Foratimethisdidnotsuggestanythingtome。Butwhenwehadalltakenourseatsforsupper，therecameanadditiontotheparty。Thedooropened，andthefellowwhomIhadseenthenightbeforewithMadamedeCocheforetenteredandtookastoolbythefire。IfeltsurethathewasoneoftheservantsattheChateau；andinaflashhispresenceinspiredmewiththemostfeasibleplanforobtainingadmissionwhichIhadyethitupon。
Ifeltmyselfgrowhotatthethought——itseemedsofullofpromise，yetsodoubtful——and，ontheinstant，withoutgivingmyselftimetothinktoomuch，Ibegantocarryitintoeffect。
Icalledfortwoorthreebottlesofbetterwine，and，assumingajovialair，passeditroundthetable。WhenwehaddrunkafewglassesIfelltotalking，and，choosingpolitics，tookthesideoftheLanguedocpartyandthemalcontentsinsorecklessafashionthattheinnkeeperwasbesidehimselfatmyimprudence。
Themerchants，whobelongedtotheclasswithwhomtheCardinalwasalwaysmostpopular，lookedfirstastonishedandthenenraged。ButIwasnottobechecked；hintsandsourlookswerelostuponme。Igrewmoreoutspokenwitheveryglass，IdranktotheRochellois，Isworeitwouldnotbelongbeforetheyraisedtheirheadsagain；and，atlast，whiletheinnkeeperandhiswifewereengagedlightingthelamp，Ipassedroundthebottleandcalledonallforatoast。
\'I\'llgiveyouonetobegin，\'Ibraggednoisily。\'Agentleman\'stoast！Asoutherntoast！HereisconfusiontotheCardinal，andahealthtoallwhohatehim！\'
\'MONDIEU！\'oneofthestrangerscried，springingfromhisseatinarage。\'Iamnotgoingtostomachthat！Isyourhouseacommontreason-hole，\'hecontinued，turningfuriouslyonthelandlord，\'thatyousufferthis？\'
\'Hoity-toity！\'Ianswered，coollykeepingmyseat。\'Whatisallthis？Don\'tyourelishmytoast，littleman？\'
\'No——noryou！\'heretortedhotly；\'whoeveryoumaybe！\'
\'ThenIwillgiveyouanother，\'Ianswered，withahiccough。
\'Perhapsitwillbemoretoyourtaste。HereistheDukeofOrleans，andmayhesoonbeKing！\'
CHAPTERIII
THEHOUSEINTHEWOOD
Wordssorecklessfairlyshookthethreemenoutoftheiranger。
Foramomenttheyglaredatmeasiftheyhadseenaghost。Thenthewinemerchantclappedhishandonthetable。
\'Thatisenough，\'hesaid，withalookathiscompanions。\'I
thinkthattherecanbenomistakeaboutthat。AsdamnabletreasonaseverIheardwhispered！Icongratulateyou，sir，onyourboldness。Asforyou，\'hecontinued，turningwithanuglysneertothelandlord，\'Ishallknownowthecompanyyoukeep！I
wasnotawarethatmywinewetwhistlestosuchatune！\'
Butifhewasstartled，theinnkeeperwasfurious，seeinghischaracterthustakenaway；and，beingatnotimeamanofmanywords，heventedhisrageexactlyinthewayIwished，raisinginatwinklingsuchanuproarascanscarcelybeconceived。Witharoarlikeabull\'s，heranheadlongatthetable，andoverturneditonthetopofme。Fortunatelythewomansavedthelamp，andfledwithitintoacorner，whencesheandthemanfromtheChateauwatchedtheskirmishinsilence；butthepewtercupsandplattersflewspinningacrossthefloor，whilethetablepinnedmetothegroundamongtheruinsofmystool。Havingmeatthisdisadvantage——foratfirstImadenoresistancethelandlordbegantobelabourmewiththefirstthinghesnatchedup，andwhenItriedtodefendmyself，cursedmewitheachblowforatreacherousrogueandavagrant。Meanwhilethethreemerchants，delightedwiththeturnthingshadtaken，skippedrounduslaughing，andnowhoundedhimon，nowbanteredmewith\'howisthatfortheDukeofOrleans？\'and\'Hownow，traitor？\'
WhenIthoughtthatthishadlastedlongenough——or，tospeakmoreplainly，whenIcouldstandtheinnkeeper\'sdrubbingnolonger——Ithrewhimoff，andstruggledtomyfeet；butstill，thoughthebloodwastricklingdownmyface，Irefrainedfromdrawingmysword。Icaughtupinsteadalegofthestoolwhichlayhandy，and，watchingmyopportunity，dealtthelandlordashrewdblowundertheear，whichlaidhimoutinamomentonthewreckofhisowntable。
\'Now，\'Icried，brandishingmynewweapon，whichfittedthehandtoanicety，\'comeon！Comeon！ifyoudaretostrikeablow，youpeddling，truckling，hucksteringknaves！AfigforyouandyourshavelingCardinal！\'
Thered-facedwinemerchantdrewhisswordinaone-two。
\'Why，youdrunkenfool，\'hesaidwrathfully，\'putthatstickdown，orIwillspityoulikealark！\'
\'Larkinyourteeth！\'Icried，staggeringasifthewinewereinmyhead。\'Andcuckoo，too！Anotherword，andI——\'
Hemadeacoupleofsavagepassesatme，butinatwinklinghisswordflewacrosstheroom。
\'VOILA！\'Ishouted，lurchingforward，asifIhadluckandnotskilltothankformyvictory。\'Now，thenext！Comeon，comeon——youwhite-liveredknaves！\'And，pretendingadrunkenfrenzy，Iflungmyweaponbodilyamongstthem，andseizingthenearest，begantowrestlewithhim。
Inamomenttheyallthrewthemselvesuponme，and，swearingcopiously，boremebacktothedoor。Thewinemerchantcriedbreathlesslytothewomantoopenit，andinatwinklingtheyhadmethroughit，andhalf-wayacrosstheroad。TheonethingI
fearedwasaknife-thrustintheMELEE；butIhadtorunthatrisk，andthemenwerehonest，and，thinkingmedrunk，indulgent。
InatriceIfoundmyselfonmybackinthedirt，withmyheadhumming；andheardthebarsofthedoorfallnoisilyintotheirplaces。
Igotupandwenttothedoor，and，toplayoutmypart，hammeredonitfrantically；cryingouttothemtoletmein。Butthethreetravellersonlyjeeredatme，andthelandlord，comingtothewindow，withhisheadbleeding，shookhisfistatme，andcursedmeforamischief-maker。
Baffledinthis，Iretiredtoalogwhichlayintheroadafewpacesfromthehouse，andsatdownonittoawaitevents。Withtornclothesandbleedingface，hatlessandcoveredwithdirt，I
wasinlittlebettercasethanmyopponent。Itwasraining，too，andthedrippingbranchesswayedovermyhead。Thewindwasinthesouth——thecoldestquarter。Ibegantofeelchilledanddispirited。Ifmyschemefailed，Ihadforfeitedroofandbedtonopurpose，andplacedfutureprogressoutofthequestion。Itwasacriticalmoment。
