M。leDucChateauriensprangtohisfeetwithouttheaidofhislackeys，andbowedlowbeforeLadyMary。
\"Imaketenthousan’apologytobe’thecauseofasuchmeleeinyourpresence，\"hesaid；andthen，turningtoFrancois，hespokeinFrench:\"Ah，thouscoundrel！Alittle，andithadbeentoolate。\"
Francoiskneltinthedustbeforehim。\"Pardon！\"hesaid。
\"Monseigneurcommandedustofollowfarintherear，toremainunobserved。Thewindmalignantlyblewagainstmonseigneur’svoice。\"
\"Seewhatitmighthavecost，mychildren，\"saidhismaster，pointingtotheropeswithwhichtheywouldhaveboundhimandtothewhiplyingbesidethem。Ashudderpassedoverthelackey’sframe；theutterhorrorinhisfaceechoedintheeyesofhisfellows。
\"Oh，monseigneur！\"Francoissprangback，andtossedhisarmstoheaven。
\"Butitdidnothappen，\"saidM。Beaucaire。
\"Itcouldnot！\"exclaimedFrancois。
\"No。Andyoudidverywell，mychildren—\"theyoungmansmiledbenevolently—\"verywell。Andnow，\"hecontinued，turningtoLadyMaryandspeakinginEnglish，\"letmebeaskingofourgallantsyonderwhatmake’themtobeincabalwithhighwaymen。Oneshouldcometoapoliteunderstandingwiththem，youthink？Notso？\"
Hebowed，offeringhishandtoconducthertothecoach，whereMolyneuxandhiscompanions，havingdrawnSirHughfromunderhishorse，wereengagedinrevivingandreassuringLadyRellerton，whohadfainted。ButLadyMarystayedBeaucairewithagesture，andthetwostoodwheretheywere。
\"Monseigneur！\"shesaid，withanoteofrailleryinhervoice，butraillerysotenderthathestartedwithhappiness。Hismovementbroughthimahotspasmofpain，andheclappedhishandtoaredstainonhiswaistcoat。
\"Youarehurt！\"
\"Itisnothing，\"smiledM。Beaucaire。Then，thatshemightnotseethestainspreading，heheldhishandkerchiefoverthespot。\"Iamalittle—butjus’atrifling—bruise’；’tisall。\"
\"Youshallrideinthecoach，\"shewhispered。\"Willyoubepleased，M。deChateaurien？\"
\"Ah，mybeautiful！\"Sheseemedtowavebeforehimlikeashiningmist。\"Iwishthatridemightlas’foral—ways！Canyousaythat，mademoiselle？\"
\"Monseigneur，\"shecriedinapassionofadmiration，\"Iwouldwhatyouwouldhavebe，shouldbe。Whatdoyounotdeserve？Youarethebravestmanintheworld！\"
\"Ha，ha！Iamjus’apoorFrenchman。\"
\"WouldthatafewEnglishmenhadshownthemselvesas’poor’tonight。
Thevilecowards，nottohelpyou！\"Withthat，suddenlypossessedbyheranger，shesweptawayfromhimtothecoach。
SirHugh，groaningloudly，wasbeingassistedintothevehicle。
\"Mylittlepoltroons，\"shesaid，\"whatareyoudoingwithyourfellow—craven，SirHughGuilford，there？\"
\"Madam，\"repliedMolyneuxhumbly，\"SirHugh’slegisbroken。LadyRellertongraciouslypermitshimtobetakenin。\"
\"Idonotpermitit！M。deChateaurienrideswithus。\"
\"But—\"
\"Sir！Leavethewretchtogroanbytheroadside，\"shecriedfiercely，\"whichplightIwouldwerethatofallofyou！Buttherewillbeaprettystoryforthegossipsto—morrow！AndIcouldalmostfindpityforyouwhenIthinkofthewitswhenyoureturntotown。Finegentlemenyou；hardybravos，byheaven！toleaveonemantomeetatroopofhorsesingle—handed，whileyouhuddleinshelteruntilyouareoverthrownanddisarmedbyservants！Oh，thewits！Heavensaveyoufromthewits！\"
\"madam。\"
\"Addressmenomore！M。deChateaurien，LadyRellertonandIwillgreatlyesteemthehonorofyourcompany。Willyoucome？\"
Shesteppedquicklyintothecoach，andwasgatheringherskirtstomakeroomfortheFrenchman，whenaheavyvoicespokefromtheshadowsofthetreebythewayside。
\"LadyMaryCarlislewill，nodoubt，listentoawordofcounselonthispoint。\"
TheDukeofWintersetrodeoutintothemoonlight，composedlyuntieingamaskfromabouthishead。Hehadnotsharedtheflightofhisfollowers，buthadretiredintotheshadeoftheoak，whencehenowmadehispresenceknownwiththeutmostcoolness。
\"Graciousheavens，’tisWinterset！\"exclaimedLadyRellerton。
\"Turnedhighwaymanandcut—throat，\"criedLadyMary。
\"No，no，\"laughedM。Beaucaire，somewhatunsteadily，ashestood，swayingalittle，withonehandonthecoach—door，theotherpressedhardonhisside，\"heonlyoversee’；heisjus’alittlebashful，sometime’。Heisagreatman，buthedon’wantalltheglory！\"
\"Barber，\"repliedtheDuke，\"ImusttellyouthatIgladlydescendtobandywordswithyou；yourmonstrousimpudenceisaclaimtorankIcannotignore。Butalackeywhohashimselffollowedbysixotherlackeys—\"
