ChapterOneTheyoungFrenchmandidverywellwhathehadplannedtodo。HisguessthattheDukewouldcheatprovedgood。Astheunshodhalf—dozenfiguresthathadbeenstandingnoiselesslyintheentrywaystolesoftlyintotheshadowsofthechamber，heleanedacrossthetableandsmilinglypluckedacardoutofthebigEnglishman’ssleeve。
\"Merci，M。leDuc！\"helaughed，risingandsteppingbackfromthetable。
TheEnglishmancriedout，\"Itmeansthedirtyworkofsilencingyouwithmybarehands！\"andcameathim。
\"Donotmove，\"saidM。Beaucaire，sosharplythattheotherpaused。
\"Observebehindyou。\"
TheEnglishmanturned，andsawwhattraphehadblunderedinto；
thenstoodtransfixed，impotent，alternatelyscarletwithrageandwhitewiththevitalshameofdiscovery。M。Beaucaireremarked，indicatingthesilentfiguresbyapolitewaveofthehand，\"IsitnotacomplimenttomonsieurthatIprocuresixlargementosubduehim？Theyarequitedevote’tome，andmonsieurisalone。Coulditbethathedidnotwishevenhislackeystoknowheplaywiththeyo’ngFrenchmanwhoMeestaireNashdoesnotlikeinthepomp—room？
Monsieurisunfortunatetohavecomeonfootandalonetomyapartment。\"
TheDuke’smouthfoamedoverwithchaoticrevilement。Hiscaptorsmiledbrightly，andmadeaslightgesture，asonewhobrushesasideaboisterousinsect。WiththesamemotionhequelledtostonyquietaresentfulimpetusofhisservantstowardtheEnglishman。
\"It’smurder，isit，youcarrion！\"finishedtheDuke。
M。Beaucaireliftedhisshouldersinamockshiver。\"Whatwords！
No，no，no！Nokilling！Asuchwordtoasuchhost！No，no，notmur—r—der；onlydisgrace！\"Helaughedaclear，lightlaughwitharisinginflection，seemingtolaunchhimselfuponanadventurousquestforsympathy。
\"Youlittledevilishscullion！\"spatouttheDuke。
\"Tut，tut！ButIforget。Monsieurhaspursue’hisstudiesofdeportmentamongs’hisfellow—countrymen。
\"DoyoudreamasoulinBathwilltakeyourwordthatI—thatI—\"
\"ThatM。leDucdeWintersethadacarduphissleeve？\"
\"Youpitifulstroller，youstableboy，borninastable—\"
\"Isitnotanhonortobebornwheremonsieurmusthavebeenbred？\"
\"Youscurvyfoot—boy，yougreasybarber，youcutthroatgroom—\"
\"Overwhelm’！\"Theyoungmanbowedwithimperturbableelation。\"M。
leDucappoint’metoalltheoffice’ofhishousehol’。\"
\"Youmustachioedfool，therearenotfivepeopleofqualityinBathwillspeaktoyou—\"
\"No，monsieur，notontheparade；buthowmanycometoplaywithmehere？BecauseIwillplayalways，nightorday，forwhatonewill，foranylong，andal—waysfair，monsieur。\"
\"Yououtrageousvarlet！EveryoneknowsyoucametoEnglandastheFrenchAmbassador’sbarber。Whatmanoffashionwilllistentoyou？
Whowillbelieveyou？\"
\"Allpeople，monsieur。DoyouthinkIhavenotcalculate’，thatI
shallmakeafailureofmylittleenterprise？\"
\"Bah！\"
\"Willmonsieurnotreseathimself？\"M。Beaucairemadealowbow。
\"So。Wemustnotbetootire’forLadyMalbourne’srout。Ha，ha！
Andyou，Jean，Victor，andyouothers，retire；gointhehallway。
Attendattheentrance，Francois。So；nowweshalltalk。Monsieur，Iwishyoutothinkverycool。Thenlisten；Iwillbebriefly。ItisthatIamwellknowntobeall，entire’hones’。Gamblist？Ah，yes；trueandmosprofitable；butfair，al—waysfair；everyonesaythat。Isitnotso？Thinkofit。And—isthereneveraw’ispercometoM。leDucthatnotallpeoplebeliefhimtoplayal—wayshones’？Ha，ha！Diditalmos’besaidtohimlas’year，afterwhenheplay’withMilor’Tappin’fordatthechocolate—house—\"
\"Youdirtyscandal—monger！\"theDukeburstout。\"I’ll—\"
\"Monsieur，monsieur！\"saidtheFrenchman。\"Itisapoorvalortoinsultahelplesscaptor。Canheretortuponhisownvictim？ButitisforyoutothinkofwhatIsay。True，Iamnotreco’nizeontheparade；thatmyfrien’swhocomeheredonotpresentmetotheirladies；thatMeestaireNashhasreboff’meinthepomp—room；still，amInotknownforbeinghones’andfairinmyplay，andwillInotbebelief，evenI，whenIlif’myvoiceandchargeyoualoudwithwhatisalreadyw’isper’？Thinkofit！Youareanoble，andtherewillbesomehang—dogswhomightnotfallawayfromyou。Onlysuchwouldbelef’toyou。Doyouwantittol’？AndyoucankeepoutofFrance，monsieur？Ihavelef’hisservice，butIhavestilltheearofM。deMirepoix，andheknow’Ineverlie。NotagentlemanwillplayyouwhenyoucometoParis。\"