ButatlastthathappenedforwhichIhadbeenlooking。Thedoorswungopenafewinches，andamancamenoiselesslyout；itwasquicklybarredbehindhim。Hestoodamoment，waitingonthethresholdandpeeringintothegloom；andseemedtoexpecttobeattacked。Findinghimselfunmolested，however，andallquiet，hewentoffsteadilydownthestreet——towardstheChateau。
Iletacoupleofminutesgoby，andthenIfollowed。Ihadnodifficultyinhittingonthetrackattheendofthestreet，butwhenIhadonceplungedintothewood，IfoundmyselfindarknesssointensethatIsoonstrayedfromthepath，andfelloverroots，andtoremyclotheswiththorns，andlostmytempertwentytimesbeforeIfoundthepathagain。However，Igainedthebridgeatlast，andthencecaughtsightofalighttwinklingbeforeme。Tomakeforitacrossthemeadowandterracewasaneasytask；yet，whenIhadreachedthedoorandhadhammereduponit，Iwassowornout，andinsosorryaplightthatIsankdown，andhadlittleneedtoplayapart，orpretendtobeworsethanI
was。
Foralongtimenooneanswered。Thedarkhousetoweringabovemeremainedsilent。Icouldhear，mingledwiththethrobbingsofmyheart，thesteadycroakingofthefrogsinapondnearthestables；butnoothersound。Inafrenzyofimpatienceanddisgust，Istoodupagainandhammered，kickingwithmyheelsonthenail-studdeddoor，andcryingoutdesperately，——
\'AMOI！AMOI！\'
Then，oramomentlater，Iheardaremotedooropened；footstepsasofmorethanonepersondrewnear。Iraisedmyvoiceandcriedagain，——
\'AMOI！\'
\'Whoisthere？\'avoiceasked。
\'Agentlemanindistress，\'Iansweredpiteously，movingmyhandsacrossthedoor。\'ForGod\'ssakeopenandletmein。Iamhurt，anddyingofcold。\'
\'Whatbringsyouhere？\'thevoiceaskedsharply。Despiteitstartness，Ifanciedthatitwasawoman\'s。
\'Heavenknows！\'Ianswereddesperately。\'Icannottell。Theymaltreatedmeattheinn，andthrewmeintothestreet。I
crawledaway，andhavebeenwanderinginthewoodforhours。
ThenIsawalighthere。\'
Onthatsomemutteringtookplaceontheothersideofthedoor——
towhichIhadmyear。Itendedinthebarsbeinglowered。Thedoorswungpartlyopen，andalightshoneout，dazzlingme。I
triedtoshademyeyeswithmyfingers，and，asdidso，fanciedI
heardamurmurofpity。ButwhenIlookedinunderscreenofmyhand，Isawonlyoneperson——themanwhoheldthelight，andhisaspectwassostrange，soterrifying，that，shakenasIwasbyfatigue，Irecoiledastep。
Hewasatallandverythinman，meanlydressedinashort，scantyjacketandwell-darnedhose。Unable，forsomereason，tobendhisneck，hecarriedhisheadwithastrangestiffness。
Andthathead——neverdidlivingmanshowafacesolikedeath。
Hisforeheadwasbaldandyellow，hischeek-bonesstoodoutunderthestrainedskin，allthelowerpartofhisfacefellin，hisjawsreceded，hischeekswerehollow，hislipsandchinwerethinandfleshless。Heseemedtohaveonlyoneexpression——afixedgrin。
WhileIstoodlookingatthisformidablecreature，hemadeaquickmovementtoshutthedooragain，smilingmorewidely。I
hadthepresenceofmindtothrustinmyfoot，and，beforehecouldresenttheact，avoiceinthebackgroundcried，——
\'Forshame，Clon！Standback，standback！doyouhear？Iamafraid，Monsieur，thatyouarehurt。\'
Thosewordsweremywelcometothathouse；and，spokenatanhourandincircumstancessogloomy，theymadealastingimpression。
Roundthehallranagallery，andthis，theheightoftheapartment，andthedarkpanellingseemedtoswallowupthelight。
Istoodwithintheentrance（asitseemedtome）ofahugecave；
theskull-headedporterhadtheairofanogre。Onlythevoicewhichgreetedmedispelledtheillusion。Iturnedtremblingtowardsthequarterwhenceitcame，and，shadingmyeyes，madeoutawoman\'sformstandinginadoorwayunderthegallery。A
secondfigure，whichItooktobethatoftheservantIhadseenattheinn，loomeduncertainlybesideher。
Ibowedinsilence。Myteethwerechattering。Iwasfaintwithoutfeigning，andfeltakindofterror，hardtoexplain，atthesoundofthiswoman\'svoice。
\'Oneofourpeoplehastoldmeaboutyou，shecontinued，speakingoutofthedarkness。\'Iamsorrythatthishashappenedtoyouhere，butIamafraidthatyouwereindiscreet。\'
\'Itakealltheblame，Madame，\'Iansweredhumbly。\'Iaskonlyshelterforthenight。\'
\'Thetimehasnotyetcomewhenwecannotgiveourfriendsthat！\'
sheansweredwithnoblecourtesy。\'Whenitdoes，Monsieur，weshallbehomelessourselves。\'
Ishivered，lookinganywherebutather；for，ifthetruthbetold，Ihadnotsufficientlypicturedthissceneofmyarrival——I
hadnotforedrawnitsdetails；andnowItookpartinitIfeltamiserablemeannessweighmedown。Ihadneverfromthefirstlikedthework，butIhadhadnochoice，andIhadnochoicenow。
Luckily，theguiseinwhichIcame，myfatigue，andwoundwereasufficientmask，orIshouldhaveincurredsuspicionatonce。
ForIamsurethatifeverinthisworldabravemanworeahang-
dogair，orGildeBeraultfellbelowhimself，itwasthenandthere——onMadamedeCocheforet\'sthreshold，withherwelcomesoundinginmyears。
One，Ithink，didsuspectme。Clon，theporter，continuedtoholdthedoorobstinatelyajarandtoeyemewithgrinningspite，untilhismistress，withsomesharpness，badehimdropthebarsandconductmetoaroom。
\'Doyougoalso，Louis，\'shecontinued，speakingtothemanbesideher，\'andseethisgentlemancomfortablydisposed。Iamsorry，\'sheadded，addressingmeinthegracefultoneshehadbeforeused，andIthoughtthatIcouldseeherheadbendinthedarkness，\'thatourpresentcircumstancesdonotpermitustowelcomeyoumorefitly，Monsieur。Butthetroublesofthetimes——however，youwillexcusewhatislacking。Untilto-morrow，I
havethehonourtobidyougood-night。\'
\'Good-night，Madame，\'Istammered，trembling。Ihadnotbeenabletodistinguishherfaceinthegloomofthedoorway，buthervoice，hergreeting，herpresenceunmannedme。Iwastroubledandperplexed；Ihadnotspirittokickadog。Ifollowedthetwoservantsfromthehallwithoutheedinghowwewent；norwasituntilwecametoafullstopatadoorinawhite-washedcorridor，anditwasforceduponmethatsomethingwasinquestionbetweenmytwoconductorsthatIbegantotakenotice。