\"Ha，ha！HasnotM。leDucbeenbusyallthiseveningtojustifyme？AndIthinkminemus’bethebes’six。Ha，ha！Youthink？\"
\"M。deChateaurien，\"saidLadyMary，\"wearewaitingforyou。\"
\"Pardon，\"hereplied。\"Hehassomethingtosay；maybeitisbes’
ifyouhearitnow。\"
\"Iwishtohearnothingfromhim—ever！\"
\"Myfaith，madam，\"criedtheDuke，\"thissaucyfellowhaspaidyouthelastinsult！Heissosureofyouhedoesnotfearyouwillbelievethetruth。Whenallistold，ifyoudonotagreehedeservedthelashingweplannedto—\"
\"I’llhearnomore！\"
\"Youwillbitterlyrepentit，madam。ForyourownsakeIentreat—\"
\"AndIalso，\"brokeinM。Beaucaire。\"Permitme，mademoiselle；lethimspeak。\"
\"Thenlethimbebrief，\"saidLadyMary，\"forIamearnesttobequitofhim。Hisexplanationoranattackonmyfriendandonmycarriageshouldbemadetomybrother。\"
\"Alasthathewasnothere，\"saidtheDuke，\"toaidme！Madam，wasyourcarriagethreatened？IhaveendeavoredonlytoexpungeadebtIowedtoBathandtoavengeaninsultofferedtoyourselfthrough—\"
\"Sir，sir，mypatiencewillbearlittlemore！\"
\"Athousan’apology，\"saidM。Beaucaire。\"Youwilllisten，Ionlybeg，LadyMary？\"
Shemadeanangrygestureofassent。
\"Madam，IwillbebriefasImay。TwomonthsagotherecametoBathaFrenchgamblercallinghimselfBeaucaire，adesperatefellowwiththecardsordice，andallthemenoffashionwenttoplayathislodging，wherehewonconsiderablesums。Hewassmall，woreablackwigandmustachio。HehadtheinsolencetoshowhimselfeverywhereuntiltheMasterofCeremoniesrebuffedhiminthepump—room，asyouknow，andafterthatheforborehisvisitstotherooms。Mr。Nashexplained（andwasconfirmed，madam，byindubitableinformation）
thatthisBeaucairewasamanofunspeakable，vile，lowbirth，being，infact，nootherthanalackeyoftheFrenchking’sambassador，Victorbyname，deMirepoix’sbarber。Althoughhisconditionwasknown，thehideousimpudenceofthefellowdidnotdeserthim，andheremainedinBath，wherenonewouldspeaktohim。\"
\"Isyourfarragonighdone，sir？\"
\"Afewmoments，madam。Oneevening，threeweeksgone，Iobservedaveryelegantequipagedrawuptomydoor，andtheDukeofChateaurienwasannounced。Theyoungman’smannerswereworthy—
accordingtotheFrenchacceptance—and’twereidletodenyhimthemostmonstrousassurance。Hedeclaredhimselfanobletravelingforpleasure。HehadtakenlodgingsinBathforaseason，hesaid，andcalledatoncetopayhisrespectstome。
Histonewassocandid—intruth，Iamthesimplestofmen，veryeasilygulled—andhisstrokesobold，thatIdidnotforonemomentsuspecthim；and，tomypoignantregret—thoughinthehumblestspiritIhaveshownmyselfeagertoatone—thatveryeveningIhadtheshameofpresentinghimtoyourself。\"
\"Theshame，sir！\"
\"Havepatience，pray，madam。Ay，theshame！YouknowwhatfigurehehathcutinBathsincethatevening。AllranmerrilywithhimuntilseveraldaysagoCaptainBadgerdenouncedhimasanimpostor，vowingthatChateaurienwasnothing。\"
\"Pardon，\"interruptedM。Beaucaire。\"’CastleNowhere’wouldhavebeensomuchbetter。Whydidyounotmakehimsayitthatway，monsieur？\"
LadyMarystarted；shewaslookingattheDuke，andherfacewaswhite。Hecontinued:\"PoorCaptamBadgerwasstabbedthatsameday。—\"
\"MostbefittingpoorCaptainBadger，\"mutteredMolyneux。
\"——Andhisadversaryhadthemarvelousinsolencetodeclarethathefoughtinmyquarrel！Thisafternoonthewoundedmansentforme，andimpartedaveryhorrifyingintelligence。HehaddiscoveredalackeywhomhehadseenwaitinguponBeaucaireinattendanceatthedoorofthisChateaurien’slodging。BeaucairehaddisappearedthedaybeforeChateaurien’sarrival。CaptainBadgerlookedcloselyatChateaurienattheirnextmeeting，andidentifiedhimwiththemissingBeaucairebeyondthefaintestdoubt。Overcomewithindignation，heimmediatelyproclaimedtheimpostor。Outofregardforme，hedidnotchargehimwithbeingBeaucaire；thepoorsoulwasunwillingtoputuponmethehumiliationofhavingintroducedabarber；butthesecretweigheduponhimtillhesentformeandputeverythinginmyhands。Iacceptedtheodium；thinkingonlyofatonement。IwenttoSirJohnWimpledon’sfite。ItookpoorSirHugh，there，andtheseothergentlemenaside，andtoldthemmynews。