TheEnglishman’swhitelipshowedarowofscarletdotsuponit。
\"Howmuchdoyouwant？\"hesaid。
TheroomrangwiththegaylaughterofBeaucaire。\"Ihol’yournote’forseven—hunder’pound’。Youcanhavethem，monsieur。WhydoesasuchgreatmancometoplayM。Beaucaire？Becausenooneelsewillin’toplayM。leDuc—hecannotpay。Ha，ha！Sohecome’togoodMonsieurBeaucaire。Money，ha，ha！WhatIwantwithmoney？\"
HisGraceofWinterset’sfeaturesweresetawrytoasinisterpattern。Hesatglaringathiscompanioninasnarlingsilence。
\"Money？Pouf！\"snappedthelittlegambler。\"No，no，no！ItisthatM。leDuc，impoverish’，somewhatinabadodorasheis，yetcommandtheentreeany—where—onlessI—Ha，ha！Eh，monsieur？\"
\"Ha！Youdarethinktoforceme—\"
M。Beaucairetwirledthetipofhisslendermustachearoundtheendofhiswhiteforefinger。Thenhesaid:\"Monsieurandmegoin’toLadyMalbourne’sballto—night—M。leDucandme！\"
TheEnglishmanroared，\"Curseyourimpudence！\"
\"Sitquiet。Oh，yes，that’sall；wegoin’together。\"
\"No！\"
\"Certain。Imakeallmylittleplan’。’Tisallarrange’。\"Hepaused，andthensaidgravely，\"Yougoin’presentmetoLadyMaryCarlisle。\"
Theotherlaughedinutterscorn。\"LadyMaryCarlisle，ofallwomenalive，wouldbethefirsttopreferthedeviltoamanofnobirth，barber。\"
\"’Tisallarrange’；havenofear；nobodyquestionmonsieur’sYougoin’takemeto—night—\"
\"No！\"
\"Yes。Andafter—thenIhavetheentree。IsitmuchIask？
Thisonelittlefavor，andIneverw’isper，neverbreathethat—itistosay，Iamalwaysforeversilentofmonsieur’smisfortune。\"
\"Youhavetheentree！\"sneeredtheother。\"Gotoalackeys’routanddancewiththekitchenmaids。IfIwould，IcouldnotpresentyoutoBathsociety。Ishouldhavecartelsfromthefathers，brothers，andloversofeverywenchandmadamintheplace，evenI。
YouwouldbethrustfromLadyMalbourne’sdoorfiveminutesafteryouenteredit。\"
\"No，no，no！\"
\"HalfthegentlemeninBathhavebeenheretoplay。Theywouldknowyou，wouldn’tthey，fool？You’vehadthousandsoutofBantison，Rakell，Guilford，andTownbrake。Theywouldhaveyoulashedbythegroomsasyouruglydesertsare。YoutospeaktoLadyMaryCarlisle！’Od’sblood！You！Also，dolt，shewouldknowyouifyouescapedtheothers。ShestoodwithinayardofyouwhenNashexpelledyouthepump—room。\"
M。Beaucaireflushedslightly。\"YouthinkIdidnotsee？\"heasked。
\"Doyoudreamthat’becauseWintersetintroducesalowfellowhewillbetolerated—thatBathwillreceiveabarber？\"
\"Ihavethedistinctiontocallmonsieur’sattention，\"repliedtheyoungmangayly，\"Ihaverenouncethatprofession。\"
\"Fool！\"
\"Iamnowamanofhonor！\"
\"Faugh！\"
\"Amanoftheparts，\"continuedthetheyoungFrenchman，\"andofdeportment；isitnotso？Haveyouseenmeofafluster，orgrossever，or，whatsallIsay—bourgeois？Shallyoubeshame’
foryourguest’manner？No，no！Andmyappearance，isitofthepeople？Clearly，no。DoInotcompareintasteofapparelwithyouryo’ngEnglishman？Ha，ha！Tobehope’。Ha，ha！SoIamgoin’talkwithLadyMaryCarlisle。\"
\"Bah！\"TheDukemadeasavageburlesque。\"’LadyMaryCarlisle，mayIassumethehonorofpresentingthebarberoftheMarquisdeMirepoix？’So，isit？\"
\"No，monsieur，\"smiledtheyoungman。\"Quitenotso。Youshallhavenothingtoworryyou，nothingintheworl’。Iamgoin’toassassinatemypoormustachio—alsoremovethishorribleblackperuke，andemergeinmyownhair。Behol’！\"Heswepttheheavycurled，massfromhisheadashespoke，andhishair，coiledunderthegreatwig，felltohisshoulders，andsparkledyellowinthecandle—light。Hetossedhisheadtoshakethehairbackfromhischeeks。\"Whenitisdress’，Iamtransformnobodycanknowme；youshallobserve。SeehowlittleIaskofyou，howverylittlebit。Nooneshallreco’nize’M。Beaucaire’or’Victor。’Ha，ha！’Tisallarrange’；youhavenothingtofear。\"