ThenIsawthatoneofthem，Louis，wishedtolodgemeherewherewestood。Theporter，ontheotherhand，whoheldthekeys，wouldnot。Hedidnotspeakaword，nordidtheother——andthisgaveaqueerominouscharactertothedebate；buthecontinuedtojerkhisheadtowardsthefartherendofthecorridor；and，atlast，hecarriedhispoint。Louisshruggedhisshoulders，andmovedon，glancingaskanceatme；andI，notunderstandingthematterindebate，followedthepairinsilence。
Wereachedtheendofthecorridor，andthereforaninstantthemonsterwiththekeyspausedandgrinnedatme。Thenheturnedintoanarrowpassageontheleft，andafterfollowingitforsomepaces，haltedbeforeasmall，strongdoor。Hiskeyjarredinthelock，butheforceditshriekinground，andwithasavageflourishthrewthedooropen。
Iwalkedinandsawamean，barechamberwithbarredwindows。
Thefloorwasindifferentlyclean，therewasnofurniture。Theyellowlightofthelanthornfallingonthestainedwallsgavetheplacethelookofadungeon。Iturnedtothetwomen。\'Thisisnotaverygoodroom，\'Isaid。\'Anditfeelsdamp。Haveyounoother？\'
Louislookeddoubtfullyathiscompanion。Buttheportershookhisheadstubbornly。
\'Whydoeshenotspeak？\'Iaskedwithimpatience。
\'Heisdumb，\'Louisanswered。
\'Dumb！\'Iexclaimed。\'Buthehears。\'
\'Hehasears，\'theservantanswereddrily。\'Buthehasnotongue，Monsieur。\'
Ishuddered。\'Howdidheloseit？\'Iasked。
\'AtRochelle。Hewasaspy，andtheking\'speopletookhimthedaythetownsurrendered。Theysparedhislife，butcutouthistongue。\'
\'Ah！\'Isaid。Iwishedtosaymore，tobenatural，toshowmyselfatmyease。Buttheporter\'seyesseemedtoburnintome，andmyowntongueclavetotheroofofmymouth。Heopenedhislipsandpointedtohisthroatwithahorridgesture，andIshookmyheadandturnedfromhim——\'Youcanletmehavesomebedding？\'
Imurmuredhastily，forthesakeofsayingsomething，andtoescape。
\'Ofcourse，Monsieur，\'Louisanswered。\'Iwillfetchsome。\'
Hewentaway，thinkingdoubtlessthatClonwouldstaywithme。
Butafterwaitingaminutetheporterstrodeoffalsowiththelanthorn，leavingmetostandinthemiddleofthedamp，darkroomandreflectontheposition。ItwasplainthatClonsuspectedme。Thisprison-likeroom，withitsbarredwindow，atthebackofthehouse，andinthewingfarthestfromthestables，provedsomuch。Clearly，hewasadangerousfellow，ofwhomI
mustbeware。IhadjustbeguntowonderhowMadamecouldkeepsuchamonsterinherhouse，whenIheardhisstepreturning。Hecamein，lightingLouis，whocarriedasmallpalletandabundleofcoverings。
Thedumbmanhad，besidesthelanthorn，abowlofwaterandapieceofraginhishand。Hesetthemdown，andgoingoutagain，fetchedinastool。Thenhehungupthelanthornonanail，tookthebowlandrag，andinvitedmetositdown。
Iwaslothtolethimtouchme；buthecontinuedtostandoverme，pointingandgrinningwithdarkpersistence，andratherthanstandonatrifleIsatdownatlastandgavehimhisway。Hebathedmyheadcarefullyenough，andIdaresaydiditgood；butIunderstood。Iknewthathisonlydesirewastolearnwhetherthecutwasrealorapretence，andIbegantofearhimmoreandmore；untilhewasgonefromtheroom，Idaredscarcelyliftmyfacelestheshouldreadtoomuchinit。
Alone，even，Ifeltuncomfortable，thisseemedsosinisterabusiness，andsoillbegun。Iwasinthehouse。ButMadame\'sfrankvoicehauntedme，andthedumbman\'seyes，fullofsuspicionandmenace。WhenIpresentlygotupandtriedmydoor，Ifounditlocked。Theroomsmeltdankandclose——likeavault。
Icouldnotseethroughthebarredwindow，butIcouldheartheboughssweepitinghostlyfashion；andIguessedthatitlookedoutwherethewoodgrewclosetothewallsofthehouse，andthateveninthedaythesunneverpeepedthroughit。
Nevertheless，tiredandwornout，Isleptatlast。WhenIawoketheroomwasfullofgreylight，thedoorstoodopen，andLouis，lookingashamedofhimself，waitedbymypalletwithacupofwineinhishand，andsomebreadandfruitonaplatter。
\'WillMonsieurbegoodenoughtorise？\'hesaid。\'Itiseighto\'clock。\'
\'Willingly，\'Iansweredtartly。\'Nowthatthedoorisunlocked。\'
Heturnedred。\'Itwasanoversight，\'hestammered\'Clonisaccustomedtolockthedoor，andhediditinadvertently，forgettingthattherewasanyone——\'
\'Inside，\'Isaiddrily。
\'Precisely，Monsieur。\'
\'Ah！\'Ireplied。\'Well，IdonotthinktheoversightwouldpleaseMadamedeCocheforetifsheheardofit？\'
\'IfMonsieurwouldhavethekindnessnotto——\'
\'Mentionit，mygoodfellow？\'answered，lookingathimwithmeaningasIrose。\'No。Butitmustnotoccuragain。\'
IsawthatthismanwasnotlikeClon。Hehadtheinstinctsofthefamilyservant，andfreedfromtheinfluencesoffearanddarknessfeltashamedofhisconduct。Whilehearrangedmyclothes，helookedroundtheroomwithanairofdistaste，andmutteredonceortwicethatthefurnitureoftheprincipalchamberswaspackedaway。
\'M。deCocheforetisabroad，Ithink？\'IsaidasIdressed。
\'Andlikelytoremainthere，\'themanansweredcarelessly，shrugginghisshoulders。\'Monsieurwilldoubtlesshaveheardthatheisintrouble。Inthemeantime，thehouseisTRISTE，andMonsieurmustoverlookmuch，ifhestays。Madamelivesretired，andtheroadsareill-madeandvisitorsfew。\'
\'Whenthelionwasillthejackalslefthim，\'Isaid。
Louisnodded。\'Itistrue，\'heansweredsimply。Hemadenoboastorbragonhisownaccount，Inoticed；anditcamehometomethathewasafaithfulfellow，suchasIlove。Iquestionedhimdiscreetly，andlearnedthatheandClonandanoldermanwholivedoverthestablesweretheonlymaleservantsleftofagreathousehold。Madame，hersister-in-law，andthreewomencompletedthefamily。
Ittookmesometimetorepairmywardrobe，sothatIdaresayitwasnearlytenwhenIleftmydismallittleroom。IfoundLouiswaitinginthecorridor，andhetoldmethatMadamedeCocheforetandMademoisellewereintherosegarden，andwouldbepleasedtoreceiveme。Inodded，andheguidedmethroughseveraldimpassagestoaparlourwithanopendoor，throughwhichthesunshonegailyonthefloor。Cheeredbythemorningairandthissuddenchangetopleasantnessandlife，Isteppedlightlyout。