Wenarrowlyobservedthisman，andwereshockedatoursimplicityinnothavingdiscoveredhimbefore。Thesearemenofhonorandcooljudgment，madam。Mr。MolyneuxhadactedforhimintheaffairofCaptainBadger，andwasstronglyprejudicedinhisfavor；butMr。Molyneux，SirHugh，Mr。Bantison，everyoneofthem，inshort，recognizedhim。Inspiteofhissmoothfaceandhislighthair，theadventurerBeaucairewaswrituponhimamazingplain。Lookathim，madam，ifhewilldaretheinspection。YousawthisBeaucairewell，thedayofhisexpulsionfromtherooms。Isnotthishe？\"
M。Beaucairesteppedclosetoher。Herpalefacetwitched。
\"Look！\"hesaid。
\"Oh，oh！\"shewhisperedwithadrythroat，andfellbackinthecarriage。
\"Isitso？\"criedtheDuke。
\"Idonotknow。—I—cannottell。\"
\"Onemomentmore。IbeggedthesegentlementoallowmetowipeouttheinsultIhadunhappilyofferedtoBath，butparticularlytoyou。Theyagreednottoforestallmeortointerfere。IleftSirJohnWimpledon’searly，andarrangedtogivethesorryrascalalashingunderyourowneyes，asatisfactionduetheladyintowhosepresencehehaddaredtoforcehimself。\"
\"’Noblesseoblige’？\"saidM。Beaucaireinatoneofgentleinquiry。
\"Andnow，madam，\"saidtheDuke，\"Iwilldetainyounotonesecondlonger。Ipleadthegoodpurposeofmyintentions，beggingyoutobelievethatthedesiretoavengeahatefuloutrage，nexttothewishtoserveyou，formsthedearestmotiveintheheartofWinterset。\"
\"Bravo！\"criedBeaucairesoftly。
LadyMaryleanedtowardhim，athrivingterrorinhereyes。\"Itisfalse？\"shefaltered。
\"Monsieurshouldnothavebeenbornsohigh。Hecouldhavemadelittlebook’。\"
\"Youmeanitisfalse？\"shecriedbreathlessly。
\"’Od’sblood，isshenotconvinced？\"brokeoutMr。Bantison。
\"Fellow，wereyounottheambassador’sbarber？\"
\"Itisallfalse？\"shewhispered。
\"Themos’fineart，mademoiselle。HowlongyouthinkittakeM。deWintersettolearnthatspeechafterhewriteitout？Itisamixofwhatistrueandthemos’chasteart。Monsieurhasbecomeamanofletters。Perhapshemayenjoythatmorethanthewars。Ha，ha！\"
Mr。Bantisonburstintoaroaroflaughter。\"DoFrenchgentlemenfightlackeys？Ho，ho，ho！Aprettycountry！WeEnglishdoaswasdoneto—night，haveourservantsbeatthem。\"
\"Andattendourselves，\"addedM。Beaucaire，lookingattheDuke，\"somewhatinthebackground？But，pardon，\"hemocked，\"thatremind’
me。Francois，returntoMr。Bantisonandthesegentlementheirweapons。\"
\"Willyouansweraquestion？\"saidMolyneuxmildly。
\"Oh，withpleasure，monsieur。\"
\"Wereyoueverabarber？\"
\"No，monsieur，\"laughedtheyoungman。
\"Pah！\"exclaimedBantison。\"Letmequestionhim。Now，fellow，aconfessionmaysaveyoufromjail。DoyoudenyyouareBeaucaire？\"
\"Denytoasuchjudge？\"
\"Ha！\"saidBantison。\"Whatmoredoyouwant，Molyneux？Fellow，doyoudenythatyoucametoLondonintheambassador’ssuite？\"
\"No，Idonotdeny。\"
\"Headmitsit！Didn’tyoucomeashisbarber？\"
\"Yes，myfrien’，ashisbarber。\"LadyMarycriedoutfaintly，and，shuddering，putbothhandsoverhereyes。
\"I’msorry，\"saidMolyneux。\"Youfightlikeagentleman。\"
\"Ithankyou，monsieur。\"
\"YoucalledyourselfBeaucaire？\"
\"Yes，monsieur。\"Hewasswayingtoandfro；hisservantsrantosupporthim。
\"Iwish—\"continuedMolyncux，hesitating。\"Eviltakeme！—butI’msorryyou’rehurt。\"
\"AssistSirHughintomycarriage，\"saidLadyMary。
\"Farewell，mademoiselle！\"M。Beaucaire’svoicewasveryfaint。Hiseyeswerefixeduponherface。Shedidnotlooktowardhim。
TheywereproppingSirHughonthecushions。TheDukerodeupclosetoBeaucaire，butFrancoisseizedhisbridlefiercely，andforcedthehorsebackonitshaunches。
\"Theman’sservantsworshiphim，\"saidMolyneux。
\"Curseyourinsolence！\"exclaimedtheDuke。\"HowmuchamItobearfromthisvarletandhisvarlets？Beaucaire，ifyouhavenotleftBathbyto—morrownoon，youwillbeclappedintojail，andthelashingyouescapedto—nightshallbegivenyouthricetenfold！\"
\"Ishallbe—inthe—Assemily—Room’atnine—o’clock，oneweek—from—to—night，\"answeredtheyoungman，smilingjauntily，thoughhislipswerecolorless。Thewordscosthimnearlyallhisbreathandstrength。\"Youmus’keep—inthe—backgroun’，monsieur。Ha，ha！\"Thedoorofthecoachclosedwithaslam。
\"Mademoiselle—fare—well！\"
\"Driveon！\"saidLadyMary。
M。Beaucairefollowedthecariiagewithhiseyes。Asthenoiseofthewheelsandthehoof—beatsoftheaccompanyingcavalcadegrewfainterinthedistance，thehandkerchiefhehadheldagainsthissidedroppedintothewhitedust，aheavyredsplotch。
\"Only—roses，\"hegasped，andfellbackinthearmsofhisservants。
