happened. We passed on, however, to the hall in -which the council had assembled the night before, and here we found -that it was again beginning to resume its sitting. - -"Have you heard the news?" cried the alcayde of Lerida; "our horsemen -have defeated a party of a hundred Arragonese cavalry, who were coming -to the city, not knowing the revolution which had taken place. The -whole troop has been slain or dispersed, and its leader brought in a -prisoner." - -At this moment Garcias beckoned me across the room, and leading me to -one of the windows, he spoke to me with a rambling kind of manner, -very different from the general clearness of his discourse, asking me -a great many questions concerning the corregidor, his treatment of me, -and all that had passed, of which I gave him a clear account, telling -him my determination to depart for France immediately. - -"You do right," said he, somewhat abruptly; "you might become involved -more deeply than you could wish with the politics of our province. Did -you look into the strong-room, to the right, at the bottom of the -stairs, as you came up?" - -"No," replied I, somewhat surprised at his strange manner. "Why do you -ask?" - -"Because if you had done so you would have seen an old friend," -replied Garcias, biting his lip; "the Chevalier de Montenero, who -lives near you at the white house below----" - -"I know, I know whom you mean," cried I. "What of him?" - -"Why he has been taken prisoner this morning," replied Garcias, "by -one of the most deeply injured and most cruelly revengeful of our -cavaliers. He is known to have been a dear friend of the late Viceroy, -with whom he served in New Spain, and they demand that he be brought -out into the square, and shot without mercy." - -"They shall shoot me first!" replied I. - -"Indeed!" said Garcias, composedly, and then added, a moment after, -"and me too. I owe the Chevalier thanks for having sheltered me when I -was pursued by the douaniers; and though he spake harshly of my trade, -he shall not find me ungrateful. But see, the council are seating -themselves! Go to them, make them as long a speech as you can about -your going to France; avoid, if possible, denying any more that you -are an agent of that government. You have done so once, which is -enough. Let the corregidor persuade them and himself of what he -likes--but, at all events, keep them employed till I come back, upon -any other subject than the prisoners. I go to collect together some of -my most resolute and trusty fellows, to back us in case of necessity. -Quick! to the table! The alcayde is rising to speak." - -I advanced; and while Garcias left the hall, I addressed the council -without seating myself, apologizing to the alcayde, who was already on -his feet, for pre-engaging his audience, and stating the short time I -had to remain amongst them as an excuse for my doing so. I then, with -as lengthy words and as protracted emphasis as I could command, went -on, offering to be the bearer of any message, letter, or -communication, to the government of France; at the same time promising -to carry to my own country the most favourable account of all their -proceedings. I dilated upon their splendid deeds, and their generous -sentiments, but I fixed the whole weight of my eulogy upon their -moderation in victory, and then darted off to a commendation of mercy -and humanity in general; showing that it was always the quality of -great and generous minds, and that men who had performed the most -splendid achievements in the field, and evinced the greatest sagacity -in the cabinet, had always shown the greatest moderation to their -enemies when they were in their power. Still Garcias did not come; and -I proceeded to say, that by evincing this magnanimous spirit, the -Catalonians bound all good men to their cause, and that it would -become not only a pleasure, but an honour and a glory to the nation -who should assist them in their quarrel, and maintain them in their -freedom. At the end of this tirade my eyes turned anxiously towards -the door, for both topics and words began to fail me; but Garcias did -not appear, and I was obliged to return to my journey to France. I -begged them, therefore, to consider well the despatches they were -about to send, and at the same time to have them made up with all -convenient despatch; requesting that they would themselves give a full -detail of what had already been done, of what they sought to do, and -what they required from France; and after having exhausted my whole -stock of sentences, I was at last obliged to end, by calling them "the -brave, the moderate, the magnanimous Catalonians!" - -What between the acclamation that was to follow this--for men never -fail to applaud their own praises--and any discussion which might -arise concerning the despatches, I hoped that Garcias would have time -to return; but, at all events, I could not have manufactured a -sentence more, if my own life had been at stake. - -I was, however, disappointed in my expectations. The magnanimous -Catalonians did not, indeed, neglect to shout; but the alcayde of -Lerida, who was one of those men whose own business is always more -important than that of any one else, rose, immediately after the noise -had subsided, and represented to the council that they were keeping -one of their most active and meritorious partisans, Gil Moreno, -waiting with his prisoner; and that from the nature of the case, as he -conceived it, five minutes would be sufficient to decide upon their -course of action. He then ended with proposing, that before any other -business whatever was entered upon, the prisoner should be brought -before the council. - -This was received with such a quick and cordial assent from all the -members of the council, that it would have been worse than useless to -resist it, and I was compelled to hear, unopposed, the order given for -Gil Moreno to bring his prisoner to the council-chamber. - -The Catalonian had probably been waiting with some impatience for this -summons; and the moment after it was given, he presented himself -before the council. If ever relentless cruelty was expressed in a -human countenance, it was in his. He was a short man, very quadrate in -form, with large, disproportioned feet and hands, and a wide, open -chest, over which now appeared a steel corslet. His complexion was as -dingy as a Moor's, and his features in general large, but not -ill-formed. His eyes, however, were small, black as jet, and sparkling -like diamonds; and his forehead, though broad and high, was extremely -protuberant and heavy, while a deep wrinkle running between his -eyebrows, together with a curve downwards in the corners of his mouth, -and a slight degree of prominence of the under jaw, gave his face a -bitter sternness of expression, which was not at all softened by a -sinister inward cast of his right eye. Behind him was brought in, -between two armed Catalonians, and followed by a multitude of others, -the Chevalier--or, as the Spaniards designated him, the Conde de -Montenero. His arms were tied tightly with ropes, but the tranquillity -of his looks, the calmness of his step, and the dignity of his whole -demeanour were unaltered; and he cast his eyes round the council -slowly and deliberately, scanning every countenance, till his look -encountered mine. The expression of surprise which his countenance -then assumed is not easily to be described. I thought even that the -sudden sight of one he knew, amongst so many hostile faces, called up, -before he could recollect other feelings, even a momentary glance of -pleasure, but it was like a sunbeam struggling through wintry clouds, -lost before it was distinctly seen; and his brow knit into somewhat of -a frown, as he ran his eye over the other members of the council. - -"Speak, Gil Moreno," said the alcayde of Lerida, who being the first -person that had received the news of the Chevalier's capture, had -appropriated it to himself, as an affair which he was especially -called upon to manage:--"what report have you to make to the supreme -council of Catalonia?" - -"A short one," answered Moreno, roughly. "On my patrol this morning, -two miles from the city gate, I met with a body of Arragonese horse. I -bade them stand, and give the word, when they gave the king; and I -instantly attacked them--killed some--dispersed the rest, and took -their captain. According to the orders given out last night, I brought -him to the council, and now, because he is a known friend of the -tyrant who died yesterday, was taken in arms against Catalonian -freedom, and is in every way an enemy to the province, I demand that -he be turned out into the Plaza, and shot, as he deserves." - -"And what reason can the prisoner give, why this should not be the -case?" demanded the alcayde, turning to the Chevalier. - -"Very few," answered he, with somewhat of a scornful smile, "and those -of such a nature that, from the constitution of this self-named -council, they are not very likely to be received. The laws of -arms--the common principles of right and justice--the usages of all -civilized nations, and the feelings and notions of all men of honour." - -It may easily be supposed, that such a speech was not calculated, -particularly, to prejudice the council in favour of the speaker, and I -would have given much to have stopped it in its course; but just as -the Chevalier ended, my mind was greatly relieved by the reappearance -of Garcias, who now took his seat by the side of the corregidor, while -the alcayde replied: "Such reasons, sir," answered he, "must remain -vague and insignificant, without you can show that they apply to your -case, which as yet you have not attempted to prove." - -"The application is so self-evident," said I, interposing, "that it -hardly requires to be pointed out. If the Catalonians are a separate -people, as they declare themselves, and at war with Philip, King of -Castile, they are bound to observe the rights of nations, and to treat -well those prisoners they take from their enemy. The common principles -of right and justice require that every man should be proved guilty of -some specific crime before he be condemned. The usages of all -civilized nations sufficiently establish that no man is criminal for -bearing arms, except it be against the land of his birth, or the -government under which he lives; and the feelings of men of honour -must induce you to respect, rather than to blame, the man who does his -utmost endeavour in favour of the monarch whom he serves." - -"Ho! ho! Sir Frenchman!" cried Moreno, glaring upon me with eyes, the -cast in which was changed to a frightful squint by the vehemence of -his anger--"come you here to prate to us about the laws of nations, -and the feelings of honour? Know, that the Catalonians feel what is -due to themselves, and their own honour, better than you or any other -of your country can instruct them. Know, that they will have justice -done upon their oppressors; and if you, Frenchman, do not like it, we -care not for you, and can defend our own rights with our own hands. -Once, and again, I demand the death of this prisoner, and if the -council, as they choose to call themselves, do not grant it----" - -"What then?" thundered Garcias. "The council, as they choose to call -themselves! I say, the council as the Catalonian people have called -them--and if they do not grant the death of the prisoner, what then?" - -"Why then his life is mine, and I will take it," answered Moreno, -drawing a pistol from his belt, and aiming at the head of the -Chevalier, who stood as firm and unblenching as a rock. I was at the -bottom of the table--opposite to me stood Moreno and the Chevalier: -and without the thought of a moment, I vaulted across and seized the -arm of the Catalonian. It was done like lightning--almost before I -knew it myself, and feeling that he could no longer hit the Chevalier, -the bloodthirsty villain struggled to turn the muzzle of the pistol -upon me. A good many people pressed round us, embarrassing me by -striving to aid me; and getting the pistol near my head, Moreno fired. -The ball, however, did not injure me, but just grazing my neck, went -on, and struck the alcayde of Lerida on the temple. He started up from -his chair--fell back in it, and expired without uttering a word. - -"By Heaven, he has killed one of the council!" cried Garcias. "Seize -him! He shall die, by St. James!" - -But Moreno turned to the crowd who filled that end of the hall. "Down -with this self-elected council!" cried he; "down with them! They would -make worse slaves of us than the Castilians had done. Who will stand -by Moreno?" - -"I will! I will!" cried each of the two who had entered with him to -guard the Chevalier. "I will," uttered another voice behind him; but -at the same instant the whole crowd, upon whom he had mistakingly -relied, but who were, in fact, the most certain followers of Garcias, -threw themselves upon Moreno, and those that had expressed themselves -of his party, and in a moment the whole four were tied hand and foot, -as surely as they had tied the Chevalier. - -"I say, down with those who would introduce dissension and -insubordination into the new government of Catalonia!" cried Garcias. -"Members of the council," he added, "whatever services I may have -rendered, and which I trust somewhat surpass those of this rebel to -your authority, I seek no more than that share of influence which the -people have bestowed upon me, in common with yourselves; and when I -propose that the Conde de Montenero shall be well treated and his life -spared, I do so merely as one of your own body, possessing but a -single voice out of twelve. Let us, however, determine upon this -directly, that we may proceed to the more important business of the -despatches to be sent to France. Give me your votes." - -Whatever might be the tone of moderation which Garcias assumed, his -influence with the people was evidently so powerful, that of course it -extended in some degree to the council; and their votes were instantly -given in favour of what he proposed. The next consideration became how -to dispose of the Chevalier. Every one present knew the unstable basis -on which their authority rested; and in case of any change in the -popular feeling, it was evident that the lives of all the prisoners -would be the first sacrifice offered at the shrine of anarchy. - -A good deal of vague conversation passed upon the subject, and finding -that every one hesitated to make the proposition, which probably every -one wished, I took it upon myself, and proposed, that, as an act of -magnanimity, which a whole world must admire and respect, they should -liberate the Chevalier de Montenero, and every other person attached -to the Castilian government; merely taking the precaution of conveying -them to the frontier of Catalonia. "At the same time," I said, "those -Catalonians who were last night committed to prison upon frivolous -accusations can be again examined. If not guilty of serious crimes, -let them also be freed. Thus, the last thing I shall see, before -returning to my own country, will be the greatest act of moderation -which a victorious nation ever performed in the first excitement of -its success." - -While I spoke, the eyes of Gil Moreno, who had not been removed from -the hall, glared upon me as if he could have eaten my heart; and when -the council gave a general assent to the proposal, he turned away with -a groan of disappointed rage, biting his upper lip with the teeth of -the under jaw, till the contortion of his face was actually frightful. - -On hearing the decision of the council, the Chevalier advanced a step, -and addressed a few words to them. "Catalonians," said he, "you have -acted in a different manner from that which I expected, and I -therefore tell you, what I never would have done while the sword was -suspended over my head--that I came not here with intentions hostile -to your liberties. I knew not of any revolt having taken place in this -province, although I had heard rumours that many galling oppressions -had been inflicted on the people. My object in coming was to see an -ancient companion in arms, who was the viceroy of this province; and I -came by his own invitation, to assist him with my poor advice in -controlling the irregularities and enormities of the undisciplined -soldiery with which a bad minister had encumbered his government. By -his request, also, I brought with me from Arragon a troop of guards, -on whose good conduct he could rely, they having served under my -command in Peru. Were my hands free, I could show you a letter from -the viceroy, in which he commiserates your sufferings, and bitterly -complains of the insubordination of the troops. I hear that you have -slain him. If so, God forgive you, for he wished you well! In regard -to your revolt from the crown of Spain, depend upon it you will be -compelled, sooner or later, to return to the dominion of King Philip. -It is not that I would speak in favour of the Count Duke Olivarez," he -continued, seeing an irritable movement in the council; "that bad -minister has injured me as well as you, and has been the cause of my -having for years quitted Spain, wherein I had once hoped to have made -my country: but still, by language, by manners, by geographical -situation, Catalonia is an integral part of Spain, and----" - -"We will spare you the trouble, sir," interrupted the corregidor, "of -saying any more. We have cast off the yoke of Spain, and, by the aid -of God, we will maintain our independence as a separate people; but -should not that be granted us, we would have King Philip know, that -sooner than return to the dominion under which we have suffered so -much, we will give ourselves to any other nation capable of supporting -by force of arms our division from Spain. Let the alguacils untie the -prisoner's hands." - -Shortly after the Chevalier had begun to speak, Garcias had quitted -the hall, and he now returned, announcing that he had (with that -prompt energy which peculiarly characterized him) already prepared a -horse and escort for the Conde de Montenero, which would carry him -safely to the limits of Catalonia. The Chevalier bowed to the council, -glanced his eyes towards me, of whom, since his first entrance, he had -taken no more notice than he bestowed on the person least known to him -at the table, and then followed Garcias from the hall. I could not -resist my desire to speak to him, and making a sudden pretence to -leave the council, I pursued the steps of the Chevalier and his -conductor to the small room in which he had been formerly confined. -Garcias was turning away from him as I approached, saying, "The horse -shall be up in an instant, but do not show yourself to the people till -the last moment." - -As he went I entered, and the Chevalier turned immediately to me, with -that sort of frigid politeness, that froze every warmer feeling of my -heart. - -"I have to thank you, sir," said he, "for my life, which is valuable -to me, not merely as life, but from causes which you may one day know; -a few years, just now, are of more consequence to me than I once -thought they ever could be. I therefore, sir, return you my thanks, -for interposing both your voice and your person, this day, to save me -from death." - -"Monsieur de Montenero," replied I, "there has been a time, when your -manner to me would have been very different; but I must rest satisfied -with the consciousness of not meriting your regard less than I did -then." - -"I am sorry, sir," replied he, "that you compel me to look upon you in -any other light than as a stranger who has interposed to save my life; -but as it is so, allow me to say, that something else than mere -assertion is necessary to convince me, on a subject which we had -better not speak upon. Could you give anything better than assertion, -I declare to Heaven, that your own father would not have the same joy -in your exculpation from guilt--nay, not half so much, as I should!" -and there shone in his eye a momentary beam of that kindness with -which he once regarded me, that convinced me what he said was true. - -"Monsieur de Montenero," replied I, "the reasons for my silence are -removed, and I can give you something better than assertion." - -"Then do, in God's name!" cried he, "and relieve my mind from a load -that has burdened it for months. How you came here, or what you do -here, I know not; but there is certainly some mystery in your conduct, -which I cannot comprehend. Explain it all then, Louis, if ever the -affection with which you once seemed to regard me was real." - -I grasped his hand, for that one word Louis re-awakened, by the magic -chain of association, all that regard in my bosom which his coldness -and suspicion had benumbed; and in a moment more I should have told -him enough to satisfy him that his doubts had been unfounded. But it -seemed as if Heaven willed that that story was never to be told, for -just as I was about to speak, Garcias returned in haste. "The horse is -at the gate," said he, "and the guard prepared; mount, Señor, with all -speed, and out by the Roses' gate, for Moreno's people have heard of -his arrest, and are gathering at the other end of the town." - -"Louis," said the Chevalier, turning to me, "if you will proceed with -the explanation you were about to give, and can really satisfy my mind -on that subject, I will stay and take my chance, for I shall no longer -fear death for a moment." - -This declaration, as may easily be supposed, surprised me not a -little, after the value which he had before allowed that life -possessed in his eyes; for whatever might be the interest which he -took in me personally, and whatever might be the enthusiasm that -characterized his mind, I could not conceive that, without some strong -motive superadded, he would offer to risk so much for the sake of one, -in regard to whose innocence he had shown himself almost unwilling to -be convinced. - -Garcias, however, permitted no hesitation on the subject. "Stay!" -cried he, in an accent of almost indignant astonishment.--"When we -have perilled both our lives to gain you the means of going, do you -talk of staying? Señor de Montenero, you are not mad; and if you are, -I am not; therefore I say, you must go directly, without a moment's -pause;" and not allowing another word, he hurried him away, saw him -mount, commanded the escort of twenty men, who accompanied him, to -defend him with their lives; and then returning to me, led the way -back to the council-hall. - -"Members of the Supreme Council of Catalonia," said he abruptly as we -entered, "our first duty is to show to the nation, that though we have -cast off the yoke of Castile, we have not cast off the restraint of -law. A member of this honourable body has been shot at the very -council table, by a man acting in open rebellion to the authority -committed to us by the people--we require no evidence of the fact, -which was committed before our eyes. If we let the punishment slumber, -justice and order are at an end; anarchy, slaughter, and confusion, -must inevitably follow. Give me your voices, noble Catalonians. I -pronounce Gil Moreno guilty of murder, aggravated by treason towards -the nation, and therefore worthy of death! My vote is given!" He spoke -rapidly and sternly; and after a momentary hesitation, and whispering -consultation, the rest of the council unanimously agreed in his award. - -"Take away the prisoner," said Garcias, and Moreno was removed. "Now -let some noble Señor write the sentence," continued he: "I am no clerk, -but I will attend to the execution of it." - -The sentence was accordingly written; and having been signed by all -the members of the council, Garcias took it, as he said, to have it -fixed upon the front of the palace, and left us. His absence, however, -had, beyond doubt, another object, for while the corregidor was, -according to the direction of the council, writing a despatch from the -provisional government of Catalonia, to the prime minister of France, -the stern voice of the insurrectionary leader was heard in the square, -giving the word of command, "Fire!" The report of a platoon was -instantly heard; and it was not difficult to guess that Moreno had -tasted of that fate which he had been so willing to inflict on others. - -The despatches were soon prepared; and the council, willing to assume -all the pomp of established authority, ordered me to be conducted to -the port, as one of its members, with all sort of ceremony. Garcias -remained at the palace, to take measures against any movement on the -part of Moreno's partizans; but the corregidor accompanied me to the -water side: and having formally resigned the seat, to which I had been -called in the council, I embarked on board the brigantine, and took -leave, for ever of Barcelona. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - - -The most humiliating of all the various kinds of human suffering is -undoubtedly sea-sickness, and therefore I will willingly pass over all -my sensations in crossing the Gulf of Lyons. I believe, however, that -the excessive importunity of my corporeal feelings did me good, -inasmuch as it served, for a time, to obliterate from my memory the -various strange and exciting scenes which I had lately gone through. -If we could suppose the soul itself to be in a state of ebriety, I -should say that my mind had been for several days drunk with excess of -stimulus; and the relaxation consequent upon it, during the vacant -hours of the voyage, would have been actually painful, had not the -horrors of sea-sickness so employed the body, that the mind could not -act. - -We landed, then, at Marseilles, after a safe and rapid passage, and I -prepared to set out with all speed for Lyons, hoping, by being the -first to bear the Cardinal de Richelieu news, which I well divined -would be most joyful to him, that I might at all events remove some of -the dangers and difficulties of my situation--a situation which I -hardly dared to contemplate. - -My father, though richly endowed with personal courage, wanted, as I -have said, that moral courage, which leads a man to look everything -that is painful or disagreeable boldly in the face. With him, indeed, -this disposition was carried to the excess of flying from the -contemplation, even of inconvenient trifles; but enough of it had -descended to me to make me willingly turn my eyes from circumstances -like those in which I was now placed. - -Money, I had hardly more than would bear me to Paris; resources, I had -none before me, and I shrank from the idea of either writing to, or -hearing from, the once loved home that I had left, with a degree of -horror it is difficult to describe. What could I write, without -forcing my mind to dwell upon details that were agony to think of? -What could I hear, but reproaches, which I knew not well whether I -deserved or not; or tenderness, which would have been more painful -still? My only resource was, like the ostrich in the fable, to shut my -eyes against the evils that pursued me, and to hurry forward as fast -as I could, filling up the vacuity of each moment with any -circumstances less painful than my own thoughts, and leaving to time -and chance--the two great patrons of the unfortunate--to remove my -difficulties, and provide for my wants. - -At the inn at Marseilles, as soon as my little attendant, Achilles, -had recovered what he called his powers of ambulation, the rolling of -the sea having left him, even on land, certain sensations of -unsteadiness which made him walk in various zigzag meanders during the -whole day, he unfolded to my astonished eyes the clothes which he had -bought for me at Barcelona. First, appeared a splendid Spanish riding -dress of philomot cloth, laced with silver, and perfectly new; with a -black beaver and white plumes, which, together with the untanned -riding-boots, sword, and dagger, all handsomely mounted, might cost, -upon a very moderate calculation, at least one hundred and fifty -louis-d'ors. I concluded myself ruined, of course; but what was my -surprise and horror when he dragged forth a long leathern case, -containing a rich dress suit of white silk, laced with gold; a white -sword and gold hilt, a bonnet and plume, that might have served a -prince, with collars of Flemish lace, gold-embroidered gloves of -Brussels, and shoes of Cordova. - -If it had been a box of serpents I could not have gazed into it with -more horror, my purse feeling lighter by a pistole for every fold he -unplied in the rich white silk. "There! there! there!" cried he, -contemplating them with as much delight as I experienced -consternation. "What an exquisite Alexander the Great I should make in -that white silk! Never was such an opportunity lost, for fitting up -the wardrobe of a theatre--never! never! but I could not bear to part -with the little shining yellow things, that kept my pocket so warm, -and therefore I only bought what was necessary for you, _signeurie_." - -"And where do you think that my _seigneurie_ is to get money to pay -for them?" demanded I, somewhat sharply. "Pray how much have you spent -more than I gave you?" - -The poor little man looked up with an air of consternation that -increased my own. "Spent!" cried he; "spent more than you gave -me!--Why, none at all. I got them all for seven louis." - -"Then they must have been stolen," cried I. - -"To be sure!" answered he, in a tone of the most _naïve_ simplicity in -the world; "to be sure they were stolen. How did you think I should -come by them else?" - -Though in no very merry mood, the tone, the air, and simplicity of the -little player overcame my gravity, and I could not help laughing while -I asked who they had really belonged to, before they came so honestly -into his possession. - -"Lord! how should I know?" replied he. "If you want to hear how I got -them, that is easily told. When you went away to the council, after -bidding me buy you a riding-suit, I went out with Jaccomo, as they -call him, the cook; and as we were marching along in search of a -fripier, we passed by the ruins of the arsenal, where you and I were -confined, and where I killed the savage soldado," he continued, -drawing himself up till he fancied himself full six feet high. "But -that has nothing to do with the matter. The arsenal is now in a -terrible state; partly battered to pieces with the cannon, partly -blown up, as it seemed to me; but we just went in to take a look about -us, when suddenly out from amongst a whole heap of ruins creeps a -peasant fellow, with these two large mails on his back, and a heap of -other things in a bag round his neck. At first he looked frightened, -but after a little took heart, and told us a long story, which Jaccomo -translated for me, showing forth, that having come to town too late -for the famous plunder of the day before, he had hunted about amongst -the rooms that were yet standing in the arsenal, till he had found all -the things we saw; and added, that if we would go on we should find a -deal more. This, however, did not suit Jaccomo, who talked to him very -loudly about taking him before the council, and frightened him a good -deal, after which he made him show us what was in the mails; when, -finding they would suit your lordship, I made the cook offer the man -seven louis for them, though he said I was a great fool for offering -so much; and that if I would let him, he would frighten him so he -would give them up for nothing. But as I knew you would not wear them -without you paid for them, I gave the man the money, who was very glad -to get it, and walked away quite contented with that, and several -other suits that he had besides." - -This information satisfied my conscience; and certainly if there never -were seven louis better laid out, never was apparel more needed; for -what between my journeys in the Pyrenees and my adventures in Spain, -my _pourpoint_ would have qualified me for a high rank amongst those -poor chevaliers whom we see frequenting the corners of low taverns, -and waiting patiently till some solitary traveller without -acquaintance, or indefatigable tippler abandoned by his mates, invites -them to share his tankard for the mere sake of company. - -The next thing was to try them on, when, to my mortification, I found -that, though in point of length they suited me exactly, both the -_pourpoint_ and the _haut de chausse_ much required the intervention -of a pair of shears to reduce the waist to the same circumference as -my own. A small lean-shanked Marseillois, exercising the honourable -office of tailor to the inn, was soon procured; and setting him down -in the corner of the chamber, I suffered him not to depart till both -the suits were reduced to a just proportion, and I no longer looked as -if I had got into an empty balloon when I again tried them on. - -One night I suffered to roll past tranquilly, though a thousand -phantoms of the last two days hovered about my pillow and disturbed my -rest. The next morning, however, a new embarrassment presented itself; -for, on inquiring for the boat to Lyons, I was informed that it did -not depart till the next day; and even then I found it would be so -long on its passage that I must abandon all hope of being the first -bearer of news from Catalonia, if I pursued so dilatory a mode of -travelling. At the same time I well knew that it was quite out of the -question to take poor little Achilles so many hundred miles on -horseback. The only way, therefore, which we could determine upon, was -for him to remain behind till the boat sailed, and then to make the -best of his way to Paris to rejoin me, while I went on as fast as -possible, and accomplished my errand in the meanwhile. - -Being now in France, and having his pockets well garnished, little -Achilles did not, of course, feel himself near so much at a loss as he -would have done in Spain; but still he clung about me, and whimpered -like a baby to see me depart. I believe that he had seldom known -kindness before, and he estimated it as a jewel from its rarity. He -made one request, however, before I departed, with which, though -unwillingly, I could not refuse to comply. My scruple of conscience -about the diamonds of which he had plundered the house of Monsieur de -Villafranca had in some degree touched his own, and he had heroically -resolved to return them if ever he found the opportunity--always, -however, reserving the right to make use of any part of them in case -either his own or my occasions should require it. But in the meantime -he remained under the most dreadful anxiety lest he should be robbed -on the way to Paris; and made it his most humble request, both as I -was the most valiant of the two, and as I should be a less space of -time on the road, that I would take charge of the packet in which they -were enveloped. - -I did as he wished, though I would willingly have been excused; and -having left him to shed his tender tears over our separation, I -mounted the post-horse that had been brought me, and set out on my -journey for Paris. - -The night's rest which I had taken at Marseilles served me till I -arrived at Lyons; and the one which I indulged in there carried me on -to Paris. No time was lost on my journey; a single word concerning -despatches for the minister making doors fly open and horses gallop -better than the magic rings of the Fairy Tales. - -At length I began to see the villages growing nearer and nearer -together; separate houses highly ornamented and decorated, yet not -large enough to dignify themselves with the name of châteaux; troops -of people seemingly returning from some great city to their homes in -the country; strings of carts and horses; and, in short, everything -announcing the proximity of a metropolis; while at the same time the -sound of a multitude of bells came borne upon the wind towards me, -telling me that I arrived at some moment of great public rejoicing. I -will not stop to inquire why that sound fell so heavily upon my heart; -but so it did, and all the increasing gaiety I met as I began to enter -into the suburbs but rendered me the more melancholy. - -It was by this time beginning to grow dusk, and directing my horse -towards the _Quartier St. Eustache_, I alighted at a small auberge -which our landlord at Marseilles had recommended as the best in Paris. -Having taken off my baggage with my own hands, and paid my postilion, -I looked about in the little courtyard for some one to show me an -apartment. It was long, however, before I could find any one; and even -at last, the only person I could meet with was an old woman, the -great-grandmother of mine host, I believe, who told me that all the -world were out at the fête, and that I might sit down in the -_salle-à-manger_ if I liked, till they came back. - -This seemed but poor entertainment for the best auberge in Paris; but -I was forced to content myself with what I found, for it was too late -to seek another lodging, even had I not appointed Achilles to meet me -there. Nor, indeed, was my companion, the old woman, very -entertaining; for she was so deaf that she heard not one word I said, -and merely replied to all my inquiries, on whatever subject they were -made, by informing me that every one was at the fête, repeating the -precise words she made use of before. - -Thus passed the time for an hour; but then the face of affairs -altered. The host--a jolly aubergiste as ever roasted a capon--rushed -in, in his best attire, followed by his wife and his sister, and his -sister's husband, all half inebriated with good spirits; and I was -soon at my desire shown to an apartment, which, though small, was -sufficiently clean; and having been told that supper would be ready at -the table d'hôte in an hour, I waited, while the various odours rising -up from the kitchen to my window seemed sent on purpose to inform me, -step by step, of the progress of the meal. - -Alone--in Paris--unknown to a soul--with a vacant hour lying open -before me--it was impossible any longer to avoid that unkind friend, -thought. For a moment or two, I walked up and down the little chamber, -whose antique furniture--the precise allotted portion which a -traveller could not do without--called to my mind the old but splendid -garnishing of my apartments at the Château de l'Orme. - -Where--I asked myself--where were all the familiar objects that habit -had rendered dear to my eye?--where all the little trifles, round -which memory lingers, even after time has torn her away from things of -greater import?--where were the grand mountains whose vast masses -would even now have been stretching dark and sublime across the -twilight sky before my windows?--where the free breeze that wafted -health with every blast?--where were the eyes whose glance was -sunshine, and the voices whose tones were music, and the hearts whose -happiness had centred in me alone? What had I instead? A petty -chamber, in a petty inn--the rank close atmosphere of a swarming city, -and the eternal clang of scolding, lying, blaspheming tongues, rising -up with a din that would have deafened a Cyclop--while misery, and -vice, and want, and sorrow, cabal, and treason, and treachery, and -crime, were working around me, in the thousand narrow, jammed-up cells -of that great infernal hive. Such was the picture that imagination -contrasted with the sweet calm scene which memory portrayed; and -casting myself down on the bed, I hid my face on the clothes, giving -way to a burst of passionate sorrow, that relieved me with unmanly but -still with soothing tears. - -While I yet lay there, I heard some one move in the chamber; and -starting suddenly up, I saw a man carefully examining my baggage, with -a very suspicious and nonchalant air. "Who the devil are you?" cried -I, laying my hand on my sword. - -"_Garçon de l'auberge, ne vous deplaise, Monsieur_," replied the man. - -"Then Monsieur Garçon de l'auberge," said I, "beware how you touch my -baggage; for though there be nothing in it but my clothes and a packet -for his eminence the cardinal, I shall take care to slit your nose if -you finger it without orders." - -The man started back at the name of the cardinal as if he had touched -a viper, gave me the _monseigneur_ immediately, and replied, that he -came to tell me supper was served, and the guests about to place -themselves at table. - -Following him down, I found the _salle-à-manger_ tenanted by about ten -persons, while upon the table smoked a savoury and plentiful supper, -on which they but waited the presence of the host to fall with -somewhat wolfish appetites. - -Silence reigned omnipotent at the first course; but at the second, two -or three of the guests, more loquacious than the rest, began to -entertain themselves and their neighbours with their own importance. - -One, whose beard was as black and shaggy as a hawthorn tree in winter, -spoke of his exploits in war, and showed himself a very Cæsar, at -least in words. - -Another was all-powerful in love, and told of many a cunning _passe_ -which he had put upon jealous husbands and careful relations. No -female heart had ever resisted him, according to his account, which -was the more extraordinary, as he was the ugliest of human beings. -This he acknowledged, however, in some degree, swearing he knew not -what the poor fools found to love in him. - -A third was a mighty man of state, talked in a low voice, and -told all the news. He had seen, he said, a certain great man that day, -whom it was dangerous to name; and he could tell, if he liked, a -mighty secret--but no, he would not--he was afraid of their -indiscretion;--then again, however, he changed his mind, and -would--they were all discreet men, he was sure. The news was this,--it -was undoubted, he could assure them. Portugal had again fallen under -the dominion of Spain--he had it from the best authority. The means of -the counter-revolution was this: the Viceroy of Catalonia had sent -twenty thousand men by Gibraltar, straight to Portugal, where they had -uncrowned the Duke of Braganza, and restored King Philip, for which -great service the king had appointed the Viceroy of Catalonia his -prime minister. - -As I knew how much of this news was truth, I of course gave the -politician his due share of credit; and judging the rest of the -company from the specimen he afforded, I was rather inclined to -imagine that the lover's face made a truer report of his achievements -than his tongue, and that, perhaps, the beard of the soldado -constituted the most efficient part of his valour. I did not, however, -seek to inquire into particulars; but remained as silent as several -plain-looking respectable shopkeepers, who sat near me, and only -opened my mouth to ask if I could procure some one to guide me that -evening to a place I wished to visit in the town. This was addressed -to my next neighbour, who had himself shown no symptoms of loquacity; -but, it caught the ears of the man of the sword, who had been admiring -the lace upon my riding-suit, with somewhat the expression of a cat -looking into a vase of gold fish; and he instantly proposed, in a very -patronizing manner, to be my conductor himself. "I have half an hour -to spare, young sir," said he; "your countenance pleases me, and I am -willing to bestow that leisure upon you. You do not know Paris, and -the strange folks you may meet; my presence will be a protection to -you." - -I replied that I wanted no protection; that I had always been able, -hitherto, to protect myself; but that I was obliged by his offer of -guiding me, and would accept it. - -Having taken care to lock the door of my chamber before I came down, -and having the despatch from Barcelona about me, the moment we had -done dinner I accompanied the complaisant soldier into the street, and -then begged him to show me to the Palais Cardinal. The name seemed to -startle him a little; but he bade me follow him, which I accordingly -did. For about a quarter of an hour, he went up one street and down -another, turning and returning, like a hare pursued by the dogs, till -at length I began to perceive that the very last intention in my -worthy guide's mind was to conduct me to the Palais Cardinal, which I -well knew was not half a mile from the Quartier St. Eustache. As he -went, my honest companion amused me with the detail of a great many -adventures, in which he had proved himself a Hercules, and carried on -the conversation with such spirit that he had it all to himself. - -What he intended to do with me, God knows; but getting rather tired of -walking about the streets, I fixed upon a respectable-looking grocer's -shop, which was not yet closed, and telling my companion that I wanted -to buy some pepper, I walked in. - -"Pepper!" cried he, following me; "what can you want with pepper?" - -"I will tell you presently," I answered, "when I have asked this good -gentleman (the grocer) a question.--Pray, sir," I continued, turning -to the master of the house, "will you inform me if I am near the -Palais Cardinal? This worthy person agreed to guide me thither from -the Rue des Prouvaires, quartier St. Eustache, and we have walked near -half an hour without finding it." - -"He has taken you quite to the other end of the town," replied the -grocer. "You are now, sir, in the Rue des Prêtres St. Paul." - -"On my life!" cried the soldier, "I thought I was leading you right. -By my honour, 'tis a strange mistake!" - -"So strange, sir," said I, "that if you do not instantly go to the -right about, and march off, I may be tempted to cudgel you." - -"_Ventre St. Gris!_" cried the bully, laying his hand on his sword. -But the grocer whispered a word or two to his shop-boy about fetching -the Capitaine du Guêt; and the great soldier, finding that his honour -was likely to suffer less by retreating than by maintaining his -ground, took to his heels, and ran off with all speed. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - - -"That, sir, is one of the most assured rogues in Paris," said the -grocer; "he has once been at the galleys for seven years, and will -very soon be there again. How you happened to fall in with such a -fellow, I do not at all understand." - -I explained to the shopkeeper the circumstances, and he shook his head -gravely at the name of the inn. "It has not a good reputation," said -he; "and as to its being the best in Paris," he added, with a laugh, -"we Parisians would be very much ashamed of it if it was. However, -sir, as you want to go to the Palais Cardinal, my boy shall conduct -you there; and though I wish to take away no one's character, be upon -your guard at your inn. There are many ways of plundering a stranger -in this good city; and if you need any assistance, send to me--though -I am very bold to say so, for a gentleman of your figure must have -many friends here, doubtless; only I know something of the good people -where you lodge, and, possibly, might manage them better than -another." - -I thanked him for his kindness most sincerely; for though, perhaps, -ever too much accustomed to rely upon myself, yet I will own there was -a solitary desolateness of feeling crept about my heart in that great -city, which made it a relief to feel that there was somebody who took -even a transient interest in me, and to whom I could apply for advice -or aid, in case I needed it. - -After taking down my new friend's address, I followed his shop-boy out -into the street, and we pursued our way towards the Palais Cardinal, -exactly retreading the steps which my former valiant guide had made me -take. All the way we went the lad chattered with true Parisian -activity of tongue; telling a thousand curious and horrible tales of -the great, but cruel man, that I was about to see, and relating all -the anecdotes of the day concerning his dark and mysterious policy. - -"No one knows," said the boy, "why he does anything, or how he does -anything. It was only last week that the strangest thing happened in -the world. You have heard of the great wood of Marly, monsieur? Well, -one of the Cardinal's servants was ordered on Thursday, last week, to -take an ass loaded with pure gold, into that wood, and go on upon the -road till he met a man who asked him, 'If the sun shone at midnight?' -and then give him the ass's bridle and come away. So the servant went -in, and after going a mile or more, he met a tall, fine man--somewhat -dark, however--who asked him, 'Does the sun shine at midnight?' So the -servant said nothing, but gave him the bridle. The stranger was not -satisfied with that, but counted all the bags of gold upon the ass's -back, and then told the servant to take it to the person who had sent -it, and say that he had counted and watched, but the sun did not shine -at midnight yet. So then the servant did as he bade him, and took it -back to the Cardinal, who put two more sacks upon the ass, and sent -the lackey back again; when he met the same man, and every thing -passed as before, except that when he had counted the gold the -stranger shouted, 'Ha! ha! the sun shines at midnight!' and jumping -upon the donkey's back, he gave him a kick with his foot, which made -him gallop as quick as any horse, and the servant never saw them any -more! Lord! Lord! is not that very strange, monsieur?" continued the -boy; and creeping close to me, he added, "They say that the tall -stranger was the devil, and that the Cardinal had made a bargain with -him, that if he would give him all the wit he desired, hell should -have his soul at the end of twenty years. But when the twenty years -were out, he wanted very much a few years more, so that he was obliged -to make a new bargain, and pay a good round sum as interest upon his -bond." - -The conclusion of the boy's story brought us to the end of the Rue St. -Honoré; and, shortly after, he pointed out to me the façade of the -Palais Cardinal. Having rewarded him with a crown, and sent him away -well contented, I gazed up at the splendid building before me, whose -grand features, massed together in the darkness, seemed almost as -frowning and gloomy as a prison. The news which I brought, however, I -was sure would be acceptable; and therefore walking on, I was about to -approach the house, when I was challenged by a sentinel. I told him my -business, and requested he would show me my way to any of the offices, -for I perceived no ready means of gaining admission. The soldier -passed me on to another, who again passed me to the corps de garde, -from whence I was taken to a small door and delivered, as a bale of -goods, into the hands of a grim-looking man, who told me at once that -I could not see the minister, who was abroad at the moment. - -"Pray what is your business with his Eminence?" demanded the porter. - -"It is business," replied I, "with which you, my friend, can have no -concern; and business of such import, that I must stay till I see -him." - -"Come with me," said the porter, after thinking a moment; and he then -led me across a court wherein a carriage was standing, with horses -harnessed, and torches burning at the doors. - -"Monsieur de Noyers, one of the secretaries of state, is here," he -added, seeing me remark the carriage, "and you can speak with him." - -"My business is with his eminence the Cardinal," replied I, "and with -him alone." - -"Well, come with me, come with me!" said the porter. "If your business -be really important, you must see some one who is competent to speak -on it; and if it be not important, you had better not have come here." - -Thus saying, he led me into a small hall, and thence into a cabinet -beyond, hung with fine tapestry, and lighted by a single silver lamp. -Here he bade me sit down, and left me. In a few minutes a door on the -other side of the room opened, and a cavalier entered, dressed in a -rich suit of black velvet, with a hat and plume. He was tall, thin, -and pale, with a clear bright eye, and fine decided features. His -beard was small and pointed, and his face oval, and somewhat sharp; -and though there was a slight stoop of his neck and shoulders, as if -time or disease had somewhat enfeebled his frame, yet it took nothing -from the dignity of his demeanour. He started, and seemed surprised at -seeing anyone there; but then immediately advanced, and looking at me -for a moment, with a glance which read deeply whatever lines it fell -upon, "Who are you?" demanded he. "What do you want? What paper is -that in your hand?" - -"My name," replied I, "is Louis Count de l'Orme; my business is with -the Cardinal de Richelieu, and this paper is one which I am charged to -deliver into his hand." - -"Give it to me," said the stranger, holding out his hand. My eye -glanced over his unclerical habiliments, and I replied, "You must -excuse me. This paper, and the farther news I bring, can only be given -to the cardinal himself." - -"It shall go safe," he answered in a stern tone. "Give it to me, young -sir." - -There was an authority in his tone that almost induced me to comply; -but reflecting that I might be called to a severe account by the -unrelenting minister, even for a mere error in judgment, I persisted -in my original determination. "I must repeat," answered I, "that I can -give this to no one but his eminence himself, without an express order -from his own hand to do so." - -"Pshaw!" cried he, with something of a smile; and taking up a pen, -which lay with some sheets of paper on the table, he dipped it in the -ink, and scrawled in a large, bold hand,-- - -"Deliver your packet to the bearer. - - "Richelieu." - -I made him a low bow, and placed the letter in his hands. He read it, -with the quick and intelligent glance of one enabled by long habit to -collect and arrange the ideas conveyed to him with that clear rapidity -possessed alone by men of genius. In the meantime I watched his -countenance, seeking to detect, amongst all the lines with which years -and thought had channelled it, any expression of the stern, -vindictive, despotic passions, which the world charged him withal, and -which his own actions sufficiently evinced; it was not there, -however,--all was calm. - -Suddenly raising his eyes, his look fell full upon me as I was thus -busily scanning his countenance; and I know not why, but my glance -sunk in the collision. - -"Ha!" said he, rather mildly than otherwise, "you were gazing at me -very strictly, sir. Are _you_ a reader of countenances?" - -"Not in the least, monseigneur," replied I; "I was but learning a -lesson:--to know a great man when I see one another time." - -"That answer, sir, would make many a courtier's fortune," said the -minister; "nor shall it mar yours, though I understand it. Remember, -flattery is never lost at a court! 'Tis the same there as with a -woman. If it be too thick, she may wipe some of it away, as she does -her rouge; but she will take care not to brush off all!" - -To be detected in flattery has something in it so degrading, that the -blood rushed up into my cheek with the burning glow of shame. A slight -smile curled the minister's lip. "Come, sir," he continued, "I am -going forth for half an hour, but I may have some questions to ask -you; therefore I will beg you to wait my return. Do not stir from this -spot. There, you will find food for the mind," he proceeded, pointing -out a small case of books; "in other respects, you shall be taken care -of. I need not warn you to discretion. You have proved that you -possess that quality, and I do not forget it." - -Thus speaking, he left me, and for a few minutes I remained struggling -with the flood of turbulent thoughts which such an interview pours -upon the mind. This, then, was the great and extraordinary minister, -who at that moment held in his hands the fate of half Europe; the -powers of whose mind, like Niorder, the tempest-god of the ancient -Gauls, raised, guided, and enjoyed the winds and the storms, -triumphing in the thunders of continual war, and the whirlwinds of -political intrigue. - -In a short time two servants brought in a small table of lapis lazuli, -on which they proceeded to spread various sorts of rare fruits and -wines; putting on also a china cup and a vase, which I supposed to -contain coffee--a beverage that I had often heard mentioned by my good -preceptor, Father Francis, who had tasted it in the East, but which I -had never before met with. All this was done with the most profound -silence, and with a gliding ghost-like step, which must certainly have -been learned in the prisons of the Inquisition. - -At length one of these stealthy attendants desired me, in the name of -his lord, to take some refreshment; and then, with a low reverence, -quitted the cabinet, as if afraid that I should make him any answer. - -I could not help thinking, as they left me, what a system of terror -must that be which could drill any two Frenchmen into silence like -this! - -However, I approached the table, and indulged myself with a cup of -most exquisite coffee; after which I examined the bookcase, and -glancing my eye over histories and tragedies, and essays and -treatises, I fixed at length upon Ovid, from a sort of instinctive -feeling that the mind, when it wishes to fly from itself and the too -sad realities of human existence, assimilates much more easily with -anything imaginative than with anything true. - -I was still reading; and, though sometimes falling into long lapses of -thought, I was nevertheless highly enjoying the beautiful fictions of -the poet, when the door was again opened, and the minister -re-appeared. I instantly laid down the book and rose; but, pointing to -a chair, he bade me be seated, and taking up my book, turned over the -pages for a few moments, while a servant brought him a cup of fresh -coffee and a biscuit. - -"Are you fond of Ovid?" demanded he, at length; and then, without -allowing me time to reply, he added, "He is my favourite author; I -read him more than any other book." - -The tone which he took was that of easy, common conversation, which -two persons, perfectly equal in every respect, might be supposed to -hold upon any indifferent subject; and I, of course, answered in the -same. - -"Ovid," I said, "is certainly one of my favourite poets, but I am -afraid of reading him so often as I should wish; for there is an -enervating tendency in all his writings, which I should fear would -greatly relax the mind." - -"It is for that very reason that I read him," replied the minister. -"It is alone when I wish for relaxation that I read, and then--after -every thought having been in activity for a whole long day--Ovid is -like a bed of roses to the mind, where it can repose itself, and -recruit its powers of action for the business of another." - -This was certainly not the conversation which I expected, and I paused -without making any reply, thinking that the minister would soon enter -upon those important subjects on which I could give the best and -latest information; but, on the contrary, he proceeded with Ovid. - -"There is a constant struggle," continued he, "between feeling and -reason in the human breast. In youth, it is wisely ordained that -feeling should have the ascendancy; and she rules like a monarch, with -imagination for her minister;--though, by the way," he added, with a -passing smile, so slight that it scarcely curled his lip,--"though, by -the way, the minister is often much more active than the monarch. In -after years, when feeling has done for man all that feeling was -intended to do, and carried him into a thousand follies, eventually -very beneficial to himself, and to the human race, reason succeeds to -the throne, to finish what feeling left undone, and to remedy what she -did wrong. Now, you are in the age of feeling, and I am in the age of -reason; and the consequence is, that even in reading such a book as -Ovid, what we cull is as different as the wax and the honey which a -bee gathers from the same flower. What touches you is the wit and -brilliancy of the thought, the sweetness of the poetry, the bright and -luxurious pictures which are presented to your imagination: while all -that affects me little; and, shadowed through a thousand splendid -allegories, I see great and sublime truths, robed, as it were, by the -verse and the poetry in a radiant garment of light. What can be a -truer picture of an ambitious and a daring minister, than Ixion -embracing a cloud?" and he looked me full in the face, with a smile of -melancholy meaning, to which I did not well know how to reply. - -"I have certainly never considered Ovid in that light," replied I; -"and I have to thank your eminence for the pleasure I shall doubtless -enjoy in tracing the allegories throughout." - -"The thanks are not my due," replied the minister; "an English -statesman, near a century ago, wrote a book upon the subject; and -showed his own wisdom, while he pointed out that of the ancients. In -England, the reign of reason is much stronger than it is with us in -France, though they may be considered as a younger people." - -"Then does your Eminence consider," demanded I, "that the change from -feeling to reason proceeds apace with the age of nations, as well as -with men?" - -"In general, I think it does," replied he: "nations set out bold, -generous, hasty, carried away by impulse rather than by thought; -easily led, but not easily governed. Gradually, however, they grow -politic, careful, anxious to increase their wealth, somewhat indolent, -till at length they creep into their dotage, even like men. But," he -added, after a pause, "the world is too young for us to talk about the -history of nations. All we know is, that they have their different -characters like different men, and of course some will preserve their -vigour longer than others; some will die violent deaths; some end by -sudden diseases; some by slow decay. A hundred thousand years hence, -men may know what nations are, and judge what they will be. It -suffices, at present, to know our contemporaries, and to rule them by -that knowledge. And now, Monsieur le Comte de l'Orme, I thank you for -a pleasant hour, and I wish you good night. Of course, you are still -at an inn; when you have fixed your lodging, leave your address here, -and you shall hear from me. In the meanwhile, farewell!" - -Of course I rose, and, taking leave, quitted the Palais Cardinal. -What!--it may be asked,--without one word on the important business -which had brought you there?--Without a word! The name of Catalonia -was never mentioned; and yet, the very next day, large bodies of men -marched upon Rousillon. More were instantly directed thither from -every part of the country. The fleet in the Mediterranean sailed for -Barcelona; and, in a space of time inconceivably brief, Catalonia was -furnished with every supply necessary to carry on a long and an active -war. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - - -The strange interview which I have described of course yielded my -thoughts sufficient employment. Was it--could it really be, I asked -myself, that I had spent the last hour in conversation with the -greatest statesman in modern Europe? And in conversation about what? -about Ovid--the task of a school-boy in an inferior class--when I -could have afforded him minute information upon events on which the -fate of nations depended. - -Could he have received prior information? Impossible! Our vessel had -sailed with the fairest wind, and the speed of our passage had been -made a marvel of by the sailors; I had lost no time upon the road, and -it was impossible--surely quite impossible--that he could have -received tidings from Catalonia in a shorter space, without, indeed, -the devil, as the vulgar did not scruple to say, sent him tidings from -all parts of the world by especial couriers of his own. - -One thing, however, is certain; I went to the Palais Cardinal a very -important person in my own opinion, and I came away from it with my -self-consequence very terribly diminished. - -My next reflections turned to the minister's very unclerical dress, -and I puzzled myself for some time in fancying the various errands -which might have required such a disguise--for disguise it evidently -was. Of course, I could conclude upon nothing, and was only obliged to -end in supposing, with the boy who had guided me thither, that no one -knew how, or why, he did anything. - -My way home was easily found; and retiring to bed, I dreamed all -night, between sleeping and waking, of courts and prime ministers, and -woke the next morning not at all refreshed for having passed the night -in such company. I had more disagreeable society, however, before -long; for when I had been up about an hour, and was preparing to go -out and view the great and stirring bee-hive, whose hum reached me -even in my own cell, the worthy host of the _auberge_ bustled into the -room with an appearance of great terror, begging a thousand pardons -for his intrusion; but he hoped, he said, that if I had anything in my -bags which I wished to conceal, I would put it away quickly, for that -the officers of justice were in the house, and he had heard them -inquire for a person very much resembling me. - -Of course, I laughed at the idea; but the landlord had hardly -concluded his tale, when in rushed two sergeants and a greffier, -dressed in their black robes of office. One stationed himself at the -door, one threw himself between me and the window, and then commanded -me in the king's name to surrender myself. - -I replied that I was very willing to surrender, but that there must be -assuredly some mistake, for that I had not been in Paris sufficient -time to commit any great crime. - -"No mistake, sir! no mistake!" replied one of the sergeants. "People -who have the knack, commit crimes as fast as I can eat oysters. You -are accused, sir, of filching. They say, sir, you are guilty of -appropriation. A good man, an excellent good man, Jonas Echimillia, of -the persecuted race of Abraham, avers against you, sir, that last -night, towards ten of the clock, you entered his dwelling, sir, -wherein he gives shelter to old servants cast off by ungrateful -masters--in other words, sir, his frippery--and notoriously and -abominably seduced a white silk suit, laced with gold, to elope with -you, to the identity of which suit he will willingly swear. So open -your swallow-all, or trunk mail, and let us see what it contains." - -Whilst the worthy sergeant thus proceeded, the warning of my good -friend the grocer came across my mind, and I thought that there was an -affectation about the voice of the respectable officer, which made me -suspect that the whole business might be contrived to extort money; -though how they could know that I had a white silk dress, laced with -gold, in the valise before me, I could not divine. However, I affected -to be very much alarmed; and while I examined well the countenances of -my honest guests, I feigned a wish to bribe them into a connivance. - -"Not for a hundred pistoles!" cried the principal sergeant. - -"Nay, nay," said the landlord, who had remained in the room, "worthy -sergeant, you must not be too severe upon my young lodger. Consider -his youth and inexperience. Echimillia is a tender-hearted man, and -would not wish you to be hard upon him. Take a hundred pistoles and -let him off." - -The sergeant began to show symptoms of a relenting disposition, and -expressed his pity of my youth and ignorance of the ways of Paris with -so much tender-heartedness, that it overcame my gravity, and sitting -down upon a chair I laughed till I cried. The two sergeants looked -rather confounded; but the greffier, a little man, whose risible -organs were apparently somewhat irritable, could not resist the -infectious nature of my laugh, but began a low sort of cachinnation, -which he unsuccessfully tried either to drown in a cough or stifle in -the sleeve of his robe. The sympathy next affected the landlord, who, -after looking wistfully first to one and then to another, with one -eyebrow raised, and one corner of his mouth in a grin while the other -struggled for gravity for near a minute, was at length overpowered by -the greffier's efforts to smother his laughter, and burst forth, -shaking his fat sides till the room rang. The sergeant at the door -tittered; but the principal officer affected a fury that soon brought -me to myself, though in a very different manner from that which he -expected. - -Starting upon my feet, I caught him by the collar, and knocking his -bonnet off his head, exposed to view the very identical person of my -hectoring guide of the night before, though he had ingeniously -contrived to change completely the shape of his face, by cutting his -immense beard into a small peak, shaving each of his cheeks, and -leaving nothing but a light moustache upon his upper lip. "Scoundrel!" -cried I, giving him a shake that almost tore his borrowed plumes to -pieces, "what, in the name of the devil, tempted you to think you -could impose on me with a stale trick like this?" - -"Because you dined at a _table d'hote_ in Flemish lace," replied the -other sergeant, continuing to chuckle at his companion's misfortune. -"But come, young sir, you must let him go, though you have found him -out." And thereupon he threw back his robe, and grasped the sword -which it concealed. - -As I had imagined, my man of war was as arrant a coward as ever swore -a big oath, and he trembled violently under my hands, till he saw his -more valiant comrade begin to espouse his cause so manfully. He then, -however, thought it was his cue to bully, and exclaimed, in his -natural voice, "Unhand me, or, by the heart of my father, I'll dash -you to atoms!" - -"The devil you will!" said I, seizing the foot he had raised in an -attitude calculated to menace me with a severe kick. The window was -near and open; underneath it was a savoury dunghill from the stables -at the side; the height about twelve feet from the ground; so, without -farther ceremony, I pitched the valiant soldado out head foremost, and -drew my sword upon his companion, who ventured one or two passes, in -the course of which he got a scratch in his arm, and then ran -downstairs as fast as he could after the landlord and the greffier, -who had already led the way. Running to the window, however, from -which I could see over the gate of the court into the street, I -shouted aloud to the passengers to stop the sham sergeants. - -The first, who, with my assistance, had gone out the shortest -way--whether he was used to being thrown out of window and did not -mind it, or whether the dunghill was as soft as a bed of down, I know -not; but--by this time had gained his feet, and was half way down the -street. Where the greffier had slunk to I cannot say; but the more -pugnacious personage, who had drawn his sword upon me, was caught by -the people attracted by my cries, as he was in the act of making the -best use of his legs, after his arms had failed him. It would have -given me pleasure, I own, to bring even one of such a set of impostors -to justice, but I was disappointed; for, just as a porter and a -vinegar seller were bringing him back to the inn, he suddenly shook -them off, slipped the sergeant's gown over his head, and scampered -away through a dozen turnings and windings, with a rapidity and -address which smacked singularly of much practice in running off in a -hurry. - -After a hot chase, the porter returned to tell me that he could not -catch the nimble-limbed cheat; and calling him up to my chamber, I -bade him take up my packages, and prepared to leave the house, after -examining the contents of each valise, from which I found nothing -missing, though sufficiently disarranged to show that they had -afforded amusement to others during my absence the night before. Had -they met with the diamonds, it is probable that they would have spared -themselves and me the trouble of the somewhat operose contrivance to -which they had recourse; but these, fortunately placed in the very -bottom of the valise, with several things of less consequence, had -escaped their search. - -As we were passing into the court, the respectable landlord presented -himself cap in hand, delivered his account, and hoped I had been -satisfied with my entertainment, and would recommend his house to my -friends; while all the time he spoke there was a meaning sort of grin -upon his countenance, as if he could hardly help laughing at his own -impudence. - -I answered him somewhat in his own strain, that the entertainment was -what the reputation of his house might lead one to expect; and in -regard to recommending it to my friends, that it was very possible I -should have occasion to visit shortly the criminal lieutenant, when I -would take care to commend it to his notice in the most particular -manner, and point out its deserts to him with care. - -"I' faith," answered the host, calmly, "I am afraid that the -worshipful gentleman of whom you speak will find but poor -accommodation at my house; and therefore, feeling myself incompetent -to entertain him as he deserves, I would fain decline the honour of -his company." - -After having paid my reckoning, I betook myself to the shop of the -honest grocer, who heard my story without surprise; and in answer to -my inquiry for a lodging, he replied that he knew of one nearly -opposite to his own house, but that he doubted whether it would suit a -person of my condition, for it was small, and kept by an old widow, -who, though very respectable, was anything but rich. - -I need not say this was the very sort of situation I desired; for -after having paid mine host of the Rue des Prouvaires, my purse -offered nothing but a long and lamentable vacuity, with three louis -d'ors at the bottom, looking as lank and empty, when I drew it out of -my pocket, as an eel-skin just stripped off one of those luckless -aquatic St. Bartholomews. I was soon, then, installed in my new -apartment; and being left to myself, gazed upon my scanty stock of -riches, as many an unfortunate wretch has doubtless often gazed before -me, calculating how long each several piece would keep life and soul -together. And when they were expended, what then? I asked myself. Must -I then write to my parents--confess my attachment to Helen--own that I -murdered her brother--take from her mind any blessed doubt that might -still remain upon it--snap each lingering affection that might still -bind her to me in twain at once, and at the same time encounter the -angry expostulation of my father for loving below my degree; as well -as the calm reproaches of my mother, for having blinded her to that -love--expostulations and reproaches which for Helen's sake I could -have encountered, while there remained a chance of her being mine, but -which now I felt no strength to bear, no motive to call upon my head? -Oh! no, no! I could not write--poverty, beggary, wretchedness, -anything sooner than that; and starting up, I proceeded into the -street, hoping to drive away thought amongst all the gay sights I had -heard of in Paris. - -As I passed along the Rue St. Jacques, a beggar asked me for charity; -and instinctively I put my hand in my pocket, when suddenly the -thought of my own beggary came upon my mind, and with a sickness of -heart impossible to describe, I drew my hand back, saying I had -nothing for him. "Do! my good lord, do!" cried the mendicant; "may you -never suffer such poverty as mine; and if you should--for who can tell -in this uncertain life--and if you should, may you never be refused by -those you beg of!" - -I could refuse no longer. It came so painfully home to my own bosom, -that I gave him a small piece which I had received in change, and then -walked on, feeling as if I had just cast away a fortune, instead of -giving a piece of a few sols to a beggar. Oh, circumstance! -circumstance! thou art like a juggler at a fair, making us see the -same object with a thousand different hues as thou offerest thy -many-coloured glasses to our eyes. - -Passing on, I found my way to the Palais Cardinal, where, after having -gazed for a moment or two at the enormous pile of building before me, -the thousand minute beauties of which the darkness had hidden from me -the night before, I mounted the steps to leave my address, as I had -been commanded. The doors of the palace, far from being guarded as I -had previously found them, now seemed open to every one. Crowds of -people of all classes were going in and coming out; and every sort of -dress was there, from the princely _justaucorps_, whose arabesqued -embroidery left scarcely an inch of the original stuff visible, to the -threadbare pourpoint, whose long experience in the ways of the world -had rendered it as polished and as smooth as the tongue of an old -courtier. All was whisper, and smiles, and hurry, and bustle; and -though every here and there an anxious face might be seen, giving -shade to the picture, no one would have imagined that through those -gates issued forth each day a thousand orders of death, of misery, and -of despair. - -I entered with the rest; and as the way seemed open to every one, was -walking on, when I soon found that all who passed were known; for -hardly had I taken two steps across the vestibule, when an attendant -placed himself in my way, asking my business. It was easily explained; -and leading me into a small cabinet adjoining the hall, he took down a -ponderous folio, and desired me to write my address. When I opened it -I found it quite full; and the page took down another, wherein, at the -end of many thousands of names, I wrote my own, with ink that I -doubted not would prove true Lethe, and turned away even more hopeless -than I came. - -Spare time now became my curse, and, joining with a restless and -excited spirit, drove me through everything that was to be seen in -Paris with an eagerness which soon exhausted its object. Day passed by -after day, and the minister took no notice of me. I spun out my meagre -funds, like the thread of a spider; but still every hour I saw them -diminish. Twice each day I sent to the auberge where I had lodged, to -inquire whether little Achilles had yet arrived; and still my -disappointment was renewed. Nor was this disappointment one of the -least painful of my feelings, for in the solitariness of my being in -that great city I would have given worlds for his company, even -although I could neither respect nor esteem him. And yet let me not do -him injustice; mean qualities were so mingled in him with great -ones--his folly was so strangely mixed with shrewdness, and his love -of himself so singularly contrasted with the generous attachment which -he had conceived towards me, that I hardly knew whether to look upon -him with regard or contempt. Yet certainly I longed for his coming; -and as the days went by and he came not, even while I smiled at -remembering his poltroonery, I could not help hoping that the little -coward had met with no obstruction in the road. - -In the meanwhile, my frugality served to prolong the sojourn of my -three louis in my purse far longer than I could have expected, and -perhaps my pain with it, at seeing them daily decrease. It was like -the handfuls of couscousou that they give in Morocco to persons dying -of impalement, the means only of extending moments of misery. One day, -however, in passing along the Rue St. Jacques, I saw lying on a -book-stall two treatises upon very different subjects; one relating to -military tactics, and the other entitled "_The Sure Way of Winning; -or, Hazard not Chance_." The price of each was but a trifle, and in a -fit of extravagance I bought them both. I had now wherewithal to -employ my time, and I studied each of these two books with an ardour -which, had it been employed continuously on any great or important -subject, might have changed the face of my fortune for ever. The -treatise on strategy, though perhaps not the best that ever was -written, was, at all events, no detrimental employment; and on it I -bestowed one half of my time. The other half was given to "_The Sure -Way of Winning_," which was neither more nor less than an elaborate -treatise upon gaming; with all the profound calculations of chances -necessary to qualify a complete gambler. Thank God, I was not by -nature a lover of play, or by such a study I should have been -irretrievably lost. As it was, I soon began to look upon the -gaming-table as the only resource which fortune held out to me; and -with indescribable assiduity and application, I went through every -calculation in the book, working them out in my mind hundreds and -hundreds of times, till their results became no longer matters of -arithmetic, but of memory. - -Three weeks elapsed before I deemed myself qualified to encounter the -well-experienced Parisians; and by this time I had but one louis -remaining. This I changed into crowns, and with an anxious heart -proceeded as soon as it was dark to a house, where I was informed that -the minor sort of gambling, in which alone I could indulge, was -carried on every night. - -A narrow dirty passage conducted to a small staircase, at the bottom -of which I began to hear the voices of the throng above. At the top -were two men wrangling in no very measured terms; and passing on, I -entered a large room, where about twenty tables were set out, and most -of them occupied. A crown was demanded for admission, which I paid; -and then proceeded to examine the various groups that were scattered -through the room. Squalid misery, devouring passion, and debasing -vice, were written in every countenance I beheld. - -Of course, the whole assembly were divided between losers and winners. -Of the first, some were talking high and angrily; some were -blaspheming with the insanity of disappointment; some were gazing with -the silent stupefaction of despair, and some were laughing with that -wringing, soulless mockery of mirth, with which vanity sometimes -strives to hide the bitterest pangs of the human heart. Of the -winners, some were amassing their gains with greedy satisfaction; some -were smiling with a sneering triumph at the poor fools they plundered; -and some, with the eager falcon eye of avarice, were gazing keenly at -the rolling dice or turning cards, as if they feared that chance might -yet snatch their prey from out their talons. - -The whole scene came upon my heart with a sickening faintness that had -nearly made me turn and fly it all; but at that moment a very polite -personage, seeing a stranger, approached, and invited me in courteous -terms to sit at one of the vacant tables, and try a throw of the dice; -or, if I loved better the more scientific games, we would open a pack -of cards, he said. I agreed to the latter proposal, and we sat down to -piquet. He played a bold and more hazardous game, I the quiet and more -certain one; and though some fortunate runs of the cards made him -eventually the winner, my loss was but two crowns. - -"One throw with these for what you have lost," said my adversary, -before we rose, offering me the dice at the same time. We threw, and I -lost two crowns more. We threw again, and I was penniless. - -I bore it more calmly than I had expected; but I believe it was more -the calmness of despair, than anything else, which supported me. -However wishing my adversary good night as politely as I could, I -walked away, hearing him say in a whisper to one who stood near, "He -plays very well at piquet, that young gentleman. It was as much as I -could do to beat him." - -Beyond a doubt this was meant for my hearing, and if so, it had its -effect; for my first thought was what article of my scanty stock I -could part with, to yield the means of recovering that night's loss. -The diamonds which Achilles had entrusted to me instantly suggested -themselves to my mind; and the tempter, who still lies hid in the -bottom of man's heart till passion calls him forth, did not fail to -suggest a thousand excellent and plausible motives for using them. -"Achilles," said the devil, "had himself voluntarily given them to me; -and even if he had not done so, I had just as much a right to them as -he had--but if my conscience forbade me to take them ultimately, it -would be very easy to repay the value, either when I should have -recovered my losses at the gaming-table, or when I was restored to the -bosom of my family." - -Thank Heaven, however, I had honour enough left not to violate a trust -reposed in me. I had still a diamond ring of my own. My mother had -given it to me, it is true; but necessity more strong than feeling -required me to part with it, and I determined to do so the next -morning. In looking for it, for I had ceased to wear it since I set -out for Marseilles, I met with the packet of papers regarding the -Count de Bagnols, which I had almost always kept about me; and looking -over them, I was tempted again to read some of the letters. I went on -from one to another, through the whole correspondence between the -Count, then a very young man, and the rebellious Rochellois, and I -found throughout that fine discrimination between right and wrong -which is the chivalry of the mind. It was a lesson and a reproach; but -as I had passed to the brink of vice, not by the short and flowery -path of pleasure, but by a road where every step was upon thorns--as I -had been driven by errors and by accidents, rather than led by -indulgence, the road back seemed not so long as to those who have -followed every maze of enjoyment in their course from virtue to vice. -With me it wanted but one effort of the mind--but the moral courage to -communicate my true situation to those I loved, and I should at once -free myself of the enthralment of circumstances. Such reflections -passed rapidly through my mind, and I resolved to do what I should -have done. But what are resolutions?--Air. - -The next morning I carried my diamond ring to a most respectable -jeweller, who bought it of me for one-fifth of its worth, and vowed -all the while that he should lose by his bargain. Six louis, however, -now swelled my purse; and as night came, my good resolutions faded -like the waning sunshine. The cursed book of games found its way into -my hands, and at seven o'clock I stood before the same house where I -had left my money the night before. - -Like the gates of Dis, the doors stood ever open, and those feet which -had once trod that magic path could hardly cross it without again -turning in the same direction. - -On entering the room, the society which it contained struck me as even -more ruffianly than the night before, and I fancied that many eyes -turned upon me, as on one whose appearance there on the former evening -had been remarked. My polite adversary was looking on at one of the -tables, where the parties were playing for louis; but the moment his -eye fell upon me, he came forward and offered me my revenge. "They are -playing too high at that table," said he, as we sat down. "To my mind, -it takes away all the pleasure of the game to have such a stake upon -it as would pain one to lose. No _gentleman_ ever plays for the sake -of winning a great deal of other people's money, and therefore he -ought to take care that he does not part with too much of his own. I -play for _amusement_ alone, and therefore let us begin with crowns, as -we did last night." - -His moderation pleased me, and, opening the cards, we again commenced -our evening with piquet. He again played boldly, and I even more -cautiously than before; but the cards were no longer favourable to my -adversary,--he lost everything, and in an hour I had fifty crowns -lying beside me. Half-a-dozen persons had now crowded round us, and -all joined in praises of my skilful play. - -"Too skilful for me, I am afraid," said my adversary, maintaining his -good temper admirably, though I thought I discovered a little vexation -in his tone. "I own, fair sir, that you are my master with the cards; -but you will not refuse me an opportunity of mending my luck with -these;" and he took up the dice-boxes. - -The spirit had now seized me; I had gained enough to wish to gain -more. Bright hopes of turning Fortune's frowns to smiles, of freeing -myself of all difficulties, of rising superior to my oppressive fate, -began to swim before my eyes; and I willingly agreed to his proposal, -never doubting that my ascendancy would still continue. - -We played on rapidly, and soon the pile of coin by my side -diminished--vanished--grew higher and higher on his; and with agony of -mind beyond all that I had ever felt, my golden hopes passed away, and -despair began to come fast upon me, as louis after louis of my last -and only resource melted from my touch. With the cards all had been -fair--that was evident enough; but now my suspicions began to be -awakened in regard to the dice. I remembered those which I had split -open at Luz, and as I threw I watched narrowly to see whether there -was anything in those I played with which might show them to be -loaded. But no! they rolled over and over, turning each side -alternately as fairly as possible. I next fixed my eyes on my -adversary, when suddenly I saw him, with the dexterity of a juggler, -hold the dice he took up in the palm of his hand, and slip two others -in from the frill round his hand. When about to throw again, I saw him -prepare to perform the same trick, and springing up, I pinned his hand -to the table. - -A loud outcry instantly took place; "The man's mad!" "What is he -about?" "Turn him out!" "Throw him out of the window!" cried a dozen -voices. - -"You shall do it, if you like, gentlemen," cried I, "provided this man -has not two false dice under his hand." - -As I spoke, I lifted his hand from the table, when, to my horror and -surprise, there were no dice there. - -I was dumb as if thunderstruck, and my adversary, with every feature -convulsed with rage, lifted the hand I had liberated, and struck me a -violent blow in the face. Instinctively I laid my hand upon my sword, -when every one round threw themselves upon me, and in the midst of a -thousand blows, I was hurried to the window, and though struggling -violently to save myself, pitched over into the street. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - - -Luckily, the window from which I was thrown was on the first floor, -and not above sixteen feet raised from the ground. My fall, therefore, -was so instantaneous, that I had no time to indulge in any of the -pleasing anticipations of which a journey head-foremost from a high -window to the ground is susceptible. The fall, however, was sufficient -to stun and bewilder me; and before I had well recovered my -recollection, I found myself surrounded by a good number of lackeys -with torches, who had seen my sudden ejaculation from the gaming-house -while they were accompanying some carriage through the streets, and -had come to my assistance, with many inquiries as to whether I was -hurt. - -I had fallen upon my left shoulder and hip, and my head had -fortunately escaped without the same sudden contact with the stones; -so that, though somewhat confused, I could reply that I believed I was -not much injured, but that I could not rise without assistance. - -"Help him to rise," cried a voice, which very much resembled that of -the Chevalier de Montenero, "and give him what assistance you can." - -The person who spoke I could not see; but the servants, who had been -hitherto gazing at me without lending me any very substantial aid, now -hurried to raise me, one taking me by each arm. This proceeding, -however, gave me such exquisite pain in my left shoulder, that after a -groan or two, and an ineffectual effort to make them comprehend that -they were inflicting on me the tortures of the damned, I lost all -recollection with the excess of agony. - -When I recovered my perception of what was passing around me, I found -that the servants had procured a kind of _brancard_, or litter, and -having laid me upon it, were carrying me on, I conjectured, to the -house of some surgeon. - -They stopped, however, a moment after, at the entrance of what was -evidently a very handsome private hotel, and passing through the -_porte cochère_ and the court, they bore me into an immense -_salle-à-manger_, and thence into a small chamber beyond, where I was -carefully laid on a bed, and bade to compose myself, as a surgeon had -been sent for, and would arrive, they expected, immediately. - -He was not indeed long; and on examining my side, he found that my -shoulder was dislocated, but that I had sustained no other injury of -consequence. After a painful operation, the process of which I need -not detail, I was put to bed, and the surgeon having given me a -draught to procure sleep and allay the pain I suffered, recommended me -to be kept as quiet as possible, and left me. I did not, however, -suffer all the servants to quit the room without inquiring whether I -had not heard the voice of the Chevalier de Montenero. - -The valet replied, that he thought I must have been mistaken, for he -never heard of such a name in all his life; but as there had been a -good many persons round about when I was taken up, it was possible one -of these might have spoken in the manner I mentioned. - -I was now left alone, and I endeavoured to forget as fast as possible, -in the arms of sleep, all the unpleasant circumstances round which -memory would fain have lingered. It was in vain, however, that I did -so; the feverish aching of my bones kept slumber far away. Every noise -that stirred in the house I heard; every step that moved along its -various halls and passages seemed beating upon the drum of my ear: I -could hear my own blood rush along my veins and throb in my head, as -if Vulcan and all the Cyclops of Etna had transferred their anvils to -my brain. - -While in this state, a light suddenly shone through the keyhole and -under the door, and I heard several persons enter the dining-hall -through which I had been borne thither. Everything that was said -reached my ears as distinctly as if I had been present, and I soon -found that the principal person who entered was the nephew of the -proprietor of the house. He had just returned, it seemed, from some -spectacle, and bringing a friend with him, demanded supper with the -tone of a spoiled boy, who knew that his lightest word was law to all -who surrounded him. The supper was brought, with apparently all the -delicacies he demanded, for he made no complaint; and having sent for -all the most excellent wines in his uncle's cellar, he dismissed the -servants, and remained alone with his friend. - -Tossing about, restless and irritable, I was nearly frantic with their -mirth and their gaiety, and could have willingly murdered them both to -make them silent; but soon their conversation began to take a turn -which interested even me. The youth, who was evidently the -entertainer, and whom his companion named Charles, had for several -minutes been expatiating with all the hyperbolical enthusiasm of -youthful passion on some beautiful girl whom he had determined, he -said, to marry, let who would oppose it. Her name was mentioned by -neither of the speakers, their conversation referring to something -that had passed before. With the very natural pleasure which most -people experience in finding all sorts of obstacles to whatever -another person proposes, the friend seemed bent upon suggesting -difficulties in opposition to his companion's passion. "Consider, my -dear Charles," said he, "this girl may be as beautiful as the day, -but, from her father's situation, her education must have been very -much neglected." - -"Not at all! not at all!" replied the lover. "Her education, as far as -learning and accomplishments go, will shame the whole court, and her -manners are those of a princess of Eldorado. Why, I told you, she has -been brought up all her life by the Countess de Bigorre." - -It may easily be supposed that such words did not tend to calm the -beating of my heart; and in the agitation caused by thus suddenly -discovering that Helen was the subject of their conversation, I lost -what passed next. In a moment after, however, the lover replied to -some question of his companion. "I do not very well know why her -father took her away from the Countess and brought her to Paris; I -should have supposed that it would have been much more convenient to -him in every respect to have left her where she was. However, I am his -most humble and very obedient servant, for I should never have seen -her otherwise; and marry her I will, if I should carry her off for -it." - -"But her birth, Charles, her birth!" said his companion. "What will -your uncle think of that?--he who is so proud of his own." - -"Oh!" replied the hot-brained youth, "you know I can do anything with -my uncle; and besides, this father of hers has been quietly -accumulating a large fortune, it seems, one way or another; and so -that must cover the sin of her birth in my uncle's eyes. But say what -you will, or what he will, or what any one will, I will marry her if I -live to be a year older." - -"What! and discharge the little Epingliere, Jeannette?" asked his -companion, with a laugh. - -"Oh, that does not follow," answered the other; "'tis always well to -have two strings to one's bow; and Jeannette is too charming to be -parted with for these three years at least: but _madame ma femme_ will -know nothing of _mademoiselle ma bonne amie_, and I shall find her -proud beauty the more delightful by contrasting it with the more -modest charms of Jeannette." - -"The more simple charms, you mean, not the more modest," replied his -companion; "I never heard that Jeannette was famous for her modesty!" - -The opium draught which I had taken, counteracted in its effects by -the pain of my body, and the irritation of my mind, began to make me -somewhat delirious. Strange shapes seemed flitting about my bed--I saw -faces looking at me out of the darkness, and insulting me with -fiendish grins. At the same time, the light way in which the weak -young man in the next chamber spoke of Helen--of my sweet, my -beautiful Helen--worked me up to a pitch of frantic rage, which, -mingling with the delirium of opium, made me resolve to get up and -avenge her upon the spot. I accordingly raised myself in bed, and -after sitting upright for a moment or two, with my brain seeming to -whirl like the eddy of a stream, I got out with infinite difficulty, -when the cold air, and the chill of the stones to my feet, in some -degree recalled me to my senses, and instead of groping for my sword, -as I intended, I returned towards my bed; but coming upon it sooner -than I had expected, I struck it with my knee, fell over upon it, and, -with the sort of despairing heedlessness of fever and wretchedness, -lay still where I had fallen, till the opium overpowering me, I lost -all recollection of my misery in a deep and deathlike slumber. - -It was late ere I woke, and when I did so, it was with one of those -dreadful headachs, which seem to benumb every faculty of the mind and -body; while at the same time, the bruises all over my left side were -even more sensitively painful than the night before. - -The first thing I heard was a woman's voice, inquiring how I found -myself; and looking round, I perceived a good-looking, fattish nun, of -one of the charitable sisterhoods, sitting in a chair by my bedside. -She seemed one of those good dames who attach themselves to great -families, and act as an inferior sort of almoner, performing the part -of charitable go-betweens; attending the sick servants with somewhat -more skill than an apothecary, and more attention than a physician; -serving as head nurse to the lady of the mansion, and acquiring much -consequence with the poor, by dispensing the bounty of the rich. - -In answer to her question, I replied that I was in very great pain, -both from a violent headach, and the bruises I had received; whereupon -she immediately produced the phial, from which the surgeon had the -night before administered his sleeping draught, intimating that I must -take another portion to relieve me from what I suffered; and informing -me, at the same time, in a very oracular tone, that it was not at all -wonderful that my bones ached, after sleeping all night naked on the -outside of the bed. - -As I attributed the excessive aching of my head entirely to the -contents of the bottle she held in her hand, I resisted magnanimously -all her persuasions to take more of its contents for some time; but at -length her offended authority instigated her to such an outcry, that I -would have drunk Phlegethon red-hot to have quieted her. I took, -accordingly, what she gave, and was about to have asked some questions -in regard to my situation, when she stopped me, with a profoundly -patronising air, and told me, that if I would promise to keep myself -quite quiet, and not agitate myself, I should be favoured with a visit -from a young lady who took an interest in me. - -"Who, who? in the name of Heaven!" cried I, the idea of Helen -instantly flashing across my mind. "Tell me, tell me who!" - -"Use not Heaven's name for such vanities, young gentleman," said the -nun. "Who the young lady is, you will see directly; and I have only to -tell you, that her father has granted her five minutes to converse -with you, for old friendship's sake, and she has promised that it -shall be no more; therefore you must not seek to stay her." So saying, -she left me, and in a moment after the door again opened, and Helen -herself, my own beautiful Helen, came forward towards me, with a look -of eager gladness, that, while it surprised me, took a heavy load from -off my heart. - -She glided forward to my bedside, laid her dear soft hand in mine: -after gazing for a moment on my worn and haggard features, burst into -a flood of tears. - -"Dear, dear Helen!" said I, "then yon love me still?" - -"And ever will, Louis!" answered she, speaking through her tears. -"Whatever they may say, whatever they may think, I will love you -still, Louis, and none but you.--Only tell me that you love me also, -and not another, as they would have me believe, and nothing shall -shake the affection that I have ever borne towards you." - -"Love another!" cried I. "Helen, you have never believed them for a -moment. For Heaven's sake tell me, that such a base suspicion never -for an instant made any impression on your heart." - -"I never believed it, Louis," answered she; "for I never believed that -anything base could for a moment harbour in your bosom; and yet it -gave me pain, I knew not why.--But let me tell you what has happened -to me personally during your absence. I cannot tell you my father's -motives, for I do not know them, but I can tell you----" - -"Oh no, no, Ellen!" cried I, shrinking from the detail of what must -have followed the discovery of her brother's death, and beginning to -doubt that she attributed it to me. "Oh no, no, dear Helen! spare me -all that unhappy detail. I chanced to overhear last night, from some -persons speaking in that chamber, that your father had come and -taken you from the protection of my mother. I easily conceived his -reasons--I heard all--I heard everything, by that conversation last -night; and all that now needs explanation is, how any one could dare -to tell you that I loved another." - -"Indeed, Louis, many believed it--everyone, I may say, but myself," -Helen replied; "but the time I am allowed to remain grows short. -Before anything else, let me communicate to you what my father bade me -say for him. If you wish to see him, he says, he will see you; but you -must be prepared, if he does so, to explain to him every part of your -conduct; and to show him that the blood which he cannot help -attributing to you rests not on your head. Forgive me, Louis! oh, -forgive!" she continued, seeing me turn deadly pale: "I pain you, I -see I pain you; but it was only on condition that I would deliver this -cruel message, that they would permit me to see you. It is not I that -ask you, Louis, to do anything that is painful to you. I am sure--I am -certain, you are not guilty. I cannot--I will not believe it. But my -father will not see you without you can explain it all. Can you then, -dear Louis--will you see him?" - -"Helen, I cannot," replied I. - -She gazed at me for a moment in silence. - -"Hark! they call me," said she at length. "Oh, Louis, before I go, say -something to comfort me; say something to sustain in my breast that -confidence of your innocence which has been my consolation and my -hope." - -"All I can say, dear Helen," replied I, "is, that in wish, and -intention, I was as innocent as you are; but that accident has made me -appear culpable, and that I have nothing but my own word to prove that -I was not purposely guilty." - -"But your own word is enough for me," answered Helen, catching, I -believe gladly, at any assurance that could maintain her belief in my -innocence; "I will believe it myself, and I will try and make others -believe it. But I must leave you, Louis; they are calling me again. -Adieu, adieu!" - -"But, Helen, dear Helen, you will see me again?" cried I, struggling -to raise myself. "Promise me that." - -"Most assuredly," answered Helen, "if they will allow me;" and -obedient to a sign from the nun, who had returned to the room while I -was speaking, she glided away and left me. A thousand questions did I -now ask the good sister, but with a curious felicity of evasion she -parried them all; now with an affectation of mistaking me, now with an -ambiguous reply; now with a refusal to answer, like a skilful fencer, -who, whether his adversary lunges straightforward or feints, still -finds some parade to guard his own breast, and repel the attack in all -its forms. Not a word could I extract from her on any subject -whereupon I wished information, and gradually the drowsiness of the -opium began to take away the power of questioning her any farther. - -From what I have learned since, I am led to believe that the good -lady, in administering the sleeping potion, which she had deafened me -into taking, had poured out at least double what was ordered by the -surgeon. At all events, its effect was much more rapid and powerful -than the night before; for, with all the busy thoughts which my -interview with Helen might well suggest, with all the bitter -remembrances it called up, with all the painful anticipations to which -it gave rise, slumber came rapidly upon me; and before half an hour -had passed after her departure, I fell into a deep sleep, which a -little more of the same sedative would probably have converted into -the sleep of death. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - - -When I again awoke it was night, but the darkness was not disagreeable -to me. I was easier in bodily sensation than I had been in the -morning; and I pleased myself with calling to mind every gentle word -which my beloved Helen had spoken, with conjuring up again every sweet -look, and dreaming over that fond devoted affection which, in the -midst of the sorrows and uncomforts that surrounded me, was like some -guiding star to a voyager on the inhospitable ocean. But then came the -idea of seeing her father; and I thought, even if she could convince -him of my innocence, how could I clasp his hand with that which had -slain his child. I remembered my feelings towards him when, entirely -abandoning his sweet child to the care of my mother, he seemed to have -resigned all his paternal rights, and it had been only my respect for -Helen which had saved him from my unconcealed contempt.--I remembered, -too, his long nourished dislike towards me, and I asked myself whether -he would feel it less now, that he could not but suspect me of the -death of his son. - -Yet still his pride might be gratified to ally his child to the house -of Bigorre, and to see his descendants attached to that noble class to -which he could not himself aspire. But then again, if he had really -accumulated so much wealth, as the conversation I had overheard had -intimated, he could easily match his daughter, with so rich a dower of -beauty as well as gold, amongst families as noble as my own, where no -such fearful objections existed as that which interposed between Helen -and myself. What needed I more? The weak youth, of whose passion for -her I had been made an unwitting confidant, with evidently high-birth -and proud connections, stood ready to unite himself to the daughter of -the low procureur of Lourdes, and give her that rank and station which -I doubted not that Arnault coveted. Helen, I was sure, would never -consent; and yet I teased myself with the dread, fancying all that -perseverance and the persuasions and commands of a parent might do -against an almost hopeless love. - -While I thus alternately solaced myself with dwelling upon all the -sweetness, the beauty, the affection of her I loved, and tormenting -myself with imagining all that might separate us; epitomising in one -short hour the many fluctuating hopes and fears of a long human life; -to my surprise the darkness became less opaque, and by the grey which -gradually mingled with the black, I found that morning was -imperceptibly stealing upon night, so that my slumber must have lasted -more than twenty hours. - -But a still greater surprise awaited me. Gradually as the day dawned, -one object after another struck me as resembling the furniture of the -little room which I had tenanted ever since I quitted the inn after my -arrival in Paris. Was I dreaming still? or had I dreamed? I asked -myself. Had all I had seen during the last two days been but a -delusion, or was I still labouring under some deception of my -imagination? But no! with the clear daylight it became evident that I -was there--in the little chamber I had hired in the Rue des Prêtres -St. Paul. There was the carved scrutoire, with its thousand grotesque -heads; there the old table which had acknowledged more than one -dynasty; there lay my clothes, my hat, my sword, as if I had left them -there on going to bed the night before; and nothing served to show -that the whole I have lately described was not a dream, except the -bruises on my shoulder and side, which smacked somewhat painfully of -reality. In about an hour afterwards, my good landlady came in, to ask -if I wanted anything; and from her I learned that I had been brought -home on a litter still sound asleep, by some persons she did not know, -who told her I had met with an accident, and bade her take great care -of me, enforcing their injunction with a piece of gold. - -This was an effort of liberality on the part of Arnault which I had -not expected, either from his own character, which was notedly -avaricious, or from the general rule of nature, that the long habit of -accumulating small sums narrows the heart and leaves no room for any -generous feeling. I began to believe that I had been mistaken in his -character, and I tried, fondly, to persuade myself with a theory as -fallacious as any other of those fallacious things, theories, that the -father of so noble-spirited a girl as Helen, whose whole soul was -liberality, and her every thought a feeling, must, in some degree, -partake of the same nature, and possess hidden qualities which, when -called into action, would shine out and assert their kindred. - -My good landlady, in common with all old women, had a strange -prejudice in favour of keeping those she looked upon as sick in bed; -but in spite of all her persuasions, I got up and dressed myself. My -first care was to examine what money I had left after the sad -dilapidation which the gaming-table had effected on my purse, though, -indeed, I expected to find that the tender-hearted gentleman who had -thrown me out of the window had charitably taken care that the few -crowns which had remained in my pocket should not weigh me down in my -descent. - -My own purse, indeed, was gone; but in its place, to my no small -surprise, I found one containing a hundred louis d'ors. This, of -course, had come from Arnault, though how he came to know that I stood -in need of such supply I could not divine. For some time I remained -undetermined whether I should make use of the sum or not. Pride -whispered that Arnault had removed me from the neighbourhood of his -daughter, possibly to marry her to some one else; and should I then, -accept the vile roturier's bounty--his charity! At the same time -necessity urged that I had nothing but that for the daily wants of -life; that if I hoped ever to discover Helen's dwelling in that great -city, and having done so, never again to lose sight of her, I must -have the aid of that talismanic metal, whose touch discovers, and -secures, and perfects everything. - -But a moment's reflection made me regard the question with better -feelings; Arnault had removed me from his daughter--true! but it was -because he believed me to be the murderer of his son; and he was -therefore justified in doing so. He had placed the money where I found -it, probably not out of charity, for he knew that I could easily repay -it ultimately, but to relieve me from a temporary necessity. There was -yet another supposition--perhaps Helen had placed it there herself. -Pride between me and Helen was out of the question; and there was -something so sweet in the very idea of following her wishes, even -though she knew it not, that I should have looked upon hesitation -after that supposition crossed my mind as the meanest of vanities. I -determined then to make use of the money thus placed at my disposal, -and to reimburse the donor, if Arnault, at a future period--if Helen -had been the giver, to repay her whenever I could discover her abode -by telling her I had used it well. - -The effort of dressing had caused me a great deal of pain; and while I -sat down to rest myself afterwards, I sent a boy to inquire at my inn -in the _Rue du Prouvaires_, whether my little friend Achilles had -appeared there during my absence. In about an hour I heard the rush of -feet galloping up the stairs, with the rapidity of joy; the door flew -open, and in rushed Achilles--but no longer the Achilles I had left -him. The smart Spanish dress of which he had possessed himself at -Barcelona was gone. The hat, the plume, the sword, had given way to -all the external signs of poverty and want. His head was as bare as -when he came into the world; and his shoulders were covered with a -grey gown which had once belonged to a monk. The fashion of it, -indeed, had been somewhat altered, for the cowl had been made -serviceable in patching several momentous rents, which might otherwise -have exposed the little man's person somewhat more than decency -permitted. - -"Well, Achilles," said I, when, the first transport of his joy at -finding me having passed away, I could find an opportunity of -speaking, "you seem to have been engaged in traffic since I saw you, -and not to have gained upon the exchange." - -"Oh, you will pardon me, monseigneur!" replied he, grinning as merrily -as ever, "I have gained a vast fund of experience. I know that is a -sort of commodity the returns upon which are slow, but they are very -sure; and I will try to make the most of it." - -"But from what I see," rejoined I, with somewhat, I am afraid, of a -cynical sneer at the light-heartedness which I could not myself -acquire, "I am afraid you paid very dear for your bargain." - -"Not cheap, I confess," replied he: "somewhere about three hundred -pistoles, a good suit, a dozen of shirts, and a whipping through the -streets of Lyons--that is all." - -"A whipping!" cried I; "that is a part of the account I did not reckon -upon, and not one of the most pleasant, I should conceive. But come, -Achilles, let us hear your story. It must be somewhat curious." - -"Not very," answered Achilles; "but it is short, which is something in -favour of a story. After your lordship's departure, I embarked in the -boat for Lyons, as soon as it thought fit to sail, and we began our -long slow voyage up the river, which at first was very tedious. Soon, -however, I hit upon a way of amusing myself; for, seeing a respectable -old merchant of Lyons with a young lady, whom I took to be his -daughter, I went up and introduced myself to them as Monsieur le Comte -de Grilmagnac; told them that, preferring the easy gliding motion of -the river to the rumbling of a carriage, or the jolting of a horse, I -had sent my equipage and servants by land, and instantly began to make -love to the daughter. - -"The old gentleman seemed so uneasy at the advances that I made in her -favour, that I began to fear he suspected me; and to do away all -doubt, when we stopped to dine, I took a handful of gold out of my -pocket, and asked what was to pay, with the air of a prince. The young -lady seemed ravished with the sight of the gold pieces; but my old -merchant grew more uneasy than ever, and always got between me and the -young lady when I wanted to speak with her, so that I began to grow -suspicious in my turn, and to doubt whether the tie between them was -not somewhat more tender than the relationship. This doubt induced me -to watch the pair more diligently than ever; for she was as beautiful -a girl as ever your worship set your worshipful eyes upon, and the old -gentleman as venerable an old piece of withered bamboo as ever fell -into sin in his dotage; so you may easily conceive I could not bear to -see such a rosebud withering upon such a desert. - -"Well, this went on with various success till we arrived at Lyons, and -I cannot say my fair Phillis was at all inclined to second her -guardian's efforts to repulse me; so that we had time to arrange that -I should go to the _auberge_ of the _Lion d'or_, on our -disembarkation, and there wait a note from my fair enslaver. To the -_Lion d'or_ I went, and soon received a summons to fly to my charmer, -whom I found, as her _billet-doux_ intimated, waiting for me in a very -respectable lodging in the Rue St. Pierre. - -"Here--her face half in tears, half in smiles, like the opening of an -April morning--she told me that she had now no friend but me; for that -her cruel tyrant, the instant of their arrival, had commanded her to -abandon me for ever. This the passion I had inspired her with would -not permit; and being too frank, she said, to deceive any one, she had -at once refused. A quarrel ensued--he had cast her off penniless; and -though she could instantly fly to the Baron d'Ecumoir, or the Marquis -de la Soupierre, she had preferred putting herself under my -protection; for she owned that she never loved any one but me. - -"Though this was as sweet as honey, yet, as I well perceived that with -such a charmer's assistance my dearly beloved pistoles would soon fly -half over Lyons, I bethought myself seriously of the best means of -transferring her, with all speed, to the Marquis de la Soupierre. -However, to lull all suspicion of the waning state of my affection, I -prepared to entertain her handsomely, till good luck should furnish me -with the means of beating a quiet retreat; and accordingly sent to the -traiteur's for a good dinner, as the very best means of consoling a -distressed damsel. - -"Over rich ragouts and heady burgundy the hours slipped lightly by, -and I could see in my little Phillis's sparkling eye her satisfaction -with the conquest she had made. Alas! that mortal joy should be so -transitive! In the midst of our happiness, care, and melancholy, and -gloom, and despite rushed suddenly upon us, in the form of four -ferocious archers, who pitilessly arrested Phillis on the charge of -having robbed her former venerable protector, and hurried me to prison -along with her as an accomplice. - -"Phillis had taken care to hide the place of her retreat, but she knew -not the cunning of archers; and though, when they came, she protested -her innocence in terms that would have convinced the hard heart of -Minos, and won the unwilling ears of Rhadamanthus, yet, as the whole -of the stolen goods were found in her valise, the unfeeling archers -would not believe a word; and, as I have said before, we were both -hurried to prison, without any farther ceremony than taking from us -every farthing that we had in the world. - -"The next morning we were brought before a magistrate, who reserved -Phillis's case for his private consideration. As to mine, as nothing -could be proved against me, except that I had called myself the Count -de Grilmagnac without being able clearly to prove all my quarters of -nobility, I was ordered to be whipped through the town for my -ignorance of heraldry, and then discharged. My whipping I bore with -Christian fortitude; but the loss of my doublet, which the executioner -kept for his fee, and the loss of my money, which the archers kept -because they liked it, tore my heartstrings; and setting out from that -accursed town of Lyons, where injustice and cruelty walk hand-in-hand, -I begged my way to Paris, and reached the famous hotel where you had -appointed me to meet you. There the landlord told me no such person as -your lordship resided, and bade me get out for a lazy beggar. A black -dog, that stood in the yard, instantly took up the matter where the -landlord left off, and I was in the act of making my escape from them -both when the boy you sent arrived, inquiring for me. - -"The joy which took possession of my heart, I need not tell; suffice -it that I made the boy run all the way here, and that, having now -found you, I have determined never to leave you, or let you leave me -again; for while we were together nothing but good fortune attended -us, and since we have been separated nothing but ill-luck has been my -share; so that the only consolation I can have, will be to hear, that -while my scale was down, yours has been up, and that Dame Fortune has -at least befriended one of us." - -I could not refuse to tell my history also to my little attendant, -though it occasioned less amusement to him than his had done to me; -and his face grew longer and longer at every incident I detailed, till -at last, passing over all that regarded Helen, I informed him that, on -being conveyed home I found my pocket encumbered with a hundred louis. - -This news instantly cleared his countenance. "Who would not be thrown -out of window for a hundred louis?" cried he; "but Vive Dieu! your -excellency has suffered yourself to be desperately cheated in regard -to your ring. Six louis! If I know anything of diamonds, it was well -worth thirty. However, first let me exercise my chirurgical skill upon -your eminence's shoulder, and after that I will see whether the ring -cannot be recovered." - -"Nay, nay," cried I, "my good Achilles, give me what titles of honour -you like, except your eminence; that is a rank which it might be -dangerous to usurp. Call me your majesty, if you like, but not your -eminence. As to the ring, I believe you are right, and I will -willingly give double what I received to recover it again." - -"Less than that will do," replied Achilles; "a louis for me to buy -myself a suit at a fripier's, a louis for an _archer de la cour_, and -the sum you had originally received, and I think I can manage it." - -I warned him, if I may use the homely proverb, not to go forth to -shear and come home shorn; and having suffered him to examine my -shoulder, gave him the address of the jeweller, and let him depart. - -From my lodging, as he told me afterwards, he went to the shop of a -fripier, where he furnished himself with a decent suit of livery, and -thence proceeded to find out an archer of one of the courts of -justice, to whom he explained the affair, and gave half a louis as -earnest, promising the other half if the ring should be recovered. The -eloquence of the little player touched the tender heart of the archer, -at the same moment that the money touched his palm; and, shouldering -his partisan, without more ado he followed to the shop of the -jeweller. Achilles entered alone, and desiring to see some diamond -rings, made up a slight allegory to suit the occasion, informing the -jeweller that his master, the Count de l'Orme, had commissioned him to -buy him a handsome jewel, as a present for his mistress. The jeweller -instantly produced a case of rings, which he spread out before the -eyes of Achilles, commenting on their beauty. Achilles instantly -pitched upon the one I had sold, and asked the price. "Forty louis!" -replied the jeweller, "and I only sell it so cheap because I bought it -second-hand. I require no more than a fair profit. If I gain five per -cent., may I be branded for a rogue!" - -"I will tell you a secret, jeweller," replied Achilles. "You are very -likely to be branded for a rogue. You bought this ring, knowing it to -be stolen." The jeweller stared. "It was taken from the person of my -noble lord the Count de l'Orme," proceeded Achilles, "when he was -knocked down and robbed in the Rue St. Jacques. One of the thieves is -taken--the very one who sold it to you--a tall, dark young man, with -curling hair, black moustache, and a beard not six months old. He says -you gave him six louis for it; and as you know it to be worth forty, -you must have been very well aware, when you bought it, that it was -stolen." - -"Ho, ho!" cried the jeweller; "so you wish to cheat me out of my ring. -But come, my little man," he continued, catching Achilles by the -collar, "I will send for an archer, and see you safe lodged in prison, -without farther to do." - -Achilles, according to his own account, took the matter very calmly. -"As to the archer," said he to the jeweller, "I thought to myself -before I came here, that a man who gave but six louis for a diamond -worth thirty might be somewhat refractory, and, therefore, I brought -one with me. Ho! archer! Without there?" - -The jeweller, not a little confounded, instantly let go Achilles's -collar; and, as the archer marched in with his partisan, began to -shake in every limb, doubtless well aware that all his dealings would -not bear that strict examination which they were likely to undergo, if -chance should call the prying eyes of the law upon them. - -"I take you to witness, archer," said Achilles, addressing his ally, -"that I have offered this jeweller the same price which the young man -swears he got for this ring, namely, six louis; and that he, the -jeweller, will not sell it for less than forty, which proves that he -knew it to be stolen." - -"Certainly," said the archer, in a solemn tone. - -"You never offered me the six louis," said the jeweller. "I never said -I would not part with it under forty. Give me the six, and take it, -and the devil give you good for it; for it is not worth more." - -"Then you are a great rogue for having asked forty," replied Achilles, -with imperturbable composure: and, thereupon, he entered into solemn -consultation with the archer, as to whether he could safely and -legally give the money and take back the ring; as it was evident the -jeweller was an accomplice of thieves, and ought to be brought to -justice. - -"Gentlemen," cried the terrified jeweller at length, alarmed at all -the awful catalogue of pros and cons which Achilles and the archer -banded about between them, "I declare, on my salvation, I knew nothing -of the ring being stolen. I thought the person who brought it here was -some poor gentleman, pressed for money, who would sell it for -anything; and, therefore, I offered six louis for it. All I ask back -is what I gave, and I am content to present this worthy archer with a -gold piece to compensate the trouble he has had." - -"Give him the money," said the archer, "give him the money, and take -the ring, we must not be too hard upon the poor devil." - -The money was accordingly given, the archer received his fee, and -Achilles carried off the ring to me in triumph; not only having had -the satisfaction of biting the biter, but also having won the warm -friendship of an archer of the Court of Aides, which, to a man of his -principles and practice, was a most invaluable acquisition. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - - -Achilles, on his return, amused me with the account I have just given, -while he rubbed my shoulder with some unguent, bought for the purpose; -and, though I was not over well pleased at having been played off as a -robber, with so particular a description also as he had given of my -person, yet I was not at all sorry that the jeweller had been pinched -for his roguery, and not a little rejoiced with the recovery of my -ring. - -As I have before said, the little player, though as cunning as a -sharper in some matters, was in others as simple as a child; and, like -a boy with his first crown-piece, fortune never gave him any sum, -however small, but he seemed to think it inexhaustible. Thus, from -time to time, he found so many delightful ways of employing my hundred -louis, that, had I followed his advice, one single day would have seen -me at the end of all my riches: but I soon put a stop to the building -of his castles in the air, by informing him that I intended to live -with the most rigid economy, till such time as I had an opportunity of -writing to my father; at the same time begging him to make up his mind -to follow my example, if he still held his intention of remaining with -me. - -"Oh, very well, monseigneur, very well," cried he, gaily, "anything -contents me. I _can_ live upon ortolans and stewed eels, but I do not -object to onion soup and a crust of bread. Nay, when the soup cannot -be had, the crust must serve." - -Having arranged in my own mind all my plans for pursuing my economical -system as strictly as possible, I sat down to the long-deferred task -of writing to my father: for now that I had seen Helen, half the -difficulty was removed. No matter what were the contents of the letter -which I wrote; it never went. Posts, in those days, were not the -regular mechanical contrivances which our present glorious monarch has -instituted for the purpose of facilitating the communication of every -part of his dominions with the others. Couriers, indeed, passed to and -fro from one part of the empire to another, carrying the letters of -individuals, as well as the despatches of the state; but all the -arrangements concerning them were much in the same state as Louis XI. -had left them. Their departure from Paris was at uncertain and -irregular times; and their journeys were generally directed towards -the principal cities, having either commercial or political relations -with the capital. The difficulty, therefore, of conveying anything to -a remote and little frequented part of the empire delayed my letter -for some time; and before an opportunity presented itself, -circumstances had changed. - -In the meanwhile, I employed my mornings in searching for the mansion -wherein I had seen Helen; but, although aided by all the wit of little -Achilles, to whom I communicated enough information to guide him on -the search, I wandered through the streets of Paris in vain, watching -the opening gates of every large hotel I saw, in the hope of beholding -the livery in which the servants I had seen were dressed, and forcing -my recollection to recall the appearance of the archway under which I -had been carried, till a thousand times I deceived myself into hope, -and as often encountered disappointment. - -Once only I thought myself sure of the discovery. The porte-cochère of -a house near the Place Royale struck me as the very same I had passed, -while borne upon the _brancard_ by the servants. Every ornament, every -pillar was there, as far as I could remember. There were the curious -Gothic mouldings upon which the torch-light had flashed as we passed -through--there were the two immense couchant bears carved in stone on -each side of the arch, on the back of one of which the bearers had -rested the litter, while their companions opened the gates. Everything -seemed the same; and, taking my stand under the porch of the monastery -of the Minims, I kept watch for two hours, till a servant coming out, -showed me, to my surprise, a livery totally different from that which -I had both hoped and expected to see. - -It may be asked what was my object in thus seeking for Helen, when I -knew, when I felt that my union with her was impossible--when at the -very thought her brother's spirit seemed to rise up before me, and, -with the same ghastly look which he had worn in death, bid me forget -such hopes for ever. Why did I seek her? No one that has loved will -ever ask. I sought her for the bright brief happiness which the -presence of the loved still gives, after every expectation is crushed -and withered. I sought her with that dreamy sort of lingering with -which a mother hangs over the frail clay of her dead child. My hopes -were blighted, my happiness was gone; and yet the very object that -most nourished my regret was that on which I could look most fondly, -and which I sought with the most anxious, most unremitting care. - -Thus passed my mornings, in fruitless search and continual -disappointment. My evenings flew in a different manner, not in -studying "_The Sure Way of Winning_," or in practising its precepts, -for such a horror had seized me of that hell-invented vice, gaming, -and of all that appertains to it, that my first care had been to throw -the book I had bought into the fire. The temporary passion which had -seized me, I looked upon, and can almost look upon now, as a fit of -insanity; for taught as I had been from my infancy to abhor its very -name, nothing but absolute madness could have hurried me to a vice at -once so degrading and so dangerous--which, as far as regards the mind, -is in fact, at best, a combination of avarice and frenzy. I had now -bought myself a variety of books on military tactics, and, without any -defined purpose in the study, I spent my whole evenings in poring over -these treatises of attack and defence--a greater and a nobler species -of gambling than that which I had quitted, it is true, but only less -mad, inasmuch as it is a game which any one nation can compel another -to play, and where those must lose who have not studied to win. - -I also went occasionally to a hall that an Italian fencer had fitted -up in the Rue Pavée for the purpose of turning a high reputation he -had acquired in Europe into ready money. Here the room, which was -furnished with all sorts of arms offensive and defensive, was well -lighted every night, and the assembled company either formed -practising parties amongst themselves, or took lessons from the -Italian himself, who was one of the most athletic men I ever beheld, -and certainly a most complete master of his weapons. - -My father, I have said, was perhaps the most skilful swordsman of his -day; and he had taken care that his son should not be wanting in an -accomplishment in which he was such a proficient. I was, therefore, -certainly more than equal in point of skill to any one who frequented -the Italian's hall, and very nearly a match for himself. This, -however, seemed rather to give him pleasure than otherwise; and -whenever I entered he saluted me with the respect which he -enthusiastically imagined due to every one skilful in the noble -science of arms, frequently inviting me to stretch my limbs with him -in an assault, and taking a delight in showing me all the minute -refinements of his art. - -This was the sole diversion I allowed myself, though while I mingled -with the crowds where I knew no one, and wandered through the streets -where I was a stranger, a sad feeling of loneliness--of miserable -desolation--crept over my heart, and I returned to my lodging in the -evening, grave, melancholy, and discontented. - -Although there were now several companies of actors continually at -Paris, to the play I never went, that being a sort of amusement too -costly for the narrow bounds to which I had restrained my expenses; -and, indeed, so strictly economical was I in all my habits, that my -good landlady began to fancy me in want, and to show her commiseration -for my condition by all those little delicate pieces of charity which -a person who has felt both pride and suffering knows how to evince -towards those whose spirit has not yet wholly bowed to its fate. Any -little delicacy which fell in her way, she would add it to the -breakfast that Achilles brought me from the traiteur's. Nor did she -ever ask for her rent, but rather avoided me on those days when it -became due; though I believe, in truth, she needed it not a little. - -I understood her motives; and though I did not choose to undeceive -her, I took care that she should not be a loser by the kindness which -she showed me. Finding in her also a delicacy of feeling and -refinement of conversation which were above her station, I would -sometimes, when any chance led me to speak with her, endeavour to -ascertain whether her situation had ever been more elevated than that -which she at present filled; and on one of these occasions, she told -me gratuitously that she had been in former years governante to the -beautiful Henriette de Vergne, whose private marriage with the Count -de Bagnols I have already mentioned more than once. - -She was surprised to find that I was acquainted with so much of the -history, of which she knew very little more herself. "As I was found -to have been privy to the marriage," said she, "I was sent away -directly, and denied all communication with my young lady, after it -was discovered; but I saw the bloody spot where the poor count was -slain, and the dents of the feet where the struggle had passed; and a -fearful struggle it must have been, for two of the Marquis of St. -Brie's men remained ill at the village for weeks afterwards, and no -one was allowed to see them but his own surgeon. One of them died -also; and his confession was said to be so strange, that the priest -sent to Rome to know how far he was justified in keeping it secret. -After that I came to Paris; and I heard no more of the family, which -all went to ruin, except, indeed, some one told me that my young lady -died shortly afterwards in a convent at Auch." - -As I was, of course, anxious to transmit the papers which chance had -placed in my hands, to any of the surviving members of the Count de -Bagnols' family, I inquired particularly what information she could -give me concerning them; but she was more ignorant of everything -relating to them than even myself. - -One morning, on my return from my vain searching after Helen, I was -surprised on being informed that a stranger had inquired for me during -my absence, and had begged the landlady to inform me that he would -call again in the evening. - -Where reason has no possible clue to guide her through the labyrinth -of any doubt she pauses at the gate, while imagination seems to step -the more boldly in; and, as if in mockery of her timid companion, -sports through every turning till she either finds the track by -accident, or, tired of wandering through the inexplicable maze, she -spreads her Dædalian wings and soars above the walls that would -confine her. I had no cause to believe that one person sought me more -than another, and yet my fancy set to work as busily as if she had the -most certain data to reason from. My first thoughts immediately turned -to Arnault, and my next to the Chevalier de Montenero; and so strange -was the ascendency which the last had gained over my mind, that the -very idea of meeting with him inspired me with as much joy as if all -my difficulties had been removed; but the description given in answer -to my inquiries at once put to flight such a supposition. The -stranger, my landlady informed me, was evidently a clergyman by his -dress, and by his manner and appearance she guessed him to be one of a -distinguished rank. It was, therefore, evidently neither the Chevalier -nor Arnault, and the only supposition I could form upon the subject -was that the Cardinal de Richelieu had at length deigned to take some -notice of me. - -My disposition was naturally impatient of all expectation, and the -dull heaviness of the last week, which I had passed day after day in -the same fruitless pursuit, had worked me up to a pitch of irritable -anxiety, which people of a different temperament can hardly imagine. I -wearied imagination, I exhausted conjecture; I hoped, I feared, I -doubted, till day waned and night came; and, giving up all expectation -of seeing the stranger that evening, I cursed him heartily for having -said he would come, and not keeping his word, and sat down once more -to my theory of tactics. I had scarcely, however, got through one -quarter of a campaign, when the rapid motion of Achilles' feet on the -stairs announced news of some kind, and in a moment after he threw -open the door, giving admission to a stranger. - -The person who entered was not much older than myself; he was tall and -apparently well-made, but his clerical dress served him a good deal in -this respect, concealing a pair of legs which were somewhat clumsy, -and not the straightest in the world. His head was one of the finest I -have ever seen; and his face, without, perhaps, possessing, one -feature that was regularly handsome, except the full rounded chin and -the broad expanse of forehead, instantly struck and pleased, giving -the idea of great powers of mind joined with a light and brilliant wit -that sparkled playfully in his clear dark eye. He bowed low as he -entered, and advanced towards a seat, which I begged of him to take, -with that quietness of motion which, without being stealthy, is silent -and calm, and is ever a sign of high breeding and good society. I made -Achilles a sign to withdraw; and expressing myself honoured by the -stranger's visit, begged to know whether I was to attribute it to any -particular object, or merely to his kind politeness towards a -stranger. - -"If there were any kindness in doing a pleasure to oneself," replied -the stranger, "I would willingly take the credit of it; but in the -present instance, as the gratification is my own, I cannot pretend to -any merit." - -This answer was somewhat too vague to satisfy me; and I replied, that -"I was fully sensible of the honour done me; and would have much -pleasure in returning his visit, when I knew where I might have the -opportunity." - -My method of receiving him, as equal with equal, seemed, I thought, -somewhat to surprise him; for, half closing his eyes, in a manner -which seemed common to him, he glanced round my small apartment with a -scrutinizing look, too brief to be impertinent, and yet too remarking -to escape my notice. "I shall esteem myself honoured by your visit," -replied he, at length; "I am but a poor abbé,--my name Jean de Gondi, -and you will find me for the present at the house of my uncle, the -Duke de Retz." - -It was, indeed, the famous abbé, afterwards Cardinal de Retz, with -whom I was then in conversation. Not yet three and twenty years of -age, he had already acquired one of the most singular reputations that -ever man possessed. Daring, intriguing, and ambitious, nothing daunted -him in his enterprises, nothing repelled him in their course. Storms -and tumults were his element; and when, before he was seventeen, he -wrote his famous "_Conjuration de Fiesque_," he seemed to point out -the scene in which he was himself destined to act, to which nature -prompted him from the first, and circumstances called him in the end. -In his manner, there was a strange mixture of calm suavity, -thoughtless vivacity, policy, frankness, and pride, which, combined -together, served perhaps better to cover his immediate motives, and -hide his real character, than the appearance of any uniform habit of -mind which he could have assumed. - -All men contain within themselves strange contradictions; but he was -the only one I ever knew, who, upon the most mature reflection, acted -in continual contradiction to himself. He would often put in practice -the most consummate strokes of policy to gain a trifle, or to satisfy -an appetite; and he would commit the most egregious follies and affect -the most extravagant passions, to hide the shrewdest political schemes -and conceal the best calculated and most subtle enterprises. He was a -man on whom one could never calculate with certainty. It seemed his -pleasure to disappoint whatever expectations had been formed of him; -and yet, to hear him reason, one would have judged that the slightest -action of his life was regulated by strong conclusions from fixed -unvarying principles. - -I had heard his character from many others, as well as from the -Marquis de St. Brie; but as this last gentleman had calculated, when -he sketched it to me, that my life would be limited to three days at -the utmost, he could have had no possible motive in deceiving me. - -With this knowledge of his character, then, it required no great -discernment to see that the visit of De Retz was not without an -object; and resolving, if it were possible, to ascertain precisely -what that object was, I bowed on his announcing himself, and said, "Of -course, Monsieur de Retz, it is needless for me to give you my name. -You were certainly aware of that before you did me the honour of this -visit." - -"No, indeed!" replied he; "I am perfectly ignorant both of your name -and rank, though, by your appearance, and by all I have heard of you, -I can have no doubt in regard to the latter. The truth is, I was -informed by persons on whom I could depend, that a young gentleman of -singularly prepossessing appearance and manners had taken this -apartment, and was supposed to be under some temporary difficulty." - -I turned very red, I believe; but he proceeded. "People will talk of -their neighbours' affairs, you know; and 'tis useless to be angry with -them--but hearing this, as I have said, I felt an irresistible impulse -to visit you, and to render you any assistance in my power. Nor will I -regret it, even if I have been misinformed, inasmuch as it has gained -me the pleasure of your acquaintance." - -With such a speech there was no possible means of being offended, -though I felt not a little angry at my affairs having been made -matters of commiseration throughout the town. I was rather inclined to -believe also, that the trouble which M. de Retz had given himself did -not originate entirely in benevolence. I did not doubt that charity -might have some part therein, for he had acquired a reputation, which -I believe he deserved, for generous feeling towards the sufferings of -his fellow-creatures; but the motives of men are so mixed that it is -in vain tracing their original source. Like a great stream, the course -of human action arises very often in five or six different fountains, -each of which has nearly the same right as the others to be considered -the head: and besides this, in flowing on from its commencement to its -end, it receives the accession of a thousand other different currents, -so that at the last not one drop in a million is the pure water which -welled from any individual source. - -I was very sure, therefore, of doing Monsieur de Retz no great -injustice in supposing that his benevolence might be tinged with other -feelings; and I replied, "I should be sorry, sir, that a mistake had -given you the trouble of coming here, did I not derive so much benefit -from that false rumour. My name is the Count de l'Orme, and I am happy -that the bounty you proposed to exercise upon me may be turned towards -some other person more needing and deserving it than I do." - -"Be not offended, Monsieur de l'Orme," replied De Retz, "at a mistake -which has nothing in it dishonouring. Poverty is much oftener a virtue -than wealth. But your name strikes me--De l'Orme!--Surely that was not -the name of the young gentleman that his highness the Count de -Soissons expected to join him from Bearn--oh, no, I remember! it was -Count Louis de Bigorre." - -"But no less the same person," replied I, with an unspeakable joy at -seeing the clouds break away that had hung over my fate--at finding -myself known and expected where I had fancied myself solitary amongst -millions. I felt as if at those few words I leapt over the barrier -which had confined me to my own loneliness, and mingled once more in -the society of my fellows. "I have always," continued I, "been called -Count Louis de Bigorre; but circumstances induced me, when I left my -father's house, to assume the title which really belongs to the eldest -son of the Counts of Bigorre." - -Monsieur de Retz saw that there was some mystery in my conduct, and he -applied himself to discover my secret with an art and industry which -would have accomplished much greater things. Nor did I take any great -pains to conceal it from him. It is astonishing how weakly the human -heart opens to any one who brings it glad news. The citadel of the -mind throws wide all its gates to receive the messenger of joy, and -takes little heed to secure the prisoners that are within. In the -course of half an hour my new acquaintance had made himself acquainted -with the greater part of my history; and when I began to think of -putting a stop to my communication, I found that the precaution was of -no use. - -The moment, however, that he saw me begin to retire into myself, he -turned the conversation again to the Count de Soissons, whom he -advised me to seek without loss of time. "You will find in him," said -he, "all that is charming in human nature. In his communion with -society, he had but one fault originally; which was great haughtiness. -He knew that it was a fault, and has had the strength of mind to -vanquish it completely; so that you will see in him one of the most -affable men that France can boast. In regard to his private character, -you must make your own discoveries. The great mass of a man's mind, -like the greater part of his body, he takes care to cover, so that no -one shall judge of its defects except they be very prominent; and -there are, thank God, as few that have hump-backed minds, as -hump-backed persons! Indeed, it has become a point of decency to -conceal every thing but the face even of the mind, and none but -tatterdemalions and sans culottes ever suffer it to appear in its -nakedness. To follow my figure, then, Monsieur le Comte is always -well-dressed, so that you will find it difficult to know him; but, -however, it is not for me to undress him for you. Take my advice, set -out for Sedan to-morrow, where, of course, you know he is--driven from -his country by the tyrannizing spirit of our detested and detestable -cardinal. I rather think the Count intends to initiate you somewhat -deeply into politics, but that must be his own doing also. Break your -fast with me to-morrow, and I will give you letters and more -information. Is it an engagement?" - -I accepted the invitation with pleasure; and having answered one or -two questions which I put to him, M. de Retz left me for the night. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - - -Before I proceed farther with my own narrative, it may be as well to -take a slight review of the history of the Count de Soissons, whose -fate had a great effect upon the course of my whole future life. Nor -is it here unworthy of remark, how strangely events are brought about -by Providence, while we walk blind and darkling through this misty -existence, groping our way onward on a path from which we cannot -deviate. An accidental word, a casual action, will change the whole -current of life, make a hermit of a monarch, and a monarch of a -shepherd: as we sometimes see near the head of a stream a small -hillock that a dwarf could stride turn the course of a mighty river -far from the lands it flowed towards at first, and send its waters -wandering over other countries to kingdoms, and oceans, and -hemispheres afar. - -The ancient county of Vendome was in the year 1515 erected into a -duchy by Francis I., in favour of Charles de Bourbon, a direct lineal -descendant from Robert Count de Clermont, fifth son of Saint Louis. -Charles de Bourbon, thus Duke of Vendome, left five sons, only two of -whom had children, Antoine the elder, and Louis the younger. The -first, by his marriage with Jeanne d'Albret, became King of Navarre, -and left one only son, who, by default of the line of Valois, -succeeded to the crown of France, under the title of Henri Quatre. -Louis, the younger brother, became Prince of Condé; and having been -twice married, left a family by each wife. By his first marriage -descended the branch of Condé, and by the second, he left one son, -Charles Count de Soissons, whose son Louis is the Prince referred to -in the foregoing pages. - -Setting out in life with great personal activity and address, immense -revenues, considerable talents, and high rank, it is little to be -wondered at that the young Count de Soissons, under the management of -a weak, an indulgent, and a proud mother, should grow up with the most -revolting haughtiness of character. From morning till night he heard -of nothing but his own praises or his own rank; and by the time he was -eighteen, his pride of demeanour was so repulsive and insupportable, -that it was a common saying, that "No one saw the Count de Soissons -twice; for if he did not dislike them and forbid them to return, they -were disgusted with him and would not go back." - -But as the fault was more in his education than in his disposition, -its very excess corrected itself. - -He gradually found himself avoided by those whom Heaven had designed -for his companions, and sometimes even deserted by his very servants; -so that he was often left alone to enjoy his rank and dignity by -himself. Under these circumstances he evinced qualities of mind far -superior to the petty vice which shrouded it. He had equally the -wisdom to see that the fault lay in himself, the judgment to discover -in what that fault consisted, and the energy to conquer it entirely. -Not a trace of it remained in his manners; nor did any of his actions, -but upon one occasion, ever give cause to suppose that a touch of his -former haughtiness rested even in the inner recesses of his heart. -With a rare discrimination, also, of which few are master, in the -examination to which he subjected his own character, he separated -completely the good from the bad, and took the utmost care to preserve -that dignity of mind which is the best preservation against base and -petty vices, even while he cast from him the pride which is in itself -a meanness. - -Many men, in correcting themselves of the vices of a bad education, -would have felt some degree of bitterness towards the person to whose -weakness that education and its vices were owing; but towards his -mother the Count de Soissons ever remained a pattern of filial -affection, consulting her wishes and inclination on every occasion -where his own honour and character were not interested in opposing -her. - -The consequences of the change which he had effected in himself were -not long in rewarding him for the effort he had made, and in a very -few years he found that affection followed him every where instead of -hate. The bright qualities of his mind, and the graces of his person, -shone out with a new light, like the glorious sun bursting through a -cloud. He was adored by the army, loved by the people; and princes -were proud to be his friends. - -At this time, however, the councils of France became embarrassed and -disordered; and it was difficult even to run one's course quietly -through life, so many were the dangers and evils that lurked about on -all sides. Every step was upon an earthquake, and few could keep their -footing steadily to the end. The Cardinal de Richelieu had already -snatched the reins of government from the feeble hands that should -have held them, and saw before him a wide field of power and -aggrandisement, with few to oppose his putting in the sickle and -reaping to his heart's content. The power, the wealth, the popularity -of the Count de Soissons, gave him the opportunity of so opposing, had -he been so minded; and Richelieu was not a man to live in fear. He -resolved, therefore, to win him, or to crush him. To win him offered -most advantages, if it could be accomplished; and deeming also that it -would be more easy than the other alternative, Richelieu resolved to -attempt it. For this purpose he united, in one Circean cup, everything -that he fancied could tempt the ambition or passions of him he sought -to gain. By a confidential messenger he proposed to the Count the hand -of his favourite niece, the Duchess d'Aquillon, offering as her dower -an immense sum of ready money, the reversion of all his own enormous -possessions, the sword of Constable of France, and what provincial -government the Count might choose; and doubtless he deemed such an -offer irresistible. - -Not so the Count de Soissons, who conceived himself insulted by the -proposal; and the only spark of his ancient haughtiness that remained -breaking forth into a flame, he struck the messenger for daring to -propose the hand of Marie de Vignerot, widow of a mean provincial -gentleman, to a prince of the blood-royal of France. - -Contemned and rejected, personal resentment became added to the other -motives which urged Richelieu to the destruction of the Count de -Soissons. Personal resentments never slept with him; they lived while -he lived, nor were they even weakened by sickness and approaching -death. No means but one existed of gratifying his animosity towards -the Count de Soissons; which was, to implicate him with some of the -conspiracies which were every day breaking forth against the tyranny -of the government. But even this was difficult; for, though living -with princely splendour, the Count continued to reside in the midst of -the court, where all his actions were open, and nothing could be -attributed to him on which to found an accusation. Hatred, however, is -ingenious; a thousand petty vexations were heaped upon him, and, in -the end, even personal insult was added, but without effect. - -The Count firmly resisted all the temptations which were held out to -him to sully himself with any of the intrigues of the day. The -solicitations of his friends, or the persecutions of his enemies, were -equally in vain; and, when human patience could no longer endure the -grievances to which he was subjected at the court of France, he left -it for Italy, bearing with him the love and regret of the noblest of -his countrymen. - -A retreat, however, which left him free, unstained, and happy, neither -quieted the fears, nor appeased the hatred of Richelieu; but, forced -to dissemble, he gradually appeared to abandon his evil intentions, -invited the Count to return, and one by one made him such proposals as -were likely to efface his former conduct, without exciting suspicion -by a sudden change. The Prince was not competent to cope with so deep -an adept in the art of deceit; and, though still remembering with -indignation the insults that had been offered him, he suffered himself -to be persuaded that they would not be repeated, and returned to the -court of France. - -The minister lost no time, and at length effected his object. On his -return, the Count found the best laws of the state defeated, -individual liberty lost, and the public good sacrificed to the -particular interests of one ambitious man. Richelieu took care that a -thousand new affronts should mix a full portion of personal enmity -with the Count's more patriotic feelings, and in the end the prince -suffered himself to be led into the conspiracy of Amiens. - -The weak and fickle Duke of Orleans had been placed in command over -the Count de Soissons, at the siege of Corbie; and, brought in closer -union from this circumstance than they had ever been before, the two -princes had various opportunities of communicating their grievances, -and concerting some means of crushing the tyranny which at once -affected themselves personally, and the whole kingdom. There were not -wanting many to urge that the assassination of the cardinal was the -only sure way of terminating his dominion; but as the consent of the -Count de Soissons could never be obtained to such a measure, it was -determined to arrest the minister at the council at Amiens, and submit -his conduct to the judgment of a legal tribunal. The irresolution of -the Duke of Orleans suspended the execution of their purpose at the -moment most favourable for effecting it, and before another -opportunity presented itself the conspiracy was discovered; and the -Duke of Orleans fled to Blois, while Monsieur le Comte (as the Count -de Soissons was usually called) retired across the country to the -strong town of Sedan, the gates of which were willingly thrown open to -him by the Duke of Bouillon, who, though a vassal of France, still -held that important territory between Luxembourg and Champagne, in -full and unlimited sovereignty. - -Here the prince paused in security, well aware that Richelieu would -never dare to attempt the siege of so strong a place as Sedan, while -pressed on every side by the wars he himself had kindled; and here -also he was, at the time of my arrival in Paris, though in a very -different situation from that in which he at first stood in Sedan.[7] - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - - -The memory of what we have done, without the aid of vanity, would be -little better, I believe, than a congregation of regrets. Even in the -immediate review of a conversation just passed, how many things do we -find which we have forgotten to say, or which might have been said -better, or ought not to have been said at all! After Monsieur de Retz -was gone, I looked back over the half hour he had spent with me, and -instantly remembered a thousand questions which I ought to have asked -him, and a thousand things on which I had better have been silent. I -felt very foolish, too, on remembering that I had proposed to draw -from him all his purposes; and yet that he had made himself master of -the greater part of my history, while I remained as ignorant of the -real object of his visit as if he had never come at all. - -My resolution, however, was taken to follow his advice in the matter -of going to Sedan. My reasons for so doing--or rather my motives, for -reasons, nine times in ten, are out of the question in man's -actions--were manifold. I despaired of finding Helen. I was a-weary of -that great heap of stones called Paris, where I knew no one; and I had -upon me one of those fits of impatience, which would have made me run -into the very jaws of destruction to cast off the listlessness of -existence. - -My eyes had been fixed upon the table while making these reflections; -and, on raising them, I found Achilles standing opposite to me, -looking in my face with much the air of a dog who sees his master -eating his dinner, and standing upon its hind-legs begs for its share -too. I could as plainly read in the twinkling little grey eyes of the -ci-devant player, and the lack-a-daisical expression of his mouth, -"Pray let me hear the news," as if it had been written in large -letters on his forehead. - -"Achilles!" said I--willing to gratify him in the most unpleasant way -possible--a thing one often feels inclined to do to another, after -having somewhat severely schooled oneself--"Achilles, I am going to -leave you." - -"I beg your pardon, monseigneur," replied he, calmly, "but that is -quite impossible. You can hardly go anywhere, where I will not follow -you." - -"But listen," rejoined I--"I am about to set off for Sedan. I ride -post; and you can as much ride post as you can----" - -"Ride to the devil," said Achilles, interrupting me. "I should not -find that very difficult, monseigneur; but I will ride the devil -himself, sooner than part with you again; so, make your noble mind up -to be hunted like a stag from Paris to Sedan, unless you let me ride -quietly by your side." - -Though it required no augur's skill to foresee that little Achilles -would prove a great incumbrance on the road, yet, as I found him so -determined on going, I did not object; and bidding him prepare -everything the next morning to set out as soon as I returned from the -Hôtel de Retz, I went to bed and slept soundly till the dawn. - -At the hour appointed, I proceeded to keep my engagement; and on -entering the court of the Hôtel de Retz, I found myself suddenly -immersed in all the noise and bustle of a great family's household. It -put me in mind of the tales which our old _maître d'hôtel_ used to -tell of the Château de l'Orme, in the days which he remembered; when, -as he expressed it, there were always a hundred horses in the stable, -and fifty gentlemen in the hall ready to mount at a word of my -grandfather's mouth, and there was nothing but jingling of spurs -except when there was jingling of glasses; and the glittering of arms -in the courtyard was only succeeded by glittering of knives at the -table. - -I was immediately shown to the apartments of the Abbé de Retz, where I -found him surrounded by the servants and gentlemen of his own suite, -which was numerous and splendid, in exactly the same proportion as his -personal appearance was simple and unostentatious. - -On my arrival, he rose and embraced me; and dismissing his attendants, -presented me with two letters addressed to the Count de Soissons, -which he requested me to deliver--the one from himself, the other from -the Duke of Orleans. "I need not bid you be careful of them," said he, -as he gave the two packets into my hands: "each of them contains as -much treason as would make the executioner's axe swing merrily." - -This was rather a startling piece of information; and I believe that -my face, that unfaithful betrayer of secrets, showed in some degree -how much heavier the letters appeared to me after I had heard such -news of their contents. "You seem surprised," said De Retz; "but you -have lived so far from the court that you know not what is going on -there. I do not suppose that there is one man of rank besides yourself -in this great city, who has not qualified himself for the Bastile, or -the Place de Grève. Do you not know that everything with Frenchmen -depends upon fashion? and, let me tell you, that treason is now the -fashion; and that a man that could walk across the court of the Palais -Cardinal, with his head steady upon his shoulders, would be looked -upon by our _belles dames_ as either mean-spirited or under-bred, and -scouted from society accordingly." - -"I am afraid that I am within the category," replied I, "for I do not -know anything which should make my head tremble there, or in any other -place." - -"Oh, fear not! fear not!" answered Monsieur de Retz. "You will -find Monsieur le Comte de Soissons surrounded by persons who will -speedily put you in the way of as much treason as is necessary to -good-breeding. But let them not lead you too far. Our breakfast is by -this time served in my private dining-hall," he added: "I will send -away the servants; and while we satisfy our hunger, I will give you so -much insight into the characters of the party assembled at Sedan, as -may be necessary to your safety." Thus saying, he led me to a room on -the same floor, where we found a small table spread with various -delicacies, and covers laid for three. - -"Remove that cover," said Monsieur de Retz to one of the servants; -"Monsieur de Lizieux is so much past his time that I am afraid he will -not come--and now leave us!" he added; and then, as soon as the room -was clear, "The truth is," said he, "I never expected the good Bishop -of Lizieux, but I told the servants to place a cover for him, because -he is a great friend of the Cardinal de Richelieu; and it could not -get abroad that I was plotting with a stranger, when it is known that -I expected the great enemy of all plots in the person of the worthy -prelate." And he smiled while he told me this piece of art, piquing -himself more upon such petty cunning than upon all the splendid -qualities which his mind really possessed. Yet such perhaps is man's -nature, valuing himself upon things that are contemptible, and very -often affecting, himself, the same follies he condemns in others. - -"I give you nothing but fish, you will perceive," said Monsieur de -Retz, as we sat down, "this being a meagre day of our church. Though, -indeed, neither the fasting nor mortification are very great, yet I -always keep these fish days. It is a very reputable method of -devotion, and gains friends amongst the _poissardes_,--no -insignificant class." - -As we proceeded with our meal, he gave me the sketches he had -promised. "Of Monseigneur le Duc de Bouillon," he said, "I shall say -nothing, except that, being a great man and sovereign in his town of -Sedan, I would advise you to show him all respect and attention; -without, however, attaching yourself too strongly to what I may call -his party. Near the person of the count himself, you will find -Monsieur de Varicarville, a man of talent and of sense, moderate in -his passions, firm in his principles, and devotedly attached to the -interest of his lord. A very few days' communication with him will -show you that this statement is correct; and in the meanwhile I will -give you a note to him, which will lead him to open himself to you -more than he would do to a stranger. Another person you will meet is -Monsieur de Bardouville, a man of very good intentions, but with so -muddy a brain, that whatever is placed there, good or bad, sticks so -tenaciously that there is no getting it out. He has been converted to -a wrong party, and does all in his power to hurry Monsieur le Comte -into schemes that would prove his ruin." - -"But if his intentions are so good," said I, "were it not worth while -to attempt, at least, to bring him over to better opinions by reason?" - -"No, no!" answered De Retz. "One makes a very foolish use of reason -when one employs it on those who have none. Let him alone, Monsieur de -l'Orme. The only man who ever made anything of his head, was the man -that cut it in marble; and then, as Voiture said, he had better have -left it alone, as the bust was not a bit softer than the original. -But to proceed: take notice of Campion, one of the chief domestics -of Monsieur le Comte. He is a man of great probity and sound -judgment--one that you may confide in. You have now _my opinion_ of -the principal persons with whom you will be brought in contact, but of -course you will form your own;" and drawing in his eyes, he considered -me for a moment through the half-closed lids, as if he would have read -in my face what impression all he had said had made upon me. - -I could not help smiling, for I saw that the facility with which he -had drawn my history from me the night before had given him no very -high idea of my intellectual powers, and I replied, still smiling, "Of -course, Monsieur de Retz, I _shall_ form my own opinion. I always do, -of every one I meet with." - -He did not well understand the smile; and, never contented unless he -read all that was passing in the mind of those with whom he spoke, he -opened his eyes full, and with a frank laugh asked me what I thought, -then, of himself. - -I have often remarked that perfect candour sometimes puts the most -wily politician to fault, more than any imitation of his own -doublings; and I replied at once--though I believe there was some -degree of pique in my doing so too--"If you would know frankly what I -think of you, Monsieur de Retz, you must hear what I think of your -conduct since we first met, for that is all that I can personally -judge of." - -"Well, well!" replied he, "speak of that, and I will confess if you -are right." - -"In respect to your coming to me last night, then," replied I, "I -think you had some motive of which I am not aware." A slight flush -passed over his face, and then a smile, and he nodded to me to go on. -"In regard to the valuable information you have given me to-day, and -for which you have my thanks, I think that the cause of your giving it -is something like the following:--you have some interest in the -proceedings of his highness the Count de Soissons." - -"None but his own, upon my honour," interrupted De Retz. - -"Granted!" replied I. "Of that I do not pretend to judge; but there -are evidently two parties about the prince, one urging him one way, -and one another. You, Monsieur de Retz, are attached to one of these -parties; and you are very glad of the opportunity of our accidental -meeting, to bias me in favour of that side to which you yourself -adhere, and to throw me--though a person of very little -consequence--into the hands of those with whom you yourself -co-operate. I doubt not," I added, with a smile and a bow, "that your -opinion is perfectly correct, and that to your party I shall finally -adhere, if his highness thinks fit to retain me near his person; but -of course it will be the more gratifying to you to find that I embrace -your opinions more from conviction than persuasion." - -I am afraid my politeness had taken somewhat of a triumphant tone, -upon the strength of my supposed discernment; and, even before I had -done speaking, I was aware of my error, and felt that I might be -making an enemy instead of securing a friend; but, as I have said, he -always contrived to disappoint expectation. For a moment he looked -mortified, but his face gradually resumed its good humour; and he -replied with, I believe, real frankness, "Monsieur de l'Orme, you are -right. I own that I have undervalued you, and you make me feel it, for -that is what your conversation points at. But you must give me back -that letter to Monsieur le Comte--I must not mislead him in regard to -your character." - -I gave him back the letter, saying, jestingly, that I should much like -to see the reputation which I had acquired on a first interview, and -which was doubtless there written down at full. - -"Nay, nay!" replied he, tearing it, "that were useless, and perhaps -worse; but you shall see what I now write, if you will, and I will -write it frankly." - -He accordingly led the way again to his library, where he wrote a -short note to the count, which he handed to me. After a few lines of -the ambiguous language in which the politicians of that day were wont -to envelope their meaning, but which evidently did not at all refer to -me, I found the following:-- - -"This letter will be delivered to your Highness by Count Louis de -Bigorre, whom you have expected so long. I met with him by accident, -and for a time undervalued him; but I find, upon farther knowledge, -that he can see into other people's secrets better than he can conceal -his own. Whether he is capable of discretion on the affairs of his -friends, your highness will judge; for it does not always follow that -a man who gossips of himself will gossip of his neighbours: the same -vanity which prompts the one, will often prevent the other." - -I do not believe that I should have been able to maintain the same -appearance of good humour under Monsieur de Retz's castigation, that -he had evinced under mine, had I not observed his eye fix on me as he -gave me the paper, and felt certain that while I read, it was -scrutinizing every change of my countenance, with the microscopic -exactness of a naturalist dissecting a worm. I was upon my guard, -therefore, and took care that my brow should not exhibit a cloud even -as light as the shadow that skims across a summer landscape. "A fair -return in kind," replied I, giving him back the letter, with as calm a -smile as if I had been looking at the portrait of his mistress. "And -as I shall be obliged of necessity to let Monsieur le Comte into _all_ -my secrets, he will be able to judge, when he comes to compare notes -with you, how much your ingenuity drew from me last night, and how -much my poor discretion managed to conceal." - -"Excellent good!" cried De Retz, rising and taking me by the hand. -"So, you would have me think that you had not told me all, my dear -count; and would thus leave the devil of curiosity and the fiend of -mortified vanity to tease me between them during your absence; but you -are mistaken. The only use of knowing men's histories is to know their -characters, and I have learned more of yours to-day than I did even -last night. However, it is time for you to depart. There are the -letters," he continued, after having added a few words to that -addressed to the Count. "Travel as privately as you can; and fare you -well. Before we meet again, we shall know enough of each other from -other sources, to spare us the necessity of studying that hard -book--the human mind, without a key." - -I accordingly took leave of Monsieur de Retz; and in my way home, -found out the dwelling of a horse-dealer, for the purpose of buying -two nags for Achilles and myself; the necessity of travelling as -privately as possible having induced me to change my intention of -taking the post. - -Though in his whole nature and character there is not, I believe, an -honester animal in the world than a horse, yet there must be something -assuredly in a habitual intercourse with him which is very detrimental -to honesty in others, for certainly--and I believe in all ages it has -been so--there cannot be conceived a race of more arrant cheats and -swindlers than the whole set of jockeys, grooms, and horse-dealers. -The very first attempt of the man to whom I at present applied, was to -sell me an old broken-down hack, with a Roman nose which at once -indicated its antiquity, for a fine, vigorous, young horse, as he -called it, well capable of the road. The various ingenious tricks had -been put in practice of boring his teeth, blistering his pasterns, -&c., and his coat shone, as much as fine oil could make it; but still -he stood forth with his original sin of old age rank about him, and I -begged leave to decline the bargain, though the dealer and the -_palfrenier_ both shrugged their shoulders at my obstinacy, and -declared upon their conscience there was not such another horse in the -stable. - -After several endeavours to cheat me in the same manner, which they -would not abandon, or by habit could not abandon, although they saw I -was somewhat knowing in the trade, I fixed upon a strong roan horse -for myself, and a light easy going pad for Achilles. The question now -became the price I was to pay, and after the haggling of half an hour, -the dealer agreed to take forty louis for the two, which was about -five more than their value. He declared, however, so help him God, -that he lost by it, and only let me have them in hope of my future -custom. - -"I never intend to buy a horse of you again as long as I live," -replied I, sharply; "so do not suffer that hope to bias you." - -"Well, well, take them," said he. "They would soon eat out the money -in corn, and so I should lose it any way." - -This matter being settled, I directed them to be brought immediately -to my lodging; making a bargain beforehand for the necessary saddles -and bridles, of which the good dealer kept a store at hand; and then -sped on to see that all was prepared for our departure. - -It was already past mid-day; but everything having been made ready -during my absence by the activity of my little attendant, as soon as -the horses were brought, we loaded them with our bags and our persons, -and set out for Sedan. Be it remarked, however, that I still -maintained my little lodging in the Rue des Prêtres Saint Paul, as -from some words dropped by the Abbé de Retz, I fancied that I might -have occasion to return to Paris on the affairs of Monsieur le Comte. - -The ambling jennet which I had bought for Achilles was so much easier -than any horse whose back he had ever yet honoured, that the poor -little man, after having anticipated the pains of hell, found himself -in elysium; and declared that he could ride to Jerusalem and back -without considering it a pilgrimage. I was resolved, however, to put -his horsemanship to the proof; for though I did not seek to call -attention to myself, by galloping like an express, in that age when -even one's horse's pace was matter of suspicion, yet, as the way was -long, I calculated that we might at least reach Jouarre that night. - -This we accomplished easily. Stopping but half an hour at Meaux to -feed our horses, and then proceeding with all speed, we saw La Ferté -not far off, at about an hour before sunset, with its beautiful abbey -standing out clear and rich against the evening sky; and the sweet -valley of the Morin winding away in the soft obscurity of the -declining light. - -Turning out of one of the byroads, a horseman overtook us, and -saluting us civilly, joined himself to our party. From the hint -Monsieur de Retz had given me concerning the letter of the Duke of -Orleans, I thought it best to avoid all communication with strangers, -and therefore gave but very cold encouragement to our new companion's -advances. He was a small, keen, resolute-looking little man, and not -to be repulsed easily, as I very soon found; for, perceiving that I -was not inclined to continue the conversation which he had commenced, -he took the whole burden of it upon himself; and with a peculiar -talent for hypotheses, he raised as many conjectures concerning the -point to which our journey tended, and our particular object in -journeying, as would have found employment for at least a hundred, if -they had all been true. - -I remembered that Cæsar, in some part of his Commentaries, attributes -particularly to the Gauls a bad habit of stopping strangers and asking -them impertinent questions; and I could not help thinking that the -valiant Roman, in some of his adventures, must have met with the -ancestors of our new companion. We jogged on, however, I maintaining -my silence, and Achilles _playing_ the stranger, as I have seen a -skilful fisherman play a large trout. - -When the horseman discovered that our nature was not of a very -communicative quality, he seemed to think that perhaps we required him -to open the way, and therefore he told us that he was going to La -Ferté to buy grind-stones, and that he always lodged at the auberge of -the _Ecu_, which he begged to recommend to us as the best in the town. -It was the very best, he said, beyond dispute: we should find good -beds, good victuals, and good wine, all at a reasonable rate; and he -farther hinted, that, if we desired such a thing, we might have the -advantage of his company, to give us an account of the town, and point -out to us its beauties and curiosities. Only if we desired it--he -said--he was not a man to force his society upon any one! - -I replied by a bow, which I intended to be very conclusive; but our -new friend was not a man to be satisfied with bows, and therefore he -asked straightforward whether I intended to go to the _Ecu_. I replied -that it would depend on circumstances. And as we were by this time in -the town of La Ferté, no sooner did I see him draw his rein, as if -about to proceed to his favourite auberge, than I drew mine the -contrary way, and was galloping off, when, to my horror and -astonishment, he turned after me, declaring, with a smile of -patronising kindness, that I was so sweet a youth, he could not think -of parting with me, and therefore, as I would not come to his auberge, -he would come to mine. - -The matter was now beyond endurance. "Sir!" said I, pulling in my -rein, and eying him with that cold sort of contemptuous frown which I -had generally found a sufficient shield against impertinence, "be so -good as to pursue your own way, and allow me to pursue mine; I neither -require your society, nor is it agreeable to me; and therefore I wish -you good morning." - -"Ho, sir--ho!" replied the stranger, "I am not a man to force my -society upon any one. But you cannot prevent my going to the same inn -with yourself. I read something fortunate in your countenance, and -therefore I am sure that no accident will happen to me while I am -under the same roof with you. The inn where you sleep will not be -burnt down, thieves will not break into it, the rafters will not give -way, and the walls fall in. Sir, I am a physiognomist, a chiromancer, -and astrologer. I am no necromancer, however--I neither evoke spirits, -nor use magic, white or black." - -"No, no," replied Achilles, grinning till an improper connection -seemed likely to take place between his mouth and his ears--"no, no, -you may be chiromancer and astrologer, but you are no conjurer; that -is clear enough." - -"Silence, Achilles," cried I; "let him pursue his own follies, and -follow me on." Thus saying, I rode forward, resolved rather to climb -the hill to Jouarre than expose myself to encounter any more of the -babbling old fool's impertinence: but this effort was as vain as the -former; for, determined not to be shaken off, he kept close behind me, -till we had reached the beautiful little town of Jouarre, and were -safely lodged in the only auberge which it contained. - -The moment after I had entered, in he marched into the kitchen; and, -though the landlord treated him as a stranger, yet there was a -something--I know not what--which impressed upon my mind that there -was some sort of understanding between them. Odd suspicions crossed my -imagination, and I resolved to be upon my guard. At the same time, I -knew that too great an appearance of reserve might excite suspicion, -and consequently I spoke a few quiet words to the landlord, such as a -somewhat taciturn traveller might be supposed to exchange with his -host on his arrival, and then went with Achilles to see that the -horses were properly provided for. In regard to the stranger, he -talked with every one who would talk with him, always taking care, -however, to keep me and my fortunate face in sight; and, indeed, he -seemed gifted with ubiquity, for no sooner did I leave him in the -kitchen than I met him in the stable; and the next moment I found him -again bustling about in the kitchen, ordering his supper with a tone -of great authority. - -For his part, the landlord, who acted also as cook, and who seemed -himself stewed down to nothing from his continual commerce with -stew-pans, showed the stranger a thousand times more submissive -respect than to any one else, bending his elastic knees with an -infinitely lower cringe when the stranger addressed him than when I -did. - -As soon as I had supped, we retired to our sleeping-chamber, Achilles -having his allotted place in a small truckle-bed, which must have been -made for him, it fitted so nicely. Before retiring to rest, however, I -took care to secure the letters to the Count de Soissons under my -bolster, fastening the door, which had no lock, with what was perhaps -better, a large heavy bolt. - -I slept soundly till the next morning, but on waking I found my poor -little attendant almost speechless with fear. As soon as he could -speak, however, he declared that, in the grey of the morning, he had -seen a ghost glide in he knew not how, proceed to the leathern bags -which contained our effects, and fumble them for a moment or two in a -very mysterious manner. It then glided out, he added, just as I woke, -but with so little noise, that it could not have been the cause of -dissipating my slumber. - -"By Heaven! it was a dangerous undertaking!" cried I in a loud voice, -for the benefit of any one within hearing. "Had I chanced to wake I -would have shot it, had it been the best ghost that ever was born. -Examine the bags, Achilles, and see if anything has been stolen." - -At the same time, I proceeded to ascertain whether the bolt had been -drawn back by any contrivance from without, but all appeared as I had -left it, and nothing seemed gone from the bags, so that I was obliged -to conclude that either Achilles' imagination had deceived him, or -that some one had gained admission into the chamber (by means I could -not discover) for some other purpose than simple robbery. After the -utmost scrutiny, however, I could not perceive any possible way of -entering the room; and dressing myself as quickly as possible, I -descended, in order to pay my reckoning, and set out immediately. - -The landlord stated the sum, and I laid down the money on the table, -piece by piece, which he took up in the same manner, bending his head -over it till it was close to mine, when suddenly he said, in a low -whisper, seeming to count the silver all the time, "You are -accompanied by a spy. If you want to conceal whither you go, mount and -begone with all speed, and take care of your road." - -I replied nothing, but hurried the preparation of the horses as much -as possible, and was in hopes of escaping before my persecutor of the -night made his appearance; but just as I had my foot in the stirrup, -his visage presented itself at the door, crying with the most -indomptible impudence, "Wait for me! wait for me! I will not be a -moment." As may be well supposed, I did not even wait to reply; but -putting spurs to my horse, I set off down the hill, begging Achilles -to seduce his beast into a gallop, if possible. The little man did his -best; and so successful were we in our endeavours, that we soon left -Jouarre far behind us: and on turning to look back on the road after -half-an-hour's hard riding, I could see nothing but a blessed void, -which gave me more pleasure than anything I could have beheld. - -I slackened not my pace, however, but rode on towards Montmirail as -fast as possible, thinking over the circumstances which had given rise -to my galloping. The minister, I knew, with the jealous suspicion of -usurped power, maintained a complete regiment of spies, scattered all -over the kingdom, and invested with every different character and -appearance which could disguise their real occupation; and I doubted -not that, according to the landlord's hint at Jouarre, our talkative -companion was one of this respectable troop. The character which he -assumed was certainly a singular one, but it must be confessed he -played it to admiration; and I congratulated myself not a little on -having escaped the pursuit of such a vampire. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - - -As I wished much to arrive at Chalons that night, we remained no -longer at Montmirail than was absolutely necessary to refresh the -horses; but before we arrived at Chaintrix, the ambling nag which had -borne Achilles began to appear jaded; and, for fear of knocking him up -altogether, I determined to halt at that little village for the night, -never doubting that we had left our persecutor far behind. What was my -surprise, then, on descending to the courtyard the next morning, to -see the same identical little man, with his brown pourpoint, and his -immense funnel-shaped riding boots, standing in the court ready to -mount his horse. - -I drew back instantly, hoping he had not seen me, but to see -everything was a part of his profession; and quitting his horse's -bridle, he ran into the house after me, pulled off his beaver with the -lowest possible bow, giving me the compliments of the morning, and -declaring himself the happiest man in the world to have met with me -and my fortunate countenance again. "I saw your horse standing in the -stable," added he, "and was resolved not to be too late to-day." - -His persevering impudence was so ridiculous, that I could not help -laughing; and as I saw no way of getting rid of him at the time, I -resolved to tolerate him for a while, till I could find some means -either of putting him on a wrong scent, or of casting him off more -effectually. - -"Well, then," replied I, "if you are resolved to follow my fortunate -face all over the world, you will have to ride fast and far, for I am -going to Metz, and am pressed for time." - -"Sir," replied the stranger, "I am delighted at the opportunity of -riding with you so far. If you had ever been in the East, sir, you -would have no difficulty in divining my motive in accompanying you." - -"Without having been in the East," I muttered to myself, "I have no -difficulty in divining your motive;" but taking care not to allow him -to suppose I entertained any suspicions of him, I begged he would -explain how a journey to the East could have enlightened me upon such -a subject. - -"Why you must know, sir," replied he, "that all Oriental nations -hold--and I profess myself of their opinion--that good and bad fortune -are infectious; and that by keeping company with a fortunate man, we -very often may mend our own luck. Now, sir, I read in your countenance -that you were born under a fortunate star, and, therefore, I resolved -not to leave you till I was certain I had caught something of the -same." - -"But I hope you are not an unfortunate man," rejoined I, "for if you -are, on your own principle, you shall ride no farther with me." - -"Oh no," replied the other, "my fortune is neither good nor bad; I am -just in that indifferent state, wherein a man is most liable to be -affected by the fortune of the company he falls into." - -"Then, Lord deliver you!" said I, "for you have fallen in with one -whose whole existence hitherto has been nothing but a tissue of -mischances; and if I find, as I am afraid I shall, my aunt at Metz has -died without making a will, my misfortunes will be complete; for I -shall have hardly bread to eat, without his Eminence of Richelieu -gives me a place, in recompence of a little service I once rendered -him." - -I tried hard to make this annunciation in as natural a tone as art -could furnish me with; and I succeeded in evidently bewildering all -the preconceived ideas of the spy, who, while I discharged my -reckoning and mounted my horse, which was now ready, stood with his -foot in the stirrup, and his face full of incertitude, not knowing -whether to believe me or not. - -It luckily so happened that Achilles, who stood by, was totally -ignorant of what motive induced me to quit Paris; and I might, for -aught he knew, have had as many _aunts_ at Metz as Danaüs had -daughters; so that his countenance was not likely to contradict me. - -The spy, however, knowing that suspicion is the best rule of action -for gentlemen of his cloth under all circumstances, thought he could -not do wrong in throwing his other leg over his horse's back, and -following me, even at the risk of my having an aunt really dying at -Metz. Accordingly, he was instantly by our side, keeping up with -admirable perseverance the chattering, inquisitive character he had -assumed; and never ceasing to ask one question or another, till we -arrived at St. Ménéhould, where I again stopped for the night. - -Wherever we had occasion to pause, even to water our horses, I -observed that my new companion was evidently known, though every one -affected to treat him as a stranger. Determined to get rid of him some -way, from this confirmation of the suspicions I entertained respecting -the honourable capacity he filled, as I was about to retire for the -night, I whispered to the host of St. Ménéhould, sufficiently low to -pass for a secret, yet sufficiently loud to be heard, to wake me at -half-past four the next morning. After this I proceeded to my room, -undressed myself, went to bed, and made Achilles extinguish the light, -as if I were about to sleep soundly through the night; but I took care -to abstain from closing an eye, though the temptation was very great -to do so; especially as I was entertained from the bed of my little -companion with a sort of music, which, however unmelodious, was very -soporific. - -I had previously ascertained, that at one o'clock in the morning the -king's ordinary courier was expected to pass from Verdun; and, -consequently, that somebody would sit up in the inn to provide for his -accommodation. At midnight, therefore, I rose; and, waking Achilles, -bade him dress himself, and carry down the bags, all of which we -executed with the most marvellous silence, paid the landlord, who was -sleeping by the fire, saddled our own horses, and very soon were far -upon the road to Verdun, laughing over the surprise which our -talkative companion would feel the next morning, when he woke and -found us irretrievably gone. Achilles thought it a very good joke, and -I a very happy deliverance; and the dawn broke and found us -congratulating ourselves still: but what was my horror and surprise, -when, turning my head in the grey light of the morning, I saw the -brown pourpoint and the funnel-shaped riding boots, and the strong -little horse, and the detestable little man, not a hundred yards -behind me, cantering on as composedly as if nothing had occurred to -separate him for a moment from my fortunate face, as he called it. - -"Ho, ho!" cried he, as he rode up, "I am not a man to force my society -upon any one; but I must say, it was a very ungentlemanlike thing to -get up in the night, and leave me behind, without so much as giving me -warning, or wishing me good evening; and I have ridden all this way, -sir, to tell you so." - -We had already passed Clermont en Argonne, and were in the heart of -the wood that stretches round the village of Domballe, and which is -generally called the long wood of Domballe. I knew not what might be -the consequence of suffering this old man to follow me to Verdun, -where it was more than probable he would meet with many persons armed -with sufficient authority either to detain us, or to search our -persons, should he think fit to instigate such a proceeding; but I was -well aware that the life or death, the safety or destruction, of many -of the first persons in the realm depended on my passing free, and, -therefore, I took my determination at once. Glancing up and down the -road, to see that all was clear, I suddenly turned my horse upon him, -caught his bridle-rein with one hand, and his collar with the other, -and attempted to pull him off his horse. But I soon found that I had -to do with one who, though weak in comparison with myself, was -nevertheless skilful in the management of his horse and the use of his -arms. - -In spite of my efforts, he contrived to bring his horse's head round, -to shake off my grasp, and drawing his sword, to stand upon the -defensive in so masterly a manner, that the farther attack became a -matter of no small difficulty. - -I was now, however, too far committed to recede; but while I -considered the best means of mastering without injuring him, he seemed -to think I was daunted, and cried out, in a jeering tone, "Ho, ho! -your fortunate face is likely to get scratched, if you come near me. -Better ride on to see your aunt at Metz; or back to Paris, and -persuade the Cardinal to give you a place. See that it be not in the -Bastile, though." - -"Ride in, Achilles, on your side," cried I, "while I ride in on mine. -Quick, we have no time to lose." - -No sooner, however, did the old spy hear this order, and see it likely -to be executed, than turning his horse back towards Clermont, he gave -him full rein, and spurred off at all speed. This did not very well -answer my purpose, and dashing my spurs into my beast's sides, I made -him spring on like a deer, overtook the fugitive before he had gone -twenty yards, and once more catching his collar, brought him fairly to -the ground. It was no longer difficult to master his sword, and this -being done, he begged most pitifully for mercy. - -"Mercy you shall have," replied I; "but, by Heaven! I will no longer -be teased with such detestable persecution. 'Tis insupportable, that a -peaceable man cannot ride along the high road on his own affairs, -without having a chattering old dotard sticking to him like a -horse-leech!" - -Achilles had by this time ridden up, and taking some strong cord which -he happened to have with him, I pinioned the arms of my indefatigable -pursuer; and, leading him a little way into the wood, I tied him tight -to a tree, near a pile of faggots, which showed that the spot was so -far frequented, that he would not be left many hours in such an -unpleasant situation. My only object was to get rid of him; and this -being effected, I again mounted my horse, and pursued my journey to -Verdun, though, as I went, I could not help every now and then turning -my head and looking down the road, not a little apprehensive of seeing -the brown pourpoint and funnel-shaped boots pursuing me once more. - -I arrived, however, unannoyed; and notwithstanding the prayers and -entreaties of Achilles, that I would but stay a quarter of an hour to -satisfy the cravings of an empty stomach, I instantly haled one of the -flat boats that lie below the bridge. The little man judging of my -intentions, spurred his horse as quick as light up to a _traiteur's_ -on the opposite side of the way; and, before I had concluded a bargain -with the boatman to take us and our two horses to Sedan, he had -returned with an immense roasted capon and half a yard of bread. - -Once in the boat, and drifting down the Meuse, I felt myself in -safety; and a full current and favourable wind bore us rapidly to -Sedan. - -It was night, however, before we arrived, and we found the gates -closed and drawbridge raised; and all the most rigorous precautions -taken to prevent the entrance of any unknown person into the town -during the night. - -"If you will disembark, sir," said the boatman, "and go round to the -land-gate, they will soon let you in; for there are parties of fifty -and sixty arriving every day; and Sedan will be too small to hold them -before long. However, they refuse no one admittance, for they say the -Count will soon take the field." - -"Take the field!" said I, "and what for, pray?" - -"Ah, that I don't know," answered the boatman; "folks say it is to -dethrone the Cardinal, and make the King prime-minister." - -Whether this was a jest or a blunder, I did not well know; but bidding -the man put me on shore, I led out my roan, and mounting on the bank, -rode round to a little hamlet which had gathered on each side of the -road, at about a hundred yards from the Luxembourg gate. As I was -going to inquire at one of the houses, I saw a sentinel thrown out as -far as the foot of the glacis, and riding up to him, I asked if -admission was to be procured that night. He replied in the -affirmative, and proceeding to the gate, I was soon permitted to -enter, but immediately my bridle was seized on each side by a pikeman; -and the same being performed upon Achilles, we were led on to a small -guard-house, where we found a sleepy officer of the watch, who asked, -with a true official drawl, "Whom seek you in the good town of Sedan, -and what is your business here?" - -"I seek his Highness the Count de Soissons," replied I; "and my -business with him is to speak on subjects that concern himself alone." - -"Your name and rank?" demanded the officer. - -"Louis de Bigorre, Count de l'Orme," replied I; "and this is my -servant, Achilles Lefranc." - -"We shall soon have need of Achilles," said the officer, grinning. "I -wish, Monsieur le Comte, that you had brought a score or two such, -though he seems but a little one.--Mouchard, guide these two gentlemen -up to the castle. There is a pass." - -There is almost always something sad and gloomy in the aspect of a -strange town at night. We seem in a dark, melancholy world, where -every step is amongst unknown objects, all wrapped up in a cold -repulsive obscurity; and I felt like one of the spirits of the -unburied, on the hopeless borders of Styx, as I walked on amidst the -tall, dark houses of Sedan, which, as far as any interest that I had -in them, were but so many ant-hills. Lighted by a torch that the -soldier who guided us carried, and followed, as I soon perceived, by -two other guards, we were conducted to the higher part of the town, -where the citadel is situated; and there, after innumerable signs and -countersigns, I was at last admitted within the walls, but not -suffered to proceed a step in advance, till such time as my name had -been sent in to the principal officer on guard. - -I was thus detained half an hour, at the end of which time a page, -splendidly dressed, appeared, and conducted me to the interior of the -building, with a display of reverence and politeness which augured -well as to my farther reception. Achilles followed along the turnings -and windings of the citadel, till we came to a chamber, through the -open door of which a broad light streamed out upon the night, while a -hundred gay voices chattered within, mingled with the ringing, -careless laugh of men who, cutting off from themselves the regrets of -the past, and the fears of the future, live wise and happy in the -existence of the day. - -"If you will do me the honour, sir," said the page, turning to my -little attendant, "to walk into that room, you will find plenty of -persons who will make you welcome to Sedan, while I conduct your -master to another chamber." - -Achilles bowed to the ground, and answered the page in a speech -compounded suddenly from twenty or thirty tragedies and comedies; and -though, to confess the truth, it hung together with much the same sort -of uniformity as a beggar's coat, yet the attendant seemed not only -satisfied, but astonished, and made me, as master of such a learned -Theban, a lower reverence than ever, while he begged me to follow him. - -Meet it as one will, there is always a degree of anxiety attached to -the first encounter with a person on whom our fate in any degree -depends, and I caught my heart beating even as I walked forward -towards the apartments of the Count de Soissons. We mounted a flight -of steps, and at the top entered an antechamber, where several -inferior attendants were sitting, amusing themselves at various games. -In the room beyond, too, the same sort of occupation seemed fully as -much in vogue; for, of twenty gentlemen that it contained, only two -were engaged in conversation, with some written papers between them; -while all the rest were rolling the dice, or dealing the cards, with -most industrious application. Several, however, suffered their -attention to be called off from the mighty interests of their game, -and raising their heads, gazed at me for a moment as I passed through -the room; and then addressed themselves to their cards again, with a -laugh or an observation on the new-comer, which, with the irritable -susceptibility of youth, I felt very well inclined to resent, if I -could have found any specious plea for offence. - -The page still advanced; and, throwing open a door on the other side -of the room, led me through another small antechamber, only tenanted -by a youth who was nodding over a book, to a door beyond, which he -opened for me to pass, and left me to go in alone. - -The room which I entered was a large, lofty saloon, hung with rich -tapestry, and furnished with antique chairs and tables, the dark hues -of which, together with the sombre aspect of the carved oak plafond, -gave a gloomy air of other days to the whole scene, so that I could -have fancied myself carried back to the reign of Francis I. A large -lamp, containing several lights, hung by a chain from the ceiling, and -immediately under this, leaning back in a capacious easy chair, sat a -gentleman with a book in his hand, which he was reading, and evidently -enjoying, for at the moment we entered he was laughing till the tears -rolled over his cheeks. As soon as he heard a step, however, he laid -down his book, and turned towards the door, struggling to compose his -countenance into some degree of gravity. As I advanced, he rose and -addressed me with that frank and pleasing affability which is the best -and surest key to the human heart. - -"Count Louis de Bigorre, I believe?" he said; "you catch me in an -occupation which the proverb attributes to fools--laughing by myself; -but with such a companion as Sancho Panza, one may be excused, though -the same jest has made my eyes water a hundred times. However, be you -most welcome, for you have been a long-expected guest at Sedan. Yet -now you are arrived," he added, "however great the pleasure may be to -me, perhaps it would have been better for yourself had you remained -absent." - -I replied, as a matter of course, that I could not conceive anything -better for myself, than the honour of being attached to the Count de -Soissons. - -"Heaven only knows," said he, "what may be the event to you or me. But -sit down, and tell me when you left Paris--whom you saw there--and -what news was stirring in that great capital?" - -"I have been four days on the road," replied I, bringing forward one -of the smaller chairs, so as to be sufficiently near the prince to -permit the conversation to flow easily, without approaching to any -degree of familiar proximity. "Perhaps," I continued, "as I rode my -own horses, I might not have had the honour of seeing your highness -till to-morrow, had I not found it necessary to hurry forward to avoid -a disagreeable companion." - -"How so?" demanded the Count. "I hope no attempt was made to impede -your progress hither; for if that has been the case, it is time that I -should look to my communications with my other friends in France." - -I gave the Count a somewhat detailed account of my adventures on the -road, that he might judge what measures were necessary to insure the -secrecy of his correspondence with Paris. - -"So," cried he, laughing, "you have met with an old friend of ours -here, Jean le Hableur, as he is called. He is one of the Cardinal's -most daring and indefatigable spies; and few are there who have had -address and courage enough to baffle him as you have done. He traced -my poor friend Armand de Paul to the very gates of Sedan, found out -that he was carrying despatches to me, filched a letter from his -person containing much that should have remained secret, and having -made himself acquainted with his name, laid such information against -him, that Armand, at his return to Paris, was instantly arrested and -thrown into the Bastile. Why, the whole country between Verdun and -Paris is so famous, or rather infamous, from his continual presence, -that no one here dare pass by that road for fear of meeting with _Jean -le Hableur_. You should have gone by Mezières: but where are these -letters you speak of?" - -I instantly produced them, and gave them into the hands of the count, -who read the letter from the Duke of Orleans with a sort of smile that -implied more scorn than pleasure. He then laid it down, saying aloud, -with rather a bitter emphasis, "My good cousin of Orleans!" He then -perused the epistle of Monsieur de Retz, and from time to time as he -did so turned his eyes upon me, as if comparing the character which he -therein found written down, with those ideas which he had already -begun to form of me himself, from that outward semblance that almost -always finds means to prejudice even the wisest and most cautious. -When he had concluded, he rose and walked once or twice across the -saloon, thoughtfully running his hand up and down the broad rich -sword-belt which hung across his breast, which I afterwards found was -habitual with him, when any consideration occupied him deeply. - -I had risen when he rose, but still stood near the table, without, -however, turning my eyes towards it; for the letter of the Duke of -Orleans lying open upon it, I did not choose to be suspected of even -wishing to know its contents. - -"Sit, sit, Count Louis!" said the prince, resuming his seat, and then -adding in a serious tone, but one of great kindness, "Monsieur de -Retz, I find, has not made you aware of all the circumstances of my -present situation; and perhaps has done wisely to leave that -communication to myself. From the great friendship and esteem--I may -say affection--with which my mother regards yours, I had not a -moment's hesitation in saying, that if you would join me here, you -should have the very first vacant post in my household, suitable to -your own high rank and the antiquity of your family. Since then, the -place of first gentleman of my bedchamber is void, and I have reserved -it for you; but as that is a situation which brings you so near my own -person, an unlimited degree of confidence is necessary between us. -Your rank, your family, the high name of your father and grandfather, -the admirable character which my mother attributes to yours, all seem -to vouch that you are--that you must be--everything noble and -estimable; but still there are two or three circumstances which you -must explain to me, before I can feel justified in trusting you with -that entire confidence I speak of. Monsieur de Retz says, you have -given him your history, which is a strange one--though how that can -be, I do not know, for you are but a young man, and can have, I should -imagine, but little to tell. He says, farther, that he met with you by -accident, and seems to hint that, when he did so, you had not intended -to join me here, as my mother informed me you would. He insinuates, -also, that you were somewhat indiscreet towards him, in speaking of -your own affairs. Explain all this to me, for there is something -evidently to be told. Make me your confidant without reserve, and, in -return, I will confide to you secrets perhaps of greater importance. -If you have nothing to tell but youthful errors, or imprudence, speak -without fear, as you would to a friend and brother; but," he added -more gravely, "if there is anything which affects your honour--which, -I may say, I am sure there is not--I ask no confidence of the kind." - -"Had your highness not required it," replied I, "I should not have -presumed to intrude my private affairs upon your attention; but now -that I find you, most justly, think it right to assure yourself of the -character of one to whom you design the honour of being near your -person, I may be permitted to express what happiness and consolation I -feel, in being allowed to repose all my griefs and misfortunes in the -bosom of a prince universally beloved and esteemed." When I spoke thus -I did not flatter; and I concluded by giving as brief a sketch, but as -accurate a one as possible, of all the events which fill the foregoing -pages of these memoirs. "I will own, my lord," I added, "that I told a -part of this story to Monsieur de Retz, but only a small part; and -that was in a moment of joy, when, after having lived lonely and -miserable in a large city, for upwards of a month, I suddenly found -that I was expected and would be welcomed by a prince possessed of a -treasure which few princes, I am afraid, can boast--a generous and a -feeling heart. I was perhaps indiscreet in communicating even a part -to any one but your Highness; but you will not find that in your -service, I will be either indiscreet or unfaithful." - -"I believe you," said the Count, "on my honour, I believe you; and De -Retz was too hasty in even calling you indiscreet; for your conduct -towards our friend Jean le Hableur proves sufficiently that you can -keep counsel. Your history has interested me more than I will tell you -at present. I feel for all you have suffered, and I would not for the -world barter that power of feeling for others, against the most -tranquil stoicism. Sympathy, however, though always agreeable to him -that excites it, is little pleasing to him who feels it, without he -can follow it up by some service to the person by whom it has been -awakened. I will try whether that cannot be the case with you;--but -you are tired with your long journey, and the night wears. Ho, without -there! send Monsieur de Varicarville hither. We will talk more -to-morrow, Monsieur de l'Orme, since such is the name you choose." - -I rose to depart, but at the same time one of the gentlemen whom I had -seen in the outer chamber, conversing while the rest were gaming, -entered, and the Count introduced me to him, begging him to show me -all kindness and attention, as a person whom he himself esteemed and -loved. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - - -The manners of Monsieur de Varicarville were at once simple and -elegant--there was none of the superfluous hyperbole of courts; there -was little even of the common exaggeration of society, in anything he -said. He neither expressed himself _ravished_ to make my acquaintance, -nor _delighted_ to see me; all he said was, that he would do -everything that depended upon him, to make me comfortable during my -stay at Sedan. And thus I always found him afterwards--neither what is -in general called blunt, which is more frequently rude, nor what is -usually called polite, which is in general hollow. He had too much -kindness of heart ever to offend, and too much sincerity ever to -flatter. But the goodness of his disposition, and the native grace of -his demeanour, gave, conjoined, that real _bienséance_, of which -courtly politeness is but an unsubstantial shadow. Poor Varicarville! -I owe thee such a tribute, best and most excellent of friends! And -though no epitaph hangs upon the tomb where thou sleepest, in the -hearts of all who knew thee thy memory is treasured and beloved. - -After a few words of kindness, and having received the note addressed -to him from the Abbé de Retz, he gave me into the hands of the Count's -_maître d'hôtel_, telling him that I was the gentleman who had been so -long expected; and desiring him to see that I wanted nothing, till -such time as I was sufficiently familiarized with the place and its -customs to take care of myself. He then left me, and I was conducted -to a neat chamber with an anteroom, containing three truckle beds for -lackeys, a small writing or dressing cabinet, and several other -conveniences, which I had hardly expected in a castle so completely -full as the citadel of Sedan appeared to be. Before the _maître -d'hôtel_ left me, I requested that my horses might be taken care of, -and that my servant might be sent to me, hinting at the same time, -that if he brought me a cup of wine and something to eat, I should not -at all object, as I had tasted nothing all day except a wing of the -capon which Achilles had carried off from Verdun. My little attendant -soon appeared, loaded with a great many more provisions than I needed, -and congratulating both himself and me upon our sudden transposition -from Paris, and the meagre diet we had there observed, to such a land -of corn, wine, and oil. - -While I was undressing, some thoughts would fain have intruded, which -I was very sure would have broken up my rest for the night. The -agitation of being in new, strange scenes, acting with people of whom -I yet knew hardly anything, and involved in schemes which at best were -hazardous, was quite enough to make sleep difficult, and I felt very -certain, that if I let my mind rest one moment on the thought of -Helen, and of the circumstances in which she might at that moment be -placed, all hope of repose--mental repose, at least--was gone--and -where is any exercise so exhausting to the body, as that anxious -occupation of the mind? The next morning I was hardly awake, when -Monsieur de Varicarville entered my chamber, and informed me that -Monsieur le Comte wished to see me; and dressing myself as fast as -possible, I hurried to the Prince's apartments, where I found him -still in bed. Varicarville left us, and the Count made me sit down by -his bedside. - -"I have been thinking, De l'Orme," said he, "over the history you gave -me last night, and I again assure you that I sympathize not a little -with you. I am much older than you, and the first hasty torrent of -passion has passed away at my time of life; but I can still feel, and -know, that love such as you profess towards this young lady, whom your -mother has educated, is not a passion easily to be rooted out. Nor is -the death of her brother by your hand an insurmountable obstacle. She -evidently does not know it herself; and it would be a cruel piece of -delicacy in you either to let her know it, or to sacrifice both her -happiness and your own for such a scruple." - -The picture of Helen in the arms of her brother's murderer, and the -horror she would feel at his every caress, if she did but know that he -was so, rose up frightfully before my imagination, as the Count spoke; -and, without replying, I covered my eyes with my hands, as if to shut -the image out. - -"This is an age, Monsieur de l'Orme," said the Count, "in which few -people would suffer, as you seem to do, for having shed their -fellow-creature's blood; and yet, I would not have you feel less. -Feel, if you will, but still govern your feelings. Every one in this -world has much to suffer; the point of wisdom is to suffer well. But -think over what I have said. Time may soon bring about a change in the -face of affairs. If fortune smiles upon me, I shall soon have the -power of doing greater things than obtaining letters of nobility for -your fair lady's father. Thus the only substantial objection to your -marriage will be removed. From what you said of the house where you -last saw her, and the liveries of the servants, it must have been the -hotel of the Maréchal de Chatillon; and the youth whose conversation -you overheard was probably his nephew; but fear not for that. He is a -hair-brained youth, little capable of winning the heart of a person -such as you describe. The only thing that surprises me is, that -Arnault, her father, should have acquired any degree of intimacy with -so proud a man as Chatillon; but that very circumstance will be some -excuse for asking nobility for him; and the favour will come with the -more grace, as Chatillon is somewhat a personal enemy of my own." - -I thanked the Prince for his kind intentions, though I saw no great -likelihood of their fulfilment, and fancied that, like the cottager in -the fairy tale, Monsieur le Comte imagined himself a great conqueror, -and gave away crowns and sceptres, though he had not two roods of land -himself. But I was mistaken: the Count's expectations were much more -likely to be accomplished than I had supposed, as I soon perceived, -when he began to explain to me his views and situation. - -When a man's mind is in doubt upon any subject, and he has heard -reiterated a thousand times the various reasonings of his friends, -without being able to choose his part determinately, it is wonderful -with what eagerness he seeks for any new opinion to put him out of -suspense--the most painful situation in which the human mind can -remain. Thus the Count de Soissons, after having entertained me -shortly with my own affairs, entered full career upon his; and briefly -touching upon the causes which originally compelled him to quit the -court of France, and retire to Sedan, he proceeded:-- - -"Here I would willingly have remained quiet and tranquil, till the -course of time brought some change. I neither sought to return to a -court where the king was no longer sovereign, nor to cabal against the -power of a minister upheld by the weakness of the monarch. All I -required was to be left at peace in this asylum, where I could be free -from the insult and degradation which had been offered me at the court -of France. I felt that I was sufficiently upholding the rights and -privileges which had been transmitted to me by my ancestors, and -maintaining the general cause of the nobility of France, by submitting -to a voluntary exile, rather than yield to the ambitious pretensions -of a misproud minister; and nothing would have induced me to raise the -standard of civil war, even though the king's own good was to be -obtained thereby, if Richelieu had but been content to abstain from -persecuting me in my retirement. Not the persuasions of the Dukes of -Vendome and La Valette, nor the entreaties of my best friend the Duke -of Bouillon, nor the promises and seductions of the house of Austria, -would have had any effect, had I been left at peace: but no! never for -a day has the cardinal ceased to use every measure in his power to -drive me to revolt. The truth is this: he calculates upon the death of -my cousin Louis, and upon seizing on the regency during the dauphin's -minority. He knows that there is no one who could and would oppose him -but myself. The Duke of Orleans is hated and despised throughout -France--the house of Condé is bound to the cardinal by alliance. He -knows that he could not for a moment stand against me, without the -king's support and authority; and he has resolved to ruin me while -that support still lasts. For this purpose, he at one time offers me -the command of one of the armies, that I may return and fall into his -power; he at another threatens to treat me as a rebel and a traitor. -He now proposes to _me_, a prince of the blood royal of France, a -marriage with his upstart niece; and then menaces me with confiscation -and attainder; while at the same time my friends on every side press -me to shake off what they call apathy--to give my banner to the wind, -and, marching upon Paris, to deliver the country, the king, and -myself, of this nightmare cardinal, who sits a foul incubus upon the -bosom of the state, and troubles its repose with black and frightful -dreams." - -As he went on, I could see that Monsieur le Comte worked himself up -with his own words to no small pitch of wrath; calling to mind, one by -one, the insults and injuries that the cardinal had heaped upon him, -till all his slumbering anger woke up at once, and with a flashing -eye, he added, "And so I will. By Heaven! I will hurl him from his -usurped seat, and put an end to this tyranny, which has lasted too -long." But very soon after, relapsing again into his irresolution, he -asked, "What think you, Monsieur de l'Orme? Should I not be justified? -Am I not called upon so to do?" - -"I would pray your Highness," replied I, "not to make me a judge in so -difficult a point; I am too young and inexperienced to offer an -opinion where such great interests are concerned." - -"Fie, fie!" cried he with a smile; "you, who have already acted the -conspicuous part of member of the insurrectionary council of -Catalonia! We are all inexperienced, in comparison with you.--Tell me, -what had I better do?" - -"If I must give an opinion, monseigneur," I replied, "I think you had -better endure as long as you can, so as to leave no doubt in your own -eyes--in those of France--in those of the world--that you are -compelled to draw the sword for the defence of your own honour, and -for the freedom of your country. But once having drawn the sword, cast -away the scabbard." - -"Then I am afraid the sword is half drawn already," said the Count. -"There are eight thousand armed men in Sedan. Fresh troops are pouring -in upon me every day. The news has gone abroad that I am about to take -the field; and volunteers are flocking from every quarter to my -standard. Yesterday, I had letters from at least sixty different parts -of France, assuring me that, one battle gained, but to confirm the -fearful minds of the populace, and that scarce a province will refrain -from taking arms in my cause. De Retz is in hopes even of securing the -Bastile; and he has already, with that fine art which you have -remarked in him, bound to my cause thousands of those persons in the -capital who in popular tumults, guide and govern the multitude. I mean -the higher class of paupers--the well-educated, the well-dressed, -sometimes even the well-born, who are paupers the more, because they -have more wants than the ostensible beggar; these De Retz has found -out in thousands, has visited them in private, relieved their wants, -soothed their pride, familiarized himself with their habits and -wishes, and, in short, has raised up a party for me which almost -insures me the capital." - -This last part of the Count's speech instantly let me into the secret -of Monsieur de Retz's first visit to me. My good landlady's tongue had -probably not been idle concerning what she conceived my necessitous -situation; and, upon the alert for all such cases of what Monsieur le -Comte called higher pauperism, De Retz had lost no time in seeking to -gain me, as he had probably gained many others, by a display of -well-timed and discriminating charity. - -God knows, I was not a man to look upon wealth and splendour as a -virtue in others, nor to regard misfortune and poverty as a vice; and -yet, with one of those contradictory weaknesses with which human -nature swarms, I felt inexpressibly hurt and mortified at having been -taken for a beggar myself. - -Monsieur le Comte saw a sudden flush mount up into my cheek, and -judging from his own great and noble heart, he mistook the cause. "I -see what you think, Monsieur de l'Orme," said he; "you judge it mean -to work with such tools; but you are wrong. In such an enterprise as -this, it is my duty to my country to use every means, to employ all -measures, to insure that great and decisive preponderance, which will -bring about success, without any long protracted and sanguinary -struggle." - -I assured him that I agreed with him perfectly, and that I entertained -no such thoughts as he suspected. "So far from it," replied I, "that -if your highness will point out to me any service I can render you, be -it of the same kind you have just mentioned, or not, you will find me -ready to obey you therein, with as much zeal as Monsieur de Retz." - -"There is a candour about you, my good De l'Orme," replied the Count, -"which I could not doubt for a moment, if I would: but what would all -my sage counsellors say--the suspicious Bouillon, the obdurate -Bardouville--if I were to intrust missions of such importance to one -of whom I know so little?--one who, they might say, was only -instigated to seek me by a temporary neglect of Richelieu, and who -would easily be led to join the other party, by favour and -preferment?" - -"I am not one to commit such treachery, my lord," replied I, hastily. -"I am ready to swear before God, upon his holy altar, neither to -abandon nor betray your Highness. - -"Nay, nay," said the Count de Soissons, smiling at my heat, "swear -not, my dear count! Unhappily, in our days, the atmosphere which -surrounds that holy altar you speak of, is so thick with perjuries, -that an honest man can hardly breathe therein. I doubt you not, De -l'Orme; your word is as good to me as if you swore a thousand oaths; -and I am much inclined to give you a commission of some importance, -both because I know I can rely upon your wit and your honour, and -because your person is not so well known in Paris as the other -gentlemen of my household. But to return to what we were saying; still -give me your opinion about drawing the sword, as you have termed it; -ought I, or ought I not?" - -"By my faith, your Highness," replied I, "I think it is drawn already, -as you yourself have admitted." - -"Not so decidedly," answered the Count, "but that it can be sheathed -again; and if this cardinal, alarmed at these preparations, as I know -he is, will but yield such terms of compromise as may insure my own -safety and that of my companions, permit the thousands of exiles who -are longing for their native country to return, and secure the freedom -and the peace of France, far, far be it from me ever to shed one drop -of Gallic blood." - -"But does not your highness still continue your preparations, then?" -demanded I. - -"Most assuredly," replied the Count. "The matter must come to a -conclusion speedily, either by a negotiation and treaty, which will -insure us our demands, or by force of arms; and therefore it is well -to be prepared for the latter, though most willing to embrace the -former alternative." - -"And does the minister seem inclined to treat?" asked I. - -"He always pretends that he is so," replied Monsieur de Soissons. "But -who can judge of what his inclinations are by what he says? his whole -life is a vizard--as hollow--as false--as unlike the real face of the -man. We all know how negotiations can be protracted; and he has used -every means to keep this in suspense till he could free himself from -other embarrassments. He asked our demands, and then misunderstood -them; and then required a fuller interpretation of particular parts; -and then mistook the explanation--then let a month or two slip by; and -then again required to know our demands, as if he had never heard -them; and then began over again the same endless train of irritating -delay. But, however, there is one of our demands which we will never -relinquish, and which he will never grant, except he be compelled, -which is the solemn condemnation and relinquishment of all special -commissions." - -"I am not very well aware of the meaning of that term," said I: "may I -crave your highness to explain it to me?" - -"I do not wonder at your not knowing it," answered the Count: "it is -an iniquity of his own invention, totally unknown to the laws of -France. When any one was accused of a crime formerly, the established -authorities of the part of the country in which it was averred to have -been committed took cognisance of the matter, and the accused was -tried before the usual judges; but now, on the contrary, on any such -accusation, this cardinal issues his special commission to various -judges named by himself, uniformly his most devoted creatures, and -often the personal enemies of the accused. Under such an abuse, who -can escape? False accusers can always be procured; and where the -judges are baser still, justice is out of the question. The law of -France is no longer administered, but the personal resentments of -Richelieu." - -The conversation continued for some time in the same course, and -turned but little to the advantage of the minister. The Count de -Soissons had real and serious cause of indignation against Richelieu, -on his own account; and this made him see all the public crimes of -that great but cruel and vindictive minister in the most unfavourable -light. The stimulus of neglect had, in my mind, also excited feelings -which made me lend an attentive ear to the grievances and wrongs that -the prince was not slow in urging, and my blood rose warmly against -the tyranny which had driven so many of the great and noble from their -country, and spilt the most generous blood in France upon the -scaffold. - -I have through life seen self-interest and private pique bias the -judgment of the wisest and the best intentioned; and I never yet in -all the wide world met with a man who, in judging of circumstances -wherein he himself was any way involved, did not suffer himself to be -prejudiced by one personal feeling or another. The most despotic lords -of their own passions have always some favourite that governs them -themselves. Far be it from me, then, to say, I was not very willing -and easy to be convinced that the man who had neglected me had also -abused his power, tyrannized over his fellow-subjects, and wronged -both his king and his country. I was in the heat of youth, soon -prepossessed, and already prejudiced; and whatever I might think -afterwards, I, at the moment, looked upon the enterprise which was -contemplated by Monsieur le Comte as one of the most noble and -justifiable that had ever been undertaken to free one's native country -from a tyrant. - -There was also in the manners of the Count de Soissons that -inexpressible charm which leaves the judgment hardly free. It is -impossible to say exactly in what it consisted. I have seen many men -with the same princely air and demeanour, and with the same suavity of -manner, who did not in the least possess that sort of fascination -which, like the cestus of the goddess, won all hearts for him that was -endowed with it. I was not the only one that felt the charm. Everybody -that surrounded the prince--everybody that, in any degree, came in -contact with him, were all affected alike towards him. Even the common -multitude experienced the same; and the shouts with which the populace -of Paris greeted his appearance on some day of ceremony, are said to -have been the first cause of the Cardinal's jealous persecution of -him. One saw a fine and noble spirit, a generous and feeling heart -shining through manners that were at once dignified while they were -affable, and warm though polished; and it might be the conviction of -his internal rectitude, and his perfect sincerity, which added the -master-spell to a demeanour eminently graceful. Whatever it was, the -fascination on my mind was complete; and I hardly know what I would -have refused to undertake in the service of such a prince. At the end -of our conversation, scarcely knowing that I did so, I could not help -comparing in my own mind my present interview with the Count de -Soissons, and that which I had formerly had with the Cardinal de -Richelieu; and how strange was the difference of my feelings at the -end of each! I left the minister, cold, dissatisfied, dispirited; and -I quitted the Count de Soissons with every hope and every wish ardent -in his favour; with all my best feelings devoted to his service, and -my own expectations of the future raised and expanded by my communion -with him, like a flower blown fully out by the influence of a genial -day of summer. - -On leaving the Count's apartments, I passed through a room in which I -found Monsieur de Varicarville with several other gentlemen, to whom -he introduced me; and we then proceeded to the grand hall of the -château, where we were met by the personal suite of the Duke of -Bouillon, who divided the interior of the citadel equally with his -princely guest. The duke had this morning made some twinges of the -gout an excuse for taking his breakfast with the Duchess in his own -apartment, and the Count did so habitually; but for the rest of the -party, two long tables were spread, each containing fifty covers, -which were not long in finding employers. The table soon groaned with -the breakfast, and every one drew his knife and fell to, with the more -speed, as it had been announced that the tilt-yard of the castle would -be open at eight of the clock, to such as chose to run at the ring. -After which there would be a _course des têtes_. Neither of these -exercises I had ever seen, and consequently was not a little eager for -the conclusion of the meal, although I could but hope to be a -spectator. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. - - -Immediately after breakfast I returned to the apartments of the -Count de Soissons, to attend him with the rest of his suite to the -tilt-yard; and in a few minutes after was called to his chamber by his -valet. I found him already dressed, and prepared to take his share in -the sports. He was fitting himself with a right-hand glove of strong -buff leather, which covered his arm to the elbow, and in regard to the -exact proportions of which, he seemed as curious as a young lordling -of a new pourpoint. - -"What, De l'Orme," cried he, "not gloved! You can never hold your -lance without such a supplementary skin as this. Choose one from this -heap; and see that the flap fall clear over the inner part of your -fore-arm." - -I endeavoured to excuse myself, by informing his highness that I was -quite unused to such exercises; but he would not hear of my being -merely a spectator, and replied, laughing--"Nonsense, nonsense! I must -see how you ride, and how you use your sword, to know whether I can -give you a regiment of cavalry with safety. Ho, Gouvion! order -Monsieur de l'Orme's horse to be saddled instantly!" - -There was of course no way of opposing the Count's command; and though -I was very much afraid that I should do myself no great credit, I was -obliged to submit, and accompanied Monsieur le Comte to the little -court at the foot of the staircase, with somewhat nervous feelings at -the idea of exhibiting myself before two or three hundred people, in -exercises which I had never even seen. I had quite sufficient vanity -to be timid, where failure implied the slightest touch of ridicule. - -The tilt-yard consisted of a large piece of level ground, within the -walls, of perhaps a couple of acres in extent, the centre of which was -enclosed with barriers surrounding an oblong space of about two -hundred feet in length by fifty in breadth. - -The distance was so small from the court before the Count's apartments -to the barriers, that he had sent on the horses, and walked thither, -followed by myself and about a dozen other gentlemen of his suite. As -we approached, the people who had assembled to witness the exercises, -and amongst whom were a number of soldiers, received the Count with a -shout sufficiently indicative of his popularity, and separating -respectfully as he advanced, permitted him to meet a small knot of the -more distinguished exiles, who had flocked to his standard at the -first report of his having determined to take arms against the -cardinal. - -The Count proceeded onward, bowing to the people in recognition of -their welcome, with that bland smile which sits so gracefully on the -lips of the great; and then advancing with somewhat of a quicker step, -as he perceived the group of nobles I have mentioned hurrying to meet -him, he spoke to them all, but selected two for more particular -attention. The first was a man of about fifty; and, after I had heard -him named as the Duke of Vendome, I fancied I could discover in his -face a strong likeness to the busts of Henri Quatre. The second was -the Duke of Bouillon; and certainly never did I behold a countenance -which, without being at all handsome, possessed so pre-eminently -intellectual an expression. To me it was not pleasing, nor was it what -is called shrewd--nay, nor thoughtful; and yet it was all mind--mind -quick to perceive, and strong to repel, and steady to retain, and bold -to uphold. The whole was more impressive than agreeable, and gave the -idea of all the impulses springing from the brain, and none arising in -the heart. - -After he had returned the embrace of the Count de Soissons, his quick -dark eye instantly glanced to me with an inquiring look. - -The Prince saw and interpreted his glance; and making me a sign to -advance, he introduced me to his ally as Louis Count de l'Orme, only -son of the noble house of Bigorre, and first gentleman of his -bedchamber. The Duke bowed low, and, with what I judged rather an -unnecessary ostentation of politeness, welcomed me to Sedan; while the -Count, with a smile that seemed to imply that he read clearly what was -passing in his friend's mind, said in a low tone, "Do not be afraid, -Bouillon: if he is not for you, he is not against you." - -"He that is not for me," replied the Duke of Bouillon, with that -irreverent use of scriptural expressions which was so common in those -days--"he that is not for me is against me. I love not neutrals. Give -me the man who has spirit enough to take some determinate side, and -support it with his whole soul." - -All the blood in my body, I believe, found its way up into my cheek; -but I remained silent; and the Count, seeing that Monsieur de Bouillon -was in an irritable mood, and judging that I was not of a disposition -patiently to bear many such taunts as he had most undeservedly -launched at me, led the way to the barriers. - -Monsieur de Riquemont, the Count's chief _ecuyer_, having been -appointed _mestre de camp_ for the time, opened the barriers and -entered the field first, followed by a crowd of valets and -_estaffiers_, carrying in a number of lances and pasteboard blocks, -made to represent the heads of Moors and Saracens, which were -deposited in the middle of the field. The Prince then mounted his -horse, and followed by the Dukes of Bouillon, Vendôme, and La Valette, -rode through the barrier, turning to me as he did so, and calling me -to keep near him. - -I instantly sprang upon my horse, which little Achilles held ready for -me, and galloped after the count. All those whose rank entitled them -to pass did the same. A certain number of grooms and lackeys also were -admitted, to hold the horses, amongst whom Achilles contrived to place -himself; and the barriers being closed, the rest of the people ranged -themselves without, which was indeed the best situation for viewing -the exercises. - -At about two-thirds of the course from the entrance, raised above one -of the posts which upheld the wooden railing of the enclosure, was a -high pillar of wood, with a cross-bar at the top, in form of a -gallows, and which was in fact called _la potence_. From this was -suspended a ring, hanging about a foot below the beam; and, during the -course, one of the Prince's domestics was mounted on the barrier, -supporting himself by the pillar of wood, to ascertain precisely -whether those who missed hitting the inside of the ring, and so -carrying it away, might not touch its edge, which was counted as an -inferior point. - -The _mestre de camp_ now arranged us in the order in which we were to -run, and I was glad to find that I should be preceded by five -cavaliers, from each of whom I hoped to receive a lesson. The Prince, -of course, took the lead; and I observed that a great deal of -dexterity was necessary to couch the lance with grace and ease. After -pausing for a moment with the lance erect, he made a _demi-volte_, -and, gradually dropping the point, brought his elbow slowly to his -side; while putting his horse into a canter, and then into a gallop, -he kept the point of the weapon steadily above the right ear of his -horse, exactly on a line with his own forehead, till coming near the -pillar with his charger at full speed, he struck the ring and bore it -away. The marker now cried loudly, "_Un dedans! un dedans!_" and some -of the _estaffiers_ ran to place another ring. - -In the mean while, amidst the applauses which multitudes always so -unscrupulously bestow upon success, the count, without looking behind, -rode round the field, slowly raising the point of his lance, on which -he still bore the ring he had carried away. The Duke of Bouillon, -notwithstanding his gout, proceeded next to the course; and, without -taking any great pains respecting the grace of his movements, aimed -his lance steadily, and carried away the ring. The Duke of Vendôme had -declined running; and Monsieur de la Valette, though managing his -horse and his lance with the most exquisite grace, passed the ring -without hitting it at all. De Varicarville missed the centre, but -struck it on the outside, when the marker cried loudly, "_Une -atteinte! line atteinte!_" and the Marquis de Bardouville, who, like a -great many other very hard-headed men, was famous for such exercises, -spurred on and carried it away like lightning. - -It now became my turn; and I will own that I wished myself anywhere in -the wide world but there. However, there was no remedy; and I was very -sure that, though I might not be able to carry away, or even touch the -ring, I could manage my horse as well as any man in the field. But I -had forgotten, that to every such compact as that between a man and -his horse, there are two parties, both of whom must be in perfect good -humour. The roan horse which had borne me from Paris was an excellent -strong roadster, and sufficiently well broke for all common purposes; -but for such exercises as those in which both he and his master were -so unwillingly engaged, he had no taste whatever. It was with the -greatest difficulty, therefore, that I compelled him to make his -_demi-volte_, before beginning the course. This accomplished, he -galloped on steadily enough towards the pillar; but, just at the -moment that I was aiming my lance to the best of my power, the -_potence_, the ring, and the man standing on the railing, all seemed -to catch his sight at once; and thinking it something very -extraordinary, and not at all pleasant, he started sideways from the -course, and dashed into the very centre of the field, scattering the -_estaffiers_ and valets like a flock of sheep, and treading upon the -pasteboard heads of Moors and Turks with most pitiless precipitation. -Spurs and bridle were all in vain; I might as well have spurred a -church-steeple; and, in the end, down he came upon his haunches in the -most ungraceful posture in the world, while a loud shout of laughter -from the Duke of Bouillon and several others, announced that my -misfortune had not afforded the smallest part of the morning's -amusement. - -God forgive me! I certainly could have committed more than one murder -in the height of my wrath; and, digging my spurs into my horse's sides -with most unjustifiable passion, till the blood streamed from them, I -forced him up, and rode round to the spot where the Duke of Bouillon -stood, with intentions which I had luckily time to moderate before I -arrived. - -I passed on, therefore, to the Count de Soissons, merely giving the -duke a glance as I passed, in which he might well read what was -passing in my heart. He returned it with a cold stare, and then turned -to Bardouville with a sneering smile, which had nearly driven me mad. - -"Your Highness sees," said I, as I came near the Count, "the -unfortunate issue of my attempt to give you pleasure. Perhaps you will -now condescend to excuse my farther exposing myself to the laughter of -Monsieur de Bouillon and his friends." - -"Fie! you are angry, my dear De l'Orme," replied the Count, with a -degree of good humour I hardly deserved. "I will certainly not excuse -you going on with the exercises. You managed that horse as well as -such a horse could possibly be managed; and a great deal better than -any of the laughers would have done: but, though a good strong beast, -he is not fit for such games as these; and, therefore, as soon as I -saw him start, I sent one of my grooms for a managed horse of my own, -that has a mouth like velvet, and will obey the least touch of the -leg. Mount, my good De l'Orme, and shame these merry fools, by showing -them some better horsemanship than they can practise themselves." - -The Count then, turning to the rest, kindly amused a few moments in -conversation, till such time as he saw his groom trotting down the -beautiful charger he proposed to lend me. I made a sign to Achilles to -hold the horse I was upon; and alighting, the moment the other passed -the barrier, I laid my hand lightly on his shoulder, and sprang into -the saddle without touching the stirrup. The courses recommenced, and -Monsieur le Comte again carried away the ring: not so the Duke of -Bouillon, who merely touched it on the outer edge. The Duke de la -Valette also gained an _atteinte_; and both Varicarville and -Bardouville carried it away. - -As may be supposed, I had watched narrowly every motion of the other -cavaliers; and had remarked, and endeavoured to appropriate, all that -sat gracefully upon them. Habituated from my infancy to almost every -other corporeal exercise and game, I found no great difficulty in -acquiring this; and mounted as I was upon a horse that seemed almost -instinctively to know its rider's will, and obey it, I had every -advantage. The noble animal performed his _demi-volte_ with the utmost -grace and precision; and now, finding by the very touch of the bridle -that I had a different creature to deal with, I easily balanced the -lance, as I had seen the Count de Soissons, kept the point over my -horse's right ear, and, somewhat imitating the swiftness with which De -Bardouville had run his course, I galloped on at full speed, struck -the ring right in the centre, and bore it away at once. - -The feelings of a multitude, unlike the feelings of most individuals, -do not seem mixed and blended with each other, but each appears -separate and distinct, reigns its moment, and then gives way to -another, like the passions of an ardent and hasty man; and this, -probably, because the sensations of all the parts of the crowd act in -the aggregate, while any counteracting principle is confined to one or -two, and does not appear. Thus the spectators outside the barriers, -who had laughed with the Duke of Bouillon at my former failure, were -as ready to triumph _with_ me, as _over_ me, and greeted my success -with a loud shout; while suddenly bringing my horse into a walk, I -proceeded round the field, slowly raising my lance with the ring still -upon the point. - -The Count de Soissons fixed his eyes upon me, and gave me a glance -expressive of as much pleasure as if he had been the person -interested; while the Duke of Bouillon looked on with an air of the -most perfect indifference, and talked aloud with Bardouville upon the -pleasures of a barbecued pig. Mixed feelings of indignation and -triumph excited me to a pitch of exertion which brought with it -greater success than I could have expected. I again carried away the -ring; and, at the end of the third course, found myself only exceeded -in the number of points I had made by the Count de Soissons, who had -carried the ring twice, and struck it once. - -The different pasteboard heads were now placed in the positions -assigned for them; and the Count de Soissons, who generously entered -into all my feelings, and saw that anger had made success a matter of -importance to me, now beckoning me to him, bade me, in a whisper, to -remark well the man[oe]uvres of those who preceded me; and, above all -things, to take care that I neither dropped my hat, nor withdrew my -foot from the stirrup; as, though merely a matter of etiquette, the -course was considered lost by such an occurrence. I thanked his -Highness for his caution; and fixing my hat more firmly on my head, -and myself more steadily in the saddle, I left him to run his course. - -The heads had been placed, at various distances, along the line of the -barriers. One, a most ferocious-looking Saracen, was fixed upon an -iron stand at about one hundred and twenty-feet from the beginning of -the course, and raised about eight feet from the ground. This was made -to turn upon a pivot; and near it, in the exact centre of the course, -was placed a target painted with a head of Medusa. As soon as all was -arranged, the Count couched his lance and ran full speed at the -Saracen; but not being hit exactly in the centre, the head turned upon -its pivot, and the lance passed off. - -The Prince, however, rode on; and tossing the lance to an _estaffier_ -who stood ready to catch it, turned with a _demi-volte_ at the corner, -and drawing one of his pistols from the saddle-bow, galloped towards -the Medusa in the centre of the barrier. The crowd on the outside now -ran in every direction; and the Count, discharging his pistol, hit the -face upon the target exactly in the middle of the brow. Without -pausing, he urged his horse forward; and making the same turn nearly -where I stood, he came back upon the head, and fired his second pistol -at it with the same success. He then made a complete _volte_, during -which he replaced his pistol, drew his sword, and, galloping past the -third head, which was placed upon a little mound of earth about two -feet high, near the opposite barrier, he gave point with his sword in -tierce, struck it on the forehead, and raising his hand in quarte, -held up the head upon his sword's point. - -I found that the groom who had brought down the Count's horse for me -had taken care to provide pistols also; and, as the principal feats in -this course were performed with weapons which I was accustomed to, I -did not fear the result. The gentlemen who preceded me met with -various success; but Bardouville, who was certainly the most stupid of -them all in mind, was the most expert in body, and carried every -point. I followed his example, and succeeded in bearing off the -Saracen's head upon the point of my lance, making both my shots tell -upon the head of Medusa, and bringing up the third head upon the point -of my sword. - -Accidental, or not accidental, my success changed the posture of -affairs, for the Duke of Bouillon from that moment seemed to regard me -in a very different light from that which he had done at first; and as -we rode out of the barriers, he kept the Prince in close conversation, -which, from the glancing of his eye every now and then towards me, I -could not doubt had some reference to myself. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX. - - -On our arrival at the citadel, the two princes separated; and Monsieur -le Comte retired to his own apartments, whither I followed him in -company with the principal officers of his household. As he passed on -into his own saloon, he made me a sign to enter also; and while a -valet pulled off his boots, congratulated me upon my success in the -tilt-yard. "Nor must you be discontented, De l'Orme," continued he, -"because there was some little pain mingled with the first of your -feats: it rendered your after-triumph the greater." - -"Certainly, monseigneur," replied I, "I would rather it had not -happened; but yet, of course, I do not look upon it as any very -serious misfortune." - -"And yet," said he, with a smile, "you looked at the time as if you -felt it one. We are apt, my dear Count, to fancy in our youth that the -sweet cup of life has not a drop of bitter; but we all soon discover -that it is not so. With life, as with everything else, we find the -bright and delightful scattered thinly amidst an immensity of baser -matter. Those who seek pearls are obliged to plunge into the deep -briny sea to drag them up, and even then perchance, out of every -shell, ten will be worthless; but did we find pearls hanging amongst -grapes, or diamonds at the roots of roses, we should value neither one -nor the other as they merit. As it is, the threads of pain are woven -so intimately in the web of life, that they form but one piece; and -wise was the hand that ordered it so." - -The Count being by this time disembarrassed of his boots, he dismissed -the lackey, and then proceeded: "Now that we are alone," said he, "I -will give up my homily, for I have other matter to consult you upon. -This morning you said, in speaking of De Retz, that you would -willingly undertake and execute for me any commission similar to that -which he so dexterously exercises. Are you still so inclined?--Mark -me, De l'Orme," he added suddenly, "you are bound by nothing that you -said this morning. Men of a quick and ardent temperament like yours, -are often led from one step to another in the heat of conversation, -till they promise, and feel willing to perform at the time, many -things that, upon mature consideration, they would be very sorry to -undertake. Their feelings go on like the waves of the sea, each -hurrying forward the one before it, till the ripple becomes a billow -that dashes over every obstacle in its way. Then comes consideration, -like the ebb of the tide, and their wishes flow gradually back, far -from the point at which they had arrived at first. Should this be your -case, you are free to retract; and I tell you beforehand, that the -service upon which I would put you is one of difficulty, and also of -some personal danger to yourself." - -I replied by assuring the Count that what I had said in my former -conversation with him, unlike most conversations on earth, contained -nothing that I could wish unsaid--that my offer to serve him had -originated in personal attachment, and that of course that attachment -had much increased, instead of diminishing, by all that had passed -during the morning. Danger and difficulty, I farther said, were hardly -to be looked upon as objections, when by encountering them we could -prove our sincerity; and, therefore, that he had nothing to do but -point out the course he wished me to follow, and he might feel assured -I would do so to the best of my abilities. - -"Be it so then," replied the Count; "and I entertain no doubt of -either your discretion or success. Before your arrival, I had -intrusted to Monsieur de Retz all that a man of his profession could -do for me in the capital; but still there is much more to be done. He -has undertaken to win one part of society to our cause; but you must -know that in Paris there is a complete class of men, distinct and -separate from all the rest of the people, whom it concerns me much to -gain, for the purpose of securing the metropolis. You will be curious -to know what class I speak of:--I mean," he added with a smile, "the -honourable body of bravoes, swash-bucklers, swindlers, and, in short, -the whole company of those who, having no property of their own, live -at the expense of others. I am credibly informed that these persons -form one great body, and have certain means of corresponding and -communicating with each other throughout the kingdom. The number in -Paris is said to be twenty thousand. You may well look surprised; but -it is an undoubted fact; and it is to gain these respectable allies -that I now intend to send you back to the capital. The mission, truly, -is not a very elevated one; but when I do not disdain to treat with -such a body, you must not scorn to be my ambassador. In the conduct of -this business, you and De Retz must be in constant correspondence; for -though his clerical character stands in the way of his taking any -active part in the negotiation itself, his knowledge of Paris, and all -that it contains, may be of the greatest service to you in -facilitating your communication with these gentry, who are not in -general very fond of trusting their secrets with strangers." - -The Prince was then proceeding once more to give the motives which -induced him to look upon nothing as mean which could insure the most -speedy termination to an enterprise on which the fate of France -depended--reasoning with all the eloquence of a man who, not very sure -of being in the right, hopes to persuade himself thereof, while he is -persuading another; but I assured him in reply, that I was perfectly -convinced of the propriety of the conduct which he pursued, and only -required to be made perfectly aware of the nature of my mission, what -I was to demand, and what I might promise on his part. - -"Much must be left to your own discretion," replied the Count: "the -object is to insure that these men will instantly rise in my favour, -on a given signal; but not to commit me to them so far, that I cannot -retract should any change of circumstances induce me to abandon the -enterprise." - -The sketch of Monsieur le Comte, as drawn by the Marquis de St. Brie, -instantly rose to my recollection at these words; and I saw how truly -he had spoken, when he said, that want of resolution was the great -defect of the Count's character. How dangerous such irresolution must -ever be in the conduct of great undertakings was at once evident; and -I almost shuddered to think what might be the possible consequences to -all concerned, if the struggle that was likely to ensue could not be -terminated at a blow. This, more than any other consideration, made me -resolve to exert the utmost energies of my mind, in the part that was -allotted to me, for the purpose of preparing everything to act upon -the same point at the same moment, and produce one great and -overpowering effect. I promised, therefore, to do my best, according -to the views his highness entertained; and said that I doubted not of -my success with the persons to whom I was sent, provided I was -furnished with the necessary means to touch their hearts, through the -only points in which the hearts of such men are vulnerable. - -"You shall have it, De l'Orme! you shall have it!" replied the Count, -"though money is one of those things of which we stand most in need. -But you will not set out till to-morrow morning; and before that time, -I will try to furnish you with a few thousand crowns, for I know it is -absolutely necessary; especially as I trust you will, on your return, -bring with you two or three hundred recruits; for should you find any -of our friends the swash-bucklers, who have a grain or two more -honesty than the rest, you must enlist them in our good cause, and -send them one by one over to Mouzon. But now hie you to the rest till -dinner; and accept, as a first earnest of my friendship, the good -horse on whose back you were so successful just now. No thanks! no -thanks, my good De l'Orme! Take him as he stands; and he may perhaps -recall me to your memory when Louis de Bourbon is no more." - -There was a touch of sadness in the Count's tone that found its way to -the heart, and, like the whole of his manners, won upon the affection. -It seemed to familiarise one with his inmost feelings, and any -coldness in his cause would have been like a breach of confidence. A -prince binds himself to his inferior, by making him the sharer of his -pleasures or his follies; but he binds his inferior to him by -admitting him into the solemn tabernacle of the heart. - -On retiring from the prince's apartments, I felt no inclination to -join any of the merry, thoughtless parties of his friends that were -roving about the town and the citadel, some running to the mall, some -to the tennis court, and all eager to chase away those precious hours, -which man the prodigal squanders so thoughtlessly in his youth, to -covet with so much avarice in his latter days. On the stairs, however, -that conducted to my own apartments, I met Monsieur de Varicarville, -who gave me the good morning, and stopped to speak with me. "I know -not, Monsieur de l'Orme," said he, "whether I am about to take a -liberty with you, but I have just seen your servant conducted to the -private cabinet of the Duke of Bouillon. It appeared to me this -morning that you were not inclined to attach yourself to the Duke's -party; and that, from that or some other cause, he seemed somewhat -ill-disposed towards you at first. I therefore presume to tell you of -your servant's having gone to him, that if you did not yourself send -him, you may make what inquiries you think fit. You are still young in -the intrigues of this place, or I should not give you this warning." - -This took place not above ten steps from my own chamber; and after -thanking Varicarville for his information, I asked him to wait with me -for Achilles' return, and we would question him together concerning -his absence. This mark of confidence on my part opened the way for the -same on the part of the Marquis; and after proceeding cautiously step -by step for a few minutes, both fearful that we might betray in some -degree the trust reposed in us by Monsieur le Comte, if we spoke -openly, and neither wishing to intrude himself into the private -opinions of the other, we gradually found that there was nothing to be -concealed on either side, and that our opinions tended immediately -towards the same point. - -This once established, and the communication instantly became easy -between us. Varicarville spoke his sentiments freely concerning the -situation and character of the Count, and the schemes and wishes of -the Duke of Bouillon, whose endeavours to hurry the Prince into a -civil war were every day becoming more active and more successful. - -"Notwithstanding the advantages which may accrue to himself," said -Varicarville, "and which are certainly very many, I do believe that -the duke seeks principally the good and honour of Monsieur le Comte; -and did I feel sure that the event we desire could be procured by a -single battle, or even a single campaign, I should not oppose him; -for, an excellent soldier and even a skilful general, the Count would -be almost certain to overcome the only disposable force which the -cardinal could oppose to him. This, however, would not be the only -arms with which the wily minister would fight him:--he would employ -negotiations, treaties, and intrigues; and thus he would conquer, and -even intimidate, a man who has really ten times more personal courage -than those who most eagerly urge him to war. From what you have said, -I easily see that you have discovered the Prince's defect:--he has no -resolution. He has the courage of a lion; but still he has not -resolution. The first, to use the words of the Abbé de Retz, is an -ordinary, and even a vulgar quality; the second is rare even in great -men; but yet there are two situations in which it is eminently -necessary--the ministry of a great country, and the chief of a -conspiracy. Richelieu has it in the most eminent degree; and the man -who would oppose him with success must not therein be deficient." - -While he spoke, the door of the chamber opening, Achilles made his -appearance, and was running up to me, when he perceived Monsieur de -Varicarville, and suddenly stopped. - -"What were you going to say, Achilles?" demanded I. "You may speak -freely:--this is a friend." - -"But what I have to say is a state secret, which I shall communicate -to none but your lordship," replied the little player, with a look of -vast importance. "Deep in the bottom of my profound heart will I hide -it, till opportunity shall unlock the door and draw it forth from its -dungeon." - -Varicarville looked somewhat surprised; but I, who better understood -my attendant's vein, merely replied, "You had better draw it forth -immediately yourself, my good Achilles, for fear I should break the -dungeon door, as you call it, and your head both in one." - -"Oh, if your lordship insists," replied the little player, not -displeased at the bottom of his heart to be delivered of his secret at -once, "I have nothing for it but to obey. Know then, illustrious scion -of a noble house, that as I was returning from that famous field, -wherein you this morning covered yourself with victory, one of the -domestic servants of the great and puissant Prince, Frederic Maurice, -Duke of Bouillon and Sovereign of Sedan, pulled me by the tags of my -doublet, and insinuated, in a low and solemn voice, that his master -wanted to speak with me: to which I replied, that duty is the call -which generous souls obey, and therefore that I must see whether you -stood in need of anything, before I could follow him. Finding, -however, that you were closeted with Monsieur le Comte, I proceeded to -the lodging of the high and puissant Prince, who asked me if I were -much in your private secrets. To this I answered, that I did not -believe there was a thought on earth which you concealed from me." - -"You were either a great fool or a great knave to say so," replied I, -"and I do not very well know which." - -"A knave, a knave! please your worship," replied Achilles, with a low -bow. "A fool has something degrading in it. I would rather at any time -be supposed to exercise the profession of Hermes than that of -Æsculapius.--But listen! He next asked me how long I had been in your -worship's service. On which I replied, all my life--that we had been -brought up together from the cradle. My mother, I assured him, was -your worship's wet-nurse, so that we were foster-brothers." - -"A pretty apocrypha truly!" replied I; "but go on." - -"His highness then asked me," proceeded Achilles, "whether your -lordship leaned really to peace or war. To which I replied, that as -yet, I believed, you were quite undecided, although your natural -disposition led you to war, for which you had so strong a turn, that -you must needs go fighting in Catalonia, when you had no occasion in -life. At this I thought he looked pleased; but I was afraid of going -any farther, for fear of committing your Excellence. So then, his -majesty proceeded to say that I must try and determine you to war, and -that you must try and determine Monsieur le Comte; and on the back of -this he gave me at least one hundred excellent reasons why men should -cut one another's throats, all which I have forgot; but doubtless your -Eminence can imagine them. He then gave me a purse, not at all as a -bribe, he said, but merely for the trouble he had given me; and made -me promise at the same time not to reveal one word of what had passed -to any one, which I vowed upon my honour and my reputation, and came -away to tell your grace as fast as possible." - -"And your honour and your reputation, _mon drole!_" said Varicarville, -"what has become of them?" - -"Oh, your worship!" replied Achilles, "I stretched them so often in my -youth, that they cracked long ago; and then, instead of patching them -up as many people do, which is but a sorry contrivance, and not at all -safe, I threw them away altogether, and have done ever since quite as -well without." - -After having sent Achilles away, I consulted with Varicarville in -regard to the proper course of proceeding under such circumstances. - -"All you can do," replied he, "is to take no notice, and remain -firm--if I understand you rightly, that you are determined to join -with those who would dissuade the Count from proceeding to so -dangerous an experiment as war." - -"I am certainly so far determined," replied I, "that I will continue -to oppose such a proceeding, till I see the Count once resolved upon -it; but after that, I will, so far from endeavouring to shake his -resolution, do all in my power to keep him steady in it, and to -promote the success of the enterprise; for I am convinced that after -that, hesitation and conflicting opinions in the party of the Prince -might bring about his ruin, but could do no good." - -"Perhaps you are right," replied Varicarville, "and that is all that I -could hope or require. When I see you alone with the Count, I shall -now feel at ease, convinced that, as long as he continues undecided, -you will continue to oppose any act of hostility to the government; -and when he is decided, and the die cast, we must both do our best to -make the issue successful." - -Thus ended my conference with Varicarville, and nothing farther -occurred during the day affecting myself personally. I heard of the -arrival of several fresh parties, both from the interior of France and -from the adjacent countries, which were almost peopled with French -exiles; and Achilles also brought me news that the Baron de Beauvau -had returned from the Low Countries, accompanied by a Spanish -nobleman, as plenipotentiary from the Archduke Leopold and the -Cardinal Infant of Spain; but nothing of any consequence happened till -the evening, in which I was at all called to take part. - -I strolled, however, through the town of Sedan; and from the labours -which were hurrying forward at various points of the fortifications, I -was led to conclude that the Duke of Bouillon himself anticipated but -a short interval of peace. At length, as I approached an unfinished -hornwork on the banks of the Meuse, a sentinel dropped his partisan to -my breast, bidding me stand back; and, my walk being interrupted in -that direction, I returned to the citadel and proceeded to my own -chamber. - - - - -CHAPTER XL. - -I was standing at the window of my bedchamber, in one of those -meditative, almost sad moods, which often fill up the pauses of more -active and energetic being, when the mind falls back upon itself, -after the stir and bustle of great enterprises, and the silent moral -voice within seems to rebuke us for the worm-like pettiness of our -earthly struggles, and the vain futility of all our mortal endeavours. - -Nothing could be more lovely than the scene from the window. The sun -was setting over the dark forest of Ardennes, which, skirting all -round the northern limits of the view, formed a dark purple girdle to -the beautiful principality of Sedan; but day had only yet so far -declined as to give a rich and golden splendour to the whole -atmosphere, and his beams still flashed against every point of the -landscape, where any bright object met them, as if they encountered a -living diamond. Running from the south-east to the north were the -heights of Amblemont, from the soft green summit of which, stretching -up to the zenith, the whole sky was mottled with a flight of light -high clouds, which caught every beam of the sinking sun, and blushed -brighter and brighter as he descended. A thousand villages and hamlets -with their little spires, and now and then the turrets of the -châteaux, scattered through the valley, peeped out from every clump of -trees. The flocks of sheep and the herds of cattle, winding along -towards their folds, gave an air of peaceful abundance to the scene; -and the grand Meuse wandering through its rich meadows with a thousand -meanders, and glowing brightly in the evening light, added something -both solemn and majestic to the whole. I was watching the progress of -a boat gliding silently along the stream, whose calm waters it -scarcely seemed to ruffle in its course; and, while passion, and -ambition, and pride, and vanity, and the thousands of irritable -feelings that struggled in my bosom during the day were lulled into -tranquillity by the influence of the soft, peaceful scene before my -eyes, I was thinking how happy it would be to glide through life like -that little bark, with a full sail, and a smooth and golden tide, till -the stream of existence fell into the dark ocean of eternity--when my -dream was broken by some one knocking at my chamber-door. - -Though I wished them no good for their interruption, I bade them come -in; and the moment after, the Duke of Bouillon himself stood before -me. - -"Monsieur de l'Orme," said he, advancing, and doffing his hat, "I hope -I do not interrupt your contemplations." I bowed, and begged him to be -seated; and after a moment or two he proceeded: "I am happy in finding -you alone; for, though certainly one is bound to do whatever one -conceives right before the whole world, should chance order it so, yet -of course, when one has to acknowledge one's self in the wrong, it is -more pleasant to do so in private--especially," he added with a smile, -"for a sovereign prince in his own castle. I was this morning, -Monsieur de l'Orme, both rude and unjust towards you; and I have come -to ask your pardon frankly. Do you give it me?" - -Although I believed there was at least as much policy as candour in -the conduct of the Duke, I did not suffer that conviction to affect my -behaviour towards him, and I replied, "Had I preserved any irritation, -my lord, from this morning, the condescension and frankness of your -present apology would of course have obliterated it at once." - -I thought I saw a slight colour mount in the Duke's cheek at the word -apology; for men will do a thousand things which they do not like to -hear qualified by even the mildest word that can express them; and I -easily conceived, that though the proud lord of Sedan had for his own -purposes fully justified me in the use of the term, it hurt his ears -to hear that he had apologised to any one. - -He proceeded, however: "I was, in truth, rather irritable this -morning, and I hastily took up an opinion, which I since find, from -the conversation of Monsieur le Comte, was totally false; namely, that -you were using all your endeavours to dissuade him from the only step -which can save himself and his country from ruin. Our levies were -nearly made, our envoy on his very return from the Low Countries, all -our plans concerted, and the Count perfectly determined, but the very -day before your arrival. Now I find him again undetermined; and though -I am convinced I was in error, yet you will own that it was natural I -should attribute this change to your counsels." - -"Your Excellence attributed to me," I replied, with a smile, at the -importance wherewith a suspicious person often contrives to invest a -circumstance, or a person who has really none--"Your Excellence -attributed to me much more influence with Monsieur le Comte than I -possess: but, if it would interest you at all to hear what are the -opinions of a simple gentleman of his Highness's household, and by -what rule he was determined to govern his conduct, I have not the -slightest objection to give you as clear an insight into my mind, as -you have just given me of your own." - -The Duke, perhaps, felt that he was not acting a very candid part, and -he rather hesitated while he replied that such a confidence would give -him pleasure. - -"My opinion, then, my lord," replied I, "of that step which you think -necessary to the Count's safety, namely, a civil war, is, that it is -the most dangerous he could take, except that of hesitating after once -having fully determined." - -"But why do you think it so dangerous?" demanded the Duke: "surely no -conjuncture could be more propitious. We have troops, and supplies, -and allies, internal and external, which place success beyond a doubt. -The Count is adored by the people and by the army--scarcely ten men -will be found in France to draw a sword against him. He is courage and -bravery itself--an able politician--an excellent general--a man of -vigorous resolution." - -This was said so seriously, that it was difficult to suppose the Duke -was not in earnest; and yet to believe that a man of his keen sagacity -was blind to the one great weakness of the Prince's character was -absolutely impossible. If it was meant as a sort of bait to draw from -me my opinions of the count, it did not succeed, for I suspected it at -the time; and replied at once, "Most true. He is all that you say; and -yet, Monsieur de Bouillon, though my opinion or assistance can be of -very little consequence, either in one scale or the other, my -determination is fixed to oppose, to the utmost of my power, any step -towards war, whenever his highness does me the honour of speaking to -me on the subject--so long, at least, as I see that his mind remains -undetermined. The moment, however, I hear him declare that he has -taken his resolution, no one shall be more strenuous than myself in -endeavouring to keep him steady therein. From that instant I shall -conceive myself, and strive to make him believe, that one retrograde -step is destruction; and I pledge myself to exert all the faculties of -my mind and body, as far as those very limited faculties may go, to -assist and promote the enterprise to the utmost of my power." - -"If that be the case," replied the Duke, "I feel sure that I shall -this very night be able to show that war is now inevitable; and to -determine the Count to pronounce for it himself. A council will be -held at ten o'clock to-night, on various matters of importance; and I -doubt not that his highness will require your assistance and opinion. -Should he do so, I rely upon your word to do all that you can to close -the door on retrocession, when once the Count has chosen his line of -conduct." - -The noble duke now spoke in the real tone of his feelings. To do him -justice, he had shown infinite friendship towards his princely guest; -and it was not unnatural that he should strive by every means to bring -over those who surrounded the Prince to his own opinion. When as now -he quitted all art as far as he could, for he was too much habituated -to policy to abandon it ever entirely, I felt a much higher degree of -respect for him; and, as he went on boldly, soliciting me to join -myself to his party, and trying to lead me by argument from one step -to another, I found much more difficulty in resisting than I had -before experienced in seeing through and parrying his artifices. - -It is in times of faction and intrigue, when every single voice is of -import to one party or the other, that small men gain vast -consequence; and, apt to attribute to their individual merit the court -paid to them for their mere integral weight, they often sell their -support to flattery and attention, when they would have yielded to no -other sort of bribery. However much I might overrate my own importance -from the efforts of the Duke to gain me--and I do not at all deny that -I did so--I still continued firm: and at last contenting himself with -what I had at first promised, he turned the conversation to myself, -and I found that he had drawn from the Count so much of my history as -referred to the insurrection of Catalonia, and my interview with -Richelieu. - -I felt, as we conversed, that my character and mind were undergoing a -strict and minute examination, through the medium of every word I -spoke; and, what between the vanity of appearing to the best -advantage, and the struggle to hide the consciousness that I was under -such a scrutiny, I believe that I must have shown considerably more -affectation than ability. The conviction that this was the case, too, -came to embarrass me still more; and, feeling that I was undervaluing -my own mind altogether, I suddenly broke off at one of the Duke's -questions, which somewhat too palpably smacked of the investigation -with which he was amusing himself, and replied, "Men's characters, -monseigneur, are best seen in their actions, when they are free to -act; and in their words, when they think those words fall unnoticed; -but, depend upon it, one cannot form a correct estimate of the mind of -another by besieging it in form. We instantly put ourselves upon the -defensive when we find an army sitting down before the citadel of the -heart; and whatever be the ability of our adversary, it is very -difficult either to take us by storm, or to make us capitulate." - -"Nay," replied the Duke, "indeed you are mistaken. I had no such -intention as you seem to think. My only wish was to amuse away an hour -in your agreeable society, ere joining his highness, to proceed with -him to the council: but I believe it is nearly time that I should go." - -The Duke now left me. I was not at all satisfied with my own conduct -during the interview that had just passed; and, returning to my -station at the window, I watched the last rays of day fade away from -the sky, and one bright star after another gaze out at the world -below, while a thousand wandering fancies filled my brain, taking a -calm but melancholy hue from the solemn aspect of the night, and a -still more gloomy one from feeling how little my own actions were -under the control of my reason, and how continually, even in a casual -conversation, I behaved and spoke in the most opposite manner to that -which reflection would have taught me to pursue. - -Sick of the present, my mind turned to other days. Many a memory and -many a regret were busy about my heart, conjuring up dreams, and -hopes, and wishes passed away--the throng of all those bright things -we leave behind with early youth and never shall meet again, if it be -not in a world beyond the tomb. All the sounds of earth sunk into -repose, so that I could hear even the soft murmur of the Meuse, and -the sighing of the summer-breeze wandering through the embrazures of -the citadel. The cares, the labours, the anxieties, and all the -grievous realities of life, seemed laid in slumber with the day that -nursed them; while fancy, imagination, memory, every thing that lives -upon _that which is not_, seemed to assert their part, and take -possession of the night. I remembered many such a starry sky in my own -beautiful land, when, without a heart-ache or a care, I had gazed upon -the splendour of the heavens, and raised my heart in adoration to Him -that spread it forth; but now, I looked out into the deep darkness, -and found painful, painful memory mingling gall with all the sweetness -of its contemplation. I thought of my sweet Helen, and remembered how -many an obstacle was cast between us. I thought of my father, who had -watched my youth like an opening flower, who had striven to instil -into my mind all that was good and great, and I recollected the pain -that my unexplained absence must have given. I thought of my mother, -who had nursed my infant years, who had founded all her happiness on -me--who had watched, and wept, and suffered for me, in my illness; and -I called up every tone of her voice, every glance of her eye, every -smile of her lip, till my heart ached even with the thoughts it -nourished; and a tear, I believe, found its way into my eye--when -suddenly, as it fixed upon the darkness, something white seemed to -glide slowly across before me. It had the form--it had the look--it -had the aspect of my mother. My eyes strained upon it, as if they -would have burst from their sockets. I saw it distinct and plain as I -could have seen her in the open day. My heart beat, my brain whirled, -and I strove to speak; but my words died upon my lips; and when at -length I found the power to utter them, the figure was gone, and all -was blank darkness, with the bright stars twinkling through the deep -azure of the sky. - -I know--I feel sure, now, as I sit and reason upon it--that the whole -was imagination, to which the hour, the darkness, and my own previous -thoughts, all contributed: but still, the fancy must have been most -overpoweringly strong to have thus compelled the very organs of vision -to co-operate in the deceit; and, at the moment, I had no more doubt -that I had seen the spirit of my mother than I had of my own -existence. The memory of the whole remains still as strongly impressed -upon my mind as ever; and certainly, as far as actual impressions -went, every circumstance appeared as substantially true as any other -thing we see in the common course of events. Memory, however, leaves -the mind to reason calmly; and I repeat, that I believe the whole to -have been produced by a highly excited imagination; for I am sure that -the Almighty Being who gave laws to nature, and made it beautifully -regular even in its irregularities, never suffers his own laws to be -changed or interrupted, except for some great and extraordinary -purpose. - -I do not deny that such a thing has happened--or that it may happen -again; but, even in opposition to the seeming evidence of my senses, I -will not believe that such an interruption of the regular course of -nature did occur in my own case. - - - - -CHAPTER XLI. - - -Still, at the time I believed it fully; and, after a few minutes given -to wild, confused imaginings, I sat down and forcibly collected my -thoughts, to bend them upon all the circumstances of my fate. My -mother's spirit must have appeared to me, I thought, as a warning, -probably of my own approaching death: but death was a thing that in -itself I little feared; and all I hoped was, that some opportunity -might be given me of distinguishing myself before the grave closed -over my mortal career. Now, all the trifles, which we have time to -make of consequence when existence seems indefinitely spread out -before us, lost their value in my eyes, as I imagined, or rather as I -felt, what we ought always to feel, that every hour of being is -limited. One plays boldly when one has nothing to lose, and carelessly -when one has nothing to gain; and thus, in the very fancy that life -was fleeting from me fast, I found a sort of confidence and firmness -of mind, which is generally only gained by long experience of our own -powers as compared with those of others. - -While the thoughts of what I had seen were yet fresh in my mind, a -messenger announced to me that the prince desired my presence in the -great hall of the château as speedily as possible; and, without -staying to make any change of dress, I followed down the stairs. As I -was crossing the lesser court, I encountered my little attendant. He -had been straying somewhat negligently through the good town of Sedan, -and had been kept some hours at the gates of the citadel on his -return. - -I had not time, however, to give him any very lengthened reprehension; -but bidding him go to my chamber and wait for me, I followed the -Count's servant to the council-hall. - -It was a vast vaulted chamber in the very centre of the citadel; and -the candles upon the table in the midst, though they served -sufficiently to light the part of the room in which they were placed, -left the whole of the rest in semi-obscurity; so that when I entered I -could but see a group of dark figures, seated irregularly about a -council board, with several others dispersed in twos and threes, -talking together in various parts of the room, as if waiting the -arrival of some other person. - -The words "Here he is, here he is!" pronounced more than once, as I -entered, made me almost fancy that the council had delayed its -deliberations for me; but the vanity of such an idea soon received a -rebuff, for a moment after, the voice of the Count de Soissons -himself, who sat at the head of the table, replied, "No, no, it is -only the Count de l'Orme. Monsieur de Guise disdains to hurry himself, -let who will wait." - -Advancing to the table, I now found Monsieur le Comte, with -Bardouville, Varicarville, St. Ibal, and several others whom I did not -know, seated round the table, while the Duke of Bouillon was -conversing with some strangers at a little distance. But my greatest -surprise was to find Monsieur de Retz near the Count de Soissons, -though I left him so short a time before at Paris. He seemed to be in -deep thought; but his ideas, I believe, were not quite so abstracted -as they appeared: and on my approaching him, he rose and embraced me -as if we had known each other for centuries, saying at the same time -in my ear, "I hear you have received the true faith. Be a martyr to it -this night, if it be necessary." - -I now took a seat next to Varicarville, who whispered to me, "We have -here an ambassador from Spain, and you will see how laudably willing -we Frenchmen are to be gulled. He will promise us men and money, and -what not, this Marquis de Villa Franca; but when the time comes for -performance, not a man nor a stiver will be forthcoming." - -"Perhaps I may thwart him," replied I, remembering, at the sound of -his name, that I had in my hands a pledge of some worth in the -diamonds which Achilles had pilfered at Barcelona. Varicarville looked -surprised; but at that moment our conversation was interrupted by the -Duke of Bouillon turning round, and observing that the conduct of -Monsieur de Guise was unaccountable in keeping such an assembly -waiting in the manner which he did. - -"To council, gentlemen!" said the Count, hastily. "We have waited too -long for this noble Prince of Loraine. To council!" - -The rest of the party now took their seats, and the Baron de Beauvau -rising, informed the Count that he had executed faithfully his embassy -to the Archduke Leopold and the Cardinal Infant, who each promised to -furnish his highness with a contingent of seven thousand men, and two -hundred thousand crowns in money, in case he determined upon the very -just and necessary warfare to which he was called by the voice not -only of all France but all Europe--a war which, by one single blow, -would deliver his native country from her oppressor, and restore the -blessing of peace to a torn and suffering world. He then proceeded to -enter into various particulars and details, which I now forget; but it -was very easy to perceive from the whole that Monsieur de Beauvau was -one of the strongest advocates for war. He ended by stating that the -Marquis de Villa Franca, then present, had been sent by the Cardinal -Infant to receive the final determination of the Prince. - -My eyes followed the direction of his as he spoke, and rested on a -tall, dark man, who sat next to the Duke of Bouillon, listening to -what passed, with more animation in his looks than the nobility of -Spain generally allowed to appear. He was simply dressed in black; but -about his person might be seen a variety of rich jewels, evidently -showing that the pillage which I had seen committed on his house at -Barcelona had not cured him of his passion for precious stones. - -After the Baron de Beauvau had given an account of his mission, the -Duke of Bouillon rose, and said, that now, as the noble princes of the -house of Austria had made them such generous and friendly offers, and -sent a person of such high rank to receive their determination, all -that remained for them to do was, to fix finally whether they would, -by submitting to a base and oppressive minister, stoop their heads at -once to the block and axe, and add all the most illustrious names of -France to the catalogue of Richelieu's murders; or whether they would, -by one great and noble effort, cast off the chains of an usurper, and -free their king, their country, and themselves. - -The Duke spoke long and eloquently. He urged the propriety of war upon -every different motive--upon expediency, upon necessity, upon -patriotism. He addressed himself first to the nobler qualities of his -hearers--their courage, their love of their country, their own honour, -and dignity; and then to those still stronger auxiliaries, their -weaknesses--their vanity, their ambition, their pride, their avarice; -but while he did so, he artfully spread a veil over them all, lest -shame should step in, and, recognising them in their nakedness, hold -them back from the point towards which he led them. He spoke as if for -the whole persons there assembled, and as if seeking to win them each -to his opinion; but his speech was, in fact, directed towards the -Count de Soissons, on whose determination of course the whole event -depended. - -Varicarville did not suffer the Duke's persuasions to pass, without -casting his opinion in the still wavering balance of the Count's mind, -and urging in plain but energetic language every motive which could -induce the Prince to abstain from committing himself to measures that -he might afterwards disapprove. - -It is a common weakness with irresolute people always to attach more -importance to a new opinion than to an old one; and Monsieur le Comte, -turning to De Retz, pressed him to speak his sentiments upon the -measure under consideration. The Abbé declined, protesting his -inexperience and incapability, as long as such abnegation might set -forth his modesty to the best advantage, and enhance the value of his -opinion; but when he found himself urged, he rose and spoke somewhat -to the following effect:-- - -"I see myself surrounded by the best and dearest friends of Monsieur -le Comte; and yet I am bold to say that there is not one noble -gentleman amongst them who has a warmer love for his person, or a -greater regard for his dignity and honour, than myself. Did I see that -dignity in danger, did I see that honour touched, by his remaining in -inactivity, my voice should be the first for war; but while both are -in security, nothing shall ever make me counsel him to a measure by -which both are hazarded. I speak merely of Monsieur le Comte, for it -is his interests that we are here to consider; it is he that must -decide our actions, and it is his honour and reputation that are -risked by the determination. To me it appears clear that, by remaining -at peace, his dignity is in perfect safety. His retreat to Sedan -guarded him against the meannesses to which the minister wished to -force him. The general hatred borne towards the Cardinal turns the -whole warmth of popular love and public admiration towards the Count's -exile. The favour of the people, also, is always more secure in -inactivity than in activity, because the glory of action depends upon -success, of which no one can be certain: that of inaction, in the -present circumstances, is sure, being founded on public hatred towards -a minister--one of those unalterable things on which one may always -count. The public always have hated, and always will hate the -minister, be he who he will, and be his talents and his virtues what -they may. He may have, at first, a momentary popularity, and he may -have brief returns of it; but envy, hatred, and malice towards the -minister are always at the bottom of the vulgar heart: and as they -could never get through life without having the devil to charge with -all their sins, so can they never be contented without laying all -their woes, misfortunes, cares, and grievances to the door of the -minister. Thus then, hating the Cardinal irremediably, they will -always love the Count as his enemy, unless his highness risks his own -glory by involving the nation in intestine strife. It is therefore my -most sincere opinion, that as long as the minister does not himself -render war inevitable, the interest, the honour, the dignity of the -Prince, all require peace. Richelieu's bodily powers are every day -declining, while the hatred of the people every day increases towards -him; and their love for Monsieur le Comte augments in the same -proportion. In the meanwhile, the eyes of all Europe behold with -admiration a Prince of the blood royal of France enduring a voluntary -exile, rather than sacrifice his dignity; and, with the power and -influence to maintain himself against all the arts and menaces of an -usurping minister, still patriotically refraining from the hazardous -experiment of war, which, in compensation for certain calamities, -offers nothing but a remote and uncertain event. Peace, then! let us -have peace! at least till such time as war becomes inevitable." - -While De Retz spoke, the Duke of Bouillon had regarded him with a calm -sort of sneer, the very coolness of which led me to think that he -still calculated upon deciding the Prince to war; and the moment the -other had done, he observed, "_Monsieur le Damoisau, Souverain de -Commerci_"--one of the titles of De Retz--"methinks, for so young a -man, you are marvellously peaceably disposed." - -"Duke of Bouillon!" said De Retz, fixing on him his keen dark eye, -"were it not for the gratitude which all the humble friends of -Monsieur le Comte feel towards you on his account, I should be tempted -to remind you, that you may not always be within the security of your -own bastions." - -"Hush, hush, my friends!" cried the Count, "let us have no jarring at -our council-table. Bouillon, my noble cousin, you are wrong. De Retz -has surely as much right to express his opinion, when asked by me, as -any man present. Come, Monsieur de l'Orme, give us your counsel." - -I replied without hesitation, that my voice was still for peace, as -long as it was possible to maintain it; but that when once war was -proved to be unavoidable, the more boldly it was undertaken, and the -more resolutely it was carried on, the greater was the probability of -success, and the surer the honour to be gained. - -"Such also is my opinion," said the Prince; "and on this, then, let us -conclude to remain at peace till we are driven to war, but to act so -as to make our enemies repent it when they render war inevitable." - -"Whether it is so or not, at this moment," said the Duke of Bouillon, -"your highness will judge, after having cast your eyes over that -paper"--and he laid a long written scroll before the Count de -Soissons. - -The Count raised it, and all eyes turned upon him while he read. After -running over the first ordinary forms, the Count's brow contracted, -and, biting his lip, he handed the paper to Varicarville, bidding him -read it aloud. "It is fit," said he, "that all should know and -witness, that necessity, and not inclination, leads me to plunge my -country in the misfortunes of civil war. Read, Varicarville, read!" - -Varicarville glanced his eyes over the paper, and then, with somewhat -of an unsteady voice, read the following proclamation:-- - -"_In the king's name!_[8] Dear and well-beloved. The fears which we -entertain, that certain rumours lately spread abroad of new factions -and conspiracies, whereby various of our rebellious subjects endeavour -to trouble the repose of our kingdom, should inspire you with vain -apprehensions, you not knowing the particulars, have determined us to -make those particulars public, in order that you may render thanks to -God for having permitted us to discover the plots of our enemies, in -time to prevent their malice from making itself felt, to the downfall -of the state. - -"We should never have believed, after the lenity and favour which we -have on all occasions shown to our cousin the Count de Soissons, more -especially in having pardoned him his share in the horrible conspiracy -of 1636, that he would have embarked in similar designs, had not the -capture of various seditious emissaries, sent into our provinces for -the purpose of exciting rebellion, of levying troops against our -service, of debauching our armies, and of shaking the fidelity of our -subjects, together with the confessions of the said emissaries, fully -proved and established the criminality of our said cousin's designs. - -"The levies which are publicly made under commissions from our said -cousin--the hostilities committed upon the bodies of our faithful -soldiers, established in guard upon the frontiers of Champagne--the -confession of the courier called Vausselle, who has most -providentially fallen into our hands, stating that he had been sent on -the part of the said Count de Soissons, the dukes of Guise and -Bouillon, to our dearly beloved brother, Gaston Duke of Orleans, for -the purpose of seducing our said brother to join and aid in the -treasonable plans of the said conspirators; and the farther confession -of the said Vausselle, stating that the Count de Soissons, together -with the dukes of Guise and Bouillon, conjointly and severally, had -treated and conspired with the Cardinal Infant of Spain, from whom -they had received and were to receive notable sums of money, and from -whom they expected the aid and abetment of various bodies of troops -and warlike munition, designed to act against their native country of -France, and us their born liege lord and sovereign;--these, and -various other circumstances having given us clear knowledge and -cognisance of that whereof we would willingly have remained in doubt, -we are now called upon, in justice to ourself and to our subjects, to -declare and pronounce the said Count de Soissons, together with the -dukes of Guise and Bouillon, and all who shall give them aid, -assistance, counsel, or abetment, enemies to the state of France, and -rebels to their lawful sovereign; without, within the space of one -month from the date hereof, they present themselves at our court, -wherever it may be for the time established, and humbly acknowledging -their fault, have recourse to our royal clemency. (Signed) LOUIS." - -No paper could have been better devised for restoring union to the -councils of the Count de Soissons. War was now inevitable; and, after -a good deal of hurried, desultory conversation, in which no one but -the Duke of Bouillon showed any great presence of mind, my opinion, as -the youngest person at the table, was the first formally called for by -the Count de Soissons. I had not yet spoken since the King's -proclamation had been read, and had been sitting listening with some -surprise to find that men of experience, talents, and high repute, -carried on great enterprises in the same desultory and irregular -manner that schoolboys would plot a frolic on their master. I rose, -however, with the more boldness, while Varicarville muttered to -himself "the Spaniard will carry the day." I resolved, however, that -this prognostication should not be wholly fulfilled, if I could help -it; and addressing Monsieur le Comte, I said, "Your highness has done -me the honour of asking my opinion. There can be now, I believe, but -one. War appears to me to be now necessary, not only to your dignity, -but to your safety; and whereas I before presumed to recommend -inaction, I now think that nothing but activity can insure us success. -For my own part, I am ready to take any post your highness may think -fit to assign me. One of the first things, however, I should conceive, -would be to secure the capital; and the next, to complete the levies -of troops, so that the regiments be filled to their entire number. -Neither of these objects are to be effected without money; and as the -Cardinal Infant has promised a considerable sum, and the minister in -his proclamation gives you credit for having received it, I hope the -Marquis de Villa Franca comes prepared to fulfil, at least in part, -the expectations held out by his royal principal." - -"Most unfortunately," replied the Marquis, in very good French, "at -the time of my departure, no idea was entertained that the French -government would so precipitate its measures, otherwise his highness, -the Cardinal Infant, would have sent the promised subsidy at the time, -and I know that no one will regret so much as he does, this -unavoidable delay." - -Varicarville looked at me with a meaning smile; and indeed it was -evident enough, as it was afterwards proved by her conduct, that Spain -was willing to hurry us into war, without lending us any aid to bring -it to a successful determination. I therefore rejoined without -hesitation, feeling that the proverbial rashness of youth would excuse -some flippancy, and that I could not carry through my plan without-- - -"Under these circumstances, it seems to me very likely that Spain, our -excellent ally, will save both her money and her troops, for probably, -before her tardy succour arrives, we shall have struck the blow and -gained the battle." - -"But what can be done, young sir?" demanded Villa Franca, hastily: -"Spain will keep her promise to the very utmost. On my honour, on my -conscience, had I the means of raising any part of the sum in time to -be of service, I would myself advance it, notwithstanding the immense -losses I sustained by the Catalonian rebels." - -Many a man's honour and his conscience would be in a very -uncomfortable situation if the means of taking them out of pawn were -presented to him on a sudden. That consideration, however, did not -induce me to spare Monsieur de Villa Franca, whom I believed, from all -I had heard of him, to be as tergiversating a diplomatist as ever the -subtle house of Austria had sent forth. I replied, therefore, "If that -be the case--and who can doubt the noble Marquis's word?--I think I -can furnish the means whereby Monsieur de Villa Franca can fulfil his -generous designs, and put it in his power instantly to raise great -part of the sum required." - -Every one stared, and no one more than the Marquis himself; but rising -from the council-table, I whispered to Varicarville to keep the same -subject under discussion till I returned; and flying across the courts -of the arsenal, I mounted to my own chamber. "Achilles," cried I, as -soon as I entered, "the Marquis de Villa Franca is here in the -arsenal; are you still resolved to restore him the diamonds?" - -"I am resolved to have nothing to do with them myself," replied -Achilles; "for since the adventure at Lyons, I find that I had better -give up both gold and diamonds, and content myself with simple silver -for the rest of my life, if I would not be whipped through the -streets, and turned out in a grey gown: but as to giving them back, -all I can say is, your sublimity is a great fool, if you do not keep -them yourself." - -"It will be of more service to me to give them than to keep them," -replied I; "but I will not do so without your consent;" and having by -this time drawn them out of the valise, I held them out towards him. - -"Give them, give them then, in God's name!" cried the little man, -shutting his eyes; "but do not let me see them, for their sparkling -makes my resolution wax dim. Take them away, monseigneur! if you love -me, take them away. My virtue is no better than that of Danäe of old." - -I did as he required, and hurried back to the council chamber, where -all eyes turned upon me as I entered; and I found that the five -minutes of my absence had been wasted on conjectures of what I could -mean. "Monsieur de Villa Franca," said I, as soon as I had taken my -seat, "you said, I think, that if you had any means of raising even a -part of the sum required, in time to be of service, you would advance -it yourself, upon your honour and conscience. Now it so happened, that -a person with whom I am acquainted, was at Barcelona when your house -was plundered, and in that city bought this string of diamonds, which -were said to have belonged to you," and I held them up glittering in -the light, while the eyes of the Marquis seemed to sparkle in rivalry. -"He gave them to me," I proceeded; "and I am willing to return them to -you, upon condition that you instantly pledge them to three quarters -of their value, to the jewellers of this city; the money arising -therefrom to be poured into the treasury of Monsieur le Comte; and you -shall also give farther an hundred pistoles to the person who saved -them from the hands of the rabble of Barcelona, he being a poor and -needy man." - -The proposal was received with loud applause by every one, except the -Marquis de Villa Franca, whose face grew darker and darker at every -word I spoke. "This is very hard!" said he, with the most evident -design in the world to retreat from his proposal. "Those diamonds are -family jewels of inestimable value to me." - -"They are nevertheless diamonds which you shall never see again," -replied I, "except upon the conditions which I mention. Nor do I see -that it _is_ hard. Monsieur le Comte will give you an acknowledgment -for so much as they produce, as a part of the subsidy from Spain, -advanced by you. Upon the sight of that, your own Prince will repay -you, deducting that sum from the amount which he is about to transmit -to Monsieur le Comte." - -"Monsieur de l'Orme's observation is just," said the Duke of Bouillon. -"You expressed the most decided conviction, Monsieur le Marquis, that -his royal highness would instantly send us the subsidy; if so, the -Count de Soissons' acknowledgment will be as good as a bill of -exchange upon your own prince." - -"But the proverb says," replied the Marquis, "Put not your faith in -princes." - -"It should have said, Put not your faith in Marquises," rejoined I, -somewhat indignant at his attempts at evasion. "However, Monsieur le -Marquis, the matter stands thus: if you consent to what I propose, we -will send for the jewellers, the sum shall be paid, and you shall have -the Count's acknowledgment; then, if you can get the money from your -prince, you have the means of regaining the diamonds, with the sole -loss of a hundred pistoles. If your prince did not intend to pay the -subsidy, and you were not quite convinced that he would pay it, you -should not have promised it here, in his name, and backed it with your -most solemn assurances of your own conviction on the subject. At all -events, whether he pays it or not, you are no worse than when you -thought the diamonds were irretrievably lost; but so far the better, -that you have had an opportunity of showing how _willingly_ you -perform what you pledged your honour and conscience you would do if -you had the means." - -A slight laugh that ran round the council-table at this last sentence, -I believe, determined Monsieur de Villa Franca to yield without any -more resistance, seeing very well, at the same time, that the only -existing chance of recovering his diamonds at all, was to consent to -what I proposed. - -He felt well convinced, I am sure, that the Cardinal Infant had not -the slightest intention in the world of paying the sum which he had -promised; but, however, he had a better chance of obtaining his part -thereof than any one else; and therefore, as there was no other means -of insuring that his beloved brilliants would not be scattered over -half the habitable globe before six weeks were over, he signified his -assent to their being deposited with the jewellers of Sedan, in a tone -of resignation worthy of a martyr. - -The syndic of the jewellers, with two or three of his most reputable -companions, were instantly sent for by the council; and during the -absence of the messengers, a variety of particulars were discussed, -and various plans were adopted for the purpose of commencing the war -with vigour, and carrying it on with success. Amongst other things, -the Prince announced his intention of intrusting all the steps -preparatory to a general rising of the people of the capital, to De -Retz and myself; and though I thought that there were one or two -dissatisfied looks manifested upon the subject, no one judged fit to -object. Probably, weighing the risk with the honour, they were quite -as much pleased to be excused the Count's enterprize, as discontented -at not having been distinguished by his selection. - -At length the jewellers were brought before the council; and by their -lugubrious looks it was evident that the worthy citizens of Sedan -expected their noble and considerate Prince to wring from them a heavy -subsidy. Their brows cleared, however, when the diamonds were laid -before them, and their opinion of the value was demanded; and after -some consultation they named a hundred and fifty thousand crowns as a -fair price. - -The farther arrangements were soon made; the merchants willingly -agreeing to advance a hundred thousand crowns, upon the deposit of the -jewels, before the next morning. As soon as this was concluded, the -Marquis de Villa Franca drew forth his purse, and counting out a -hundred pistoles, he pushed them across the table towards me, saying, -with a sneering smile, "I suppose, though your modesty has led you, -sir, to put the good deed upon another, it is in fact yourself whom I -have to thank for so generously saving my diamonds, amongst the -plundering banditti of Barcelona?" - -The blood for an instant rushed up to my cheek, but it needed no long -deliberation to show me that anger was but folly on such an occasion; -and I therefore replied with a smile, "Your pardon, most noble sir! -the person who with his own right hand captured your diamonds is a -much more tremendous person than myself, so much so, that his enormous -size and chivalrous prowess have obtained for him the name of -Achilles. I will instantly send for him, and you shall pay him the -money yourself, when you will perceive, that had he been inclined to -keep your jewels with a strong hand, it would have been difficult to -have wrung them from him." - -Achilles was brought in a minute; and when I presented the diminutive, -insignificant, little man to the Marquis, as the wonderful Achilles le -Franc, who had by the vigour of his invincible arm taken his diamonds, -the whole council burst into a laugh, in which no one joined more -heartily than Villa Franca himself. - -Achilles received his pistoles with great glee, and I believe valued -them more than the diamonds themselves. - -After this, it being late, the council broke up, and the Prince -retired to his own apartments, desiring to speak with De Retz and -myself, as he wished us to set out early the next morning for Paris. - -When in his own chamber, he gave me an order for ten thousand crowns, -half of which he directed me to apply to his service amongst the -highly respectable persons to whom my mission was directed, and the -other half he bade me accept, as a half year's salary, advanced upon -the appointments of a gentleman of his bedchamber. It fortunately -happened, that the order directed his treasurer to pay the money out -of sums already in his hands; for I own that I should have entertained -some scruple in accepting the part destined for myself, if it had been -derived from the store of crowns which I had wrung out of the Marquis -de Villa Franca's diamonds. As it was, necessity put all hesitation -out of the question. - -The Count had still a thousand cautions and directions to give, both -to myself and Monsieur de Retz, the only one of which necessary to -allude to here, was his desire that, while I remained in Paris, I -should inhabit the Hôtel de Soissons. This plan of proceeding was -suggested by De Retz, who laid it down as a maxim, that the sure means -of concealing one's actions was to act as nobody else would have done. -To insure me a kind reception, and full confidence from his mother, -the Count wrote her a short note, couched in such terms as would make -her comprehend his meaning without leading to any discovery, should it -fall into the hands of others. After this, we took our leave, and left -him to repose, retiring ourselves to make preparations for our journey -in the morning. - - - - -CHAPTER XLII. - - -Day had scarcely dawned, when Monsieur de Retz and myself mounted our -horses in the courtyard of the citadel, and set out on our return to -Paris. We were accompanied by but one servant each; for the decided -part which the minister had taken, left no doubt that all the avenues -to Sedan would be watched with unslumbering vigilance. - -After a short discussion, it was determined that we should not attempt -the direct road; and, therefore, instead of crossing the bridge of -Sedan, we followed the course of the Meuse for some way. At a village, -however, about two miles from the city, we learned that the passages -of the rivers were guarded, and De Retz proposed to return to Sedan -and cross by the bridge. My opinion, however, was different. Where we -then stood the river was narrow and not very rapid, our horses fresh -and strong, so that it appeared to me much more advisable to attempt -the passage there, than by riding up and down the bank to call -attention to our proceedings. The only objection arose with little -Achilles, who had a mortal aversion to being drowned, and declared -that he could not, and that he would not, swim his horse over. I -decided the matter for him, however; for at a moment when he had -approached close to the bank, to contemplate more nearly the horrible -feat that was proposed to him, I seized his horse by the bridle, and -spurring in, was soon half-way across, leading him after me. His -terror and distress, when he began to feel the buoyant motion of a -horse in swimming, were beyond description; but as there was no -resource, he behaved more wisely than terrified people generally do, -and sitting quite still, let his fate take its course. - -Cutting across the country, sometimes over fields, sometimes through -small bridle-paths and by-roads, we at length entered the highway, at -a point where suspicion, had she been inclined to exercise her -ingenuity upon us, might have imagined that we had come from a -thousand other places, with fully as great likelihood as Sedan; for -the road, a little higher up, branched into five others, each of which -conducted in a different direction. - -Our journey now passed tranquilly, and on the evening of the third day -we arrived at Paris. It was too late to present myself to the Countess -de Soissons that night; and Monsieur de Retz offering me an apartment -in his hotel, I accepted it for the time, not ill pleased to see as -much as possible of the extraordinary man into whose society I had -been thrown, and commenting upon his character fully as much as he did -in all probability upon mine. - -On our journey we had laughed over the circumstances of our former -meeting; but I found that he still entertained great doubts of my -discretion, by the frequent warnings he gave me not to communicate -anything I had seen at Sedan to the Countess de Soissons. - -"It is a good general rule," said he, "never to tell a woman the -truth, in any circumstances. Praise her faults, abuse her enemies, -humour her weakness, gratify her vanity, but never, never tell her the -truth. One's deportment with a woman ought to be like a deep lake, -reflecting everything, but letting no one see the bottom." - -Monsieur de Retz's policy was not always exactly to my taste; but as -the Count de Soissons had not bid me to communicate any of his affairs -to his mother, I resolved of course to keep them as secret from her as -from any other person. - -As soon as I imagined that such a visit would be acceptable on the -subsequent morning, I proceeded on horseback to the Hôtel de Soissons, -wearing, for the first time, my fine Spanish dress of white silk, De -Retz having warned me, that in all points of ceremony, the Countess de -Soissons showed no lenity to offenders. To make the suit at all -harmonize with a ride on horseback, I was obliged to add a pair of -white leather buskins to the rest; but, as this was quite the mode of -the day, Monsieur de Retz declared my apparel exquisite; and, being -himself not a little of a _petit-maître_, notwithstanding both his -philosophy and his cloth, he looked with a deep sigh at his black -_soutane_, which he had resumed since our arrival at Paris, and -declared that he had no small mind to cast away the gown, and draw the -sword himself. - -With a smile at human inconsistency, I left him, and rode away; and -passing by my old auberge, in the Rue des Prouvaires, soon reached the -Hôtel de Soissons. Here I delivered the Count's note of introduction -to a servant, bidding him present it to the Princess, and inform her -that the gentleman to whom it referred waited her pleasure. - -I was not kept long in attendance. In a few minutes the servant -returned, and bade me follow him to the apartments of the Countess. We -mounted the grand staircase, and proceeding through a suite of -splendid rooms, the windows of which were almost all composed of -stained glass, bearing the ciphers C. S. and C. N. interlaced, for -Charles de Soissons and Catherine de Navarre, we at length reached the -chamber in which the Princess was seated with her women. - -She was working at an embroidery frame, while a pretty girl of about -sixteen stood beside her, holding the various silks of which she was -making use. On my being announced, she raised her head, showing a face -in which the wreck of many beauties might still be traced, and fixed -her eyes somewhat sternly upon me; first letting them rest upon my -face, and then glancing over my whole person with a grave and -dissatisfied air. - -"You come here, young sir," said she at length, "dressed like a -bridegroom; but you will go away like a mourner. Your mother is dead." - -God of heaven! till that moment, I had not an idea that, on the earth, -there was a being so unfeeling as thus to communicate to a son, that -the tie between him and the Author of his being was riven by the hand -of Death! - -And yet the Countess de Soissons acted not from unfeeling motives; she -fancied me guilty of follies that, in her eyes, were crimes, and she -thought, by the terrible blow that she struck, at once to reprove and -reclaim me. - -At first I did not comprehend--I could not, I would not believe that -she spoke truly: when seeing my doubts in the vacancy of my -expression, she calmly repeated what she had said. - -What change took place then in my countenance I know not; but, -however, it was sufficient to alarm her for the consequences of what -she had done, and starting up, she called loudly to her women to bring -water--wine--anything to relieve me. To imagine what I felt, will not -be easy for any other, even when it is remembered how I loved the -parent I had lost,--how I had left her--how deeply she had loved me, -and how suddenly, how unexpectedly I heard that the whole was at an -end, and that the cold grave lay between us for ever. My agitation was -so extreme, that totally forgetting the presence of the Princess, I -cast myself into a chair, and covering my face with my hands, remained -speechless and motionless for nearly a quarter of an hour. - -During this time, the Countess de Soissons, passing from one extreme -to the other, did everything she could to soothe and calm me; and, had -I been her own son, she could not for the time have shown me more -kindness. She was frightened, I believe, at the state into which she -had thrown me, and was still endeavouring to make me speak, when a -tall, venerable old man entered the chamber, but paused, I believe, on -seeing the confusion that reigned within. She instantly called him to -her assistance, telling him what she had done, and pointing out the -consequences it had had upon me. He approached, and after feeling my -pulse, drew forth a lancet, and, calling for a basin, bled me -profusely. - -"You have done wrong, my daughter," said he, turning to the Countess -with an air of authority, which she bore more meekly than might have -been expected. "Mildness wins hearts, while unkindness can but break -them. Leave me with this young gentleman, and I doubt not soon to -restore him to himself." - -The Countess did as he bade her, without reply; and desiring her women -to bring her embroidery frame, she left the apartment. The bleeding -had instantly relieved me. Every drop that flowed had seemed so much -taken from an oppressive load that overburdened my heart; and when the -old man sat down by me, and asked if I was better, I could answer him -in the affirmative, and thank him for his assistance. - -"I will not attempt to console you, my son," he proceeded, "for you -have met with a deep and irreparable loss. From all I hear, your -mother was one of the best and most amiable of women; and through a -long life, we meet with so very few on whom our hearts can fix, that -every time death numbers one of them for his own, he leaves a deep and -irremediable wound with us, that none but Time can assuage, and Time -himself ought never wholly to heal. I know, too, at the moment when we -find that fate has put its immoveable barrier between us and those we -loved--when the cold small portal of the grave is shut against our -communion with our friends--I know that it is then that every pain we -have given them is visited with double anguish upon our own hearts, -and a crowd of bitter, unavailing regrets fills every way of memory -with dark and horrible forms." - -I wept bitterly, for he had touched a chord to which my feelings -vibrated but too sensitively. "In the gaieties of life," he proceeded, -"in the pleasures of society, in the passions, the interests, the -desires of human existence and of our earthly nature, we often forget -those finer feelings--those better, brighter, nobler sentiments, which -belong to the soul alone. Nor is it till _irretrievable_ is stamped -upon our actions, that we truly feel where we have been wanting in -duty, in gratitude, in affection; but when we do feel it, we ought to -have a care not to let those regrets pass away in vain tears and -ineffectual sorrow, thus wasting the most blessed remedy that Heaven -has given to the diseases of the soul. On the contrary, we should -apply them to our future conduct, and by gathering instruction from -the past, and improvement from remorse, should find in the -chastisement of Heaven the blessing it was intended to be." - -As I recovered from the first shock of the tidings I had just heard, I -had time to consider more particularly the person who spoke to me. As -I have said, he was an old man; and, from the perfect silver of his -hair and beard, I should have supposed him above seventy; but the -erectness of his carriage, the whiteness of his teeth, and the pure -undimmed fire of his eye, took much from his look of age. His dress, -though it consisted of a long black robe, was certainly not clerical; -and from the skill with which he had bled me, I was rather inclined to -suppose that his profession tended more towards the cure of bodies -than of souls. - -In reply to his mild homily, which appeared to me, notwithstanding the -gentleness of his language, to point at greater errors than any I -could charge myself with towards the parent I had lost, I could only -answer, that it was hardly possible for a being made up of human -weakness to be so continually brought in connection with another, as a -son must be with a mother, without falling into some faults towards -her; but that even now, when memory and affection joined to magnify -all I had done amiss in regard to the dead, I could recall no instance -in which I had intentionally given her pain. - -An explanation ensued; and I found that my mother, when on her -death-bed, had written to the Countess de Soissons, informing her of -my disappearance from Bigorre, and attributing it to love for the -daughter of a roturier in the vicinity, who had also quitted the -province shortly after. She gave no name and no description; but she -begged the Countess de Soissons to cause search to be made for me in -Paris, and to endeavour to rescue me from the debasing connection into -which, she said, the blood of Bigorre should have held me from ever -entering. - -"It is under these circumstances," proceeded the old man, "that the -princess addressed you this morning with the abrupt news of your -mother's death, hoping by the remorse which that news would occasion, -to win you at once from the unhappy entanglement into which you have -fallen." - -"That the Countess de Soissons should be mistaken," replied I, "does -not surprise me, for she did not know me; but that my mother should -suppose any passion, whether worthy or unworthy, would have led me to -inflict so much pain upon her, and on my father, as my unexplained -absence must have done, does astonish and afflict me. Indeed, though -my own death might have been the consequence of my stay, I was weak to -fly as I did; nor should I have done so, had my mind been in a state -to judge sanely of my own conduct. Will you, sir, have the goodness to -inform the Countess de Soissons that the suspicions of my mother were -entirely unfounded, and that I neither fled with any one, nor for the -purpose of meeting any one, as she must evidently see, from my having -found and attached myself to Monsieur le Comte. My absence, sir, was -occasioned by my having accidentally slain one of my fellow-creatures, -and my having no means of proving that I did so accidentally." - -"It has been a most unhappy mistake," replied the old man, "for -undoubtedly it has been this idea that wounded your mother to the -heart. But I hurt you; do not let me do so. If it has been a mistake, -you are no way answerable for it. I now go to give your message to the -Countess, and will bring you a few lines addressed to you from your -mother, but which, you must remember, were written under erroneous -feelings." - -Thus saying, he left me; and in a few minutes returned with the letter -he had mentioned. "The Countess," said he, "is most deeply grieved at -the mistake which has arisen, and especially at having, by her -abruptness, aggravated the grief which you cannot but most poignantly -feel. This is the letter I spake of; but you had better read it in -private. If you will follow me, I will conduct you to an apartment, -which, while you remain at the Hôtel de Soissons, the Countess begs -you would look upon as your own." - -I followed him in silence to a splendid suite of rooms, wherein he -left me; and I had now time to indulge in all the painful thoughts to -which the irreparable loss I had sustained gave rise. For some time I -did not open my mother's letter, letting my thoughts wander through -the field of the past, and recalling with agonizing exactness every -bright quality of the mind, and every gentle feeling of the heart now -laid in the dust. Her love for me rose up as in judgment against me, -and I felt that I had never known how much I loved her, till death had -rendered that love in vain. Memory, so still, so silent, so faithless, -in the hurry of passion, and the pursuit of pleasure, now raised her -voice, and with painful care traced all that I had lost. A thousand -minute traits--a thousand kind and considerate actions--a thousand -touches of generosity, of feeling, of tenderness--every word, every -look of many long years of affection, passed in review before me; and -sad, sad was the vision, when I thought that it was all gone for ever. -Anything was better than that contemplation; and with an aching heart, -I opened the letter. The wavering and irregular lines, traced while -life still maintained a faint struggle against death; the mark of a -tear, given to the long painful adieu, first caught my eye and wrung -my very heart, even before I read what follows. - -"We shall never meet again!" she wrote. "Life, my son, and hope, as -far as it belongs to this earth, have fled; and I have nothing to -think of in the world I am leaving, but your happiness and that of -your father. I write not to reproach you, Louis, but I write to warn -and to entreat you not to disgrace a long line of illustrious -ancestors, by a marriage, which, depend upon it, will be as unhappy in -the end as it is degrading in itself. This is my last wish, my last -command, my last entreaty. Observe it, as you would merit the blessing -which I send you. Adieu, my son, adieu!--You may meet with many to -cherish, with many to love you--but, oh! the love of a mother is far -above any other that binds being to being on this earth. Adieu! once -more adieu! it is perhaps a weakness, and yet I cannot help thinking -that, even after this hand is dust, my spirit might know, and feel -consoled, if my son came to shed a tear on the stone which will soon -cover the ashes of his mother." - -Every word found its way to my heart; and reverting to what I had seen -on the night previous to my departure from Sedan, I fancied that my -mother's spirit had itself come to enforce her dying words; and, -yielding to the feelings of the moment, I mentally promised to obey -her to the very utmost. Nay, more! with a superstitious idea that her -eye could look upon me even then, I kneeled and declared, with as much -fervency as ever vow was offered to Heaven itself, that I would follow -her will; and as soon as the enterprise to which my honour bound me -was at an end, would visit her tomb, and pay that tribute to her -memory which she had herself desired. Then casting myself into a seat, -I leaned my head upon my hands, and gave full rein to every painful -reflection. - -Let me pass over two days which I spent entirely in the chamber that -had been allotted to me. During that time, every attention was paid to -me by the servants of the Countess de Soissons; and the old man, whom -I have before mentioned, visited me more than once, every time I saw -him gaining upon my good opinion, by the kind and judicious manner in -which he endeavoured to soothe and console, without either blaming or -opposing my grief. Still, no word that fell from him gave me the least -intimation in regard to the character in which he acted in the Hôtel -de Soissons, though, from the evident influence he possessed over the -Countess, it was one of no small authority. From him, however, I -learned that my father had written briefly to the Countess de -Soissons, informing her of my mother's death. To me he had not -written; and, though I could easily conceive from his habits and -character, that he had shrunk from a task so painful in itself, yet I -could not help imagining that displeasure had some part in his -silence. - -On the evening of the second day, I received a visit from De Retz, -who, notwithstanding all that had happened, used every argument to -stimulate me to action; and, in truth, I felt that in my own griefs I -was neglecting the interest of the Prince. I accordingly promised him -that the next day I would exert myself as he wished; and, after -conversing for some time on the affairs of the Count, I described to -him the old man I had met with, and asked him if he knew him. - -"Slightly," he replied. "He is an Italian by birth, and his name -Vanoni, a man of infinite talent and profound learning; but his name -is not in very good odour amongst our more rigid ecclesiastics, -because he is reported to dive a little into those sciences which they -hold as sacrilegious. He is known to be an excellent astronomer, and -some people will have it, astrologer also; though, I should suppose, -he has too much of real and substantial knowledge, to esteem very -highly that which is in all probability imaginary. Have you not -remarked, that there are fully more vulgar minds in the higher -classes, than there are elevated ones in the lower? Well, the vulgar -part of our _noblesse_ call Signor Vanoni the Countess de Soisson's -necromancer, though I believe the highest degree to which he can -pretend in the occult sciences is that of astrologer; and even that he -keeps so profoundly concealed, that their best proof of it hardly -amounts to suspicion." - -After De Retz had left me, being resolved at all events to waste no -more time, every instant of which was precious in such enterprises as -that of Monsieur le Comte, I desired Achilles to find me out the -archer who had so well aided him in recovering my ring, and to bring -him to me early the next morning. - -This he accordingly executed; and at my breakfast, which was served in -my own apartments, my little attendant presented to me a tall, solemn -personage, who looked wise enough to have passed for a fool, had it -not been for a certain twinkling spirit, that every now and then -peeped out at the corner of his eye, and seemed to say, that the -obtuseness of his deportment was but a mask to hide the acuter mind -within. I made these observations while I amused him for a moment or -two in empty conversation, till I could find an opportunity of -dismissing two lackeys of the Countess, who had orders to wait upon me -at my meals; and by what I perceived, I judged that it would be a -difficult matter to conceal my own purposes from such a person, while -I drew from him what information I required. - -I resolved, however, to attempt it, and consequently, when the -servants were gone, I turned to the subject of my ring; and saying -that I really thought he had been insufficiently paid for the talent -and activity he had shown upon the occasion, I begged his acceptance -of a gold piece. - -The man looked in my face with a dead flat stupidity of aspect, which -completely covered all his thoughts; but at the same time I very well -divined that he did not in the least attribute the piece of gold to -the affair of the ring. He followed the sure policy, however, of -closing his hand upon the money, making me a low bow, with that most -uncommitting sentence, "Monsieur is very good." - -"I suppose," proceeded I, "that the strange fact of _pipeurs_, -swindlers, swash bucklers, and bravoes of all descriptions, -continually evading the pursuit of dame Justice, notwithstanding her -having such acute servants as yourself, is more to be attributed to -your humanity, than to your ignorance of their secrets." - -This was put half as a question, half as a position, but in such a way -as evidently to show that it led to something else. An intelligent -gleam sparkled in the corner of the archer's eye, and I fancied that -some information concerning the worthy fraternity I inquired after was -about to follow: but he suddenly gave a glance towards Achilles; and, -resuming his look of stolidity, replied, "Monsieur is very good." - -"Go to Monsieur de Retz, Achilles," said I, "and tell him, that if it -suits his convenience, I will be with him in an hour." Achilles was -not slow in taking the hint; and when he was gone, I proceeded, -spreading out upon the table some ten pieces of gold. "About these -swash bucklers," said I, "I am informed they are a large fraternity." - -"Vast!" replied the archer, in a more communicative tone. - -"And pray where do they principally dwell?" demanded I. - -"In every part of Paris," said the archer, looking up in my face, -"from the Place Royale, to the darkest nook of the Fauxbourg St. -Antoine. But it is dangerous for a gentleman to venture amongst them." - -I saw he began to wax communicative, and I pushed a piece of gold -across the table to confirm his good disposition. The gold -disappeared, and the archer went on. "I would not advise you to -venture among them, Monseigneur: but if you would tell me what sort of -men you want, doubtless I could find them for you, and I can keep -counsel." - -"Why, my good friend," replied I, "I did not exactly say that I wanted -any men; but if you will call me over the names and qualities of two -or three of your most respectable acquaintances, I will see whether -they be such as may suit my service." - -The archer paused for a moment, screwing up his eye into a curious air -of sharp contemplation; and then suddenly replied, "If I knew what -your lordship wanted them for, I could better proportion their -abilities." - -"For general service, man! for general service!" replied I. "The men I -require must obey my word, defend my life, drub my enemies, brawl for -my friends, and in no case think of the consequences." - -"I understand!" replied the archer--"I understand! There are Jean le -Mestre, and François le Nain; but I doubt they are too coarse-handed -for your purpose. They are fit for nothing but robbing a travelling -jeweller, or frightening an old woman into fits." - -"They won't exactly do," replied I--"at least if we can find any -others." - -"Oh, plenty of others! plenty of others!" said the archer. "Then there -are Pierre l'Agneau, and Martin de Chauline. They were once two as -sweet youths as ever graced the Place de Grève; but they have been -spoiled by bad company. They took service with the Marquis de St. -Brie, and such service ruins a man for life." - -"I should certainly suppose it did," replied I; "but proceed to some -others. We have only heard of four yet." - -"Don't be afraid!" said the archer, "I have a long list. Your lordship -would not like a Jesuit--they are devilish cunning--sharp hands! men -of action too! I know an excellent Jesuit, who would suit you to a -hair in many respects. He is occasionally employed, too, by Monsieur -de Noyers, one of our ministers, and would cheat the devil himself." - -"But as I do not pretend to half the cunning of his infernal majesty," -replied I, "this worthy Jesuit might cheat me too." - -"That is very possible," answered the archer. "But stay!" he proceeded -thoughtfully. "I have got the very men that will do.--You need a -brace, monseigneur--of course, you need a brace. There is Combalet de -Carignan, one of our most gallant gentlemen, and Jacques Mocqueur, as -he is called, because he laughs at everything. They were both in the -secret service of his eminence the Cardinal; but they one day did a -little business on their own account, which came to his ears; and he -vowed that he would give them a touch of the round bedstead. They knew -him to be a man of his word, so they made their escape, till the -matter blew by, and now they are living here in Paris on their means." - -"And pray what is the round bedstead?" demanded I; "something -unpleasant, doubtless, from its giving such celerity to the motions of -your friends?" - -"Nothing but a certain wheel in the inside of the Bastille," replied -the archer, "on which a gentleman is suffered to repose himself -quietly after all his bones are put out of joint. But as I was saying, -these two gallants are just the men for your lordship's service: bold, -dexterous, cunning; and they have withal a spice of honour and -chivalry about them, which makes them marvellously esteemed amongst -their fellows. Will they suit you, monseigneur?" - -"I think they will," replied I; "but I must see them first." - -"Nothing so easy," answered the archer. "I will bring them here at any -hour your lordship pleases to name." - -"Not here," replied I; "I must not take too many liberties with the -Hôtel de Soissons. But I have a lodging in the Rue des Prêtres St. -Paul, on the left hand going down, the fifth door from the corner, -nearly opposite a grocer's shop. Bring them there at dusk to-night, -and accept that for your trouble." So saying, I pushed him over two -more of the gold pieces; and having once more satisfied himself that -he perfectly remembered the direction I had given him, the archer took -his leave, and I proceeded to my rendezvous with De Retz. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIII. - - -"Welcome!" said De Retz, as I entered, "most welcome! I am just about -to proceed on an expedition wherein your assistance may be necessary. -Will you accompany me?" - -"Anywhere you please," I replied, "provided I be back by dusk." - -"Long before that," answered De Retz. "I am going to take you to the -Bastille." - -My surprise made the Abbé explain himself. "You must know," said he, -"that there is no actual impossibility of our gaining the Bastille -itself for Monsieur le Comte de Soissons, in case his first battle -should be so successful as to give fair promise for the ultimate -event.--You like frankness," he continued, suddenly interrupting what -he was saying, "and I perceive you are already beginning to look -surprised that I, who have hitherto shown no great confidence in your -discretion, should now let you into the most dangerous secrets of this -enterprise. I will frankly tell you why I do so--it is because I need -some one to assist me; and because I judge it more dangerous to risk a -secret with two, than to confide it all to one, even should he not be -very discreet. But I am also beginning to think more highly of your -discretion. It is so bad a plan to let our first impressions become -our lords, that I make a point of changing my opinion of a man as -often as I can find the least opportunity." - -It was very difficult to know, on all occasions, whether Monsieur de -Retz's frankness was spontaneous or assumed. Whichever it was, it -always flowed with a view to policy; and I found that the best way in -dealing with him was at first but to give to whatever he advanced that -sort of negative credence, which left the mind free to act as -circumstances should afterwards confirm or shake its belief. In the -present case I merely thanked him for his improved opinion of me, and -begged him to proceed, which he did accordingly. - -"The Bastille," he said, "serves Monsieur le Cardinal de Richelieu for -many purposes: but its great utility is, that it disposes of all his -enemies one way or another. Those he hates, or those he fears, find -there a grave or a prison, according to the degree of his charitable -sentiments towards them. There are, however, many persons whom he -fears too much to leave at liberty, yet not enough to condemn them to -the rack, the block, or the dungeon. These persons are shut up in one -prison or another through the kingdom; and on their first arrest are -treated with some severity, but gradually, as they become regular -tenants of the place, the measures against them are relaxed; and they -have, at length, as much liberty as they would have in their own house -with the door shut. - -"There are at present four men within the walls of the Bastille, who, -having been there for years, are scarcely more watched than the -governor himself. The Duke de Vitry, the Count de Cramail, Marshal -Bassompierre, and the Marquis du Fargis. All these are known to me; -and Monsieur du Fargis is my uncle, so that I am very sure of the game -that I am playing. The interior discipline of the prison is at present -more than ever relaxed, under the present governor, Monsieur du -Tremblai; and his politeness towards his prisoners is such, that one -or other of the four gentlemen I have named have every day one of -their friends to dine with them, which affords them the greatest -consolation under their imprisonment. I have often thus visited the -prison; and about ten days ago, while dining with my uncle, I had an -opportunity of hinting to the Count de Cramail, who is the cleverest -man of the party, the designs of Monsieur le Comte; and, at the same -time, proposed to him a plan for rendering ourselves masters of the -Bastille. He has promised me an answer to-day, when I have engaged -myself to dine with Monsieur de Bassompierre; and the only difficulty -is to obtain an opportunity of speaking in private. You doubtless have -experienced how troublesome it is sometimes to win a secret moment, -even in a saloon; judge, therefore, whether it is easy in a prison. -You must lend your aid, and engage old Du Tremblai in conversation, -while I make the best use of the time you gain for me." - -I now very well perceived that De Retz had in a manner been forced to -explain himself to me, as there was no other person in Paris -acquainted with the designs of the Count de Soissons. I therefore gave -him full credit for sincerity, and agreed to do my best to gain him -the opportunity desired. By the time this explanation was given, it -approached very near to one of the clock; and, not to commit such a -rudeness as to keep waiting for their dinner a party of prisoners, -whose principal earthly amusement must have been to eat, we set out -immediately on foot, it being required that we should give as little -_éclat_ to our visits to the Bastille as possible. - -A sort of mixed government then existed within the walls of the -prison, being garrisoned with troops as a fortress, and also very well -supplied with gaolers and turnkeys, to fit it for its principal -capacity. Thus, though the gate was opened to us by an unarmed porter, -a sentinel, iron to the teeth, presented himself in the inner court, -and another at every ten steps. However, having, like the knights of -the old romances, vanquished all perils of the way, we at length -entered into the penetralia, and were ushered into the presence of the -governor. - -Monsieur du Tremblai, who died about six months afterwards, was too -good a man for his situation; his reception of us was as kind as if we -had been guests of his own; and the prisoners whom we went to see -appeared to form but a part of his own family. I was now introduced in -form to the friends of Monsieur de Retz: they were all old men; and -had, in truth, nothing remarkable in their appearance. Monsieur de -Vitry, celebrated in history as the man who, at the command of Louis -XIII., shot the Maréchal d'Ancre on the very steps of the Louvre, was -the only one whose countenance promised anything like vigour; but it -was not to him that De Retz had addressed himself in his present -negotiation, but to Monsieur de Cramail, whose face at all events did -not prepossess one in favour of his intellect. - -We dined; and the governor, seeing me dressed in mourning, and as -gloomy in my deportment as my garments, luckily applied himself to -console me, with so much application, that Monsieur de Cramail had an -opportunity of speaking a few words to De Retz in private, even during -dinner, while Monsieur du Tremblai endeavoured to solace me with -_alose à la martinette_, and to drive out the demon sorrow with _pieds -de cochons à la St. Menéhoulde_. - -During the meal, De Retz took occasion to vaunt my skill at all games -of cards, though, Heaven knows, he could not tell, when he did so, -whether I could distinguish basset from lansquenet; but taking this -for a hint, when the old governor asked me after dinner to make one of -three at ombre, I did not refuse; and, as soon as we were seated, the -Abbé, with Monsieur de Cramail, went out to walk upon the terrace, -while Messieurs De Vitry and Du Fargis remained to look on upon our -game. - -Thinking to engage the governor to go on with me, I let him win a few -pieces, though he played execrably ill; but I thus fell into the -common mistake of being too shrewd for my own purpose. Had I judged -sanely of human nature, I should have won his money, and he would have -gone on to a certainty, to win it back. As it was, after gaining a few -crowns, he resigned the cards, and asked if I would join the gentlemen -on the terrace. - -There was no way of detaining him; and, therefore, after making what -diversion I could, I followed to the spot where De Retz and Monsieur -de Cramail were enjoying an unobserved _tête-à-tête_. As we came up, I -saw that the latter had a paper in his hand, which he was evidently -about to give to De Retz. The moment, however, we appeared on the -terrace, he paused, and withdrew it. The paper, I knew, might be of -consequence; but how to take off the eyes of the governor was the -question. I praised the view, hoping he would turn to look in his -astonishment; for nothing was to be seen but the smoky chimneys of the -Fauxbourg St. Antoine. But the governor only replied, "Yes, very -fine," and walked on. - -I now saw that I must hazard a bold stroke; and quietly insinuating -the point of my sword between the governor's legs, which was the more -easy, as he somewhat waddled in his walk, I slipped the buckle of my -belt, the sword fell, and the governor over it. I tumbled over him; -and while the paper was given, received, and concealed, I picked him -up, begged his pardon, and brushed the dust off his coat; after which -we passed a quarter of an hour in mutually bowing and making excuses. - -De Retz then took leave; and, as soon as we were once more in the -street, I left him to peruse the paper he had received at leisure, and -hurried away to my lodging in the Rue des Prêtres St. Paul, to prepare -for the reception of my archer and his recruits. In going to the -Bastille with De Retz, I fancied that I saw a man suddenly turn round -and follow us; and, on my return, I evidently perceived that I was -watched. Whatever was the object, it did not at all suit me that any -one should spy my actions; and, therefore, after various hare-like -doublings, I turned down the Rue des Minims, got into the Place -Royale, and gliding under the dark side of the arcades, made my escape -by the other end, and gradually worked my way up to my lodging. My -good landlady was somewhat surprised to see me, but I found my -apartments prepared, and in order; and sending for a couple of flagons -of good Burgundy, I waited the arrival of my new attendants. - -I found that punctuality was amongst their list of qualifications; for -no sooner did twilight fall than the archer made his appearance, -followed by two very respectable-looking personages, whom he -introduced to me severally as Combalet de Carignan, and Jacques -Mocqueur. The first was a tall, well-dressed gallant, ruffling gaily, -with feathers and ribands in profusion, a steady nonchalant daring -eye, and a leg and arm like a Hercules. The face of the second, -Jacques Mocqueur, was not unknown to me; and memory, hastily running -back through the past, found and brought before me in a minute the -figure of one of those worthy sergeants who had come to examine my -valise on my first arrival at Paris. He was the one who had shown some -valour, and had ventured a pass or two with me, after his companion -had been ejected by the window. - -I instantly claimed acquaintance with him, which he as readily -admitted; saying, with a grin, that the circumstances under which we -had last met would, he hoped, be quite sufficient to establish his -character in my opinion, and show that he was well fitted for my -service. Whatever reply he expected, I answered in the affirmative; -and Combalet de Carignan, finding that his friend's acquaintance with -me turned out advantageously, would fain have proved himself an old -friend of mine also. Jacques Mocqueur, however, cut him short, -exclaiming, "No, no! you were not of the party; and you just as much -remember monseigneur's face as I do the high-priest of the Jews." - -"Why, I have _done_ so many sweet youths lately," replied the other, -"and broken so many heads, that I grow a strange confounder of faces." - -"Ay! if you had been with us that day," answered Jacques Mocqueur, -"you would have had your own head broken. Why, monseigneur made short -work with us. He pitched Captain Von Crack out of the window like an -empty oyster-shell, and pricked me a hole in my shoulder before either -of us knew on what ground we were standing;" and he made me a low bow, -to send his compliment home up to the hilt. - -"To proceed to business," said I, after I had invited my companions to -taste the contents of the flagons, which they did with truly generous -rivalry. "Let me hear what wages you two gentlemen require for -entering into my service." - -"That depends upon two things," replied Combalet de Carignan: "what -sort of service your lordship demands, and what power you have to -protect us in executing it. Simple brawling for you, cheating, -pimping, lying, swearing, thrashing or being thrashed, fighting on -your part, steel to steel, and any other thing in the way of reason, -we are ready to undertake: but murder, assassination, and highway -robbery, are out of our way of business. I have been employed in the -service of the state, am come of a good family, am well born and well -educated, and would rather starve than do anything mean or -dishonourable." - -"Nothing of the kind shall be demanded of you," replied I; "and the -worst you shall risk in my service shall be hard blows." - -"That is nothing," replied Jacques Mocqueur. "Combalet does not fear -even a little hanging; but he dreads having a hotter place in the -other world than his friends and companions. But for general service, -such as your lordship demands, we cannot have less than sixty crowns a -month each." - -To this I made no opposition; and a written agreement was drawn out -between us in the following authentic form:-- - -"We, Combalet de Carignan, and Jacques dit Mocqueur, hereby take -service with Monsieur le Comte de l'Orme, promising to serve him -faithfully in all his commands, provided they be not such as may put -us in danger of the great carving-knife, the road to heaven, or the -round bedstead. We declare his enemies our enemies, and his friends -our friends; all for the consideration of sixty crowns per month, to -be paid to each of us by the said Count de l'Orme, together with his -aid and protection in all cases of danger and difficulty, as well as -food and maintenance in health, and surgical assistance, in case of -our becoming either sick or wounded in his service." - -In addition to the above, I stipulated that my two new retainers were -to abandon all other business than mine; and though they might lie as -much as they pleased to any one else, that they should uniformly tell -me the truth. - -At this last proposal, Jacques Mocqueur burst into a fit of laughter; -and Combalet de Carignan hesitated and stammered most desperately. -"You must know, monseigneur," said he, at length, "that my friend -Jacques and I have established a high character amongst our brethren, -by never promising anything without performing it. Now, everything -that we say we will do for your lordship, be sure that it shall be -done, even to our own detriment; but as to telling you the truth, I -can't undertake it. I never told the truth in my life, except in -regard to promises; and I own I should not know how to begin. It is my -infirmity, lying, and I cannot get over it. Jacques Mocqueur can tell -the truth. Oh, I have known him tell the truth very often; but really, -monseigneur, you must excuse _me_." - -"Well, then, Monsieur Combalet," said I, "your friend Jacques shall -tell me the truth; and when you lie to me, he shall correct you; and I -will set it down to your infirmity." - -"Agreed, monseigneur, agreed," replied the other; "I am quite willing -that you should know the truth. I do not lie to deceive. It proceeds -solely from an exuberant and poetical imagination. But allow me to -request one thing, which is, that you would call me De Carignan. I am -somewhat tenacious in regard to my family; for you must know that I am -descended from the illustrious house of Carignan of----" - -"The infirmity! the infirmity!" exclaimed Jacques Mocqueur. "His -mother was a lady of pleasure in the Rue des Hurleurs, and his father -was a footman." - -The bravo turned with a furious air upon his companion; but Jacques -Mocqueur only laughed, and assured me that what he said was true. - -All preliminaries were now definitively settled; and giving the archer -another piece of gold, I hinted to him that he might leave me alone -with my new attendants. This was no sooner done, than I proceeded to -my more immediate object. "You think, doubtless, my men," said I, -"that I am about to employ you, as you have hitherto been employed, in -any of those little services which require men devoid of prejudice, -and not over-burdened with morality; but you are mistaken. In the -enterprise for which I destine you, you will stand side by side with -the best and noblest of the land. If we fail, we will all lay our -bones together; if we succeed, your reward is sure, and a nobler -career is open to you than that which you have hitherto followed." - -My two recruits looked at each other in some surprise. "He means a -buccaneering!" said Combalet to his companion. - -"Fie! no," replied Jacques Mocqueur, after a moment's thought. "He -means a conspiracy, because he talks about its being a nobler career. -Folks always call their conspiracies noble, though lawyers call it -treason. However, monseigneur, if it is anything against our late lord -and master, his most devilish eminence of Richelieu, we are your men, -for we both owe him a deep grudge; and we make it a point of honour to -pay our debts. But who are we to fight for, and who against?" - -"Hold, hold, my friend," replied I, "you are running forward somewhat -too fast. Remember that you are speaking to your lord, whom you have -bound yourself to serve; and you must obey his commands without -inquiring why or wherefore." - -"Ay!" answered Combalet, "so long as they do not make us put our heads -under the great carving-knife; but when your lordship talks about -conspiracies----" - -"Who talks about conspiracies, knave?" cried I, "finding that my horses -were showing signs of restiveness--who talks of conspiracies? You have -nothing to do but receive my commands; and when I propose anything to -you that brings you within the danger of the law, then make your -objection.--But to the point," proceeded I; "I am told, and indeed -know from the best authority, that all the persons exercising your -honourable profession, in any of its branches, form as it were a sort -of club or society, which is governed by its own laws to a certain -degree; and I am, moreover, informed that you have a certain place of -meeting, where the elders of your body assemble, called Swash Castle, -or Château Escroc, where you have a chief magistrate, named King of -the Huns. Is not this the fact?" - -I had gained my information from various sources, but greatly from my -little attendant Achilles, who had an especial talent for finding out -things concealed. My knowledge of their secrets, however, had a great -effect upon my two attendants, who began to think, I believe, that -either as a professor or an amateur I had at some former time -exercised their honourable trade myself. - -"There is no denying it, sir," replied Jacques Mocquer, at length; "we -are a regular corporation. So much I may say, for you know it already; -but ask me no farther, for we are bound by something tighter than an -oath, not to reveal the mysteries of our craft." - -"I am going to ask you no questions," replied I, firmly; "but I am -going to command you to take me to your rendezvous, or Swash Castle, -and introduce me to your worthy prince, the King of the Huns." - -My two respectable followers gazed in each other's eyes with so much -wonder and amazement, that I saw I had made a very unusual request; -but I was resolved to carry my point; and accordingly added, after -waiting a few moments for an answer, "Why don't you reply? Do not -waste your time in staring one at the other, for I am determined to -go, and nothing shall prevent me." - -"Samson was a strong man, monseigneur," replied Jacques, shaking his -head, "but he could not drink out of an empty pitcher. Your lordship -would find it a difficult matter to accomplish your object by -yourself; and though here we stand, willing, according to our -agreement, to serve you to the best of our power, yet I do not believe -that we can do what you require." - -"Mark me, Master Jacques Mocque," replied I, "my determination is -taken. I came to Paris for the express purpose of treating with your -King of the Huns, on matters of deep importance; and back I will not -go without having fulfilled my mission. If, therefore, you and your -companion can gain me admittance sinto your Château Escroc by to-morrow -night, ten pieces of gold each shall be your reward; if not, I must -find other means for my purpose; and take care that you put no trick -upon me; for be sure that I will find a time to break every bone in -your skin, if you do.--You know I am a man to keep my word." - -"I do! I do! monseigneur," replied Jacques Mocqueur: "it cost me a -yard and a half of diachylon, the last bout I had with you; and I -would not wish to try it again. All I can say is, that we will do our -best to gain a royal ordonnance for your lordship's admittance; but if -you really have made up your mind to go, knowing anything of what you -undertake, you must have a stout heart of your own; that is all that I -can say. I have only farther to assure your lordship, that the more -information you can give us of your purpose, the more likely are we to -succeed." - -"You may tell his majesty of the Huns," replied I, "that I come to him -as an ambassador from one prince to treat with another--that he may -find his own advantage in seeing me, for that I shall be contented to -cast ten golden pieces into his royal treasury, as an earnest of -future offerings, on my first visit; and that he need not be in the -least fear, as I come unattended, and quite willing to submit to any -precautions he may judge necessary." - -After a little reflection, my two attendants did not seem to think my -enterprise quite so impracticable as they had at first imagined it. -They banded the _pros_ and _cons_, however, some time between them, in -a jargon which to me was very nearly unintelligible; and at last, once -more assuring me that they would do their best, they left me, after -having received a piece or two to stimulate their exertions. Before I -let them depart, I also took care to enforce the necessity of -despatch, and insisted upon it that a definitive answer should be -given me by dusk the day after. As soon as Messieurs Combalet de -Carignan and Jacques Mocqueur were gone, my own steps were turned -towards the Hôtel de Soissons; and revolving in my own mind the events -of the day, I walked on, like most young diplomatists, perfectly -self-satisfied with the first steps of my negotiation, even before it -showed the least probability of ultimate success. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIV. - - -Scarcely had I entered my apartments in the Hôtel de Soissons, ere I -received a visit from Signor Vanoni, who informed me that the Countess -was somewhat offended at my having gone forth without rendering her my -first visit of ceremony. "She invites you, however," added the old -man, "to be present to-night in the observatory of Catherine de -Medicis, which you have doubtless remarked from your window, while I -endeavour to satisfy her, as far as my poor abilities go, in regard to -the future fate of her son, which she imagines may be learned from the -stars." - -"And do you not hold the same opinion?" demanded I, seeing that Vanoni -had some hesitation in admitting his own belief in astrological -science. "I suppose there are at least as many who give full credit to -the pretensions of astrologers, as there are who doubt their powers?" - -"My own opinion," replied the old man, "signifies little; I certainly -must have thought there was some truth in a science, before I made it -a profound study, which I have done in regard to astrology. However, -if you will do me the honour of following me, I will show you the -interior of the magnificent column which Catherine de Medicis -constructed, for the purpose of consulting those stars which are now," -he added, with a smile, "growing as much out of fashion as her own -farthingale." - -I followed him accordingly, and crossing the gardens, at the end of -one of the alleys, came upon that immense stone tower, in the form of -a column, which may be seen to the present day, standing behind the -Hôtel des Fermes. It was night, but beautifully clear and starlight; -and, looking up, I could see the tall dark head of that immense -pillar, rising like a black giant high above all the buildings around, -and I felt that much of the credence which astrologers themselves -placed in their own dreams, might well be ascribed to the influence of -the solemn and majestic scenes in which their studies were carried on. -I understood completely how a man of an ardent imagination, placed on -an eminence like that, far above a dull and drowsy world below, with -nothing around him but silence, and no contemplation but the bright -and beautiful stars, might dream grand dreams, and fancy that, in the -golden lettered book before his eyes, he could read the secret tale of -fate, and discover the immutable decrees of destiny. I did more: I -felt that, were I long there myself, I should become a dreamer too, -and give rein to imagination as foolishly as any one. - -We now entered the tower by a strong door, at which were stationed two -small negro pages, each of whom, dressed in the Oriental costume, bore -a silver lamp burning with some sort of spirit, which gave a blue -unearthly sort of light to whatever they approached. Notwithstanding -my own tendency towards imaginativeness--perhaps I might say towards -superstition--I could not help smiling to see with what pains people -who wish to give way to their fancy, add every accessory which may -tend to deceive themselves. Anything strange, unusual, or mysterious, -is of great assistance to the imagination; and the sight of the two -small negroes, with their large rolling eyes and singular dress, -together with the purple gleam of the lamps in the gloomy interior of -the tower, were all well calculated to impress the mind with those -vague sort of sensations which, themselves partaking of the wild and -extraordinary, form a good preparation to ideas and feelings not quite -tangible to the calm research of reason. - -Vanoni saw me smile; and as we went up the stairs of the tower, he -said, "That mummery is none of mine. The good Countess is resolved not -to let her imagination halt for want of aid: but the belief which I -give to the science of astrology is founded upon a different -principle--the historical certainty that many of the most -extraordinary predictions derived from the stars have been verified -contrary to all existing probabilities--a certainty as clearly -demonstrable as any other fact of history, and much more so than many -things to which men give implicit credence. In the search for truth, -we must take care to get rid of that worst of prejudices, because the -vainest--that of believing nothing but what is within the mere scope -of our own knowledge. Now it is as much a matter of history as that -Julius Cæsar once lived at Rome, that in this very tower an astrologer -predicted to Catherine de Medicis the exact number of years which each -of her descendants should reign. It has been one cause of the -disrepute into which the science of astrology has fallen," he added, -"that its professors mingled a degree of charlatanism with their -predictions, which they intended to give them authority, but which has -ultimately discredited the art itself. Thus the astrologer I speak of, -not contented with predicting what he knew would happen, and leaving -the rest to fate, must needs show to the queen the images of her sons, -in what he pretended to be a magic glass; and, by this sort of juggle -diminished his own credit; though the _procès verbal_ of what -Catherine saw, taken down at the time, is now in the hands of the -Countess de Soissons." - -"May I ask the particulars?" said I, growing somewhat interested in -the subject; "and also, whether this _procès verbal_ is undoubtedly -authentic?" - -"Beyond all question," replied the old man, leading the way into a -circular hall, at the very top of the tower. "It has descended from -hand to hand direct; so that no doubt of its being genuine can -possibly exist. What the queen saw was as follows: being placed -opposite a mirror, in this very chamber, after various fantastic -ceremonies unworthy of a man of real science, the astrologer called -upon the genius of Francis II. to appear, and make as many turns round -the chamber as he should reign years. - -"Instantly Catherine beheld a figure, exactly resembling her son, -appear in the glass before her, and with a slow and mournful step take -one turn round the chamber and begin another; but before it was much -more than half completed, he disappeared suddenly; and another figure -succeeded, in which she instantly recognised her second son, -afterwards Charles IX. He encircled the hall fourteen times, with a -quick and irregular pace. After him came Henry III., who nearly -completed fifteen circles; when suddenly another figure, supposed to -be that of the Duke of Guise, came suddenly before him, and both -disappearing together, left the hall void, seemingly intimating to the -queen that there her posterity should end. There stands the mirror," -he added, "but its powers are gone." - -I approached the large ancient mirror with its carved ebony frame, to -which he pointed, and looked into it for a moment, my mind glancing -back to the days of Catherine de Medicis and her gay and vicious -court; and binding the present to the past, with that fine vague line -of associations whose thrilling vibrations form as it were the music -of memory; when suddenly, as if the old magician still exercised his -power upon his own mirror, the stately form of a lady dressed in long -robes of black velvet rose up before me in the glass; and with a start -which showed how much my imagination was already excited, I turned -round and beheld the Countess de Soissons. - -Without waiting for the reprimand which, I doubted not, she intended -to bestow upon me, I apologised for having been rude enough to go -anywhere without first having paid my respects to herself, alleging -business of an important nature as my excuse. - -"And pray, what important business can such a great man as yourself -have in our poor capital?" demanded the Countess, with a look of -haughty scorn, that had well nigh put to flight my whole provision of -politeness. - -"I believe, Madam," replied I, after a moment's pause, "that Monsieur -le Comte your son informed you, by a note which I delivered, that I -had to come to Paris on affairs which he thought fit to intrust to -me." - -"And a pretty personage he chose," interrupted the Countess. "But I -come not here to hear your excuses, youth. Has Signor Vanoni told you -the important purpose for which I commanded you to meet me here?" - -I replied that he had not done so fully; and she proceeded to inform -me, that the learned Italian, having been furnished by her with all -the astrological particulars of my birth, which she had obtained from -my mother many years before, and also having received those of the -birth of her own son the Count de Soissons, he had chosen that evening -for the purpose of consulting the stars concerning our future fate. - -It is needless to go through all the proceedings of the astrologer, -his prediction being the only interesting part of the ceremony. This -he delivered without any affectation or mummery, as the mere effect of -calculations; and his very plainness had something in it much more -convincing than any assumption of mystery; for it left me convinced of -his own sincere belief in what he stated. I forget the precise terms -of his prophecy in regard to the Count de Soissons; suffice it, that -it was such as left room for an easy construction to be put upon it, -shadowing out what was really the after-fate of the Prince to whom it -related. In regard to myself, he informed me that dangers and -difficulties awaited me, more fearful and more painful than any I had -hitherto encountered; but that with fortitude I should surmount them -all; and he added, that if I still lived after one month from that -day, my future fate looked clear and smiling. All who sought my life, -he said farther, should die by my hand, or fail in their attempt, and -that in marriage I should meet both wealth, and rank, and beauty. - -Absurd as I knew the whole system to be, yet I own--man's weaknesses -form perhaps the most instructive part of his history, and therefore -it is, I say it--absurd, as I knew the whole system to be, yet I could -not help pondering over this latter part of the prediction, and -endeavoured to reconcile it in my own mind with the probabilities of -the future. My Helen had beauty, I knew too well. Wealth, I had heard -attributed to her; and rank, the Prince had promised to obtain. Oh -man, man! thou art a strange, weak being; and thy boasted reason is -but a glorious vanity, which serves thee little till thy passions have -left thee, and then conducts thee to a grave! - -Hope, in my breast but a drowning swimmer, clung to a straw--to -worse--a bubble. - -I followed the Countess de Soissons from the tower, thoughtful and -dreamy; and I believe the old man Vanoni was somewhat pleased to -witness the effect that his words had wrought upon me; though he could -little see the strange and mingled web that fancy and reason were -weaving in my breast--the golden threads of the one, though looking as -light as a gossamer, proving fully strong enough to cross the woof of -the other, and outshine it in the light of hope. - -At the foot of the staircase we found the Countess's women waiting; -and having suffered me to conduct her to the door of the Hôtel de -Soissons, she gave me my dismissal with the same air of insufferable -haughtiness, and retired into the house. As my apartments lay in one -of the wings, I was again crossing the garden to reach them, when -suddenly a figure glided past me, which for a moment rooted me to the -ground. It was in vain I accused myself of superstition, of madness, -of folly. The belief still remained fixed upon my mind, that I had -seen Jean Baptiste Arnault, whom I had shot with my own hand. The moon -had just risen--the space before me was clear; and if ever my eyes -served me in the world, it was the figure of him I had killed that -passed before me. - -Without loss of time, I made my way to my own apartments; and pale, -haggard, and agitated, I cast myself on a seat, while little Achilles, -in no small surprise, gazed on me with open eyes, and asked a thousand -times what he could do for me. - -"It was he!" muttered I, without taking any notice of the little -man.--"It was certainly Jean Baptiste Arnault, if ever I beheld him." - -"My brother!" exclaimed Achilles; "I thought he was at Lourdes, with -that most respectable gentleman his father, my mother's husband that -was; and my parent that ought to have been--I certainly thought he was -at Lourdes." - -"He is in the grave, and by my hand," replied I, scarcely -understanding what he had said; but gradually, as I grew calm, my mind -took in his meaning, and I exclaimed, "Your brother! Was Jean Baptiste -Arnault your brother?" - -"That he certainly was, by the mother's side," replied the little -player, "and as good a soul he was, when a boy, as ever existed." An -explanation of course ensued; and on calling to mind the little man's -history, I found that no great wit would have been necessary to have -understood his connection with Arnault before. A more painful -narrative followed on my part, for Achilles pressed me upon the words -I had let fall. I could not tell him the circumstances of his -brother's death--that would have been too dreadful for my state of -mind at the moment; but I assured him that it had been accidental; and -I told him the regret, the horror, the grief, which it had occasioned -me ever since. - -"Poor Jean Baptiste!" cried the little player, with more feeling than -I thought he possessed, "he was as good a creature as ever lived; and -now, when I hear that he is dead, all his tricks of boyhood, and all -the happy hours when we played together, come up upon my mind, and I -feel--what perhaps I never felt rightly before--what a sad thing it is -to be an outcast, denied, and forgotten, and alone, without one tie of -kindred between me and all the wide world." And the tears came up into -his eyes as he spoke. "Do not let me vex you, monseigneur," continued -he: "I am sure you would harm no one on purpose; and you have been to -me far better than kind and kindred; for you alone, on all the earth, -have borne with me, and showed me unfailing kindness; but yet I cannot -help regretting poor Jean Baptiste." - -It was a bitter and a painful theme; and we both dropped it as soon as -it was possible. Ideas, however, were re-awakened in my mind, that -defied sleep; and though I persuaded myself that the figure I had seen -was but the effect of an imagination over-excited by what had passed -during the day, and the thoughts that had lately occupied me; yet, as -I lay in my bed, all the horrid memories, over which time had begun to -exercise some softening power, came up as sharp and fresh as if the -blood was still flowing that my hand had shed. - -I rose late, and while Achilles was aiding me to dress, I saw that -there was something on his mind that he wished to say. At length it -broke forth. "I would not for the world speak to you, monseigneur, on -a subject that is so painful," said the little player, with a delicacy -of which I had hardly judged him capable; "but this morning something -extraordinary has happened, that I think it best to tell you. As I was -standing but now at the gate of the Hôtel de Soissons, who should pass -by but Arnault the old procureur. He stopped suddenly, and looked at -me; and as I thought he knew me, though in all probability I was -mistaken, I spoke to him, and we had a long conversation. Me he seemed -to care very little about, but he asked me a world of questions about -you; and he seemed to know all that you were doing, a great deal -better than I did myself. I assured him, however, that the death of -poor Jean Baptiste was entirely accidental, as you told me; and I -related to him all that you had suffered on that account, and how -often, even now, it would make you as grave and as melancholy as if it -were just done. I wanted him very much to tell me where he lived, but -he would not; and took himself off directly I asked the question." - -It gave me some pain to hear that Achilles had now positively informed -Arnault that my hand had slain his son. Helen could never be mine; I -felt it but too bitterly, as the dreams which the astrologer's -prediction had suggested died away in my bosom--and yet I shrank from -the idea of her knowing, that he whom she had loved was the murderer -of her brother. I could not, however, blame Achilles for what he had -done. The name of Helen had never been mentioned between us; and when -I thought that she was _his_ sister--the sister of my own servant, -though it changed no feeling in my breast towards her--though it left -her individually lovely, and excellent, and graceful as ever in my -eyes, yet it gave new strength to the vow I had made to obey my -mother's last injunctions, by adding another to the objections which -she would have had to that alliance. The conviction that we were fated -never to be united took firm possession of my mind. Destiny seemed -willing to spare me even the pain of faint hopes, by piling up -obstacle on obstacle between us; but I resolved that, if I might never -call her I loved my own, I would give the place which she had filled -in my heart to no other. I would live solitary and unbound by those -ties which she alone could have rendered delightful. I would pass -through life without the touch of kindred or of wedded love, and go -down to the grave the last of my race and name. - -Such were my resolutions; and, variable and light as my character was -in some degree, I believe that I should have kept them--ay! -notwithstanding the quick and ardent blood of youth, and my own -proneness to passion and excitement. - -In the course of the morning, I visited Monsieur de Retz; and, -according to the commands of Monsieur le Comte, we mutually -communicated the steps we had taken--though I believe De Retz informed -me of the success which had attended his negotiations, more to force -me into a return of confidence than for any other reason. - -"From the letter which Monsieur de Cramail slipped into my hand -yesterday," said he, "as well as from what he told me _vivâ voce_, I -can now safely say the Bastille is our own. Indeed, it is wonderful -with what facility this party of prisoners dispose of their place of -confinement; but the Count tells me here, that he has won the officers -of the garrison, and the officers have won the soldiers--that, in -short, all hearts are for Monsieur le Comte, and that it only wants a -first success to make all hands for him too. Oh, my dear De l'Orme," -he burst forth, "what a wonderful thing is that same word success! But -once attach it to a man's name, and you shall have all the world kneel -to serve him, and laud him to the skies--let him but fail, and the -whole pack will be upon him, like a herd of hungry wolves. Give me the -man that, while success is doubtful, stands my friend, who views my -actions and my worth by their own intrinsic merit, and pins not his -faith upon that great impostor success, whose favour or whose frown -depends not on ourselves but circumstance." - -As soon as it was dusk, I went alone to my little lodging in the Rue -des Prêtres St. Paul; and, after waiting for about half an hour, -received the visit of my two most respectable followers, Combalet and -Jacques Mocqueur. As they entered, I saw by a certain smirking air of -satisfaction on their countenances, that they had been successful in -their negotiation, which they soon informed me was the case. - -"We have permission from his most acuminated majesty of the Huns," -said Jacques Mocqueur, "to introduce Monseigneur le Comte de l'Orme -into his famous palace called Château Escroc, and to naturalise him a -Hun, upon the reasonable condition of his submitting to be -blindfolded, as he is conducted through the various passes of the -country of the Huns." - -"In regard to being blindfolded," replied I, "I have not the least -objection, as it is but natural you should take means to prevent your -secret resorts from being betrayed; but I must first understand -clearly what you mean by my being naturalised a Hun, before I submit -to any such proceeding." - -"'Tis a most august and solemn proceeding," replied Combalet de -Carignau, "and many of the first nobility have submitted to it without -blushing." - -"His infirmity! his infirmity!" cried Jacques Mocqueur. "I pray your -lordship would not forget his infirmity! Not a noble in these -or former times ever thought of submitting to the ceremony but -yourself;--but after all, it is but a ceremony, which binds you to -nothing." - -"If that be the case," replied I, "I will go; but be so good as to -remark, that I have nothing upon my person but the ten gold pieces -which I have promised your worthy monarch; and I beg that you will -give notice thereof to the worthy corporation I am going to meet, lest -the devil of cupidity should tempt them to play me foul." - -"For that, we are your lordship's sureties," said Combalet. "I should -like to see the man who would wag a finger against you, while we stood -by your side." - -"Your lordship does us injustice," said Jacques Mocqueur, in a less -swaggering tone. "There is honour, even to a proverb, amongst the -gentlemen you are going to meet; but if you are at all afraid, one of -us will stay till your return, at the Hôtel de Soissons, where our -friend the archer informed us you really lodged." - -"I am not the least afraid," replied I: "but I spoke, knowing that -human nature is fallible; and that the idea of gold might raise up an -evil spirit amongst some of your companions, which even you might find -it difficult to lay. However, lead on, I will follow you." - -"I question much whether the council has yet met," replied Combalet; -"but we shall be some time in going, and therefore we may as well -depart." We accordingly proceeded into the street, where I went on -first, followed, scarcely a step behind, by my two bravoes, in the -manner of a gentleman going on some visit accompanied by his lackeys. -At every corner of each street, either Combalet or his companion -whispered to me the turning I was to take; and thus we proceeded for -near half an hour, till I became involved in lanes and buildings with -which I was totally unacquainted, notwithstanding my manifold -melancholy rambling through Paris, when I was there alone and -tormented with gloomy thoughts that drove me forth continually, for -mere occupation. The houses seemed to grow taller and closer together, -and in many of the lanes through which we passed, I could have touched -each side of the street, by merely stretching out my hands. Darkness, -too, reigned supreme, so that it was with difficulty that I saw my way -forward; and certainly should often not have known that there was any -turning near, had it not been for the whisper of mv companions, "To -the right!" or "To the left!" - -The way was long, too, and tortuous, winding in and out, with a -thousand labyrinthine turnings, as if it had been built on purpose to -conceal every kind of vice, and crime, and wretchedness, amongst its -obscure involutions. - -Every now and then from the houses as I passed burst forth the sound -of human voices; sometimes in low murmurs, sometimes in loud and -boisterous merriment; and sometimes even in screams and cries of -enmity or pain, that made my blood run cold. Still, however, I pursued -my purpose. I could but lose my life--and life to me had not that -value which it possesses with the happy and the prosperous. I would -have sold it dear, nevertheless, and was well prepared to do so, for I -was armed with dagger, sword, and pistol; so that, setting the object -to be gained by murdering me, which could but be my clothes, with the -risk and bloodshed of the attempt, I judged myself very secure, though -I found clearly that I was plunging deeper and deeper every moment -among those sinks of vice, iniquity, and horror, with which some part -of every great city is sure to be contaminated. - -Suddenly, as I was proceeding along one of these narrow streets, a -hand was laid firmly, but not rudely, on my breast; and a voice asked, -"Where go ye?" Jacques Mocqueur stepped forward instantly, and -whispering a word to my interrogator, I was suffered to proceed. In a -few minutes after, we arrived at a passage, where my bravoes informed -me that it would be necessary to bandage my eyes, which was soon done; -and being conducted forward, I perceived that we went into a house, -the entrance of which was so narrow, that it was with difficulty -Combalet could turn sufficiently to lead me onward by the hand. I took -care as we went to count the number of paces, and to mark well the -turnings, so that, I believe, I could have retraced my steps had it -been necessary. - -After turning four times, we once more emerged into the open air, as -if we crossed an inner court, and I could hear a buzz of many voices, -seemingly from some window above. We now again entered a house; and, -having turned twice, the bravoes halted, and I heard an old woman's -voice cry in a ragged, broken tone, "They are waiting for you, you two -lazy jessame flinchers. And what new devil have you brought with -you?--A pretty piece of flesh, I declare! Why, he has a leg and an arm -like the man of bronze." - -While these observations were being made upon my person, my two worthy -retainers were detaching the bandage from my eyes; and as soon as I -could see, I found myself standing in a large vestibule at the foot of -a staircase. An iron lamp hung from the ceiling, and by its light I -beheld a hideous old woman, in that horrid state where mental -imbecility seemed treading on the heels of every sort of vice. Her -high aquiline nose, her large bleared, dull eyes, swimming between -drunkenness and folly, her wide mouth, the lips of which had long -since fallen in over her toothless gums, all offered now a picture of -the most degrading ugliness; while, with a kind of gloating gaze, -she examined me from head to foot, crying from time to time, "A -pretty piece of flesh!--ay, a pretty piece of flesh!--nice devil's -food!--will you give me a kiss, young Beelzebub?" And throwing her -arms suddenly round me, she gave me a hug that froze the very blood in -my veins. - -I threw her from me with disgust; and, in her state of -semi-drunkenness, she tottered back and fell upon the pavement, giving -a great scream; on which a man, who had been lying in a corner totally -unseen by me, sprang up, and drawing his sword, rushed upon me, -crying, "Morbleu, Maraud! How dare you strike Mother Marinette?" - -It was a critical moment. To do anything with the wild and lawless, it -needs to show one's self as fierce and fearless as themselves. My -sword was out in an instant; and knowing that sometimes a display of -daring courage, with men like those amongst whom I was placed, will -touch the only feelings that remain in their seared and blackened -hearts, and do more with them than any other earthly quality, I cried -out to my two retainers, who were hurrying to separate us, "Let him -alone! let him alone!--We are man to man. I only ask fair play." - -"Fair play! Give him fair play!" cried Combalet and his companion to -half a dozen ruffians that came rushing down the stairs at the noise. -"Give the Count fair play!" - -"It's a quarrel about a lady!" cried Jacques Mocqueur. "An affair of -honour! A duello! Let no one interrupt them." - -In the meanwhile my antagonist lunged at me with vain fury. He was not -unskilful in the use of his weapon, but his was what may be called -bravo-fencing, very well calculated for street brawls, where five or -six persons are engaged together, but not fit to be opposed to a -really good swordsman, calmly hand to hand. His traverses were loose, -and he bore hard against my blade, so that at last, suddenly shifting -my point, I deceived him with a half time, and not willing exactly to -kill him, brought him down with a severe wound in his shoulder. - -"Quarter for Goguenard! Quarter for Goguenard!" cried the respectable -spectators, several of whom had, during the combat, served me -essentially by withholding Madame Marinette (the beldame whose -caresses I had repulsed so unceremoniously) from exercising her talons -upon my face. My sword was instantly sheathed, and my antagonist being -raised, looked at me with a grim grin, but without any apparent -malice. "You've sliced my bacon," cried he; "but, _Ventre saint -gris!_ you are a tight hand, and I forgive you." - -The wounded man was now carried off to have his wound _puttied_, as he -expressed it; and I was then ushered up stairs into a large room, -wherein all the swash-bucklers, that the noise of clashing swords had -brought out like a swarm of wasps when their nest is disturbed, now -hastened to take their seats round a large table that occupied the -centre of the hall. In place of the pens, the ink-horns, and the -paper, which grace the more dignified council boards of more modern -nations, that of the worthy Huns was only covered, in imitation of -their ancestors, with swords and pistols, daggers and knives, bottles, -glasses, and flagons, symbolical of the spirit in which their laws -were conceived, and the sharpness with which they were enforced. - -At the head of the table, when we entered, were seated four or five of -the sager members of the council, who had not suffered their attention -to be called from their deliberations like the rest; and in a great -arm-chair raised above the rest was placed a small old man, with sharp -grey eyes, a keen pinched nose, and a look of the most infallible -cunning I ever beheld in mortal countenance. He wore his hat buttoned -with a large jewel, and was very splendidly attired in black velvet; -so that, from every circumstance of his appearance, I was inclined to -believe I beheld in him that very powerful and politic monarch called -the King of the Huns. - -As Combalet de Carignan and Jacques Mocqueur were leading me forward -in state to present me to the monarch, he rose, and stroking his short -grey beard from the root to the point between his finger and thumb, he -demanded, with an air of dignity, "What noise was that I heard but -now, and who dared to draw a sword within the precincts of our royal -palace?" - -This question was answered by Jacques Mocqueur with the following -delectable sentence:--"May it please your majesty, the case was, that -old Marinette did the sweet upon the Count here, who buffed her a -swagger that earthed her marrow-bones; whereupon mutton-faced -Goguenard aired his pinking-iron upon the count, and would have made -his chanter gape, if the Count had not sliced his bacon, and brought -him to kiss his mother." - -This explanation, however unintelligible to me at the time, seemed -perfectly satisfactory to the great potentate to whom it was -addressed; who, nodding to me with a gracious inclination, replied, -"The Count most justly punished an aggression upon the person of an -ambassador. Let our secretary propose the oaths to the count, our -cupbearer bring forward our solemn goblet, and let the worthy nobleman -take the oaths, and be naturalized a true and faithful Hun." - -A meagre gentleman in a black suit now advanced towards me, with a -book in his hand, and proposed to me to swear that I would be -thenceforward a true and faithful subject to the mighty monarch, -François St. Maur, King of the Huns; that I would act as a true and -loyal Hun in all things, but especially in submitting myself to all -the laws of the Commonwealth, and the ordinances of the King in -council; as well as in keeping inviolably secret all the proceedings -of the Huns, their places of resort, their private signs, signals, -designs, plans, plots, and communications, with a great variety of -other particulars, all couched-in fine technical language, which took -nearly a quarter of an hour in repeating. - -Greater part of this oath I took the liberty of rejecting, giving so -far in to their mockery of ceremony, as to state my reasons to the -monarch with an affectation of respect that seemed to please him not a -little; and, though one or two of the ruffians thought fit to grumble -at any concessions being made to me, it was nevertheless arranged that -the oath should be curtailed in my favour, to a solemn vow of secrecy, -which I willingly took. - -An immense wrought goblet of silver was now presented to me, which I -should have imagined to be a chalice filched from some church, had it -not been for various figures of bacchanals and satyrs richly embossed -on the stalk and base. I raised it to my lips, drinking to the monarch -of the Huns, who received my salutation standing; but the very first -mouthful showed me that it was filled with ardent spirits; and -returning it to the cup-bearer, I begged that I might be accommodated -with wine, for that there was quite enough in the cup to incapacitate -me for fulfilling the important mission with which I was charged. - -A loud shout at my flinching from the cup was the first reply; and one -of the respectable cut-throats exclaimed from the other side of the -table, "Give some milk and water to the chickenhearted demoiselle." - -I had already had enough of brawling for the night; and as no farther -object was to be gained by noticing the ruffian's insult at the time, -I took the cup that was now presented to me filled with wine, and -drank health to the King of the Huns, without seeming to hear what had -been said. - -The most delicate part of my mission still remained to be fulfilled, -namely, to explain to the chief of all the thieves, swindlers, and -bravoes in Paris, for such was the King of the Huns, the objects of -the Count de Soissons, without putting his name and reputation in the -power of every ruffian in the capital; and as I looked round the room, -which was now crowded with men of every attire and every carriage, I -found a thousand additional reasons in each villanous countenance for -being as guarded and circumspect as possible. - -How I should have acquitted myself Heaven only knows; but a great deal -of trouble was taken off my hands by the King of the Huns himself; -who, after regarding me for a moment with his little grey eyes, that -seemed to enter into one's very heart, and pry about in every secret -corner thereof, opened the business himself, and left my farther -conduct comparatively easy. - -"Count de l'Orme," said he, in a loud voice, while all the rest kept -silence, "you have sought an interview with us, and you have gained -it. Ordinary politicians would now use all their art to conceal what -they know of your purpose, and to make you unfold to them more perhaps -than you wished; but we, with the frankness that characterises a great -nation, are willing to show you that we are already aware of much more -than you imagine. You sent word to us that you came on a mission from -a prince. We will save you the trouble of naming him. He is Louis de -Bourbon, Count de Soissons!" - -A murmur of surprise at the penetration of the king ran through the -assembly; but to me his means of information on this point were -evident enough. The archer had communicated to the bravoes that, -though I received them in the Rue Prêtres St. Paul, I lodged myself at -the Hôtel de Soissons. They had informed their chief of the same, and -by an easy chain of conclusions he had fallen upon the right person as -my principal. - -How he came by the rest of his information I do not know; but he -proceeded. "His highness the Count de Soissons is universally loved, -in the same proportion that the minister, his enemy, is hated; and -there is not one man amongst my subjects who does not bear the -greatest affection to the one, and the greatest abhorrence towards the -other." - -A loud shout of assent interrupted him for a moment; but when it had -subsided he went on. "The Count is, we are well informed, preparing on -all hands for open war with the cardinal; and we also know, that there -is more than one agent working privately in this city for his service. -We are not amongst those who will be most backward, or most -inefficient in his cause; and we only wish to know, in the first -instance, what he expects of us. Not that I mean to say," he added, -"that we do not intend therein to have some eye to our own interests; -yet, nevertheless, the Count will not find us hard or difficult to -deal with, as our enemies would have men believe." - -In answer to this speech, I went directly to the point, finding that -all diplomatising on the subject was spared me. I therefore told the -King of the Huns that he was perfectly right in the view he had taken -of the case; and that as the Count was now driven to extremity by the -Cardinal, it was natural that he should take every means to strengthen -his own cause. Of course, under these circumstances, I added, he would -not think of neglecting so large and respectable a body as the Huns, -and had therefore sent me to pray them, in case of a rising in the -city of Paris on his part, to support his friends with all their aid -and influence, and to embarrass his enemies by all those means which -no men knew so well how to employ as themselves. I farther added, that -if, under the permission and sanction of their government, any of his -Majesty's subjects would enrol themselves as men at arms, to serve the -Count de Soissons under my command, the prospect of vast advantages -was before them; but that, of course, I should require those men who, -having some knowledge of military discipline and habits, would not -need the long and tedious drilling of young recruits. - -"Such have we amongst our subjects in plenty," replied the King of the -Huns. "We are, as I need not inform you, essentially a military -nation; and for our own credit, the troops we furnish to our -well-beloved cousin, Monsieur le Comte, shall be of the best quality." - -A murmuring conversation now took place through the assembly, each man -expressing to his neighbour his opinion of what had just passed, in a -low voice, that left nothing audible but the various curses and -imprecations with which they seasoned their discourse, and which -seasoning certainly predominated over the matter. This left me, -however, an opportunity of gaining some private speech of the king, -with whom, in a very short time, I contrived to settle all -preliminaries. I paid my ten louis into the treasury, and promised -twenty more, in case of his showing himself active and serviceable in -the rising of the metropolis. He, on his part, engaged to select and -send to a certain point on the frontiers, as many horsemen as he could -rely upon, who were to take service with me, and to bind themselves by -oath to obey my commands for one month. For the first month, all I -could promise in regard to pay was twenty crowns per man; but this -seemed quite satisfactory; and I believe the plunder to be expected, -whichever party gained the day, was much more tempting in their eyes -than the ostensible reward. The rendezvous was named at the little -village of Marigny, beyond Mouzon, just over the frontier; and it was -agreed that the king should send me, from time to time, a note of the -numbers he despatched; and that on my arrival at Marigny I should -disburse to each man his pay in advance, on his taking the stipulated -oath, and showing himself ready for action, armed with sword, pistol, -dagger, morion, back and breast pieces, and musketoon. The number -which his most Hun-like majesty thought he could promise was about -three hundred men; and I very naturally supposed that I should have -somewhat of a difficult command over men who had long submitted to no -law but their own will. - -I knew, also, that so trifling an incident as my having refused to -pledge the King in his goblet of strong waters might do much harm to -my future authority; and, therefore, after having risen to go, I ran -my eye down the opposite side of the table, and said in aloud voice, -"Some one, about an hour ago, called me 'a chicken-hearted -demoiselle.' If he will stand out here in the free space, I will give -him the most convincing proof that my heart is as stout as his own, -and my hand not that of a girl." - -A fellow with the form and countenance of an ox-slayer instantly -started up, but his companions thrust him down again, several voices -crying out, "No, no! down with him! the Count is no flincher; look at -Goguenard, the best man amongst us, floored like a sheep!" - -"If any proof were wanting," said Jacques Mocqueur, stepping forward, -"to establish the noble Count's slashing qualities, I could give it. I -am known to be a tough morsel for any man's grinders; and yet, once -upon a day, the Count did for two of us singlehanded. He sent Captain -Von Crack out of the window sack-of-wheat fashion, and left me with -the flesh of my arm gaping like an empty flagon." - -This matter being settled, I drank a parting cup with his majesty, to -the prosperity of the Huns, which was of course received with a loud -shout; and, conducted by Combalet de Carignan and his companion, I -left Château Escroc with my whole frame fevered and burning, from the -excitement I had undergone. - -I have only farther to remark, that, according to the oath of secrecy -which I had taken, I should not now have placed even this interview on -paper, had not that respectable body with whom I passed the evening -been discovered some years since, and totally routed out of all their -dens. The fraternity of the Huns will doubtless ever exist in Paris; -but, thanks to the exertions of our late energetic criminal -lieutenant, they are now, like the Jews, a dispersed and wandering -people, each depending on his own resources, and turning the public to -his own particular profit. - - - - -CHAPTER XLV. - - -During the ten days which followed, I received every morning news of -some new detachment having set out for Marigny; and each despatch from -the King of the Huns gave me the most positive assurance of his -co-operation in favour of the Prince, as soon as a signal should be -given for the rising in Paris. - -De Retz was enchanted with the progress I had made, and declared, with -a sneer even at the enterprise in which he was himself engaged, that -now we possessed the poor, the prisoners, and the cut-throats, our -success in Paris was certain. - -"Amongst my researches," said he one day, while we were speaking over -these circumstances, "I have met with a man that puzzles me. He is -certainly poor, even to beggary, at least so my scout, who discovered -him, assures me; and yet he refused pecuniary assistance, though -offered in the most delicate manner I could devise, and repulsed me so -haughtily, that I could not introduce one word of treason or -conspiracy into my discourse. As you, my dear count, are about to -venture yourself in mortal strife, you could not have a more -serviceable follower than this man's appearance bespeaks him. He is a -Hercules; and if his eye does not play the braggart in its owner's -favour, he is just a man to kill lions and strangle serpents. You -could not do better than visit him, telling him that you are my -friend, and that I am most anxious to serve him, if he will point me -out the means." - -I was very willing to follow the suggestion of Monsieur de Retz, being -at the very time engaged in searching for a certain number of personal -attendants, whose honesty might in some degree neutralise the opposite -qualities of those that waited me at Marigny. Having received the -address then, I proceeded to a small street in the _cité_, and -mounting three pair of stairs, knocked at a door that had been -indicated to me. A deep voice bade me come in; and, entering a -miserable apartment, I beheld the object of my search. The light was -dim; but there was something in the grand athletic limbs and proud -erect carriage, that made me start by their sudden call upon old -recollections. It was Garcias himself, whom I had left at Barcelona -borne high upon the top of that fluctuating billow, popular favour, -that now stood before me in apparent poverty in Paris. - -He started forward and grasped my hand. "Monsieur de l'Orme!" cried -he: "God of heaven! then I am not quite abandoned." - -His tale was not an extraordinary one. He had fallen as he had risen. -The nobility of Catalonia, finding that the insurgents maintained -themselves, and received aid from France, declared for the popular -party, gradually took possession of all authority; and, to secure it, -provided for the ruin of all those who had preceded them. Garcias was -the most obnoxious, because he had been the most powerful while the -lower classes had predominated. Causes of accusation are never wanting -in revolutions, even against the best and noblest; and Garcias was -obliged to fly, to save himself from those whose liberties he had -defended and saved. Spain was now all shut against him. France was his -only refuge; and, finding his way to Paris, he set himself down in -that great luxurious city, with that most scorching curse in his own -breast, a proud heart gnawed by poverty. - -"But your wife, Garcias!" demanded I, after listening to his -history--"your wife! what has become of her?" - -"She is an angel in heaven!" replied he, abruptly, at the same time -turning away his head. "Monsieur de l'Orme," he added, more firmly, -"do not let us speak of her--it unmans me. You have seen a fair flower -growing in the fields, have you not?--Well, you have plucked it, and -putting it in your bonnet, have borne it in the mid-day sun and the -evening chill; and when you have looked for the flower at nightfall, -you have found but a withered, formless, beautiless thing, that -perforce you have given back to the earth from which it sprang. Say no -more!--say no more!--Thus she passed away!" - -Since we had parted, misfortunes had bent the proud spirit of the -Spaniard, while my own had gained more energy and power; so that now, -it was I who exercised over him the influence he had formerly -possessed over me. The aid he had refused from Monsieur de Retz, from -me he was willing to accept; and, explaining to him my situation, I -easily prevailed upon him to join himself to my fortunes, and to aid -me in disciplining and commanding the very doubtful corps I had -levied. - -Upon pretence of wishing him nearer to me, I would not leave him till -I had installed him in my lodgings in the Rue des Prêtres; and there, -I took care that he should be supplied with everything that was -externally necessary to his comfort, and that his mind should be -continually employed. - -I now added six trusty servants to my retinue, provided horses and -arms for the whole party, and my business in Paris being nearly -concluded, prepared to return to Sedan without loss of time; when one -morning a note was left at my little lodging, desiring my presence at -the Palais Cardinal the next evening at four o'clock, and signed -"_Richelieu_." - -I instantly sent off my six servants to Meaux, keeping with me -Combalet de Carignan, his companion Jacques Mocqueur, Garcias, and -Achilles, with the full intention of bidding adieu to Paris the next -morning, and putting as many leagues as possible between myself and -his eminence of Richelieu, before the hour he had named. Time was when -I should have waited his leisure with the palpitating heart of hope, -and now I prepared to gallop away from him with somewhat more speed -than dignity. The _tempora mutantur et nos mutamur_ goes but a little -way to tell the marvels that a month can do. - -My plans, however, were disarranged by very unexpected circumstances. -On returning to my apartments at the Hôtel de Soissons, I sat down for -a moment to write; when, after a gentle tap, the door opened, and in -glided the pretty embroidery girl whom, on my first arrival at the -house, I had seen holding the silks for the Countess's work. She -advanced, and gave a note into my hands, and was then retiring. - -"From the Countess, my pretty maid?" demanded I. - -"No, sir," she replied. "Pray do not tell the Countess that I gave it -to you;" and so saying, she glided out of the chamber faster than she -came. - -I opened the note immediately, seeing that there was some mystery in -the business; and with a tumult of feelings varying at every word, -like the light clouds driven across an autumn sky, now all sunshine, -now all shadow, I read what follows:-- - - -"Monsieur le Comte, - -"I have just learned from my father, that by some strange error you -have not yet heard of my recovery, and that you have been passing the -best of your days in regret for having, as you imagined, killed me, -though we are both well aware that the wound I received was given in -your own defence. I have been misled, Monsieur le Comte, by those who -should have taught me right; but I will no longer be commanded, even -by my father, to do what is against my conscience; and, therefore, I -write you this letter, to tell you that I am still in life. So -conscious was I from the first that I had received my wound as a -punishment from Heaven for that which I was engaged in, that, on -recovering my senses at the château, I attributed my situation to the -accidental discharge of my own gun. All I can add is, that I always -loved you, and would have served you with all my heart, had not other -people put passions and wishes into my head that I ought never to have -entertained. From all that, my eyes are now cleared; and, as a proof -of it, I give you the following information--that if you will this -evening at eight o'clock, when it is beginning to grow dusk, go -sufficiently attended to the first carrefour on the road to Vincennes, -you will have the means of saving her you love best from much fear and -uncomfort. Even should you be too late, be under no dread that she -will meet with any serious evil. On that score depend upon - - "JEAN BAPTISTE ARNAULT. - -"P.S.--The carriage in which they convey her is red, with a black boot -on each side." - - -I sprang up from the table, like Ixion unbound from his wheel. The -load was off my bosom--I no longer felt the curse of Cain upon me--my -heart beat with a lightness such as we know in boyhood; and the gay -blood running along my veins seemed to have lost the curdling poison -that had so long mingled with it. It was then I first fully knew how -heavily, how dreadfully the burden of crime had sat upon me, even when -my immediate thoughts were turned to other things. I felt that it had -made me old before my time--daring, reckless, hopeless. But now I -seemed to have regained the youngness, the freshness of my spirit; and -Hope once more lighted her torch, and ran on before, to illumine my -path through the years to come. - -In the first tumult of my feelings, reflection upon all the collateral -circumstances was out of the question; but upon consideration, I saw -painfully how strange my absence must have appeared to my family, from -Jean Baptiste having concealed that I was the person who wounded him. -Doubtless, I thought he had told his father, who had thereupon -instantly taken Helen from the château; and thus my mother had been -led to connect my absence with her removal. - -Several parts of Jean Baptiste's letter surprised me much. Of course, -however, I put my own interpretation upon them, and then bent my -thoughts upon the danger which, as he informed me, menaced my dear -Helen. What its nature could be I could not divine; but without -wasting time in endeavouring to discover that on which I had no means -of reasoning, I proceeded as fast as possible to the lodgings where I -had left Garcias; and, sending Achilles for Combalet and his -companion, prepared to set out to the place which the letter had -indicated. It was by this time wearing towards evening; but we had -still a full hour between us and the time appointed. My impatience, -however, would not brook the delay; and therefore, as soon as I had -collected all my attendants, I set off at full speed, and arrived at -the first carrefour on the road to Vincennes, about half-past seven -o'clock. - -It was still quite light, and a great many of the evening strollers of -the city and its environs were passing to and fro, so that the sight -of a gentleman in mourning, with four somewhat conspicuous attendants, -planted in the middle of a crossroad, did not escape without remark. -One by one, however, the observers passed away, each leaving a longer -and a longer interval between himself and his successor, while -daylight also gradually diminished, and it became dark enough to -conceal us from any but very watchful eyes. In the meanwhile, my -imagination went throughout all the various evolutions that an -impatient spirit can impose upon it; at one time fancying that I had -mistaken the spot; at another, supposing that I had been purposely -deceived; and at another, believing that the carriage which contained -Helen had taken a different road. - -At length, however, the creaking of wheels seemed to announce its -approach, and, drawing back as far as we could from observation, we -waited till it came up. At about twenty paces in advance came two -horsemen, one of whom, as soon as he arrived at the carrefour, -dismounted, and gave his horse to his companion, while he went back, -and opening the door of the carriage, got in. I could not see his -face; but he was a short man, not taller than my little servant -Achilles, which was the more remarkable, from the difficulty he had in -reaching the high step of the carriage. In a moment after, I heard -Helen's voice exclaim, "I have been deceived; I will go no farther! -Let me descend, or I will call for assistance!" - -She was not obliged to call, however. Assistance was nearer than she -thought. "Seize the horses, Combalet," cried I; and rushing forward, I -tore open the door of the carriage, exclaiming, "It is I, Helen! it is -Louis!--Who has dared to deceive you?" - -She sprang out at once into my arms, while the man who had entered the -carriage just before, made his escape at the other side. Swords by -this time were drawn and flashing about our heads; for some men who -had accompanied the vehicle made a momentary show of resistance; but -they were soon in full flight, and we remained masters of the field -without any bloodshed. - -Whom I had delivered her from--what I had done--I knew no more than -the child unborn; but she clung to me with that dear confiding clasp, -in which woman's very helplessness is strong, and repeated over and -over her thanks, with those words, with that tone, which assured me -that every feeling of her heart was still mine. "Tell me, tell me, -dear Louis!" said she at length, "by what happy chance you came here -to deliver me!" - -"It was by a note from Jean Baptiste," replied I. "But, dearest Helen, -explain to me all this; for I am still in the dark. I know not whom I -have delivered you from--I know not what danger assailed you!" - -Helen now, between the confusion of the moment, and the supposition -that I knew a thousand circumstances of which I had not the slightest -idea, began a long detail which was totally unintelligible to me. She -spoke of having been at the Hôtel de Chatillon, waiting the return of -her father from Peronne, and went on to say that a forged letter had -been sent her, signed with his name, importing that a carriage and -attendants would come for her at a certain hour to bring her to where -he was; and so perfectly imitated was the signature, she said, that -not only herself, but the Countess de Chatillon had also been -deceived. She was in the act of adding a great many particulars, which -completely set my comprehension at defiance, when a party of horsemen, -galloping like madmen, arriving on the spot, interrupted her farther -narration. - -"Here they are! here they are!" cried the foremost horseman, seeing -through the semi-darkness the lumbering machine which had brought -Helen thither, blocking up the road. "Here is the carriage! cut down -the villains!" - -"Hold, hold!" exclaimed I, drawing my sword, and advancing before -Helen, while my sturdy retainers prepared for instant warfare. "Hold, -fair sir, a moment. Words before blows, if you please. Who are you? -and what do you seek?" - -"Morbleu! Cut them down!" cried the young man, aiming a blow at my -head, which I parried and returned, with such interest, that, I -believe, he would not have struck many more had not a less hasty -personage ridden up, crying, "Hold, hold! Charles, I command you hold. -Sir stranger, hear me! You asked our name and what we seek," he added, -seeing me pause. "My name is the Maréchal de Chatillon! and now, sir, -tell me yours; and how you dare, by false pretences, to carry off a -young lady from my house, placed under my care by her father?" - -"My name, sir," replied I, "is Louis Count de l'Orme; and in reply to -your second question, far from having carried off this young lady from -your house, I have just had the pleasure of rescuing her from the -hands of those who did--which you would have heard before, if this -hasty person had been willing to listen, rather than bully." - -"He is, sir, as you have said, far over hasty," replied the Maréchal; -"but begging your forgiveness for his mistake, I have only farther to -thank you, on the part of the lady, for the service you have rendered -her, and to request that you would give her into my hands, as the only -person qualified to protect her for the moment." - -"I must first be satisfied that you are really the Maréchal de -Chatillon, and that the lady goes with you willingly," replied I; "for -there have been so many mistakes to-night apparently, that I do not -otherwise yield her till I have seen her in safety myself." - -"Yes, yes, Louis," replied Helen--I thought, with a sigh--"it is -Monsieur de Chatillon, and I must go with him--after once more giving -you a thousand thanks for my deliverance." - -"Since such is the case, Monsieur de Chatillon," I rejoined, "I of -course resign a charge, which otherwise I should not easily have -abandoned; but I must claim the privilege, as one of this lady's -earliest friends, of visiting her to-morrow morning, to hear those -particulars which I have not been able to hear to-night." - -"I cannot object to such an arrangement," replied the Maréchal, -alighting, while his more impetuous companion made his horse's feet -clatter with a touch of the spur. "I cannot object to such a -meeting--always understood, that the Countess of Chatillon be present. -The carriage in which the rogues carried you off, my fair Helen," -added he, taking her hand from mine, with much gentlemanlike -frankness, "shall serve to carry you back again; and I will be your -companion." - -Helen now took leave of me, with more tenderness than at least the -younger horseman liked; for he turned his beast's head and rode a -little away. The Maréchal then handed her into the carriage, and, -turning to me, he said in a low voice, "Your visit, Monsieur le Comte -de l'Orme, if it must be, had better be early, for this young lady is -about to undertake a long journey by desire of her father; but if you -would follow my advice, you would, instead of visiting her at all, -turn your horse's head from Paris as speedily as possible; for, -believe me, neither your journeys to Sedan, nor your proceedings in -this capital, have been so secret as to escape suspicion." He paused -for a moment, after having spoken, as if he waited an answer, or -watched the effect of what he had said. It came upon me, I will own, -as if some one had struck me; but I had presence of mind enough to -reply--"My proceedings in this city, seigneur, have certainly been -sufficiently open; and, consequently, should pass without suspicion, -if the actions of any one be suffered to do so. My journey to Sedan -was open enough also; but my return from that place was as much so; -and therefore, I suppose, I have nothing to fear on that score." - -"My warning, sir, was given as a friend," replied the Maréchal de -Chatillon; "and I would rather meet you a few days hence in the -battle-field, as a fair enemy, than hear that you had been consigned -to the dungeons of the Bastille, or executed in the Place de Grève. -Adieu, Monsieur de l'Orme; make the best of my warning, for it is one -not to be neglected." Thus speaking, he entered the carriage; and one -of his followers, who had dismounted, shut the door and took the place -of the driver, who had fled at the sight of drawn swords. Then turning -the horses towards Paris, he drove on, followed by the train of the -Maréchal de Chatillon. - -In the meantime, the warning I had received sunk deep into my mind; -and though I resolved to risk everything rather than quit Paris -without coming to a full explanation with Helen, and satisfying myself -concerning a thousand doubts that hung upon me, I despatched Garcias -with Jacques Mocqueur to Meaux that very night, with the necessary -letters of exchange to pay the troop that waited me at Marigny, and an -order for them to obey him as myself, in case of my arrest or death; -begging him at the same time, in either event, to lead them to Sedan, -and head them in the cause of the Count de Soissons. Combalet and -Achilles I took with me to the Hôtel de Soissons, but kept them there -only for a moment, while I gathered together all my papers and -effects. After which I gave the whole package into the hands of -Achilles, and sending both out of the town with their own two horses, -and a led one for me, I bade them wait for me at the village of Bondy -till dusk the next night. If I came not then, they had orders to join -Garcias at Meaux, and tell him that I was arrested. - -All these precautions taken, I went to bed and slept. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVI. - -It was barely light the next morning, when I was startled by hearing -some one in my sleeping chamber, and to my still greater surprise -perceived a woman. - -The haughtiness and reserve with which the Countess de Soissons had -thought fit to treat me had restrained all communication between us -during my residence in her dwelling, to the mere observance of a few -ceremonious forms, and therefore it seemed strange that she should -either visit me herself at such an hour, or even send any of her -attendants. The person who, not seeing I was awake, approached quickly -towards me, was no other, however, than the pretty little embroidery -girl who had brought me the billet from Jean Baptiste the day before. - -"Monsieur de l'Orme! Monsieur de l'Orme!" cried she, in a low but -anxious voice, "for God's sake, rise! The exempts are here to take you -to the Bastille. I will run round and open that door. Come through it -as quick as you can, and you can escape yet. My brother and Jean -Baptiste will keep them as long as possible." - -The door to which she pointed was one that communicated with a -different part of the house, and had been locked externally ever since -I had tenanted those apartments. She now ran round to open it, taking -care, as I heard, to fasten all the doors of my suite of rooms as she -went, so that I remained locked in on all sides. I lost no time, -however, in my toilet, and was just dressed when she opened the door -on the other side, while, at the same time, I could distinguish the -noise of persons wrenching open the door of the farther ante-room. -Three more locks still stood between me and my pursuers; but without -pausing on that account, I followed my pretty guide through several -chambers and passages, till, descending a staircase, we entered the -garden, and gliding behind a tall yew hedge which masked the garden -wall, we made our way straight to the tower of Catherine de Medicis. - -"They will search here, certainly," said I, pausing, when I saw she -intended to lead me into the tower. "As soon as they find I have -quitted my apartments, they will naturally examine this place of -retreat." - -"Hush!" cried she, "you do not know all its contrivances, -monseigneur." Opening the door, she permitted me to enter, and -following, locked it on the inside. We now climbed the spiral -staircase, up to the very highest part of the tower, and emerged on -the stone platform at the top. Exactly opposite to the mouth of the -staircase which we had ascended, she pointed out to me one of the -large flag-stones with which the observatory was paved, saying, "You -are a strong man--you can lift that." - -I knelt down, and getting my fingers underneath the edge, easily -raised it up, when I beheld another staircase precisely similar to -that which we had ascended, and which, passing round and round the -tower, exactly followed all the spires of the other, thus forming a -double staircase through the whole building. My pretty companion now -tried whether she could herself move the stone; and finding that she -could do so with ease, as it was scarcely thicker than a slate, she -followed me down, and drew it in the manner of a trap-door over us. -The whole reminded me so much of my flight with the unhappy Viceroy of -Catalonia, that I hurried my steps as much as possible, with the -remembrance vivid before my mind's eye, of the dreadful scene with -which that flight was terminated. - -"We are safe now, monseigneur," said my fair guide, with a _naïvete_ -which some men might have mistaken for coquetry: "by your leave, we -will not go so fast, for I lose my breath." - -"If we are safe then, my pretty preserver," replied I, taking a jewel -from my finger, which I had bought a few days before for a different -purpose, "I have time to thank you for your activity in saving me, and -to beg your acceptance of this ring as a remembrance." - -"I will not take it myself, my lord," replied she; "but, with your -leave, I will give it to Jean Baptiste, who has a great regard for -you, and who sent me to show you the way, as I know all the secret -places of the hotel, and neither my brother nor he are acquainted with -them." - -"And I suppose that Jean Baptiste, then, is to be looked on in the -light of your lover, fair lady?" demanded I. - -"He is a friend of my brother, the Countess's page," replied the girl; -and then added, after a moment, "and, perhaps, a lover too. I do not -see why I should deny it. He slept here last night with my brother, to -be out of the way of some evil that was going on, and they two lying -in the gatehouse, first discovered that they were exempts who knocked -at the gate so early, and what they wanted." - -"Will you bear a message to Jean Baptiste?" said I. "Tell him that I -am not ungrateful for his kindness; and bid him tell his sister, that -nothing but that which has this day happened would have prevented me -from seeing her as I promised." - -"His sister!" said the girl. "I did not know that he had a sister--but -hark! they are searching the tower." - -As she spoke, I could plainly hear the sound of steps treading the -other staircase, and passing directly over our heads; and curious was -the sensation, to feel myself within arm's length of my pursuers, -without the possibility of their overtaking me. - -"They have broken open the door," said my companion in a low tone. "We -had better make haste; for when they do not find you in the tower, -they may set guards in the streets round about." - -We were by this time near the bottom of the stairs, and the light -which had hitherto shone in through various small apertures in the -masonry of the tower, now left us, as we descended apparently below -the level of the ground. My pretty little guide, however, seemed to -hold herself quite safe with me, though the situation was one which -might have been hazardous with many men, and led me on without seeming -to give a thought to anything but securing my safety, till we had -passed through a long passage, at the end of which she pushed open a -door, and at once ushered me into a small chamber, wherein an old -woman was in bed. Startled out of a sound sleep, the good dame sat up, -demanding who was there. - -"'Tis I, aunt! 'tis I!" replied the girl; "where is my uncle's cloak? -Oh, here; wrap yourself in that, monseigneur, and take this old hat, -and no one will know you.--I will tell you all about it, aunt," she -added, in answer to a complete hurricane of questions, which the old -woman poured forth upon her--"I will tell you about it when the Count -is safe in the street." - -"Is it the Count? Lord bless us!" cried the old woman, wiping her -eyes, and mistaking me for the Count de Soissons: "dear me! I thought -monseigneur was safe at Sedan." - -My fair guide now beckoning me forward, I left the old lady to enjoy -her own wonderment; and leaving a piece of gold for the hat and cloak, -thrust the one over my brows, and cast the other round my shoulders, -and proceeded to a second chamber, where was an old man at work, who -looked up, but asked no questions, though probably he saw his own -cloak and hat on the person of a stranger. - -Opposite to me stood an open door, evidently leading into a small -street; and taking leave of my conductress merely by a mute sign, I -passed out, and to my surprise found myself in the Rue du Four. - -I had kept my own hat still under the mantle, which was, in truth, -somewhat too small to cover me entirely; the point of my sword, my -boots, and almost my knees, appearing from underneath, and betraying a -very different station in life from that which the cloak itself -bespoke. However, as thousands of intrigues of every kind are each day -adjourned by the first rays of the sun that shine upon Paris, and as -the parties to them must often be obliged to conceal themselves in -many a motley disguise, I calculated that mine would not attract much -attention dangerous to myself, if I could but escape from the -immediate vicinity of the Hôtel de Soissons. I therefore walked -straight down the Rue du Four, and passing before the new church of -St. Eustache, I gained the Rue Montmartre, and thence crossing the -Boulevards, was soon in the country. Pausing under an old elm, the -emblematic tree of my family, I cast off the cloak and hat I had -assumed, judging that I was now beyond the likelihood of pursuit, and -walked as fast as possible towards Bondy. I arrived there in about a -couple of hours, and found Achilles sauntering tranquilly before the -door, while Combalet swaggered within to the new-risen host, hostess, -and servants of the little inn, neither of my attendants expecting me -for many an hour to come. - -My order to horse was soon obeyed, and before mid-day I was safe at -Meaux, where I gave but a temporary rest to my horses; and being -joined by Garcias and the rest of my suite, I set out again with all -speed towards Mouzon. - -The necessity of borrowing another person's name was in those days so -frequent with every one, that on my announcing myself to my servants -as the young Baron de Chatillon, the nephew of the maréchal of that -name, I caused no astonishment, and they habituated themselves to the -new epithet with great facility. - -Riding on before with Garcias, I now explained to him all that had -occurred, which I had not had time to do before. My first piece of -news, that Jean Baptiste Arnault was in existence, surprised him as -much as it had done myself. - -"I would have vowed," said he, "that what I saw before me, when I -joined you on that morning in the park, was nothing but a heap of -earth, which would never move, nor breathe, nor think again. It is -very extraordinary! and now I think of it, Monsieur de l'Orme, I am -afraid that I did you some unnecessary harm in the opinion of the -Chevalier de Montenero. Do you remember that day, when we saved him -from the fury of Gil Moreno? Well, as I was hurrying him away to his -horse, I told him that his life itself depended on his speed; to which -he answered, 'I would give life itself to be assured whether Louis de -Bigorre did slay him or not;' alluding to something he had been -speaking of with you. I thought as you did, that this Jean Baptiste -was really dead; and therefore I replied at once, 'Slay him! to be -sure he did--and did right too.'" - -"Good God! Garcias!" cried I. "He was speaking of another event--of -the priest at Saragossa, whose death I had no more hand in than you -had!" - -I know not how it is, but often in life, one accidental mistake or -misunderstanding appears to bring on another to all eternity. There -seems occasionally to be something confounding and entangling in the -very essence of the circumstances in which we are placed, which -communicates itself to everything connected with them; and, with one -help or another, they go on through a long chain of errors from the -beginning to the end. - -My vexation was evident enough to mortify Garcias deeply, without my -saying any more; and therefore, when he had told me that the -Chevalier, on receiving the news he gave him, had instantly sprung -into the saddle and ridden away in silence, I dropt a subject on which -I felt that I could not speak without irritation, and turned to the -coming events. - -We continued our journey as rapidly as possible, and my _nom de -guerre_, I found, served me well at all the various places of our -halt, as I heard continually that troops were marching in all -directions towards the frontier, evidently menacing Sedan, together -with every particular that could be communicated to me respecting -their line of march, their numbers, and condition; for all of which -information I was indebted to my assumed name of Chatillon, the -Maréchal de Chatillon himself being appointed commander-in-chief of -the king's army, or rather, I might say, the minister's, for the -monarch was calmly waiting the event of the approaching contest at -Peronne, without showing that interest in favour of the cardinal which -he had hitherto evinced on all occasions. - -We passed safe and uninterrupted across the whole country from Paris -till we came within a few leagues of the banks of the Meuse, where the -presence of the enemy's army rendered our movements more hazardous, -and consequently more circumspect. From time to time we met several -parties of stragglers hastening after the camp, with some of whom I -spoke for a moment or two; and finding that no suspicions were -entertained, and discipline somewhat relaxed, I ventured more boldly -to the Meuse, and presented myself for passage at the wooden bridge -above Mouzon, after ascertaining that it was but slightly guarded. -Notice had been given to all my followers, in case of the slightest -opposition to our passage, to draw their swords and force their way -across; and accordingly, on the cravatte on duty demanding a passport, -I said I would show it him, and drawing my sword, bade him give way. - -He did his duty by instantly firing his carbine at me, which had -nearly brought my adventures to a termination; for the ball passed -through my hat; but spurring on our horses, we bore him back upon half -a dozen others, who came running forward to his aid, drove them over -the bridge at the sword's point, and, galloping on, gained the wood on -the other side of the river. - -After this rencontre we made all speed through the least frequented -paths towards Marigny, and when we found ourselves within half a -league of the village, I sent forward Jacques Mocqueur and Achilles to -ascertain what had become of my recruits, whom I found I had posted -somewhat too near the enemy's position. - -In about an hour they returned, bringing with them a single trooper, -who was without a casque of any kind, and wore a peasant's coat over -his more warlike habiliments. In addition to all this, he had -apparently taken as much care of his inward man as of his outward, for -he was considerably more than half drunk. - -"Happy for this sweet youth," said Achilles, who, as may have been -observed, was fond of displaying his antique learning--"happy for -this sweet youth, that we are not amongst the Epizephrii, or he -would certainly have been hanged for drinking more wine than the -physicians recommended. But we have drawn from him, monseigneur, that -his companions, judging themselves somewhat too near the enemy, -have betaken themselves to the nearest branch of the forest of -Ardennes, hard by the village of Saule, where they are even now -celebrating their elaphobolia, or venison feasts, having left this -Bacchus-worshipper to tell us the way." - -Though our horses were weary, we could of course grant them no rest -till they had carried us over the six leagues that still lay between -us and Saule, which, after many misdirections, we at last found--a -little village cradled in the giant arms of the Ardennes. - -My heart somewhat misgave me, lest my respectable recruits should have -exercised any of their old plundering propensities upon the peasantry; -and the appearance and demeanour of the comrade they had left behind, -to acquaint us with their change of position, did not speak much in -favour of their regularity and discipline: but I did them injustice; -and on my arrival, though I found that they had laid many of the -antlered people of the forest low, and eke added many a magnificent -forest hog to their stores of provision, they had not at all molested -the populace of the country, who, remembering the ravages of -Mansfelt's free companions, looked upon my followers as very sober and -peaceable soldiers indeed. - -When I arrived, they were in a large piece of open forest ground, -between the village and the actual wood. A great many old oaks had -been cut down there the year before, and their roots had sent out a -multitude of young shoots, amongst which the daring, hardy men I had -engaged, had gathered themselves together in picturesque groups, -roasting the venison for their evening meal, or elaphobolia, as -Achilles termed it. In the meanwhile the declining sun shone through -the long glades of the forest, sometimes catching bright upon their -corslets and morions, sometimes casting upon them a deep shadow from -any of the ancient trees that remained still standing; but, -altogether, giving one of the finest and most extraordinary pieces of -light and shade that ever I beheld. The noise of our horses' feet made -them instantly start up from their various employments; and, -recognising me for their commander, they hailed my arrival with a loud -shout. - -They were all, as I soon found, old soldiers; and, well aware of the -infinite use of discipline even to themselves, they had employed the -time of my absence in choosing petty officers from amongst their own -body, and in renewing their old military habits and man[oe]uvres. The -system which they had employed was not, perhaps, entirely that which -my late military readings had taught me theoretically; but as I saw it -would cause me infinitely less trouble to adopt their plan than it -would give them to acquire mine, as well as be less liable to -mistakes, I applied myself to reviewing and man[oe]uvring them the -whole of the next day, while I sent Achilles and one of my servants to -Sedan, charged with my bills of exchange for paying my levies, and -with a letter to the Count de Soissons, informing him of my success. - -I felt assured that all the news I conveyed to him would give the -Count no small pleasure, not only having fulfilled all his wishes in -Paris, but brought him a reinforcement of nearly three hundred mounted -troopers, all veterans in affairs of war from their ancient -profession, and acuminated in every point of stratagem from their more -recent pursuits. - -In the evening Achilles returned, bringing me the money I required; -and a letter from the Prince, together with a reinforcement of twelve -troopers, whom the Count judged might prove serviceable to me in -disciplining my little force. The letter was as gratifying as ever -flowed from the pen of man; and the money, which I instantly -distributed amongst my followers, conjoined with the presence of the -men-at-arms the Count had sent me, contributed to establish my -authority with my recruits as firmly as I could wish; though I believe -that, before this came, they were beginning to grumble at the somewhat -childish reiteration with which I took pleasure in making my new troop -go through its evolutions. At the time, I found plentiful excuses in -my own mind for so doing; but I believe now that my feelings were -somewhat like those of a boy with a new plaything. - -The next morning, according to the commands of the Count, I recrossed -the Meuse by a bridge of boats which the Duke de Bouillon had newly -caused to be constructed, and then marched my men upon a little hamlet -behind the village of Torcy; after which I left them under the command -of Garcias, as my adjutant; and accompanied by my servants, turned my -bridle towards Sedan, to communicate with the Prince, and receive his -farther commands. - -I arrived at Sedan about five of the clock. All within the town was -the bustle and confusion of military preparation. Trumpets were -sounding, arms were clanging in every direction: the breastplate, the -morion, and the spur, had taken the place, in the streets, of the -citizen's sober gown, and the man of law's stiff cap; and many an -accoutred war-horse did I encounter in my way to the citadel, more -than Sedan had ever known before. The servants that accompanied me, -including Achilles, Combalet, and his companion, were nine in number; -and I had taken good care before I left Paris, that they should be -sufficiently armed, to take an active part in the warlike doings then -in preparation. My train, therefore, as I rode through the streets, -excited some attention; and amongst a knot of gentlemen that turned to -look, near the citadel, I perceived, to my surprise, the Marquis de -St. Brie! It may well be supposed that the sight was not particularly -gratifying; and I was passing on, without taking any notice, hoping -that he would not recollect me, from the great change which the few -months that had passed had wrought in my appearance. My beard, which, -when I had last seen him, had been too short to be allowed to grow, -was now longer, and cut into the fashionable point of that day; my -mustachios were long and black; my form was broader, and more manly; -and my skin, which then was pale with recent illness, was now bronzed -almost to the colour of mahogany. - -But he was not one of those men who easily forget; and, after looking -at me for a moment, during which the change somewhat confused him, he -became certain of my person; and spurring forward with a smiling -countenance, in which delight to meet with an old friend was most -happily and dexterously expressed, "My dear Count Louis!" cried he, "I -am delighted to see you. This is one of those unexpected pleasures -with which that fair jilt, Fortune, sometimes treats us, to make us -bear more patiently her less agreeable caprices." - -I meditated knocking his brains out, but I forbore, on reflecting that -the consequences of any violent proceeding on my part might be highly -detrimental to the interest of the Prince. A moment's farther -consideration made me pursue the very opposite course to that which I -had first proposed; and smothering my feelings towards Monsieur de St. -Brie as far as I could, I replied, that the meeting was certainly most -unexpected; but that, as I found him there, of course I supposed I was -to look upon him as a friend and partisan of Monsieur le Comte's. - -"Of course!" replied he. "I am his highness's humble friend and -devoted follower; though I have yet hardly the honour of his personal -acquaintance, being far better known to the noble Duke of Bouillon. -However, here I am, to fight side by side with you, my dear Count, as -I once proposed; and we will see which will contrive to get his throat -cut soonest in the Prince's service." - -"It will certainly not be I," replied I, gravely; "for wherever the -battle takes place, however I may exert myself therein, I shall come -out of it as unscathed as I went in." - -"Indeed! how so?" demanded the Marquis. "Do you wear a charmed coat of -mail, or have you been dipped in Styx?" - -"Neither," replied I: "but it is my fate! In the calculation of my -nativity, it has been found, that whoever seeks to take my life, their -own shall be lost in the attempt. Two persons have made the essay--and -two have already fallen. We shall see who will be the third." What I -said was simply intended to touch the marquis upon a spot where I knew -he must be sensible; but the excessive paleness that came over his -countenance was far more than I expected to behold: it was more than I -could suppose the mere fear of having been discovered would excite in -a man of such principles. Could he be superstitious? I asked -myself--he, a free-thinker, a sceptic both by an erroneous application -of his reason, and by the natural propensity of a sensualist to reject -everything but what is material--could he be superstitious? - -But so, in fact, it was, as I soon found more clearly by the multitude -of questions which he asked me concerning the person who had -calculated my nativity, and given the prediction I had mentioned; -citing, as he did so, the names of all the astrologers in Europe, from -Nostradamus up to Vanoni himself. After a moment, however, he seemed -to be conscious that he was exposing himself; and looking up with a -forced laugh, "Dreams! dreams!" said he, "my dear Count. How can the -stars affect us upon the earth? If I were to choose a way of fooling -myself with prophecies, a thousand times rather would I follow the art -of the ancient Tuscans, and draw my divination from the lightning, -which at all events comes near our mortal habitation." - -"I know you are a sceptic in all such matters," replied I; and riding -on, I left the Marquis to muse over the prediction as he thought fit, -reserving to myself the right of calling him to a personal account for -his former conduct towards me, when I should find a fitting -opportunity. His character was then a new one to me, and I could -hardly persuade myself that he did really believe in the dreams which -even my reason, all hag-ridden as it was by imagination, cast from it -the moment it had power to follow its direct course. But I have had -occasion to remark since, that those who reject the truth of religion -are generally as prone as devotees to the dreams of superstition. - -I was immediately admitted into the citadel, and as I was dismounting -in the court, encountered Varicarville. "Welcome, welcome back! -Monsieur de l'Orme," said he. "We need all friends, now, to carry -through our enterprise; and Monsieur le Comte tells me, that you not -only bring us good news from Paris, but a considerable reinforcement. -You come from Torcy. What is the news there? Did you see the enemy? -When are we likely to prove our strength together?" - -"I come to seek news myself," replied I. "No enemies have I seen, but -half a dozen soldiers, that we drove over the wooden bridge near -Mouzon. When does rumour say we shall have a battle?" - -"The day after to-morrow, at farthest," replied Varicarville, "if -Lamboy with his Germans arrives in time. But hie to the Prince, De -l'Orme. He expects you, and is now waiting you in the saloon, hoping -some news from Torcy." - -I proceeded to the Count's apartments accordingly, and finding no one -to announce me by the way, I entered the saloon at once. The Count de -Soissons was leaning in a large arm chair, with his head bent forward, -and one hand over his eyes, while Vanbroc, his Flemish lute-player, -was playing to him the prelude of a song. My entrance did not make the -Prince look up, and Vanbroc proceeded. After a few very sweet passages -preliminary to his voice, he sung, as nearly as I can remember, the -following, to a beautiful minor air:-- - -SONG. - - I. - - Give me repose and peace! Let others prove - The losing game of strife; - Or climb the hill, or plough the wave; - To find out fortune or a grave, - Stake happiness and life. - Oh, give me rest and peace, - And quietude and love! - - II. - - Give me repose and peace! The power, the sway, - The sceptre, crown, and throne, - Are thorny treasures, paying ill - The sacrifice of joy and will-- - All man can call his own. - Oh, give me rest and peace, - To bless my humble day! - - III. - - Give me repose and peace! I covet not - The laurel or the wreath, - Wars to the brave, strifes to the strong, - Ambitions to the proud belong-- - All hand in hand with death. - But be repose, and peace, - And life, and joy, my lot! - - -The musician ceased, but still the Prince kept his hand before his -eyes, and I could see the tears roll slowly from underneath it, and -chase one another down his cheek, so great had been the power of the -music upon him. - -"No more, Vanbroc--no more!" said he, at length raising his eyes. "Ha! -De l'Orme. You should not have seen me thus: but I was ever more -easily vanquished by music than by the sword. But now to business: -leave us, Vanbroc." - -The lute-player withdrew, and the Prince, instantly recovering from -the momentary weakness into which he had been betrayed, proceeded to -question me respecting the minor details of my negotiation in Paris. -With all that I had done he expressed himself infinitely contented, -and showed the confidence which my conduct had inspired him with, by -making me acquainted with every particular that had taken place at -Sedan during my absence, together with all his future plans, as far as -they were formed. - -"To-morrow evening," said he, "or the next morning at farthest, -Lamboy, the Imperial General, will join us with five thousand veteran -Germans. As soon as he is prepared to pass the river, I also shall -cross by the bridge, and forming our junction on the other side, we -will together offer battle to the Maréchal de Chatillon, who has been -for some days at Remilly." - -"I believe your highness is misinformed," replied I; "for hardly yet -five days ago I saw Monsieur de Chatillon in Paris:" and I proceeded -to inform the Count of the circumstances which made me so positive of -the fact. - -"He was there last night, however," replied the Count; "for one of our -scouts watched him pass the Meuse and advance some way to reconnoitre -Lamboy: his person was known, and there could be no doubt. At all -events, we shall fairly offer our enemy battle on the day after -to-morrow. Lamboy commands the infantry, Bouillon the cavalry, and -myself the reserve.--But what makes you look so grave on my saying -that Bouillon commands the cavalry?" - -"My reason was frankly this, monseigneur," replied I; "Monsieur de -Bouillon has never shown any great regard for me; and I have farther -this day met a person on whose conduct towards me I have already -expressed myself to your highness without restraint--I mean the -Marquis de St. Brie." The Count started. "He boasts himself the friend -of Monsieur de Bouillon," continued I, "and you may easily imagine -what sort of harmony there can exist between him and me. The little -troop I have levied consisting entirely of cavalry, it will not of -course be very pleasant to me to fight side by side with a man who has -twice attempted my life; but however----" - -"Stay, De l'Orme!" said the Count. "No likelihood exists of that -taking place which you anticipate. Your troop has been destined by -Bouillon and myself for a man[oe]uvre, which we are sure you will -execute well, and on which the fate of the battle may probably depend. -If we can gain the ground that we wish, the cavalry, under the command -of Bouillon, will remain in the hollow way till such time as the enemy -lose somewhat of their compact order; as soon as ever this is -ascertained, by a signal from the hill behind, where you may have -remarked an ancient pillar--the signal, remember, is the raising of a -red flag on the pillar--Bouillon advances and charges the cavalry of -the enemy; but some cooperating movement may be necessary to second -the efforts of the Duke, and, consequently, we have determined to post -a body of cavalry behind a little wood, to the left of our position. -You must have seen it. But you shall be furnished with a plan of the -country, like this on the table. Here, you see, is the great wood of -the Marfée. Here the little wood to the left, joined to the Marfée by -this low copse, which I shall take care to garnish for you with a body -of musketeers. Here the high summit, on which, if we have time to -reach it, we shall take up our position; and here the hollow way for -Bouillon's cavalry. Your body of troopers must be stationed just -behind the wood, from whence you have a full view of the pillar. The -moment you see the red flag, draw out and charge the right of the -enemy. You have before you a gentle slope, which is, in truth, the -only part of the ground fit for cavalry; and your being there will -have two great advantages;--that of seconding Bouillon; and, in case -of the enemy attempting to turn our left flank, that of making his -man[oe]uvre fall upon himself. It was for this reason that I ordered -your troop on to the hamlet behind Torcy, from whence, on the morning -of the battle, you can easily take up your position as we have -arranged. Do you fully understand?" - -"Perfectly," replied I; "and the arrangement is of course most -gratifying to me. Not that any circumstances should have induced me to -pursue a private quarrel to the detriment of your Highness's service. -I have already met the Marquis de St. Brie and spoken to him, without -noticing his attempt upon my life." - -"You did right, De l'Orme," replied the count, his brow knitting into -a sterner frown than I had ever seen him assume. "But if he has the -insolence to present himself before me, my conduct must be very -different. In addition to this attempt upon you, he is known to have -been the murderer of the Count de Bagnols, and strongly suspected of -having poisoned poor De Valençais. My own honour and dignity require -me to have no communion with such a man, let his rank and influence be -what it may. If I can meet with Bouillon, we will make such -arrangements as will spare me the mortification of publicly repelling -this bad man. Come with me; we will see if we can find him." - -So saying, he took his hat, which lay upon the table, and passed into -the anteroom. Several of his attendants were now in waiting, and -rising, followed with me into the court, and thence into the great -square before the château. - -It was a fine sunny evening in July, one of those that seem made for -loitering in the shade, with some pleasant companion, listening to -dreamy fanciful talk, and drinking the balmy breath of the summer air. -As our misfortune would have it, however, the first person we -encountered thus employed was the Marquis de St. Brie himself, who had -by this time dismounted; and, surrounded by a crowd of the most -distinguished persons at Sedan, was entertaining them with that easy -flowing conversation which no one knew so well how to display as -himself. I could tell by the countenances of the listeners, and the -smile that sat upon the lip of each, the very tone of what was -passing; and I could almost fancy I heard it all--the tart jest, the -pointed sneer, the amusing anecdote, the shrewd remark, the witty -turn, all softened and harmonized by the language, which made the -company of that infamous man so fascinating and so dangerous. - -The Prince, who knew him by sight, was passing on to the other side of -the square, where the Duke of Bouillon was himself inspecting a body -of infantry; but the party of gentlemen instantly advanced towards us, -and one of them, coming a step forward, begged leave to make the -Marquis de St. Brie known to his Highness the Count de Soissons. - -"Sir!" replied the Count, tossing back the plumes of his bonnet, as if -to let every one see that he did not make the least inclination to the -person thus presented to him; "thank God! I know the Marquis de St. -Brie thoroughly, and seek to know no more of him;" and thus speaking, -he turned his back upon the Marquis, and walked forward to the Duke of -Bouillon, to whom he explained in a few words his feelings in regard -to the other, without, however, at all implicating my name in the -business. - -"Few people can look upon him with less respect than I do," said the -Duke of Bouillon in reply. "But he is a man of great wealth and -influence, and though he is here at present with only a few -servants--which I will own strikes me as singular--he promises me a -reinforcement of five hundred men in three days, which may be very -serviceable for the purpose of improving our victory the day after -to-morrow. Your highness must really allow me to explain away your -treatment of him, in some degree, for he is too influential a person -to be lost." - -The Count would hardly hear of any qualificatory measure; but, after a -long discussion, he gave way in some degree. "Well, well," said he, -"say to him what you like, but do not let him come near me, for I -cannot receive him with civility." - -"I will take care that he be kept away," replied the Duke. "The only -difficulty will be to make him remain with us at all." - -We now returned to the citadel; and the rest of the evening passed in -all the bustle and activity of preparation. The service which I was to -execute was again and again pointed out to me, both by the Prince and -the Duke of Bouillon, the last of whom, probably to animate me to -still greater exertion, gave unlimited praise to all the arrangements -I had hitherto made, and expressed the utmost confidence in my -co-operation with himself in the battle that was likely to take place. - -Looking on my troop as perfectly secure under the command of Garcias, -I remained at Sedan that night, spending the rest of my time, after I -had left the Princes, in fitting myself with the necessary defensive -armour which I had not been able to procure in Paris. This was not -done without some difficulty even at Sedan; for the armourers had -quite sufficient occupation with the multitude of warlike guests that -filled the city. - -When this was accomplished, however, and I possessed my morion, back -and breast-pieces, taslets and gauntlets complete, I sat down to write -a letter to be delivered to my father in case of my death in the -ensuing battle, and gave full instructions concerning it to little -Achilles, whom I intended to leave at Sedan. After this, I paused for -a moment at the open window of my chamber, watching some thick clouds -that came rolling over the moon, and thinking of the strange, strong -effect of imagination, which I had there myself experienced, together -with the extraordinary coincidence of my mother's death being -announced to me so soon afterwards. - -As I stood I heard a window below me open, and some voices speaking. -What they said at first was indistinct, from the noise of a tumbrel -rolling across the court; but that ceased, and I could plainly -distinguish the tone of the Marquis de St. Brie, saying, "I tell you, -I saw him myself, with the Marquis de Sourdis in the other army: -if it was not he, it was his spirit. He was paler, thinner, darker, -older--but there was every line--and yet surely it could not be." - -"No, no, my lord!" replied another voice. "I saw him as dead as a -felled ox, and I gave him myself another slash across the head, to -make all sure, before I threw him into the water." - -"I will trust my own hand next time, however," said the Marquis. "Not -that I doubt you, my good----" - -As he spoke, I remembered that I was eaves-dropping; and though, if -ever there was an occasion where it might be justified, it was then, I -felt ashamed to do so, and retired to bed, bidding my servants, -however, lock the door of the anteroom before they slept. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVII. - - -Early next morning, a firing was heard in the direction of Torcy; and -springing on my horse, I galloped off for the scene of action, as fast -as possible. Before I came up, however, the firing had ceased; and I -found my troop under arms in the hamlet where I had left them, though -the village itself, not above five hundred yards in front, was in the -hands of the enemy. A regiment of infantry, which Monsieur de Bouillon -had thrown forward into the village of Torcy itself for the purpose of -covering his bridge of boats, had been attacked, it seemed, by the -advance-guard of the enemy, and, after a sharp struggle, had been -driven back upon the hamlet behind, from which Garcias had made a very -brilliant charge upon the pursuing parties of the enemy, repulsed them -with some loss, and compelled them to content themselves with the -village they had taken. - -As may be imagined, I was mortified at not having been present; but I -expressed to my troop my high satisfaction at what had been done; and -told them, in a brief harangue I made them on the occasion, that his -highness the Count de Soissons reckoned greatly upon their valour for -success; and that, therefore, he proposed to intrust to them, under my -command, some of the most important man[oe]uvres which had already -been determined upon. Praise was perhaps the more palatable to them, -as their bravery had been attended with no loss, and as they had -driven back the enemy at the expense of a few slight wounds. Loud -cheers, therefore, attended me as I rode with Garcias along their -ranks; and these were repeated still more loudly when the commanding -officer of the infantry rode up to Garcias, and thanked him for the -very successful diversion which my troop had operated in his favour. - -Finding that the enemy did not make any disposition for advancing -farther, which would indeed have brought them almost under the guns of -Sedan, I rode into the town to inform the Count of what had occurred; -and after a brief interview with him, I delivered the letter for my -father into the hands of little Achilles; and taking with me all my -papers, I bade adieu to my little attendant with feelings that perhaps -do not often exist between master and servant, and returned to my -troop for the night. - -Before joining them, however, according to the commands of the Count, -I reconnoitred the position I was to take up the next morning, and -passed by the pillar from which the signal was to be given. It had -formed part of an old Roman arch, and probably had recorded some -victory of those wonderful barbarians, the Romans, over their still -more barbarous enemies, the Gauls; but as I looked at the broken -fragments of the structure they had probably raised, in the fond hope -of immortalizing some long-forgotten deed, the thrilling feeling of -man's mortality--of the mortality of all his works--the mortality of -his very fame, came coldly over my heart; and I turned away, repeating -to myself some of the lines which my dead friend Father Francis of -Allurdi had once cited-- - - "Glory, alas! what art thou but a name?" - -and returned to the post assigned me, thinking of _what might be in -another world_. - -Towards six o'clock, a heavy rain began to fall; but that did not -prevent me from having several messengers from the Count de -Soissons--one bidding me make good the hamlet which I occupied, at all -risks; another informing me that Lamboy, with the Germans and the -cannon, had arrived, and would pass the next morning early; and a -third giving me orders to quit the hamlet as silently as possible, -before daybreak the next day, and to take up the position assigned to -me. This last command made me order my men to rest as soon as -possible; and I also threw myself down upon some straw, completely -armed except my casque; and after giving about half an hour to some -vague wandering thoughts regarding the morrow, I felt that thought was -of no use, and addressed myself to sleep. The fear, however, of not -waking in time, abridged my slumber to two or three hours; and rising, -I went out of the hovel in which I had been lying, to ascertain by the -appearance of the sky what o'clock it was. - -All was dark and silent, though I could hear at intervals the neighing -of the horses in the enemy's army, and could see the long line of dim -watch-fires, half extinguished by the rain, which marked where the -veteran Lamboy had taken up his ground on the opposite hill. - -Shortly after the clocks of Sedan struck midnight, and I resolved to -give my men yet an hour's sleep, that they might be as fresh as -possible the next day. - -It was an hour of the deepest and most awful thought for me. Every one -must feel, the day before he risks his life in mortal combat, -sensations that assail him at no other time--the eager anxiety to know -the issue--the doubt, if not the fear, of the event--the thought of -earth, and all that earth has dear--the calculations of eternity--all -that is awful in our vague and misty state of being then presses on -the mind: and he is the brave man that looks upon it without -shrinking. But my feelings were deeper and more exciting than those of -most men, because my all was staked upon that battle. If it should be -won, the Count de Soissons would be master of the councils of France: -the only remaining obstacle between Helen and myself might easily be -removed. Rank, wealth, power, affection, were all within my grasp; and -never did my heart feel what love is, so much as it did that night. -But if the battle were lost, I had no longer anything to live for;-- -home and country, and station, and love, and hope, were all gone; and -I resolved that life also should be cast upon the die. - -It seemed but a minute since twelve o'clock had struck, when one -followed it by the clocks of Sedan--so busy had been the ideas that -hurried through my brain. But action now became my duty; and waking -Garcias, we proceeded to take the necessary measures for decamping in -silence. - -No men in the broad universe could have been found better calculated -for every motion which required secrecy than my three hundred: they -provided themselves with forage and provisions for the next morning, -mounted their horses, and rode out of the hamlet, without even -disturbing the regiment of infantry that lay beside them; and the only -person, I believe, whom we woke out of his slumber, was a weary -sentinel, who, without the excuse of Mercury's wand, had followed the -example of Argus, and fallen asleep upon his watch. Woke suddenly by -our passing, he seemed to think the best thing he could do was to fire -his piece; and accordingly snapped it at my head; but luckily, the -priming had fallen out while he slept, and it missed fire. I seldom -remember a more unpleasant ride than that from Torcy to the heights of -the Marfée. The rain had come on more heavily than ever; the whole way -was a long, broken ascent, traversed by ravines, and often interrupted -by copses; and the ground was so slippery, that our horses could -scarcely keep their feet. We passed it, however, after much -difficulty; and there was some consolation in knowing that the enemy's -army would have to vanquish the same obstacles before the battle, if -they dared to attack us. - -Day began to break heavily as we reached the wood, without any sign of -the rain abating; but the smaller detached part of the forest, behind -which we were posted, formed almost entirely of old beeches, gave us -better shelter than we could have hoped. - -On our arrival, I found that the Count, according to his word, had -already detached a company of musketeers to take possession of the -copse wood between us and his main position; and had also sent forward -several tumbrils with provisions and ammunition in plenty. Together -with these was a letter for me, containing some farther orders, and a -very ample commission under his hand, by which I found that the -infantry beside me were also placed under my command. - -As we were all new troops, there was no jealousy respecting seniority -of service; and I found the officer of the infantry well disposed to -act with me, especially as all I required was for his own security. It -appeared to me that the copse in which he was placed was of much more -importance than had been attached to it, as, in case of the enemy -possessing himself thereof, which would have been easily done by -advancing through a hollow way to our left, the left flank of the -Prince's force was completely exposed. - -To render it, then, as defensible as possible, I proposed to the other -officer to employ our spare time in throwing up a strong breastwork of -earth and boughs before it; and all our men setting to work with great -eagerness, before seven o'clock we had completed a line, which placed -it in comparative security. - -Towards eight the rain ceased; and for the rest of the day merely came -down in occasional showers. It had been hitherto so thick that the -line of the Meuse, and even the town of Sedan, had been scarcely -distinguishable; but now it drew up like a curtain, and I could see -the troops of Lamboy descending toward the bridge of boats, and -gradually passing the river, in as fine unbroken order as if on a -review. - -Shortly after, the bridge of Sedan began to be occupied; and pennons, -and plumes, and standards, and flashing arms, and all the pageantry of -war, announced that the princes were on their march to form their -junction with the imperial army. My eye then turned anxiously towards -Torcy; but all was still in the camp of the enemy; and I saw the two -allied armies approach near and more near, and then unite, unopposed -and seemingly almost unnoticed. - -Winding in and out of the ravines and over the hills, the army of the -princes now began to mount towards the heights on which I was -stationed; and it was near nine o'clock before the report of a cannon -announced that the Maréchal de Chatillon intended to take any notice -of their movements. - -No time, however, was now to be lost; and making my men refresh both -themselves and their horses, I waited impatiently for the arrival of -the army. All sombre thoughts, if I had entertained any such before, -now vanished like mists before the sun. The sight of the moving -hosts--the recollection of all that was that day to be won--the -thoughtless aspiration which all young minds have for glory--the love -of daring natural to my character; all stimulated me on the onward -path; and slow, slow did I think the approach of the forces, as -winding their way over the wet and slippy ground, they advanced -towards the position which they proposed to take up. - -For some time, as they came nearer, I lost sight of them in the hollow -way; but a little after ten the advance-guard began to appear upon the -heights, and took their ground with the left resting upon the copse. -Regiment after regiment now presented itself, and I could see them, -one following another across the underwood, defile to the places -assigned to them, but lost them one by one in a few minutes after, -behind the wood of the Marfée. - -The sounds of the trumpets, however, the loud commands of the -officers, the crashing and creaking of the ammunition carts, all -assured me of their proximity; and in a few minutes after, one of the -Prince's equerries rode up to ascertain that I had arrived, and to -tell me that no alterations had been made in the dispositions of the -day before. I pointed out to him the work we had constructed; and in a -short time afterwards he returned, by the Prince's express command to -thank me, and inform me of his high approbation of what had been done. - -While we were still speaking, the enemy began to appear on the -opposite slope, and in a moment afterwards a discharge of artillery -from beneath the hill gave notice that the battle was commenced upon -our right, where the infantry of Lamboy were still making their way up -to the heights. The sound of the cannon, so much nearer to me than I -expected, I will own, made me start; but springing at once into the -saddle, lest any one should see fear in what in truth was but -surprise, I rode round alone to a spot where, through the trees, I -could see what was passing in the hollow. - -The smoke of the cannon greatly impeded my sight, but I could perceive -a body of the enemy's pikemen in the act of charging the German -infantry, who were borne back before my eyes near two hundred yards, -but still maintained their order. Every step that they yielded, my -heart beat to be there, and lead them back to the charge; but then -again, I thought that if I might be permitted to charge the flank of -the pikemen with my men-at-arms, I could drive them all to the devil. - -At that moment my eye fell upon a group of officers gathered upon a -little knoll, in the front of whom was evidently the Count de -Soissons, dressed in a suit of steel armour I had seen in his -apartments, and accompanied by an elderly man in German uniform, whom -I concluded to be Lamboy. The Count was pointing with his leading -staff to the retreating infantry of his left wing, while the other -seemed to look upon the whole with the utmost composure. In a moment -after, an equerry set off from the Count's party, and a company of our -musketeers instantly wheeled upon the flank of the pikemen, and drove -them back under a tremendous fire, while the Germans again advanced -and took up their position as before. - -The smoke of the musketry now interrupted my view in that direction; -and turning round, I found that I had insensibly advanced so far as to -be out of sight of the pillar from whence the signal was to be -displayed. Riding back as fast as I could, I rejoined my troop; but no -signal had yet been made; and as I looked up towards the hill, where I -expected every moment to behold it displayed, all was clear, calm, and -quiet; offering a strange contrast to the eager and deathful struggle -upon which I had just been gazing. - -"We shall not be long now, Garcias," said I, riding up. "Is all -ready?" - -He assured me that it was, and passing along from man to man, I spoke -a few words to each, telling them that the infantry had already -repulsed the enemy, and that we might soon expect to be called upon; -saying everything I could think of to animate them to exertion, and -beseeching them not to let the love of plunder induce them to separate -before the battle was completely gained. - -They all made me the most solemn promises in the world not to lose -their discipline, to which of course I attached due credence; -believing it to be just as probable for a tiger to abandon bloodshed, -as for them to resist plunder even for a moment. A vigorous and -effective charge, however, I knew to be the great object desired; and -I doubted not from their whole tone and bearing that they would effect -it as well as I could desire. - -In the meanwhile, the din increased. We could every now and then hear -the dull, measured sound of the charging of horse, mingled with the -continued firing of the musketry, and at intervals a discharge of -cannon; while the smoke, rolling over the wood, reached even the spot -where we stood, and made me fearful lest I should lose sight of the -signal-pillar. - -Every minute I thought the sign must be made, and no language can -express the impatience I began to feel as the minutes flew by and it -did not appear. The firing appeared to me to grow less; and I felt -angry that the battle should be lost or won, without my presence. No -longer able to bear it, I rode on about twenty yards to the corner of -the wood. The whole scene was covered with white wreaths of smoke, but -the greater part of the attacking army was now displayed upon the same -plain with ourselves; and I could see that the battle was far from -concluded, though the attack of the enemy upon our position was -languishing, and his troops considerably broken and disordered. Small -parties of horsemen, separated from their regiments, were scattered -confusedly over the plain. Groups of men on foot, carrying the more -distinguished wounded to the rear, appeared here and there through the -smoke. Aides-de-camp riding from spot to spot, and officers -endeavouring by bustle and activity to re-animate the flagging -energies of their soldiers, were seen hurrying about in all parts of -the enemy's line; and I looked upon the whole scene as I have often -done upon a disturbed ant-hill, where I have seen confusion and hurry -in every member of the insect populace, without being able to divine -their operations or understand their movements. - -Column after column, as I stood and watched, was brought up against -our battalions, but each after a discharge of musketry turned off as -from a stone wall. Not three hundred yards from me was a dense mass of -cavalry, and I could see its officers endeavouring to animate their -men to the charge. At that moment I looked back. The red flag was -displayed from the pillar; and spurring back to the head of my troop, -I led them out from the wood. Their impatience had been nearly equal -to my own; and, as the whole field of battle opened before them with -all the thrilling and exciting objects it presented, they gave a loud -and cheering hurrah, which seemed to be answered by a flourish of -trumpets, at the very same moment, from the cavalry of the Duke of -Bouillon that just appeared above the hill, about a quarter of a mile -from us. The flourish and the shout acted as a signal of concert. A -moment sufficed to put my troop in order; and pointing onward to the -enemy with my sword, while my heart beat so as almost to deprive me of -breath, I gave the word "Charge!" Onward we galloped like lightning, -treading, I believe, on many of the dead and dying in our passage: the -ground seemed to vanish under our horses' feet, the open space was -passed in an instant. Nearer, and nearer, and nearer, as we came, each -individual adversary grew into distinctness on our eyes. We passed the -flat like a cloud-shadow, sweeping the plain. We reached the brow of -the descent, and hurled down the side of the slope upon the flank of -the enemy; like an avalanche upon a forest of pines, we bore them -headlong before us. Charged at the same moment by the Duke of Bouillon -in front, and surprised by our headlong onset from so unexpected a -quarter, the enemy's cavalry were borne back upon their infantry, -their arms and fled; many of the cavalry turned their reins and -galloped from the field; and though some fought still hand to hand, it -was with but the courage of despair; for the army of Chatillon was by -that one charge thrown into complete rout. - -One officer in full armour seemed to single me out; and, not willing -to disappoint him, I turned my horse towards him. Parrying a blow he -was making at my neck, just above the gorget, I returned it with the -full sweep of my long heavy sword. It cut sheer through the lacings of -his casque, which another blow dashed from his head; when the face of -a young man presented itself, whom I immediately remembered as the -somewhat hasty youth I had seen with Monsieur de Chatillon in Paris. - -"Will you quarter?" said I. - -"Never!" replied he, aiming another blow at my head; but at that -moment, Combalet de Carignan, who was behind me, fired a pistol at -him, the ball of which passed right through his head. He sprang up in -the saddle, his sword fell from his hand, and his horse, freed from -the rein, galloped away wildly over the field. I had no time to see -farther what became of him; though, when I lost sight of him in the -confusion, the horse was still rushing on, and the rider--though dead, -I feel sure--still in the saddle; but by this time, although all had -passed like lightning, my troopers were far before me; and, -notwithstanding the endeavours of Garcias to keep them together, were -separating and pursuing the fliers one by one. I hurried forward to -unite my efforts to those of the brave Spaniard; but just as I came -up, a small peloton of the enemy's infantry, that had kept together -near some valuable baggage, gave us one parting volley before they -fled, and to my deep regret I beheld Garcias fall headlong from his -horse. - -Springing to the ground, I raised his head on my knees, and saw that -the bullet had gone through his corslet just above the lower rim. -"Jesu Maria!" cried he, opening his eyes, from which the light of life -was fleeting fast--"Jesu Maria!--" - -"I am afraid you are badly hurt, Garcias," cried I, more painfully -affected by his situation than I could have imagined. - -"I am dying, señor!" muttered he in Spanish--"I am dying! Thank -you for your care--your kindness. It is vain--I am dying! Oh, -señor--François Derville! that unhappy man--do you remember--how I -slew him at the mill! I wish I had not done it--I can see him now! Oh, -I wish I had not done it--Sancta Maria! ora pro----" - -The heavy cloud of death fell dully down upon the clear bright eye. -Fire, and soul, and meaning, passed away, and Garcias was nothing. - -I bade my servants, who were still with me, carry him to the rear; and -springing on my horse again, galloped forward, to see if I could -restore some order to my troop. - -By this time, however, all was confusion. The field was scattered with -small parties of horsemen riding here and there, and cutting down or -making prisoners the few of the enemy that remained. Nothing was to be -seen but heaps of dead and dying, masterless horses flying over the -plain, cannon and waggons overturned, long files of prisoners, and -groups of stragglers plundering the fallen; while part of the village -of Chaumont appeared burning on our right, and towards the left was -distinguished a regiment of the enemy, who had still maintained their -order, and were retreating over the opposite hill, fast but firmly. -The rear-rank was seen to face about at every twenty or thirty yards, -and by a heavy regular fire drive back a strong body of cavalry that -hung upon their retreat. Gathering together about twenty of my men, I -rode as fast as I could to the spot, and arrived just at the moment -the enemy faced and gave us a volley. If I may use the expression, it -made our cavalry reel, and more than one empty saddle presented -itself; but what engaged my attention was, to behold in the officer -commanding this last regiment of the enemy, the Chevalier de -Montenero. - -As I was gazing at him, to assure myself that my eyes did not deceive -me, the Duke of Bouillon rode up, and demanded where were the greater -part of my men, in a tone that did not particularly please me. "They -are where the greater part of your own are, my lord," replied I; "some -dead, some plundering, some following the enemy." - -"If that be the case," rejoined he, sharply, "you had better go and -join them yourself; for Monsieur de l'Orme and half a dozen men are no -service to _me_." - -"You speak rudely, Monsieur de Bouillon," replied I; "and methinks on -a day of such victory as this, you might conduct yourself differently -to one who has shared in the dangers of the struggle, whether he -shares in its advantages or not." The duke's visor was up, and he -coloured highly; but without waiting for reply, I turned my rein, and -rode away. - -My men, who had only followed me in the hope of more fighting, seeing -me leave the spot where it was going on, turned to the trade they -liked next in degree, and separated to plunder as before. Without -caring much how they employed themselves for the moment, I rode back -towards the spot where I had before seen the Count de Soissons, and -pushing my horse up the hill, I saw him still posted on a little -eminence, with a group of his officers and attendants at the distance -of about a dozen yards behind him--he seeming to enjoy the sight of -the field he had won, and the others apparently discussing with some -animation the events that had lately passed. - -Silence had now comparatively resumed her reign; for though a -straggling fire might be heard from time to time, mingled with distant -shouts and cries, the roar of the battle itself was over. The ground -between me and the prince also--a space of about a hundred and fifty -yards--was clear and unoccupied; but being upland, it of course -delayed my horse's progress. Happy, happy, had I been able to have -passed it sooner! Just as I was mounting the rise, a horseman dashed -across the top like lightning--reined in his horse a moment before the -Count--I heard the report of fire-arms. The horseman galloped on, and -I saw the prince falling from his horse. - -The noise called the attention of those that were near; and when I -arrived they had gathered round the Count, and were untying his -casque; but all that presented itself was the cold blank face of the -dead. Above the right eyebrow was the wound of a pistol-ball, which -must have gone directly into the brain; and the brow and forehead were -scorched and blackened with the fire and smoke of the pistol--so near -must have been his murderer. - -Thus died Louis Count de Soissons, in the moment of triumph and -victory--triumph turned to mourning, victory rendered fruitless by his -death![9] - - - - -CHAPTER XLVIII. - - -"Ah! Monsieur de l'Orme!" cried de Riquemont, the Prince's first -_ecuyer de la main_, as I galloped up. "Here is a dreadful -catastrophe! Monsieur le Comte, I am afraid, has accidentally shot -himself. Twice during this morning I have seen him raise the visor of -his casque with the muzzle of his pistol, and I warned him of the -event." - -"No, De Riquemont!" replied I. "No! the Count has been murdered! Look -at his pistols; you will find them charged. As I rode up the hill, I -saw a horseman pass him, I heard a pistol fired, and beheld the Count -fall." - -"I saw a horseman ride away also," cried one of the attendants: "he -wore a green plume, and his horse, which was a thorough barb, had a -large white spot on his left shoulder." - -"I know him, I know him, then!" replied I, "and I will avenge this on -his head, or die." So saying, I turned and galloped down in the -direction which the horseman had taken, without seeing or caring -whether any one followed me or not. - -Certain that the assassin had betaken himself to the hollow way, I -felt sure that, whether he went straight forward, or crossed over the -hill, I must catch a glance of him if I rode fast. I was mounted on -the noble horse the unhappy Prince had himself given me; and, as if -feeling that my errand was to avenge his lord, he flew beneath me like -the wind. I was just in time; for I had scarcely reached the bottom of -the glen when I saw a hat and green feather sinking behind the hill to -the right. I spurred across it in an instant, and at the distance of -about one hundred and fifty yards before me, in the ravine below, I -beheld the same horseman I had but too surely marked before, now -galloping as if he well knew that the avenger of blood was behind him. - -The ravine led into a road which I was acquainted with, from De Retz -and myself having followed it on our return from Sedan to Paris. It -was the worst a fugitive could have taken, for it had scarce a turning -in its whole length; and, once we were both upon it, the chase of the -assassin became a matter of mere speed between my horse and his. They -were as nearly matched as it is possible to conceive; and for more -than four miles which that road extended, I did not gain upon him -forty yards. - -At length, however, the path was traversed by the little river Bar, -broad and spreading, but scarcely deeper than a horse's knee. The -bridge was built of wood, old and insecure; and he that I pursued took -the river in preference. In the midst his horse's foot slipped, and -fell on his knees. His rider brought him up; but the beast was hurt, -his speed was over, and before he had gained twenty lengths on the -other side, I was up with him, and my hand upon his bridle-rein. - -"Turn, villain! Turn, murderer!" cried I, "and prepare to settle our -long account together. This day, this hour, this moment, is either -your last or mine." - -"By my faith, Monsieur de l'Orme," replied the Marquis de St. -Brie--for to him it was spoken--"you hold very strange language; but -you had better quit my rein; my attendants are within call, and you -may repent this conduct. Are you mad?" - -From whatever accident it happened, his attendants were evidently not -within call, or he would not have fled so rapidly from a single man. -While he spoke also, I saw him slip his hand softly towards his -holsters, and in another moment most probably I should have shared the -fate of the Count de Soissons, but before he could reach his pistol, I -struck him a violent blow with my clenched gauntlet that dashed him -from his horse. I sprang to the ground, and he started up at the same -moment, laying his hand upon his sword. - -"Draw! draw, villain!" cried I. "It is what I seek! draw!" - -"Doubtless," replied he, with a sneer, that he could not restrain even -then, while at the same time fury and hesitation were strangely -mingled in his countenance--"doubtless, when you are covered with a -corslet and morion, and I am without any defensive arms." - -"That difference shall soon be done away," cried I, casting away my -casque, and unbuckling my corslet, while I stood between him and his -horse, and kept a wary eye upon him lest he should take me at a -disadvantage; but he had other feelings on the subject, it seems, for -before I was prepared, he said, in a faltering tone, "You have told me -yourself, that whoever seeks your life shall die by your hand. The -combat with you is not equal." - -"Fool!" cried I, "fool! You, a murderer, and an infidel!--are you -superstitious? But draw, and directly, for I would not kill you like a -dog. Think of the noble Prince you have just slain--think of the -unhappy Bagnols, the proofs of whose innocence and your treason are -now upon my person." - -"Ha!" cried he, suddenly drawing his sword, "have at you then. You -know too much! At all events, 'tis time that one should die." - -So saying, he waited not for me to begin the attack, but himself -lunged straight at my breast. The struggle was long and obstinate. He -was an excellent swordsman, and was besides better armed for such an -encounter than I was, his sword being a long Toledo rapier, while mine -was a heavy-edged broadsword, which would thrust, it is true, but was -ponderous and unwieldy. I was heated too, and rash, from almost every -motive that could irritate the human heart. He had sought my own -life--he had taken that of one I loved and esteemed--he had snatched -from me all the advantages of success and victory, at the very moment -they seemed given into my hand. Thus, anger made me lose my advantage; -and it was not till a sharp wound in the shoulder taught me how near -my adversary was my equal, that I began to fight with caution and -coolness. - -The glaring of his deadly eye upon me showed me now whenever he -meditated a thrust that he fancied certain; and I could perceive, as -he saw the blood from my shoulder trickle over the buff coat I had -worn under my corslet, a smile of triumph and of sanguinary hope curl -his lip, as his faith in the astrologer's prophecy gave way. - -A wound in his neck soon turned his smile into an expression of mortal -wrath, and making a double feint, which he thought certain, he lunged -full at my heart. I was prepared--parried it instantly--lunged before -he could recover, and the hilt of my sword knocked against his ribs, -while the point shone out under his left shoulder. He felt that he was -slain; but, grappling me tight with the last deathly clasp of expiring -revenge, he drew his poignard, and, attempting to drive it into my -heart, wounded me again in the arm. With difficulty I wrenched it from -him, and cast him back upon the ground, where, after rolling for a -moment in convulsive agony, and actually biting the earth with his -teeth, he expired with a hollow groan and a struggle to start upon his -feet. - -So keen, so eager, so hazardous had been the strife, that though I -became conscious some spectators had been added to the scene of -combat, I had not dared to withdraw my eye for an instant to ascertain -who they were. When it was ended, however, a voice cried out, "Nobly -done! bravely fought! Pardie, one does not see two such champions -every day!" and turning round, I found myself in presence of an old -officer, accompanied by another little man on horseback, together with -about twenty musketeers on foot. - -"And now, pray tell us, sir," demanded the officer, "who you are, and -whether you are for the king or the Princes?" - -"I can save him that trouble," interrupted the little man who -accompanied him, riding a step forward, and exposing to my sight the -funnel-shaped boots, the brown pourpoint, and the keen, inquisitive -little countenance of my old persecutor, _Jean le Hableur_. "This, -Monsieur le Chevalier," he continued, "is Monsieur le Comte de l'Orme, -the dear friend and ally of his highness the Count de Soissons, and -one of the chiefs of the rebels; and let me tell you that you had -better put irons on both his hands and his feet, for a more daring or -more cunning plotter never tied an honest man to a tree in a wood." - -"I shall certainly use no such measures against so brave a soldier as -this young gentleman seems to be," replied the officer. "Nevertheless, -you must surrender yourself a prisoner, sir," he added, "without you -can show that this old man speaks falsely." - -"He speaks truth," replied I. "Do with me what you like--I am very -careless of the event." - -"From your despairing tone, young sir," observed the officer, "I -conclude that your party has lost a battle, and that Chatillon has -gained one." - -"So far from it," replied I, "that never did any one suffer a more -complete defeat than the Maréchal de Chatillon this day. His cannon, -his baggage, and his treasure, are all in the hands of the Duke of -Bouillon; and he has not now one man upon the field of battle but the -dead, the wounded, and the prisoners." - -"God of heaven!" cried the old officer, deeply affected by the news. -"Sir, you are surely too brave a man to tell me a falsehood?" - -"I speak the truth, upon my honour," replied I; "and more, I warn you -that, if you do not speedily retreat, you will have the cavalry of the -Prince upon you." - -"We must take you with us, however," answered the other. "Some one -look to the young gentleman's wounds, for I see he is bleeding." - -My sword was now taken from me, my wounds were bandaged up, as well as -the circumstances permitted; and being placed upon my horse, I was -carried to the end of the road, where I found that the soldiers who -had made me prisoner were only the advance party of a regiment that -had been hurrying to join the army of the king. The old officer with -whom I had spoken was the Count de Langerot, their commander, who, -having heard the distant report of cannon, together with the rumours -which spread fast among the peasantry, had ridden forward to gain some -farther information, and had come up just before the death of the -Marquis de St. Brie. - -The regiment immediately retreated to Le Chesne, and during the time I -remained with it, I was treated with every sort of lenity and kindness -by its commander; but this only lasted for a day; for the Maréchal de -Chatillon having joined the regiment at Le Chesne, and collected -together the scattered remnants of his army, sent me prisoner to -Mezières, under a large escort, making me appear, by his precautions, -a person of much more consequence than I really was, probably thinking -that a prisoner of some import might do away, in a degree, the -humiliating appearance of his defeat. Perhaps, however, I did him -wrong; but I must confess, at the time, I could see no other object in -sending me from Rethel to Mezières under a strong detachment of -cavalry. - -At Mezières I was consigned to a small room in the château, which, -though not a dungeon, approached somewhat near it in point of comfort; -and here plenty of time had I to reflect at my leisure over the -hopelessness of my situation. With the death of the Count de Soissons, -every dream of my fancy had died also; and all that I could do, was to -turn my eyes upon the past, and brood despairingly over the delights -of the years gone by, with thoughts cold, unfruitful, agonising--as -the spirits of the dead are said sometimes to hover round the -treasures they amassed in their lives, at once regretting their loss, -and grieving that they had not used them better. - -Thus hour after hour slipped away, each one a chain of heavy, painful -minutes, gloomy, desolate, deathlike. My gaoler was a gaoler indeed. -For several days he continued to bring me my food, without -interchanging with me one word; and his looks had anything in them but -consolation. At length, on the seventh morning, I think it was, he -came with another like himself, bearing a heavy set of irons, and told -me I must submit to having them put on my legs and arms. - -Of course I remonstrated against the degradation, urged my rank, and -asked the reason of the change. - -"Because you are condemned to death," replied he. "That is enough, is -not it?" - -"Condemned to death!" I exclaimed, "without a trial? It is false--it -cannot be." - -"You'll find it too true, when they strike your head off," replied the -gaoler; and without farther information left me to my own thoughts. I -had before given up life, it is true--I had fancied that I cared not -for it, now that I had lost all that made life deal--but, -nevertheless, I found that the love of being lingered still, and that -I could not think, without a shudder, on the fond fellowship betwixt -body and soul being dissolved for ever.--For ever! the very word was -awful; and that fate which I had never shrunk from, which I had often -dared, in the phrensy of passion or the folly of adventure, acquired -new strange terrors when I viewed it face to face, slowly advancing -towards me, with a calm inevitable step. - -While I sat thinking upon death, and all the cold and cheerless ideas -thereunto associated, a gay flourish of trumpets was borne upon the -wind, jarring most painfully with all my feelings. The sounds came -nearer, mingled with shout, and acclamation, and applause: and then, -the evident arrival of some regiments of cavalry took place in the -court of the château where I was confined; for there was the clanging -of the hoofs, and jingling of the arms, and the cries of the -commanders, and all the outcry and fracas of military discipline. -During the whole day the noise continued with little intermission; and -though I would have given worlds for quiet, quiet was not to be had. - -It was about four o'clock, and the rays of the summer sun were -gleaming through the high windows of my prison, kindling in my bosom -the warm remembrance of nature's free and beautiful face, when the -gaoler entered, and told me I must follow him. I rose; and being -placed between two soldiers, I was marched through several of the long -passages of the château, as fast as my irons would permit, to a small -anteroom, where, being made to sit down upon a bench, I was soon after -joined by one or two others, manacled like myself. - -Here we were kept for some time, with guards at all the doors, and the -gaoler standing by our side, without affording a look or word to any -one. At length, however, the sound of persons speaking approached the -door of what seemed the inner chamber; and, as it opened, I heard a -voice which, however unexpected there, I was sure was that of the -Chevalier de Montenero. - -The sound increased as he came nearer, and I could distinctly hear him -say, "Your Eminence has promised me already as much as I could -desire--the enjoyment of my fortune, and my station in France. All -else that you could properly grant, or I could reasonably request, -depends, unfortunately, upon papers which are, I am afraid, lost -irrecoverably; and I have only to thank you for your patient hearing, -and the justice you have done me." - -As he spoke, the Chevalier came forward, accompanied, as far as the -door, by Richelieu himself, who seemed to do him the high honour of -conducting him to the threshold of his cabinet. - -"Monsieur le Comte de Bagnols," said the minister, to my infinite -surprise and astonishment, addressing by this name him whom I had -always been taught to call the Chevalier de Montenero, "what I have -done is nothing but what you had a right to claim. Your splendid -actions in this last campaign prove too well your attachment to the -king and the state, for me to refuse you every countenance and -protection in my power to give; and believe me, if the letters, and -the marriage certificate you allude to, can by any means be recovered, -everything that you could wish will be rendered easy. In the meantime, -the King's gratitude stops not here. We look upon the safety of the -greater part of the army to have depended upon your exertions, and we -must think of some means of rewarding it in the manner most gratifying -to yourself. You will not leave Mezières for a few days--before then -you shall hear from me." - -The Chevalier, or rather the Count de Bagnols, took his leave and -withdrew, without casting his eyes upon any of the wretched beings -that lined the side of the anteroom. My heart swelled, but I said -nothing; and, in a moment after, was myself called to the presence of -the minister. - -He was seating himself when I entered; and as he turned round upon me, -very, very different was the aspect of his dark tremendous brow from -that which I had beheld on another occasion. The heavy contemplative -frown, the stern piercing eye, the stiff compressed lip, the blaze of -soul that shone out in his glance, yet the icy rigidity of his -features, all seemed to say, "I am fire in my enmities, and marble in -my determinations;" and well spoke the inflexible spirit that dwelt -within. When I thought over the easy flowing conversation which had -passed between me and that very man, his unbent brow, his calm -philosophising air, and compared the whole with the iron expression of -the countenance before me, I could scarcely believe it had been aught -but a dream. - -"Well, Sir Count de l'Orme," said he, in a deep hollow tone of voice, -"you have chosen your party. You have abandoned an honourable path -that was open to you. Of your own free-will you attached yourself to -treason and to traitors, and you now taste the consequences." - -"Your Eminence," replied I, calmly--for my mind was made up to the -worst--"is too generous, I am sure, to triumph over the fallen." - -"I am so," answered Richelieu, "and therefore I sent for you, to tell -you that, though no power on earth can alter your fate--and _you must -die!_--yet I am willing that any alleviating circumstance which you -may desire should be granted you in the interim." - -"I have heard," replied I, "that no French noble can be judged, -without being called for his own defence. It is a law not only of this -country, but of the world--it is a law of reason, of humanity, of -justice; and I hope it will not be dispensed with for the purpose of -condemning me." - -"You have heard truly, sir," replied the Cardinal. "No one can be -condemned without being heard, _except_ it can be proved that he has -knowingly and intentionally fled from the pursuit of justice: he is -then condemned, as it is termed, _par contumace_. It was not at all -difficult to prove your flight, and you were condemned by the proper -tribunal, together with the Duke of Guise and the Baron de Bec. You -are the only one yet made prisoner; and though perhaps the least -guilty of the three, the necessity unfortunately exists of showing -them, by the execution of your sentence, that no hope exists for -them.--Have you anything to ask?" - -"Merely," replied I, "that time and materials may be allowed me to -write some letters of great consequence to my family and others." - -"What time do you require?" demanded Richelieu. "The day of your -execution rests with me. Name your time yourself; but remember that, -if you ask longer than absolutely necessary for the purpose you have -mentioned, you are only prolonging hours of miserable expectation, -after all hope of life is over." - -I had now to fix the day of my own death. It was a bitter calculation, -but running my eye through the brief future, I tried to divest my -spirit of its clinging to corporeal existence, and estimate truly how -much time was necessary to what I wished to accomplish, without -leaving one hour to vain anticipations of my coming fate. - -"Three days," replied I, at length, "will be sufficient for my -purpose." - -"Be it so," said the minister; and taking a paper already written, -from his portfolio, he proceeded to fill up some blanks which appeared -to have been left on purpose. I knew that it was the order for my -execution; and my feelings may be better conceived than described, as -I saw his thin, pale fingers move rapidly over the vacant spaces, -fixing my fate for ever, till at last, with a firm determined hand, -which spoke "_irrevocable_" in its every line, he wrote his name at -the bottom, and handed it to the gaoler, who stood beside me, and -advanced to receive it. - -"Have those fetters taken off," said the minister, in a stern tone, as -he gave the paper. "You have exceeded your duty. See that the prisoner -be furnished with writing materials, and admit any of his friends to -see him, one at a time. Farther, let his comfort be attended to, as -far as is consistent with security. Remove him!" - -His tone, his manner, admitted no reply; and as he concluded he turned -away his head, while I was led out of the cabinet, and carried back to -my cell. While the gaoler, after having taken off my irons, went -grumblingly to seek the materials for writing, which he had been -directed to furnish, my thoughts, flying even from my own situation, -reverted to the title by which the minister had addressed the -Chevalier de Montenero. - -The Count de Bagnols! Was it--could it be possible that he was that -Count de Bagnols, said to have been assassinated by order of the -Marquis de St. Brie? At first I could hardly believe it; but as I -reflected, the conviction came more and more strongly upon my mind. - -Every circumstance that I remembered showed it more plainly. He -himself had first told me the tale of his own supposed death, and that -with a circumstantial accuracy that any one but a person actually on -the spot could hardly have done. He had remained for years living -under an assumed name, probably because he had not the papers -necessary to establish his innocence of the charge the Marquis had -brought against him. I had just heard the minister allude to those -very papers. From Achilles I had learned that the Count's fortune had -been transmitted to Spain; and the Viceroy of Catalonia had told me -that the Chevalier was not a Spaniard. I had also overheard the -Marquis de St. Brie, only a few nights before, declare that he had -seen in the royal army some one whom he had believed dead many years, -and to whose supposed death he was evidently in some degree accessory. -To no one could what he had said be so well applied as to the Count de -Bagnols. - -Undoubtedly, then, the Chevalier de Montenero, the man whom, perhaps, -of all others, I esteemed the most on earth, but whose good opinion I -had lost by a succession of inexplicable misunderstandings, was one -and the same with that Count de Bagnols, the separate incidents of -whose story had come to my knowledge by a thousand strange accidents, -whose fate had always been to me a point of almost painful interest, -and whose most important documents were still fortunately in my hands. -I had now, then, the means at once of clearing myself of all suspicion -in his eyes, and of conferring on him the means of equally showing his -own innocence to the world. True that I could never see the happiness -I knew I should give him--true that his good or bad opinion could -serve me no longer upon earth; but still there was the consolation of -knowing that my memory would remain pure and unsullied in his eyes; -and that the benefit I had it in my power to confer would attach -feelings of love to my name and regret to my loss. - -Surely the wish to be remembered with affection is hardly a weakness. -The warrior's or the poet's hope of immortality on earth--the laurel -that binds the lyre or the sword--is perhaps the most daring, yet the -emptiest of all imaginative vanities; but there is something holier -and sweeter in the dream of living in the love of those that have -known us--it is, indeed, prolonging attachments beyond the grave, and -perhaps derives its charm from an innate feeling in the breast of man, -that friends part not here for ever. - -As soon, then, as paper and ink were brought me I sat down; and after -writing my last farewell to my father, and a few lines expressive of -my deep, my unchangeable affection to Helen Arnault, I proceeded to -sketch out for the Count de Bagnols the history of my unfortunate -adventure at Saragossa. I told him the promise I had entered into, -never to disclose the circumstances to a Spaniard, and showed him -that, as long as I had believed him to be such, my lips had been -necessarily sealed. I pointed out to him the mistake which Garcias had -committed; I related to him my rencontre with Jean Baptiste; and -farther, as briefly as possible, I gave him the outline of everything -which had occurred to me since we had last met, up to the moment that -I wrote; and having told him how I had avenged him on the Marquis de -St. Brie, I enclosed his papers, which I had always kept about my -person. Lastly, I begged him, if I thereby rendered him any -service--if I had ever held any place in his esteem--if I had by that -explanation at all regained it, to see my father; and bearing him my -last farewell, to entreat him for my sake to look upon Helen as his -child--to remember how I had loved her, and to love her for her love -to me; and now, wishing him personally all that happiness in his -latter years which had been denied to his youth, I bade him an eternal -adieu. - -This cost me all that night and the greater part of the next morning; -but by the time that my gaoler visited me my packet was prepared, and -showing him some louis--the last I had about me--I promised them to -him if he would deliver that letter to the Count de Bagnols, if he was -still in the town, bringing me back an acknowledgment that it had been -received. - -In less than an hour he returned, and gave me a paper written hastily -in the hand of the Chevalier. It only contained, "I have received a -packet from the Count de l'Orme--BAGNOLS." I gave the gaoler his -promised reward, and he left me. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIX. - - -Shortly after the gaoler had quitted my chamber, a priest came to -visit and console me; and after a long conversation he also departed, -promising to see me again next day. His arguments and reasoning were, -I believe, very common-place, and delivered with no great eloquence or -talent; but I was then very willing to lend myself to any one who -would lead my ideas from the world I was about to quit to a better one -beyond. Not that I entertained a doubt upon the subject; but I was -glad, by dwelling upon the idea of a life to come--by giving it a more -tangible essence and being--by lending conviction the more brilliant -colours of imagination--to forget the regrets that attached me to -this. - -When he had left me, a sort of drowsiness fell upon me, which I -received as a friend also. I had, as I have said, sat up the whole of -the night before, writing, and the irritation of my two wounds, which -had never been dressed since I arrived at Mezières, had greatly -exhausted me. The approach of slumber, therefore, was an unexpected -blessing, and without farther preparation than merely laying my head -upon the table, I fell asleep. The battle of earthly hope and fear was -over in my bosom; and, like two inveterate enemies that had slain each -other, they left a dead, void calm, in place of their long and -agitating conflict. My sleep then was not like that of a child, light -and balmy--oh, no! it was more like the sleep of death--profound, -still, feelingless. It wanted but the fall of the one irrevocable -barrier to have been death itself. - -I was awoke abruptly by some one touching me; and, starting up, I was -caught in the arms of the Chevalier de Montenero--I should say, the -Count de Bagnols. - -"A thousand thousand thanks!" cried he, "my friend, my benefactor, my -more than son! Oh, Louis! no words can speak the joy, the -satisfaction, the relief your letter has given me. Not alone from the -packet it contained--though I have been seeking it for long and weary -years, as the only means of recovering rank, and station, and honour, -and casting back his accusation on the villain's head who wronged -me--but more, far more, from the proofs it brought forward, that the -man on whose high principles I had staked my estimate of human nature -for ever, was not the villain I had been misled to believe." - -The Count was here interrupted by the gaoler, who had remained -standing near the door, with his immense bunch of keys still in his -hands. "Come, come!" grumbled he, in his dogged, surly tone, "you can -tell him all that, Monsieur le Comte, in another place. As you have -brought the youth's pardon, and the order for his release, you had -better take him away: for I never met one yet who liked to stay here, -and I want to do the room. We shan't be long without some other, thank -God!" - -The words I heard fell dully upon my sense. I heard the sound, and it -startled me; but I received from it no defined meaning that I could -understand and believe. - -"It is true, Louis! it is true!" said the Count de Bagnols; "your -pardon is granted, and you are no longer a prisoner. You owe it not -alone to me, however; the Duke of Bouillon made your enlargement and -security one of the several points without which he would not lay down -his arms. I applied to the Cardinal at the very moment that that point -was about to be refused. Two concurring motives produced more than one -could have done. He yielded, and you are free; but upon the condition -that you instantly return to Bearn, and do not pass its boundaries for -one year. Peace is now concluded. To-morrow the Duke of Bouillon will -be here, and in the evening I myself set out for Bigorre. You shall -journey with me, and I shall have the happiness of restoring you to -the arms of your father." - -"Willingly," replied I; "but before I go, I must see the Maréchal de -Chatillon, and inquire after Helen Arnault. I left her in -circumstances which required explanation. See her I know I cannot, for -she was going to leave Paris; but I must and will ascertain where she -is, and how I may hear of her. Monsieur de Bagnols, you have yourself -felt, and can, I trust, understand my feelings." - -"I do, my dear Louis," replied he: "but to see the Maréchal is quite -impossible: for he is at this time nearly a hundred leagues from -Mezières. But leave all that to me. I know him well, and shall have to -send a messenger to him myself: therefore I may safely promise you, -that by the time you arrive at Lourdes, you shall have every -information you desire." - -This was hardly satisfactory; but I had no other course to pursue, and -therefore yielded, though it cost me no small pain once more to quit -the vicinity of her I still loved so unabatedly, without being able to -satisfy myself of her fate. I have bound myself to tell both the good -and the evil in my history, and I must here acknowledge, that a gleam -of satisfaction came over my mind, when I thought that the youth whom -I had seen with the Maréchal de Chatillon, and to whom I hesitated not -to attribute the quality of Helen's lover, could no longer pursue his -suit. It was a selfish satisfaction enough, I am afraid, and I -reproached myself for it as soon as I felt it. It was a base, -ungenerous triumph, I thought, over the dead, and I would fain have -scourged it from my breast; but it was in vain--I could not chase it -away. It was there in my heart a part of my humanity, and I found it -impossible to banish it from my bosom. - -From the prison the Count conducted me to his dwelling; and after a -night's delightful repose--repose of mind and of feeling, as well as -of the mere body--I rose the next morning, refreshed, and disposed to -view my future prospects with a brighter eye than I had even done the -night before. Still Helen formed a part of them all. Reality in this -respect lent hope no aid; for I remembered my mental promise to my -mother, and I felt that I could not--that I dared not break it. It was -a contract between me and the dead, from which no living voice could -absolve me. Yet still I hoped; and, a dreamer from my infancy both by -nature and habit, I never felt the gay but baseless architecture of my -fancy rise more splendidly than when Hope, without any earthly basis, -but supported alone by her own pinions, commanded the work, and her -willing slave, Imagination, found bright materials in the air. - -Before departing from Mezières, I begged the Count de Bagnols to send -a messenger to Sedan, desiring little Achilles to join me at the -Château de l'Orme; and as he had in his hands upwards of a thousand -crowns belonging to me, I doubted not that, armed with that magic -wand, money, he would get through his journey quite as well, though -somewhat more slowly, than any of the ancient magicians, either -mounted on hippogriff, or enthroned in flying chair. - -A horse had been prepared for me, as well as every other thing I could -need, by my friend; but as the news of my enlargement and pardon had -spread through the town of Mezières, where the regiment of Monsieur de -Lagnerol, who had made me prisoner, then was, he generously sent me -back, before my departure, the beautiful charger which had been given -me by the unfortunate Count de Soissons; and I own that few things he -could have bestowed would have borne so high a value in my eyes; for -the memory of the manner in which he had been bestowed at first, added -a thousand-fold to the noble beast's intrinsic worth. - -Towards two o'clock, we began our journey--not, as I had often ridden -with the Chevalier de Montenero, alone in unostentatious comfort, -unpursued by a crowd of useless attendants. His restored -rank--hampered with an inconvenience, like every other long-coveted -gratification of the earth--required him to lay aside the freedom of -an inferior station; and, followed from Mezières by twenty armed -horsemen, we took our way back towards Bearn. - -Scarce a hundred yards from the gates of the city, we were met by the -Duke of Bouillon and his train, going, according to the terms of -amnesty, to renew the homage he had so lately cast off, to the crown -of France. He reined in his horse on perceiving me; and approaching, -saluted me gravely, but politely. - -"I am happy, Monsieur de l'Orme," said he, "to see you at liberty, and -am glad that this accidental meeting gives me an opportunity of -thanking you for your co-operation on a late occasion, and of -expressing my sense of your gallant services to the cause in which we -were then both engaged, somewhat better than hurry and an impatient -disposition permitted me to do when last we met." - -"Mention it not, Monsieur de Bouillon," replied I: "the memory of one -to whom we were both sincerely attached, would of itself have banished -any momentary irritation from my mind long ago, even if I had not been -made acquainted with the generous care you had taken to provide for my -security." - -After a casual word or two farther upon the same subject, we took -leave of each other, and parted; and I pursued my way in company with -Monsieur de Bagnols. - -During our first day's journey, the Count ceased not to question me -upon all the little minute points of my story, and I filled up all the -blanks in my tale with the same frankness which I have done in telling -it here. I showed him all my feelings, and all my thoughts--all that I -had wished, and all that I had done. - -He dwelt particularly upon my unfortunate adventure at Saragossa. "I -was wrong, Louis, certainly very wrong," said he, "in suspecting you -of such a crime, and I owe you some reparation, which, doubt not, -shall be made. However, if you remember that I saw you enter your own -house that night, when every witness you brought forward swore that -you had never quitted it, you will see that I had some cause for -suspicion. I had been engaged myself with my banker in reading over -some very old accounts, concerning the sums which my intendant Arnault -had transmitted to Saragossa, many years before; and I had discovered -therein so many frauds and villanies, that I came away sick with human -nature. I saw you enter your lodgings as plainly as I see you now; but -judging you engaged in some intrigue, into which it was neither my -business nor my wish to inquire, I passed on. The circumstances that -followed gave a new character to my suspicions; and finding the high -ideas which, notwithstanding all your faults, I had entertained of you -suddenly cast down, I treated you with haughtiness and impatience, -when it would have been better to have shown kindness and confidence. -At the same time, let me say, that for years, Arnault, for purposes I -now understand, had been labouring to undermine you in my opinion; -and, though I have since discovered him to be as bad a man and as -daring a villain as ever existed, and suspected him even then, yet the -suspicions he instilled into me remained on my mind, being confirmed -by other events at the time which I could not doubt. - -"However," he added, with a smile, "I suppose I must not express what -I think of Arnault so strongly, or I shall have your love for the -daughter in arms against me. Still, whatever fortune he has, and, as -you say, it must be considerable, has been robbed from me." - -I was silent; for every word that connected Helen and Arnault in any -way together, went painfully to my heart, cutting through all my -hopes. The count, I believe, saw he had hurt me, and turned our -conversation, the next day, to his escape from the assassins of the -Marquis de St. Brie. - -"There are circumstances even now," said he, "after a lapse of more -than eighteen years, on which I dare not let my thoughts rest. Do not -suppose I allude to pains and griefs. Time has softened those; but I -speak of the happiness that I enjoyed for a brief space, which, -whenever I think of it, awakens every pang in my heart. I had, as I -remember to have told you on a former occasion, made my escape from -the prison in which I had been confined on the accusation of the -greatest villain that ever, I believe, the earth produced. I had -prepared everything for my flight into Spain, with all that I held -dear on earth--my wife; when, on the very night that it was to have -taken place, as I entered the park, I was attacked by four hired -bravoes, attached to the villain St. Brie. Resolved to sell my life -dearly, I defended myself with desperation, till at length I fell, -with a severe wound in my side, and while I was on the ground, -received a blow on my head, which effectually stunned me. - -"The assassins then carried me down to a stream that ran not far from -the spot, and threw me in, as they thought lifeless. But the very -plunge in the water recalled my senses; and I was making some faint -efforts to swim, when I was drawn out by two of my followers, whom I -had left waiting at a cottage below. - -"Their approach scared away the assassins; and though so weak that I -could not stand, and delirious from the blow on my head, I was put -into a litter and borne away to Spain, by my attendants and a friend, -who, having brought about my escape from prison, would have risked his -own life if he had stayed. - -"The news of my death was general; my estates of Bagnols, which could -not be sold, were sequestrated and given to the Marquis de St. Brie. I -was arraigned and condemned on my nonappearance; and, as I slowly -recovered from my wounds, I heard that the last tie between myself and -France was broken--my wife was dead. In a former embassy to Madrid, -which terminated in the marriage of Anne of Austria to our present -king, I had become personally known to King Philip; and it was -proposed to me to enter the Spanish service, to which I assented, on -the engagement never to be employed against my native country. With a -part of the money transmitted beforehand to Saragossa, I bought the -small estate of Montenero, and took that name, abandoning the one -under which I had known so many misfortunes. I was sent with the -forces to New Spain; had many opportunities of distinguishing myself; -rose high in station; and amassed, without either avarice or -extortion, a large, I may say an immense fortune. But it gave me no -happiness--in fact, I had, personally, no use for it. I was both a -soldier and somewhat of a cynic, and consequently not very much -inclined to waste wealth either in show or in luxury. Still I had a -most passionate desire to revisit my native country. Many other -circumstances also combined to carry me thither. The hope of -reestablishing my character and name, which in the first bitterness of -my griefs I had slighted, grew upon me with years, and I directed -Arnault, to whom I still paid a salary, to make every inquiry and -effort to recover the papers I had lost, offering a reward which might -have tempted a prince. No one, I have discovered, knew so well as he -did where to find them; and when, after seeing your encounter with the -Marquis de St. Brie, I betook myself to Spain, lest I should be -discovered before the proofs of my innocence were procured, he not -only found them, but sent them to me by your good friend Father -Francis of Allurdi, who, as you may remember, lost them on the road." - -The manner in which the Count's papers had been lost now instantly -flashed across my mind. After my adventure with the gamblers at Luz I -remembered to have met with the pretended capuchin as I mounted the -stairs. The door of Father Francis's chamber was open, and the papers -had been enveloped in the same cover with some pieces of gold. The -matter was evident enough. The baffled sharper had indemnified himself -for his failure in cheating by a little simple robbery, and having -stolen into the good priest's room while he slept, had filched from -his baggage the packet, which to the tact of his experienced fingers -seemed most valuable. After having made what use he thought proper of -the gold, it is probable that, seeing the papers were of some -consequence, he had kept them about him, in hope of accident turning -them to account, till he was killed in his attempt to murder me, when -it may be remembered the papers were found upon him. - -I communicated my supposition to the Count, who agreed with me -entirely; but my interruption seemed to have acted upon his story much -in the same manner that Don Quixote's did upon that of Sancho Panza; -for he ceased there, and would not again resume it, saying, with a -smile, that he had really little more to tell, except that, anxious to -re-establish his fame, he had, through some great interest he -possessed in the army, and from the pressing necessity which the -government had lately experienced for troops, obtained permission, -under his assumed name, to levy a regiment at his own expense, and had -commanded it at the battle of the Marfée, the result of which I -already knew. - -Avoiding Paris, we now approached Bearn, with as long journeys as we -could make each day; and oh, what a crowd of thrilling, mingled -emotions hurried through my bosom, when, from the hill behind Pau, I -again beheld the grand chain of the purple Pyrenees spreading far -along the horizon, robed in that magical garment of misty light, which -makes them seem something too beautiful for earth! Oh, my native land! -my native land! bound to my heart by every sweet association of -youth--by all the opening ideas that infancy first receives, welcoming -every new impression as a joy--by every glad thought--by every pure -bright feeling!--when thou ceasest to be dear, most dear to me, the -lamp of memory must be extinguished, and the past all darkness indeed! - -From Pau we sent forward a messenger to announce our coming to my -father, and the next morning early we set out for Lourdes. I will not -attempt to embody in words what I felt during that ride. My sensations -were so confused, so sorrowful in some respects, and so painfully -joyful in others, that I could not separate them even at the time. -Both the Chevalier and myself were silent; and the only words which, I -believe, passed between us were, when, on entering Lourdes, I begged -him to ride on, while I turned my horse towards the old church of the -Assumption, in which stood the tomb of the Counts of Bigorre. - -I entered the church--there was no one there; and passing into the -little chapel, where the monument stood, I read over some letters that -were freshly chiselled in the marble. They recorded the death of my -mother; and leaning down my head, I poured upon them the tribute of my -heart's best feelings. I remained long there--longer than I had -intended; but I found a calm and a consolation in the sad duty that I -rendered, which cleared and tranquillized my feelings. As I came out -of the church, I found a number of the peasantry near the door, gazing -on my beautiful horse, which I had ridden during the last day, and had -tied to a cypress while I went in. They all recognised me; but -divining the employment in which I had been engaged, they did not -speak, but doffing their bonnets, let me depart in silence. - -Proceeding somewhat slowly on the road, I suffered the Chevalier to -arrive some time before me, certain that my father would understand -and appreciate the motives of my delay. Gradually, however, the -château with its towers and pinnacles became visible--every -old-accustomed object, every well-remembered scene. Yet in the few -months of my absence so many great and important events had occurred -to me, so many thoughts had hurried through my brain, so many feelings -had left their impression on my heart, that I almost wondered to find -everything still so much the same; and had it been all in ruins, -should have scarcely been surprised, so many years--ay, years! seemed -to have elapsed since I beheld it. - -In the court, all the old servants pressed round me, and overwhelmed -me with their caresses. Some wept, and some laughed, and some, with -the old feudal affection, kissed my hand; so that I was glad to escape -from them as soon as I could. - -"To the saloon! to the saloon! monseigneur," cried old Houssaye, as I -broke from them, and ran into the house. To the saloon, then, I turned -my steps, threw open the door, and entered. But what was it I beheld? -There was but one person there--a young lady in deep mourning, -holding, as if for support, by the arm of one of the antique -chairs--it was Helen! my own Helen! and in a moment she was in my -arms, and clasped to my heart, with a paroxysm of overflowing joy, -that for the time swept every dark idea away before it. - -"Oh, Louis, dear Louis!" was all that she could say; and what I said, -Heaven only knows. "But where are they?" cried I, at length. "Where is -my father?" - -"In his library, awaiting you," replied Helen. "But _my_ father kindly -thought that our first meeting had better be alone, and therefore he -bade me stay here: but now let us come to him." - -"Your father, Helen!" said I, some chilly feelings coming over my -heart that I dared not tell her--"is your father here?" - -"Certainly," replied she, "he is in the library with yours. But come, -dear Louis, come!" and leading the way, with a light step she ran on -to my father's apartments. The door of the library was open, and -gliding forward, she threw her arms round the Count de Bagnols, -exclaiming, "My dear father, Louis did not know that you had arrived." - -"Nay, more, Helen," replied the Count, "he did not know till this -moment that you were my child. Louis, forgive me, if I did not tell -you this before. It was not, believe me, from one remaining shade of -doubt; but it was, that I wished you to hear tidings that I was sure -would give you joy, from the lips I believed--I knew--to be dearest to -you on earth." - -They flashed through my brain at once--the thousand circumstances -which, if I had entertained any suspicion, would have long before -shown me the whole truth. At the same moment, however, I found myself -clasped in the arms of my own father, and the happiness of meeting, -for some time, interrupted all farther explanation. - -The explanations that were to be given me were nevertheless many. From -comparing the dates of Helen's age with the certificate I had seen of -the Count's marriage, it was evident that the Countess must have died -in giving her birth. On this, however, her father never spoke; perhaps -it was too painful a theme for him to touch upon. He told me, however, -that he had never himself learned that he had a child, till he was in -New Spain, when Arnault communicated it to him, knowing that thus -fresh sums of money would naturally flow into his hands. He took care -also that no doubt should exist upon the Count's mind respecting the -truth of his statement, by sending him the proof of Helen's birth, -obtained from the abbess of the convent wherein the Countess had died. - -He thus gained his object: the child was consigned to his care by her -father, who could not for the time quit with honour the service in -which he was engaged; and Arnault received every year large -remittances for the education of his charge, which he applied of -course to his own righteous purposes. At length the Count returned; -and, hurried on by the strong impulse of paternal love, ventured to -cross the frontier. He found that his intentions had been anything but -fulfilled. Arnault, it is true, had taken the child from the convent -where her mother had died, the abbess of which very willingly resigned -her, as old Monsieur de Vergne had now given his whole soul over to -the dominion of Mammon, and refused even to pay the pittance required -for her support. The procureur, too, had brought her up as his own -daughter; but education she had received none. - -It may easily be imagined that the Count was not a little indignant at -this neglect; but Arnault denied having received greater part of the -sums that had been transmitted to him; and an examination of his -accounts was likely to have followed, which might have shown his -character to his lord in its true light. My mother and myself, -however, arrived, as I have detailed in the first part of this book, -on our visit of gratitude, while the Count was in his house; and -Arnault, to turn away the threatening storm, proposed to my mother to -substitute Helen in place of Jean Baptiste, whom she had offered to -receive into our family. The Count, though charmed with the new -arrangement, resolved not to lose sight of the treasure he had -regained, and directed Arnault to purchase and repair for him the -house in which he afterwards resided. - -It is probable that the worthy procureur, had he seen any prospect of -gain, would have betrayed the Count to the government; but Monsieur de -Bagnols had left his fortune still in Spain; and as, for obvious -reasons, he continued to employ his former intendant, the only profit -likely to accrue to Arnault was to be expected from his lord's life -and security. - -In the meanwhile the Count, easily foreseeing the likelihood of an -attachment springing up between myself and Helen, applied himself to -watch my opening character, and to instil into my young mind all the -great and noble principles of his own. Where he succeeded, and where -he failed, must be judged of by the foregoing pages. That he did fail -in many instances I am but too painfully conscious. - -By this time, Arnault, ever fertile in schemes where wealth was to be -won, aware that the Count had not communicated her birth to his -daughter, who was still too young to be intrusted with such a secret, -had laid the somewhat daring project of marrying his son to -Mademoiselle de Bagnols; doubtless imagining that his knowledge of the -Count's secret threw more power into his hands than it really did. -There were many obstacles, however, to be overcome, the two greatest -of which were, the likelihood of my winning Helen's love, and the -timidity and disinterestedness of Jean Baptiste, who still, be it -remarked, believed Helen to be his sister, having forgotten, with the -days of his childhood, her first coming to his father's house. - -On discovering Helen's birth and probable wealth to his son, Arnault -found him deaf to the voice of interest; but he contrived to influence -him by other feelings, and, at the same time that he blackened my -character to the Count de Bagnols, he took advantage of Helen's gentle -kindness towards her supposed brother, to persuade the good youth that -she was in love with him. - -As Helen grew towards womanhood, the Count, for many reasons, thought -it fit to inform her of her birth; but by various circumstances his -communication was delayed. In the meanwhile my journey to Saragossa -took place, and the unfortunate adventure in which I was there -engaged; and the Count, influenced by the suspicions to which that -adventure gave rise, instead of making me the bearer of a message to -my mother and his daughter, informing them of his real rank and of her -birth, as he had once designed, intrusted the charge to good Father -Francis of Allurdi, who perished in the snow at the very moment he was -about to communicate it to me. To Helen, however, the Count wrote, on -hearing of the good Father's death, and beginning to entertain more -than doubts of Arnault's probity, he procured the delivery of his -letter through the smuggler Garcias. At the same time, hearing of an -intimacy between my family and the Marquis de St. Brie, he enjoined -his daughter to maintain the most profound secrecy upon the subject. - -Jean Baptiste had now suffered himself to be persuaded that Helen -loved him; and the sudden dispersion of his golden dreams, by -overhearing the acknowledgment of her affection towards me, ended, as -I have related, in the fit of passion which had nearly brought about -his own death. - -Arnault, nevertheless, resolved not to abandon his scheme while a -chance of success remained. He saw that the Count's confidence in him -was gone, and knew that a thousand accidents might occur to bring -about a full discovery, and complete his ruin. His only hope, -therefore, was in the success of his plot. Being the only person but -Jean Baptiste who knew the real cause of my flight, he spread about -the report that I had carried off the daughter of a bourgeois of -Lourdes, who had, in fact, been seduced by the Marquis de St. Brie. -The Count de Bagnols had by this time returned from Spain; and one -accusation falling on me after another, he resolved to remove Helen -from the Château de l'Orme, viewing with as much apprehension the -chance of a union between her and me, as he had once regarded it with -hope and pleasure. Having given up all expectation of recovering the -proofs of his innocence, and his daughter's legitimacy, he took -measures to let the Cardinal de Richelieu know that he was still in -life; and received the assurance that he might live peacefully in -France, and that no farther proceedings would be instituted against -him, if he continued under an assumed name. He wished, however, to do -more; and setting off for Paris with Helen, he took up his abode in -the hotel of his cousin and ancient companion in arms, the Maréchal de -Chatillon; when one night passing through the streets in the carriage -of the Maréchal, his attendants found me lying senseless, by my fall -from the window. - -I was borne to the Hôtel de Chatillon, and what passed there is -already written. The motives which induced the Count not to see me -himself, and to deny to his daughter's utmost entreaties but an -interview with me of a few minutes, may easily be understood, as well -as his having caused me to be removed during my sleep to my own -lodgings, to which my traiteur's bill, found in my pockets by the good -nun who acted as my nurse, furnished the address. - -Finding his villany discovered, and fearing that restitution might be -called for, Arnault had delivered Lourdes from his presence a few days -before the Count carried Helen with him to Paris. There the procureur -also arrived: and as soon as he discovered the absence of his former -patron, who had by this time joined the army, he resumed his former -designs, and endeavoured to carry Helen off. His purpose was, as I -have shown, frustrated by the information I received from Jean -Baptiste, who had by this time fallen in love himself with the pretty -little attendant of the Countess de Soissons, and was besides heartily -ashamed of having yielded in the former instance to his father's -schemes. What ultimate object Arnault had proposed to himself in -taking Helen from her father's protection never distinctly appeared; -for though, not many months after, Jean Baptiste brought a bride to -Lourdes, and was, as a reward for his integrity, installed in his -father's place as intendant to the Count de Bagnols, yet he could give -us no farther information, his father having concealed the particulars -of his plan even from him. - -Arnault himself we never saw or heard of again; and it seemed evident -that he had fled his country, in fear of the proceedings which the -Count instituted against him. The last news we received of him was -from Helen herself, who had seen him watching under the porch of the -convent of the Minims, as she set out for Pau, on the morning when I -was obliged to make my escape from the Hôtel de Soissons. - -Her father, fearful of the consequences if the Count de Soissons -should march upon the capital, had requested the Maréchal de -Chatillon, then about to visit Paris on the business of the army, to -send his daughter back to Bearn, under as strong an escort as he night -before put the Maréchal upon his guard; and the party who accompanied -Helen to the house of the old Countess de Marignan, her relation at -Pau, rendered all danger out of the question. - -Little more remains to be said, for I was at length happy--and -happiness is silent. Helen shortly after was made my own, by the -irrevocable ties which, to those who truly love, are doubly dear from -their durability. In her arms, I have found far more of delight and -peace than even the dreams of my own imagination had portrayed; or -Hope, that constant flatterer, had promised in her sweetest song. -Twenty years have now elapsed; and though Time, the slow destroyer of -man's joys as well as of his works, may, and probably will, day by day -rob me of some power or of some enjoyment, for those twenty years I -have known almost unmixed happiness. This glorious past I may truly -call my own, and fate itself cannot snatch it from my grasp. - -Still, however, though Memory has there its certain treasure, hope -runs on before; and I look forward to my future years with -tranquillity. Thank Heaven, I have learned as much content as is -necessary to enjoyment and is compatible with activity; and that -spirit of adventure, which was once my torment, has now fallen asleep, -never I hope to wake again. - -To you, my son, I give this history of your mother and myself; and as -I see, in some degree, the same spirit rising up in you, that caused -so much misery to your father, let me, before I lay down the pen, -point out the moral of my tale. If you remark the various events of -this story, as they hang one upon another, you will perceive, that had -I not suffered the love of adventure to lead me to the very brink of -vice, in the circumstances that occurred to me at Saragossa, I should -not only have escaped the pain immediately consequent, but the Count -de Bagnols would have confided to me the secret of his own rank and -Helen's birth. No motive for concealment would have existed between -us; my parents would have known all and approved all--I should never -have had to reproach myself with the murder of him I thought her -brother--I should never have been obliged to fly from my home--I -should never have been a houseless wanderer over the face of the -earth, accompanied by misery and remorse. - -Yet understand me: I blame not enterprise, I blame not enthusiasm; it -is the spring of all that is good, great, and admirable in existence: -but the art of happiness is to guide enthusiasm firmly on the path of -virtue; the art of success, to guide it on the path of probability. - - - -FOOTNOTES. - -[Footnote 1: A small town, with a picturesque castle crowning a high -rock, at the entrance of one of the Pyrenean valleys, about ten -leagues distant from Pau.] - -[Footnote 2: A favourite dish in the small inns of Bearn to this day.] - -[Footnote 3: Although no such lakes are now in existence, we find, in -consulting authorities contemporary with the writer of these memoirs, -that the valley of Gavarnie, from the village to the Marboré, was in -that day completely filled with a chain of small lakes, the basins of -which are still evident.] - -[Footnote 4: The same fancy is current amongst many Eastern nations, -and probably arrived at the Spanish smugglers through their Moorish -ancestors.] - -[Footnote 5: I believe that this description is exact in regard to the -personal appearance of the Count of Colomma. He was a Catalonian by -birth; had served with great distinction; and, previous to this -unhappy revolt, had been looked upon with both pride and affection by -his fellow-countrymen.] - -[Footnote 6: The ordinary Spanish accounts declare that the peasantry -who acted so conspicuous a part in the insurrection of Barcelona were -merely reapers, who came thither on Corpus Christi Day, according to -custom, but without any political object. "En el tiempo de la -recoleccion de los granos," says one author, "bajan muchas cuadrillas -de segadores de las montanas de Cataluna, para ejercer su profesion en -los partidos maritimos, y tienen la costumbre de concurrir a la -capital el dia de la festividad del Corpus, que aquel fue el siete de -junio. Esta masa va dispuesta a la sedicion aumentó los materiales del -volcan," &c. &c. There can be no doubt, however, that immense bodies -of a very different order of persons, all prepared to urge on the -revolt, had flocked into Barcelona several days before.] - -[Footnote 7: This chapter in the original MS. appears written in a -different hand from the rest, and was probably interpolated long after -the composition of the whole, to explain historical circumstances -which had passed from men's memories.] - -[Footnote 8: Translation of the original document.] - -[Footnote 9: This is the only clear and satisfactory account that has -ever been given of the death of that most amiable prince, the Count de -Soissons. The Maréchal de Chatillon, in his narrative of the battle of -the Marfée, states, that the Count was killed by one of the queen's -men-at-arms, and the Maréchal de Faber countenances the same -supposition: but this was proved to be false by the Count's own -attendants, who unanimously declared that the battle was won before -his death. M. Jay, in his History of the Administration of Cardinal -Richelieu, leans to the belief that the Count accidentally shot -himself; and M. Peyran, in his History of the Principality of Sedan, -starts the very strange idea, that the Prince chose the very moment of -victory to commit suicide. Others have attributed his fate to an -assassin hired by Richelieu; and even these Memoirs leave some doubt -as to whether the motive of the Marquis de St. Brie was merely -personal resentment, or the instigation of another.] - - - -THE END. - - - -T. C. 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P. R. James, Esq., Vol. XVI.: De L'Orme</title> -<meta name="Author" content="G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James"> - -<meta name="Publisher" content="Parry and Co."> -<meta name="Date" content="1848"> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> -<style type="text/css"> -body {margin-left:10%; - margin-right:10%; background-color:#FFFFFF;} - - -p.normal {text-indent:.25in; text-align: justify;} -.center {margin: auto; text-align:center; margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:24pt} - - - -p.right {text-align:right; margin-right:20%;} - -p.continue {text-indent: 0in; margin-top:9pt;} -.text10 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:10%; margin-right:0px; font-size:90%;} -.text20 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:20%; margin-right:0px; font-size:90%;} - - -.poem0 { - margin-top: 24pt; margin-left: 0%; - margin-right: 0%; text-align: left; - margin-bottom: 24pt; font-size:90%} - -.poem1 { - margin-top: 24pt; margin-left: 2em; - margin-right: 10%; text-align: left; - margin-bottom: 24pt; font-size:90%} - -.poem2 { - margin-top: 24pt; margin-left: 20%; - margin-right: 20%; text-align: left; - margin-bottom: 24pt; font-size:90%} - -.poem3 { - margin-top: 24pt; margin-left: 30%; - margin-right: 30%; text-align: left; - margin-bottom: 24pt; font-size:90%} - - - - - -figcenter {margin:auto; text-align:center; margin-top:9pt;} - -.t0 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em;} -.t1 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:1em; margin-right:0em;} -.t2 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em;} -.t3 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:3em; margin-right:0em;} -.t4 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:4em; margin-right:0em;} -.t5 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5em; margin-right:0em;} - - -.quote {text-indent:.25in; text-align: justify; font-size:90%; margin-top:36pt; margin-bottom:36pt} -.ctrquote {text-align: center; font-size:90%; margin-top:36pt; margin-bottom:36pt} - -.dateline {text-align:right; font-size:90%; margin-right:10%; margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:24pt} - -h1,h2,h3,h4,h5 {text-align: center;} - -span.sc {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:110%;} -span.sc2 {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:90%;} - -hr.W10 {width:10%; color:black; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt} -hr.W20 {width:20%; color:black; margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:12pt} -hr.W50 {width:50%; color:black;} -hr.W90 {width:90%; color:black;} - -p.hang1 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:-3em;} -p.hang2 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:0em;} - - -</style> - -</head> - -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of De L'Orme., by George Payne Rainsford James - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: De L'Orme. - The Works of G. P. R. James, Esq., Vol. XVI. - -Author: George Payne Rainsford James - -Release Date: December 14, 2015 [EBook #50688] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DE L'ORME. *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page images provided by -Google Books (University of California, Davis) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Notes:<br> -1. Page scan source:<br> -The Works of G.P.R. James, Esq.--Volume 16<br> -https://books.google.com/books?id=dTYoAQAAIAAJ<br> -(University of California, Davis)</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p class="center"><img src="images/frontispiece.png" alt="frontispiece"></p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>THE WORKS</h4> -<h5>OF</h5> -<h3>G. P. R. JAMES, ESQ.</h3> -<br> -<br> -<h4>REVISED AND CORRECTED BY THE AUTHOR.<br> -WITH AN INTRODUCTORY PREFACE.</h4> -<br> -<br> -<p class="normal" style="font-size:smaller">"D'autres auteurs l'ont encore plus avili, (le roman,) en y mêlant les -tableaux dégoutant du vice; et tandis que le premier avantage des -fictions est de rassembler autour de l'homme tout ce qui, dans la -nature, peut lui servir de leçon ou de modèle, on a imaginé qu'on -tirerait une utilité quelconque des peintures odieuses de mauvaises -moeurs; comme si elles pouvaient jamais; laisser le cœur qui les -repousse, dans une situation aussi pure que le cœur qui les aurait -toujours Ignorées. Mais un roman tel qu'on peut le concevoir, tel que -nous en avons quelques modèles, est une des plus belles productions de -l'esprit humain, une des plus influentes sur la morale des individus, -qui doit former ensuite les mœurs publiques."--<span class="sc">Madame de Staël</span>. -<i>Essai sur les Fictions</i>.</p> - -<div style="margin-left:25%; font-size:smaller"> -<p class="continue" style="text-indent:-10px">"Poca favilla gran flamma seconda:<br> -Forse diretro a me, con miglior voci<br> -Si pregherà, perchè Cirra risonda."</p> -<p style="text-indent:25%"><span class="sc">Dante</span>. <i>Paradiso</i>, Canto I.</p> -</div> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>VOL. XVI.</h4> -<h3>DE L'ORME.</h3> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>LONDON:<br> -PARRY AND CO., LEADENHALL STREET.<br> -<span style="font-size:smaller">M DCCCXLVIII.</span></h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>DE L'ORME.</h3> -<br> -<br> -<h5>BY</h5> - -<h4>G. P. R. JAMES, ESQ.</h4> -<br> - -<h5>AUTHOR OF<br> -<br> -"MARGARET GRAHAM,"<br> -"THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES," ETC.</h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<hr class="W20"> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>LONDON:<br> -PARRY AND CO., LEADENHALL STREET.<br> -<span style="font-size:smaller">M DCCCXLVIII</span>.</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>PREFACE</h3> - -<h4>TO THE THIRD EDITION.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Romance writing, when rightly viewed and rightly treated, is of the -same nature as the teaching by parables of the eastern nations; and I -believe, when high objects are steadily kept in view and good -principles carefully inculcated, it may prove far more generally -beneficial than more severe forms of instruction.</p> - -<p class="normal">The man who is already virtuous and wise, or who, at least, seeks -eagerly to be so, takes up the Essay or the Lecture, and reads therein -the sentiments ever present in his own heart. But while the same man -may find equal pleasure in the work of fiction addressed to the same -great ends, how many thousands are there who will open the pages of -the Novel or the Romance, but who would avoid anything less amusing to -their fancy? If, then, while we excite their imagination with pleasant -images, we can cause the latent seeds of virtue to germinate in their -hearts; if we can point out the consequences of errors, follies, and -crimes; if we can recall good feelings fleeting away, or crush bad -ones rising up under temptation,--and that we can do so with great -effect, may be safely asserted,--we can benefit, in the most essential -particular, a large body of our fellow-men; a much larger body, I -fear, than that which can be attracted by anything that does not wear -the form of amusement.</p> - -<p class="normal">Such has been my conviction ever since I entered upon a career in -which the public has shown me such undeserved encouragement; and with -such a purpose, and for such an object, have I always written. In some -works I have striven alone to impress those general principles of -honour and virtue, and those high and elevated feelings, which do not -seem to me to be increasing in the world. In others, I have -endeavoured to advocate, without seeming too much to do so, some -particular principle, or to warn against some particular error. In the -following pages my purpose was to expose the evil consequences of an -ill-regulated spirit of enterprise and a love of adventure, and to -deter from errors, the magnitude of which I may have felt by sharing -in them.</p> - -<p class="normal">To do so, it was necessary to choose as my subject the life of a young -man placed in circumstances of difficulty and temptation; and no -writer can ever hope to produce a good effect by painting man -otherwise than man is.</p> - -<p class="normal">At the same time I have ever been convinced that no benefit can ensue -from drawing the mind of the reader through long scenes of vice and -guilt, for the sake of a short moral at the end; and in writing the -history of the Count de l'Orme, I determined to show, as was -absolutely necessary, that he was led by the love of adventure into -error nearly approaching to guilt: but to dwell upon his errors no -longer than was absolutely required; to point out, even while I -related them, that their consequences were terrible; and to make the -great bulk of the book display a life of regret, pain and difficulty, -consequent upon the fault I sought to reprehend. This I have done to -the best of my judgment, restricting all details of the error into -which the principal character of the book fell, to some ten or twelve -pages. Having read those pages again, after a lapse of many years, -with the deepest attention and consideration, I send them forth with -scarcely an alteration; being firmly convinced, that the mind which -can contract any evil from the terrible scene which they depict--a -scene which, I have every reason to believe, really occurred--must be -foul and corrupt ere it sits down to the perusal. One thing I -certainly know, that those pages were written in the spirit of purity, -and with the purpose of good; and I will never believe that such -feelings can generate, in the breast of others, likewise pure, aught -but their own likeness.</p> - -<p class="normal">De l'Orme was first published in 1830, and was written while I was -residing in France. The incidents, however, had been collected and -arranged long before, and only required form and compression. For some -curious details regarding the battle of Sedan I was indebted to a -gentleman of that city, and I believe the facts of the famous revolt -of the Count of Soissons will be found historically correct, even to -very minute particulars.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>DE L'ORME.</h3> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER I.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">I was born in the heart of Bearn, in the year 1619; and if the scenery -amongst which we first open our eyes, and from which we receive our -earliest impressions, could communicate its own peculiar character to -our minds, I should certainly have possessed a thousand great and -noble qualities, that might have taught me to play a very different -part from that which I have done, in the great tragic farce of human -life. Nevertheless, in contemplating the strange contrasts of scenery, -the gay, the sparkling, the grand, the gloomy, the sublime, wherein my -infant years were passed, I have often thought I saw a sort of picture -of my own fate, with its abrupt and rapid changes; and even in some -degree of my own character, or rather of my own mood, varying -continually through all the different shades of disposition, from the -lightest mirth to the most profound gloom, from the idlest -heedlessness to the most anxious thought.</p> - -<p class="normal">However, it is not my own peculiar character that I sit down to -depict--that will be sufficiently displayed in the detail of my -adventures: but it is rather those strange and singular events which, -contrary to all probability, mingled me with great men, and with great -actions, and which, continually counteracting my own will, impelled me -ever on the very opposite course from that which I straggled to -pursue.</p> - -<p class="normal">For many reasons, it is necessary to commence this narrative with -those early years, wherein the mind of man receives its first bias, -when the seeds of all future actions are sown in the heart, and when -causes, in themselves so trifling as almost to be imperceptible, chain -us to good or evil, to fortune or misfortune, for ever. The character -of man is like a piece of potter's clay, which, when fresh and new, is -easily fashioned according to the will of those into whose hands it -falls; but its form once given, and hardened, either by the slow -drying of time, or by its passage through the ardent furnace of the -world, men may break it to atoms, but never bend it again to another -mould.</p> - -<p class="normal">Our parents, our teachers, our companions, all serve to modify our -dispositions. The very proximity of their faults, their failings, or -their virtues, leaves, as it were, an impress on the flexible mind of -infancy, which the steadiest reason can hardly do more than modify, -and years themselves can never erase. To the events of those early -years I owe many of my errors in life; and my faults and their -consequences are not without their moral: for in my history, as in -that of every other man, it will be found that punishment of some kind -never failed to tread fast upon the heels of each wrong action; and in -one instance, a few hours of indiscretion mingled a dark and fearful -current with the course of many an after year.</p> - -<p class="normal">To begin, then, with the beginning:--I was, as I have said, born in -the heart of the little mountainous principality of Bearn, which, -stretching along the northern side of the Pyrenees, contains within -itself some of the most fertile and some of the most picturesque, some -of the sweetest and some of the grandest scenes that any part of -Europe can boast. The chain of my native mountains, interposing -between France and Spain, forms a gigantic wall whereby the unerring -hand of nature has marked the limits of either land; and although this -immense bulwark is, in itself, scarcely broken by any but very narrow -and difficult passes, yet the mountainous ridges which it sends off, -like enormous buttresses, into the plain country on each side, are -intersected by a number of wide and beautiful valleys, rich with all -the gifts of summer, and glowing with all the loveliness of bright -fertility.</p> - -<p class="normal">One of the most striking, though perhaps not one of the most -extensive, of these valleys, is that which, running from east to west, -lies in a direct line between Bagneres de Bigorre and the little town -and castle of Lourdes.<a name="div4Ref_01" href="#div4_01"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Never have I seen, and certainly never shall -I now see, any other valley so sweet, so fair, so tranquil;--never, -one so bright in itself, or so surrounded by objects of grandeur and -magnificence. I need not say after this, that it was my native place.</p> - -<p class="normal">The dwelling of my father, Roger De l'Orme, Count de Bigorre, was -perched up high upon the hill-side, about two miles from Lourdes, and -looked far over all the splendid scene below. The wide valley, with -its rich carpet of verdure, the river dashing in liquid diamonds -amidst the rocks and over the precipices; the long far windings of the -deep purple mountains, filling the mind with vague, but grand -imaginings; the dark majestic shadows of the pine forest that every -here and there were cast like a black mantle round the enormous limbs -of each giant hill; the long wavy perspective, of the passes towards -Cauteretz, and the Pont d'Espagne, with the icy Vigne Malle raising up -his frozen head, as if to dare the full power of the summer sun -beyond,--all was spread out to the eye, offering in one grand view a -thousand various sorts of loveliness.</p> - -<p class="normal">I must be pardoned for dilating upon those sweet scenes of my early -childhood, whose very memory bestows a calm and placid joy, which I -have never found in any other spot, or in any other feeling; neither -in the gaiety and splendour of a court, the gratification of passion, -the hurry and energy of political intrigue, the excitement and triumph -of the battle field, the struggle of conflicting hosts, or the -maddening thrill of victory.--But for a moment, let me indulge, and -then I quit such memories for things and circumstances whose interest -is more easily communicable to the minds of others.</p> - -<p class="normal">The château in which my eyes first opened to the light was little -inferior in size to the castle of Lourdes, and infinitely too large -for the small establishment of servants and retainers which my -father's reduced finances enabled him to maintain. Our diminished -household looked, within its enormous walls, like the shrunken form of -some careful old miser, insinuated into the wide and hanging garments -of his youth; and yet my excellent parent fondly insisted upon as much -pomp and ceremony as his own father had kept up with a hundred and -fifty retainers waiting in his hall. Still the trumpet sounded at the -hour of dinner, though the weak lungs of the broken-winded old <i>maître -d'hôtel</i> produced but a cacophonous sound from the hollow brass: still -all the servants, who amounted to five, including the gardener, the -shepherd, and the cook, were drawn up at the foot of the staircase, in -unstarched ruffs and tarnished liveries of green and gold, while my -father, with slow and solemn pace, handed down to dinner Madame la -Comtesse; still would he talk of his vassals, and his seigneurial -rights, though his domain scarce covered five hundred acres of wood -and mountain, and vassals, God knows, he had but few. However, the -banners still hung in the hall; and it was impossible to gaze upon the -walls, the pinnacles, the towers, and the battlements of the old -castle, without attaching the idea of power and influence to the lord -of such a hold; so that it was not extraordinary he himself should, in -some particulars forget the decay of his house, and fancy himself as -great as his ancestors.</p> - -<p class="normal">A thousand excellent qualities of the heart covered any little foibles -in my father's character. He was liberal to a fault; kind, with that -minute and discriminating benevolence which weighs every word ere it -be spoken, lest it should hurt the feelings of another; brave, to that -degree that scarcely believes in fear, yet at the same time so humane, -that his sympathy with others often proved the torture of his own -heart; but----</p> - -<p class="normal">Oh! that in this world there should still be a <i>but</i>, to qualify -everything that is good and excellent!--but, still he had one fault -that served greatly to counteract all the high qualities which he -possessed. He was invincibly lazy in mind. He could endure nothing -that gave him trouble; and, though the natural quickness of his -disposition would lead him to purpose a thousand great undertakings, -yet long ere the time came for executing them, various little -obstacles and impediments had gradually worn down his resolution; or -else the trouble of thinking about one thing for long was too much for -him, and the enterprise dropped by its own weight. Had fortune brought -him great opportunities, no one would have seized them more willingly, -or used them to better or to nobler purposes; but fortune was to -seek--and he did nothing.</p> - -<p class="normal">The wars of the League, in which his father had taken a considerable -part, had gradually lopped away branch after branch of our estates, -and even hewn deeply into the trunk; and my father was not a man, -either by active enterprise or by court intrigue, to mend the failing -fortunes of his family. On the contrary, after having served in two -campaigns, and distinguished himself in several battles, out of pure -weariness, he retired to our château of De l'Orme, where, being once -fixed in quiet, he passed the rest of his days, never having courage -to undertake a longer journey than to Pau or to Tarbes; and forming in -his solitude a multitude of fine and glorious schemes, which fell to -nothing almost in the same moment that they were erected: as we may -see a child build up, with a pack of cards, many a high and ingenious -structure, which the least breath of air will instantly reduce to the -same flat nonentities from which they were reared at the first.</p> - -<p class="normal">My mother's character is soon told. It was all excellence; or if there -was, indeed, in its composition, one drop of that evil from which -human nature is probably never entirely free, it consisted in a touch -of family pride--and yet, while I write it, my heart reproaches me, -and says that it was not so. However, the reader shall judge by the -sequel; but if she had this fault, it was her only one, and all the -rest was virtue and gentleness. Restricted as were her means of -charity, still every one that came within the sphere of her influence -experienced her kindness, or partook of her bounty. Nor was her -charity alone the charity that gives; it was the charity that feels, -that excuses, that forgives.</p> - -<p class="normal">A willing aid in all that was amiable and benevolent was to be found -in good Father Francis of Allurdi, the chaplain of the château. In his -young days they said he had been a soldier; and on some slight, -received from a world for which he was too good, he threw away the -corslet and took the gown, not with the feeling of a misanthrope, but -of a philanthropist. For many years he remained as cure at the little -village of Allurdi, in the Val d'Ossau; but his sight and his strength -both failing him, and the cure being an arduous one, he resigned it to -a younger man, (who, he thought, might better perform the duties of -the station,) and brought as gentle a heart and as pure a spirit as -ever rested in a mortal frame, to dwell with the two others I have -described in the Château de l'Orme.</p> - -<p class="normal">It may be asked, if he too had his foible? Believe me, dear reader, -whoever thou art, that every one on this earth has some; nor was he -without one: and, strange as it may appear, his was superstition--I -say, strange as it may appear, for he was a man of a strong and -vigorous mind, calm, reflective, rational, without any of that hurried -and perturbed indistinctness of judgment which suffers imagination to -usurp the place of reason. But still he was superstitious to a great -degree, affording a striking instance of that union of opposite -qualities, which every one who takes the trouble of examining his own -bosom will find more or less exemplified in himself. His superstition, -however, grew in a mild and benevolent soil, and was, indeed, but as -one of those tender climbing plants which hang upon the ruined tower -or the shattered oak, and clothe them with a verdure not their own: -thus he fondly adhered to the imaginative tenets of ancient days fast -falling into decay. He peopled the air with spirits, and in his fancy -gave them visible shapes, and in some degree even corporeal qualities. -However, on an ardent and youthful mind like mine, such picturesque -superstitions were most likely to have effect; and so far, indeed, did -they influence me, that though reason in after-life exerted her power -to sweep them all away, imagination often rebelled, and clung fondly -to the delusion still.</p> - -<p class="normal">Such as I have described them were the denizens of the Château de -l'Orme at the time of my birth, which was unmarked by any other -peculiarity than that of my mother having been married, and yet -childless, for more than eight years. The joy which the unexpected -birth of an heir produced, may easily be imagined, though little -indeed was the inheritance which I came to claim. All with one consent -gave themselves up to hope and to gladness; and more substantial signs -of rejoicing were displayed in the hall than the château had known for -many a day.</p> - -<p class="normal">My father declared that I should infallibly retrieve the fortunes of -my house. Father Francis, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed that it -was evidently a blessing from Heaven; and even my mother discovered -that, though futurity was still misty and indistinct, there was now a -landmark to guide on hope across the wide ocean of the years to come.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER II.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">I know not by what letters patent the privilege is held, but it seems -clearly established, that the parents of an only child have full right -and liberty to spoil him to whatsoever extent they may please; and -though, my grandfathers on both sides of the house being dead long -before my birth, I wanted the usual chief aiders and abettors of -over-indulgence, yet, in consideration of my being an unexpected gift, -my father thought himself entitled to expend more unrestrictive -fondness upon me than if my birth had taken place at an earlier period -of his marriage.</p> - -<p class="normal">My education was in consequence somewhat desultory. The persuasions of -Father Francis, indeed, often won me for a time to study, and the -wishes of my mother, whose word was ever law to her son, made me -perhaps attend to the instructions of the good old priest more than my -natural volatility would have otherwise admitted. At times, too, the -mad spirit of laughing and jesting at everything, which possessed me -from my earliest youth, would suddenly and unaccountably be changed -into the most profound pensiveness, and reading would become a delight -and a relief. I thus acquired a certain knowledge of Latin and of -Greek, the first principles of mathematics, and a great many of those -absurd and antiquated theories which were taught in that day under the -name of philosophy. But from Father Francis, also, I learned what -should always form one principal branch of a child's education--a very -tolerable knowledge of my native language, which I need not say is, in -general, spoken in Bearn in the most corrupt and barbarous manner.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus, very irregularly, proceeded the course of my mental instruction; -my corporeal education my father took upon himself, and as his -laziness was of the mind rather than the body, he taught me -thoroughly, from my very infancy, all those exercises which, according -to his conception, were necessary to make a perfect cavalier. I could -ride, I could shoot, I could fence, I could wrestle, before I was -twelve years old; and of course the very nature of these lessons -tended to harden and confirm a frame originally strong, and a -constitution little susceptible of disease.</p> - -<p class="normal">The buoyancy of youth, the springy vigour of my muscles, and a good -deal of imaginative feeling, gave me a sort of indescribable passion -for adventure from my childhood, which required even the stimulus of -danger to satisfy. Had I lived in the olden time, I had certainly been -a knight errant. Everything that was wild, and strange, and even -fearful, was to me delight; and it needed many a hard morsel from the -rough hand of the world to quell such a spirit's appetite for -excitement.</p> - -<p class="normal">To climb the highest pinnacles of the rocks, to plunge into the -deepest caverns, to stand on the very brink of the precipices and look -down into the dizzy void below, to hang above the cataract on some -tottering stone, and gaze upon the frantic fury of the river boiling -in the pools beneath, till my eye was wearied, and my ear deafened -with the flashing whiteness of the stream, and the thundering roar of -its fall--these were the enjoyments of my youth, and many, I am -afraid, were the anxious pangs which my temerity inflicted on the -bosom of my mother.</p> - -<p class="normal">I will pass over all the little accidents and misadventure of youth; -but on one circumstance, which occurred when I was about twelve years -old, I must dwell more particularly, inasmuch as it was not only of -import at the time, but also affected all my future life by its -consequences.</p> - -<p class="normal">On a fine clear summer morning, I had risen in one of those thoughtful -moods, which rarely cloud the sunny mind of youth, but which, as I -have said, frequently succeeded to my gayest moments; and, walking -slowly down the side of the hill, I took my way through the windings -of a deep glen, that led far into the heart of the mountain. I was -well acquainted with the spot, and wandered on almost unconsciously, -with scarcely more attention to any external object than a casual -glance to the rocks that lay tossed about on either side, amidst a -profusion of shrubs and flowers, and trees of every hue and leaf.</p> - -<p class="normal">The path ran along on a high bank of rocks overhanging the river, -which, dashing in and out round a thousand stony promontories, and -over a thousand bright cascades, gradually collected its waters into a -fuller body, and flowed on in a deep swift stream towards a more -profound fall below. At the side of the cataract, the most industrious -of all the universe's insects, man, had taken advantage of the -combination of stream and precipice, and fixed a small mill-wheel -under the full jet of water, the clacking sound of which, mingling -with the murmur of the stream, and the savage scenery around, -communicated strange, undefined sensations to my mind, associating all -the cheerful ideas of human proximity, with the wild grandeur of rude -uncultivated nature.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was too young to unravel my feelings, or trace the sources of the -pleasure I experienced; but getting to the very verge of the rock, a -little way above the mill, I stood, watching the dashing eddies as -they hurried on to be precipitated down the fall, and listening to the -various sounds that came floating on the air.</p> - -<p class="normal">On what impulse I forget at this moment, but after gazing for some -time, I put my foot still farther towards the edge of the rocky stone -on which I stood, and bent over, looking down the side of the bank. -The stone was a detached fragment of grey marble, lying somewhat -loosely upon the edge of the descent--my weight overthrew its -balance--it tottered--I made a violent effort to recover myself, but -in vain--the rock rolled over, and I was pitched headlong into the -stream.</p> - -<p class="normal">The agony of finding myself irretrievably gone--the dazzle and the -flash of the water as it closed over my head--the thousand regrets -that whirled through my brain during the brief moment that I was below -the surface--the struggle of renewed hope as I rose again and beheld -the blue sky and the fair face of nature, are all as deeply graven on -my memory as if the whole had occurred but yesterday. Although all -panting when I got my head above the water, I succeeded in uttering a -loud shout for assistance, while I struggled to keep myself up with my -hand; but as I had never learned to swim, I soon sunk again, and on -rising a second time, my strength was so far gone, I could but give -voice to a feeble cry, though I saw myself drifting quickly towards -the mill and the waterfall, where death seemed inevitable. My only -hope was that the miller would hear me; but to my dismay, I found that -my call, though uttered with all the power I had left, was far too -faint to rise above the roar of the cascade and the clatter of the -mill-wheels.</p> - -<p class="normal">Hope gave way, and ceasing to struggle, I was letting myself sink, -when I caught a faint glimpse of some one running down amongst the -rocks towards me, but at that moment, in spite of my renewed efforts, -the water overwhelmed me again. For an instant there was an -intolerable sense of suffocation--a ringing in my ears, and a flashing -of light in my eyes that was very dreadful, but it passed quickly -away, and a sweet dreamy sensation came over me, as if I had been -walking in green fields, I did not well know where--the fear and the -struggle were all gone, and, gradually losing remembrance of -everything, I seemed to fall asleep.</p> - -<p class="normal">Such is all that my memory has preserved of the sensations I -experienced in drowning--a death generally considered a very dreadful -one, but which is, in reality, anything but painful. We have no means -of judging what is suffered in almost any other manner of passing from -the world; but were I to speak from what I myself felt in the -circumstances I have detailed, I should certainly say that <i>it is the -fear that is the death</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">My next remembrance is of a most painful tingling, spreading itself -through every part of my body, even to my very heart, without any -other consciousness of active being, till at length, opening my eyes, -I found myself lying in a large barely furnished room in the mill, -with a multitude of faces gazing at me, some strange and some -familiar, amongst the last of which I perceived the pimpled nose of -the old <i>maître d'hôtel</i>, and the mild countenance of Father Francis -of Allurdi.</p> - -<p class="normal">My father, too, was there; and I remember seeing him with his arms -folded on his breast, and his eyes straining upon me as if his whole -soul was in them. When I opened mine, he raised his look towards -heaven, and a tear rolled over his cheek; but I saw or heard little of -what passed, for an irresistible sensation of weariness came over me; -and the moment after I awoke from the sleep of death, I fell into a -quiet and refreshing slumber, very different from the "cold -obstruction" of the others.</p> - -<p class="normal">I will pass over all the rejoicing that signalized my recovery--my -father's joy, my mother's thanks and prayers, the servants' carousing, -and the potations, deep and strong, of the pimple-nosed <i>maître -d'hôtel</i>, whose hatred of water never demonstrated itself more -strongly than the day after I had escaped drowning. As soon as I had -completely regained my strength, my mother told me, that after having -shown our gratitude to God, it became our duty to show our gratitude -also to the person who had been the immediate means of saving me from -destruction; and it was then I learned that I owed my life to the -courage and skill of a lad but little older than myself, the son of a -poor procureur, or attorney, at Lourdes. He had been fishing in the -stream at the time the rock gave way under my feet, and seeing my -fall, hurried to save me. With much difficulty and danger he -accomplished his object, and having drawn me from the water, carried -me to the mill, where he remained only long enough to see me open my -eyes, retiring modestly the moment he was assured of my safety.</p> - -<p class="normal">In those young days, life was to me so bright a plaything, all the -wheels of existence moved so easily, there was so much beauty in the -world, so much delight in being, that my most enthusiastic gratitude -was sure to follow such a service as that I had received. Readily did -I assent to my mother's proposal, that she should accompany me to -Lourdes to offer our thanks--not as with the world in general, in mere -empty words, as unsubstantial as the air that bears them, but by some -more lasting mark of our gratitude.</p> - -<p class="normal">Upon the nature of the recompense she was to offer, she held a long -consultation with my father, who, unwilling to give anything minute -consideration, left it entirely to her own judgment, promising the -fullest acquiescence in whatever she should think fit; and accordingly -we set out early the next day for Lourdes, my mother mounted on a -hawking palfrey, and I riding by her side on a small fleet Limousin -horse, which my father had given me a few days before.</p> - -<p class="normal">This was not, indeed, the equipage with which the Countess de Bigorre -should have visited a town once under the dominion of her husband's -ancestors; but what was to be done? A carriage, indeed, we had, which -would have held six, and if required, eight persons; though the -gilding was somewhat tarnished, and a few industrious spiders had spun -their delicate nets in the windows, and between the spokes of the -wheels. Neither were horses wanting, for on the side of the mountain -were eight coursers, with tails and manes as long as the locks of a -mermaid, and a plentiful supply of hair to correspond about their -feet. They were somewhat aged, indeed, and for the last six years they -had gone about slip-shod amongst the hills, enjoying the <i>otium cum -dignitate</i> which neither men nor horses often find. Still they would -have done; but where were we to find the six men dressed in the -colours of the family, necessary to protect the foot-board behind? -where the four stout cavaliers, armed up to the teeth, to ride by the -side of the carriage? where the postilions? where the coachman?</p> - -<p class="normal">My mother did much more wisely than strive for a pomp which we were -never to see again. She went quietly and simply, to discharge what she -considered a duty, with as little ostentation as possible; and when -the worthy <i>maître d'hôtel</i> lamented, with the familiarity of long -service, that the Countess de Bigorre should go without such a retinue -as in his day had always made the name respected, she replied, -quietly, that those who were as proud of the name as she was, would -find no retinue needful to make it respectable. My father retired into -his library, as we were about to depart, saying to my mother, that he -hoped she had commanded such a body of retainers to accompany her as -she thought necessary. She merely replied that she had; and set out, -with a single groom to hold the horses, and a boy to show us the way -to the dwelling of the procureur.</p> - -<p class="normal">Let it be observed, that, up to the commencement of the year of which -I speak, Lourdes had never been visited with the plague of an -attorney; but at that epoch, the father of the lad who had saved my -life, and who, like him, was named Jean Baptiste Arnault, had come to -settle in that place, much to the horror and astonishment of the -inhabitants. He had, it was rumoured, been originally <i>intendant</i>, or -steward, to some nobleman in Poitou, and having, by means best known -to himself, obtained the charge of procureur in Bearn, he had first -visited Pau, and thence removed to Lourdes.</p> - -<p class="normal">The name of an attorney had at first frightened the good Bearnois of -that town; but they soon discovered that Maître Jean Baptiste Arnault -was a very clever, quiet, amiable, little man, about two cubits in -height, of which stature his head monopolised at least the moiety. He -was not particularly handsome; but, as he appeared to have other -better qualities, that did not much signify, and they gradually made -him their friend, their confidant, and their adviser; in all of which -capacities, he acted in a mild, tranquil, easy little manner, that -seemed quite delightful: but, notwithstanding all this, the people of -the town of Lourdes began insensibly to get of a quarrelsome and a -litigious turn, so that Jean Baptiste Arnault had his study in general -pretty full of clients; and, though he made it appear clearly to the -most common understanding, that his sole object was to promote peace -and good-will, yet, strange to say, discord, the faithful jackal of -all attorneys, was a very constant attendant on his steps.</p> - -<p class="normal">Such were the reports that had reached us at the Château de l'Orme; -and the <i>maître d'hôtel</i>, when he repeated them, laid his finger upon -the side of his prominent and rubicund proboscis, and screwed up his -eye till it nearly suffered an eclipse, saying as plainly as nose and -eye could say, "Monsieur Jean Baptiste Arnault is a cunning fellow." -However, my father had no will to believe ill of any one, and my -mother as little; so that, when we set out for Lourdes, both were -fully convinced that the parent of their child's deliverer was one of -the most excellent of men.</p> - -<p class="normal">After visiting the church, and offering at the shrine of <i>Notre Dame -du bon secours</i>, we proceeded to the dwelling of the procureur, and -dismounting from our horses, entered the <i>étude</i>, or office, of the -lawyer; the boy, who had come to show us the way, throwing open the -door with a consequential fling, calculated to impress the mind of the -attorney with the honour which we did him. It was a miserable chamber, -with a low table, and a few chairs, both strewed with some books of -law, and written papers, greased and browned by the continual thumbing -of the coarse-handed peasants, in whose concerns they were written.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jean Baptiste Arnault was not there, but in his place appeared a -person, plainly dressed in a suit of black, with buttons of jet, -without any embroidery or ornament whatever. He wore a pair of riding -boots, with immense tops, shaped like a funnel, according to the mode -of the day, and the dust upon these appendages, as well as the -disordered state of his long wavy hair, seemed to announce that he had -ridden far; while a large Sombrero hat, and a long steel-hilted Toledo -sword, which lay beside him, led the mind naturally to conclude that -his journey had been from Spain.</p> - -<p class="normal">To judge of his station by his dress, one would have concluded him to -be some Spanish merchant of no very large fortune; but his person and -his air told a different tale. Pale, and even rather sallow in -complexion, the high broad forehead, rising almost upright from his -brow, and seen still higher through the floating curls of his dark -hair, the straight, finely turned nose, the small mouth curled with a -sort of smile, strangely mingled of various expressions, half cynical, -half bland, the full rounded chin, the very turn of his head and neck, -as he sat writing at a table exactly opposite the door, all gave that -nobility to his aspect, which was not to be mistaken.</p> - -<p class="normal">On our entrance, the stranger rose, and in answer to my mother's -inquiry for the procureur, replied, "Arnault is not at present here; -but if the Countess de Bigorre will sit down, he shall attend her -immediately," and taking up the letter he had been writing, he left -the apartment. The moment after, the door by which he had gone out -again opened, and Jean Baptiste Arnault entered the room, at once -verifying by his appearance everything we had heard of his person. He -was quite a dwarf in stature; and, in size at least, dame Nature had -certainly very much favoured his head, at the expense of the rest of -his body. His face, to my youthful eyes, appeared at least two feet -square, with all the features in proportion, except the eyes, which -were peculiarly small and black; and not being very regularly set in -his head, seemed like two small boats, nearly lost in the vast ocean -of countenance which lay before us.</p> - -<p class="normal">I do not precisely remember the particulars of the conversation which -took place upon his coming in, but I very well recollect laughing most -amazingly at his appearance, in spite of my mother's reproof, and -telling him, with the unceremonious candour of a spoiled child, that -he was certainly the ugliest man I had ever seen. He affected to take -my boldness in very good part, and called me a fine frank boy; but -there was a vindictive gleam in his little black eyes, which -contradicted his words; and I have since had reason to believe that he -never forgot or forgave my childish rudeness. It is a very general -rule, that a man is personally vain in proportion to his ugliness, and -hates the truth in the same degree that he deceives himself. Certain -it is, no man was ever more ugly, or ever more vain; and his conceit -had not been nourished a little by marrying a very handsome woman.</p> - -<p class="normal">Of course the first subject of conversation which arose between my -mother and himself was the service which his son had rendered me; and -as a recompense, she offered that the young Jean Baptiste should be -received into the Château de l'Orme, and educated with its heir, which -she considered as the highest honour that could be conferred on the -young <i>roturier</i>; and in the second place, she promised, in the name -of my father, that five hundred livres per annum should be settled -upon him for life,--a sum of no small importance in those days, and in -that part of the country.</p> - -<p class="normal">The surprise and gratitude of the attorney can hardly be properly -expressed. Of liberality he had not in his own bosom one single idea; -and, I verily believe, that at first he thought my mother had some -sinister object in the proposals which she made; but speedily -recovering himself, he accepted with great readiness the pension that -was offered to his son; at the same time hesitating a good deal in -regard to sending him to the Château de l'Orme. He enlarged upon his -sense of the honour, and the favour, and the condescension; but his -son, he said, was the only person he had who could act as his clerk, -and he was afraid he could not continue his business without him. In -short, his objections hurt my mother's pride, and she was rising with -an air of dignity to put an end to the matter, by taking her -departure, when, as if by a sudden thought, the procureur besought her -to stay one moment, and as her bounty had already been so great, -perhaps she would extend it one degree farther. His son, he said, was -absolutely necessary to him to carry on his business; but he had one -daughter, whom, her mother being dead, he had no means of educating as -he could wish. "If," said he, "Madame la Comtesse de Bigorre will -transfer the benefit she intended for my son to his sister, she will -lay my whole family under an everlasting obligation; and I will take -upon myself to affirm, that the disposition and talents of the child -are such as will do justice to the kindness of her benefactress."</p> - -<p class="normal">These words he pronounced in a loud voice, and then starting up, as if -to cut across all deliberation on the subject, he said he would call -both his children, and left the room.</p> - -<p class="normal">After having been absent some time, he returned with the lad who had -saved my life, and a little girl of about ten years old. Jean -Baptiste, the younger, was at this time about fifteen; and though -totally unlike his father in stature, in make, or in mind, he had -still a sufficient touch of the old procureur in his countenance, to -justify his mother in the matter of paternity.</p> - -<p class="normal">Not so the little Helen, whose face was certainly not the reflection -of her father's, if such he was. Her long soft dark eyes alone were -sufficient to have overset the whole relationship, without even the -glossy brown hair that curled round her brow, the high clear forehead, -the mouth like twin cherries, or the brilliant complexion, which -certainly put Monsieur Arnault's coffee-coloured skin very much out of -countenance.</p> - -<p class="normal">Her manners were as sweet and gentle as her person: my mother's heart -was soon won, and the exchange proposed readily conceded. The young -Jean Baptiste was thanked both by my mother and myself, in all the -terms we could find to express our gratitude, all which he received in -a good-humoured and yet a sheepish manner, as if he were at once -gratified and distressed by the commendations that were showered upon -him. Helen, it was agreed, should be brought over to the château the -next day; and having now acquitted ourselves of the debt of obligation -under which we had lain, we again mounted our horses and rode away -from Lourdes.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER III.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Though I have not gone very far into my history, I have learned to -hate being my own historian, stringing I, and I, and I, together to -the end of the chapter. Nevertheless, I believe that no man's history -can be so well told as by himself, if he will but be candid; for no -one can so completely enter into his feelings, or have so vivid an -impression of the circumstances amidst which he has acted. -Notwithstanding this, it shall be my endeavour to pass over the events -of my youth as rapidly as possible, for the purpose of arriving at -that part of this history where the stirring nature of the scenes in -which I mingled may cover the egotism of the detail; but still, as -there are persons and occurrences yet unmentioned, by which my after -life was entirely modified, I must still pause a little on this part -of my tale.</p> - -<p class="normal">Faithful to the charge she had undertaken, my mother made the -education of Helen Arnault her particular care. At first, she confined -her instructions to those arts alone that were likely to be useful to -her in the <i>bourgeoise</i> class in which she had been born; but there -was a degree of ready genius mixed with the infinite gentleness of -Helen's disposition, which gradually seduced my mother into teaching -her much more than she had at first intended. Nor was she ill -qualified for the task, possessing every female accomplishment, both -mental and corporeal, in as much perfection as they had received in -those days. At first, the education of the sweet girl, thus placed -under her protection, formed a sort of amusement for her, when my -father and myself were absent in any of the long rides we used to take -through the country--gradually it became so habitual as to be -necessary to her comfort; and Helen so completely wound herself round -the Countess's heart, that she could not bear to be without her for -any considerable length of time.</p> - -<p class="normal">Perhaps it was the very attachment which she herself experienced -towards Helen, that made my mother feel how strong might be the effect -of such sweetness and such beauty at some after time upon the heart of -an ardent, sensitive, imaginative youth--and my mother from the first -knew me to be such. Whatever was the cause, certain it is she took -care that between Helen and myself should be placed a barrier of -severe and chilling formality, calculated to repress the least -intimacy in its very bud. Whenever she mentioned my name to her young -<i>protégée</i>, it was always under the ceremonious epithet of Count -Louis. Whenever I entered the room, Helen Arnault was sent away, upon -some excuse which prevented her return; or if she was permitted to -remain, there was a sort of courtly etiquette maintained, well -calculated to freeze all the warmer blood of youth.</p> - -<p class="normal">All this my mind has commented on since, though I only regarded it, at -the time, as something very disagreeable, without in the least -understanding why my mother chose to play so very different a part -from that which suited her natural character. She certainly acted for -the best, but I think she was mistaken in her judgment of the means to -be employed for effecting her object. It is probable, that had she -suffered me at the first to look upon Helen Arnault as a sister, and -taught her to consider me as her brother, the feelings which we -acquired towards each other at ten and twelve years old would have -remained unchanged at a later period. God knows how it would have -been! I am afraid that all experiments upon young hearts are dangerous -things. The only remedy is, I believe, a stone wall; and the example -of Pyramus and Thisbe demonstrates that even it must not have a crack -in it.</p> - -<p class="normal">As it was, the years rolled on, and I began to acquire the sensations -of manhood. I saw Helen Arnault but by glimpses, but I saw nothing on -earth so lovely. Every day new beauties broke forth upon me; and it -was impossible to behold her hour by hour expanding into the -perfection of womanhood, without experiencing those feelings with -which we see a bud open out into the rose--a wish to possess so -beautiful a thing.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, several changes took place in our vicinity; the most -important of which was the arrival of a neighbour. The Château de -l'Orme stood, as I have said, upon the side of the hill, commanding an -extensive view through the valley below. It had originally been -nothing more than one of those towers to be found in every gorge of -the Pyrenees, built in times long past to defend the country from the -incursions of the Moors of Spain.</p> - -<p class="normal">After the expulsion of the infidels from the Peninsula, it had been -converted into a hunting residence for the counts of Bigorre, and a -great many additions had been made to it, according to the various -tastes of a long line of proprietors, who had each in general followed -the particular style of architecture which accorded with his own -immediate pursuits. The more warlike had built towers, and walls, and -turrets, and battlements. One of the counts dying without children, it -had fallen into the hands of his brother, who was a bishop. He added a -Gothic chapel and a dormitory for ecclesiastics. His nephew, a famous -lawyer and President de Grenoble, no sooner succeeded, than he built -an immense hall, exactly copied from the hall of justice in which he -had so often presided; and others of different dispositions had -equally taken care of the stables, the dairy, and the kitchen.</p> - -<p class="normal">In short, they had been like the fairies called to the birth of a -child in our nursery tales; each had endowed the building with some -particular gift, so that on the whole, though somewhat straggling and -irregular, it contained an apartment of every kind, sort, and -description, that could be wanted or wished for.</p> - -<p class="normal">In one of the square towers, built upon the edge of a steep rock, some -ninety feet in height, my father had fixed his library. Here he could -read whatever book he chose, in a quiet, dozy sort of manner, without -hearing any noise from the rest of the house; though, at the same -time, he just caught, through the open windows, the murmuring of the -waterfall below, and could look up from what he was perusing, and run -his eye through all the windings of the valley, with a dreamy -contemplative listlessness, in which he was very fond to indulge.</p> - -<p class="normal">At about a quarter of a mile from the château, and amongst the first -objects within the scope of my father's view as he sat in this -library, was a small house, which had belonged to some of the -wealthier retainers of the family, when it had been in its flush -prosperity. This had since passed into the hands of a farmer, at the -time that my grandfather had judged proper to diminish the family -estate, and expend its current representative in gunpowder and cannon -balls; but a year or two before the time to which I refer, it had -become vacant by the death of its occupier, and had remained shut up -ever since.</p> - -<p class="normal">Little care being taken to keep this house in repair, it formed a sort -of eye-sore in my father's view, and regularly every month he declared -he would repurchase it, and arrange it according to his own taste, -with a degree of energy, and even vehemence of manner, which would -have led any one, who did not know him, to suppose that within an hour -the purchase would be completed, and the alterations put in train; but -the moment he had shut the library door behind him, he began to think -of something else, and before he was in the court-yard, he had -forgotten all about it.</p> - -<p class="normal">One morning, however, he was not a little surprised to see the windows -of the house opened, and two or three workmen of various kinds -employed in rendering it habitable. Without giving himself time to -recover from his astonishment, or to forget the change, he sent down -the lackey to inquire the name of its new occupier, and, in short, the -whole particulars.</p> - -<p class="normal">How the man executed his commission I know not; but the reply was, -that the Chevalier de Montenero would do himself the honour of waiting -upon the Count de Bigorre. My father said, "Very well," and resolved -to have everything prepared to receive this new neighbour with -ceremony; but finding that the arrangements required a good deal of -thought, he resolved to leave them all to my mother, and was -proceeding to her apartments for the purpose of casting the weight of -it upon her shoulders, when, in the corridor, he met little Helen -Arnault, who had then been with us about six months--began playing -with and caressing her--forgot the Chevalier de Montenero, and went -out to ride with me towards Bigorre.</p> - -<p class="normal">On our return, we found a strong iron grey horse saddled in the -court-yard, and were informed that the Chevalier de Montenero was in -the apartments of Madame la Comtesse. On following my father thither, -I instantly recognised the person we had seen in the <i>étude</i> of the -procureur at Lourdes. The sight, I will own, was a pleasing one to me, -for from the moment I had first beheld him I had wished to hear and -see more. There was a sort of dignity in his aspect that struck my -boyish imagination, and captivated me in a way I cannot account for. I -am well aware that on every principle of right reasoning, the theory -of innate sympathies is one of the most ridiculous that ever the -theory-mongers of this earth produced, but yet, though strange, it is -no less a fact, which every one must have felt, that there are persons -whom we meet in the world, and who, without one personal beauty to -attract, and, even before we have had any opportunity of judging of -their minds, obtain a sort of hold upon our feelings and imagination, -more powerful than long acquaintance with their qualities of mind -could produce. Perhaps it may proceed from some association between -their persons and our preconceived ideas of goodness.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Chevalier de Montenero, however, in his youth must have been -remarkable for personal beauty, and the strongest traces of it -remained even yet, though, in this respect, years had been the less -merciful, inasmuch as they had been leagued with care. Deep lines of -painful and anxious thought were evident on the Chevalier's forehead -and in his cheek--but it was not thought of a mean or sordid nature. -The grandeur of his brow, the erect unshrinking dignity of his -carriage, all contradicted it. Powerful, or rather overpowering -passions, might perchance speak forth in the flash of his dark eye, -but its expression for good or bad was still great and elevated. There -was something also that might be called impenetrable in his air. It -was that of a man long accustomed to bury matters of much import deep -in his own bosom; and very few, I believe, would have liked to ask him -an impertinent question.</p> - -<p class="normal">In manner he was mild and grave; and though his name was evidently -Spanish, and his whole dress and appearance betrayed that he had very -lately arrived from that country, yet he spoke our language with -perfect facility, and without the slightest foreign accent. I believe -the pleasure I felt in seeing him again showed itself in somewhat of -youthful gladness; and as he was not a man to despise anything that -was pure and unaffected, he seemed gratified by my remembrance, and -invited me to visit him in his solitude. "I mean, madame," said he, -turning to my mother, "to make the house which I have bought in the -valley a hermitage, in almost everything but the name; but if you will -occasionally permit your son to cheer it with his company, I shall be -the happier in the society of one who as yet is certainly uncorrupted -by this bad world, and, in return, he may perhaps learn from me some -of that lore which long commerce with my fellow-creatures, and much -familiarity with great and strange events, have taught me."</p> - -<p class="normal">I eagerly seized on the permission, and from that day, whenever my -mood turned towards the serious and the thoughtful, my steps naturally -followed the path towards the dwelling of the Chevalier. I may say -that I won his affection; and much did he strive to correct and guide -my disposition to high and noble objects, marking keenly every -propensity in my nature, and endeavouring to direct them aright. There -was a charm in his conversation, an impressive truth in all he said, -that both persuaded and convinced; and, had I followed the lessons of -wisdom I heard from his lips, I should have been both happier and -better in my after life; but the struggle of youthful passion was ever -too strong for reason: and for many years of my being I was but a -creature of impulse, carried away by the wish of the moment, and -forgetting, at the time I most needed them, all the resolutions I had -founded upon the experience of others.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Chevalier evidently saw and regretted the wildness of my -disposition, but I do not think he loved me the less. There was -something in it that harmonized with his own character; for often, -notwithstanding all that he had learned in the impressive school of -the world, the original enthusiasm of his heart would shine out, in -spite of the veil of stern coldness with which he covered his warmer -feelings. This I remarked afterwards; but suffice it in this place to -say, that his regard for me assumed a character of almost paternal -tenderness, which I ever repaid by a respect and reverence I am afraid -more than filial. In his manners, to every one but the members of our -family, he was distant and cold, but it seemed as if towards us his -heart had expanded from the first. My mother he would often visit, -behaving on such occasions with the calm, elegant attention of high -bred courtesy, never stiffening into coldness or sinking into -familiarity. With my father he would sit for many hours at a time, -conversing over various subjects of life and morals, with which, even -to my young mind, it was apparent that he was actively and practically -acquainted; while my father, though perhaps his reasoning was as good, -spoke evidently but from what he had read and what he had heard, -without the clear precision of personal knowledge.</p> - -<p class="normal">Other acquaintances, also, though of an inferior class, and very -different character, must now be mentioned, though neither their -habits of life, or rank in society, were calculated to throw much -lustre on those who in any way consorted with them.</p> - -<p class="normal">The excessive height to which the gabelle had carried the price of -salt acted as one of the greatest encouragements to those Spanish -smugglers, who have in all times frequented the various passes of the -Pyrenees, and distinguished themselves by a daring and reckless -courage, and a keen penetrating sagacity, which might have raised them -individually to the highest stations of society, if employed for the -nobler and better purposes of existence.</p> - -<p class="normal">It unfortunately happens in the world, that talent is less frequently -wanting than the wisdom to employ it; and many men, who, to my -knowledge, might have established their own fortune, served their -country, and rendered their name immortal, have wasted grand abilities -upon petty schemes, and heroic courage upon disgraceful enterprises. -So was it, though in a minor degree, with many of the Spanish -smugglers that were continually passing to and fro in our immediate -neighbourhood; and a braver or more ingenious race of men never -existed.</p> - -<p class="normal">Of course they were not without their aiders and abettors on the -French side of the mountains; and it was very generally supposed that -the mill, near which I had fallen into the water, was a great -receptacle for the contraband goods which they imported. However, -nothing of the kind was to be discovered, although the officers of the -gabelle, called Gabellateurs, and the Douaniers, or custom-house -officers, had visited it at all times and seasons. The mill had ever -been found clear and fair, and the miller, a quiet, civil sort of -person, who let them look where they listed, and took it all in good -part.</p> - -<p class="normal">Notwithstanding all this fair appearance, which baffled even the keen -eyes of those interested in the discovery, and deceived completely all -who were not interested in the smuggling itself, whenever my father -wanted some good Alicante wine, or Xeres, or anything else of the same -nature, he sent to the miller, who was always found ready to oblige -<i>Monseigneur le Comte</i>. Often also, in my childhood, did I visit the -mill in company with the old <i>maître d'hôtel</i>, whose predilection for -the good things of this life, especially in the form of liquids, would -have led him to cultivate the acquaintance of the Devil himself, if he -had appeared with a bottle of wine under his arm. Many was the curious -scene that I thus saw, now floating faintly before my memory as a -remembered dream; and many were the means employed to make the amiable -practice of smuggling palatable to the taste of the heir of Bigorre. -Oranges, and pomegranates, and dates, were always brought forward to -gratify the young Count, and my bold and daring spirit, even as a -child, excited the admiration and delight of many of the dark -smugglers, who used, in return, to tell me long stories of their -strange adventures, which, heightened by the barbarous yet picturesque -dialect that they spoke, excited my fancy to the utmost, and sent me -away with my brain full of wild imaginations.</p> - -<p class="normal">Very often, if any of these men had something peculiarly rare or -curious to dispose of, they went so far as to bring it up to the -Château de l'Orme, where my father generally became a purchaser, -notwithstanding a remonstrance which my mother would occasionally -venture to make against the encouragement of persons habitually -infringing the law of the land. Our family thus acquired the -reputation amongst the smugglers of being their patrons and -benefactors; and violent in all their passions, whether good or bad, -their gratitude was enthusiastic in proportion. One of them, named -Pedro Garcias, deserves more particular notice than the rest on many -accounts. When I first knew him, he was a man of about forty, perhaps -more; but time and danger, and excited passion and fatigue, had made -as little impression upon him as the soft waves of some sheltered bay -do upon the granite rocks that surround it. He was born at the little -village of Jacca, on the other side of the mountains, the son of a -wealthy farmer, who afforded him an education much superior to his -rank in life. The blood of his ancestors, they said, was mingled with -that of the Moors; but instead of feeling this circumstance as a stain -upon his race, like most of his countrymen, he seemed rather to glory -in his descent from a valiant and conquering people, and to exult in -the African fire that circled in his veins.</p> - -<p class="normal">His complexion was not peculiarly swarthy, though his long stiff black -hair, and flashing eyes, spoke out in favour of his Moorish origin. In -height he was nearly six feet three inches; but instead of any of the -awkward disproportion which we sometimes see in tall people, his form -was cast in the most exquisite mould of vigorous masculine beauty.</p> - -<p class="normal">There existed between his mind and person that similarity which we -more frequently find amongst the uncultivated children of nature, than -where education has changed the character, or impeded its development. -His intellect and all his perceptions were strong, powerful, and -active, with a certain cast of fearless grandeur about them, that gave -something great and fine even to the employment he had chosen. His -disposition also was quick, hasty, and unsparing, but full of a rude -enthusiastic generosity, that would have taught him to die for those -he considered his friends, and also a bold dignity, which led him to -trust to daring more than cunning. He had in his nature much of the -beast of prey, but it was of the nobler kind.</p> - -<p class="normal">Heaven knows how, with so many qualities of mind and person--qualities -calculated to raise him above, rather than sink him below, the station -in which he was born--Heaven knows how he fell into the perilous but -inglorious life of a simple <i>contrabandisto</i> between France and Spain.</p> - -<p class="normal">This man was one of the smugglers who most frequently visited the -château, and it sometimes happened that the intermediation of the old -<i>maître d'hôtel</i> was dispensed with, and that he would be admitted to -an audience of my father himself, which generally lasted a -considerable time; for Garcias possessed that sort of natural -eloquence which, mingled with a degree of caustic humour, was sure to -command attention, and to engage without wearying. There was -something, too, in his very appearance that attracted and interested. -Certainly never was a more picturesque, I may say, a more striking -figure seen, than he presented, as I have beheld him often, coming -down amongst the mountains, whose child he seemed to be: his long -black hair gathered into a net under his broad sombrero; his cloak of -chequered cloth, mantling all the upper part of his figure, and only -leaving free the left hip, with the steel hilt of his sword, and the -right arm ready to make use of it; while his legs, whose swelling -muscles told of their gigantic strength, appeared striding underneath, -covered to the knees with the tight elastic silk breeches of the -Aragonese mountaineers. The rest of his dress generally consisted of a -brown cloth jacket, a crimson sash round his waist, containing his -pistols and long knife, white stockings, and a pair of mountain -sandals, made of untanned cowhide, laced up to his ankle.</p> - -<p class="normal">Such were the various persons that surrounded me in my youth; and such -indeed were the only ones with whom I had any communication, except -the young Jean Baptiste Arnault, who used to come frequently to see -his sister. Her father troubled himself very little about her, after -she was once fairly under the protection of my mother; but her brother -was not so remiss, and, whenever he came, was received with kindness -by all the family, nor suffered to depart without some little token of -regard. For my own part, the memory of the service he had rendered me -remained ever upon my mind, and showed itself in every way that my -youthful imagination could devise; till, at length, the good -simple-hearted lad, from the person obliging, began to feel himself -the obliged, and both feelings mingling in his heart together, -produced towards me the most generous and disinterested attachment.</p> - -<p class="normal">I have said that I was between twelve and thirteen years old when -Helen Arnault first became an inmate of the same dwelling. Two years -rapidly passed by, and not long after I had reached the age of -fourteen, I was sent to the college of Pau, where three years and a -half more glided away in unperturbed tranquillity--calm--quiet--slow; -but what a change had taken place in all my thoughts and feelings by -the time they had passed! I was farther advanced both in stature, in -form, and ideas, than most youths of my age. Childhood was -gone--manhood was at hand. I left the placid, innocent bowers of -infancy, with their cool and passionless shades; and I stood with my -footstep on the threshold of man's busy and tumultuous theatre, ready -to plunge into the arena and struggle with the rest. My heart full of -strong and ardent passions, my imagination vivid and uncontrolled, -with some knowledge gained from books, and some shrewd sense of my -own, but with little self-government, and no experience, I set out -from Pau, to return to my paternal mansion; and as from that day I may -date the commencement of a new existence, I will pause, and begin my -manhood with a chapter to itself.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER IV.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">I was now eighteen; slim, tall, and vigorous, inheriting some portion -both of my father's and of my mother's personal beauty, and -superadding all those graces which are peculiarly the property of -youth; the flowers which partial nature bestows upon the spring of -life, and which are rarely compensated by the fruits of manhood's -summer. I know not why I should refrain from saying I was handsome. -Long before any one reads these lines, that which was so, will be dust -and ashes--a thing that creatures composed of the same sordid -materials, cemented by the same fragile medium of life, will turn from -with insect disgust. With this consciousness before me, I will -venture, then, to say, that I <i>was</i> handsome:--if ever I was -personally vain, such a folly is amongst those that have left me.</p> - -<p class="normal">However, with some good looks, and some knowledge that I did possess -them, it is not very wonderful that I should try to set them off to -the best advantage, on my return home after a long absence. There -might be a little native puppyism in the business; there might be, -also, some thought of looking well in the eyes of Helen Arnault, for -even at that early age I had begun to think about her a great deal -more than was necessary; and to pamper my imagination with a thousand -fine romances which need the lustrous air, the glowing skies, the -magnificent scenes, of the romance-breathing Pyrenees, to make them at -all comprehensible. Certain it is, that I did think of Helen Arnault -very often; but never was her idea more strongly in my mind than on -that morning when I was awakened for the purpose of bidding adieu to -my college studies, and of returning once more to my home, and my -parents, and the scenes of my infancy. I am afraid, that amongst all -the expectations which crowded upon my imagination, the thought of -Helen Arnault was most prominent.</p> - -<p class="normal">At five o'clock precisely, old Houssaye, who had been trumpeter to my -grandfather's regiment of royalists in the wars of the League, and was -now promoted to the high and dignified station of my valet-de-chambre -and gouverneur, stood at my bed-side, and told me that our horses were -saddled, our baggage packed up, and that I had nothing to do but to -dress myself, mount, and set out. He was somewhat astonished, I -believe, at seeing me lie, for some ten minutes after he had drawn the -curtains, in the midst of meditations which to him seemed very simple -meditations indeed, but which were, in fact, so complicated of -thoughts, and feelings, and hopes, and wishes, and remembrances, that -I defy any mortal being to have disentangled the Gordian knot into -which I had twisted them. After trying some time in vain, I took the -method of that great Macedonian baby, who found the world too small a -plaything, and by jumping up, I cut the knot with all its involutions -asunder. But my farther proceedings greatly increased good master -Houssaye's astonishment; for instead of contenting myself with my -student's dress of simple black, with a low collar devoid of lace, -which he judged would suit a dusty road better than any other suit I -had, I insisted on his again opening the valise, and taking out my -very best slashed pourpoint, my lace collar, my white buskins, and my -gilt spurs. Then, having dressed myself <i>en cavalier parfait</i>, drawn -the long curls of my dark hair over my forehead, and tossed on my -feathered hat, instead of the prim looking conceit with which I had -covered my head at college, I rushed down the interminable staircase -into the courtyard, with a sudden burst of youthful extravagance; and, -springing on my horse, left poor Houssaye to follow as he best might.</p> - -<p class="normal">Away I went out of Pau, like a young colt when first freed from the -restraint of the stable, and turned out to grass in the joy-inspiring -fields. Over hill and dale, and rough and smooth, I spurred on, with -very little regard to my horse's wind, till I came to the rising -ground which presents itself just before crossing the river to reach -Estelle. The first object on the height is the Château of Coarasse, in -which Henry IV. passed the earlier years of his youth, and wherein he -received that education which gave to the world one of the most noble -and generous-hearted of its kings. I had seen it often before; and I -know not what chain of association established itself between my own -feelings at the time, and the memories that hovered round its old gray -walls, but I drew in my horse's bridle on the verge, and gazed upon -the building before me, as if interrogating it of greatness, and of -fame, and of the world's applause. There was, however, a chill and a -sternness about all that it replied, which fell coldly upon the warm -wishes of youth. It spoke of glory, indeed, and of honour, and the -immortality of a mighty name; but it spoke also of the dead--of those -who could not hear, who could not enjoy the cheerless recompence of -posthumous renown. It told, too, of Fortune's fickleness--of a world's -ingratitude--of the vanity of greatness--and the emptiness of hope.</p> - -<p class="normal">With a tightened bridle, and slow pace, I pursued my way to Estelle, -and dismounting in the yard of the post-house, I desired the saddle to -be taken off my horse, which was wearied with my inconsiderate -galloping up and down hill, and to be then placed on the best beast -which was disengaged in the stable.</p> - -<p class="normal">While this was in execution, I walked into the kitchen with some -degree of sulkiness of mood, at not being able to press out some -brighter encouragement from a place so full of great memories as the -château of Henri Quatre, and laying my hat on the table, I amused -myself, for some time, with twisting the straws upon the floor into -various shapes with the point of my sword; and then returned to the -court to see if I had been obeyed. The saddle, it is true, had been -placed upon the fresh horse; but just as this was finished, a -gentleman rode into the yard with four or five servants--smooth-faced, -pink-and-white lackeys--with that look of swaggering tiptoe insolence -which bespeaks, in general, either a weak or an uncourteous lord. -Seeing my saddle on a horse that suited his whim, the stranger, -without ceremony, ordered the hostler to take it off instantly, and -prepare the beast for his use.</p> - -<p class="normal">He was a tall, elegant man, of about forty, with an air of most -insufferable pride; which--though ever but tinsel quality at the -best--shone like gold in the master, when compared with the genuine -brass of his servants, who, while their lord dismounted, treated the -hostler with the sweet and delectable epithets of villain, hog, slave, -and ass, for simply setting forth that the horse was pre-engaged.</p> - -<p class="normal">There have been many moments in my life, when either laziness, or -good-humour, or carelessness, would have prevented me from opposing -this sort of infraction of my prior right; but, on the present -occasion, I was not in a humour to yield one step to anybody. Without -seeking my hat, therefore, I walked up to the cavalier, who still -stood in the court, and informed him that the saddle must not be -removed, for that I had engaged the horse. Without turning round, he -looked at me for a moment over his shoulder, and seeing a face fringed -by no martial beard, yet insolent enough to contradict his will, he -bestowed a buffet upon it with the back of his hand, which deluged my -fine lace collar in blood from my nose.</p> - -<p class="normal">The soul of Laure de Bigorre, my ancestress, who contended for her -birthright with a king, rose in my bosom at the affront, and drawing -my sword, without a moment's hesitation, I lunged straight at his -heart. The dazzling of my eyes from the blow he had given me just gave -him time to draw and parry my thrust, or that instant he had lain a -dead man at my feet. The scorn with which he treated me at first now -turned to rage at the boldness of my attack; and the moment he had -parried, he pressed me hard in return, thinking, doubtless, soon to -master the sword of an inexperienced boy. A severe wound in his -sword-arm was the first thing that showed him his mistake, and in an -instant after, in making a furious lunge, his foot slipped, and he -fell; his weapon at the same time flying out of his hand in another -direction, while his thunder-struck lackeys stood gaping with open -mouths and bloodless cheeks, turned into statues by a magical mixture -of fright and astonishment.</p> - -<p class="normal">I am ashamed to say, that anger overpowered my better feelings, and I -was about to wash out the indignity he had offered me in his blood, -when I heard some one opposite exclaim, "Ha!" in an accent both of -surprise and reproach. I looked up, and immediately my eyes -encountered those of Chevalier de Montenero, standing in the yard, -with his arms crossed upon his bosom, regarding us intently.</p> - -<p class="normal">I understood the meaning of his exclamation at once, and dropping the -point of my weapon, I turned to my adversary, saying, "Rise, sir, and -take up your sword."</p> - -<p class="normal">He rose slowly and sullenly; and while his servants pressed round to -aid him, returned his blade into its scabbard, bending his brows upon -me with a very sinister frown:--"We shall meet again, young sir," said -he, with a meaning nod; "we shall meet again, where I may have better -space to chastise your insolence."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I dare say we shall meet again," answered I; "what may come then, God -knows;" and I turned upon my heel towards the Chevalier, who embraced -me affectionately, whispering at the same time, "Wash the blood from -your face, and mount as quickly as you can; your adversary is not a -man who may be offended with impunity."</p> - -<p class="normal">I did as he bade me, and we rode out of the court together, taking our -way onward towards Lourdes. As we went, the Chevalier threw back his -hat from his face, and with one of those beaming smiles that sometimes -lighted up his whole countenance, bestowed the highest praises on my -conduct.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Believe me, my dear Louis," said he, "such is the way to pass -tranquilly through life: for with courage, and skill, and moderation, -such as you have shown to-day, bad men will be afraid to be your -enemies, and good men will be proud to be your friends." He then -informed me that my opponent was the famous Marquis de Saint Brie, who -had been strongly suspected in two instances of having used somewhat -foul means to rid himself of a successful rival. "He prevailed on the -Chevalier de Valençais to sup with him," proceeded the Chevalier. "The -supper was good, the wine excellent, the marquis fascinating; and poor -De Valençais returned home, believing that he had lost an enemy and -gained a friend. Ere he had been half an hour in bed, he called his -valet in great agony, and before morning he had lost all his enemies -together, and gone to join his friends in heaven. The physician shook -his head; but after having had an hour's conversation with the -marquis, he became quite convinced that the poor youth had died of an -inflammation.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The other is not so distinct a tale," continued the Chevalier, "or I -have not heard it so completely; but from this man's general -character, I have no doubt of his criminality. He some years ago -proposed to marry the beautiful Henriette de Vergne, and offered -himself to her father. The old man examined his rents, and finding -that he had three hundred thousand livres per annum, he felt instantly -convinced the Marquis de St. Brie was the most noble-minded, -honourable, sweet-tempered, and amiable man in the world; and -possessed all these qualities in exactly the proportion of three to -one more than the Count de Bagnols, to whom he had before promised his -daughter, and who had but one hundred thousand livres per annum. His -calculation was soon made; and sending for the young Count, he -informed him that he was not near so good a man as the Marquis de St. -Brie, and gave him his reasons for thinking so, at the same time -breaking formally his former engagement. De Bagnols instantly sent his -cartel to the Marquis de St. Brie, who accepted it, but named a -distant day. Before that day arrived, the young Count was accused of -aiding the Huguenots at Rochelle, and was arrested; but he contrived -to escape and transfer great part of his property to Spain. Now comes -the more obscure part of the tale. The marriage of the Marquis with -Mademoiselle de Vergne approached, and great preparations were made at -her father's château; but a man was seen lurking about the park, whom -many of the servants recognised as the Count de Bagnols. They were -wise, however, and said nothing, though it was generally rumoured -amongst them that the Count had been privately married to their young -lady some weeks before his arrest. The night, however, on which -Monsieur de St. Brie arrived, and which was to precede his marriage by -one week, an uneasy conscience having rendered him restless, he by -chance beheld a man descend from the window of Mademoiselle de -Vergne's apartment. He gave the alarm, and with much fury declared he -had been cheated, deceived, betrayed; and it then appeared, they say, -that the fair Henriette had really married her lover. He was now, -however, an exile, and a wanderer; and her father declared he would -have the marriage annulled if the Marquis de St. Brie would but do him -the honour to stay and wed his daughter. The Marquis, however, sternly -refused, and that very night departed, and took up his lodging at the -village hard by. The Count de Bagnols was never heard of more. Two -mornings afterwards, there was found in the park of M. de Vergne a -broken sword, near the spot where it was supposed the lover used to -leap the wall. The ground round about was dented with the struggling -of many feet, died and dabbled with gore. Part of a torn cloak, too, -was found, and a long train of bloody drops from that place to the -bank of the river; a peasant also deposed to having seen two men fling -a heavy burden into the stream at that spot--he would not swear that -it was a dead body, but he thought it was."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And what became of Mademoiselle de la Vergne?" demanded I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The Countess de Bagnols," said the Chevalier,--"for no doubt remained -of her marriage, removed, or was removed, I know not precisely which, -to a convent, where she died about five or six months afterwards."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Chevalier ceased, and we both fell into a deep silence. The fate -of the two lovers, whose story he had just told, was one well -calculated to excite many of those feelings in my young heart, which, -when really strong, do not evaporate in words. I could have wept for -the fate of the two lovers, and my heart burned like fire to think -that such base wrongs should exist--and exist unpunished. All the -sympathy I felt for them easily changed into indignation towards him -whom I looked upon as the cause of the death of both; and I regretted -that I had not passed my sword through the heart of their murderer -when he lay prostrate on the ground before me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Had I known," cried I, at length--"had I known but half an hour ago, -who was the man, and what were his actions, yon black-hearted assassin -should have gone to another world to answer for the crimes he has -committed in this.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You did wisely to refrain," replied the chevalier, with a tone of -calmness that, to my unrepressed heat, smacked of apathetic frigidity. -"Viewed by an honourable mind, my dear Louis, his very fall covered -him with a shield more impenetrable than the sevenfold buckler of -Telamon. Never regret an act of generosity, however worthless the -object. If you act nobly to one that deserves nobly, you confer a -benefit on him and a benefit on yourself: if he be undeserving, still -the very action does good to your own heart. In the present instance, -had you slain that bad man, you would probably have entailed ruin on -yourself for ever. Allied as he is to all the most powerful of the -land, the direst vengeance would infallibly follow his fall, from -whatever hand it came, and instant flight or certain death must have -been your choice. Even as it is, you have called upon yourself the -hatred of a man who was never known to forgive. When the first heat of -his rage is past, he may seem to forget the affront he has received, -but still it will be remembered and treasured up till occasion serves -for wiping it out in the most remorseless manner. At present, I would -certainly advise your father to take advantage of the temporary peace -that exists with Spain, and send you into that land, till the man you -have offended has quitted this part of the country, and it is possible -you may never meet with him again. If you do, however, beware of his -anger. Believe me, it is as imperishable as the fabled wrath of Juno. -I am going to Saragossa myself upon business of importance, and will -willingly take all charge of you, if you will join me there. Tell the -Count what has happened--tell him what I say, and bid him lose no -time--I would urge it upon him personally, but the affairs that call -me into Spain admit of no delay."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER V.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">As the chevalier concluded, he put his horse into a quicker pace, and -in a minute or two after, the road opened out into the beautiful -valley of Lourdes. It would be difficult to express the thrilling -feelings of exquisite delight with which I beheld again the scenes of -my early remembrances. One must be a mountaineer to feel that strange -attachment to one particular spot of earth which makes all the rest of -the world but a desert to the heart. I have read a thousand theories, -by a thousand philosophers, intended to show the latent causes of such -sensations, and on comparing them with the living feelings of my own -breast, I have found them what I believe the theories of philosophers -generally are, chains of reasoning as fragile and unsubstantial as -those links which the children in the country weave out of flowers, -graceful in formation and apparently firmly united, but which the -slightest touch will snap asunder. Such feelings are too fine, too -subtle for the grasp of reason; they cannot be analyzed; they cannot -be described; and even while we experience them, we can render to -ourselves no account of why they are felt. The first sight of the -Castle of Lourdes, perched upon its high rock, with its battlements, -and turrets, and watch-towers; while the mountains sweeping round it -formed a glorious purple background to its bold features, and the -sparkling stream seemed playing at its feet--the very first sight made -my heart beat like a young lover's, when he sees again after a long -absence the first inspirer of his airy dreams.</p> - -<p class="normal">Each blue hill, each winding path, each detached rock, each ancient -tree, that my eye rested upon, was a landmark to guide the wanderer, -memory, back through the waste of years, to some joy, or some sport, -or some pleasure, long left behind. Eagerly I followed the chevalier -on, from one object to another, gleaning bright remembrances as I went -along; while the rapid mind, with every footfall of my horse, still -ran through a thousand associations, and came back like light to mark -some new theme of memory. Even the dirty, little, insignificant town -of Lourdes had greater charms, in my eyes, than a city of palaces -would, at that moment, have possessed, and I looked upon all the faces -that I saw as if I recognised them for my kinsfolk.