Thetwoladieswerewalkingupanddownawidepathwhichbisectedthegarden。Theweedsgrewranklyinthegravelunderfoot，therosebusheswhichborderedthewalkthrusttheirbrancheshereandthereinuntrainedfreedom，adarkyewhedgewhichformedthebackgroundbristledwithroughshootsandsadlyneededtrimming。ButIdidnotseeanyofthesethings。Thegrace，thenobleair，thedistinctionofthetwowomenwhopacedslowlytomeetme——andwhosharedallthesequalities，greatlyastheydifferedinothers——leftmenopowertonoticetrifles。
MademoisellewasaheadshorterthanherBELLE-SOEUR——aslenderwomanandpetite，withabeautifulfaceandafaircomplexion；awomanwhollywomanly。Shewalkedwithdignity，butbesideMadame\'sstatelyfigureshehadanairalmostchildish。AnditwascharacteristicofthetwothatMademoiselleastheydrewneartomeregardedmewithsorrowfulattention，Madamewithagravesmile。
Ibowedlow。Theyreturnedthesalute。\'Thisismysister，\'
MadamedeCocheforetsaid，withaveryslightairofcondescension，\'Willyoupleasetotellmeyourname，Monsieur？\'
\'IamM。deBarthe，agentlemanofNormandy，\'Isaid，takingonimpulsethenameofmymother。Myown，byapossibility，mightbeknown。
Madame\'sfaceworeapuzzledlook。\'Idonotknowthatname，I
think，\'shesaidthoughtfully。Doubtlessshewasgoingoverinhermindallthenameswithwhichconspiracyhadmadeherfamiliar。
Thatismymisfortune，Madame，\'Isaidhumbly。
\'NeverthelessIamgoingtoscoldyou，\'sherejoined，stilleyeingmewithsomekeenness。\'Iamgladtoseethatyouarenonetheworseforyouradventure——butothersmaybe。Andyoushouldhavebornethatinmind，sir。\'
\'IdonotthinkthatIhurtthemanseriously，\'Istammered。
\'Idonotrefertothat，\'sheansweredcoldly。\'Youknow，orshouldknow，thatweareindisgracehere；thattheGovernmentregardsusalreadywithanevileye，andthataverysmallthingwouldleadthemtogarrisonthevillage，andperhapsoustusfromthelittlethewarshaveleftus。Youshouldhaveknownthis，andconsideredit，\'shecontinued。\'Whereas——Idonotsaythatyouareabraggart，M。deBarthe。Butonthisoneoccasionyouseemtohaveplayedthepartofone。\'
\'Madame，Ididnotthink，\'Istammered。
\'Wantofthoughtcausesmuchevil，\'sheanswered，smiling。
\'However，Ihavespoken，andwetrustthatwhileyoustaywithusyouwillbemorecareful。Fortherest，Monsieur，\'shecontinuedgraciously，raisingherhandtopreventmespeaking，\'wedonotknowwhyyouarehere，orwhatplansyouarepursuing。Andwedonotwishtoknow。Itisenoughthatyouareofourside。Thishouseisatyourserviceaslongasyoupleasetouseit。Andifwecanaidyouinanyotherwaywewilldoso。\'
\'Madame！\'Iexclaimed；andthereIstopped。Icouldsaynomore。Therosegarden，withitsairofneglect，theshadowofthequiethousethatfellacrossit，thegreatyewhedgewhichbackedit，andwasthepatternofoneunderwhichIhadplayedinchildhood——allhadpointsthatprickedme。Butthewomen\'skindness，theirunquestioningconfidence，thenobleairofhospitalitywhichmovedthem！AgainsttheseandtheirplacidbeautyinitspeacefulframeIhadnoshield，nodefence。I
turnedaway，andfeignedtobeovercomebygratitude。
\'Ihavenowords——tothankyou！\'Imutteredpresently。\'Iamalittleshakenthismorning。I——pardonme。\'
\'Wewillleaveyouforawhile，\'MademoiselledeCocheforetsaidingentlepityingtones。\'Theairwillreviveyou。Louisshallcallyouwhenwegotodinner，M。deBarthe。Come，Elise。\'
Ibowedlowtohidemyface，andtheynoddedpleasantly——notlookingcloselyatme——astheywalkedbymetothehouse。I
watchedthetwogracious，pale-robedfiguresuntilthedoorwayswallowedthem，andthenIwalkedawaytoaquietcornerwheretheshrubsgrewhighestandtheyewhedgethrewitsdeepestshadow，andIstoodtothink。
And，MONDIEU，strangethoughts。Iftheoakcanthinkatthemomentthewinduprootsit，orthegnarledthorn-bushwhenthelandsliptearsitfromtheslope，theymayhavesuchthoughts，I
staredattheleaves，attherottingblossoms，intothedarkcavitiesofthehedge；Istaredmechanically，dazedandwondering。WhatwasthepurposeforwhichIwashere？WhatwastheworkIhadcometodo？Aboveall，how——myGod！howwasItodoitinthefaceofthesehelplesswomen，whotrustedme，whobelievedinme，whoopenedtheirhousetome？Clonhadnotfrightenedme，northelonelinessoftheleaguedvillage，northeremotenessofthiscornerwherethedreadCardinalseemedaname，andtheKing\'swritranslowly，andtherebellionlongquenchedelsewhere，stillsmouldered。ButMadame\'spurefaith，theyoungerwoman\'stenderness——howwasItofacethese？
IcursedtheCardinal——wouldhehadstayedatLuchon。IcursedtheEnglishfoolwhohadbroughtmetothis，Icursedtheyearsofplentyandscarceness，andtheQuartierMarais，andZaton\'s，whereIhadlivedlikeapig，and——
Atouchfellonmyarm。Iturned。ItwasClon。Howhehadstolenupsoquietly，howlonghehadbeenatmyelbow，Icouldnottell。Buthiseyesgleamedspitefullyintheirdeepsockets，andhelaughedwithhisfleshlesslips；andIhatedhim。Inthedaylightthemanlookedmorelikeadeath\'s-headthanever。I
fanciedthatIreadinhisfacethatheknewmysecret，andI
flashedintorageatsightofhim。
\'Whatisit？\'Icried，withanotheroath。\'Don\'tlayyourcorpse-clawsonme！\'
Hemowedatme，and，bowingwithironicalpoliteness，pointedtothehouse。
\'IsMadameserved？\'Isaidimpatiently，crushingdownmyanger。
\'Isthatwhatyoumean，fool？\'
Henodded，\'Verywell，\'Iretorted。\'Icanfindmywaythen。Youmaygo！\'
Hefellbehind，andIstrodebackthroughthesunshineandflowers，andalongthegrass-grownpaths，tothedoorbywhichI
hadcomeIwalkedfast，buthisshadowkeptpacewithme，drivingouttheunaccustomedthoughtsinwhichIhadbeenindulging。
Slowlybutsurelyitdarkenedmymood。Afterall，thiswasalittle，littleplace；thepeoplewholivedhere——Ishruggedmyshoulders。France，power，pleasure，life，everythingworthwinning，worthhaving，layyonderinthegreatcity。Aboymightwreckhimselfhereforafancy；amanoftheworld，never。WhenIenteredtheroom，wherethetwoladiesstoodwaitingformebythetable，Iwasnearlymyoldselfagain。Andachancewordpresentlycompletedthework。