ChapterFiveBeauNashstoodatthedooroftherooms，smilingblandlyuponadaintythronginthepinkofitsfineryandgayfurbelows。Thegreatexquisitebenthisbodyconstantlyinaseriesofconsummatelyadjustedbows:beforeagreatdowager，seemingtosweepthefloorinaugustdeference；somewhatstatelytotheyoungbucks；greetingthewitswithgracousfriendlinessandatwinkleofraillery；
incliningwithfatherlygallantrybeforethebeauties；thedegreeofhisinclinationmeasuredthealtitudeoftherecipientasaccuratelyasanicelycalculatedsand—glassmeasuresthehours。
TheKingofBathwashappy，forwit，beauty，fashion—tospeakmoreconcretely:nobles，belles，gamesters，beaux，statesmen，andpoets—madefairyland（oroperabouffe，atleast）inhisdominions；playranhigherandhigher，andMr。Nash’scoffersfilledupwithgold。
Tocrownhispleasure，aprinceoftheFrenchblood，theyoungComtedeBeaujolais，justarrivedfromParis，hadreachedBathatnooninstate，accompaniedbytheMarquisdeMirepoix，theambassadorofLouisXV。TheBeaudearlyprizedthesocietyofthelofty，andthepresentvisitwasanhonortoBath:hencetotheMasterofCeremonies。
Whatwasbetter，therewouldbesomeprofitablehourswiththecardsanddice。SoitwasthatMr。Nashsmilednevermorebenignlythanonthatbrightevening。Theroomsrangwiththesilveryvoicesofwomenanddelightfullaughter，whilethefiddleswentmerrily，theirmelodieschimingsweetlywiththejoyanceofhismood。
Theskillandbrazeneffronteryoftheambassador’sscoundrellyservantinpassinghimselfoffforamanofconditionformedthepointofdepartureforeveryconversation。Itwasdiscoveredthattherewerebutthreepersonspresentwhohadnotsuspectedhimfromthefirst；and，byasingularparadox，themostastuteofallprovedtobeoldMr。Bicksit，thetraveler，onceavisitoratChateaurien；
forhe，accordingtoreport，hadbyacoupofdiplomacyentrappedtheimpostorintoanadmissionthattherewasnosuchplace。However，likepoorCaptainBadger，theworthyoldmanhadheldhispeaceoutofregardfortheDukeofWinterset。Thisnobleman，heretoforesecretlydisliked，suspectedofirregulardevicesatplay，andneveradmired，hadwonadmirationandpopularitybyhisremorseforthemistake，andbythemodestyofhisattitudeinendeavoringtoatoneforit，withoutpresumingupontheprivilegeofhisranktolaughattheindignationofsociety；anactionthemorepraiseworthybecausehisexposureoftheimpostorentailedthedisclosureofhisownculpabilityinhavingstoodthevillain’ssponsor。To—night，thehappygentleman，withLadyMaryCarlisleuponhisarm，wentgrandlyabouttherooms，sowingandreapingaharvestofsmiles。’TwassaidworkwouldbebegunatoncetorebuildtheDuke’scountryseat，whileseveralruinedJewsmightbepaidoutofprison。Peoplegazingonthebeautyandthestatelybutmodestherobyherside，saidtheywouldmakeanoblepair。Shehadlongbeendistinguishedbyhisattentions，andhehadcomebrilliantlyoutoftheepisodeoftheFrenchman，whohadbeenhisonlyrealrival。Wherevertheywent，therearoseabuzzofpleasinggossipandadulation。Mr。Nash，seeingthemnearhim，cameforwardwithgreetings。Awordonthesidepassedbetweenthenoblemanandtheexquisite。
\"Ihadnewsoftherascaltonight，\"whisperedNash。\"Helayatafarmtillyesterday，whenhedisappeared；hisruffians，too。\"
\"Youhavearranged？\"askedtheDuke。
\"Fourteenbailiffsarewatchingwithout。Hecouldnotcomewithingunshot。Iftheyclapeyesonhim，theywillhustlehimtojail，andhiscutthroatsshallnotavailhimahair’sweight。Theimpertinentsworehe’dbeherebynine，didhe？\"
\"Hesaidso；and’tisarashdog，sir。\"
\"Itisjustninenow。\"\"
\"Sendouttoseeiftheyhavetakenhim。\"
\"Gladly。\"
TheBeaubeckonedanattendant，andwhisperedinhisear。
Manyofthecrowdhadedgeduptothetwogentlemenwithapparentcarelessness，tooverheartheirconversation。Thosewhodidoverhearrepeateditincovertasides，andthiscirculatingundertone，confirmingavaguerumorthatBeaucairewouldattempttheentrancethatnight，lentapleasurablecolorofexcitementtotheevening。TheFrenchprince，theambassador，andtheirsuiteswereannounced。Politeastheassemblywas。itwasalsocurious，andthereoccurredamannerlyrushtoseethenewcomers。LadyMary，alreadypale，grewwhiterasthethrongclosedroundher；shelookeduppatheticallyattheDuke，wholostnotimeinextricatingherfromthepressure。