\"Curseyou，\"saidtheDuke，\"doyouthinkI’mgoingtobesaddledwithyouwhereverIgoaslongasyouchoose？\"
\"Amistake。No。AllIrequi—AllIbeg—isthisoneevening。
’Tisallshallbenecessary。After，Ishallnotneedmonsieur。
\"Takeheedtoyourself—after！\"vouchsafedtheEnglishmanbetweenhisteeth。
\"Conquered！\"criedM。Beaucaire，andclappedhishandsgleefully。
\"Conqueredforthenight！Aha，ittsriz’nable！Ishallmeetwhatyousend—after。Onecannothopetoomuchofyourpatience。Itisbutnaturalyoushouldattemp’alittleavengementfortherascaltrapIwassuchawickedfellowastosetforyou。Ishallmeetsomestrangefrien’sofyoursafterto—night；notso？Imusttrytobenottoomuchfrighten’。\"HelookedattheDukecuriously。
\"YouwanttoknowwhyIcreatethistragedy，whyIamsounkindastoentrapmonsieur？\"
HisGraceofWintersetrepliedwithachillglance；apulseinthenobleman’scheekbeatlessrelentlessly；hiseyeragednotsobitterly；thesteadypurpleofhisowncolorwasreturning；hisvoicewaslesshoarse；hewasregaininghishabit。\"’Tiseverthemannerofthevulgar，\"heobserved，\"towishtobeseenwithpeopleoffashion。\"
\"Oh，no，no，no！\"TheFrenchmanlaughed。\"’Tisnotthat。AmInotalreadyoneofthese’menoffashion’？Ilackonlythereputationofbirth。Monsieurisgoin’supplythat。Ha，ha！Ishallbenoblefromto—night。’Victor，’theartis’，iscondemn’todeath；histhroatshallbecutwithhisownrazor。’M。Beaucaire—’Heretheyoungmansprangtohisfeet，caughtuptheblackwig，clappedintoitadice—boxfromthetable，andhurleditviolentlythroughtheopendoor。\"’M。Beaucaire’shallbechoke’withhisowndice—box。WhoisthePhoenixtoremain？WhatadvantagehaveI
notoverothermenofrankwhoaremerelyborntoit？Imaychoosemyown。No！Chooseforme，monsieur。ShallIbechevalier，comte，vicomte，marquis，what？None。OutofcomplimenttomonsieurcanIwishtobeanythingheisnot？No，no！IshallbeM。leDuc，M。leDucde—deChateaurien。Ha，ha！Yousee？Youaremyconfrere。\"
M。Beaucairetrodadaintysteportwo，wavinghishandpolitelytotheDuke，asthoughininvitationtojointhecelebrationofhisrank。TheEnglishmanwatched，hiseyestillandharsh，alreadygatheringincraftiness。Beaucairestoppedsuddenly。\"ButhowI
forgetmyage！Iamtwenty—three，\"hesaid，withasigh。\"I
rejoicetoomuchtobeofthequality。Ithasbeentoogreatforme，andIhadalwaysbelief’myselffreeofsuchambition。I
thoughtitwasenoughtobehol’theoperawithoutwishingtosing；
butno，Englandhaveteach’meIhavethosevulgardesire’。
Monsieur，Iamgoin’tellyouasecret:theladiesofyourcountryareverydiff’runtthanours。Onemayadorethedemoiselle，onemustworshiptheladyofEngland。Ourladieshavethe—itisthebeautyofyouth；yoursremaincomelyatthirty。Oursareflowers，yoursarestars！See，Ibetraymyself，Iamsopoorapatriot。
Andthereisoneamongthesestars—ah，yes，thereisone—thepoorFrenchmanhasobserve’fromhishumbledistance；eventherehecouldbaskintheglowing！\"M。Beaucaireturnedtothewindow，andlookedoutintothedark。Hedidnotseethelightsofthetown。
Whenheturnedagain，hehadhalfforgottenhisprisoner；otherpictureswerebeforehim。
\"Ah，whatradiance！\"hecried。\"Thosepeopleupoverthesky，theywanttoshowtheywishtheearthtobehappy，sotheysmile，andmakethislady。Gold—haired，anangelofheaven，andyetaDianaofthechase！Iseeherflybymeonhergreathorseoneday；shetouch’hismanewithherfingers。Ibuythatclippingfromthegroom。Ihaveitherewithmydearbrother’spicture。Ah，you！
Oh，yes，youlaugh！Whatdoyouknow！’TwasallIcouldget。ButIhaveheardoftheendeavorofM。leDuctorecouphisfortunes。
Thisallianceshallfail。Itisnottheway—thatheritageshallbesafe’fromhim！Itisyouandme，monsieur！Youcanlaugh！