\'Clonmadeyouunderstand，then？\'theyoungwomansaidkindly，asItookmyseat。
\'Yes，Mademoiselle，\'Ianswered。OnthatIsawthetwosmileatoneanother，andIadded：\'Heisastrangecreature。Iwonderthatyoucanbeartohavehimnearyou。\'
\'Poorman！Youdonotknowhisstory？\'Madamesaid。
\'Ihaveheardsomethingofit，\'Ianswered。\'Louistoldme。\'
\'Well，Idoshudderathimsometimes，\'shereplied，inalowvoice。\'Hehassuffered——andhorribly，andforus。ButIwishthatithadbeenonanyotherservice。Spiesarenecessarythings，butonedoesnotwishtohavetodowiththem！Anythinginthenatureoftreacheryissohorrible。\'
\'Quick，Louis！\'Mademoiselleexclaimed，\'thecognac，ifyouhaveanythere！Iamsurethatyouare——stillfeelingill，Monsieur。\'
\'No，Ithankyou，\'Imutteredhoarsely，makinganefforttorecovermyself。\'Iamquitewell。Itwas——anoldwoundthatsometimestouchesme。\'
CHAPTERIV
MADAMEANDMADEMOISELLE
Tobefrank，however，itwasnottheoldwoundthattouchedmesonearly，butMadame\'swords；which，finishingwhatClon\'ssuddenappearanceinthegardenhadbegun，wentalongwaytowardshardeningmeandthrowingmebackintomyself。Isawwithbitterness——whatIhadperhapsforgottenforamoment——howgreatwasthechasmthatseparatedmefromthesewomen；howimpossibleitwasthatwecouldlongthinkalike；howfarapartinviews，inexperience，inaimswewere。AndwhileImadeamockinmyheartoftheirhigh-flownsentiments——orthoughtIdid——Ilaughednolessatthefollywhichhadledmetodream，evenfora，moment，thatIcould，atmyage，goback——gobackandriskallforawhim，ascruple，thefancyofalonelyhour。
Idaresaysomethingofthisshowedinmyface；forMadame\'seyesmirroredadimreflectionoftroubleasshelookedatme，andMademoiselletalkednervouslyandatrandom。Atanyrate，I
fanciedso，andIhastenedtocomposemyself；andthetwo，inpressinguponmethesimpledaintiesofthetablesoonforgot，orappearedtoforget，theincident。
YetinspiteofthisCONTRETEMPS，thatfirstmealhadastrangecharmforme。Theroundtablewhereatwedinedwasspreadinsidetheopendoorwhichledtothegarden，sothattheOctobersunshinefellfullonthespotlesslinenandquaintoldplate，andthefreshbalmyairfilledtheroomwiththescentofsweetherbs。Louisserveduswiththemienofamajor-domo，andsetoneachdishasthoughithadbeenapeacockoramessofortolans。
Thewoodsprovidedthelargerportionofourmeal；thegardendiditspart；theconfectionsMademoisellehadcookedwithherownhand。
By-and-by，asthemealwenton，asLouistrodtoandfroacrossthepolishedfloor，andthelastinsectsofsummerhummedsleepilyoutside，andthetwograciousfacescontinuedtosmileatmeoutofthegloom——fortheladiessatwiththeirbackstothedoor——Ibegantodreamagain，Ibegantosinkagainintofolly，thatwashalf-pleasure，half-pain。Thefuryofthegaming-houseandtheriotofZaton\'sseemedfaraway。Thetriumphsofthefencing-room——eventheygrewcheapandtawdry。I
thoughtofexistenceasoneoutsideit，Ibalancedthisagainstthat，andwonderedwhether，afterall，theredsoutaneweresomuchbetterthanthehomelyjerkin，orthefameofadaythaneaseandsafety。
AndlifeatCocheforetwasallafterthepatternofthisdinner。
Eachday，Imightalmostsayeachmeal，gaverisetothesamesequenceofthoughts。InClon\'spresence，orwhensomewordofMadame\'s，unconsciouslyharsh，remindedmeofthedistancebetweenus，Iwasmyself。Atothertimes，infaceofthispeacefulandintimatelife，whichwasonlyrenderedpossiblebytheremotenessoftheplaceandthepeculiarcircumstancesinwhichtheladiesstood，Ifeltastrangeweakness，Thelonelinessofthewoodsthatencircledthehouse，andonlyhereandthereaffordedadistantglimpseofsnow-cladpeaks；theabsenceofanylinktobindmetotheoldlife，sothatatintervalsitseemedunreal；theremotenessofthegreatworld，alltendedtosapmywillandweakenthepurposewhichhadbroughtmetothisplace。
Onthefourthdayaftermycoming，however，somethinghappenedtobreakthespell。ItchancedthatIcamelatetodinner，andenteredtheroomhastilyandwithoutceremony，expectingtofindMadameandhersisteralreadyseated。Instead，Ifoundthemtalkinginalowtonebytheopendoor，witheverymarkofdisorderintheirappearance；whileClonandLouisstoodatalittledistancewithdowncastfacesandperplexedlooks。
Ihadtimetoseeallthis，andthenmyentrancewroughtasuddenchange。ClonandLouissprangtoattention；Madameandhersistercametothetableandsatdown，andallmadeashallowpretenceofbeingattheirease。ButMademoiselle\'sfacewaspale，herhandtrembled；andthoughMadame\'sgreaterself-commandenabledhertocarryoffthematterbetter，Isawthatshewasnotherself。OnceortwiceshespokeharshlytoLouis；shefellatothertimesintoabrownstudy；andwhenshethoughtthatI
wasnotwatchingher，herfaceworealookofdeepanxiety。
Iwonderedwhatallthismeant；andIwonderedmorewhen，afterthemeal，thetwowalkedinthegardenforanhourwithClon。
Mademoisellecamefromthisinterviewalone，andIwassurethatshehadbeenweeping。Madameandthedarkporterstayedoutsidesometimelonger；thenshe，too，camein，anddisappeared。
Clondidnotreturnwithher，andwhenIwentintothegardenfiveminuteslater，Louisalsohadvanished。Savefortwowomenwhosatsewingatanupperwindow，thehouseseemedtobedeserted。Notasoundbroketheafternoonstillnessofroomorgarden，andyetIfeltthatmorewashappeninginthissilencethanappearedonthesurface。Ibegintogrowcurious——
suspicious，andpresentlyslippedoutmyselfbywayofthestables，andskirtingthewoodatthebackofthehouse，gainedwithalittletroublethebridgewhichcrossedthestreamandledtothevillage。