\"Waithere，\"hesaid；\"Iwillfetchyouaglassofnegus，\"anddisappeared。Hehadnotthoughttobringachair，andshe，lookingaboutwithanincreasingfaintnessandfindingnone，sawthatshewasstandingbythedoorofasmallside—room。ThecrowdswervedbackforthepassageofthelegateofFrance，andpresseduponher。
Sheopenedthedoor，andwentin。
Theroomwasemptysavefortwogentlemen，whowerequietlyplayingcardsatatable。Theylookedupassheentered。TheywereM。
BeaucaireandMr。Molyneux。
Sheutteredaquickcryandleanedagainstthewall，herhandtoherbreast。Beaucaire，thoughwhiteandweak，hadbroughtherachairbeforeMolyneuxcouldstir。
\"Mademoiselle—\"
\"Donottouchme！\"shesaid，withsuchfrozenabhorrenceinhervoicethathestoppedshort。\"Mr。Molyneux，youseekstrangecompany！\"
\"Madam，\"repliedMolyneux，bowingdeeply，asmuchtoBeaucaireastoherself，\"Iamhonoredbythepresenceofbothofyou。
\"Oh，areyoumad！\"sheexclaimed，contemptuously。
\"Thisgentlemanhasexaltedmewithhisconfidence，madam，\"hereplied。
\"Willyouaddyourruintothescandalofthisfellow’spresencehere？Howheobtainedentrance—\"
\"Pardon，mademoiselle，\"interruptedBeaucaire。\"DidInotsayI
shouldcome？M。Molyneuxwassoobligingastoanswerformetothefourteenfrien’sofM。deWintersetandMeestaireNash。\"
\"Doyounotknow，\"sheturnedvehementlyuponMolyneux，\"thathewillberemovedthemomentIleavethisroom？Doyouwishtobedraggedoutwithhim？Foryoursake，sir，becauseIhavealwaysthoughtyouamanofheart，Igiveyouachancetosaveyourselffromdisgrace—and—yourcompanionfromjail。Lethimslipoutbysomeretiredway，andyoumaygivemeyourarmandwewillenterthenextroomasifnothinghadhappened。Come，sir—\"
\"Mademoiselle—\"
\"Mr。Molyneux，Idesiretohearnothingfromyourcompanion。HadInotseenyouatcardswithhimIshouldhavesupposedhiminattendanceasyourlackey。Doyoudesiretotakeadvantageofmyoffer，sir？\"
\"Mademoiselle，Icouldnottellyou，onthatnight—\"
\"Youmayinformyourhigh—bornfriend，Mr。Molyneux，thatIheardeverythinghehadtosay；thatmyprideoncehadthepleasureoflisteningtohishigh—bornconfession！\"
\"Ah，itisgentletotauntonewithhisbirth，mademoiselle？Ah，no！Thereisamaninmycountrywhosaystrangethingsofthat—thatamanisnothisfather，buthimself。\"
\"Youmayinformyourfriend，Mr。Molyneux，thathehadachancetodefendhimselfagainstaccusation；thathesaidall—\"
\"ThatIdidsayallIcouldhavestrengthtosay。Mademoiselle，youdidnotsee—asitwasright—thatIhadbeenstungbyabigwasp。
Itwasnothing，ascratch；but，mademoiselle，theskywentroundandthemoondance’ontheearth。Icouldnotwishthatbigwasptoseehehadstungme；soImus’onlysaywhatIcanhavestrengthfor，andstandstraighttillheisgone。Beside’，thereareotherrizzons。
Ah，youmus’belief！MyMolyneuxIsen’for，andtellhimall，becauseheshowcourtesytotheyo’ngFrenchman，andIcantrus’him。
Itrus’you，mademoiselle—longago—andwouldhavetol’youev’rything，excep’jus’because—well，fortheromance，thefon！
Youbelief？Itissoclearlyso；youdobelief，mademoiselle？\"
Shedidnotevenlookathim。M。Beaucaireliftedhishandappealinglytowardher。\"Cantherebenofaithin—in—hesaidtimidly，andpaused。Shewassilent，astatue，myLadyDisdain。
\"Ifyouhadnotbelief’metobeanimpostor；ifIhadneversaidI
wasChateaurien；ifIhadbeenjus’thatMonsieurBeaucaireofthestorytheytol’you，butneverwiththeheartofalackey，anhones’
man，aman，themanyouknew，himself，couldyou—wouldyou—\"
Hewastryingtospeakfirmly；yet，ashegazeduponhersplendidbeauty，hechokedslightly，andfumbledinthelaceathisthroatwithunsteadyfingers。—\"Wouldyou—haveletmeridebyyoursideintheautumnmoonlight？\"Herglancepassedbyhimasitmighthavepassedbyafootmanorapieceoffurniture。Hewasdressedmagnificently，amultitudeofordersglitteringonhisbreast。Hereyetooknoknowledgeofhim。
\"Mademoiselle—Ihavethehonortoaskyou:ifyouhadknownthisBeaucairewashones’，thoughofpeasantbirth，wouldyou—\"
Involuntarily，controlledashericypresencewas，sheshuddered。
Therewasamomentofsilence。
\"Mr。Molyneux，\"saidLadyMary，\"inspiteofyourdiscourtesyinallowingaservanttoaddressme，Iofferyoualastchancetoleavethisroomundisgraced。Willyougivemeyourarm？\"
\"Pardonme，madam，\"saidMr。Molyneux。
Beaucairedroppedintoachairwithhisheadbentlowandhisarmoutstretchedonthetable；hiseyesfilledslowlyinspiteofhimself，andtwotearsrolleddowntheyoungman’scheeks。