Thewarisopen’，andbyme！Thereisonegreatsteptaken:untilto—nighttherewasnothingforyoutoruin，to—morrowyouhavegotanobleofFrance—yourownprotege—tobesiegeandsack。Andyouaretolose，becauseyouthinksuchruineasy，andbecauseyouunderstandnothing—farless—ofdivinity。Howcouldyouknow？Youhavenotthefiber；theheartofaladyisablanktoyou；youknownothingofthevibration。TherearesomewordsthatweremadeonlytotellofLadyMary，forheralone—bellissima，divine，glorieuse！Ah，howIhavewatch’her！ItissadtomewhenIseehersurround’byyouryo’ngcaptains，yournobles，yourrattles，yourbeaux—ha，ha！—andImus’hol’faraloof。Itissadforme—butoh，jus’towatchherandtowonder！Strangeitis，butIhavealmos’cryoutwithraptureatalookIhavesee’
hergiveanotherman，sobeautifulitwas，sotender，sodazzlingoftheeyesandsomirthfulofthelips。Ah，divinecoquetry！A
lookforanother，ah—i—me！formanyothers；andeventoyou，oneday，arose，whileI—I，monsieur，couldnotevenbesoblessedastobethegroun’beneathherlittleshoe！Butto—night，monsieur—ha，ha！—to—night，monsieur，youandme，twoprinces，M。leDucdeWintersetandM。leDucdeChateaurien—ha，ha！yousee？—wearegoin’arm—in—armtothatball，andIamgoin’haveoneofthoselooks，I！Andarose！I！Itistime。Buttenminute’，nonsieur。
Imakemyapologytokeepyouwaitin’solongwhileIgointhenex’
roomandexecutemypoormustachio—thatwillbemyonlymurderforjus’thisoneevening—andinves’myselfinwhitesatin。Ha，ha！Ishallbeverygran’，monsieur。Francois，sendLouistome；
Victor，toordertwochairsformonsieurandme；wearegoin’
outintheworl’to—right！\"
ChapterTwoThechairmenswarmedinthestreetatLadyMalbourne’sdoor，wherethejoyousvulgarfoughtwithmuddiedfootmenandtipsylink—boysforplacesofvantagewhencetocatchaglimpseofqualityandofraimentatitsutmost。Dawnwasintheeast，andtheguestsweredeparting。Singlyorinpairs，glitteringinfinery，theycamemincingdownthesteps，theghostofthenight’ssmirkfadingtojadednessastheysoughtthedarkrecessesoftheirchairs。Fromwithinsoundedthetwangoffiddlesstillswingingmanfullyatit，andthewindowswerebrightwiththelightofmanycandles。WhenthedoorwasflungopentocallthechairofLadyMaryCarlisle，therewasaneagerpressureofthethrongtosee。
Asmall，fairgentlemaninwhitesatincameoutuponthesteps，turnedandbowedbeforealadywhoappearedinthedoorway，aladywhoseroyallovelinesswasgiventoviewforamomentinthatglowingframe。ThecrowdsentupaheartyEnglishcheerfortheBeautyofBath。
Thegentlemansmileduponthemdelightedly。\"Whatenchantingpeopie！\"hecried。\"WhydidInotknow，soImighthaveshout’withthem？\"Theladynoticedthepeoplenotatall；whereat，beingpleased，thepeoplecheeredagain。Thegentlemanofferedherhishand；shemadeaslowcourtesy；placedthetipsofherfingersuponhisown。\"Iamhonored，M。deChateaurien，\"shesaid。
\"No，no！\"hecriedearnestly。\"Behol’apoorFrenchmanwhomemperorsshouldenvy。\"Thenreverentlyandwiththeprideofhisgallantofficevibrantineverylineofhisslightfigure，investedinwhitesatinandverygrand，ashehadprophesied，M。leDucdeChateaurienhandedLadyMaryCarlisledownthesteps，anachievementwhichhadfiguredintheambitionsofsevenothergentlemenduringtheevening。
\"AmItobelef’insuchonhappiness？\"hesaidinalowvoice。\"ThatroseIhavebeg’forsolong—\"
\"Never！\"saidLadyMary。
\"Ah，Idonotdeserveit，Iknowsowell！But—\"
\"Never！\"
\"Itisthegreatnessofmyonworthinessthatalonecanclaimyourcharity；letyourkin’heartgivethislittleredrose，thisgreatalms，tothepoorbeggar。\"
\"Never！\"
Shewasseatedinthechair。\"Ah，givetherose，\"hewhispered。
Herbeautyshonedazzlinglyonhimoutofthedimness。
\"Never！\"sheflasheddefiantlyasshewasclosedin。\"Never！\"
\"Never！\"
Therosefellathisfeet。
\"Aroselaststillmorning，\"saidavoicebehindhim。
Turning，M。deChateaurienlookedbeaminglyuponthefaceoftheDukeofWinterset。
\"’Tisalreadythedaylight，\"hereplied，pointingtotheeast。
\"Monsieur，wasitnotenoughhonorforyoutohan’outmadame，theauntofLadyMary？LadyRellertonretainmuchtraceofbeauty。