</p> - -<p class="normal">When we arrived at the market-place, the Chevalier, who was about to -visit the house of Arnault, his procureur, left me, and I proceeded -alone, riding rapidly on, till the path, winding through the narrow -gorge beyond Lourdes, opened out into the wide basin of Argelés. I -paused for a moment to look over its far extent, rich in sunny -magnificence. All seemed brightness, and tranquillity, and summer; -every asperity was smoothed and harmonized, and the lustrous purple of -the distant air spread a misty softness over each rough feature of the -mountains; while a thousand blue and indistinct passes wound away on -every side, promising to lead to calm and splendid lands beyond. It -was like the prospect of life to a young and ardent imagination, -before years have clouded the scene, or experience has exposed its -ruggedness. There, was the dazzling misty sunshine with which fancy -invests every distant object--there, the sweet valleys of repose where -we promise ourselves peace and enjoyment--there, the mighty steps -whereby ambition would mount unto the sky; while the dim passes, that -branched away on either hand, imaged not ill the thousand vague and -dreamy schemes of youth for reaching fancied delights which shall -never be attained.</p> - -<p class="normal">There were, however, real and substantial joys before me, which I -hurried on to taste, and in the expectation of which was mingled no -probable alloy, although I had been so long absent from my native -home. The meeting of long-separated friends is rarely indeed without -its pain. To mark the ravages that Time's deliberate, remorseless -hand has worked upon those we love--to see a grace fled--or a -happiness--any, any change in what is dear, is something to regret. -But I was not at a time of life to anticipate sorrow; and my parents -had seen me at Pau some four months before, so that but little -alteration could have taken place.</p> - -<p class="normal">Nothing, therefore, waited me but delight. My horse flew rather than -ran, and the dwelling of my sires was soon within sight. I sprang to -the ground in the courtyard, and, without a moment's pause, ran up the -stairs to my mother's apartments, not hearing or attending to the old -<i>maître d'hôtel</i>, who reiterated that she was in the garden.</p> - -<p class="normal">There was delight in treading each old-accustomed step of my infancy, -of gazing round upon objects, every line of which was a memory. The -gloom of the old vestibule, the channeled marble of the grand -staircase, the immense oaken door of my mother's apartments, all -called up remembrances of the sweet past; and I hurried on, gathering -recollections, till I entered the embroidery-room, where I had sprung -a thousand times to her arms in my early boyhood.</p> - -<p class="normal">The only person that I found there was Helen. She had risen on hearing -my step, and what was passing in her mind I know not, but the blood -rushed up through her beautiful clear skin till it covered her whole -forehead and her temples with a hue like the rose; and I could see her -lip quiver, and her knees shake, as she waited to receive my first -salutation. I was carried on by the joyful impetus of my return, or, -perhaps, I might have been as embarrassed as herself; but springing -forward towards her, without giving myself time to become agitated, I -kissed the one fair cheek she turned towards me, and was going on, in -the usual form, to have kissed the other; but in travelling round, my -lips passed hers, and they were so round, so full, so sweet, for my -life I could not get any farther, and I stopped my journey there.</p> - -<p class="normal">Helen started back, and, gazing at me with a look of deep surprise and -even distress, sunk into the chair from which she had risen at my -coming; while I, with a brain reeling with strange and new feelings, -and a heart palpitating with I knew not what, hurried away to seek my -mother; unable even to find one word of excuse for what I had done, -and feeling it wrong, very wrong, but finding it impossible to wish it -undone.</p> - -<p class="normal">The garden consisted of about an acre of ground, disposed in a long -parallelogram, and forced into a level much against the will of the -mountain, which invaded its rectilinear figure with several -unmathematical rocks. Luckily my mother was at the extreme end, -leaning on the arm of my father, who, with an affection that the -chilly touch of Time had found no power to cool, was supporting her in -her walk with as much attentive kindness as he had shown to his bride -upon his wedding-day.</p> - -<p class="normal">I had thus time to get rid of a certain sort of whirl in my brain, -which the impress of Helen's lips had left, and to turn the current of -my thoughts back to those parents, for whom in truth I entertained the -deepest affection.</p> - -<p class="normal">My mother, I found, had been ill, and was so still, though in some -degree better; so that my sorrow to see her so much enfeebled as she -appeared to be, together with many other feelings, drove my adventure -of the morning, the Marquis de St. Brie, and the advice of the -chevalier, entirely out of my thoughts, till poor Houssaye, whom I had -left at Pau, arrived, bringing a sadly mangled and magnified account -of my rencontre, gathered from hostlers and postilions at Estelle.</p> - -<p class="normal">As his history of my exploits went to give me credit for the death of -five or six giants and anthropophagi, I thought it necessary to -interrupt him, and tell my own tale myself. The different effects that -it produced upon a brave man and a timid woman may well be conceived. -My father said I had acted right in everything, and my mother nearly -fainted. Perceiving her agitation, I thought it better to delay the -message of the chevalier till dinner, when I judged that her mind -would be in some degree calmed, for she wept over the first essay of -my sword, as if it had been a misfortune. My father and myself -conducted the Countess to her apartments, where Helen still sat, -hardly recovered from the agitation into which I had thrown her. On -seeing me again, she cast down her look, and the tell-tale blood -rushed up into her cheek so quickly, that had not my mother's eyes -been otherwise engaged in weeping, she must have remarked her sudden -change of colour. Observing the Countess's tears, Helen glided -forward, and cast her arms round the neck of her patroness, saying, -that she hoped that nothing had occurred to give her alarm or -discomfort.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Both, Helen," replied my mother; "both!" and then proceeded to detail -the whole story, foreboding danger and sorrow, from my early -initiation into strife and bloodshed. Yet, although not knowing it, my -mother, I am sure, did not escape without feeling some small share of -maternal pride at her son's first achievement. I saw it in her face, I -heard it in her tone; and often since I have had occasion to remark, -how like the passions, the feelings, and the prejudices, which swarm -in our bosoms, are to a large mixed society, wherein the news that is -painful to one is pleasing to another, and joy and sorrow are the -results of the same cause, at the same moment. Man's heart is a -microcosm, the actors in which are the passions, as varied, as -opposed, as shaded one into the other, as we see the characters of -men, in the great scene of the world.</p> - -<p class="normal">As my mother spoke, Helen's lovely face grew paler and paler, and I -could see her full snowy bosom, which was just panting into womanhood, -heave as with some strong internal emotion, till at length she -suddenly fell back, apparently lifeless.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was long ere we could bring her back to sensation; but when she was -fully recovered, she attributed her illness to having remained the -whole day stooping over a miniature picture, which she was drawing of -my mother; and the Countess, whose love for her had by this time -become nearly maternal, exacted a promise from her that she would take -a mountain walk every morning before she began her task.</p> - -<p class="normal">This may seem a trifle; but I have learned by many a rude rebuff to -know, that there is no such thing as a trifle in this world. All is of -consequence--all may be of import. Helen's mountain walks sealed my -fate. At dinner I delivered the message and advice, with which the -chevalier had charged me; and after some discussion, it was determined -that it should be followed. My father at first opposed it, and -indignantly spurned at the idea of any one attempting injury to the -heir of Bigorre in his paternal dwelling; but my mother's anxiety -prevailed, backed by the advice and persuasions of good Father Francis -of Allurdi, who offered to accompany me for the short time that my -absence might be necessary. My father soon grew weary of making any -opposition; and it was agreed that myself, Father Francis, and -Houssaye, my valet, should take our departure for Spain within two -days, and, joining the chevalier at Saragossa, should remain there -till we received information that the Marquis de St. Brie had quitted -Bearn.</p> - -<p class="normal">That day ended, and another began, and, springing from my bed with the -vigorous freshness that dwellers in cities never know, I took my gun, -and proceeded to the mountain, purposing to search the rocks for an -izzard. Gradually, however, I became thoughtful; and, revolving the -events just past, many a varied feeling rose in my mind; and I found -that one stirring and active day had changed me more than years of -what had gone before--that it was, in fact, my first day of manhood.</p> - -<p class="normal">I had staked and won in the perilous game of mortal strife. I had shed -blood--I had passed the rubicon--I was a man. Onward! onward! onward! -was the cry of my heart. I felt that I could not--and I wished not -that I could--go back from that I was to that which I had been.</p> - -<p class="normal">And yet there was a regret--a feeling of undefinable clinging to the -past--a sort of innate conviction that the peaceful, the quiet, the -tranquil, was left behind for ever; and even while I joyed in the -active and gay existence that Fancy and Hope spread out before me, I -looked back to the gone, and yielded it a sigh, for the calm -enjoyments that were lost for ever.</p> - -<p class="normal">From these ideas, my mind easily turned to the latter part of that day -which formed the theme of my thoughts, and I could not help hoping, -nay, even believing, that the fainting of Helen Arnault was linked in -some degree with concern for me. I had remarked the blush and the -agitation when first I came; I had noted her behaviour on the kiss -which I had taken; and from the whole I gathered hope.</p> - -<p class="normal">Yet, nevertheless, I reproached myself for having used a liberty with -her, which her dependent situation might lead her to look upon less as -a token of love than as an insult, and I resolved to justify myself in -her eyes. And how to justify myself? it may be asked. By taking that -irrevocable step, which would clear all doubt from her mind. But -whether it was solely to efface any bad impression that my conduct -might have caused, or whether it was, that I gladly availed myself of -that pretext to act as my heart rather than my reason prompted, I -cannot tell. Certain it is, that I loved her with an ardour and a -truth that I did not even know myself; and such a passion could not -long have been concealed, even if the impatience of my disposition had -not hurried me on to acknowledge it to her so soon.</p> - -<p class="normal">By the time I had taken this resolution, I had climbed high amongst -the hills, and was wandering on upon the rocky ridge that overhung the -valley of the Gave, when I caught a glimpse of some one strolling -slowly onward along the path by the riverside. It wanted but one look -to tell me that it was Helen. High above her as I was, I could -distinguish neither her figure nor her face; but it mattered not--I -felt as well convinced that it was she, as if I had stood within a -pace of her, and began descending the rocks as quickly as I could to -join her in her walk, watching her as I did so, to see that she did -not turn back before I could reach her.</p> - -<p class="normal">After having gone some way up the valley, looking back every ten steps -towards the château, as if she had imposed on herself the task of -walking a certain distance, and would be glad when it was over, Helen -at length seated herself on a piece of rock, under the shade of an old -oak, that started out across the stream; and there, with her head bent -over the running waters, she offered one of the loveliest pictures my -eyes ever beheld. She was, as I have said, in the spring of womanhood. -Time had not laid his withering touch upon a single grace, or a single -beauty; it was all expanding loveliness--that perfect moment of human -existence, when all has been gained, and nothing has been lost; when -nature has done her utmost, and years have yet known nothing of decay.</p> - -<p class="normal">I approached her as quietly as I could, and when I came near, only -said, "Helen," in a low tone, not calculated to surprise her. She -started up, however, and the same blush mantled in her cheeks which I -had seen the day before. The good-morrow that she gave me was confused -enough; and, in truth, my own heart beat so fast, that I did not know -how to proceed, till I saw her about to return to the château.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Stay, Helen," said I, taking her hand, and bringing her again to the -rock on which she had been sitting--"stay for one moment, and listen -to me; for I have something to say to you, which, perhaps, I may never -have an opportunity of saying hereafter."</p> - -<p class="normal">The colours varied in her cheek like the hues of an evening sky, and -she trembled very much, but she let me lead her back; and for a moment -raising her eyes from the ground, they glanced towards my face, from -under their long dark lashes, with a look in which fear and timidity, -and love, too, I thought, were all mingled; but it fell in a moment, -and I went on with a greater degree of boldness; for all that love -well, I believe, are, in some degree, cowards, and but gain courage -from the fears of those they seek to win.</p> - -<p class="normal">"There is a secret, Helen," I said, assuming as calm a tone as I -could, "which I cannot go into Spain without communicating to some -one, as it is one of the greatest importance, and I have fixed upon -you to tell it to, because, I am sure, you will keep it well and -truly; without, indeed," I added, "I were by any chance to die in -Spain, when you may freely reveal it--nay, more, I request you would -do so to both my parents."</p> - -<p class="normal">Helen was deceived, and looked up with some degree of curiosity, -brushing back the dark ringlets from her clear fair brow. "Will you -promise me, Helen," I asked, "by all you hold most sacred, never to -reveal my secret so long as I am in life?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Had you not better make some other person the depositary of so -serious a trust?" she answered, half afraid, half curious -still.--"Think, Count Louis, I am but a poor inexperienced girl--tell -it to Father Francis, he will both respect your secret and counsel you -as to your actions."</p> - -<p class="normal">"He will not do," I replied. "Besides, he is going with me. Will you -promise me, Helen? It is necessary to my happiness."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, then I will," replied she, with a tone and a look that went to my -very heart, and had almost made me cast myself at her feet at once.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You must know, then, Helen," I proceeded, "that there is, on this -earth, one sweet girl that I love more than any other thing that it -contains"--while I spoke, she turned so deadly pale, that I thought -she was going to faint again. "Listen to me, Helen," I continued, -rapidly--"listen to me, dear Helen--I love her, I adore her, and I -would not offend her for the world. If, therefore, I pained her for -one instant, by robbing her lips of a kiss in the full joy of my -return, I am here to atone it by any penance which she may think fit -to impose."</p> - -<p class="normal">While I spoke, my arm had glided round her waist, and my hand had -clasped one of hers. Helen's head sunk upon my shoulder, and she wept -so long, that I could have fancied her deeply grieved at the discovery -of my love, but that the hand which I had taken remained entirely -abandoned in mine, and that, from time to time, she murmured, "Oh, -Louis!" in a voice indistinct to anything but the ears of love.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length, however, she recovered herself, and raised her head, though -she still left her hand in mine:--"Oh, Louis," she said, "you have -made me both very happy and very unhappy: very happy, because I am -sure that you are too generous, too noble, to deceive, even in the -least, a poor girl that doubts not one word from your lips; but I am -very unhappy to feel sure, as I do, that neither your father nor your -mother will ever consent that you should wed any one in the class -bourgeoise, even though it were their own little Helen, on whom they -have already showered so many bounties. It cannot be, indeed it cannot -be! The very mention of it would make them wretched, and that must -never happen, on account of one who owes them so deep a debt of -gratitude."</p> - -<p class="normal">I tried to persuade her, as I had persuaded myself, that in time they -would consent; but I failed in the endeavour, and as the first -agitation subsided, and she began to reflect upon her situation at the -moment, she became anxious to leave me.--"Let me return home," she -said; "and oh, Louis! if you love me, never try to meet me in this way -again, for I shall always feel like a guilty thing when I see your -mother afterwards. I have your secret, and as I have promised, I will -keep it: you have mine, and let me conjure you to hold it equally -sacred. Forget poor Helen Arnault as soon as you can, and marry some -lady in your own rank, who may love you perhaps as----"</p> - -<p class="normal">The tears prevented her going on.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Never, Helen, never!" exclaimed I, still holding her hand. "Stay yet -one moment:--we are about to part for some months; promise me before I -go, if you would make my absence from you endurable, that sooner or -later you will be my wife!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, Louis, no!" answered she, firmly, "that I will not promise; for I -will never be your wife without the consent of your parents. But I -<i>will</i> promise," she added, seeing that her refusal to accede to what -I asked had pained my impatient spirit more than she expected, "I will -<i>vow</i>, if you require it, never, never, to be the wife of another."</p> - -<p class="normal">With these words she withdrew her hand, and left me, turning her steps -towards the château; while I, delighted to find myself loved, yet -vexed she would not promise more, darted away into the hills; and, as -if to escape the pursuit of feelings which, though in some degree -happy, were still too strong for endurance, I sprang from rock to rock -after the izzards, with agility and daring little less than their own, -making the crags ring with my carbine, till I could return home -sufficiently successful in the chase to prevent any one supposing I -had been otherwise employed.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER VI.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">We were very young to feel such passions as then throbbed within our -bosoms, so strong, so keen, so durable; but our hearts had never known -any other--they had not been hardened in the petrifying stream of -time, nor had the world engraved so many lines upon the tablets of -feeling as to render them unsusceptible of any deep and defined -impression. Our whole hearts were open to love, and we loved with our -whole hearts.</p> - -<p class="normal">The two days of my stay soon drew to an end, and on the morning of the -third, my horse, and that of Houssaye, together with a mule for Father -Francis, were brought into the courtyard; and, after receiving my -mother's counsel and my father's blessing, I mounted and rode forth -with few of those pleasurable feelings which I had anticipated in -setting out to explore foreign lands. But love was at that moment the -predominant feeling in my bosom, and I would have resigned all, -abandoned all, to have stayed and passed my life in tranquillity -beside Helen.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was not to be, and I went forth; but a sensation of swelling at my -heart prevented me from either conversing with Father Francis, or -noticing the beautiful country through which we travelled--a thing -seldom lost to my eyes.</p> - -<p class="normal">By the time we reached Pierrefitte, however, a distance of about ten -miles, the successive passing of different objects, though each but -called my attention in the very slightest degree, upon the whole, -began to draw my mind from itself; and when proceeding onward we wound -our horses through the narrow gorge leading towards Luz, the -magnificent scenery of the pass, with its enormous rocks, its -luxuriant woods, and its rushing river, stole from me my feelings of -regret, and left me nothing but admiration of the grand and beautiful -works which nature had spread around. By this time the day had -somewhat waned, for we were obliged to conform our horses' pace to the -humour of Father Francis' mule, which was not the most vivacious of -animals. The sun had got beyond the high mountains on our right, -which, now robed in one vast pall of purple shadow, rose like Titans -against the sky, and seemed to cover at least one third of its extent; -but the western hills still caught the rays, and kept glowing with a -thousand varied hues as we went along, like the quick changes of hope -as man advances along the tortuous and varied path of existence.</p> - -<p class="normal">Amongst other objects on which the sunshine still caught, was a little -woody mound projecting from the surface of the hill, and crowned with -an old round tower beginning to fall into ruins. As we passed it, the -good priest, who never loved to see me in any of those fits of gloom -which sometimes fell upon me--the natural placidity of his disposition -leading him to miscomprehend the variability of mine--pointed out to -me the mound and the crumbling tower as the spot where a great victory -had been gained over the Moors, in times long gone; and our -conversation gradually turned to war and deeds of renown: but Father -Francis had abjured the sword, and little appreciated the word -<i>glory</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Glory, my dear Louis," said he, "according to the world's acceptation -of the word, is, I am afraid, little better in general than the -gilding with which mighty robbers cover over great crimes. When I was -young, however, I thought like you, and I am afraid all young men will -think so, till reason teaches them that the only true glory which man -can have, is to be found in the love of his fellow-creatures, not in -their fears. All other glory is but emptiness. You remember the -Italian poet's lines on the field of Cannæ.</p> -<br> -<pre> - I. - - "Glory! alas! what is it but a name? - Go search the records of the years of old, - And thou shalt find, too sure, that brightest fame, - For which hard toiled the skilful and the bold, - Was but a magic gift that none could hold-- - A name, traced with an infant's finger in the sand, - O'er which dark Time's effacing waves are rolled-- - A fragile blossom in a giant's hand, - Crushed with a thousand more, that die as they expand. - - II. - - "I stand on Cannæ:--here for endless years, - Might fond remembrance dream o'er days pass'd by, - Tracing this bitter place of many tears: - But mem'ry too has flown, and leaves the eye - To rest on nought but bleakness, and the sigh - To mourn the frailty of man's greatest deeds-- - Oh, would he learn by truth such deeds to try, - Lo! how devouring Time on conquest feeds; - Forgot the hand that slays, forgot the land that bleeds. - - III. - - "Time! mighty vaunter! Thou of all the race - That strive for glory, o'er thine acts canst raise - The monument that never falls, and place - The ruins of a world to mark thy ways. - Each other conq'ror's memory decays - To heap the pile that comments on thy name; - Thy column rises with increasing days, - And desolation adds unto thy fame; - But Cannae was forgot--Time, 'tis with thee the same." - -</pre> -<p class="normal">It is astonishing how chilly the words of age fall upon the glowing -enthusiasm of youth. As we go on through life, doubtless we gather all -the same cold truths; but it is by degrees, not all at once, as when -the freezing experience of many years is poured forth, like a sudden -fall of snow upon our hearts. Lucky, most lucky is it, that we cannot -believe the lessons which the old would teach us; for certainly if we -were as wise when we come into life as we are when we go out of it, -there would be nothing great, and very little good, done in the world; -I mean that there would be no enthusiasm of wish or of endeavour.</p> - -<p class="normal">Nevertheless, there is always some damp rests upon the mind from such -views of human existence, however warm may be the fire of the heart; -and when Father Francis had repeated his lines upon Glory, he left a -weight upon me which I found difficult to throw off.</p> - -<p class="normal">We were now near Luz, and the good father's mule--which, by the way, -was the best epitome I ever saw of a selfish and interested spirit--as -if it entertained a presentiment of approaching hay and oats, suffered -its sober legs to be seduced into an amble that speedily brought us to -the door of the little cabaret where we were to pass the night. The -accommodations which its appearance promised, were not of the most -exquisite description, and one must have been very charitable to -suppose it contained anything better than pumpkin soup and goose's -thighs.<a name="div4Ref_02" href="#div4_02"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Father Francis, however, was tired and exhausted with a -longer ride than he had taken for more than fifty years. Houssaye was -an old soldier, and I was too young and in too high health to trouble -myself much about the quality of my entertainment. Dismounting then, -our horses were led into the stable, and we ourselves were shown to -the room of general reception, which we found already tenanted by a -fat monk, all grease and jollity; and a thin gentleman in black, who, -for grimness and solemnity, looked like a mourning sword in a black -scabbard. It seemed as if nature, having made a more fat and jovial -man than ordinary in the capuchin, had been fain to patch up his -companion out of the scrapings of her dish.</p> - -<p class="normal">Father Francis did not appear to like the couple, and indeed he had -reason; for it wanted no great skill in physiognomy to read in the -jovial countenance of the monk a very plain history of the sort of -self-denial and sensual mortification which he practised on himself. -As for his companion, had I known as much of the world as I do now, I -should instantly have understood him to be one of those solemn -villains, who, if they sometimes lose a good opportunity by want of -conversational powers, often catch many a gull by their gravity, and -escape many an error into which a talkative rascal is sure to fall by -his very volubility.</p> - -<p class="normal">However, I was at an age when every one, more or less, pays for -experience; and if I took upon me to judge the pair of worthies before -me, I did not judge them rightly. Immediately after our entrance, -Father Francis, as I have said, being very much fatigued, retired to -bed, whispering to me that I had better get my supper and follow his -example as soon as I could. To this, however, I was not very well -inclined, my stock of animal powers for the day not being yet half -exhausted; and as I saw the aubergiste beginning to place on the -table, before the monk and his companion, various savoury dishes, for -which my ride had provided an appetite, I whispered to Houssaye, and -proposed to them to join their table. The matter was soon arranged, my -Capuchin professing a taste for good cheer and good company, somewhat -opposed to his vows of fasting and meditation, and my thin cavalier, -laying his hand on his heart, and making the most solemn bow that his -stiff back-bone could achieve.</p> - -<p class="normal">The viands set before us offered a very palatable contradiction to -what the appearance of the house had promised: and the conversation -was as savoury as the dishes, for the monk was a man whose fat and -happiness overflowed in a jocose and merry humour; and even the thin -person in black, though his mustachios were rather of a grave cast, -would occasionally venture a dry and solemn joke, which was a good -deal enhanced by his appearance. The wine, however, was the most thin, -poor, miserable abortion of vinegar that ever I tasted; and, after -having made every tooth in my head as sharp as a drawn sword by -attempting to drink it, I inquired of the Capuchin whether any better -could be procured within twenty miles for love or money.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Most assuredly," answered he, "for money, though not for love. No one -gives any thing for love, except a young girl of sixteen, or an old -woman of seventy. But the truth is, my host tells us always that this -is the best wine in the world, till he sees a piece of silver between -the fingers of some worthy signor who desires to treat a poor Capuchin -to a horn of the best Cahors."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, if that be all," I answered, "we will soon have something -better;" and I drew a crown piece from my purse.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ho! aubergiste!" exclaimed the Capuchin, as soon as he saw it; "a -flagon of your best for this sweet youth; and mind, I tell you, 'tis a -mortal sin to give bad wine when 'tis well paid for, and a Capuchin is -to drink it."</p> - -<p class="normal">I was not at the time of life to estimate very critically every -propriety in the demeanour of a companion for half an hour. Man, -unlike the insect, begins the being as a butterfly, which he generally -ends as a chrysalis. Amusement, or as it should be called, excitement, -is everything at nineteen; and the butterfly, though it destroys not -like the worm, nor hoards like the bee, still flies to every leaf that -meets its sight, if it be but for the sake of the flutter. The -Capuchin's gaiety amused me, and I saw no deeper into his character. -The wine was brought; and having passed once round and proved to all -our tastes, the jovial monk set the flagon between himself and me, and -enlivened the next half-hour with a variety of tales, at the end of -each taking a deep draught, and exclaiming, "If it be not a true -story, may this be the last drop I ever shall drink in my life!" At -length, with a story far more marvellous than any of the others, the -Capuchin emptied the flagon, adding his usual asseveration in regard -to its truth.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I don't believe a word of it," said the man in black.</p> - -<p class="normal">"And I say it's true," reiterated the Capuchin, laughing till a stag -might have jumped down his throat. "Order another flagon of wine, and -I will drink upon it till the death."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay," replied the other, "I will play you for a flagon of the best -at trictrac, and treat the company."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Capuchin readily accepted the defiance; the cards were brought, -the window shut, and mine host lighted six large candles in an immense -sconce, just behind the Capuchin and myself. The thin gentleman with -his mustachios was on the other side of the table with old Houssaye, -who, though an indefatigable old soldier, seemed tired out, and, -laying his head upon his folded arms, fell asleep.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, the wine made its appearance, and passed round; -after which the game began, and the poor player in black lost his -flagon of wine in the space of five minutes, much to the amusement of -the Capuchin, who chuckled and drank with much profane glee.</p> - -<p class="normal">The whole scene amused me. I flattered myself I was fond of studying -character, and I would have done a great deal to excite the two -originals before me to unfold themselves. This they seemed very well -inclined to do, without my taking any trouble to bring it about. The -thin gentleman got somewhat angry, and claimed his revenge of the -Capuchin, who beat him again, and chuckled more than ever. The other's -rage then burst forth: he attributed his defeat to ill luck, and -demanded what the monk meant by laughing, and whether he meant to say -he had played ill.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ay, truly!" replied the Capuchin, "and so ill, that I will answer for -it this young gentleman, even if he knows nothing of the game, will -beat you for a pistole;" and, turning round, he asked me "if I knew -the game?" or if I was afraid to play with so skilful an antagonist.</p> - -<p class="normal">I said that I knew very little of it, but that I was willing to play, -and took the cards, only intending to sit one game, seeing that my -opponent played miserably ill. He lost as before, and, still cursing -his luck, demanded his revenge, which was worse. Nothing could be more -diverting than the fury into which he cast himself, twisting up his -mustachios, and wriggling his back into contortions, of which I had -not deemed its rigidity capable, while the Capuchin chuckled, and, -looking over my cards, advised me what to do. At length my adversary -proposed to double, to which I agreed, hoping heartily that he would -win, and thus leave us as we had sat down; but fortune was still -against him, or rather his bad playing, for he laid his game entirely -open, and suffered me to play through it. He lost, and drawing forth a -leathern pouch, was about to pay me, when the Capuchin said, that -perhaps I would play one more game for the twelve pistoles. The thin -gentleman said it would be but generous of me, but, however, he could -not demand it, if I chose to refuse. So much foolish shame did I feel -about taking his money, that, to tell the truth, I was glad to sit -down again, and we recommenced, each staking twelve pistoles. Fortune -had changed, however; the dice favoured him; he played more carefully, -and won the game, but by so slight a matter, that it showed nothing -but extraordinary luck could have made him gain it.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was now my turn to be anxious. I had lost six pistoles out of the -money my father had given for my journey to Spain. How could I tell -Father Francis? I asked myself, especially when I had lost them in -such a manner, and in such company. My antagonist, too, had won by -such a mere trifle, that it made me angry; I therefore resolved to try -again--and again I lost. The sum was so considerable, I dared not now -stop, and I claimed my revenge. My adversary was all complaisance, -and, as before, we doubled our stake. An intolerable thirst had now -seized upon me, and pouring out a cup of wine, I set it down beside me -while I played. The game went on, and I never suspected false play, -though my opponent paused long between each of his cards; but that was -natural, as the stake was large, and I fancied that he felt the same -palpitating anxiety that I did myself. To conceal this as much as -possible, while he pondered, I fixed my eyes upon the cup of wine, in -which the lights of the sconce were reflected very brilliantly. -Suddenly, two of the flames seemed to become obscured, for I lost the -reflection in the wine. This surprised me; but I had still sufficient -presence of mind to take no notice, and keep my eyes fixed, when -presently the lights appeared again. The moment after the same eclipse -took place, and, raising my eyes to my opponent's countenance, I -perceived that his glance was fixed upon a point immediately above my -head.</p> - -<p class="normal">The matter was now clear; my good friend, the Capuchin, who was kindly -giving me his advice and assistance, seeming all the while most -anxious that I should recover my loss, and assuring me that it was a -momentary run of ill luck, which must change within five minutes, took -care, at the same time, to communicate to my adversary, by signs above -my head, the cards I had in my hand, and what I was likely to play.</p> - -<p class="normal">What was to be done I knew not. To be cheated in so barefaced a manner -was unendurable; and yet, how to avoid paying what I lost, unless I -could prove the fraud, was a question difficult to solve. In this -dilemma, I resolved to wake my faithful Houssaye, by touching his foot -under the table, at the moment the Capuchin was executing his fraud. -What was my joy then, when, on glancing towards the <i>ci-devant</i> -trumpeter, I perceived his eyes twinkling brightly just above his -arms, notwithstanding that he still pretended to sleep, and I -immediately saw that he had, from the first, appreciated the talents -of my companions.</p> - -<p class="normal">My resolution was instantly taken; and letting the game proceed to its -most anxious point, I saw, in the accidental mirror that the wine -afforded me, the signs of the worthy Capuchin proceeding with vast -celerity, when, starting suddenly up, I caught his wrist, as the hand -was in the very act, and held it there with all the vigour of a young -and powerful frame, excited to unusual energy by anger and -indignation.</p> - -<p class="normal">Houssaye was upon his feet in a moment, and, catching the collar of -the black cavalier, who was beginning to swear some very big oaths, he -flung him back upon the ground with little ceremony, at the same time -dislodging from the lawn frills which adorned his wrists a pair of -dice, that the honest gentleman kept there to meet all occasions.</p> - -<p class="normal">For a minute or two the presence of mind, which is part of a sharper's -profession, abandoned our two amiable companions; the Capuchin, -especially, remaining without motion of any kind, his mouth open, his -eyes staring, and his hands up in the air, with three fingers -extended, exactly in the same attitude as he was when I detected his -knavery. He soon, however, recovered himself, and jerking his hand out -of my grasp with a force I knew not he possessed, he burst into a fit -of laughter--"Very good; very good indeed," cried he: "so you have -found it out. Well, are you not very much obliged to us for the -lesson? Remember it, young man; remember it, to the last day you have -to live; for you may chance to fall into the hands of sharpers, from -whom you may not escape very easily."</p> - -<p class="normal">The impudence of the fellow was beyond my patience, especially as, -while he was speaking, I had split one of the dice produced from his -companion's sleeve, and found it loaded with a piece of lead the size -of a pea. "Whenever I meet with sharpers," said I, "I shall treat them -but one way--namely, if they do not get out of the room whenever they -are found out, I shall kick them down stairs, from the top to the -bottom."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Suppose there are no stairs?" said the Capuchin, coolly, moving -towards the door at the same time.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then I shall throw them out of the window," replied I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I weigh two hundred weight," answered the monk, with the same -imperturbable composure. "Good night, my young Wittol; you'll be -caught yet, though your wings are so free. Come along, Count Crack!" -he continued to his companion, whom I suffered to take up his own -money after I had repossessed myself of the pistoles which he had won -before I had discovered his fraud. "Your game is over for to-night. -Goodnight, fair sirs; good night! God bless you, and keep you from -<i>sharpers</i>," and leering his small leaden eyes, with a look strangely -compounded of humour and cunning, and even stupidity, he rolled out of -the room with his companion, leaving us to our own reflections.</p> - -<p class="normal">When they were gone, my worthy attendant and myself stood looking at -each other for some moments in silence. At length, however, he began -laughing. "I saw," cried he, "what they were about from the first, but -I did not think your young wit was sharp as my old knowledge; so I -pretended to be asleep, and lay watching them. But you served them a -famous trick, Count Louis, that you did; your father would laugh -heartily to hear it."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Hush, hush!" cried I; "for Heaven's sake, never mention it to my -father, or to any one; but, above all, on no account to Father -Francis." I then exacted a promise to this effect from the good old -soldier, feeling heartily ashamed of my night's employment; and -turning as red as fire every time the thought crossed my mind, that I -had been sitting drinking and playing with a couple of vulgar -sharpers, who had nearly succeeded in cheating me of all the money -which my father had given me from his own limited means. To get rid of -these pleasant reflections, I hurried to bed; and meeting the rotund -form of the Capuchin on the stairs, nearly jostled him to the bottom -in pure ill-humour.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER VII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Early the next morning we arose, and took our departure for Gavarnie. -Mine host at Luz, however, drew me aside as we were setting out, and -said he hoped we had not suffered ourselves to be cheated by the -Capuchin or his companion, each of whom he was sure was a great rogue, -and the Capuchin, he believed, had no more of the monk about him than -the gown and shaved head. "Be cautious, be cautious," said he, "and if -ever you meet them again, have nothing to do with them." I thanked -this candid host for his information, giving him at the same time to -understand, that he had better have warned me the night before, and -that I took his tardy caution at no more than it was worth; after -which I spurred on, and joined Father Francis and Houssaye, who had -not proceeded far on their journey ere I reached them.</p> - -<p class="normal">Our road to Gavarnie lay through scenery of that grand and magnificent -nature, which mocks the feeble power of language. The change was still -from sublime to sublime, till the heart seemed to ache at its own -expansion. The vast, the wonderful, the beautiful, the sweet, were -spread around in dazzling confusion. The gigantic rocks and -precipices, the profuse vegetation, the peculiar lustrous atmosphere -of the mountains, the thousand rare and lovely flowers with which -every spot of soil was carpeted and every rock adorned, the very -butterflies which, fluttering about in thousands, seemed like flying -blossoms; all occupied my mind with new and beautiful objects, till it -was almost wearied with the exhaustless novelty. All was lovely, and -yet I felt then, and always do feel, in such scenes, a degree of calm -melancholy, so undefined in its nature, that I know not in what to -seek its cause. Whether it is, that man feels all the weaknesses and -follies of his passions reproved by the calm grandeur of nature's -vaster works; or whether his spirit, excited by the view of things so -beautiful, seemed clogged and shackled by the clay to which she is -joined, and longs to throw off those earthly trammels which -circumscribe her powers to enjoy, to estimate, to comprehend--I know -not.</p> - -<p class="normal">Had the scenery through which we passed needed a climax even more -sublime than itself, it could not have been more exquisitely -terminated than by the famous Circle of Gavarnie, where above -an amphitheatre of black marble fourteen hundred feet in -height--perpendicular as a wall, and sweeping round an extent of half -a league--rises the icy summit of the Pyrenees, flashing back the rays -of the sun in long beams of many-coloured light. When we arrived in -the centre of the amphitheatre, a light cloud was stretched across the -top of the cascade, while the stream, shooting over the precipice -above us, fell with one burst full fourteen hundred feet; and, before -it reached the ground, also spread out into another cloud. Gazing upon -it, as we did, from a distance, we saw it thus pouring on, between the -two, without perceiving whence it came, or whither it went; so that -the long defined line of its waters, streaming from the one indistinct -vapour to the other, offered no bad image of the course of mortal time -flowing on between two misty eternities. At the same time, the bright -diamond heads of the mountains shone out above the clouds, with a -grand, unearthly lustre, like those mighty visions of heaven seen by -the inspired apostle at Samos.</p> - -<p class="normal">I could have gazed on it for ever, but the evening light soon began to -fail; and as we had to rise early also the next morning, our stay in -the amphitheatre was necessarily curtailed. Winding round the little -lakes<a name="div4Ref_03" href="#div4_03"><sup>[3]</sup></a> that the stream forms after its fall, we returned to the -filthy hut in which we were to pass the night, often looking back by -the way to catch another glance of that grand and wonderful scene, -whose very remembrance makes every other object seem small and -insignificant.</p> - -<p class="normal">By sunrise we were once more upon our way, and passing through what is -called the Porte de Gavarnie, entered Spain, after having been -examined from top to toe by the officers of the Spanish custom-house. -A wide and wavy sea of blue interminable hills now presented -themselves; and a guide, whom we had hired at Gavarnie, pointed out a -spot in the distance which he called Saragossa. Had he called it -Jerusalem, he might have done so uncontradicted by any object visible -to our eyes, for nothing was to be seen but hill beyond hill, valley -running into valley, till the far distance and the blue sky mingled -together, with scarcely a perceptible line to mark the division.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thitherward, however, we wended on, and some hours after reached -Jacca, where, out of complaisance to Father Francis's mule, we -remained for the night, and set off before daybreak the next morning, -hoping to escape the heat of the middle of the day. In this we were -deceived, making less progress than we anticipated, and enjoying the -scorching of a meridian sun till we reached the gates of Saragossa.</p> - -<p class="normal">On arriving at the inn, we inquired for the Chevalier, as we had been -directed, but found that he had ridden out early in the morning. He -returned, however, soon after, and having welcomed us cordially to -Spain, as no apartments could be procured in the house, he led us out -to seek for a lodging in the immediate neighbourhood. It was some time -before we could discover one to our mind, for it is with great -difficulty that the Spaniards can be induced to receive any foreigner -into their dwelling; and even when we did so, we had to undergo as -strict an examination by the old lady of the house, as we had bestowed -upon her apartments. She said it was but just that both parties should -be satisfied, she with us as well as we with her; and not content with -asking all manner of questions, which had as much to do with her -lodgings as with her hopes of heaven, she actually turned me round to -take a more complete view of my figure.</p> - -<p class="normal">This was carrying the ridiculous to so high a point, that I burst out -into a fit of laughter, which, far from offending the good dame, -tickled her own organs of risibility, and from that moment we were the -best friends in the world. Our baggage being brought, and it being -agreed that we should eat at the <i>posada</i> with the Chevalier, nothing -remained but to distribute the three chambers upon the same floor, -which constituted our apartments, according to our various tastes. As -Father Francis sought more quiet than amusement, he fixed upon the -large room behind, where he certainly could be quiet enough, for if -ever even the distant voice of an amorous cat on the house-top reached -his solitude, it must have been a far and a faint sound, like the -hymns of angels said to be heard by monks in the cells of a monastery. -Houssaye took up with the small chamber between the two larger ones, -and I occupied the front room of a tall house in a narrow street, -whose extreme width of which might possibly be two ells. Nevertheless, -whatever was to be seen, was to be seen from my window; and my very -first determination was to see as much of Spain while I was in it, as -I possibly could.</p> - -<p class="normal">At eighteen, one has very few doubts, and very few fears; much -passion, and much curiosity; and for my own part, I had resolved if I -did not view the Spaniard in all situations, it should not be my -fault. In short, by the time I arrived at Saragossa, I was willing to -enter into any sort of adventure that might present itself, and though -the memory of Helen might act as some restraint upon me, yet I am -afraid I wanted that strong moral principle, which ought ever to guide -us in all our actions. I make this acknowledgment, because I look upon -these sheets to be a sort of confession, which in making at all, I am -bound to write truly; and though I shall not dwell upon any of those -scenes of vice which might lead others by the mere detail into the -very errors that I commemorate, be it remembered, that I seek not to -show myself at any period of my life as better or purer than I was. -With regard to every feeling that came within the direct code of -honour, or even its refinements, I had imbibed them from my earliest -days; but I was a countryman of Henri Quatre, and not without a great -share of that weakness, which in the gallant monarch was redeemed by a -thousand great and shining qualities. But the love of adventure was my -principal failing, which is a sort of mental spirit drinking, as hard -to be overcome as the passion for strong waters itself.</p> - -<p class="normal">I know not why or how, but the Chevalier seemed to have an instinctive -perception of my character which almost frightened me; and while -Father Francis was seeking in his bags for a parcel which Arnault at -Lourdes had intrusted to his care, my keen-sighted companion drew me -to the window of the front chamber, and after having, by a few brief -observations on my disposition, shown me that he saw into my bosom -even more clearly than I did myself, he warned me of many of the -dangers of a Spanish town. "Remember, my dear Louis," continued he, -"that I only tell you that such things exist--I do not tell you to -avoid them. Your own good sense, as far as the good sense of a very -young man can go, will tell you how to act, and I am afraid that all -men in this world must buy experience for themselves; for if an angel -from heaven were to vouch its truths, they would not believe the -experience of others. However, loving you as I do--and you do not know -how much I love you--there is one thing I must exact--if you want -advice, apply to me--if you want assistance, apply to me--if you want -a sword to back your quarrel, you must seek none but mine."</p> - -<p class="normal">As he spoke, Father Francis entered the room with a look of much -consternation and sorrow. "I hope and trust," said he, advancing to -the Chevalier, "that the packet which your procureur Arnault intrusted -to me for you is of no great value, for on my honour it has been -stolen by some one out of my bags."</p> - -<p class="normal">The pale cheek of the Chevalier grew a shade paler, and though no -other emotion was visible, that one sign led me to think that the -packet was of the utmost import, for never before did I see him yield -the least symptom of agitation to any event whatever. "I did expect," -replied he, in a calm, unshaken voice, "some papers of much -consequence, but I know not whether this packet you mention contained -them. There is no use, my good Father Francis, of distressing yourself -upon the subject," he added, seeing the very great pain which the -accident had caused to the worthy old man; "if by calling to mind the -circumstances you can find a probability of its recovery, we will -immediately take measures to effect it. If not, the packet is lost, -and we will forget it."</p> - -<p class="normal">"How it has been abstracted, or when," answered the good priest, "I -know not. On arriving at Luz, at the end of our first day's journey, I -opened my valise on purpose to put that packet in safety, wrapping it -up with some small stock of money that I had laid by for the purpose -of doing alms; but both are gone."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Stolen for the sake of the money!" said the Chevalier, shutting his -teeth, and compressing his lips, as if to master the vexation he felt. -"Well," proceeded he, with a sigh, "it is in vain we struggle against -destiny. For sixteen years I have been seeking those papers, but -always by some unfortunate accident they have been thrown out of my -reach; destiny wills not that I shall have them, and I will give it -up."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And what do you mean by destiny, my dear son?" demanded Father -Francis, with the anxious haste of an enthusiastic man, who fancies he -discovers some great error or mistake in a person he esteems. "Many -people allow their energies to be benumbed, and even their religion, -by a theory of fatalism which has its foundation in a great mistake."</p> - -<p class="normal">"It appears to me, my good father," replied the Chevalier, with a -smile, "that fate grasps us, as it were, in a cleft stick, as I have -seen many a boor catch a viper--there we may struggle as much as we -like, but we are fixed down, and cannot escape."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay, nay," said Father Francis, "it is denying the goodness of God. -Every one must feel within himself the power of choosing whatever way -or whatever conduct he thinks fit. A man standing at a spot where two -roads separate, does he not always feel within himself the power to -follow whichever he likes? and yet, perhaps, death lies on the one -road, and good fortune on the other."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But if he is destined to die that day, that day will he die," replied -the Chevalier. "And if you allow that God foresees which the traveller -will take, of course he must take it, and his free will is at an end."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay, my son, not so," replied the old man. "What you call foresight, -is in the Deity what memory would be in man, if it were perfect. It is -knowledge. Standing in the midst of eternity, all is present to the -eye of God; and he knows what man will do, as well as what man has -done; but that does not imply that man has not the liberty of choice, -for it is his very own choice that conducts him to the results which -God already knows. When a lizard runs away frightened from before your -footsteps, you may know positively that it will fly to its hole, but -your knowledge does not affect its purpose; nor would it, if your -knowledge was as certain as Omniscience. If you ask me why, if man's -choice will be bad, the Omnipotent does not will it to be good? I say, -it is to leave him that very freedom of choice which you deny. -Farther, if there were no evil in the world, morally or -physically,--and it would be easy to show that one cannot exist -without the other--what would the world be? There would be no virtue, -because there could be no possibility of vice; there would be no -passions, because there would be nothing to excite them; there would -be no wishes, because privation being an ill, no desire for anything -could possibly exist; there could be no motion, for the movement of -one thing would displace another, which was in its proper place -before; there would be no action, for there being neither passions nor -wishes, nothing would prompt action. In short, the argument might be -carried on to show that the universe would not be, and that the whole -would be God alone. No one will deny that the least imperfection -is in itself evil, and that without God created what was equal to -himself--which implies, as far as the act of creation goes, a -mathematical impossibility--whatever he created must have been subject -to imperfection, and consequently would admit of evil. Evil once -admitted, all the rest follows; and if any one dare to ask, why then -God created at all? let him look round on the splendid universe, the -thousand magnificent effects of divine love, of divine bounty, and of -divine power, and feel himself rebuked for thinking that such -attributes could slumber unexerted."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But," said the Chevalier, "it appears to me that your argument -militates against the first principle of our religion--the divinity of -Christ: for you say it implies an impossibility that God should create -what was equal to himself."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Christ was not created," replied the priest, and laying his hand on -his breast he bowed his head reverently, repeating the words of -Scripture: "This is my only begotten Son, in whom I am well pleased."</p> - -<p class="normal">Whether the Chevalier retained his own opinions or not I cannot tell; -but most probably he did, for certain it is, that nothing is more -difficult to find in any man, than the <i>faculty</i> of being convinced. -However, he dropped the subject, and never more to my knowledge, -resumed it.</p> - -<p class="normal">Father Francis, whose whole heart was mildness and humility, began to -fancy after a few minutes that he had been guilty of some presumption -in arguing so boldly on the secrets of Providence. "God forgive me," -said he, "if I have done irreverently in seeking, as far as my poor -intellect could go, to demonstrate by simple reasoning, that which we -ought to receive as a matter of faith; but often, in my more solitary -hours, in thinking over these subjects I would find a degree of -obscurity and confusion in my own ideas, which impelled me to -endeavour to clear and to arrange them."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am convinced you did very right, my good father," replied the -Chevalier, "and that one great object in the good regulations of one's -mind is to obtain fixed principles on every subject which comes under -our review, carrying to the examination an ardent desire for truth; -and to religious inquiries, that profound reverence and humble -diffidence of human reason, that so deep and so important a subject -imperatively requires."</p> - -<p class="normal">Here dropped the conversation, leaving both parties better satisfied -with each other than usually happens after any discussion, but more -especially where religion is at all involved.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER VIII.</h4> - -<p class="normal">My first care, after finding myself completely settled at Saragossa, -was to overcome the difficulties of the Spanish language. I had -studied it superficially long before, and, thanks to my Bearnaise -tongue, I now accomplished the hardest part of the undertaking, -namely, the pronunciation, which is very rarely acquired by Frenchmen -in general. By the time this was gained, I had been three months in -Spain, living in a state of high ease and tranquillity, very much -against my will; finding nothing to excite or to romance upon; and, at -best, meeting with but those little adventures which are unworthy, if -not unfit for detail. It was not, however, my fault. I went -continually to the Teatro, to the Plaza de Toros, and to all those -places where one may most easily get one's self into mischief, without -accomplishing my object; going from one to the other with the most -provoking, quiet, uninterrupted facility that fortune could furnish -forth to annoy me withal. Every one was calm, polite, and cold; no one -fell in love with me; no one quarrelled with me; no one took any -notice of me, and I was beginning to think the Spaniards the most -stupid, sober, mole-like race that the world contained, when some -circumstances occurred, which, from the very first excited my -curiosity, if they did not reach any more violent passion.</p> - -<p class="normal">I have said, that the room which I had chosen looked into the street -wherein we lodged, and also that that street was very narrow. At -first, I had hoped to draw something from this circumstance, having -always entertained high ideas of the pleasures and agitations of -making love across a street, and for the whole first night after our -arrival, I amused myself with fancying some very beautiful lady, with -some very horrible guardian, who would find means of conversing with -me from the <i>jalousies</i> on the other side.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was soon undeceived; a very little knowledge of the localities -showing me that the windows opposite to my own were placed in the back -of a row of houses, forming one side of the principal street, to which -our own was parallel; and I had reason to believe that none but -servants and inferior persons in general dwelt in those rooms, the -windows of which might communicate with mine. This was a -disappointment, and I thought no more of it till one evening, when I -had been riding in the environs with the Chevalier de Montenero, who, -in general, gave me about an hour of his society every day. The rest -of his time was principally spent, I understood, in reading and -writing, and in bringing to a conclusion some affairs of importance, -which had accumulated during a long absence in the New World, where, -my talkative landlady assured me, he had won high honours both as a -statesman and a warrior. On the day which I speak of, however, we had -been absent nearly three hours, and, returning somewhat heated, I -threw myself down before the open window, with a book in my hand. How -I happened to raise my eyes to the opposite houses, I know not; but -doing so, I saw the fingers of a hand so fair, that it could belong to -no servant, resting on the bars of the <i>jalousie</i>, while, at the same -time, a very bright pair of eyes glittered through the aperture, -apparently rather turned down the street, as if watching for the -coming of some one.</p> - -<p class="normal">My own <i>jalousie</i> was drawn for the sake of the shade, so that I could -observe without being remarked; and, approaching the window, in a few -minutes after, I saw a priest enter at a small door, just below the -window, where the eyes were watching. I concluded that this was the -father confessor, and I took care to see him depart; after which I -partly opened my blind, and remarked, behind the one opposite, the -same eyes I had before seen, but now evidently turned towards myself, -and I determined not to lose, for lack of boldness, whatever good -fortune should fall in my way.</p> - -<p class="normal">Love, of course, was out of the question: for I certainly loved Helen -now as deeply as ever; and having no excuse, I shall not seek one, nor -even try to palliate my fault. The only incentives I had, were -idleness, youth, and a passion for adventure; but these were quite -sufficient to carry me headlong on, upon the first mad scheme that -opened to my view. Every one, I believe, feels, or must have felt, -sensations somewhat similar, when the heart's wild spirit seems -rioting to be free, and hurrying on reason, and thought, and virtue -tumultuously along the mad course of passion, till each is trodden -down in turn beneath the feet of the follies that come after. What I -sought I hardly know. It was not vice--it was adventure.</p> - -<p class="normal">From that day forward, I was more frequently at my window than -anywhere else; and I cannot say that the fair object of my watchings -seemed, after a time, to find the proximity of her own blind the most -disagreeable part of her apartment. Indeed, the weather was so warm -and so oppressive, that on more than one occasion she partially opened -her <i>jalousie</i> to admit a freer current of air, giving me, at the same -time, an opportunity of beholding one of the loveliest faces and forms -I ever beheld, though so shadowed by the semi-darkness of the room, as -to throw over the whole a mysterious air of dimness, doubly exciting. -Of course the matter paused not here. I had heard and read a thousand -tales of such encounters; I was as deeply read in all romances of -love, as the Knight of La Mancha was in those of chivalry; and I had -recourse to the only means in my power of commencing a communication -with my fair neighbour--namely, by signs. At first she withdrew, as if -indignant; then endured them; then laughed at them; and, in the end, -somewhat suddenly and abruptly seemed to return them, though so -slightly, that all my ingenuity would not serve me to comprehend what -she sought to express. I had heard that the ladies of Spain were so -skilful in finding the means of carrying on these mute conversations, -that many a tender tale had been told in silently playing with a fan; -and I somewhat wondered to find even one Spanish girl so ignorant of -the language of signs. She had evidently, however, endeavoured to -return an answer to mine, and that was enough to make my heart beat -high.</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon as night followed upon the day which had beheld this gracious -and favourable change, I returned to my station at the window. The -<i>jalousies</i> were closed, and no sign or symptom announced that any one -was within for near half an hour, when suddenly I heard them move, and -beheld them slowly and cautiously open, to perhaps the extent of three -inches. I could see nothing, but that they were open, though I -strained my eyes to discover what was beyond. However, after a -moment's silence I had my recompense, by hearing a very soft and -musical voice demand, in a low tone, "Are you there?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am," answered I, in the hyperbolic style usual to Spanish -gallants,--"I am, fairest of earth's creatures! and ready to serve you -with life and----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Hush!" said the voice. "Go instantly to the theatre, and ask for the -box marked G. Wait there, whatever betide--and say no more."</p> - -<p class="normal">The <i>jalousie</i> immediately closed; and snatching up my hat, I prepared -to obey the command, when my door opened, and Father Francis appeared -with a light.</p> - -<p class="normal">"In the dark, my dear Louis!" said he, with some astonishment; "what -are you doing in the dark? Better come and read Seneca with me."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am just going to the play," replied I, holding up my hand to my -eyes, as if the sudden light affected them, but, in reality, to cover -a certain crimsoning of the cheek, which the mere presence of so good -and pure a being called up, in spite of my efforts to prevent it. -"They play to-night Calderon's <i>Cisma de Inglaterra</i>."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You are all too fond of that bad place, a theatre," said Father -Francis; "but I suppose, Louis, that it will always be so at your age. -I must not forget now, when I can no longer enjoy, that you are in the -season of enjoyment, and that I was once like you. However, I hope -that your love of theatres will soon pass. They were instituted, -doubtless, to promote morality, and to do good, but they are sadly -perverted in our day. Well, God be with you!"</p> - -<p class="normal">I could have well spared the interruption, but more especially the -good father's recommendation to God, when my purpose was not what my -own heart could fully approve. Not that I had any formed design of -evil--not that I had any wish of wronging innocence--nay, nor of -breaking my faith to Helen. 'Twas but excitement I sought; and though -perhaps I wished I had not advanced so far, I was ashamed of drawing -back, and I hurried on to the theatre.</p> - -<p class="normal">A great crowd was going in; and, following the course of the stream, I -sought for the box marked G. On finding it, I was surprised to -discover that it was one of the curtained boxes reserved for the -principal officers of the city. An old woman had the keys of these -boxes in charge, and to her I applied for admission. The face of -surprise which she assumed I shall not easily forget. "Heyday!" she -exclaimed, "let you into the box of the corregidor! I dare say! Pray, -young sir, where is your order?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Here!" said I, nothing abashed, and resolved to accomplish my object; -and, putting my hand in my pocket, I seemed to search for the order -till some persons who were near had passed on. I then produced a -pistole, which the old lady found to be an order in so good and -authentic a form, that she drew forth the key, and proceeded towards -the door, saying, "The corregidor went out of town this morning, and -will not return for two days, so there can be no great harm in letting -you in; but keep the curtains close. You can see and hear very well -through the chinks, without showing yourself in the corregidor's box, -I warrant."</p> - -<p class="normal">I promised to observe her directions, and entered the box, which was -empty. I seated myself behind the curtains, which, drawn completely -across the front, hid me from the spectators, though I had still a -good view of the stage. The play, indeed, was not what I came to see; -and at first I listened with eager and attentive ears to the sound of -every foot that passed by the door of the box. Actually trembling with -anxiety and excitement, I could hear one person after another go by, -till the tide of spectators began to slacken, and, at last, but the -solitary step of some late straggler sounded along the passage, -hurrying on to make up for his delay. Two or three times, when the -foot was lighter than the rest, or when it seemed to pause near the -door, I started up, and my heart beat till it was actually painful to -feel it throbbing against my side: but, after a while, in order to -calm such sensations, I endeavoured to fix my mind upon the play; and, -won by the cunning of the scene, I gradually entered into the passions -I saw portrayed.</p> - -<p class="normal">The play (La Cisma de Inglaterra) contained all Calderon's rigour and -wit, and also all his extravagance. The first scene, representing the -dream of Henry VIII., King of England, and his reception of the two -letters from the pope, and from Martin Luther, was too full of petty -conceits to engage me for a moment; but the description of Anne -Bullen, as given by Carlos in the second scene, caught my young -imagination, and the exquisite wit of the court-fool, Pasquin, soon -riveted my attention. This character had been allotted to one of the -best performers of the company; and it was wonderful what point he -gave to the least word of the jester. Calderon had done much, but -every theatrical writer must leave much for the player; and, in this -instance, nothing he could have wished expressed was either omitted or -caricatured. It was all true and simple, from the broad childish -stare, half folly, half satire, with which he exclaimed, "<i>Que soy -galan de galanes</i>," to the face of moralizing meditation, half -bewildered, half severe, with which he commented on the king's -melancholy:--</p> -<br> -<pre> - "Triste està Rey, de què sirve - Quanto puede, quanto manda - Si no puede, estàr alegre - Quando quiere?" -</pre> - -<p class="normal">The play had proceeded for some time, and I was listening with deep -interest to the exquisite dialogue between the king and Anne Bullen, -in which he first discovers his passion to her, when the door of the -box opened, and a lady entered, wrapped in a black mantilla. Her face -was also concealed with a black velvet mask; and though, after -shutting the door of the box carefully, she dropped the mantilla, -discovering a form on whose beauties I will not dwell, she still -retained the mask for some moments, and I could see her hand shake as -it leaned on the back of one of the seats. My heart beat so violently, -that I could scarcely speak; and I would have given worlds for one -word from her lips, to which I might have replied. Time, however, was -not to be lost, and advancing, I offered my hand to lead her forward; -but she raised her finger, saying, in a very low voice, "Hush! Is -there any one in the box to the left?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have heard no one," replied I, rejoicing to recognise the same -tones in which the appointment had been made with me. "Nay, do not -tremble so," I added, laying my hand on hers; and I believe the -agitation which that touch must have told her I experienced myself, -served more to re-assure her than my words. "Why should you fear, with -a friend, a lover, an adorer? Why, too, should you hide your face from -one to whom its lightest look is joy? Will you not take off your -mask?"</p> - -<p class="normal">The lady made no reply; but, seating herself in the back part of the -box, leaned her head for some time upon her hand, over which the -ringlets of her rich black hair fell in glossy profusion. My agitation -gradually subsided; I added caresses to tender language--I held her -hand in mine--I ventured to carry it to my lips, and I am afraid many -a burning word did passion suggest to my tongue. For a moment or two -she let me retain her hand, seeming totally absorbed by feelings which -gave no other sense power to act; but at length she gently withdrew it -from mine, and, untying a string that passed through her hair, let the -mask drop from her face. If her figure had struck me as lovely, how -transcendently beautiful did her face appear when that which hid it -was thus suddenly removed. She could not be more than eighteen, and -each clear, exquisite feature seemed moulded after the enchanting -specimens of ancient art, but animated with that living grace which -leaves the statue far below. Her lip was all sweetness, and her brow -all bland expanse; but there was a wild energetic fire in her eye, -which spoke of the strong and ardent passions of her country; and -there was also an occasional gleam in it, that had something almost -approaching the intensity of mental wandering. Let me not say that -those eyes were anything less than beautiful. They were of those full, -dark, thrilling orbs, that seem to look deep into the heart of man, -and exercise upon all its pulses a strange, attracting influence, like -that which the bright moon holds over the waters of the world; and -round them swept a long, black, silky fringe, that shaded and softened -without diminishing their lustre by a ray.</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon as she recovered herself sufficiently to speak, she replied to -my ardent professions in language which, though somewhat wild and -undefined, left me no doubt of her feelings. She told me, too, that -she was the daughter of the corregidor; that her mother was dead, and -that her father loved her even to idolatry; that she returned his -affection; and that never, even were it to wed a monarch, would she -leave him. At the same time she spoke enthusiastically, even wildly, -of love and passion, and to what it might prompt a determined heart. -She spoke, too, of jealousy, but she said it was incompatible with -love, for that a mind which felt like hers would instantly convert its -love into hate, if it once found itself deceived: and what was there, -she asked, that such hate would not do?</p> - -<p class="normal">On this subject she threw out some dark and mysterious hints, which, -at any other moment, might have made me estimate the dangerous excess -of all her passions; but I was infatuated, and would not see the -perils that surrounded the dim gulf into which I was plunging. We -talked long, and we talked ardently, and in the end, when, some little -time before the play was concluded, she rose to leave me, my brain was -in a whirl that wanted little but the name to be madness.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Though I have unlimited power over my own actions," said she, "even -perhaps too much so--for, ungrateful that I am!--I sometimes wish my -father loved me less, or more wisely;--but, as I said, though I have -unlimited power over my own actions, some reasons forbade me to-night -receiving you in my own house. To-morrow night you may come. You have -remarked," she added, putting on her mask, and wrapping her mantilla -round her, "a small door under the window of my dressing-room; at -midnight it will be open--come thither, for there are many things I -wish to say." She then enjoined me not to leave the theatre till the -play was completely over, and left me, my whole mind and thoughts in a -state of agitation and confusion hardly to be expressed. I will not -say that conscience did not somewhat whisper I was doing wrong; but -the tumult of excited passion, and the gratification of my spirit of -romance, prevented me even from calculating how far I might be -hurried. There was certainly some vague point where I proposed to stop -short of vice; and I trust I should have done so, even had not other -circumstances intervened to save me therefrom. However that may be, -let it be marked and remembered, from the first, that <i>the steps I -took in wrong, by an extraordinary chain of circumstances, caused all -the misery of my existence</i>.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER IX.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Never, perhaps, in my existence--an existence varied by dangers, by -difficulties, by passions, and by follies--never did any day seem to -drag so heavily towards its conclusion as that which lay between me -and the meeting appointed for the following night. It was not alone -that impatient expectation which lengthens time till moments seem -eternities, but it was, added to this, that I had to find occupation -for every moment, lest tardy regrets should interpose, and mingle -bitter with what was ever a sweet cup to me--excitement. Verily do I -believe that I crowded into that one day more employments than many -men bestow upon a year. I rode through the whole town; I witnessed the -bull-fight; I wrote a letter to my father--God knows what it -contained, for I know not, and I never knew; I read Plato, which was -like pouring cold water on a burning furnace; I played on my guitar--I -sung to it; I solved a problem of Euclid; I read a page of Descartes: -and thousands of other things did I do to fill up the horrid vacancy -of each long-expectant minute. At length, however, day waned, night -came, and the hour approached nearer and more near. At ten o'clock I -pretended fatigue, and leaving Father Francis, who seemed well -inclined to consume the midnight oil, I retired to my apartment as if -to bed. Old Houssaye came to assist me, but I made an excuse to send -him away, which, though perhaps a lame one, he was too old a soldier -not to take at once. He was a man that never asked any questions; -whatever the order was, he obeyed it instantly, and he was unrivalled -at the quick conception of a hint. Thus I had scarcely finished my -first sentence, explanatory of my reasons for not requiring his -services, than running on at once to the conclusion, he made his bow, -and quitted the room.</p> - -<p class="normal">Being left alone, two more long hours did I wear out in the fever of -expectation. All noises gradually subsided in the town and in the -house, and everybody was evidently at repose before half-past eleven. -This was now the longest half-hour of all. I thought the church clock -must have gone wrong, and have stopped; and I was confirmed in this -idea when I heard the midnight round of the patrol of the Holy -Brotherhood pass by the house, as usual pushing at every door to see -that all were closed for the night. Shortly after, however, the chimes -of midnight began; and, with a beating heart, I descended the stairs, -having previously insured the means of opening the door without noise. -In a moment after, the fresh night air blew chill upon my cheek, and -conveyed a sort of shudder to my heart, which I could scarce help -feeling as a sinister omen; but, closing the door as near as I could, -without shutting it entirely, I darted across the street, pushed open -the little door, and entered. As I did so, the garments of a woman -rustled against me, and I caught the same fair soft hand I had held -the former night. It burned like a living fire; and, as I held it in -mine, it did not return or even seem sensible to the pressure, but my -fingers felt almost scorched with the feverish heat of hers.</p> - -<p class="normal">Cautiously shutting the door, she led me by the hand up a flight -of stairs to a small, elegant dressing-room, wherein, on the -toilet-table, was a burning lamp. It shone dimly, but with sufficient -light to show me that my fair companion, though lovely as ever, was -deadly pale; and, attributing it to that agitation which she could not -but feel a thousand times more than even I did, I attempted to compose -her by a multitude of caresses and vows, which she suffered me to -lavish upon her almost unnoticed, remaining with a mute tongue and -wandering eye, as if my words scarcely found their way to the seat of -intellect. At length, laying her hand upon the hilt of my sword, with -a faint smile, she said, "What! a sword! You should never come to see -a lady with a sword;" and unbuckling it with her own hand, she laid it -on the table.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Now," proceeded she, taking up the lamp, and leading the way into a -splendid room beyond--"now you must give me a proof of your love;" and -she shut the door suddenly behind us with a quickness which almost -made me start. Her whole conduct, her whole appearance was strange. -That a girl of such high station should appear agitated at receiving -in secret the first visit of one whom she had every right to look upon -as a lover, was not surprising; but her eye wandered with a fearful -sort of wildness, and her cheek was so deadly, deadly pale, that I -scarcely ever thought to see such a hue in anything living. At the -same time, the hand with which she held one of mine, as she led me on, -confirmed its grasp with a tighter and a tighter clasp, till every -slender burning finger seemed impressing itself on my flesh. "Have you -a firm heart?" asked she at length, fixing her eyes upon me, and -compressing her full beautiful lips, as if to master her own -sensations.</p> - -<p class="normal">I answered that I had; and, indeed, as the agitation of passion gave -way to other feelings, called forth by her singular manner and -behaviour, the natural unblenching courage of my race returned to my -aid, and I was no longer the tremblingly empassioned boy that I -entered her house.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is well!" said she. "Come hither, then!" and she led me towards -what seemed a heap of cushions covered with a large sheet of linen. -For a moment she paused before them, with her foot advanced, as if -about to make another step forward, and her eye straining upon the -motionless pile before her, as if it were some very horrible object; -then, suddenly taking the edge of the cloth, she threw it back at -once, discovering the dead body of a priest weltering in its gore. He -seemed to have been a man of about thirty, both by his form and face, -which was full, and unmarked by any lines of age. It was turned -towards me, and had been slightly convulsed by the pang of death; but -still, even in the cold, meaningless features, I thought I could -perceive that look of an habitually dissolute mind, which stamps -itself in ineffaceable characters; and there was a dark determined -scowl still upon the brow of death, which, to my fancy, spoke of the -remorseless violation of the most sacred duties. The limbs were -contracted, and one of the hands clenched, as if there had been a -momentary struggle before he was mastered to his fate; while the other -hand was stretched out, with all the fingers wide extended, as while -still striving to draw the last few agonizing breaths. His gown was -gashed on the left side, and dripping with gore; and it is probable -that the wound it covered went directly to his heart, from the great -effusion of blood that had taken place.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was a dreadful sight; and, after looking on it for a few moments in -astonishment and horror, I turned my aching eyes towards the lovely -girl that had conducted me to such a strange and awful exhibition. -She, too, was gazing at it with that sort of fixed intensity of look, -which told that her mind gathered there materials for strong and -all-absorbing thoughts. "In the name of Heaven!" cried I, "who has -done this?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I!" answered she, with a strange degree of calmness;--"I did it!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"And what on earth could tempt you," I continued, "to so bloody and -horrible a crime?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"You shall hear," she replied. "That man was my confessor. He took -advantage of his power over my mind--he won me to all that he -wished--and then--he turned to another--fairer, perhaps, and equally -weak. I discovered his treachery, but I heeded it the less, as I had -seen you, and, for the first time, knew what love was; but I warned -him never to approach me again, if he would escape that Spanish -revenge whose power he ought to have known. He came, this very -night--perhaps from the arms of another,--and he yet dared to talk to -me of passion and of love! thinking me still weak enough to yield to -him. Oh! with what patience I was endued not to slay him then! I bade -him go forth, and never to approach me again. He became enraged--he -threatened to betray me--to publish my shame--and he is--what he is!" -There was a dreadful pause: she had worked herself up by the details -to a pitch of almost frenzied rage; and, gazing upon the body of him -that had wronged her with a flushed cheek and flashing eyes, she -seemed as if she would have smote him again. "The story is told," -cried she at length; "and now, if you love me, as you have said, you -must carry him forth, and cast him into the great fosse of the city. -Ha! you will not! You hate me!--you despise me! Then I must speak -another language. You shall! Yes, you shall! or both you and I will -join him in the grave!" and, drawing a poniard from her bosom, she -placed herself between me and the door.</p> - -<p class="normal">"And do you think me so great a coward," replied I, hastily, "to be -frightened into doing what I disapprove, by a poniard in the hand of a -woman? No, lady, no," I continued, more kindly, believing her, as I -did, to be disordered in mind by the intensity of her feelings; "I -pity you from my heart--I pity you for the base injuries you have -suffered; and even, though I cannot but condemn the crime you have -committed, I would do much, very much, to soothe, to calm, to heal -your wounded spirit; but----"</p> - -<p class="normal">I spoke long--gently--kindly to her. It reached her heart--it touched -the better feelings of what might have been a fine, though exquisitely -sensitive, mind; and, throwing away the poniard, she cast herself at -my feet, where, clasping my knees, she wept till her agony of tears -became perfectly fearful. I did everything I could to tranquillize -her; I entreated, I persuaded, I reasoned, I even caressed. There -was something so lovely, yet so terrible in it all--her face, her -form, her agitation, the sweetness of her voice, the despairing, -heart-broken expression of her eyes, that, in spite of her crime, I -raised her from my feet, I held her in my arms, and I promised to do -all that she would have me.</p> - -<p class="normal">After a time she began to recover herself; and, gently disengaging -herself from me, she gazed at me with a look of calm, powerful, -painful regret, that I never can forget. "Count Louis," she said, "you -must abhor me; and you have, alas! learned to do so at a moment when I -have learned to love you the more. Your kindness has made me weep. It -was what I needed,--it has cleared a cloud from my brain, and I now -find how very, very guilty I am. Do not take me to your arms; I am -unworthy they should touch me;--but fly from me, and from this place -of horror, as speedily as you can, for I will not take advantage of -the generous offer you make, to do that which I so ungenerously asked. -I asked it in madness; for I feel that, within the last few hours, my -reason has not been with me. It slept:--I have now wept; and it is -awake to all the misery I have brought upon myself. Go--go--leave me; -I will stay and meet the fate my crime deserves. But, oh! I cannot -bear to think upon the dishonour and misery of my father's old age!" -and again she wept as bitterly as before.</p> - -<p class="normal">Again I applied myself to soothe her; and imprudently certainly, -perhaps wrongly, insisted upon carrying away the evidence of her -guilt, and disposing of it as she had at first demanded. But two short -streets lay between the spot where we were and the old boundary of the -city, over which it was easy to cast the body into the water below. At -that hour I was not likely to meet with any one, as all the sober -inhabitants of the town were by this time in their first sleep, and -the guard had made its round some time before. I told her all this, -and expressed my determination not to leave her in such dreadful -circumstances; so that, seeing me resolved upon doing what I had -proposed, the natural horror of death and shame overcame her first -regret at the thought of implicating me, and she acquiesced.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I approached the body for the purpose of taking it in my arms, I -will own, a repulsive feeling of horror gathered about my heart, and a -slight shudder passed over me. She saw it, and casting her beautiful -arms round my neck, held me back with a melancholy shake of the head, -saying, "No, no, no!" But I again expressed myself determined, and -suddenly pressing her burning lips to mine, she let me go. "Pardon -me!" said she; "it is the last I shall ever have, most generous of -human beings." And turning away, she kneeled by her bed-side, hiding -her face upon the clothes, while I raised the body of the priest in my -arms, and bore it down stairs.</p> - -<p class="normal">Being fortunately of a very strong and vigorous mould, and well -hardened by athletic exercises, I could carry a very great weight, but -never did I know till then, how much more ponderous and unwieldy a -dead body is than a living one. I however gained the street with my -burden; and with a beating heart, and anxious glaring eye proceeded as -fast as I could towards the walls. Everything I saw caused me anxiety -and alarm; the small fountain at the corner of the Calle del Sol made -me start and almost drop the body; and each shadow that the moon cast -across the street, cost me many a painful throb. At length, however, I -reached the old rampart, where it looks out over the olive grounds, -and advancing hurriedly forward, I gave a glance around to see that no -one was there, and cast the corpse down into the fosse, which was full -of water; I heard the plunge of the body and the rush of the agitated -waters, and a shudder passed over me to think of thus consigning the -frail tabernacle, that not long since had enshrined a sinful but -immortal spirit, to a dark and nameless grave. All the weaknesses of -our nature cling to the rites of sepulture, and at any time I should -have felt, in so dismissing a dead body to unmourned oblivion, that I -was violating the most sacred prejudices of our nature; but when I -thought upon the how, and the wherefore, my blood felt chill, and I -dared not look back to see the full completions of that night's -dreadful deeds.</p> - -<p class="normal">My heart was lightened, however, that it was now done, and I turned to -proceed home, having had enough of adventure to serve me for a long -while. Before I went, I gave an anxious glance around to see whether -any one was watching me, but all seemed void and lonely. I then darted -away as fast as I could, still concealing myself in the shadowy sides -of the streets, and following a thousand turnings and windings to -insure that my path was not tracked. At length, approaching the street -wherein I lived, I looked round carefully on all sides, and seeing no -one, darted up it, sprang forward, and pushed open the door of my -lodging. At that moment a figure passed me coming the other way; it -was the Chevalier de Montenero, and though he evidently saw me, he -went on without remark. I closed the door carefully, groped my way up -to my own chamber, and striking a light, examined my doublet, to see -if it had received any stains from the gory burden I had carried. In -spite of every precaution I had taken, it was wet with blood in three -places, and I had much trouble in washing out the marks, though it was -itself of murrey-coloured cloth, somewhat similar in hue.</p> - -<p class="normal">Difficult is it to tell my feelings while engaged in this -employment--the horror, the disgust, at each new stain I discovered, -mingled with the painful anxiety to efface every trace which the blood -of my fellow-being had left. Then to dispose of the water, whose -sanguine colour kept glaring in my eye wherever I turned, as if I -could see nothing but it, became the question; and I was obliged to -open the casement, and pour it gently over the window-sill, without -unclosing the <i>jalousies</i>, so as to permit its trickling down the -front of the house, where I knew it must be evaporated before the next -morning. This took me some time, as I did it by but very cautious -degrees: but then, when it was done, all vestiges of the deed in which -I had been engaged were effaced, and to my satisfaction I discovered, -on examining every part of my apparel with the most painful -minuteness, that all was free and clear.</p> - -<p class="normal">Extinguishing my light, I now undressed and went to bed, but of course -not to sleep. For hours and hours, the scenes in which I had that -night taken part floated upon the blank darkness before my eyes, and -filled me with horrible imaginations. A thousand times did I attempt -to banish them, and give myself up to slumber, and a thousand times -did they return in new and more horrible shapes; till the faint light -of the morning began to shine through the openings of the blinds, when -I fell into a disturbed and feverish sleep. It was no relief--it was -no oblivion. The same dreadful scenes returned with their full -original force, heightened and rendered still more terrific by a -thousand wild accessories that uncontrolled fancy brought forward to -support them. All was horror and despair; and I again woke, haggard -and worn out, as the matin bell was sounding from the neighbouring -convent: I tried it once more, and at length succeeded in obtaining a -temporary forgetfulness.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER X.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">I was still in a most profound sleep, when I was woke by some one -shaking me rudely by the arm; and starting up, I found my chamber full -of the officers of justice. By my side stood an alguacil, and at my -table, a sort of escribano was already taking a precise account of the -state of the apartment, while in conjunction with him, various members -of the Holy Brotherhood were examining without ceremony every article -of my apparel.</p> - -<p class="normal">For a moment or two, the surprise, mingled with the consciousness of -what might be laid to my charge, confounded and bewildered me, and I -gazed about upon all that was taking place with the stupid stare of -one still half asleep. I soon, however, recovered myself, and -hurriedly determined in my own mind the line of conduct that it was -necessary to pursue, both for the purpose of saving myself, and -shielding the unfortunate girl, of whose crime I doubted not that I -should be accused.</p> - -<p class="normal">The alguacil was proceeding, with a face in which he had concentrated -all the stray beams of transmitted authority, to question me in a very -high tone respecting my occupations of the foregoing night; when I cut -him short by demanding what he and his myrmidons did in my apartment, -and warning him, that if he expected to extort money from me by such a -display, he was labouring in vain. The worthy officer expressed -himself as much offended at this insinuation as if it had been true, -and informed me that he had come to arrest me on the charge of having -the night before murdered in cold blood one Father Acevido, and cast -him into the fosse below the old wall. He farther added, that a -messenger had been sent for the corregidor, who was at a small town -not far off, and that he was expected in an hour.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, then," replied I, boldly, "wake me when he comes, and make as -little noise as possible at present," and I turned round on my other -side, as if to address myself to sleep. My real purpose, however, was -twofold: to gain time for thought, and to avoid all questions from the -alguacil, till I had learned upon what grounds I was accused.</p> - -<p class="normal">But in this I was defeated by Father Francis, who interfered with the -best intentions in the world, and advancing, addressed me in French, -whereupon the alguacil instantly stopped him, declaring he would not -have any conversation in a foreign tongue.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Houssaye!" cried I, turning to the old soldier, and pointing to the -alguacil, while I spoke out in Spanish,--"if that fellow meddles any -more kick him down stairs. And now, my good father, what were you -about to say?"</p> - -<p class="normal">This conduct, impudent as it was, I well knew was the only thing that -could save me from being questioned and cross-examined by the inferior -officers before the arrival of the corregidor. If I answered, I might -embarrass myself in my after-defence, and if I refused to answer, my -contumacy would be construed into guilt; all that remained, therefore, -was to treat the alguacils with a degree of scorn which would check -their interrogation in its very commencement, and which was in some -degree justified by the well-known corruption and mercenary character -of the inferior officers of the Spanish police. This proceeding seemed -to have the full effect which I intended; for the pompous official not -only ceased his questions, but at the hint of being kicked, suffered -Father Francis to go on, judging very wisely, that, however justice -might afterwards avenge him, his posteriors would at all events suffer -in the meantime.</p> - -<p class="normal">"My dear Louis," said the good priest, "you had better rise and clear -yourself from the accusation of these men. Every one in this house -knows your innocence; but here is an officer of the <i>real hacienda</i> -without, who swears that he saw the murderer enter this house, and we -have all suffered ourselves to be examined previous to your having -been disturbed. Rise, then, and when you have dressed yourself, permit -him to see that you are not the person, and probably by answering the -questions of these people, you may save yourself from being dragged -before the corregidor, like a culprit."</p> - -<p class="normal">I replied with the same bold tone which I had at first assumed, and -still speaking aloud in Spanish, "In regard to answering any questions -put to me by these knaves, who are but as the skirts of the robe of -office, I shall certainly not demean myself so far; but, to whatever -the corregidor chooses to demand, I will reply instantly, for I am -sure that he will not countenance a plot of this kind, which, beyond -all doubt, has been contrived to extort money from a stranger; I will -rise, however, as you seem to wish it, and then all the world may look -at me as long as they will."</p> - -<p class="normal">I accordingly rose and dressed myself, putting on, though I own it was -not without much reluctance, the same murrey-coloured suit I had worn -the night before. As soon as I was dressed, the officer of the <i>real -hacienda</i> was called in, and immediately pointed me out, saying, "That -is the man!" in so positive a tone, that it required all the -resolution I possessed to demand, with a contemptuous smile, "Pray, -sir, how much is it you expect to extort from me, by averring such a -notorious falsehood?--Take notice, if it be above half a rial, you -shall not have it."</p> - -<p class="normal">"If you were to give me all that you possess, young gentleman," -answered the man, calmly and civilly, "I would still aver the same -thing--that you are the man who cast the dead body of Father Acevido -into the fosse last night, while I was on duty, seeing that no -contraband things were brought into the city. I tracked you through -the streets till you entered this house, and I took good care to -remark your person so as to identify it anywhere."</p> - -<p class="normal">The man was so clear in his statement, and I knew it to be so true, -that the blood mounted up into my face, in spite of every effort I -could make to maintain my air of scornful indignation.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ha, ha! you colour!" said the alguacil; "what do you say to that, my -young don?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I say," replied I, turning upon him fiercely, "that this man's story -has been well contrived, and that he tells it coolly; but, depend on -it, my good friend, when I have cleared myself of this, my remembrance -and thanks shall light upon your shoulders in the most tangible form I -can discover. But now, take me to the corregidor; only, while I am -gone, let some honest person stay and watch these gentry who are -fingering my apparel, or they will save Senor Escribano the trouble of -making a very long catalogue."</p> - -<p class="normal">A crowd of persons were round the door, gossiping with an alguacil, -who had been left there as a sort of guard; and the moment I was -brought out, the noise they were making very much increased with the -vociferous delight which all vulgar minds experience on beholding -criminals. It is a strange, devilish propensity that in human nature: -the child loves to torture the fly or the worm, the serf runs to see -the victim struggling at the gallows, or writhing on the wheel; and it -is in the child and the vulgar that human nature shines out in its -original metal, unsilvered over by the false hue of education. Those -who have best defended man, attribute his passion for scenes of blood -and horror to the renewed feeling which he thence derives of his own -security. And is there, then, no way of showing him not cruel, but by -proving him base? Must he ever be vilely selfish, if he is not -savagely brutal?</p> - -<p class="normal">The populace roared, as I came forth, with such a shout as we may -suppose those refined tigers the Romans bestowed on the devoted -gladiator when he entered the arena. I felt certain the sounds must -reach another person, to whose bosom they would convey greater pangs -than even to mine; and though I could not pause to observe anything -minutely, as I was hurried on, I glanced my eye up towards the window -on the other side of the way, and I am sure I saw a female hand rest -on one of the bars of the <i>jalousie</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">Scarcely two minutes were occupied in bringing me round to the great -entrance of the corregidor's house; and finding that he had not -arrived, the alguacils made me sit down in a large hall, keeping every -one else out, even Father Francis and Houssaye; and enjoying my -society, uninterrupted by the presence of any one but the servants of -the corregidor.</p> - -<p class="normal">Whether it was done on purpose, or not, I cannot say; but first one -dropped away, and then another, till I was left alone with the chief -alguacil, who, the moment they were all gone, addressed me with a -meaning sort of smile--"Now, young sir," said he, "what would you give -to get off?"</p> - -<p class="normal">Doubtless, as many bargains are made in halls of justice as on the -exchange, and I was even then very well aware that such is the case; -but I knew not whether, if my offers did not equal the incorruptible -officer's expectation, my words might not be made use of against -myself, and therefore I simply replied, "Nothing!" At the same time, I -cannot deny that I would willingly have given my whole inheritance to -have been safe on the other side of the Pyrenees.</p> - -<p class="normal">No long time was allowed for deliberation, for a moment after, the -corregidor arrived, and, as if by magic, I found myself instantly -surrounded by all the alguacils and servants who had before -disappeared.</p> - -<p class="normal">The magistrate did not pass through the hall wherein I was detained, -but after a few minutes, probably spent by him in receiving an account -of the whole transaction, an officer approached, and led me to a small -audience-room, in which he was seated. Before him was a table with a -clerk, and behind him two doors leading to the domestic parts of his -dwelling.</p> - -<p class="normal">He appeared to me about sixty, and was as noble a looking man as I had -ever beheld. In his face I could trace all his daughter's features, -raised and strengthened into the perfection of masculine beauty; and, -though his hair was as white as snow, and time had laid a long wrinkle -or two across the broad expanse of his forehead, yet age, in other -respects, had dealt mildly with him, and left the fine arch of his lip -unbroken, nor stolen one ray of light from his clear intellectual eye.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I approached the table at which he was seated, he gazed at me with -a steady, but yet a feeling glance, and pointed to a seat:--"I am -sorry, sir," he said, "that one so young, so noble in appearance, and -especially a stranger to this country, should be accused before me of -a great and dreadful crime, by an officer who, having in all relations -of life conducted himself well, leaves no reason to suppose he acts on -culpable motives. The duty of my office is a strict one; and whatever -prepossession I may feel in your favour, all I can do is to receive -the accuser's evidence before you; and then, if no evident falsehood -appears in his testimony, to order your detention till the case can be -examined at large, and judged according to its merits."</p> - -<p class="normal">In the calm dignity of his manner, and the mild firmness of his tone, -there was something far more appalling to my mind, knowing well, as I -did, the truth of the charge against me, than any menaces could have -been. I felt no inclination, and indeed no power, to treat the -accusation with that scorn and indignation which I had formerly -affected, but advancing towards the table at which the corregidor was -seated, I replied as calmly as I could, "You seem, sir, well inclined -to do me justice, and I must consequently leave my fate in your hands; -but before you commit me to a prison, which is in itself a punishment, -and consequently an act of injustice to an innocent man, permit me to -make one or two observations in my own defence."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Certainly," replied the corregidor. "I hold myself bound to attend to -every reasonable argument you can adduce, although I am afraid my duty -will not permit me to interpose between an accused person and the -regular course of investigation. But proceed!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"In the first place, then," I replied, "I have to protest my innocence -of the blood which is laid to my charge, in the most solemn manner--on -my honour as a gentleman, on my faith as a Christian. In the next -place, I have to ask whether there exists the least probability that I -should murder in cold blood a stranger, with whom I had no -acquaintance; for I defy any one to show that I knew one single priest -in this city, or was ever seen to speak to one. In addition to this, -which makes my guilt highly improbable, let me beg you to examine my -preceptor, my valet, and the proprietors of the house in which I -lodge."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am afraid that will be impossible in this stage of the business," -replied the magistrate, "without some glaring discrepancy appears in -the accuser's testimony; but let him be called in."</p> - -<p class="normal">Hitherto the audience-chamber had been occupied alone by the -corregidor, his secretary, two alguacils, and myself, but the moment -afterwards the doors were opened, and a rush of people took place from -without, filling up the space behind me. The presence of the multitude -made my heart beat, I confess, and turning my head, I beheld amongst -other faces those of Father Francis, of Houssaye, of the landlady of -our dwelling, and, lastly, of the Chevalier de Montenero. The last was -a countenance I wished not to behold, and the one glance of his eye -pained me more than all the busy whispering and observations of the -mob. The officer of the <i>real hacienda</i> was now called forward, and -immediately swore positively to my person, as well as to having -tracked me through various turnings and windings to the end of the -street wherein I lodged, from whence he saw me enter the house in -which I was taken. He then clearly described the manner in which I had -cast the body over into the water, and its state and situation when he -found it, after having called the city guard to his assistance.</p> - -<p class="normal">At this moment the Chevalier advanced through the crowd, and passing -round the table, took a seat beside the corregidor, who seemed to know -him well. "Will you permit me," said he, addressing the magistrate, -"to ask this man a few questions? I am deeply interested in the young -gentleman whom he accuses, and who, I feel sure, is incapable of -committing an action like that attributed to him. Do you permit me?"</p> - -<p class="normal">The corregidor signified his assent; and the Chevalier, without a word -or a look towards me, proceeded to question my accuser with the keen -and rapid acumen of one long accustomed to hunt out truth through all -the intricacies in which human cunning can involve her. He did not, -indeed, attempt to puzzle or to frighten him, but by what he wrung -from him he gave a very different colouring to his evidence against -me. He made him own that he had but seen me in the shadow; that I had -never for a moment emerged into even the moonlight; and that when he -arrived at the end of the street where I lodged, he was so far behind -that he but caught a glimpse of my figure entering the house. The -Chevalier did more; he drew from him an acknowledgment that he had -entertained some doubts as to which house it was; and then he argued -how liable one might be to mistake the person of another under such -circumstances. "Even I myself," said the Chevalier, in a tone full of -meaning to my ears--"even I myself have been sometimes greatly -deceived in thinking I recognised those even I know best, when -circumstances have afterwards proved that it could not have been -them"--and he glanced his eye to my face with a look that I could not -misunderstand.</p> - -<p class="normal">The man, however, still swore decidedly to my person; and my good -friend the pompous alguacil, probably to repay me for the disrespect -with which I had treated him in the morning, now advanced, and pointed -out to the corregidor that my pourpoint had been washed in more than -one place.</p> - -<p class="normal">This was quite sufficient. A loud murmur ran through the crowd; the -Chevalier clenched his teeth and was silent, and the corregidor's brow -gathered into a heavy frown:--but as he was in the very act of -ordering me to be conveyed to the town prison, one of the doors behind -him opened, and a servant entering, whispered something in his ear.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I cannot come now!" cried the corregidor, hastily; "I am -busy--engaged in the duties of my office--and I will not be -disturbed."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then I am to give you this, sir," replied the servant, and, placing -in his hand a small note, he bowed and retired.</p> - -<p class="normal">The corregidor opened the paper, and glanced his eye over its -contents. As he did so, his cheek became deadly pale, and the ball of -his eye seemed straining from its socket. "Wait, wait!" cried he at -length to the alguacils; "wait till I come back!" and, starting from -his seat, he retired by the same door which had admitted the servant.</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon as he was gone, the restraint which respect for his person and -office had before imposed upon the people, seemed at once thrown off, -the murmur of voices canvassing the whole affair became loud and -general, and many persons advanced to look at me, though the officers -would not allow any one to speak to me. The Chevalier turned away, and -walking to one of the windows, folded his arms upon his breast, and -continued to look into the street, without offering me even a look of -consolation. I understood all the doubts that now tenanted his bosom, -and yet, though I knew their cause, I felt hurt and offended that he -should entertain them. In the meanwhile, I heard the tongue of our -good landlady, whose favour I had won by joking with her whenever I -met her on the stairs, now loud in my defence; and however weak an -organ may seem the tongue of an old woman, it in this instance, by -continual reiteration and replication, completely effected a -revolution in the popular feeling towards me; so much so, indeed, that -two monks, who had before been whispering that I ought to be given up -to the holy Inquisition, now took a different view of the case, and -declared they believed me innocent.</p> - -<p class="normal">Half an hour--an hour elapsed, and yet the corregidor did not return, -during which time the feelings of my heart may easily be conceived. At -length, however, he came, but never, before or since, have I beheld -such a change take place in any man so rapidly. I have seen age come -on by slow degrees, one year after another, stealing still some -faculty or some power, till all was nothing--I have seen rapid disease -wear quickly away each grace of youth, and each energy of manhood; but -never but that once have I seen the pangs of the mind, in one single -hour, change health, and vigour, and noble bearing to age, infirmity, -and almost decrepitude.</p> - -<p class="normal">A murmur of astonishment and grief ran through the people, by whom he -was much beloved. Casting himself recklessly in the chair, he turned -to his secretary. "Call the witnesses," said he, "that the accused -proposed to adduce.--This case is an obscure one.--Take their -evidence--I am not capable."</p> - -<p class="normal">The clerk immediately desired me, in the name of the corregidor, to -bring forward any persons who were likely to disprove the testimony -against me.</p> - -<p class="normal">Father Francis was of course the first I called. He swore that I had -left him, and entered my own chamber for the purpose of going to bed, -at ten o'clock on the night of the murder. He farther said, that he -had remained reading till one in the morning, and must have heard me -if I had gone down the stairs--which, indeed, would have been the case -if my step had been as heavy as it usually was.</p> - -<p class="normal">As to Houssaye, he swore through thick and thin, and, could he have -known my wishes, would have witnessed anything I liked to dictate. In -the first place, he declared he had undressed me, and seen me in bed. -In the next, he vowed he had washed out several oil spots upon my -doublet the day before: and in the third, that he lay with his door, -at the top of the stairs, open all night; that he had never closed an -eye till daybreak, and, finally, that I had certainly never passed -that way. "I might have got out at the window, it was true," he -observed; "but that, my window being forty feet from the street, it -was not very probable I should have chosen such a means of descent."</p> - -<p class="normal">I need scarcely say, that though his deposition was assuredly a very -splendid effort of genius, yet there was, nevertheless, not a word of -truth in it.</p> - -<p class="normal">The next person I called was the landlady, who gave evidence that she -found the door (which she had fastened the night before with various -bolts, bars, and locks, which she described,) exactly in the same -state as that in which she left it; and, in the end, availing herself -of her privilege, she turned round, and abused my accuser with great -volubility and effect.</p> - -<p class="normal">The uncertain wind of popular opinion had now completely veered about; -and many of those who were behind me scrupled not to proclaim aloud -that I had established my innocence, the news of which, spreading to a -multitude of persons collected without, produced a shout amongst them, -which seemed painfully to affect the corregidor. "Hush!" cried he, -raising his hand,--"Hush! I entreat--I command! This young gentleman -is evidently innocent; but do not insult my sorrow. My good friends -and fellow-citizens," he proceeded, making a great effort to speak -calmly, "I have always tried to act towards you all as a common -father, and I am sure that you love me sufficiently to leave me, and -retire quietly and in silence, when I tell you, that I have now no -other children but yourselves. My daughter--is dead!" and covering his -eyes with his hands, he gave way to a passionate burst of tears.</p> - -<p class="normal">A deep silence reigned for a moment or two amongst the people, as if -they could scarcely believe what they had heard: then one whispered to -another, and dropping gradually away, they left the audience chamber. -A momentary murmur was heard without, as the sad news was told and -commented in the crowd: it also died away, and all was silence.</p> - -<p class="normal">But what were my own sensations? I can hardly tell. At first I stood -as one thunder-struck, with power to feel much, but not to reason on -it. It seemed as if I had killed her; and for long I could not -persuade myself that I was in no way accessory to her death. After a -moment or two, however, my thoughts were interrupted by the -corregidor, who recovered himself, and, wiping the tears from his -eyes, rose and turned towards Father Francis.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Your pupil, sir," said he, in a calm, firm tone, "is free; but yet, -notwithstanding the melancholy event which has occurred in my family, -I will ask a few minutes' private conversation with him, as I wish to -give him some advice, which he may find of service. He shall return -home in half an hour. Signor Conde de Montenero," he proceeded, -speaking to the Chevalier, "I know you will pardon me in leaving you. -Young gentleman, will you accompany me?"</p> - -<p class="normal">The Chevalier bowed, and retired with Father Francis and Houssaye, and -the corregidor led me into a long gallery, and thence into private -room beyond.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the table lay my sword, which I had left behind the night before, -forgetting it in the agitation of the moment. The corregidor shut the -door, and pointed to the weapon with a look of that unutterable, -heart-broken despair, which was agonising even to behold. The thoughts -of all that had passed--the lovely enchanting girl that he had -lost--his passionate affection towards her--the knowledge he must now -have of her crime--the desolation of his age--the void that must be in -his heart--the horrid absence of love and of hope--the agony of -memory--I saw them all in that look, and they found their way to every -sympathy of my nature.</p> - -<p class="normal">I must have been marble, or have wept--I could not help it; and the -old man cast himself upon my neck, and mingled his tears with mine.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Count Louis," said the corregidor, after we had somewhat mastered our -first agitation, "I know all. My unfortunate child, before the poison -she had taken had completed her fatal intention, told me everything. -Her love for you--your generous self-sacrifice to her--all is -known to me. You pity me--I see you pity me. If you do, grant me -the only solace that my misery can have--respect my poor child's -memory!--Promise me--and I know your promise is inviolable--never -while you are in Spain, or to a Spaniard, on any account, or for any -reason, to divulge the fatal history, of which you are the only -depository; and even if you tell her story in other countries, oh! add -that her crimes were greatly her weak father's fault, who, with a -foolish fondness, gave way to all her inclinations, and thus pampered -the passions that proved her ruin and her death."</p> - -<p class="normal">I could not refuse him; I promised--and was glad, at least, to see -that the assurance of my secrecy took some part, even though a small -one, from the load of misery that had fallen upon him. He spoke to me -long and tenderly, advising me to quit Spain as soon as possible, lest -the Inquisition should regard the matter as within their cognisance, -from the murdered man having been a priest. At length I took leave of -him, renewing my promise, and returned home, with a heart saddened and -rebuked, but I hope amended and improved.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XI.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">With a slow and thoughtful step I mounted the staircase, glad to -escape, by the quiet tardiness of my return, the importunate -congratulations which my landlady, attributing my delivery entirely to -her own eloquence, was prepared to shower upon me as soon as I came -back.</p> - -<p class="normal">Cutting her off then from this very laudable exercise of her tongue -and gratification of her vanity, I ascended the stairs, as I have -said, in silence, and was first met by Father Francis, who, after -embracing me, drew me into his own apartment, and informed me that a -letter had arrived from my father, requiring my immediate return to -France; "and, God be praised! my dear son," said the old man, "that -you are at liberty to quit this dark and fearful country, and return -to your parents and happy native land. But go," continued he, "into -your own apartment, where your good friend the Chevalier waits you. I -know not why, but he seems in a strange agitation, speaks abruptly, -and appears to me displeased, though with what I know not, without it -be your sudden recall to your own home. In truth, I never saw him so -affected."</p> - -<p class="normal">I well understood the meaning of the Chevalier's agitation; I myself -was agitated, and embarrassed how to act, and consequently I acted -ill.</p> - -<p class="normal">When I entered, my friend was walking up and down the room, with his -eyes fixed upon the ground; but, on hearing my step, he raised them, -and fixed them sternly on my face. The fear of appearing guilty, and -the impossibility of clearly exculpating myself, had a greater effect -upon my countenance than perhaps real guilt would have had, and the -rebellious blood flew up with provoking hurry to my cheek. Angry at my -own embarrassment, I resolved to master it; but the effort -communicated something of bitterness to my manner towards the -Chevalier, who had hitherto said nothing to call it forth. He remarked -it, and striding towards the door, which I had left open, he shut it -impatiently; then turned towards me, and with a straining eye, -demanded--"Tell me, Count Louis de Bigorre, after all the evidence -brought forward to prove that you passed last night in this -house--tell me, was it, or was it not you, that I saw enter this door -at two o'clock this morning?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I should think," replied I, coldly, "that what satisfied the judge -before whom I was accused, would be enough to satisfy any one really -my friend."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not when their own eyes were evidence against you," answered the -Chevalier, indignantly. "I thought you incapable of a subterfuge. Once -more, was it you, or was it not?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Though I deny your right to question me," I replied, growing heated -at the authority he assumed, "yet to show that I seek no subterfuge, -I answer it was; but, at the same time, I repeat, that I am -innocent--perfectly innocent of the crime with which I was charged."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Pshaw!" cried the Chevalier, with an air of scorn that almost -mastered my patience--"Pshaw!" and turning on his heel, he quitted the -room and the house. When what we have done produces a disagreeable -consequence, whether we have really acted right or not, we are apt to -call to mind every line of conduct which we might have pursued, and -fix upon any other as preferable to that which we have adopted. Thus, -no sooner had the Chevalier left me, than I thought of a thousand -means whereby I might have persuaded him of my innocence, without -breaking my promise to the corregidor; and I resolved to seek him, as -soon as the preparations for my return to France were completed, and -explain myself, as far as I could, without violating the confidence -reposed in me.</p> - -<p class="normal">My resolution, however, came too late. About an hour after his -departure, one of the servants of the house where he lodged, brought -me a letter from him, of the following tenure:--</p> - -<p class="normal">"I leave you, and for ever. You have done me the greatest injury that -one man can inflict upon another. You have shown me what human nature -really is, and you have made me a misanthrope. I had watched you from -your infancy, and I had fancied that amongst the many faults and -errors, from which youth is never exempt, I perceived the germ of -great and shining qualities of heart and mind. I devoted myself to -cultivate them to maturity, and to train them aright. Perhaps I was -selfish in doing so; for what man is not selfish? but bitter is the -atonement which you have forced me to make. Adieu! seek me not -henceforth--know me not if we meet--be to me as a stranger. Though, -for the sake of your unhappy father, I rejoice in your escape from the -punishment your crime deserves, my interest in yourself is over; and I -would fain rase out from the tablets of memory all that concerns one -so unworthy of the esteem I once entertained for him."</p> - -<p class="normal">This was hard to endure, especially from one that I both respected and -loved. My heart swelled with a mixture of indignation and sorrow, both -at the loss of a friend, and at his unjust suspicions; and though my -consciousness of innocence guarded me from bitterer regrets, yet it -increased my painful irritation at the wrong I suffered, and at my -disappointment in not being able to exculpate myself. Occupation, -however--in every situation of life the greatest blessing and -relief--now came to my aid, and called my attention for a time from -the dark and gloomy views that the circumstances of my fate presented -at the moment. Our departure was fixed for the next morning, and all -the thousand petty accumulations of business, which always hang about -the last day of one's sojourn in any place, now came upon me at once.</p> - -<p class="normal">The weather had much altered since our arrival at Saragossa; for three -months had tamed the lion of the summer, and it was not, at all -events, heat that we had to fear on our journey. Cold autumn winds -were now blowing, and saluted us rudely the moment we got beyond the -sheltering walls of the city, piercing to our very bones. I would have -given a pistole for half an hour of the hot-breathed <i>siroc</i> to warm -the air till we could heat ourselves by exercise.</p> - -<p class="normal">As we approached the mountains, however, it became colder and more -cold, and the prospect of their snowy passes fell chill and cheerless -upon our anticipations. Yet there was something vast and majestic in -their aspect, which raised and elevated the mind above the petty cares -and sorrows of existence. I had been grave, I had been gloomy--I had -been perhaps peevish--but the contrast between the transitory -littleness of all human things, and the eternal grandeur of such -objects, reproved the impatient repinings of my heart. I felt a -consolation in looking upon them as they stretched along before me, in -the same bold towering forms that they had presented unmemoried -centuries ago. It seemed as if they said, "Ages and generations, -nations and languages, have passed away and been forgotten, with all -their idle hopes and vain solicitudes, while we have stood unmoved, -unaged, unaltered. Even Time, the inexorable enemy of all man's works, -lays not upon us his profaning finger; and while he overthrows the -arch that records man's glory, and hurls down the column that -monuments his grave, he dares not spoil the fabrics of that great God -who created him and us."</p> - -<p class="normal">Under the influence of such thoughts, the recollections of the last -two days gradually lost themselves; and though I rode along, grave and -perhaps melancholy, my melancholy was not of that bitter and gloomy -nature produced by worldly cares and griefs. Father Francis was well -acquainted with the many changes of my mood, and, consequently, found -it not at all extraordinary that I was silent and thoughtful; but, -attributing my seriousness to the events which had happened at -Saragossa, he wisely let them sleep, hoping that they would soon pass -from my memory.</p> - -<p class="normal">Towards the evening, on the second day of our journey, we arrived at a -little village consisting of about half a dozen shepherds' huts, -situated at the very foot of the mountains; and here we learned that -the <i>Port de Gavarnie</i>, by which we intended to have entered France, -was completely blocked up with snow; but that less had fallen near -Gabas, and that, consequently, the passes in that direction were -practicable. Thither, then, we directed our steps the next morning, -having procured a guide amongst the shepherds, who agreed to conduct -us as far as Laruns, though he often looked at the sky, which had by -this time become covered with heavy leaden-looking clouds, and shook -his head, saying, that we must make all speed. There was but little -good augury in his looks, and less in the prospect around us; for, as -we began to ascend, the whole scene appeared covered with the cold -robe of winter. All the higher parts of the mountains showed but one -mass of snow; and every precipice under which we passed seemed crowned -with an impending avalanche, which nothing but the black limbs of the -gigantic pines, in which that region abounds, held from an -instantaneous descent upon our heads.</p> - -<p class="normal">No frost, however, had yet reached the bottom of the ravines through -which we travelled. The path was rather damp and slippy, and the -stream rushed on over the rocks without showing one icicle to mark the -reign of winter. Father Francis's mule, which had delayed us on our -former journey, now proved more sure-footed, at least, than either of -the horses; and the good priest, finding himself quite secure and at -his ease, dilated on the grandeur of the scenery and the magnificence -of nature, even in her rudest forms.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am nothing of a misanthrope," said he, "and yet I find in the -contemplation of the works of God a charm that man and all his -arts can never communicate. When I look upon the mighty efforts -of creation, I feel them to be all true and genuine--all -unchangeable--the effect of universal Beneficence acting with Almighty -power: but when I consider even the greatest and most splendid deeds -of man, I am never certain in what base motives they originated, or -for what bad ends they were designed; how much pain and injustice -their execution may have cost, or how much misery and vice may attend -upon their consequences. In all man does there is that germ from which -evil may ever spring, while the works of God are always beautiful in -themselves, and excellent in their purpose."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And yet, my good father," said I, willing enough to shorten the -tedious way with conversation, "though you pronounce the flash of -glory to be but a misleading meteor, and power a dangerous precipice, -and love a volcano as full of earthquakes as fertility, yet still -there are some things amongst men's deeds which even you can -contemplate with delight and admiration,--the protecting the weak, the -assuaging grief, the dispensing joy, the leading unto virtue and -right."</p> - -<p class="normal">"True, Louis! true!" answered he; "and yet I know not whether my mind -is saddened to-day; but though all these actions are admirable, how -rare it is we can be certain that the motives which prompted them were -good! Only, I believe, when we look into our own breast; and then--if -we examine steadfastly, clearly, accurately, how many faults, how many -weaknesses, how many follies, how many crimes, do we not find to make -us turn away our eyes from the sad prospect of the human heart! Here I -can look around me, and see beauty springing from Beneficence, and -everything that is magnificent proceeding from everything that is -wise. And oh! how happy, how full of joy and tranquillity is the -conviction, that death itself, the worst evil which can happen to this -frail body, is the work of that great Creator who made both the body -and the soul, and certainly made them not in vain."</p> - -<p class="normal">A moment or two after, indeed, but so close upon what he said that no -other observation had been made, I heard a kind of rushing noise; and, -looking up towards the cloud above us, which hid with a thick veil the -whole tops of the mountains, I saw it agitated as if by a strong wind, -while a roar, more awful than that of thunder, made itself heard -above. I knew the voice of the <i>lavange</i>, and with an instant -perception, I know not how nor why, that it was rather behind than -before us, I laid my hand upon Father Francis's bridle, and spurred -forward like lightning. To my surprise, the obstinate mule on which he -was mounted, instead of resisting my effort to make it go on, put -itself at once into a gallop, as if it were instinctively aware of the -approaching danger. Houssaye and the guide followed with all speed; -and, in a moment after, we reached a spot where the valley, turning -abruptly to the left, afforded a certain shelter.</p> - -<p class="normal">Here I turned to look, and never shall I forget the scene that I -witnessed. Thundering down the side of the hill, rushing, and roaring, -and devastating in its course, came an immense shapeless mass of a dim -hue, raising a sort of misty atmosphere round itself as it fell. The -mountain, even to where we stood, shook under its descent; the -valleys, and the precipices, and the caverns, echoed back the -tremendous roar of its fall. Immense masses of rock rolled down before -it, impelled by the violent pressure of the air which it occasioned; -and long ere it reached them, the tall pines tottered and swayed as if -writhing under the consciousness of approaching destruction, till at -length it touched them, when one after another fell crashing and -uprooted into its tremendous mass, and were hurled along with it down -the side of the steep.</p> - -<p class="normal">Down, down it rushed, dazzling the eye and deafening the ear, and -sweeping all before it, till, striking the bottom of the valley with a -sound as if a thousand cannon had been discharged at once, it blocked -up the whole pass, dispersing the stream in a cloud of mist, and -shaking by the mere concussion a multitude of crags and rocks down -from the summit of the mountain. Long after it fell, the hollow -windings of the ravines prolonged its roar with many an echoing sound, -dying slowly away till all again was silence, and the mist dispersing -left the frowning destruction that the <i>lavange</i> had caused exposed to -the sight in all its full horrors.</p> - -<p class="normal">Father Francis raised his hands to heaven; and though I am sure that -few men were better prepared to leave this earth, and had less of -man's lingering desire still to remain upon it, yet with that -instinctive love of life, which neither religion nor philosophy can -wholly banish, he thanked God most fervently for our preservation from -the fate which had just passed us by. We had, indeed, many reasons to -be thankful, not only for our escape from the immediate danger of the -<i>lavange</i>, but also for having been enabled to accomplish our passage -before its fall had blocked up the path along which we were -proceeding. The guide, indeed, seemed little disposed to prophesy -good, even from what we had escaped. The avalanches, he said, were -very uncommon at that season of the year, and when they did happen, -they were always indicative of some great commotion likely to take -place in the atmosphere. Neither did he love, he proceeded to say, -those heavy clouds that rested halfway down the sides of the -mountains, nor the dead stillness of the air; both of which seemed to -him to forbode a snow-storm, the most certain agent of the traveller's -destruction in the winter.</p> - -<p class="normal">Nothing remained, however, but to urge our course forward as fast as -possible; but the mule of the good priest had now resumed her -hereditary obstinacy, and neither blows nor fair words would induce -her to move one step faster than suited her immediate convenience; so -that it bade fair to be near midnight before we could reach the first -town in the valley <i>D'Ossau</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">After many a vain attempt upon the impassible animal, we were obliged -to yield, and proceed onward as slowly as she chose, while -occasionally a sort of low howling noise in the gorges of the mountain -gave notice that the apprehensions of the guide were likely to be -verified. A large eagle, too, kept sailing slowly before us, breaking -with its ill-omened voice, as it flitted down the ravine, the profound -death-like silence of the air. Over the whole of the scene there was a -dark, inexpressible gloom, which found its way heavily to our own -hearts. All was still, too, and noiseless, except the dull melancholy -sounds I have mentioned: it seemed as if nature had become dumb with -awe at the approaching tempest. No bird enlivened the air with its -song, no insect interrupted the stillness with the hum, no object of -life presented itself, except a hawk or a raven, shooting quickly -across, evidently not in pursuit of prey, but in search of shelter. -The hills and rocks were all cold and grey, except where the snow had -lodged in large white masses, which rendered their aspect still more -cheerless and desolate. The sky was dark, heavy, and frowning, and -every object seemed benumbed by the hand of death; so that it was -impossible, on looking around upon that sad, chill, powerless scene, -to fancy it could ever re-awaken into life, and sunshine, and summer.</p> - -<p class="normal">Gradually the howling of the mountains increased, and the wind began -to break upon us with quick sharp gusts, that almost threw us from our -horses, while a shower of small, fine sleet drove in our faces, -fatiguing and teasing us, as well as impeding our progress. The guide -began now to grumble loudly at the slowness of Father Francis's mule, -and to declare that he would not stay and risk his life for any mule -in France or Arragon.</p> - -<p class="normal">We were now upon the French side of the mountains, and, as the road -was sufficiently defined, I doubted not that we should be able to find -our way without his assistance. As his insolence became louder, -therefore, I told him, if he were a coward, and afraid to stay by -those persons he had undertaken to guide, to spur on his horse, and -deliver us from his tongue as speedily as possible. He took me at my -word, replying that he was no coward, but that having his wife and -children to provide for, his life was of value; that if we would go -faster, he would stay with us and guide us on; but that if we would -not, the path was straight before us, and that we had nothing to do -but follow it by the side of the stream till it led us to a town. -Seeing him thus determined, I thought it better to send forward -Houssaye along with him, giving him directions to return with some -people of the country to lead us right if we should have missed our -way, and to relieve us in case we should be overwhelmed by the snow. -Houssaye still smacked too much of the old soldier to say a word in -opposition to a received order, and though he looked very much as if -he would have willingly stayed with Father Francis and myself, yet he -instantly obeyed, and putting spurs to his horse, followed the guide -on towards Laruns.</p> - -<p class="normal">The storm every moment began to increase, and so sharp was the wind in -our faces, that we could hardly distinguish our way, being nearly -blinded with snow, mingled with a sort of extremely fine hail. The -atmosphere, also, loaded with thin particles, was now so dim and -obscure, that it was not possible to see more than fifty yards before -us, and, while wandering on through the semi-opaque air, the objects -around appeared to assume a thousand strange and fantastic shapes, of -giants, and towers, and castles, as their indistinct forms were -changed by the hand of fancy. Even to the animals that bore us, these -transformations seemed to be visible, for more than once my horse -started from a rock which had taken the shape of some beast; and once -we were nearly half-an-hour in getting the mule past an old pine, -which the tempest had hurled down the mountain, and which, leaning -over a mass of stone, looked like an immense serpent, stretching out -its neck to devour whatever living thing should pass before it.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, the ground gradually became thickly covered with -snow, and every footfall of the horse left a deep mark, telling -plainly how rapidly the accumulation was going on. Still we made but -little progress, and, what between slipping and climbing, both the -mule and the horse soon lost their vigour with fatigue, and we had now -much difficulty in making them proceed.</p> - -<p class="normal">Not long after the guide left us, it evidently began to grow dark, and -it was with feelings I have seldom felt that I observed the gathering -gloom which grew around. The white glare of the snow did, indeed, -afford some light, but so confused and indistinct, that it served to -dazzle, but not to guide.</p> - -<p class="normal">All vestige of a path was soon effaced, and the only means of -ascertaining in which way our road lay, was by the murmuring of the -stream that still continued to rush on at the bottom of the precipice -over which we passed. Even the black patches which had been left, -where some large stone or salient crag had sheltered any spot from the -drift, were soon lost, and it became evident that much more snow had -fallen on the French side of the mountains, even before that day, than -we had been led to expect.</p> - -<p class="normal">Our farther progress became at every step more and more perilous, for -none of the crevices and gaps in the path were now visible, and the -tormenting dashing of the snow in our eyes, and in those of our -beasts, prevented us or them from choosing even those parts which -appeared most solid and secure. I had hitherto led the way, but Father -Francis now insisted upon going first, on account of the sure-footed -nature of the mule, whose instinctive perception of every dangerous -step was certain to secure him, he observed, from perils of the nature -we were most likely to encounter. The mule might also, he continued, -in some degree serve to guide my horse, who had more than once -stumbled upon the slippery and uneven rocks, concealed as they were by -the snow.</p> - -<p class="normal">After some opposition, I consented to his doing so, feeling a sort of -depression of mind which I can only attribute to fatigue. It was not -fear: but there was a sort of deep despondency grew upon me, which -made me give up all hope of ever disentangling ourselves from the -dangerous situation in which we were placed. The cold, the darkness, -the chilly, piercing wind, the void, yawning expanse of the dim hollow -before me, the melancholy howling of the mountains, the rush and the -tumult of the swelling stream below, the whispering murmur of the -pine-woods above, beginning with a gentle sigh, and growing hoarser -and hoarser, till it ended in a roar like the angry billows of the -ocean--all affected my mind with dark and gloomy presentiments;--I -never hoped to save my life from the rude hand of the tempest--I -hardly know whether I wished it; despair had obtained so firm a hold -of my mind, that it had scarcely power even to conceive a desire.</p> - -<p class="normal">After we had changed the order of our progression, however, we went on -for some time much more securely, the mule stepping on with a quiet -caution and certainty peculiar to those animals, and my horse -following it step by step, as if perfectly well understanding her -superiority in such circumstances, and allowing her to lead without -one feeling of jealousy.</p> - -<p class="normal">Still the snow fell, and the wind blew, and the irritating howling and -roaring of the mountains continued with increasing violence, while the -blank darkness of the night surrounded us on all sides; when suddenly -the mule stopped, and showed an evident determination of proceeding no -farther. Fearful lest there should be any hidden danger which she did -not choose to pass, I dismounted as carefully from my horse as I -could, and proceeding round the spot where she stood, I went on a few -paces, trying the ground at each step I took; but all was firm and -even--indeed, much more smooth than any we had hitherto passed. The -path, it is true, ran along on the verge of the precipice, but there -wanted no room for two or three horses to have advanced abreast, and, -consequently, seeing that the beast was actuated by a fit of -obstinacy, I mounted again, and proceeded to ride round for the -purpose of leading the way, to try whether she would not then follow. -Accordingly, I spurred on my horse to pass her, but he had scarcely -taken two steps forward, when the vicious mule struck out with her -hind feet full in his chest. He reared--plunged--reared again, and in -a moment I found his haunches slipping over the precipice behind. It -was the work of a moment; but, with the overpowering instinct of -self-preservation, I let go the bridle, sprang forward from his back, -and catching hold of the rhododendrons and other tough shrubs on the -brink, found myself hanging in the air with my feet just beating -against the face of the rock. My brain turned giddy, and an agonising -cry, something between a neigh and a scream, from the depth below, -told me dreadfully the fate which I had just escaped.</p> - -<p class="normal">Slowly, and cautiously, fearing every moment that the slender twigs by -which I held would give way, and precipitate me down into the horrid -abyss that had received my poor horse, I contrived to raise myself -till I stood once more upon firm ground; and then replied to the -anxious calls of Father Francis, who had dimly seen the horse plunge -over, and had heard his cry from below, but knew not whether I had -fallen with him or not.</p> - -<p class="normal">My heart still beat too fast, and my brain turned round too much to -permit of our proceeding for some minutes; the loss of my horse, also, -was likely to prove a serious addition, if not to our danger, at least -to my fatigues. Nothing, however, could be done to remedy the -misfortune; and, after pausing for a while, in order to gain breath, -we attempted to recommence our journey. For the purpose of leading her -on, I laid my hand upon the mule's bridle, but nothing would make her -move; and the moment I tried to pull her forward, or Father Francis -touched her with the whip, she ran back towards the edge of the -precipice, till another step would have plunged her over. Nothing now -remained but for the good priest to descend and take his journey -forward also on foot. As soon as he was safely off the back of the -vicious beast which had caused us so much uncomfort and danger, I -again attempted to make her proceed; resolving, in the height of my -anger, if she again approached the side, rather to push her over than -save her: but with cunning equal to her obstinacy, she perceived that -we should not entertain the same fear as when her rider was upon her -back, and instead of pulling backwards as before, she calmly laid -herself down on her side, leaving us no resource but to go forward -without her.</p> - -<p class="normal">The most painful part of our journey now began. Every step was -dangerous--every step was difficult; nothing but horror and gloom -surrounded us on all sides, and death lay around us in a thousand -unknown shapes. Wherever we ascended, we had to struggle with the full -force of the overpowering blast, and wherever the path verged into a -descent, there we had slowly to choose our way with redoubled caution, -with a road so slippery, that it was hardly possible to keep one's -feet, and a profound precipice below; while the wind tore us in its -fury, and the snow and sleet beat upon us without ceasing. For nearly -an hour we continued to bear up against it, struggling onward with -increasing difficulties, sometimes falling, sometimes dashed back by -the wind, with our clothes drenched in consequence of the snow melting -upon us, and the cold of the atmosphere growing more intense as every -minute of the night advanced. At length hope itself was wearied out; -and at a spot where the ravine opened out into a valley to the right -and left, while our path continued over a sort of causeway, with the -river on one hand, and a deep dell filled up with snow on the other, -Father Francis, who had hitherto struggled on with more vigour than -might have been expected from his age, suddenly stopped, and resting -on a rock, declared his incapacity to go any farther. "My days are -over, Louis," said he: "leave me, and go forward as fast as you can. -If I mistake not, that is the pass just above Laruns. Speed on, speed -on, my dear boy; a quarter of an hour, I know, would put us in safety, -but I have not strength to sustain myself any longer: I have done my -utmost, and I must stop."</p> - -<p class="normal">He spoke so feebly, that the very tone of his voice left me no hope -that he would be able to proceed, especially across that open part of -the valley, where we were exposed to the full force of the wind. It -already dashed against us with more tremendous gusts than we had yet -felt, whirling up the snow into thick columns that threatened every -moment to overwhelm us, and I doubted not that the path beyond lay -still more open to its fury. To leave the good old man in that -situation was of course what I never dreamed of; and, consequently, I -expressed my own determination to wait there also for the return of -Houssaye, who, I deemed, could not be long in coming to search for us.</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, Louis, no!" cried Father Francis; "the wind, the snow, the cold, -are all increasing. You must attempt to go on, for, if you do not, you -will perish also. But first listen to an important piece of -information which has been confided to me. As I cannot bear the -message myself, you must deliver it to your mother.--Tell her----"</p> - -<p class="normal">I could hardly hear what he said, his voice was so faint, and the -howling of the storm so dreadful: a few more broken words were added; -but before he had concluded, a gust of wind more violent than any we -had hitherto encountered whirled round us both with irresistible -power. I strove to hold by the rock with all my force, but in vain. I -was torn from it as if I had been a straw, and the next moment was -dashed with the good priest into the midst of the snow that had -collected in the dell below. We sunk deep down into the yielding -drift, which, rising high above our heads, for a moment nearly -suffocated me. Soon, however, I found that I could breathe, and though -all hope was now over, I contrived to remove the snow that lay between -myself and Father Francis, of whose gown I had still retained a hold. -I told him I was safe, and called to him to answer me. He made no -reply--I raised his head--he moved not--I put my hand upon his -heart--it had ceased to beat!</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">I have told all that I remember of that night,--a night whose horrible -events still haunt my memory like the ghosts of the unburied on the -banks of Styx, often flitting across my mind's eye, when it would fain -turn to scenes of happiness and joy. If ever a horrible dream disturbs -my slumber, it is also sure to refer to that night, and I find myself -labouring on in the midst of wilds and darkness, rocks and precipices, -the tempest dashing in my face, and the wind hurling me into the midst -of the suffocating snow.</p> - -<p class="normal">My recovery from the sort of stupor into which I had fallen after I -had discovered the death of poor Father Francis was very different in -all its sensations from my resuscitation after drowning. I remember -nothing of the actual return to life, and it must, indeed, have been -some weeks before I regained my powers of reason and perception in -their full force, passing the interval in a state of delirium, brought -on by the cold, and also, perhaps, by the excessive excitement in -which I had been for some hours previous to my losing my recollection.</p> - -<p class="normal">When I first woke, as it were, from this state of mental alienation, I -found myself lying on a bed, stretched in my mother's toilet chamber. -I believe I had been asleep, and felt excessively enfeebled--so much -so, indeed, that, though I plainly saw my mother just rising from -beside me, I could not summon sufficient energy to speak to her, and I -reclosed my eyes. I heard her say, however, "He wakes! try, dear -Helen, to soothe him to sleep again, while I go and endeavour to rest -myself, for I am very much worn with watching last night." Her steps -retreated, for she fancied me still delirious; and I could hear some -one else glide forward--though the footfall was, perhaps, the lightest -that ever touched the earth--and take the seat my mother had left. So -acute had become my sense of hearing, that the least sound was -perceptible to my ears, even for many weeks afterwards, to such a -degree as to be positively painful to me.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was well aware that it was Helen Arnault--my beloved Helen--that sat -beside me; and yet, though I can scarcely say my senses were -sufficiently restored for me positively to exercise that faculty which -is called <i>thinking</i>, there was upon my mind a vague dreamy -remembrance that I had acted wrong in her regard, which made me still -keep my eyes closed, trying to call up more clearly the images of all -my adventures at Saragossa. As I lay thus, I felt a soft sweet breath -fan my cheek, like the air of spring, and then a warm drop or two fall -upon it, like a spring shower. I opened my eyes, and saw Helen gazing -upon me and weeping. She raised her head slightly, for her lips had -been close to my cheek; but thinking that my mind was still in the -same wandering state, she continued to gaze upon my face, and I could -see in her eyes the look of that deep, devoted, resolute affection, -with which woman is pre-eminently endowed--her blessing or her curse! -I laid my hand gently upon one of hers which rested on the side of my -bed, and drawing it towards me, I pressed it to my lips. She instantly -started up, and looked at me with a glance of surprise and joy that I -can see even now.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, is it possible!" cried she: "are you better really?" and she -seemed as if to start away to convey the tidings to my mother; but I -beckoned her to bend her head down towards me, and when she had done -so, I thanked her, in a low voice, but with energetic words, for her -care, her kindness, and for her love. Her blushing cheek was close to -my lips, but sickness, which had rendered all my sensations morbidly -acute, had also made my feelings of delicacy much more refined, and -had given a degree of timidity I did not often otherwise feel. I would -not for the world have taken advantage of the opportunity which her -kindness and confidence afforded; and though, as I have said, her -cheek, looking like the summer side of a blooming peach, was within -the reach of my lips, I let her raise it without a touch, when I had -poured forth my thanks into her ear; and I then suffered her to do her -joyful errand to my mother, only venturing to tell her, ere she went, -how much I loved, and how much I would love her to the end of my -existence.</p> - -<p class="normal">A moment after, my mother returned herself, her eyes streaming with -tears of joy; and, kneeling by my bedside, she covered my cheek with -those fond maternal kisses, whose unmixed purity gives them a sweet -and holy balm, which love with all its fire and brightness can seldom, -seldom attain.</p> - -<p class="normal">My convalescence was tedious, and months elapsed before I regained -anything like the robust health which I had formerly enjoyed. Months -of sickness are very apt to make a spoilt child; and had I not lately -received some lessons hard to be forgot, such might have been the case -with me, when I saw the whole happiness of the three persons I myself -loved best depending upon my slightest change of looks. My father's -delight at my recovery was not less than my mother's; and every day -that I met Helen, I could see her eye rest for an instant upon my -face, as if to watch what progress returning health had made since the -day before; and when, by chance it gained a deeper touch of red, or my -eyes had acquired a ray of renewed fire, the happiness of her heart -raised the blood into her cheek, and made her look a thousand times -lovelier than ever.</p> - -<p class="normal">We now also met oftener than formerly. The ties which she had entwined -round my mother's heart had been, during my illness, drawn more -tightly than ever. That restraint no longer existed which had formerly -proved so irksome to me; Helen was in every way treated as a child of -the family; and, had she chosen it, might have yielded me many an hour -of that private conversation which I was not remiss in seeking. But -far from it; with an ingenuity, which mingled gentleness, perhaps even -affection, with reserve, she avoided all opportunity of hearing what -her heart forbade her to reprove, and to which she yet felt it wrong -to listen.</p> - -<p class="normal">When before my father or mother, instead of appearing to feel a -greater degree of timidity, it seemed as if the restraint was removed, -and she would behave towards me as a gentle and affectionate sister; -but if ever she encountered me alone, she had still some excuse to -leave me, ere I could tell her all that was passing in my heart, or -win from her any reiteration of her once acknowledged regard.</p> - -<p class="normal">Her conduct made me grave and melancholy. My bosom was full of a -passion that I burned to pour forth with all the ardour of youth, and -it drove me forth to solitude to dream over the feelings I was denied -the power to communicate. My father observed my long and lonely -rambles; and remonstrated with me on giving way to such melancholy -gloom, when I had so many causes for happiness and for gratitude to -Heaven. "Not," said he, "that I contemn an occasional recourse to the -commune of one's own thoughts; it enlarges, it elevates, it improves -the mind; and I am convinced that the beautiful Roman fable of Numa -and Egeria was but a fine allegory, to express that the Roman king -learned wisdom by a frequent intercourse with the divine and -instructive spirit of solitude. But your retirement, my dear Louis, -seems to me of a gloomy and dissatisfied nature; perhaps it originates -in a desire to see more of courts and cities than you have hitherto -done. If so, it is easy to gratify you, however painful it may be to -your mother and myself to lose your society."</p> - -<p class="normal">In reply, I assured him that I entertained no desire of the kind; but -he had persuaded himself that such was the case, and still retained -his first opinion, though God knows to leave Helen was the last thing -I sought. He continued, however, to turn in his own mind his project -of sending me to the court, notwithstanding which, it is probable that -the whole would have gradually passed away from his memory, had not my -mother, to whom he had communicated his wishes, from other motives, -determined upon the same proceeding; and with her calm but active -spirit, while my father spoke of it every day, yet took no step -towards its accomplishment, she hardly mentioned the subject, but -carried it into effect.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I recovered my health, there was of course much to hear concerning -all that had occurred, both during my absence in Spain, and my illness -after my return.</p> - -<p class="normal">In regard to the first, I shall merely notice the circumstance which -occasioned my father to recal me: this was nothing else than a visit -from the Marquis de St. Brie, of whom the Chevalier had instilled into -our minds so unfavourable an opinion.</p> - -<p class="normal">On his presenting himself at the château, my father received him -coldly and haughtily; but the Marquis soon, by the polished elegance -of his manners, and the apparent frankness of his character, did away -the evil impression which had been created against him. He spoke of -his rencontre with me, and he praised my conduct in the highest -manner. Courage, and skill, and generous forbearance, were all -attributed to me; and the ears of the parent were easily soothed by -the commendation bestowed upon his child. Besides, my father was too -lazy to hold his opinion steadfastly, when any one strove to steal it -from him; and he gradually brought himself to believe that the Marquis -de St. Brie was a very much slandered person, and that, so far from -having any evil intent towards me, the Marquis was my very good friend -and well-wisher.</p> - -<p class="normal">My mother was slower to be convinced; but the language of my former -adversary was so high whenever he spoke of me, that she also gradually -yielded her unfavourable impressions, and willingly consented to my -recal--the Marquis having promised to revisit the Château de l'Orme in -the spring, and expressed a wish to see me, offering at the same time, -if his interest could be of service to my views, to use it to the -utmost in my behalf. My mother looked upon this, at the worst, as an -empty profession, and my father almost believed him to be sincere.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus I was recalled; and my adventures on my return being already -told, I have only farther to relate the means by which I was saved -from the fate that menaced me. Immediately on quitting Father Francis -and myself, my faithful Houssaye had ridden on with the guide to -Laruns, as hard as he could. The wind, however, and the snow had -delayed them far longer than he had anticipated; and, anxious for my -safety, he galloped to the little cabaret in search of some one to -return and lend their assistance in finding me out, and rescuing me -from the peril in which he had left me.</p> - -<p class="normal">The first persons whom he encountered in the auberge were Arnault, the -procureur of Lourdes, and his son, the latter of whom instantly -proffered to join the party, and aid with all his heart. But the old -procureur was thereupon immediately smitten with a fit of paternal -tenderness, such as had not visited him for many years before; and he -not only positively prohibited Jean Baptiste from encountering the -dangers of the snow himself, but he also pronounced such a pathetic -oration upon the horrors and dangers of the undertaking, that of the -whole party collected in the cabaret not one could be found to -venture.</p> - -<p class="normal">Houssaye's next resource was amongst the cottagers round about, and, -by promises and persuasion, he induced eight sturdy mountaineers to -accompany him with the resin torches for which they are famous in that -part of the country, and which are almost as difficult to extinguish -as the celebrated fire of Callinicus. With these they began their -search on the road towards Gabas; but scarcely had they passed the -defile immediately above Laruns, than the light of the torches flashed -over a spot where the snow had evidently been disturbed, and on -examining they found a part of my clothes not yet covered with the -drift which had come down since the wind had swept Father Francis and -myself from the path. We were soon extricated, and carried to Laruns -apparently dead.</p> - -<p class="normal">Here all means were applied to recall us to life, but they proved -successful only with me; on Father Francis they had no effect, though -Houssaye assured me that everything which could be devised was -employed in vain.</p> - -<p class="normal">Amongst the most active in rendering me every assistance after I was -extricated was the good youth who had saved me before from a watery -grave; but in the midst of his endeavours, his father checked him, and -calling him on one side, spoke to him for long in a low voice.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The old fox thought I could hear nothing," said Houssaye; "but enough -reached me to make me understand he would rather have had you die than -live. If he dies, I heard him say, you shall have both--something -which I did not hear--and all the property; but if he lives, mark if -he do not thwart us, though I will take care to throw obstacles enough -in his way! The lad seemed well enough inclined to help you still," -proceeded Houssaye, "but his father would not let him; though he came -the next morning himself, fawning and asking if he could bear any -message back to Lourdes, whither he was about to return, finding that -he could not pass into Spain as he had intended."</p> - -<p class="normal">This latter part of the worthy old trumpeter's narration astonished -and embarrassed me a good deal; and after turning it in every way that -my imagination could suggest, without being able to discover any -solution of the mystery, I was obliged to conclude that, in what the -narrator declared he had overheard, fancy had full as great a share as -matter of fact. Arnault might dislike me--indeed, I was very sure that -he did so--but how my life might thwart his views, or my death might -profit him, I was at a loss to discover.</p> - -<p class="normal">One thing, however, I remarked--Arnault, after my recovery, came more -than once to see his daughter, which he had not done more than twice -before, since she had been at the château. Her brother, also, was more -frequently with her; and on these occasions, the father, if he met any -member of my family, was humble and fawning, the son awkward and -sheepish; and it struck me that the behaviour of the latter was very -much changed towards myself, as if he were playing a part learned by -rote, which neither assimilated with his character nor suited his -inclination.</p> - -<p class="normal">I also perceived a change take place in Helen--she grew silent, pale, -thoughtful. When she looked at me, it seemed as if her eyes would -overflow with tears, were it not for the restraint imposed upon her by -the presence of others. Her gaiety was gone; and even the servants, -amongst whom she was almost adored, began to remark the sadness of -<i>Mademoiselle Helene</i>, and comment on its cause. All this was to me a -mystery; and doubt of any kind, even concerning a trifle, has ever -been to me a thousand times more painful than evident danger or real -misfortune. Doubt is to my mind what the darkness of night is to a -ghost-frightened school-boy--I go on gazing anxiously about me on -every side, conjuring up a thousand ideal spectres, and distorting -every dim object that I see into the likeness of some fearful phantom -of the imagination. Nor can all the reasoning in my power divest my -mind of the credulity with which I listen either to hope or to -apprehension: though I well know that apprehension is to sorrow what -hope is to joy--a sort of <i>avant courier</i>, who greatly magnifies the -importance of the personage whom he precedes.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the present instance, I determined to change my doubts to -certainties, if human ingenuity might do so. Probably I should have -accomplished it, but passion--which generally interferes with the best -laid schemes of human wisdom, suggesting that the gratification which -the heart seeks may easily be blended with the designs which the brain -has formed--was ingenious enough to persuade me that the very best -thing I could do for the accomplishment of my object was suddenly to -explain myself with Helen. She avoided giving me any opportunity of -doing so. I persisted with all the ardour of my nature, watching with -unwearied assiduity even to gain a quarter of an hour; but I watched -in vain.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus lapsed first a week, and then another, at the end of which the -Marquis de St. Brie arrived at the château, full ten days before he -had been expected. He came, however, with no train which could -incommode his host and hostess. Two servants were all that accompanied -him; and the seeming frankness of this conduct even won much upon my -opinion. I found him a different person from what I had conceived. He -was proud, perhaps, in manner, but not haughty; he was witty--he was -well informed--he was pleasing. In short, he was the opposite to that -Marquis de St. Brie whom I had more than once regretted not having -sent to his long account at the time it was in my power to do so.</p> - -<p class="normal">Was he changed--or was I? Perhaps both; and I am afraid that a degree -of pique towards the Chevalier did certainly make me easily receive -every favourable impression that the manners and appearance of my -former adversary were calculated to produce. In latter years I have -tried to judge my own motives in the various events of life--I have -judged them strictly--as strictly as it is possible for a man to do; -but not too much so, for it is impossible that any one can be too -severe upon himself. The result of my self-investigation on this point -has been, that had my friendship for the Chevalier been as lively as -ever, I should have found less charms in the society of the Marquis de -St. Brie.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XIII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">By a long system of exact economy, my mother had, by this time, -repaired, in some degree, the ravages which many generations of -extravagance had committed on our family estates; and though the -pimple-nosed <i>maître d'hôtel</i> and old Houssaye, with two other -septuagenarian lackeys, who might be considered as heirlooms in the -family, still maintained their faces in the hall, yet four other more -youthful attendants had been added to the number; and on the first day -of the Marquis de St. Brie's arrival, all eight figured in new bright -liveries of green and gold, with well-starched ruffs, and white sword -scabbards. This was an expansion of liberality on the part of my -mother which I had not expected; not that for a moment I mean to -insinuate that the spirit of frugality was in her the effect of a -sordid heart--far, far from it; it was an effort of her mind, and had -ever been a painful one. She had herself experienced all the -uncomforts of that miserable combination, a great name and an inferior -fortune; and she was resolved, if possible, to save her son from the -same distresses.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the present instance, she was actuated by a feeling of that refined -delicacy towards her husband, which ever taught her not only to -respect him herself, but to throw a veil even round his foibles, for -the purpose of hiding them from the eyes of the others. She had heard -my father calmly talk to the Marquis de St. Brie, on the former visit, -of his retinue and his vassals; and a slight smile had played about -the guest's lip, which my father never saw, but which wounded my -mother for him. She instantly determined to sacrifice some part of her -system of economy, without attempting any vain display, or going -beyond what she could reasonably afford; and the present effect was -that which I have described.</p> - -<p class="normal">We dined in general a little after noon; but on the day of the -Marquis's arrival, which was looked upon by the servants as one of -those occasions of ceremony, when their rights and privileges were to -be as strictly enforced as the official tenures at a royal coronation, -the announcement of dinner was somewhat delayed by a contest between -Houssaye and the <i>maître d'hôtel</i>, in regard to which should sound the -trumpet. Houssaye grounded his claim upon patent of office, as the -trumpeter-general to the Counts of Bigorre; and the <i>maître d'hôtel</i>, -contended for the honour as a right prescriptive, which he had -exercised for thirty years. The <i>maître d'hôtel</i> would certainly have -carried the day, being in possession of the brazen tube in dispute; -but Houssaye, like a true old soldier, hung upon his flanks, -embarrassed his manœuvres, and at length defeated him by a <i>coup de -main</i>. The <i>maître d'hôtel</i> having possession, as I have said, -resolved to exercise his right; and, at the hour appointed, raised the -trumpet to his lips, and prepared an energetic breath. His red cheeks -swelled till they looked like a ripe pomegranate; his eyes stared as -if they would start from their sockets; his long, pimpled nose was -nearly eclipsed by its rubicund neighbours, the cheeks, and would -hardly have been seen but for a vibratory sort of movement about the -end, produced, probably, by the compression of his breath. All -announced a most terrible explosion, when suddenly the undaunted -Houssaye stepped up, and applying his thumb to the cheek of this -unhappy aspirant to <i>tubicinal</i> honours, expelled the breath before -the lips were prepared. The cheeks sunk, the eyes relapsed, the nose -protruded, and a hollow murmur died along the resonant cavities of the -brass--a sort of dirge to the pseudo-trumpeter's defeat.</p> - -<p class="normal">The whole scene was visible to me through the open door of the -vestibule, and so irresistibly comic was it altogether, that I could -not refrain from staying to witness its termination. Again the <i>maître -d'hôtel</i> essayed the feat, and again the malicious Houssaye rendered -his efforts abortive; upon which the discomfited party declared he -would carry his cause before a higher tribunal, and was proceeding -towards my father's apartments to state his grievances. But he -committed one momentous oversight which completed his defeat.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the agitation of the moment he laid the trumpet down; Houssaye -pounced upon it like lightning, started upon a chair, and applied the -brass to his lips. The <i>maître d'hôtel</i> threw his arms round him to -pull him down, but Houssaye's weight overbalanced his adversary, and -both rolled upon the floor together.</p> - -<p class="normal">The old trumpeter, however, had blown many an inspiring blast on -horseback and on foot, in the charge, in the retreat, in the camp, or -in the rage of the battle; all situations were alike to him, and as he -rolled over and over with the <i>maître d'hôtel</i>, he still kept the -trumpet to his lips, and blew, and blew, and blew, till such a call to -the standard echoed through the château as had never before disturbed -its peaceful halls.</p> - -<p class="normal">After I had seen the conclusion of this doughty contention, I was -proceeding towards my father's library, when I was met in the corridor -by the whole party coming from their various apartments. My father -resigned to no one the honour of handing down the Countess; and the -Marquis turned to offer his hand to Helen, who followed her, giving a -slight sort of start as his eye fell upon so much loveliness.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I did not know, madam," said he, "that you had so fair a daughter."</p> - -<p class="normal">"She is no farther my daughter," replied the Countess, looking back to -Helen with a smile, "than in being the daughter of my love. -Mademoiselle Arnault, Monsieur le Marquis de St. Brie!"</p> - -<p class="normal">The hall, as we entered it, looked more splendid than ever I had seen -it. With infinite labour, the old banners, that flaunted in the air -above the table, had been cleared of their antique dust; all our -family plate was displayed upon the buffet; and the eight liveried -lackeys, in their new suits, gave an air of feudal state to the hall, -that it had not possessed since the days of Henri Quatre.</p> - -<p class="normal">During the first service but little was said by any one. After the -grave employment of half an hour, however, the mind would fain have -its share of activity; and, though somewhat impeded by the gross -aliments of the body, found means to issue forth and mingle with the -banquet.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The bird of Juno," said the Marquis, pointing to a peacock that, with -its spread tail and elevated crest, ornamented the centre of the -table, "is a fitting dish in such a proud hall as this. I love to dine -in a vast and antique room, with every haughty accessory that can give -solemnity to the repast."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And is it," demanded my father with a smile, "from a conviction of -the importance, or the littleness of the employment?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, of its meanness, certainly!" replied the Marquis; "it needs, I -think, all the ingenuity of man's pride--all that he can collect of -grand or striking, associated with himself--to soothe his vanity under -the weight of his weaknesses and necessities; and what can be more -painfully degrading than this propensity to devour!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is a philosophy I can hardly admit," replied my father; "the -simple act of eating is surely not degrading, and, when employed but -as the means of support, it becomes dignified by the great objects to -which it tends--the preservation of life, the invigorating the body, -and, consequently, the liberation of the mind from all those -oppressive chains with which corporeal weakness or ill health is sure -to enthral it. In my eyes, everything that nature has given or taught, -is beautiful; and never becomes degrading but by the corruption with -which it is mingled by man himself."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I know not," answered the Marquis, smiling at the enthusiasm with -which my father sustained what was one of his most favourite theses, -"but I can conceive no dignity in eating the mangled limbs of other -animals slaughtered for our use."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You look not so cynically, I hope, on all other failings of -humanity?" demanded my mother, willing to change the subject; and -changing it to one on which every Frenchwoman thinks or has thought a -great deal, she added, "Love for instance?"</p> - -<p class="normal">The Marquis bowed. "No one can be more devoted," replied he, "to the -lovelier part of the creation than I am, and yet I cannot but think -that the ancients did well to represent Venus as springing from the -foam of the sea."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Somewhat light, you would say, in her nature," rejoined my father, -"and variable as her parent waves----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"And sometimes as cold and as uncertain too," said I; but, as I did -so, I saw a slight flush pass over Helen's brow, and I added, "But you -forget, Monsieur le Marquis, or rather, like a skilful arguer, you do -not notice, that the blood of Cœlus, which we translate, almost -literally, a drop from heaven, was mingled with the foam of the sea to -produce the goddess."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Happily turned!" replied the Marquis with a smile; "but I trust, my -young friend, you are aware that the queen of love is only to be won -by thes god of arms, as our sweet and tumid Raccan would put it. Have -you yet entered the path in which you are born to distinguish -yourself; I mean the service of your king?"</p> - -<p class="normal">With somewhat of a blush, I replied that I had not, and the Marquis -proceeded:--"Fie, now! 'tis a shame that a sword, which I know, to my -cost, is a good one, should rust in its scabbard. Every gentleman, -whatever may be his ultimate objects in life, should serve his country -for at least one campaign. It is rumoured that our wars in Italy will -infallibly be renewed: in that case, I shall of course take the -command of my regiment; and if your noble father will allow you to -accompany me, we will turn the two good swords, that once crossed upon -a foolish quarrel, against the enemies of our king and our country."</p> - -<p class="normal">Without a moment's hesitation I should have accepted the proposal; but -my mother interposed. "I have already," said she, after having -expressed her thanks to the Marquis for the honour he proposed to her -son--"I have already written to her highness the Countess de Soissons, -who honoured me in my youth with her favour and affection, soliciting, -if it be possible, that Louis may, for a short period, enjoy the -advantage of being near Monsieur le Comte, her son. I have no doubt -that she will comply with my request; and, at all events, we must, of -course, suspend every other plan till her highness's answer is -received."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Marquis appeared somewhat mortified, but immediately changed the -conversation to other subjects, and certainly no man I ever met could -render himself more fascinating when he chose to do so. His language -was as elegant as his manners, and he mingled, with a playful, -shining, unforced wit, a slight degree of cynical bitterness, which -rendered it more exciting by its pungency. He had the great art, too, -of suiting his conversation exactly to those with whom he conversed; -not precisely as the cameleon, taking its hue from the object next to -it, but rather like a fine piece of polished china, receiving a -sufficient reflection from whatever salient colour was placed near, -without losing the original figures with which it was itself marked. -Thus he never lost in manner a certain degree of pride, which was the -great master-passion of his soul; but when he wished to please or win, -he made even this pride subservient to his purpose, by acting as an -opposition to his courtesy and condescension. Nor did he ever in the -fits of that cynical humour, which he either affected or possessed -from nature, go beyond the exact point at which it could amuse or -stimulate those that listened to him; and he calculated, with -wonderful insight into their characters, the precise portions that -each could bear or relish.</p> - -<p class="normal">With whatever feelings one entered his society, one quitted it struck -and fascinated. I did so myself, notwithstanding the warning I had -received with regard to him--notwithstanding a strong prepossession -against him. I felt attracted, amused, and pleased; and every minute -that I passed in his company, I had to recall the demoniacal passions -his countenance had expressed at Estelle, and ask myself--Can this be -the same man? It was; and when closely observed, there was a glance of -malignity in the eye, which, if rightly read, would have told that -there the real man shone out, and that the rest was all a mask. The -nations of the East have a superstition, that their <i>Dives</i>, <i>Afrits</i>, -and other evil spirits, have the power of transforming themselves into -the most beautiful and enticing shapes; but that some one spot of -their body is always exempt from this change, and remains in its -original hideousness. Thus I believe it is with the human character; -give it what gracious form you will, there is still some original -feature will rest unchanged, to show what shape it has at first -received from Nature.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Marquis de St. Brie, however, maintained the doubtful favour he -had gained with the inhabitants of the Château de l'Orme as long as he -remained within its walls, which was during the space of three days. -Each passed much like the former, with the exception of the second, in -the course of which we went out upon the mountains to shoot the -izzard.</p> - -<p class="normal">At the hour appointed for setting forth, it so happened that I was a -moment later than my father and the Marquis. My mother, too, was in -the court seeing the preparations for our departure; when, on going -from my bedchamber into the corridor, I was met by Helen, who, instead -of passing me hastily, as she usually did, paused a moment, as if -anxious to speak. Her cheek was rather flushed, and never did I behold -her looking more lovely. The temptation to delay was not to be -resisted, and besides, such a moment might never come again. "Helen!" -said I, taking her hand, "dearest Helen, I would give a world to speak -with you alone, for but five minutes. You once said you loved me--you -promised you would always love me. Helen, you must have seen how much -I have wished for such an opportunity, and yet you have never, since -my return, given me one moment of your private time."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Indeed, Louis," she answered, still letting me keep her hand, "I -could not then--I thought it would be wrong. Now, perhaps, I may think -differently; and I will no longer avoid you as I have done. But what I -sought you for now, was to say, beware of that Marquis de St. Brie. I -am sure--I <i>feel</i> sure--that he is a villain. And oh, Louis, beware of -him! for your sake--for mine." So saying, she waited for no reply, but -drawing away her hand, glided back to the Countess's apartments.</p> - -<p class="normal">Oh what a nicely balanced lever is the mind of youth! a breath will -depress it, or a breath will raise. For days before, I had been gloomy -and desponding. Existence, and all that surrounded it, I had looked -upon with a jaundiced eye, which saw only defects. I could have -quarrelled with the sunbeam for ever casting a shade--the summer -breeze for ever bearing a vapour on its wings; and now I went away -from Helen with a heart beating high with expectation and delight! One -kind word, one affectionate look, one expression of interest and love, -and every cloud was banished from my mind; and all was again sunshine, -and summer, and enjoyment. My father and the Marquis had already set -out, but a few steps brought me to their side; and, speeding on -towards the heights above the valley of Argelez, we separated, to beat -a narrow lateral dell, while the servants, spreading in a larger -circle, drove the game in towards us. My father took his range along -one side of the hollow, and I on the other; while the Marquis chose a -path above mine, having a view of the whole side of the hill.</p> - -<p class="normal">For some time we met with little success, when suddenly an izzard -bounded away along the path, about three hundred yards in advance. -Before I could fire, it was out of shot; but springing after it, I -followed eagerly along the shelf of rock, knowing that a little -farther a precipice intervened, which I did not believe the animal -could leap; and consequently, if it escaped me, it must run up the -hill and cross the Marquis, or go down into the valley and come within -my father's range. As I went on, circling round the mountain, a piece -of rock jutted out across the path about thirty yards in advance, and -hid the precipice from my view. The izzard I doubted not was there, -hesitating on the brink, as they often do when the leap is dangerous; -and hoping to obtain a shot at it before it turned, I was hurrying on, -when suddenly I heard the ringing of a carbine, and a bullet whistled -close to my ear. Its course must have lain within two inches of my -head; and, not a little angry, I turned, and saw the Marquis standing -on a rock a little way above me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"There! there!" cried he, pointing with his hand: "there, I have -missed him! Why don't you fire?"</p> - -<p class="normal">At that moment I caught a sight of the izzard actually springing up -the most perpendicular part of the mountain. It was almost beyond the -range of my carbine, but, however, I fired, and the animal rolled down -dead into the valley. Neither the Marquis nor myself alluded to the -shot which he had discharged, and it remains a very great doubt in my -mind whether he had missed me or the izzard.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XIV.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">It may seem strange, very strange, that with such suspicions on my -mind, I should accept an invitation to visit the man who had excited -them. Nevertheless I did, and what is perhaps still more strange, -those very suspicions were in some degree the cause of my doing so.</p> - -<p class="normal">When the Marquis first proposed that I should spend a day or two with -him at his <i>pavilion de chasse</i>, in the neighbourhood of Bagneres, I -felt a doubt in regard to it, of which I was ashamed--I was afraid of -feeling afraid of anything, and I instantly accepted his invitation. I -know not whether this may be very comprehensible to every one, but let -any man remember his feelings when he was nineteen--an age at which we -have not learned to distinguish between courage and rashness, prudence -and timidity--and he will, at least, in some degree, understand, -though he may blame my having acted as I did.</p> - -<p class="normal">I would willingly have suffered the Marquis to be a day in advance -before I fulfilled my engagement, longing for that promised half-hour -of conversation with Helen, which was to me one of those cherished -anticipations on which the heart of youth spends half its ardour. Oh, -how often I wish now-a-day that I could long for anything as I did in -my childhood, and fill up the interval between the promise and the -fulfilment with bright dreams worth a world of realities. But, alas! -the uncertainty of everything earthly gradually teaches man to crowd -the vacancy of expectation with fears instead of hopes, and to guard -against disappointment instead of dreaming of enjoyment. However, as -the Marquis was only to remain three days at his <i>pavilion</i> ere he set -out for Paris, he insisted on my accompanying him when he left the -Château de l'Orme.</p> - -<p class="normal">The ride was delightful in itself, but he contrived to withdraw my -attention from the scenery by the charms of his conversation. The -first subject that he entered upon was my proposed visit to the court; -and he drew a thousand light, yet faithful sketches of all the -principal courtiers of the day.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Amongst others," said he, after specifying several that I now forget, -"you will see the Duke of Bouillon, brave, shrewd, yet hasty, always -hurrying into danger with fearless impetuosity, and then finding means -of escape with a coolness which, if exerted at first, would have kept -him free from peril. He puts me in mind of a rope-dancer, whose every -spring seems as if it would be his last, and yet he catches himself -somehow when he appears inevitably gone. In his brother, Turenne, a -very different character is to be met with, or rather, perhaps, the -same character without its defects. What in Bouillon is rashness, in -Turenne is courage; what is cunning in the one is wisdom in the other. -I believe Turenne would sacrifice himself to his country; but if -Bouillon were to erect an altar to any deity, it would be, I am -afraid, to himself. Then there is the young and daring Jean de Gondi, -who is striving for the archbishopric of Paris; the most talented man -in Europe, but gifted or cursed with that strange lightness of soul -which sports with everything as if it were a trifle--who would -overthrow an empire but to re-model it, or raise an insurrection but -to guide the wild horses that draw the chariot of tumult. Had he lived -in the ancient days, he would have burnt the temple of the Ephesian -goddess to build, in one olympiad, what cost two hundred years. His -mind, in short, is like the ocean, deep and profound; that plays with -a feather, or supports a navy; that now is rippling in golden -tranquillity, and now is raging in fury and in tumult; that now scarce -shakes the pebble on the shore, and now spreads round confusion, -destruction, and death. In regard to the Count de Soissons, to whom -you go, his character is difficult to know: but yet I think I know it. -He has many high and noble qualities, and though at present he appears -intolerably proud, yet that is a fault of his education, not of his -disposition; he has it from his mother, and will conquer it, I doubt -not. But there is one virtue he wants, without which talents, and -skill, and courage are nothing--he wants resolution. He is somewhat -obstinate, but that does not imply that he is resolute; and a man -without resolution may be looked upon in the light of a miser: all the -riches that nature can give are useless to him, because he has not the -courage to make use of them."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You must have been a very keen observer," said I, "of those persons -with whom you have mingled, and doubtless also of human life in -general."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Life," replied he, "as life, is very little worth considering. It is -a stream that flows by us without our knowing how. Its turbulence or -its tranquillity, I believe, depend little upon ourselves. If there be -rain in the mountains, it will be a torrent; if it prove a dry season, -it will be a rivulet. We must let it flow as it will till it come to -an end, and then we have nothing to do but die."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And of death," said I, "have you not thought of that? As it is the -very opposite of life it may have merited some more thought."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Less, far less!" said he: "with some trouble, we may change the -course of the rivulet, but with all our efforts we cannot alter the -bounds of the sea. Look on death how we will, we can derive nothing -from it. The pleasures and pains of existence are so balanced, we -cannot tell whether death be a relief or a deprivation; and as to the -bubble of something after death, it is somewhat emptier than that now -floating down the stream."</p> - -<p class="normal">I started, and said nothing, and gradually the conversation dropped of -itself. After a pause, he again turned it into other channels, -speaking of pleasure, and the excesses and gratifications of a court; -and though he recommended <i>moderation</i>, as the most golden word that -any language possessed, yet it was upon no principle of virtue, either -moral or religious. It was for the sake of pleasure alone--that it -might be more durable in itself, and never counterbalanced by painful -consequences.</p> - -<p class="normal">My mind naturally turned to my many conversations with the Chevalier, -and, by comparison, I found his morality of a very different quality. -I merely replied, however, that I believed, if people had no stronger -motives to moderation than the expectation of remote effects, they -would seldom put much restraint upon their passions.</p> - -<p class="normal">Soon after, we arrived at the <i>pavilion de chasse</i>; and, I must own, -that never did a more exquisitely luxurious dwelling meet my eye. It -was not large, but all was disposed for ease and pleasure. Piles of -cushions, rich carpets, easy chairs, Persian sofas, exquisite -tapestries, filled every chamber. Books, too, and pictures were there, -but the books and the pictures were generally of one class. Catullus, -Ovid, Petronius, or Tibullus, lay upon the tables or on the shelves; -while the walls were adorned with many a nymph and many a goddess, -liberal of their charms: though, at the same time, Horace and Virgil -appeared cast upon one of the sofas; and, every now and then, the eye -would fall on one of the sunshiny landscapes of Claude de Lorraine, -and dream for a moment amidst the sleepy splendour of his far -perspectives.</p> - -<p class="normal">"And is it possible," said I, turning to the Marquis as he led me -through this luxurious place--"is it possible that you can quit such a -spot willingly, for the dangers and hardships of war?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"There are various sorts of pleasure," replied he, "and without -varying, and changing, and opposing them one to another, we cannot -enjoy any long. Every man has his particular pleasures, and his -particular arrangement of them. I, for instance, require the stimulus -of war, to make me enjoy these luxuries of peace. But you have yet -seen little of the beauties of the place. Let us go out into the park. -The perfection of a house of this kind depends, almost entirely, upon -the grounds that surround it."</p> - -<p class="normal">The two days that I spent at the pavilion of Monsieur de St. Brie -passed like lightning. Not a moment paused, for he contrived to fill -every hour with some pleasure of its own; but it was all too sweet. -One felt it to be luscious. Like the luxurious Romans, he mingled his -wine with honey, and the draught was both cloying and intoxicating.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the third morning, I rose early from my bed to take a review of the -beautiful grounds which surrounded the house; and after wandering -about for half-an-hour, I turned to a river that ran through the park, -resolving to take my way towards the house by the side of the waters. -The path that I followed was hidden by trees, but there was a -transverse alley that came down to the water, and joined the one in -which I walked, about one hundred yards farther on. As I advanced, I -heard the voice of the Marquis talking earnestly with some other -person; and though at first what he said was very indistinct, yet I -soon heard more without seeking to do so, or, indeed, wishing it. -"Hold him down," said the Marquis, "when you have got him safely on -the ground, and cut his throat just under the jaws--if you go deep -enough he is dead in a moment."</p> - -<p class="normal">As he gave this somewhat bloody direction, he turned into the same -path with myself, accompanied by another person, whose appearance is -worthy of some description. He was about my own height, which is not -inconsiderable, but, at the same time, he was remarkably stout--I -should say even fat, with a face in which a great degree of jollity -and merriment was mingled with a leering sort of slyness of eye, and a -slight twist of the mouth, that gave rather a sinister expression to -the drollery of his countenance. He wore short black mustachios, and a -small pointed beard; and from his head hung down upon his shoulders a -profusion of black wavy hair. His dress also was somewhat singular. -Instead of the broad, low-crowned plumed hats which were then in -fashion, his head was surmounted with an interminable beaver, whose -high-pointed crown resembled the steeple of a church. We have seen -many of them since amongst the English and the Swiss, but, at that -time, such a thing was so uncommon, and its effect appeared so -ridiculous, that I could scarce refrain from laughing, though my blood -was somewhat chilled with the conversation I had just overheard. The -rest of this stout gentleman's habiliments consisted of a somewhat -coarse brown pourpoint, laced with tarnished gold, and a slashed <i>haut -de chausse</i>, tied with black ribands; while a huge sword and dagger -ornamented his side, and a pair of funnel-shaped riding-boots -completed his equipment.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Marquis's eye fell upon me instantly, and, advancing without -embarrassment, he embraced me, and gave me the compliments of the -morning. Then turning, he introduced his friend, Monsieur de Simon. -"The greatest fisherman in France," said he: "we were speaking just -now about killing a carp," he continued, "which, you know is -dreadfully tenacious of life. Are you a fisherman at all?"</p> - -<p class="normal">I answered, "Not in the least;" and the conversation went on for some -time on various topics, till at length Monsieur de Simon took his -leave.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am sorry you cannot take your breakfast with us," said the Marquis; -"but remember, when I am gone, you are most welcome to fish, whenever -you think fit, upon my property."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I thank you, I thank you, most noble Marquis," said the other, with a -curious sort of roguish twinkle of the eye; "I will take you at your -word, and will rid your streams of all those gudgeons which you -dislike so much, but which I dote upon. Oh, 'tis a dainty fish--a -gudgeon!"</p> - -<p class="normal">At about one o'clock my horse was ready, and I took leave of the -Marquis--I cannot say with feelings either of reverence or regard; and -I have always found it an invariable fact, that when a man has amused -us without gaining our esteem, and pleased without winning our -confidence, there is something naturally bad at the bottom of his -character, which we should do well to avoid.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I mounted my horse, I remarked that my worthy valet, Houssaye, had -imbibed as much liquor as would permit him to stand upright, and that -it was not without great difficulty and scrupulous attention to the -equipoise that he at all maintained his vertical position.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Your servant is tipsy," said the Marquis; "you had better leave him -here till he recovers his intellects."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am as sober as a priest," hickupped Houssaye, who overheard the -accusation the Marquis brought against him, and repelled it with the -most drunken certainty of his own sobriety. "Monseigneur, you do me -wrong. I am sober, upon my conscience and my trumpet!" So saying, he -swung himself up to his horse's back, and forgetting to wait for me, -galloped on before, sounding a charge through his fist, as if he was -leading on a regiment of horse.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Marquis laughed; and once more bidding him adieu, I followed the -pot-valiant trumpeter, who, without any mercy on his poor horse, urged -him on upon the road to Lourdes as fast as he could go. Very soon, I -doubt not, he quite forgot that I was behind, for, following much more -slowly, as I did not choose to fatigue my jennet at the outset, I soon -lost sight of him, and for half an hour perceived no traces of him -whatever.</p> - -<p class="normal">I have heard that the effect of the fresh air, far from diminishing -the inebriation of a drunkard, greatly increases it. Probably this was -the case with Houssaye; for at the distance of about four miles from -the park of the Marquis, I found him lying by the side of the road, -apparently sound asleep, while his horse was calmly turning the -accident of his master to the best account, by cropping the grass and -shrubs at the roadside.</p> - -<p class="normal">This accident embarrassed me a good deal, for I had set out late; and, -of course, I could not leave the poor drunkard to be gnawed by the -bears, or devoured by the wolves, whose regard for a sleeping man -might be found of somewhat too selfish a nature. After having shaken -him, therefore, two or three times for the purpose of recalling him to -himself, without producing any other effect than an inarticulate -grunt, I returned to a village about a mile nearer Bagneres, and -having procured the aid of some cottagers, I had the overthrown -trumpeter carried back, and left him there in security, till he should -have recovered from the state of intoxication in which he had plunged -himself.</p> - -<p class="normal">All this delayed me for some time, so that it was near four o'clock -before I again resumed my journey. Nor was I sorry, indeed, that the -sun had got behind the mountains, whose long shadows saved my eyes -from the horizontal rays, which, as my way lay due west, would have -dazzled me all along the road had I set out earlier. In about two -hours it began to grow dusk, and I put my horse into a quicker pace, -lest the family at the château should conclude that I intended to -remain another night. There was one person also that, I knew, would be -anxious till they saw me return safe; and, for the world, I would not -have given Helen a moment's unnecessary pain. What made her suspect -the Marquis of any evil designs towards me I knew not, but I knew that -she did suspect him, and that was sufficient to make me hurry on to -assure her of my safety.</p> - -<p class="normal">There is a thick wood covers the side of the mountain about five miles -from the Château de l'Orme, extending high up on the one hand, very -nearly to the crest of the hill, and spreading down on the other till -the stream in the valley bathes the roots of its trees. In a few -minutes after I had entered this wood, I suddenly heard the clatter of -a horse's hoofs close behind me--so near, it must have sprung out of -the coppice. I instantly turned my head to ascertain what it was, when -I received a violent blow just above the eyebrow, which nearly laid my -skull bare, and struck me headlong to the ground, before I could see -who was the horseman.</p> - -<p class="normal">Though bruised and dizzied, I endeavoured to struggle up; but my -adversary threw himself from his horse, grappled with me, and cast me -back upon the ground with my face upwards. Oh how shall I describe the -fearful struggle for life that then ensued?--the agonising grasp with -which I clenched the hands wherewith he endeavoured to reach my -neck--the pressure of his knees upon my chest--the beating of my heart -as I still strove, yet found myself overmastered, and my strength -failing--the dreadful, eager haste with which he tried to hold back my -head, and gash my throat with the knife he held in his hand--and the -muttered curses he vented, on finding my resistance so long -protracted.</p> - -<p class="normal">Five times he shook off my grasp, and five times I caught his hands -again, as they were in the act of completing his object. At the same -time, I could hear his teeth cranching against each other with the -violence of his efforts. My hands were all cut and bleeding, his dress -was nearly torn to pieces, the strength of both was well nigh -exhausted, when we heard the sounds of voices advancing along the -road. Though our struggle had hitherto been silent, I now called -loudly for assistance. He heard the noise also. "This then shall -settle it," cried he, raising his arm to plunge the knife into my -chest, but I interposed my hand; and though the force with which he -dealt the blow was such as to drive the point through my palm, yet -this saved my life, for before he could repeat the stroke the horsemen -had come up, attracted by the cries I continued to utter. One of them -sprang from his horse, beheld the deathly struggle going on, and not -knowing which was the aggressor, but seeing that one held the other at -a fatal disadvantage, called to my assailant instantly to desist or -die. The assassin again raised his arm: the horseman saw him about to -strike--levelled a pistol at his head--fired--and the murderer, -dropping the weapon from his hand, staggered up upon his feet--reeled -for a moment, and then fell dead across my chest.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XV.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Oh, life! thou strange mysterious tie between the spirit and the clay; -what is it makes the bravest of us shrink from that separation which -the small dagger or the tiny asp can so easily effect.</p> - -<p class="normal">For a moment I lay to recover myself from all the agitated feelings -that hurried through my heart, and then struggling up, I rolled the -ponderous mass of the dead man from off my breast, and rose from the -ground.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Is it Count Louis de Bigorre?" said the voice of the Chevalier de -Montenero. I answered that it was; and he proceeded,--"I thought so: -infatuated young man, why would you trust yourself in the hands of -your enemy, when you were warned of his cruelty and his baseness?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Because," I answered, "I thought that a person who had done injustice -to me, might also do injustice to him."</p> - -<p class="normal">"When a man has the means of clearing himself, and does not choose to -do so," replied the Chevalier, well understanding to what I alluded, -"he must rest under the imputation of guilt till he does. Now, sir, I -leave you. Arnault, give him your assistance, and rejoin me to-morrow -morning;" and so saying, without farther explanation, he turned his -horse and galloped away.</p> - -<p class="normal">Though the evening light was of that dim and dusky nature which -affords, perhaps, less assistance to the eye than even the more -positive darkness of the night, yet I could very well distinguish by -the height and form, that the person the Chevalier called Arnault was -not the little, large-headed procureur of Lourdes, but rather his son; -and as soon as we were alone, he confirmed my conjecture by his voice -asking if I were hurt.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not much, Jean Baptiste," replied I: "my hands are cut, and he has -grazed my throat with his knife; but he has not injured me seriously. -Catch my horse, good Arnault," I continued, "and ride on to the -cottage, about half a mile on the road--bring some one with lights, -that we may see who this is--though, in truth I guess."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You had better take my pistols, Monsieur le Comte," said the honest -youth, "lest there should be a second of these gentlemen in the wood."</p> - -<p class="normal">I took one, and leaving him the other for his own defence, sent him on -as fast as possible to the cottage; for although, from the manner in -which my assailant had attempted to effect my death, so like the -Marquis de St. Brie's directions for killing the carp, I had little -doubt in regard to whom I should find in the person of the dead man, -yet I wished to ascertain the fact more precisely, that no doubt -should remain upon my mind in regard to Monsieur de St. Brie himself.</p> - -<p class="normal">Soon after Jean Baptiste was gone, the moon began to raise her head -over the mountain; and, streaming directly down the road, showed me -fully the person of the dead man, through whose head the ball of the -Chevalier's pistol had passed in a direct line, causing almost -instantaneous death.</p> - -<p class="normal">All doubt was now at an end: there lay the large heavy limbs of the -man, who had been called Monsieur de Simon, while his steeple-crowned -hat appeared rolled to some distance on the road. The effects of the -dreadful struggle between us were visible in all his apparel. His -doublet was torn in twenty different places with the straining grasp -in which I had held him, and an immense black wig, which he had worn -as a sort of disguise, had followed his hat, and left his head bare. -In rising I had rolled him off me on his back, so that he was lying -with the beams of the moon shining full in his face.</p> - -<p class="normal">I advanced and gazed upon him for a moment; and now, as he appeared -with his shaved head, and the fraise, or ruff torn off his neck, I -could not help thinking that his countenance was familiar to me. The -mustachios and the beard, it was true, made a great alteration, but in -every other respect it was the face of the Capuchin who had joined in -attempting to plunder me at Luz. I looked nearer, and remembering that -in six months his beard would have had full time to grow, I became -convinced that it was the same.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I examined him attentively, I perceived a sort of packet protruding -from a pocket in the breast of his doublet, and taking it out I found -it to be a bundle of old, and somewhat worn papers, wrapped in a piece -of sheep's skin, and tied round with a leathern thong.</p> - -<p class="normal">Amongst these I doubted not that I should find some interesting -correspondence between the subordinate assassin and his instigator, -and, consequently, took care to secure them; after which I waited -quietly for the return of Jean Baptiste, who I doubted not would -relieve me from my troublesome guard over the dead body, as soon as he -could procure lights and assistance. His absence, of course, appeared -long; but after the lapse of about ten minutes I began to perceive -some glimmering sparks through the trees, and a moment after the -inhabitants of the cottage appeared, men and children, with as many -resin candles as their dwelling could afford.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jean Baptiste was with them; but another personage of much more -extraordinary mien led the way, bearing in his hand a candle about the -thickness of his little finger, but which he brandished above his head -in the manner of a torch, striding on at the same time with enormous -steps, and somewhat grotesque gestures. "Where is the body?" exclaimed -he with a loud tone and vast emphasis,--"Where is the body of the -sacred dead?"</p> - -<p class="normal">The person who asked this question was a man of about five feet three -in height, fluttering in a pourpoint, whose ribands and rags vied in -number, while the brass buttons with which it was thickly strewed -might, by their irregularity of position, have induced me to believe -him to be a poet, had not his theatrical tone and air stamped him as a -disciple of Thespis.