TurningroundatthispointIcouldseethehouse，andImovedalittleasideintotheunderwood，andstoodgazingatthewindows，tryingtounriddlethematter。ItwasnotlikelythatM。deCocheforetwouldrepeathisvisitsosoon；and，besides，thewomen\'semotionshadbeenthoseofpuredismayandgrief，unmixedwithanyofthesatisfactiontowhichsuchameeting，thoughsnatchedbystealth，mustgiverise。Idiscardedmyfirstthoughttherefore——thathehadreturnedunexpectedly——andI
soughtforanothersolution。
Butnootherwasontheinstantforthcoming。Thewindowsremainedobstinatelyblind，nofiguresappearedontheterrace，thegardenlaydeserted，andwithoutlife。Mydeparturehadnot，asIhalfexpecteditwould，drawnthesecretintolight。
Iwatchedawhile，attimescursingmyownmeanness；buttheexcitementofthemomentandthequesttidedmeoverthat。ThenIdeterminedtogodownintothevillageandseewhetheranythingwasmovingthere。Ihadbeendowntotheinnonce，andhadbeenreceivedhalfsulkily，halfcourteously，asapersonprivilegedatthegreathouse，andthereforetobeaccepted。ItwouldnotbethoughtoddifIwentagain，andafteramoment\'sthought，I
starteddownthetrack。
This，whereitranthroughthewood，wassodenselyshadedthatthesunpenetratedtoitlittle，andinpatchesonly。Asquirrelstirredattimes，slidingroundatrunk，orscamperingacrossthedryleaves。Occasionallyapiggruntedandmovedfartherintothewood。Buttheplacewasveryquiet，andIdonotknowhowitwasthatIsurprisedCloninsteadofbeingsurprisedbyhim。
Hewaswalkingalongthepathbeforemewithhiseyesontheground——walkingsoslowly，andwithhisleanframesobentthatI
mighthavesupposedhimillifIhadnotremarkedthesteadymovementofhisheadfromrighttoleft，andthealerttouchwithwhichhenowandagaindisplacedaclodofearthoraclusterofleaves。By-and-byherosestiffly，andlookedroundhimsuspiciously；butbythattimeIhadslippedbehindatrunk，andwasnottobeseen；andafterabriefintervalhewentbacktohistask，stoopingoveritmoreclosely，ifpossible，thanbefore，andapplyinghimselfwithevengreatercare。
BythattimeIhadmadeupmymindthathewastrackingsomeone。
Butwhom？Icouldnotmakeaguessatthat。Ionlyknewthattheplotwasthickening，andbegantofeeltheeagernessofthechase。Ofcourse，ifthematterhadnottodowithCocheforet，itwasnoaffairofmine；butthoughitseemedunlikelythatanythingcouldbringhimbacksosoon，hemightstillbeatthebottomofthis。And，besides，Ifeltanaturalcuriosity。WhenClonatlastimprovedhispace，andwentontothevillage，I
tookuphistask。Icalledtomindallthewood-loreIhadeverlearned，andscannedtroddenmouldandcrushedleaveswitheagereyes。Butinvain。Icouldmakenothingofitall，androseatlastwithanachingbackandnoadvantage。
Ididnotgoontothevillageafterthat，butreturnedtothehouse，whereIfoundMadamepacingthegarden。Shelookedupeagerlyonhearingmystep；andIwasmistakenifshewasnotdisappointed——ifshehadnotbeenexpectingsomeoneelse。Shehidthefeelingbravely，however，andmetmewithacarelessword；butsheturnedtothehousemorethanoncewhilewetalked，andsheseemedtobeallthewhileonthewatch，anduneasy。I
wasnotsurprisedwhenClon\'sfigurepresentlyappearedinthedoorway，andsheleftmeabruptly，andwenttohim。Ionlyfeltmorecertainthanbeforethattherewassomethingstrangeonfoot。Whatitwas，andwhetherithadtodowithM。deCocheforet，Icouldnottell。Butthereitwas，andIgrewmorecuriousthelongerIremainedalone。
Shecamebacktomepresently，lookingthoughtfulandatrifledowncast。
\'ThatwasClon，wasitnot？\'Isaid，studyingherface，\'Yes，\'sheanswered。Shespokeabsently，anddidnotlookatme。
\'Howdoeshetalktoyou？\'Iasked，speakingatriflecurtly。
AsIintended，mytonerousedher。\'Bysigns，\'shesaid。
\'Ishe——ishenotalittlemad？\"Iventured。Iwantedtomakehertalkandforgetherself。
Shelookedatmewithsuddenkeenness，thendroppedhereyes，\'Youdonotlikehim？\'shesaid，anoteofchallengeinhervoice。\'Ihavenoticedthat，Monsieur。\'
\'Ithinkhedoesnotlikeme，\'Ireplied。
\'Heislesstrustfulthanweare，\'sheanswerednaively。\'Itisnaturalthatheshouldbe。Hehasseenmoreoftheworld。\'
Thatsilencedmeforamoment，butshedidnotseemtonoticeit。
\'Iwaslookingforhimalittlewhileago，andIcouldnotfindhim，\'Isaid，afterapause\'Hehasbeenintothevillage，\'sheanswered。
Ilongedtopursuethematterfurther；butthoughsheseemedtoentertainnosuspicionofme，Idarednotruntherisk。Itriedher，instead，onanothertack。
\'MademoiselledeCocheforetdoesnotseemverywellto-day？\'I
said。
\'No？\'sheansweredcarelessly。\'Well，nowyouspeakofit，Idonotthinkthatsheis。Sheisoftenanxiousabout——onewelove。\'
Sheutteredthelastwordswithalittlehesitation，andlookedatmequicklywhenshehadspokenthem。Weweresittingatthemomentonastoneseatwhichhadthewallofthehouseforaback；and，fortunately，Iwastoyingwiththebranchofacreepingplantthathungoverit，sothatshecouldnotseemorethanthesideofmyface。ForIknewthatitaltered。Overmyvoice，however，Ihadmorecontrol，andIhastenedtoanswer，\'Yes，Isupposeso，\'asinnocentlyaspossible。
\'HeisatBosost，inSpain。Youknewthat，Iconclude？\'shesaid，withacertainsharpness。Andshelookedmeinthefaceagainverydirectly。
\'Yes，\'Ianswered，beginningtotremble。
\'Isupposeyouhaveheard，too，thathe——thathesometimescrossestheborder？\'shecontinuedinalowvoice，butwithacertainringofinsistenceinhertone。\'Or，ifyouhavenotheardit，youguessit？\'
Iwasinaquandary，andgrew，inonesecond，hotallover。
UncertainwhatamountofknowledgeIoughttoadmit，Itookrefugeingallantry。
\'Ishouldbesurprisedifhedidnot，\'Ianswered，withabow，\'being，asheis，soclose，andhavingsuchaninducementtoreturn，Madame。\'
Shedrewalong，shiveringsigh，atthethoughtofhisperil，I
fancied，andshesatbackagainstthewall。Nordidshesayanymore，thoughIheardhersighagain。Isamomentsherose。
\'Theafternoonsaregrowingchilly，\'shesaid；\'IwillgoinandseehowMademoiselleis。Sometimesshedoesnotcometosupper。
Ifshecannotdescendthisevening，Iamafraidthatyoumustexcusemetoo，Monsieur。\'
Isaidwhatwasright，andwatchedhergoin；and，asIdidso，I