’Tisstrangeyoudidnotappearmorehappy。\"
\"Theroseisofanunluckycolor，Ithink，\"observedtheDuke。
\"Thecolorofablush，mybrother。\"
\"Unlucky，Istillmaintain，\"saidtheothercalmly。
\"ThecoloroftheveinsofaFrenchman。Ha，ha！\"criedtheyoungman。\"Whatpricewouldbetoohigh？Aroseisarose！Agood—night，mybrother，agood—night。Iwishyoudreamsofroses，redroses，onlybeautifulred，redroses！\"
\"Stay！Didyouseethelookshegavethesestreetfolkwhentheyshoutedforher？Andhowareyouhigherthanthey，whensheknows？
Ashighasyonderhorse—boy！\"
\"Redroses，mybrother，onlyroses。Iwishyoudreamsofred，redroses！\"
ChapterThreeItwaswellagreedbythefashionofBaththatM。leDucdeChateaurienwasapersonofsensibilityandhautton；thathisretinueandequipagesurpassedinelegance；thathispersonwasexquisite，hismannerengaging。Inthecompanyofgentlemenhiseasewasslightlytingedwithgraciousness（hissingleequalinBathbeinghisGraceofWinterset）；butitwasremarkedthatwhenhebowedoveralady’shand，hisairbespokeonlyagayandtenderreverence。
Hewastheidolofthedowagerswithinaweekafterhisappearance；
matronswarmedtohim；youngbelleslookedsweetlyonhim，whilethegentlemenwerewontoadmirationorenvy。Hewasofprodigiouswealth:oldMr。Bicksit，whodarednot，forhisfame’ssake，failtohaveseenallthings，hadvisitedChateaurienunderthepresentDuke’sfather，anddescantedtothecuriousuponitsgrandeurs。Theyoungnoblehadonefault，hewassopooragambler。Hecarednothingforthehazardsofadieortheturnofacard。Gaylyadmittingthathehadbeenbornwithnospiritofadventureinhim，hewassure，hedeclared，thathefailedofmuchhappinessbyhislackoftasteinsuchmatters。
Buthewasnotlongwantingtheoccasiontoprovehistasteinthematterofhandlingaweapon。Acertainled—captain，Rohrerbyname，notorious，amongstotherthings，forbearingadexterousandbloodthirstyblade，cametoBathpost—haste，onenight，andjostledheartilyagainsthim，inthepump—roomonthefollowingmorning。M。
deChauteaurienbowed，andturnedasidewithoutoffense，continuingaconversationwithsomegentlemennearby。CaptainRohrerjostledagainsthimasecondtime。M。deChateaurienlookedhimintheeye，andapologizedpleasantlyforbeingsomuchintheway。ThereuponRohrerprocuredanintroductiontohim，andmadesomeobservationsderogatorytothevalorandvirtueoftheFrench。TherewascurrentacuriouspieceofgossipoftheFrenchcourt:aprinceofthebloodroyal，grandsonofthelateRegentandsecondinthelineofsuccessiontothethroneofFrance，hadrebelledagainsttheauthorityofLouisXV，whohadcommandedhimtomarrythePrincessHenriette，cousintobothofthem。Theprincesswasreportedtobeopenlydevotedtothecousinwhorefusedtoacceptherhandatthebiddingoftheking；and，asrumorran，theprince’scapriceelectedinpreferencethedisciplineofVincennes，towhichretirementthefuriouskinghadconsignedhim。ThestorywasthestaplegossipofallpoliteEurope；andCaptainRohrer，havinginhismindapurposetomakeuseofitinleadinguptoastatementthatshouldbegeneraltothedamageofallFrenchwomen，andwhichaFrenchmanmightnotpassoverashemightajogoftheelbow，repeateditwithgarbledtruthstomakeascandalofastorywhichborenoneonaplainrelation。
Hedidnotreachhisdeduction。M。deChateaurien，breakingintohisnarrative，addressedhimveryquietly。\"Monsieur，\"hesaid，\"nonebutswinedenythenoblenessofthatgoodandgentlelady，MademoisellelaPrincessedeBourbon—Conti。EveryFrenchmanknow’
thathercousinisabadrebelandingrate，whohadonlyhonorandrispec’forher，butwassowilfulhecouldnotleteventhekingsay，’Youshallmarryhere，youshallmarrythere。’Myfrien’s，\"
theyoungmanturnedtotheothers，\"mayIaskyoutocloseroun’
inacircleforonemoment？ItisclearlyshownthattheDukeofOrleansisascurvyfellow，butnot—\"hewheeledaboutandtouchedCaptainRohreronthebrowwiththebackofhisglovedhand—\"butnotsoscurvyasthou，thouswineofthegutter！\"