</p> - -<pre> - "'Percé jusqu'au fond du c[oe]ur - D'une atteinte imprévue, aussi-bien que mortelle,'" -</pre> - -<p class="continue">cried he, when he beheld the dead body. "Oh what would I have given to -have been here when he was killed. Did he fall so at once--I beseech -you tell me, did he fall thus?" and down he cast himself upon his -back, in the attitude of the dead body.</p> - -<p class="normal">If anything could have rendered so dreadful a sight as the corpse of -the murderer with his blackened temples, clenched hands, and cold -meaningless glare of eye, in any degree ridiculous, it would have been -to see the little player cast upon the ground beside the vast bulk of -the dead man, striving to imitate the position in which he lay; and -every now and then raising his pert head from his mockery of death's -stillness, and peeping over the corpse to see how the arm or the hand -had fallen in dying.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was in no mood, however, for such fooleries; my head ached violently -from the blow I had received above the eye; my hands, especially the -one that had intercepted the stab of the knife, gave me intolerable -pain. I was fatigued also, and fevered with the struggle and the -agitation, so that my corporeal sensations were not at all favourable -to the wretched player's buffoonery, even had the scene been one that -admitted of merriment.</p> - -<p class="normal">Stirring him then rather rudely with my foot, I bade him rise and -assist in carrying the body to the cottage. Up started the actor in a -moment, and, taking the corpse by the feet, replied he was ready to do -anything the manager bade him: one of the cottagers lent his aid, and -we soon reached the cottage with our burden. Here all the women made a -vast outcry at the sight of the dead body, but more still on beholding -the state in which the assassin's efforts had left their young Count -Louis, for I was now within the old domain of our own château.</p> - -<p class="normal">I know not whether from the loss of blood, or the irritating pain of -the wounds, but I certainly felt very faint, and probably my -countenance showed how much I was suffering, for while the young -Arnault and some others were examining the person of the dead man, and -taking what papers and effects he had upon him, the player stepped -forward, and offered to render me his assistance as a surgeon. -Thinking that the devil of buffoonery still possessed him, I repulsed -him somewhat rudely; but yet unrepelled, he laid his hand upon his -heart, made me a low bow, and said, "Listen, noble youth, scion of an -illustrious house, and you shall hear that which shall make you yield -yourself to my hands, as willingly as Maladine gave herself up to -Milsenio. Know then, before my superior genius prompted me to fit on -the buskin, I trod the stage of life in a high-heeled shoe--not, -indeed, the Cothurnus; far, far from it, for in those days, alas! -though I was clothed in tragic black, and held the dagger and the -bowl, I shed real blood behind the curtain, and inflicted my cruelties -on the real flesh and blood."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I begin somewhat to understand you," I replied; "but if you would -have me attend to you seriously, my friend, you must drop that exalted -style, and speak common sense in common language."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, then, sir, I will," he answered, instantly changing his tone, -and taking one which strangely blended in itself insignificance and -sharpness, but which harmonized much better with his little eager -countenance and twinkling black eyes, than his tumid, bombastic -loudness had done. "What I mean is, that before I went on the stage, I -studied under an apothecary. My disposition is not naturally cruel, -and I was not hard-hearted enough to succeed in that profession. Now, -though, with the devil's assistance and my master's skill, I aided in -conveying many a worthy patient from their bed to their coffin, yet I -think I remember some few simples which would allay the irritation of -your wounds, and I will undertake for their innocuousness."</p> - -<p class="normal">No surer aid was at hand, and therefore I willingly allowed the -metamorphosed apothecary to bandage up my forehead with such -applications as he thought fit, as well as to use his skill upon my -hands; and certainly the ease which I derived from his assistance -fully repaid the confidence I had placed in him.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, the body of the murderer had been searched, and the -various objects found upon him being brought to me, proved to consist -of nothing more, besides the packet of papers which I had already -taken, than a few pieces of gold, one or two licentious letters and -songs, a pack of cards, some loaded dice, a missal, two short daggers, -and a rosary, all articles very serviceable in one or other of his -callings. One of the cottage-boys had by this time caught the horse -which this very respectable person had ridden, and strapped upon it -behind was found what at first appeared a cloak, but which proved, -upon examination, to be a Capuchin's gown, confirming my opinion in -regard to the owner's identity with the card-player at Luz.</p> - -<p class="normal">When this examination was over, I prepared to mount my horse and -proceed home, but before I went, I turned to gaze once more upon the -lifeless form of my dead adversary; and in looking upon his clumsy -limbs and obesity of body, I could not understand how he could have so -easily overcome me, endowed, as I felt myself to be, with equal -strength and far superior agility. The sudden surprise could alone -have been the cause, and I resolved through my future life, to -struggle for that presence of mind which in circumstances of danger -and difficulty is a buckler worth all the armour of Achilles. After -this, I bestowed a gold piece upon the player-apothecary for the ease -he had given me, and bade him come over to the Château de l'Orme the -next day for a farther reward, and then escaping as fast as I could -from his hyperbolical thanks, I mounted, and, accompanied by Jean -Baptiste, rode on towards my home.</p> - -<p class="normal">My first question, as we went, was how long the Chevalier had returned -from Spain, and what had brought him on the road towards Lourdes at -that time of night. At first, Jean Baptiste seemed somewhat reserved, -but upon being pressed closely on the subject, his frank nature would -not let him maintain his silence; and he informed me, that the -Chevalier had returned that very morning from Spain; but on hearing -that the Marquis de St. Brie had been received as a visitor at the -château, and that I, in return, had gone to pass some time with him, -he had desired the young procureur to accompany him and set out for -Bagneres without delay, saying that I must be saved at all risks. "But -still," continued Jean Baptiste, "you have done something in Spain to -lose the Chevalier's love; for though he would come away after you -to-night, in spite of all my father could do to prevent him, he always -took care to say, 'for his father's sake--for his mother's sake, he -would rescue Count Louis from the dangers into which he was plunged.'"</p> - -<p class="normal">The gloomiest knell that rings over the fall from virtue must be to -hear of the lost esteem of those we love. That must be the dark, the -damning scourge which drives on human weakness to despairing crime. -Could the great fallen angel ever have returned? I do not believe it. -The glorious confidence of Heaven was lost, and mercy would have been -nothing without oblivion.</p> - -<p class="normal">I felt that my friend did me wrong, but even that did not save me from -the whole bitterness of having lost his regard. And I internally asked -myself, what would my feelings have been, had I really merited his bad -opinion?</p> - -<p class="normal">"Where is the Chevalier?" demanded I. "Is he at his own house?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"No," answered the young man; "he is at my father's, at Lourdes."</p> - -<p class="normal">My determination was taken immediately, to ride over to Lourdes the -next day, and explain to the Chevalier my conduct, as far as I could -with honour; to represent to him, that I was under a most positive -promise not to disclose to any Spaniard the events of that night -wherein his suspicions had been excited, and to add my most solemn -asseverations to convince him of my innocence. My pride, I will own, -struggled against this resolution, but still I saw, in the Chevalier's -conduct towards me, a degree of lingering affection, which I could not -bear to lose. The good spirit triumphed; and I determined to sacrifice -my pride for the sake of his esteem.</p> - -<p class="normal">These thoughts kept me silent till our arrival at the Château de -l'Orme, where my appearance in such a state, I need not say, created -the most terrible consternation. But I will pass by all that; suffice -it, that I had to tell my story over at least one hundred times, -before I was suffered to retire to bed. Helen, happily, was not -present when I arrived, but my mother's embroidery woman did not fail -to wake her, as I afterwards heard, for the purpose of communicating -the agreeable intelligence, and doubtless made it a thousand times -worse than it really was. My poor Helen's night, I am afraid, was but -sadly spent.</p> - -<p class="normal">However, when I had satisfied both my father and mother that I was not -dangerously injured, and related my story to every old servant in the -family, who thought they had a right to be as accurately informed in -regard to all that occurred to Count Louis as his confessor, I retired -to my chamber; and while the <i>maître d'hôtel</i> fulfilled the functions -of Houssaye in assisting to undress me, I opened the packet I had -found upon the monk, and examined the papers which it contained, but -to my surprise I found nothing at all relating directly to the Marquis -de St. Brie.</p> - -<p class="normal">The first thing that presented itself was a regular certificate of the -marriage of Gaston Francois de Bagnol, Count de Bagnol, with Henriette -de Vergne, dated some seventeen years before, with the names of -several witnesses attached. Then followed a paper of a much fresher -appearance, containing the names of these witnesses, with the word -<i>dead</i> marked after one, and the address of their present residence -affixed to each of the others. Then came a long epistolary -correspondence between the above Count de Bagnol and various persons -in the town of Rochelle, at the time of its siege; by reading which I -clearly found that though influenced by every motive of friendship or -relationship to give his aid to the rebellious Rochellois, had -constantly refused to do so, and, that in consequence, the accusation -which the Chevalier informed me had been brought against that young -nobleman, must have been false. On remembering, also, the cause of -enmity which the Marquis de St. Brie had against him, and associating -that fact with the circumstance of my having found these papers on the -body of an assassin hired by the same man, I doubted not for a moment -that the charge had been forged by the Marquis himself, and these -letters withheld on purpose to prevent the Count from establishing his -innocence. Why the Marquis had let them pass from his own hands I -could not divine; without, indeed, he considered them as valueless, -now he had taken care that the justice or injustice of this world -could no way affect his victim. I knew that he was far too much a -lover of this life alone, to value, in his own case or that of others, -the cold meed of posthumous renown.</p> - -<p class="normal">Long before I had finished these reflections and the reading of the -letters, the <i>maître d'hôtel</i>, who, as I have said, supplied -Houssaye's place, had done his part in undressing me; and soon, after -ordering my horse to be ready early, I dismissed him and slept.</p> - -<p class="normal">Before closing this chapter, however, I must remark that, for many -reasons, I had restricted to the safe guardianship of my own breast -the various reasons that led me to suppose the Marquis de St. Brie had -instigated the attack under which I had so nearly fallen. The -suspicions of both my parents turned naturally in that direction; but -I well knew that if my father had possessed half the knowledge which I -did upon the subject, he would have allowed no consideration to -prevent his pursuing the Marquis with the most determined vengeance, -to the destruction, perhaps, of all parties. I therefore merely -described the attack, but withheld the circumstances which preceded -it; and though there are few actions in a man's life which do not -either afford him regret or disappointment, this piece of prudence is -amongst the scanty number I have never had cause to wish undone.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XVI.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">I slept soundly, and I rose refreshed, although my hands were very -stiff, and my head was not without its pains from the rude treatment -that each had undergone. No one in the house was up when I woke, and -saddling my own horse as well as I could, I left word with the old -gardener that I should return before the hour of breakfast, and set -out for Lourdes.</p> - -<p class="normal">If I was not always very considerate in forming my resolutions, as the -wise axiom recommends, I was certainly not slow in executing them; and -I now proceeded at full speed to fulfil my determination of the night -before in regard to the Chevalier. Stopping at Arnault's house, I -threw myself off my horse, and entered his <i>étude</i>, which appeared to -be just opened; nor did the least doubt enter my mind that the person -I sought was still there.</p> - -<p class="normal">The first thing, however, that I perceived was the enormous head of -the old procureur himself, looking through the sort of barred screen -that surrounded his writing-table, like some strange beast in a -menagerie. I was not very much inclined to treat this incubus of the -law with any great civility on my own account, as I was aware that, -for some reason to himself best known, he bore me no extraordinary -love; but as Helen's father, he commanded other feelings, and I -therefore addressed him as politely as I could.</p> - -<p class="normal">In answer to my inquiries for the Chevalier, he bowed most profoundly, -replying that the Monsieur de Montenero would be quite in despair when -he found that I had come to honour him with a visit only five minutes -after his departure.</p> - -<p class="normal">"What! is he gone already?" cried I. "When did he go?--where did he go -to?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"He is indeed, I am sorry to say, gone, Monsieur le Comte," replied -the procureur; "and in answer to your second interrogatory, I can -reply, that he has been gone precisely nine minutes and three -quarters; but in regard to the third question, all I can depone is, -that I do not at all know--only that he spoke of being absent some -three months or more."</p> - -<p class="normal">Angry, vexed, and disappointed, I turned unceremoniously on my heel; -and as I went out, I heard a sort of suppressed laugh issue through -the wide, unmoved jaws of the procureur, whose imperturbable -countenance announced nothing in the least like mirth; and yet I am -certain that he was at that moment laughing most heartily at the -deceit he had put upon me; for, as I afterwards learned, the Chevalier -was in his house at the very time.</p> - -<p class="normal">The distance between Lourdes and the château was narrowed speedily; -and on my arrival, I found the domestic microcosm I had left behind -sound asleep an hour before, now just beginning to buzz. My father had -not yet quitted his own room, but the servants were all bustling about -in the preparations of the morning; and as I rode up, old Houssaye -himself, recovered from his drunkenness, sneaked into the court like a -beaten dog--not that he was at all ashamed of having been drunk--it -was a part of his profession; but upon the road he had heard my -adventures of the night before detailed in very glowing language; and -he justly feared that the indignation of the whole household would -fall upon his head for having been absent in the moment of danger.</p> - -<p class="normal">Beckoning him to speak to me, I gave him a hint that I had been tender -of his name, and that, if he chose to keep his own counsel, he might -yet pass scathless from the rest of the family. "I shall punish you -myself, Maître Houssaye," continued I; "for I <i>will</i> teach you to get -drunk at proper times and seasons only."</p> - -<p class="normal">"As I hope to live," answered the trumpeter, "I did but drink two -cups; and you well know, monsieur, that two cups of wine to me, or the -<i>maître d'hôtel</i>, who have drunk so many hundred tuns in our lives, is -but as a cup of cold water to another man. They must have been drugged -those two cups--for a certainty, they must have been drugged."</p> - -<p class="normal">At breakfast, I found Helen with my father. They were alone; for my -mother was ill from the agitation of the night before, and had -remained in her own chamber, desiring not to be disturbed. The moment -my step sounded in the vestibule, Helen's eyes darted towards the -door, and I could see the flush of eagerness on her cheek, and the -paleness that then overspread it, as she saw my head bound up; and -then again the blood mounting quickly, lest any one should see the -busy feelings of her swelling heart. It was a mute language which I -could read as easily as my own thoughts; but still I would have given -worlds to have been permitted to hear and speak to her with the -openness of acknowledged love. The breakfast passed over. Helen left -the hall; and after a few minutes' conversation, my father went to the -library, while I gazed for a moment from the window, meditating over a -thousand hopes, in all of which Helen had her part--letting thought -wander gaily through a thousand mazy turns, like a child sporting in a -meadow without other object than delight, roaming heedlessly here and -there, and gathering fresh flowers at every step.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I gazed, I saw the figure of Helen glide from the door of the -square tower, and take her way towards the park.--Now, now then was -the opportunity. She had promised not to avoid me any longer. Now then -was the moment for which my heart had longed, more than language can -express; and snatching a gun to excuse the wanderings, which indeed -needed no excuse, I was hastening to pour forth the multitude of -accumulated feelings, and thoughts, and dreams, and wishes, which had -gathered in my bosom during so many months of silence, when I was -called to speak with my father, just as my foot was on the step of the -door.</p> - -<p class="normal">I will own, that if ever I felt undutiful, it was then. However, I -could not avoid going, and certainly with a very unwilling heart I -mounted the stairs, and entered the library. My father had a letter in -his hand, which I soon found came from the Countess de Soissons, and -contained a reply favourable to my mother's request, that I might be -placed near the person of the prince, her son, so well known under the -name of <i>Monsieur le Comte</i>. My father placed it in my hands, and -seemed to expect that I should be very much gratified at the news; but -I could only reply, as I had done before, that I had not the least -inclination to quit my paternal home, without, indeed, it was for the -purpose of serving for a campaign or two in the armies of my country. -"Well, Louis," replied my father, thinking me doubtless a wayward and -whimsical boy, "if you will look at the <i>proscriptum</i>, you will -perceive that you are likely to be gratified in that point at least, -for the Countess states that his highness, her son, though at present -at Sedan, from some little rupture with the court, is likely to -receive the command of one of the armies. However, take the letter, -consider its contents, and at dinner let me know when you will be -prepared to set out."</p> - -<p class="normal">Glad to escape so soon, I flew out into the park in search of my -beautiful Helen. It was now a fine day in the beginning of May, as -warm as summer--as bright, as lovely. Nature was in her very freshest -robe of green: the air was full of sweetness and balm; and as I went, -a lark rose up before my steps, and mounting high in the sunshine, -hung afar speck upon its quivering wings, making the whole air thrill -with its melodious happiness. I love the lark above all other birds. -Though there is something more tender and plaintive in the liquid -music of the nightingale, yet there seems a touch of repining in its -solitude and its gloom: but the lark images always to my mind a happy -and contented spirit, who, full of love and delight, soars up towards -the beneficent heaven, and sings its song of joy and gratitude in -presence of all the listening creation.</p> - -<p class="normal">All objects in external nature have a very great effect upon my mind; -whether I will or not, they are received by my imagination as omens. -And catching the lark's song as a happy augury, I sped on upon my way. -As much had been done as possible to render the park, which extended -behind the château, regular and symmetrical; but the ground was so -uneven in its nature, so broken with rocks, and hills, and streams, -and dells, that it retained much more of the symmetry of nature than -anything else; which, after all, to my taste, is more beautiful than -aught man can devise.</p> - -<p class="normal">If Helen had wandered very far from the house, it would have been a -difficult matter to have found her; but a sort of instinct guided me -to where she was. I thought of the spot, I believe, which I myself -would have chosen for lonely musing--a spot where a bower of high -trees arched over a little cascade of about ten feet in height, whose -waters, after escaping from the clear pool into which they fell, -rushed quickly down the slanting ravine before them, nourishing the -roots of innumerable shrubs, and trees, and flowers, and spreading a -soft murmur and a cool freshness wherever they turned.</p> - -<p class="normal">Helen was sitting on the bank over which the stream fell; and though -she held in her hand some piece of female work, which, while my mother -slept, she had brought out to occupy herself in the park, yet her eyes -were fixed upon the rushing waters of the fall. At that moment, -catching a stray sunbeam that found its way through the trees, the -cascade had decorated itself with a fluttering iris, which, varied -with a thousand hues, waved over the cataract like those changeful -hopes of life, which, hanging bright and beautiful over all the -precipices of human existence, still waver and change to suit every -wind that blows along the course of time. My footstep was upon the -greensward, so that Helen heard it not; and she continued to sit with -her full dark eyes fixed upon the waterfall, her soft downy cheek -resting upon the slender, graceful hand, which might have formed a -model for the statuary or the painter, and her whole figure leaning -forward with that untaught elegance of form and position, which never -but once <i>did</i> painter or statuary succeed in representing.</p> - -<p class="normal">When she did hear me she looked up; but there was no longer the quick -start to avoid me, as if she feared a moment's unobserved -conversation. Her cheek, it is true, turned a shade redder, and I -could see that she was somewhat agitated; but still those dear, tender -eyes turned upon me; and a smile, that owned she was happy in my -presence, broke from her heart itself, and found its way to her lips.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Dear, dear Helen," said I, seating myself beside her, "thank you for -the promise that you would not avoid me, and thank you for its -fulfilment; and thank you for that look, and thank you for that smile. -Oh, Helen! you know not how like a monarch you are, in having the -power, by a word, or a glance, or a tone, to confer happiness, and to -raise from misery and doubt, to hope, and life, and delight."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Indeed, Louis," answered she, in a very different manner from that -which I had ever seen in her before--"if I do possess such power, I am -not sorry that it is so; for I am sure that while it remains with me -to make you happy, you shall never be otherwise.--You think it very -strange," she added, with a smile, "to hear me talk as I do now; and I -would never, never have done so had not circumstances changed. But -they have changed, Louis; and as I now see some hope of----" she -paused a moment, as if seeking means to express herself, and I saw a -bright, ingenuous blush spread over her whole countenance. "Why should -I hesitate to say it?" she added, "as I see some hope now of becoming -your wife, without entering into a family unwilling to receive me, I -know not why I should not tell <i>you</i> also <i>this</i> that has made me so -happy."</p> - -<p class="normal">"A thousand and a thousand thanks, dearest Helen," answered I; "but -tell me on what circumstance you, who once doubted my parents' consent -so much more than I ever did, now found expectations so joyful--let me -say, for us both."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You must not ask me, Louis," answered Helen; "the only reason -that could at all have influenced me to withhold from you what I -hoped--what I was sure would make you happy--was, that I felt myself -bound to be silent on more than one subject. You cannot fancy how I -dislike anything that seems to imply mystery and want of confidence -between two people that love one another; and, indeed, it is the -greatest happiness I anticipate in being yours, that then I shall have -neither thought, nor feeling, nor action, that you may not know--but -in the present case you must spare me. Do not ask me, Louis, if you -love me."</p> - -<p class="normal">Of course, however much my curiosity might be excited, I put no -farther question, merely asking, as calmly as I could, fearful lest I -should instil some new doubts in Helen's mind, if she was sure, very -sure, that the joyful news she gave me was perfectly certain; for I -owned that it took such a burden from my heart, I could scarce believe -my own hopes.</p> - -<p class="normal">"All I can say, Louis," answered she, "is, that I feel sure neither -your father nor your mother will object to our union, when the time -arrives to think that it may take place--of course we are yet far too -young."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Too young!" said I; "why too young, dear Helen?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, for many reasons," she answered, smiling. "You have yet to mingle -with the world; at least, so I have heard people, who know the world, -say that it is necessary for a young man to do before he dreams of -marriage. You have to see all the fair, and the young, and the gay, -which that world contains, before you can rightly judge whether your -poor Helen may still possess your heart."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And do you doubt me?" demanded I. "Helen, you have promised me never -to give your hand to another; and, without one doubt, or one -hesitation, do I promise the same to you--by yourself--by my hopes of -happiness in this world or the next--by all that I hold sacred----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Hush, hush, dear Louis!" replied she; "do not swear so deeply. There -are many, many temptations, I have heard, in the great world, which -are difficult for a young man to resist. Louis, have you not found it -so already?"</p> - -<p class="normal">There was a peculiar emphasis in her question, which surprised and -hurt me; but in a moment it flashed through my mind--the Chevalier had -communicated his suspicions of me to Arnault, and Arnault had taken -care to impart them to his daughter. I stood for a moment as one -stupified--then, taking her hands in mine, I asked, "Helen, what is -it that you mean? Can you--do you in the least believe me guilty?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, Louis--no, dear Louis!" answered she, with a look of full, -undoubting, unhesitating confidence; "if all the world were to declare -you guilty, mine should be the dissenting voice; and I would never, -never believe it.--I will not deny that tales have reached me, which I -do not dwell on, because I am sure they are false--basely, -ungenerously false, or originating in some mistake which you can -correct when you will, and will correct when you ought. Do not explain -them to me--do not waste a word or a thought upon them, as far as I am -concerned," she added, seeing me about to speak, "for I believe not a -word of them--not one single word."</p> - -<p class="normal">Oh, woman's love! It is like the sunshine, so pure, so bright, so -cheering; and there is nothing in all creation equal to it! I threw my -arms round her unopposed--I pressed my lips upon hers; but the -kiss that I then took was as pure as gratitude for such generous -affection could suggest--I say not that it was brotherly, for it was -dearer--sweeter; but if there be a man on earth who says there was one -unholy feeling mingled therein, I tell him, in his throat, he lies!</p> - -<p class="normal">At that moment the figure of a man broke at once through the boughs -upon us. Helen turned, and, confused and ashamed at any one having -seen her so clasped in my arms, fled instinctively like lightning, -while the intruder advanced upon me in a menacing attitude.--It was -Jean Baptiste Arnault; and with a flushed cheek and a raised stick he -came quickly upon me, exclaiming, "Villain, you have seduced my -sister, and, by the God above, your nobility shall not protect you!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Hear me, Arnault!" cried I; but he still advanced with the stick -lifted, in an attitude to strike. My blood took fire. "Hear me," -repeated I, snatching up my carbine,--"hear me, or take the -consequences;" and I retreated up the hill, with the gun pointed -towards his breast. Mad, I believe--for his conduct can hardly be -attributed to anything but frenzy--he rushed on upon me without giving -time for any explanation, and struck a violent blow at my head with -his stick. I started back to avoid it; my foot struck against an angle -of the rock; I stumbled; the gun went off; and Arnault, after reeling -for a moment with an ineffectual effort to stand, pressed his hand -upon his bosom, and fell lifeless at my feet.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XVII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">There is nothing like remorse:--it is the fiery gulf into which our -passions and our follies lash us with whips of snakes. What language -can tell the feelings of my bosom, while I stood and gazed upon the -lifeless form of Helen's brother, as he lay before me slain by my -hand? And oh! what words of horror and of agony did I not read in -every line of that cold, still, mindless countenance, as it glared at -me with an expression still mingled of the anger which had animated -him, and the pang with which he had died.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was terrible beyond all description. My whole heart, and mind, and -brain, and soul, was one whirl of dreadful sensations. I had done that -which it was impossible to recal--I had taken from my fellow-being -that which I could never restore--I had extinguished the bright -mysterious lamp of life; and where, oh, where, could I find the -Promethean flame wherewith to light it again to action and to being?</p> - -<p class="normal">In vain! The irrevocable deed had gone forth; and sorrow, and tears, -and regret, and agony could have no more effect upon it than on the -granite of the mountains that surrounded me. It was done! It was -written on the book of fate! It was between me and my God,--a dreadful -account, never to pass from my memory. I felt the finger, that had -branded <i>murderer!</i> on the brow of Cain, tracing the same damning word -in characters of fire upon my heart. And yet I gazed on, upon the -thing that I made, with horror amounting to stupefaction. Like the -head of the Gorgon, it seemed to have turned me into stone; and though -I would have given worlds to have banished it for ever from my sight -and my memory, I stood with my eyes fixed upon it as if I sought to -impress every lifeless lineament on my remembrance with lines that -time should never have power to efface.</p> - -<p class="normal">A heavy hand, laid upon my shoulder, was the first thing that roused -me; and turning round, I beheld Pedro Garcias, the Spanish smuggler, -standing by my side. The discharged gun was still in my hand; the -bleeding corpse lay before me; and had he had occasion to ask who had -done the deed, whose consequences he beheld, I am sure that my -countenance would have afforded a sufficient reply. No one but a -murderer could have looked and felt as I did.</p> - -<p class="normal">"How did this happen?" asked he bluntly, and without giving me either -name or title; for no one could look upon the humbling object before -us, and cast away one name of honour upon earthly rank. For a moment, -I gazed upon the smuggler wildly and vacantly; for the strong -impression of the thing itself had almost banished from my mind the -circumstances that preceded it; but recollecting myself at length, I -gave him a scarcely coherent account of what had happened.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You should not have seduced his sister," replied the smuggler, fixing -his large dark eye upon me. "You men of rank think that the plain -<i>bourgeois</i> feels not such a stain upon his honour as the loss of his -child's or of his sister's virtue. But they do--they do, as bitterly, -as keenly, as madly, as the proudest count that ever spread his banner -to the wind."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Seduce his sister!--seduce Helen!" cried I, turning quickly upon him. -"It is false! Who dares to say it? I would not wrong her for a -world--not for a thousand worlds!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"That changes the case," replied the smuggler. "He wronged you then, -and deserved to die. But come away from this spot. Fie! do not look so -ghastly. We shall all wear his likeness one day, and it matters little -whether it be a day sooner or a day later. But come along to the mill. -Harm may come of this; for his father will not want friends to pursue -this deed to the utmost. Come, come! You shall not stay here, and risk -your life too. One dead man is enough for one day at least. Come!"</p> - -<p class="normal">So saying, he hurried me away to the mill, where we found the door -apparently locked, the wheel at rest, and the miller out; but on -tapping three times, thrice repeated, we were admitted by the miller, -who seemed somewhat surprised to see me with Garcias. The event that -had driven me there was soon told; and after a consultation between -the two, it was agreed that, beyond all doubt, I might compromise my -own life, and the security of my family, by remaining in France. How -far they were right would have been difficult to determine, even had -my mind been in a state to have examined the question. The privileges -of the nobility were great, but not such as to have secured my -immunity, if it could have been proved that the homicide had been -intentional. Nothing remained for me, according to their showing, but -once more to try the air of Spain, till such time as my pardon could -be obtained, which might, indeed, be long; for it had lately been the -policy of the prime minister to strike every possible blow at the -power of the nobility, and to show less lenity towards any member of -their body, than to those of the common classes. Little did I heed -their reasoning on the subject. The conclusion was all that reached my -mind; and the idea of there being an absolute necessity for my -quitting the country was in itself a relief. Even to think of -remaining in those scenes was horror, and to have met Helen's eyes, -after slaying her brother, would have been a thousand times worse than -death.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Come, cheer up, Count Louis!" cried Garcias; "I did not think to see -so brave a heart as yours overset by a thing that happens to every one -now and then. Give him a horn of La Mancha brandy, Señor Miller; -'twill comfort his heart, and get rid of such foolish qualms. In the -meanwhile, I will go out and see after the body. If no one has come -near it, and I can get it down to the river, I will cast it in below -the fall. The waters are full, and it may go down for ten or fifteen -miles, so that nobody will hear more of it, and the Count may stay in -his own land. But if they have discovered the business, our young -Seigneur must lie here till midnight, and then be off with me into -Spain. I shall meet my good fellows in the mountains; and then the -<i>douaniers</i> who would stop us must have iron hands and a brazen face."</p> - -<p class="normal">I let them do with me whatsoever they liked. It seemed that those fine -ties which connect the mind and the body were so far broken or -relaxed, that the sensations of the one had no longer their effect -upon the other. My heart was on fire, and my thoughts were as busy as -hell could wish; but I scarcely saw, or heard, or knew what was -passing around me; and I let Garcias and the miller manage me as if I -had been an automaton, without exerting any volition of my own. I -drank the raw spirit that the miller gave me; and indeed it might as -well have been water. I suffered him, when Garcias was gone, to pour -on his consolations, which fell cold and heavy upon my ear, but found -not their way to my heart. Nor, indeed, did he seem to understand the -cause of that despairing melancholy in which I was plunged, -attributing my grief to fear of the consequences, or to dislike to -quit my country. I had not the spirit even to repel such a -supposition, though my feelings were very, very different. The -absorbing consciousness of guilt prevented me at first from even -remembering or thinking of the impassable barrier now placed between -me and Helen. That was an after-thought, infinitely painful, it is -true, but it came not at once. The only thought which occupied me--if, -indeed, thought it can be called,--was the mental endeavour to qualify -the bitterness of my feelings, by remembering that the act which had -so suddenly plunged me into misery was not a voluntary one; and I had -continually to reiterate, to press upon my own mind, that it was -accidental, and to call up the memory of every painful circumstance, -in order to assure myself that I was practising no self-deception. -Then, too, came the consciousness that I had pointed the gun; and a -thousand times I asked myself, what would have been my conduct had I -not stumbled over the rock?--Would I have fired? Would I have -refrained? I know not; and still my own heart condemned me, and -branded me with the name of murderer.</p> - -<p class="normal">It seemed long, long ere Garcias came back; for to those who despair, -as well as to those who hope, each minute lingers out an age. When he -came, he brought the news that the body had been removed before he had -arrived at the spot; and that, by creeping on behind the trees, he had -caught a glimpse of the persons that bore it, who were evidently -proceeding towards the château.</p> - -<p class="normal">As he spoke, I covered my eyes with my hands, as if to shut out the -view of Helen's first sight of her brother's corpse. She had fled so -fast at the first sound of footsteps, that she could not have known -who it was had approached; but now she would see him, bleeding from a -wound by my hand; and by the place where he was found, she would -easily divine who was the murderer. It wanted but that thought to work -up my agony to the highest pitch, and it burst forth in a torrent of -passionate tears.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Fie! fie!" cried Garcias. "Señor, are you a man? I would not, for -very shame, have any one see you look so womanly. You have slain a -man!--good! Had you not good cause? Were he alive again, and were to -offer you a blow, would you not slay him again? If you would not, you -are yourself unworthy to live; for the man that outlives his honour, -is a disgrace to existence. A man once told me I lied," continued the -smuggler, advancing and laying his gigantic hand upon my arm, to call -my attention, while the dark fire flashed out of his eyes, as if his -heart still flamed at the insult. "He told me, I lied! We were sitting -in a peaceful circle upon the green top of the first step of the -Maladetta, where it juts out over the plain, with a precipice two -hundred feet high. He told me, I lied, in the presence of the girl I -loved--he told me, I lied; and I pitched him as far into the open air -as I have seen a hurler cast a disk. I can see him now, sprawling -midway between heaven and earth, till he fell dashed to atoms on the -rocks below. And think you that I give it one vain regret, one weak -womanish thought? Did he and I stand there again, with the same -provocation, I would send him again as far--ay, farther, were it -possible. Come come," he added, "no more of this! Miller, give him -another cup of consolation."</p> - -<p class="normal">The smuggler took, perhaps, the best way of teaching me to bear the -weight of what I had done, by showing me that there were others who -walked under it so lightly. Wondering at his coolness, yet envying it, -I took another and another cup of the spirit, till I began to find -some relief, and could look around me and gain some knowledge of the -external objects. It was then I perceived the reason why the miller -had been so slow in admitting us. The whole place was strewed with -various contraband goods, which had not yet been deposited in their -usual receptacle, which was apparently an under-chamber, reached by a -trap-door in the floor of the mill, so artfully contrived that it had -escaped even my eyes in my frequent visits to the place.</p> - -<p class="normal">It now stood open; and no sooner did Garcias perceive that the brandy -and his conversation had produced some effect upon me, than, pointing -to a low bed in one corner, he advised me to lie down and go to sleep, -while he helped the miller to conceal the salt and other prohibited -articles, with which the floor was encumbered. I said I could not -sleep; and he made me take a fourth cup of brandy, which soon plunged -me at least into forgetfulness.</p> - -<p class="normal">How long I lay I know not; but when I woke, the interior of the mill -was quite dark, except where a moonbeam streamed in through a high -window and fell upon the dark gigantic figure of Garcias standing with -the miller near the door, apparently in the act of listening. At the -same time a high pile of salt, moved to the edge of the trap-door, but -not yet let down, proved that the smugglers had been interrupted in -their employment. In an instant a tremendous knocking, which had most -probably been the cause of my waking, was repeated against the -mill-door, and a voice was heard crying, "If you do not open the door, -take the consequences, for I give you notice that I shall break it -open: I am François Derville, officer of his majesty's <i>douane</i>; and I -charge you to yield me entrance."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ay, I know you well!" muttered Garcias to himself, "and a bold fellow -you are too.--See, miller, by the loop hole," he continued in the same -under-tone,--"see whether there is any one with him?"</p> - -<p class="normal">The miller climbed up to a small aperture high in the wall, which -apparently commanded a view of the door; and after looking through it -for a moment, while the blows were reiterated on the outside, he -descended, saying, "He is alone: I have looked all up the valley, and -no one is near him; but I see he has got an iron crow to break open -the door."</p> - -<p class="normal">"He will not try that when he knows I am here," said Garcias; and -elevating his voice to a tone that drowned the knocking without, he -added, "Hold! Derville, hold! I am here,--Pedro Garcias:--you know me, -and you know I am not one to be disturbed; so go away about your -business, if you would not have worse come of it.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Pedro Garcias, or Pedro Devil!" replied the man without, "what -matters it to me? I will do my duty. Therefore, let me in, or I will -break open the door;" and a heavy blow of his crow confirmed this -expression of his intention.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The man is mad!" said Garcias, with that calm, cold tone which very -often in men of stormy passions announces a more deadly degree of -wrath than when their anger exhausts itself in noisy fury;--"the man -is mad!" and stooping down he took up one of the heavy wooden mallets -with which he had been breaking the salt.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, the blows without were redoubled, and the door -evidently began to give way. "Take care what you are doing!" cried -Garcias, in a voice of thunder; "you are rushing into the lion's den!" -Another and another blow were instantly struck: the door staggered -open, and the douanier stood full in the portal.</p> - -<p class="normal">Garcias raised his arm--the mallet fell, and the unhappy officer -rolled upon the floor with his scull dashed to atoms, like an ox -before the blow of the butcher. He made no cry or sound, except a sort -of inarticulate moan, but fell dead at once, without a struggle.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Good God! what have you done?" cried I, starting from the bed where I -had hitherto lain, and approaching Garcias.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Punished a villain for breaking the law of every civilized land," -replied the smuggler; "for no country authorizes one man to -infringe the dwelling of another without authority; and he had no -authority, or he would have shown it. At least," he added in a lighter -tone,--though, perhaps, what he did add, proceeded from a more serious -feeling--for that dark and wily thing, the human heart, thus often -covers itself, even from ourselves, with a disguise the most opposite -to its native character,--"at least, I hope he had none. At all -events, he knew well what he was about: I warned him beforehand: and -now--I think he will never break into any one's house again.--Shut the -door, miller, and let us have a light."</p> - -<p class="normal">The coolness with which he contemplated the body of his victim -produced very strange and perhaps evil impressions in my breast. -Certainly, in that small, silent court of justice which every man -holds within his own breast, both upon his and upon other people's -actions, I condemned the deed I had seen committed; and I found -myself, too, guilty; but his crime seemed so much more enormous than -mine, that the partial judge was willing, I am afraid, to pardon the -minor offender. But it was the example of his calmness that had -strongest effect upon me; and I began to value human life at less, -since I saw it estimated so low by others.</p> - -<p class="normal">Neither Garcias nor the miller seemed to give one thought of remorse -to the deed; the miller speaking of it in his cool, placid manner, and -Garcias treating it as one of those matters which every man was called -to perform at some time of his life. Both of them also justified it to -themselves as an act of absolute necessity for their own security.</p> - -<p class="normal">To what crime, to what folly has not that plea of necessity pandered -at one time or another in this world? From the statesman to the -pick-purse, from the warrior to the cut-throat, all, all shield -themselves behind necessity from the arrows which conscience vainly -aims at the rebellious heart of man.</p> - -<p class="normal">The question now became how to dispose of the body; but the smuggler -soon arranged his plan, with an art in concealing such deeds, which, -though doubtless gained in the wild hazardous traffic he carried on, I -own, made me shudder with associations I liked not to dwell upon. -Without any apparent reluctance, he raised the corpse in his arms, and -carried it out to a crag that overhung the stream, having an elevation -of about a hundred yards perpendicular. Underneath this point were -several masses of rock and stone, a fall on which would infallibly -have produced death, with much the same appearances as those to be -found on the body of the douanier. But without trusting to this, -Garcias carried the body to the top of the rock, and cast it down -headlong upon the stones below, which it spattered with its blood and -brains, and then, rolling over into the river, was carried away with -the stream. The next thing was to cast down the iron crow, which might -have been supposed to drop from his hand in falling; and then the -smuggler broke away a part of the mould and turf that covered the top -of the rock, leaving such an appearance as the spot would have -presented had the ground given way under the officer's feet.</p> - -<p class="normal">All this being done, he returned to the mill; and telling me that it -would soon be time for us to set out, he applied himself to concluding -the work in which he had been disturbed by the arrival of the -douanier, as calmly as if the fearful transactions of the last -half-hour had left no impress upon his memory. The only thing that -might perchance betray any regret or remorse was the dead silence with -which he proceeded, as if his thoughts were deeply occupied with some -engrossing subject.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length, however, he turned to the miller: "Come, give me a horn of -the <i>aguardente!</i>" cried he, with a sigh that commented on his demand; -"and stow away those two lumps of salt yourself.--Have you put the -door to rights? It will tell tales to-morrow if you do not take heed; -and wipe up that blood upon the floor."</p> - -<p class="normal">So saying, he cast his gigantic limbs upon a seat, mused a moment or -two with a frowning brow; and I thought I could see that he strove to -summon up again, in his bosom, the angry feelings under which he had -slain his fellow-creature, to counterbalance the regret that was -gaining mastery over his heart. His lip curled, and his eye flashed, -and, tossing off the cup of spirits which the miller proffered, he -cast his mantle across his shoulders and prepared to set out.</p> - -<p class="normal">Had he shown no touch of remorse, there would have existed no link of -association between his feelings and mine; but I saw that though his -heart had been hardened in scenes of danger and guilt, it was still -accessible to some better sensations. There was also a similarity in -the events which had that day happened to us both, that created a -degree of sympathy between us; and I rose willingly to accompany the -smuggler, when he announced that he was ready to depart.</p> - -<p class="normal">To my surprise, however, he turned not towards the door by which we -had entered, but going into a small sort of closet, in which appeared -a variety of sacks, and measures, and other accessories of a miller's -trade, he bade me do precisely as he did. For my part, I saw no means -of exit from that place; but I found that there were more secrets in -the mill than I had dreamed of. Choosing out a large spare millstone, -that lay upon the floor of the closet, Garcias mounted thereon, and -dropped his arms by his sides, when instantly the stone began to sink -under his weight, and he disappeared by degrees like some gigantic -genius in a fairy tale. The miller handed him a lantern the moment he -had descended sufficiently to be clear of the hole through which the -stone had sunk. He then jumped off the millstone, which rose up -rapidly in its place, counterbalanced by some other weight; and on my -stepping upon it, it again descended with me, when I found myself in a -sort of cave, whether artificial or natural I know not, but which ran -some way into the rock under the mill. The miller followed with a key, -and a gourd fashioned into a bottle, which he bestowed upon me, and -which I afterwards found to be full of brandy. He then opened a small -door which gave us egress close to the water-wheel; and bidding him -farewell, we issued forth, and in a moment stood in the moonlight by -the side of the river.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XVIII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">With a quick step Garcias led the way towards that side of the hill -which from its position was cast into shadow, and taking an upward -path, that we both knew, he soon arrived in those high and lonely -parts of the mountain, where solitude and silence reigned undisturbed. -High above earth's habitations, nothing looked upon us but the clear -blue sky and the bright calm moon, whose beams fell soft and silvery -upon the tall mountain peaks around--poured into every valley--danced -in every stream, and contrasted the broad, deep shadows thrown by each -projecting rock, with the bright effulgence of those spots whereon she -glowed with her full power.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was a grand and solemn scene; and there was something inexpressibly -awful in the calm, sublime aspect of the giant world in which we -stood--in the silence--in the moonlight--in the deep, clear expanse of -the profound blue sky, especially when each of those who contemplated -it had heavy on his heart the weight of human blood. It felt as if we -were more immediately in the presence of Heaven itself--as if the -calm, bright eye of eternal Justice looked sternly into the deepest -recesses of our bosoms.</p> - -<p class="normal">Garcias seemed to feel nearly as much as I did; and bending his eyes -upon the ground, he pursued his way silently and fast, till, -descending for some hundred yards, and turning the angle of the hill, -we came under a group of high trees, which formed a beautiful object -on the mountain side when viewed from the windows of the Château de -l'Orme, and from which I could now discern the dwelling of my -ancestors.</p> - -<p class="normal">Here the smuggler stopped as if to allow me a last view of the scenes -of my infancy; and my eye instantly running down the valley, rested on -the grey towers and pinnacles of my paternal mansion with a lingering -regret impossible to describe.</p> - -<p class="normal">There lay all that I loved on earth, the objects of every better -affection of my nature--there lay the scenes amongst which every -happier hour had passed--there lay the spot where every early dream -had been formed--where hope had arisen--where every wish returned; and -I was leaving it--leaving it, perhaps, for ever, with a stain upon my -name, and the kindred blood of her most dear upon my hand. My heart -swelled as if it would have burst, my brain burned as with fire, and -my eyes would fain have wept.</p> - -<p class="normal">I struggled long to prevent them, and I should have succeeded; but -just while I was gazing--while a thousand overpowering remembrances -and bitter regrets seemed tearing my heart to pieces, a nightingale -broke out in the trees above my head, and poured forth so wild, so -sweet, so melancholy a song, that my excited feelings would bear no -more, and the tears rolled over my cheeks like the large drops of a -thunder-storm.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Poor boy!" said Garcias, "I am sorry for thee! I can feel now, more -than I could this morning, what thou feelest, for, in truth, I would -that I had not slain that Derville so rashly: and, I know not why, but -I wish what I never wished before, that the moon was not so bright--it -seems as if that poor wretch were looking at me. But come, 'tis no use -to think of these things. When we are in Spain we will get us -absolution, and that is all that we can do. Pardon me, monseigneur," -he added, suddenly resuming that peculiar sort of haughtiness which -leads many a proud man in an inferior station to give a full portion -of ceremonious deference to his superior--"pardon me, if now, or in -future, I treat you, too, like a companion of Pedro Garcias, the -smuggler. During this day, my wish to check your grief has made me -unceremonious, and till you can return, perhaps you had better waive -that respect which your rank entitles you to require, for it may not -please you hereafter, to have many of those with whom you now consort -for a time, boast of having been your very good friends and fellow -adventurers."</p> - -<p class="normal">I told him to call me what he liked, and to use his own discretion in -regard to what account he gave of me to those, whose companion I was -about to become. Little, indeed, cared I for any part of the future: -it had nothing for hope to fix upon; and once having withdrawn my eyes -from that valley, and turned upon the path before me, I was reckless -about all the rest.</p> - -<p class="normal">It seemed, however, that Garcias had found a relief in breaking the -dead silence which had hung upon us so long, for he continued speaking -on various topics as we went, and gradually succeeded in drawing my -mind from the actual objects of my regret. Not that I forgot my grief; -far from it. It still lay a dead and heavy weight upon my heart; but -my thoughts did not continue to trace every painful remembrance with -the agonizing minuteness which they had lately done. Such is ever the -first effect of that balm which Time pours into every wound. It -scarcely seems to lessen the anguish, but it renders it less defined.</p> - -<p class="normal">Gradually I listened and replied, and though each minute or two my -mind reverted to myself, yet the intervals became longer, and I found -it every time more easy than the last to abstract my thoughts from my -own situation, and to apply them to the subjects on which he spoke.</p> - -<p class="normal">For more than two hours we continued walking on till we arrived at the -heights nearly opposite to Argelez, during which time we had climbed -the hills and descended into the valleys more than once. We were now -again upon the very crest of the mountain, and the moon was just -sinking behind the hills to the west of the Balindrau, when Garcias -paused and pointed down the course of a stream that burst -precipitately over the side of the hill with so perpendicular a fall -that it almost deserved the name of a cataract.</p> - -<p class="normal">The body of water, though then but a rivulet, was at some part of the -year undoubtedly considerable, for it had channelled for itself a deep -ravine, which, for some space, wound away from the valley, as if -obstinately resolved to bear its tribute in any other direction than -towards the principal river that flowed in the midst: but, after -pursuing these capricious meanderings for a considerable way, it was -obliged at length to follow the direction of the hills, and turn -towards the valley in its own despite, as we often see, in some far -province, a stubborn contemner of established authorities pursue for a -while his own wilful way, fancying himself a man of great spirit and -an independent soul, till comes some stiff official of the law, who -turns him sneaking back into the common course of life.</p> - -<p class="normal">The bottom of the ravine, left free by the shrinking of the stream, -was lined on either hand with the most luxuriant verdure, and overhung -by a thousand shrubs and trees, now in their ruffling dresses of -summer green. Where we then stood, however, many hundred yards above, -with the moon, as I have said, sinking behind the opposite mountains, -all that I could see was a dark and fearful chasm below, at the bottom -of which I caught every now and then the flash and sparkle of the -stream, whose roar, as it broke from fall to fall, reached my ear even -at that height.</p> - -<p class="normal">Down this abyss it was that Garcias pointed, saying that our journey's -end lay there, for the present.</p> - -<p class="normal">"If you are a true mountaineer," added he, "you will be able to follow -me; but attempt it not if you feel the least fear; for I have seldom -seen a place more likely to break the neck of any but a good -cragsman."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Go on," replied I, "I have no fear;" and, indeed, I had become so -reckless about life, that had it been the jaws of hell, I would have -plunged in. And yet it appeared I was even then in the act of flying -from death. Man is so made up of inconsistencies, that this would not -have been extraordinary, granting it to have been the case--but it was -not so. I was not flying from death, but from ignominy and shame, and -the reproachful eyes of those I loved.</p> - -<p class="normal">Garcias led the way; and certainly never did a more hazardous and -precarious path receive the steps of two human beings. Its course lay -down the very face of the precipice over which the stream fell, and -the only tenable steps that it afforded were formed by the broken -faces of the schistus rock, without one bough of shrub or tree to -offer a hold for the hands. The river at the same time kept roaring in -our ears, within a yard of our course; and every now and then, where -it took a more furious bound than ordinary, it dashed its spray in our -faces, and over our path, confusing the sight, whose range was already -circumscribed by the darkness, and rendering the rock so slippy that -nothing but the talons of an eagle would have fastened steadily upon -it.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length we came to a spot of smooth turf, with still the same degree -of perpendicular declination; and to keep one's feet became now almost -impossible; so that nothing seemed left but to lie down and slip from -the top to the bottom. It was a dangerous experiment, for the descent -might probably have terminated in a precipice which would have been -difficult to avoid; but I little cared: and, with the usual success of -boldness, I lighted on a small round plot of turf, crowning another -turn of the ravine. A man anxious for life would, most probably, have -avoided the course of the stream, slipped past the spot on which I -found a safe resting place, and been dashed over the precipice which -lay scarce two yards from me.</p> - -<p class="normal">In a moment Garcias was by my side, and asked, with some concern lest -his place of retreat had been discovered, whether I had ever visited -that spot before, for I seemed to know it, he said, as well as he did -himself. Having assured him I never had, and that my fortunate descent -was entirely accidental, he laid his hand on my arm, as if to stay me -from any farther trial of the kind. "You have escaped strangely," said -he: "but never make the same experiment again, unless you are -something more than merely careless about life. We are now close upon -my men," he added, "and we must give them notice of our approach or we -may risk a shot;" and he stooped over the edge of the cliff looking -down into the ravine.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was here that the trees and shrubs, which lined thickly the lower -parts of the dell first began to sprout; and, forming a dark screen -between our eyes and the course of the stream, they would have cut off -all view of what was passing below, had it been day; but at that hour, -when all was darkness around us, and no glare of sunshine outshone any -other light, we could just catch through the foliage the sparkling of -a fire, about forty yards below us; and as we gazed, a very musical -voice broke out in a Spanish song. Being directly above the singer, -the sounds rose distinctly to our ears, so that we could very well -distinguish the words that he sang, which were to the following -tenour, as near as I can recollect:--</p> - -<pre> - SONG. - - Tread thou the mountain, brother, brother! - Tread thou the mountain wild! - In each other land men betray one another; - Be thou then the mountain's child. - - I. - - Hark! how hidalgo to hidalgo vows, - To serve him he'd hazard his life-- - But woe to the foolish and confident spouse - If he leave him alone with his wife.-- - Tread then the mountain, brother, brother! - Tread then the mountain wild! - In each other land men betray one another; - Be thou then the mountain's child. - - II. - - Lo! how the merchant to merchant will say, - His credit and purse to command: - But let him fall bankrupt, I doubt, well-a-day! - No credit he'll have at his hand. - Tread then the mountain, brother, brother! - Tread then the mountain wild! - In each other land men betray one another; - Be thou then the mountain's child. - - III. - - Lo! how the statesman will promise his tool, - To raise him to honours some day: - But when he's done all he would wish, the poor fool - Will regret taking fine words for pay. - Tread then the mountain, brother, brother! - Tread then the mountain wild! - In each other land men betray one another; - Be thou then the mountain's child. - - IV. - - Hark! what the courtier vows to his king, - To serve him whatever befal; - But if evil luck dark misfortune should bring, - The courtier turns sooner than all. - Tread then the mountain, brother, brother! - Tread then the mountain wild! - In court, crowd, and city, men cheat one another; - Be thou then the mountain's child. - -</pre> -<p class="normal">"He says true! By Saint Jago, he says true!" cried Garcias, who had -been listening as well as myself. "Thank God, for being born a -mountaineer!"</p> - -<p class="normal">He ended his self-gratulation with a long whistle, so shrill that it -reached the ears of the singer, to whom the noise of our voices had -not arrived from the height we were above him, although his song by -the natural tendency of sounds had come up to us. He answered the -signal of his captain immediately, and we instantly began to descend, -making steps of the boles and roots of the trees, till lighting once -more on somewhat level ground, we stood beside his watch-fire. The -singer was a tall, fine Arragonese, about my own age, or perhaps -somewhat older, who had been thrown out as a sentinel to guard the -little encampment of the smugglers, which lay a couple of hundred -yards farther down the ravine. He bore a striking resemblance to -Garcias, whom he called cousin, and also seemed to possess some -portion of his gigantic strength, if one might judge by the swelling -muscles of his legs and arms, which were easily discernible through -the tight netted silk breeches and stockings he wore in common with -most of his companions.</p> - -<p class="normal">He gazed upon me for a moment or two with some surprise, and I -returned his look with one of equal curiosity. In truth, I should not -particularly have liked to encounter him as an adversary; for with his -long gun, his knife, and his pistols, added to the vigour and activity -indicated by his figure, he would have offered as formidable an -opponent as I ever beheld. No questions, however, did he ask -concerning me. Not a word, not an observation did he make; but -resuming the characteristic gravity of the Spaniard, from which, -perhaps, he thought his song might have somewhat derogated in the eyes -of a stranger, he merely replied to a question of his cousin, that all -had passed tranquilly during his absence, and cast himself down upon -his checkered cloak, by the side of the watch-fire, with an air of the -most perfect indifference.</p> - -<p class="normal">At another time I might have smiled to see how true it is that nations -have their affectations as well as individuals, but I was in no -smiling mood, and were I to own the truth, I turned away with a -feeling of contemptuous anger at his arrogation of gravity, fully as -ridiculous in me as even his mock solemnity. What had I to do to be -angry with him? I asked myself, after a moment's reflection: I was not -born to be the whipper of all fools; and if I was, I thought my -castigation had certainly better begin with myself.</p> - -<p class="normal">Garcias led me on to the rest of his companions, who were stretched -sleeping on the ground; some wrapped in their cloaks, some partly -sheltered from the winds, which in those mountains lose not their -wintry sharpness till summer is far advanced, by little stone walls, -built up from the various masses of rock that from time to time had -rolled down the mountain, and strewed the bottom of the ravine. The -younger men, though engaged in a life of danger and risk, slept on -with the fearless slumber of youth; but four or five of the elder -smugglers, whom ancient habits of watchful anxiety rendered light of -sleep, started up with musket and dagger in their hands, long before -our steps had reached their halting-place.</p> - -<p class="normal">The figure of Garcias, however, soon quieted their alarm; and I was -astonished to see how little agitation the return of their absent -leader, from what had been, and always must be, a dangerous part of -their enterprise, caused amongst them; nor did my presence excite any -particular attention. Garcias informed them simply, that I was a -friend he had long known, who now came to join them; on which they -welcomed me cordially, without farther inquiry, giving me merely the -<i>Buenas noches tenga usted caballero</i>, and assigning me a spot to -sleep in, near the horses, which was indeed the place of honour, being -more sheltered than any other.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XIX.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Sleep--calm, natural sleep--was not, however, to be procured so soon; -and though I laid down and remained quiet, in imitation of the -smugglers, what, what would I not have given for the slumber they -enjoyed! I need not go farther into my feelings--I need not tell all -the bitter and agonising reflections that reiterated themselves upon -my brain, till I thought reason would have abandoned me. What I had -been--what I was--what I was to be--each one of them had some peculiar -pang; so that on neither the past, the present, nor the future, could -my mind rest without torture; and yet I could not sleep.</p> - -<p class="normal">It may easily be conceived, then, that the two hours which elapsed, -between our arrival at the rendezvous and the break of day, was a -space too dreadful to be rested on without pain, even now, when -the whole has been given over to the more calm dominion of -remembrance:--remembrance, that has the power to rob every part of the -past of its bitter, except remorse; and to mingle some sweet with even -the memory of pain and misfortune, provided our own heart finds -nothing therein for reproach.</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon as the very first faint streaks of light began to interweave -themselves with the grey clouds in the east, the smugglers were upon -their feet, and, gathering round Garcias and myself, began to ask a -great many more questions than they had ventured on the night before. -My dress and my person became objects of some curiosity among them; -and it so unfortunately happened that more than one of the smugglers, -who had seen me at the mill in former days, instantly recognised me at -present. However, as probably no one of them would have found it -agreeable himself to assign his exact reasons for joining the lawless -band with which he consorted, I escaped all questions as to the cause -of my appearing amongst them. Each, probably, attributed it to some -separate imagination of his own; but the high favour in which our -house stood with this honourable fraternity, assured me the most -enthusiastic reception; and they mutually rivalled one another in -their endeavours to serve me, and render my situation comfortable.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was in vain now to attempt concealing from any one of the band my -rank in life; but in order that accident should not extend my real -name beyond the mere circle of those who knew me, I followed a custom -which I found they generally adopted themselves--that of -distinguishing themselves, each by a different appellation, when -actually engaged in any of their hazardous enterprises, from that by -which they were ordinarily known in the world. I therefore took the -name of De l'Orme, to which I was really entitled by birth; the Comté -de l'Orme having been in our family from time immemorial.</p> - -<p class="normal">These arrangements, the quick questions of the smugglers, their wild, -strange manners, and picturesque appearance, all formed a relief to a -mind anxious to escape from itself; and perhaps no society into which -I could have fallen would have afforded me so much the means of -abstracting my thoughts from all that was painful in my situation. -After having satisfied their curiosity in regard to me, the Spaniards, -to the number of twenty, gathered round Garcias to hear how he had -disposed of the smuggled goods, which had been deposited at the mill; -and certainly, never did a more picturesque group meet my view, than -that which they presented, with their fine muscular limbs, rich -coloured dresses, deep sun-burnt countenances, and flashing black -eyes; while each cast himself into some of those wild and picturesque -attitudes, which seem natural to mountaineers; and the form of Garcias -towering above them all, looked like that of the Farnesian Hercules, -fresh from the garden of the Hesperides.</p> - -<p class="normal">Garcias' story was soon told. He informed them simply, that all was -safe, produced the little bag which contained the profits of their -last adventure, and told them how much the miller expected to gain for -the goods at present in his hands. I remarked, however, he wisely said -not a word of the death of Derville the douanier, although undoubtedly -it would have met with the high approbation of his companions; and -probably would have given him still greater sway, than even that which -he already possessed, over the minds of a class of men, on whom -anything striking and bold is never without its effect.</p> - -<p class="normal">All this being concluded, instant preparation was made for our -departure. A horse was assigned to me from amongst those which had -borne the smuggled wares across the mountains; and all the worthy -fraternity being mounted, we had already begun to wind down the -ravine, in an opposite direction from that on which Garcias and myself -had arrived, when the sound of voices, heard at a little distance -before us, made us halt in our march. In a moment after, one of the -smugglers, who had been sent out as a sort of piquette in front, and -whose voice we had heard, returned, dragging along a poor little man, -in whom I instantly recognised the unfortunate player apothecary, who -had given me so much relief by his chirurgical applications a day or -two before. He had a small bundle strapped upon his back, as if -equipped for travelling; and seemed to be in mortal fear, holding back -with all his might, while the smuggler pulled him along by the arm, as -we often see a boy drag on an unwilling puppy by the collar, while the -obstinate beast hangs back with its haunches, and sets its four feet -firmly forward, contending stoutly every step that it is forced to -make in advance.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Here is a spy," cried the smuggler, pulling his prisoner forward into -the midst of the wild group, that our halt had occasioned; "I caught -him dodging about in the bushes there, at the entrance of the ravine; -and, depend on it, the <i>gabellateurs</i> are not far off."</p> - -<p class="normal">The poor player, who understood not one word of this Spanish -accusation, gazed about, with open mouth, and starting eyes, upon the -dark countenances of the smugglers, who, I believe, were only -meditating whether it would be better to throw him over the first -precipice, or hang him up on the first tree; and whose looks, in -consequence, did not offer anything re-assuring.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Messieurs! messieurs! respectable messieurs!</i>" cried he, gazing -round and round in an agony of terror, without being able to say any -more; when suddenly his eye fell upon me, and darting forward with a -quick spring, that loosed him from the smuggler's hold, he cast -himself upon his knees, embracing my stirrup; while half-a-dozen guns -were instantly pointed at his head, from the idea that he was about to -make his escape. The clicking of the gun-locks increased his terror -almost to madness; and, creeping under my horse's belly, he made a -sort of shield for his head, with my foot and the large clumsy -stirrup-iron, crying out with the most doleful accents, "Don't fire! -don't fire! pray don't fire!--Monseigneur!--Illustrious scion of a -noble house!--pray don't fire--exert thine influence benign, for the -preservation of a lowly supplicant."</p> - -<p class="normal">By this time, one of the smugglers had again got the player by the -collar; and, dragging him out with some detriment to his doublet, he -placed him once more in the midst. "Garcias," cried I, seeing them -rather inclined to maltreat their captive, "do not let them hurt him; -your companion is under a mistake. This poor little wretch, depend on -it, had no more idea of spying upon your proceedings, than he had of -spying into the intrigues of the moon. He is a miserable player, who -is unemployed, and half starving, I believe. I will answer for his -being no spy."</p> - -<p class="normal">At my intercession, Garcias interfered to prevent any further -annoyance being inflicted upon the hero of the buskin, and questioned -him, in French, in regard to what he did there. For a moment or two, -his terror and agitation deprived him of the power of explaining -himself; but soon beginning to perceive that the storm had in some -degree subsided, he took courage, and summoning up his most elevated -style, he proceeded to explain his appearance amongst them, mingling, -as he went on, a slight degree of satire with his bombast, which I was -afraid might do him but little service with his hearers.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Gentlemen!" cried he, "if ye be--as, from your gay attire and -splendid arms, your noble bearing and your bronzed cheeks, I judge ye -are--lords of the forest and the mountain--knights, wanderers of the -wild--magistrates, executors of your own laws, and abrogators of the -laws of every other person--I beseech ye, show pity and fellow-feeling -towards one who has the honour of being fully as penniless as -yourselves; who, though he never yet had courage enough to cut a -purse, or talent enough to steal one, has ever been a great admirer of -those bold and witty men, who maintain the blessed doctrine of the -community of this world's goods at the point of the sword, and put -down the villanous monopoly of gold and silver with a strong hand and -a loaded pistol."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Make haste, good friend!" cried Garcias, smiling; "we are not what -you take us for, but we have as much need of concealment as if we -were. Therefore, if you would escape hanging on that bough, give a -true account of yourself in as few words as possible. Such active -tongues as yours sometimes slip into the mire of falsehood. See that -it be not the case with you. Say, how came you in this unfrequented -part of the country, at this early hour?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Admirable captain!" cried the player, again beginning to tremble for -his life, "you shall hear the strange mysterious turns of fate that -conducted me hither, to a part of which, that noble scion of an -illustrious house--who seems either to be your prisoner or your -friend, I know not which; but who, in either capacity, is equally -honourable and to be honoured--can bear witness. Know, then, -magnanimous chief, no later than yesterday morning, towards the hour -of noon, according to that illustrious scion's express command, I -proceeded to the principal gate of the mighty Château de l'Orme, where -I had expected a certain further fee or reward, which he promised me -for having solaced and assuaged the pains of those wounds still -visible upon his brow and hands. But judge of my surprise when, on -entering the court-yard, I found the whole place in confusion and -dismay; men mounting in haste, women screaming at leisure, dogs -barking, horses neighing, and asses braying; and on my addressing -myself to an elderly gentleman with a long nose, for all the world -like a sausage of Bigorre, asking him, with a sweet respectful smile, -if he could show me to my lord the young count, he bestowed a buffet -on my cheek, which had even a greater effect than the buffet which -Moses gave the rock, for it brought fire as well as water out of my -eyes both at once."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And what was the cause of all this tumult? Did you hear?" demanded -Garcias, who had observed my eye, while the player told what he had -seen at the Château de l'Orme, straining up his countenance with an -anxiety that would bear no delay.</p> - -<p class="normal">"To speak the truth, most mighty potentate of the mountains," replied -the stroller, "I asked no farther questions where such answers seemed -amongst the most common forms of speech. I thought the striking reply -of my first respondent quite sufficient, though not very satisfactory; -and, judging he might like my back better than my face, I got my heels -over the threshold, and came away as fast as possible. I did not -return to the cottage where I had spent the last six weeks, for I had -happily my pack on my back, and my worthy host and hostess were so -much obliged to me for boarding and lodging with them all that time, -that I doubt they would have retained my goods and chattels as a -keepsake, if I had ventured myself within reach of their affectionate -embraces; though, God help me! they had already kept, as a -remembrance, the gold piece which monseigneur gave me at first. I, -last night, made my way to Argelez, and liberally offered the -gross-minded <i>aubergiste</i> of the place, to treat himself and his -company to the whole of 'The Cid,' to be enacted by myself alone, for -the simple consideration of a night's lodging and a dinner; but he, -most grovelling brute! fingered my doublet with his cursed paw, and -said he was afraid the dresses and decorations would be too expensive, -as they must evidently all be new. Indignantly I turned upon my heel, -and walked on till I came to this valley, where I found a nice warm -bush, and slept out my night after Father Adam's fashion. This -morning, hearing voices, and knowing not whence they came, I began to -look about with some degree of caution, when suddenly pounces upon me -this dark-browed gentleman, and drags me hither, to the manifest -injury of my poor doublet, which, God help it! has had so many a pull -from old mischievous Time, that it can ill bear the rude touch of any -other fingers. This is my tale, renowned sir; and if it be not true, -may the buskin never fit my foot, may the dagger break in my grasp, -and the bowl tumble out of my fingers!"</p> - -<p class="normal">The latter part of the poor player's speech had been sufficiently long -to give me the time necessary for recovering from the effect of that -portion of it which had personally affected myself, and I pointed out -to Garcias that his tale must undoubtedly be true, begging him at the -same time, to free the poor little man and send him away.</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, no!" replied the smuggler, "that must not be. He has found his -way to a retreat which none but ourselves knew; such secrets are heavy -things to carry, and he might drop his burden at some <i>douanier's</i> -door who would pay for it in gold. No, no! willing or unwilling, he -must come with us to Spain, and we will teach him a better trade than -ranting other people's nonsense to amuse as great fools as himself."</p> - -<p class="normal">The little player at first seemed somewhat astounded at such an -unexpected alteration in his prospects; but learning that, in the very -first place, board and lodging was to be provided for him, and a horse -as soon as one could be procured, his countenance brightened up, and -he trudged contentedly after the band of smugglers, eating a large -lump of cheese and a biscuit, which Garcias had given him as -occupation on the road. Strange, strange world, where the most abject -poverty is the surest buckler against misfortune! When I stood and -considered that wretched player's feelings and my own, and saw how -little he was affected by things which would have pained me to the -very soul--how little he heeded being torn from his native land, with -nothing but blank uncertainty before him--and how he enjoyed the crust -which fortune had given him--I could hardly help envying his very -misery, which so armoured him against all the shafts of adversity to -which I stood nakedly opposed.</p> - -<p class="normal">My present journey through the Pyrenees, though tending very nearly in -the same direction as the first, lay amongst scenes of a still wilder -description, for the smugglers carefully avoid all the ordinary paths, -and, though now unburdened with any seizable goods, as heedfully -guarded against a meeting with the officers of the <i>douane</i> as if they -were escorting a whole cargo. They seemed to take a delight in the -mystery and secrecy of their ways; but, in truth they found it -necessary to keep the whole world, except those concerned, in perfect -ignorance of the great extent to which their contraband traffic was -carried on, and for this purpose, glided along through the deepest -shades of the pine forests, and over the highest and least frequented -parts of the hills, by paths impracticable to any but themselves.</p> - -<p class="normal">Towards the close of the first day, we halted by the side of a small -mountain-lake, whose calm, still, shadowy waves, I almost hoped were -the waters of oblivion. Round about, the mountains rose up on every -side, seeming to shelter it from a world, and not a breath of wind -rippled the surface of the water, so that the reflections of the high -snowy peaks of the hills above, the dark rocks that dipped themselves -in its waves, and the gloomy pines that skirted it to the east, were -all seen looking up like ghosts from below, while ever and anon a -light evening cloud skimming over the sky found there its reflection -too, and was seen gliding over the bosom of the calm expanse. The turf -that spread from the margin of the lake to the bases of the mighty -rocks that towered up around, was covered with every kind of flower, -though at so great an elevation; and the rhododendron in full blossom, -vied with the beautiful pink saffron, as if striving which should most -embellish that favoured spot of green that nature seemed to have -fancifully placed there, as a contrast between the cold dark waters -and the stern grey rock.</p> - -<p class="normal">When, after alighting from my horse, I gazed round on the whole scene, -and then thought of returning to the world, with its idle bustle, and -its thronging pains, and its vain babble, and unbroken discontent, I -was tempted to cast it all from me at once, and become a hermit even -there, spending my time in the contemplation of eternity; but the -thoughts that thronged upon me during one brief half hour of solitude, -while the smugglers were occupied in making their arrangements for the -night, showed me that the gayest scenes of the busy world would still -leave me, perhaps, more time for memory than I could wish memory to -fill.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length my meditations were disturbed by the approach of the little -player, who seemed quite contented with his fate. As he came near, he -stretched forth his hand, threw back his head, and was beginning with -his usual emphasis to address me as "<i>Illustrious scion of a noble -house</i>," when I stopped him in the midst somewhat peevishly, bidding -him drop his high-flown style if he would have me listen to him, and -never to use it to me again if he wished not such a reply as had been -bestowed upon him by my father's <i>maître d'hôtel</i>. This warning and -threat had a very happy effect, for he seldom afterwards poured forth -any of his rodomontade upon me; and when denuded of its frippery, his -conversation was not without poignancy.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, sir," said he, after my rebuff, "I will treat you to plain -prose, as you love not the high and metaphorical. Be it known then -unto your worship, that our friends with the dark faces have prepared -something for dinner, and invite you to partake of some excellent -Bayonne ham, and some unfortunate young trout, that an artful vagabond -with an insinuating countenance has seduced out of the protecting -bosom of their parent lake, and abandoned to the vile appetite of his -companions. Added to this, you will find some excellent <i>botargis</i>, -which you doubtless are aware is manufactured out of the roe of the -mullet, and provokes drinking, a propensity that you may satisfy at -discretion, out of certain skins of wine for that purpose made and -provided--as my poor dear supposed father used to say, who turned me -out of his house when I was nine years old."</p> - -<p class="normal">I had too little love for my own thoughts to remain any longer alone -than I could avoid, and rising, I followed the little player to a spot -where the smugglers had spread out their supper upon Nature's table. -This was the first meal I had seen amongst them, and I found that they -ate but once a day: but to do them all manner of justice, when they -did apply themselves to satisfy their hunger, they amply compensated -for their abstinence; and as they intended to proceed no farther that -night, they were not more sparing of their wine than of their other -viands. Gradually, as the potent juice of the grape began to warm -their veins, all Spanish reserve wore away, and mirth and jocularity -succeeded. Jest, and tale, and song went round; and even Garcias -seemed to banish every circumstance of the past, and to enjoy himself -as fully, as forgetfully as the rest.</p> - -<p class="normal">To what was this owing? I asked myself.--To the wine-cup!--It had -taught them forgetfulness!--it was temporary oblivion!--it was -happiness!--and I drained it, and redrained it, to obtain the same -blessing for myself. Strange how one error ever brings on another! and -thus it is that amendment is still so difficult to those who have done -wrong--'tis not alone that they have to renounce the fault they have -once committed, but that they have also to struggle against all those -which that one brings in its train.</p> - -<p class="normal">I drank deep for forgetfulness; and certainly, amongst the companions -into whose society circumstances had thrown me, I was not without -encouragement. The wine they had brought with them was excellent and -abundant; and when any one began to flag in his potation, the rest -seemed to cry him on, as soldiers encourage one another in a march. -Sometimes it was a story, sometimes a jest, sometimes a song; and of -the latter, they had more amongst them than I had supposed could be -invented on one subject. The last that I remember, was sung by the -same musical youth whom Garcias and myself had found acting as -sentinel when we joined the smugglers near Argelez. His single voice -gave out the separate verses of the song to a merry Spanish air, while -all the rest joining in at the end, raised a deafening din with the -very absurd chorus.</p> -<pre> - - SONG. - - "Woman first invented wine, - Ere man found out to drink it;<a name="div4Ref_04" href="#div4_04">[4]</a> - If otherwise she wer'n't divine, - For this we're bound to think it. - - CHORUS. - - Malaga and Alicant, - Xeres and La Mancha! - Whatever cup she offers man, - We'll take it, and we'll thank her! - Cold water's but a sober thing, - That's only fit for asses--" - * * * * * * -</pre> -<p class="normal">But before he had concluded, or his companions began roaring again -about Malaga and Alicant, my cup fell out of my hand, and I slept.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XX.</h4> - -<p class="normal">I believe my sleep would have lasted longer than the night, had -Garcias not woke me towards daybreak, and told me that they were -preparing to depart. Amongst the smugglers, every one took care of his -own horse, and of course I could not expect to be exempt from the same -charge in their wandering republic, where the only title to require -service oneself was the having shown it to others. I started up, -therefore, in order to repair, as much as I could, my negligence of -the night before. To my surprise, however, I found that the horse had -been already rubbed down and saddled by the little player; who, having -drunk more cautiously than myself, had woke early in the morning; and, -after having shown this piece of attention to me, was engaged in -tricking out, for his own use, an ass, which one of the smugglers had -procured from some acquaintance at the foot of the mountain. I thanked -the little man for his civility; when, laying his hand upon his heart, -he professed his pleasure in serving me, and begged, in humble terms, -if I had any thought of engaging a servant in the expedition wherein -we were both engaged, that he might be preferred to that high post.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The post would certainly be more honourable than profitable, my good -friend," replied I, with some very melancholy feelings concerning my -own destitute condition, for my whole fortune consisted of about -thirty Louis d'ors and a diamond ring, the value of which I did not -know. "I must tell you thus much concerning my situation," I added; "I -am now quitting my father's house and my native land, from -circumstances which concern me alone, but which may render my absence -long; and during that absence, I expect no supply or pecuniary aid -from any one. You may now judge," I proceeded, with somewhat of a -painful smile, "whether such a man's service be the one to suit you."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Exactly!" replied the little player, to my surprise; "for during the -time you have nothing to give me, you will judge whether I am like to -suit you when you can pay me well. I ask no wages but meat and drink. -That, I am sure, you will give me while you can get any for yourself; -and if a time should come when you can get none, perhaps it may be my -turn to put my hand in fortune's bag, and pull out a dinner. Alone, -and with no one to help me, I have never wanted food, but that one day -at Argelez; and, God knows, I never knew from day to day where I -should fill my cup or load my platter, but in company with your -lordship--never fear, we shall always find plenty. Two people can -accomplish a thousand things that one cannot. You can do a thousand -that I do not know how to do, and I can do a thousand that you would -be ashamed to do. Thank God, for having been turned out upon the world -at nine years old, without a sous in my pocket. 'Twas the best school -in nature for finishing my education."</p> - -<p class="normal">I was hurt, I own, at the sort of companionship which the miserable -little player seemed to have established, in his own mind, so -completely between himself and me; and the haughty noble was rising -with some acrimony to my lips, when I suddenly bethought me, what a -thing I was to be proud over my fellow-worm! It was a thought to take -down the high stomach of my nobility, and after a moment's pause, I -merely replied, "Your life must afford a curious history, and -doubtless has been full both of turns of fate and turns of ingenuity."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, 'tis a very simple history," answered the player, "as brief as -the courtship of a widow. When your lordship has got on horseback, and -I have clambered on my ass, I will tell it to you as we go along. -'Twill at least spend a long five minutes."</p> - -<p class="normal">His proposal was not disagreeable to me, for my mind was in that state -when anything which could fill up a moment with some external feeling -or interest was in itself a blessing. Had he told such a tale as those -with which they amuse children in a nursery, I should have been -contented; and accordingly, as soon, after having mounted, as we were -once more on our journey, I begged he would proceed, which he complied -with as follows:--</p> - -<p class="normal">"My mother's husband, who had the credit--if any honour was thereunto -attached--of being my father, was, when I can first remember him, -intendant to the estates of M. le Comte de Bagnols. He had originally -studied the law; but not having money enough to purchase any charge at -the bar, he was very glad to take the management of a young nobleman's -estates, who, though not indeed careless and extravagant, was still -young--consequently inexperienced--consequently plunderable, and -consequently a hopeful speculation for one in my father's situation. -The Count was liberal, and therefore the appointments were in -themselves good, consisting of a separate house half a mile from the -château, a considerable glebe of land, and a salary of a thousand -crowns. I must remark here, that the intendant was the ugliest man in -Christendom, but he had the advantage of possessing in my poor dear -mother a very handsome wife, whose beauties he considered as a certain -means of performing the curious alchymical process of the -transmutation of metals; that is to say, the changing his own brass -into the Count's gold.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Now I should be most happy could I claim any kindred with the noble -family of Bagnols, but sorry I am to say, I was several years old when -the young Count returned to the château from his campaigns with the -army. Nor, indeed, should I have been much better off had fortune -decreed me to be born afterwards; for though the worthy intendant was -as liberal as Cato in many respects, and the most decided foe to all -sorts of jealousy, and though my mother also was a complete prodigal -in the dispensation of her smiles, the Count was as cold as ice. -Indeed, as his marriage with the beautiful Henriette de Vergne was -soon after brought on the carpet, I can hardly blame him for thinking -of no one else. All went on well for two years, during which time my -mother had twice occasion to call upon Lucina, and the intendant was -gratified by finding himself the father of two other sturdy children. -At the end of that time, however, the marriage of the Count was broken -off with Mademoiselle de Vergne, and the young lady was promised to -the Marquis de St. Brie. You have heard all that sad story, I dare -say! The Marquis not liking a rival at liberty--for they began to -whisper that the Count still privately saw Mademoiselle de Vergne, and -some even said was married to her--had him arrested and thrown into -prison, on an accusation of aiding the rebels at Rochelle. The count, -however, found means to write to the intendant a letter from the -Bastille, containing two orders: one was to send him instantly a -certain packet of papers containing the proofs of his innocence; the -other, to sell as speedily as possible all the alienable part of his -property, and to transmit the amount to a commercial house at -Saragossa. The worthy intendant set himself to consider his own -interests, and finding that it would be best to keep his lord in -prison, he could never discover the papers. At the same time, the -buying and selling of a large property is never without its advantage -to the steward, and therefore he punctually obeyed the Count's command -in this particular, selling all that he could sell, and transmitting -the money to Spain, at the end of which transaction he found himself -very comfortably off in the world. One night, while he sat counting -his gains, however, he was somewhat surprised by a visit from the -count, who had made his escape from the Bastille, and came to make his -intendant a call, much more disagreeable than interesting.</p> - -<p class="normal">"So much did the intendant wish his lord at the devil, that he was -civil to him beyond all precedent; and having gone up in the dark -to the château, they spent two hours in diligent search for the -papers, which they unfortunately could not find, for this very good -reason--the intendant had taken care to remove them three or four -days before, and had given them in charge to his dear friend and -co-labourer, the Count's apothecary, to keep them as a sacred deposit -as much out of the Count's way as possible."</p> - -<p class="normal">"After all this, sorry to have lost the papers, but glad to find he -had a considerable fortune placed securely in Spain, the Count set out -to seek his fair Henriette, resolving to carry her to another land; -and thinking all the while that his intendant was the honestest man in -the world. Under this impression, he made him his chief agent in all -his plans, told him of his private marriage, and, in short, did what -very wise men often do, let the greatest rogue of his acquaintance -into all his most important secrets.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The Marquis de St. Brie very soon found out the proceedings of his -friend the Count. The Count was of course assassinated, and thrown -into the river; the Countess was put into a convent, where she died in -childbirth, and God knows what became of the money in Spain. Matters -being thus settled to the satisfaction of every one, the intendant -found he had quite enough money to set up procureur, and went to live -in the same town with his dear friend the apothecary."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But what became of the papers?" demanded I; "and why do you always -call him the intendant? Were you a son by some former marriage of your -mother?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Be patient! be patient! Monsieur le Comte, and you shall hear," -replied the little player. "I was just about to return to my mother, -with regard to whom a man may feel himself tolerably certain. There is -a proverb against human presumption in speaking of one's father, -'<i>Sage enfant qui connoit son père!</i>' However, my mother was, as I -have said, a very handsome woman, and she made use of her advantages; -but, at the same time, she was a very superstitious one, and though -she governed her husband in all domestic matters with a rod of iron, -she suffered herself to be governed by her confessor in a manner still -more despotic. Never used she to fail in her attendance at the -confessional, and yet I never heard the good priest complain she -troubled him unnecessarily.</p> - -<p class="normal">"At length it so happened that she fell ill, and the only thing that -could have saved her, namely, the physicians giving her up, having -been tried in vain, and she being both in the jaws of death and in a -great fright, her priest would not give her absolution except upon a -very hard condition, which she executed as follows--She sent for her -husband, and having bade him adieu in very touching terms, upon which -he wept--he could always weep when he liked--she sent for his dear -friend the apothecary, for a worthy goldsmith of the city, and for a -couple of young gentlemen our neighbours, and having brought them all -into her bedroom, she acknowledged to her husband all her faults and -failings, comprising many which I, in my filial piety, will pass over; -after which she begged his forgiveness, and obtained it--requested and -received in so touching a manner, that every one wept. She then made -her excellent spouse embrace his injurers, which he did like a -charitable soul and a sensible man, with a most solemn and edifying -countenance. After this she called all her children, of which there -were by this time four, round her, and having given us her blessing -and her last advice in a very striking and instructive manner, she -allotted us severally to the care of her friends. My next brother she -bequeathed to the fatherly tenderness of the intendant himself; though -there was an unfortunately small degree of likeness between them. I -fell to the portion of the apothecary; the youngest son was assigned -to the protection of the goldsmith, and so on. When this distribution -was concluded, she found herself very much exhausted, and, sending us -all away, fell into a profound sleep, from which she woke the next -morning in a fair way for recovery. The confessor declared that it was -the special interposition of Heaven, as a reward for her punctual -obedience to his commands; but her husband thought it the handiwork of -the devil; on which difference of conclusion I shall not offer an -opinion. Suffice it, my mother recovered, and finding that the story -had got abroad, and that every one she met laughed at or avoided her, -she insisted on her husband changing his abode and carrying her and -her family to another town. At length, however, her malady returned -upon her after a year's absence, and she died for good and all, -leaving her husband inconsolable for her loss. The moment the breath -was out of her body, the excellent procureur took me to the door of -his house, and told me tenderly to get along for a graceless little -vagabond, and none of his. 'Go to Auch! go to Auch!' cried he, 'and -tell that villain of an apothecary I have sent him his own.' To Auch I -accordingly went, and delivered the procureur's message to the -apothecary, who held up his hands and eyes at the hard-heartedness of -his former friend, and giving me a silver piece of a livre tournois, -he bade me go along, and not trouble him any more.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The next morning, when my livre was spent, and I began to grow -hungry, I naturally turned my steps towards the apothecary's, and hung -about near his door without daring to enter, when suddenly I saw him -driving out in fury the boy that carried his medicines, who had been -guilty, I found afterwards, of drinking the wine set apart for making -antimonial wine; and so great was the rage of my worthy parent, that -he threw both the pestle and the mortar into the street after the -culprit.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Having had all my life a sort of instinctive dislike to the society of -an angry man, I was in the act of gliding away as fast as I could, -when his eye fell upon me, and beckoning me to him, he called me to -come near, in a tone that made me obey instantly. 'Come hither,' cried -he, 'come hither! Now I wager an ounce of kermes to a grain of jalap -that thou hast been well taught to thieve and to lie! Hey? Is it not -so?'--'No, your worship,' answered I, trembling every limb, 'but I -dare say I shall soon learn under your teaching.'--'Holla! thou art -malapert,' cried he; 'but come in; out of pure charity I will give -thee the place of that thief I have just kicked out. But remember, it -is out of pure charity--thou hast no claim on me whatever! mark that! -But if thou servest me truly, and appliest thyself to my lessons, I -will make thee a rival to Galen and Hippocrates.' Thus was I -established as medicine-boy at my father the apothecary's, after -having been turned out of my father the procureur's, and soon learned -his mood and his practice. The first was somewhat arbitrary but -despotic, and, by taking care never to contradict him, except where he -wished to be contradicted, I soon ingratiated myself with him to a -very high degree.</p> - -<p class="normal">"His practice also was very simple. Whenever he was called in to any -patient, he began by giving them an emetic, to clear away all -obstructions, as he said. He next inquired if the complaint was local, -and where? If it was in the head he put a blister on the soles of the -feet; if it was in the lower extremities he placed one on the crown of -the head; if it was between the two he took care to blister both. When -the malady was general, he began by bleeding, and went on by bleeding, -till the patient died or recovered; declaring all the while, that let -the disease be as bad as it would, he would have it out of him one way -or other. He had a good deal of practice when I came, and it rapidly -increased, for he was always called in by poor dependents, who -expected legacies, to their rich relatives; by young heirs of estates -to old annuitants; by the expectants of abbeys, and persons possessing -survivorships to their dear friends the long-lived incumbents: and he -was also applied to frequently by young wives for their old husbands, -and other cases of the kind, wherein he was supposed to practise very -successfully. As I grew up, he initiated me into all the secrets of -his profession, took me to the bedside of his patients; and, in fact -gave me many a paternal mark of his regard! Nor did he confine his -confidence in me entirely to professional subjects. It was from him -that I learned the earlier part of my own history, and that of the -Count de Bagnols, whose papers I had many an opportunity of seeing, -for they lay wrapped in a piece of old sheepskin in the drawer with -the syringes. Thus passed the time till a company of players visited -Auch; and as every night of their performance I went to see them, I -speedily acquired a taste--I may say a passion, for the stage, which -evidently showed that nature had destined me to wear the buskin. From -that moment I was seized with horror at the indiscriminate slaughter -which I daily aided in committing, and I resolved to quit Auch the -very first opportunity. This, however, did not occur immediately, for -before I could prepare my plans the players had left the place, and I -was obliged to remain in my sanguinary profession for another year, -during which I learned by heart every play that had ever been written -in the French language. One day, while I was sitting alone reading -Rotrou, a man came in and addressed me with an air of cajolery which -instantly put me on my guard; but when he gave me to understand, after -a thousand doublings, that he wished to know if ever I had heard my -father, or, as he called him, 'master,' talk of certain papers -belonging to the late Count de Bagnols, which might be of the greatest -service in clearing the honour of his family; and when, at the same -time he offered me ten Louis d'ors if I could find the papers, I -became as pliant as wax, slipped one hand into the drawer, took the -money with the other, delivered the papers, and recommenced my book. -My father never missed the papers; and when the players returned I -lost no time, but addressed myself to their manager, who made me -recite some verses, applauded me highly, declared he wanted a new -star, and that if I would steal away from my gallipots and join the -company a mile from Auch, I should meet with my desert. I took him at -his word, and easily executed my plan during the apothecary's absence. -My name was soon changed to Achilles Lefranc, and the provincial -spectators found out that I was a genius of a superior class. -Ambition, the fault of gods, misled our little troop; and thinking to -carry all before us, we went to Paris, obtained permission to perform, -and chose a deep tragedy, at which the malicious Parisians roared with -laughter from beginning to end. We slunk out of Paris in the middle of -the night, but the bond of union was gone amongst us, and we -dispersed. Since then I have hawked my talents from village to -village, and from company to company; sometimes I have risen to the -highest flights of tragedy, and have trod the stage as a king or a -hero, and at others I have descended to the lowest walk of comedy, -and, for the sake of a mere dinner, performed the part of jester -at a marriage entertainment or a <i>fête de village</i>; I have been -applauded and hissed, wept at and laughed at, but I have always -contrived to make my way through the world, till here I am at last -your lordship's--humble servant."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXI.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The player's account of himself had interested me more than he knew, -especially that part of it which referred to the unfortunate Count de -Bagnols. There seemed something extraordinary in the chance, which -threw circumstance after circumstance of his history upon my -knowledge; and I felt a superstitious sort of feeling about it, which -was weak, I own, but which was pardonable perhaps in a mind labouring -like mine under a high degree of morbid excitement.</p> - -<p class="normal">I fancied that I was destined to be the Count's avenger; and I felt, -at the same time, that I should be doing human nature good service in -ridding the world of such a man as the Marquis de St. Brie; nor did I -believe that the eye of Heaven could look frowningly upon so signal an -act of justice. I reasoned, finely too, upon the right of an -individual to execute that retributive punishment which either the -laws of his country were inadequate to perform, or its judges -unwilling to enforce. But where was there ever yet a deed -unsusceptible of fine reasoning to justify it to the doer? Acts well -nigh as black as the revolt of Satan have met able defenders in their -day; and in the prejudiced tribunal of my own bosom I easily found a -voice to sanction what I had already determined.</p> - -<p class="normal">In regard to the papers of the Count de Bagnols, which had fallen into -my possession by so curious a train of circumstances, I had them still -about me; but I did not think fit to mention the circumstance to -Monsieur Achilles Lefranc, upon whose judgment I had no great reason -to rely. I determined, however, if fortune should ever permit me to -revisit my own country, to seek out the nearest relations of the -count, and to deliver the papers into their hands as an act of justice -to the memory of that unhappy nobleman; and I also felt a sort of -stern pleasure in the hope of once more measuring my sword with the -daring villain whose many detestable actions seemed to call loudly for -chastisement. There might be a touch of over-excited enthusiasm--of -that sort of exaltation of mind which men call fanaticism in religion, -and which borders upon frenzy, when it relates to the common affairs -of life, but I hope--I believe--nay, I am sure that there was no -thirst of personal revenge in that wish. I felt indignant that such a -man should have been allowed to live so long, and that neither private -vengeance nor public justice should yet have overtaken him with the -fate he so well merited; and my sensations, which were at all times -irritable enough, had been worked up, by the scenes and circumstances -I had lately gone through, to a pitch of excitement which not every -man could feel, and none perhaps can describe.</p> - -<p class="normal">While little Achilles had been engaged in recounting his history, he -had kept close by my side, jogging on upon his ass, looking like a -less corpulent and more youthful Sancho Panza, accompanying a less -gaunt and grimly Quixote. Not that I believe my appearance had been -much improved by two such nights as I had passed, nor indeed was the -bandage round my head very ornamental; and in this respect was I but -the better qualified to represent the doughty hero of La Mancha. No -adventures, however, of any kind attended our journey; and we passed -the mountains and descended into Spain undisturbed. Towards three -o'clock, after having proceeded near ten miles in an eastern -direction, we reached a little village, which seemed a great resort of -the smugglers; for here every one of them was known, and several of -them had their habitations--if indeed such a name could be applied to -the spot where they only rested a few brief days in the intervals of -their long and frequent absences. The moment our cavalcade was seen -upon the hill above the village, a bustle made itself manifest amongst -the inhabitants; and we could perceive a boy running from house to -house spreading the glad news. A crowd of women and children assembled -in an instant, and coming out to meet us, expressed their joy with a -thousand gratulatory exclamations. The rich golden air of a spring -afternoon in Spain; the picturesque cottages covered with their young -vines, and scattered amongst the broken masses of the mountain; the -gay dresses of the Spanish mountaineers, the graceful forms of the -women and children, and the beautiful groups into which they fell as -they advanced to greet us,--all offered a lovely and interesting sight -to the eyes of a stranger. It was one of the pictures of Claude Gelée -wakened into life.</p> - -<p class="normal">Every one sprang to the ground, and a thousand welcomes and embraces -were exchanged; the sight of which made my heart swell with feelings I -cannot describe. There were none to embrace or welcome me!</p> - -<p class="normal">Amongst the foremost of those who came to meet us on our arrival, was -a beautiful young woman of the most delicate form and feature I ever -beheld; exquisitely lovely in every line; but so slight, so fragile, -it seemed as if the very breath of the mountain wind would have torn -her like a butterfly. She ran on, however, with a quicker step than -all the rest, and casting herself into the gigantic arms of Garcias, -gazed up in his face with a look of that tender affection not to be -mistaken, while a glistening moisture in her eye told how very, very -glad she was to see him returned in safety. She was the last person on -earth one would have imagined the wife of the fierce and daring man to -whom her fate was united. But Garcias with her was not fierce; it -seemed as if to him her tenderness was contagious; and the moment his -eye met hers, its fire sunk and softened, and it only seemed to -reflect the tender glance of her own.</p> - -<p class="normal">After giving a delicious moment or two to the first sweet feelings of -his return, the smuggler appeared suddenly to remember me, and taking -me by the hand, he presented me to his wife as a French gentleman, to -whom he and his were indebted for much; adding, that all the -hospitality she could show me would not repay the kindness and -patronage he had received from my house. She received me with a -modesty, and a grace, and a simple elegance, I had hardly expected to -meet in an insignificant mountain village; and led the way to their -dwelling, which was by far the best in the place, not even excepting -that of the principal officer of the Spanish customs, who, somewhat to -my surprise, came out of his house to welcome back Garcias, with more -friendship than I could have supposed to exist between a smuggler and -a <i>douanier</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">Our arrival was the signal for feasting and merriment. Some of the -youths of the village had been very successful in the chase; and the -delicate flesh of the izzard, with fine white bread and excellent -wine, were in such abundance, that my poor little follower, Achilles -Lefranc, ate, and drank, and sang, and gesticulated, seeming to think -himself quite in the land of promise. He busied himself about -everything; and though he neither understood nor spoke one word of the -language, he was so gay, and so lively, and so well pleased himself, -that he won the goodwill of the whole village.</p> - -<p class="normal">After affording us shelter till we had supped, as soon as the sun -began to sink behind the mountains every house in the place poured -forth its inhabitants upon a little green. In the centre stood a group -of high ash trees, under which the great majority seated themselves, -notwithstanding the disagreeable odour of the cantharides which were -buzzing about thickly amongst the branches; the rest took it in turns -to dance to the music of a guitar, which was played by the young -smuggler whose vocal powers I had already been made acquainted with.</p> - -<p class="normal">Never in court or drawing-room did I see more grace or more beauty -than on that village green; while the awful masses of the mountains, -stretching blue and vast behind, offered a strange grand contrast to -the light figures of the gay ephemeral beings that were sporting like -butterflies before me. The mingling of the two scenes, and the calm -placidity which both tended to inspire, did not fail to find its way -to my heart, and to soothe and quiet the anguish which had not yet -left it. In the meanwhile, the musician joined his voice to the notes -of his guitar, and sang one of their village songs.</p> - -<pre> - - - SONG. - - I. - - "Dance! dance! dance! Life so quick is past, - Seize ye its minutes for joy as they fly: - Existence' flowers so brief a space may last, - 'Twere pity to see them but blossom and die. - - II. - - "Dance! dance! dance! On the roses tread, - That swift-fleeting Time shall let fall ere he go; - He's now in his spring, but full soon shall he shed - On every dark ringlet his wintry snow. - - III. - - "Dance! dance! dance! Cheat the heavy hours, - They're tyrants would bind us to Time's chariot fast; - Weave then a chain of gay summer flowers, - And make them our slaves while youth's reign shall last." -</pre> -<p class="normal">He had scarcely ended, and was still continuing the air upon his -guitar, when a horse's feet were heard clattering up over the stones -of the village, and in a minute or two after, a young man rode up, -dressed in a costume somewhat different from that of the villagers, -but still decidedly Spanish. On his appearance, the dance instantly -stopped, several voices crying, "It is Francisco from Lerida. He -brings news of Fernandez! What news of Fernandez?" together with a -variety of other exclamations and interrogatories, making a quantum of -noise and confusion sufficient to prevent his answering any one -distinctly for at least five minutes after his arrival. The horseman, -however, seemed but little disposed to reply to any one, slowly -dismounting from his horse with what appeared to me an air of assumed -importance.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ah! he is playing his old tricks," cried one of the merry boys of the -village; "he wants to frighten us about Fernandez."</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, indeed!" cried Francisco, with a sigh; "I have, as the old -story-book goes, so often cried out <i>wolf!</i> that perhaps you will not -believe me now when it is true: but I bring you all sad news, and with -a heavy heart I bring it. To you, my cousin, especially," he -continued, speaking to Garcias' wife, who sat beside her husband, with -her elbow leaning on his knee--"I know not well how to tell you what I -have got to relate; but I came off in speed this morning, to see what -we could all do to mend a bad business. Your brother Fernandez is now -in prison at Lerida, and I am afraid that worse may come of it."</p> - -<p class="normal">"In prison! Why? How? What for?" exclaimed Garcias, starting up; "he -shall not be in prison long!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I fear me he will," replied the other, shaking his head,--"I fear me -he will, if ever he come out of it. You all know the dreadful state of -our province of Catalonia since that tyrant villain the count-duke has -filled it with the most lawless and undisciplined soldiers in Spain. -For the last three months our minds have been worked up to a pitch of -desperation which every day threatened to plunge us into anarchy and -revolt; wrong upon wrong, exaction after exaction, oppression outdoing -oppression----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"But Fernandez--what of him?" cried Garcias. "Speak of him, Francisco. -We well know what you have endured."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, then, all I can tell you of him is this," proceeded the -Catalonian, apparently not well pleased at having been interrupted in -the fine oration he was making: "as far as I could hear, for I was not -present, he interfered to prevent one of the base soldados from -maltreating a woman in the street. The soldier struck him. Fernandez -is not a man to bear a blow, and he plunged his knife some six inches -into his body. He was immediately arrested, disarmed, and carried to -the castle. If the soldier dies, he will, they say, be shot off from -one of the cannons' mouths; if he recovers, the galleys are to be -Fernandez's doom for life."</p> - -<p class="normal">The wife of the smuggler had listened to this account of her brother's -situation without proffering a word either of inquiry or remark; but I -saw her cheek, like a withering rose, growing paler and paler as the -incautious narrator proceeded, till at length, as he mentioned the -horrible fate likely to befall the hero of his tale, she fell back -upon the turf totally insensible.</p> - -<p class="normal">The effect of the history had been different upon Garcias; his brow -became bent as the speaker went on, it is true; but the passionate -agitation, which at first seemed to affect him, wore away, and he -assumed a cold sort of calmness, which remained uninterrupted even -upon the fainting of his wife. He raised her in his arms, however, and -bidding Francisco wait a moment till he could return, he carried her -away towards their own dwelling, accompanied by all the women of the -place, in whose care he left her. On coming back, he questioned the -Catalonian keenly to ascertain whether his brother-in-law had been in -any degree to blame; but from all the replies he could obtain, it -appeared that the conduct of the soldier had been gross and outrageous -in the extreme; that Fernandez, as they called him, had merely -interfered, when no man but a coward or a pander could have refrained, -and that he actually stabbed the soldier in defence of his own life.</p> - -<p class="normal">Garcias made no observation, but he held his hand upon the pommel of -his sword; and every now and then his fingers clasped upon it, with a -sort of convulsive motion, which seemed to indicate that all was not -so quiet within as the tranquillity of his countenance bespoke.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well," said he, at length looking up to the sky, which by this time -began to show more than one twinkling star, shining like a diamond -through the blue expanse;--"well, it is too late tonight to think of -what can be done. Come, Francisco, you want both food and rest--come, -you must lodge with us. Monsieur de l'Orme," he added, turning to me, -and speaking in French, "you will find our lodging but hard, and our -fare but poor, but if you will take the best of welcomes for seasoning -to the one, and for down to the other, you could not have more of it -in a palace."</p> - -<p class="normal">I returned home with him to his cottage; but not wishing to intrude -more than I could help upon his privacy, when I knew his wife was both -ill in body and in mind, and fearful also of interrupting any -conversation he might wish to have with his companion, I retired to a -room which had been prepared for me, and undressing myself with the -assistance of my little follower Achilles, who made a most excellent -extempore valet-de-chambre, I cast myself on the bed, hardly hoping to -sleep. A long day of fatigue had been friendly to me, however, in this -respect; and I scarcely saw my little attendant nestle himself into a -high pile of dried rosemary, with which the mountains abound, and -which, with the addition of a cloak, forms the bed of many a -mountaineer, before I was myself asleep. My slumbers remained unbroken -till I was awakened by Garcias shaking me by the arm. It was still -deep night, and starting up, I saw by the light of a lamp which he -carried, that he was completely dressed, and armed with more -precaution than even during his excursions into France.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have to ask your pardon, monseigneur," said he, in a low deep tone, -as soon as I was completely awake, "for thus disturbing you, and, -indeed, it was my intention not to have done so; but I am about to set -out for Lerida, and before I go, I wish to lay before you such plans -as are most feasible for your comfort and safety in Spain. In the -first place, you can remain here, if a poor village, and poor fare, -and mountain sports, may suit you; but if you do, your time may hang -heavy on your hands, and beware of lightening it with the smiles of -our women--remember, the Spaniard is jealous by nature, and -revengeful, too; and there is not a black-eyed girl in this village -that has not some one to watch and to protect her."</p> - -<p class="normal">The blood rose in my cheek, and I replied somewhat hastily, "Were she -as unprotected as a wild flower, do you think I would take advantage -of her friendlessness? You do me wrong, Garcias; and by Heaven, were I -so willed, it would be no fear of a revengeful Spaniard would stand in -the way of my pursuit! But, as I said, you do me wrong,--great wrong!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Be not angry, my noble Count," replied the smuggler, with a calm -smile; "I know what youth and idleness may do with many a one, even -with the best dispositions? I warned you for your own good, and I am -not a man who values any of this earth's empty bubbles so highly as -not to say my mind when I am sure that it is right. But hear me -still:--humble as I am in station, I have one or two friends of a -higher class, and I can give you a letter to the new corregidor of -Saragossa, who will easily obtain you rank in the Spanish armies, if -you choose to employ yourself in war, which I know is the only -occupation that you nobles of France can hold."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not to Saragossa," replied I; "no, not to Saragossa; I cannot go -there. But you say the new corregidor; what has become of the former -one?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"He died this last month," replied Garcias; "and a good man he -was--God rest his soul! He was much beloved by all classes of the -people. He died, they say, of grief for the loss of his only child. -But if you love not Saragossa, hark to another plan. I go to Lerida. -You can accompany me as far as the town gates, but you must not go -with me farther. You have heard of the fate of my wife's brother--he -must, he shall be saved, or I will light such a flame in Catalonia as -shall burn up these mercenary sworders by whom it is consumed, as by a -flight of devastating locusts--ay, shall burn them up like stubble! -What may come of my journey, I know not--death, perhaps, to many; and -therefore, though you may go with me to Lerida, turn off before you -enter the town, and make all speed to Barcelona, where you will find -many a vessel ready to sail for France. You will easily find your way -to Paris, where you may conceal yourself as well as if you were in -Spain; and as you will land in a different part of the country from -that where your appearance might prove dangerous to yourself, you will -run no risk of interruption in your journey; at the same time, you -will be able more easily to communicate with your family and friends, -and negotiate at the court for your pardon."</p> - -<p class="normal">I did not hesitate in regard to which I should choose of the three -plans that Garcias propounded. At once, and without difficulty, I -fixed upon that course which, by carrying me directly to Paris, would -give me a thousand facilities that I could not possess in Spain. -Though so far from the capital, of course, a frequent communication -existed between my native province and Paris, and I thus hoped soon to -satisfy myself in regard to all the circumstances which had followed -my flight from the Château de l'Orme; I should also be in the -immediate neighbourhood of the Count de Soissons; and I doubted not, -that, by putting myself under his protection, I could easily obtain -those letters of grace which would insure me from all the painful -circumstances of a trial for murder: for although the severities which -the Cardinal de Richelieu had exercised upon the nobles, in every case -where they laid themselves open to the blow of the law, showed -evidently that my nobility would be no protection, yet, knowing little -of the politics of the court, I fancied that he would not reject the -intercession of a prince of the blood royal. There is no reason why I -should not acknowledge that, in these respects, I was most anxious -about that life which I would have cast into the most hazardous -circumstances--ay, even thrown away in any honourable manner; but to -die the death of a common felon, or even to be arraigned as one, was -what I could not bear to dream of. There is something naturally more -valuable to man than life itself--something more fearful than death; -for though my whole mind was bent on saving myself from the fate that -menaced me, at the same time with every thought came the remembrance -that it was Helen's brother I had slain--that she could never, never -be mine; and I cursed the life I struggled for.</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon as my determination was expressed, Garcias pressed me to -hasten my movements; and as the little player had awoke, and, seeing -me about to depart, insisted on accompanying me, the next -consideration became, how to mount him, so as to enable him to keep up -with the quick pace at which we proposed to proceed. Horses, however, -were plentiful in the village; and the smuggler, although it was now -midnight, took upon himself to appropriate the beast of one of his -companions, for which I left three gold pieces as payment. I was soon -dressed; and Garcias having supplied me with some articles of apparel, -of which I stood in some need, we proceeded to the green, where we -found Francisco, who had brought the news of his kinsman's arrest, -together with the horses, and four or five of Garcias' associates, -armed like himself, and prepared to mount.</p> - -<p class="normal">We were instantly in our saddles, and set off at all speed, greatly to -the annoyance of poor little Achilles; who, not much accustomed to -equestrian exercise, and perched upon the ridge of a tall strong -horse, looked as if he was riding the Pyrenees, and riding them ill. I -kept him close to myself, however, and contrived to maintain him in -his seat, till such time as he had in some degree got shaken into the -saddle; after which he began to feel himself more at his ease, and to -play the good horseman.</p> - -<p class="normal">Little conversation took place on the road, the mind of Garcias -labouring evidently under a high degree of excitement, which he was -afraid might break forth if he spoke, and I myself being far too much -swallowed up in the selfishness of painful thoughts to care much about -the schemes or wishes of others. I gathered, however, from the -occasional questions which Garcias addressed to Francisco, and the -replies he received, that the whole of Catalonia was ripe for revolt; -that the sufferings of the people, and the outrages of the Castilian -soldiery, had arrived at a point no longer to be endured; and that the -murmurs and inflammatory placards which had lately been much spoken -of, were but the roarings of the volcano before an eruption. Several -private meetings of the citizens and the peasantry had been held, -Francisco observed; and at more than one of these, aid, arms, -ammunition, money, and co-operation, had been promised on the part of -France. All was ready for revolt; the pile was already laid whereon to -sacrifice to the god of liberty, and it wanted but some hand to apply -the torch.</p> - -<p class="normal">"That hand shall be mine," muttered Garcias;--"that hand shall be -mine, if they change not their doings mightily;" and here the -conversation again dropped.</p> - -<p class="normal">For three hours we rode on in darkness, by rough and narrow paths, -which probably we might not have passed so safely had it been day; for -we went on with that sort of fearlessness which is almost always sure -to conduct one securely through the midst of danger. Although I felt -my horse make many a slip and many a flounder as we went along, I knew -not the real state of the roads over which we passed, till I found him -plunge up to his shoulders in a pit of water that lay in the midst. By -spurring him on, however, I forced him up the other side; and shortly -after the day broke, showing what might, indeed, be called by courtesy -a road, but which seemed in truth but an old watercourse, obstructed -with large stones and deep holes, and, in short, a thousand degrees -worse in every respect than any path we had followed through the -gorges of the Pyrenees.</p> - -<p class="normal">No feeling, I believe, is more consistently inconsistent than -cowardice. Children shut their eyes in the dark to avoid seeing -ghosts; and as long as my little companion Achilles could not exactly -discover the dangers of the path, he proceeded very boldly; but no -sooner did he perceive, by the light of the dawn, the holes, the -rocks, and the channels, which obstructed the road at every step, than -he fell into the most ludicrous trepidation, and called down upon his -head many an objurgation from Garcias for hanging behind in the worst -parts, floundering like a fish left in the shallows.</p> - -<p class="normal">During the whole of our journey hitherto we had passed neither house -nor village, as far as I could discover; and we still went on for -about an hour before we came even to a solitary cottage, where Garcias -drew in his rein to allow our horses a little refreshment.</p> - -<p class="normal">Here he paced up and down before the door, seemingly anxious and -impatient to proceed, knitting his brows and gnawing his lip with an -air of deep and bitter meditation. I interrupted his musings, -nevertheless, to inquire whether he could convey a few lines to their -destination, which I had written to inform my father that I was, at -least, in safety.</p> - -<p class="normal">"To be sure," replied he hastily, taking the letter out of my hand. -"Did I not deliver the packet safely to Mademoiselle Arnault, at the -château? and doubt not I will deliver yours too, if I be alive; and if -I be dead," he added with a smile, "I will send it."</p> - -<p class="normal">"What packet did you deliver to Mademoiselle Arnault?" demanded I, -somewhat surprised; "I never heard of any packet."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay, I know not what it contained," answered the smuggler; "it was -brought to me by a friend at Jaca, and I know nothing farther than -that I delivered it truly. That is all I have to do with it, and fully -as much as any one else has."</p> - -<p class="normal">I turned upon my heel, again feeling the proud blood of the ancient -noble rising angrily at the careless tone with which a peasant -presumed to treat my inquiries; but the overpowering passions which, -under the calm exterior of the Spaniard, were working silently but -tremendously, like an earthquake preceded by a heavy calm, levelled in -his eyes all the unsubstantial distinctions of rank. Nor did I, though -struck by a breach of habitual respect, give above a thought to the -manner of his speech; the matter of it soon occupied my whole mind, -and for the rest of the journey I was as full of musing as the -smuggler himself. A packet from Spain!--for Helen Arnault! What could -it mean? She, who had no friends, no acquaintances beyond the circle -of our own hall! A new flame was added to the fires already kindled in -my bosom; I suppose that my mind was weakened by all that I had lately -suffered, for I cannot otherwise account for the wild, vague, jealous -suspicions that took possession of me. But so it was--I was jealous! -At other times my character was anything but suspicious; but now I -pondered over the circumstance which had just reached my knowledge, -viewed it in a thousand different lights, regarded it in every aspect, -and still the jaundiced medium of my own mind communicated to Helen's -conduct a hue that, however extraordinary, it did not deserve.</p> - -<p class="normal">With thoughts thus occupied, I scarcely perceived the length of the -way, till, as we climbed a slight eminence, Garcias pulled in his -rein, and looking forward, I perceived at no great distance a group of -towers and steeples, announcing Lerida.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The irritable suspicions which, without his own knowledge, he had -excited in my bosom, made me still regard the careless manner in which -Garcias had treated my inquiries concerning the packet he had conveyed -to Helen, as matter of some offence. I forgot that he knew not my -feelings on this subject, and I am afraid I made no allowance for his, -excited and overwrought as they were. Notwithstanding the degree of -irritation that I felt, however, I could not resist the frankness of -manner with which he addressed me, when we came within sight of -Lerida.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Here, Monsieur le Comte," said he, "you had better leave us. That -path will take you into the high road to Barcelona, whither, if I -might advise, you would make all possible speed. My way is towards -those towers, where my poor Catelina's brother lies in bonds. What may -come of it, I do not know; but either this night shall see him once -more a freeman, or my head shall lie lower than it ever yet has done. -Farewell, Monsieur le Comte! I doubt not we shall meet again. Do not -forget me till then: and ever believe that a warm and grateful heart, -however rude, may dwell in the bosom even of a Spanish smuggler; and -that if this arm, or this sword, ever can serve you, you may command -it. Are you too proud to accept that horse you ride, as a present from -one who is under many a debt of gratitude to your house?"</p> - -<p class="normal">I hardly know what it was, for there was certainly very little in his -words to change the angry feelings with which I had regarded him a -moment before; but the manner wherewith a thing is said, more than -the thing itself, has often the power to let us into the dark -council-chamber of man's bosom, and show us the motives which govern -his actions. Gleaming through the very coldness of Garcias' demeanour, -I saw the wish to act towards me in the kindest and most grateful -manner, only overpowered by the excitement of his own circumstances; -and I instantly made those allowances which I should have done at -first.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will accept it, Garcias, with pleasure," replied I, "because I hope -hereafter to repay it, with other debts to you, in a way that I have -not now the means of doing." A word or two more passed, and then, -bidding him adieu, I rode along the path he pointed out, followed by -Achilles Lefranc, and soon reached the highroad of which he had -spoken. Here my poor little companion, who had hitherto smothered the -torments of St. Bartholomew rather than risk being left behind, found -it impossible to contain his expostulations any longer.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Monseigneur," said he, in a tone which mingled the doleful and the -theatrical in a very ludicrous degree, "God knows that I am willing to -follow on your steps to the last grain of my sand, to serve you with -my best service to my last breath--but indeed! indeed! it must be on -foot. Horseback becomes me not--I am already worn to the bone! So help -me Heaven! as I would rather ride a grindstone by the hour together, -than the stiff ridge of this hard-backed charger! Consider, my lord, -consider, that my business has ever been on foot; and that never but -once before did I venture to cast my legs across that iron-spined -beast called a horse. At least, in pity, give me half an hour's repose -at the first cottage we pass, for I can get no farther!"</p> - -<p class="normal">The request of the poor little man was but reasonable; and after -proceeding about half a league farther on our way, we stopped at a -small sort of inn, where I suppose the carriers from Lerida ordinarily -paused to water their horses. Here, with rest, and food, and wine, I -strove to put Achilles into a fit state for proceeding on his journey; -but none of these applications seemed to touch the part affected, and -the ludicrous stiffness that supervened when he had sat still for a -few minutes, almost made me abandon the hope of going forward that -day. After about an hour, however, a very powerful incentive to motion -came in aid of my wishes, and soon induced Monsieur Achilles to start -from his settle, and though every joint seemed made of wood, and -creaked in the moving, he nevertheless got to his horse even more -quickly than myself. The cause of this revolution in his feelings was -very simple, and consisted in nothing more than a sound, somewhat -disagreeable to one of his peculiar temperament.</p> - -<p class="normal">The morning was clear and the wind high, coming in quick gusts from -the side of Lerida, which, as near as I could judge, lay at the -distance of two miles. It was not far enough, however, to prevent our -hearing, after having rested, as I said, near an hour, the beating of -a drum, mingled with the retreat-call upon the trumpet. At this -Achilles pricked up his ears, and the good dame of the house shrugged -up her shoulders, saying, "The soldiers again! They will never stop -till they have taken our all!"</p> - -<p class="normal">A pause then ensued; but the moment after, an irregular fire of -musketry made itself heard, and close again upon that, burst after -burst, came the roaring of some heavy pieces of cannon. The good -hostess, who was alone in the house, threw herself upon her knees -before a picture of St. Jago, and beseeched him so heartily for -protection, that I could hardly divert her attention to receive -payment for what ourselves and our horses had consumed.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, Achilles, who seemed heartily to sympathise with the -hostess, though his feelings urged him in another direction, had moved -to his horse with a very white face; and before I could mount, was -already on the road. "Let us make haste," cried he, "in God's name! To -my ears, the noise of cannon is no way harmonious. Let us make haste, -monseigneur--I am sure I hear them coming! I do not even love the -sound of a firelock. The only drum that should be tolerated is that of -a charlatan; for though he may kill as many people or more than a -soldier, he does it quietly, promising to cure them all the while. -Don't you hear a noise behind us, monseigneur?--I am sure I hear a -drum, of which sound the drum of my ear has all the jealousy of a -rival:--<i>Morbleu!</i> what a roar of cannon! That must have killed a -great many people!"</p> - -<p class="normal">Such broken exclamations did he continue to pour forth from time to -time, as fast as the jolts of his horse admitted, till we had placed a -good many miles between us and Lerida. We were then obliged to slacken -our pace, though we still heard occasionally the distant roaring of -the cannon, proving incontestably that the struggle between the -populace and the soldiery continued unabated.</p> - -<p class="normal">Though from very different motives, I was as glad to avoid taking any -part in the transactions which, I had reason to believe, were going on -at Lerida, as little Achilles himself. I had gathered from the -conversation of Francisco and Garcias, that the Catalonian peasantry -had been instigated to revolt, in no slight degree, by secret agents -of the French government; and I had but little inclination to be -identified with schemes which I could not look upon as highly -honourable. To have been mistaken for one of these agents by the -populace, would have placed me in a very embarrassing situation, -unacquainted, as I was with the designs and measures of my own -government; and I well knew, that to disclaim a character with which -the multitude chose to invest one, was the surest way to provoke, -without convincing them. I was therefore anxious on every account to -reach Barcelona as speedily as possible, and to quit a country where -no pleasing part was left me to play, before the first news of the -insurrection caused an embargo to be laid upon the ports. But, -unfortunately, our horses had by this time become so jaded, that I was -obliged to slacken my pace and proceed more slowly, lest they should -fail us altogether.</p> - -<p class="normal">About an hour more elapsed before we reached any place that could give -shelter and rest for our horses; for I remarked here, as in the -country near Saragossa, though Catalonia is better peopled than many -parts of Spain, that the towns and villages are sadly distant from one -another, when compared with the overflowing population of France.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length, however, the road wound up the side of a gentle hill, upon -whose green and velvet top a group of old rough cork-trees, scarcely -yet bearing a blush of tardy verdure upon their branches, were mingled -with a number of earlier trees, all clothed in the thousand bright -hues of spring. Amongst these, as we rode up, we could every now and -then discern the straight lines of a cottage, diversifying the wild -and irregular masses of the foliage, and offering here and there a -hard outline, cutting upon the clear back-ground of the sky. Yet the -whole was the more picturesque and beautiful for those very stiff -lines of the buildings--whether from the contrast of the forms -alone--or from the mingled associations called up in the mind by the -sight of man's habitations combined with the more graceful productions -of simple nature--or from both, I know not. However, there was an air -of calm tranquillity in that little village and its group of trees, -raised up upon the soft green hill, and standing clear and defined in -the pure sunshiny sky, which formed a strange mild contrast with the -distant roar that the wind bore in sullen gusts from Lerida. There is -a latent moral in every look of nature's face, which--did man but -study it--would prove a great corrector of the heart; and when I -thought of the carnage and the crime which that far-off roar -announced, the peaceful aspect of the scene before me made me shudder -at the effect of excited human passions, and I hurried on upon my way -to escape as fast as possible from the tumults which I doubted not -were then in action at Lerida.</p> - -<p class="normal">Knowing, as I did, that horses are cheap in this part of the country, -I resolved to venture some portion of my remaining money, rather than -delay my progress to Barcelona. Accordingly, as soon as I perceived -the least appearance of hospitable walls, I asked poor little Achilles -if he thought he could muster strength to continue his journey, -representing to him that any delay might probably prevent us from -quitting Spain, if it did not induce still more disagreeable -consequences. A tear of pain and fatigue actually rose in the weary -player's eye, as he abandoned the hope of repose with which the sight -of the village had inspired him; but the sound of the cannon, and the -beating of the drum, still rung in his ears, and he professed his -willingness to go on, as long as he was able--to do anything, in -short, to get out of hearing of such sounds as the wind had borne from -Lerida.</p> - -<p class="normal">The village, however, was but a poor one, and on inquiring at the -posada whether we could exchange our horses for two fresh ones, -offering at the same time a suitable repayment for the accommodation, -I was informed that no horse could be obtained in the place for love -or money, except those employed in agriculture, which were not -precisely suited to my purpose. Nothing remained then but to stay -where we were, to give our horses food, and four hours' rest, and to -take what repose we could ourselves obtain.</p> - -<p class="normal">So nearly balanced had been the wishes of poor little Achilles, -between fear in the one scale, and fatigue in the other, that I do not -believe he was at all sorry to hear that a halt was inevitable; and -while I acted as the groom, and took care that every means was -employed to renovate the vigour of our beasts, he cast himself upon a -truckle-bed, and within two minutes was sound asleep. I followed his -example as soon as I had provided for the renewal of our journey; for, -though well calculated to bear no ordinary portion of exercise, I was -now considerably exhausted, having ridden more than thirty leagues -that day, in addition to all that I had undergone before. My sleep, -however, was feverish and interrupted, and before the four hours were -concluded I was again upon my feet. It was about the hour that the -Spaniards generally devote to sleeping, during the great heat of the -middle of the day, but on going to seek for my horse, I found the -villagers collected in various groups at the different doors, all -eagerly talking upon some subject that seemed to excite their feelings -to the uttermost. I easily conceived that some news had reached them -from Lerida; but judging it best to remain as innocent of all -knowledge concerning any tumults that might have occurred as possible, -I asked no questions, but proceeded towards the stable for the purpose -of preparing for our departure, leaving my weary follower to enjoy his -slumbers till the last moment.</p> - -<p class="normal">Before I reached the door, however, a clattering of horses' hoofs made -me turn my head, and I saw a Castilian trooper galloping as fast as -his horse would bear him into the village. He was armed with a steel -headpiece, cuirass, and gauntlets, and mounted on a horse which, -though wounded and bloody, still bore him on stoutly. His offensive -arms consisted of his long heavy sword, a case of large pistols, a -dagger, and two musketoons, so that considering him as an opponent, -his aspect would have been somewhat formidable. As he came up, he -glanced his eye ferociously over the various groups of peasantry, -amongst whom two or three muskets were visible, but without taking -farther notice of any one, he cut in between me and the stable-door, -and springing to the ground, in a moment led out the horse which had -borne my little follower thither, evidently with the purpose of -transferring his heavy <i>demipique</i> saddle from his own wounded charger -to its back.</p> - -<p class="normal">This, however, did not at all suit my purposes, and laying my hand -upon the halter, I told him the horse was mine, and that he must stand -off. This information brought upon my head a torrent of Castilian -abuse, and thrusting himself in between me and the horse, he struggled -to make me quit my hold, raising his gauntleted hand as if to strike -me in the face. He was a smaller man than myself in every respect, and -also embarrassed with the weight of his arms, so that it was with ease -I caught his wrist with one hand to prevent his striking me, while -with the other I grasped the lower rim of his cuirass, and threw him -back clanking upon the pavement. In an instant, half a dozen young -villagers sprang out of the houses, surrounded the prostrated trooper -before he could make an attempt to rise, and would, I believe, have -despatched him with their long knives, had not I interfered to save -his life.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Viva la Francia! Viva la Francia!</i>" cried half a dozen voices at -once. "Let him rise! let him rise! The French caballero commands it. -Let him rise! let him rise!"</p> - -<p class="normal">Some of the Catalonians, however, were for opposing this piece of -clemency, and, evidently animated by the same spirit of hatred to the -soldiery as their countrymen of Lerida, cried aloud to kill the tiger. -"How many of ours has he killed!" exclaimed they. "How often has he -plundered our houses, assaulted ourselves, insulted our women!--Let -him die! let him die!"</p> - -<p class="normal">But the discussion had for a moment diverted their attention from -their prisoner, and though one of the strongest villagers had his foot -upon the soldier's corslet, he contrived suddenly to throw him off, -and, springing up, to catch his wounded horse, which still stood nigh. -Half a dozen blows with musket-stocks and knives were now aimed at him -in an instant; but leaping into the saddle, he spurred his horse -through the crowd, and, saved by his corslet and morion from many a -random stroke, galloped down the road like lightning.</p> - -<p class="normal">At the distance of about a hundred yards, however, he turned in the -saddle, and while his horse went on, aimed one of his musketoons -calmly at the group assembled round me, and fired.</p> - -<p class="normal">The ball whizzed close by me, and grazed the cheek of a villager near, -leaving a long black wound along that side of his face. Fortunately -for the fugitive, none of the muskets were loaded which graced the -hands of those he left behind, otherwise his flight would have been -but short. As it was, he departed undisturbed, and the whole of the -group around turned to me, inquiring, as of one who had some title to -command them, what was to be done next? "Were they," they asked, "to -collect and join the patriots at Lerida, or to march forward upon -Barcelona, collecting what troops they could on the road, and at once -attack the tyrants in their head-quarters?"</p> - -<p class="normal">I of course disclaimed not only all right to direct them, but all -knowledge of the subject, telling them that I had merely cast the -soldier from me in defence of my own property, and that I was not -aware what patriots they spoke of at Lerida, or what tyrants at -Barcelona.</p> - -<p class="normal">"What!" cried one of the young men, with a look divided between -surprise and incredulity; "do you not know that the inhabitants of -Lerida have risen, and cast off the yoke of the Castilian tyrants? Do -you not know the glorious news, that they have beat the mercenary -soldados of Castile through every street of the city wherever they -dared to make a stand, till the few that escaped have shut themselves -up in the citadel? Do you pretend not to know that they have well -avenged the death of the poor youth that the bloody-minded -slaughterers fired off last night from a cannon's mouth? Pshaw! you -know it well enough; and we know too, that it is with arms and -ammunition from France, that all this has been done: so, '<i>Viva la -Francia! Viva el Francés!</i>'"</p> - -<p class="normal">It was in vain I protested my ignorance of the whole; they were -determined to believe me an agent of the French government, and -nothing I could say had any effect in persuading them to the contrary. -The only means I could devise for extricating myself from the -unpleasant situation in which I was placed, without violating the -truth, was to tell them, that I was going on myself to Barcelona, but -that I thought the best thing they could do, would be to remain quiet -till they heard more particularly from Lerida, taking care to be -prepared for whatever event might occur.</p> - -<p class="normal">They received this advice as if it had come from the Delphic Oracle. -"Yes, yes, he is right," cried one; "we will wait for orders from -Lerida."--"He will get to Barcelona before the Castilian now!" cried a -second: "Quick! saddle the cavalier's horse!"--"Send us off a despatch -as soon as all is safe at Barcelona," cried a third; but to this last -I did not think fit to make any reply, as I had not the least -intention of complying with the request. All was soon ready to set -out, but a sudden difficulty delayed me some time, which was, that -when about to depart, I could nowhere discover Monsieur Achilles -Lefranc, whom I had left up stairs sound asleep. To leave the poor -little man alone, in a country, the language of which was as unknown -to him as Hebrew, was a piece of cruelty I could not think of -committing. I was nevertheless nearly obliged to do so, for after -looking for him in vain in the room where he had slept, and in every -other place I could think of, with the assistance of half a dozen -Spaniards, men, women, and children, he was drawn out from below the -bed, where he had ensconced himself on hearing the sound of a musket, -with the various shouts of the Spaniards in the street.</p> - -<p class="normal">He seemed, however, in no degree ashamed of his cowardice. "I own it! -I own it!" cried he; "I have nothing of Achilles about me but the -name. I am vulnerable from top to toe; and so great a coward into the -bargain, that I think the only wise thing my great namesake ever did, -was in staying away so long from the fields of Troy; and the most -foolish thing in going back again at all."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXIII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The horses of the smugglers were accustomed to hard service, and -therefore soon refreshed, so that when we again mounted, they wanted -but little of the vigour with which they had at first set out. Still, -however, twenty leagues lay between us and Barcelona, and since my -unfortunate encounter with the trooper, the necessity became more -urgent of arriving there with all speed. Nevertheless, it was in vain -that we spurred on as rapidly as we could, even little Achilles -exerting himself in proportion to his ideas of the danger; night fell -upon our journey ere it was more than two thirds finished, and as we -could not arrive before the gates were shut, we were obliged to pause -and await the return of day at a small town about ten miles from -Barcelona. Here, however, all was quiet, and I judged from the -tranquillity that no news had yet reached this place from Lerida; -concluding, also, that the soldado, whose wounded horse must have been -soon exhausted, had not yet passed through. In this case there was -still hope of arriving at the city before the insurrection was known, -so that we might embark on board any vessel about to quit the port -immediately, or even hire one of the light boats that are continually -running across the Gulf of Lyons, between Barcelona and Marseilles. -The next morning, an hour before day-break, we were again upon our -journey, and arrived at the gates of the city not long after they were -opened. A crowd of country people were going in, carrying fruit and -milk, and other articles of consumption to the town, and mingling -amongst the horses and mules that bore these supplies, we endeavoured -to pass in unnoticed. All proceeded very well for some way, till we -passed the guard-house near the inner gate: in fact, we had proceeded -a few paces beyond, when suddenly a couple of soldiers rushed out, -half a dozen more followed, and I was knocked off my horse by a -violent blow on my head, which they chose to bestow upon me with a -prospective view to prevent my resisting.</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon as I was on my feet again, the cause of this brutal conduct -became evident, without question, as my good friend, the trooper, from -Lerida, was the first person that met my eyes. "Ha! ha!" cried he, -coming before me, while the others pinioned my arms behind, and -shaking his clenched hand in my face, with a grin of unutterable -rage--"Ha! ha! we have thee now; and, by the soul of a Castilian, I -would pluck thy heart out with my own hands, did not the viceroy wish -to examine thee himself. But never fear! before two hours be over, -thou, too, shalt have a flight from a cannon's mouth!"</p> - -<p class="normal">My situation was not a very agreeable one, but yet it was not one that -impressed me with much fear. Indeed, it was never any circumstances of -mere personal danger that much agitated me. Anything that touched me -through my affections, or through my imagination, ever had a great and -visible effect upon my mind; but to all which came in the simple form -of bodily danger, I was, I believe, constitutionally callous.</p> - -<p class="normal">While the soldiers were engaged in pinioning my arms with cords, which -they drew so tight as almost to tear my flesh, some of their -companions dismounted my trembling little companion, and as his -excessive fear and non-resistant qualities were very evident, they did -not think it necessary to decorate his wrists with the same sort of -strict bracelets which they had adapted to mine, but simply led him -along after me in a kind of procession towards the arsenal; whither, -it seems, the viceroy had removed from his own palace the night -before, on the news of the insurrection at Lerida. The way was long, -and I believe the brutal Castilians found a sort of pleasure in -parading us through the various streets, and showing to the populace a -new instance of the height to which the daring authority they assumed -might be carried. Their insolence, however, seemed to me, even from -the glances of the people as we passed, to be likely to receive a -check sooner than they imagined. Not a Catalonian did we approach, but -I recognised that flash in his eye, which told of a burning and -indignant heart within; and though they suffered themselves to be -shouldered by the licentious and ill-disciplined soldiers as we went -along, it was with a bent brow and clenched teeth, which seemed to -say, "The day of retribution is at hand!"</p> - -<p class="normal">As we approached the arsenal, I caught a glimpse of the wide, grand -ocean; and there was something in the sight of its vast free waves, -which seemed to reproach me with the bonds I suffered to rest upon my -hands. I believe, involuntarily, I made an effort to burst them -asunder, for one of the guard, seeing some movement of my hands, -struck me a violent blow with the pommel of his sword, exclaiming, -"What! trying to escape! Do so again, and I will send a ball through -your brains!"</p> - -<p class="normal">I was silent, giving him a glance of contempt, which only excited his -laughter, and calling to his companions, he bade them look at the -proud Frenchman. Patience was the only remedy; and still maintaining -my silence, though I own it cost me no small effort, I suffered them -to lead me on, with many a taunt and insult, till we arrived at the -port and arsenal. Here I was dragged through two large courts, and -conducted into a stone hall, where I was subjected, for near an hour, -to the insolent jeering of the soldiery, while the Count de Saint -Colomma, then Viceroy, finished his breakfast.</p> - -<p class="normal">To all they could say, however, I answered nothing, which enraged them -more than anything I could have replied.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Have you cut out his tongue, Hernan?" asked one of the soldiers.</p> - -<p class="normal">"No," replied the other, "though he well deserves it; I spared it to -speak to the Viceroy."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Slit it then, as they do the magpies to make them speak," said a -third.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ob, the viceroy will find him a tongue," replied the first. "Mind you -that sullen boor, that would not betray the conspiracy at Taragona; -and how the Count of Molino, who then commanded our <i>tercia</i>, found a -way to make him speak?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"How was that?" demanded one of the others; "I served in the tenth -<i>legero</i> then, and was not present."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Why, he made us tie him on a table," answered the first, "and then -fix a nice wet napkin over his face, pricking some holes in it, -however, or it would have smothered him altogether, they say. As it -was, every breath was like the gasp of a dying man, it was so hard to -draw it through the cloth! and one might see his fists clenching with -the agony, and his feet drawn up every time we poured a fresh ladleful -of water over his face. Every now and then, Don Antonio told him to -stretch out his hand when he would confess; but he bore it stoutly, -till the blood began to ooze out of his eyes and ears, and then he -could not hold to it any longer, but stretched out his hand, and -betrayed the whole story; after which, the conde was merciful, and had -him hanged without more ado."</p> - -<p class="normal">It was fortunate for poor little Achilles, who sat beside me, that his -knowledge of Spanish did not extend to the comprehension of a single -word that passed, or this story would probably have bereft him of the -little life he had left. Terror had already made him as silent as the -grave--for which quality of silence he had never been very conspicuous -before--and he sat with his eyes staring and meaningless, his mouth -half open, his feet drawn up under the bench, and his hands laid flat -upon his knees--the very image of folly struck dumb with fright. There -was something so naturally small and unmeaning in his whole -appearance, that the soldiers seemed to look upon him altogether as a -cipher; and, in this respect, his insignificance for some time stood -him in as good stead as the armour of his namesake; but at length, -finding that they could draw nothing from me, my companion's look of -terror caught the Castilians' attention, and they were proceeding to -exercise their guard-room wit at the expense of poor little Achilles, -when suddenly the noise of drums and trumpets was heard, announcing, -as I found by their observations, that the viceroy was retiring from -the great hall to his own cabinet.</p> - -<p class="normal">In a few minutes, a messenger arrived with orders for the officer of -the guard to conduct the prisoners to his presence; but in the lax -state of discipline which seemed to reign amongst the Castilian troops -in Catalonia, it was not surprising that no officer could be found. I -was placed, however, between two soldiers, and, with some attention to -military form, led up the grand staircase towards the cabinet of the -viceroy, at the door of which I was detained till the messenger had -announced my attendance.</p> - -<p class="normal">The pause was not long; for shortly the door again opened, and I was -told in a harsh tone to go in, which I instantly complied with, -followed by little Achilles, while the soldiers and the Viceroy's -officer remained without.</p> - -<p class="normal">The scene which presented itself was very different from that which I -had anticipated. The room was large and lofty, lighted by two high -windows, commanding a view of the sea, and altogether possessing an -air of cheerfulness rarely found in the interior of Spanish houses. -The furniture was luxurious, even amidst a luxurious nation. Fine -arras and tapestry, carpets of the richest figures, cushions covered -with cloth of gold, tables and chairs inlaid with silver, and a -thousand other rare and curious objects that I now forget, met the eye -in every direction; while on the walls appeared some of the most -exquisite paintings that the master-hand of Velasquez ever produced. -It put me strongly in mind of the saloon in the Marquis de St. Brie's -<i>pavilion de chasse</i>; but the lords of these two splendid chambers -were as opposite, at least in appearance, as any two men could be.</p> - -<p class="normal">Seated in an ivory chair,<a name="div4Ref_05" href="#div4_05"><sup>[5]</sup></a> somewhat resembling in form the curule -chair of the ancient Romans, appeared a short fat man, not unlike the -renowned governor of Barataria, as described by Cervantes; I mean in -his figure; the excessive rotundity of which was such, that the paunch -of Sancho himself would have ill borne the comparison. His face, -though full in proportion, had no coarseness in it. The skin was of a -clear pale brown, and the features small, but rather handsome. The -eyebrows were high, and strongly marked, the eyes large and calm, and -the expression of the countenance, on the whole, noble and dignified, -but not powerful. It offered lines of talent, it is true, but few of -thought; and there was a degree of sleepy listlessness in the whole -air of the head, which to my mind spoke a luxurious and idle -disposition. The dress of the Viceroy--for such was the person before -me--smacked somewhat of the habits which I mentally attributed to him. -Instead of the stiff <i>fraise</i>, or raised ruff, round the neck, still -almost universally worn in Spain, he had adopted the falling collar of -lace, which left his neck and throat at full liberty. His -<i>justaucorps</i> of yellow silk had doubtless caused the tailor some -trouble to fashion it dexterously to the protuberance of his stomach; -but still many of the points of this were left open, showing a shirt -of the finest lawn. His hat and plume, buttoned with a sapphire of -immense value, lay upon a table before him; and as I entered, he put -it on for an instant, as representative of the sovereign, but -immediately after, again laid it down, and left his head uncovered, -for the sake of the free air, which breathed sweetly in at one of the -open windows, and fanned him as he leaned back on the cushions of his -chair.</p> - -<p class="normal">Behind the viceroy stood his favourite negro slave, splendidly dressed -in the Oriental costume, with a turban of gold muslin on his head, and -bracelets of gold upon his naked arms. He was a tall, powerful man; -and there was something noble and fine in the figure of the black, -with his upright carriage, and the free bearing of every limb, that -one looked for in vain in the idle listlessness of his lord. His -distance from the viceroy was but a step, so that he could lean over -the chair and catch any remark which his lord might choose to address -to him, in however low a tone it was made, and at the same time, he -kept his hand resting upon the rich hilt of a long dagger; which -seemed to show that he was there as a sort of guard, as well as a -servant, there being no one else in the room when we entered.</p> - -<p class="normal">I advanced a few steps into the room, followed, as I have said, by -Achilles alone, and paused at a small distance from the Viceroy, on a -sign he made me with his hand, intimating that I had approached near -enough. After considering me for a moment or two in silence, he -addressed me in a sweet musical voice. "I perceive, sir," said he, -"notwithstanding the disarray of your dress, and the dust and dirt -with which you are covered, that you are originally a gentleman--I am -seldom mistaken in such things. Is it not so?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"In the present instance your excellence is perfectly right," replied -I; "and the only reason for my appearing before the Viceroy of -Catalonia in such a deranged state of dress, is the brutal conduct of -a party of soldiery, who seized upon me while travelling peacefully on -the high road, and brought me here without allowing me even a moment's -repose."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I thought I was right," rejoined the viceroy, somewhat raising his -voice: "but do you know, young sir, that your being a gentleman -greatly aggravates the crime of which you are guilty. The vulgar herd, -brought up without that high sense of honour which a gentleman -receives in his very birth, commit not half so great a crime when they -lend themselves to base and mean actions, as a gentleman does, who -sullies himself and his class with anything dishonourable and wrong. -From the mean, what can be expected but meanness, and consequently the -crime remains without aggravation? but when the well born, and the -well educated, derogate from their station, and mingle in base -schemes, their punishment should be, not only that inflicted by -society on those that trouble its repose, but a separate punishment -should be added, for the breach of all the honourable ties imposed -upon a gentleman--for the stigma they cast upon high birth--and from -the certainty, in their case, that they fall into error with their -eyes open--what say you, sir?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I think your excellence is perfectly right," replied I, the Viceroy's -observations having given me time to lay down a line of conduct for -myself; "I have always thought so, from the time I could reason for -myself; and such have been always the principles instilled into my -mind."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then what excuse, sir, have you," demanded the viceroy, rather -surprised at the calmness with which I agreed to all his -corollaries--"what excuse have you for meanly insinuating yourself -into another country, and, by the basest arts, stirring up the people -to sedition and revolt?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"If I had done so, my lord," replied I, "I should be without excuse, -and the severest punishment you could inflict would not be more than I -merited. But I deny that I ever did so; and more! I can prove it -impossible that I should have done so, from the short space of time -which I have been in Spain, not allowing opportunity for such a crime -as has been imputed to me. This is the third day I have been in this -country."</p> - -<p class="normal">The viceroy looked over his shoulder to his slave, who, stooping -forward, listened, while his lord said, in a low tone, "You were -right, Scipio--I am glad I looked to this myself--I am afraid I must -exert myself, or these rude soldados will stir up the people to worse -than even that of Lerida:" then turning to me, he added, in a louder -voice, "I looked upon your guilt, sir, as so evident a matter, that I -did not think you would have had the boldness even to deny it; but as -you do, it is but just that you hear the charge against you. It is -this, that you, a subject of Louis the French king, have, together -with many others, found your way into this province of Catalonia, and, -as spies and traitors, have instigated the people to revolt against -their liege lord and sovereign Philip the Fourth; in evidence of -which, a Castilian trooper of the eleventh <i>tercia</i> deposes to having -seen you with the rebels now in arms at Lerida, and that, moreover, -you overtook him on the road hither, and with other rebels at the -village of Meila, would have slain him, had it not been for the -goodness and speed of his horse. What can you reply to this?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Merely that it is false," replied I; "and if your Excellence will -permit, I will tell my tale against his, and leave it to your wisdom -to find means of judging which is false and which is true."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Proceed! proceed!" said the viceroy, throwing himself back in his -chair, seemingly tired with an exertion that was probably not usual -with him, and had only been called up by the pressing circumstances of -the times--circumstances which his own inactivity had suffered to -become much more dangerous than he thought them even now. "Proceed, -sir; but do not make your tale a long one, for I have many important -things to attend to."</p> - -<p class="normal">"It shall be a very short one, my Lord," I replied: "my reason for -quitting my own country, Bearn, was that I had slain a man who -attempted to strike me----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"A gentleman, or a serf?" demanded the Viceroy.</p> - -<p class="normal">"He was in the <i>classe bourgeoise</i>," replied I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You did very right," said the Viceroy; "go on."</p> - -<p class="normal">"To escape the immediate consequences," I continued, "I fled across -the Pyrenees, guided by some Spanish smugglers, who conducted me to a -village not far from Jacca, whence I intended to proceed to Barcelona, -and thence embark for Marseilles. From Marseilles, I intended to -proceed to Paris, and there negotiate my pardon, so that I might -eventually return to my own country in security."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But," said the Viceroy, "what did you at Lerida? That town lies not -in your road from Jacca to Barcelona."</p> - -<p class="normal">"My Lord, I never was at Lerida," replied I; "though I have been in -Spain before, I never was within the gates of Lerida in my life." The -viceroy looked over his shoulder to his African confidant, saying, in -the same low tone with which he had formerly addressed him, "Mark his -words, Scipio!" then, turning to me, he asked, with rather a heedless -air, "Then I am to believe, young sir, that the whole tale of the -soldier who accuses you is false, and that you and he never met till, -for the purpose of plundering you, or something of the same nature, he -seized you this morning at the city gates?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not so, my Lord," I answered; "far be it from me to say so, for I -have a heavy charge myself to lay against that soldier. He overtook me -yesterday on the high road, seized upon my attendant's horse, and -raised his hand to strike me for opposing him."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Good!" exclaimed the Viceroy. "Had you denied meeting him you were -undone, for he gave last night a full description of your person. I -now hear you with more confidence. Explain to me how, then, you -happened to be on the road between Barcelona and Lerida, which is -quite as much out of your way from Jacca as Lerida itself."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Your Excellence will remember, that I said I was guided by -smugglers," I replied; "these smugglers were bound to Lerida; but they -assured me that they would put me in the high road to Barcelona, after -which I could not miss my way. They kept their word; and I proceeded -safely and quietly on my journey, till, arriving at a village which -your Excellence calls, I think, Meila, I stopped for a few hours to -rest my horses. Here I was overtaken by this soldier, who, without -asking permission, or making an excuse, seized upon my servant's -horse, and on my opposing him, raised his hand to strike me. I threw -him back on the pavement, and the villagers, rushing out of their -houses, would, I believe, have murdered him, had I not interfered; for -which good office, no sooner was he on horseback, than he fired his -carbine at my head, the ball of which missed me, but wounded one of -the peasants in the face."</p> - -<p class="normal">The viceroy paused for a moment, while the African whispered to him -over his shoulder, in so low a tone that the words did not reach me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Did you, then, not hear any report of a revolt at Lerida?" demanded -the viceroy, at length.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I did," replied I, "at Meila; and before that I heard the sound of -cannon and musketry from the side of Lerida."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Can your attendant speak Spanish?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not a word."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Does he understand it?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"No."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Viceroy, while he spoke, looked steadfastly at Achilles, whose -face happily betrayed nothing but the most confirmative stupidity of -aspect; he then called him forward in French, and bade him detail what -had occurred during the course of the foregoing day. The little player -had by this time, in some degree, recovered his intellects, and -hearing the mild tone in which the viceroy had hitherto questioned me, -as well as the calmness with which he addressed him himself, his -<i>penchant</i> for bombast was excited by the solemnity of the occasion, -and the presence of a representative of royalty, and he poured forth a -stupendous piece of eloquence, such as he thought the ears of a -Viceroy required.</p> - -<p class="normal">"May it please your sublime Highness," said he, "the following is a -true account of what occurred to my noble and estimable lord, and to -myself, during our woful peregrinations of yesterday; and if it is not -the exact and simple verity, may all the stars of the golden firmament -fall upon my head and crush me into atoms!"</p> - -<p class="normal">The viceroy looked back to the African and laughed; but the slave, -whose Oriental imagination was perhaps more in harmony with the -tumidity of little Achilles's style, than the more refined taste of -his lord, opened his large eyes, and seemed to think it very fine -indeed. Neither of them interrupted him, however, and the player -proceeded.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Shortly after Aurora had drawn back the curtains of the Sun, and -Phœbus himself jumped out of bed and began running up the arch of -heaven, the illicit dealers, who had been hitherto our guides, our -guards, and our suttlers, all in one, left us, to proceed themselves I -know not where. We were now upon the broad and substantial causeway -which leads from the far-famed city of Lerida--as I am given to -understand, for I never was there--to this renowned metropolis of -Catalonia, when, I being much fatigued with the unwonted extension of -my legs across the back of my equine quadruped, my noble and -considerate lord permitted me to stop and repose my weary limbs at a -small pot-house by the road-side. Suddenly, after we had been there -about an hour, loud roared the cannon, and quick beat the drum; and my -lord not loving tumults amongst the people, as he said, and I not -loving tumults amongst the cannon, we got upon horseback, and rode on -till our horses could go no farther. Truly, I was thankful that their -weariness came to back my own, or verily, I believe, that my lord, -whose thighs must be made of cast iron, would not have left a bit of -skin upon me, by riding on till night. However, we stopped; and, by -the blessing of God, I lay down to take what the people of this land -call a <i>siesta</i>, but what I call a nap; when, after having lain in the -arms of Somnus for about half an hour, (four hours, he should have -said,) I was startled by the tremendous sound of a musket, and -incontinent, crept under the bed, from whence I was dragged out -shortly after by my master, mounted on the awful pinnacle of my -horse's back, and compelled to ride on to another village, where we -slept in quiet until day this morning. After that, we proceeded to -these hospitable walls, where a generous soldier rushed forth upon us, -and invited us in with a pressing courtesy which was not to be -resisted. He bestowed upon my lord a long piece of cord, which your -sublime majesty may observe upon his wrists. Me he decorated not in -the same manner, but they took care of both our horses and----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Hold!" said the Viceroy, "I have heard enough.--You said," continued -he, turning to me, "that you had been in Spain before. Where did you -then reside, and to whom were you known?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I resided at Saragossa," replied I, "and was known to the corregidor, -and to the Chevalier de Montenero."</p> - -<p class="normal">"The Conde de Montenero!" said the Viceroy. "Good! I expect him here -this very day, or to-morrow at the farthest. If he witness in your -favour, your history needs no other confirmation; for though a -foreigner, all Spain knows his honour."</p> - -<p class="normal">"A foreigner!" exclaimed I: "is he not a Spaniard?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Certainly not," answered the Viceroy; "knew you not that? But to -speak of yourself; mark me, young sir, you are safe for the present, -for your story bears the air of truth; but woe to you if you have -deceived me, for you shall die under tortures such as you never -dreamed of; and to show you that in such things I will no longer be -trifled with between these cut-throat soldiers and the factious -peasantry, I will instantly order your accuser to have the strappado -till his back be flayed. By the Mother of Heaven! I will no longer -have my repose troubled at every hour with the rapacity of these base -soldados, and the turbulence of the still baser serfs." And the full -countenance of the Count took on an air of stern determination, which -I had not before imagined that it could assume. "Scipio," continued he -to the negro, "see that these two be placed in security, where they -may be well treated, but cannot escape; bid my secretary, when he -arrives from the palace, take both their names in writing, and note -down their separate stories from their own mouths. Henceforth, I will -investigate each case to the most minute particular; and, be it -peasant or be it soldier that commits a crime, he shall find that I -can be a Draco, and write my laws in blood."</p> - -<p class="normal">His resolution unfortunately came somewhat too late, for his indolence -and inactivity had permitted the growth of a spirit that no measures -could now quell. The hatred between the soldiery and the people had -been nourished by the incessant outrages which the former had been -suffered to commit under the lax government of the Count de St. -Colomma; and now that the populace had drawn the sword to avenge -themselves, they were not likely to sheath it till they had done so -effectually.</p> - -<p class="normal">When he had finished speaking, the viceroy threw himself back in his -chair, fatigued with the unwonted exertion he had made, and waving his -hand, signed to us to withdraw, with which, as may be supposed, we -were not long in complying. The African followed us; and being again -placed between two soldiers, we were conducted to a small low-roofed -room, which filled up the vacancy between the two principal floors in -that body of the building. The soldier who had been my accuser did not -fail to follow, addressing many a triumphant jest upon our situation -to the negro. The slave affected to laugh at them all heartily, but -was, I believe, amusing himself with very different thoughts; for the -moment we were safely lodged in the room he had chosen, he beckoned -our good friend the soldier forward, and made him untie my hands. As -he did so, an impulse I could scarcely resist almost made me seize him -and dash his head against the floor; but the negro avenged me more -fully, for he instantly commanded the other soldiers, with a tone of -authority they dared not disobey, to bind the delinquent with the same -cord, and taking him down into the court, to give him fifty blows of -the strappado, and farther, to keep him in strict confinement till the -Viceroy's farther pleasure was known. "Ha, ha, ha!" cried he to the -soldier, with a grin, that showed every milk-white tooth in his head; -"Ha, ha, ha! why do you not laugh now?" And having placed a guard at -our door, he left us.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXIV.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The chamber in which we were now placed was not an unpleasant one, nor -was it ill furnished, It had probably been heretofore occupied by some -of the inferior officers on duty at the arsenal; and there were still -to be seen hanging up above the bed, a head-piece and pair of -gauntlets of steel, and an unloaded musketoon. The walls, which were -entirely destitute of hangings, were, however, ornamented with sundry -curious carvings, the occupation, possibly, of many an idle hour, -representing battles, and tournaments, and bull-fights, wherein -neither perspective nor anatomy had been very much consulted; and -mingled with these rare designs, appeared various ciphers and -initials, together with Christian names, both male and female, in -great profusion.</p> - -<p class="normal">The windows of the apartment were little better than loopholes, with a -strong iron bar down the centre. They possessed, however, a view over -the whole of the lower part of the city; and being situated in the -south-western side of the principal <i>corps de logis</i> of the arsenal, -faced the inner gate communicating with the town, and commanded both -the inner and outer walls, with a part of the counterscarp and glacis.</p> - -<p class="normal">On approaching one of these scanty apertures, to reconnoitre the -objects which surrounded the place of our detention, I heard a party -of soldiers conversing under the windows, and stopping the babbling of -little Achilles by a motion of my hand, I listened to gain any -information that I could, considering my present situation as one of -the very few in which eaves-dropping was not only justifiable but -necessary.</p> - -<p class="normal">They were merely speaking, however, of some military movements which -had just taken place, by order of the Viceroy, for quelling the -insurrection at Lerida; and they did not at all scruple to censure -their commander in their discourse, for detaching so great a force -from Barcelona, at a moment it might be required to overawe the city.</p> - -<p class="normal">This conversation soon ceased, and after some coarse vituperation of -the Catalonians, they separated, and I heard no more. Notwithstanding -their departure, I continued to stand at the window, as if I were -still listening, in order to collect and arrange my own thoughts, -uninterrupted by the merciless tongue of my attendant, who now having -recovered his speech, of which fright had deprived him for a time, -seemed resolved to make up by redoubled loquacity for the time he had -been obliged to waste in silence. I had, in truth, much to think of. -The whole circumstances which had lately happened to me, as well as my -present situation, would have afforded sufficient matter for -reflection; but, nevertheless, the news which I had heard from the -viceroy concerning the Chevalier de Montenero engaged my thoughts -perhaps more than all the rest, and made me look upon the chance which -brought me to Barcelona, rather than to any other Spanish town, and -even my detention there, as rather fortunate than otherwise, -notwithstanding all the unpleasant circumstances by which it had been -accompanied.</p> - -<p class="normal">I doubted not for an instant, that, however the Chevalier might be -prepossessed against me in some respects, he would instantly do me -justice in the matter of the present charge, and show the viceroy that -it was impossible I could be guilty; which none could know better than -himself. At the same time, the knowledge that I had now obtained of -his not being Spanish by birth, freed me at once from the difficulty -under which I had before laboured, and left me at liberty to exculpate -myself from every circumstance which had before appeared suspicious in -his eyes, without violating my promise to the unfortunate corregidor -of Saragossa. After considering these points for a minute or two, I -applied myself to calculate how long it would take him to arrive at -Barcelona, supposing that he travelled with all speed from the place -where I last saw him; and I judged that, passing by Bagneres and -Venasque, he might have already arrived, as I doubted not that when he -left Lourdes he had directed his course immediately towards Spain.</p> - -<p class="normal">Nothing did I long for more ardently than his coming; not alone from -the desire of obtaining my liberation, but because I longed to -re-establish myself in his good opinion--I longed to be near one that -I esteemed and loved--to confide in him all my thoughts, my feelings, -my sorrows, my regrets--to tell him my own tale--to ask for -consolation, and to seek for advice; and, certainly, never, never did -I feel so much as at that moment the desolate solitariness of man, -when, with none to aid him, he stands in the midst of sorrow and -misfortune by himself.</p> - -<p class="normal">With all his follies and his weaknesses, I will own, I had even clung -to the society of the little player, merely because it was something -human that seemed to attach itself to me; and while he was near, I did -not appear so totally abandoned to myself and my evil fate; but when I -thought of the coming of the Chevalier, of clearing myself from all -suspicions, regaining his regard, and walking by his counsel, my heart -was lightened of half its load, and I felt as if I had again entered -within the magic circle of hope, that had long been shut against me.</p> - -<p class="normal">While I was thus reflecting, the door of the chamber opened, and the -Viceroy's favourite negro slave entered, followed by a servant, loaded -with various kinds of viands, and a flask of wine. The servant put his -burden down on the table, and withdrew; but the negro remained, and -shutting the door, invited me in a civil tone to partake of the -provisions which his Excellence had ordered to be brought me. "My lord -the Viceroy," said he, "has given me in charge to see that you be -hospitably treated, and I have pleasure in the task, young sir; for I -hope, through your means, to rouse my master to a just sense of the -oppression which these poor Catalonians suffer from the unruly and -insolent soldiers."</p> - -<p class="normal">There was something in this speech so different from what might be -expected in a negro slave and a favourite, that I did him the wrong of -suspecting that he wished to entrap me into some avowal of opinions -contrary to the Viceroy's government; and I therefore replied, "You -must know more of the subject than I do; I have been but three days in -Catalonia, and therefore have had but little opportunity of judging -whether the people be oppressed or not, even if I had any interest in -the matter."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Interest! Spoke like a white man!" muttered the black to himself. -"Ah, young sir, young sir! If you had known oppression as I have, you -would find an <i>interest</i> in every one you saw oppressed."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I should have imagined," replied I, still doubting him, though I own -most unworthily, "that your situation was as happy a one as well might -be; and that your service on his Excellence the Viceroy was not very -oppressive?"</p> - -<p class="normal">He laid his jet black finger upon the rich golden bracelet that -surrounded his arm. "Think you," asked he, "that that chain, because -it happens to be gold, does not weigh as heavily as if it were of -iron? It does--I tell you, Frenchman, it does. True, I am slave to the -best of masters, the noblest of lords--true, if I were free this -moment, I would dedicate my life to serve him. But still I am a -slave--still I have been torn from my home and my native land--still I -have been injured--wronged--oppressed; and every one I see injured, -every one I see wronged, becomes my fellow and my brother. But you -understand not that!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I do, my good friend, more than you think," replied I, convinced by -the earnestness of his manner that what he said was genuine.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Whether you do or not," said he, "there is one principle on which you -<i>will</i> understand me. You can fancy that I love my benefactor. I love -him; but I also know his faults. He is of a soft and idle humour, so -that his virtues, like jewels cast upon a quicksand, are lost, -unknown, and swallowed up. His idleness is a disease of the body, not -a defect of the mind--though the mind suffers for the fault of the -body--and so much does he value repose, that nothing seems to him of -sufficient importance to embitter its sweetness. Fearless as a lion of -death or of danger, he is a very coward when opposed to trouble and -fatigue; he is just, honourable, and wise, but this invincible apathy -of nature has brought him to the brink of a precipice, over which he -would sooner fall than make one strong effort to save himself. For two -years he has governed Catalonia, and during those two all the reports -of the brute soldiery have been believed--few of the complaints of the -injured peasants have reached him. Those few have been through me, for -his guards and his officers, who all join in the pillage of the -people, take care to cut off from him every other source of -information. Thus the soldiers have heaped wrong upon wrong, till the -people will bear no more; till at Lerida, at Taragona--over half the -country, in short, they are already in revolt. Barcelona still remains -quiet; and, by the exertion of proper authority--by showing the -Catalonians that the viceroy will do equal justice between them and -the soldiery, that in future he will be the defender of their rights -and liberties--the province--his government--perhaps even his life, -may be saved. For this object, when the news reached him last night of -the insurrection at Lerida, and, at the same time, the charge against -you, I persuaded him to examine you himself, without the presence of -his officers or his council. You answered wisely, and saved yourself. -When next he shall examine you, do more--answer nobly, and save him, -and perhaps a whole people! Tell him the oppression you have seen, -tell him the murmurs you have heard; aid me to stir him up to -exertion, and you may, if it be not too late, avert the evils that are -gathering round so thickly!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will willingly do what you wish," replied I; "but I fear, unless he -can send one obnoxious regiment after another out of Catalonia, and -supply their place with troops whose discipline is more strict, and -who have not yet made themselves abhorred by the populace, that your -viceroy will do but little to allay this fermentation among the -people."</p> - -<p class="normal">The negro shook his head. "They will never be changed," said he, -"while Olivarez, the Count-duke, governs both Spain and the king. Why -did he send them here at first? He knew them to be the worst -disciplined, the most cruel, turbulent, rapacious troops that all -Spain contained; but he wished to punish the Catalonians for holding a -junta on one of his demands, and he sent them these locusts as a -scourge. However, I have your promise. Before night the Count will -send for you again; he will ask you what rumours you heard--how the -Castilian troops were looked upon by the people--and other questions -to the same effect. Conceal nothing! Let him hear the truth from -<i>your</i> lips at least. Will you do so?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will!" replied I, decidedly.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then fare you well!" said the negro, "and fall to your meat with the -consciousness of doing what is noble and right." And thus saying he -left the chamber.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Good faith! monseigneur," said little Achilles, who had already -settled upon the basket of provisions, and was making considerable -progress through the contents, "I could not resist this charming sight -had you been the king, and my master into the bargain. I must have -fallen to. Hunger, like love, levels all conditions."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You did right, my good Achilles," replied I; "but hold a moment, I -must join the party;" and sitting down with my little attendant, I -aided him to conclude what he had so happily begun. The wine-flask -succeeded, and we neither of us spared it, proceeding to the bottom -with very equal steps, for though, as his lord, Achilles always -conceded to me two draughts for his one, he found means to compensate -for this forbearance, by making his draught twice as long as mine. -Indeed, when the bottle reached his mouth (for the negro had supplied -us with no cup), the matter became hopeless, so long did he point it -at the sky.</p> - -<p class="normal">During one of these deep draughts, which occupied him so entirely, -that he neither heard nor saw anything else, a distant shout reached -my ear, and then all was silent. There was something ominous in the -sound, for it contained a very different tone from that which bursts -from a crowd on any occasion of mirth or rejoicing. It was a cry -somewhat mingled of horror and hate; at least my fancy lent it such a -character. At the same time, I heard the soldiers in the court below -running out to the gates, as if they had been disturbed by the same -sound, and went to inquire into its cause. Little Achilles had not -heard it, so deeply was he engaged in the worship of the purple god, -and the moment he dismissed the bottle, he recommenced his attack upon -a fine piece of mountain mutton which still remained in the basket; -but in a moment or two his attention was called by a renewal of the -shouts, and by the various exclamations of the soldiers in the court, -from which we gathered that, most unhappily, some new outrage had been -offered to the people, who, encouraged probably by the news of a -revolt at Lerida, had resisted, and were even then engaged with the -soldiery.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Let them fight it out," cried my companion, encouraged by the good -viands, and still better wine of the Viceroy--"Let them fight it out! -By my great namesake's immortal deeds, methinks I could push a pike -against one of those base soldados myself. Pray Heaven the peasants -cut them up into mincemeat! But while you look out of the window, -monseigneur, I will lie down, and, in imitation of that most wise -animal, an ox, will ruminate for some short while after my dinner."</p> - -<p class="normal">As he said, I had placed myself at the window, and while he cast -himself on the bed, and I believe fell asleep, I continued to watch -the various streets within the range of my sight, to discover, if I -could, the event of the tumult, the shouts and cries of which were -still to be heard, varying in distance and direction, as if the crowds -from which they proceeded were rapidly changing their place. After a -moment or two, some musket-shots were heard mingling with the outcry, -and then a whole platoon. A louder shout than ever succeeded, and then -again a deep silence. In the meanwhile, several officers came running -at all speed to the arsenal; and in a few minutes, two or three small -bodies of troops marched out, proceeding up a long street, of which I -had a view almost in its whole length. About half way up, the soldiers -defiled down another street to the right, and I lost sight of them. -The shouts, however, still continued, rising and falling, with -occasional discharges of musketry; but in general, the noise seemed to -me farther off than it had been at first. Shortly it began to come -rapidly near, growing louder and louder; and straining my eyes in the -direction in which the tumult seemed to lie, I beheld a party of the -populace driven across the long street I have mentioned by a body of -pikemen.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Catalonians were evidently fighting desperately; but the superior -skill of the troops prevailed, and the undisciplined mob was borne -back at the point of the pike, notwithstanding an effort to make a -stand at the crossing of the streets.</p> - -<p class="normal">This first success of the military, however, did not absolutely infer -that their ascendency would be permanent. The tumult was but begun; -and far from being a momentary effervescence of popular feeling, -which, commencing with a few, is only increased by the accession of -idlers and vagabonds, this was the pouring forth of long-suppressed -indignation--the uprising of a whole people to work retribution on the -heads of their oppressors, and every moment might be expected to bring -fresh combatants, excited by the thirst of vengeance, and animated by -the hope of liberty.</p> - -<p class="normal">All was now bustle and activity in the arsenal. The gates were shut, -the soldiers underarms, the officers called together, the walls -manned; and, from the court below, the stirring sounds of military -preparation rose up to the windows at which I stood, telling that the -pressing danger of the circumstances had at length roused the viceroy -from his idle mood, and that he was now taking all the means which a -good officer might, to put down the insurrection that his negligence -had suffered to break out. From time to time, I caught the calm full -tones of his voice, giving a number of orders and directions--now -ordering parties of soldiers to issue forth and support their -comrades--commanding at the same time that they should advance up the -several streets, which bore upon the arsenal, taking especial care -that their retreat was not cut off, and that a continual communication -should be kept up--pointing out to the inferior officers where to -establish posts, so as to best guard their flanks and avoid the -dangers of advancing through the streets of the city, where every -house might be considered as an enemy's fort; and finally directing -that in such and such conjunctures, certain flags should be raised on -the steeples of the various churches, thus establishing a particular -code of signals for the occasion.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile the tumult in the city increased, the firing became -more continuous, the bells of the churches mingled their clang with -the rest, and the struggle was evidently growing more and more fierce, -as fresh combatants poured in on either party. At length I saw an -officer riding down the opposite street at full speed, and dashing -into the arsenal, the gates of which opened to give him admission, he -seemed to approach the viceroy, whose voice I instantly heard, -demanding, "Well, Don Ferdinand, where are the cavalry? Why have you -not brought up the men-at-arms?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Because it was impossible," replied the officer: "the rebels, your -Excellence, have set fire to the stables--not a horse would move, even -after Don Antonio Molina had dispersed the traitors that did it. Not -ten horses have been saved. What is to be done, my lord?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Return instantly," answered the Viceroy, promptly, "collect your -men-at-arms,--bid them fight on foot for the honour of Castile--for -the safety of the province--for their own lives. Marshal them in two -bodies. Let one march, by the Plaza Nueva down to the port, and the -other by the Calle de la Cruz to the Lerida gate."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am sorry to say, the Lerida gate is in the possession of the -rebels," replied the officer. "A large body of peasants,<a name="div4Ref_06" href="#div4_06"><sup>[6]</sup></a> well armed -and mounted, attacked it and drove in the soldiers half an hour ago. -They come from Lerida itself, as we learn by the shouts of the -others."</p> - -<p class="normal">"The more need to march on it instantly," replied the Viceroy. "See! -The flag is up on the church of the Assumption! Don Francisco is -there, with part of the second <i>tercia</i>. Divide as I have said--send -your brother down with one body to the port--with the other, join Don -Francisco, at the church of the Assumption; take the two brass cannon -from the Barrio Nuevo, and march upon the gate of Lerida. Drive back -the rebels, or die!"</p> - -<p class="normal">The Viceroy's orders were given like lightning, and turning his horse, -the officer rode away with equal speed to execute them. I marked him -as he dashed through the gates of the arsenal, and a more soldier-like -man I never saw. He galloped fast over the drawbridge, and through the -second gate, crossed the open space between the arsenal and the houses -of the town, and darted up the street by which he had come, when -suddenly a flash and some smoke broke from the window of a house as he -passed; I saw him reel in the saddle, catch at his horse's mane, and -fall headlong to the ground; while the charger, freed from his load, -ran wildly up the street, till he was out of sight.</p> - -<p class="normal">The sentinel on the counterscarp had seen the officer's fall, and -instantly passed the news to the Viceroy. "Pedro Marona!" cried the -Count, promptly:--"Quick! mount, and bear the same orders to Don -Antonio Molina. Take the Calle de la Paz. Quick! One way or another, -we lose our most precious moments. Don Ferdinando should have seen his -corslet was better tempered. However, let half a dozen men be sent out -to bring him in, perhaps he may not yet be dead."</p> - -<p class="normal">The gates of the arsenal were thrown open accordingly, and a small -party carrying a board to bring home the body issued out; but they had -scarcely proceeded half way to the spot where the officer had fallen, -when the sound of the tumult, the firing, the cheers, the cries, the -screams, mingled in one terrific roar, rolled nearer and nearer. A -single soldier then appeared in full flight in the long street on -which my eyes were fixed; another followed, and another. A shout -louder than all the rest rang up to the sky; and rolling, and rushing, -like the billows of a troubled ocean, came pouring down the street a -large body of the Castilian soldiery, urged on by an immense mass of -armed peasantry, with whom the first rank of the Castilians was -mingled.</p> - -<p class="normal">Though some of the soldiers were still fighting man to man with the -Catalonians, the mass were evidently flying as fast as the nature of -the circumstances would permit, crushing and pressing over each other; -and many more must have been trampled to death by the feet of their -comrades than fell by the swords of their enemies. In the meanwhile, -the pursuers, the greater part of whom were on horseback, continued -spurring their horses into the disorderly mass of the fugitives, -hewing them down on every side with the most remorseless vengeance; -while from the houses on each hand a still more dreadful and less -noble sort of warfare was carried on against the flying soldiery. -Scarce a house, but one or two of its windows began to flash with -musketry, raining a tremendous shower of balls upon the heads of the -unfortunate Castilians, who, jammed up in the small space of a narrow -street, had no room either to avoid their own fate or avenge their -fellows.</p> - -<p class="normal">Just then, however, the pursuers received a momentary check from the -cannon of the arsenal, some of which being placed sufficiently high -for the balls to fall amidst the mass of peasantry, without taking -effect upon the nearer body of the flying soldiers, began to operate -as a diversion in favour of the fugitives. The very sound caused -several of the horsemen to halt. At that moment, my eye fell upon the -figure of Garcias the smuggler, at the head of the peasantry, cheering -them on; and by his gestures, appearing to tell them that those who -would escape the cannon-balls must close upon those for whose safety -they were fired; that now was the moment to make themselves masters of -the arsenal; and that if they would but follow close, they would force -their way in with the flying soldiers.</p> - -<p class="normal">So animated, so vehement was his gesticulation, that there hardly -needed words to render his wishes comprehensible. The panic, however, -though but momentary, allowed sufficient time for greater part of the -soldiers to throw themselves into the arsenal. Some, indeed, being -again mingled with the peasantry, were shut out, and slaughtered to a -man; the rest prepared to make good the very defensible post they now -possessed, knowing well that <i>mercy</i> was a word they had themselves -blotted out from the language of their enemies.