loathedmyerrand，andthemeancontemptiblecuriositywhichithadplantedinmymind，morethanatanyformertime。Thesewomen——Icouldfinditinmyhearttohatethemfortheirfrankness，fortheirfoolishconfidence，andthesillytrustfulnessthatmadethemsoeasyaprey！
NOMDEDIEU！Whatdidthewomanmeanbytellingmeallthis？Tomeetmeinsuchaway，todisarmonebysuchmethods，wastotakeanunfairadvantage。Itputavile——ay，thevilest——aspect，ontheworkIhadtodo。
Yetitwasveryodd！WhatcouldM。deCocheforetmeanbyreturningsosoon，ifM。deCocheforetwashere？And，ontheotherhand，ifitwasnothisunexpectedpresencethathadsoupsetthehouse，whatwasthesecret？WhomhadClonbeentracking？AndwhatwasthecauseofMadame\'sanxiety？InafewminutesIbegantogrowcuriousagain；and，astheladiesdidnotappearatsupper，Ihadleisuretogivemybrainfulllicence，and，inthecourseofanhour，thoughtofahundredkeystothemystery。Butnoneexactlyfittedthelock，orlaidopenthesecret。
Afalsealarmthateveninghelpedtopuzzlemestillmore。Iwassittingaboutanhouraftersupper，onthesameseatinthegarden——Ihadmycloakandwassmoking——whenMadamecameoutlikeaghost，and，withoutseeingme，flittedawaythroughthedarknesstowardthestables。ForamomentIhesitated，andthenIfollowedher。Shewentdownthepathandroundthestables，and，sofar，Isawnothingstrangeinheractions；butwhenshehadinthiswaygainedtherearofthewestwing，shetookatrackthroughthethickettotheeastofthehouseagain，andsocamebacktothegarden。Thisgained，shecameupthepathandwentinthroughtheparlourdoor，anddisappeared——altermakingaclearcircuitofthehouse，andnotoncepausingorlookingtorightorleft！IconfessIwasfairlybaffled。IsankbackontheseatIhadleft，andsaidtomyselfthatthiswasthelamestofallconclusions。Iwassurethatshehadexchangednowordwithanyone。Iwasequallysurethatshehadnotdetectedmypresencebehindher。Why，then，hadshemadethisstrangepromenade，alone，unprotected，anhourafternightfall？Nodoghadbayed，noonehadmoved，shehadnotoncepaused，orlistened，likeapersonexpectingarencontre。Icouldnotmakeitout。AndIcamenonearertosolvingit，thoughIlayawakeanhourbeyondmyusualtime。
Inthemorning，neitheroftheladiesdescendedtodinner，andI
heardthatMademoisellewasnotsowell。Afteralonelymeal，thereforeImissedthemmorethanIshouldhavesupposed——I
retiredtomyfavouriteseatandfelltomeditating。
Thedaywasfine，andthegardenpleasant。Sittingtherewithmyeyesontheoldfashionedherb-beds，withtheold-fashionedscentsintheair，andthedarkbeltoftreesboundingtheviewoneitherside，IcouldbelievethatIhadbeenoutofParisnotthreeweeks，butthreemonths。Thequietlappedmeround。I
couldfancythatIhadneverlovedanythingelse。Thewood-dovescooedinthestillness；occasionallytheharshcryofajayjarredthesilence。Itwasanhourafternoon，andhot。IthinkInodded。
Onasudden，asifinadream，IsawClon\'sfacepeeringatmeroundtheangleoftheparlourdoor。Helooked，andinamomentwithdrew，andIheardwhispering。Thedoorwasgentlyclosed。
Thenallwasstillagain。
ButIwaswideawakenow，andthinking。ClearlythepeopleofthehousewishedtoassurethemselvesthatIwasasleepandsafelyoutoftheway。Asclearly，itwastomyinteresttobeintheway。Givingplacetothetemptation，Irosequietly，and，stoopingbelowthelevelofthewindows，slippedroundtheeastendofthehouse，passingbetweenitandthegreatyewhedge。
HereIfoundallstillandnoonestirring；so，keepingawaryeyeaboutme，Iwentonroundthehouse——reversingtheroutewhichMadamehadtakenthenightbefore——untilIgainedtherearofthestables。HereIhadscarcelypausedasecondtoscanthegroundbeforetwopersonscameoutofthestable-court。TheywereMadameandtheporter。
Theystoodabriefwhileoutsideandlookedupanddown。ThenMadamesaidsomethingtotheman，andhenodded。Leavinghimstandingwherehewas，shecrossedthegrasswithaquick，lightstep，andvanishedamongthetrees。
Inamomentmymindwasmadeuptofollow；and，asClonturnedatonceandwentin，Iwasabletodosobeforeitwastoolate。
Bendinglowamongtheshrubs，IranhotfoottothepointwhereMadamehadenteredthewood。HereIfoundanarrowpath，andrannimblyalongit，andpresentlysawhergreyrobeflutteringamongthetreesbeforeme。Itonlyremainedtokeepoutofhersightandgivehernochanceofdiscoveringthatshewasfollowed；andthisIsetmyselftodo。Onceortwicesheglancedround，butthewoodwasofbeech，thelightwhichpassedbetweentheleaveswasmeretwilight，andmyclothesweredark-coloured。Ihadeveryadvantage，therefore，andlittletofearaslongasIcouldkeepherinviewandstillremainmyselfatsuchadistancethattherustleofmytreadwouldnotdisturbher。
Assuredthatshewasonherwaytomeetherhusband，whommypresencekeptfromthehouse，Ifeltthatthecrisishadcomeatlast，andIgrewmoreexcitedwitheachstepItook。Idetestedthetaskofwatchingher；itfilledmewithpeevishdisgust。ButinproportionasIhateditIwaseagertohaveitdoneandbedonewithit，andsucceed，andstuffmyearsandbegonefromthescene。Whenshepresentlycametothevergeofthebeechwood，and，enteringalittleopenclearing，seemedtoloiter，Iwentcautiously。This，Ithought，mustbetherendezvous；andIheldbackwarily，lookingtoseehimstepoutofthethicket。
Buthedidnot，andby-and-byshequickenedherpace。Shecrossedtheopenandenteredawideridecutthroughalow，densewoodofalderanddwarfoak——awoodsocloselyplantedandsointertwinedwithhazelandelderandboxthatthebranchesroselikeasolidwall，twelvefeethigh，oneithersideofthetrack。
Downthisshepassed，andIstoodandwatchedhergo，forIdarednotfollow。Theridestretchedawayasstraightasalineforfourorfivehundredyards，agreenpathbetweengreenwalls。Toenteritwastobeimmediatelydetected，ifsheturned，whilethethicketitselfpermittednopassage。Istoodbaffledandraging，andwatchedherpassalong。Itseemedanagebeforesheatlastreachedtheend，and，turningsharplytotheright，wasinaninstantgonefromsight。