Twohourslater，withperfectease，heranCaptainRohrerthroughtheleftshoulder—afterwhichhesentabasketofredrosestotheDukeofWinterset。Inafewdayshehadanothercaptaintofight。ThiswasarufflingbuckwhohadtheastoundingindiscretiontoproclaimM。deChateaurienanimpostor。TherewasnoChateaurien，heswore。TheFrenchmanlaughedinhisface，and，attwilightofthesameday，pinkedhimcarefullythroughtherightshoulder。Itwasnotthathecouldnotputasidetheinsulttohimself，hedeclaredtoMr。Molyneux，hissecond，andthefewwitnesses，ashehandedhiswetswordtohislackey—oneofhisstationcouldnotbeinsultedbyadoubtofthatstation—buthefoughtinthequarrelofhisfriendWinterset。ThisrascalhadassertedthatM。
leDuchadintroducedanimpostor。Couldheoverlooktheinsulttoafriend，onetowhomheowedhiskindreceptioninBath？Then，bendingoverhisfallenadversary，hewhispered:\"Naughtyman，tellyourmasterfindsomebetterquarrelforthenex’hesen’
agains’me。\"
TheconductofM。deChateaurienwaspronouncedadmirable。
TherewasnosurprisewhentheyoungforeignerfellnaturallyintothelongtrainoffollowersofthebeautifulLadyMaryCarlisle，norwastheregreatastonishmentthatheshouldobtainmarkedfavorinhereyes，shownsoplainlythatmyLordTownbrake，SirHughGuilford，andtherichSquireBantison，allofwhomhadfollowedherthroughthreeseasons，sworewithrage，andhisGraceofWintersetstalkedfromheraunt’shousewithblackbrows。
MeetingtheDukethereontheeveningafterhissecondencounterdeChateauriensmileduponhimbrilliantly。\"Itwasbadlydone；oh，sobadly！\"hewhispered。\"Canyouaffordtohavemestrip’ofmymaskbyanybutyourself？You，whointroduce’me？TheywillsaythereissomebadscandalthatIcouldforceyoutobemygod—father。
Youmus’getthecourageyourself。\"
\"Itoldyouarosehadashortlife，\"wastheanswer。
\"Oh，thoseroses！’Tistheverygreates’rizzontogathereachdayafreshone。\"Hetookaredbudfromhisbreastforaninstant，andtouchedittohislips。
\"M。deChateaurien！\"ItwasLadyMary’svoice；shestoodatatablewhereavacantplacehadbeenleftbesideher。\"M。deChateaurien，wehavebeenwaitingverylongforyou。\"
TheDukesawthelookshedidnotknowshegavetheFrenchman，andhelostcountenanceforamoment。
\"Weapproachaclimax，eh，monsieur？\"saidM。deChateaurien。
ChapterFourTherefellaclearSeptembernight，whenthemoonwasradiantovertownandcountry，overcobbledstreetsandwindingroads。Fromthefieldsthemistsroseslowly，andtheairwasmildandfragrant，whiledistanceswerewhiteandfullofmystery。AllofBaththatpretendedtofashionorconditionwaspresentthateveningatafeteatthehouseofacountrygentlemanoftheneighborhood。Whenthestatelyjunketwasconcluded，itwasthepleasureofM。deChateaurientoformoneoftheescortofLadyMary’scarriageforthereturn。Astheytooktheroad，SirHughGuilfordandMr。
Bantison，engaginginindistinctbutvigorousremonstrancewithMr。Molyneuxoversomematter，fellfiftyormorepacesbehind，wheretheycontinuedtoride，keepinguptheirargument。Halfadozenothergallantsrodeinadvance，mutteringamongthemselves，orattendedlaxlyuponLadyMary’sauntontheothersideofthecoach，whilethehappyFrenchmanwaspermittedtorideclosetothatadorablewindowwhichframedthefairestfaceinEngland。
HesangforheralittleFrenchsong，asongofthevoyageurwhodreamedofhome。Thelady，listening，lookingupatthebrightmoon，feltawarmdropuponhercheek，andhesawthetearssparklinguponherlashes。
\"Mademoiselle，\"hewhisperedthen，\"I，too，havebeenawanderer，butmydreamswerenotofFrance；no，Idonotdreamofthathome，ofthatdearcountry。Itisofadearercountry，adreamcountry—acountryofgoldandsnow，\"hecriedsoftly，lookingitherwhitebrowandthefair，lightlypowderedhairaboveit。\"Goldandsnow，andtheblueskyofalady’seyes！\"
\"IhadthoughttheladiesofFranceweredark，sir。