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, my little companion Achilles had evinced much more -courage than I had anticipated; whether it was that he found, or -rather fancied, greater security in the walls of the arsenal; or -whether it was that necessity produced the same change in his nature, -that being in a corner is said to effect upon a cat; or whether the -quantity of wine which he had drunk had conveyed with itself an equal -portion of valour, I do not know; but certain it is, that he lay quite -quiet for the greater part of the time, without attempting to creep -under the bed, and only took the precaution of wrapping the bolster -round his head to deaden the sound of the cannon. Once he even rose, -and approaching the other window, stood upon tiptoes to take a -momentary glance at what was proceeding without. The scene he beheld, -however, was no way encouraging, and he instantly retreated to the -bed, and settled himself once more comfortably amongst the clothes, -after having drained the few last drops of wine that remained in the -flask.</p> - -<p class="normal">It may easily be supposed, that the viceroy was not particularly -anxious to spare the houses of a town which had shown itself so -generally inimical, and, consequently, every cannon which could be -brought to bear upon the point where the insurgents were principally -collected, was kept in constant activity, and the dreadful havoc which -they made began to be evident both amongst the insurgents and upon the -houses round about.</p> - -<p class="normal">Garcias, however, who was now evidently acting as commander-in-chief -of the populace, was prompt to remedy all the difficulties of his -situation; and animating and encouraging the peasantry by his voice, -his gestures, and his example, he kept alive the spirit which had -hitherto carried them on to such great deeds.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is not to be imagined that any regular fascines should have been -prepared by the peasantry for the assault of the arsenal, but they had -with them six small pieces of cannon which they had taken, and which -they hastily brought against the gate.</p> - -<p class="normal">The murderous fire, however, both of cannon and musketry, kept up upon -the only point where they could have any effect, would have prevented -the possibility of working them, had not the fire of the arsenal -itself, by demolishing the wall of one of the houses opposite, -discovered the inside of a wool warehouse. Fascines were no longer -wanting; the immense woolpacks were instantly brought forward and -arranged, by the orders of Garcias, into as complete a traverse as -could have been desired, supported from behind by the stones of the -streets, which the insurgents threw up with pickaxes and spades. Their -position being now much more secure, a movement took place amongst the -people; and, while Garcias with a considerable body continued to ply -the principal gate with his battery, two large masses of the -insurgents moved off on either hand, and presently after, re-appeared -at the entrance of the various streets which surrounded the arsenal, -rolling before them their woolpacks, which put them in comparative -security.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was evident that a general attack was soon to be expected; and, -exerting himself with an activity of which I had not thought him -capable, the viceroy put himself forward in every situation of danger. -From time to time I caught a glimpse of his figure, toiling, -commanding, assisting, and slackening not in his activity, though the -marks of excessive fatigue were sufficiently evident in his -countenance.</p> - -<p class="normal">Of course, the gate could not long resist the continued fire of the -insurgents' battery; and as soon as it gave way, upon some signal -which I did not perceive, the whole mass of the peasantry poured forth -from every street, and advancing steadily under a most tremendous fire -from the guns of the arsenal, ran up the glacis, and easily effected a -lodgment on the counterscarp with the woolpacks.</p> - -<p class="normal">The moment was one of excessive interest, and I was gazing from the -window, marking with anxiety every turn of a scene that possessed all -the sublime of horror, and danger, and excited passion, when I heard a -step behind me, and a cry from my little friend Achilles, which -instantly made me turn my head.</p> - -<p class="normal">I had but time to see the Spanish soldier who had accused me to the -viceroy, with his broadsword raised over my head, and to spring aside, -when the blow fell with such force, as to dash a piece out of the -solid masonry of the window-frame.</p> - -<p class="normal">"By the eyes of St. Jeronimo!" cried the man, "thou shalt not escape -me--though I die this day, thou shalt go half an hour before me!"--and -darting forward he raised his weapon to aim another blow at my head.</p> - -<p class="normal">Unarmed as I was, my only chance was to rush in upon him, and getting -within his guard, render the struggle one of mere personal strength; -and making a feint, as if I would leap aside again, I took advantage -of a movement of his hand, and cast myself into his chest with my full -force.</p> - -<p class="normal">He gave way sooner than I had expected, and we both went down; but -somehow, though in general a good wrestler, certainly infinitely -stronger than my adversary, and though at first also I was uppermost, -I soon lost my advantage. I believe it was that in attempting to place -my knee on his breast, it slipped from off his corslet, flinging me -forward, so that my balance being lost, he easily cast me off and set -his own knee upon me. His sword he had let fall, but he drew his long -poniard, and threw back his arm to plunge it into my bosom: when -suddenly he received a tremendous blow on the side of the head, which -dashed him prostrate on the floor; and to my surprise and -astonishment, I saw little Achilles in the person of my deliverer.</p> - -<p class="normal">My pressing danger had communicated to his bosom a spark of generous -courage which he had never before felt, and, seizing the unloaded -musketoon, he had come behind my adversary and dealt him the blow -which had proved my salvation. Nor did he stop here; for what with joy -and excitement at his success, and fear that our enemy should recover -from the stupefaction which the blow had caused, he continued to -belabour his head and face with strokes of the musketoon, with a -silent vehemence and rapidity which not all my remonstrances could -stop. Even after the man was evidently dead, he continued to reiterate -blow upon blow; sometimes pausing and looking at him with eyes in -which horror, and fear, and excitement, were all visible; and then -adding another and another stroke, as I have often seen a dog after he -has killed a rat, or any other noisome animal, every now and then -start back and look at him, and then give it another bite, and -another, till he has left it scarce a vestige of its original form.</p> - -<p class="normal">Seizing his arm, however, during one of these pauses, I begged him to -cease; and would have fain called his attention by thanking him for -his timely aid; but the little man could not yet overcome the idea -that his enemy might still get up and take vengeance on him for the -unheard of daring which he had exercised.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Let me kill him! monseigneur! Let me kill him!" cried he. "Don't you -see he moves? look, look!"</p> - -<p class="normal">And, with straining eyes, he struggled forward to make quite sure that -his victory wanted nothing of completion, by adding another blow to -those he had already given.</p> - -<p class="normal">"He will never move again, Achilles," replied I; "spare your blows, -for you bestow them on a dead man, and well has he merited his -fate----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Had we not better tie his hands, at least?" cried the little player. -"He lies still enough too. Only think of my having killed a man--I -shall be a brave man for all the rest of my life. But if I had not -killed him, you would have been lying there as still as he is."</p> - -<p class="normal">I expressed my gratitude as fully as I could, but objected to the -proposal of tying a dead man's hands. No doubt, indeed, could remain -of his being no longer in a state to endanger any one; for having no -helmet on at the time he entered, the very first blow of the musketoon -must have nearly stunned him, and several of the after ones had driven -in his skull in various places. It is probable, that, having been kept -in confinement by the order of the viceroy, he had been liberated at -the moment the danger became pressing, and that, instead of presenting -himself where he might do his duty, his first care had been to seek -the means of gratifying his revenge, no doubt attributing to me the -punishment he had received. Such an event as my death, in the -confusion and danger of the circumstances, he most probably imagined, -would pass unnoticed; and no one, at all events, could prove that it -had been committed by his hands. Whether his comrade, who had been -placed as sentinel at the door where we were confined, had been -removed for the more active defence of the place, or whether he had -connived at the entrance of the assassin, I know not; but at all -events, if he was there, he must have been an accomplice, and -consequently would not have betrayed his fellow.</p> - -<p class="normal">Such, however, was a strange fate for a daring and ferocious man--to -fall by the hands of one of the meekest cowards that ever crept -quietly through existence! and yet I have often remarked that bad -actions, the most boldly undertaken, and the best designed, -often--nay, most frequently--fall back upon the head of their -projectors, repelled from their intended course by something petty, -unexpected, or despised.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXV.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">While this was taking place within, the tumult without had increased a -thousand-fold; and the din of cries, and screams, and blows, and -groans, mingled in one wild shriek of human passion, hellish, as if -they rose from Phlegethon. But to my surprise, the roar of the cannon -no longer drowned the rest, and looking again from the window, I saw -all the outward defences in the hands of the populace. The -fortifications of the arsenal had only been completed, so far as -regarded the mere external works; but even had they been as perfect as -human ingenuity could have devised, the small number of soldiers which -were now within the gates would never have sufficed to defend so great -a space from a multitude like that of the insurgents. At the moment -that I returned to my loophole, the peasantry were pouring on every -side into the inner court; and the Viceroy, with not more than a -hundred Castilians, was endeavouring in vain to repel them. If ever -what are commonly called prodigies of valour were really wrought, that -unhappy nobleman certainly did perform them, fighting in the very -front, and making good even the open court of the arsenal against the -immense body of populace which attacked it, for nearly a quarter of an -hour.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length, mere fatigue from such unwonted exertions seemed to -overcome him, and, in making a blow at one of the peasants, he fell -upon his knees. A dozen hands were raised to despatch him; but at the -sight of his danger the Castilians rallied, and closing in, saved him -from the fury of the people; while his faithful negro, catching him in -his arms, bore him into the body of the building.</p> - -<p class="normal">Though certainly but ill-disposed towards the soldiery, there was -something in the chivalrous valour which the viceroy had displayed in -these last scenes, combined with the lenity he had shown to myself -when brought before him, which created an interest in my bosom that I -will own greatly divided my wishes for the success of the oppressed -Catalonians. The idea, too, entered my mind, that by exerting my -influence with Garcias, whom I still saw in the front of the -insurgents, I might obtain for the viceroy some terms of capitulation.</p> - -<p class="normal">Calling to little Achilles to follow me, then, I snatched up the sword -of the dead Castilian; and proceeding to the door, which, as I had -expected, was now open, I ran out into the long corridor, and thence -began to search for the staircase that led down to the gate by which -the viceroy must have entered. On every side, however, I heard the -cries of the soldiery, who had now retreated into the building, and -were proceeding to take every measure for its defence to the utmost. -Several times these cries misled me; and it was not till I had -followed many a turning and winding, that I arrived at the head of a -staircase, half way down which I beheld the Viceroy, sitting on one of -the steps, evidently totally exhausted; while Scipio, the negro, -kneeling on a lower step, offered him a cup of wine, and seemed -pressing him to drink.</p> - -<p class="normal">At the sound of my steps the slave started up and laid his hand upon -his dagger; but seeing me, he gave a melancholy glance towards his -lord, and again begged him to take some refreshment. Unused to all -exertion, and enormously weighty, the excessive toil to which the -Viceroy had subjected himself had left him no powers of any kind, and -he sat as I have described, with his eyes shut, his hand leaning on -the step, and his head fallen heavily forward on his chest, without -seeming to notice anything that was passing around him. It was in vain -that I made the proposal to parley with Garcias: he replied nothing; -and I was again repeating it, hoping by reiteration to make him attend -to what I said, when one of his officers came running down from above.</p> - -<p class="normal">"My lord," cried he, "the galleys answer the signal, and from the -observatory I see the boats putting off. If your Excellence makes -haste, you will get to the shore at the same moment they do, and will -be safe."</p> - -<p class="normal">The viceroy raised his head. "At all events I will try," said he: -"they cannot say that I have abandoned my post while it was tenable. -Let the soldiers take torches."</p> - -<p class="normal">The officer flew to give the necessary directions, and taking the cup -from the negro, the viceroy drank a small quantity of the wine, after -which he turned to me:--"I am glad you are here," said he: "they talk -of my escape--I do not think I can effect it; but whether I live or -die, Sir Frenchman, report me aright to the world. Now, if you would -come with us, follow me--but you might stay with safety--they would -not injure <i>you</i>."</p> - -<p class="normal">I determined, however, to accompany him, at least as far as the boats -they talked of, though I knew not how they intended to attempt their -escape, surrounded as the arsenal was by the hostile populace. I felt -convinced, however, that I should be in greater personal safety in the -open streets than shut up in the arsenal, where the first troop of the -enraged peasantry who broke their way in might very possibly murder -me, without at all inquiring whether I was there as a prisoner or not. -At the same time I fancied, that in case of the viceroy being -overtaken, if Garcias was at the head of the pursuers, I should have -some influence in checking the bloodshed that was likely to follow.</p> - -<p class="normal">While these thoughts passed through my brain, half a dozen voices from -below were heard exclaiming, "The torches are lighted, my lord! the -torches are lighted!" and the Viceroy, rising, began to descend, -leaning on the negro. I followed with Achilles, and as we passed -through the great hall, sufficient signs of the enemies' progress were -visible to make us hasten our flight. The immense iron door was -trembling and shivering under the continual and incessant blows of -axes and crows, with which it was plied by the people, in spite of a -fire of musketry that a party of the most determined of the soldiery -was keeping up through the loopholes of the ground story, and from the -windows above. A great number of the soldiers, whose valour was -secondary to their discretion, had already fled down a winding -staircase, the mouth of which stood open at the farther end of the -hall, with an immense stone trap-door thrown back, which, when down, -doubtless concealed all traces of the passage below. When we -approached it, only two or three troopers remained at the mouth -holding torches to light the viceroy as he descended.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Don Jose," said the viceroy, in a faint voice, addressing the officer -who commanded the company which still kept up the firing from the -windows, "call your men together--let them follow me to the galleys-- -but take care, when you descend, to shut down the stone door over the -mouth of the stairs--lock it and bar it as you know how;--and make -haste."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will but roll these barrels of powder to the door, my lord," -replied the officer, "lay a train between them, and place a minute -match by way of a spigot, and then will join your Excellence with my -trusty iron hearts, who are picking out the fattest rebels from the -windows. Should need be, we will cover your retreat, and as we have -often tasted your bounty, will die in your defence."</p> - -<p class="normal">In dangerous circumstances there is much magic in a fearless tone; and -Don Jose spoke of death in so careless a manner, that I could not help -thinking some of the soldiers who had been most eager to light the -Viceroy were somewhat ashamed of their cowardly civility. About forty -of the bravest soldiers in the garrison, who remained with the officer -who had spoken, would indeed have rendered the Viceroy's escape to the -boats secure, but Don Jose was prevented from fulfilling his design. -We descended the stairs as fast as the Viceroy could go; and, at the -end of about a hundred steps, entered a long excavated passage leading -from the arsenal to the sea-shore, cut through the earth and rock for -nearly half a mile, and lined throughout with masonry. At the farther -extremity of this were just disappearing, as we descended, the torches -of the other soldiers who had taken the first mention of flight as an -order to put themselves in security, and had consequently led the way -with great expedition. In a moment or two after--by what accident it -happened I know not--an explosion took place that shook the earth on -which we stood, and roared through the cavern as if the world were -riven with the shock.</p> - -<p class="normal">"God of heaven! they have blown themselves up!" cried the Viceroy, -pausing; but the negro hurried him on, and we soon reached the sands -under the cliffs to the left of the city. To the cold chilliness of -the vault through which we had hitherto proceeded, now succeeded the -burning heat of a cloudless sun in Spain. It was but spring, but no -one knows what some spring-days are at Barcelona, except those who -have experienced them; and by the pale cheek, haggard eye, and -staggering pace of the Viceroy, I evidently saw that if the boats were -far off, he would never be able to reach them. We saw them, however, -pulling towards the shore about three quarters of a mile farther up, -and the very sight was gladdening. Four or five soldiers remained, as -I have said, with their commander, and lighted us along the gallery; -but the moment they were in the open air, the view of the boats, -towards which their companions who had gone on before were now -crowding, was too much for the constancy of most of them, and without -leave or orders, all but two ran forward to join the rest.</p> - -<p class="normal">The tide was out; and stretching along the margin of the sea, a smooth -dry sand offered a firm and pleasant footing; but a multitude of large -black rocks, strewed irregularly about upon the shore, obliged us to -make a variety of turns and circuits, doubling the actual distance we -were from the boats. The cries and shouts from the place of the late -combat burst upon our ears the moment we had issued from the passage, -and sped us on with greater rapidity. Seeing that he could hardly -proceed, I took the left arm of the viceroy, while his faithful negro -supported him on the right, and hurried him towards the boats; but the -moment after, another shout burst upon our ear. It was nearer--far -nearer than the rest; and turning my head, I beheld a body of the -peasantry pursuing us, and arrived at about the same distance from us -that we were from the boats.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Viceroy heard it also, and easily interpreted its meaning. "I can -go no farther," said he; "but I can die here as well as a few paces or -a few years beyond;" and he made a faint effort to draw his sword.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Yet a little farther, my lord, yet a little farther," cried the -African; "they are a long way off still--we are nearing the -boats.--See, the head boat is steering towards us! Yet a little -farther, for the love of Heaven!"</p> - -<p class="normal">The unfortunate Viceroy staggered on for a few paces more, when his -weariness again overcame him; his lips turned livid, his eyes closed, -and he fell fainting upon the sand. Running down as fast as I could to -the sea, I filled two of the large shells that I found with water; and -carrying them back, dashed the contents on his face, but it was in -vain; and I went back again for more, when, on turning round, I saw a -fresh party of the insurgents coming down a sloping piece of ground -that broke the height close by. It would have been base to have -abandoned him at such a moment, and I returned to his side with all -speed. The first of the peasantry were already within a few paces, and -their brows were still knit, and their eyes still flashing with the -ferocious excitement of all the deeds they had done during the course -of that terrible morning. As they rushed on, I saw Garcias a step or -two behind, and called to him loudly in French to come forward and -protect the viceroy, assuring him that he had wished the people well, -and even had been the means of saving my life.</p> - -<p class="normal">The smuggler made no reply, but starting forward, knocked aside the -point of a gun that one of the peasants had levelled at my head, and -catching me firmly by the arm, held me with his gigantic strength, -while the people rushed on upon their victim.</p> - -<p class="normal">The negro strode across his master and drew his dagger--one of the -insurgents instantly rushed upon him, and fell dead at his feet. -Another succeeded, when the dagger broke upon his ribs--the noble -slave cast it from him, and throwing himself prostrate on the body of -his master, died with him, under a hundred wounds.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXVI.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Beware how you stand between a lion and his prey," said Garcias, -releasing my arm; "and let me tell you, Sir Count, it were a thousand -times easier to tear his food from the hungry jaws of the wild beast, -than to save from the fury of this oppressed people the patron and -chief of all their oppressors."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You are wrong, Garcias! you are wrong!" replied I: "since I have been -a prisoner here at the arsenal, I have had full opportunity to see and -judge whether he wished to be your oppressor or not; and, on my -honour, no man would more willingly have done you justice, and -punished those who injured you, had he been allowed to hear the evils -that were committed under the name of his authority."</p> - -<p class="normal">"That, then, was his crime!" replied Garcias. "He <i>should</i> have -heard--he <i>should</i> have known the wrongs and miseries of the people he -governed. All in life depends on situation, and in his, indolence was -a crime--a crime which has been deeply, but not too deeply expiated. -Believe me, Count Louis, that kings and governors, who suffer -injustice to be committed, deserve and will ever meet a more tragic -fall than those even who commit it themselves."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But see," cried I, "they are going to mutilate the bodies; for -Heaven's sake, stop them, and let them not show themselves utterly -savages."</p> - -<p class="normal">"What matters it?" asked he; "the heads they are about to strike off -will never feel the indignity; but speak to them if you will, and try -whether you can persuade them from their wrath.--Ho! stand back, my -friends," he continued, addressing the people, who even glared upon -him with somewhat of fierceness in their look, as he interrupted their -bloody occupation;--"hear what this noble Frenchman has to say to you, -and respect him, for he is my friend."</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Viva Garcias!</i>" shouted the people. "<i>Viva el Librador!</i>" and, -standing forward, I endeavoured, as well as I could, to calm their -excited feelings.</p> - -<p class="normal">"My good friends," said I, "you all know me to be sincerely the -well-wisher of Catalonia and the cause of freedom. Many who are here -present, saw me dragged through the streets of Barcelona, no later -than this morning; tied like a slave, and insulted, as I went, by the -brutal soldiery, your enemies and mine, for no other cause but that I -was a Frenchman, and that the French are friendly to the Catalonians. -I therefore have good cause to triumph in your success, and to -participate in your resentment; but there is a bound, my friends, -within which resentment should always be confined, to mark it as -grand, as noble, as worthy of a great and generous people. It is just, -it is right, to punish the offender, to smite the oppressor, and to -crush him with is own wrong."</p> - -<p class="normal">A loud shout announced that this was the point where the angry flame -still burned most furiously.</p> - -<p class="normal">"But," continued I, "is it right, is it just, is it noble, to insult -the inanimate clay after the spirit has departed? Is it dignified? Is -it grand? Is it worthy of a great and free people like the -Catalonians?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, no," cried one or two voices amongst the better class of the -insurgents; "do not insult the body."</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, indeed!" proceeded I; "it is beneath a people who have done such -great and noble deeds. The moment you attempt to degrade that corpse -by any unbecoming act, what was an act of justice becomes an act of -barbarity; and instead of looking on that unhappy man as a sacrifice -to justice, all civilized people must regard him as the victim of -revenge. You, my friend--you," I continued, addressing the man who had -been kneeling on the body for the purpose of cutting off the head with -a long girdle knife, and who still glared at it like a wolf -disappointed of its prey--"you, I am sure, would be the last to sully -the justice of the Catalonians with a stain of cruelty. A few hours -ago this unhappy man possessed riches, and power, and friends, and -kindred--all the warm blessings of human existence--you have taken -them from him--all! Is not that punishment enough? You have sent him -to the presence of God to answer for his sins--let God then judge him; -and reverencing the sanctity of that tribunal to which you yourselves -have referred him, take up the frail remains of earth, and laying them -side by side with the faithful, the noble, the generous-hearted slave, -whose self-devotion we all admire, and whose death we all regret, bear -them silently to the high church, and deliver them into the hands of -some holy priest, to pray that God may pardon him in heaven the faults -which you have punished upon earth. Thus shall you show, my friend, -that it is justice you seek, not cruelty. Thus shall your friends -esteem you, your enemies fear you, and your deeds of this day descend -as an example to nations yet unborn."</p> - -<p class="normal">In a multitude there is always a latent degree of good feeling amongst -the majority, which, in moments of tumult and action, is overborne by -the more violent and excitable passions of human nature; but once get -the people to pause and listen, and mingle with your speech a few of -those talismanic words which compel the evil spirit, vanity, to the -side of good, and every better sentiment, thus encouraged, will come -forth, and often lead them to the greatest and noblest actions. When I -began to address the Catalonians, all I could obtain was bare -attention; but, as they heard their own deeds spoken of and commended, -they gathered round me, pressing one another for the purpose of -hearing. I gained more boldness as I found myself listened to; and, -seeming to take it for granted that they possessed the feelings I -sought to instil into them, I gradually brought them to the sentiments -I wished.</p> - -<p class="normal">The great majority received with shouts the proposal of carrying the -bodies to the cathedral, and the rest dared not oppose the opinion of -the many.</p> - -<p class="normal">I had fancied Garcias cold--nay, savage, from the check he had laid -upon me at first; but the energy with which he pressed the execution -of my proposal, before the fickle multitude had time again to change, -cleared him in my opinion, and we prepared to return to the city as -friends. At this moment, however, I perceived the loss of my little -companion, Achilles, and mentioned the circumstance to Garcias, who -gave orders to search for him; but the poor player was to be found -nowhere, and I began to entertain serious apprehensions, that, in case -of his having fled, he might be massacred by the first body of the -insurgents he encountered.</p> - -<p class="normal">Garcias instantly took advantage of this possibility, making it an -excuse for positively prohibiting all promiscuous slaughter; and so -great seemed his influence with the people, from the very -extraordinary services he had rendered to their cause, that I doubted -not his orders would be received as a law. The news of the Viceroy -having been taken, had by this time collected the great body of the -insurgents round us; and on a proposal from Garcias, they proceeded, -in somewhat a tumultuous manner, to elect a council of twelve, who -were to have a supreme command of the army, as they called themselves, -and to possess the power of life and death over all prisoners who -might hereafter be taken.</p> - -<p class="normal">Garcias, as might naturally be expected, was appointed president of -this council, and commander-in-chief of the army; and as a -representative of the town of Lerida, the alcayde of that city was -chosen, he having joined the insurgents from the first breaking out of -the insurrection. Added to these were several popular and respectable -citizens of Barcelona, with a wealthy merchant of Taragona; and much -to my surprise, I was myself eventually proposed to the people, and my -name received with a shout, which, from having opposed the fury of the -populace in its course, I had not at all expected. Though whoever has -once guided a popular assembly even against their inclination, becomes -in some degree a favourite with them, this was not, I believe, the -sole cause of the confidence they reposed in me. The idea of -assistance from France was their great support in their present -enterprise; and without staying to inquire whether he possessed any -official character, the very knowledge that they had a Frenchman in -their councils gave them a sort of confidence in themselves, which -their ill-cemented union required not a little. Involved as I now was -in the insurrection, I did not refuse the office they put upon me, and -my reason was very simple: I hoped to do good, and to act as a check -upon men whose passions were still excited.</p> - -<p class="normal">When all this was concluded, a sort of bier was formed of pikes bound -together, and the bodies of the viceroy and his slave placed thereon. -Six stout Barcelonese porters raised it from the ground and marched -on: the insurrectionary council followed next; and then the populace, -armed with a thousand varied sort of weapons; and thus, in -half-triumphant, half-funereal procession, we returned towards the -city.</p> - -<p class="normal">As we went, Garcias, with a rapidity of thought and clearness of -arrangement which eminently fitted him for a leader in such great, but -irregular, enterprises as that in which he was now engaged, sketched -out to me his plans for organizing the people, maintaining the civil -government of the province, repelling any attempt to reimpose the yoke -which the nation had cast off, raising funds for the use of the common -weal, and gradually restoring that order and tranquillity which had of -course been lost in the tumultuous scenes of the last two days.</p> - -<p class="normal">He took care, also, to despatch messengers in every direction through -the town, bearing strict commands to all the various posts of the -insurgents, that no more blood should be spilt without form of trial; -and two of the members of the council also were detached on a mission -to the corregidor and other civil officers of the city, requiring -their union with the great body of the Catalonian people, for the -purpose of maintaining and cementing the liberties which they had that -day reconquered. His wise conduct, in both respects, produced the most -beneficial effects. The news of the cessation of bloodshed spread like -lightning through the city, and induced many of the Catalonian -nobility, who previously had not known whether the insurrection was a -mere democratical outrage, or a really patriotic effort for the good -of all, to come forth from their houses and give their hearty -concurrence to an enterprise, whose leaders showed so much moderation. -At the gate of the cathedral, also, we were met by the corregidor and -all the chief officers of the city, accompanied by a large <i>posse</i> of -alguacils and halberdiers attached to their official station. These -officers, as a body, declared their willingness to co-operate with the -liberators of their country; for though they had received their -offices from the King of Spain, they were Catalonians before they were -Spaniards. This annunciation produced a shout from the people, which -gave notice to the Chapter of the Cathedral of our approach, and -coming forth in their rich robes, they received with the solemn chant -of the church the bodies of the unhappy Viceroy and his slave. When -the corpses had been laid before the high altar, the Bishop himself -came forward to the portal, and addressed the people, who heard him -with reverential attention; while the leaders of the revolution which -had just been effected, clothed indeed in wild and various vestments, -but dignified in air and look, by the consciousness of great deeds, -spread on one side of the gate, and the nobility and high municipal -officers ranged themselves on the other, leaving room for the populace -to catch the words of the prelate.</p> - -<p class="normal">"My children," said the old man, "you have this day done great and -fearful deeds; and sure I am, that the motives which impelled ye -thereunto were such as ye could in conscience acknowledge and -maintain. I myself can witness how long ye endured oppressions and -injuries, almost beyond the patience of mortal men--your children and -brothers slaughtered, your wives and sisters insulted, and God's -altars overturned and profaned. May Heaven forgive ye for the blood ye -have spilt; but as some of the innocent <i>must</i> have perished with the -guilty, I enjoin you all to keep to-morrow as a strict and rigorous -fast, to confess you of your sins, and to receive absolution; after -which, may God bless and prosper you, and strengthen you in the -right."</p> - -<p class="normal">The good Bishop's speech was received with shouts by the populace, who -took it for granted that it proceeded entirely from love and affection -towards them, though, individually, I could not help thinking that -there was a slight touch of fear in the business, as the prelate was -well aware that in pulling down one house the neighbouring ones are -very often injured; and perhaps he might think, that in overthrowing -the edifice of Castilian dominion in Catalonia, the populace might -shake the power of the church also. I know not whether I did him -wrong, but of course I did not give the benefit of my thoughts to any -of the rest; and when he had done, we took our departure from the -Cathedral, and proceeded towards the Viceroy's palace, which Garcias -named for his head-quarters.</p> - -<p class="normal">As we went, we were encountered by a large body of the insurgents who -had just concluded the pillage of a house in the same street, -belonging to the Marquis de Villafranca, general of the galleys. They -were of the lowest order of the populace; and we heard that a good -deal of blood had been shed, and various enormities committed by them, -which, as yet, it would have been dangerous to punish. Advancing with -loud shouts, they hailed us as their brother patriots, from which -appellation the better part of the insurgents were somewhat inclined -to shrink, receiving their fraternal salutations with much the shy air -of a <i>parvenu</i> when visited by his poor relations.</p> - -<p class="normal">I must say, however, that never did a more brutal rabble meet my -sight. Amongst other instances of their savage ignorance was one, -which at the same time strongly displayed the spirit of the vulgar -Catalonians. In rifling the Marquis de Villafranca's house, they had -found, amongst other rare and curious articles which that officer took -great delight in collecting, a small bronze figure, representing a -negro, the body of which contained a clock. At the same time, the -works were so contrived, as to make the eyes of the figure move; and -when the mob surrounded the table on which it was placed, the little -negro continued to roll his eyes round and round upon them, in so bold -and menacing a manner, that the whole multitude were frightened, and -dared not approach! From his love of study, and search for everything -that was curious and antique, it had long been rumoured, amongst the -lower orders, that the marquis had addicted himself to magic, and they -instantly fixed upon this ingenious piece of clockwork as his familiar -demon. Under this impression, it was long before any one dared to -touch it, as, after having signed it with the cross, and even held up -a crucifix before it, it still continued to roll its eyes upon them -with most sacrilegious obstinacy. At length, one more courageous than -the rest dashed to pieces the glass which covered it, and seizing hold -of the unfortunate clock, tied it to the end of a pike, and carried it -out into the street. When we encountered them, the first thing we -beheld was this bronze figure, borne above the heads of the people. -They instantly exhibited it to us with great triumph, assuring us that -they had caught the Marquis de Villafranca's familiar, and were about -to carry it to the chief inquisitor, that it might be consigned to its -proper place, with all convenient despatch. For my own part, I could -scarcely refrain from laughing; and as Garcias seemed to take the -matter quite seriously, I explained to him in French that the supposed -familiar was nothing but a piece of mechanism, ingenious enough, but -not at all uncommon. He cut me short, however, praised the crowd for -their zeal, and bade them by all means carry the demon to the -inquisitor, and then disperse for the night.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Reasoning with such a mob as that," said he, as he went on, "is as -vain as talking to the winds or the seas. The only way of managing -them, is to leave them in possession of all their prejudices and -follies, but to turn those prejudices and follies to the best purposes -one can. You see that cart, Monsieur de l'Orme, with its great clumsy -wheels, which are not half so good as the light wheels that we have in -Navarre and Arragon, but if I wanted to send a load quickly to the -port, I would not think of sitting down to take off those wheels--to -make lighter, and to put them on--but would, of course, make use of -the cart as I found it. Thus, when you want to guide a multitude, -never attempt to give them new ideas, but take advantage of those -which they have already got."</p> - -<p class="normal">We had now arrived at the viceregal palace; and, leaving Garcias to -make what arrangements he thought proper for the accommodation of the -five hundred men which he had brought with him from Lerida, and for -organizing the people of Barcelona into a sort of irregular militia, -the insurrectionary council repaired to the great hall, and, with the -corregidor and alcayde, sat till midnight, deciding on the fate of all -those persons that the various parties of the armed multitude thought -fit to bring before it. The task was somewhat a severe one; for every -person that did not know another brought him before the council, if he -could, and if he could not he was himself brought. Their zeal, -however, in this respect, began to slacken as night fell; and it was -only the more resolute and exasperated part of the insurgents that -continued their perquisitions for Castilians, and other suspected -persons, patrolling the streets of the city in bodies of tens and -twelves, and making every one they met give an account of himself and -his occupations.</p> - -<p class="normal">As it was the sincere wish of every member of the council to allay the -popular fury, and stop the effusion of blood, various extraordinary -shifts were we obliged to make for the purpose of saving many of the -poor wretches that were brought before us, from the more inveterate -and bloodthirsty of the insurgents. The part we had to play was -certainly a very difficult one; for we were surrounded by men over -whom we had not the check of long established control, and whose -inflamed passions and long-smothered revenge was not half quenched -with all the gore that had already drenched the streets of Barcelona. -Blood was still their cry, and they contrived to find out almost every -individual who had been in any way connected with the Castilian -government of the province, and drag him before us. Our very principal -object was to check their indiscriminate cruelty, and yet, if we -refused in every instance to gratify them in their revenge, it was -likely we should annul our own authority, and that the populace would -betake themselves again to the massacres which we sought to prevent.</p> - -<p class="normal">Under these circumstances, upon the plea of weariness and want of time -to examine thoroughly, we committed greater part of the unfortunate -wretches, whom we were called to notice, to the government prison, -sending off the most violent of the insurgents to renew their patrol -in the streets, upon the pretence of fearing that during their absence -some of the more obnoxious persons should escape. The prison we took -care to surround with a strong guard of the men from Lerida, the major -part of whom had served in the old Catalonian militia, and were -consequently in a very good state of subordination, looking up also to -Garcias almost as a god, from his having led them on to two such -signal victories as that which they had achieved that day, and the -morning of the day before.</p> - -<p class="normal">At midnight the corregidor rose, and addressing me by the name which -Garcias had given me, the Count de l'Orme, requested me to lodge at -his house, as most probably I had not apartments prepared in the city. -I willingly accepted his hospitality, and, escorted by a strong body -of alguacils, we proceeded to his dwelling, where a very handsome -chamber was assigned to me, and I was preparing to go to rest after a -day of such excessive excitement and fatigue, when I was interrupted -by some one knocking at the door. I bade him come in, and to my great -surprise I beheld my little attendant, Achilles, completely dressed in -Spanish costume; though, to own the truth, his <i>haut de chausse</i> came -a good way below his knees, and his <i>just-au-corps</i> hung with rather a -slovenly air about his haunches. His hat, too, which was ornamented -with a high plume, fell so far over his forehead as to cover his -eyebrows, which were themselves none of the highest; and, in short, -his whole suit seemed as if it intended to eat him up.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ah, my dearly beloved lord and master!" cried the little player, -"thank God, that when I celebrate my <i>februa</i> in memory of my deceased -friends, I shall not have to call upon your name among the number; -though I little thought that you would get out of the hands of that -dreadful multitude so safely as you have done."</p> - -<p class="normal">I welcomed my little attendant as his merits deserved; and -congratulating him on his fine new feathers, asked him how he had -contrived to escape the fury of the people, without even having been -brought before the council.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Why, to speak sooth, I escaped but narrowly," answered little -Achilles; "and but that my lord loves not the high and tragic style, I -could tell my tale like Corneille and Rotrou--ay, and make it full, -full of horrors. But to keep to the lowly walk in which it is your -will to chain my soaring spirit; when I saw that poor unhappy Viceroy -faint, and a great many folks coming along the shore with lances, and -muskets, and knives, and a great many other things, which are -occasionally used for worse purposes than to eat one's dinner, I -looked out for a place where my meditations were not likely to be -interrupted by the clash of cold iron, and seeing none such upon the -shore, I betook me to a small piece of green turf that came slanting -down from the hill to the beach, and there I began to run faster than -I ever plied my legs on an upland before. The exercise I found very -pleasant, and God knows how long I should have continued it, -especially as some of the folks on the beach, seeing me run, pointed -me out with their muskets, that their friends might admire my agility, -and I began to hear something whistle by my head every now and then in -a very encouraging manner; but just when I got to the top of the -hill--plump--I came upon a mob twice as big as the other. Instantly -they seized me, and asked me a thousand questions, which I could not -answer, for I did not understand one of them; when suddenly one fellow -got hold of me, threw me down, and--blessed be the sound from -henceforth for ever, Amen!--though he held a knife to my throat, and -stretched out his arm in a very unbecoming manner, he at the same time -muttered to himself,--'<i>Diantre!</i>' between his teeth, in a way that -none but a true-born Frenchman could have done it.--'<i>Diantre!</i>' -cried he, grasping my throat.--'<i>Diantre!</i>' replied I, in the same -tone.--'<i>Diantre!</i>' exclaimed he, letting go his hold, and opening his -mouth wider than before.--'<i>Diantre!</i>' repeated I, devilish glad to -get rid of him.--'<i>Foutre!</i> the fellow mocks me!' cried he, drawing -back his knife to run it into my gizzard.--'Ah!' exclaimed I, 'if your -poor dear father could see you now about to murder me, what would he -say?'--'<i>Diable!</i>' cried he, 'are you a Frenchman?'--'Certainly,' -answered I, 'nothing less, though a little one.'--'And do you know my -father?' exclaimed he, catching me in his arms, and hugging me very -fraternally.--'Not a whit,' answered I: 'I wish I did, for then -possibly you would for his sake show me how I can save my throat from -these rude ruffians.'--'That I will, for our country's sake,' answered -he, and helping me up, he told some half dozen dogged-looking fellows, -who had remained to help him to stick me, a long story, full of -Spanish <i>oses</i> and <i>anoses</i>, which seemed to satisfy them very well, -for instead of running me through, they hugged me till I was nearly -strangled, crying out, <i>Viva la Francia!</i> all the while.</p> - -<p class="normal">"After this, my companion, who is the corregidor's French cook, gave -me a green feather, which has ever since proved the best feather in my -cap; for this green, it seems, is the colour of the Catalonians, and -since I put it in my hat, every one I have met has made me a low bow. -The cook and myself swore eternal amity on the field of battle, and -instead of going on to murder the Viceroy, by which nothing was to be -got, we went back, and joined the good folks who had just broken into -the palace of the general of the galleys. There had been a little -assassination done before we came up; but the general himself had got -off on board his ships, and the multitude were taking care of his -goods and chattels for him. I entered into their sentiments with a -fellow feeling, which is quite surprising; and while great part of -them were standing staring at a foolish little black figure that -rolled its eyes, and were swearing that it was first cousin to -Beelzebub, I got hold of a drawer, in which were these pretty things," -and he produced a string of clear-set diamonds of inestimable value: -"these I brought away for your lordship," he added; "they are too good -for me, and I had just heard you were safe and sound, and a great man -amongst the rebels. For my part, I satisfied myself with a handful or -two of commoner trash in the shape of gold pieces, and this suit of -clothes, with a few lace shirts and other articles of apparel, which I -thought you might want."</p> - -<p class="normal">I had by this time got into bed, but I could not refrain from -examining the diamonds, which were certainly most splendid. After I -had done, I returned them to Achilles, telling him, of course, that I -could not accept of anything so acquired; upon which he took them back -again very coolly, saying, "Very well, my lord, then I will keep them -myself. Times may change, and your opinion too. If I had not taken -them, some Catalonian rebel would, and therefore I will guard them -safely as lawful plunder," and so saying, he left me to repose.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXVII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">So fatigued was I, that the night passed like an instant; and when -Achilles came to wake me the next morning, I could scarcely believe I -had slept half an hour. The good little player returned instantly, as -he began to dress me, to the subject of the diamonds, with the value -of which he seemed well acquainted; and as he found me positive in my -determination to appropriate no one article of his plunder, except a -rich laced shirt or two, which had belonged to the Marquis de -Villafranca, and was a very convenient accession to my wardrobe, he -requested that, at all events, I would mention his possession of the -diamonds to no one.</p> - -<p class="normal">With this I willingly complied, as I felt that I had no right to use -the generous offer he had made me against himself.</p> - -<p class="normal">Before I was dressed, a message was conveyed to me from the -corregidor, stating that, as we should probably be occupied at the -council till late, he had ordered some refreshment to be prepared for -us before we went; and farther, that he waited my leisure for a few -minutes' conversation with me. I bade the servant stay for a moment, -and then followed him to the corregidor's eating room, where I was not -at all displeased to find a very substantial breakfast; for not having -eaten anything since the meal which the Viceroy's negro had conveyed -to me in prison, I was not lightly tormented with the demon of hunger. -The corregidor received me with a great deal more profound respect -than I found myself entitled to; and, seating me at the table, helped -me to various dishes, which did great honour to the skill and taste of -Achilles' friend, the cook. After a little, the servants were sent -away, and the officer addressed me with an important and mysterious -tone, upon the views and determinations of France.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am well aware, Monsieur le Comte de l'Orme," said he, "that the -utmost secrecy and discretion are required in an agent of your -character; and that, of course, you are bound to communicate with no -one who cannot show you some authority for so doing; but if you will -look at that letter from Monsieur de Noyers, one of your ministers, -and written also, as you will see, by the express command of his -eminence of Richelieu, you will have no longer, I am sure, any -hesitation of informing me clearly, what aid and assistance your -government intends to give us in our present enterprise."</p> - -<p class="normal">I took the letter which he offered, but replied without opening it, "I -am afraid, sir, that you greatly mistake the character in which I am -here. You must look upon me simply as a French gentleman whom accident -has conducted to your city, unauthorized, and, indeed, incompetent to -communicate with any body upon affairs of state, and probably more in -the dark than yourself, in regard to what aid, assistance, or -countenance the French government intends to give to the people of -Catalonia."</p> - -<p class="normal">The corregidor shook his head, and opened his eyes, and seemed very -much astonished. After falling into a reverie, however, for a moment -or two, he began to look wiser, and replied, "Well, sir, I admire your -prudence and discretion, and doubtless you act according to the orders -of your government; but at the same time I must beg that, when you -write to France, you will inform his eminence of Richelieu, that the -Catalonian people are not to be trifled with, and that having, under -promises of assistance from the French government, thrown off the -Castilian yoke, we expect that France will immediately realize her -promises, or we must apply to some other power for more substantial -aid."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Although I once more inform you, my dear sir," answered I, "that you -entirely mistake my situation, yet at the same time, I shall be very -happy to bear any communication you may think fit to the Cardinal de -Richelieu, and in the meantime set your mind quite at ease about the -assistance you require. The French government, depend upon it, will -keep to the full every promise which has been made you. It is too much -the interest of France to alienate Catalonia from the dominions of -King Philip, to leave a doubt of her even surpassing your expectations -in regard to the aid you hope for."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay, this is consoling me most kindly!" cried the corregidor, -persisting in attributing to me the character of a diplomatist, in -spite of all my abnegation thereof; "may I communicate what you say to -the members of the council, and the chief nobility of the province?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"As my private opinion, decidedly," replied I; "but not in the least -as coming from one in a public capacity, which would be grossly -deceiving them."</p> - -<p class="normal">"My dear young friend," said the corregidor, rising and embracing me -with the most provoking self-satisfaction in all his looks, "doubt not -my discretion. I understand you perfectly, and will neither commit you -nor myself, depend upon it. As to your return to France, there is not -a merchant in the town who will not willingly put the best vessel in -the harbour at your command when you like; but if you wish to set out -instantly, there is a brigantine appointed to sail for Marseilles this -very day, at high water, which takes place at noon. Our despatches for -the cardinal shall be prepared directly. I will superintend the -embarkation of your sea-store, and though sorry to lose the assistance -of your wise counsel, I am satisfied that your journey will produce -the most beneficial effects to the general cause."</p> - -<p class="normal">As I now saw that the corregidor had perfectly determined in his own -mind that I should bear the character of an agent of the French -government, whether I liked it or not, I was fain to submit, and take -advantage of the opportunity of returning to my own country with all -speed. It was therefore arranged that I should depart by the -brigantine for Marseilles; and having seen Achilles, and ascertained -that he would rather accompany me to France than stay beside the -flesh-pots of Egypt, I gave him twenty louis from my little stock, and -bade him embark with all speed, after having bought me some clothes, -through the intervention of his friend the cook. I then proceeded with -the corregidor to the viceregal palace.</p> - -<p class="normal">On each side of the grand entrance were tied a number of horses, -apparently lately arrived, heated and dusty, and, it appeared to me, -stained with blood. There was a good deal of bustle and confusion, -too, in the halls and passages--persons pushing in and out, parties of -six and seven gathered together in corners, and various other signs of -some new event having happened. We passed on, however, to the hall in -which the council had assembled the night before, and here we found -that it was again beginning to resume its sitting.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Have you heard the news?" cried the alcayde of Lerida; "our horsemen -have defeated a party of a hundred Arragonese cavalry, who were coming -to the city, not knowing the revolution which had taken place. The -whole troop has been slain or dispersed, and its leader brought in a -prisoner."</p> - -<p class="normal">At this moment Garcias beckoned me across the room, and leading me to -one of the windows, he spoke to me with a rambling kind of manner, -very different from the general clearness of his discourse, asking me -a great many questions concerning the corregidor, his treatment of me, -and all that had passed, of which I gave him a clear account, telling -him my determination to depart for France immediately.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You do right," said he, somewhat abruptly; "you might become involved -more deeply than you could wish with the politics of our province. Did -you look into the strong-room, to the right, at the bottom of the -stairs, as you came up?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"No," replied I, somewhat surprised at his strange manner. "Why do you -ask?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Because if you had done so you would have seen an old friend," -replied Garcias, biting his lip; "the Chevalier de Montenero, who -lives near you at the white house below----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I know, I know whom you mean," cried I. "What of him?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Why he has been taken prisoner this morning," replied Garcias, "by -one of the most deeply injured and most cruelly revengeful of our -cavaliers. He is known to have been a dear friend of the late Viceroy, -with whom he served in New Spain, and they demand that he be brought -out into the square, and shot without mercy."</p> - -<p class="normal">"They shall shoot me first!" replied I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Indeed!" said Garcias, composedly, and then added, a moment after, -"and me too. I owe the Chevalier thanks for having sheltered me when I -was pursued by the douaniers; and though he spake harshly of my trade, -he shall not find me ungrateful. But see, the council are seating -themselves! Go to them, make them as long a speech as you can about -your going to France; avoid, if possible, denying any more that you -are an agent of that government. You have done so once, which is -enough. Let the corregidor persuade them and himself of what he -likes--but, at all events, keep them employed till I come back, upon -any other subject than the prisoners. I go to collect together some of -my most resolute and trusty fellows, to back us in case of necessity. -Quick! to the table! The alcayde is rising to speak."</p> - -<p class="normal">I advanced; and while Garcias left the hall, I addressed the council -without seating myself, apologizing to the alcayde, who was already on -his feet, for pre-engaging his audience, and stating the short time I -had to remain amongst them as an excuse for my doing so. I then, with -as lengthy words and as protracted emphasis as I could command, went -on, offering to be the bearer of any message, letter, or -communication, to the government of France; at the same time promising -to carry to my own country the most favourable account of all their -proceedings. I dilated upon their splendid deeds, and their generous -sentiments, but I fixed the whole weight of my eulogy upon their -moderation in victory, and then darted off to a commendation of mercy -and humanity in general; showing that it was always the quality of -great and generous minds, and that men who had performed the most -splendid achievements in the field, and evinced the greatest sagacity -in the cabinet, had always shown the greatest moderation to their -enemies when they were in their power. Still Garcias did not come; and -I proceeded to say, that by evincing this magnanimous spirit, the -Catalonians bound all good men to their cause, and that it would -become not only a pleasure, but an honour and a glory to the nation -who should assist them in their quarrel, and maintain them in their -freedom. At the end of this tirade my eyes turned anxiously towards -the door, for both topics and words began to fail me; but Garcias did -not appear, and I was obliged to return to my journey to France. I -begged them, therefore, to consider well the despatches they were -about to send, and at the same time to have them made up with all -convenient despatch; requesting that they would themselves give a full -detail of what had already been done, of what they sought to do, and -what they required from France; and after having exhausted my whole -stock of sentences, I was at last obliged to end, by calling them "the -brave, the moderate, the magnanimous Catalonians!"</p> - -<p class="normal">What between the acclamation that was to follow this--for men never -fail to applaud their own praises--and any discussion which might -arise concerning the despatches, I hoped that Garcias would have time -to return; but, at all events, I could not have manufactured a -sentence more, if my own life had been at stake.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was, however, disappointed in my expectations. The magnanimous -Catalonians did not, indeed, neglect to shout; but the alcayde of -Lerida, who was one of those men whose own business is always more -important than that of any one else, rose, immediately after the noise -had subsided, and represented to the council that they were keeping -one of their most active and meritorious partisans, Gil Moreno, -waiting with his prisoner; and that from the nature of the case, as he -conceived it, five minutes would be sufficient to decide upon their -course of action. He then ended with proposing, that before any other -business whatever was entered upon, the prisoner should be brought -before the council.</p> - -<p class="normal">This was received with such a quick and cordial assent from all the -members of the council, that it would have been worse than useless to -resist it, and I was compelled to hear, unopposed, the order given for -Gil Moreno to bring his prisoner to the council-chamber.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Catalonian had probably been waiting with some impatience for this -summons; and the moment after it was given, he presented himself -before the council. If ever relentless cruelty was expressed in a -human countenance, it was in his. He was a short man, very quadrate in -form, with large, disproportioned feet and hands, and a wide, open -chest, over which now appeared a steel corslet. His complexion was as -dingy as a Moor's, and his features in general large, but not -ill-formed. His eyes, however, were small, black as jet, and sparkling -like diamonds; and his forehead, though broad and high, was extremely -protuberant and heavy, while a deep wrinkle running between his -eyebrows, together with a curve downwards in the corners of his mouth, -and a slight degree of prominence of the under jaw, gave his face a -bitter sternness of expression, which was not at all softened by a -sinister inward cast of his right eye. Behind him was brought in, -between two armed Catalonians, and followed by a multitude of others, -the Chevalier--or, as the Spaniards designated him, the Conde de -Montenero. His arms were tied tightly with ropes, but the tranquillity -of his looks, the calmness of his step, and the dignity of his whole -demeanour were unaltered; and he cast his eyes round the council -slowly and deliberately, scanning every countenance, till his look -encountered mine. The expression of surprise which his countenance -then assumed is not easily to be described. I thought even that the -sudden sight of one he knew, amongst so many hostile faces, called up, -before he could recollect other feelings, even a momentary glance of -pleasure, but it was like a sunbeam struggling through wintry clouds, -lost before it was distinctly seen; and his brow knit into somewhat of -a frown, as he ran his eye over the other members of the council.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Speak, Gil Moreno," said the alcayde of Lerida, who being the first -person that had received the news of the Chevalier's capture, had -appropriated it to himself, as an affair which he was especially -called upon to manage:--"what report have you to make to the supreme -council of Catalonia?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"A short one," answered Moreno, roughly. "On my patrol this morning, -two miles from the city gate, I met with a body of Arragonese horse. I -bade them stand, and give the word, when they gave the king; and I -instantly attacked them--killed some--dispersed the rest, and took -their captain. According to the orders given out last night, I brought -him to the council, and now, because he is a known friend of the -tyrant who died yesterday, was taken in arms against Catalonian -freedom, and is in every way an enemy to the province, I demand that -he be turned out into the Plaza, and shot, as he deserves."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And what reason can the prisoner give, why this should not be the -case?" demanded the alcayde, turning to the Chevalier.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Very few," answered he, with somewhat of a scornful smile, "and those -of such a nature that, from the constitution of this self-named -council, they are not very likely to be received. The laws of -arms--the common principles of right and justice--the usages of all -civilized nations, and the feelings and notions of all men of honour."</p> - -<p class="normal">It may easily be supposed, that such a speech was not calculated, -particularly, to prejudice the council in favour of the speaker, and I -would have given much to have stopped it in its course; but just as -the Chevalier ended, my mind was greatly relieved by the reappearance -of Garcias, who now took his seat by the side of the corregidor, while -the alcayde replied: "Such reasons, sir," answered he, "must remain -vague and insignificant, without you can show that they apply to your -case, which as yet you have not attempted to prove."</p> - -<p class="normal">"The application is so self-evident," said I, interposing, "that it -hardly requires to be pointed out. If the Catalonians are a separate -people, as they declare themselves, and at war with Philip, King of -Castile, they are bound to observe the rights of nations, and to treat -well those prisoners they take from their enemy. The common principles -of right and justice require that every man should be proved guilty of -some specific crime before he be condemned. The usages of all -civilized nations sufficiently establish that no man is criminal for -bearing arms, except it be against the land of his birth, or the -government under which he lives; and the feelings of men of honour -must induce you to respect, rather than to blame, the man who does his -utmost endeavour in favour of the monarch whom he serves."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ho! ho! Sir Frenchman!" cried Moreno, glaring upon me with eyes, the -cast in which was changed to a frightful squint by the vehemence of -his anger--"come you here to prate to us about the laws of nations, -and the feelings of honour? Know, that the Catalonians feel what is -due to themselves, and their own honour, better than you or any other -of your country can instruct them. Know, that they will have justice -done upon their oppressors; and if you, Frenchman, do not like it, we -care not for you, and can defend our own rights with our own hands. -Once, and again, I demand the death of this prisoner, and if the -council, as they choose to call themselves, do not grant it----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"What then?" thundered Garcias. "The council, as they choose to call -themselves! I say, the council as the Catalonian people have called -them--and if they do not grant the death of the prisoner, what then?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Why then his life is mine, and I will take it," answered Moreno, -drawing a pistol from his belt, and aiming at the head of the -Chevalier, who stood as firm and unblenching as a rock. I was at the -bottom of the table--opposite to me stood Moreno and the Chevalier: -and without the thought of a moment, I vaulted across and seized the -arm of the Catalonian. It was done like lightning--almost before I -knew it myself, and feeling that he could no longer hit the Chevalier, -the bloodthirsty villain struggled to turn the muzzle of the pistol -upon me. A good many people pressed round us, embarrassing me by -striving to aid me; and getting the pistol near my head, Moreno fired. -The ball, however, did not injure me, but just grazing my neck, went -on, and struck the alcayde of Lerida on the temple. He started up from -his chair--fell back in it, and expired without uttering a word.</p> - -<p class="normal">"By Heaven, he has killed one of the council!" cried Garcias. "Seize -him! He shall die, by St. James!"</p> - -<p class="normal">But Moreno turned to the crowd who filled that end of the hall. "Down -with this self-elected council!" cried he; "down with them! They would -make worse slaves of us than the Castilians had done. Who will stand -by Moreno?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will! I will!" cried each of the two who had entered with him to -guard the Chevalier. "I will," uttered another voice behind him; but -at the same instant the whole crowd, upon whom he had mistakingly -relied, but who were, in fact, the most certain followers of Garcias, -threw themselves upon Moreno, and those that had expressed themselves -of his party, and in a moment the whole four were tied hand and foot, -as surely as they had tied the Chevalier.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I say, down with those who would introduce dissension and -insubordination into the new government of Catalonia!" cried Garcias. -"Members of the council," he added, "whatever services I may have -rendered, and which I trust somewhat surpass those of this rebel to -your authority, I seek no more than that share of influence which the -people have bestowed upon me, in common with yourselves; and when I -propose that the Conde de Montenero shall be well treated and his life -spared, I do so merely as one of your own body, possessing but a -single voice out of twelve. Let us, however, determine upon this -directly, that we may proceed to the more important business of the -despatches to be sent to France. Give me your votes."</p> - -<p class="normal">Whatever might be the tone of moderation which Garcias assumed, his -influence with the people was evidently so powerful, that of course it -extended in some degree to the council; and their votes were instantly -given in favour of what he proposed. The next consideration became how -to dispose of the Chevalier. Every one present knew the unstable basis -on which their authority rested; and in case of any change in the -popular feeling, it was evident that the lives of all the prisoners -would be the first sacrifice offered at the shrine of anarchy.</p> - -<p class="normal">A good deal of vague conversation passed upon the subject, and finding -that every one hesitated to make the proposition, which probably every -one wished, I took it upon myself, and proposed, that, as an act of -magnanimity, which a whole world must admire and respect, they should -liberate the Chevalier de Montenero, and every other person attached -to the Castilian government; merely taking the precaution of conveying -them to the frontier of Catalonia. "At the same time," I said, "those -Catalonians who were last night committed to prison upon frivolous -accusations can be again examined. If not guilty of serious crimes, -let them also be freed. Thus, the last thing I shall see, before -returning to my own country, will be the greatest act of moderation -which a victorious nation ever performed in the first excitement of -its success."</p> - -<p class="normal">While I spoke, the eyes of Gil Moreno, who had not been removed from -the hall, glared upon me as if he could have eaten my heart; and when -the council gave a general assent to the proposal, he turned away with -a groan of disappointed rage, biting his upper lip with the teeth of -the under jaw, till the contortion of his face was actually frightful.</p> - -<p class="normal">On hearing the decision of the council, the Chevalier advanced a step, -and addressed a few words to them. "Catalonians," said he, "you have -acted in a different manner from that which I expected, and I -therefore tell you, what I never would have done while the sword was -suspended over my head--that I came not here with intentions hostile -to your liberties. I knew not of any revolt having taken place in this -province, although I had heard rumours that many galling oppressions -had been inflicted on the people. My object in coming was to see an -ancient companion in arms, who was the viceroy of this province; and I -came by his own invitation, to assist him with my poor advice in -controlling the irregularities and enormities of the undisciplined -soldiery with which a bad minister had encumbered his government. By -his request, also, I brought with me from Arragon a troop of guards, -on whose good conduct he could rely, they having served under my -command in Peru. Were my hands free, I could show you a letter from -the viceroy, in which he commiserates your sufferings, and bitterly -complains of the insubordination of the troops. I hear that you have -slain him. If so, God forgive you, for he wished you well! In regard -to your revolt from the crown of Spain, depend upon it you will be -compelled, sooner or later, to return to the dominion of King Philip. -It is not that I would speak in favour of the Count Duke Olivarez," he -continued, seeing an irritable movement in the council; "that bad -minister has injured me as well as you, and has been the cause of my -having for years quitted Spain, wherein I had once hoped to have made -my country: but still, by language, by manners, by geographical -situation, Catalonia is an integral part of Spain, and----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"We will spare you the trouble, sir," interrupted the corregidor, "of -saying any more. We have cast off the yoke of Spain, and, by the aid -of God, we will maintain our independence as a separate people; but -should not that be granted us, we would have King Philip know, that -sooner than return to the dominion under which we have suffered so -much, we will give ourselves to any other nation capable of supporting -by force of arms our division from Spain. Let the alguacils untie the -prisoner's hands."</p> - -<p class="normal">Shortly after the Chevalier had begun to speak, Garcias had quitted -the hall, and he now returned, announcing that he had (with that -prompt energy which peculiarly characterized him) already prepared a -horse and escort for the Conde de Montenero, which would carry him -safely to the limits of Catalonia. The Chevalier bowed to the council, -glanced his eyes towards me, of whom, since his first entrance, he had -taken no more notice than he bestowed on the person least known to him -at the table, and then followed Garcias from the hall. I could not -resist my desire to speak to him, and making a sudden pretence to -leave the council, I pursued the steps of the Chevalier and his -conductor to the small room in which he had been formerly confined. -Garcias was turning away from him as I approached, saying, "The horse -shall be up in an instant, but do not show yourself to the people till -the last moment."</p> - -<p class="normal">As he went I entered, and the Chevalier turned immediately to me, with -that sort of frigid politeness, that froze every warmer feeling of my -heart.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have to thank you, sir," said he, "for my life, which is valuable -to me, not merely as life, but from causes which you may one day know; -a few years, just now, are of more consequence to me than I once -thought they ever could be. I therefore, sir, return you my thanks, -for interposing both your voice and your person, this day, to save me -from death."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Monsieur de Montenero," replied I, "there has been a time, when your -manner to me would have been very different; but I must rest satisfied -with the consciousness of not meriting your regard less than I did -then."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am sorry, sir," replied he, "that you compel me to look upon you in -any other light than as a stranger who has interposed to save my life; -but as it is so, allow me to say, that something else than mere -assertion is necessary to convince me, on a subject which we had -better not speak upon. Could you give anything better than assertion, -I declare to Heaven, that your own father would not have the same joy -in your exculpation from guilt--nay, not half so much, as I should!" -and there shone in his eye a momentary beam of that kindness with -which he once regarded me, that convinced me what he said was true.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Monsieur de Montenero," replied I, "the reasons for my silence are -removed, and I can give you something better than assertion."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then do, in God's name!" cried he, "and relieve my mind from a load -that has burdened it for months. How you came here, or what you do -here, I know not; but there is certainly some mystery in your conduct, -which I cannot comprehend. Explain it all then, Louis, if ever the -affection with which you once seemed to regard me was real."</p> - -<p class="normal">I grasped his hand, for that one word Louis re-awakened, by the magic -chain of association, all that regard in my bosom which his coldness -and suspicion had benumbed; and in a moment more I should have told -him enough to satisfy him that his doubts had been unfounded. But it -seemed as if Heaven willed that that story was never to be told, for -just as I was about to speak, Garcias returned in haste. "The horse is -at the gate," said he, "and the guard prepared; mount, Señor, with all -speed, and out by the Roses' gate, for Moreno's people have heard of -his arrest, and are gathering at the other end of the town."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Louis," said the Chevalier, turning to me, "if you will proceed with -the explanation you were about to give, and can really satisfy my mind -on that subject, I will stay and take my chance, for I shall no longer -fear death for a moment."</p> - -<p class="normal">This declaration, as may easily be supposed, surprised me not a -little, after the value which he had before allowed that life -possessed in his eyes; for whatever might be the interest which he -took in me personally, and whatever might be the enthusiasm that -characterized his mind, I could not conceive that, without some strong -motive superadded, he would offer to risk so much for the sake of one, -in regard to whose innocence he had shown himself almost unwilling to -be convinced.</p> - -<p class="normal">Garcias, however, permitted no hesitation on the subject. "Stay!" -cried he, in an accent of almost indignant astonishment.--"When we -have perilled both our lives to gain you the means of going, do you -talk of staying? Señor de Montenero, you are not mad; and if you are, -I am not; therefore I say, you must go directly, without a moment's -pause;" and not allowing another word, he hurried him away, saw him -mount, commanded the escort of twenty men, who accompanied him, to -defend him with their lives; and then returning to me, led the way -back to the council-hall.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Members of the Supreme Council of Catalonia," said he abruptly as we -entered, "our first duty is to show to the nation, that though we have -cast off the yoke of Castile, we have not cast off the restraint of -law. A member of this honourable body has been shot at the very -council table, by a man acting in open rebellion to the authority -committed to us by the people--we require no evidence of the fact, -which was committed before our eyes. If we let the punishment slumber, -justice and order are at an end; anarchy, slaughter, and confusion, -must inevitably follow. Give me your voices, noble Catalonians. I -pronounce Gil Moreno guilty of murder, aggravated by treason towards -the nation, and therefore worthy of death! My vote is given!" He spoke -rapidly and sternly; and after a momentary hesitation, and whispering -consultation, the rest of the council unanimously agreed in his award.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Take away the prisoner," said Garcias, and Moreno was removed. "Now -let some noble Señor write the sentence," continued he: "I am no clerk, -but I will attend to the execution of it."</p> - -<p class="normal">The sentence was accordingly written; and having been signed by all -the members of the council, Garcias took it, as he said, to have it -fixed upon the front of the palace, and left us. His absence, however, -had, beyond doubt, another object, for while the corregidor was, -according to the direction of the council, writing a despatch from the -provisional government of Catalonia, to the prime minister of France, -the stern voice of the insurrectionary leader was heard in the square, -giving the word of command, "Fire!" The report of a platoon was -instantly heard; and it was not difficult to guess that Moreno had -tasted of that fate which he had been so willing to inflict on others.</p> - -<p class="normal">The despatches were soon prepared; and the council, willing to assume -all the pomp of established authority, ordered me to be conducted to -the port, as one of its members, with all sort of ceremony. Garcias -remained at the palace, to take measures against any movement on the -part of Moreno's partizans; but the corregidor accompanied me to the -water side: and having formally resigned the seat, to which I had been -called in the council, I embarked on board the brigantine, and took -leave, for ever of Barcelona.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The most humiliating of all the various kinds of human suffering is -undoubtedly sea-sickness, and therefore I will willingly pass over all -my sensations in crossing the Gulf of Lyons. I believe, however, that -the excessive importunity of my corporeal feelings did me good, -inasmuch as it served, for a time, to obliterate from my memory the -various strange and exciting scenes which I had lately gone through. -If we could suppose the soul itself to be in a state of ebriety, I -should say that my mind had been for several days drunk with excess of -stimulus; and the relaxation consequent upon it, during the vacant -hours of the voyage, would have been actually painful, had not the -horrors of sea-sickness so employed the body, that the mind could not -act.</p> - -<p class="normal">We landed, then, at Marseilles, after a safe and rapid passage, and I -prepared to set out with all speed for Lyons, hoping, by being the -first to bear the Cardinal de Richelieu news, which I well divined -would be most joyful to him, that I might at all events remove some of -the dangers and difficulties of my situation--a situation which I -hardly dared to contemplate.</p> - -<p class="normal">My father, though richly endowed with personal courage, wanted, as I -have said, that moral courage, which leads a man to look everything -that is painful or disagreeable boldly in the face. With him, indeed, -this disposition was carried to the excess of flying from the -contemplation, even of inconvenient trifles; but enough of it had -descended to me to make me willingly turn my eyes from circumstances -like those in which I was now placed.</p> - -<p class="normal">Money, I had hardly more than would bear me to Paris; resources, I had -none before me, and I shrank from the idea of either writing to, or -hearing from, the once loved home that I had left, with a degree of -horror it is difficult to describe. What could I write, without -forcing my mind to dwell upon details that were agony to think of? -What could I hear, but reproaches, which I knew not well whether I -deserved or not; or tenderness, which would have been more painful -still? My only resource was, like the ostrich in the fable, to shut my -eyes against the evils that pursued me, and to hurry forward as fast -as I could, filling up the vacuity of each moment with any -circumstances less painful than my own thoughts, and leaving to time -and chance--the two great patrons of the unfortunate--to remove my -difficulties, and provide for my wants.</p> - -<p class="normal">At the inn at Marseilles, as soon as my little attendant, Achilles, -had recovered what he called his powers of ambulation, the rolling of -the sea having left him, even on land, certain sensations of -unsteadiness which made him walk in various zigzag meanders during the -whole day, he unfolded to my astonished eyes the clothes which he had -bought for me at Barcelona. First, appeared a splendid Spanish riding -dress of philomot cloth, laced with silver, and perfectly new; with a -black beaver and white plumes, which, together with the untanned -riding-boots, sword, and dagger, all handsomely mounted, might cost, -upon a very moderate calculation, at least one hundred and fifty -louis-d'ors. I concluded myself ruined, of course; but what was my -surprise and horror when he dragged forth a long leathern case, -containing a rich dress suit of white silk, laced with gold; a white -sword and gold hilt, a bonnet and plume, that might have served a -prince, with collars of Flemish lace, gold-embroidered gloves of -Brussels, and shoes of Cordova.</p> - -<p class="normal">If it had been a box of serpents I could not have gazed into it with -more horror, my purse feeling lighter by a pistole for every fold he -unplied in the rich white silk. "There! there! there!" cried he, -contemplating them with as much delight as I experienced -consternation. "What an exquisite Alexander the Great I should make in -that white silk! Never was such an opportunity lost, for fitting up -the wardrobe of a theatre--never! never! but I could not bear to part -with the little shining yellow things, that kept my pocket so warm, -and therefore I only bought what was necessary for you, <i>signeurie</i>."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And where do you think that my <i>seigneurie</i> is to get money to pay -for them?" demanded I, somewhat sharply. "Pray how much have you spent -more than I gave you?"</p> - -<p class="normal">The poor little man looked up with an air of consternation that -increased my own. "Spent!" cried he; "spent more than you gave -me!--Why, none at all. I got them all for seven louis."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then they must have been stolen," cried I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"To be sure!" answered he, in a tone of the most <i>naïve</i> simplicity in -the world; "to be sure they were stolen. How did you think I should -come by them else?"</p> - -<p class="normal">Though in no very merry mood, the tone, the air, and simplicity of the -little player overcame my gravity, and I could not help laughing while -I asked who they had really belonged to, before they came so honestly -into his possession.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Lord! how should I know?" replied he. "If you want to hear how I got -them, that is easily told. When you went away to the council, after -bidding me buy you a riding-suit, I went out with Jaccomo, as they -call him, the cook; and as we were marching along in search of a -fripier, we passed by the ruins of the arsenal, where you and I were -confined, and where I killed the savage soldado," he continued, -drawing himself up till he fancied himself full six feet high. "But -that has nothing to do with the matter. The arsenal is now in a -terrible state; partly battered to pieces with the cannon, partly -blown up, as it seemed to me; but we just went in to take a look about -us, when suddenly out from amongst a whole heap of ruins creeps a -peasant fellow, with these two large mails on his back, and a heap of -other things in a bag round his neck. At first he looked frightened, -but after a little took heart, and told us a long story, which Jaccomo -translated for me, showing forth, that having come to town too late -for the famous plunder of the day before, he had hunted about amongst -the rooms that were yet standing in the arsenal, till he had found all -the things we saw; and added, that if we would go on we should find a -deal more. This, however, did not suit Jaccomo, who talked to him very -loudly about taking him before the council, and frightened him a good -deal, after which he made him show us what was in the mails; when, -finding they would suit your lordship, I made the cook offer the man -seven louis for them, though he said I was a great fool for offering -so much; and that if I would let him, he would frighten him so he -would give them up for nothing. But as I knew you would not wear them -without you paid for them, I gave the man the money, who was very glad -to get it, and walked away quite contented with that, and several -other suits that he had besides."</p> - -<p class="normal">This information satisfied my conscience; and certainly if there never -were seven louis better laid out, never was apparel more needed; for -what between my journeys in the Pyrenees and my adventures in Spain, -my <i>pourpoint</i> would have qualified me for a high rank amongst those -poor chevaliers whom we see frequenting the corners of low taverns, -and waiting patiently till some solitary traveller without -acquaintance, or indefatigable tippler abandoned by his mates, invites -them to share his tankard for the mere sake of company.</p> - -<p class="normal">The next thing was to try them on, when, to my mortification, I found -that, though in point of length they suited me exactly, both the -<i>pourpoint</i> and the <i>haut de chausse</i> much required the intervention -of a pair of shears to reduce the waist to the same circumference as -my own. A small lean-shanked Marseillois, exercising the honourable -office of tailor to the inn, was soon procured; and setting him down -in the corner of the chamber, I suffered him not to depart till both -the suits were reduced to a just proportion, and I no longer looked as -if I had got into an empty balloon when I again tried them on.</p> - -<p class="normal">One night I suffered to roll past tranquilly, though a thousand -phantoms of the last two days hovered about my pillow and disturbed my -rest. The next morning, however, a new embarrassment presented itself; -for, on inquiring for the boat to Lyons, I was informed that it did -not depart till the next day; and even then I found it would be so -long on its passage that I must abandon all hope of being the first -bearer of news from Catalonia, if I pursued so dilatory a mode of -travelling. At the same time I well knew that it was quite out of the -question to take poor little Achilles so many hundred miles on -horseback. The only way, therefore, which we could determine upon, was -for him to remain behind till the boat sailed, and then to make the -best of his way to Paris to rejoin me, while I went on as fast as -possible, and accomplished my errand in the meanwhile.</p> - -<p class="normal">Being now in France, and having his pockets well garnished, little -Achilles did not, of course, feel himself near so much at a loss as he -would have done in Spain; but still he clung about me, and whimpered -like a baby to see me depart. I believe that he had seldom known -kindness before, and he estimated it as a jewel from its rarity. He -made one request, however, before I departed, with which, though -unwillingly, I could not refuse to comply. My scruple of conscience -about the diamonds of which he had plundered the house of Monsieur de -Villafranca had in some degree touched his own, and he had heroically -resolved to return them if ever he found the opportunity--always, -however, reserving the right to make use of any part of them in case -either his own or my occasions should require it. But in the meantime -he remained under the most dreadful anxiety lest he should be robbed -on the way to Paris; and made it his most humble request, both as I -was the most valiant of the two, and as I should be a less space of -time on the road, that I would take charge of the packet in which they -were enveloped.</p> - -<p class="normal">I did as he wished, though I would willingly have been excused; and -having left him to shed his tender tears over our separation, I -mounted the post-horse that had been brought me, and set out on my -journey for Paris.</p> - -<p class="normal">The night's rest which I had taken at Marseilles served me till I -arrived at Lyons; and the one which I indulged in there carried me on -to Paris. No time was lost on my journey; a single word concerning -despatches for the minister making doors fly open and horses gallop -better than the magic rings of the Fairy Tales.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length I began to see the villages growing nearer and nearer -together; separate houses highly ornamented and decorated, yet not -large enough to dignify themselves with the name of châteaux; troops -of people seemingly returning from some great city to their homes in -the country; strings of carts and horses; and, in short, everything -announcing the proximity of a metropolis; while at the same time the -sound of a multitude of bells came borne upon the wind towards me, -telling me that I arrived at some moment of great public rejoicing. I -will not stop to inquire why that sound fell so heavily upon my heart; -but so it did, and all the increasing gaiety I met as I began to enter -into the suburbs but rendered me the more melancholy.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was by this time beginning to grow dusk, and directing my horse -towards the <i>Quartier St. Eustache</i>, I alighted at a small auberge -which our landlord at Marseilles had recommended as the best in Paris. -Having taken off my baggage with my own hands, and paid my postilion, -I looked about in the little courtyard for some one to show me an -apartment. It was long, however, before I could find any one; and even -at last, the only person I could meet with was an old woman, the -great-grandmother of mine host, I believe, who told me that all the -world were out at the fête, and that I might sit down in the -<i>salle-à-manger</i> if I liked, till they came back.</p> - -<p class="normal">This seemed but poor entertainment for the best auberge in Paris; but -I was forced to content myself with what I found, for it was too late -to seek another lodging, even had I not appointed Achilles to meet me -there. Nor, indeed, was my companion, the old woman, very -entertaining; for she was so deaf that she heard not one word I said, -and merely replied to all my inquiries, on whatever subject they were -made, by informing me that every one was at the fête, repeating the -precise words she made use of before.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus passed the time for an hour; but then the face of affairs -altered. The host--a jolly aubergiste as ever roasted a capon--rushed -in, in his best attire, followed by his wife and his sister, and his -sister's husband, all half inebriated with good spirits; and I was -soon at my desire shown to an apartment, which, though small, was -sufficiently clean; and having been told that supper would be ready at -the table d'hôte in an hour, I waited, while the various odours rising -up from the kitchen to my window seemed sent on purpose to inform me, -step by step, of the progress of the meal.</p> - -<p class="normal">Alone--in Paris--unknown to a soul--with a vacant hour lying open -before me--it was impossible any longer to avoid that unkind friend, -thought. For a moment or two, I walked up and down the little chamber, -whose antique furniture--the precise allotted portion which a -traveller could not do without--called to my mind the old but splendid -garnishing of my apartments at the Château de l'Orme.</p> - -<p class="normal">Where--I asked myself--where were all the familiar objects that habit -had rendered dear to my eye?--where all the little trifles, round -which memory lingers, even after time has torn her away from things of -greater import?--where were the grand mountains whose vast masses -would even now have been stretching dark and sublime across the -twilight sky before my windows?--where the free breeze that wafted -health with every blast?--where were the eyes whose glance was -sunshine, and the voices whose tones were music, and the hearts whose -happiness had centred in me alone? What had I instead? A petty -chamber, in a petty inn--the rank close atmosphere of a swarming city, -and the eternal clang of scolding, lying, blaspheming tongues, rising -up with a din that would have deafened a Cyclop--while misery, and -vice, and want, and sorrow, cabal, and treason, and treachery, and -crime, were working around me, in the thousand narrow, jammed-up cells -of that great infernal hive. Such was the picture that imagination -contrasted with the sweet calm scene which memory portrayed; and -casting myself down on the bed, I hid my face on the clothes, giving -way to a burst of passionate sorrow, that relieved me with unmanly but -still with soothing tears.</p> - -<p class="normal">While I yet lay there, I heard some one move in the chamber; and -starting suddenly up, I saw a man carefully examining my baggage, with -a very suspicious and nonchalant air. "Who the devil are you?" cried -I, laying my hand on my sword.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Garçon de l'auberge, ne vous deplaise, Monsieur</i>," replied the man.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then Monsieur Garçon de l'auberge," said I, "beware how you touch my -baggage; for though there be nothing in it but my clothes and a packet -for his eminence the cardinal, I shall take care to slit your nose if -you finger it without orders."</p> - -<p class="normal">The man started back at the name of the cardinal as if he had touched -a viper, gave me the <i>monseigneur</i> immediately, and replied, that he -came to tell me supper was served, and the guests about to place -themselves at table.</p> - -<p class="normal">Following him down, I found the <i>salle-à-manger</i> tenanted by about ten -persons, while upon the table smoked a savoury and plentiful supper, -on which they but waited the presence of the host to fall with -somewhat wolfish appetites.</p> - -<p class="normal">Silence reigned omnipotent at the first course; but at the second, two -or three of the guests, more loquacious than the rest, began to -entertain themselves and their neighbours with their own importance.</p> - -<p class="normal">One, whose beard was as black and shaggy as a hawthorn tree in winter, -spoke of his exploits in war, and showed himself a very Cæsar, at -least in words.</p> - -<p class="normal">Another was all-powerful in love, and told of many a cunning <i>passe</i> -which he had put upon jealous husbands and careful relations. No -female heart had ever resisted him, according to his account, which -was the more extraordinary, as he was the ugliest of human beings. -This he acknowledged, however, in some degree, swearing he knew not -what the poor fools found to love in him.</p> - -<p class="normal">A third was a mighty man of state, talked in a low voice, and -told all the news. He had seen, he said, a certain great man that day, -whom it was dangerous to name; and he could tell, if he liked, a -mighty secret--but no, he would not--he was afraid of their -indiscretion;--then again, however, he changed his mind, and -would--they were all discreet men, he was sure. The news was this,--it -was undoubted, he could assure them. Portugal had again fallen under -the dominion of Spain--he had it from the best authority. The means of -the counter-revolution was this: the Viceroy of Catalonia had sent -twenty thousand men by Gibraltar, straight to Portugal, where they had -uncrowned the Duke of Braganza, and restored King Philip, for which -great service the king had appointed the Viceroy of Catalonia his -prime minister.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I knew how much of this news was truth, I of course gave the -politician his due share of credit; and judging the rest of the -company from the specimen he afforded, I was rather inclined to -imagine that the lover's face made a truer report of his achievements -than his tongue, and that, perhaps, the beard of the soldado -constituted the most efficient part of his valour. I did not, however, -seek to inquire into particulars; but remained as silent as several -plain-looking respectable shopkeepers, who sat near me, and only -opened my mouth to ask if I could procure some one to guide me that -evening to a place I wished to visit in the town. This was addressed -to my next neighbour, who had himself shown no symptoms of loquacity; -but, it caught the ears of the man of the sword, who had been admiring -the lace upon my riding-suit, with somewhat the expression of a cat -looking into a vase of gold fish; and he instantly proposed, in a very -patronizing manner, to be my conductor himself. "I have half an hour -to spare, young sir," said he; "your countenance pleases me, and I am -willing to bestow that leisure upon you. You do not know Paris, and -the strange folks you may meet; my presence will be a protection to -you."</p> - -<p class="normal">I replied that I wanted no protection; that I had always been able, -hitherto, to protect myself; but that I was obliged by his offer of -guiding me, and would accept it.</p> - -<p class="normal">Having taken care to lock the door of my chamber before I came down, -and having the despatch from Barcelona about me, the moment we had -done dinner I accompanied the complaisant soldier into the street, and -then begged him to show me to the Palais Cardinal. The name seemed to -startle him a little; but he bade me follow him, which I accordingly -did. For about a quarter of an hour, he went up one street and down -another, turning and returning, like a hare pursued by the dogs, till -at length I began to perceive that the very last intention in my -worthy guide's mind was to conduct me to the Palais Cardinal, which I -well knew was not half a mile from the Quartier St. Eustache. As he -went, my honest companion amused me with the detail of a great many -adventures, in which he had proved himself a Hercules, and carried on -the conversation with such spirit that he had it all to himself.</p> - -<p class="normal">What he intended to do with me, God knows; but getting rather tired of -walking about the streets, I fixed upon a respectable-looking grocer's -shop, which was not yet closed, and telling my companion that I wanted -to buy some pepper, I walked in.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Pepper!" cried he, following me; "what can you want with pepper?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will tell you presently," I answered, "when I have asked this good -gentleman (the grocer) a question.--Pray, sir," I continued, turning -to the master of the house, "will you inform me if I am near the -Palais Cardinal? This worthy person agreed to guide me thither from -the Rue des Prouvaires, quartier St. Eustache, and we have walked near -half an hour without finding it."</p> - -<p class="normal">"He has taken you quite to the other end of the town," replied the -grocer. "You are now, sir, in the Rue des Prêtres St. Paul."</p> - -<p class="normal">"On my life!" cried the soldier, "I thought I was leading you right. -By my honour, 'tis a strange mistake!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"So strange, sir," said I, "that if you do not instantly go to the -right about, and march off, I may be tempted to cudgel you."</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Ventre St. Gris!</i>" cried the bully, laying his hand on his sword. -But the grocer whispered a word or two to his shop-boy about fetching -the Capitaine du Guêt; and the great soldier, finding that his honour -was likely to suffer less by retreating than by maintaining his -ground, took to his heels, and ran off with all speed.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXIX.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"That, sir, is one of the most assured rogues in Paris," said the -grocer; "he has once been at the galleys for seven years, and will -very soon be there again. How you happened to fall in with such a -fellow, I do not at all understand."</p> - -<p class="normal">I explained to the shopkeeper the circumstances, and he shook his head -gravely at the name of the inn. "It has not a good reputation," said -he; "and as to its being the best in Paris," he added, with a laugh, -"we Parisians would be very much ashamed of it if it was. However, -sir, as you want to go to the Palais Cardinal, my boy shall conduct -you there; and though I wish to take away no one's character, be upon -your guard at your inn. There are many ways of plundering a stranger -in this good city; and if you need any assistance, send to me--though -I am very bold to say so, for a gentleman of your figure must have -many friends here, doubtless; only I know something of the good people -where you lodge, and, possibly, might manage them better than -another."</p> - -<p class="normal">I thanked him for his kindness most sincerely; for though, perhaps, -ever too much accustomed to rely upon myself, yet I will own there was -a solitary desolateness of feeling crept about my heart in that great -city, which made it a relief to feel that there was somebody who took -even a transient interest in me, and to whom I could apply for advice -or aid, in case I needed it.</p> - -<p class="normal">After taking down my new friend's address, I followed his shop-boy out -into the street, and we pursued our way towards the Palais Cardinal, -exactly retreading the steps which my former valiant guide had made me -take. All the way we went the lad chattered with true Parisian -activity of tongue; telling a thousand curious and horrible tales of -the great, but cruel man, that I was about to see, and relating all -the anecdotes of the day concerning his dark and mysterious policy.</p> - -<p class="normal">"No one knows," said the boy, "why he does anything, or how he does -anything. It was only last week that the strangest thing happened in -the world. You have heard of the great wood of Marly, monsieur? Well, -one of the Cardinal's servants was ordered on Thursday, last week, to -take an ass loaded with pure gold, into that wood, and go on upon the -road till he met a man who asked him, 'If the sun shone at midnight?' -and then give him the ass's bridle and come away. So the servant went -in, and after going a mile or more, he met a tall, fine man--somewhat -dark, however--who asked him, 'Does the sun shine at midnight?' So the -servant said nothing, but gave him the bridle. The stranger was not -satisfied with that, but counted all the bags of gold upon the ass's -back, and then told the servant to take it to the person who had sent -it, and say that he had counted and watched, but the sun did not shine -at midnight yet. So then the servant did as he bade him, and took it -back to the Cardinal, who put two more sacks upon the ass, and sent -the lackey back again; when he met the same man, and every thing -passed as before, except that when he had counted the gold the -stranger shouted, 'Ha! ha! the sun shines at midnight!' and jumping -upon the donkey's back, he gave him a kick with his foot, which made -him gallop as quick as any horse, and the servant never saw them any -more! Lord! Lord! is not that very strange, monsieur?" continued the -boy; and creeping close to me, he added, "They say that the tall -stranger was the devil, and that the Cardinal had made a bargain with -him, that if he would give him all the wit he desired, hell should -have his soul at the end of twenty years. But when the twenty years -were out, he wanted very much a few years more, so that he was obliged -to make a new bargain, and pay a good round sum as interest upon his -bond."</p> - -<p class="normal">The conclusion of the boy's story brought us to the end of the Rue St. -Honoré; and, shortly after, he pointed out to me the façade of the -Palais Cardinal. Having rewarded him with a crown, and sent him away -well contented, I gazed up at the splendid building before me, whose -grand features, massed together in the darkness, seemed almost as -frowning and gloomy as a prison. The news which I brought, however, I -was sure would be acceptable; and therefore walking on, I was about to -approach the house, when I was challenged by a sentinel. I told him my -business, and requested he would show me my way to any of the offices, -for I perceived no ready means of gaining admission. The soldier -passed me on to another, who again passed me to the corps de garde, -from whence I was taken to a small door and delivered, as a bale of -goods, into the hands of a grim-looking man, who told me at once that -I could not see the minister, who was abroad at the moment.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Pray what is your business with his Eminence?" demanded the porter.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is business," replied I, "with which you, my friend, can have no -concern; and business of such import, that I must stay till I see -him."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Come with me," said the porter, after thinking a moment; and he then -led me across a court wherein a carriage was standing, with horses -harnessed, and torches burning at the doors.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Monsieur de Noyers, one of the secretaries of state, is here," he -added, seeing me remark the carriage, "and you can speak with him."</p> - -<p class="normal">"My business is with his eminence the Cardinal," replied I, "and with -him alone."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, come with me, come with me!" said the porter. "If your business -be really important, you must see some one who is competent to speak -on it; and if it be not important, you had better not have come here."</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus saying, he led me into a small hall, and thence into a cabinet -beyond, hung with fine tapestry, and lighted by a single silver lamp. -Here he bade me sit down, and left me. In a few minutes a door on the -other side of the room opened, and a cavalier entered, dressed in a -rich suit of black velvet, with a hat and plume. He was tall, thin, -and pale, with a clear bright eye, and fine decided features. His -beard was small and pointed, and his face oval, and somewhat sharp; -and though there was a slight stoop of his neck and shoulders, as if -time or disease had somewhat enfeebled his frame, yet it took nothing -from the dignity of his demeanour. He started, and seemed surprised at -seeing anyone there; but then immediately advanced, and looking at me -for a moment, with a glance which read deeply whatever lines it fell -upon, "Who are you?" demanded he. "What do you want? What paper is -that in your hand?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"My name," replied I, "is Louis Count de l'Orme; my business is with -the Cardinal de Richelieu, and this paper is one which I am charged to -deliver into his hand."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Give it to me," said the stranger, holding out his hand. My eye -glanced over his unclerical habiliments, and I replied, "You must -excuse me. This paper, and the farther news I bring, can only be given -to the cardinal himself."</p> - -<p class="normal">"It shall go safe," he answered in a stern tone. "Give it to me, young -sir."</p> - -<p class="normal">There was an authority in his tone that almost induced me to comply; -but reflecting that I might be called to a severe account by the -unrelenting minister, even for a mere error in judgment, I persisted -in my original determination. "I must repeat," answered I, "that I can -give this to no one but his eminence himself, without an express order -from his own hand to do so."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Pshaw!" cried he, with something of a smile; and taking up a pen, -which lay with some sheets of paper on the table, he dipped it in the -ink, and scrawled in a large, bold hand,--</p> - -<p class="normal">"Deliver your packet to the bearer.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Richelieu."</p> - -<p class="normal">I made him a low bow, and placed the letter in his hands. He read it, -with the quick and intelligent glance of one enabled by long habit to -collect and arrange the ideas conveyed to him with that clear rapidity -possessed alone by men of genius. In the meantime I watched his -countenance, seeking to detect, amongst all the lines with which years -and thought had channelled it, any expression of the stern, -vindictive, despotic passions, which the world charged him withal, and -which his own actions sufficiently evinced; it was not there, -however,--all was calm.</p> - -<p class="normal">Suddenly raising his eyes, his look fell full upon me as I was thus -busily scanning his countenance; and I know not why, but my glance -sunk in the collision.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ha!" said he, rather mildly than otherwise, "you were gazing at me -very strictly, sir. Are <i>you</i> a reader of countenances?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not in the least, monseigneur," replied I; "I was but learning a -lesson:--to know a great man when I see one another time."</p> - -<p class="normal">"That answer, sir, would make many a courtier's fortune," said the -minister; "nor shall it mar yours, though I understand it. Remember, -flattery is never lost at a court! 'Tis the same there as with a -woman. If it be too thick, she may wipe some of it away, as she does -her rouge; but she will take care not to brush off all!"</p> - -<p class="normal">To be detected in flattery has something in it so degrading, that the -blood rushed up into my cheek with the burning glow of shame. A slight -smile curled the minister's lip. "Come, sir," he continued, "I am -going forth for half an hour, but I may have some questions to ask -you; therefore I will beg you to wait my return. Do not stir from this -spot. There, you will find food for the mind," he proceeded, pointing -out a small case of books; "in other respects, you shall be taken care -of. I need not warn you to discretion. You have proved that you -possess that quality, and I do not forget it."</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus speaking, he left me, and for a few minutes I remained struggling -with the flood of turbulent thoughts which such an interview pours -upon the mind. This, then, was the great and extraordinary minister, -who at that moment held in his hands the fate of half Europe; the -powers of whose mind, like Niorder, the tempest-god of the ancient -Gauls, raised, guided, and enjoyed the winds and the storms, -triumphing in the thunders of continual war, and the whirlwinds of -political intrigue.</p> - -<p class="normal">In a short time two servants brought in a small table of lapis lazuli, -on which they proceeded to spread various sorts of rare fruits and -wines; putting on also a china cup and a vase, which I supposed to -contain coffee--a beverage that I had often heard mentioned by my good -preceptor, Father Francis, who had tasted it in the East, but which I -had never before met with. All this was done with the most profound -silence, and with a gliding ghost-like step, which must certainly have -been learned in the prisons of the Inquisition.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length one of these stealthy attendants desired me, in the name of -his lord, to take some refreshment; and then, with a low reverence, -quitted the cabinet, as if afraid that I should make him any answer.</p> - -<p class="normal">I could not help thinking, as they left me, what a system of terror -must that be which could drill any two Frenchmen into silence like -this!</p> - -<p class="normal">However, I approached the table, and indulged myself with a cup of -most exquisite coffee; after which I examined the bookcase, and -glancing my eye over histories and tragedies, and essays and -treatises, I fixed at length upon Ovid, from a sort of instinctive -feeling that the mind, when it wishes to fly from itself and the too -sad realities of human existence, assimilates much more easily with -anything imaginative than with anything true.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was still reading; and, though sometimes falling into long lapses of -thought, I was nevertheless highly enjoying the beautiful fictions of -the poet, when the door was again opened, and the minister -re-appeared. I instantly laid down the book and rose; but, pointing to -a chair, he bade me be seated, and taking up my book, turned over the -pages for a few moments, while a servant brought him a cup of fresh -coffee and a biscuit.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Are you fond of Ovid?" demanded he, at length; and then, without -allowing me time to reply, he added, "He is my favourite author; I -read him more than any other book."</p> - -<p class="normal">The tone which he took was that of easy, common conversation, which -two persons, perfectly equal in every respect, might be supposed to -hold upon any indifferent subject; and I, of course, answered in the -same.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ovid," I said, "is certainly one of my favourite poets, but I am -afraid of reading him so often as I should wish; for there is an -enervating tendency in all his writings, which I should fear would -greatly relax the mind."</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is for that very reason that I read him," replied the minister. -"It is alone when I wish for relaxation that I read, and then--after -every thought having been in activity for a whole long day--Ovid is -like a bed of roses to the mind, where it can repose itself, and -recruit its powers of action for the business of another."</p> - -<p class="normal">This was certainly not the conversation which I expected, and I paused -without making any reply, thinking that the minister would soon enter -upon those important subjects on which I could give the best and -latest information; but, on the contrary, he proceeded with Ovid.</p> - -<p class="normal">"There is a constant struggle," continued he, "between feeling and -reason in the human breast. In youth, it is wisely ordained that -feeling should have the ascendancy; and she rules like a monarch, with -imagination for her minister;--though, by the way," he added, with a -passing smile, so slight that it scarcely curled his lip,--"though, by -the way, the minister is often much more active than the monarch. In -after years, when feeling has done for man all that feeling was -intended to do, and carried him into a thousand follies, eventually -very beneficial to himself, and to the human race, reason succeeds to -the throne, to finish what feeling left undone, and to remedy what she -did wrong. Now, you are in the age of feeling, and I am in the age of -reason; and the consequence is, that even in reading such a book as -Ovid, what we cull is as different as the wax and the honey which a -bee gathers from the same flower. What touches you is the wit and -brilliancy of the thought, the sweetness of the poetry, the bright and -luxurious pictures which are presented to your imagination: while all -that affects me little; and, shadowed through a thousand splendid -allegories, I see great and sublime truths, robed, as it were, by the -verse and the poetry in a radiant garment of light. What can be a -truer picture of an ambitious and a daring minister, than Ixion -embracing a cloud?" and he looked me full in the face, with a smile of -melancholy meaning, to which I did not well know how to reply.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have certainly never considered Ovid in that light," replied I; -"and I have to thank your eminence for the pleasure I shall doubtless -enjoy in tracing the allegories throughout."</p> - -<p class="normal">"The thanks are not my due," replied the minister; "an English -statesman, near a century ago, wrote a book upon the subject; and -showed his own wisdom, while he pointed out that of the ancients. In -England, the reign of reason is much stronger than it is with us in -France, though they may be considered as a younger people."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then does your Eminence consider," demanded I, "that the change from -feeling to reason proceeds apace with the age of nations, as well as -with men?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"In general, I think it does," replied he: "nations set out bold, -generous, hasty, carried away by impulse rather than by thought; -easily led, but not easily governed. Gradually, however, they grow -politic, careful, anxious to increase their wealth, somewhat indolent, -till at length they creep into their dotage, even like men. But," he -added, after a pause, "the world is too young for us to talk about the -history of nations. All we know is, that they have their different -characters like different men, and of course some will preserve their -vigour longer than others; some will die violent deaths; some end by -sudden diseases; some by slow decay. A hundred thousand years hence, -men may know what nations are, and judge what they will be. It -suffices, at present, to know our contemporaries, and to rule them by -that knowledge. And now, Monsieur le Comte de l'Orme, I thank you for -a pleasant hour, and I wish you good night. Of course, you are still -at an inn; when you have fixed your lodging, leave your address here, -and you shall hear from me. In the meanwhile, farewell!"</p> - -<p class="normal">Of course I rose, and, taking leave, quitted the Palais Cardinal. -What!--it may be asked,--without one word on the important business -which had brought you there?--Without a word! The name of Catalonia -was never mentioned; and yet, the very next day, large bodies of men -marched upon Rousillon. More were instantly directed thither from -every part of the country. The fleet in the Mediterranean sailed for -Barcelona; and, in a space of time inconceivably brief, Catalonia was -furnished with every supply necessary to carry on a long and an active -war.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXX.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The strange interview which I have described of course yielded my -thoughts sufficient employment. Was it--could it really be, I asked -myself, that I had spent the last hour in conversation with the -greatest statesman in modern Europe? And in conversation about what? -about Ovid--the task of a school-boy in an inferior class--when I -could have afforded him minute information upon events on which the -fate of nations depended.</p> - -<p class="normal">Could he have received prior information? Impossible! Our vessel had -sailed with the fairest wind, and the speed of our passage had been -made a marvel of by the sailors; I had lost no time upon the road, and -it was impossible--surely quite impossible--that he could have -received tidings from Catalonia in a shorter space, without, indeed, -the devil, as the vulgar did not scruple to say, sent him tidings from -all parts of the world by especial couriers of his own.</p> - -<p class="normal">One thing, however, is certain; I went to the Palais Cardinal a very -important person in my own opinion, and I came away from it with my -self-consequence very terribly diminished.</p> - -<p class="normal">My next reflections turned to the minister's very unclerical dress, -and I puzzled myself for some time in fancying the various errands -which might have required such a disguise--for disguise it evidently -was. Of course, I could conclude upon nothing, and was only obliged to -end in supposing, with the boy who had guided me thither, that no one -knew how, or why, he did anything.</p> - -<p class="normal">My way home was easily found; and retiring to bed, I dreamed all -night, between sleeping and waking, of courts and prime ministers, and -woke the next morning not at all refreshed for having passed the night -in such company. I had more disagreeable society, however, before -long; for when I had been up about an hour, and was preparing to go -out and view the great and stirring bee-hive, whose hum reached me -even in my own cell, the worthy host of the <i>auberge</i> bustled into the -room with an appearance of great terror, begging a thousand pardons -for his intrusion; but he hoped, he said, that if I had anything in my -bags which I wished to conceal, I would put it away quickly, for that -the officers of justice were in the house, and he had heard them -inquire for a person very much resembling me.</p> - -<p class="normal">Of course, I laughed at the idea; but the landlord had hardly -concluded his tale, when in rushed two sergeants and a greffier, -dressed in their black robes of office. One stationed himself at the -door, one threw himself between me and the window, and then commanded -me in the king's name to surrender myself.</p> - -<p class="normal">I replied that I was very willing to surrender, but that there must be -assuredly some mistake, for that I had not been in Paris sufficient -time to commit any great crime.</p> - -<p class="normal">"No mistake, sir! no mistake!" replied one of the sergeants. "People -who have the knack, commit crimes as fast as I can eat oysters. You -are accused, sir, of filching. They say, sir, you are guilty of -appropriation. A good man, an excellent good man, Jonas Echimillia, of -the persecuted race of Abraham, avers against you, sir, that last -night, towards ten of the clock, you entered his dwelling, sir, -wherein he gives shelter to old servants cast off by ungrateful -masters--in other words, sir, his frippery--and notoriously and -abominably seduced a white silk suit, laced with gold, to elope with -you, to the identity of which suit he will willingly swear. So open -your swallow-all, or trunk mail, and let us see what it contains."</p> - -<p class="normal">Whilst the worthy sergeant thus proceeded, the warning of my good -friend the grocer came across my mind, and I thought that there was an -affectation about the voice of the respectable officer, which made me -suspect that the whole business might be contrived to extort money; -though how they could know that I had a white silk dress, laced with -gold, in the valise before me, I could not divine. However, I affected -to be very much alarmed; and while I examined well the countenances of -my honest guests, I feigned a wish to bribe them into a connivance.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not for a hundred pistoles!" cried the principal sergeant.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay, nay," said the landlord, who had remained in the room, "worthy -sergeant, you must not be too severe upon my young lodger. Consider -his youth and inexperience. Echimillia is a tender-hearted man, and -would not wish you to be hard upon him. Take a hundred pistoles and -let him off."</p> - -<p class="normal">The sergeant began to show symptoms of a relenting disposition, and -expressed his pity of my youth and ignorance of the ways of Paris with -so much tender-heartedness, that it overcame my gravity, and sitting -down upon a chair I laughed till I cried. The two sergeants looked -rather confounded; but the greffier, a little man, whose risible -organs were apparently somewhat irritable, could not resist the -infectious nature of my laugh, but began a low sort of cachinnation, -which he unsuccessfully tried either to drown in a cough or stifle in -the sleeve of his robe. The sympathy next affected the landlord, who, -after looking wistfully first to one and then to another, with one -eyebrow raised, and one corner of his mouth in a grin while the other -struggled for gravity for near a minute, was at length overpowered by -the greffier's efforts to smother his laughter, and burst forth, -shaking his fat sides till the room rang. The sergeant at the door -tittered; but the principal officer affected a fury that soon brought -me to myself, though in a very different manner from that which he -expected.</p> - -<p class="normal">Starting upon my feet, I caught him by the collar, and knocking his -bonnet off his head, exposed to view the very identical person of my -hectoring guide of the night before, though he had ingeniously -contrived to change completely the shape of his face, by cutting his -immense beard into a small peak, shaving each of his cheeks, and -leaving nothing but a light moustache upon his upper lip. "Scoundrel!" -cried I, giving him a shake that almost tore his borrowed plumes to -pieces, "what, in the name of the devil, tempted you to think you -could impose on me with a stale trick like this?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Because you dined at a <i>table d'hote</i> in Flemish lace," replied the -other sergeant, continuing to chuckle at his companion's misfortune. -"But come, young sir, you must let him go, though you have found him -out." And thereupon he threw back his robe, and grasped the sword -which it concealed.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I had imagined, my man of war was as arrant a coward as ever swore -a big oath, and he trembled violently under my hands, till he saw his -more valiant comrade begin to espouse his cause so manfully. He then, -however, thought it was his cue to bully, and exclaimed, in his -natural voice, "Unhand me, or, by the heart of my father, I'll dash -you to atoms!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"The devil you will!" said I, seizing the foot he had raised in an -attitude calculated to menace me with a severe kick. The window was -near and open; underneath it was a savoury dunghill from the stables -at the side; the height about twelve feet from the ground; so, without -farther ceremony, I pitched the valiant soldado out head foremost, and -drew my sword upon his companion, who ventured one or two passes, in -the course of which he got a scratch in his arm, and then ran -downstairs as fast as he could after the landlord and the greffier, -who had already led the way. Running to the window, however, from -which I could see over the gate of the court into the street, I -shouted aloud to the passengers to stop the sham sergeants.</p> - -<p class="normal">The first, who, with my assistance, had gone out the shortest -way--whether he was used to being thrown out of window and did not -mind it, or whether the dunghill was as soft as a bed of down, I know -not; but--by this time had gained his feet, and was half way down the -street. Where the greffier had slunk to I cannot say; but the more -pugnacious personage, who had drawn his sword upon me, was caught by -the people attracted by my cries, as he was in the act of making the -best use of his legs, after his arms had failed him. It would have -given me pleasure, I own, to bring even one of such a set of impostors -to justice, but I was disappointed; for, just as a porter and a -vinegar seller were bringing him back to the inn, he suddenly shook -them off, slipped the sergeant's gown over his head, and scampered -away through a dozen turnings and windings, with a rapidity and -address which smacked singularly of much practice in running off in a -hurry.</p> - -<p class="normal">After a hot chase, the porter returned to tell me that he could not -catch the nimble-limbed cheat; and calling him up to my chamber, I -bade him take up my packages, and prepared to leave the house, after -examining the contents of each valise, from which I found nothing -missing, though sufficiently disarranged to show that they had -afforded amusement to others during my absence the night before. Had -they met with the diamonds, it is probable that they would have spared -themselves and me the trouble of the somewhat operose contrivance to -which they had recourse; but these, fortunately placed in the very -bottom of the valise, with several things of less consequence, had -escaped their search.</p> - -<p class="normal">As we were passing into the court, the respectable landlord presented -himself cap in hand, delivered his account, and hoped I had been -satisfied with my entertainment, and would recommend his house to my -friends; while all the time he spoke there was a meaning sort of grin -upon his countenance, as if he could hardly help laughing at his own -impudence.</p> - -<p class="normal">I answered him somewhat in his own strain, that the entertainment was -what the reputation of his house might lead one to expect; and in -regard to recommending it to my friends, that it was very possible I -should have occasion to visit shortly the criminal lieutenant, when I -would take care to commend it to his notice in the most particular -manner, and point out its deserts to him with care.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I' faith," answered the host, calmly, "I am afraid that the -worshipful gentleman of whom you speak will find but poor -accommodation at my house; and therefore, feeling myself incompetent -to entertain him as he deserves, I would fain decline the honour of -his company."</p> - -<p class="normal">After having paid my reckoning, I betook myself to the shop of the -honest grocer, who heard my story without surprise; and in answer to -my inquiry for a lodging, he replied that he knew of one nearly -opposite to his own house, but that he doubted whether it would suit a -person of my condition, for it was small, and kept by an old widow, -who, though very respectable, was anything but rich.</p> - -<p class="normal">I need not say this was the very sort of situation I desired; for -after having paid mine host of the Rue des Prouvaires, my purse -offered nothing but a long and lamentable vacuity, with three louis -d'ors at the bottom, looking as lank and empty, when I drew it out of -my pocket, as an eel-skin just stripped off one of those luckless -aquatic St. Bartholomews. I was soon, then, installed in my new -apartment; and being left to myself, gazed upon my scanty stock of -riches, as many an unfortunate wretch has doubtless often gazed before -me, calculating how long each several piece would keep life and soul -together. And when they were expended, what then? I asked myself. Must -I then write to my parents--confess my attachment to Helen--own that I -murdered her brother--take from her mind any blessed doubt that might -still remain upon it--snap each lingering affection that might still -bind her to me in twain at once, and at the same time encounter the -angry expostulation of my father for loving below my degree; as well -as the calm reproaches of my mother, for having blinded her to that -love--expostulations and reproaches which for Helen's sake I could -have encountered, while there remained a chance of her being mine, but -which now I felt no strength to bear, no motive to call upon my head? -Oh! no, no! I could not write--poverty, beggary, wretchedness, -anything sooner than that; and starting up, I proceeded into the -street, hoping to drive away thought amongst all the gay sights I had -heard of in Paris.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I passed along the Rue St. Jacques, a beggar asked me for charity; -and instinctively I put my hand in my pocket, when suddenly the -thought of my own beggary came upon my mind, and with a sickness of -heart impossible to describe, I drew my hand back, saying I had -nothing for him. "Do! my good lord, do!" cried the mendicant; "may you -never suffer such poverty as mine; and if you should--for who can tell -in this uncertain life--and if you should, may you never be refused by -those you beg of!"</p> - -<p class="normal">I could refuse no longer. It came so painfully home to my own bosom, -that I gave him a small piece which I had received in change, and then -walked on, feeling as if I had just cast away a fortune, instead of -giving a piece of a few sols to a beggar. Oh, circumstance! -circumstance! thou art like a juggler at a fair, making us see the -same object with a thousand different hues as thou offerest thy -many-coloured glasses to our eyes.</p> - -<p class="normal">Passing on, I found my way to the Palais Cardinal, where, after having -gazed for a moment or two at the enormous pile of building before me, -the thousand minute beauties of which the darkness had hidden from me -the night before, I mounted the steps to leave my address, as I had -been commanded. The doors of the palace, far from being guarded as I -had previously found them, now seemed open to every one. Crowds of -people of all classes were going in and coming out; and every sort of -dress was there, from the princely <i>justaucorps</i>, whose arabesqued -embroidery left scarcely an inch of the original stuff visible, to the -threadbare pourpoint, whose long experience in the ways of the world -had rendered it as polished and as smooth as the tongue of an old -courtier. All was whisper, and smiles, and hurry, and bustle; and -though every here and there an anxious face might be seen, giving -shade to the picture, no one would have imagined that through those -gates issued forth each day a thousand orders of death, of misery, and -of despair.</p> - -<p class="normal">I entered with the rest; and as the way seemed open to every one, was -walking on, when I soon found that all who passed were known; for -hardly had I taken two steps across the vestibule, when an attendant -placed himself in my way, asking my business. It was easily explained; -and leading me into a small cabinet adjoining the hall, he took down a -ponderous folio, and desired me to write my address. When I opened it -I found it quite full; and the page took down another, wherein, at the -end of many thousands of names, I wrote my own, with ink that I -doubted not would prove true Lethe, and turned away even more hopeless -than I came.</p> - -<p class="normal">Spare time now became my curse, and, joining with a restless and -excited spirit, drove me through everything that was to be seen in -Paris with an eagerness which soon exhausted its object. Day passed by -after day, and the minister took no notice of me. I spun out my meagre -funds, like the thread of a spider; but still every hour I saw them -diminish. Twice each day I sent to the auberge where I had lodged, to -inquire whether little Achilles had yet arrived; and still my -disappointment was renewed. Nor was this disappointment one of the -least painful of my feelings, for in the solitariness of my being in -that great city I would have given worlds for his company, even -although I could neither respect nor esteem him. And yet let me not do -him injustice; mean qualities were so mingled in him with great -ones--his folly was so strangely mixed with shrewdness, and his love -of himself so singularly contrasted with the generous attachment which -he had conceived towards me, that I hardly knew whether to look upon -him with regard or contempt. Yet certainly I longed for his coming; -and as the days went by and he came not, even while I smiled at -remembering his poltroonery, I could not help hoping that the little -coward had met with no obstruction in the road.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, my frugality served to prolong the sojourn of my -three louis in my purse far longer than I could have expected, and -perhaps my pain with it, at seeing them daily decrease. It was like -the handfuls of couscousou that they give in Morocco to persons dying -of impalement, the means only of extending moments of misery. One day, -however, in passing along the Rue St. Jacques, I saw lying on a -book-stall two treatises upon very different subjects; one relating to -military tactics, and the other entitled "<i>The Sure Way of Winning; -or, Hazard not Chance</i>." The price of each was but a trifle, and in a -fit of extravagance I bought them both. I had now wherewithal to -employ my time, and I studied each of these two books with an ardour -which, had it been employed continuously on any great or important -subject, might have changed the face of my fortune for ever. The -treatise on strategy, though perhaps not the best that ever was -written, was, at all events, no detrimental employment; and on it I -bestowed one half of my time. The other half was given to "<i>The Sure -Way of Winning</i>," which was neither more nor less than an elaborate -treatise upon gaming; with all the profound calculations of chances -necessary to qualify a complete gambler. Thank God, I was not by -nature a lover of play, or by such a study I should have been -irretrievably lost. As it was, I soon began to look upon the -gaming-table as the only resource which fortune held out to me; and -with indescribable assiduity and application, I went through every -calculation in the book, working them out in my mind hundreds and -hundreds of times, till their results became no longer matters of -arithmetic, but of memory.</p> - -<p class="normal">Three weeks elapsed before I deemed myself qualified to encounter the -well-experienced Parisians; and by this time I had but one louis -remaining. This I changed into crowns, and with an anxious heart -proceeded as soon as it was dark to a house, where I was informed that -the minor sort of gambling, in which alone I could indulge, was -carried on every night.</p> - -<p class="normal">A narrow dirty passage conducted to a small staircase, at the bottom -of which I began to hear the voices of the throng above. At the top -were two men wrangling in no very measured terms; and passing on, I -entered a large room, where about twenty tables were set out, and most -of them occupied. A crown was demanded for admission, which I paid; -and then proceeded to examine the various groups that were scattered -through the room. Squalid misery, devouring passion, and debasing -vice, were written in every countenance I beheld.</p> - -<p class="normal">Of course, the whole assembly were divided between losers and winners. -Of the first, some were talking high and angrily; some were -blaspheming with the insanity of disappointment; some were gazing with -the silent stupefaction of despair, and some were laughing with that -wringing, soulless mockery of mirth, with which vanity sometimes -strives to hide the bitterest pangs of the human heart. Of the -winners, some were amassing their gains with greedy satisfaction; some -were smiling with a sneering triumph at the poor fools they plundered; -and some, with the eager falcon eye of avarice, were gazing keenly at -the rolling dice or turning cards, as if they feared that chance might -yet snatch their prey from out their talons.</p> - -<p class="normal">The whole scene came upon my heart with a sickening faintness that had -nearly made me turn and fly it all; but at that moment a very polite -personage, seeing a stranger, approached, and invited me in courteous -terms to sit at one of the vacant tables, and try a throw of the dice; -or, if I loved better the more scientific games, we would open a pack -of cards, he said. I agreed to the latter proposal, and we sat down to -piquet. He played a bold and more hazardous game, I the quiet and more -certain one; and though some fortunate runs of the cards made him -eventually the winner, my loss was but two crowns.</p> - -<p class="normal">"One throw with these for what you have lost," said my adversary, -before we rose, offering me the dice at the same time. We threw, and I -lost two crowns more. We threw again, and I was penniless.</p> - -<p class="normal">I bore it more calmly than I had expected; but I believe it was more -the calmness of despair, than anything else, which supported me. -However wishing my adversary good night as politely as I could, I -walked away, hearing him say in a whisper to one who stood near, "He -plays very well at piquet, that young gentleman. It was as much as I -could do to beat him."</p> - -<p class="normal">Beyond a doubt this was meant for my hearing, and if so, it had its -effect; for my first thought was what article of my scanty stock I -could part with, to yield the means of recovering that night's loss. -The diamonds which Achilles had entrusted to me instantly suggested -themselves to my mind; and the tempter, who still lies hid in the -bottom of man's heart till passion calls him forth, did not fail to -suggest a thousand excellent and plausible motives for using them. -"Achilles," said the devil, "had himself voluntarily given them to me; -and even if he had not done so, I had just as much a right to them as -he had--but if my conscience forbade me to take them ultimately, it -would be very easy to repay the value, either when I should have -recovered my losses at the gaming-table, or when I was restored to the -bosom of my family."</p> - -<p class="normal">Thank Heaven, however, I had honour enough left not to violate a trust -reposed in me. I had still a diamond ring of my own. My mother had -given it to me, it is true; but necessity more strong than feeling -required me to part with it, and I determined to do so the next -morning. In looking for it, for I had ceased to wear it since I set -out for Marseilles, I met with the packet of papers regarding the -Count de Bagnols, which I had almost always kept about me; and looking -over them, I was tempted again to read some of the letters. I went on -from one to another, through the whole correspondence between the -Count, then a very young man, and the rebellious Rochellois, and I -found throughout that fine discrimination between right and wrong -which is the chivalry of the mind. It was a lesson and a reproach; but -as I had passed to the brink of vice, not by the short and flowery -path of pleasure, but by a road where every step was upon thorns--as I -had been driven by errors and by accidents, rather than led by -indulgence, the road back seemed not so long as to those who have -followed every maze of enjoyment in their course from virtue to vice. -With me it wanted but one effort of the mind--but the moral courage to -communicate my true situation to those I loved, and I should at once -free myself of the enthralment of circumstances. Such reflections -passed rapidly through my mind, and I resolved to do what I should -have done. But what are resolutions?--Air.</p> - -<p class="normal">The next morning I carried my diamond ring to a most respectable -jeweller, who bought it of me for one-fifth of its worth, and vowed -all the while that he should lose by his bargain. Six louis, however, -now swelled my purse; and as night came, my good resolutions faded -like the waning sunshine. The cursed book of games found its way into -my hands, and at seven o'clock I stood before the same house where I -had left my money the night before.</p> - -<p class="normal">Like the gates of Dis, the doors stood ever open, and those feet which -had once trod that magic path could hardly cross it without again -turning in the same direction.</p> - -<p class="normal">On entering the room, the society which it contained struck me as even -more ruffianly than the night before, and I fancied that many eyes -turned upon me, as on one whose appearance there on the former evening -had been remarked. My polite adversary was looking on at one of the -tables, where the parties were playing for louis; but the moment his -eye fell upon me, he came forward and offered me my revenge. "They are -playing too high at that table," said he, as we sat down. "To my mind, -it takes away all the pleasure of the game to have such a stake upon -it as would pain one to lose. No <i>gentleman</i> ever plays for the sake -of winning a great deal of other people's money, and therefore he -ought to take care that he does not part with too much of his own. I -play for <i>amusement</i> alone, and therefore let us begin with crowns, as -we did last night."</p> - -<p class="normal">His moderation pleased me, and, opening the cards, we again commenced -our evening with piquet. He again played boldly, and I even more -cautiously than before; but the cards were no longer favourable to my -adversary,--he lost everything, and in an hour I had fifty crowns -lying beside me. Half-a-dozen persons had now crowded round us, and -all joined in praises of my skilful play.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Too skilful for me, I am afraid," said my adversary, maintaining his -good temper admirably, though I thought I discovered a little vexation -in his tone. "I own, fair sir, that you are my master with the cards; -but you will not refuse me an opportunity of mending my luck with -these;" and he took up the dice-boxes.</p> - -<p class="normal">The spirit had now seized me; I had gained enough to wish to gain -more. Bright hopes of turning Fortune's frowns to smiles, of freeing -myself of all difficulties, of rising superior to my oppressive fate, -began to swim before my eyes; and I willingly agreed to his proposal, -never doubting that my ascendancy would still continue.</p> - -<p class="normal">We played on rapidly, and soon the pile of coin by my side -diminished--vanished--grew higher and higher on his; and with agony of -mind beyond all that I had ever felt, my golden hopes passed away, and -despair began to come fast upon me, as louis after louis of my last -and only resource melted from my touch. With the cards all had been -fair--that was evident enough; but now my suspicions began to be -awakened in regard to the dice. I remembered those which I had split -open at Luz, and as I threw I watched narrowly to see whether there -was anything in those I played with which might show them to be -loaded. But no! they rolled over and over, turning each side -alternately as fairly as possible. I next fixed my eyes on my -adversary, when suddenly I saw him, with the dexterity of a juggler, -hold the dice he took up in the palm of his hand, and slip two others -in from the frill round his hand. When about to throw again, I saw him -prepare to perform the same trick, and springing up, I pinned his hand -to the table.</p> - -<p class="normal">A loud outcry instantly took place; "The man's mad!" "What is he -about?" "Turn him out!" "Throw him out of the window!" cried a dozen -voices.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You shall do it, if you like, gentlemen," cried I, "provided this man -has not two false dice under his hand."</p> - -<p class="normal">As I spoke, I lifted his hand from the table, when, to my horror and -surprise, there were no dice there.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was dumb as if thunderstruck, and my adversary, with every feature -convulsed with rage, lifted the hand I had liberated, and struck me a -violent blow in the face. Instinctively I laid my hand upon my sword, -when every one round threw themselves upon me, and in the midst of a -thousand blows, I was hurried to the window, and though struggling -violently to save myself, pitched over into the street.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXXI.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Luckily, the window from which I was thrown was on the first floor, -and not above sixteen feet raised from the ground. My fall, therefore, -was so instantaneous, that I had no time to indulge in any of the -pleasing anticipations of which a journey head-foremost from a high -window to the ground is susceptible. The fall, however, was sufficient -to stun and bewilder me; and before I had well recovered my -recollection, I found myself surrounded by a good number of lackeys -with torches, who had seen my sudden ejaculation from the gaming-house -while they were accompanying some carriage through the streets, and -had come to my assistance, with many inquiries as to whether I was -hurt.</p> - -<p class="normal">I had fallen upon my left shoulder and hip, and my head had -fortunately escaped without the same sudden contact with the stones; -so that, though somewhat confused, I could reply that I believed I was -not much injured, but that I could not rise without assistance.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Help him to rise," cried a voice, which very much resembled that of -the Chevalier de Montenero, "and give him what assistance you can."</p> - -<p class="normal">The person who spoke I could not see; but the servants, who had been -hitherto gazing at me without lending me any very substantial aid, now -hurried to raise me, one taking me by each arm. This proceeding, -however, gave me such exquisite pain in my left shoulder, that after a -groan or two, and an ineffectual effort to make them comprehend that -they were inflicting on me the tortures of the damned, I lost all -recollection with the excess of agony.</p> - -<p class="normal">When I recovered my perception of what was passing around me, I found -that the servants had procured a kind of <i>brancard</i>, or litter, and -having laid me upon it, were carrying me on, I conjectured, to the -house of some surgeon.</p> - -<p class="normal">They stopped, however, a moment after, at the entrance of what was -evidently a very handsome private hotel, and passing through the -<i>porte cochère</i> and the court, they bore me into an immense -<i>salle-à-manger</i>, and thence into a small chamber beyond, where I was -carefully laid on a bed, and bade to compose myself, as a surgeon had -been sent for, and would arrive, they expected, immediately.</p> - -<p class="normal">He was not indeed long; and on examining my side, he found that my -shoulder was dislocated, but that I had sustained no other injury of -consequence. After a painful operation, the process of which I need -not detail, I was put to bed, and the surgeon having given me a -draught to procure sleep and allay the pain I suffered, recommended me -to be kept as quiet as possible, and left me. I did not, however, -suffer all the servants to quit the room without inquiring whether I -had not heard the voice of the Chevalier de Montenero.</p> - -<p class="normal">The valet replied, that he thought I must have been mistaken, for he -never heard of such a name in all his life; but as there had been a -good many persons round about when I was taken up, it was possible one -of these might have spoken in the manner I mentioned.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was now left alone, and I endeavoured to forget as fast as possible, -in the arms of sleep, all the unpleasant circumstances round which -memory would fain have lingered. It was in vain, however, that I did -so; the feverish aching of my bones kept slumber far away. Every noise -that stirred in the house I heard; every step that moved along its -various halls and passages seemed beating upon the drum of my ear: I -could hear my own blood rush along my veins and throb in my head, as -if Vulcan and all the Cyclops of Etna had transferred their anvils to -my brain.</p> - -<p class="normal">While in this state, a light suddenly shone through the keyhole and -under the door, and I heard several persons enter the dining-hall -through which I had been borne thither. Everything that was said -reached my ears as distinctly as if I had been present, and I soon -found that the principal person who entered was the nephew of the -proprietor of the house. He had just returned, it seemed, from some -spectacle, and bringing a friend with him, demanded supper with the -tone of a spoiled boy, who knew that his lightest word was law to all -who surrounded him. The supper was brought, with apparently all the -delicacies he demanded, for he made no complaint; and having sent for -all the most excellent wines in his uncle's cellar, he dismissed the -servants, and remained alone with his friend.</p> - -<p class="normal">Tossing about, restless and irritable, I was nearly frantic with their -mirth and their gaiety, and could have willingly murdered them both to -make them silent; but soon their conversation began to take a turn -which interested even me. The youth, who was evidently the -entertainer, and whom his companion named Charles, had for several -minutes been expatiating with all the hyperbolical enthusiasm of -youthful passion on some beautiful girl whom he had determined, he -said, to marry, let who would oppose it. Her name was mentioned by -neither of the speakers, their conversation referring to something -that had passed before. With the very natural pleasure which most -people experience in finding all sorts of obstacles to whatever -another person proposes, the friend seemed bent upon suggesting -difficulties in opposition to his companion's passion. "Consider, my -dear Charles," said he, "this girl may be as beautiful as the day, -but, from her father's situation, her education must have been very -much neglected."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not at all! not at all!" replied the lover. "Her education, as far as -learning and accomplishments go, will shame the whole court, and her -manners are those of a princess of Eldorado. Why, I told you, she has -been brought up all her life by the Countess de Bigorre."</p> - -<p class="normal">It may easily be supposed that such words did not tend to calm the -beating of my heart; and in the agitation caused by thus suddenly -discovering that Helen was the subject of their conversation, I lost -what passed next. In a moment after, however, the lover replied to -some question of his companion. "I do not very well know why her -father took her away from the Countess and brought her to Paris; I -should have supposed that it would have been much more convenient to -him in every respect to have left her where she was. However, I am his -most humble and very obedient servant, for I should never have seen -her otherwise; and marry her I will, if I should carry her off for -it."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But her birth, Charles, her birth!" said his companion. "What will -your uncle think of that?--he who is so proud of his own."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh!" replied the hot-brained youth, "you know I can do anything with -my uncle; and besides, this father of hers has been quietly -accumulating a large fortune, it seems, one way or another; and so -that must cover the sin of her birth in my uncle's eyes. But say what -you will, or what he will, or what any one will, I will marry her if I -live to be a year older."</p> - -<p class="normal">"What! and discharge the little Epingliere, Jeannette?" asked his -companion, with a laugh.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, that does not follow," answered the other; "'tis always well to -have two strings to one's bow; and Jeannette is too charming to be -parted with for these three years at least: but <i>madame ma femme</i> will -know nothing of <i>mademoiselle ma bonne amie</i>, and I shall find her -proud beauty the more delightful by contrasting it with the more -modest charms of Jeannette."</p> - -<p class="normal">"The more simple charms, you mean, not the more modest," replied his -companion; "I never heard that Jeannette was famous for her modesty!"</p> - -<p class="normal">The opium draught which I had taken, counteracted in its effects by -the pain of my body, and the irritation of my mind, began to make me -somewhat delirious. Strange shapes seemed flitting about my bed--I saw -faces looking at me out of the darkness, and insulting me with -fiendish grins. At the same time, the light way in which the weak -young man in the next chamber spoke of Helen--of my sweet, my -beautiful Helen--worked me up to a pitch of frantic rage, which, -mingling with the delirium of opium, made me resolve to get up and -avenge her upon the spot. I accordingly raised myself in bed, and -after sitting upright for a moment or two, with my brain seeming to -whirl like the eddy of a stream, I got out with infinite difficulty, -when the cold air, and the chill of the stones to my feet, in some -degree recalled me to my senses, and instead of groping for my sword, -as I intended, I returned towards my bed; but coming upon it sooner -than I had expected, I struck it with my knee, fell over upon it, and, -with the sort of despairing heedlessness of fever and wretchedness, -lay still where I had fallen, till the opium overpowering me, I lost -all recollection of my misery in a deep and deathlike slumber.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was late ere I woke, and when I did so, it was with one of those -dreadful headachs, which seem to benumb every faculty of the mind and -body; while at the same time, the bruises all over my left side were -even more sensitively painful than the night before.</p> - -<p class="normal">The first thing I heard was a woman's voice, inquiring how I found -myself; and looking round, I perceived a good-looking, fattish nun, of -one of the charitable sisterhoods, sitting in a chair by my bedside. -She seemed one of those good dames who attach themselves to great -families, and act as an inferior sort of almoner, performing the part -of charitable go-betweens; attending the sick servants with somewhat -more skill than an apothecary, and more attention than a physician; -serving as head nurse to the lady of the mansion, and acquiring much -consequence with the poor, by dispensing the bounty of the rich.</p> - -<p class="normal">In answer to her question, I replied that I was in very great pain, -both from a violent headach, and the bruises I had received; whereupon -she immediately produced the phial, from which the surgeon had the -night before administered his sleeping draught, intimating that I must -take another portion to relieve me from what I suffered; and informing -me, at the same time, in a very oracular tone, that it was not at all -wonderful that my bones ached, after sleeping all night naked on the -outside of the bed.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I attributed the excessive aching of my head entirely to the -contents of the bottle she held in her hand, I resisted magnanimously -all her persuasions to take more of its contents for some time; but at -length her offended authority instigated her to such an outcry, that I -would have drunk Phlegethon red-hot to have quieted her. I took, -accordingly, what she gave, and was about to have asked some questions -in regard to my situation, when she stopped me, with a profoundly -patronising air, and told me, that if I would promise to keep myself -quite quiet, and not agitate myself, I should be favoured with a visit -from a young lady who took an interest in me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Who, who? in the name of Heaven!" cried I, the idea of Helen -instantly flashing across my mind. "Tell me, tell me who!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Use not Heaven's name for such vanities, young gentleman," said the -nun. "Who the young lady is, you will see directly; and I have only to -tell you, that her father has granted her five minutes to converse -with you, for old friendship's sake, and she has promised that it -shall be no more; therefore you must not seek to stay her." So saying, -she left me, and in a moment after the door again opened, and Helen -herself, my own beautiful Helen, came forward towards me, with a look -of eager gladness, that, while it surprised me, took a heavy load from -off my heart.</p> - -<p class="normal">She glided forward to my bedside, laid her dear soft hand in mine: -after gazing for a moment on my worn and haggard features, burst into -a flood of tears.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Dear, dear Helen!" said I, "then yon love me still?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"And ever will, Louis!" answered she, speaking through her tears. -"Whatever they may say, whatever they may think, I will love you -still, Louis, and none but you.--Only tell me that you love me also, -and not another, as they would have me believe, and nothing shall -shake the affection that I have ever borne towards you."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Love another!" cried I. "Helen, you have never believed them for a -moment. For Heaven's sake tell me, that such a base suspicion never -for an instant made any impression on your heart."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I never believed it, Louis," answered she; "for I never believed that -anything base could for a moment harbour in your bosom; and yet it -gave me pain, I knew not why.--But let me tell you what has happened -to me personally during your absence. I cannot tell you my father's -motives, for I do not know them, but I can tell you----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh no, no, Ellen!" cried I, shrinking from the detail of what must -have followed the discovery of her brother's death, and beginning to -doubt that she attributed it to me. "Oh no, no, dear Helen! spare me -all that unhappy detail. I chanced to overhear last night, from some -persons speaking in that chamber, that your father had come and -taken you from the protection of my mother. I easily conceived his -reasons--I heard all--I heard everything, by that conversation last -night; and all that now needs explanation is, how any one could dare -to tell you that I loved another."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Indeed, Louis, many believed it--everyone, I may say, but myself," -Helen replied; "but the time I am allowed to remain grows short. -Before anything else, let me communicate to you what my father bade me -say for him. If you wish to see him, he says, he will see you; but you -must be prepared, if he does so, to explain to him every part of your -conduct; and to show him that the blood which he cannot help -attributing to you rests not on your head. Forgive me, Louis! oh, -forgive!" she continued, seeing me turn deadly pale: "I pain you, I -see I pain you; but it was only on condition that I would deliver this -cruel message, that they would permit me to see you. It is not I that -ask you, Louis, to do anything that is painful to you. I am sure--I am -certain, you are not guilty. I cannot--I will not believe it. But my -father will not see you without you can explain it all. Can you then, -dear Louis--will you see him?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Helen, I cannot," replied I.</p> - -<p class="normal">She gazed at me for a moment in silence.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Hark! they call me," said she at length. "Oh, Louis, before I go, say -something to comfort me; say something to sustain in my breast that -confidence of your innocence which has been my consolation and my -hope."</p> - -<p class="normal">"All I can say, dear Helen," replied I, "is, that in wish, and -intention, I was as innocent as you are; but that accident has made me -appear culpable, and that I have nothing but my own word to prove that -I was not purposely guilty."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But your own word is enough for me," answered Helen, catching, I -believe gladly, at any assurance that could maintain her belief in my -innocence; "I will believe it myself, and I will try and make others -believe it. But I must leave you, Louis; they are calling me again. -Adieu, adieu!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"But, Helen, dear Helen, you will see me again?" cried I, struggling -to raise myself. "Promise me that."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Most assuredly," answered Helen, "if they will allow me;" and -obedient to a sign from the nun, who had returned to the room while I -was speaking, she glided away and left me. A thousand questions did I -now ask the good sister, but with a curious felicity of evasion she -parried them all; now with an affectation of mistaking me, now with an -ambiguous reply; now with a refusal to answer, like a skilful fencer, -who, whether his adversary lunges straightforward or feints, still -finds some parade to guard his own breast, and repel the attack in all -its forms. Not a word could I extract from her on any subject -whereupon I wished information, and gradually the drowsiness of the -opium began to take away the power of questioning her any farther.</p> - -<p class="normal">From what I have learned since, I am led to believe that the good -lady, in administering the sleeping potion, which she had deafened me -into taking, had poured out at least double what was ordered by the -surgeon. At all events, its effect was much more rapid and powerful -than the night before; for, with all the busy thoughts which my -interview with Helen might well suggest, with all the bitter -remembrances it called up, with all the painful anticipations to which -it gave rise, slumber came rapidly upon me; and before half an hour -had passed after her departure, I fell into a deep sleep, which a -little more of the same sedative would probably have converted into -the sleep of death.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXXII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">When I again awoke it was night, but the darkness was not disagreeable -to me. I was easier in bodily sensation than I had been in the -morning; and I pleased myself with calling to mind every gentle word -which my beloved Helen had spoken, with conjuring up again every sweet -look, and dreaming over that fond devoted affection which, in the -midst of the sorrows and uncomforts that surrounded me, was like some -guiding star to a voyager on the inhospitable ocean. But then came the -idea of seeing her father; and I thought, even if she could convince -him of my innocence, how could I clasp his hand with that which had -slain his child. I remembered my feelings towards him when, entirely -abandoning his sweet child to the care of my mother, he seemed to have -resigned all his paternal rights, and it had been only my respect for -Helen which had saved him from my unconcealed contempt.--I remembered, -too, his long nourished dislike towards me, and I asked myself whether -he would feel it less now, that he could not but suspect me of the -death of his son.</p> - -<p class="normal">Yet still his pride might be gratified to ally his child to the house -of Bigorre, and to see his descendants attached to that noble class to -which he could not himself aspire. But then again, if he had really -accumulated so much wealth, as the conversation I had overheard had -intimated, he could easily match his daughter, with so rich a dower of -beauty as well as gold, amongst families as noble as my own, where no -such fearful objections existed as that which interposed between Helen -and myself. What needed I more? The weak youth, of whose passion for -her I had been made an unwitting confidant, with evidently high-birth -and proud connections, stood ready to unite himself to the daughter of -the low procureur of Lourdes, and give her that rank and station which -I doubted not that Arnault coveted. Helen, I was sure, would never -consent; and yet I teased myself with the dread, fancying all that -perseverance and the persuasions and commands of a parent might do -against an almost hopeless love.</p> - -<p class="normal">While I thus alternately solaced myself with dwelling upon all the -sweetness, the beauty, the affection of her I loved, and tormenting -myself with imagining all that might separate us; epitomising in one -short hour the many fluctuating hopes and fears of a long human life; -to my surprise the darkness became less opaque, and by the grey which -gradually mingled with the black, I found that morning was -imperceptibly stealing upon night, so that my slumber must have lasted -more than twenty hours.</p> - -<p class="normal">But a still greater surprise awaited me. Gradually as the day dawned, -one object after another struck me as resembling the furniture of the -little room which I had tenanted ever since I quitted the inn after my -arrival in Paris. Was I dreaming still? or had I dreamed? I asked -myself. Had all I had seen during the last two days been but a -delusion, or was I still labouring under some deception of my -imagination? But no! with the clear daylight it became evident that I -was there--in the little chamber I had hired in the Rue des Prêtres -St. Paul. There was the carved scrutoire, with its thousand grotesque -heads; there the old table which had acknowledged more than one -dynasty; there lay my clothes, my hat, my sword, as if I had left them -there on going to bed the night before; and nothing served to show -that the whole I have lately described was not a dream, except the -bruises on my shoulder and side, which smacked somewhat painfully of -reality. In about an hour afterwards, my good landlady came in, to ask -if I wanted anything; and from her I learned that I had been brought -home on a litter still sound asleep, by some persons she did not know, -who told her I had met with an accident, and bade her take great care -of me, enforcing their injunction with a piece of gold.</p> - -<p class="normal">This was an effort of liberality on the part of Arnault which I had -not expected, either from his own character, which was notedly -avaricious, or from the general rule of nature, that the long habit of -accumulating small sums narrows the heart and leaves no room for any -generous feeling. I began to believe that I had been mistaken in his -character, and I tried, fondly, to persuade myself with a theory as -fallacious as any other of those fallacious things, theories, that the -father of so noble-spirited a girl as Helen, whose whole soul was -liberality, and her every thought a feeling, must, in some degree, -partake of the same nature, and possess hidden qualities which, when -called into action, would shine out and assert their kindred.</p> - -<p class="normal">My good landlady, in common with all old women, had a strange -prejudice in favour of keeping those she looked upon as sick in bed; -but in spite of all her persuasions, I got up and dressed myself. My -first care was to examine what money I had left after the sad -dilapidation which the gaming-table had effected on my purse, though, -indeed, I expected to find that the tender-hearted gentleman who had -thrown me out of the window had charitably taken care that the few -crowns which had remained in my pocket should not weigh me down in my -descent.</p> - -<p class="normal">My own purse, indeed, was gone; but in its place, to my no small -surprise, I found one containing a hundred louis d'ors. This, of -course, had come from Arnault, though how he came to know that I stood -in need of such supply I could not divine. For some time I remained -undetermined whether I should make use of the sum or not. Pride -whispered that Arnault had removed me from the neighbourhood of his -daughter, possibly to marry her to some one else; and should I then, -accept the vile roturier's bounty--his charity! At the same time -necessity urged that I had nothing but that for the daily wants of -life; that if I hoped ever to discover Helen's dwelling in that great -city, and having done so, never again to lose sight of her, I must -have the aid of that talismanic metal, whose touch discovers, and -secures, and perfects everything.</p> - -<p class="normal">But a moment's reflection made me regard the question with better -feelings; Arnault had removed me from his daughter--true! but it was -because he believed me to be the murderer of his son; and he was -therefore justified in doing so. He had placed the money where I found -it, probably not out of charity, for he knew that I could easily repay -it ultimately, but to relieve me from a temporary necessity. There was -yet another supposition--perhaps Helen had placed it there herself. -Pride between me and Helen was out of the question; and there was -something so sweet in the very idea of following her wishes, even -though she knew it not, that I should have looked upon hesitation -after that supposition crossed my mind as the meanest of vanities. I -determined then to make use of the money thus placed at my disposal, -and to reimburse the donor, if Arnault, at a future period--if Helen -had been the giver, to repay her whenever I could discover her abode -by telling her I had used it well.</p> - -<p class="normal">The effort of dressing had caused me a great deal of pain; and while I -sat down to rest myself afterwards, I sent a boy to inquire at my inn -in the <i>Rue du Prouvaires</i>, whether my little friend Achilles had -appeared there during my absence. In about an hour I heard the rush of -feet galloping up the stairs, with the rapidity of joy; the door flew -open, and in rushed Achilles--but no longer the Achilles I had left -him. The smart Spanish dress of which he had possessed himself at -Barcelona was gone. The hat, the plume, the sword, had given way to -all the external signs of poverty and want. His head was as bare as -when he came into the world; and his shoulders were covered with a -grey gown which had once belonged to a monk. The fashion of it, -indeed, had been somewhat altered, for the cowl had been made -serviceable in patching several momentous rents, which might otherwise -have exposed the little man's person somewhat more than decency -permitted.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, Achilles," said I, when, the first transport of his joy at -finding me having passed away, I could find an opportunity of -speaking, "you seem to have been engaged in traffic since I saw you, -and not to have gained upon the exchange."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, you will pardon me, monseigneur!" replied he, grinning as merrily -as ever, "I have gained a vast fund of experience. I know that is a -sort of commodity the returns upon which are slow, but they are very -sure; and I will try to make the most of it."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But from what I see," rejoined I, with somewhat, I am afraid, of a -cynical sneer at the light-heartedness which I could not myself -acquire, "I am afraid you paid very dear for your bargain."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not cheap, I confess," replied he: "somewhere about three hundred -pistoles, a good suit, a dozen of shirts, and a whipping through the -streets of Lyons--that is all."</p> - -<p class="normal">"A whipping!" cried I; "that is a part of the account I did not reckon -upon, and not one of the most pleasant, I should conceive. But come, -Achilles, let us hear your story. It must be somewhat curious."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not very," answered Achilles; "but it is short, which is something in -favour of a story. After your lordship's departure, I embarked in the -boat for Lyons, as soon as it thought fit to sail, and we began our -long slow voyage up the river, which at first was very tedious. Soon, -however, I hit upon a way of amusing myself; for, seeing a respectable -old merchant of Lyons with a young lady, whom I took to be his -daughter, I went up and introduced myself to them as Monsieur le Comte -de Grilmagnac; told them that, preferring the easy gliding motion of -the river to the rumbling of a carriage, or the jolting of a horse, I -had sent my equipage and servants by land, and instantly began to make -love to the daughter.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The old gentleman seemed so uneasy at the advances that I made in her -favour, that I began to fear he suspected me; and to do away all -doubt, when we stopped to dine, I took a handful of gold out of my -pocket, and asked what was to pay, with the air of a prince. The young -lady seemed ravished with the sight of the gold pieces; but my old -merchant grew more uneasy than ever, and always got between me and the -young lady when I wanted to speak with her, so that I began to grow -suspicious in my turn, and to doubt whether the tie between them was -not somewhat more tender than the relationship. This doubt induced me -to watch the pair more diligently than ever; for she was as beautiful -a girl as ever your worship set your worshipful eyes upon, and the old -gentleman as venerable an old piece of withered bamboo as ever fell -into sin in his dotage; so you may easily conceive I could not bear to -see such a rosebud withering upon such a desert.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, this went on with various success till we arrived at Lyons, and -I cannot say my fair Phillis was at all inclined to second her -guardian's efforts to repulse me; so that we had time to arrange that -I should go to the <i>auberge</i> of the <i>Lion d'or</i>, on our -disembarkation, and there wait a note from my fair enslaver. To the -<i>Lion d'or</i> I went, and soon received a summons to fly to my charmer, -whom I found, as her <i>billet-doux</i> intimated, waiting for me in a very -respectable lodging in the Rue St. Pierre.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Here--her face half in tears, half in smiles, like the opening of an -April morning--she told me that she had now no friend but me; for that -her cruel tyrant, the instant of their arrival, had commanded her to -abandon me for ever. This the passion I had inspired her with would -not permit; and being too frank, she said, to deceive any one, she had -at once refused. A quarrel ensued--he had cast her off penniless; and -though she could instantly fly to the Baron d'Ecumoir, or the Marquis -de la Soupierre, she had preferred putting herself under my -protection; for she owned that she never loved any one but me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Though this was as sweet as honey, yet, as I well perceived that with -such a charmer's assistance my dearly beloved pistoles would soon fly -half over Lyons, I bethought myself seriously of the best means of -transferring her, with all speed, to the Marquis de la Soupierre. -However, to lull all suspicion of the waning state of my affection, I -prepared to entertain her handsomely, till good luck should furnish me -with the means of beating a quiet retreat; and accordingly sent to the -traiteur's for a good dinner, as the very best means of consoling a -distressed damsel.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Over rich ragouts and heady burgundy the hours slipped lightly by, -and I could see in my little Phillis's sparkling eye her satisfaction -with the conquest she had made. Alas! that mortal joy should be so -transitive! In the midst of our happiness, care, and melancholy, and -gloom, and despite rushed suddenly upon us, in the form of four -ferocious archers, who pitilessly arrested Phillis on the charge of -having robbed her former venerable protector, and hurried me to prison -along with her as an accomplice.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Phillis had taken care to hide the place of her retreat, but she knew -not the cunning of archers; and though, when they came, she protested -her innocence in terms that would have convinced the hard heart of -Minos, and won the unwilling ears of Rhadamanthus, yet, as the whole -of the stolen goods were found in her valise, the unfeeling archers -would not believe a word; and, as I have said before, we were both -hurried to prison, without any farther ceremony than taking from us -every farthing that we had in the world.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The next morning we were brought before a magistrate, who reserved -Phillis's case for his private consideration. As to mine, as nothing -could be proved against me, except that I had called myself the Count -de Grilmagnac without being able clearly to prove all my quarters of -nobility, I was ordered to be whipped through the town for my -ignorance of heraldry, and then discharged. My whipping I bore with -Christian fortitude; but the loss of my doublet, which the executioner -kept for his fee, and the loss of my money, which the archers kept -because they liked it, tore my heartstrings; and setting out from that -accursed town of Lyons, where injustice and cruelty walk hand-in-hand, -I begged my way to Paris, and reached the famous hotel where you had -appointed me to meet you. There the landlord told me no such person as -your lordship resided, and bade me get out for a lazy beggar. A black -dog, that stood in the yard, instantly took up the matter where the -landlord left off, and I was in the act of making my escape from them -both when the boy you sent arrived, inquiring for me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The joy which took possession of my heart, I need not tell; suffice -it that I made the boy run all the way here, and that, having now -found you, I have determined never to leave you, or let you leave me -again; for while we were together nothing but good fortune attended -us, and since we have been separated nothing but ill-luck has been my -share; so that the only consolation I can have, will be to hear, that -while my scale was down, yours has been up, and that Dame Fortune has -at least befriended one of us."</p> - -<p class="normal">I could not refuse to tell my history also to my little attendant, -though it occasioned less amusement to him than his had done to me; -and his face grew longer and longer at every incident I detailed, till -at last, passing over all that regarded Helen, I informed him that, on -being conveyed home I found my pocket encumbered with a hundred louis.</p> - -<p class="normal">This news instantly cleared his countenance. "Who would not be thrown -out of window for a hundred louis?" cried he; "but Vive Dieu! your -excellency has suffered yourself to be desperately cheated in regard -to your ring. Six louis! If I know anything of diamonds, it was well -worth thirty. However, first let me exercise my chirurgical skill upon -your eminence's shoulder, and after that I will see whether the ring -cannot be recovered."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay, nay," cried I, "my good Achilles, give me what titles of honour -you like, except your eminence; that is a rank which it might be -dangerous to usurp. Call me your majesty, if you like, but not your -eminence. As to the ring, I believe you are right, and I will -willingly give double what I received to recover it again."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Less than that will do," replied Achilles; "a louis for me to buy -myself a suit at a fripier's, a louis for an <i>archer de la cour</i>, and -the sum you had originally received, and I think I can manage it."</p> - -<p class="normal">I warned him, if I may use the homely proverb, not to go forth to -shear and come home shorn; and having suffered him to examine my -shoulder, gave him the address of the jeweller, and let him depart.</p> - -<p class="normal">From my lodging, as he told me afterwards, he went to the shop of a -fripier, where he furnished himself with a decent suit of livery, and -thence proceeded to find out an archer of one of the courts of -justice, to whom he explained the affair, and gave half a louis as -earnest, promising the other half if the ring should be recovered. The -eloquence of the little player touched the tender heart of the archer, -at the same moment that the money touched his palm; and, shouldering -his partisan, without more ado he followed to the shop of the -jeweller. Achilles entered alone, and desiring to see some diamond -rings, made up a slight allegory to suit the occasion, informing the -jeweller that his master, the Count de l'Orme, had commissioned him to -buy him a handsome jewel, as a present for his mistress. The jeweller -instantly produced a case of rings, which he spread out before the -eyes of Achilles, commenting on their beauty. Achilles instantly -pitched upon the one I had sold, and asked the price. "Forty louis!" -replied the jeweller, "and I only sell it so cheap because I bought it -second-hand. I require no more than a fair profit. If I gain five per -cent., may I be branded for a rogue!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will tell you a secret, jeweller," replied Achilles. "You are very -likely to be branded for a rogue. You bought this ring, knowing it to -be stolen." The jeweller stared. "It was taken from the person of my -noble lord the Count de l'Orme," proceeded Achilles, "when he was -knocked down and robbed in the Rue St. Jacques. One of the thieves is -taken--the very one who sold it to you--a tall, dark young man, with -curling hair, black moustache, and a beard not six months old. He says -you gave him six louis for it; and as you know it to be worth forty, -you must have been very well aware, when you bought it, that it was -stolen."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ho, ho!" cried the jeweller; "so you wish to cheat me out of my ring. -But come, my little man," he continued, catching Achilles by the -collar, "I will send for an archer, and see you safe lodged in prison, -without farther to do."</p> - -<p class="normal">Achilles, according to his own account, took the matter very calmly. -"As to the archer," said he to the jeweller, "I thought to myself -before I came here, that a man who gave but six louis for a diamond -worth thirty might be somewhat refractory, and, therefore, I brought -one with me. Ho! archer! Without there?"</p> - -<p class="normal">The jeweller, not a little confounded, instantly let go Achilles's -collar; and, as the archer marched in with his partisan, began to -shake in every limb, doubtless well aware that all his dealings would -not bear that strict examination which they were likely to undergo, if -chance should call the prying eyes of the law upon them.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I take you to witness, archer," said Achilles, addressing his ally, -"that I have offered this jeweller the same price which the young man -swears he got for this ring, namely, six louis; and that he, the -jeweller, will not sell it for less than forty, which proves that he -knew it to be stolen."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Certainly," said the archer, in a solemn tone.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You never offered me the six louis," said the jeweller. "I never said -I would not part with it under forty. Give me the six, and take it, -and the devil give you good for it; for it is not worth more."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then you are a great rogue for having asked forty," replied Achilles, -with imperturbable composure: and, thereupon, he entered into solemn -consultation with the archer, as to whether he could safely and -legally give the money and take back the ring; as it was evident the -jeweller was an accomplice of thieves, and ought to be brought to -justice.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Gentlemen," cried the terrified jeweller at length, alarmed at all -the awful catalogue of pros and cons which Achilles and the archer -banded about between them, "I declare, on my salvation, I knew nothing -of the ring being stolen. I thought the person who brought it here was -some poor gentleman, pressed for money, who would sell it for -anything; and, therefore, I offered six louis for it. All I ask back -is what I gave, and I am content to present this worthy archer with a -gold piece to compensate the trouble he has had."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Give him the money," said the archer, "give him the money, and take -the ring, we must not be too hard upon the poor devil."</p> - -<p class="normal">The money was accordingly given, the archer received his fee, and -Achilles carried off the ring to me in triumph; not only having had -the satisfaction of biting the biter, but also having won the warm -friendship of an archer of the Court of Aides, which, to a man of his -principles and practice, was a most invaluable acquisition.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Achilles, on his return, amused me with the account I have just given, -while he rubbed my shoulder with some unguent, bought for the purpose; -and, though I was not over well pleased at having been played off as a -robber, with so particular a description also as he had given of my -person, yet I was not at all sorry that the jeweller had been pinched -for his roguery, and not a little rejoiced with the recovery of my -ring.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I have before said, the little player, though as cunning as a -sharper in some matters, was in others as simple as a child; and, like -a boy with his first crown-piece, fortune never gave him any sum, -however small, but he seemed to think it inexhaustible. Thus, from -time to time, he found so many delightful ways of employing my hundred -louis, that, had I followed his advice, one single day would have seen -me at the end of all my riches: but I soon put a stop to the building -of his castles in the air, by informing him that I intended to live -with the most rigid economy, till such time as I had an opportunity of -writing to my father; at the same time begging him to make up his mind -to follow my example, if he still held his intention of remaining with -me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, very well, monseigneur, very well," cried he, gaily, "anything -contents me. I <i>can</i> live upon ortolans and stewed eels, but I do not -object to onion soup and a crust of bread. Nay, when the soup cannot -be had, the crust must serve."</p> - -<p class="normal">Having arranged in my own mind all my plans for pursuing my economical -system as strictly as possible, I sat down to the long-deferred task -of writing to my father: for now that I had seen Helen, half the -difficulty was removed. No matter what were the contents of the letter -which I wrote; it never went. Posts, in those days, were not the -regular mechanical contrivances which our present glorious monarch has -instituted for the purpose of facilitating the communication of every -part of his dominions with the others. Couriers, indeed, passed to and -fro from one part of the empire to another, carrying the letters of -individuals, as well as the despatches of the state; but all the -arrangements concerning them were much in the same state as Louis XI. -had left them. Their departure from Paris was at uncertain and -irregular times; and their journeys were generally directed towards -the principal cities, having either commercial or political relations -with the capital. The difficulty, therefore, of conveying anything to -a remote and little frequented part of the empire delayed my letter -for some time; and before an opportunity presented itself, -circumstances had changed.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, I employed my mornings in searching for the mansion -wherein I had seen Helen; but, although aided by all the wit of little -Achilles, to whom I communicated enough information to guide him on -the search, I wandered through the streets of Paris in vain, watching -the opening gates of every large hotel I saw, in the hope of beholding -the livery in which the servants I had seen were dressed, and forcing -my recollection to recall the appearance of the archway under which I -had been carried, till a thousand times I deceived myself into hope, -and as often encountered disappointment.</p> - -<p class="normal">Once only I thought myself sure of the discovery. The porte-cochère of -a house near the Place Royale struck me as the very same I had passed, -while borne upon the <i>brancard</i> by the servants. Every ornament, every -pillar was there, as far as I could remember. There were the curious -Gothic mouldings upon which the torch-light had flashed as we passed -through--there were the two immense couchant bears carved in stone on -each side of the arch, on the back of one of which the bearers had -rested the litter, while their companions opened the gates. Everything -seemed the same; and, taking my stand under the porch of the monastery -of the Minims, I kept watch for two hours, till a servant coming out, -showed me, to my surprise, a livery totally different from that which -I had both hoped and expected to see.</p> - -<p class="normal">It may be asked what was my object in thus seeking for Helen, when I -knew, when I felt that my union with her was impossible--when at the -very thought her brother's spirit seemed to rise up before me, and, -with the same ghastly look which he had worn in death, bid me forget -such hopes for ever. Why did I seek her? No one that has loved will -ever ask. I sought her for the bright brief happiness which the -presence of the loved still gives, after every expectation is crushed -and withered. I sought her with that dreamy sort of lingering with -which a mother hangs over the frail clay of her dead child. My hopes -were blighted, my happiness was gone; and yet the very object that -most nourished my regret was that on which I could look most fondly, -and which I sought with the most anxious, most unremitting care.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus passed my mornings, in fruitless search and continual -disappointment. My evenings flew in a different manner, not in -studying "<i>The Sure Way of Winning</i>," or in practising its precepts, -for such a horror had seized me of that hell-invented vice, gaming, -and of all that appertains to it, that my first care had been to throw -the book I had bought into the fire. The temporary passion which had -seized me, I looked upon, and can almost look upon now, as a fit of -insanity; for taught as I had been from my infancy to abhor its very -name, nothing but absolute madness could have hurried me to a vice at -once so degrading and so dangerous--which, as far as regards the mind, -is in fact, at best, a combination of avarice and frenzy. I had now -bought myself a variety of books on military tactics, and, without any -defined purpose in the study, I spent my whole evenings in poring over -these treatises of attack and defence--a greater and a nobler species -of gambling than that which I had quitted, it is true, but only less -mad, inasmuch as it is a game which any one nation can compel another -to play, and where those must lose who have not studied to win.</p> - -<p class="normal">I also went occasionally to a hall that an Italian fencer had fitted -up in the Rue Pavée for the purpose of turning a high reputation he -had acquired in Europe into ready money. Here the room, which was -furnished with all sorts of arms offensive and defensive, was well -lighted every night, and the assembled company either formed -practising parties amongst themselves, or took lessons from the -Italian himself, who was one of the most athletic men I ever beheld, -and certainly a most complete master of his weapons.</p> - -<p class="normal">My father, I have said, was perhaps the most skilful swordsman of his -day; and he had taken care that his son should not be wanting in an -accomplishment in which he was such a proficient. I was, therefore, -certainly more than equal in point of skill to any one who frequented -the Italian's hall, and very nearly a match for himself. This, -however, seemed rather to give him pleasure than otherwise; and -whenever I entered he saluted me with the respect which he -enthusiastically imagined due to every one skilful in the noble -science of arms, frequently inviting me to stretch my limbs with him -in an assault, and taking a delight in showing me all the minute -refinements of his art.</p> - -<p class="normal">This was the sole diversion I allowed myself, though while I mingled -with the crowds where I knew no one, and wandered through the streets -where I was a stranger, a sad feeling of loneliness--of miserable -desolation--crept over my heart, and I returned to my lodging in the -evening, grave, melancholy, and discontented.</p> - -<p class="normal">Although there were now several companies of actors continually at -Paris, to the play I never went, that being a sort of amusement too -costly for the narrow bounds to which I had restrained my expenses; -and, indeed, so strictly economical was I in all my habits, that my -good landlady began to fancy me in want, and to show her commiseration -for my condition by all those little delicate pieces of charity which -a person who has felt both pride and suffering knows how to evince -towards those whose spirit has not yet wholly bowed to its fate. Any -little delicacy which fell in her way, she would add it to the -breakfast that Achilles brought me from the traiteur's. Nor did she -ever ask for her rent, but rather avoided me on those days when it -became due; though I believe, in truth, she needed it not a little.</p> - -<p class="normal">I understood her motives; and though I did not choose to undeceive -her, I took care that she should not be a loser by the kindness which -she showed me. Finding in her also a delicacy of feeling and -refinement of conversation which were above her station, I would -sometimes, when any chance led me to speak with her, endeavour to -ascertain whether her situation had ever been more elevated than that -which she at present filled; and on one of these occasions, she told -me gratuitously that she had been in former years governante to the -beautiful Henriette de Vergne, whose private marriage with the Count -de Bagnols I have already mentioned more than once.</p> - -<p class="normal">She was surprised to find that I was acquainted with so much of the -history, of which she knew very little more herself. "As I was found -to have been privy to the marriage," said she, "I was sent away -directly, and denied all communication with my young lady, after it -was discovered; but I saw the bloody spot where the poor count was -slain, and the dents of the feet where the struggle had passed; and a -fearful struggle it must have been, for two of the Marquis of St. -Brie's men remained ill at the village for weeks afterwards, and no -one was allowed to see them but his own surgeon. One of them died -also; and his confession was said to be so strange, that the priest -sent to Rome to know how far he was justified in keeping it secret. -After that I came to Paris; and I heard no more of the family, which -all went to ruin, except, indeed, some one told me that my young lady -died shortly afterwards in a convent at Auch."</p> - -<p class="normal">As I was, of course, anxious to transmit the papers which chance had -placed in my hands, to any of the surviving members of the Count de -Bagnols' family, I inquired particularly what information she could -give me concerning them; but she was more ignorant of everything -relating to them than even myself.</p> - -<p class="normal">One morning, on my return from my vain searching after Helen, I was -surprised on being informed that a stranger had inquired for me during -my absence, and had begged the landlady to inform me that he would -call again in the evening.</p> - -<p class="normal">Where reason has no possible clue to guide her through the labyrinth -of any doubt she pauses at the gate, while imagination seems to step -the more boldly in; and, as if in mockery of her timid companion, -sports through every turning till she either finds the track by -accident, or, tired of wandering through the inexplicable maze, she -spreads her Dædalian wings and soars above the walls that would -confine her. I had no cause to believe that one person sought me more -than another, and yet my fancy set to work as busily as if she had the -most certain data to reason from. My first thoughts immediately turned -to Arnault, and my next to the Chevalier de Montenero; and so strange -was the ascendency which the last had gained over my mind, that the -very idea of meeting with him inspired me with as much joy as if all -my difficulties had been removed; but the description given in answer -to my inquiries at once put to flight such a supposition. The -stranger, my landlady informed me, was evidently a clergyman by his -dress, and by his manner and appearance she guessed him to be one of a -distinguished rank. It was, therefore, evidently neither the Chevalier -nor Arnault, and the only supposition I could form upon the subject -was that the Cardinal de Richelieu had at length deigned to take some -notice of me.</p> - -<p class="normal">My disposition was naturally impatient of all expectation, and the -dull heaviness of the last week, which I had passed day after day in -the same fruitless pursuit, had worked me up to a pitch of irritable -anxiety, which people of a different temperament can hardly imagine. I -wearied imagination, I exhausted conjecture; I hoped, I feared, I -doubted, till day waned and night came; and, giving up all expectation -of seeing the stranger that evening, I cursed him heartily for having -said he would come, and not keeping his word, and sat down once more -to my theory of tactics. I had scarcely, however, got through one -quarter of a campaign, when the rapid motion of Achilles' feet on the -stairs announced news of some kind, and in a moment after he threw -open the door, giving admission to a stranger.</p> - -<p class="normal">The person who entered was not much older than myself; he was tall and -apparently well-made, but his clerical dress served him a good deal in -this respect, concealing a pair of legs which were somewhat clumsy, -and not the straightest in the world. His head was one of the finest I -have ever seen; and his face, without, perhaps, possessing, one -feature that was regularly handsome, except the full rounded chin and -the broad expanse of forehead, instantly struck and pleased, giving -the idea of great powers of mind joined with a light and brilliant wit -that sparkled playfully in his clear dark eye. He bowed low as he -entered, and advanced towards a seat, which I begged of him to take, -with that quietness of motion which, without being stealthy, is silent -and calm, and is ever a sign of high breeding and good society. I made -Achilles a sign to withdraw; and expressing myself honoured by the -stranger's visit, begged to know whether I was to attribute it to any -particular object, or merely to his kind politeness towards a -stranger.</p> - -<p class="normal">"If there were any kindness in doing a pleasure to oneself," replied -the stranger, "I would willingly take the credit of it; but in the -present instance, as the gratification is my own, I cannot pretend to -any merit."</p> - -<p class="normal">This answer was somewhat too vague to satisfy me; and I replied, that -"I was fully sensible of the honour done me; and would have much -pleasure in returning his visit, when I knew where I might have the -opportunity."</p> - -<p class="normal">My method of receiving him, as equal with equal, seemed, I thought, -somewhat to surprise him; for, half closing his eyes, in a manner -which seemed common to him, he glanced round my small apartment with a -scrutinizing look, too brief to be impertinent, and yet too remarking -to escape my notice. "I shall esteem myself honoured by your visit," -replied he, at length; "I am but a poor abbé,--my name Jean de Gondi, -and you will find me for the present at the house of my uncle, the -Duke de Retz."</p> - -<p class="normal">It was, indeed, the famous abbé, afterwards Cardinal de Retz, with -whom I was then in conversation. Not yet three and twenty years of -age, he had already acquired one of the most singular reputations that -ever man possessed. Daring, intriguing, and ambitious, nothing daunted -him in his enterprises, nothing repelled him in their course. Storms -and tumults were his element; and when, before he was seventeen, he -wrote his famous "<i>Conjuration de Fiesque</i>," he seemed to point out -the scene in which he was himself destined to act, to which nature -prompted him from the first, and circumstances called him in the end. -In his manner, there was a strange mixture of calm suavity, -thoughtless vivacity, policy, frankness, and pride, which, combined -together, served perhaps better to cover his immediate motives, and -hide his real character, than the appearance of any uniform habit of -mind which he could have assumed.</p> - -<p class="normal">All men contain within themselves strange contradictions; but he was -the only one I ever knew, who, upon the most mature reflection, acted -in continual contradiction to himself. He would often put in practice -the most consummate strokes of policy to gain a trifle, or to satisfy -an appetite; and he would commit the most egregious follies and affect -the most extravagant passions, to hide the shrewdest political schemes -and conceal the best calculated and most subtle enterprises. He was a -man on whom one could never calculate with certainty. It seemed his -pleasure to disappoint whatever expectations had been formed of him; -and yet, to hear him reason, one would have judged that the slightest -action of his life was regulated by strong conclusions from fixed -unvarying principles.</p> - -<p class="normal">I had heard his character from many others, as well as from the -Marquis de St. Brie; but as this last gentleman had calculated, when -he sketched it to me, that my life would be limited to three days at -the utmost, he could have had no possible motive in deceiving me.</p> - -<p class="normal">With this knowledge of his character, then, it required no great -discernment to see that the visit of De Retz was not without an -object; and resolving, if it were possible, to ascertain precisely -what that object was, I bowed on his announcing himself, and said, "Of -course, Monsieur de Retz, it is needless for me to give you my name. -You were certainly aware of that before you did me the honour of this -visit."</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, indeed!" replied he; "I am perfectly ignorant both of your name -and rank, though, by your appearance, and by all I have heard of you, -I can have no doubt in regard to the latter. The truth is, I was -informed by persons on whom I could depend, that a young gentleman of -singularly prepossessing appearance and manners had taken this -apartment, and was supposed to be under some temporary difficulty."</p> - -<p class="normal">I turned very red, I believe; but he proceeded. "People will talk of -their neighbours' affairs, you know; and 'tis useless to be angry with -them--but hearing this, as I have said, I felt an irresistible impulse -to visit you, and to render you any assistance in my power. Nor will I -regret it, even if I have been misinformed, inasmuch as it has gained -me the pleasure of your acquaintance."</p> - -<p class="normal">With such a speech there was no possible means of being offended, -though I felt not a little angry at my affairs having been made -matters of commiseration throughout the town. I was rather inclined to -believe also, that the trouble which M. de Retz had given himself did -not originate entirely in benevolence. I did not doubt that charity -might have some part therein, for he had acquired a reputation, which -I believe he deserved, for generous feeling towards the sufferings of -his fellow-creatures; but the motives of men are so mixed that it is -in vain tracing their original source. Like a great stream, the course -of human action arises very often in five or six different fountains, -each of which has nearly the same right as the others to be considered -the head: and besides this, in flowing on from its commencement to its -end, it receives the accession of a thousand other different currents, -so that at the last not one drop in a million is the pure water which -welled from any individual source.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was very sure, therefore, of doing Monsieur de Retz no great -injustice in supposing that his benevolence might be tinged with other -feelings; and I replied, "I should be sorry, sir, that a mistake had -given you the trouble of coming here, did I not derive so much benefit -from that false rumour. My name is the Count de l'Orme, and I am happy -that the bounty you proposed to exercise upon me may be turned towards -some other person more needing and deserving it than I do."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Be not offended, Monsieur de l'Orme," replied De Retz, "at a mistake -which has nothing in it dishonouring. Poverty is much oftener a virtue -than wealth. But your name strikes me--De l'Orme!--Surely that was not -the name of the young gentleman that his highness the Count de -Soissons expected to join him from Bearn--oh, no, I remember! it was -Count Louis de Bigorre."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But no less the same person," replied I, with an unspeakable joy at -seeing the clouds break away that had hung over my fate--at finding -myself known and expected where I had fancied myself solitary amongst -millions. I felt as if at those few words I leapt over the barrier -which had confined me to my own loneliness, and mingled once more in -the society of my fellows. "I have always," continued I, "been called -Count Louis de Bigorre; but circumstances induced me, when I left my -father's house, to assume the title which really belongs to the eldest -son of the Counts of Bigorre."</p> - -<p class="normal">Monsieur de Retz saw that there was some mystery in my conduct, and he -applied himself to discover my secret with an art and industry which -would have accomplished much greater things. Nor did I take any great -pains to conceal it from him. It is astonishing how weakly the human -heart opens to any one who brings it glad news. The citadel of the -mind throws wide all its gates to receive the messenger of joy, and -takes little heed to secure the prisoners that are within. In the -course of half an hour my new acquaintance had made himself acquainted -with the greater part of my history; and when I began to think of -putting a stop to my communication, I found that the precaution was of -no use.