\"An’livemenarejus’—names！\"saidM。Beaucaire。
ChapterSixIntheouterroom，Winterset，unabletofindLadyMary，andsupposinghertohavejoinedLadyRellerton，disposedofhisnegus，thenapproachedthetwovisitorstopayhisrespectstotheyoungprince，whomhediscoveredtobeastriplingofseventeen，arrogantlooking，butprettyasagirl。StandingbesidetheMarquisdeMirepoix—amanofquietbearing—hewassurroundedbyagroupofthegreat，amongwhomMr。Nashnaturallycountedhimself。TheBeauwasfelicitatinghimselfthattheforeignershadnotarrivedaweekearlier，inwhichcaseheandBathwouldhavebeendetectedinapieceofgrossignoranceconcerningtheFrenchnobility—makingmuchofdeMirepoix’sex—barber。
\"’Tisaluckythingthatfellowwasgotoutoftheway，\"heejaculated，undercover。
\"Thankmeforit，\"rejoinedWinterset。
AnattendantbeggedMr。Nash’snotice。TheheadbailiffsentwordthatBeaucairehadlongsinceenteredthebuildingbyasidedoor。
ItwassupposedMr。Nashhadknownofit，andtheFrenchmanwasnotarrested，asMr。Molyneuxwasinhiscompany，andsaidhewouldbeanswerableforhim。ConsternationwassoplainontheBeau’strainedfacethattheDukeleanedtowardhimanxiously。
\"Thevillain’sin，andMolyneuxhathgonemad！\"
Mr。Bantison，whohadbeenfiercelyelbowinghiswaytowardthem，joinedheadswiththem。\"Youmaywellsayheisin，\"heexclaimed\"andifyouwanttoknowwhere，why，inyondercard—room。Isawhimthroughthehalf—opendoor。\"
\"What’stobedone？\"askedtheBeau。
\"Sendthebailiffs—\"
\"Fie，fie！Afileofbailiffs？Thescandal！\"
\"Thenlistentome，\"saidtheDuke。\"I’llselecthalf—a—dozengentlemen，explainthematter，andwe’llputhiminthecenterofusandtakehimouttothebailiffs。’Twillappearnothing。DoyouremainhereandkeeptheattentionofBeaujolaisanddeMirepoix。Come，Bantison，fetchTownbrakeandHarryRakellyonder；
I’llbringtheothers。\"
Threeminuteslater，hisGraceofWintersetflungwidethecard—roomdoor，and，afterhisfriendshadentered，closedit。
\"Ah！\"remarkedM。Beaucairequietly。\"Sixmorelargemen。
TheDuke，seeingLadyMary，started；buttheangrysignsofherinterviewhadnotleftherface，andreassuredhim。Heofferedhishandtoconducthertothedoor。\"MayIhavethehonor？\"
\"Ifthisistobeknown，’twillbebetterifIleaveafter；I
shouldbeobservedifIwentnow。\"
\"Asyouwill，madam，\"heanswered，notdispleased。\"Andnow，youimpudentvillain，\"hebegan，turningtoM。Beaucaire，buttofallbackastounded。\"’Od’sblood，thedoghathmurderedandrobbedsomeroyalprince！\"HeforgotLadyMary’spresenceinhisexcitement。
\"Layhandsonhim！\"heshouted。\"Tearthoseordersfromhim！\"
Molyneuxthrewhimselfbetween。\"Oneword！\"hecried。\"Onewordbeforeyouofferanoutrageyouwillrepentallyourlives！\"
\"OrletM。deWintersetcomealone，\"laughedM。Beaucaire。
\"Doyouexpectmetofightacut—throatbarber，andwithbarehands？\"
\"Ithinkonedoesnotexpec’monsieurtofightanybody。WouldI
fightyou，youthink？ThatwaswhyIhadmyservants，thateveningweplay。Iwouldgladlyfightalmos’anyoneinthewon’；butIdidnotwishtosoilmyhandwitha—\"
\"Stuffhislyingmouthwithhisorders！\"shoutedtheDuke。
ButMolyneuxstillheldthegentiemenback。\"Onemoment，\"hecried。
\"M。deWinterset，\"saidBeaucaire，\"ofwhatareyouafraid？Youcalculatewell。Beaucairemighthavebeenbelief—animpostorthatyouyourselfexpose’？Never！ButIwasnotgoin’revealthatsecret。Youhavenotabsolvemeofmypromise。\"
\"Tellwhatyoulike，\"answeredtheDuke。\"Tellallthewildliesyouhavetimefor。Youhavefiveminutestomakeupyourmindtogoquietly。\"
\"Nowyouabsolveme，then？Ha，ha！Oh，yes！Mademoiselle，\"hebowedtoLadyMary，\"Ihavethehonortoreques’youleavetheroom。Youshallmissnodetailsifthesefrien’sofyourskillme，onthehonorofaFrenchgentleman。\"
\"AFrenchwhat？\"laughedBantison。
\"Doyoudarekeepupthepretense？\"criedLordTownbrake。\"Know，youvillainbarber，thatyourmaster，theMarquisdeMirepoix，isinthenextroom。\"
Molyneuxheavedagreatsighofrelief。\"ShallI—\"HeturnedtoM。Beaucaire。
Theyoungmanlaughed，andsaid:\"Tellhimcomehereatonce。
\"Impudenttothelast！\"criedBantison，asMolyneuxhurriedfromtheroom。
\"Nowyougoin’toseeM。Beaucaire’smaster，\"saidBeaucairetoLadyMary。\"’TistruewhatIsay，theothernight。IcrossfromPranceinhissuite；mypassportsayashisbarber。Thentopasstheennuiofexile，IcometoBathandplayforwhatonewill。Itkillthetime。ButwhenthepeoplehearIhavebeenaservanttheycomeonlysecretly；andthereisoneofthem—hehasabsolve’meofapromisenottospeak—ofhimIlearnsomethinghecannotwishtobetol’。