\"Cruel！Itisthatshewillnotunderstan’！HaveIspeakoftheladiesofFrance？No，no，no！Itisofthefaires’country；yes，’tisaprovinceofheaven，mademoiselle。DoInotrenouncemyallegiancetoFrance？Oh，yes！Iamsubjec’—no，contenttobeslave—inthelan’ofthebluesky，thegold，andthesnow。
\"Averyprettyfigure，\"answeredLadyMary，hereyesdowncast。\"Butdoesitnothintanotableexperienceinthemakingofsuchspeeches？\"
\"Tormentress！No。Itproveonlytheinspirationitistoknowyou。\"
\"WeEnglishladieshearplentyofthelikesir；andweevengrowbrilliantenoughtodetecttheassurancethatliesbeneaththecourtesiesofourowngallants。\"
\"Merci！Ishouldbelieveso！\"ejaculatedM。deChateaurien:buthesmotheredthewordsuponhislips。
Hereyeswerenotlifted。Shewenton:\"Wecome，intime，tobelievethattruefeelingcomesfalteringforth，notglibly；thatsmoothnessbetokenstheadeptintheart，sir，ratherthanyourtrue—yourtrue—\"Shewasherselffaltering；more，blushingdeeply，andhaltingtoafullstopinterrorofaword。Therewasasilence。
\"Your—true—lover，\"hesaidhuskily。Whenhehadsaidthatwordbothtrembled。Sheturnedhalfawayintothedarknessofthecoach。
\"Iknowwhatmake’youtodoubtme，\"hesaid，falteringhimself，thoughitwasnothisartthatpromptedhim。\"Theyhavetol’youtheFrenchdonothingal—waysbutmakelove，isitnotso？Yes，youthinkIamlikethat。YouthinkIamlikethatnow！\"
Shemadenosign。
\"Isuppose，\"hesighed，\"Iamunriz’nable；Iwouldhavethesnownotsocol’—forjus’me。\"
Shedidnotanswer。
\"Turntome，\"hesaid。
Thefragranceofthefieldscametothem，andfromthedistancethefaint，clearnoteofahunting—horn。
\"Turntome。
Thelovelyheadwasbentverylow。Herlittleglovedhandlayuponthenarrowwindowledge。Helaidhisowngentlyuponit。Thetwohandswereshakingliketwinleavesinthebreeze。Herswasnotdrawnaway。Afterapause，neitherknewhowlong，hefeltthewarmfingersturnandclaspthemselvestremulouslyabouthisown。Atlastshelookedupbravelyandmethiseyes。Thehornwaswoundagain—nearer。
\"Allthecoldwasgonefromthesnows—longago，\"shesaid。
\"Mybeautiful！\"hewhispered；itwasallhecouldsay。\"Mybeautiful！\"Butsheclutchedhisarm，startled。
\"’Waretheroad！\"Awildhalloosoundedahead。Thehornwoundloudly。\"’Waretheroad！\"Theresprangupoutofthenightaflyingthunderofhoof—beats。Thegentlemenridingidlyinfrontofthecoachscatteredtothehedge—sides；and，withdrawnswordsflashinginthemoon，apartyofhorsemenchargeddownthehighway，theircriesblastingthenight。
\"Barber！Killthebarber！\"theyscreamed。\"Barber！Killthebarber！\"
Beaucairehadbuttimetodrawhisswordwhentheywereuponhim。
\"Amoi！\"hisvoicerangoutclearlyasheroseinhisstirrups。\"A
moi，Francois，Louis，Berquin！Amoi，Francois！\"
Thecavalierscamestraightathim。Heparriedthethrustofthefirst，buttheshockofcollisionhurledhishorseagainstthesideofthecoach。\"Sacredswine！\"hecriedbitterly。\"Toendangeralady，tomakethisbrawlinalady’spresence！Driveon！\"heshouted。
\"No！\"criedLadyMary。
TheFrenchman’sassailantsweremasked，buttheywerenothighwaymen。
\"Barber！Barber！\"theyshoutedhoarsely，andclosedinonhiminacircle。
\"Seehowheusehissteel！\"laughedM。Beaucaire，ashispointpassedthroughatawdrywaistcoat。Foramomenthecutthroughtheringandclearedaspaceabouthim，andLadyMarysawhisfaceshininginthemoonlight。\"Canaille！\"hehissed，ashishorsesankbeneathhim；
and，thoughguardinghisheadfromtherainofblowsfromabove，hemanagedtodragheadlongfromhissaddlethemanwhohadhamstrungthepoorbrute。Thefellowcamesuddenlytotheground，andlaythere。
\"Isitnotacompliment，\"saidaheavyvoice，\"tobringsixlargementosubduemonsieur？\"
\"Oh，youarethere，myfrien’！Intherear—alittleintherear，Ithink。Ha，ha！\"
TheFrenchman’splaywithhisweaponwasarevelationofskill，themoreextraordinaryasheheldinhishandonlyalightdresssword。