</p> - -<p class="normal">The moment, however, that he saw me begin to retire into myself, he -turned the conversation again to the Count de Soissons, whom he -advised me to seek without loss of time. "You will find in him," said -he, "all that is charming in human nature. In his communion with -society, he had but one fault originally; which was great haughtiness. -He knew that it was a fault, and has had the strength of mind to -vanquish it completely; so that you will see in him one of the most -affable men that France can boast. In regard to his private character, -you must make your own discoveries. The great mass of a man's mind, -like the greater part of his body, he takes care to cover, so that no -one shall judge of its defects except they be very prominent; and -there are, thank God, as few that have hump-backed minds, as -hump-backed persons! Indeed, it has become a point of decency to -conceal every thing but the face even of the mind, and none but -tatterdemalions and sans culottes ever suffer it to appear in its -nakedness. To follow my figure, then, Monsieur le Comte is always -well-dressed, so that you will find it difficult to know him; but, -however, it is not for me to undress him for you. Take my advice, set -out for Sedan to-morrow, where, of course, you know he is--driven from -his country by the tyrannizing spirit of our detested and detestable -cardinal. I rather think the Count intends to initiate you somewhat -deeply into politics, but that must be his own doing also. Break your -fast with me to-morrow, and I will give you letters and more -information. Is it an engagement?"</p> - -<p class="normal">I accepted the invitation with pleasure; and having answered one or -two questions which I put to him, M. de Retz left me for the night.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Before I proceed farther with my own narrative, it may be as well to -take a slight review of the history of the Count de Soissons, whose -fate had a great effect upon the course of my whole future life. Nor -is it here unworthy of remark, how strangely events are brought about -by Providence, while we walk blind and darkling through this misty -existence, groping our way onward on a path from which we cannot -deviate. An accidental word, a casual action, will change the whole -current of life, make a hermit of a monarch, and a monarch of a -shepherd: as we sometimes see near the head of a stream a small -hillock that a dwarf could stride turn the course of a mighty river -far from the lands it flowed towards at first, and send its waters -wandering over other countries to kingdoms, and oceans, and -hemispheres afar.</p> - -<p class="normal">The ancient county of Vendome was in the year 1515 erected into a -duchy by Francis I., in favour of Charles de Bourbon, a direct lineal -descendant from Robert Count de Clermont, fifth son of Saint Louis. -Charles de Bourbon, thus Duke of Vendome, left five sons, only two of -whom had children, Antoine the elder, and Louis the younger. The -first, by his marriage with Jeanne d'Albret, became King of Navarre, -and left one only son, who, by default of the line of Valois, -succeeded to the crown of France, under the title of Henri Quatre. -Louis, the younger brother, became Prince of Condé; and having been -twice married, left a family by each wife. By his first marriage -descended the branch of Condé, and by the second, he left one son, -Charles Count de Soissons, whose son Louis is the Prince referred to -in the foregoing pages.</p> - -<p class="normal">Setting out in life with great personal activity and address, immense -revenues, considerable talents, and high rank, it is little to be -wondered at that the young Count de Soissons, under the management of -a weak, an indulgent, and a proud mother, should grow up with the most -revolting haughtiness of character. From morning till night he heard -of nothing but his own praises or his own rank; and by the time he was -eighteen, his pride of demeanour was so repulsive and insupportable, -that it was a common saying, that "No one saw the Count de Soissons -twice; for if he did not dislike them and forbid them to return, they -were disgusted with him and would not go back."</p> - -<p class="normal">But as the fault was more in his education than in his disposition, -its very excess corrected itself.</p> - -<p class="normal">He gradually found himself avoided by those whom Heaven had designed -for his companions, and sometimes even deserted by his very servants; -so that he was often left alone to enjoy his rank and dignity by -himself. Under these circumstances he evinced qualities of mind far -superior to the petty vice which shrouded it. He had equally the -wisdom to see that the fault lay in himself, the judgment to discover -in what that fault consisted, and the energy to conquer it entirely. -Not a trace of it remained in his manners; nor did any of his actions, -but upon one occasion, ever give cause to suppose that a touch of his -former haughtiness rested even in the inner recesses of his heart. -With a rare discrimination, also, of which few are master, in the -examination to which he subjected his own character, he separated -completely the good from the bad, and took the utmost care to preserve -that dignity of mind which is the best preservation against base and -petty vices, even while he cast from him the pride which is in itself -a meanness.</p> - -<p class="normal">Many men, in correcting themselves of the vices of a bad education, -would have felt some degree of bitterness towards the person to whose -weakness that education and its vices were owing; but towards his -mother the Count de Soissons ever remained a pattern of filial -affection, consulting her wishes and inclination on every occasion -where his own honour and character were not interested in opposing -her.</p> - -<p class="normal">The consequences of the change which he had effected in himself were -not long in rewarding him for the effort he had made, and in a very -few years he found that affection followed him every where instead of -hate. The bright qualities of his mind, and the graces of his person, -shone out with a new light, like the glorious sun bursting through a -cloud. He was adored by the army, loved by the people; and princes -were proud to be his friends.</p> - -<p class="normal">At this time, however, the councils of France became embarrassed and -disordered; and it was difficult even to run one's course quietly -through life, so many were the dangers and evils that lurked about on -all sides. Every step was upon an earthquake, and few could keep their -footing steadily to the end. The Cardinal de Richelieu had already -snatched the reins of government from the feeble hands that should -have held them, and saw before him a wide field of power and -aggrandisement, with few to oppose his putting in the sickle and -reaping to his heart's content. The power, the wealth, the popularity -of the Count de Soissons, gave him the opportunity of so opposing, had -he been so minded; and Richelieu was not a man to live in fear. He -resolved, therefore, to win him, or to crush him. To win him offered -most advantages, if it could be accomplished; and deeming also that it -would be more easy than the other alternative, Richelieu resolved to -attempt it. For this purpose he united, in one Circean cup, everything -that he fancied could tempt the ambition or passions of him he sought -to gain. By a confidential messenger he proposed to the Count the hand -of his favourite niece, the Duchess d'Aquillon, offering as her dower -an immense sum of ready money, the reversion of all his own enormous -possessions, the sword of Constable of France, and what provincial -government the Count might choose; and doubtless he deemed such an -offer irresistible.</p> - -<p class="normal">Not so the Count de Soissons, who conceived himself insulted by the -proposal; and the only spark of his ancient haughtiness that remained -breaking forth into a flame, he struck the messenger for daring to -propose the hand of Marie de Vignerot, widow of a mean provincial -gentleman, to a prince of the blood-royal of France.</p> - -<p class="normal">Contemned and rejected, personal resentment became added to the other -motives which urged Richelieu to the destruction of the Count de -Soissons. Personal resentments never slept with him; they lived while -he lived, nor were they even weakened by sickness and approaching -death. No means but one existed of gratifying his animosity towards -the Count de Soissons; which was, to implicate him with some of the -conspiracies which were every day breaking forth against the tyranny -of the government. But even this was difficult; for, though living -with princely splendour, the Count continued to reside in the midst of -the court, where all his actions were open, and nothing could be -attributed to him on which to found an accusation. Hatred, however, is -ingenious; a thousand petty vexations were heaped upon him, and, in -the end, even personal insult was added, but without effect.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Count firmly resisted all the temptations which were held out to -him to sully himself with any of the intrigues of the day. The -solicitations of his friends, or the persecutions of his enemies, were -equally in vain; and, when human patience could no longer endure the -grievances to which he was subjected at the court of France, he left -it for Italy, bearing with him the love and regret of the noblest of -his countrymen.</p> - -<p class="normal">A retreat, however, which left him free, unstained, and happy, neither -quieted the fears, nor appeased the hatred of Richelieu; but, forced -to dissemble, he gradually appeared to abandon his evil intentions, -invited the Count to return, and one by one made him such proposals as -were likely to efface his former conduct, without exciting suspicion -by a sudden change. The Prince was not competent to cope with so deep -an adept in the art of deceit; and, though still remembering with -indignation the insults that had been offered him, he suffered himself -to be persuaded that they would not be repeated, and returned to the -court of France.</p> - -<p class="normal">The minister lost no time, and at length effected his object. On his -return, the Count found the best laws of the state defeated, -individual liberty lost, and the public good sacrificed to the -particular interests of one ambitious man. Richelieu took care that a -thousand new affronts should mix a full portion of personal enmity -with the Count's more patriotic feelings, and in the end the prince -suffered himself to be led into the conspiracy of Amiens.</p> - -<p class="normal">The weak and fickle Duke of Orleans had been placed in command over -the Count de Soissons, at the siege of Corbie; and, brought in closer -union from this circumstance than they had ever been before, the two -princes had various opportunities of communicating their grievances, -and concerting some means of crushing the tyranny which at once -affected themselves personally, and the whole kingdom. There were not -wanting many to urge that the assassination of the cardinal was the -only sure way of terminating his dominion; but as the consent of the -Count de Soissons could never be obtained to such a measure, it was -determined to arrest the minister at the council at Amiens, and submit -his conduct to the judgment of a legal tribunal. The irresolution of -the Duke of Orleans suspended the execution of their purpose at the -moment most favourable for effecting it, and before another -opportunity presented itself the conspiracy was discovered; and the -Duke of Orleans fled to Blois, while Monsieur le Comte (as the Count -de Soissons was usually called) retired across the country to the -strong town of Sedan, the gates of which were willingly thrown open to -him by the Duke of Bouillon, who, though a vassal of France, still -held that important territory between Luxembourg and Champagne, in -full and unlimited sovereignty.</p> - -<p class="normal">Here the prince paused in security, well aware that Richelieu would -never dare to attempt the siege of so strong a place as Sedan, while -pressed on every side by the wars he himself had kindled; and here -also he was, at the time of my arrival in Paris, though in a very -different situation from that in which he at first stood in Sedan.<a name="div4Ref_07" href="#div4_07"><sup>[7]</sup></a></p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXXV.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The memory of what we have done, without the aid of vanity, would be -little better, I believe, than a congregation of regrets. Even in the -immediate review of a conversation just passed, how many things do we -find which we have forgotten to say, or which might have been said -better, or ought not to have been said at all! After Monsieur de Retz -was gone, I looked back over the half hour he had spent with me, and -instantly remembered a thousand questions which I ought to have asked -him, and a thousand things on which I had better have been silent. I -felt very foolish, too, on remembering that I had proposed to draw -from him all his purposes; and yet that he had made himself master of -the greater part of my history, while I remained as ignorant of the -real object of his visit as if he had never come at all.</p> - -<p class="normal">My resolution, however, was taken to follow his advice in the matter -of going to Sedan. My reasons for so doing--or rather my motives, for -reasons, nine times in ten, are out of the question in man's -actions--were manifold. I despaired of finding Helen. I was a-weary of -that great heap of stones called Paris, where I knew no one; and I had -upon me one of those fits of impatience, which would have made me run -into the very jaws of destruction to cast off the listlessness of -existence.</p> - -<p class="normal">My eyes had been fixed upon the table while making these reflections; -and, on raising them, I found Achilles standing opposite to me, -looking in my face with much the air of a dog who sees his master -eating his dinner, and standing upon its hind-legs begs for its share -too. I could as plainly read in the twinkling little grey eyes of the -ci-devant player, and the lack-a-daisical expression of his mouth, -"Pray let me hear the news," as if it had been written in large -letters on his forehead.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Achilles!" said I--willing to gratify him in the most unpleasant way -possible--a thing one often feels inclined to do to another, after -having somewhat severely schooled oneself--"Achilles, I am going to -leave you."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon, monseigneur," replied he, calmly, "but that is -quite impossible. You can hardly go anywhere, where I will not follow -you."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But listen," rejoined I--"I am about to set off for Sedan. I ride -post; and you can as much ride post as you can----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ride to the devil," said Achilles, interrupting me. "I should not -find that very difficult, monseigneur; but I will ride the devil -himself, sooner than part with you again; so, make your noble mind up -to be hunted like a stag from Paris to Sedan, unless you let me ride -quietly by your side."</p> - -<p class="normal">Though it required no augur's skill to foresee that little Achilles -would prove a great incumbrance on the road, yet, as I found him so -determined on going, I did not object; and bidding him prepare -everything the next morning to set out as soon as I returned from the -Hôtel de Retz, I went to bed and slept soundly till the dawn.</p> - -<p class="normal">At the hour appointed, I proceeded to keep my engagement; and on -entering the court of the Hôtel de Retz, I found myself suddenly -immersed in all the noise and bustle of a great family's household. It -put me in mind of the tales which our old <i>maître d'hôtel</i> used to -tell of the Château de l'Orme, in the days which he remembered; when, -as he expressed it, there were always a hundred horses in the stable, -and fifty gentlemen in the hall ready to mount at a word of my -grandfather's mouth, and there was nothing but jingling of spurs -except when there was jingling of glasses; and the glittering of arms -in the courtyard was only succeeded by glittering of knives at the -table.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was immediately shown to the apartments of the Abbé de Retz, where I -found him surrounded by the servants and gentlemen of his own suite, -which was numerous and splendid, in exactly the same proportion as his -personal appearance was simple and unostentatious.</p> - -<p class="normal">On my arrival, he rose and embraced me; and dismissing his attendants, -presented me with two letters addressed to the Count de Soissons, -which he requested me to deliver--the one from himself, the other from -the Duke of Orleans. "I need not bid you be careful of them," said he, -as he gave the two packets into my hands: "each of them contains as -much treason as would make the executioner's axe swing merrily."</p> - -<p class="normal">This was rather a startling piece of information; and I believe that -my face, that unfaithful betrayer of secrets, showed in some degree -how much heavier the letters appeared to me after I had heard such -news of their contents. "You seem surprised," said De Retz; "but you -have lived so far from the court that you know not what is going on -there. I do not suppose that there is one man of rank besides yourself -in this great city, who has not qualified himself for the Bastile, or -the Place de Grève. Do you not know that everything with Frenchmen -depends upon fashion? and, let me tell you, that treason is now the -fashion; and that a man that could walk across the court of the Palais -Cardinal, with his head steady upon his shoulders, would be looked -upon by our <i>belles dames</i> as either mean-spirited or under-bred, and -scouted from society accordingly."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am afraid that I am within the category," replied I, "for I do not -know anything which should make my head tremble there, or in any other -place."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, fear not! fear not!" answered Monsieur de Retz. "You will -find Monsieur le Comte de Soissons surrounded by persons who will -speedily put you in the way of as much treason as is necessary to -good-breeding. But let them not lead you too far. Our breakfast is by -this time served in my private dining-hall," he added: "I will send -away the servants; and while we satisfy our hunger, I will give you so -much insight into the characters of the party assembled at Sedan, as -may be necessary to your safety." Thus saying, he led me to a room on -the same floor, where we found a small table spread with various -delicacies, and covers laid for three.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Remove that cover," said Monsieur de Retz to one of the servants; -"Monsieur de Lizieux is so much past his time that I am afraid he will -not come--and now leave us!" he added; and then, as soon as the room -was clear, "The truth is," said he, "I never expected the good Bishop -of Lizieux, but I told the servants to place a cover for him, because -he is a great friend of the Cardinal de Richelieu; and it could not -get abroad that I was plotting with a stranger, when it is known that -I expected the great enemy of all plots in the person of the worthy -prelate." And he smiled while he told me this piece of art, piquing -himself more upon such petty cunning than upon all the splendid -qualities which his mind really possessed. Yet such perhaps is man's -nature, valuing himself upon things that are contemptible, and very -often affecting, himself, the same follies he condemns in others.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I give you nothing but fish, you will perceive," said Monsieur de -Retz, as we sat down, "this being a meagre day of our church. Though, -indeed, neither the fasting nor mortification are very great, yet I -always keep these fish days. It is a very reputable method of -devotion, and gains friends amongst the <i>poissardes</i>,--no -insignificant class."</p> - -<p class="normal">As we proceeded with our meal, he gave me the sketches he had -promised. "Of Monseigneur le Duc de Bouillon," he said, "I shall say -nothing, except that, being a great man and sovereign in his town of -Sedan, I would advise you to show him all respect and attention; -without, however, attaching yourself too strongly to what I may call -his party. Near the person of the count himself, you will find -Monsieur de Varicarville, a man of talent and of sense, moderate in -his passions, firm in his principles, and devotedly attached to the -interest of his lord. A very few days' communication with him will -show you that this statement is correct; and in the meanwhile I will -give you a note to him, which will lead him to open himself to you -more than he would do to a stranger. Another person you will meet is -Monsieur de Bardouville, a man of very good intentions, but with so -muddy a brain, that whatever is placed there, good or bad, sticks so -tenaciously that there is no getting it out. He has been converted to -a wrong party, and does all in his power to hurry Monsieur le Comte -into schemes that would prove his ruin."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But if his intentions are so good," said I, "were it not worth while -to attempt, at least, to bring him over to better opinions by reason?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, no!" answered De Retz. "One makes a very foolish use of reason -when one employs it on those who have none. Let him alone, Monsieur de -l'Orme. The only man who ever made anything of his head, was the man -that cut it in marble; and then, as Voiture said, he had better have -left it alone, as the bust was not a bit softer than the original. -But to proceed: take notice of Campion, one of the chief domestics -of Monsieur le Comte. He is a man of great probity and sound -judgment--one that you may confide in. You have now <i>my opinion</i> of -the principal persons with whom you will be brought in contact, but of -course you will form your own;" and drawing in his eyes, he considered -me for a moment through the half-closed lids, as if he would have read -in my face what impression all he had said had made upon me.</p> - -<p class="normal">I could not help smiling, for I saw that the facility with which he -had drawn my history from me the night before had given him no very -high idea of my intellectual powers, and I replied, still smiling, "Of -course, Monsieur de Retz, I <i>shall</i> form my own opinion. I always do, -of every one I meet with."</p> - -<p class="normal">He did not well understand the smile; and, never contented unless he -read all that was passing in the mind of those with whom he spoke, he -opened his eyes full, and with a frank laugh asked me what I thought, -then, of himself.</p> - -<p class="normal">I have often remarked that perfect candour sometimes puts the most -wily politician to fault, more than any imitation of his own -doublings; and I replied at once--though I believe there was some -degree of pique in my doing so too--"If you would know frankly what I -think of you, Monsieur de Retz, you must hear what I think of your -conduct since we first met, for that is all that I can personally -judge of."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, well!" replied he, "speak of that, and I will confess if you -are right."</p> - -<p class="normal">"In respect to your coming to me last night, then," replied I, "I -think you had some motive of which I am not aware." A slight flush -passed over his face, and then a smile, and he nodded to me to go on. -"In regard to the valuable information you have given me to-day, and -for which you have my thanks, I think that the cause of your giving it -is something like the following:--you have some interest in the -proceedings of his highness the Count de Soissons."</p> - -<p class="normal">"None but his own, upon my honour," interrupted De Retz.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Granted!" replied I. "Of that I do not pretend to judge; but there -are evidently two parties about the prince, one urging him one way, -and one another. You, Monsieur de Retz, are attached to one of these -parties; and you are very glad of the opportunity of our accidental -meeting, to bias me in favour of that side to which you yourself -adhere, and to throw me--though a person of very little -consequence--into the hands of those with whom you yourself -co-operate. I doubt not," I added, with a smile and a bow, "that your -opinion is perfectly correct, and that to your party I shall finally -adhere, if his highness thinks fit to retain me near his person; but -of course it will be the more gratifying to you to find that I embrace -your opinions more from conviction than persuasion."</p> - -<p class="normal">I am afraid my politeness had taken somewhat of a triumphant tone, -upon the strength of my supposed discernment; and, even before I had -done speaking, I was aware of my error, and felt that I might be -making an enemy instead of securing a friend; but, as I have said, he -always contrived to disappoint expectation. For a moment he looked -mortified, but his face gradually resumed its good humour; and he -replied with, I believe, real frankness, "Monsieur de l'Orme, you are -right. I own that I have undervalued you, and you make me feel it, for -that is what your conversation points at. But you must give me back -that letter to Monsieur le Comte--I must not mislead him in regard to -your character."</p> - -<p class="normal">I gave him back the letter, saying, jestingly, that I should much like -to see the reputation which I had acquired on a first interview, and -which was doubtless there written down at full.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay, nay!" replied he, tearing it, "that were useless, and perhaps -worse; but you shall see what I now write, if you will, and I will -write it frankly."</p> - -<p class="normal">He accordingly led the way again to his library, where he wrote a -short note to the count, which he handed to me. After a few lines of -the ambiguous language in which the politicians of that day were wont -to envelope their meaning, but which evidently did not at all refer to -me, I found the following:--</p> - -<p class="normal">"This letter will be delivered to your Highness by Count Louis de -Bigorre, whom you have expected so long. I met with him by accident, -and for a time undervalued him; but I find, upon farther knowledge, -that he can see into other people's secrets better than he can conceal -his own. Whether he is capable of discretion on the affairs of his -friends, your highness will judge; for it does not always follow that -a man who gossips of himself will gossip of his neighbours: the same -vanity which prompts the one, will often prevent the other."</p> - -<p class="normal">I do not believe that I should have been able to maintain the same -appearance of good humour under Monsieur de Retz's castigation, that -he had evinced under mine, had I not observed his eye fix on me as he -gave me the paper, and felt certain that while I read, it was -scrutinizing every change of my countenance, with the microscopic -exactness of a naturalist dissecting a worm. I was upon my guard, -therefore, and took care that my brow should not exhibit a cloud even -as light as the shadow that skims across a summer landscape. "A fair -return in kind," replied I, giving him back the letter, with as calm a -smile as if I had been looking at the portrait of his mistress. "And -as I shall be obliged of necessity to let Monsieur le Comte into <i>all</i> -my secrets, he will be able to judge, when he comes to compare notes -with you, how much your ingenuity drew from me last night, and how -much my poor discretion managed to conceal."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Excellent good!" cried De Retz, rising and taking me by the hand. -"So, you would have me think that you had not told me all, my dear -count; and would thus leave the devil of curiosity and the fiend of -mortified vanity to tease me between them during your absence; but you -are mistaken. The only use of knowing men's histories is to know their -characters, and I have learned more of yours to-day than I did even -last night. However, it is time for you to depart. There are the -letters," he continued, after having added a few words to that -addressed to the Count. "Travel as privately as you can; and fare you -well. Before we meet again, we shall know enough of each other from -other sources, to spare us the necessity of studying that hard -book--the human mind, without a key."</p> - -<p class="normal">I accordingly took leave of Monsieur de Retz; and in my way home, -found out the dwelling of a horse-dealer, for the purpose of buying -two nags for Achilles and myself; the necessity of travelling as -privately as possible having induced me to change my intention of -taking the post.</p> - -<p class="normal">Though in his whole nature and character there is not, I believe, an -honester animal in the world than a horse, yet there must be something -assuredly in a habitual intercourse with him which is very detrimental -to honesty in others, for certainly--and I believe in all ages it has -been so--there cannot be conceived a race of more arrant cheats and -swindlers than the whole set of jockeys, grooms, and horse-dealers. -The very first attempt of the man to whom I at present applied, was to -sell me an old broken-down hack, with a Roman nose which at once -indicated its antiquity, for a fine, vigorous, young horse, as he -called it, well capable of the road. The various ingenious tricks had -been put in practice of boring his teeth, blistering his pasterns, -&c., and his coat shone, as much as fine oil could make it; but still -he stood forth with his original sin of old age rank about him, and I -begged leave to decline the bargain, though the dealer and the -<i>palfrenier</i> both shrugged their shoulders at my obstinacy, and -declared upon their conscience there was not such another horse in the -stable.</p> - -<p class="normal">After several endeavours to cheat me in the same manner, which they -would not abandon, or by habit could not abandon, although they saw I -was somewhat knowing in the trade, I fixed upon a strong roan horse -for myself, and a light easy going pad for Achilles. The question now -became the price I was to pay, and after the haggling of half an hour, -the dealer agreed to take forty louis for the two, which was about -five more than their value. He declared, however, so help him God, -that he lost by it, and only let me have them in hope of my future -custom.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I never intend to buy a horse of you again as long as I live," -replied I, sharply; "so do not suffer that hope to bias you."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, well, take them," said he. "They would soon eat out the money -in corn, and so I should lose it any way."</p> - -<p class="normal">This matter being settled, I directed them to be brought immediately -to my lodging; making a bargain beforehand for the necessary saddles -and bridles, of which the good dealer kept a store at hand; and then -sped on to see that all was prepared for our departure.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was already past mid-day; but everything having been made ready -during my absence by the activity of my little attendant, as soon as -the horses were brought, we loaded them with our bags and our persons, -and set out for Sedan. Be it remarked, however, that I still -maintained my little lodging in the Rue des Prêtres Saint Paul, as -from some words dropped by the Abbé de Retz, I fancied that I might -have occasion to return to Paris on the affairs of Monsieur le Comte.</p> - -<p class="normal">The ambling jennet which I had bought for Achilles was so much easier -than any horse whose back he had ever yet honoured, that the poor -little man, after having anticipated the pains of hell, found himself -in elysium; and declared that he could ride to Jerusalem and back -without considering it a pilgrimage. I was resolved, however, to put -his horsemanship to the proof; for though I did not seek to call -attention to myself, by galloping like an express, in that age when -even one's horse's pace was matter of suspicion, yet, as the way was -long, I calculated that we might at least reach Jouarre that night.</p> - -<p class="normal">This we accomplished easily. Stopping but half an hour at Meaux to -feed our horses, and then proceeding with all speed, we saw La Ferté -not far off, at about an hour before sunset, with its beautiful abbey -standing out clear and rich against the evening sky; and the sweet -valley of the Morin winding away in the soft obscurity of the -declining light.</p> - -<p class="normal">Turning out of one of the byroads, a horseman overtook us, and -saluting us civilly, joined himself to our party. From the hint -Monsieur de Retz had given me concerning the letter of the Duke of -Orleans, I thought it best to avoid all communication with strangers, -and therefore gave but very cold encouragement to our new companion's -advances. He was a small, keen, resolute-looking little man, and not -to be repulsed easily, as I very soon found; for, perceiving that I -was not inclined to continue the conversation which he had commenced, -he took the whole burden of it upon himself; and with a peculiar -talent for hypotheses, he raised as many conjectures concerning the -point to which our journey tended, and our particular object in -journeying, as would have found employment for at least a hundred, if -they had all been true.</p> - -<p class="normal">I remembered that Cæsar, in some part of his Commentaries, attributes -particularly to the Gauls a bad habit of stopping strangers and asking -them impertinent questions; and I could not help thinking that the -valiant Roman, in some of his adventures, must have met with the -ancestors of our new companion. We jogged on, however, I maintaining -my silence, and Achilles <i>playing</i> the stranger, as I have seen a -skilful fisherman play a large trout.</p> - -<p class="normal">When the horseman discovered that our nature was not of a very -communicative quality, he seemed to think that perhaps we required him -to open the way, and therefore he told us that he was going to La -Ferté to buy grind-stones, and that he always lodged at the auberge of -the <i>Ecu</i>, which he begged to recommend to us as the best in the town. -It was the very best, he said, beyond dispute: we should find good -beds, good victuals, and good wine, all at a reasonable rate; and he -farther hinted, that, if we desired such a thing, we might have the -advantage of his company, to give us an account of the town, and point -out to us its beauties and curiosities. Only if we desired it--he -said--he was not a man to force his society upon any one!</p> - -<p class="normal">I replied by a bow, which I intended to be very conclusive; but our -new friend was not a man to be satisfied with bows, and therefore he -asked straightforward whether I intended to go to the <i>Ecu</i>. I replied -that it would depend on circumstances. And as we were by this time in -the town of La Ferté, no sooner did I see him draw his rein, as if -about to proceed to his favourite auberge, than I drew mine the -contrary way, and was galloping off, when, to my horror and -astonishment, he turned after me, declaring, with a smile of -patronising kindness, that I was so sweet a youth, he could not think -of parting with me, and therefore, as I would not come to his auberge, -he would come to mine.</p> - -<p class="normal">The matter was now beyond endurance. "Sir!" said I, pulling in my -rein, and eying him with that cold sort of contemptuous frown which I -had generally found a sufficient shield against impertinence, "be so -good as to pursue your own way, and allow me to pursue mine; I neither -require your society, nor is it agreeable to me; and therefore I wish -you good morning."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ho, sir--ho!" replied the stranger, "I am not a man to force my -society upon any one. But you cannot prevent my going to the same inn -with yourself. I read something fortunate in your countenance, and -therefore I am sure that no accident will happen to me while I am -under the same roof with you. The inn where you sleep will not be -burnt down, thieves will not break into it, the rafters will not give -way, and the walls fall in. Sir, I am a physiognomist, a chiromancer, -and astrologer. I am no necromancer, however--I neither evoke spirits, -nor use magic, white or black."</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, no," replied Achilles, grinning till an improper connection -seemed likely to take place between his mouth and his ears--"no, no, -you may be chiromancer and astrologer, but you are no conjurer; that -is clear enough."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Silence, Achilles," cried I; "let him pursue his own follies, and -follow me on." Thus saying, I rode forward, resolved rather to climb -the hill to Jouarre than expose myself to encounter any more of the -babbling old fool's impertinence: but this effort was as vain as the -former; for, determined not to be shaken off, he kept close behind me, -till we had reached the beautiful little town of Jouarre, and were -safely lodged in the only auberge which it contained.</p> - -<p class="normal">The moment after I had entered, in he marched into the kitchen; and, -though the landlord treated him as a stranger, yet there was a -something--I know not what--which impressed upon my mind that there -was some sort of understanding between them. Odd suspicions crossed my -imagination, and I resolved to be upon my guard. At the same time, I -knew that too great an appearance of reserve might excite suspicion, -and consequently I spoke a few quiet words to the landlord, such as a -somewhat taciturn traveller might be supposed to exchange with his -host on his arrival, and then went with Achilles to see that the -horses were properly provided for. In regard to the stranger, he -talked with every one who would talk with him, always taking care, -however, to keep me and my fortunate face in sight; and, indeed, he -seemed gifted with ubiquity, for no sooner did I leave him in the -kitchen than I met him in the stable; and the next moment I found him -again bustling about in the kitchen, ordering his supper with a tone -of great authority.</p> - -<p class="normal">For his part, the landlord, who acted also as cook, and who seemed -himself stewed down to nothing from his continual commerce with -stew-pans, showed the stranger a thousand times more submissive -respect than to any one else, bending his elastic knees with an -infinitely lower cringe when the stranger addressed him than when I -did.</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon as I had supped, we retired to our sleeping-chamber, Achilles -having his allotted place in a small truckle-bed, which must have been -made for him, it fitted so nicely. Before retiring to rest, however, I -took care to secure the letters to the Count de Soissons under my -bolster, fastening the door, which had no lock, with what was perhaps -better, a large heavy bolt.</p> - -<p class="normal">I slept soundly till the next morning, but on waking I found my poor -little attendant almost speechless with fear. As soon as he could -speak, however, he declared that, in the grey of the morning, he had -seen a ghost glide in he knew not how, proceed to the leathern bags -which contained our effects, and fumble them for a moment or two in a -very mysterious manner. It then glided out, he added, just as I woke, -but with so little noise, that it could not have been the cause of -dissipating my slumber.</p> - -<p class="normal">"By Heaven! it was a dangerous undertaking!" cried I in a loud voice, -for the benefit of any one within hearing. "Had I chanced to wake I -would have shot it, had it been the best ghost that ever was born. -Examine the bags, Achilles, and see if anything has been stolen."</p> - -<p class="normal">At the same time, I proceeded to ascertain whether the bolt had been -drawn back by any contrivance from without, but all appeared as I had -left it, and nothing seemed gone from the bags, so that I was obliged -to conclude that either Achilles' imagination had deceived him, or -that some one had gained admission into the chamber (by means I could -not discover) for some other purpose than simple robbery. After the -utmost scrutiny, however, I could not perceive any possible way of -entering the room; and dressing myself as quickly as possible, I -descended, in order to pay my reckoning, and set out immediately.</p> - -<p class="normal">The landlord stated the sum, and I laid down the money on the table, -piece by piece, which he took up in the same manner, bending his head -over it till it was close to mine, when suddenly he said, in a low -whisper, seeming to count the silver all the time, "You are -accompanied by a spy. If you want to conceal whither you go, mount and -begone with all speed, and take care of your road."</p> - -<p class="normal">I replied nothing, but hurried the preparation of the horses as much -as possible, and was in hopes of escaping before my persecutor of the -night made his appearance; but just as I had my foot in the stirrup, -his visage presented itself at the door, crying with the most -indomptible impudence, "Wait for me! wait for me! I will not be a -moment." As may be well supposed, I did not even wait to reply; but -putting spurs to my horse, I set off down the hill, begging Achilles -to seduce his beast into a gallop, if possible. The little man did his -best; and so successful were we in our endeavours, that we soon left -Jouarre far behind us: and on turning to look back on the road after -half-an-hour's hard riding, I could see nothing but a blessed void, -which gave me more pleasure than anything I could have beheld.</p> - -<p class="normal">I slackened not my pace, however, but rode on towards Montmirail as -fast as possible, thinking over the circumstances which had given rise -to my galloping. The minister, I knew, with the jealous suspicion of -usurped power, maintained a complete regiment of spies, scattered all -over the kingdom, and invested with every different character and -appearance which could disguise their real occupation; and I doubted -not that, according to the landlord's hint at Jouarre, our talkative -companion was one of this respectable troop. The character which he -assumed was certainly a singular one, but it must be confessed he -played it to admiration; and I congratulated myself not a little on -having escaped the pursuit of such a vampire.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">As I wished much to arrive at Chalons that night, we remained no -longer at Montmirail than was absolutely necessary to refresh the -horses; but before we arrived at Chaintrix, the ambling nag which had -borne Achilles began to appear jaded; and, for fear of knocking him up -altogether, I determined to halt at that little village for the night, -never doubting that we had left our persecutor far behind. What was my -surprise, then, on descending to the courtyard the next morning, to -see the same identical little man, with his brown pourpoint, and his -immense funnel-shaped riding boots, standing in the court ready to -mount his horse.</p> - -<p class="normal">I drew back instantly, hoping he had not seen me, but to see -everything was a part of his profession; and quitting his horse's -bridle, he ran into the house after me, pulled off his beaver with the -lowest possible bow, giving me the compliments of the morning, and -declaring himself the happiest man in the world to have met with me -and my fortunate countenance again. "I saw your horse standing in the -stable," added he, "and was resolved not to be too late to-day."</p> - -<p class="normal">His persevering impudence was so ridiculous, that I could not help -laughing; and as I saw no way of getting rid of him at the time, I -resolved to tolerate him for a while, till I could find some means -either of putting him on a wrong scent, or of casting him off more -effectually.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, then," replied I, "if you are resolved to follow my fortunate -face all over the world, you will have to ride fast and far, for I am -going to Metz, and am pressed for time."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Sir," replied the stranger, "I am delighted at the opportunity of -riding with you so far. If you had ever been in the East, sir, you -would have no difficulty in divining my motive in accompanying you."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Without having been in the East," I muttered to myself, "I have no -difficulty in divining your motive;" but taking care not to allow him -to suppose I entertained any suspicions of him, I begged he would -explain how a journey to the East could have enlightened me upon such -a subject.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Why you must know, sir," replied he, "that all Oriental nations -hold--and I profess myself of their opinion--that good and bad fortune -are infectious; and that by keeping company with a fortunate man, we -very often may mend our own luck. Now, sir, I read in your countenance -that you were born under a fortunate star, and, therefore, I resolved -not to leave you till I was certain I had caught something of the -same."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But I hope you are not an unfortunate man," rejoined I, "for if you -are, on your own principle, you shall ride no farther with me."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh no," replied the other, "my fortune is neither good nor bad; I am -just in that indifferent state, wherein a man is most liable to be -affected by the fortune of the company he falls into."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then, Lord deliver you!" said I, "for you have fallen in with one -whose whole existence hitherto has been nothing but a tissue of -mischances; and if I find, as I am afraid I shall, my aunt at Metz has -died without making a will, my misfortunes will be complete; for I -shall have hardly bread to eat, without his Eminence of Richelieu -gives me a place, in recompence of a little service I once rendered -him."</p> - -<p class="normal">I tried hard to make this annunciation in as natural a tone as art -could furnish me with; and I succeeded in evidently bewildering all -the preconceived ideas of the spy, who, while I discharged my -reckoning and mounted my horse, which was now ready, stood with his -foot in the stirrup, and his face full of incertitude, not knowing -whether to believe me or not.</p> - -<p class="normal">It luckily so happened that Achilles, who stood by, was totally -ignorant of what motive induced me to quit Paris; and I might, for -aught he knew, have had as many <i>aunts</i> at Metz as Danaüs had -daughters; so that his countenance was not likely to contradict me.</p> - -<p class="normal">The spy, however, knowing that suspicion is the best rule of action -for gentlemen of his cloth under all circumstances, thought he could -not do wrong in throwing his other leg over his horse's back, and -following me, even at the risk of my having an aunt really dying at -Metz. Accordingly, he was instantly by our side, keeping up with -admirable perseverance the chattering, inquisitive character he had -assumed; and never ceasing to ask one question or another, till we -arrived at St. Ménéhould, where I again stopped for the night.</p> - -<p class="normal">Wherever we had occasion to pause, even to water our horses, I -observed that my new companion was evidently known, though every one -affected to treat him as a stranger. Determined to get rid of him some -way, from this confirmation of the suspicions I entertained respecting -the honourable capacity he filled, as I was about to retire for the -night, I whispered to the host of St. Ménéhould, sufficiently low to -pass for a secret, yet sufficiently loud to be heard, to wake me at -half-past four the next morning. After this I proceeded to my room, -undressed myself, went to bed, and made Achilles extinguish the light, -as if I were about to sleep soundly through the night; but I took care -to abstain from closing an eye, though the temptation was very great -to do so; especially as I was entertained from the bed of my little -companion with a sort of music, which, however unmelodious, was very -soporific.</p> - -<p class="normal">I had previously ascertained, that at one o'clock in the morning the -king's ordinary courier was expected to pass from Verdun; and, -consequently, that somebody would sit up in the inn to provide for his -accommodation. At midnight, therefore, I rose; and, waking Achilles, -bade him dress himself, and carry down the bags, all of which we -executed with the most marvellous silence, paid the landlord, who was -sleeping by the fire, saddled our own horses, and very soon were far -upon the road to Verdun, laughing over the surprise which our -talkative companion would feel the next morning, when he woke and -found us irretrievably gone. Achilles thought it a very good joke, and -I a very happy deliverance; and the dawn broke and found us -congratulating ourselves still: but what was my horror and surprise, -when, turning my head in the grey light of the morning, I saw the -brown pourpoint and the funnel-shaped riding boots, and the strong -little horse, and the detestable little man, not a hundred yards -behind me, cantering on as composedly as if nothing had occurred to -separate him for a moment from my fortunate face, as he called it.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ho, ho!" cried he, as he rode up, "I am not a man to force my society -upon any one; but I must say, it was a very ungentlemanlike thing to -get up in the night, and leave me behind, without so much as giving me -warning, or wishing me good evening; and I have ridden all this way, -sir, to tell you so."</p> - -<p class="normal">We had already passed Clermont en Argonne, and were in the heart of -the wood that stretches round the village of Domballe, and which is -generally called the long wood of Domballe. I knew not what might be -the consequence of suffering this old man to follow me to Verdun, -where it was more than probable he would meet with many persons armed -with sufficient authority either to detain us, or to search our -persons, should he think fit to instigate such a proceeding; but I was -well aware that the life or death, the safety or destruction, of many -of the first persons in the realm depended on my passing free, and, -therefore, I took my determination at once. Glancing up and down the -road, to see that all was clear, I suddenly turned my horse upon him, -caught his bridle-rein with one hand, and his collar with the other, -and attempted to pull him off his horse. But I soon found that I had -to do with one who, though weak in comparison with myself, was -nevertheless skilful in the management of his horse and the use of his -arms.</p> - -<p class="normal">In spite of my efforts, he contrived to bring his horse's head round, -to shake off my grasp, and drawing his sword, to stand upon the -defensive in so masterly a manner, that the farther attack became a -matter of no small difficulty.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was now, however, too far committed to recede; but while I -considered the best means of mastering without injuring him, he seemed -to think I was daunted, and cried out, in a jeering tone, "Ho, ho! -your fortunate face is likely to get scratched, if you come near me. -Better ride on to see your aunt at Metz; or back to Paris, and -persuade the Cardinal to give you a place. See that it be not in the -Bastile, though."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ride in, Achilles, on your side," cried I, "while I ride in on mine. -Quick, we have no time to lose."</p> - -<p class="normal">No sooner, however, did the old spy hear this order, and see it likely -to be executed, than turning his horse back towards Clermont, he gave -him full rein, and spurred off at all speed. This did not very well -answer my purpose, and dashing my spurs into my beast's sides, I made -him spring on like a deer, overtook the fugitive before he had gone -twenty yards, and once more catching his collar, brought him fairly to -the ground. It was no longer difficult to master his sword, and this -being done, he begged most pitifully for mercy.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Mercy you shall have," replied I; "but, by Heaven! I will no longer -be teased with such detestable persecution. 'Tis insupportable, that a -peaceable man cannot ride along the high road on his own affairs, -without having a chattering old dotard sticking to him like a -horse-leech!"</p> - -<p class="normal">Achilles had by this time ridden up, and taking some strong cord which -he happened to have with him, I pinioned the arms of my indefatigable -pursuer; and, leading him a little way into the wood, I tied him tight -to a tree, near a pile of faggots, which showed that the spot was so -far frequented, that he would not be left many hours in such an -unpleasant situation. My only object was to get rid of him; and this -being effected, I again mounted my horse, and pursued my journey to -Verdun, though, as I went, I could not help every now and then turning -my head and looking down the road, not a little apprehensive of seeing -the brown pourpoint and funnel-shaped boots pursuing me once more.</p> - -<p class="normal">I arrived, however, unannoyed; and notwithstanding the prayers and -entreaties of Achilles, that I would but stay a quarter of an hour to -satisfy the cravings of an empty stomach, I instantly haled one of the -flat boats that lie below the bridge. The little man judging of my -intentions, spurred his horse as quick as light up to a <i>traiteur's</i> -on the opposite side of the way; and, before I had concluded a bargain -with the boatman to take us and our two horses to Sedan, he had -returned with an immense roasted capon and half a yard of bread.</p> - -<p class="normal">Once in the boat, and drifting down the Meuse, I felt myself in -safety; and a full current and favourable wind bore us rapidly to -Sedan.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was night, however, before we arrived, and we found the gates -closed and drawbridge raised; and all the most rigorous precautions -taken to prevent the entrance of any unknown person into the town -during the night.</p> - -<p class="normal">"If you will disembark, sir," said the boatman, "and go round to the -land-gate, they will soon let you in; for there are parties of fifty -and sixty arriving every day; and Sedan will be too small to hold them -before long. However, they refuse no one admittance, for they say the -Count will soon take the field."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Take the field!" said I, "and what for, pray?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ah, that I don't know," answered the boatman; "folks say it is to -dethrone the Cardinal, and make the King prime-minister."</p> - -<p class="normal">Whether this was a jest or a blunder, I did not well know; but bidding -the man put me on shore, I led out my roan, and mounting on the bank, -rode round to a little hamlet which had gathered on each side of the -road, at about a hundred yards from the Luxembourg gate. As I was -going to inquire at one of the houses, I saw a sentinel thrown out as -far as the foot of the glacis, and riding up to him, I asked if -admission was to be procured that night. He replied in the -affirmative, and proceeding to the gate, I was soon permitted to -enter, but immediately my bridle was seized on each side by a pikeman; -and the same being performed upon Achilles, we were led on to a small -guard-house, where we found a sleepy officer of the watch, who asked, -with a true official drawl, "Whom seek you in the good town of Sedan, -and what is your business here?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I seek his Highness the Count de Soissons," replied I; "and my -business with him is to speak on subjects that concern himself alone."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Your name and rank?" demanded the officer.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Louis de Bigorre, Count de l'Orme," replied I; "and this is my -servant, Achilles Lefranc."</p> - -<p class="normal">"We shall soon have need of Achilles," said the officer, grinning. "I -wish, Monsieur le Comte, that you had brought a score or two such, -though he seems but a little one.--Mouchard, guide these two gentlemen -up to the castle. There is a pass."</p> - -<p class="normal">There is almost always something sad and gloomy in the aspect of a -strange town at night. We seem in a dark, melancholy world, where -every step is amongst unknown objects, all wrapped up in a cold -repulsive obscurity; and I felt like one of the spirits of the -unburied, on the hopeless borders of Styx, as I walked on amidst the -tall, dark houses of Sedan, which, as far as any interest that I had -in them, were but so many ant-hills. Lighted by a torch that the -soldier who guided us carried, and followed, as I soon perceived, by -two other guards, we were conducted to the higher part of the town, -where the citadel is situated; and there, after innumerable signs and -countersigns, I was at last admitted within the walls, but not -suffered to proceed a step in advance, till such time as my name had -been sent in to the principal officer on guard.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was thus detained half an hour, at the end of which time a page, -splendidly dressed, appeared, and conducted me to the interior of the -building, with a display of reverence and politeness which augured -well as to my farther reception. Achilles followed along the turnings -and windings of the citadel, till we came to a chamber, through the -open door of which a broad light streamed out upon the night, while a -hundred gay voices chattered within, mingled with the ringing, -careless laugh of men who, cutting off from themselves the regrets of -the past, and the fears of the future, live wise and happy in the -existence of the day.</p> - -<p class="normal">"If you will do me the honour, sir," said the page, turning to my -little attendant, "to walk into that room, you will find plenty of -persons who will make you welcome to Sedan, while I conduct your -master to another chamber."</p> - -<p class="normal">Achilles bowed to the ground, and answered the page in a speech -compounded suddenly from twenty or thirty tragedies and comedies; and -though, to confess the truth, it hung together with much the same sort -of uniformity as a beggar's coat, yet the attendant seemed not only -satisfied, but astonished, and made me, as master of such a learned -Theban, a lower reverence than ever, while he begged me to follow him.</p> - -<p class="normal">Meet it as one will, there is always a degree of anxiety attached to -the first encounter with a person on whom our fate in any degree -depends, and I caught my heart beating even as I walked forward -towards the apartments of the Count de Soissons. We mounted a flight -of steps, and at the top entered an antechamber, where several -inferior attendants were sitting, amusing themselves at various games. -In the room beyond, too, the same sort of occupation seemed fully as -much in vogue; for, of twenty gentlemen that it contained, only two -were engaged in conversation, with some written papers between them; -while all the rest were rolling the dice, or dealing the cards, with -most industrious application. Several, however, suffered their -attention to be called off from the mighty interests of their game, -and raising their heads, gazed at me for a moment as I passed through -the room; and then addressed themselves to their cards again, with a -laugh or an observation on the new-comer, which, with the irritable -susceptibility of youth, I felt very well inclined to resent, if I -could have found any specious plea for offence.</p> - -<p class="normal">The page still advanced; and, throwing open a door on the other side -of the room, led me through another small antechamber, only tenanted -by a youth who was nodding over a book, to a door beyond, which he -opened for me to pass, and left me to go in alone.</p> - -<p class="normal">The room which I entered was a large, lofty saloon, hung with rich -tapestry, and furnished with antique chairs and tables, the dark hues -of which, together with the sombre aspect of the carved oak plafond, -gave a gloomy air of other days to the whole scene, so that I could -have fancied myself carried back to the reign of Francis I. A large -lamp, containing several lights, hung by a chain from the ceiling, and -immediately under this, leaning back in a capacious easy chair, sat a -gentleman with a book in his hand, which he was reading, and evidently -enjoying, for at the moment we entered he was laughing till the tears -rolled over his cheeks. As soon as he heard a step, however, he laid -down his book, and turned towards the door, struggling to compose his -countenance into some degree of gravity. As I advanced, he rose and -addressed me with that frank and pleasing affability which is the best -and surest key to the human heart.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Count Louis de Bigorre, I believe?" he said; "you catch me in an -occupation which the proverb attributes to fools--laughing by myself; -but with such a companion as Sancho Panza, one may be excused, though -the same jest has made my eyes water a hundred times. However, be you -most welcome, for you have been a long-expected guest at Sedan. Yet -now you are arrived," he added, "however great the pleasure may be to -me, perhaps it would have been better for yourself had you remained -absent."</p> - -<p class="normal">I replied, as a matter of course, that I could not conceive anything -better for myself, than the honour of being attached to the Count de -Soissons.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Heaven only knows," said he, "what may be the event to you or me. But -sit down, and tell me when you left Paris--whom you saw there--and -what news was stirring in that great capital?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have been four days on the road," replied I, bringing forward one -of the smaller chairs, so as to be sufficiently near the prince to -permit the conversation to flow easily, without approaching to any -degree of familiar proximity. "Perhaps," I continued, "as I rode my -own horses, I might not have had the honour of seeing your highness -till to-morrow, had I not found it necessary to hurry forward to avoid -a disagreeable companion."</p> - -<p class="normal">"How so?" demanded the Count. "I hope no attempt was made to impede -your progress hither; for if that has been the case, it is time that I -should look to my communications with my other friends in France."</p> - -<p class="normal">I gave the Count a somewhat detailed account of my adventures on the -road, that he might judge what measures were necessary to insure the -secrecy of his correspondence with Paris.</p> - -<p class="normal">"So," cried he, laughing, "you have met with an old friend of ours -here, Jean le Hableur, as he is called. He is one of the Cardinal's -most daring and indefatigable spies; and few are there who have had -address and courage enough to baffle him as you have done. He traced -my poor friend Armand de Paul to the very gates of Sedan, found out -that he was carrying despatches to me, filched a letter from his -person containing much that should have remained secret, and having -made himself acquainted with his name, laid such information against -him, that Armand, at his return to Paris, was instantly arrested and -thrown into the Bastile. Why, the whole country between Verdun and -Paris is so famous, or rather infamous, from his continual presence, -that no one here dare pass by that road for fear of meeting with <i>Jean -le Hableur</i>. You should have gone by Mezières: but where are these -letters you speak of?"</p> - -<p class="normal">I instantly produced them, and gave them into the hands of the count, -who read the letter from the Duke of Orleans with a sort of smile that -implied more scorn than pleasure. He then laid it down, saying aloud, -with rather a bitter emphasis, "My good cousin of Orleans!" He then -perused the epistle of Monsieur de Retz, and from time to time as he -did so turned his eyes upon me, as if comparing the character which he -therein found written down, with those ideas which he had already -begun to form of me himself, from that outward semblance that almost -always finds means to prejudice even the wisest and most cautious. -When he had concluded, he rose and walked once or twice across the -saloon, thoughtfully running his hand up and down the broad rich -sword-belt which hung across his breast, which I afterwards found was -habitual with him, when any consideration occupied him deeply.</p> - -<p class="normal">I had risen when he rose, but still stood near the table, without, -however, turning my eyes towards it; for the letter of the Duke of -Orleans lying open upon it, I did not choose to be suspected of even -wishing to know its contents.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Sit, sit, Count Louis!" said the prince, resuming his seat, and then -adding in a serious tone, but one of great kindness, "Monsieur de -Retz, I find, has not made you aware of all the circumstances of my -present situation; and perhaps has done wisely to leave that -communication to myself. From the great friendship and esteem--I may -say affection--with which my mother regards yours, I had not a -moment's hesitation in saying, that if you would join me here, you -should have the very first vacant post in my household, suitable to -your own high rank and the antiquity of your family. Since then, the -place of first gentleman of my bedchamber is void, and I have reserved -it for you; but as that is a situation which brings you so near my own -person, an unlimited degree of confidence is necessary between us. -Your rank, your family, the high name of your father and grandfather, -the admirable character which my mother attributes to yours, all seem -to vouch that you are--that you must be--everything noble and -estimable; but still there are two or three circumstances which you -must explain to me, before I can feel justified in trusting you with -that entire confidence I speak of. Monsieur de Retz says, you have -given him your history, which is a strange one--though how that can -be, I do not know, for you are but a young man, and can have, I should -imagine, but little to tell. He says, farther, that he met with you by -accident, and seems to hint that, when he did so, you had not intended -to join me here, as my mother informed me you would. He insinuates, -also, that you were somewhat indiscreet towards him, in speaking of -your own affairs. Explain all this to me, for there is something -evidently to be told. Make me your confidant without reserve, and, in -return, I will confide to you secrets perhaps of greater importance. -If you have nothing to tell but youthful errors, or imprudence, speak -without fear, as you would to a friend and brother; but," he added -more gravely, "if there is anything which affects your honour--which, -I may say, I am sure there is not--I ask no confidence of the kind."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Had your highness not required it," replied I, "I should not have -presumed to intrude my private affairs upon your attention; but now -that I find you, most justly, think it right to assure yourself of the -character of one to whom you design the honour of being near your -person, I may be permitted to express what happiness and consolation I -feel, in being allowed to repose all my griefs and misfortunes in the -bosom of a prince universally beloved and esteemed." When I spoke thus -I did not flatter; and I concluded by giving as brief a sketch, but as -accurate a one as possible, of all the events which fill the foregoing -pages of these memoirs. "I will own, my lord," I added, "that I told a -part of this story to Monsieur de Retz, but only a small part; and -that was in a moment of joy, when, after having lived lonely and -miserable in a large city, for upwards of a month, I suddenly found -that I was expected and would be welcomed by a prince possessed of a -treasure which few princes, I am afraid, can boast--a generous and a -feeling heart. I was perhaps indiscreet in communicating even a part -to any one but your Highness; but you will not find that in your -service, I will be either indiscreet or unfaithful."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I believe you," said the Count, "on my honour, I believe you; and De -Retz was too hasty in even calling you indiscreet; for your conduct -towards our friend Jean le Hableur proves sufficiently that you can -keep counsel. Your history has interested me more than I will tell you -at present. I feel for all you have suffered, and I would not for the -world barter that power of feeling for others, against the most -tranquil stoicism. Sympathy, however, though always agreeable to him -that excites it, is little pleasing to him who feels it, without he -can follow it up by some service to the person by whom it has been -awakened. I will try whether that cannot be the case with you;--but -you are tired with your long journey, and the night wears. Ho, without -there! send Monsieur de Varicarville hither. We will talk more -to-morrow, Monsieur de l'Orme, since such is the name you choose."</p> - -<p class="normal">I rose to depart, but at the same time one of the gentlemen whom I had -seen in the outer chamber, conversing while the rest were gaming, -entered, and the Count introduced me to him, begging him to show me -all kindness and attention, as a person whom he himself esteemed and -loved.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The manners of Monsieur de Varicarville were at once simple and -elegant--there was none of the superfluous hyperbole of courts; there -was little even of the common exaggeration of society, in anything he -said. He neither expressed himself <i>ravished</i> to make my acquaintance, -nor <i>delighted</i> to see me; all he said was, that he would do -everything that depended upon him, to make me comfortable during my -stay at Sedan. And thus I always found him afterwards--neither what is -in general called blunt, which is more frequently rude, nor what is -usually called polite, which is in general hollow. He had too much -kindness of heart ever to offend, and too much sincerity ever to -flatter. But the goodness of his disposition, and the native grace of -his demeanour, gave, conjoined, that real <i>bienséance</i>, of which -courtly politeness is but an unsubstantial shadow. Poor Varicarville! -I owe thee such a tribute, best and most excellent of friends! And -though no epitaph hangs upon the tomb where thou sleepest, in the -hearts of all who knew thee thy memory is treasured and beloved.</p> - -<p class="normal">After a few words of kindness, and having received the note addressed -to him from the Abbé de Retz, he gave me into the hands of the Count's -<i>maître d'hôtel</i>, telling him that I was the gentleman who had been so -long expected; and desiring him to see that I wanted nothing, till -such time as I was sufficiently familiarized with the place and its -customs to take care of myself. He then left me, and I was conducted -to a neat chamber with an anteroom, containing three truckle beds for -lackeys, a small writing or dressing cabinet, and several other -conveniences, which I had hardly expected in a castle so completely -full as the citadel of Sedan appeared to be. Before the <i>maître -d'hôtel</i> left me, I requested that my horses might be taken care of, -and that my servant might be sent to me, hinting at the same time, -that if he brought me a cup of wine and something to eat, I should not -at all object, as I had tasted nothing all day except a wing of the -capon which Achilles had carried off from Verdun. My little attendant -soon appeared, loaded with a great many more provisions than I needed, -and congratulating both himself and me upon our sudden transposition -from Paris, and the meagre diet we had there observed, to such a land -of corn, wine, and oil.</p> - -<p class="normal">While I was undressing, some thoughts would fain have intruded, which -I was very sure would have broken up my rest for the night. The -agitation of being in new, strange scenes, acting with people of whom -I yet knew hardly anything, and involved in schemes which at best were -hazardous, was quite enough to make sleep difficult, and I felt very -certain, that if I let my mind rest one moment on the thought of -Helen, and of the circumstances in which she might at that moment be -placed, all hope of repose--mental repose, at least--was gone--and -where is any exercise so exhausting to the body, as that anxious -occupation of the mind? The next morning I was hardly awake, when -Monsieur de Varicarville entered my chamber, and informed me that -Monsieur le Comte wished to see me; and dressing myself as fast as -possible, I hurried to the Prince's apartments, where I found him -still in bed. Varicarville left us, and the Count made me sit down by -his bedside.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have been thinking, De l'Orme," said he, "over the history you gave -me last night, and I again assure you that I sympathize not a little -with you. I am much older than you, and the first hasty torrent of -passion has passed away at my time of life; but I can still feel, and -know, that love such as you profess towards this young lady, whom your -mother has educated, is not a passion easily to be rooted out. Nor is -the death of her brother by your hand an insurmountable obstacle. She -evidently does not know it herself; and it would be a cruel piece of -delicacy in you either to let her know it, or to sacrifice both her -happiness and your own for such a scruple."</p> - -<p class="normal">The picture of Helen in the arms of her brother's murderer, and the -horror she would feel at his every caress, if she did but know that he -was so, rose up frightfully before my imagination, as the Count spoke; -and, without replying, I covered my eyes with my hands, as if to shut -the image out.</p> - -<p class="normal">"This is an age, Monsieur de l'Orme," said the Count, "in which few -people would suffer, as you seem to do, for having shed their -fellow-creature's blood; and yet, I would not have you feel less. -Feel, if you will, but still govern your feelings. Every one in this -world has much to suffer; the point of wisdom is to suffer well. But -think over what I have said. Time may soon bring about a change in the -face of affairs. If fortune smiles upon me, I shall soon have the -power of doing greater things than obtaining letters of nobility for -your fair lady's father. Thus the only substantial objection to your -marriage will be removed. From what you said of the house where you -last saw her, and the liveries of the servants, it must have been the -hotel of the Maréchal de Chatillon; and the youth whose conversation -you overheard was probably his nephew; but fear not for that. He is a -hair-brained youth, little capable of winning the heart of a person -such as you describe. The only thing that surprises me is, that -Arnault, her father, should have acquired any degree of intimacy with -so proud a man as Chatillon; but that very circumstance will be some -excuse for asking nobility for him; and the favour will come with the -more grace, as Chatillon is somewhat a personal enemy of my own."</p> - -<p class="normal">I thanked the Prince for his kind intentions, though I saw no great -likelihood of their fulfilment, and fancied that, like the cottager in -the fairy tale, Monsieur le Comte imagined himself a great conqueror, -and gave away crowns and sceptres, though he had not two roods of land -himself. But I was mistaken: the Count's expectations were much more -likely to be accomplished than I had supposed, as I soon perceived, -when he began to explain to me his views and situation.</p> - -<p class="normal">When a man's mind is in doubt upon any subject, and he has heard -reiterated a thousand times the various reasonings of his friends, -without being able to choose his part determinately, it is wonderful -with what eagerness he seeks for any new opinion to put him out of -suspense--the most painful situation in which the human mind can -remain. Thus the Count de Soissons, after having entertained me -shortly with my own affairs, entered full career upon his; and briefly -touching upon the causes which originally compelled him to quit the -court of France, and retire to Sedan, he proceeded:--</p> - -<p class="normal">"Here I would willingly have remained quiet and tranquil, till the -course of time brought some change. I neither sought to return to a -court where the king was no longer sovereign, nor to cabal against the -power of a minister upheld by the weakness of the monarch. All I -required was to be left at peace in this asylum, where I could be free -from the insult and degradation which had been offered me at the court -of France. I felt that I was sufficiently upholding the rights and -privileges which had been transmitted to me by my ancestors, and -maintaining the general cause of the nobility of France, by submitting -to a voluntary exile, rather than yield to the ambitious pretensions -of a misproud minister; and nothing would have induced me to raise the -standard of civil war, even though the king's own good was to be -obtained thereby, if Richelieu had but been content to abstain from -persecuting me in my retirement. Not the persuasions of the Dukes of -Vendome and La Valette, nor the entreaties of my best friend the Duke -of Bouillon, nor the promises and seductions of the house of Austria, -would have had any effect, had I been left at peace: but no! never for -a day has the cardinal ceased to use every measure in his power to -drive me to revolt. The truth is this: he calculates upon the death of -my cousin Louis, and upon seizing on the regency during the dauphin's -minority. He knows that there is no one who could and would oppose him -but myself. The Duke of Orleans is hated and despised throughout -France--the house of Condé is bound to the cardinal by alliance. He -knows that he could not for a moment stand against me, without the -king's support and authority; and he has resolved to ruin me while -that support still lasts. For this purpose, he at one time offers me -the command of one of the armies, that I may return and fall into his -power; he at another threatens to treat me as a rebel and a traitor. -He now proposes to <i>me</i>, a prince of the blood royal of France, a -marriage with his upstart niece; and then menaces me with confiscation -and attainder; while at the same time my friends on every side press -me to shake off what they call apathy--to give my banner to the wind, -and, marching upon Paris, to deliver the country, the king, and -myself, of this nightmare cardinal, who sits a foul incubus upon the -bosom of the state, and troubles its repose with black and frightful -dreams."</p> - -<p class="normal">As he went on, I could see that Monsieur le Comte worked himself up -with his own words to no small pitch of wrath; calling to mind, one by -one, the insults and injuries that the cardinal had heaped upon him, -till all his slumbering anger woke up at once, and with a flashing -eye, he added, "And so I will. By Heaven! I will hurl him from his -usurped seat, and put an end to this tyranny, which has lasted too -long." But very soon after, relapsing again into his irresolution, he -asked, "What think you, Monsieur de l'Orme? Should I not be justified? -Am I not called upon so to do?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I would pray your Highness," replied I, "not to make me a judge in so -difficult a point; I am too young and inexperienced to offer an -opinion where such great interests are concerned."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Fie, fie!" cried he with a smile; "you, who have already acted the -conspicuous part of member of the insurrectionary council of -Catalonia! We are all inexperienced, in comparison with you.--Tell me, -what had I better do?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"If I must give an opinion, monseigneur," I replied, "I think you had -better endure as long as you can, so as to leave no doubt in your own -eyes--in those of France--in those of the world--that you are -compelled to draw the sword for the defence of your own honour, and -for the freedom of your country. But once having drawn the sword, cast -away the scabbard."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Then I am afraid the sword is half drawn already," said the Count. -"There are eight thousand armed men in Sedan. Fresh troops are pouring -in upon me every day. The news has gone abroad that I am about to take -the field; and volunteers are flocking from every quarter to my -standard. Yesterday, I had letters from at least sixty different parts -of France, assuring me that, one battle gained, but to confirm the -fearful minds of the populace, and that scarce a province will refrain -from taking arms in my cause. De Retz is in hopes even of securing the -Bastile; and he has already, with that fine art which you have -remarked in him, bound to my cause thousands of those persons in the -capital who in popular tumults, guide and govern the multitude. I mean -the higher class of paupers--the well-educated, the well-dressed, -sometimes even the well-born, who are paupers the more, because they -have more wants than the ostensible beggar; these De Retz has found -out in thousands, has visited them in private, relieved their wants, -soothed their pride, familiarized himself with their habits and -wishes, and, in short, has raised up a party for me which almost -insures me the capital."</p> - -<p class="normal">This last part of the Count's speech instantly let me into the secret -of Monsieur de Retz's first visit to me. My good landlady's tongue had -probably not been idle concerning what she conceived my necessitous -situation; and, upon the alert for all such cases of what Monsieur le -Comte called higher pauperism, De Retz had lost no time in seeking to -gain me, as he had probably gained many others, by a display of -well-timed and discriminating charity.</p> - -<p class="normal">God knows, I was not a man to look upon wealth and splendour as a -virtue in others, nor to regard misfortune and poverty as a vice; and -yet, with one of those contradictory weaknesses with which human -nature swarms, I felt inexpressibly hurt and mortified at having been -taken for a beggar myself.</p> - -<p class="normal">Monsieur le Comte saw a sudden flush mount up into my cheek, and -judging from his own great and noble heart, he mistook the cause. "I -see what you think, Monsieur de l'Orme," said he; "you judge it mean -to work with such tools; but you are wrong. In such an enterprise as -this, it is my duty to my country to use every means, to employ all -measures, to insure that great and decisive preponderance, which will -bring about success, without any long protracted and sanguinary -struggle."</p> - -<p class="normal">I assured him that I agreed with him perfectly, and that I entertained -no such thoughts as he suspected. "So far from it," replied I, "that -if your highness will point out to me any service I can render you, be -it of the same kind you have just mentioned, or not, you will find me -ready to obey you therein, with as much zeal as Monsieur de Retz."</p> - -<p class="normal">"There is a candour about you, my good De l'Orme," replied the Count, -"which I could not doubt for a moment, if I would: but what would all -my sage counsellors say--the suspicious Bouillon, the obdurate -Bardouville--if I were to intrust missions of such importance to one -of whom I know so little?--one who, they might say, was only -instigated to seek me by a temporary neglect of Richelieu, and who -would easily be led to join the other party, by favour and -preferment?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am not one to commit such treachery, my lord," replied I, hastily. -"I am ready to swear before God, upon his holy altar, neither to -abandon nor betray your Highness.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay, nay," said the Count de Soissons, smiling at my heat, "swear -not, my dear count! Unhappily, in our days, the atmosphere which -surrounds that holy altar you speak of, is so thick with perjuries, -that an honest man can hardly breathe therein. I doubt you not, De -l'Orme; your word is as good to me as if you swore a thousand oaths; -and I am much inclined to give you a commission of some importance, -both because I know I can rely upon your wit and your honour, and -because your person is not so well known in Paris as the other -gentlemen of my household. But to return to what we were saying; still -give me your opinion about drawing the sword, as you have termed it; -ought I, or ought I not?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"By my faith, your Highness," replied I, "I think it is drawn already, -as you yourself have admitted."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not so decidedly," answered the Count, "but that it can be sheathed -again; and if this cardinal, alarmed at these preparations, as I know -he is, will but yield such terms of compromise as may insure my own -safety and that of my companions, permit the thousands of exiles who -are longing for their native country to return, and secure the freedom -and the peace of France, far, far be it from me ever to shed one drop -of Gallic blood."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But does not your highness still continue your preparations, then?" -demanded I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Most assuredly," replied the Count. "The matter must come to a -conclusion speedily, either by a negotiation and treaty, which will -insure us our demands, or by force of arms; and therefore it is well -to be prepared for the latter, though most willing to embrace the -former alternative."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And does the minister seem inclined to treat?" asked I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"He always pretends that he is so," replied Monsieur de Soissons. "But -who can judge of what his inclinations are by what he says? his whole -life is a vizard--as hollow--as false--as unlike the real face of the -man. We all know how negotiations can be protracted; and he has used -every means to keep this in suspense till he could free himself from -other embarrassments. He asked our demands, and then misunderstood -them; and then required a fuller interpretation of particular parts; -and then mistook the explanation--then let a month or two slip by; and -then again required to know our demands, as if he had never heard -them; and then began over again the same endless train of irritating -delay. But, however, there is one of our demands which we will never -relinquish, and which he will never grant, except he be compelled, -which is the solemn condemnation and relinquishment of all special -commissions."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am not very well aware of the meaning of that term," said I: "may I -crave your highness to explain it to me?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I do not wonder at your not knowing it," answered the Count: "it is -an iniquity of his own invention, totally unknown to the laws of -France. When any one was accused of a crime formerly, the established -authorities of the part of the country in which it was averred to have -been committed took cognisance of the matter, and the accused was -tried before the usual judges; but now, on the contrary, on any such -accusation, this cardinal issues his special commission to various -judges named by himself, uniformly his most devoted creatures, and -often the personal enemies of the accused. Under such an abuse, who -can escape? False accusers can always be procured; and where the -judges are baser still, justice is out of the question. The law of -France is no longer administered, but the personal resentments of -Richelieu."</p> - -<p class="normal">The conversation continued for some time in the same course, and -turned but little to the advantage of the minister. The Count de -Soissons had real and serious cause of indignation against Richelieu, -on his own account; and this made him see all the public crimes of -that great but cruel and vindictive minister in the most unfavourable -light. The stimulus of neglect had, in my mind, also excited feelings -which made me lend an attentive ear to the grievances and wrongs that -the prince was not slow in urging, and my blood rose warmly against -the tyranny which had driven so many of the great and noble from their -country, and spilt the most generous blood in France upon the -scaffold.</p> - -<p class="normal">I have through life seen self-interest and private pique bias the -judgment of the wisest and the best intentioned; and I never yet in -all the wide world met with a man who, in judging of circumstances -wherein he himself was any way involved, did not suffer himself to be -prejudiced by one personal feeling or another. The most despotic lords -of their own passions have always some favourite that governs them -themselves. Far be it from me, then, to say, I was not very willing -and easy to be convinced that the man who had neglected me had also -abused his power, tyrannized over his fellow-subjects, and wronged -both his king and his country. I was in the heat of youth, soon -prepossessed, and already prejudiced; and whatever I might think -afterwards, I, at the moment, looked upon the enterprise which was -contemplated by Monsieur le Comte as one of the most noble and -justifiable that had ever been undertaken to free one's native country -from a tyrant.</p> - -<p class="normal">There was also in the manners of the Count de Soissons that -inexpressible charm which leaves the judgment hardly free. It is -impossible to say exactly in what it consisted. I have seen many men -with the same princely air and demeanour, and with the same suavity of -manner, who did not in the least possess that sort of fascination -which, like the cestus of the goddess, won all hearts for him that was -endowed with it. I was not the only one that felt the charm. Everybody -that surrounded the prince--everybody that, in any degree, came in -contact with him, were all affected alike towards him. Even the common -multitude experienced the same; and the shouts with which the populace -of Paris greeted his appearance on some day of ceremony, are said to -have been the first cause of the Cardinal's jealous persecution of -him. One saw a fine and noble spirit, a generous and feeling heart -shining through manners that were at once dignified while they were -affable, and warm though polished; and it might be the conviction of -his internal rectitude, and his perfect sincerity, which added the -master-spell to a demeanour eminently graceful. Whatever it was, the -fascination on my mind was complete; and I hardly know what I would -have refused to undertake in the service of such a prince. At the end -of our conversation, scarcely knowing that I did so, I could not help -comparing in my own mind my present interview with the Count de -Soissons, and that which I had formerly had with the Cardinal de -Richelieu; and how strange was the difference of my feelings at the -end of each! I left the minister, cold, dissatisfied, dispirited; and -I quitted the Count de Soissons with every hope and every wish ardent -in his favour; with all my best feelings devoted to his service, and -my own expectations of the future raised and expanded by my communion -with him, like a flower blown fully out by the influence of a genial -day of summer.</p> - -<p class="normal">On leaving the Count's apartments, I passed through a room in which I -found Monsieur de Varicarville with several other gentlemen, to whom -he introduced me; and we then proceeded to the grand hall of the -château, where we were met by the personal suite of the Duke of -Bouillon, who divided the interior of the citadel equally with his -princely guest. The duke had this morning made some twinges of the -gout an excuse for taking his breakfast with the Duchess in his own -apartment, and the Count did so habitually; but for the rest of the -party, two long tables were spread, each containing fifty covers, -which were not long in finding employers. The table soon groaned with -the breakfast, and every one drew his knife and fell to, with the more -speed, as it had been announced that the tilt-yard of the castle would -be open at eight of the clock, to such as chose to run at the ring. -After which there would be a <i>course des têtes</i>. Neither of these -exercises I had ever seen, and consequently was not a little eager for -the conclusion of the meal, although I could but hope to be a -spectator.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Immediately after breakfast I returned to the apartments of the -Count de Soissons, to attend him with the rest of his suite to the -tilt-yard; and in a few minutes after was called to his chamber by his -valet. I found him already dressed, and prepared to take his share in -the sports. He was fitting himself with a right-hand glove of strong -buff leather, which covered his arm to the elbow, and in regard to the -exact proportions of which, he seemed as curious as a young lordling -of a new pourpoint.</p> - -<p class="normal">"What, De l'Orme," cried he, "not gloved! You can never hold your -lance without such a supplementary skin as this. Choose one from this -heap; and see that the flap fall clear over the inner part of your -fore-arm."</p> - -<p class="normal">I endeavoured to excuse myself, by informing his highness that I was -quite unused to such exercises; but he would not hear of my being -merely a spectator, and replied, laughing--"Nonsense, nonsense! I must -see how you ride, and how you use your sword, to know whether I can -give you a regiment of cavalry with safety. Ho, Gouvion! order -Monsieur de l'Orme's horse to be saddled instantly!"</p> - -<p class="normal">There was of course no way of opposing the Count's command; and though -I was very much afraid that I should do myself no great credit, I was -obliged to submit, and accompanied Monsieur le Comte to the little -court at the foot of the staircase, with somewhat nervous feelings at -the idea of exhibiting myself before two or three hundred people, in -exercises which I had never even seen. I had quite sufficient vanity -to be timid, where failure implied the slightest touch of ridicule.</p> - -<p class="normal">The tilt-yard consisted of a large piece of level ground, within the -walls, of perhaps a couple of acres in extent, the centre of which was -enclosed with barriers surrounding an oblong space of about two -hundred feet in length by fifty in breadth.</p> - -<p class="normal">The distance was so small from the court before the Count's apartments -to the barriers, that he had sent on the horses, and walked thither, -followed by myself and about a dozen other gentlemen of his suite. As -we approached, the people who had assembled to witness the exercises, -and amongst whom were a number of soldiers, received the Count with a -shout sufficiently indicative of his popularity, and separating -respectfully as he advanced, permitted him to meet a small knot of the -more distinguished exiles, who had flocked to his standard at the -first report of his having determined to take arms against the -cardinal.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Count proceeded onward, bowing to the people in recognition of -their welcome, with that bland smile which sits so gracefully on the -lips of the great; and then advancing with somewhat of a quicker step, -as he perceived the group of nobles I have mentioned hurrying to meet -him, he spoke to them all, but selected two for more particular -attention. The first was a man of about fifty; and, after I had heard -him named as the Duke of Vendome, I fancied I could discover in his -face a strong likeness to the busts of Henri Quatre. The second was -the Duke of Bouillon; and certainly never did I behold a countenance -which, without being at all handsome, possessed so pre-eminently -intellectual an expression. To me it was not pleasing, nor was it what -is called shrewd--nay, nor thoughtful; and yet it was all mind--mind -quick to perceive, and strong to repel, and steady to retain, and bold -to uphold. The whole was more impressive than agreeable, and gave the -idea of all the impulses springing from the brain, and none arising in -the heart.</p> - -<p class="normal">After he had returned the embrace of the Count de Soissons, his quick -dark eye instantly glanced to me with an inquiring look.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Prince saw and interpreted his glance; and making me a sign to -advance, he introduced me to his ally as Louis Count de l'Orme, only -son of the noble house of Bigorre, and first gentleman of his -bedchamber. The Duke bowed low, and, with what I judged rather an -unnecessary ostentation of politeness, welcomed me to Sedan; while the -Count, with a smile that seemed to imply that he read clearly what was -passing in his friend's mind, said in a low tone, "Do not be afraid, -Bouillon: if he is not for you, he is not against you."</p> - -<p class="normal">"He that is not for me," replied the Duke of Bouillon, with that -irreverent use of scriptural expressions which was so common in those -days--"he that is not for me is against me. I love not neutrals. Give -me the man who has spirit enough to take some determinate side, and -support it with his whole soul."</p> - -<p class="normal">All the blood in my body, I believe, found its way up into my cheek; -but I remained silent; and the Count, seeing that Monsieur de Bouillon -was in an irritable mood, and judging that I was not of a disposition -patiently to bear many such taunts as he had most undeservedly -launched at me, led the way to the barriers.</p> - -<p class="normal">Monsieur de Riquemont, the Count's chief <i>ecuyer</i>, having been -appointed <i>mestre de camp</i> for the time, opened the barriers and -entered the field first, followed by a crowd of valets and -<i>estaffiers</i>, carrying in a number of lances and pasteboard blocks, -made to represent the heads of Moors and Saracens, which were -deposited in the middle of the field. The Prince then mounted his -horse, and followed by the Dukes of Bouillon, Vendôme, and La Valette, -rode through the barrier, turning to me as he did so, and calling me -to keep near him.</p> - -<p class="normal">I instantly sprang upon my horse, which little Achilles held ready for -me, and galloped after the count. All those whose rank entitled them -to pass did the same. A certain number of grooms and lackeys also were -admitted, to hold the horses, amongst whom Achilles contrived to place -himself; and the barriers being closed, the rest of the people ranged -themselves without, which was indeed the best situation for viewing -the exercises.</p> - -<p class="normal">At about two-thirds of the course from the entrance, raised above one -of the posts which upheld the wooden railing of the enclosure, was a -high pillar of wood, with a cross-bar at the top, in form of a -gallows, and which was in fact called <i>la potence</i>. From this was -suspended a ring, hanging about a foot below the beam; and, during the -course, one of the Prince's domestics was mounted on the barrier, -supporting himself by the pillar of wood, to ascertain precisely -whether those who missed hitting the inside of the ring, and so -carrying it away, might not touch its edge, which was counted as an -inferior point.</p> - -<p class="normal">The <i>mestre de camp</i> now arranged us in the order in which we were to -run, and I was glad to find that I should be preceded by five -cavaliers, from each of whom I hoped to receive a lesson. The Prince, -of course, took the lead; and I observed that a great deal of -dexterity was necessary to couch the lance with grace and ease. After -pausing for a moment with the lance erect, he made a <i>demi-volte</i>, -and, gradually dropping the point, brought his elbow slowly to his -side; while putting his horse into a canter, and then into a gallop, -he kept the point of the weapon steadily above the right ear of his -horse, exactly on a line with his own forehead, till coming near the -pillar with his charger at full speed, he struck the ring and bore it -away. The marker now cried loudly, "<i>Un dedans! un dedans!</i>" and some -of the <i>estaffiers</i> ran to place another ring.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the mean while, amidst the applauses which multitudes always so -unscrupulously bestow upon success, the count, without looking behind, -rode round the field, slowly raising the point of his lance, on which -he still bore the ring he had carried away. The Duke of Bouillon, -notwithstanding his gout, proceeded next to the course; and, without -taking any great pains respecting the grace of his movements, aimed -his lance steadily, and carried away the ring. The Duke of Vendôme had -declined running; and Monsieur de la Valette, though managing his -horse and his lance with the most exquisite grace, passed the ring -without hitting it at all. De Varicarville missed the centre, but -struck it on the outside, when the marker cried loudly, "<i>Une -atteinte! line atteinte!</i>" and the Marquis de Bardouville, who, like a -great many other very hard-headed men, was famous for such exercises, -spurred on and carried it away like lightning.</p> - -<p class="normal">It now became my turn; and I will own that I wished myself anywhere in -the wide world but there. However, there was no remedy; and I was very -sure that, though I might not be able to carry away, or even touch the -ring, I could manage my horse as well as any man in the field. But I -had forgotten, that to every such compact as that between a man and -his horse, there are two parties, both of whom must be in perfect good -humour. The roan horse which had borne me from Paris was an excellent -strong roadster, and sufficiently well broke for all common purposes; -but for such exercises as those in which both he and his master were -so unwillingly engaged, he had no taste whatever. It was with the -greatest difficulty, therefore, that I compelled him to make his -<i>demi-volte</i>, before beginning the course. This accomplished, he -galloped on steadily enough towards the pillar; but, just at the -moment that I was aiming my lance to the best of my power, the -<i>potence</i>, the ring, and the man standing on the railing, all seemed -to catch his sight at once; and thinking it something very -extraordinary, and not at all pleasant, he started sideways from the -course, and dashed into the very centre of the field, scattering the -<i>estaffiers</i> and valets like a flock of sheep, and treading upon the -pasteboard heads of Moors and Turks with most pitiless precipitation. -Spurs and bridle were all in vain; I might as well have spurred a -church-steeple; and, in the end, down he came upon his haunches in the -most ungraceful posture in the world, while a loud shout of laughter -from the Duke of Bouillon and several others, announced that my -misfortune had not afforded the smallest part of the morning's -amusement.</p> - -<p class="normal">God forgive me! I certainly could have committed more than one murder -in the height of my wrath; and, digging my spurs into my horse's sides -with most unjustifiable passion, till the blood streamed from them, I -forced him up, and rode round to the spot where the Duke of Bouillon -stood, with intentions which I had luckily time to moderate before I -arrived.</p> - -<p class="normal">I passed on, therefore, to the Count de Soissons, merely giving the -duke a glance as I passed, in which he might well read what was -passing in my heart. He returned it with a cold stare, and then turned -to Bardouville with a sneering smile, which had nearly driven me mad.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Your Highness sees," said I, as I came near the Count, "the -unfortunate issue of my attempt to give you pleasure. Perhaps you will -now condescend to excuse my farther exposing myself to the laughter of -Monsieur de Bouillon and his friends."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Fie! you are angry, my dear De l'Orme," replied the Count, with a -degree of good humour I hardly deserved. "I will certainly not excuse -you going on with the exercises. You managed that horse as well as -such a horse could possibly be managed; and a great deal better than -any of the laughers would have done: but, though a good strong beast, -he is not fit for such games as these; and, therefore, as soon as I -saw him start, I sent one of my grooms for a managed horse of my own, -that has a mouth like velvet, and will obey the least touch of the -leg. Mount, my good De l'Orme, and shame these merry fools, by showing -them some better horsemanship than they can practise themselves."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Count then, turning to the rest, kindly amused a few moments in -conversation, till such time as he saw his groom trotting down the -beautiful charger he proposed to lend me. I made a sign to Achilles to -hold the horse I was upon; and alighting, the moment the other passed -the barrier, I laid my hand lightly on his shoulder, and sprang into -the saddle without touching the stirrup. The courses recommenced, and -Monsieur le Comte again carried away the ring: not so the Duke of -Bouillon, who merely touched it on the outer edge. The Duke de la -Valette also gained an <i>atteinte</i>; and both Varicarville and -Bardouville carried it away.</p> - -<p class="normal">As may be supposed, I had watched narrowly every motion of the other -cavaliers; and had remarked, and endeavoured to appropriate, all that -sat gracefully upon them. Habituated from my infancy to almost every -other corporeal exercise and game, I found no great difficulty in -acquiring this; and mounted as I was upon a horse that seemed almost -instinctively to know its rider's will, and obey it, I had every -advantage. The noble animal performed his <i>demi-volte</i> with the utmost -grace and precision; and now, finding by the very touch of the bridle -that I had a different creature to deal with, I easily balanced the -lance, as I had seen the Count de Soissons, kept the point over my -horse's right ear, and, somewhat imitating the swiftness with which De -Bardouville had run his course, I galloped on at full speed, struck -the ring right in the centre, and bore it away at once.</p> - -<p class="normal">The feelings of a multitude, unlike the feelings of most individuals, -do not seem mixed and blended with each other, but each appears -separate and distinct, reigns its moment, and then gives way to -another, like the passions of an ardent and hasty man; and this, -probably, because the sensations of all the parts of the crowd act in -the aggregate, while any counteracting principle is confined to one or -two, and does not appear. Thus the spectators outside the barriers, -who had laughed with the Duke of Bouillon at my former failure, were -as ready to triumph <i>with</i> me, as <i>over</i> me, and greeted my success -with a loud shout; while suddenly bringing my horse into a walk, I -proceeded round the field, slowly raising my lance with the ring still -upon the point.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Count de Soissons fixed his eyes upon me, and gave me a glance -expressive of as much pleasure as if he had been the person -interested; while the Duke of Bouillon looked on with an air of the -most perfect indifference, and talked aloud with Bardouville upon the -pleasures of a barbecued pig. Mixed feelings of indignation and -triumph excited me to a pitch of exertion which brought with it -greater success than I could have expected. I again carried away the -ring; and, at the end of the third course, found myself only exceeded -in the number of points I had made by the Count de Soissons, who had -carried the ring twice, and struck it once.</p> - -<p class="normal">The different pasteboard heads were now placed in the positions -assigned for them; and the Count de Soissons, who generously entered -into all my feelings, and saw that anger had made success a matter of -importance to me, now beckoning me to him, bade me, in a whisper, to -remark well the manœuvres of those who preceded me; and, above all -things, to take care that I neither dropped my hat, nor withdrew my -foot from the stirrup; as, though merely a matter of etiquette, the -course was considered lost by such an occurrence. I thanked his -Highness for his caution; and fixing my hat more firmly on my head, -and myself more steadily in the saddle, I left him to run his course.</p> - -<p class="normal">The heads had been placed, at various distances, along the line of the -barriers. One, a most ferocious-looking Saracen, was fixed upon an -iron stand at about one hundred and twenty-feet from the beginning of -the course, and raised about eight feet from the ground. This was made -to turn upon a pivot; and near it, in the exact centre of the course, -was placed a target painted with a head of Medusa. As soon as all was -arranged, the Count couched his lance and ran full speed at the -Saracen; but not being hit exactly in the centre, the head turned upon -its pivot, and the lance passed off.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Prince, however, rode on; and tossing the lance to an <i>estaffier</i> -who stood ready to catch it, turned with a <i>demi-volte</i> at the corner, -and drawing one of his pistols from the saddle-bow, galloped towards -the Medusa in the centre of the barrier. The crowd on the outside now -ran in every direction; and the Count, discharging his pistol, hit the -face upon the target exactly in the middle of the brow. Without -pausing, he urged his horse forward; and making the same turn nearly -where I stood, he came back upon the head, and fired his second pistol -at it with the same success. He then made a complete <i>volte</i>, during -which he replaced his pistol, drew his sword, and, galloping past the -third head, which was placed upon a little mound of earth about two -feet high, near the opposite barrier, he gave point with his sword in -tierce, struck it on the forehead, and raising his hand in quarte, -held up the head upon his sword's point.</p> - -<p class="normal">I found that the groom who had brought down the Count's horse for me -had taken care to provide pistols also; and, as the principal feats in -this course were performed with weapons which I was accustomed to, I -did not fear the result. The gentlemen who preceded me met with -various success; but Bardouville, who was certainly the most stupid of -them all in mind, was the most expert in body, and carried every -point. I followed his example, and succeeded in bearing off the -Saracen's head upon the point of my lance, making both my shots tell -upon the head of Medusa, and bringing up the third head upon the point -of my sword.</p> - -<p class="normal">Accidental, or not accidental, my success changed the posture of -affairs, for the Duke of Bouillon from that moment seemed to regard me -in a very different light from that which he had done at first; and as -we rode out of the barriers, he kept the Prince in close conversation, -which, from the glancing of his eye every now and then towards me, I -could not doubt had some reference to myself.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">On our arrival at the citadel, the two princes separated; and Monsieur -le Comte retired to his own apartments, whither I followed him in -company with the principal officers of his household. As he passed on -into his own saloon, he made me a sign to enter also; and while a -valet pulled off his boots, congratulated me upon my success in the -tilt-yard. "Nor must you be discontented, De l'Orme," continued he, -"because there was some little pain mingled with the first of your -feats: it rendered your after-triumph the greater."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Certainly, monseigneur," replied I, "I would rather it had not -happened; but yet, of course, I do not look upon it as any very -serious misfortune."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And yet," said he, with a smile, "you looked at the time as if you -felt it one. We are apt, my dear Count, to fancy in our youth that the -sweet cup of life has not a drop of bitter; but we all soon discover -that it is not so. With life, as with everything else, we find the -bright and delightful scattered thinly amidst an immensity of baser -matter. Those who seek pearls are obliged to plunge into the deep -briny sea to drag them up, and even then perchance, out of every -shell, ten will be worthless; but did we find pearls hanging amongst -grapes, or diamonds at the roots of roses, we should value neither one -nor the other as they merit. As it is, the threads of pain are woven -so intimately in the web of life, that they form but one piece; and -wise was the hand that ordered it so."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Count being by this time disembarrassed of his boots, he dismissed -the lackey, and then proceeded: "Now that we are alone," said he, "I -will give up my homily, for I have other matter to consult you upon. -This morning you said, in speaking of De Retz, that you would -willingly undertake and execute for me any commission similar to that -which he so dexterously exercises. Are you still so inclined?--Mark -me, De l'Orme," he added suddenly, "you are bound by nothing that you -said this morning. Men of a quick and ardent temperament like yours, -are often led from one step to another in the heat of conversation, -till they promise, and feel willing to perform at the time, many -things that, upon mature consideration, they would be very sorry to -undertake. Their feelings go on like the waves of the sea, each -hurrying forward the one before it, till the ripple becomes a billow -that dashes over every obstacle in its way. Then comes consideration, -like the ebb of the tide, and their wishes flow gradually back, far -from the point at which they had arrived at first. Should this be your -case, you are free to retract; and I tell you beforehand, that the -service upon which I would put you is one of difficulty, and also of -some personal danger to yourself."</p> - -<p class="normal">I replied by assuring the Count that what I had said in my former -conversation with him, unlike most conversations on earth, contained -nothing that I could wish unsaid--that my offer to serve him had -originated in personal attachment, and that of course that attachment -had much increased, instead of diminishing, by all that had passed -during the morning. Danger and difficulty, I farther said, were hardly -to be looked upon as objections, when by encountering them we could -prove our sincerity; and, therefore, that he had nothing to do but -point out the course he wished me to follow, and he might feel assured -I would do so to the best of my abilities.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Be it so then," replied the Count; "and I entertain no doubt of -either your discretion or success. Before your arrival, I had -intrusted to Monsieur de Retz all that a man of his profession could -do for me in the capital; but still there is much more to be done. He -has undertaken to win one part of society to our cause; but you must -know that in Paris there is a complete class of men, distinct and -separate from all the rest of the people, whom it concerns me much to -gain, for the purpose of securing the metropolis. You will be curious -to know what class I speak of:--I mean," he added with a smile, "the -honourable body of bravoes, swash-bucklers, swindlers, and, in short, -the whole company of those who, having no property of their own, live -at the expense of others. I am credibly informed that these persons -form one great body, and have certain means of corresponding and -communicating with each other throughout the kingdom. The number in -Paris is said to be twenty thousand. You may well look surprised; but -it is an undoubted fact; and it is to gain these respectable allies -that I now intend to send you back to the capital. The mission, truly, -is not a very elevated one; but when I do not disdain to treat with -such a body, you must not scorn to be my ambassador. In the conduct of -this business, you and De Retz must be in constant correspondence; for -though his clerical character stands in the way of his taking any -active part in the negotiation itself, his knowledge of Paris, and all -that it contains, may be of the greatest service to you in -facilitating your communication with these gentry, who are not in -general very fond of trusting their secrets with strangers."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Prince was then proceeding once more to give the motives which -induced him to look upon nothing as mean which could insure the most -speedy termination to an enterprise on which the fate of France -depended--reasoning with all the eloquence of a man who, not very sure -of being in the right, hopes to persuade himself thereof, while he is -persuading another; but I assured him in reply, that I was perfectly -convinced of the propriety of the conduct which he pursued, and only -required to be made perfectly aware of the nature of my mission, what -I was to demand, and what I might promise on his part.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Much must be left to your own discretion," replied the Count: "the -object is to insure that these men will instantly rise in my favour, -on a given signal; but not to commit me to them so far, that I cannot -retract should any change of circumstances induce me to abandon the -enterprise."</p> - -<p class="normal">The sketch of Monsieur le Comte, as drawn by the Marquis de St. Brie, -instantly rose to my recollection at these words; and I saw how truly -he had spoken, when he said, that want of resolution was the great -defect of the Count's character. How dangerous such irresolution must -ever be in the conduct of great undertakings was at once evident; and -I almost shuddered to think what might be the possible consequences to -all concerned, if the struggle that was likely to ensue could not be -terminated at a blow. This, more than any other consideration, made me -resolve to exert the utmost energies of my mind, in the part that was -allotted to me, for the purpose of preparing everything to act upon -the same point at the same moment, and produce one great and -overpowering effect. I promised, therefore, to do my best, according -to the views his highness entertained; and said that I doubted not of -my success with the persons to whom I was sent, provided I was -furnished with the necessary means to touch their hearts, through the -only points in which the hearts of such men are vulnerable.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You shall have it, De l'Orme! you shall have it!" replied the Count, -"though money is one of those things of which we stand most in need. -But you will not set out till to-morrow morning; and before that time, -I will try to furnish you with a few thousand crowns, for I know it is -absolutely necessary; especially as I trust you will, on your return, -bring with you two or three hundred recruits; for should you find any -of our friends the swash-bucklers, who have a grain or two more -honesty than the rest, you must enlist them in our good cause, and -send them one by one over to Mouzon. But now hie you to the rest till -dinner; and accept, as a first earnest of my friendship, the good -horse on whose back you were so successful just now. No thanks! no -thanks, my good De l'Orme! Take him as he stands; and he may perhaps -recall me to your memory when Louis de Bourbon is no more."</p> - -<p class="normal">There was a touch of sadness in the Count's tone that found its way to -the heart, and, like the whole of his manners, won upon the affection. -It seemed to familiarise one with his inmost feelings, and any -coldness in his cause would have been like a breach of confidence. A -prince binds himself to his inferior, by making him the sharer of his -pleasures or his follies; but he binds his inferior to him by -admitting him into the solemn tabernacle of the heart.</p> - -<p class="normal">On retiring from the prince's apartments, I felt no inclination to -join any of the merry, thoughtless parties of his friends that were -roving about the town and the citadel, some running to the mall, some -to the tennis court, and all eager to chase away those precious hours, -which man the prodigal squanders so thoughtlessly in his youth, to -covet with so much avarice in his latter days. On the stairs, however, -that conducted to my own apartments, I met Monsieur de Varicarville, -who gave me the good morning, and stopped to speak with me. "I know -not, Monsieur de l'Orme," said he, "whether I am about to take a -liberty with you, but I have just seen your servant conducted to the -private cabinet of the Duke of Bouillon. It appeared to me this -morning that you were not inclined to attach yourself to the Duke's -party; and that, from that or some other cause, he seemed somewhat -ill-disposed towards you at first. I therefore presume to tell you of -your servant's having gone to him, that if you did not yourself send -him, you may make what inquiries you think fit. You are still young in -the intrigues of this place, or I should not give you this warning."</p> - -<p class="normal">This took place not above ten steps from my own chamber; and after -thanking Varicarville for his information, I asked him to wait with me -for Achilles' return, and we would question him together concerning -his absence. This mark of confidence on my part opened the way for the -same on the part of the Marquis; and after proceeding cautiously step -by step for a few minutes, both fearful that we might betray in some -degree the trust reposed in us by Monsieur le Comte, if we spoke -openly, and neither wishing to intrude himself into the private -opinions of the other, we gradually found that there was nothing to be -concealed on either side, and that our opinions tended immediately -towards the same point.</p> - -<p class="normal">This once established, and the communication instantly became easy -between us. Varicarville spoke his sentiments freely concerning the -situation and character of the Count, and the schemes and wishes of -the Duke of Bouillon, whose endeavours to hurry the Prince into a -civil war were every day becoming more active and more successful.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Notwithstanding the advantages which may accrue to himself," said -Varicarville, "and which are certainly very many, I do believe that -the duke seeks principally the good and honour of Monsieur le Comte; -and did I feel sure that the event we desire could be procured by a -single battle, or even a single campaign, I should not oppose him; -for, an excellent soldier and even a skilful general, the Count would -be almost certain to overcome the only disposable force which the -cardinal could oppose to him. This, however, would not be the only -arms with which the wily minister would fight him:--he would employ -negotiations, treaties, and intrigues; and thus he would conquer, and -even intimidate, a man who has really ten times more personal courage -than those who most eagerly urge him to war. From what you have said, -I easily see that you have discovered the Prince's defect:--he has no -resolution. He has the courage of a lion; but still he has not -resolution. The first, to use the words of the Abbé de Retz, is an -ordinary, and even a vulgar quality; the second is rare even in great -men; but yet there are two situations in which it is eminently -necessary--the ministry of a great country, and the chief of a -conspiracy. Richelieu has it in the most eminent degree; and the man -who would oppose him with success must not therein be deficient."</p> - -<p class="normal">While he spoke, the door of the chamber opening, Achilles made his -appearance, and was running up to me, when he perceived Monsieur de -Varicarville, and suddenly stopped.</p> - -<p class="normal">"What were you going to say, Achilles?" demanded I. "You may speak -freely:--this is a friend."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But what I have to say is a state secret, which I shall communicate -to none but your lordship," replied the little player, with a look of -vast importance. "Deep in the bottom of my profound heart will I hide -it, till opportunity shall unlock the door and draw it forth from its -dungeon."</p> - -<p class="normal">Varicarville looked somewhat surprised; but I, who better understood -my attendant's vein, merely replied, "You had better draw it forth -immediately yourself, my good Achilles, for fear I should break the -dungeon door, as you call it, and your head both in one."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, if your lordship insists," replied the little player, not -displeased at the bottom of his heart to be delivered of his secret at -once, "I have nothing for it but to obey. Know then, illustrious scion -of a noble house, that as I was returning from that famous field, -wherein you this morning covered yourself with victory, one of the -domestic servants of the great and puissant Prince, Frederic Maurice, -Duke of Bouillon and Sovereign of Sedan, pulled me by the tags of my -doublet, and insinuated, in a low and solemn voice, that his master -wanted to speak with me: to which I replied, that duty is the call -which generous souls obey, and therefore that I must see whether you -stood in need of anything, before I could follow him. Finding, -however, that you were closeted with Monsieur le Comte, I proceeded to -the lodging of the high and puissant Prince, who asked me if I were -much in your private secrets. To this I answered, that I did not -believe there was a thought on earth which you concealed from me."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You were either a great fool or a great knave to say so," replied I, -"and I do not very well know which."</p> - -<p class="normal">"A knave, a knave! please your worship," replied Achilles, with a low -bow. "A fool has something degrading in it. I would rather at any time -be supposed to exercise the profession of Hermes than that of -Æsculapius.--But listen! He next asked me how long I had been in your -worship's service. On which I replied, all my life--that we had been -brought up together from the cradle. My mother, I assured him, was -your worship's wet-nurse, so that we were foster-brothers."</p> - -<p class="normal">"A pretty apocrypha truly!" replied I; "but go on."</p> - -<p class="normal">"His highness then asked me," proceeded Achilles, "whether your -lordship leaned really to peace or war. To which I replied, that as -yet, I believed, you were quite undecided, although your natural -disposition led you to war, for which you had so strong a turn, that -you must needs go fighting in Catalonia, when you had no occasion in -life. At this I thought he looked pleased; but I was afraid of going -any farther, for fear of committing your Excellence. So then, his -majesty proceeded to say that I must try and determine you to war, and -that you must try and determine Monsieur le Comte; and on the back of -this he gave me at least one hundred excellent reasons why men should -cut one another's throats, all which I have forgot; but doubtless your -Eminence can imagine them. He then gave me a purse, not at all as a -bribe, he said, but merely for the trouble he had given me; and made -me promise at the same time not to reveal one word of what had passed -to any one, which I vowed upon my honour and my reputation, and came -away to tell your grace as fast as possible."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And your honour and your reputation, <i>mon drole!</i>" said Varicarville, -"what has become of them?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, your worship!" replied Achilles, "I stretched them so often in my -youth, that they cracked long ago; and then, instead of patching them -up as many people do, which is but a sorry contrivance, and not at all -safe, I threw them away altogether, and have done ever since quite as -well without."</p> - -<p class="normal">After having sent Achilles away, I consulted with Varicarville in -regard to the proper course of proceeding under such circumstances.</p> - -<p class="normal">"All you can do," replied he, "is to take no notice, and remain -firm--if I understand you rightly, that you are determined to join -with those who would dissuade the Count from proceeding to so -dangerous an experiment as war."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am certainly so far determined," replied I, "that I will continue -to oppose such a proceeding, till I see the Count once resolved upon -it; but after that, I will, so far from endeavouring to shake his -resolution, do all in my power to keep him steady in it, and to -promote the success of the enterprise; for I am convinced that after -that, hesitation and conflicting opinions in the party of the Prince -might bring about his ruin, but could do no good."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Perhaps you are right," replied Varicarville, "and that is all that I -could hope or require. When I see you alone with the Count, I shall -now feel at ease, convinced that, as long as he continues undecided, -you will continue to oppose any act of hostility to the government; -and when he is decided, and the die cast, we must both do our best to -make the issue successful."</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus ended my conference with Varicarville, and nothing farther -occurred during the day affecting myself personally. I heard of the -arrival of several fresh parties, both from the interior of France and -from the adjacent countries, which were almost peopled with French -exiles; and Achilles also brought me news that the Baron de Beauvau -had returned from the Low Countries, accompanied by a Spanish -nobleman, as plenipotentiary from the Archduke Leopold and the -Cardinal Infant of Spain; but nothing of any consequence happened till -the evening, in which I was at all called to take part.</p> - -<p class="normal">I strolled, however, through the town of Sedan; and from the labours -which were hurrying forward at various points of the fortifications, I -was led to conclude that the Duke of Bouillon himself anticipated but -a short interval of peace. At length, as I approached an unfinished -hornwork on the banks of the Meuse, a sentinel dropped his partisan to -my breast, bidding me stand back; and, my walk being interrupted in -that direction, I returned to the citadel and proceeded to my own -chamber.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XL.</h4> - -<p class="normal">I was standing at the window of my bedchamber, in one of those -meditative, almost sad moods, which often fill up the pauses of more -active and energetic being, when the mind falls back upon itself, -after the stir and bustle of great enterprises, and the silent moral -voice within seems to rebuke us for the worm-like pettiness of our -earthly struggles, and the vain futility of all our mortal endeavours.</p> - -<p class="normal">Nothing could be more lovely than the scene from the window. The sun -was setting over the dark forest of Ardennes, which, skirting all -round the northern limits of the view, formed a dark purple girdle to -the beautiful principality of Sedan; but day had only yet so far -declined as to give a rich and golden splendour to the whole -atmosphere, and his beams still flashed against every point of the -landscape, where any bright object met them, as if they encountered a -living diamond. Running from the south-east to the north were the -heights of Amblemont, from the soft green summit of which, stretching -up to the zenith, the whole sky was mottled with a flight of light -high clouds, which caught every beam of the sinking sun, and blushed -brighter and brighter as he descended. A thousand villages and hamlets -with their little spires, and now and then the turrets of the -châteaux, scattered through the valley, peeped out from every clump of -trees. The flocks of sheep and the herds of cattle, winding along -towards their folds, gave an air of peaceful abundance to the scene; -and the grand Meuse wandering through its rich meadows with a thousand -meanders, and glowing brightly in the evening light, added something -both solemn and majestic to the whole. I was watching the progress of -a boat gliding silently along the stream, whose calm waters it -scarcely seemed to ruffle in its course; and, while passion, and -ambition, and pride, and vanity, and the thousands of irritable -feelings that struggled in my bosom during the day were lulled into -tranquillity by the influence of the soft, peaceful scene before my -eyes, I was thinking how happy it would be to glide through life like -that little bark, with a full sail, and a smooth and golden tide, till -the stream of existence fell into the dark ocean of eternity--when my -dream was broken by some one knocking at my chamber-door.</p> - -<p class="normal">Though I wished them no good for their interruption, I bade them come -in; and the moment after, the Duke of Bouillon himself stood before -me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Monsieur de l'Orme," said he, advancing, and doffing his hat, "I hope -I do not interrupt your contemplations." I bowed, and begged him to be -seated; and after a moment or two he proceeded: "I am happy in finding -you alone; for, though certainly one is bound to do whatever one -conceives right before the whole world, should chance order it so, yet -of course, when one has to acknowledge one's self in the wrong, it is -more pleasant to do so in private--especially," he added with a smile, -"for a sovereign prince in his own castle. I was this morning, -Monsieur de l'Orme, both rude and unjust towards you; and I have come -to ask your pardon frankly. Do you give it me?"</p> - -<p class="normal">Although I believed there was at least as much policy as candour in -the conduct of the Duke, I did not suffer that conviction to affect my -behaviour towards him, and I replied, "Had I preserved any irritation, -my lord, from this morning, the condescension and frankness of your -present apology would of course have obliterated it at once."</p> - -<p class="normal">I thought I saw a slight colour mount in the Duke's cheek at the word -apology; for men will do a thousand things which they do not like to -hear qualified by even the mildest word that can express them; and I -easily conceived, that though the proud lord of Sedan had for his own -purposes fully justified me in the use of the term, it hurt his ears -to hear that he had apologised to any one.</p> - -<p class="normal">He proceeded, however: "I was, in truth, rather irritable this -morning, and I hastily took up an opinion, which I since find, from -the conversation of Monsieur le Comte, was totally false; namely, that -you were using all your endeavours to dissuade him from the only step -which can save himself and his country from ruin. Our levies were -nearly made, our envoy on his very return from the Low Countries, all -our plans concerted, and the Count perfectly determined, but the very -day before your arrival. Now I find him again undetermined; and though -I am convinced I was in error, yet you will own that it was natural I -should attribute this change to your counsels."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Your Excellence attributed to me," I replied, with a smile, at the -importance wherewith a suspicious person often contrives to invest a -circumstance, or a person who has really none--"Your Excellence -attributed to me much more influence with Monsieur le Comte than I -possess: but, if it would interest you at all to hear what are the -opinions of a simple gentleman of his Highness's household, and by -what rule he was determined to govern his conduct, I have not the -slightest objection to give you as clear an insight into my mind, as -you have just given me of your own."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Duke, perhaps, felt that he was not acting a very candid part, and -he rather hesitated while he replied that such a confidence would give -him pleasure.</p> - -<p class="normal">"My opinion, then, my lord," replied I, "of that step which you think -necessary to the Count's safety, namely, a civil war, is, that it is -the most dangerous he could take, except that of hesitating after once -having fully determined."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But why do you think it so dangerous?" demanded the Duke: "surely no -conjuncture could be more propitious. We have troops, and supplies, -and allies, internal and external, which place success beyond a doubt. -The Count is adored by the people and by the army--scarcely ten men -will be found in France to draw a sword against him. He is courage and -bravery itself--an able politician--an excellent general--a man of -vigorous resolution."</p> - -<p class="normal">This was said so seriously, that it was difficult to suppose the Duke -was not in earnest; and yet to believe that a man of his keen sagacity -was blind to the one great weakness of the Prince's character was -absolutely impossible. If it was meant as a sort of bait to draw from -me my opinions of the count, it did not succeed, for I suspected it at -the time; and replied at once, "Most true. He is all that you say; and -yet, Monsieur de Bouillon, though my opinion or assistance can be of -very little consequence, either in one scale or the other, my -determination is fixed to oppose, to the utmost of my power, any step -towards war, whenever his highness does me the honour of speaking to -me on the subject--so long, at least, as I see that his mind remains -undetermined. The moment, however, I hear him declare that he has -taken his resolution, no one shall be more strenuous than myself in -endeavouring to keep him steady therein. From that instant I shall -conceive myself, and strive to make him believe, that one retrograde -step is destruction; and I pledge myself to exert all the faculties of -my mind and body, as far as those very limited faculties may go, to -assist and promote the enterprise to the utmost of my power."</p> - -<p class="normal">"If that be the case," replied the Duke, "I feel sure that I shall -this very night be able to show that war is now inevitable; and to -determine the Count to pronounce for it himself. A council will be -held at ten o'clock to-night, on various matters of importance; and I -doubt not that his highness will require your assistance and opinion. -Should he do so, I rely upon your word to do all that you can to close -the door on retrocession, when once the Count has chosen his line of -conduct."</p> - -<p class="normal">The noble duke now spoke in the real tone of his feelings. To do him -justice, he had shown infinite friendship towards his princely guest; -and it was not unnatural that he should strive by every means to bring -over those who surrounded the Prince to his own opinion. When as now -he quitted all art as far as he could, for he was too much habituated -to policy to abandon it ever entirely, I felt a much higher degree of -respect for him; and, as he went on boldly, soliciting me to join -myself to his party, and trying to lead me by argument from one step -to another, I found much more difficulty in resisting than I had -before experienced in seeing through and parrying his artifices.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is in times of faction and intrigue, when every single voice is of -import to one party or the other, that small men gain vast -consequence; and, apt to attribute to their individual merit the court -paid to them for their mere integral weight, they often sell their -support to flattery and attention, when they would have yielded to no -other sort of bribery. However much I might overrate my own importance -from the efforts of the Duke to gain me--and I do not at all deny that -I did so--I still continued firm: and at last contenting himself with -what I had at first promised, he turned the conversation to myself, -and I found that he had drawn from the Count so much of my history as -referred to the insurrection of Catalonia, and my interview with -Richelieu.</p> - -<p class="normal">I felt, as we conversed, that my character and mind were undergoing a -strict and minute examination, through the medium of every word I -spoke; and, what between the vanity of appearing to the best -advantage, and the struggle to hide the consciousness that I was under -such a scrutiny, I believe that I must have shown considerably more -affectation than ability. The conviction that this was the case, too, -came to embarrass me still more; and, feeling that I was undervaluing -my own mind altogether, I suddenly broke off at one of the Duke's -questions, which somewhat too palpably smacked of the investigation -with which he was amusing himself, and replied, "Men's characters, -monseigneur, are best seen in their actions, when they are free to -act; and in their words, when they think those words fall unnoticed; -but, depend upon it, one cannot form a correct estimate of the mind of -another by besieging it in form. We instantly put ourselves upon the -defensive when we find an army sitting down before the citadel of the -heart; and whatever be the ability of our adversary, it is very -difficult either to take us by storm, or to make us capitulate."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay," replied the Duke, "indeed you are mistaken. I had no such -intention as you seem to think. My only wish was to amuse away an hour -in your agreeable society, ere joining his highness, to proceed with -him to the council: but I believe it is nearly time that I should go."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Duke now left me. I was not at all satisfied with my own conduct -during the interview that had just passed; and, returning to my -station at the window, I watched the last rays of day fade away from -the sky, and one bright star after another gaze out at the world -below, while a thousand wandering fancies filled my brain, taking a -calm but melancholy hue from the solemn aspect of the night, and a -still more gloomy one from feeling how little my own actions were -under the control of my reason, and how continually, even in a casual -conversation, I behaved and spoke in the most opposite manner to that -which reflection would have taught me to pursue.</p> - -<p class="normal">Sick of the present, my mind turned to other days. Many a memory and -many a regret were busy about my heart, conjuring up dreams, and -hopes, and wishes passed away--the throng of all those bright things -we leave behind with early youth and never shall meet again, if it be -not in a world beyond the tomb. All the sounds of earth sunk into -repose, so that I could hear even the soft murmur of the Meuse, and -the sighing of the summer-breeze wandering through the embrazures of -the citadel. The cares, the labours, the anxieties, and all the -grievous realities of life, seemed laid in slumber with the day that -nursed them; while fancy, imagination, memory, every thing that lives -upon <i>that which is not</i>, seemed to assert their part, and take -possession of the night. I remembered many such a starry sky in my own -beautiful land, when, without a heart-ache or a care, I had gazed upon -the splendour of the heavens, and raised my heart in adoration to Him -that spread it forth; but now, I looked out into the deep darkness, -and found painful, painful memory mingling gall with all the sweetness -of its contemplation. I thought of my sweet Helen, and remembered how -many an obstacle was cast between us. I thought of my father, who had -watched my youth like an opening flower, who had striven to instil -into my mind all that was good and great, and I recollected the pain -that my unexplained absence must have given. I thought of my mother, -who had nursed my infant years, who had founded all her happiness on -me--who had watched, and wept, and suffered for me, in my illness; and -I called up every tone of her voice, every glance of her eye, every -smile of her lip, till my heart ached even with the thoughts it -nourished; and a tear, I believe, found its way into my eye--when -suddenly, as it fixed upon the darkness, something white seemed to -glide slowly across before me. It had the form--it had the look--it -had the aspect of my mother. My eyes strained upon it, as if they -would have burst from their sockets. I saw it distinct and plain as I -could have seen her in the open day. My heart beat, my brain whirled, -and I strove to speak; but my words died upon my lips; and when at -length I found the power to utter them, the figure was gone, and all -was blank darkness, with the bright stars twinkling through the deep -azure of the sky.</p> - -<p class="normal">I know--I feel sure, now, as I sit and reason upon it--that the whole -was imagination, to which the hour, the darkness, and my own previous -thoughts, all contributed: but still, the fancy must have been most -overpoweringly strong to have thus compelled the very organs of vision -to co-operate in the deceit; and, at the moment, I had no more doubt -that I had seen the spirit of my mother than I had of my own -existence. The memory of the whole remains still as strongly impressed -upon my mind as ever; and certainly, as far as actual impressions -went, every circumstance appeared as substantially true as any other -thing we see in the common course of events. Memory, however, leaves -the mind to reason calmly; and I repeat, that I believe the whole to -have been produced by a highly excited imagination; for I am sure that -the Almighty Being who gave laws to nature, and made it beautifully -regular even in its irregularities, never suffers his own laws to be -changed or interrupted, except for some great and extraordinary -purpose.</p> - -<p class="normal">I do not deny that such a thing has happened--or that it may happen -again; but, even in opposition to the seeming evidence of my senses, I -will not believe that such an interruption of the regular course of -nature did occur in my own case.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XLI.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Still, at the time I believed it fully; and, after a few minutes given -to wild, confused imaginings, I sat down and forcibly collected my -thoughts, to bend them upon all the circumstances of my fate. My -mother's spirit must have appeared to me, I thought, as a warning, -probably of my own approaching death: but death was a thing that in -itself I little feared; and all I hoped was, that some opportunity -might be given me of distinguishing myself before the grave closed -over my mortal career. Now, all the trifles, which we have time to -make of consequence when existence seems indefinitely spread out -before us, lost their value in my eyes, as I imagined, or rather as I -felt, what we ought always to feel, that every hour of being is -limited. One plays boldly when one has nothing to lose, and carelessly -when one has nothing to gain; and thus, in the very fancy that life -was fleeting from me fast, I found a sort of confidence and firmness -of mind, which is generally only gained by long experience of our own -powers as compared with those of others.</p> - -<p class="normal">While the thoughts of what I had seen were yet fresh in my mind, a -messenger announced to me that the prince desired my presence in the -great hall of the château as speedily as possible; and, without -staying to make any change of dress, I followed down the stairs. As I -was crossing the lesser court, I encountered my little attendant. He -had been straying somewhat negligently through the good town of Sedan, -and had been kept some hours at the gates of the citadel on his -return.</p> - -<p class="normal">I had not time, however, to give him any very lengthened reprehension; -but bidding him go to my chamber and wait for me, I followed the -Count's servant to the council-hall.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was a vast vaulted chamber in the very centre of the citadel; and -the candles upon the table in the midst, though they served -sufficiently to light the part of the room in which they were placed, -left the whole of the rest in semi-obscurity; so that when I entered I -could but see a group of dark figures, seated irregularly about a -council board, with several others dispersed in twos and threes, -talking together in various parts of the room, as if waiting the -arrival of some other person.</p> - -<p class="normal">The words "Here he is, here he is!" pronounced more than once, as I -entered, made me almost fancy that the council had delayed its -deliberations for me; but the vanity of such an idea soon received a -rebuff, for a moment after, the voice of the Count de Soissons -himself, who sat at the head of the table, replied, "No, no, it is -only the Count de l'Orme. Monsieur de Guise disdains to hurry himself, -let who will wait."</p> - -<p class="normal">Advancing to the table, I now found Monsieur le Comte, with -Bardouville, Varicarville, St. Ibal, and several others whom I did not -know, seated round the table, while the Duke of Bouillon was -conversing with some strangers at a little distance. But my greatest -surprise was to find Monsieur de Retz near the Count de Soissons, -though I left him so short a time before at Paris. He seemed to be in -deep thought; but his ideas, I believe, were not quite so abstracted -as they appeared: and on my approaching him, he rose and embraced me -as if we had known each other for centuries, saying at the same time -in my ear, "I hear you have received the true faith. Be a martyr to it -this night, if it be necessary."</p> - -<p class="normal">I now took a seat next to Varicarville, who whispered to me, "We have -here an ambassador from Spain, and you will see how laudably willing -we Frenchmen are to be gulled. He will promise us men and money, and -what not, this Marquis de Villa Franca; but when the time comes for -performance, not a man nor a stiver will be forthcoming."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Perhaps I may thwart him," replied I, remembering, at the sound of -his name, that I had in my hands a pledge of some worth in the -diamonds which Achilles had pilfered at Barcelona. Varicarville looked -surprised; but at that moment our conversation was interrupted by the -Duke of Bouillon turning round, and observing that the conduct of -Monsieur de Guise was unaccountable in keeping such an assembly -waiting in the manner which he did.</p> - -<p class="normal">"To council, gentlemen!" said the Count, hastily. "We have waited too -long for this noble Prince of Loraine. To council!"</p> - -<p class="normal">The rest of the party now took their seats, and the Baron de Beauvau -rising, informed the Count that he had executed faithfully his embassy -to the Archduke Leopold and the Cardinal Infant, who each promised to -furnish his highness with a contingent of seven thousand men, and two -hundred thousand crowns in money, in case he determined upon the very -just and necessary warfare to which he was called by the voice not -only of all France but all Europe--a war which, by one single blow, -would deliver his native country from her oppressor, and restore the -blessing of peace to a torn and suffering world. He then proceeded to -enter into various particulars and details, which I now forget; but it -was very easy to perceive from the whole that Monsieur de Beauvau was -one of the strongest advocates for war. He ended by stating that the -Marquis de Villa Franca, then present, had been sent by the Cardinal -Infant to receive the final determination of the Prince.</p> - -<p class="normal">My eyes followed the direction of his as he spoke, and rested on a -tall, dark man, who sat next to the Duke of Bouillon, listening to -what passed, with more animation in his looks than the nobility of -Spain generally allowed to appear. He was simply dressed in black; but -about his person might be seen a variety of rich jewels, evidently -showing that the pillage which I had seen committed on his house at -Barcelona had not cured him of his passion for precious stones.</p> - -<p class="normal">After the Baron de Beauvau had given an account of his mission, the -Duke of Bouillon rose, and said, that now, as the noble princes of the -house of Austria had made them such generous and friendly offers, and -sent a person of such high rank to receive their determination, all -that remained for them to do was, to fix finally whether they would, -by submitting to a base and oppressive minister, stoop their heads at -once to the block and axe, and add all the most illustrious names of -France to the catalogue of Richelieu's murders; or whether they would, -by one great and noble effort, cast off the chains of an usurper, and -free their king, their country, and themselves.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Duke spoke long and eloquently. He urged the propriety of war upon -every different motive--upon expediency, upon necessity, upon -patriotism. He addressed himself first to the nobler qualities of his -hearers--their courage, their love of their country, their own honour, -and dignity; and then to those still stronger auxiliaries, their -weaknesses--their vanity, their ambition, their pride, their avarice; -but while he did so, he artfully spread a veil over them all, lest -shame should step in, and, recognising them in their nakedness, hold -them back from the point towards which he led them. He spoke as if for -the whole persons there assembled, and as if seeking to win them each -to his opinion; but his speech was, in fact, directed towards the -Count de Soissons, on whose determination of course the whole event -depended.</p> - -<p class="normal">Varicarville did not suffer the Duke's persuasions to pass, without -casting his opinion in the still wavering balance of the Count's mind, -and urging in plain but energetic language every motive which could -induce the Prince to abstain from committing himself to measures that -he might afterwards disapprove.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is a common weakness with irresolute people always to attach more -importance to a new opinion than to an old one; and Monsieur le Comte, -turning to De Retz, pressed him to speak his sentiments upon the -measure under consideration. The Abbé declined, protesting his -inexperience and incapability, as long as such abnegation might set -forth his modesty to the best advantage, and enhance the value of his -opinion; but when he found himself urged, he rose and spoke somewhat -to the following effect:--</p> - -<p class="normal">"I see myself surrounded by the best and dearest friends of Monsieur -le Comte; and yet I am bold to say that there is not one noble -gentleman amongst them who has a warmer love for his person, or a -greater regard for his dignity and honour, than myself. Did I see that -dignity in danger, did I see that honour touched, by his remaining in -inactivity, my voice should be the first for war; but while both are -in security, nothing shall ever make me counsel him to a measure by -which both are hazarded. I speak merely of Monsieur le Comte, for it -is his interests that we are here to consider; it is he that must -decide our actions, and it is his honour and reputation that are -risked by the determination. To me it appears clear that, by remaining -at peace, his dignity is in perfect safety. His retreat to Sedan -guarded him against the meannesses to which the minister wished to -force him. The general hatred borne towards the Cardinal turns the -whole warmth of popular love and public admiration towards the Count's -exile. The favour of the people, also, is always more secure in -inactivity than in activity, because the glory of action depends upon -success, of which no one can be certain: that of inaction, in the -present circumstances, is sure, being founded on public hatred towards -a minister--one of those unalterable things on which one may always -count. The public always have hated, and always will hate the -minister, be he who he will, and be his talents and his virtues what -they may. He may have, at first, a momentary popularity, and he may -have brief returns of it; but envy, hatred, and malice towards the -minister are always at the bottom of the vulgar heart: and as they -could never get through life without having the devil to charge with -all their sins, so can they never be contented without laying all -their woes, misfortunes, cares, and grievances to the door of the -minister. Thus then, hating the Cardinal irremediably, they will -always love the Count as his enemy, unless his highness risks his own -glory by involving the nation in intestine strife. It is therefore my -most sincere opinion, that as long as the minister does not himself -render war inevitable, the interest, the honour, the dignity of the -Prince, all require peace. Richelieu's bodily powers are every day -declining, while the hatred of the people every day increases towards -him; and their love for Monsieur le Comte augments in the same -proportion. In the meanwhile, the eyes of all Europe behold with -admiration a Prince of the blood royal of France enduring a voluntary -exile, rather than sacrifice his dignity; and, with the power and -influence to maintain himself against all the arts and menaces of an -usurping minister, still patriotically refraining from the hazardous -experiment of war, which, in compensation for certain calamities, -offers nothing but a remote and uncertain event. Peace, then! let us -have peace! at least till such time as war becomes inevitable."</p> - -<p class="normal">While De Retz spoke, the Duke of Bouillon had regarded him with a calm -sort of sneer, the very coolness of which led me to think that he -still calculated upon deciding the Prince to war; and the moment the -other had done, he observed, "<i>Monsieur le Damoisau, Souverain de -Commerci</i>"--one of the titles of De Retz--"methinks, for so young a -man, you are marvellously peaceably disposed."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Duke of Bouillon!" said De Retz, fixing on him his keen dark eye, -"were it not for the gratitude which all the humble friends of -Monsieur le Comte feel towards you on his account, I should be tempted -to remind you, that you may not always be within the security of your -own bastions."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Hush, hush, my friends!" cried the Count, "let us have no jarring at -our council-table. Bouillon, my noble cousin, you are wrong. De Retz -has surely as much right to express his opinion, when asked by me, as -any man present. Come, Monsieur de l'Orme, give us your counsel."</p> - -<p class="normal">I replied without hesitation, that my voice was still for peace, as -long as it was possible to maintain it; but that when once war was -proved to be unavoidable, the more boldly it was undertaken, and the -more resolutely it was carried on, the greater was the probability of -success, and the surer the honour to be gained.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Such also is my opinion," said the Prince; "and on this, then, let us -conclude to remain at peace till we are driven to war, but to act so -as to make our enemies repent it when they render war inevitable."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Whether it is so or not, at this moment," said the Duke of Bouillon, -"your highness will judge, after having cast your eyes over that -paper"--and he laid a long written scroll before the Count de -Soissons.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Count raised it, and all eyes turned upon him while he read. After -running over the first ordinary forms, the Count's brow contracted, -and, biting his lip, he handed the paper to Varicarville, bidding him -read it aloud. "It is fit," said he, "that all should know and -witness, that necessity, and not inclination, leads me to plunge my -country in the misfortunes of civil war. Read, Varicarville, read!"</p> - -<p class="normal">Varicarville glanced his eyes over the paper, and then, with somewhat -of an unsteady voice, read the following proclamation:--</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>In the king's name!</i><a name="div4Ref_08" href="#div4_08"><sup>[8]</sup></a> Dear and well-beloved. The fears which we -entertain, that certain rumours lately spread abroad of new factions -and conspiracies, whereby various of our rebellious subjects endeavour -to trouble the repose of our kingdom, should inspire you with vain -apprehensions, you not knowing the particulars, have determined us to -make those particulars public, in order that you may render thanks to -God for having permitted us to discover the plots of our enemies, in -time to prevent their malice from making itself felt, to the downfall -of the state.</p> - -<p class="normal">"We should never have believed, after the lenity and favour which we -have on all occasions shown to our cousin the Count de Soissons, more -especially in having pardoned him his share in the horrible conspiracy -of 1636, that he would have embarked in similar designs, had not the -capture of various seditious emissaries, sent into our provinces for -the purpose of exciting rebellion, of levying troops against our -service, of debauching our armies, and of shaking the fidelity of our -subjects, together with the confessions of the said emissaries, fully -proved and established the criminality of our said cousin's designs.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The levies which are publicly made under commissions from our said -cousin--the hostilities committed upon the bodies of our faithful -soldiers, established in guard upon the frontiers of Champagne--the -confession of the courier called Vausselle, who has most -providentially fallen into our hands, stating that he had been sent on -the part of the said Count de Soissons, the dukes of Guise and -Bouillon, to our dearly beloved brother, Gaston Duke of Orleans, for -the purpose of seducing our said brother to join and aid in the -treasonable plans of the said conspirators; and the farther confession -of the said Vausselle, stating that the Count de Soissons, together -with the dukes of Guise and Bouillon, conjointly and severally, had -treated and conspired with the Cardinal Infant of Spain, from whom -they had received and were to receive notable sums of money, and from -whom they expected the aid and abetment of various bodies of troops -and warlike munition, designed to act against their native country of -France, and us their born liege lord and sovereign;--these, and -various other circumstances having given us clear knowledge and -cognisance of that whereof we would willingly have remained in doubt, -we are now called upon, in justice to ourself and to our subjects, to -declare and pronounce the said Count de Soissons, together with the -dukes of Guise and Bouillon, and all who shall give them aid, -assistance, counsel, or abetment, enemies to the state of France, and -rebels to their lawful sovereign; without, within the space of one -month from the date hereof, they present themselves at our court, -wherever it may be for the time established, and humbly acknowledging -their fault, have recourse to our royal clemency. (Signed) LOUIS."</p> - -<p class="normal">No paper could have been better devised for restoring union to the -councils of the Count de Soissons. War was now inevitable; and, after -a good deal of hurried, desultory conversation, in which no one but -the Duke of Bouillon showed any great presence of mind, my opinion, as -the youngest person at the table, was the first formally called for by -the Count de Soissons. I had not yet spoken since the King's -proclamation had been read, and had been sitting listening with some -surprise to find that men of experience, talents, and high repute, -carried on great enterprises in the same desultory and irregular -manner that schoolboys would plot a frolic on their master. I rose, -however, with the more boldness, while Varicarville muttered to -himself "the Spaniard will carry the day." I resolved, however, that -this prognostication should not be wholly fulfilled, if I could help -it; and addressing Monsieur le Comte, I said, "Your highness has done -me the honour of asking my opinion. There can be now, I believe, but -one. War appears to me to be now necessary, not only to your dignity, -but to your safety; and whereas I before presumed to recommend -inaction, I now think that nothing but activity can insure us success. -For my own part, I am ready to take any post your highness may think -fit to assign me. One of the first things, however, I should conceive, -would be to secure the capital; and the next, to complete the levies -of troops, so that the regiments be filled to their entire number. -Neither of these objects are to be effected without money; and as the -Cardinal Infant has promised a considerable sum, and the minister in -his proclamation gives you credit for having received it, I hope the -Marquis de Villa Franca comes prepared to fulfil, at least in part, -the expectations held out by his royal principal."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Most unfortunately," replied the Marquis, in very good French, "at -the time of my departure, no idea was entertained that the French -government would so precipitate its measures, otherwise his highness, -the Cardinal Infant, would have sent the promised subsidy at the time, -and I know that no one will regret so much as he does, this -unavoidable delay."</p> - -<p class="normal">Varicarville looked at me with a meaning smile; and indeed it was -evident enough, as it was afterwards proved by her conduct, that Spain -was willing to hurry us into war, without lending us any aid to bring -it to a successful determination. I therefore rejoined without -hesitation, feeling that the proverbial rashness of youth would excuse -some flippancy, and that I could not carry through my plan without--</p> - -<p class="normal">"Under these circumstances, it seems to me very likely that Spain, our -excellent ally, will save both her money and her troops, for probably, -before her tardy succour arrives, we shall have struck the blow and -gained the battle."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But what can be done, young sir?" demanded Villa Franca, hastily: -"Spain will keep her promise to the very utmost. On my honour, on my -conscience, had I the means of raising any part of the sum in time to -be of service, I would myself advance it, notwithstanding the immense -losses I sustained by the Catalonian rebels."</p> - -<p class="normal">Many a man's honour and his conscience would be in a very -uncomfortable situation if the means of taking them out of pawn were -presented to him on a sudden. That consideration, however, did not -induce me to spare Monsieur de Villa Franca, whom I believed, from all -I had heard of him, to be as tergiversating a diplomatist as ever the -subtle house of Austria had sent forth. I replied, therefore, "If that -be the case--and who can doubt the noble Marquis's word?--I think I -can furnish the means whereby Monsieur de Villa Franca can fulfil his -generous designs, and put it in his power instantly to raise great -part of the sum required."</p> - -<p class="normal">Every one stared, and no one more than the Marquis himself; but rising -from the council-table, I whispered to Varicarville to keep the same -subject under discussion till I returned; and flying across the courts -of the arsenal, I mounted to my own chamber. "Achilles," cried I, as -soon as I entered, "the Marquis de Villa Franca is here in the -arsenal; are you still resolved to restore him the diamonds?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am resolved to have nothing to do with them myself," replied -Achilles; "for since the adventure at Lyons, I find that I had better -give up both gold and diamonds, and content myself with simple silver -for the rest of my life, if I would not be whipped through the -streets, and turned out in a grey gown: but as to giving them back, -all I can say is, your sublimity is a great fool, if you do not keep -them yourself."</p> - -<p class="normal">"It will be of more service to me to give them than to keep them," -replied I; "but I will not do so without your consent;" and having by -this time drawn them out of the valise, I held them out towards him.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Give them, give them then, in God's name!" cried the little man, -shutting his eyes; "but do not let me see them, for their sparkling -makes my resolution wax dim. Take them away, monseigneur! if you love -me, take them away. My virtue is no better than that of Danäe of old."</p> - -<p class="normal">I did as he required, and hurried back to the council chamber, where -all eyes turned upon me as I entered; and I found that the five -minutes of my absence had been wasted on conjectures of what I could -mean. "Monsieur de Villa Franca," said I, as soon as I had taken my -seat, "you said, I think, that if you had any means of raising even a -part of the sum required, in time to be of service, you would advance -it yourself, upon your honour and conscience. Now it so happened, that -a person with whom I am acquainted, was at Barcelona when your house -was plundered, and in that city bought this string of diamonds, which -were said to have belonged to you," and I held them up glittering in -the light, while the eyes of the Marquis seemed to sparkle in rivalry. -"He gave them to me," I proceeded; "and I am willing to return them to -you, upon condition that you instantly pledge them to three quarters -of their value, to the jewellers of this city; the money arising -therefrom to be poured into the treasury of Monsieur le Comte; and you -shall also give farther an hundred pistoles to the person who saved -them from the hands of the rabble of Barcelona, he being a poor and -needy man."</p> - -<p class="normal">The proposal was received with loud applause by every one, except the -Marquis de Villa Franca, whose face grew darker and darker at every -word I spoke. "This is very hard!" said he, with the most evident -design in the world to retreat from his proposal. "Those diamonds are -family jewels of inestimable value to me."</p> - -<p class="normal">"They are nevertheless diamonds which you shall never see again," -replied I, "except upon the conditions which I mention. Nor do I see -that it <i>is</i> hard. Monsieur le Comte will give you an acknowledgment -for so much as they produce, as a part of the subsidy from Spain, -advanced by you. Upon the sight of that, your own Prince will repay -you, deducting that sum from the amount which he is about to transmit -to Monsieur le Comte."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Monsieur de l'Orme's observation is just," said the Duke of Bouillon. -"You expressed the most decided conviction, Monsieur le Marquis, that -his royal highness would instantly send us the subsidy; if so, the -Count de Soissons' acknowledgment will be as good as a bill of -exchange upon your own prince."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But the proverb says," replied the Marquis, "Put not your faith in -princes."</p> - -<p class="normal">"It should have said, Put not your faith in Marquises," rejoined I, -somewhat indignant at his attempts at evasion. "However, Monsieur le -Marquis, the matter stands thus: if you consent to what I propose, we -will send for the jewellers, the sum shall be paid, and you shall have -the Count's acknowledgment; then, if you can get the money from your -prince, you have the means of regaining the diamonds, with the sole -loss of a hundred pistoles. If your prince did not intend to pay the -subsidy, and you were not quite convinced that he would pay it, you -should not have promised it here, in his name, and backed it with your -most solemn assurances of your own conviction on the subject. At all -events, whether he pays it or not, you are no worse than when you -thought the diamonds were irretrievably lost; but so far the better, -that you have had an opportunity of showing how <i>willingly</i> you -perform what you pledged your honour and conscience you would do if -you had the means."</p> - -<p class="normal">A slight laugh that ran round the council-table at this last sentence, -I believe, determined Monsieur de Villa Franca to yield without any -more resistance, seeing very well, at the same time, that the only -existing chance of recovering his diamonds at all, was to consent to -what I proposed.</p> - -<p class="normal">He felt well convinced, I am sure, that the Cardinal Infant had not -the slightest intention in the world of paying the sum which he had -promised; but, however, he had a better chance of obtaining his part -thereof than any one else; and therefore, as there was no other means -of insuring that his beloved brilliants would not be scattered over -half the habitable globe before six weeks were over, he signified his -assent to their being deposited with the jewellers of Sedan, in a tone -of resignation worthy of a martyr.</p> - -<p class="normal">The syndic of the jewellers, with two or three of his most reputable -companions, were instantly sent for by the council; and during the -absence of the messengers, a variety of particulars were discussed, -and various plans were adopted for the purpose of commencing the war -with vigour, and carrying it on with success. Amongst other things, -the Prince announced his intention of intrusting all the steps -preparatory to a general rising of the people of the capital, to De -Retz and myself; and though I thought that there were one or two -dissatisfied looks manifested upon the subject, no one judged fit to -object. Probably, weighing the risk with the honour, they were quite -as much pleased to be excused the Count's enterprize, as discontented -at not having been distinguished by his selection.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length the jewellers were brought before the council; and by their -lugubrious looks it was evident that the worthy citizens of Sedan -expected their noble and considerate Prince to wring from them a heavy -subsidy. Their brows cleared, however, when the diamonds were laid -before them, and their opinion of the value was demanded; and after -some consultation they named a hundred and fifty thousand crowns as a -fair price.</p> - -<p class="normal">The farther arrangements were soon made; the merchants willingly -agreeing to advance a hundred thousand crowns, upon the deposit of the -jewels, before the next morning. As soon as this was concluded, the -Marquis de Villa Franca drew forth his purse, and counting out a -hundred pistoles, he pushed them across the table towards me, saying, -with a sneering smile, "I suppose, though your modesty has led you, -sir, to put the good deed upon another, it is in fact yourself whom I -have to thank for so generously saving my diamonds, amongst the -plundering banditti of Barcelona?"</p> - -<p class="normal">The blood for an instant rushed up to my cheek, but it needed no long -deliberation to show me that anger was but folly on such an occasion; -and I therefore replied with a smile, "Your pardon, most noble sir! -the person who with his own right hand captured your diamonds is a -much more tremendous person than myself, so much so, that his enormous -size and chivalrous prowess have obtained for him the name of -Achilles. I will instantly send for him, and you shall pay him the -money yourself, when you will perceive, that had he been inclined to -keep your jewels with a strong hand, it would have been difficult to -have wrung them from him."</p> - -<p class="normal">Achilles was brought in a minute; and when I presented the diminutive, -insignificant, little man to the Marquis, as the wonderful Achilles le -Franc, who had by the vigour of his invincible arm taken his diamonds, -the whole council burst into a laugh, in which no one joined more -heartily than Villa Franca himself.</p> - -<p class="normal">Achilles received his pistoles with great glee, and I believe valued -them more than the diamonds themselves.</p> - -<p class="normal">After this, it being late, the council broke up, and the Prince -retired to his own apartments, desiring to speak with De Retz and -myself, as he wished us to set out early the next morning for Paris.</p> - -<p class="normal">When in his own chamber, he gave me an order for ten thousand crowns, -half of which he directed me to apply to his service amongst the -highly respectable persons to whom my mission was directed, and the -other half he bade me accept, as a half year's salary, advanced upon -the appointments of a gentleman of his bedchamber. It fortunately -happened, that the order directed his treasurer to pay the money out -of sums already in his hands; for I own that I should have entertained -some scruple in accepting the part destined for myself, if it had been -derived from the store of crowns which I had wrung out of the Marquis -de Villa Franca's diamonds. As it was, necessity put all hesitation -out of the question.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Count had still a thousand cautions and directions to give, both -to myself and Monsieur de Retz, the only one of which necessary to -allude to here, was his desire that, while I remained in Paris, I -should inhabit the Hôtel de Soissons. This plan of proceeding was -suggested by De Retz, who laid it down as a maxim, that the sure means -of concealing one's actions was to act as nobody else would have done. -To insure me a kind reception, and full confidence from his mother, -the Count wrote her a short note, couched in such terms as would make -her comprehend his meaning without leading to any discovery, should it -fall into the hands of others. After this, we took our leave, and left -him to repose, retiring ourselves to make preparations for our journey -in the morning.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XLII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Day had scarcely dawned, when Monsieur de Retz and myself mounted our -horses in the courtyard of the citadel, and set out on our return to -Paris. We were accompanied by but one servant each; for the decided -part which the minister had taken, left no doubt that all the avenues -to Sedan would be watched with unslumbering vigilance.</p> - -<p class="normal">After a short discussion, it was determined that we should not attempt -the direct road; and, therefore, instead of crossing the bridge of -Sedan, we followed the course of the Meuse for some way. At a village, -however, about two miles from the city, we learned that the passages -of the rivers were guarded, and De Retz proposed to return to Sedan -and cross by the bridge. My opinion, however, was different. Where we -then stood the river was narrow and not very rapid, our horses fresh -and strong, so that it appeared to me much more advisable to attempt -the passage there, than by riding up and down the bank to call -attention to our proceedings. The only objection arose with little -Achilles, who had a mortal aversion to being drowned, and declared -that he could not, and that he would not, swim his horse over. I -decided the matter for him, however; for at a moment when he had -approached close to the bank, to contemplate more nearly the horrible -feat that was proposed to him, I seized his horse by the bridle, and -spurring in, was soon half-way across, leading him after me. His -terror and distress, when he began to feel the buoyant motion of a -horse in swimming, were beyond description; but as there was no -resource, he behaved more wisely than terrified people generally do, -and sitting quite still, let his fate take its course.</p> - -<p class="normal">Cutting across the country, sometimes over fields, sometimes through -small bridle-paths and by-roads, we at length entered the highway, at -a point where suspicion, had she been inclined to exercise her -ingenuity upon us, might have imagined that we had come from a -thousand other places, with fully as great likelihood as Sedan; for -the road, a little higher up, branched into five others, each of which -conducted in a different direction.</p> - -<p class="normal">Our journey now passed tranquilly, and on the evening of the third day -we arrived at Paris. It was too late to present myself to the Countess -de Soissons that night; and Monsieur de Retz offering me an apartment -in his hotel, I accepted it for the time, not ill pleased to see as -much as possible of the extraordinary man into whose society I had -been thrown, and commenting upon his character fully as much as he did -in all probability upon mine.</p> - -<p class="normal">On our journey we had laughed over the circumstances of our former -meeting; but I found that he still entertained great doubts of my -discretion, by the frequent warnings he gave me not to communicate -anything I had seen at Sedan to the Countess de Soissons.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is a good general rule," said he, "never to tell a woman the -truth, in any circumstances. Praise her faults, abuse her enemies, -humour her weakness, gratify her vanity, but never, never tell her the -truth. One's deportment with a woman ought to be like a deep lake, -reflecting everything, but letting no one see the bottom."</p> - -<p class="normal">Monsieur de Retz's policy was not always exactly to my taste; but as -the Count de Soissons had not bid me to communicate any of his affairs -to his mother, I resolved of course to keep them as secret from her as -from any other person.</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon as I imagined that such a visit would be acceptable on the -subsequent morning, I proceeded on horseback to the Hôtel de Soissons, -wearing, for the first time, my fine Spanish dress of white silk, De -Retz having warned me, that in all points of ceremony, the Countess de -Soissons showed no lenity to offenders. To make the suit at all -harmonize with a ride on horseback, I was obliged to add a pair of -white leather buskins to the rest; but, as this was quite the mode of -the day, Monsieur de Retz declared my apparel exquisite; and, being -himself not a little of a <i>petit-maître</i>, notwithstanding both his -philosophy and his cloth, he looked with a deep sigh at his black -<i>soutane</i>, which he had resumed since our arrival at Paris, and -declared that he had no small mind to cast away the gown, and draw the -sword himself.</p> - -<p class="normal">With a smile at human inconsistency, I left him, and rode away; and -passing by my old auberge, in the Rue des Prouvaires, soon reached the -Hôtel de Soissons. Here I delivered the Count's note of introduction -to a servant, bidding him present it to the Princess, and inform her -that the gentleman to whom it referred waited her pleasure.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was not kept long in attendance. In a few minutes the servant -returned, and bade me follow him to the apartments of the Countess. We -mounted the grand staircase, and proceeding through a suite of -splendid rooms, the windows of which were almost all composed of -stained glass, bearing the ciphers C. S. and C. N. interlaced, for -Charles de Soissons and Catherine de Navarre, we at length reached the -chamber in which the Princess was seated with her women.</p> - -<p class="normal">She was working at an embroidery frame, while a pretty girl of about -sixteen stood beside her, holding the various silks of which she was -making use. On my being announced, she raised her head, showing a face -in which the wreck of many beauties might still be traced, and fixed -her eyes somewhat sternly upon me; first letting them rest upon my -face, and then glancing over my whole person with a grave and -dissatisfied air.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You come here, young sir," said she at length, "dressed like a -bridegroom; but you will go away like a mourner. Your mother is dead."</p> - -<p class="normal">God of heaven! till that moment, I had not an idea that, on the earth, -there was a being so unfeeling as thus to communicate to a son, that -the tie between him and the Author of his being was riven by the hand -of Death!</p> - -<p class="normal">And yet the Countess de Soissons acted not from unfeeling motives; she -fancied me guilty of follies that, in her eyes, were crimes, and she -thought, by the terrible blow that she struck, at once to reprove and -reclaim me.</p> - -<p class="normal">At first I did not comprehend--I could not, I would not believe that -she spoke truly: when seeing my doubts in the vacancy of my -expression, she calmly repeated what she had said.</p> - -<p class="normal">What change took place then in my countenance I know not; but, -however, it was sufficient to alarm her for the consequences of what -she had done, and starting up, she called loudly to her women to bring -water--wine--anything to relieve me. To imagine what I felt, will not -be easy for any other, even when it is remembered how I loved the -parent I had lost,--how I had left her--how deeply she had loved me, -and how suddenly, how unexpectedly I heard that the whole was at an -end, and that the cold grave lay between us for ever. My agitation was -so extreme, that totally forgetting the presence of the Princess, I -cast myself into a chair, and covering my face with my hands, remained -speechless and motionless for nearly a quarter of an hour.</p> - -<p class="normal">During this time, the Countess de Soissons, passing from one extreme -to the other, did everything she could to soothe and calm me; and, had -I been her own son, she could not for the time have shown me more -kindness. She was frightened, I believe, at the state into which she -had thrown me, and was still endeavouring to make me speak, when a -tall, venerable old man entered the chamber, but paused, I believe, on -seeing the confusion that reigned within. She instantly called him to -her assistance, telling him what she had done, and pointing out the -consequences it had had upon me. He approached, and after feeling my -pulse, drew forth a lancet, and, calling for a basin, bled me -profusely.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You have done wrong, my daughter," said he, turning to the Countess -with an air of authority, which she bore more meekly than might have -been expected. "Mildness wins hearts, while unkindness can but break -them. Leave me with this young gentleman, and I doubt not soon to -restore him to himself."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Countess did as he bade her, without reply; and desiring her women -to bring her embroidery frame, she left the apartment. The bleeding -had instantly relieved me. Every drop that flowed had seemed so much -taken from an oppressive load that overburdened my heart; and when the -old man sat down by me, and asked if I was better, I could answer him -in the affirmative, and thank him for his assistance.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will not attempt to console you, my son," he proceeded, "for you -have met with a deep and irreparable loss. From all I hear, your -mother was one of the best and most amiable of women; and through a -long life, we meet with so very few on whom our hearts can fix, that -every time death numbers one of them for his own, he leaves a deep and -irremediable wound with us, that none but Time can assuage, and Time -himself ought never wholly to heal. I know, too, at the moment when we -find that fate has put its immoveable barrier between us and those we -loved--when the cold small portal of the grave is shut against our -communion with our friends--I know that it is then that every pain we -have given them is visited with double anguish upon our own hearts, -and a crowd of bitter, unavailing regrets fills every way of memory -with dark and horrible forms."</p> - -<p class="normal">I wept bitterly, for he had touched a chord to which my feelings -vibrated but too sensitively. "In the gaieties of life," he proceeded, -"in the pleasures of society, in the passions, the interests, the -desires of human existence and of our earthly nature, we often forget -those finer feelings--those better, brighter, nobler sentiments, which -belong to the soul alone. Nor is it till <i>irretrievable</i> is stamped -upon our actions, that we truly feel where we have been wanting in -duty, in gratitude, in affection; but when we do feel it, we ought to -have a care not to let those regrets pass away in vain tears and -ineffectual sorrow, thus wasting the most blessed remedy that Heaven -has given to the diseases of the soul. On the contrary, we should -apply them to our future conduct, and by gathering instruction from -the past, and improvement from remorse, should find in the -chastisement of Heaven the blessing it was intended to be."</p> - -<p class="normal">As I recovered from the first shock of the tidings I had just heard, I -had time to consider more particularly the person who spoke to me. As -I have said, he was an old man; and, from the perfect silver of his -hair and beard, I should have supposed him above seventy; but the -erectness of his carriage, the whiteness of his teeth, and the pure -undimmed fire of his eye, took much from his look of age. His dress, -though it consisted of a long black robe, was certainly not clerical; -and from the skill with which he had bled me, I was rather inclined to -suppose that his profession tended more towards the cure of bodies -than of souls.</p> - -<p class="normal">In reply to his mild homily, which appeared to me, notwithstanding the -gentleness of his language, to point at greater errors than any I -could charge myself with towards the parent I had lost, I could only -answer, that it was hardly possible for a being made up of human -weakness to be so continually brought in connection with another, as a -son must be with a mother, without falling into some faults towards -her; but that even now, when memory and affection joined to magnify -all I had done amiss in regard to the dead, I could recall no instance -in which I had intentionally given her pain.</p> - -<p class="normal">An explanation ensued; and I found that my mother, when on her -death-bed, had written to the Countess de Soissons, informing her of -my disappearance from Bigorre, and attributing it to love for the -daughter of a roturier in the vicinity, who had also quitted the -province shortly after. She gave no name and no description; but she -begged the Countess de Soissons to cause search to be made for me in -Paris, and to endeavour to rescue me from the debasing connection into -which, she said, the blood of Bigorre should have held me from ever -entering.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is under these circumstances," proceeded the old man, "that the -princess addressed you this morning with the abrupt news of your -mother's death, hoping by the remorse which that news would occasion, -to win you at once from the unhappy entanglement into which you have -fallen."</p> - -<p class="normal">"That the Countess de Soissons should be mistaken," replied I, "does -not surprise me, for she did not know me; but that my mother should -suppose any passion, whether worthy or unworthy, would have led me to -inflict so much pain upon her, and on my father, as my unexplained -absence must have done, does astonish and afflict me. Indeed, though -my own death might have been the consequence of my stay, I was weak to -fly as I did; nor should I have done so, had my mind been in a state -to judge sanely of my own conduct. Will you, sir, have the goodness to -inform the Countess de Soissons that the suspicions of my mother were -entirely unfounded, and that I neither fled with any one, nor for the -purpose of meeting any one, as she must evidently see, from my having -found and attached myself to Monsieur le Comte. My absence, sir, was -occasioned by my having accidentally slain one of my fellow-creatures, -and my having no means of proving that I did so accidentally."</p> - -<p class="normal">"It has been a most unhappy mistake," replied the old man, "for -undoubtedly it has been this idea that wounded your mother to the -heart. But I hurt you; do not let me do so. If it has been a mistake, -you are no way answerable for it. I now go to give your message to the -Countess, and will bring you a few lines addressed to you from your -mother, but which, you must remember, were written under erroneous -feelings."</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus saying, he left me; and in a few minutes returned with the letter -he had mentioned. "The Countess," said he, "is most deeply grieved at -the mistake which has arisen, and especially at having, by her -abruptness, aggravated the grief which you cannot but most poignantly -feel. This is the letter I spake of; but you had better read it in -private. If you will follow me, I will conduct you to an apartment, -which, while you remain at the Hôtel de Soissons, the Countess begs -you would look upon as your own."</p> - -<p class="normal">I followed him in silence to a splendid suite of rooms, wherein he -left me; and I had now time to indulge in all the painful thoughts to -which the irreparable loss I had sustained gave rise. For some time I -did not open my mother's letter, letting my thoughts wander through -the field of the past, and recalling with agonizing exactness every -bright quality of the mind, and every gentle feeling of the heart now -laid in the dust. Her love for me rose up as in judgment against me, -and I felt that I had never known how much I loved her, till death had -rendered that love in vain. Memory, so still, so silent, so faithless, -in the hurry of passion, and the pursuit of pleasure, now raised her -voice, and with painful care traced all that I had lost. A thousand -minute traits--a thousand kind and considerate actions--a thousand -touches of generosity, of feeling, of tenderness--every word, every -look of many long years of affection, passed in review before me; and -sad, sad was the vision, when I thought that it was all gone for ever. -Anything was better than that contemplation; and with an aching heart, -I opened the letter. The wavering and irregular lines, traced while -life still maintained a faint struggle against death; the mark of a -tear, given to the long painful adieu, first caught my eye and wrung -my very heart, even before I read what follows.</p> - -<p class="normal">"We shall never meet again!" she wrote. "Life, my son, and hope, as -far as it belongs to this earth, have fled; and I have nothing to -think of in the world I am leaving, but your happiness and that of -your father. I write not to reproach you, Louis, but I write to warn -and to entreat you not to disgrace a long line of illustrious -ancestors, by a marriage, which, depend upon it, will be as unhappy in -the end as it is degrading in itself. This is my last wish, my last -command, my last entreaty. Observe it, as you would merit the blessing -which I send you. Adieu, my son, adieu!--You may meet with many to -cherish, with many to love you--but, oh! the love of a mother is far -above any other that binds being to being on this earth. Adieu! once -more adieu! it is perhaps a weakness, and yet I cannot help thinking -that, even after this hand is dust, my spirit might know, and feel -consoled, if my son came to shed a tear on the stone which will soon -cover the ashes of his mother."</p> - -<p class="normal">Every word found its way to my heart; and reverting to what I had seen -on the night previous to my departure from Sedan, I fancied that my -mother's spirit had itself come to enforce her dying words; and, -yielding to the feelings of the moment, I mentally promised to obey -her to the very utmost. Nay, more! with a superstitious idea that her -eye could look upon me even then, I kneeled and declared, with as much -fervency as ever vow was offered to Heaven itself, that I would follow -her will; and as soon as the enterprise to which my honour bound me -was at an end, would visit her tomb, and pay that tribute to her -memory which she had herself desired. Then casting myself into a seat, -I leaned my head upon my hands, and gave full rein to every painful -reflection.</p> - -<p class="normal">Let me pass over two days which I spent entirely in the chamber that -had been allotted to me. During that time, every attention was paid to -me by the servants of the Countess de Soissons; and the old man, whom -I have before mentioned, visited me more than once, every time I saw -him gaining upon my good opinion, by the kind and judicious manner in -which he endeavoured to soothe and console, without either blaming or -opposing my grief. Still, no word that fell from him gave me the least -intimation in regard to the character in which he acted in the Hôtel -de Soissons, though, from the evident influence he possessed over the -Countess, it was one of no small authority. From him, however, I -learned that my father had written briefly to the Countess de -Soissons, informing her of my mother's death. To me he had not -written; and, though I could easily conceive from his habits and -character, that he had shrunk from a task so painful in itself, yet I -could not help imagining that displeasure had some part in his -silence.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the evening of the second day, I received a visit from De Retz, -who, notwithstanding all that had happened, used every argument to -stimulate me to action; and, in truth, I felt that in my own griefs I -was neglecting the interest of the Prince. I accordingly promised him -that the next day I would exert myself as he wished; and, after -conversing for some time on the affairs of the Count, I described to -him the old man I had met with, and asked him if he knew him.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Slightly," he replied. "He is an Italian by birth, and his name -Vanoni, a man of infinite talent and profound learning; but his name -is not in very good odour amongst our more rigid ecclesiastics, -because he is reported to dive a little into those sciences which they -hold as sacrilegious. He is known to be an excellent astronomer, and -some people will have it, astrologer also; though, I should suppose, -he has too much of real and substantial knowledge, to esteem very -highly that which is in all probability imaginary. Have you not -remarked, that there are fully more vulgar minds in the higher -classes, than there are elevated ones in the lower? Well, the vulgar -part of our <i>noblesse</i> call Signor Vanoni the Countess de Soisson's -necromancer, though I believe the highest degree to which he can -pretend in the occult sciences is that of astrologer; and even that he -keeps so profoundly concealed, that their best proof of it hardly -amounts to suspicion."</p> - -<p class="normal">After De Retz had left me, being resolved at all events to waste no -more time, every instant of which was precious in such enterprises as -that of Monsieur le Comte, I desired Achilles to find me out the -archer who had so well aided him in recovering my ring, and to bring -him to me early the next morning.</p> - -<p class="normal">This he accordingly executed; and at my breakfast, which was served in -my own apartments, my little attendant presented to me a tall, solemn -personage, who looked wise enough to have passed for a fool, had it -not been for a certain twinkling spirit, that every now and then -peeped out at the corner of his eye, and seemed to say, that the -obtuseness of his deportment was but a mask to hide the acuter mind -within. I made these observations while I amused him for a moment or -two in empty conversation, till I could find an opportunity of -dismissing two lackeys of the Countess, who had orders to wait upon me -at my meals; and by what I perceived, I judged that it would be a -difficult matter to conceal my own purposes from such a person, while -I drew from him what information I required.</p> - -<p class="normal">I resolved, however, to attempt it, and consequently, when the -servants were gone, I turned to the subject of my ring; and saying -that I really thought he had been insufficiently paid for the talent -and activity he had shown upon the occasion, I begged his acceptance -of a gold piece.</p> - -<p class="normal">The man looked in my face with a dead flat stupidity of aspect, which -completely covered all his thoughts; but at the same time I very well -divined that he did not in the least attribute the piece of gold to -the affair of the ring. He followed the sure policy, however, of -closing his hand upon the money, making me a low bow, with that most -uncommitting sentence, "Monsieur is very good."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I suppose," proceeded I, "that the strange fact of <i>pipeurs</i>, -swindlers, swash bucklers, and bravoes of all descriptions, -continually evading the pursuit of dame Justice, notwithstanding her -having such acute servants as yourself, is more to be attributed to -your humanity, than to your ignorance of their secrets."</p> - -<p class="normal">This was put half as a question, half as a position, but in such a way -as evidently to show that it led to something else. An intelligent -gleam sparkled in the corner of the archer's eye, and I fancied that -some information concerning the worthy fraternity I inquired after was -about to follow: but he suddenly gave a glance towards Achilles; and, -resuming his look of stolidity, replied, "Monsieur is very good."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Go to Monsieur de Retz, Achilles," said I, "and tell him, that if it -suits his convenience, I will be with him in an hour." Achilles was -not slow in taking the hint; and when he was gone, I proceeded, -spreading out upon the table some ten pieces of gold. "About these -swash bucklers," said I, "I am informed they are a large fraternity."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Vast!" replied the archer, in a more communicative tone.</p> - -<p class="normal">"And pray where do they principally dwell?" demanded I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"In every part of Paris," said the archer, looking up in my face, -"from the Place Royale, to the darkest nook of the Fauxbourg St. -Antoine. But it is dangerous for a gentleman to venture amongst them."</p> - -<p class="normal">I saw he began to wax communicative, and I pushed a piece of gold -across the table to confirm his good disposition. The gold -disappeared, and the archer went on. "I would not advise you to -venture among them, Monseigneur: but if you would tell me what sort of -men you want, doubtless I could find them for you, and I can keep -counsel."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Why, my good friend," replied I, "I did not exactly say that I wanted -any men; but if you will call me over the names and qualities of two -or three of your most respectable acquaintances, I will see whether -they be such as may suit my service."</p> - -<p class="normal">The archer paused for a moment, screwing up his eye into a curious air -of sharp contemplation; and then suddenly replied, "If I knew what -your lordship wanted them for, I could better proportion their -abilities."</p> - -<p class="normal">"For general service, man! for general service!" replied I. "The men I -require must obey my word, defend my life, drub my enemies, brawl for -my friends, and in no case think of the consequences."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I understand!" replied the archer--"I understand! There are Jean le -Mestre, and François le Nain; but I doubt they are too coarse-handed -for your purpose. They are fit for nothing but robbing a travelling -jeweller, or frightening an old woman into fits."</p> - -<p class="normal">"They won't exactly do," replied I--"at least if we can find any -others."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, plenty of others! plenty of others!" said the archer. "Then there -are Pierre l'Agneau, and Martin de Chauline. They were once two as -sweet youths as ever graced the Place de Grève; but they have been -spoiled by bad company. They took service with the Marquis de St. -Brie, and such service ruins a man for life."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I should certainly suppose it did," replied I; "but proceed to some -others. We have only heard of four yet."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Don't be afraid!" said the archer, "I have a long list. Your lordship -would not like a Jesuit--they are devilish cunning--sharp hands! men -of action too! I know an excellent Jesuit, who would suit you to a -hair in many respects. He is occasionally employed, too, by Monsieur -de Noyers, one of our ministers, and would cheat the devil himself."</p> - -<p class="normal">"But as I do not pretend to half the cunning of his infernal majesty," -replied I, "this worthy Jesuit might cheat me too."</p> - -<p class="normal">"That is very possible," answered the archer. "But stay!" he proceeded -thoughtfully. "I have got the very men that will do.--You need a -brace, monseigneur--of course, you need a brace. There is Combalet de -Carignan, one of our most gallant gentlemen, and Jacques Mocqueur, as -he is called, because he laughs at everything. They were both in the -secret service of his eminence the Cardinal; but they one day did a -little business on their own account, which came to his ears; and he -vowed that he would give them a touch of the round bedstead. They knew -him to be a man of his word, so they made their escape, till the -matter blew by, and now they are living here in Paris on their means."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And pray what is the round bedstead?" demanded I; "something -unpleasant, doubtless, from its giving such celerity to the motions of -your friends?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nothing but a certain wheel in the inside of the Bastille," replied -the archer, "on which a gentleman is suffered to repose himself -quietly after all his bones are put out of joint. But as I was saying, -these two gallants are just the men for your lordship's service: bold, -dexterous, cunning; and they have withal a spice of honour and -chivalry about them, which makes them marvellously esteemed amongst -their fellows. Will they suit you, monseigneur?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I think they will," replied I; "but I must see them first."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nothing so easy," answered the archer. "I will bring them here at any -hour your lordship pleases to name."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Not here," replied I; "I must not take too many liberties with the -Hôtel de Soissons. But I have a lodging in the Rue des Prêtres St. -Paul, on the left hand going down, the fifth door from the corner, -nearly opposite a grocer's shop. Bring them there at dusk to-night, -and accept that for your trouble." So saying, I pushed him over two -more of the gold pieces; and having once more satisfied himself that -he perfectly remembered the direction I had given him, the archer took -his leave, and I proceeded to my rendezvous with De Retz.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XLIII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Welcome!" said De Retz, as I entered, "most welcome! I am just about -to proceed on an expedition wherein your assistance may be necessary. -Will you accompany me?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Anywhere you please," I replied, "provided I be back by dusk."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Long before that," answered De Retz. "I am going to take you to the -Bastille."</p> - -<p class="normal">My surprise made the Abbé explain himself. "You must know," said he, -"that there is no actual impossibility of our gaining the Bastille -itself for Monsieur le Comte de Soissons, in case his first battle -should be so successful as to give fair promise for the ultimate -event.--You like frankness," he continued, suddenly interrupting what -he was saying, "and I perceive you are already beginning to look -surprised that I, who have hitherto shown no great confidence in your -discretion, should now let you into the most dangerous secrets of this -enterprise. I will frankly tell you why I do so--it is because I need -some one to assist me; and because I judge it more dangerous to risk a -secret with two, than to confide it all to one, even should he not be -very discreet. But I am also beginning to think more highly of your -discretion. It is so bad a plan to let our first impressions become -our lords, that I make a point of changing my opinion of a man as -often as I can find the least opportunity."</p> - -<p class="normal">It was very difficult to know, on all occasions, whether Monsieur de -Retz's frankness was spontaneous or assumed. Whichever it was, it -always flowed with a view to policy; and I found that the best way in -dealing with him was at first but to give to whatever he advanced that -sort of negative credence, which left the mind free to act as -circumstances should afterwards confirm or shake its belief. In the -present case I merely thanked him for his improved opinion of me, and -begged him to proceed, which he did accordingly.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The Bastille," he said, "serves Monsieur le Cardinal de Richelieu for -many purposes: but its great utility is, that it disposes of all his -enemies one way or another. Those he hates, or those he fears, find -there a grave or a prison, according to the degree of his charitable -sentiments towards them. There are, however, many persons whom he -fears too much to leave at liberty, yet not enough to condemn them to -the rack, the block, or the dungeon. These persons are shut up in one -prison or another through the kingdom; and on their first arrest are -treated with some severity, but gradually, as they become regular -tenants of the place, the measures against them are relaxed; and they -have, at length, as much liberty as they would have in their own house -with the door shut.</p> - -<p class="normal">"There are at present four men within the walls of the Bastille, who, -having been there for years, are scarcely more watched than the -governor himself. The Duke de Vitry, the Count de Cramail, Marshal -Bassompierre, and the Marquis du Fargis. All these are known to me; -and Monsieur du Fargis is my uncle, so that I am very sure of the game -that I am playing. The interior discipline of the prison is at present -more than ever relaxed, under the present governor, Monsieur du -Tremblai; and his politeness towards his prisoners is such, that one -or other of the four gentlemen I have named have every day one of -their friends to dine with them, which affords them the greatest -consolation under their imprisonment. I have often thus visited the -prison; and about ten days ago, while dining with my uncle, I had an -opportunity of hinting to the Count de Cramail, who is the cleverest -man of the party, the designs of Monsieur le Comte; and, at the same -time, proposed to him a plan for rendering ourselves masters of the -Bastille. He has promised me an answer to-day, when I have engaged -myself to dine with Monsieur de Bassompierre; and the only difficulty -is to obtain an opportunity of speaking in private. You doubtless have -experienced how troublesome it is sometimes to win a secret moment, -even in a saloon; judge, therefore, whether it is easy in a prison. -You must lend your aid, and engage old Du Tremblai in conversation, -while I make the best use of the time you gain for me."</p> - -<p class="normal">I now very well perceived that De Retz had in a manner been forced to -explain himself to me, as there was no other person in Paris -acquainted with the designs of the Count de Soissons. I therefore gave -him full credit for sincerity, and agreed to do my best to gain him -the opportunity desired. By the time this explanation was given, it -approached very near to one of the clock; and, not to commit such a -rudeness as to keep waiting for their dinner a party of prisoners, -whose principal earthly amusement must have been to eat, we set out -immediately on foot, it being required that we should give as little -<i>éclat</i> to our visits to the Bastille as possible.</p> - -<p class="normal">A sort of mixed government then existed within the walls of the -prison, being garrisoned with troops as a fortress, and also very well -supplied with gaolers and turnkeys, to fit it for its principal -capacity. Thus, though the gate was opened to us by an unarmed porter, -a sentinel, iron to the teeth, presented himself in the inner court, -and another at every ten steps. However, having, like the knights of -the old romances, vanquished all perils of the way, we at length -entered into the penetralia, and were ushered into the presence of the -governor.</p> - -<p class="normal">Monsieur du Tremblai, who died about six months afterwards, was too -good a man for his situation; his reception of us was as kind as if we -had been guests of his own; and the prisoners whom we went to see -appeared to form but a part of his own family. I was now introduced in -form to the friends of Monsieur de Retz: they were all old men; and -had, in truth, nothing remarkable in their appearance. Monsieur de -Vitry, celebrated in history as the man who, at the command of Louis -XIII., shot the Maréchal d'Ancre on the very steps of the Louvre, was -the only one whose countenance promised anything like vigour; but it -was not to him that De Retz had addressed himself in his present -negotiation, but to Monsieur de Cramail, whose face at all events did -not prepossess one in favour of his intellect.</p> - -<p class="normal">We dined; and the governor, seeing me dressed in mourning, and as -gloomy in my deportment as my garments, luckily applied himself to -console me, with so much application, that Monsieur de Cramail had an -opportunity of speaking a few words to De Retz in private, even during -dinner, while Monsieur du Tremblai endeavoured to solace me with -<i>alose à la martinette</i>, and to drive out the demon sorrow with <i>pieds -de cochons à la St. Menéhoulde</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">During the meal, De Retz took occasion to vaunt my skill at all games -of cards, though, Heaven knows, he could not tell, when he did so, -whether I could distinguish basset from lansquenet; but taking this -for a hint, when the old governor asked me after dinner to make one of -three at ombre, I did not refuse; and, as soon as we were seated, the -Abbé, with Monsieur de Cramail, went out to walk upon the terrace, -while Messieurs De Vitry and Du Fargis remained to look on upon our -game.