Imakesometroubletolearnthisthing。WhyIshoulddothis？
Well—thatismyownrizzon。SoImakethismanhelpmeinamasque，theunmaskingitwas，for，asthereisnoonetoknowme，Ithrowoffmyblackwigandbecomemyself—andsoIam’Chateaurien，’CastleNowhere。ThenthismanIuse’，thisWinterset，he—\"
\"Ihavegreatneedtodenytheseaccusations？\"saidtheDuke。
\"Nay，\"saidLadyMaryweari1y。
\"ShallItellyouwhyImus’be’Victor’and’Beaucaire’and’Chateaurien，’andnotmyself？\"
\"Toescapefromthebailiffsfordebtsforrazorsandsoap，\"gibedLordTownbrake。
\"No，monsieur。InFranceIhavegotacousinwhoisamanwithaverybadtemperatsometime’，andhewillneverenjoyhisrelativestodowhathedoesnotwish—\"
Hewasinterruptedbyaloudcommotionfromwithout。Thedoorwasflungopen，andtheyoungCountofBeaujolaisboundedinandthrewhisarmsabouttheneckofM。Beaucaire。
\"Philippe！\"hecried。\"Mybrother，Ihavecometotakeyoubackwithme。\"
M。deMirepoixfollowedhim，bowingasacourtier，indeference；
butM。Beaucairetookbothhishandsheartily。Molyneuxcameafter，withMr。Nash，andclosedthedoor。
\"Mywarmestfelicitations，\"saidtheMarquis。\"Thereisnolongerneedforyourincognito。\"
\"Thoubestofmasters！\"saidBeaucaire，touchinghimfondlyontheshoulder。\"Iknow。Yourcouriercamesafely。AndsoIamforgiven！
ButIforget。\"Heturnedtothelady。Shehadbeguntotrembleexceedingly。\"Faires’ofalltheEnglishfair，\"hesaid，asthegentlemenbowedlowtoherdeepcourtesy，\"Ibegthehonortopresen’toLadyMaryCarlisle，M。leComtedeBeaujolais。M。deMirepoixhasalreadythehonor。LadyMaryhasbeenverykindtome，myfrien’s；youmus’helpmemakemyacknowledgment。Mademoiselleandgentlemen，willyougivemethatfavourtodetainyouoneinstan’？\"
\"Henri，\"heturnedtotheyoungBeaujolais，\"Iwishyouhadsharedmymasque—Ihavebeensogay！\"Thesurfaceofhistonewasmerry，buttherewasanundercurrent，weary—sad，tospeakofwhatwasthemood，notthemanner。Hemadetheeffectofaddressingeveryonepresent，buthelookedsteadilyatLadyMary。Hereyeswerefixeduponhim，withasilentandfrightenedfascination，andshetrembledmoreandmore。\"Iamagreatactor，Henri。Thesegentlemenareyetscarceconvince’Iamnotalackey！AndImus’tellyouthatIwasjus’nowtobeexpelledforhavingbeenabarber！\"
\"Oh，no！，，theambassadorcriedout。\"Hewouldnotbecontentwithme；hewouldwanderoverastrangecountry。\"
\"Ha，ha，myMirepoix！Andwhatisbetter，oneeveningIamoblige’
tofightsomefrien’sofM。deWintersetthere，andsomeladiesandcavalierslookon，andtheystillthinkmeaservant。Oh，Iamagreatactor！’TistruethereisnotapeasantinFrancewhowouldnothavethenknownone’born’；buttheyarewonderful，thisEnglishpeople，holdingbyanideaonceitisintheirheads—amos’worthyquality。ButmygoodMolyneuxhere，hehadspeaktomewithcourtesy，jus’becauseIamamanan’jus’becauseheisal—wayskind。（I
havelearn’thathisgreat—grandfatherwasaFrenchman。）SoIsen’tohimandtellhimev’rything，andhegainadmittanceformehereto—nighttoawaitmyfrien’s。
\"Iwasspeakingtomessieursaboutmycousin，whowillmeddleintheaffair’ofhisrelatives。Well，thatgentleman，hemakeamarriageformewithagoodandaccomplish’lady，verynobleandverybeautiful—andamiable。\"（Theyoungcountathiselbowstartedslightlyatthis，butimmediatelyappearedtowraphimselfinamantleofsolemnthought。）\"Unfortunately，whenmycousinarrange’
so，Iwasadolt，alittleblockhead；IsweartomarryformyselfandwhenIplease，orneverifIlike。Thatladyisallthingscharmingandgentle，and，intruth，sheis—verymuchattach’tome—whyshouldInotsayit？Iamsoproudofit。Sheisveryfaithfulandforgivingandsweet；shewouldbethesame，Ithink，ifI—wereeven—alackey。ButI？Iwasadolt，alittleunsensiblebrute；Ididnotvaluesuchthing’then；Iwastooyo’ng，las’June。SoIsaytomycousin，’No，Imakemyownchoosing！’
’Littlefool，’heanswer，’sheistheoneforyou。AmInotwiserthanyou？’Andhewasveryangry，and，ashehasinfluenceinFrance，wordcome’thathewillgetmeputinVincennes，soImus’
runawayquicktillhisangerisgone。Mygoodfrien’Mirepoixisjus’leavingforLondon；hetake’manyrisk’formysake；hishairdresserdiebeforehestart’，soItravelasthatpoorbarber。