Buttheringclosedabouthim，andhiskeendefensecouldnotavailhimformorethanafewmoments。LadyMary’soutriders，thegallantsofherescort，rodeupclosetothecoachandencircledit，notinterfering。
\"SirHughGuilford！\"criedLadyMarywildly，\"ifyouwillnothelphim，givemeyoursword！\"Shewouldhaveleapedtotheground，butSirHughheldthedoor。
\"Sitquiet，madam，\"hesaidtoher；then，tothemanonthebox，\"Driveon。\"
\"Ifhedoes，I’llkillhim！\"shesaidfiercely。\"Ah，whatcowards！
WillyouseetheDukemurdered？\"
\"TheDuke！\"laughedGuilford。\"Theywillnotkillhim，unless—beeasy，dearmadam，’twillbeexplained。Gad’slife！\"hemutteredtoMolyneux，\"’Tweretimethevarlethadhislashing！D’yehearher？\"
\"Barberornobarber，\"answeredMolyneux，\"IwishIhadwarnedhim。
Hefightsasfewgentlemencould。Ah—ah！Lookatthat！’Tisashame！\"
Onfoot，hishatgone，hiswhitecoatsadlyrentandgashed，flecked，too，withred，M。Beaucgjre，wary，alert，brilliant，seemedtotransformhimselfintoadozenfencing—masters；and，thoughhisskillappearedtolieindelicacyandquickness，hisplaybeingcontinuallywiththepoint，sheerstrengthfailedtobeathimdown。Theyoungmanwaslaughinglikeachild。
\"Believeme，\"saidMolyneux\"he’snobarber！No，andneverwas！\"
ForamomenttherewasevenachancethatM。Beaucairemighthavethebestofit。Twoofhisadversarieswereprostrate，morethanoneweregroaning，andtheindomitableFrenchmanhadactuallyalmostbeatofftheruffians，when，byatrick，hewasovercome。Oneofthem，dismounting，raninsuddenlyfrombehind，andseizedhisbladeinathickleathergauntlet。BeforeBeaucairecoulddisengagetheweapon，twoothersthrewthemselvesfromtheirhorsesandhurledhimtotheearth。\"Amoi！Amoi，Francois！\"hecriedashewentdown，hisswordinfragments，buthisvoiceunbrokenandclear。
\"Shame！\"mutteredoneortwoofthegentlemenaboutthecoach。
\"’Twasdastardlytotakehimso，saidMolyneux。\"Whateverhisdeservings，I’mnighofamindtoofferbimarescueintheDuke’sface。\"
\"Trusshimup，lads，\"saidtheheavyvoice。Clearthewayinfrontofthecoach。Theresitthosewhomweavengeuponapresumptuouslackey。Now，Whiffen，youhaveafairaudience，layonandbastehim。\"
TwomenbegantodragM。Beaucairetowardagreatoakbytheroadside。
Anothertookfromhissaddleaheavywhipwiththreethongs。
\"Amoi，Francois！\"
Therewasborneonthebreezeananswer—\"Monseigneur！
Monseigneur！\"Thecrygrewloudersuddenly。Theclatterofhoofsurgedtoananguishofspeedsoundedonthenight。M。Beaucaire’sservantshadlaggedsorelybehind，buttheymadeupforitnow。
Almostbeforethenoiseoftheirownsteedstheycameridingdownthemoonlitaislebetweenthemists。Chosenmen，theseservantsofBeaucaire，andlikeathunderbolttheyfellupontheastoundedcavaliers。
\"Chateaurien！Chateaurien！\"theyshouted，andsmotesoswiftlythat，throughlackoftime，theyshowednoproperjudgment，discriminatingnothingbetweennon—combatantsandtheirmaster’sfoes。TheychargedfirstintothegroupaboutM。Beaucaire，andbrokeandrouteditutterly。Twoofthemleapedtotheyoungman’sside，whiletheotherfour，swerving，scarcelosingthemomentumoftheironset，boreonuponthegentlemennearthecoach，whowentdownbeneaththefiercenessoftheonslaught，cursingmanfully。
\"Ourjustdeserts，\"saidMr。Moly—neux，hismouthfullofdustandphilosophy。
SirHughGuilford’shorsefellwithhim，beingliterallyriddenover，andthebaronet’slegwaspinnedunderthesaddle。InlessthantenminutesfromthefirstattackonM。Beaucaire，theattackingpartyhadfledindisorder，andthepatriciannon—combatants，chokingwithexpletives，consumedwithwrath，wereprisoners，disarmedbytheFrenchman’slackeys。
Guilford’sdiscomfiturehadfreedthedoorsofthecoach；soitwasthatwhenM。Beaucaire，strugglingtorise，assistedbyhisservants，threwoutonehandtobalancehimself，hefounditseizedbetweentwosmall，coldpalms，andhelookedintotwowarm，dilatingeyes，thatweredoublybeautifulbecauseofthefrightandragethatfoundroominthem，too。