Iwaitedthennolonger。Istartedoff，and，runningaslightlyandquietlyasIcould，Ispeddownthegreenalley。Thesunshoneintoit，thetreeskeptoffthewind，andbetweenheatandhasteIsweatedfinely。Buttheturfwassoft，andthegroundfellslightly，andinlittlemorethanaminuteIgainedtheend。
FiftyyardsshortoftheturningIstopped，and，stealingon，lookedcautiouslythewayshehadgone。
Isawbeforemeasecondride，thetwinoftheother，andahundredandfiftypacesdownithergreyfiguretrippingonbetweenthegreenhedges。Istoodandtookbreath，andcursedthewoodandtheheatandMadame\'swariness。Wemusthavecomealeague，ortwo-thirdsofaleague，atleast。Howfardidthemanexpecthertoplodtomeethim？Ibegantogrowangry。Thereismoderationeveninthecookingofeggs，andthiswoodmightstretchintoSpain，forallIknew！
Presentlysheturnedthecornerandwasgoneagain，andIhadtorepeatmymanoeuvre。Thistime，surely，Ishouldfindachange。
Butno！Anothergreenridestretchedawayintothedepthsoftheforest，withhedgesofvaryingshades——herelightandtheredark，ashazelandelder，orthorn，andyewandboxprevailed——butalwayshighandstiffandimpervious。HalfwaydowntherideMadame\'sfiguretrippedsteadilyon，theonlymovingthinginsight。Iwondered，stood，and，whenshevanished，followed-onlytofindthatshehadenteredanothertrack，alittlenarrowerbutineveryotherrespectalike。
Andsoitwentonforquitehalfanhour。SometimesMadameturnedtotheright，sometimestotheleft。Themazeseemedtobeendless。OnceortwiceIwonderedwhethershehadlostherway，andwasmerelyseekingtoreturn。Buthersteady，purposefulgait，hermeasuredpace，forbadetheidea。Inoticed，too，thatsheseldomlookedbehindher——rarelytorightorleft。
Oncetheridedownwhichshepassedwascarpetednotwithgreen，butwiththesilvery，sheenyleavesofsomecreepingplantthatinthedistancehadashimmerlikethatofwateratevening。Asshetrodthis，withherfacetothelowsun，hertallgreyfigurehadapureairthatforthemomentstartledme——shelookedunearthly。ThenIsworeinscornofmyself，andatthenextcornerIhadmyreward。Shewasnolongerwalkingon。Shehadstopped，Ifound，andseatedherselfonafallentreethatlayintheride。
ForsometimeIstoodinambushwatchingher，andwitheachminuteIgrewmoreimpatient。AtlastIbegantodoubt——tohavestrangethoughts。Thegreenwallsweregrowingdark。Thesunwassinking；asharp，whitepeak，milesandmilesaway，whichclosedthevistaoftheride，begantoflushandcolourrosily。
Finally，butnotbeforeIhadhadleisuretogrowuneasy，shestoodupandwalkedonmoreslowly。Iwaited，asusual，untilthenextturninghidher。ThenIhastenedafterher，and，warilypassingroundthecornercamefacetofacewithher！
Iknewallinamomentsawallinaflash：thatshehadfooledme，trickedme，luredmeaway。Herfacewaswhitewithscorn，hereyesblazed；herfigure，assheconfrontedme，trembledwithangerandinfinitecontempt。
\'Youspy！\'shecried。\'Youhound！You——gentleman！Oh，MON
DIEU！ifyouareoneofus——ifyouarereallynotoftheCANAILLE——weshallpayforthissomeday！Weshallpayaheavyreckoninginthetimetocome！Ididnotthink，\'shecontinued，andhereverysyllablewaslikethelashofawhip，\'thattherewasanythingsovileasyouinthisworld！\'
Istammeredsomething——Idonotknowwhat。Herwordsburnedintome——intomyheart！Hadshebeenaman，Iwouldhavestruckherdead！
\'Youthoughtthatyoudeceivedmeyesterday，\'shecontinued，loweringhertone，butwithnolesseningofthepassion，thecontempt，theindignation，whichcurledherlipandgavefullnesstohervoice。\'Youplotter！Yousurfacetrickster！Youthoughtitaneasytasktodeludeawoman——youfindyourselfdeluded。
Godgiveyoushamethatyoumaysuffer！\'shecontinuedmercilessly。\'YoutalkedofClon，butClonbesideyouisthemostspotless，themosthonourableofmen！\'
\'Madame，\'Isaidhoarsely——andIknowthatmyfacewasgreyasashes——\'letusunderstandoneanother。\'
\'Godforbid！\'shecriedontheinstant。\'Iwouldnotsoilmyself！\'
\'Fie！Madame，\'Isaid，trembling。Butthen，youareawoman。
Thatshouldcostamanhislife！\'
Shelaughedbitterly。
\'Yousaywell，\'sheretorted。\'Iamnotaman——andifyouareone，thankGodforit。NeitheramIMadame。MadamedeCocheforethasspentthisafternoon——thankstoyourabsenceandyourimbecility——withherhusband。Yes，Ihopethathurtsyou！\'
shewenton，savagelysnappingherlittlewhiteteethtogether。
\'Ihopethatstingsyou；tospyanddovilework，anddoitill，MonsieurMouchard——MonsieurdeMouchard，Ishouldsay——I
congratulateyou！\'
\'YouarenotMadamedeCocheforet？\'Icried，stunned，eveninthemidstofmyshameandrage，bythisblow。
\'No，Monsieur！\'sheansweredgrimly。\'Iamnot！Iamnot。Andpermitmetopointout——forwedonotalllieeasily——thatI
neversaidIwas。Youdeceivedyourselfsoskilfullythatwehadnoneedtotrickyou。\'
\'Mademoiselle，then？\'Imuttered。
\'IsMadame！\'shecried。\'Yes，andIamMademoiselledeCocheforet。Andinthatcharacter，andinallothers，Ibegfromthismomenttocloseouracquaintance，sir。Whenwemeetagain——ifweeverdomeet，whichGodforbid！\'shewenton，hereyessparkling——\'donotpresumetospeaktome，orIwillhaveyoufloggedbythegrooms。Anddonotstainourroofbysleepingunderitagain。Youmaylieto-nightintheinn。ItshallnotbesaidthatCocheforet，\'shecontinuedproudly，\'returnedeventreacherywithinhospitality；andIwillgiveorderstothatend。
Butto-morrowbegonebacktoyourmaster，likethewhippedcuryouare！Spyandcoward！\'
Withthoselastwordsshemovedaway。Iwouldhavesaidsomething，Icouldalmosthavefounditinmyhearttostopherandmakeherhear。Nay，Ihaddreadfulthoughts；forIwasthestronger，andImighthavedonewithherasIpleased。Butshesweptbymesofearlessly，asImightpasssomeloathsomecrippleontheroad，thatIstoodturnedtostone。Withoutlookingatme，withoutturningherheadtoseewhetherIfollowedorremained，orwhatIdid，shewentsteadilydownthetrackuntilthetreesandtheshadowandthegrowingdarknesshidhergreyfigurefromme；andIfoundmyselfalone。