Butmycousinisamantobeafraidofwhenheisangry，eveninEngland，andImus’notgetmyMirepoixintrouble。Imus’notbediscover’tillmycousinisreadytolaughaboutitallandmakeitajoke。Andtheremaybespies；soIchangemynameagain，andcometoBathtoamusemyretreatwithalittlegaming—Iamal—waysfondofthat。Butthreeday’agoM。leMarquissendmeacouriertosaythatmybrother，whoknowwhereIhadrunaway，iscomefromFrancetosaythatmycousinisappease’；heneedmeforhislittletheatre，theplaycannotgoon。Idonotneedtoespousemademoiselle。AllshallbeforgivenifIreturn，andmybrotherandM。deMirepoixwillmeetmeinBathtofelicitate。
\"Thereisonemorethingtosay，thatisall。IhavesaidIlearn’
asecret，anduseittomakeamanintroducemeifIwillnottell。
Hehasabsolve’meofthatpromise。Myfrien’s，Ihadnotthewishtoruinthatman。Iwasnotreceive’；MeestaireNashhadreboffme；
Ihadnootherwayexcep’tousethisfellow。SoIsay，’TakemetoLadyMalbourne’sballas\"Chateaurien。\"’Ithrowoffmywig，andshave，andbehol’，IamM。leDucdeCastleNowhere。Ha，ha！
Yousee？\"
Theyoungman’smannersuddenlychanged。Hebecamehaughty，menacing。Hestretchedouthisarm，andpointedatWinterset。\"NowIamno’Beaucaire，’messieurs。IamaFrenchgentleman。Themanwhointroduce’meatthepriceofhishonor，andthenbetray’metoredeemit，isthatcoward，thatcard—cheatthere！\"
Wintersetmadeahorribleefforttolaugh。Thegentlemenwhosurroundedhimfellawayasfrompestilence。\"AFrenchgentleman！\"
hesneeredsavagely，andyetfearfully。\"Idon’tknowwhoyouare。
Hidebehindasmanytoysandribbonsasyoulike；I’llknowthenameofthemanwhodaresbringsuchacharge！\"
\"Sir！\"crieddeMirepoixsharply，advancingasteptowardshim；buthecheckedhimselfatonce。Hemadealowbowofstate，firsttotheyoungFrenchman，thentoLadyMaryandthecompany。\"Permitme，LadyMaryandgentlemen，\"hesaid。\"toassumethehonorofpresentingyoutoHisHighness，PrinceLouis—PhilippedeValois，DukeofOrleans，DukeofChartres，DukeofNemours，DukeofMontpeti’sier，FirstPrinceoftheBloodRoyal，FirstPeerofFrance，Lieutenant—GeneralofFrenchInfantry，GovernorofDauphine，KnightoftheGoldenFleece，GrandMasteroftheOrderofNotreDame，ofMountCarmel，andofSt。LazarusinJerusalem；andcousintoHismostChristianMajesty，LouistheFifteenth，KingofFrance。\"
\"Thoseareafewofmybrother’snames，\"whisperedHenriofBeaujolaistoMolyneux。\"OldMirepoixhasthelongbreath，butittake’astrongmantwoday’tosayallofthem。IcansupposethisWintersetknow’nowwhobringthecharge！\"
\"CastleNowhere！\"gaspedBeauNash，fallingbackupontheburlypropofMr。Bantison’sshoulder。
\"TheDukeofOrleanswillreceiveamessagefrommewithinthehour！\"saidWinterset，ashemadehiswaytothedoor。Hisfacewasblackwithrageandshame。
\"Itol’youthatIwouldnotsoilmyhandwithyou，\"answeredtheyoungman。\"Ifyousendamessagenogentlemanwillbringit。
WhoevershallbearitwillreceivealittlebeatingfromFrancois。\"
HesteppedtoLadyMary’sside。Herheadwasbentlow，herfaceaverted。Sheseemedtobreathewithdifficulty，andleanedheavilyuponachair。\"Monseigneur，\"shefalteredinahalfwhisper，\"canyou—forgiveme？Itisabitter—mistake—Ihavemade。Forgive。\"
\"Forgive？\"heanswered，andhisvoicewasasbrokenashers；buthewenton，morefirmly:\"Itis—nothing—lessthannothing。Thereis—onlyjus’one—inthe—wholeworl’whowouldnothavetreat’
methewaythatyoutreat’me。ItistoherthatIamgoin’tomakereparation。Youknowsomething，Henri？Iamnotgoin’backonlybecausethekingforgive’me。Iamgoin’topleasehim；Iamgoin’
toespousemademoiselle，ourcousin。Myfrien’s，Iaskyourfelicitations。\"
\"Andthekingdoesnotcompelhim！\"exclaimedyoungHenri。
\"Henri，youwanttofightme？\"criedhisbrothersharply。\"Don’
youthinktheKingofFranceisawisermanthanme？\"
HeofferedhishandtoLadyMary。\"Mademoiselleisfatigue’。Willshehonorme？\"
Hewalkedwithhertothedoor。Herhandflutteringfaintlyinhis。
Fromsomewhereaboutthegarmentsofoneofthemalittlecloudoffadedrose—leavesfell，andlaystrewnonthefloorbehindthem。Heopenedthedoor，andthelightsshoneonamultitudeofeagerfacesturnedtowardit。Therewasagreathumofvoices，and，overall，thefiddleswoveawanderingair，asweetFrenchsongofthevoyageur。
Hebowedverylow，as，withfixedandglisteningeyes，LadyMaryCarlisle，theBeautyofBath，passedslowlybyhimandwentoutoftheroom。