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thinking to engage the governor to go on with me, I let him win a few -pieces, though he played execrably ill; but I thus fell into the -common mistake of being too shrewd for my own purpose. Had I judged -sanely of human nature, I should have won his money, and he would have -gone on to a certainty, to win it back. As it was, after gaining a few -crowns, he resigned the cards, and asked if I would join the gentlemen -on the terrace.</p> - -<p class="normal">There was no way of detaining him; and, therefore, after making what -diversion I could, I followed to the spot where De Retz and Monsieur -de Cramail were enjoying an unobserved <i>tête-à-tête</i>. As we came up, I -saw that the latter had a paper in his hand, which he was evidently -about to give to De Retz. The moment, however, we appeared on the -terrace, he paused, and withdrew it. The paper, I knew, might be of -consequence; but how to take off the eyes of the governor was the -question. I praised the view, hoping he would turn to look in his -astonishment; for nothing was to be seen but the smoky chimneys of the -Fauxbourg St. Antoine. But the governor only replied, "Yes, very -fine," and walked on.</p> - -<p class="normal">I now saw that I must hazard a bold stroke; and quietly insinuating -the point of my sword between the governor's legs, which was the more -easy, as he somewhat waddled in his walk, I slipped the buckle of my -belt, the sword fell, and the governor over it. I tumbled over him; -and while the paper was given, received, and concealed, I picked him -up, begged his pardon, and brushed the dust off his coat; after which -we passed a quarter of an hour in mutually bowing and making excuses.</p> - -<p class="normal">De Retz then took leave; and, as soon as we were once more in the -street, I left him to peruse the paper he had received at leisure, and -hurried away to my lodging in the Rue des Prêtres St. Paul, to prepare -for the reception of my archer and his recruits. In going to the -Bastille with De Retz, I fancied that I saw a man suddenly turn round -and follow us; and, on my return, I evidently perceived that I was -watched. Whatever was the object, it did not at all suit me that any -one should spy my actions; and, therefore, after various hare-like -doublings, I turned down the Rue des Minims, got into the Place -Royale, and gliding under the dark side of the arcades, made my escape -by the other end, and gradually worked my way up to my lodging. My -good landlady was somewhat surprised to see me, but I found my -apartments prepared, and in order; and sending for a couple of flagons -of good Burgundy, I waited the arrival of my new attendants.</p> - -<p class="normal">I found that punctuality was amongst their list of qualifications; for -no sooner did twilight fall than the archer made his appearance, -followed by two very respectable-looking personages, whom he -introduced to me severally as Combalet de Carignan, and Jacques -Mocqueur. The first was a tall, well-dressed gallant, ruffling gaily, -with feathers and ribands in profusion, a steady nonchalant daring -eye, and a leg and arm like a Hercules. The face of the second, -Jacques Mocqueur, was not unknown to me; and memory, hastily running -back through the past, found and brought before me in a minute the -figure of one of those worthy sergeants who had come to examine my -valise on my first arrival at Paris. He was the one who had shown some -valour, and had ventured a pass or two with me, after his companion -had been ejected by the window.</p> - -<p class="normal">I instantly claimed acquaintance with him, which he as readily -admitted; saying, with a grin, that the circumstances under which we -had last met would, he hoped, be quite sufficient to establish his -character in my opinion, and show that he was well fitted for my -service. Whatever reply he expected, I answered in the affirmative; -and Combalet de Carignan, finding that his friend's acquaintance with -me turned out advantageously, would fain have proved himself an old -friend of mine also. Jacques Mocqueur, however, cut him short, -exclaiming, "No, no! you were not of the party; and you just as much -remember monseigneur's face as I do the high-priest of the Jews."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Why, I have <i>done</i> so many sweet youths lately," replied the other, -"and broken so many heads, that I grow a strange confounder of faces."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ay! if you had been with us that day," answered Jacques Mocqueur, -"you would have had your own head broken. Why, monseigneur made short -work with us. He pitched Captain Von Crack out of the window like an -empty oyster-shell, and pricked me a hole in my shoulder before either -of us knew on what ground we were standing;" and he made me a low bow, -to send his compliment home up to the hilt.</p> - -<p class="normal">"To proceed to business," said I, after I had invited my companions to -taste the contents of the flagons, which they did with truly generous -rivalry. "Let me hear what wages you two gentlemen require for -entering into my service."</p> - -<p class="normal">"That depends upon two things," replied Combalet de Carignan: "what -sort of service your lordship demands, and what power you have to -protect us in executing it. Simple brawling for you, cheating, -pimping, lying, swearing, thrashing or being thrashed, fighting on -your part, steel to steel, and any other thing in the way of reason, -we are ready to undertake: but murder, assassination, and highway -robbery, are out of our way of business. I have been employed in the -service of the state, am come of a good family, am well born and well -educated, and would rather starve than do anything mean or -dishonourable."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nothing of the kind shall be demanded of you," replied I; "and the -worst you shall risk in my service shall be hard blows."</p> - -<p class="normal">"That is nothing," replied Jacques Mocqueur. "Combalet does not fear -even a little hanging; but he dreads having a hotter place in the -other world than his friends and companions. But for general service, -such as your lordship demands, we cannot have less than sixty crowns a -month each."</p> - -<p class="normal">To this I made no opposition; and a written agreement was drawn out -between us in the following authentic form:--</p> - -<p class="normal">"We, Combalet de Carignan, and Jacques dit Mocqueur, hereby take -service with Monsieur le Comte de l'Orme, promising to serve him -faithfully in all his commands, provided they be not such as may put -us in danger of the great carving-knife, the road to heaven, or the -round bedstead. We declare his enemies our enemies, and his friends -our friends; all for the consideration of sixty crowns per month, to -be paid to each of us by the said Count de l'Orme, together with his -aid and protection in all cases of danger and difficulty, as well as -food and maintenance in health, and surgical assistance, in case of -our becoming either sick or wounded in his service."</p> - -<p class="normal">In addition to the above, I stipulated that my two new retainers were -to abandon all other business than mine; and though they might lie as -much as they pleased to any one else, that they should uniformly tell -me the truth.</p> - -<p class="normal">At this last proposal, Jacques Mocqueur burst into a fit of laughter; -and Combalet de Carignan hesitated and stammered most desperately. -"You must know, monseigneur," said he, at length, "that my friend -Jacques and I have established a high character amongst our brethren, -by never promising anything without performing it. Now, everything -that we say we will do for your lordship, be sure that it shall be -done, even to our own detriment; but as to telling you the truth, I -can't undertake it. I never told the truth in my life, except in -regard to promises; and I own I should not know how to begin. It is my -infirmity, lying, and I cannot get over it. Jacques Mocqueur can tell -the truth. Oh, I have known him tell the truth very often; but really, -monseigneur, you must excuse <i>me</i>."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, then, Monsieur Combalet," said I, "your friend Jacques shall -tell me the truth; and when you lie to me, he shall correct you; and I -will set it down to your infirmity."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Agreed, monseigneur, agreed," replied the other; "I am quite willing -that you should know the truth. I do not lie to deceive. It proceeds -solely from an exuberant and poetical imagination. But allow me to -request one thing, which is, that you would call me De Carignan. I am -somewhat tenacious in regard to my family; for you must know that I am -descended from the illustrious house of Carignan of----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"The infirmity! the infirmity!" exclaimed Jacques Mocqueur. "His -mother was a lady of pleasure in the Rue des Hurleurs, and his father -was a footman."</p> - -<p class="normal">The bravo turned with a furious air upon his companion; but Jacques -Mocqueur only laughed, and assured me that what he said was true.</p> - -<p class="normal">All preliminaries were now definitively settled; and giving the archer -another piece of gold, I hinted to him that he might leave me alone -with my new attendants. This was no sooner done, than I proceeded to -my more immediate object. "You think, doubtless, my men," said I, -"that I am about to employ you, as you have hitherto been employed, in -any of those little services which require men devoid of prejudice, -and not over-burdened with morality; but you are mistaken. In the -enterprise for which I destine you, you will stand side by side with -the best and noblest of the land. If we fail, we will all lay our -bones together; if we succeed, your reward is sure, and a nobler -career is open to you than that which you have hitherto followed."</p> - -<p class="normal">My two recruits looked at each other in some surprise. "He means a -buccaneering!" said Combalet to his companion.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Fie! no," replied Jacques Mocqueur, after a moment's thought. "He -means a conspiracy, because he talks about its being a nobler career. -Folks always call their conspiracies noble, though lawyers call it -treason. However, monseigneur, if it is anything against our late lord -and master, his most devilish eminence of Richelieu, we are your men, -for we both owe him a deep grudge; and we make it a point of honour to -pay our debts. But who are we to fight for, and who against?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Hold, hold, my friend," replied I, "you are running forward somewhat -too fast. Remember that you are speaking to your lord, whom you have -bound yourself to serve; and you must obey his commands without -inquiring why or wherefore."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ay!" answered Combalet, "so long as they do not make us put our heads -under the great carving-knife; but when your lordship talks about -conspiracies----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Who talks about conspiracies, knave?" cried I, "finding that my horses -were showing signs of restiveness--who talks of conspiracies? You have -nothing to do but receive my commands; and when I propose anything to -you that brings you within the danger of the law, then make your -objection.--But to the point," proceeded I; "I am told, and indeed -know from the best authority, that all the persons exercising your -honourable profession, in any of its branches, form as it were a sort -of club or society, which is governed by its own laws to a certain -degree; and I am, moreover, informed that you have a certain place of -meeting, where the elders of your body assemble, called Swash Castle, -or Château Escroc, where you have a chief magistrate, named King of -the Huns. Is not this the fact?"</p> - -<p class="normal">I had gained my information from various sources, but greatly from my -little attendant Achilles, who had an especial talent for finding out -things concealed. My knowledge of their secrets, however, had a great -effect upon my two attendants, who began to think, I believe, that -either as a professor or an amateur I had at some former time -exercised their honourable trade myself.</p> - -<p class="normal">"There is no denying it, sir," replied Jacques Mocquer, at length; "we -are a regular corporation. So much I may say, for you know it already; -but ask me no farther, for we are bound by something tighter than an -oath, not to reveal the mysteries of our craft."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am going to ask you no questions," replied I, firmly; "but I am -going to command you to take me to your rendezvous, or Swash Castle, -and introduce me to your worthy prince, the King of the Huns."</p> - -<p class="normal">My two respectable followers gazed in each other's eyes with so much -wonder and amazement, that I saw I had made a very unusual request; -but I was resolved to carry my point; and accordingly added, after -waiting a few moments for an answer, "Why don't you reply? Do not -waste your time in staring one at the other, for I am determined to -go, and nothing shall prevent me."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Samson was a strong man, monseigneur," replied Jacques, shaking his -head, "but he could not drink out of an empty pitcher. Your lordship -would find it a difficult matter to accomplish your object by -yourself; and though here we stand, willing, according to our -agreement, to serve you to the best of our power, yet I do not believe -that we can do what you require."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Mark me, Master Jacques Mocque," replied I, "my determination is -taken. I came to Paris for the express purpose of treating with your -King of the Huns, on matters of deep importance; and back I will not -go without having fulfilled my mission. If, therefore, you and your -companion can gain me admittance sinto your Château Escroc by to-morrow -night, ten pieces of gold each shall be your reward; if not, I must -find other means for my purpose; and take care that you put no trick -upon me; for be sure that I will find a time to break every bone in -your skin, if you do.--You know I am a man to keep my word."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I do! I do! monseigneur," replied Jacques Mocqueur: "it cost me a -yard and a half of diachylon, the last bout I had with you; and I -would not wish to try it again. All I can say is, that we will do our -best to gain a royal ordonnance for your lordship's admittance; but if -you really have made up your mind to go, knowing anything of what you -undertake, you must have a stout heart of your own; that is all that I -can say. I have only farther to assure your lordship, that the more -information you can give us of your purpose, the more likely are we to -succeed."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You may tell his majesty of the Huns," replied I, "that I come to him -as an ambassador from one prince to treat with another--that he may -find his own advantage in seeing me, for that I shall be contented to -cast ten golden pieces into his royal treasury, as an earnest of -future offerings, on my first visit; and that he need not be in the -least fear, as I come unattended, and quite willing to submit to any -precautions he may judge necessary."</p> - -<p class="normal">After a little reflection, my two attendants did not seem to think my -enterprise quite so impracticable as they had at first imagined it. -They banded the <i>pros</i> and <i>cons</i>, however, some time between them, in -a jargon which to me was very nearly unintelligible; and at last, once -more assuring me that they would do their best, they left me, after -having received a piece or two to stimulate their exertions. Before I -let them depart, I also took care to enforce the necessity of -despatch, and insisted upon it that a definitive answer should be -given me by dusk the day after. As soon as Messieurs Combalet de -Carignan and Jacques Mocqueur were gone, my own steps were turned -towards the Hôtel de Soissons; and revolving in my own mind the events -of the day, I walked on, like most young diplomatists, perfectly -self-satisfied with the first steps of my negotiation, even before it -showed the least probability of ultimate success.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XLIV.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Scarcely had I entered my apartments in the Hôtel de Soissons, ere I -received a visit from Signor Vanoni, who informed me that the Countess -was somewhat offended at my having gone forth without rendering her my -first visit of ceremony. "She invites you, however," added the old -man, "to be present to-night in the observatory of Catherine de -Medicis, which you have doubtless remarked from your window, while I -endeavour to satisfy her, as far as my poor abilities go, in regard to -the future fate of her son, which she imagines may be learned from the -stars."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And do you not hold the same opinion?" demanded I, seeing that Vanoni -had some hesitation in admitting his own belief in astrological -science. "I suppose there are at least as many who give full credit to -the pretensions of astrologers, as there are who doubt their powers?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"My own opinion," replied the old man, "signifies little; I certainly -must have thought there was some truth in a science, before I made it -a profound study, which I have done in regard to astrology. However, -if you will do me the honour of following me, I will show you the -interior of the magnificent column which Catherine de Medicis -constructed, for the purpose of consulting those stars which are now," -he added, with a smile, "growing as much out of fashion as her own -farthingale."</p> - -<p class="normal">I followed him accordingly, and crossing the gardens, at the end of -one of the alleys, came upon that immense stone tower, in the form of -a column, which may be seen to the present day, standing behind the -Hôtel des Fermes. It was night, but beautifully clear and starlight; -and, looking up, I could see the tall dark head of that immense -pillar, rising like a black giant high above all the buildings around, -and I felt that much of the credence which astrologers themselves -placed in their own dreams, might well be ascribed to the influence of -the solemn and majestic scenes in which their studies were carried on. -I understood completely how a man of an ardent imagination, placed on -an eminence like that, far above a dull and drowsy world below, with -nothing around him but silence, and no contemplation but the bright -and beautiful stars, might dream grand dreams, and fancy that, in the -golden lettered book before his eyes, he could read the secret tale of -fate, and discover the immutable decrees of destiny. I did more: I -felt that, were I long there myself, I should become a dreamer too, -and give rein to imagination as foolishly as any one.</p> - -<p class="normal">We now entered the tower by a strong door, at which were stationed two -small negro pages, each of whom, dressed in the Oriental costume, bore -a silver lamp burning with some sort of spirit, which gave a blue -unearthly sort of light to whatever they approached. Notwithstanding -my own tendency towards imaginativeness--perhaps I might say towards -superstition--I could not help smiling to see with what pains people -who wish to give way to their fancy, add every accessory which may -tend to deceive themselves. Anything strange, unusual, or mysterious, -is of great assistance to the imagination; and the sight of the two -small negroes, with their large rolling eyes and singular dress, -together with the purple gleam of the lamps in the gloomy interior of -the tower, were all well calculated to impress the mind with those -vague sort of sensations which, themselves partaking of the wild and -extraordinary, form a good preparation to ideas and feelings not quite -tangible to the calm research of reason.</p> - -<p class="normal">Vanoni saw me smile; and as we went up the stairs of the tower, he -said, "That mummery is none of mine. The good Countess is resolved not -to let her imagination halt for want of aid: but the belief which I -give to the science of astrology is founded upon a different -principle--the historical certainty that many of the most -extraordinary predictions derived from the stars have been verified -contrary to all existing probabilities--a certainty as clearly -demonstrable as any other fact of history, and much more so than many -things to which men give implicit credence. In the search for truth, -we must take care to get rid of that worst of prejudices, because the -vainest--that of believing nothing but what is within the mere scope -of our own knowledge. Now it is as much a matter of history as that -Julius Cæsar once lived at Rome, that in this very tower an astrologer -predicted to Catherine de Medicis the exact number of years which each -of her descendants should reign. It has been one cause of the -disrepute into which the science of astrology has fallen," he added, -"that its professors mingled a degree of charlatanism with their -predictions, which they intended to give them authority, but which has -ultimately discredited the art itself. Thus the astrologer I speak of, -not contented with predicting what he knew would happen, and leaving -the rest to fate, must needs show to the queen the images of her sons, -in what he pretended to be a magic glass; and, by this sort of juggle -diminished his own credit; though the <i>procès verbal</i> of what -Catherine saw, taken down at the time, is now in the hands of the -Countess de Soissons."</p> - -<p class="normal">"May I ask the particulars?" said I, growing somewhat interested in -the subject; "and also, whether this <i>procès verbal</i> is undoubtedly -authentic?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Beyond all question," replied the old man, leading the way into a -circular hall, at the very top of the tower. "It has descended from -hand to hand direct; so that no doubt of its being genuine can -possibly exist. What the queen saw was as follows: being placed -opposite a mirror, in this very chamber, after various fantastic -ceremonies unworthy of a man of real science, the astrologer called -upon the genius of Francis II. to appear, and make as many turns round -the chamber as he should reign years.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Instantly Catherine beheld a figure, exactly resembling her son, -appear in the glass before her, and with a slow and mournful step take -one turn round the chamber and begin another; but before it was much -more than half completed, he disappeared suddenly; and another figure -succeeded, in which she instantly recognised her second son, -afterwards Charles IX. He encircled the hall fourteen times, with a -quick and irregular pace. After him came Henry III., who nearly -completed fifteen circles; when suddenly another figure, supposed to -be that of the Duke of Guise, came suddenly before him, and both -disappearing together, left the hall void, seemingly intimating to the -queen that there her posterity should end. There stands the mirror," -he added, "but its powers are gone."</p> - -<p class="normal">I approached the large ancient mirror with its carved ebony frame, to -which he pointed, and looked into it for a moment, my mind glancing -back to the days of Catherine de Medicis and her gay and vicious -court; and binding the present to the past, with that fine vague line -of associations whose thrilling vibrations form as it were the music -of memory; when suddenly, as if the old magician still exercised his -power upon his own mirror, the stately form of a lady dressed in long -robes of black velvet rose up before me in the glass; and with a start -which showed how much my imagination was already excited, I turned -round and beheld the Countess de Soissons.</p> - -<p class="normal">Without waiting for the reprimand which, I doubted not, she intended -to bestow upon me, I apologised for having been rude enough to go -anywhere without first having paid my respects to herself, alleging -business of an important nature as my excuse.</p> - -<p class="normal">"And pray, what important business can such a great man as yourself -have in our poor capital?" demanded the Countess, with a look of -haughty scorn, that had well nigh put to flight my whole provision of -politeness.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I believe, Madam," replied I, after a moment's pause, "that Monsieur -le Comte your son informed you, by a note which I delivered, that I -had to come to Paris on affairs which he thought fit to intrust to -me."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And a pretty personage he chose," interrupted the Countess. "But I -come not here to hear your excuses, youth. Has Signor Vanoni told you -the important purpose for which I commanded you to meet me here?"</p> - -<p class="normal">I replied that he had not done so fully; and she proceeded to inform -me, that the learned Italian, having been furnished by her with all -the astrological particulars of my birth, which she had obtained from -my mother many years before, and also having received those of the -birth of her own son the Count de Soissons, he had chosen that evening -for the purpose of consulting the stars concerning our future fate.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is needless to go through all the proceedings of the astrologer, -his prediction being the only interesting part of the ceremony. This -he delivered without any affectation or mummery, as the mere effect of -calculations; and his very plainness had something in it much more -convincing than any assumption of mystery; for it left me convinced of -his own sincere belief in what he stated. I forget the precise terms -of his prophecy in regard to the Count de Soissons; suffice it, that -it was such as left room for an easy construction to be put upon it, -shadowing out what was really the after-fate of the Prince to whom it -related. In regard to myself, he informed me that dangers and -difficulties awaited me, more fearful and more painful than any I had -hitherto encountered; but that with fortitude I should surmount them -all; and he added, that if I still lived after one month from that -day, my future fate looked clear and smiling. All who sought my life, -he said farther, should die by my hand, or fail in their attempt, and -that in marriage I should meet both wealth, and rank, and beauty.</p> - -<p class="normal">Absurd as I knew the whole system to be, yet I own--man's weaknesses -form perhaps the most instructive part of his history, and therefore -it is, I say it--absurd, as I knew the whole system to be, yet I could -not help pondering over this latter part of the prediction, and -endeavoured to reconcile it in my own mind with the probabilities of -the future. My Helen had beauty, I knew too well. Wealth, I had heard -attributed to her; and rank, the Prince had promised to obtain. Oh -man, man! thou art a strange, weak being; and thy boasted reason is -but a glorious vanity, which serves thee little till thy passions have -left thee, and then conducts thee to a grave!</p> - -<p class="normal">Hope, in my breast but a drowning swimmer, clung to a straw--to -worse--a bubble.</p> - -<p class="normal">I followed the Countess de Soissons from the tower, thoughtful and -dreamy; and I believe the old man Vanoni was somewhat pleased to -witness the effect that his words had wrought upon me; though he could -little see the strange and mingled web that fancy and reason were -weaving in my breast--the golden threads of the one, though looking as -light as a gossamer, proving fully strong enough to cross the woof of -the other, and outshine it in the light of hope.</p> - -<p class="normal">At the foot of the staircase we found the Countess's women waiting; -and having suffered me to conduct her to the door of the Hôtel de -Soissons, she gave me my dismissal with the same air of insufferable -haughtiness, and retired into the house. As my apartments lay in one -of the wings, I was again crossing the garden to reach them, when -suddenly a figure glided past me, which for a moment rooted me to the -ground. It was in vain I accused myself of superstition, of madness, -of folly. The belief still remained fixed upon my mind, that I had -seen Jean Baptiste Arnault, whom I had shot with my own hand. The moon -had just risen--the space before me was clear; and if ever my eyes -served me in the world, it was the figure of him I had killed that -passed before me.</p> - -<p class="normal">Without loss of time, I made my way to my own apartments; and pale, -haggard, and agitated, I cast myself on a seat, while little Achilles, -in no small surprise, gazed on me with open eyes, and asked a thousand -times what he could do for me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It was he!" muttered I, without taking any notice of the little -man.--"It was certainly Jean Baptiste Arnault, if ever I beheld him."</p> - -<p class="normal">"My brother!" exclaimed Achilles; "I thought he was at Lourdes, with -that most respectable gentleman his father, my mother's husband that -was; and my parent that ought to have been--I certainly thought he was -at Lourdes."</p> - -<p class="normal">"He is in the grave, and by my hand," replied I, scarcely -understanding what he had said; but gradually, as I grew calm, my mind -took in his meaning, and I exclaimed, "Your brother! Was Jean Baptiste -Arnault your brother?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"That he certainly was, by the mother's side," replied the little -player, "and as good a soul he was, when a boy, as ever existed." An -explanation of course ensued; and on calling to mind the little man's -history, I found that no great wit would have been necessary to have -understood his connection with Arnault before. A more painful -narrative followed on my part, for Achilles pressed me upon the words -I had let fall. I could not tell him the circumstances of his -brother's death--that would have been too dreadful for my state of -mind at the moment; but I assured him that it had been accidental; and -I told him the regret, the horror, the grief, which it had occasioned -me ever since.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Poor Jean Baptiste!" cried the little player, with more feeling than -I thought he possessed, "he was as good a creature as ever lived; and -now, when I hear that he is dead, all his tricks of boyhood, and all -the happy hours when we played together, come up upon my mind, and I -feel--what perhaps I never felt rightly before--what a sad thing it is -to be an outcast, denied, and forgotten, and alone, without one tie of -kindred between me and all the wide world." And the tears came up into -his eyes as he spoke. "Do not let me vex you, monseigneur," continued -he: "I am sure you would harm no one on purpose; and you have been to -me far better than kind and kindred; for you alone, on all the earth, -have borne with me, and showed me unfailing kindness; but yet I cannot -help regretting poor Jean Baptiste."</p> - -<p class="normal">It was a bitter and a painful theme; and we both dropped it as soon as -it was possible. Ideas, however, were re-awakened in my mind, that -defied sleep; and though I persuaded myself that the figure I had seen -was but the effect of an imagination over-excited by what had passed -during the day, and the thoughts that had lately occupied me; yet, as -I lay in my bed, all the horrid memories, over which time had begun to -exercise some softening power, came up as sharp and fresh as if the -blood was still flowing that my hand had shed.</p> - -<p class="normal">I rose late, and while Achilles was aiding me to dress, I saw that -there was something on his mind that he wished to say. At length it -broke forth. "I would not for the world speak to you, monseigneur, on -a subject that is so painful," said the little player, with a delicacy -of which I had hardly judged him capable; "but this morning something -extraordinary has happened, that I think it best to tell you. As I was -standing but now at the gate of the Hôtel de Soissons, who should pass -by but Arnault the old procureur. He stopped suddenly, and looked at -me; and as I thought he knew me, though in all probability I was -mistaken, I spoke to him, and we had a long conversation. Me he seemed -to care very little about, but he asked me a world of questions about -you; and he seemed to know all that you were doing, a great deal -better than I did myself. I assured him, however, that the death of -poor Jean Baptiste was entirely accidental, as you told me; and I -related to him all that you had suffered on that account, and how -often, even now, it would make you as grave and as melancholy as if it -were just done. I wanted him very much to tell me where he lived, but -he would not; and took himself off directly I asked the question."</p> - -<p class="normal">It gave me some pain to hear that Achilles had now positively informed -Arnault that my hand had slain his son. Helen could never be mine; I -felt it but too bitterly, as the dreams which the astrologer's -prediction had suggested died away in my bosom--and yet I shrank from -the idea of her knowing, that he whom she had loved was the murderer -of her brother. I could not, however, blame Achilles for what he had -done. The name of Helen had never been mentioned between us; and when -I thought that she was <i>his</i> sister--the sister of my own servant, -though it changed no feeling in my breast towards her--though it left -her individually lovely, and excellent, and graceful as ever in my -eyes, yet it gave new strength to the vow I had made to obey my -mother's last injunctions, by adding another to the objections which -she would have had to that alliance. The conviction that we were fated -never to be united took firm possession of my mind. Destiny seemed -willing to spare me even the pain of faint hopes, by piling up -obstacle on obstacle between us; but I resolved that, if I might never -call her I loved my own, I would give the place which she had filled -in my heart to no other. I would live solitary and unbound by those -ties which she alone could have rendered delightful. I would pass -through life without the touch of kindred or of wedded love, and go -down to the grave the last of my race and name.</p> - -<p class="normal">Such were my resolutions; and, variable and light as my character was -in some degree, I believe that I should have kept them--ay! -notwithstanding the quick and ardent blood of youth, and my own -proneness to passion and excitement.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the course of the morning, I visited Monsieur de Retz; and, -according to the commands of Monsieur le Comte, we mutually -communicated the steps we had taken--though I believe De Retz informed -me of the success which had attended his negotiations, more to force -me into a return of confidence than for any other reason.</p> - -<p class="normal">"From the letter which Monsieur de Cramail slipped into my hand -yesterday," said he, "as well as from what he told me <i>vivâ voce</i>, I -can now safely say the Bastille is our own. Indeed, it is wonderful -with what facility this party of prisoners dispose of their place of -confinement; but the Count tells me here, that he has won the officers -of the garrison, and the officers have won the soldiers--that, in -short, all hearts are for Monsieur le Comte, and that it only wants a -first success to make all hands for him too. Oh, my dear De l'Orme," -he burst forth, "what a wonderful thing is that same word success! But -once attach it to a man's name, and you shall have all the world kneel -to serve him, and laud him to the skies--let him but fail, and the -whole pack will be upon him, like a herd of hungry wolves. Give me the -man that, while success is doubtful, stands my friend, who views my -actions and my worth by their own intrinsic merit, and pins not his -faith upon that great impostor success, whose favour or whose frown -depends not on ourselves but circumstance."</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon as it was dusk, I went alone to my little lodging in the Rue -des Prêtres St. Paul; and, after waiting for about half an hour, -received the visit of my two most respectable followers, Combalet and -Jacques Mocqueur. As they entered, I saw by a certain smirking air of -satisfaction on their countenances, that they had been successful in -their negotiation, which they soon informed me was the case.</p> - -<p class="normal">"We have permission from his most acuminated majesty of the Huns," -said Jacques Mocqueur, "to introduce Monseigneur le Comte de l'Orme -into his famous palace called Château Escroc, and to naturalise him a -Hun, upon the reasonable condition of his submitting to be -blindfolded, as he is conducted through the various passes of the -country of the Huns."</p> - -<p class="normal">"In regard to being blindfolded," replied I, "I have not the least -objection, as it is but natural you should take means to prevent your -secret resorts from being betrayed; but I must first understand -clearly what you mean by my being naturalised a Hun, before I submit -to any such proceeding."</p> - -<p class="normal">"'Tis a most august and solemn proceeding," replied Combalet de -Carignau, "and many of the first nobility have submitted to it without -blushing."</p> - -<p class="normal">"His infirmity! his infirmity!" cried Jacques Mocqueur. "I pray your -lordship would not forget his infirmity! Not a noble in these -or former times ever thought of submitting to the ceremony but -yourself;--but after all, it is but a ceremony, which binds you to -nothing."</p> - -<p class="normal">"If that be the case," replied I, "I will go; but be so good as to -remark, that I have nothing upon my person but the ten gold pieces -which I have promised your worthy monarch; and I beg that you will -give notice thereof to the worthy corporation I am going to meet, lest -the devil of cupidity should tempt them to play me foul."</p> - -<p class="normal">"For that, we are your lordship's sureties," said Combalet. "I should -like to see the man who would wag a finger against you, while we stood -by your side."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Your lordship does us injustice," said Jacques Mocqueur, in a less -swaggering tone. "There is honour, even to a proverb, amongst the -gentlemen you are going to meet; but if you are at all afraid, one of -us will stay till your return, at the Hôtel de Soissons, where our -friend the archer informed us you really lodged."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am not the least afraid," replied I: "but I spoke, knowing that -human nature is fallible; and that the idea of gold might raise up an -evil spirit amongst some of your companions, which even you might find -it difficult to lay. However, lead on, I will follow you."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I question much whether the council has yet met," replied Combalet; -"but we shall be some time in going, and therefore we may as well -depart." We accordingly proceeded into the street, where I went on -first, followed, scarcely a step behind, by my two bravoes, in the -manner of a gentleman going on some visit accompanied by his lackeys. -At every corner of each street, either Combalet or his companion -whispered to me the turning I was to take; and thus we proceeded for -near half an hour, till I became involved in lanes and buildings with -which I was totally unacquainted, notwithstanding my manifold -melancholy rambling through Paris, when I was there alone and -tormented with gloomy thoughts that drove me forth continually, for -mere occupation. The houses seemed to grow taller and closer together, -and in many of the lanes through which we passed, I could have touched -each side of the street, by merely stretching out my hands. Darkness, -too, reigned supreme, so that it was with difficulty that I saw my way -forward; and certainly should often not have known that there was any -turning near, had it not been for the whisper of mv companions, "To -the right!" or "To the left!"</p> - -<p class="normal">The way was long, too, and tortuous, winding in and out, with a -thousand labyrinthine turnings, as if it had been built on purpose to -conceal every kind of vice, and crime, and wretchedness, amongst its -obscure involutions.</p> - -<p class="normal">Every now and then from the houses as I passed burst forth the sound -of human voices; sometimes in low murmurs, sometimes in loud and -boisterous merriment; and sometimes even in screams and cries of -enmity or pain, that made my blood run cold. Still, however, I pursued -my purpose. I could but lose my life--and life to me had not that -value which it possesses with the happy and the prosperous. I would -have sold it dear, nevertheless, and was well prepared to do so, for I -was armed with dagger, sword, and pistol; so that, setting the object -to be gained by murdering me, which could but be my clothes, with the -risk and bloodshed of the attempt, I judged myself very secure, though -I found clearly that I was plunging deeper and deeper every moment -among those sinks of vice, iniquity, and horror, with which some part -of every great city is sure to be contaminated.</p> - -<p class="normal">Suddenly, as I was proceeding along one of these narrow streets, a -hand was laid firmly, but not rudely, on my breast; and a voice asked, -"Where go ye?" Jacques Mocqueur stepped forward instantly, and -whispering a word to my interrogator, I was suffered to proceed. In a -few minutes after, we arrived at a passage, where my bravoes informed -me that it would be necessary to bandage my eyes, which was soon done; -and being conducted forward, I perceived that we went into a house, -the entrance of which was so narrow, that it was with difficulty -Combalet could turn sufficiently to lead me onward by the hand. I took -care as we went to count the number of paces, and to mark well the -turnings, so that, I believe, I could have retraced my steps had it -been necessary.</p> - -<p class="normal">After turning four times, we once more emerged into the open air, as -if we crossed an inner court, and I could hear a buzz of many voices, -seemingly from some window above. We now again entered a house; and, -having turned twice, the bravoes halted, and I heard an old woman's -voice cry in a ragged, broken tone, "They are waiting for you, you two -lazy jessame flinchers. And what new devil have you brought with -you?--A pretty piece of flesh, I declare! Why, he has a leg and an arm -like the man of bronze."</p> - -<p class="normal">While these observations were being made upon my person, my two worthy -retainers were detaching the bandage from my eyes; and as soon as I -could see, I found myself standing in a large vestibule at the foot of -a staircase. An iron lamp hung from the ceiling, and by its light I -beheld a hideous old woman, in that horrid state where mental -imbecility seemed treading on the heels of every sort of vice. Her -high aquiline nose, her large bleared, dull eyes, swimming between -drunkenness and folly, her wide mouth, the lips of which had long -since fallen in over her toothless gums, all offered now a picture of -the most degrading ugliness; while, with a kind of gloating gaze, -she examined me from head to foot, crying from time to time, "A -pretty piece of flesh!--ay, a pretty piece of flesh!--nice devil's -food!--will you give me a kiss, young Beelzebub?" And throwing her -arms suddenly round me, she gave me a hug that froze the very blood in -my veins.</p> - -<p class="normal">I threw her from me with disgust; and, in her state of -semi-drunkenness, she tottered back and fell upon the pavement, giving -a great scream; on which a man, who had been lying in a corner totally -unseen by me, sprang up, and drawing his sword, rushed upon me, -crying, "Morbleu, Maraud! How dare you strike Mother Marinette?"</p> - -<p class="normal">It was a critical moment. To do anything with the wild and lawless, it -needs to show one's self as fierce and fearless as themselves. My -sword was out in an instant; and knowing that sometimes a display of -daring courage, with men like those amongst whom I was placed, will -touch the only feelings that remain in their seared and blackened -hearts, and do more with them than any other earthly quality, I cried -out to my two retainers, who were hurrying to separate us, "Let him -alone! let him alone!--We are man to man. I only ask fair play."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Fair play! Give him fair play!" cried Combalet and his companion to -half a dozen ruffians that came rushing down the stairs at the noise. -"Give the Count fair play!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"It's a quarrel about a lady!" cried Jacques Mocqueur. "An affair of -honour! A duello! Let no one interrupt them."</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile my antagonist lunged at me with vain fury. He was not -unskilful in the use of his weapon, but his was what may be called -bravo-fencing, very well calculated for street brawls, where five or -six persons are engaged together, but not fit to be opposed to a -really good swordsman, calmly hand to hand. His traverses were loose, -and he bore hard against my blade, so that at last, suddenly shifting -my point, I deceived him with a half time, and not willing exactly to -kill him, brought him down with a severe wound in his shoulder.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Quarter for Goguenard! Quarter for Goguenard!" cried the respectable -spectators, several of whom had, during the combat, served me -essentially by withholding Madame Marinette (the beldame whose -caresses I had repulsed so unceremoniously) from exercising her talons -upon my face. My sword was instantly sheathed, and my antagonist being -raised, looked at me with a grim grin, but without any apparent -malice. "You've sliced my bacon," cried he; "but, <i>Ventre saint -gris!</i> you are a tight hand, and I forgive you."</p> - -<p class="normal">The wounded man was now carried off to have his wound <i>puttied</i>, as he -expressed it; and I was then ushered up stairs into a large room, -wherein all the swash-bucklers, that the noise of clashing swords had -brought out like a swarm of wasps when their nest is disturbed, now -hastened to take their seats round a large table that occupied the -centre of the hall. In place of the pens, the ink-horns, and the -paper, which grace the more dignified council boards of more modern -nations, that of the worthy Huns was only covered, in imitation of -their ancestors, with swords and pistols, daggers and knives, bottles, -glasses, and flagons, symbolical of the spirit in which their laws -were conceived, and the sharpness with which they were enforced.</p> - -<p class="normal">At the head of the table, when we entered, were seated four or five of -the sager members of the council, who had not suffered their attention -to be called from their deliberations like the rest; and in a great -arm-chair raised above the rest was placed a small old man, with sharp -grey eyes, a keen pinched nose, and a look of the most infallible -cunning I ever beheld in mortal countenance. He wore his hat buttoned -with a large jewel, and was very splendidly attired in black velvet; -so that, from every circumstance of his appearance, I was inclined to -believe I beheld in him that very powerful and politic monarch called -the King of the Huns.</p> - -<p class="normal">As Combalet de Carignan and Jacques Mocqueur were leading me forward -in state to present me to the monarch, he rose, and stroking his short -grey beard from the root to the point between his finger and thumb, he -demanded, with an air of dignity, "What noise was that I heard but -now, and who dared to draw a sword within the precincts of our royal -palace?"</p> - -<p class="normal">This question was answered by Jacques Mocqueur with the following -delectable sentence:--"May it please your majesty, the case was, that -old Marinette did the sweet upon the Count here, who buffed her a -swagger that earthed her marrow-bones; whereupon mutton-faced -Goguenard aired his pinking-iron upon the count, and would have made -his chanter gape, if the Count had not sliced his bacon, and brought -him to kiss his mother."</p> - -<p class="normal">This explanation, however unintelligible to me at the time, seemed -perfectly satisfactory to the great potentate to whom it was -addressed; who, nodding to me with a gracious inclination, replied, -"The Count most justly punished an aggression upon the person of an -ambassador. Let our secretary propose the oaths to the count, our -cupbearer bring forward our solemn goblet, and let the worthy nobleman -take the oaths, and be naturalized a true and faithful Hun."</p> - -<p class="normal">A meagre gentleman in a black suit now advanced towards me, with a -book in his hand, and proposed to me to swear that I would be -thenceforward a true and faithful subject to the mighty monarch, -François St. Maur, King of the Huns; that I would act as a true and -loyal Hun in all things, but especially in submitting myself to all -the laws of the Commonwealth, and the ordinances of the King in -council; as well as in keeping inviolably secret all the proceedings -of the Huns, their places of resort, their private signs, signals, -designs, plans, plots, and communications, with a great variety of -other particulars, all couched-in fine technical language, which took -nearly a quarter of an hour in repeating.</p> - -<p class="normal">Greater part of this oath I took the liberty of rejecting, giving so -far in to their mockery of ceremony, as to state my reasons to the -monarch with an affectation of respect that seemed to please him not a -little; and, though one or two of the ruffians thought fit to grumble -at any concessions being made to me, it was nevertheless arranged that -the oath should be curtailed in my favour, to a solemn vow of secrecy, -which I willingly took.</p> - -<p class="normal">An immense wrought goblet of silver was now presented to me, which I -should have imagined to be a chalice filched from some church, had it -not been for various figures of bacchanals and satyrs richly embossed -on the stalk and base. I raised it to my lips, drinking to the monarch -of the Huns, who received my salutation standing; but the very first -mouthful showed me that it was filled with ardent spirits; and -returning it to the cup-bearer, I begged that I might be accommodated -with wine, for that there was quite enough in the cup to incapacitate -me for fulfilling the important mission with which I was charged.</p> - -<p class="normal">A loud shout at my flinching from the cup was the first reply; and one -of the respectable cut-throats exclaimed from the other side of the -table, "Give some milk and water to the chickenhearted demoiselle."</p> - -<p class="normal">I had already had enough of brawling for the night; and as no farther -object was to be gained by noticing the ruffian's insult at the time, -I took the cup that was now presented to me filled with wine, and -drank health to the King of the Huns, without seeming to hear what had -been said.</p> - -<p class="normal">The most delicate part of my mission still remained to be fulfilled, -namely, to explain to the chief of all the thieves, swindlers, and -bravoes in Paris, for such was the King of the Huns, the objects of -the Count de Soissons, without putting his name and reputation in the -power of every ruffian in the capital; and as I looked round the room, -which was now crowded with men of every attire and every carriage, I -found a thousand additional reasons in each villanous countenance for -being as guarded and circumspect as possible.</p> - -<p class="normal">How I should have acquitted myself Heaven only knows; but a great deal -of trouble was taken off my hands by the King of the Huns himself; -who, after regarding me for a moment with his little grey eyes, that -seemed to enter into one's very heart, and pry about in every secret -corner thereof, opened the business himself, and left my farther -conduct comparatively easy.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Count de l'Orme," said he, in a loud voice, while all the rest kept -silence, "you have sought an interview with us, and you have gained -it. Ordinary politicians would now use all their art to conceal what -they know of your purpose, and to make you unfold to them more perhaps -than you wished; but we, with the frankness that characterises a great -nation, are willing to show you that we are already aware of much more -than you imagine. You sent word to us that you came on a mission from -a prince. We will save you the trouble of naming him. He is Louis de -Bourbon, Count de Soissons!"</p> - -<p class="normal">A murmur of surprise at the penetration of the king ran through the -assembly; but to me his means of information on this point were -evident enough. The archer had communicated to the bravoes that, -though I received them in the Rue Prêtres St. Paul, I lodged myself at -the Hôtel de Soissons. They had informed their chief of the same, and -by an easy chain of conclusions he had fallen upon the right person as -my principal.</p> - -<p class="normal">How he came by the rest of his information I do not know; but he -proceeded. "His highness the Count de Soissons is universally loved, -in the same proportion that the minister, his enemy, is hated; and -there is not one man amongst my subjects who does not bear the -greatest affection to the one, and the greatest abhorrence towards the -other."</p> - -<p class="normal">A loud shout of assent interrupted him for a moment; but when it had -subsided he went on. "The Count is, we are well informed, preparing on -all hands for open war with the cardinal; and we also know, that there -is more than one agent working privately in this city for his service. -We are not amongst those who will be most backward, or most -inefficient in his cause; and we only wish to know, in the first -instance, what he expects of us. Not that I mean to say," he added, -"that we do not intend therein to have some eye to our own interests; -yet, nevertheless, the Count will not find us hard or difficult to -deal with, as our enemies would have men believe."</p> - -<p class="normal">In answer to this speech, I went directly to the point, finding that -all diplomatising on the subject was spared me. I therefore told the -King of the Huns that he was perfectly right in the view he had taken -of the case; and that as the Count was now driven to extremity by the -Cardinal, it was natural that he should take every means to strengthen -his own cause. Of course, under these circumstances, I added, he would -not think of neglecting so large and respectable a body as the Huns, -and had therefore sent me to pray them, in case of a rising in the -city of Paris on his part, to support his friends with all their aid -and influence, and to embarrass his enemies by all those means which -no men knew so well how to employ as themselves. I farther added, that -if, under the permission and sanction of their government, any of his -Majesty's subjects would enrol themselves as men at arms, to serve the -Count de Soissons under my command, the prospect of vast advantages -was before them; but that, of course, I should require those men who, -having some knowledge of military discipline and habits, would not -need the long and tedious drilling of young recruits.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Such have we amongst our subjects in plenty," replied the King of the -Huns. "We are, as I need not inform you, essentially a military -nation; and for our own credit, the troops we furnish to our -well-beloved cousin, Monsieur le Comte, shall be of the best quality."</p> - -<p class="normal">A murmuring conversation now took place through the assembly, each man -expressing to his neighbour his opinion of what had just passed, in a -low voice, that left nothing audible but the various curses and -imprecations with which they seasoned their discourse, and which -seasoning certainly predominated over the matter. This left me, -however, an opportunity of gaining some private speech of the king, -with whom, in a very short time, I contrived to settle all -preliminaries. I paid my ten louis into the treasury, and promised -twenty more, in case of his showing himself active and serviceable in -the rising of the metropolis. He, on his part, engaged to select and -send to a certain point on the frontiers, as many horsemen as he could -rely upon, who were to take service with me, and to bind themselves by -oath to obey my commands for one month. For the first month, all I -could promise in regard to pay was twenty crowns per man; but this -seemed quite satisfactory; and I believe the plunder to be expected, -whichever party gained the day, was much more tempting in their eyes -than the ostensible reward. The rendezvous was named at the little -village of Marigny, beyond Mouzon, just over the frontier; and it was -agreed that the king should send me, from time to time, a note of the -numbers he despatched; and that on my arrival at Marigny I should -disburse to each man his pay in advance, on his taking the stipulated -oath, and showing himself ready for action, armed with sword, pistol, -dagger, morion, back and breast pieces, and musketoon. The number -which his most Hun-like majesty thought he could promise was about -three hundred men; and I very naturally supposed that I should have -somewhat of a difficult command over men who had long submitted to no -law but their own will.</p> - -<p class="normal">I knew, also, that so trifling an incident as my having refused to -pledge the King in his goblet of strong waters might do much harm to -my future authority; and, therefore, after having risen to go, I ran -my eye down the opposite side of the table, and said in aloud voice, -"Some one, about an hour ago, called me 'a chicken-hearted -demoiselle.' If he will stand out here in the free space, I will give -him the most convincing proof that my heart is as stout as his own, -and my hand not that of a girl."</p> - -<p class="normal">A fellow with the form and countenance of an ox-slayer instantly -started up, but his companions thrust him down again, several voices -crying out, "No, no! down with him! the Count is no flincher; look at -Goguenard, the best man amongst us, floored like a sheep!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"If any proof were wanting," said Jacques Mocqueur, stepping forward, -"to establish the noble Count's slashing qualities, I could give it. I -am known to be a tough morsel for any man's grinders; and yet, once -upon a day, the Count did for two of us singlehanded. He sent Captain -Von Crack out of the window sack-of-wheat fashion, and left me with -the flesh of my arm gaping like an empty flagon."</p> - -<p class="normal">This matter being settled, I drank a parting cup with his majesty, to -the prosperity of the Huns, which was of course received with a loud -shout; and, conducted by Combalet de Carignan and his companion, I -left Château Escroc with my whole frame fevered and burning, from the -excitement I had undergone.</p> - -<p class="normal">I have only farther to remark, that, according to the oath of secrecy -which I had taken, I should not now have placed even this interview on -paper, had not that respectable body with whom I passed the evening -been discovered some years since, and totally routed out of all their -dens. The fraternity of the Huns will doubtless ever exist in Paris; -but, thanks to the exertions of our late energetic criminal -lieutenant, they are now, like the Jews, a dispersed and wandering -people, each depending on his own resources, and turning the public to -his own particular profit.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XLV.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">During the ten days which followed, I received every morning news of -some new detachment having set out for Marigny; and each despatch from -the King of the Huns gave me the most positive assurance of his -co-operation in favour of the Prince, as soon as a signal should be -given for the rising in Paris.</p> - -<p class="normal">De Retz was enchanted with the progress I had made, and declared, with -a sneer even at the enterprise in which he was himself engaged, that -now we possessed the poor, the prisoners, and the cut-throats, our -success in Paris was certain.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Amongst my researches," said he one day, while we were speaking over -these circumstances, "I have met with a man that puzzles me. He is -certainly poor, even to beggary, at least so my scout, who discovered -him, assures me; and yet he refused pecuniary assistance, though -offered in the most delicate manner I could devise, and repulsed me so -haughtily, that I could not introduce one word of treason or -conspiracy into my discourse. As you, my dear count, are about to -venture yourself in mortal strife, you could not have a more -serviceable follower than this man's appearance bespeaks him. He is a -Hercules; and if his eye does not play the braggart in its owner's -favour, he is just a man to kill lions and strangle serpents. You -could not do better than visit him, telling him that you are my -friend, and that I am most anxious to serve him, if he will point me -out the means."</p> - -<p class="normal">I was very willing to follow the suggestion of Monsieur de Retz, being -at the very time engaged in searching for a certain number of personal -attendants, whose honesty might in some degree neutralise the opposite -qualities of those that waited me at Marigny. Having received the -address then, I proceeded to a small street in the <i>cité</i>, and -mounting three pair of stairs, knocked at a door that had been -indicated to me. A deep voice bade me come in; and, entering a -miserable apartment, I beheld the object of my search. The light was -dim; but there was something in the grand athletic limbs and proud -erect carriage, that made me start by their sudden call upon old -recollections. It was Garcias himself, whom I had left at Barcelona -borne high upon the top of that fluctuating billow, popular favour, -that now stood before me in apparent poverty in Paris.</p> - -<p class="normal">He started forward and grasped my hand. "Monsieur de l'Orme!" cried -he: "God of heaven! then I am not quite abandoned."</p> - -<p class="normal">His tale was not an extraordinary one. He had fallen as he had risen. -The nobility of Catalonia, finding that the insurgents maintained -themselves, and received aid from France, declared for the popular -party, gradually took possession of all authority; and, to secure it, -provided for the ruin of all those who had preceded them. Garcias was -the most obnoxious, because he had been the most powerful while the -lower classes had predominated. Causes of accusation are never wanting -in revolutions, even against the best and noblest; and Garcias was -obliged to fly, to save himself from those whose liberties he had -defended and saved. Spain was now all shut against him. France was his -only refuge; and, finding his way to Paris, he set himself down in -that great luxurious city, with that most scorching curse in his own -breast, a proud heart gnawed by poverty.</p> - -<p class="normal">"But your wife, Garcias!" demanded I, after listening to his -history--"your wife! what has become of her?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"She is an angel in heaven!" replied he, abruptly, at the same time -turning away his head. "Monsieur de l'Orme," he added, more firmly, -"do not let us speak of her--it unmans me. You have seen a fair flower -growing in the fields, have you not?--Well, you have plucked it, and -putting it in your bonnet, have borne it in the mid-day sun and the -evening chill; and when you have looked for the flower at nightfall, -you have found but a withered, formless, beautiless thing, that -perforce you have given back to the earth from which it sprang. Say no -more!--say no more!--Thus she passed away!"</p> - -<p class="normal">Since we had parted, misfortunes had bent the proud spirit of the -Spaniard, while my own had gained more energy and power; so that now, -it was I who exercised over him the influence he had formerly -possessed over me. The aid he had refused from Monsieur de Retz, from -me he was willing to accept; and, explaining to him my situation, I -easily prevailed upon him to join himself to my fortunes, and to aid -me in disciplining and commanding the very doubtful corps I had -levied.</p> - -<p class="normal">Upon pretence of wishing him nearer to me, I would not leave him till -I had installed him in my lodgings in the Rue des Prêtres; and there, -I took care that he should be supplied with everything that was -externally necessary to his comfort, and that his mind should be -continually employed.</p> - -<p class="normal">I now added six trusty servants to my retinue, provided horses and -arms for the whole party, and my business in Paris being nearly -concluded, prepared to return to Sedan without loss of time; when one -morning a note was left at my little lodging, desiring my presence at -the Palais Cardinal the next evening at four o'clock, and signed -"<i>Richelieu</i>."</p> - -<p class="normal">I instantly sent off my six servants to Meaux, keeping with me -Combalet de Carignan, his companion Jacques Mocqueur, Garcias, and -Achilles, with the full intention of bidding adieu to Paris the next -morning, and putting as many leagues as possible between myself and -his eminence of Richelieu, before the hour he had named. Time was when -I should have waited his leisure with the palpitating heart of hope, -and now I prepared to gallop away from him with somewhat more speed -than dignity. The <i>tempora mutantur et nos mutamur</i> goes but a little -way to tell the marvels that a month can do.</p> - -<p class="normal">My plans, however, were disarranged by very unexpected circumstances. -On returning to my apartments at the Hôtel de Soissons, I sat down for -a moment to write; when, after a gentle tap, the door opened, and in -glided the pretty embroidery girl whom, on my first arrival at the -house, I had seen holding the silks for the Countess's work. She -advanced, and gave a note into my hands, and was then retiring.</p> - -<p class="normal">"From the Countess, my pretty maid?" demanded I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, sir," she replied. "Pray do not tell the Countess that I gave it -to you;" and so saying, she glided out of the chamber faster than she -came.</p> - -<p class="normal">I opened the note immediately, seeing that there was some mystery in -the business; and with a tumult of feelings varying at every word, -like the light clouds driven across an autumn sky, now all sunshine, -now all shadow, I read what follows:--</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:5%">"<span class="sc">Monsieur le Comte</span>,</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have just learned from my father, that by some strange error you -have not yet heard of my recovery, and that you have been passing the -best of your days in regret for having, as you imagined, killed me, -though we are both well aware that the wound I received was given in -your own defence. I have been misled, Monsieur le Comte, by those who -should have taught me right; but I will no longer be commanded, even -by my father, to do what is against my conscience; and, therefore, I -write you this letter, to tell you that I am still in life. So -conscious was I from the first that I had received my wound as a -punishment from Heaven for that which I was engaged in, that, on -recovering my senses at the château, I attributed my situation to the -accidental discharge of my own gun. All I can add is, that I always -loved you, and would have served you with all my heart, had not other -people put passions and wishes into my head that I ought never to have -entertained. From all that, my eyes are now cleared; and, as a proof -of it, I give you the following information--that if you will this -evening at eight o'clock, when it is beginning to grow dusk, go -sufficiently attended to the first carrefour on the road to Vincennes, -you will have the means of saving her you love best from much fear and -uncomfort. Even should you be too late, be under no dread that she -will meet with any serious evil. On that score depend upon</p> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">Jean Baptiste Arnault</span>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"P.S.--The carriage in which they convey her is red, with a black boot -on each side."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">I sprang up from the table, like Ixion unbound from his wheel. The -load was off my bosom--I no longer felt the curse of Cain upon me--my -heart beat with a lightness such as we know in boyhood; and the gay -blood running along my veins seemed to have lost the curdling poison -that had so long mingled with it. It was then I first fully knew how -heavily, how dreadfully the burden of crime had sat upon me, even when -my immediate thoughts were turned to other things. I felt that it had -made me old before my time--daring, reckless, hopeless. But now I -seemed to have regained the youngness, the freshness of my spirit; and -Hope once more lighted her torch, and ran on before, to illumine my -path through the years to come.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the first tumult of my feelings, reflection upon all the collateral -circumstances was out of the question; but upon consideration, I saw -painfully how strange my absence must have appeared to my family, from -Jean Baptiste having concealed that I was the person who wounded him. -Doubtless, I thought he had told his father, who had thereupon -instantly taken Helen from the château; and thus my mother had been -led to connect my absence with her removal.</p> - -<p class="normal">Several parts of Jean Baptiste's letter surprised me much. Of course, -however, I put my own interpretation upon them, and then bent my -thoughts upon the danger which, as he informed me, menaced my dear -Helen. What its nature could be I could not divine; but without -wasting time in endeavouring to discover that on which I had no means -of reasoning, I proceeded as fast as possible to the lodgings where I -had left Garcias; and, sending Achilles for Combalet and his -companion, prepared to set out to the place which the letter had -indicated. It was by this time wearing towards evening; but we had -still a full hour between us and the time appointed. My impatience, -however, would not brook the delay; and therefore, as soon as I had -collected all my attendants, I set off at full speed, and arrived at -the first carrefour on the road to Vincennes, about half-past seven -o'clock.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was still quite light, and a great many of the evening strollers of -the city and its environs were passing to and fro, so that the sight -of a gentleman in mourning, with four somewhat conspicuous attendants, -planted in the middle of a crossroad, did not escape without remark. -One by one, however, the observers passed away, each leaving a longer -and a longer interval between himself and his successor, while -daylight also gradually diminished, and it became dark enough to -conceal us from any but very watchful eyes. In the meanwhile, my -imagination went throughout all the various evolutions that an -impatient spirit can impose upon it; at one time fancying that I had -mistaken the spot; at another, supposing that I had been purposely -deceived; and at another, believing that the carriage which contained -Helen had taken a different road.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length, however, the creaking of wheels seemed to announce its -approach, and, drawing back as far as we could from observation, we -waited till it came up. At about twenty paces in advance came two -horsemen, one of whom, as soon as he arrived at the carrefour, -dismounted, and gave his horse to his companion, while he went back, -and opening the door of the carriage, got in. I could not see his -face; but he was a short man, not taller than my little servant -Achilles, which was the more remarkable, from the difficulty he had in -reaching the high step of the carriage. In a moment after, I heard -Helen's voice exclaim, "I have been deceived; I will go no farther! -Let me descend, or I will call for assistance!"</p> - -<p class="normal">She was not obliged to call, however. Assistance was nearer than she -thought. "Seize the horses, Combalet," cried I; and rushing forward, I -tore open the door of the carriage, exclaiming, "It is I, Helen! it is -Louis!--Who has dared to deceive you?"</p> - -<p class="normal">She sprang out at once into my arms, while the man who had entered the -carriage just before, made his escape at the other side. Swords by -this time were drawn and flashing about our heads; for some men who -had accompanied the vehicle made a momentary show of resistance; but -they were soon in full flight, and we remained masters of the field -without any bloodshed.</p> - -<p class="normal">Whom I had delivered her from--what I had done--I knew no more than -the child unborn; but she clung to me with that dear confiding clasp, -in which woman's very helplessness is strong, and repeated over and -over her thanks, with those words, with that tone, which assured me -that every feeling of her heart was still mine. "Tell me, tell me, -dear Louis!" said she at length, "by what happy chance you came here -to deliver me!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"It was by a note from Jean Baptiste," replied I. "But, dearest Helen, -explain to me all this; for I am still in the dark. I know not whom I -have delivered you from--I know not what danger assailed you!"</p> - -<p class="normal">Helen now, between the confusion of the moment, and the supposition -that I knew a thousand circumstances of which I had not the slightest -idea, began a long detail which was totally unintelligible to me. She -spoke of having been at the Hôtel de Chatillon, waiting the return of -her father from Peronne, and went on to say that a forged letter had -been sent her, signed with his name, importing that a carriage and -attendants would come for her at a certain hour to bring her to where -he was; and so perfectly imitated was the signature, she said, that -not only herself, but the Countess de Chatillon had also been -deceived. She was in the act of adding a great many particulars, which -completely set my comprehension at defiance, when a party of horsemen, -galloping like madmen, arriving on the spot, interrupted her farther -narration.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Here they are! here they are!" cried the foremost horseman, seeing -through the semi-darkness the lumbering machine which had brought -Helen thither, blocking up the road. "Here is the carriage! cut down -the villains!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Hold, hold!" exclaimed I, drawing my sword, and advancing before -Helen, while my sturdy retainers prepared for instant warfare. "Hold, -fair sir, a moment. Words before blows, if you please. Who are you? -and what do you seek?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Morbleu! Cut them down!" cried the young man, aiming a blow at my -head, which I parried and returned, with such interest, that, I -believe, he would not have struck many more had not a less hasty -personage ridden up, crying, "Hold, hold! Charles, I command you hold. -Sir stranger, hear me! You asked our name and what we seek," he added, -seeing me pause. "My name is the Maréchal de Chatillon! and now, sir, -tell me yours; and how you dare, by false pretences, to carry off a -young lady from my house, placed under my care by her father?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"My name, sir," replied I, "is Louis Count de l'Orme; and in reply to -your second question, far from having carried off this young lady from -your house, I have just had the pleasure of rescuing her from the -hands of those who did--which you would have heard before, if this -hasty person had been willing to listen, rather than bully."</p> - -<p class="normal">"He is, sir, as you have said, far over hasty," replied the Maréchal; -"but begging your forgiveness for his mistake, I have only farther to -thank you, on the part of the lady, for the service you have rendered -her, and to request that you would give her into my hands, as the only -person qualified to protect her for the moment."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I must first be satisfied that you are really the Maréchal de -Chatillon, and that the lady goes with you willingly," replied I; "for -there have been so many mistakes to-night apparently, that I do not -otherwise yield her till I have seen her in safety myself."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Yes, yes, Louis," replied Helen--I thought, with a sigh--"it is -Monsieur de Chatillon, and I must go with him--after once more giving -you a thousand thanks for my deliverance."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Since such is the case, Monsieur de Chatillon," I rejoined, "I of -course resign a charge, which otherwise I should not easily have -abandoned; but I must claim the privilege, as one of this lady's -earliest friends, of visiting her to-morrow morning, to hear those -particulars which I have not been able to hear to-night."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I cannot object to such an arrangement," replied the Maréchal, -alighting, while his more impetuous companion made his horse's feet -clatter with a touch of the spur. "I cannot object to such a -meeting--always understood, that the Countess of Chatillon be present. -The carriage in which the rogues carried you off, my fair Helen," -added he, taking her hand from mine, with much gentlemanlike -frankness, "shall serve to carry you back again; and I will be your -companion."</p> - -<p class="normal">Helen now took leave of me, with more tenderness than at least the -younger horseman liked; for he turned his beast's head and rode a -little away. The Maréchal then handed her into the carriage, and, -turning to me, he said in a low voice, "Your visit, Monsieur le Comte -de l'Orme, if it must be, had better be early, for this young lady is -about to undertake a long journey by desire of her father; but if you -would follow my advice, you would, instead of visiting her at all, -turn your horse's head from Paris as speedily as possible; for, -believe me, neither your journeys to Sedan, nor your proceedings in -this capital, have been so secret as to escape suspicion." He paused -for a moment, after having spoken, as if he waited an answer, or -watched the effect of what he had said. It came upon me, I will own, -as if some one had struck me; but I had presence of mind enough to -reply--"My proceedings in this city, seigneur, have certainly been -sufficiently open; and, consequently, should pass without suspicion, -if the actions of any one be suffered to do so. My journey to Sedan -was open enough also; but my return from that place was as much so; -and therefore, I suppose, I have nothing to fear on that score."</p> - -<p class="normal">"My warning, sir, was given as a friend," replied the Maréchal de -Chatillon; "and I would rather meet you a few days hence in the -battle-field, as a fair enemy, than hear that you had been consigned -to the dungeons of the Bastille, or executed in the Place de Grève. -Adieu, Monsieur de l'Orme; make the best of my warning, for it is one -not to be neglected." Thus speaking, he entered the carriage; and one -of his followers, who had dismounted, shut the door and took the place -of the driver, who had fled at the sight of drawn swords. Then turning -the horses towards Paris, he drove on, followed by the train of the -Maréchal de Chatillon.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meantime, the warning I had received sunk deep into my mind; -and though I resolved to risk everything rather than quit Paris -without coming to a full explanation with Helen, and satisfying myself -concerning a thousand doubts that hung upon me, I despatched Garcias -with Jacques Mocqueur to Meaux that very night, with the necessary -letters of exchange to pay the troop that waited me at Marigny, and an -order for them to obey him as myself, in case of my arrest or death; -begging him at the same time, in either event, to lead them to Sedan, -and head them in the cause of the Count de Soissons. Combalet and -Achilles I took with me to the Hôtel de Soissons, but kept them there -only for a moment, while I gathered together all my papers and -effects. After which I gave the whole package into the hands of -Achilles, and sending both out of the town with their own two horses, -and a led one for me, I bade them wait for me at the village of Bondy -till dusk the next night. If I came not then, they had orders to join -Garcias at Meaux, and tell him that I was arrested.</p> - -<p class="normal">All these precautions taken, I went to bed and slept.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XLVI.</h4> - -<p class="normal">It was barely light the next morning, when I was startled by hearing -some one in my sleeping chamber, and to my still greater surprise -perceived a woman.</p> - -<p class="normal">The haughtiness and reserve with which the Countess de Soissons had -thought fit to treat me had restrained all communication between us -during my residence in her dwelling, to the mere observance of a few -ceremonious forms, and therefore it seemed strange that she should -either visit me herself at such an hour, or even send any of her -attendants. The person who, not seeing I was awake, approached quickly -towards me, was no other, however, than the pretty little embroidery -girl who had brought me the billet from Jean Baptiste the day before.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Monsieur de l'Orme! Monsieur de l'Orme!" cried she, in a low but -anxious voice, "for God's sake, rise! The exempts are here to take you -to the Bastille. I will run round and open that door. Come through it -as quick as you can, and you can escape yet. My brother and Jean -Baptiste will keep them as long as possible."</p> - -<p class="normal">The door to which she pointed was one that communicated with a -different part of the house, and had been locked externally ever since -I had tenanted those apartments. She now ran round to open it, taking -care, as I heard, to fasten all the doors of my suite of rooms as she -went, so that I remained locked in on all sides. I lost no time, -however, in my toilet, and was just dressed when she opened the door -on the other side, while, at the same time, I could distinguish the -noise of persons wrenching open the door of the farther ante-room. -Three more locks still stood between me and my pursuers; but without -pausing on that account, I followed my pretty guide through several -chambers and passages, till, descending a staircase, we entered the -garden, and gliding behind a tall yew hedge which masked the garden -wall, we made our way straight to the tower of Catherine de Medicis.</p> - -<p class="normal">"They will search here, certainly," said I, pausing, when I saw she -intended to lead me into the tower. "As soon as they find I have -quitted my apartments, they will naturally examine this place of -retreat."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Hush!" cried she, "you do not know all its contrivances, -monseigneur." Opening the door, she permitted me to enter, and -following, locked it on the inside. We now climbed the spiral -staircase, up to the very highest part of the tower, and emerged on -the stone platform at the top. Exactly opposite to the mouth of the -staircase which we had ascended, she pointed out to me one of the -large flag-stones with which the observatory was paved, saying, "You -are a strong man--you can lift that."</p> - -<p class="normal">I knelt down, and getting my fingers underneath the edge, easily -raised it up, when I beheld another staircase precisely similar to -that which we had ascended, and which, passing round and round the -tower, exactly followed all the spires of the other, thus forming a -double staircase through the whole building. My pretty companion now -tried whether she could herself move the stone; and finding that she -could do so with ease, as it was scarcely thicker than a slate, she -followed me down, and drew it in the manner of a trap-door over us. -The whole reminded me so much of my flight with the unhappy Viceroy of -Catalonia, that I hurried my steps as much as possible, with the -remembrance vivid before my mind's eye, of the dreadful scene with -which that flight was terminated.</p> - -<p class="normal">"We are safe now, monseigneur," said my fair guide, with a <i>naïvete</i> -which some men might have mistaken for coquetry: "by your leave, we -will not go so fast, for I lose my breath."</p> - -<p class="normal">"If we are safe then, my pretty preserver," replied I, taking a jewel -from my finger, which I had bought a few days before for a different -purpose, "I have time to thank you for your activity in saving me, and -to beg your acceptance of this ring as a remembrance."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will not take it myself, my lord," replied she; "but, with your -leave, I will give it to Jean Baptiste, who has a great regard for -you, and who sent me to show you the way, as I know all the secret -places of the hotel, and neither my brother nor he are acquainted with -them."</p> - -<p class="normal">"And I suppose that Jean Baptiste, then, is to be looked on in the -light of your lover, fair lady?" demanded I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"He is a friend of my brother, the Countess's page," replied the girl; -and then added, after a moment, "and, perhaps, a lover too. I do not -see why I should deny it. He slept here last night with my brother, to -be out of the way of some evil that was going on, and they two lying -in the gatehouse, first discovered that they were exempts who knocked -at the gate so early, and what they wanted."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Will you bear a message to Jean Baptiste?" said I. "Tell him that I -am not ungrateful for his kindness; and bid him tell his sister, that -nothing but that which has this day happened would have prevented me -from seeing her as I promised."</p> - -<p class="normal">"His sister!" said the girl. "I did not know that he had a sister--but -hark! they are searching the tower."</p> - -<p class="normal">As she spoke, I could plainly hear the sound of steps treading the -other staircase, and passing directly over our heads; and curious was -the sensation, to feel myself within arm's length of my pursuers, -without the possibility of their overtaking me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"They have broken open the door," said my companion in a low tone. "We -had better make haste; for when they do not find you in the tower, -they may set guards in the streets round about."</p> - -<p class="normal">We were by this time near the bottom of the stairs, and the light -which had hitherto shone in through various small apertures in the -masonry of the tower, now left us, as we descended apparently below -the level of the ground. My pretty little guide, however, seemed to -hold herself quite safe with me, though the situation was one which -might have been hazardous with many men, and led me on without seeming -to give a thought to anything but securing my safety, till we had -passed through a long passage, at the end of which she pushed open a -door, and at once ushered me into a small chamber, wherein an old -woman was in bed. Startled out of a sound sleep, the good dame sat up, -demanding who was there.</p> - -<p class="normal">"'Tis I, aunt! 'tis I!" replied the girl; "where is my uncle's cloak? -Oh, here; wrap yourself in that, monseigneur, and take this old hat, -and no one will know you.--I will tell you all about it, aunt," she -added, in answer to a complete hurricane of questions, which the old -woman poured forth upon her--"I will tell you about it when the Count -is safe in the street."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Is it the Count? Lord bless us!" cried the old woman, wiping her -eyes, and mistaking me for the Count de Soissons: "dear me! I thought -monseigneur was safe at Sedan."</p> - -<p class="normal">My fair guide now beckoning me forward, I left the old lady to enjoy -her own wonderment; and leaving a piece of gold for the hat and cloak, -thrust the one over my brows, and cast the other round my shoulders, -and proceeded to a second chamber, where was an old man at work, who -looked up, but asked no questions, though probably he saw his own -cloak and hat on the person of a stranger.</p> - -<p class="normal">Opposite to me stood an open door, evidently leading into a small -street; and taking leave of my conductress merely by a mute sign, I -passed out, and to my surprise found myself in the Rue du Four.</p> - -<p class="normal">I had kept my own hat still under the mantle, which was, in truth, -somewhat too small to cover me entirely; the point of my sword, my -boots, and almost my knees, appearing from underneath, and betraying a -very different station in life from that which the cloak itself -bespoke. However, as thousands of intrigues of every kind are each day -adjourned by the first rays of the sun that shine upon Paris, and as -the parties to them must often be obliged to conceal themselves in -many a motley disguise, I calculated that mine would not attract much -attention dangerous to myself, if I could but escape from the -immediate vicinity of the Hôtel de Soissons. I therefore walked -straight down the Rue du Four, and passing before the new church of -St. Eustache, I gained the Rue Montmartre, and thence crossing the -Boulevards, was soon in the country. Pausing under an old elm, the -emblematic tree of my family, I cast off the cloak and hat I had -assumed, judging that I was now beyond the likelihood of pursuit, and -walked as fast as possible towards Bondy. I arrived there in about a -couple of hours, and found Achilles sauntering tranquilly before the -door, while Combalet swaggered within to the new-risen host, hostess, -and servants of the little inn, neither of my attendants expecting me -for many an hour to come.</p> - -<p class="normal">My order to horse was soon obeyed, and before mid-day I was safe at -Meaux, where I gave but a temporary rest to my horses; and being -joined by Garcias and the rest of my suite, I set out again with all -speed towards Mouzon.</p> - -<p class="normal">The necessity of borrowing another person's name was in those days so -frequent with every one, that on my announcing myself to my servants -as the young Baron de Chatillon, the nephew of the maréchal of that -name, I caused no astonishment, and they habituated themselves to the -new epithet with great facility.</p> - -<p class="normal">Riding on before with Garcias, I now explained to him all that had -occurred, which I had not had time to do before. My first piece of -news, that Jean Baptiste Arnault was in existence, surprised him as -much as it had done myself.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I would have vowed," said he, "that what I saw before me, when I -joined you on that morning in the park, was nothing but a heap of -earth, which would never move, nor breathe, nor think again. It is -very extraordinary! and now I think of it, Monsieur de l'Orme, I am -afraid that I did you some unnecessary harm in the opinion of the -Chevalier de Montenero. Do you remember that day, when we saved him -from the fury of Gil Moreno? Well, as I was hurrying him away to his -horse, I told him that his life itself depended on his speed; to which -he answered, 'I would give life itself to be assured whether Louis de -Bigorre did slay him or not;' alluding to something he had been -speaking of with you. I thought as you did, that this Jean Baptiste -was really dead; and therefore I replied at once, 'Slay him! to be -sure he did--and did right too.'"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Good God! Garcias!" cried I. "He was speaking of another event--of -the priest at Saragossa, whose death I had no more hand in than you -had!"</p> - -<p class="normal">I know not how it is, but often in life, one accidental mistake or -misunderstanding appears to bring on another to all eternity. There -seems occasionally to be something confounding and entangling in the -very essence of the circumstances in which we are placed, which -communicates itself to everything connected with them; and, with one -help or another, they go on through a long chain of errors from the -beginning to the end.</p> - -<p class="normal">My vexation was evident enough to mortify Garcias deeply, without my -saying any more; and therefore, when he had told me that the -Chevalier, on receiving the news he gave him, had instantly sprung -into the saddle and ridden away in silence, I dropt a subject on which -I felt that I could not speak without irritation, and turned to the -coming events.</p> - -<p class="normal">We continued our journey as rapidly as possible, and my <i>nom de -guerre</i>, I found, served me well at all the various places of our -halt, as I heard continually that troops were marching in all -directions towards the frontier, evidently menacing Sedan, together -with every particular that could be communicated to me respecting -their line of march, their numbers, and condition; for all of which -information I was indebted to my assumed name of Chatillon, the -Maréchal de Chatillon himself being appointed commander-in-chief of -the king's army, or rather, I might say, the minister's, for the -monarch was calmly waiting the event of the approaching contest at -Peronne, without showing that interest in favour of the cardinal which -he had hitherto evinced on all occasions.</p> - -<p class="normal">We passed safe and uninterrupted across the whole country from Paris -till we came within a few leagues of the banks of the Meuse, where the -presence of the enemy's army rendered our movements more hazardous, -and consequently more circumspect. From time to time we met several -parties of stragglers hastening after the camp, with some of whom I -spoke for a moment or two; and finding that no suspicions were -entertained, and discipline somewhat relaxed, I ventured more boldly -to the Meuse, and presented myself for passage at the wooden bridge -above Mouzon, after ascertaining that it was but slightly guarded. -Notice had been given to all my followers, in case of the slightest -opposition to our passage, to draw their swords and force their way -across; and accordingly, on the cravatte on duty demanding a passport, -I said I would show it him, and drawing my sword, bade him give way.</p> - -<p class="normal">He did his duty by instantly firing his carbine at me, which had -nearly brought my adventures to a termination; for the ball passed -through my hat; but spurring on our horses, we bore him back upon half -a dozen others, who came running forward to his aid, drove them over -the bridge at the sword's point, and, galloping on, gained the wood on -the other side of the river.</p> - -<p class="normal">After this rencontre we made all speed through the least frequented -paths towards Marigny, and when we found ourselves within half a -league of the village, I sent forward Jacques Mocqueur and Achilles to -ascertain what had become of my recruits, whom I found I had posted -somewhat too near the enemy's position.</p> - -<p class="normal">In about an hour they returned, bringing with them a single trooper, -who was without a casque of any kind, and wore a peasant's coat over -his more warlike habiliments. In addition to all this, he had -apparently taken as much care of his inward man as of his outward, for -he was considerably more than half drunk.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Happy for this sweet youth," said Achilles, who, as may have been -observed, was fond of displaying his antique learning--"happy for -this sweet youth, that we are not amongst the Epizephrii, or he -would certainly have been hanged for drinking more wine than the -physicians recommended. But we have drawn from him, monseigneur, that -his companions, judging themselves somewhat too near the enemy, -have betaken themselves to the nearest branch of the forest of -Ardennes, hard by the village of Saule, where they are even now -celebrating their elaphobolia, or venison feasts, having left this -Bacchus-worshipper to tell us the way."</p> - -<p class="normal">Though our horses were weary, we could of course grant them no rest -till they had carried us over the six leagues that still lay between -us and Saule, which, after many misdirections, we at last found--a -little village cradled in the giant arms of the Ardennes.</p> - -<p class="normal">My heart somewhat misgave me, lest my respectable recruits should have -exercised any of their old plundering propensities upon the peasantry; -and the appearance and demeanour of the comrade they had left behind, -to acquaint us with their change of position, did not speak much in -favour of their regularity and discipline: but I did them injustice; -and on my arrival, though I found that they had laid many of the -antlered people of the forest low, and eke added many a magnificent -forest hog to their stores of provision, they had not at all molested -the populace of the country, who, remembering the ravages of -Mansfelt's free companions, looked upon my followers as very sober and -peaceable soldiers indeed.</p> - -<p class="normal">When I arrived, they were in a large piece of open forest ground, -between the village and the actual wood. A great many old oaks had -been cut down there the year before, and their roots had sent out a -multitude of young shoots, amongst which the daring, hardy men I had -engaged, had gathered themselves together in picturesque groups, -roasting the venison for their evening meal, or elaphobolia, as -Achilles termed it. In the meanwhile the declining sun shone through -the long glades of the forest, sometimes catching bright upon their -corslets and morions, sometimes casting upon them a deep shadow from -any of the ancient trees that remained still standing; but, -altogether, giving one of the finest and most extraordinary pieces of -light and shade that ever I beheld. The noise of our horses' feet made -them instantly start up from their various employments; and, -recognising me for their commander, they hailed my arrival with a loud -shout.</p> - -<p class="normal">They were all, as I soon found, old soldiers; and, well aware of the -infinite use of discipline even to themselves, they had employed the -time of my absence in choosing petty officers from amongst their own -body, and in renewing their old military habits and manœuvres. The -system which they had employed was not, perhaps, entirely that which -my late military readings had taught me theoretically; but as I saw it -would cause me infinitely less trouble to adopt their plan than it -would give them to acquire mine, as well as be less liable to -mistakes, I applied myself to reviewing and manœuvring them the -whole of the next day, while I sent Achilles and one of my servants to -Sedan, charged with my bills of exchange for paying my levies, and -with a letter to the Count de Soissons, informing him of my success.</p> - -<p class="normal">I felt assured that all the news I conveyed to him would give the -Count no small pleasure, not only having fulfilled all his wishes in -Paris, but brought him a reinforcement of nearly three hundred mounted -troopers, all veterans in affairs of war from their ancient -profession, and acuminated in every point of stratagem from their more -recent pursuits.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the evening Achilles returned, bringing me the money I required; -and a letter from the Prince, together with a reinforcement of twelve -troopers, whom the Count judged might prove serviceable to me in -disciplining my little force. The letter was as gratifying as ever -flowed from the pen of man; and the money, which I instantly -distributed amongst my followers, conjoined with the presence of the -men-at-arms the Count had sent me, contributed to establish my -authority with my recruits as firmly as I could wish; though I believe -that, before this came, they were beginning to grumble at the somewhat -childish reiteration with which I took pleasure in making my new troop -go through its evolutions. At the time, I found plentiful excuses in -my own mind for so doing; but I believe now that my feelings were -somewhat like those of a boy with a new plaything.</p> - -<p class="normal">The next morning, according to the commands of the Count, I recrossed -the Meuse by a bridge of boats which the Duke de Bouillon had newly -caused to be constructed, and then marched my men upon a little hamlet -behind the village of Torcy; after which I left them under the command -of Garcias, as my adjutant; and accompanied by my servants, turned my -bridle towards Sedan, to communicate with the Prince, and receive his -farther commands.</p> - -<p class="normal">I arrived at Sedan about five of the clock. All within the town was -the bustle and confusion of military preparation. Trumpets were -sounding, arms were clanging in every direction: the breastplate, the -morion, and the spur, had taken the place, in the streets, of the -citizen's sober gown, and the man of law's stiff cap; and many an -accoutred war-horse did I encounter in my way to the citadel, more -than Sedan had ever known before. The servants that accompanied me, -including Achilles, Combalet, and his companion, were nine in number; -and I had taken good care before I left Paris, that they should be -sufficiently armed, to take an active part in the warlike doings then -in preparation. My train, therefore, as I rode through the streets, -excited some attention; and amongst a knot of gentlemen that turned to -look, near the citadel, I perceived, to my surprise, the Marquis de -St. Brie! It may well be supposed that the sight was not particularly -gratifying; and I was passing on, without taking any notice, hoping -that he would not recollect me, from the great change which the few -months that had passed had wrought in my appearance. My beard, which, -when I had last seen him, had been too short to be allowed to grow, -was now longer, and cut into the fashionable point of that day; my -mustachios were long and black; my form was broader, and more manly; -and my skin, which then was pale with recent illness, was now bronzed -almost to the colour of mahogany.</p> - -<p class="normal">But he was not one of those men who easily forget; and, after looking -at me for a moment, during which the change somewhat confused him, he -became certain of my person; and spurring forward with a smiling -countenance, in which delight to meet with an old friend was most -happily and dexterously expressed, "My dear Count Louis!" cried he, "I -am delighted to see you. This is one of those unexpected pleasures -with which that fair jilt, Fortune, sometimes treats us, to make us -bear more patiently her less agreeable caprices."</p> - -<p class="normal">I meditated knocking his brains out, but I forbore, on reflecting that -the consequences of any violent proceeding on my part might be highly -detrimental to the interest of the Prince. A moment's farther -consideration made me pursue the very opposite course to that which I -had first proposed; and smothering my feelings towards Monsieur de St. -Brie as far as I could, I replied, that the meeting was certainly most -unexpected; but that, as I found him there, of course I supposed I was -to look upon him as a friend and partisan of Monsieur le Comte's.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Of course!" replied he. "I am his highness's humble friend and -devoted follower; though I have yet hardly the honour of his personal -acquaintance, being far better known to the noble Duke of Bouillon. -However, here I am, to fight side by side with you, my dear Count, as -I once proposed; and we will see which will contrive to get his throat -cut soonest in the Prince's service."</p> - -<p class="normal">"It will certainly not be I," replied I, gravely; "for wherever the -battle takes place, however I may exert myself therein, I shall come -out of it as unscathed as I went in."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Indeed! how so?" demanded the Marquis. "Do you wear a charmed coat of -mail, or have you been dipped in Styx?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Neither," replied I: "but it is my fate! In the calculation of my -nativity, it has been found, that whoever seeks to take my life, their -own shall be lost in the attempt. Two persons have made the essay--and -two have already fallen. We shall see who will be the third." What I -said was simply intended to touch the marquis upon a spot where I knew -he must be sensible; but the excessive paleness that came over his -countenance was far more than I expected to behold: it was more than I -could suppose the mere fear of having been discovered would excite in -a man of such principles. Could he be superstitious? I asked -myself--he, a free-thinker, a sceptic both by an erroneous application -of his reason, and by the natural propensity of a sensualist to reject -everything but what is material--could he be superstitious?</p> - -<p class="normal">But so, in fact, it was, as I soon found more clearly by the multitude -of questions which he asked me concerning the person who had -calculated my nativity, and given the prediction I had mentioned; -citing, as he did so, the names of all the astrologers in Europe, from -Nostradamus up to Vanoni himself. After a moment, however, he seemed -to be conscious that he was exposing himself; and looking up with a -forced laugh, "Dreams! dreams!" said he, "my dear Count. How can the -stars affect us upon the earth? If I were to choose a way of fooling -myself with prophecies, a thousand times rather would I follow the art -of the ancient Tuscans, and draw my divination from the lightning, -which at all events comes near our mortal habitation."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I know you are a sceptic in all such matters," replied I; and riding -on, I left the Marquis to muse over the prediction as he thought fit, -reserving to myself the right of calling him to a personal account for -his former conduct towards me, when I should find a fitting -opportunity. His character was then a new one to me, and I could -hardly persuade myself that he did really believe in the dreams which -even my reason, all hag-ridden as it was by imagination, cast from it -the moment it had power to follow its direct course. But I have had -occasion to remark since, that those who reject the truth of religion -are generally as prone as devotees to the dreams of superstition.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was immediately admitted into the citadel, and as I was dismounting -in the court, encountered Varicarville. "Welcome, welcome back! -Monsieur de l'Orme," said he. "We need all friends, now, to carry -through our enterprise; and Monsieur le Comte tells me, that you not -only bring us good news from Paris, but a considerable reinforcement. -You come from Torcy. What is the news there? Did you see the enemy? -When are we likely to prove our strength together?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I come to seek news myself," replied I. "No enemies have I seen, but -half a dozen soldiers, that we drove over the wooden bridge near -Mouzon. When does rumour say we shall have a battle?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"The day after to-morrow, at farthest," replied Varicarville, "if -Lamboy with his Germans arrives in time. But hie to the Prince, De -l'Orme. He expects you, and is now waiting you in the saloon, hoping -some news from Torcy."</p> - -<p class="normal">I proceeded to the Count's apartments accordingly, and finding no one -to announce me by the way, I entered the saloon at once. The Count de -Soissons was leaning in a large arm chair, with his head bent forward, -and one hand over his eyes, while Vanbroc, his Flemish lute-player, -was playing to him the prelude of a song. My entrance did not make the -Prince look up, and Vanbroc proceeded. After a few very sweet passages -preliminary to his voice, he sung, as nearly as I can remember, the -following, to a beautiful minor air:--</p> -<pre> - SONG. - - I. - - Give me repose and peace! Let others prove - The losing game of strife; - Or climb the hill, or plough the wave; - To find out fortune or a grave, - Stake happiness and life. - Oh, give me rest and peace, - And quietude and love! - - II. - - Give me repose and peace! The power, the sway, - The sceptre, crown, and throne, - Are thorny treasures, paying ill - The sacrifice of joy and will-- - All man can call his own. - Oh, give me rest and peace, - To bless my humble day! - - III. - - Give me repose and peace! I covet not - The laurel or the wreath, - Wars to the brave, strifes to the strong, - Ambitions to the proud belong-- - All hand in hand with death. - But be repose, and peace, - And life, and joy, my lot! - -</pre> -<p class="normal">The musician ceased, but still the Prince kept his hand before his -eyes, and I could see the tears roll slowly from underneath it, and -chase one another down his cheek, so great had been the power of the -music upon him.</p> - -<p class="normal">"No more, Vanbroc--no more!" said he, at length raising his eyes. "Ha! -De l'Orme. You should not have seen me thus: but I was ever more -easily vanquished by music than by the sword. But now to business: -leave us, Vanbroc."</p> - -<p class="normal">The lute-player withdrew, and the Prince, instantly recovering from -the momentary weakness into which he had been betrayed, proceeded to -question me respecting the minor details of my negotiation in Paris. -With all that I had done he expressed himself infinitely contented, -and showed the confidence which my conduct had inspired him with, by -making me acquainted with every particular that had taken place at -Sedan during my absence, together with all his future plans, as far as -they were formed.</p> - -<p class="normal">"To-morrow evening," said he, "or the next morning at farthest, -Lamboy, the Imperial General, will join us with five thousand veteran -Germans. As soon as he is prepared to pass the river, I also shall -cross by the bridge, and forming our junction on the other side, we -will together offer battle to the Maréchal de Chatillon, who has been -for some days at Remilly."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I believe your highness is misinformed," replied I; "for hardly yet -five days ago I saw Monsieur de Chatillon in Paris:" and I proceeded -to inform the Count of the circumstances which made me so positive of -the fact.</p> - -<p class="normal">"He was there last night, however," replied the Count; "for one of our -scouts watched him pass the Meuse and advance some way to reconnoitre -Lamboy: his person was known, and there could be no doubt. At all -events, we shall fairly offer our enemy battle on the day after -to-morrow. Lamboy commands the infantry, Bouillon the cavalry, and -myself the reserve.--But what makes you look so grave on my saying -that Bouillon commands the cavalry?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"My reason was frankly this, monseigneur," replied I; "Monsieur de -Bouillon has never shown any great regard for me; and I have farther -this day met a person on whose conduct towards me I have already -expressed myself to your highness without restraint--I mean the -Marquis de St. Brie." The Count started. "He boasts himself the friend -of Monsieur de Bouillon," continued I, "and you may easily imagine -what sort of harmony there can exist between him and me. The little -troop I have levied consisting entirely of cavalry, it will not of -course be very pleasant to me to fight side by side with a man who has -twice attempted my life; but however----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Stay, De l'Orme!" said the Count. "No likelihood exists of that -taking place which you anticipate. Your troop has been destined by -Bouillon and myself for a manœuvre, which we are sure you will -execute well, and on which the fate of the battle may probably depend. -If we can gain the ground that we wish, the cavalry, under the command -of Bouillon, will remain in the hollow way till such time as the enemy -lose somewhat of their compact order; as soon as ever this is -ascertained, by a signal from the hill behind, where you may have -remarked an ancient pillar--the signal, remember, is the raising of a -red flag on the pillar--Bouillon advances and charges the cavalry of -the enemy; but some cooperating movement may be necessary to second -the efforts of the Duke, and, consequently, we have determined to post -a body of cavalry behind a little wood, to the left of our position. -You must have seen it. But you shall be furnished with a plan of the -country, like this on the table. Here, you see, is the great wood of -the Marfée. Here the little wood to the left, joined to the Marfée by -this low copse, which I shall take care to garnish for you with a body -of musketeers. Here the high summit, on which, if we have time to -reach it, we shall take up our position; and here the hollow way for -Bouillon's cavalry. Your body of troopers must be stationed just -behind the wood, from whence you have a full view of the pillar. The -moment you see the red flag, draw out and charge the right of the -enemy. You have before you a gentle slope, which is, in truth, the -only part of the ground fit for cavalry; and your being there will -have two great advantages;--that of seconding Bouillon; and, in case -of the enemy attempting to turn our left flank, that of making his -manœuvre fall upon himself. It was for this reason that I ordered -your troop on to the hamlet behind Torcy, from whence, on the morning -of the battle, you can easily take up your position as we have -arranged. Do you fully understand?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Perfectly," replied I; "and the arrangement is of course most -gratifying to me. Not that any circumstances should have induced me to -pursue a private quarrel to the detriment of your Highness's service. -I have already met the Marquis de St. Brie and spoken to him, without -noticing his attempt upon my life."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You did right, De l'Orme," replied the count, his brow knitting into -a sterner frown than I had ever seen him assume. "But if he has the -insolence to present himself before me, my conduct must be very -different. In addition to this attempt upon you, he is known to have -been the murderer of the Count de Bagnols, and strongly suspected of -having poisoned poor De Valençais. My own honour and dignity require -me to have no communion with such a man, let his rank and influence be -what it may. If I can meet with Bouillon, we will make such -arrangements as will spare me the mortification of publicly repelling -this bad man. Come with me; we will see if we can find him."</p> - -<p class="normal">So saying, he took his hat, which lay upon the table, and passed into -the anteroom. Several of his attendants were now in waiting, and -rising, followed with me into the court, and thence into the great -square before the château.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was a fine sunny evening in July, one of those that seem made for -loitering in the shade, with some pleasant companion, listening to -dreamy fanciful talk, and drinking the balmy breath of the summer air. -As our misfortune would have it, however, the first person we -encountered thus employed was the Marquis de St. Brie himself, who had -by this time dismounted; and, surrounded by a crowd of the most -distinguished persons at Sedan, was entertaining them with that easy -flowing conversation which no one knew so well how to display as -himself. I could tell by the countenances of the listeners, and the -smile that sat upon the lip of each, the very tone of what was -passing; and I could almost fancy I heard it all--the tart jest, the -pointed sneer, the amusing anecdote, the shrewd remark, the witty -turn, all softened and harmonized by the language, which made the -company of that infamous man so fascinating and so dangerous.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Prince, who knew him by sight, was passing on to the other side of -the square, where the Duke of Bouillon was himself inspecting a body -of infantry; but the party of gentlemen instantly advanced towards us, -and one of them, coming a step forward, begged leave to make the -Marquis de St. Brie known to his Highness the Count de Soissons.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Sir!" replied the Count, tossing back the plumes of his bonnet, as if -to let every one see that he did not make the least inclination to the -person thus presented to him; "thank God! I know the Marquis de St. -Brie thoroughly, and seek to know no more of him;" and thus speaking, -he turned his back upon the Marquis, and walked forward to the Duke of -Bouillon, to whom he explained in a few words his feelings in regard -to the other, without, however, at all implicating my name in the -business.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Few people can look upon him with less respect than I do," said the -Duke of Bouillon in reply. "But he is a man of great wealth and -influence, and though he is here at present with only a few -servants--which I will own strikes me as singular--he promises me a -reinforcement of five hundred men in three days, which may be very -serviceable for the purpose of improving our victory the day after -to-morrow. Your highness must really allow me to explain away your -treatment of him, in some degree, for he is too influential a person -to be lost."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Count would hardly hear of any qualificatory measure; but, after a -long discussion, he gave way in some degree. "Well, well," said he, -"say to him what you like, but do not let him come near me, for I -cannot receive him with civility."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will take care that he be kept away," replied the Duke. "The only -difficulty will be to make him remain with us at all."</p> - -<p class="normal">We now returned to the citadel; and the rest of the evening passed in -all the bustle and activity of preparation. The service which I was to -execute was again and again pointed out to me, both by the Prince and -the Duke of Bouillon, the last of whom, probably to animate me to -still greater exertion, gave unlimited praise to all the arrangements -I had hitherto made, and expressed the utmost confidence in my -co-operation with himself in the battle that was likely to take place.</p> - -<p class="normal">Looking on my troop as perfectly secure under the command of Garcias, -I remained at Sedan that night, spending the rest of my time, after I -had left the Princes, in fitting myself with the necessary defensive -armour which I had not been able to procure in Paris. This was not -done without some difficulty even at Sedan; for the armourers had -quite sufficient occupation with the multitude of warlike guests that -filled the city.</p> - -<p class="normal">When this was accomplished, however, and I possessed my morion, back -and breast-pieces, taslets and gauntlets complete, I sat down to write -a letter to be delivered to my father in case of my death in the -ensuing battle, and gave full instructions concerning it to little -Achilles, whom I intended to leave at Sedan. After this, I paused for -a moment at the open window of my chamber, watching some thick clouds -that came rolling over the moon, and thinking of the strange, strong -effect of imagination, which I had there myself experienced, together -with the extraordinary coincidence of my mother's death being -announced to me so soon afterwards.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I stood I heard a window below me open, and some voices speaking. -What they said at first was indistinct, from the noise of a tumbrel -rolling across the court; but that ceased, and I could plainly -distinguish the tone of the Marquis de St. Brie, saying, "I tell you, -I saw him myself, with the Marquis de Sourdis in the other army: -if it was not he, it was his spirit. He was paler, thinner, darker, -older--but there was every line--and yet surely it could not be."</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, no, my lord!" replied another voice. "I saw him as dead as a -felled ox, and I gave him myself another slash across the head, to -make all sure, before I threw him into the water."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will trust my own hand next time, however," said the Marquis. "Not -that I doubt you, my good----"</p> - -<p class="normal">As he spoke, I remembered that I was eaves-dropping; and though, if -ever there was an occasion where it might be justified, it was then, I -felt ashamed to do so, and retired to bed, bidding my servants, -however, lock the door of the anteroom before they slept.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XLVII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Early next morning, a firing was heard in the direction of Torcy; and -springing on my horse, I galloped off for the scene of action, as fast -as possible. Before I came up, however, the firing had ceased; and I -found my troop under arms in the hamlet where I had left them, though -the village itself, not above five hundred yards in front, was in the -hands of the enemy. A regiment of infantry, which Monsieur de Bouillon -had thrown forward into the village of Torcy itself for the purpose of -covering his bridge of boats, had been attacked, it seemed, by the -advance-guard of the enemy, and, after a sharp struggle, had been -driven back upon the hamlet behind, from which Garcias had made a very -brilliant charge upon the pursuing parties of the enemy, repulsed them -with some loss, and compelled them to content themselves with the -village they had taken.</p> - -<p class="normal">As may be imagined, I was mortified at not having been present; but I -expressed to my troop my high satisfaction at what had been done; and -told them, in a brief harangue I made them on the occasion, that his -highness the Count de Soissons reckoned greatly upon their valour for -success; and that, therefore, he proposed to intrust to them, under my -command, some of the most important manœuvres which had already -been determined upon. Praise was perhaps the more palatable to them, -as their bravery had been attended with no loss, and as they had -driven back the enemy at the expense of a few slight wounds. Loud -cheers, therefore, attended me as I rode with Garcias along their -ranks; and these were repeated still more loudly when the commanding -officer of the infantry rode up to Garcias, and thanked him for the -very successful diversion which my troop had operated in his favour.</p> - -<p class="normal">Finding that the enemy did not make any disposition for advancing -farther, which would indeed have brought them almost under the guns of -Sedan, I rode into the town to inform the Count of what had occurred; -and after a brief interview with him, I delivered the letter for my -father into the hands of little Achilles; and taking with me all my -papers, I bade adieu to my little attendant with feelings that perhaps -do not often exist between master and servant, and returned to my -troop for the night.</p> - -<p class="normal">Before joining them, however, according to the commands of the Count, -I reconnoitred the position I was to take up the next morning, and -passed by the pillar from which the signal was to be given. It had -formed part of an old Roman arch, and probably had recorded some -victory of those wonderful barbarians, the Romans, over their still -more barbarous enemies, the Gauls; but as I looked at the broken -fragments of the structure they had probably raised, in the fond hope -of immortalizing some long-forgotten deed, the thrilling feeling of -man's mortality--of the mortality of all his works--the mortality of -his very fame, came coldly over my heart; and I turned away, repeating -to myself some of the lines which my dead friend Father Francis of -Allurdi had once cited--</p> - -<p class="normal">"Glory, alas! what art thou but a name?"</p> - -<p class="normal">and returned to the post assigned me, thinking of <i>what might be in -another world</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">Towards six o'clock, a heavy rain began to fall; but that did not -prevent me from having several messengers from the Count de -Soissons--one bidding me make good the hamlet which I occupied, at all -risks; another informing me that Lamboy, with the Germans and the -cannon, had arrived, and would pass the next morning early; and a -third giving me orders to quit the hamlet as silently as possible, -before daybreak the next day, and to take up the position assigned to -me. This last command made me order my men to rest as soon as -possible; and I also threw myself down upon some straw, completely -armed except my casque; and after giving about half an hour to some -vague wandering thoughts regarding the morrow, I felt that thought was -of no use, and addressed myself to sleep. The fear, however, of not -waking in time, abridged my slumber to two or three hours; and rising, -I went out of the hovel in which I had been lying, to ascertain by the -appearance of the sky what o'clock it was.</p> - -<p class="normal">All was dark and silent, though I could hear at intervals the neighing -of the horses in the enemy's army, and could see the long line of dim -watch-fires, half extinguished by the rain, which marked where the -veteran Lamboy had taken up his ground on the opposite hill.</p> - -<p class="normal">Shortly after the clocks of Sedan struck midnight, and I resolved to -give my men yet an hour's sleep, that they might be as fresh as -possible the next day.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was an hour of the deepest and most awful thought for me. Every one -must feel, the day before he risks his life in mortal combat, -sensations that assail him at no other time--the eager anxiety to know -the issue--the doubt, if not the fear, of the event--the thought of -earth, and all that earth has dear--the calculations of eternity--all -that is awful in our vague and misty state of being then presses on -the mind: and he is the brave man that looks upon it without -shrinking. But my feelings were deeper and more exciting than those of -most men, because my all was staked upon that battle. If it should be -won, the Count de Soissons would be master of the councils of France: -the only remaining obstacle between Helen and myself might easily be -removed. Rank, wealth, power, affection, were all within my grasp; and -never did my heart feel what love is, so much as it did that night. -But if the battle were lost, I had no longer anything to live for;-- -home and country, and station, and love, and hope, were all gone; and -I resolved that life also should be cast upon the die.</p> - -<p class="normal">It seemed but a minute since twelve o'clock had struck, when one -followed it by the clocks of Sedan--so busy had been the ideas that -hurried through my brain. But action now became my duty; and waking -Garcias, we proceeded to take the necessary measures for decamping in -silence.</p> - -<p class="normal">No men in the broad universe could have been found better calculated -for every motion which required secrecy than my three hundred: they -provided themselves with forage and provisions for the next morning, -mounted their horses, and rode out of the hamlet, without even -disturbing the regiment of infantry that lay beside them; and the only -person, I believe, whom we woke out of his slumber, was a weary -sentinel, who, without the excuse of Mercury's wand, had followed the -example of Argus, and fallen asleep upon his watch. Woke suddenly by -our passing, he seemed to think the best thing he could do was to fire -his piece; and accordingly snapped it at my head; but luckily, the -priming had fallen out while he slept, and it missed fire. I seldom -remember a more unpleasant ride than that from Torcy to the heights of -the Marfée. The rain had come on more heavily than ever; the whole way -was a long, broken ascent, traversed by ravines, and often interrupted -by copses; and the ground was so slippery, that our horses could -scarcely keep their feet. We passed it, however, after much -difficulty; and there was some consolation in knowing that the enemy's -army would have to vanquish the same obstacles before the battle, if -they dared to attack us.</p> - -<p class="normal">Day began to break heavily as we reached the wood, without any sign of -the rain abating; but the smaller detached part of the forest, behind -which we were posted, formed almost entirely of old beeches, gave us -better shelter than we could have hoped.</p> - -<p class="normal">On our arrival, I found that the Count, according to his word, had -already detached a company of musketeers to take possession of the -copse wood between us and his main position; and had also sent forward -several tumbrils with provisions and ammunition in plenty. Together -with these was a letter for me, containing some farther orders, and a -very ample commission under his hand, by which I found that the -infantry beside me were also placed under my command.</p> - -<p class="normal">As we were all new troops, there was no jealousy respecting seniority -of service; and I found the officer of the infantry well disposed to -act with me, especially as all I required was for his own security. It -appeared to me that the copse in which he was placed was of much more -importance than had been attached to it, as, in case of the enemy -possessing himself thereof, which would have been easily done by -advancing through a hollow way to our left, the left flank of the -Prince's force was completely exposed.</p> - -<p class="normal">To render it, then, as defensible as possible, I proposed to the other -officer to employ our spare time in throwing up a strong breastwork of -earth and boughs before it; and all our men setting to work with great -eagerness, before seven o'clock we had completed a line, which placed -it in comparative security.</p> - -<p class="normal">Towards eight the rain ceased; and for the rest of the day merely came -down in occasional showers. It had been hitherto so thick that the -line of the Meuse, and even the town of Sedan, had been scarcely -distinguishable; but now it drew up like a curtain, and I could see -the troops of Lamboy descending toward the bridge of boats, and -gradually passing the river, in as fine unbroken order as if on a -review.</p> - -<p class="normal">Shortly after, the bridge of Sedan began to be occupied; and pennons, -and plumes, and standards, and flashing arms, and all the pageantry of -war, announced that the princes were on their march to form their -junction with the imperial army. My eye then turned anxiously towards -Torcy; but all was still in the camp of the enemy; and I saw the two -allied armies approach near and more near, and then unite, unopposed -and seemingly almost unnoticed.</p> - -<p class="normal">Winding in and out of the ravines and over the hills, the army of the -princes now began to mount towards the heights on which I was -stationed; and it was near nine o'clock before the report of a cannon -announced that the Maréchal de Chatillon intended to take any notice -of their movements.</p> - -<p class="normal">No time, however, was now to be lost; and making my men refresh both -themselves and their horses, I waited impatiently for the arrival of -the army. All sombre thoughts, if I had entertained any such before, -now vanished like mists before the sun. The sight of the moving -hosts--the recollection of all that was that day to be won--the -thoughtless aspiration which all young minds have for glory--the love -of daring natural to my character; all stimulated me on the onward -path; and slow, slow did I think the approach of the forces, as -winding their way over the wet and slippy ground, they advanced -towards the position which they proposed to take up.</p> - -<p class="normal">For some time, as they came nearer, I lost sight of them in the hollow -way; but a little after ten the advance-guard began to appear upon the -heights, and took their ground with the left resting upon the copse. -Regiment after regiment now presented itself, and I could see them, -one following another across the underwood, defile to the places -assigned to them, but lost them one by one in a few minutes after, -behind the wood of the Marfée.</p> - -<p class="normal">The sounds of the trumpets, however, the loud commands of the -officers, the crashing and creaking of the ammunition carts, all -assured me of their proximity; and in a few minutes after, one of the -Prince's equerries rode up to ascertain that I had arrived, and to -tell me that no alterations had been made in the dispositions of the -day before. I pointed out to him the work we had constructed; and in a -short time afterwards he returned, by the Prince's express command to -thank me, and inform me of his high approbation of what had been done.</p> - -<p class="normal">While we were still speaking, the enemy began to appear on the -opposite slope, and in a moment afterwards a discharge of artillery -from beneath the hill gave notice that the battle was commenced upon -our right, where the infantry of Lamboy were still making their way up -to the heights. The sound of the cannon, so much nearer to me than I -expected, I will own, made me start; but springing at once into the -saddle, lest any one should see fear in what in truth was but -surprise, I rode round alone to a spot where, through the trees, I -could see what was passing in the hollow.</p> - -<p class="normal">The smoke of the cannon greatly impeded my sight, but I could perceive -a body of the enemy's pikemen in the act of charging the German -infantry, who were borne back before my eyes near two hundred yards, -but still maintained their order. Every step that they yielded, my -heart beat to be there, and lead them back to the charge; but then -again, I thought that if I might be permitted to charge the flank of -the pikemen with my men-at-arms, I could drive them all to the devil.</p> - -<p class="normal">At that moment my eye fell upon a group of officers gathered upon a -little knoll, in the front of whom was evidently the Count de -Soissons, dressed in a suit of steel armour I had seen in his -apartments, and accompanied by an elderly man in German uniform, whom -I concluded to be Lamboy. The Count was pointing with his leading -staff to the retreating infantry of his left wing, while the other -seemed to look upon the whole with the utmost composure. In a moment -after, an equerry set off from the Count's party, and a company of our -musketeers instantly wheeled upon the flank of the pikemen, and drove -them back under a tremendous fire, while the Germans again advanced -and took up their position as before.</p> - -<p class="normal">The smoke of the musketry now interrupted my view in that direction; -and turning round, I found that I had insensibly advanced so far as to -be out of sight of the pillar from whence the signal was to be -displayed. Riding back as fast as I could, I rejoined my troop; but no -signal had yet been made; and as I looked up towards the hill, where I -expected every moment to behold it displayed, all was clear, calm, and -quiet; offering a strange contrast to the eager and deathful struggle -upon which I had just been gazing.</p> - -<p class="normal">"We shall not be long now, Garcias," said I, riding up. "Is all -ready?"</p> - -<p class="normal">He assured me that it was, and passing along from man to man, I spoke -a few words to each, telling them that the infantry had already -repulsed the enemy, and that we might soon expect to be called upon; -saying everything I could think of to animate them to exertion, and -beseeching them not to let the love of plunder induce them to separate -before the battle was completely gained.</p> - -<p class="normal">They all made me the most solemn promises in the world not to lose -their discipline, to which of course I attached due credence; -believing it to be just as probable for a tiger to abandon bloodshed, -as for them to resist plunder even for a moment. A vigorous and -effective charge, however, I knew to be the great object desired; and -I doubted not from their whole tone and bearing that they would effect -it as well as I could desire.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, the din increased. We could every now and then hear -the dull, measured sound of the charging of horse, mingled with the -continued firing of the musketry, and at intervals a discharge of -cannon; while the smoke, rolling over the wood, reached even the spot -where we stood, and made me fearful lest I should lose sight of the -signal-pillar.</p> - -<p class="normal">Every minute I thought the sign must be made, and no language can -express the impatience I began to feel as the minutes flew by and it -did not appear. The firing appeared to me to grow less; and I felt -angry that the battle should be lost or won, without my presence. No -longer able to bear it, I rode on about twenty yards to the corner of -the wood. The whole scene was covered with white wreaths of smoke, but -the greater part of the attacking army was now displayed upon the same -plain with ourselves; and I could see that the battle was far from -concluded, though the attack of the enemy upon our position was -languishing, and his troops considerably broken and disordered. Small -parties of horsemen, separated from their regiments, were scattered -confusedly over the plain. Groups of men on foot, carrying the more -distinguished wounded to the rear, appeared here and there through the -smoke. Aides-de-camp riding from spot to spot, and officers -endeavouring by bustle and activity to re-animate the flagging -energies of their soldiers, were seen hurrying about in all parts of -the enemy's line; and I looked upon the whole scene as I have often -done upon a disturbed ant-hill, where I have seen confusion and hurry -in every member of the insect populace, without being able to divine -their operations or understand their movements.</p> - -<p class="normal">Column after column, as I stood and watched, was brought up against -our battalions, but each after a discharge of musketry turned off as -from a stone wall. Not three hundred yards from me was a dense mass of -cavalry, and I could see its officers endeavouring to animate their -men to the charge. At that moment I looked back. The red flag was -displayed from the pillar; and spurring back to the head of my troop, -I led them out from the wood. Their impatience had been nearly equal -to my own; and, as the whole field of battle opened before them with -all the thrilling and exciting objects it presented, they gave a loud -and cheering hurrah, which seemed to be answered by a flourish of -trumpets, at the very same moment, from the cavalry of the Duke of -Bouillon that just appeared above the hill, about a quarter of a mile -from us. The flourish and the shout acted as a signal of concert. A -moment sufficed to put my troop in order; and pointing onward to the -enemy with my sword, while my heart beat so as almost to deprive me of -breath, I gave the word "Charge!" Onward we galloped like lightning, -treading, I believe, on many of the dead and dying in our passage: the -ground seemed to vanish under our horses' feet, the open space was -passed in an instant. Nearer, and nearer, and nearer, as we came, each -individual adversary grew into distinctness on our eyes. We passed the -flat like a cloud-shadow, sweeping the plain. We reached the brow of -the descent, and hurled down the side of the slope upon the flank of -the enemy; like an avalanche upon a forest of pines, we bore them -headlong before us. Charged at the same moment by the Duke of Bouillon -in front, and surprised by our headlong onset from so unexpected a -quarter, the enemy's cavalry were borne back upon their infantry, -their arms and fled; many of the cavalry turned their reins and -galloped from the field; and though some fought still hand to hand, it -was with but the courage of despair; for the army of Chatillon was by -that one charge thrown into complete rout.</p> - -<p class="normal">One officer in full armour seemed to single me out; and, not willing -to disappoint him, I turned my horse towards him. Parrying a blow he -was making at my neck, just above the gorget, I returned it with the -full sweep of my long heavy sword. It cut sheer through the lacings of -his casque, which another blow dashed from his head; when the face of -a young man presented itself, whom I immediately remembered as the -somewhat hasty youth I had seen with Monsieur de Chatillon in Paris.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Will you quarter?" said I.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Never!" replied he, aiming another blow at my head; but at that -moment, Combalet de Carignan, who was behind me, fired a pistol at -him, the ball of which passed right through his head. He sprang up in -the saddle, his sword fell from his hand, and his horse, freed from -the rein, galloped away wildly over the field. I had no time to see -farther what became of him; though, when I lost sight of him in the -confusion, the horse was still rushing on, and the rider--though dead, -I feel sure--still in the saddle; but by this time, although all had -passed like lightning, my troopers were far before me; and, -notwithstanding the endeavours of Garcias to keep them together, were -separating and pursuing the fliers one by one. I hurried forward to -unite my efforts to those of the brave Spaniard; but just as I came -up, a small peloton of the enemy's infantry, that had kept together -near some valuable baggage, gave us one parting volley before they -fled, and to my deep regret I beheld Garcias fall headlong from his -horse.</p> - -<p class="normal">Springing to the ground, I raised his head on my knees, and saw that -the bullet had gone through his corslet just above the lower rim. -"Jesu Maria!" cried he, opening his eyes, from which the light of life -was fleeting fast--"Jesu Maria!--"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am afraid you are badly hurt, Garcias," cried I, more painfully -affected by his situation than I could have imagined.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am dying, señor!" muttered he in Spanish--"I am dying! Thank -you for your care--your kindness. It is vain--I am dying! Oh, -señor--François Derville! that unhappy man--do you remember--how I -slew him at the mill! I wish I had not done it--I can see him now! Oh, -I wish I had not done it--Sancta Maria! ora pro----"</p> - -<p class="normal">The heavy cloud of death fell dully down upon the clear bright eye. -Fire, and soul, and meaning, passed away, and Garcias was nothing.</p> - -<p class="normal">I bade my servants, who were still with me, carry him to the rear; and -springing on my horse again, galloped forward, to see if I could -restore some order to my troop.</p> - -<p class="normal">By this time, however, all was confusion. The field was scattered with -small parties of horsemen riding here and there, and cutting down or -making prisoners the few of the enemy that remained. Nothing was to be -seen but heaps of dead and dying, masterless horses flying over the -plain, cannon and waggons overturned, long files of prisoners, and -groups of stragglers plundering the fallen; while part of the village -of Chaumont appeared burning on our right, and towards the left was -distinguished a regiment of the enemy, who had still maintained their -order, and were retreating over the opposite hill, fast but firmly. -The rear-rank was seen to face about at every twenty or thirty yards, -and by a heavy regular fire drive back a strong body of cavalry that -hung upon their retreat. Gathering together about twenty of my men, I -rode as fast as I could to the spot, and arrived just at the moment -the enemy faced and gave us a volley. If I may use the expression, it -made our cavalry reel, and more than one empty saddle presented -itself; but what engaged my attention was, to behold in the officer -commanding this last regiment of the enemy, the Chevalier de -Montenero.</p> - -<p class="normal">As I was gazing at him, to assure myself that my eyes did not deceive -me, the Duke of Bouillon rode up, and demanded where were the greater -part of my men, in a tone that did not particularly please me. "They -are where the greater part of your own are, my lord," replied I; "some -dead, some plundering, some following the enemy."</p> - -<p class="normal">"If that be the case," rejoined he, sharply, "you had better go and -join them yourself; for Monsieur de l'Orme and half a dozen men are no -service to <i>me</i>."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You speak rudely, Monsieur de Bouillon," replied I; "and methinks on -a day of such victory as this, you might conduct yourself differently -to one who has shared in the dangers of the struggle, whether he -shares in its advantages or not." The duke's visor was up, and he -coloured highly; but without waiting for reply, I turned my rein, and -rode away.</p> - -<p class="normal">My men, who had only followed me in the hope of more fighting, seeing -me leave the spot where it was going on, turned to the trade they -liked next in degree, and separated to plunder as before. Without -caring much how they employed themselves for the moment, I rode back -towards the spot where I had before seen the Count de Soissons, and -pushing my horse up the hill, I saw him still posted on a little -eminence, with a group of his officers and attendants at the distance -of about a dozen yards behind him--he seeming to enjoy the sight of -the field he had won, and the others apparently discussing with some -animation the events that had lately passed.</p> - -<p class="normal">Silence had now comparatively resumed her reign; for though a -straggling fire might be heard from time to time, mingled with distant -shouts and cries, the roar of the battle itself was over. The ground -between me and the prince also--a space of about a hundred and fifty -yards--was clear and unoccupied; but being upland, it of course -delayed my horse's progress. Happy, happy, had I been able to have -passed it sooner! Just as I was mounting the rise, a horseman dashed -across the top like lightning--reined in his horse a moment before the -Count--I heard the report of fire-arms. The horseman galloped on, and -I saw the prince falling from his horse.</p> - -<p class="normal">The noise called the attention of those that were near; and when I -arrived they had gathered round the Count, and were untying his -casque; but all that presented itself was the cold blank face of the -dead. Above the right eyebrow was the wound of a pistol-ball, which -must have gone directly into the brain; and the brow and forehead were -scorched and blackened with the fire and smoke of the pistol--so near -must have been his murderer.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus died Louis Count de Soissons, in the moment of triumph and -victory--triumph turned to mourning, victory rendered fruitless by his -death!<a name="div4Ref_09" href="#div4_09"><sup>[9]</sup></a></p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XLVIII.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Ah! Monsieur de l'Orme!" cried de Riquemont, the Prince's first -<i>ecuyer de la main</i>, as I galloped up. "Here is a dreadful -catastrophe! Monsieur le Comte, I am afraid, has accidentally shot -himself. Twice during this morning I have seen him raise the visor of -his casque with the muzzle of his pistol, and I warned him of the -event."</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, De Riquemont!" replied I. "No! the Count has been murdered! Look -at his pistols; you will find them charged. As I rode up the hill, I -saw a horseman pass him, I heard a pistol fired, and beheld the Count -fall."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I saw a horseman ride away also," cried one of the attendants: "he -wore a green plume, and his horse, which was a thorough barb, had a -large white spot on his left shoulder."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I know him, I know him, then!" replied I, "and I will avenge this on -his head, or die." So saying, I turned and galloped down in the -direction which the horseman had taken, without seeing or caring -whether any one followed me or not.</p> - -<p class="normal">Certain that the assassin had betaken himself to the hollow way, I -felt sure that, whether he went straight forward, or crossed over the -hill, I must catch a glance of him if I rode fast. I was mounted on -the noble horse the unhappy Prince had himself given me; and, as if -feeling that my errand was to avenge his lord, he flew beneath me like -the wind. I was just in time; for I had scarcely reached the bottom of -the glen when I saw a hat and green feather sinking behind the hill to -the right. I spurred across it in an instant, and at the distance of -about one hundred and fifty yards before me, in the ravine below, I -beheld the same horseman I had but too surely marked before, now -galloping as if he well knew that the avenger of blood was behind him.</p> - -<p class="normal">The ravine led into a road which I was acquainted with, from De Retz -and myself having followed it on our return from Sedan to Paris. It -was the worst a fugitive could have taken, for it had scarce a turning -in its whole length; and, once we were both upon it, the chase of the -assassin became a matter of mere speed between my horse and his. They -were as nearly matched as it is possible to conceive; and for more -than four miles which that road extended, I did not gain upon him -forty yards.</p> - -<p class="normal">At length, however, the path was traversed by the little river Bar, -broad and spreading, but scarcely deeper than a horse's knee. The -bridge was built of wood, old and insecure; and he that I pursued took -the river in preference. In the midst his horse's foot slipped, and -fell on his knees. His rider brought him up; but the beast was hurt, -his speed was over, and before he had gained twenty lengths on the -other side, I was up with him, and my hand upon his bridle-rein.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Turn, villain! Turn, murderer!" cried I, "and prepare to settle our -long account together. This day, this hour, this moment, is either -your last or mine."</p> - -<p class="normal">"By my faith, Monsieur de l'Orme," replied the Marquis de St. -Brie--for to him it was spoken--"you hold very strange language; but -you had better quit my rein; my attendants are within call, and you -may repent this conduct. Are you mad?"</p> - -<p class="normal">From whatever accident it happened, his attendants were evidently not -within call, or he would not have fled so rapidly from a single man. -While he spoke also, I saw him slip his hand softly towards his -holsters, and in another moment most probably I should have shared the -fate of the Count de Soissons, but before he could reach his pistol, I -struck him a violent blow with my clenched gauntlet that dashed him -from his horse. I sprang to the ground, and he started up at the same -moment, laying his hand upon his sword.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Draw! draw, villain!" cried I. "It is what I seek! draw!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Doubtless," replied he, with a sneer, that he could not restrain even -then, while at the same time fury and hesitation were strangely -mingled in his countenance--"doubtless, when you are covered with a -corslet and morion, and I am without any defensive arms."</p> - -<p class="normal">"That difference shall soon be done away," cried I, casting away my -casque, and unbuckling my corslet, while I stood between him and his -horse, and kept a wary eye upon him lest he should take me at a -disadvantage; but he had other feelings on the subject, it seems, for -before I was prepared, he said, in a faltering tone, "You have told me -yourself, that whoever seeks your life shall die by your hand. The -combat with you is not equal."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Fool!" cried I, "fool! You, a murderer, and an infidel!--are you -superstitious? But draw, and directly, for I would not kill you like a -dog. Think of the noble Prince you have just slain--think of the -unhappy Bagnols, the proofs of whose innocence and your treason are -now upon my person."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Ha!" cried he, suddenly drawing his sword, "have at you then. You -know too much! At all events, 'tis time that one should die."</p> - -<p class="normal">So saying, he waited not for me to begin the attack, but himself -lunged straight at my breast. The struggle was long and obstinate. He -was an excellent swordsman, and was besides better armed for such an -encounter than I was, his sword being a long Toledo rapier, while mine -was a heavy-edged broadsword, which would thrust, it is true, but was -ponderous and unwieldy. I was heated too, and rash, from almost every -motive that could irritate the human heart. He had sought my own -life--he had taken that of one I loved and esteemed--he had snatched -from me all the advantages of success and victory, at the very moment -they seemed given into my hand. Thus, anger made me lose my advantage; -and it was not till a sharp wound in the shoulder taught me how near -my adversary was my equal, that I began to fight with caution and -coolness.</p> - -<p class="normal">The glaring of his deadly eye upon me showed me now whenever he -meditated a thrust that he fancied certain; and I could perceive, as -he saw the blood from my shoulder trickle over the buff coat I had -worn under my corslet, a smile of triumph and of sanguinary hope curl -his lip, as his faith in the astrologer's prophecy gave way.</p> - -<p class="normal">A wound in his neck soon turned his smile into an expression of mortal -wrath, and making a double feint, which he thought certain, he lunged -full at my heart. I was prepared--parried it instantly--lunged before -he could recover, and the hilt of my sword knocked against his ribs, -while the point shone out under his left shoulder. He felt that he was -slain; but, grappling me tight with the last deathly clasp of expiring -revenge, he drew his poignard, and, attempting to drive it into my -heart, wounded me again in the arm. With difficulty I wrenched it from -him, and cast him back upon the ground, where, after rolling for a -moment in convulsive agony, and actually biting the earth with his -teeth, he expired with a hollow groan and a struggle to start upon his -feet.</p> - -<p class="normal">So keen, so eager, so hazardous had been the strife, that though I -became conscious some spectators had been added to the scene of -combat, I had not dared to withdraw my eye for an instant to ascertain -who they were. When it was ended, however, a voice cried out, "Nobly -done! bravely fought! Pardie, one does not see two such champions -every day!" and turning round, I found myself in presence of an old -officer, accompanied by another little man on horseback, together with -about twenty musketeers on foot.</p> - -<p class="normal">"And now, pray tell us, sir," demanded the officer, "who you are, and -whether you are for the king or the Princes?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I can save him that trouble," interrupted the little man who -accompanied him, riding a step forward, and exposing to my sight the -funnel-shaped boots, the brown pourpoint, and the keen, inquisitive -little countenance of my old persecutor, <i>Jean le Hableur</i>. "This, -Monsieur le Chevalier," he continued, "is Monsieur le Comte de l'Orme, -the dear friend and ally of his highness the Count de Soissons, and -one of the chiefs of the rebels; and let me tell you that you had -better put irons on both his hands and his feet, for a more daring or -more cunning plotter never tied an honest man to a tree in a wood."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I shall certainly use no such measures against so brave a soldier as -this young gentleman seems to be," replied the officer. "Nevertheless, -you must surrender yourself a prisoner, sir," he added, "without you -can show that this old man speaks falsely."</p> - -<p class="normal">"He speaks truth," replied I. "Do with me what you like--I am very -careless of the event."</p> - -<p class="normal">"From your despairing tone, young sir," observed the officer, "I -conclude that your party has lost a battle, and that Chatillon has -gained one."</p> - -<p class="normal">"So far from it," replied I, "that never did any one suffer a more -complete defeat than the Maréchal de Chatillon this day. His cannon, -his baggage, and his treasure, are all in the hands of the Duke of -Bouillon; and he has not now one man upon the field of battle but the -dead, the wounded, and the prisoners."</p> - -<p class="normal">"God of heaven!" cried the old officer, deeply affected by the news. -"Sir, you are surely too brave a man to tell me a falsehood?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"I speak the truth, upon my honour," replied I; "and more, I warn you -that, if you do not speedily retreat, you will have the cavalry of the -Prince upon you."</p> - -<p class="normal">"We must take you with us, however," answered the other. "Some one -look to the young gentleman's wounds, for I see he is bleeding."</p> - -<p class="normal">My sword was now taken from me, my wounds were bandaged up, as well as -the circumstances permitted; and being placed upon my horse, I was -carried to the end of the road, where I found that the soldiers who -had made me prisoner were only the advance party of a regiment that -had been hurrying to join the army of the king. The old officer with -whom I had spoken was the Count de Langerot, their commander, who, -having heard the distant report of cannon, together with the rumours -which spread fast among the peasantry, had ridden forward to gain some -farther information, and had come up just before the death of the -Marquis de St. Brie.</p> - -<p class="normal">The regiment immediately retreated to Le Chesne, and during the time I -remained with it, I was treated with every sort of lenity and kindness -by its commander; but this only lasted for a day; for the Maréchal de -Chatillon having joined the regiment at Le Chesne, and collected -together the scattered remnants of his army, sent me prisoner to -Mezières, under a large escort, making me appear, by his precautions, -a person of much more consequence than I really was, probably thinking -that a prisoner of some import might do away, in a degree, the -humiliating appearance of his defeat. Perhaps, however, I did him -wrong; but I must confess, at the time, I could see no other object in -sending me from Rethel to Mezières under a strong detachment of -cavalry.</p> - -<p class="normal">At Mezières I was consigned to a small room in the château, which, -though not a dungeon, approached somewhat near it in point of comfort; -and here plenty of time had I to reflect at my leisure over the -hopelessness of my situation. With the death of the Count de Soissons, -every dream of my fancy had died also; and all that I could do, was to -turn my eyes upon the past, and brood despairingly over the delights -of the years gone by, with thoughts cold, unfruitful, agonising--as -the spirits of the dead are said sometimes to hover round the -treasures they amassed in their lives, at once regretting their loss, -and grieving that they had not used them better.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus hour after hour slipped away, each one a chain of heavy, painful -minutes, gloomy, desolate, deathlike. My gaoler was a gaoler indeed. -For several days he continued to bring me my food, without -interchanging with me one word; and his looks had anything in them but -consolation. At length, on the seventh morning, I think it was, he -came with another like himself, bearing a heavy set of irons, and told -me I must submit to having them put on my legs and arms.</p> - -<p class="normal">Of course I remonstrated against the degradation, urged my rank, and -asked the reason of the change.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Because you are condemned to death," replied he. "That is enough, is -not it?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Condemned to death!" I exclaimed, "without a trial? It is false--it -cannot be."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You'll find it too true, when they strike your head off," replied the -gaoler; and without farther information left me to my own thoughts. I -had before given up life, it is true--I had fancied that I cared not -for it, now that I had lost all that made life deal--but, -nevertheless, I found that the love of being lingered still, and that -I could not think, without a shudder, on the fond fellowship betwixt -body and soul being dissolved for ever.--For ever! the very word was -awful; and that fate which I had never shrunk from, which I had often -dared, in the phrensy of passion or the folly of adventure, acquired -new strange terrors when I viewed it face to face, slowly advancing -towards me, with a calm inevitable step.</p> - -<p class="normal">While I sat thinking upon death, and all the cold and cheerless ideas -thereunto associated, a gay flourish of trumpets was borne upon the -wind, jarring most painfully with all my feelings. The sounds came -nearer, mingled with shout, and acclamation, and applause: and then, -the evident arrival of some regiments of cavalry took place in the -court of the château where I was confined; for there was the clanging -of the hoofs, and jingling of the arms, and the cries of the -commanders, and all the outcry and fracas of military discipline. -During the whole day the noise continued with little intermission; and -though I would have given worlds for quiet, quiet was not to be had.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was about four o'clock, and the rays of the summer sun were -gleaming through the high windows of my prison, kindling in my bosom -the warm remembrance of nature's free and beautiful face, when the -gaoler entered, and told me I must follow him. I rose; and being -placed between two soldiers, I was marched through several of the long -passages of the château, as fast as my irons would permit, to a small -anteroom, where, being made to sit down upon a bench, I was soon after -joined by one or two others, manacled like myself.</p> - -<p class="normal">Here we were kept for some time, with guards at all the doors, and the -gaoler standing by our side, without affording a look or word to any -one. At length, however, the sound of persons speaking approached the -door of what seemed the inner chamber; and, as it opened, I heard a -voice which, however unexpected there, I was sure was that of the -Chevalier de Montenero.</p> - -<p class="normal">The sound increased as he came nearer, and I could distinctly hear him -say, "Your Eminence has promised me already as much as I could -desire--the enjoyment of my fortune, and my station in France. All -else that you could properly grant, or I could reasonably request, -depends, unfortunately, upon papers which are, I am afraid, lost -irrecoverably; and I have only to thank you for your patient hearing, -and the justice you have done me."</p> - -<p class="normal">As he spoke, the Chevalier came forward, accompanied, as far as the -door, by Richelieu himself, who seemed to do him the high honour of -conducting him to the threshold of his cabinet.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Monsieur le Comte de Bagnols," said the minister, to my infinite -surprise and astonishment, addressing by this name him whom I had -always been taught to call the Chevalier de Montenero, "what I have -done is nothing but what you had a right to claim. Your splendid -actions in this last campaign prove too well your attachment to the -king and the state, for me to refuse you every countenance and -protection in my power to give; and believe me, if the letters, and -the marriage certificate you allude to, can by any means be recovered, -everything that you could wish will be rendered easy. In the meantime, -the King's gratitude stops not here. We look upon the safety of the -greater part of the army to have depended upon your exertions, and we -must think of some means of rewarding it in the manner most gratifying -to yourself. You will not leave Mezières for a few days--before then -you shall hear from me."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Chevalier, or rather the Count de Bagnols, took his leave and -withdrew, without casting his eyes upon any of the wretched beings -that lined the side of the anteroom. My heart swelled, but I said -nothing; and, in a moment after, was myself called to the presence of -the minister.</p> - -<p class="normal">He was seating himself when I entered; and as he turned round upon me, -very, very different was the aspect of his dark tremendous brow from -that which I had beheld on another occasion. The heavy contemplative -frown, the stern piercing eye, the stiff compressed lip, the blaze of -soul that shone out in his glance, yet the icy rigidity of his -features, all seemed to say, "I am fire in my enmities, and marble in -my determinations;" and well spoke the inflexible spirit that dwelt -within. When I thought over the easy flowing conversation which had -passed between me and that very man, his unbent brow, his calm -philosophising air, and compared the whole with the iron expression of -the countenance before me, I could scarcely believe it had been aught -but a dream.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Well, Sir Count de l'Orme," said he, in a deep hollow tone of voice, -"you have chosen your party. You have abandoned an honourable path -that was open to you. Of your own free-will you attached yourself to -treason and to traitors, and you now taste the consequences."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Your Eminence," replied I, calmly--for my mind was made up to the -worst--"is too generous, I am sure, to triumph over the fallen."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am so," answered Richelieu, "and therefore I sent for you, to tell -you that, though no power on earth can alter your fate--and <i>you must -die!</i>--yet I am willing that any alleviating circumstance which you -may desire should be granted you in the interim."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have heard," replied I, "that no French noble can be judged, -without being called for his own defence. It is a law not only of this -country, but of the world--it is a law of reason, of humanity, of -justice; and I hope it will not be dispensed with for the purpose of -condemning me."</p> - -<p class="normal">"You have heard truly, sir," replied the Cardinal. "No one can be -condemned without being heard, <i>except</i> it can be proved that he has -knowingly and intentionally fled from the pursuit of justice: he is -then condemned, as it is termed, <i>par contumace</i>. It was not at all -difficult to prove your flight, and you were condemned by the proper -tribunal, together with the Duke of Guise and the Baron de Bec. You -are the only one yet made prisoner; and though perhaps the least -guilty of the three, the necessity unfortunately exists of showing -them, by the execution of your sentence, that no hope exists for -them.--Have you anything to ask?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Merely," replied I, "that time and materials may be allowed me to -write some letters of great consequence to my family and others."</p> - -<p class="normal">"What time do you require?" demanded Richelieu. "The day of your -execution rests with me. Name your time yourself; but remember that, -if you ask longer than absolutely necessary for the purpose you have -mentioned, you are only prolonging hours of miserable expectation, -after all hope of life is over."</p> - -<p class="normal">I had now to fix the day of my own death. It was a bitter calculation, -but running my eye through the brief future, I tried to divest my -spirit of its clinging to corporeal existence, and estimate truly how -much time was necessary to what I wished to accomplish, without -leaving one hour to vain anticipations of my coming fate.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Three days," replied I, at length, "will be sufficient for my -purpose."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Be it so," said the minister; and taking a paper already written, -from his portfolio, he proceeded to fill up some blanks which appeared -to have been left on purpose. I knew that it was the order for my -execution; and my feelings may be better conceived than described, as -I saw his thin, pale fingers move rapidly over the vacant spaces, -fixing my fate for ever, till at last, with a firm determined hand, -which spoke "<i>irrevocable</i>" in its every line, he wrote his name at -the bottom, and handed it to the gaoler, who stood beside me, and -advanced to receive it.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Have those fetters taken off," said the minister, in a stern tone, as -he gave the paper. "You have exceeded your duty. See that the prisoner -be furnished with writing materials, and admit any of his friends to -see him, one at a time. Farther, let his comfort be attended to, as -far as is consistent with security. Remove him!"</p> - -<p class="normal">His tone, his manner, admitted no reply; and as he concluded he turned -away his head, while I was led out of the cabinet, and carried back to -my cell. While the gaoler, after having taken off my irons, went -grumblingly to seek the materials for writing, which he had been -directed to furnish, my thoughts, flying even from my own situation, -reverted to the title by which the minister had addressed the -Chevalier de Montenero.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Count de Bagnols! Was it--could it be possible that he was that -Count de Bagnols, said to have been assassinated by order of the -Marquis de St. Brie? At first I could hardly believe it; but as I -reflected, the conviction came more and more strongly upon my mind.</p> - -<p class="normal">Every circumstance that I remembered showed it more plainly. He -himself had first told me the tale of his own supposed death, and that -with a circumstantial accuracy that any one but a person actually on -the spot could hardly have done. He had remained for years living -under an assumed name, probably because he had not the papers -necessary to establish his innocence of the charge the Marquis had -brought against him. I had just heard the minister allude to those -very papers. From Achilles I had learned that the Count's fortune had -been transmitted to Spain; and the Viceroy of Catalonia had told me -that the Chevalier was not a Spaniard. I had also overheard the -Marquis de St. Brie, only a few nights before, declare that he had -seen in the royal army some one whom he had believed dead many years, -and to whose supposed death he was evidently in some degree accessory. -To no one could what he had said be so well applied as to the Count de -Bagnols.</p> - -<p class="normal">Undoubtedly, then, the Chevalier de Montenero, the man whom, perhaps, -of all others, I esteemed the most on earth, but whose good opinion I -had lost by a succession of inexplicable misunderstandings, was one -and the same with that Count de Bagnols, the separate incidents of -whose story had come to my knowledge by a thousand strange accidents, -whose fate had always been to me a point of almost painful interest, -and whose most important documents were still fortunately in my hands. -I had now, then, the means at once of clearing myself of all suspicion -in his eyes, and of conferring on him the means of equally showing his -own innocence to the world. True that I could never see the happiness -I knew I should give him--true that his good or bad opinion could -serve me no longer upon earth; but still there was the consolation of -knowing that my memory would remain pure and unsullied in his eyes; -and that the benefit I had it in my power to confer would attach -feelings of love to my name and regret to my loss.</p> - -<p class="normal">Surely the wish to be remembered with affection is hardly a weakness. -The warrior's or the poet's hope of immortality on earth--the laurel -that binds the lyre or the sword--is perhaps the most daring, yet the -emptiest of all imaginative vanities; but there is something holier -and sweeter in the dream of living in the love of those that have -known us--it is, indeed, prolonging attachments beyond the grave, and -perhaps derives its charm from an innate feeling in the breast of man, -that friends part not here for ever.</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon, then, as paper and ink were brought me I sat down; and after -writing my last farewell to my father, and a few lines expressive of -my deep, my unchangeable affection to Helen Arnault, I proceeded to -sketch out for the Count de Bagnols the history of my unfortunate -adventure at Saragossa. I told him the promise I had entered into, -never to disclose the circumstances to a Spaniard, and showed him -that, as long as I had believed him to be such, my lips had been -necessarily sealed. I pointed out to him the mistake which Garcias had -committed; I related to him my rencontre with Jean Baptiste; and -farther, as briefly as possible, I gave him the outline of everything -which had occurred to me since we had last met, up to the moment that -I wrote; and having told him how I had avenged him on the Marquis de -St. Brie, I enclosed his papers, which I had always kept about my -person. Lastly, I begged him, if I thereby rendered him any -service--if I had ever held any place in his esteem--if I had by that -explanation at all regained it, to see my father; and bearing him my -last farewell, to entreat him for my sake to look upon Helen as his -child--to remember how I had loved her, and to love her for her love -to me; and now, wishing him personally all that happiness in his -latter years which had been denied to his youth, I bade him an eternal -adieu.</p> - -<p class="normal">This cost me all that night and the greater part of the next morning; -but by the time that my gaoler visited me my packet was prepared, and -showing him some louis--the last I had about me--I promised them to -him if he would deliver that letter to the Count de Bagnols, if he was -still in the town, bringing me back an acknowledgment that it had been -received.</p> - -<p class="normal">In less than an hour he returned, and gave me a paper written hastily -in the hand of the Chevalier. It only contained, "I have received a -packet from the Count de l'Orme--BAGNOLS." I gave the gaoler his -promised reward, and he left me.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>CHAPTER XLIX.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Shortly after the gaoler had quitted my chamber, a priest came to -visit and console me; and after a long conversation he also departed, -promising to see me again next day. His arguments and reasoning were, -I believe, very common-place, and delivered with no great eloquence or -talent; but I was then very willing to lend myself to any one who -would lead my ideas from the world I was about to quit to a better one -beyond. Not that I entertained a doubt upon the subject; but I was -glad, by dwelling upon the idea of a life to come--by giving it a more -tangible essence and being--by lending conviction the more brilliant -colours of imagination--to forget the regrets that attached me to -this.</p> - -<p class="normal">When he had left me, a sort of drowsiness fell upon me, which I -received as a friend also. I had, as I have said, sat up the whole of -the night before, writing, and the irritation of my two wounds, which -had never been dressed since I arrived at Mezières, had greatly -exhausted me. The approach of slumber, therefore, was an unexpected -blessing, and without farther preparation than merely laying my head -upon the table, I fell asleep. The battle of earthly hope and fear was -over in my bosom; and, like two inveterate enemies that had slain each -other, they left a dead, void calm, in place of their long and -agitating conflict. My sleep then was not like that of a child, light -and balmy--oh, no! it was more like the sleep of death--profound, -still, feelingless. It wanted but the fall of the one irrevocable -barrier to have been death itself.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was awoke abruptly by some one touching me; and, starting up, I was -caught in the arms of the Chevalier de Montenero--I should say, the -Count de Bagnols.</p> - -<p class="normal">"A thousand thousand thanks!" cried he, "my friend, my benefactor, my -more than son! Oh, Louis! no words can speak the joy, the -satisfaction, the relief your letter has given me. Not alone from the -packet it contained--though I have been seeking it for long and weary -years, as the only means of recovering rank, and station, and honour, -and casting back his accusation on the villain's head who wronged -me--but more, far more, from the proofs it brought forward, that the -man on whose high principles I had staked my estimate of human nature -for ever, was not the villain I had been misled to believe."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Count was here interrupted by the gaoler, who had remained -standing near the door, with his immense bunch of keys still in his -hands. "Come, come!" grumbled he, in his dogged, surly tone, "you can -tell him all that, Monsieur le Comte, in another place. As you have -brought the youth's pardon, and the order for his release, you had -better take him away: for I never met one yet who liked to stay here, -and I want to do the room. We shan't be long without some other, thank -God!"</p> - -<p class="normal">The words I heard fell dully upon my sense. I heard the sound, and it -startled me; but I received from it no defined meaning that I could -understand and believe.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is true, Louis! it is true!" said the Count de Bagnols; "your -pardon is granted, and you are no longer a prisoner. You owe it not -alone to me, however; the Duke of Bouillon made your enlargement and -security one of the several points without which he would not lay down -his arms. I applied to the Cardinal at the very moment that that point -was about to be refused. Two concurring motives produced more than one -could have done. He yielded, and you are free; but upon the condition -that you instantly return to Bearn, and do not pass its boundaries for -one year. Peace is now concluded. To-morrow the Duke of Bouillon will -be here, and in the evening I myself set out for Bigorre. You shall -journey with me, and I shall have the happiness of restoring you to -the arms of your father."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Willingly," replied I; "but before I go, I must see the Maréchal de -Chatillon, and inquire after Helen Arnault. I left her in -circumstances which required explanation. See her I know I cannot, for -she was going to leave Paris; but I must and will ascertain where she -is, and how I may hear of her. Monsieur de Bagnols, you have yourself -felt, and can, I trust, understand my feelings."</p> - -<p class="normal">"I do, my dear Louis," replied he: "but to see the Maréchal is quite -impossible: for he is at this time nearly a hundred leagues from -Mezières. But leave all that to me. I know him well, and shall have to -send a messenger to him myself: therefore I may safely promise you, -that by the time you arrive at Lourdes, you shall have every -information you desire."</p> - -<p class="normal">This was hardly satisfactory; but I had no other course to pursue, and -therefore yielded, though it cost me no small pain once more to quit -the vicinity of her I still loved so unabatedly, without being able to -satisfy myself of her fate. I have bound myself to tell both the good -and the evil in my history, and I must here acknowledge, that a gleam -of satisfaction came over my mind, when I thought that the youth whom -I had seen with the Maréchal de Chatillon, and to whom I hesitated not -to attribute the quality of Helen's lover, could no longer pursue his -suit. It was a selfish satisfaction enough, I am afraid, and I -reproached myself for it as soon as I felt it. It was a base, -ungenerous triumph, I thought, over the dead, and I would fain have -scourged it from my breast; but it was in vain--I could not chase it -away. It was there in my heart a part of my humanity, and I found it -impossible to banish it from my bosom.</p> - -<p class="normal">From the prison the Count conducted me to his dwelling; and after a -night's delightful repose--repose of mind and of feeling, as well as -of the mere body--I rose the next morning, refreshed, and disposed to -view my future prospects with a brighter eye than I had even done the -night before. Still Helen formed a part of them all. Reality in this -respect lent hope no aid; for I remembered my mental promise to my -mother, and I felt that I could not--that I dared not break it. It was -a contract between me and the dead, from which no living voice could -absolve me. Yet still I hoped; and, a dreamer from my infancy both by -nature and habit, I never felt the gay but baseless architecture of my -fancy rise more splendidly than when Hope, without any earthly basis, -but supported alone by her own pinions, commanded the work, and her -willing slave, Imagination, found bright materials in the air.</p> - -<p class="normal">Before departing from Mezières, I begged the Count de Bagnols to send -a messenger to Sedan, desiring little Achilles to join me at the -Château de l'Orme; and as he had in his hands upwards of a thousand -crowns belonging to me, I doubted not that, armed with that magic -wand, money, he would get through his journey quite as well, though -somewhat more slowly, than any of the ancient magicians, either -mounted on hippogriff, or enthroned in flying chair.</p> - -<p class="normal">A horse had been prepared for me, as well as every other thing I could -need, by my friend; but as the news of my enlargement and pardon had -spread through the town of Mezières, where the regiment of Monsieur de -Lagnerol, who had made me prisoner, then was, he generously sent me -back, before my departure, the beautiful charger which had been given -me by the unfortunate Count de Soissons; and I own that few things he -could have bestowed would have borne so high a value in my eyes; for -the memory of the manner in which he had been bestowed at first, added -a thousand-fold to the noble beast's intrinsic worth.</p> - -<p class="normal">Towards two o'clock, we began our journey--not, as I had often ridden -with the Chevalier de Montenero, alone in unostentatious comfort, -unpursued by a crowd of useless attendants. His restored -rank--hampered with an inconvenience, like every other long-coveted -gratification of the earth--required him to lay aside the freedom of -an inferior station; and, followed from Mezières by twenty armed -horsemen, we took our way back towards Bearn.</p> - -<p class="normal">Scarce a hundred yards from the gates of the city, we were met by the -Duke of Bouillon and his train, going, according to the terms of -amnesty, to renew the homage he had so lately cast off, to the crown -of France. He reined in his horse on perceiving me; and approaching, -saluted me gravely, but politely.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am happy, Monsieur de l'Orme," said he, "to see you at liberty, and -am glad that this accidental meeting gives me an opportunity of -thanking you for your co-operation on a late occasion, and of -expressing my sense of your gallant services to the cause in which we -were then both engaged, somewhat better than hurry and an impatient -disposition permitted me to do when last we met."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Mention it not, Monsieur de Bouillon," replied I: "the memory of one -to whom we were both sincerely attached, would of itself have banished -any momentary irritation from my mind long ago, even if I had not been -made acquainted with the generous care you had taken to provide for my -security."</p> - -<p class="normal">After a casual word or two farther upon the same subject, we took -leave of each other, and parted; and I pursued my way in company with -Monsieur de Bagnols.</p> - -<p class="normal">During our first day's journey, the Count ceased not to question me -upon all the little minute points of my story, and I filled up all the -blanks in my tale with the same frankness which I have done in telling -it here. I showed him all my feelings, and all my thoughts--all that I -had wished, and all that I had done.</p> - -<p class="normal">He dwelt particularly upon my unfortunate adventure at Saragossa. "I -was wrong, Louis, certainly very wrong," said he, "in suspecting you -of such a crime, and I owe you some reparation, which, doubt not, -shall be made. However, if you remember that I saw you enter your own -house that night, when every witness you brought forward swore that -you had never quitted it, you will see that I had some cause for -suspicion. I had been engaged myself with my banker in reading over -some very old accounts, concerning the sums which my intendant Arnault -had transmitted to Saragossa, many years before; and I had discovered -therein so many frauds and villanies, that I came away sick with human -nature. I saw you enter your lodgings as plainly as I see you now; but -judging you engaged in some intrigue, into which it was neither my -business nor my wish to inquire, I passed on. The circumstances that -followed gave a new character to my suspicions; and finding the high -ideas which, notwithstanding all your faults, I had entertained of you -suddenly cast down, I treated you with haughtiness and impatience, -when it would have been better to have shown kindness and confidence. -At the same time, let me say, that for years, Arnault, for purposes I -now understand, had been labouring to undermine you in my opinion; -and, though I have since discovered him to be as bad a man and as -daring a villain as ever existed, and suspected him even then, yet the -suspicions he instilled into me remained on my mind, being confirmed -by other events at the time which I could not doubt.</p> - -<p class="normal">"However," he added, with a smile, "I suppose I must not express what -I think of Arnault so strongly, or I shall have your love for the -daughter in arms against me. Still, whatever fortune he has, and, as -you say, it must be considerable, has been robbed from me."</p> - -<p class="normal">I was silent; for every word that connected Helen and Arnault in any -way together, went painfully to my heart, cutting through all my -hopes. The count, I believe, saw he had hurt me, and turned our -conversation, the next day, to his escape from the assassins of the -Marquis de St. Brie.</p> - -<p class="normal">"There are circumstances even now," said he, "after a lapse of more -than eighteen years, on which I dare not let my thoughts rest. Do not -suppose I allude to pains and griefs. Time has softened those; but I -speak of the happiness that I enjoyed for a brief space, which, -whenever I think of it, awakens every pang in my heart. I had, as I -remember to have told you on a former occasion, made my escape from -the prison in which I had been confined on the accusation of the -greatest villain that ever, I believe, the earth produced. I had -prepared everything for my flight into Spain, with all that I held -dear on earth--my wife; when, on the very night that it was to have -taken place, as I entered the park, I was attacked by four hired -bravoes, attached to the villain St. Brie. Resolved to sell my life -dearly, I defended myself with desperation, till at length I fell, -with a severe wound in my side, and while I was on the ground, -received a blow on my head, which effectually stunned me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The assassins then carried me down to a stream that ran not far from -the spot, and threw me in, as they thought lifeless. But the very -plunge in the water recalled my senses; and I was making some faint -efforts to swim, when I was drawn out by two of my followers, whom I -had left waiting at a cottage below.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Their approach scared away the assassins; and though so weak that I -could not stand, and delirious from the blow on my head, I was put -into a litter and borne away to Spain, by my attendants and a friend, -who, having brought about my escape from prison, would have risked his -own life if he had stayed.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The news of my death was general; my estates of Bagnols, which could -not be sold, were sequestrated and given to the Marquis de St. Brie. I -was arraigned and condemned on my nonappearance; and, as I slowly -recovered from my wounds, I heard that the last tie between myself and -France was broken--my wife was dead. In a former embassy to Madrid, -which terminated in the marriage of Anne of Austria to our present -king, I had become personally known to King Philip; and it was -proposed to me to enter the Spanish service, to which I assented, on -the engagement never to be employed against my native country. With a -part of the money transmitted beforehand to Saragossa, I bought the -small estate of Montenero, and took that name, abandoning the one -under which I had known so many misfortunes. I was sent with the -forces to New Spain; had many opportunities of distinguishing myself; -rose high in station; and amassed, without either avarice or -extortion, a large, I may say an immense fortune. But it gave me no -happiness--in fact, I had, personally, no use for it. I was both a -soldier and somewhat of a cynic, and consequently not very much -inclined to waste wealth either in show or in luxury. Still I had a -most passionate desire to revisit my native country. Many other -circumstances also combined to carry me thither. The hope of -reestablishing my character and name, which in the first bitterness of -my griefs I had slighted, grew upon me with years, and I directed -Arnault, to whom I still paid a salary, to make every inquiry and -effort to recover the papers I had lost, offering a reward which might -have tempted a prince. No one, I have discovered, knew so well as he -did where to find them; and when, after seeing your encounter with the -Marquis de St. Brie, I betook myself to Spain, lest I should be -discovered before the proofs of my innocence were procured, he not -only found them, but sent them to me by your good friend Father -Francis of Allurdi, who, as you may remember, lost them on the road."</p> - -<p class="normal">The manner in which the Count's papers had been lost now instantly -flashed across my mind. After my adventure with the gamblers at Luz I -remembered to have met with the pretended capuchin as I mounted the -stairs. The door of Father Francis's chamber was open, and the papers -had been enveloped in the same cover with some pieces of gold. The -matter was evident enough. The baffled sharper had indemnified himself -for his failure in cheating by a little simple robbery, and having -stolen into the good priest's room while he slept, had filched from -his baggage the packet, which to the tact of his experienced fingers -seemed most valuable. After having made what use he thought proper of -the gold, it is probable that, seeing the papers were of some -consequence, he had kept them about him, in hope of accident turning -them to account, till he was killed in his attempt to murder me, when -it may be remembered the papers were found upon him.</p> - -<p class="normal">I communicated my supposition to the Count, who agreed with me -entirely; but my interruption seemed to have acted upon his story much -in the same manner that Don Quixote's did upon that of Sancho Panza; -for he ceased there, and would not again resume it, saying, with a -smile, that he had really little more to tell, except that, anxious to -re-establish his fame, he had, through some great interest he -possessed in the army, and from the pressing necessity which the -government had lately experienced for troops, obtained permission, -under his assumed name, to levy a regiment at his own expense, and had -commanded it at the battle of the Marfée, the result of which I -already knew.</p> - -<p class="normal">Avoiding Paris, we now approached Bearn, with as long journeys as we -could make each day; and oh, what a crowd of thrilling, mingled -emotions hurried through my bosom, when, from the hill behind Pau, I -again beheld the grand chain of the purple Pyrenees spreading far -along the horizon, robed in that magical garment of misty light, which -makes them seem something too beautiful for earth! Oh, my native land! -my native land! bound to my heart by every sweet association of -youth--by all the opening ideas that infancy first receives, welcoming -every new impression as a joy--by every glad thought--by every pure -bright feeling!--when thou ceasest to be dear, most dear to me, the -lamp of memory must be extinguished, and the past all darkness indeed!</p> - -<p class="normal">From Pau we sent forward a messenger to announce our coming to my -father, and the next morning early we set out for Lourdes. I will not -attempt to embody in words what I felt during that ride. My sensations -were so confused, so sorrowful in some respects, and so painfully -joyful in others, that I could not separate them even at the time. -Both the Chevalier and myself were silent; and the only words which, I -believe, passed between us were, when, on entering Lourdes, I begged -him to ride on, while I turned my horse towards the old church of the -Assumption, in which stood the tomb of the Counts of Bigorre.</p> - -<p class="normal">I entered the church--there was no one there; and passing into the -little chapel, where the monument stood, I read over some letters that -were freshly chiselled in the marble. They recorded the death of my -mother; and leaning down my head, I poured upon them the tribute of my -heart's best feelings. I remained long there--longer than I had -intended; but I found a calm and a consolation in the sad duty that I -rendered, which cleared and tranquillized my feelings. As I came out -of the church, I found a number of the peasantry near the door, gazing -on my beautiful horse, which I had ridden during the last day, and had -tied to a cypress while I went in. They all recognised me; but -divining the employment in which I had been engaged, they did not -speak, but doffing their bonnets, let me depart in silence.</p> - -<p class="normal">Proceeding somewhat slowly on the road, I suffered the Chevalier to -arrive some time before me, certain that my father would understand -and appreciate the motives of my delay. Gradually, however, the -château with its towers and pinnacles became visible--every -old-accustomed object, every well-remembered scene. Yet in the few -months of my absence so many great and important events had occurred -to me, so many thoughts had hurried through my brain, so many feelings -had left their impression on my heart, that I almost wondered to find -everything still so much the same; and had it been all in ruins, -should have scarcely been surprised, so many years--ay, years! seemed -to have elapsed since I beheld it.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the court, all the old servants pressed round me, and overwhelmed -me with their caresses. Some wept, and some laughed, and some, with -the old feudal affection, kissed my hand; so that I was glad to escape -from them as soon as I could.</p> - -<p class="normal">"To the saloon! to the saloon! monseigneur," cried old Houssaye, as I -broke from them, and ran into the house. To the saloon, then, I turned -my steps, threw open the door, and entered. But what was it I beheld? -There was but one person there--a young lady in deep mourning, -holding, as if for support, by the arm of one of the antique -chairs--it was Helen! my own Helen! and in a moment she was in my -arms, and clasped to my heart, with a paroxysm of overflowing joy, -that for the time swept every dark idea away before it.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Oh, Louis, dear Louis!" was all that she could say; and what I said, -Heaven only knows. "But where are they?" cried I, at length. "Where is -my father?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"In his library, awaiting you," replied Helen. "But <i>my</i> father kindly -thought that our first meeting had better be alone, and therefore he -bade me stay here: but now let us come to him."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Your father, Helen!" said I, some chilly feelings coming over my -heart that I dared not tell her--"is your father here?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Certainly," replied she, "he is in the library with yours. But come, -dear Louis, come!" and leading the way, with a light step she ran on -to my father's apartments. The door of the library was open, and -gliding forward, she threw her arms round the Count de Bagnols, -exclaiming, "My dear father, Louis did not know that you had arrived."</p> - -<p class="normal">"Nay, more, Helen," replied the Count, "he did not know till this -moment that you were my child. Louis, forgive me, if I did not tell -you this before. It was not, believe me, from one remaining shade of -doubt; but it was, that I wished you to hear tidings that I was sure -would give you joy, from the lips I believed--I knew--to be dearest to -you on earth."</p> - -<p class="normal">They flashed through my brain at once--the thousand circumstances -which, if I had entertained any suspicion, would have long before -shown me the whole truth. At the same moment, however, I found myself -clasped in the arms of my own father, and the happiness of meeting, -for some time, interrupted all farther explanation.</p> - -<p class="normal">The explanations that were to be given me were nevertheless many. From -comparing the dates of Helen's age with the certificate I had seen of -the Count's marriage, it was evident that the Countess must have died -in giving her birth. On this, however, her father never spoke; perhaps -it was too painful a theme for him to touch upon. He told me, however, -that he had never himself learned that he had a child, till he was in -New Spain, when Arnault communicated it to him, knowing that thus -fresh sums of money would naturally flow into his hands. He took care -also that no doubt should exist upon the Count's mind respecting the -truth of his statement, by sending him the proof of Helen's birth, -obtained from the abbess of the convent wherein the Countess had died.</p> - -<p class="normal">He thus gained his object: the child was consigned to his care by her -father, who could not for the time quit with honour the service in -which he was engaged; and Arnault received every year large -remittances for the education of his charge, which he applied of -course to his own righteous purposes. At length the Count returned; -and, hurried on by the strong impulse of paternal love, ventured to -cross the frontier. He found that his intentions had been anything but -fulfilled. Arnault, it is true, had taken the child from the convent -where her mother had died, the abbess of which very willingly resigned -her, as old Monsieur de Vergne had now given his whole soul over to -the dominion of Mammon, and refused even to pay the pittance required -for her support. The procureur, too, had brought her up as his own -daughter; but education she had received none.</p> - -<p class="normal">It may easily be imagined that the Count was not a little indignant at -this neglect; but Arnault denied having received greater part of the -sums that had been transmitted to him; and an examination of his -accounts was likely to have followed, which might have shown his -character to his lord in its true light. My mother and myself, -however, arrived, as I have detailed in the first part of this book, -on our visit of gratitude, while the Count was in his house; and -Arnault, to turn away the threatening storm, proposed to my mother to -substitute Helen in place of Jean Baptiste, whom she had offered to -receive into our family. The Count, though charmed with the new -arrangement, resolved not to lose sight of the treasure he had -regained, and directed Arnault to purchase and repair for him the -house in which he afterwards resided.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is probable that the worthy procureur, had he seen any prospect of -gain, would have betrayed the Count to the government; but Monsieur de -Bagnols had left his fortune still in Spain; and as, for obvious -reasons, he continued to employ his former intendant, the only profit -likely to accrue to Arnault was to be expected from his lord's life -and security.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the meanwhile the Count, easily foreseeing the likelihood of an -attachment springing up between myself and Helen, applied himself to -watch my opening character, and to instil into my young mind all the -great and noble principles of his own. Where he succeeded, and where -he failed, must be judged of by the foregoing pages. That he did fail -in many instances I am but too painfully conscious.</p> - -<p class="normal">By this time, Arnault, ever fertile in schemes where wealth was to be -won, aware that the Count had not communicated her birth to his -daughter, who was still too young to be intrusted with such a secret, -had laid the somewhat daring project of marrying his son to -Mademoiselle de Bagnols; doubtless imagining that his knowledge of the -Count's secret threw more power into his hands than it really did. -There were many obstacles, however, to be overcome, the two greatest -of which were, the likelihood of my winning Helen's love, and the -timidity and disinterestedness of Jean Baptiste, who still, be it -remarked, believed Helen to be his sister, having forgotten, with the -days of his childhood, her first coming to his father's house.</p> - -<p class="normal">On discovering Helen's birth and probable wealth to his son, Arnault -found him deaf to the voice of interest; but he contrived to influence -him by other feelings, and, at the same time that he blackened my -character to the Count de Bagnols, he took advantage of Helen's gentle -kindness towards her supposed brother, to persuade the good youth that -she was in love with him.</p> - -<p class="normal">As Helen grew towards womanhood, the Count, for many reasons, thought -it fit to inform her of her birth; but by various circumstances his -communication was delayed. In the meanwhile my journey to Saragossa -took place, and the unfortunate adventure in which I was there -engaged; and the Count, influenced by the suspicions to which that -adventure gave rise, instead of making me the bearer of a message to -my mother and his daughter, informing them of his real rank and of her -birth, as he had once designed, intrusted the charge to good Father -Francis of Allurdi, who perished in the snow at the very moment he was -about to communicate it to me. To Helen, however, the Count wrote, on -hearing of the good Father's death, and beginning to entertain more -than doubts of Arnault's probity, he procured the delivery of his -letter through the smuggler Garcias. At the same time, hearing of an -intimacy between my family and the Marquis de St. Brie, he enjoined -his daughter to maintain the most profound secrecy upon the subject.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jean Baptiste had now suffered himself to be persuaded that Helen -loved him; and the sudden dispersion of his golden dreams, by -overhearing the acknowledgment of her affection towards me, ended, as -I have related, in the fit of passion which had nearly brought about -his own death.</p> - -<p class="normal">Arnault, nevertheless, resolved not to abandon his scheme while a -chance of success remained. He saw that the Count's confidence in him -was gone, and knew that a thousand accidents might occur to bring -about a full discovery, and complete his ruin. His only hope, -therefore, was in the success of his plot. Being the only person but -Jean Baptiste who knew the real cause of my flight, he spread about -the report that I had carried off the daughter of a bourgeois of -Lourdes, who had, in fact, been seduced by the Marquis de St. Brie. -The Count de Bagnols had by this time returned from Spain; and one -accusation falling on me after another, he resolved to remove Helen -from the Château de l'Orme, viewing with as much apprehension the -chance of a union between her and me, as he had once regarded it with -hope and pleasure. Having given up all expectation of recovering the -proofs of his innocence, and his daughter's legitimacy, he took -measures to let the Cardinal de Richelieu know that he was still in -life; and received the assurance that he might live peacefully in -France, and that no farther proceedings would be instituted against -him, if he continued under an assumed name. He wished, however, to do -more; and setting off for Paris with Helen, he took up his abode in -the hotel of his cousin and ancient companion in arms, the Maréchal de -Chatillon; when one night passing through the streets in the carriage -of the Maréchal, his attendants found me lying senseless, by my fall -from the window.</p> - -<p class="normal">I was borne to the Hôtel de Chatillon, and what passed there is -already written. The motives which induced the Count not to see me -himself, and to deny to his daughter's utmost entreaties but an -interview with me of a few minutes, may easily be understood, as well -as his having caused me to be removed during my sleep to my own -lodgings, to which my traiteur's bill, found in my pockets by the good -nun who acted as my nurse, furnished the address.</p> - -<p class="normal">Finding his villany discovered, and fearing that restitution might be -called for, Arnault had delivered Lourdes from his presence a few days -before the Count carried Helen with him to Paris. There the procureur -also arrived: and as soon as he discovered the absence of his former -patron, who had by this time joined the army, he resumed his former -designs, and endeavoured to carry Helen off. His purpose was, as I -have shown, frustrated by the information I received from Jean -Baptiste, who had by this time fallen in love himself with the pretty -little attendant of the Countess de Soissons, and was besides heartily -ashamed of having yielded in the former instance to his father's -schemes. What ultimate object Arnault had proposed to himself in -taking Helen from her father's protection never distinctly appeared; -for though, not many months after, Jean Baptiste brought a bride to -Lourdes, and was, as a reward for his integrity, installed in his -father's place as intendant to the Count de Bagnols, yet he could give -us no farther information, his father having concealed the particulars -of his plan even from him.</p> - -<p class="normal">Arnault himself we never saw or heard of again; and it seemed evident -that he had fled his country, in fear of the proceedings which the -Count instituted against him. The last news we received of him was -from Helen herself, who had seen him watching under the porch of the -convent of the Minims, as she set out for Pau, on the morning when I -was obliged to make my escape from the Hôtel de Soissons.</p> - -<p class="normal">Her father, fearful of the consequences if the Count de Soissons -should march upon the capital, had requested the Maréchal de -Chatillon, then about to visit Paris on the business of the army, to -send his daughter back to Bearn, under as strong an escort as he night -before put the Maréchal upon his guard; and the party who accompanied -Helen to the house of the old Countess de Marignan, her relation at -Pau, rendered all danger out of the question.</p> - -<p class="normal">Little more remains to be said, for I was at length happy--and -happiness is silent. Helen shortly after was made my own, by the -irrevocable ties which, to those who truly love, are doubly dear from -their durability. In her arms, I have found far more of delight and -peace than even the dreams of my own imagination had portrayed; or -Hope, that constant flatterer, had promised in her sweetest song. -Twenty years have now elapsed; and though Time, the slow destroyer of -man's joys as well as of his works, may, and probably will, day by day -rob me of some power or of some enjoyment, for those twenty years I -have known almost unmixed happiness. This glorious past I may truly -call my own, and fate itself cannot snatch it from my grasp.</p> - -<p class="normal">Still, however, though Memory has there its certain treasure, hope -runs on before; and I look forward to my future years with -tranquillity. Thank Heaven, I have learned as much content as is -necessary to enjoyment and is compatible with activity; and that -spirit of adventure, which was once my torment, has now fallen asleep, -never I hope to wake again.</p> - -<p class="normal">To you, my son, I give this history of your mother and myself; and as -I see, in some degree, the same spirit rising up in you, that caused -so much misery to your father, let me, before I lay down the pen, -point out the moral of my tale. If you remark the various events of -this story, as they hang one upon another, you will perceive, that had -I not suffered the love of adventure to lead me to the very brink of -vice, in the circumstances that occurred to me at Saragossa, I should -not only have escaped the pain immediately consequent, but the Count -de Bagnols would have confided to me the secret of his own rank and -Helen's birth. No motive for concealment would have existed between -us; my parents would have known all and approved all--I should never -have had to reproach myself with the murder of him I thought her -brother--I should never have been obliged to fly from my home--I -should never have been a houseless wanderer over the face of the -earth, accompanied by misery and remorse.</p> - -<p class="normal">Yet understand me: I blame not enterprise, I blame not enthusiasm; it -is the spring of all that is good, great, and admirable in existence: -but the art of happiness is to guide enthusiasm firmly on the path of -virtue; the art of success, to guide it on the path of probability.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>FOOTNOTES.</h4> -<br> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_01" href="#div4Ref_01">Footnote 1</a>: A small town, with a picturesque castle crowning a high -rock, at the entrance of one of the Pyrenean valleys, about ten -leagues distant from Pau.</p><p class="hang1"><a name="div4_02" href="#div4Ref_02">Footnote 2</a>: A favourite dish in the small inns of Bearn to this day.</p><p class="hang1"><a name="div4_03" href="#div4Ref_03">Footnote 3</a>: Although no such lakes are now in existence, we find, in -consulting authorities contemporary with the writer of these memoirs, -that the valley of Gavarnie, from the village to the Marboré, was in -that day completely filled with a chain of small lakes, the basins of -which are still evident.</p><p class="hang1"><a name="div4_04" href="#div4Ref_04">Footnote 4</a>: The same fancy is current amongst many Eastern nations, -and probably arrived at the Spanish smugglers through their Moorish -ancestors.</p><p class="hang1"><a name="div4_05" href="#div4Ref_05">Footnote 5</a>: I believe that this description is exact in regard to the -personal appearance of the Count of Colomma. He was a Catalonian by -birth; had served with great distinction; and, previous to this -unhappy revolt, had been looked upon with both pride and affection by -his fellow-countrymen.</p><p class="hang1"><a name="div4_06" href="#div4Ref_06">Footnote 6</a>: The ordinary Spanish accounts declare that the peasantry -who acted so conspicuous a part in the insurrection of Barcelona were -merely reapers, who came thither on Corpus Christi Day, according to -custom, but without any political object. "En el tiempo de la -recoleccion de los granos," says one author, "bajan muchas cuadrillas -de segadores de las montanas de Cataluna, para ejercer su profesion en -los partidos maritimos, y tienen la costumbre de concurrir a la -capital el dia de la festividad del Corpus, que aquel fue el siete de -junio. Esta masa va dispuesta a la sedicion aumentó los materiales del -volcan," &c. &c. There can be no doubt, however, that immense bodies -of a very different order of persons, all prepared to urge on the -revolt, had flocked into Barcelona several days before.</p><p class="hang1"><a name="div4_07" href="#div4Ref_07">Footnote 7</a>: This chapter in the original MS. appears written in a -different hand from the rest, and was probably interpolated long after -the composition of the whole, to explain historical circumstances -which had passed from men's memories.</p><p class="hang1"><a name="div4_08" href="#div4Ref_08">Footnote 8</a>: Translation of the original document.</p><p class="hang1"><a name="div4_09" href="#div4Ref_09">Footnote 9</a>: This is the only clear and satisfactory account that has -ever been given of the death of that most amiable prince, the Count de -Soissons. The Maréchal de Chatillon, in his narrative of the battle of -the Marfée, states, that the Count was killed by one of the queen's -men-at-arms, and the Maréchal de Faber countenances the same -supposition: but this was proved to be false by the Count's own -attendants, who unanimously declared that the battle was won before -his death. M. Jay, in his History of the Administration of Cardinal -Richelieu, leans to the belief that the Count accidentally shot -himself; and M. Peyran, in his History of the Principality of Sedan, -starts the very strange idea, that the Prince chose the very moment of -victory to commit suicide. Others have attributed his fate to an -assassin hired by Richelieu; and even these Memoirs leave some doubt -as to whether the motive of the Marquis de St. Brie was merely -personal resentment, or the instigation of another.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>THE END.</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h5>T. C. 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