INTRODUCTION。
ThefollowingisamodernEnglishversionofacuriousFrenchmemoir，orfragmentofautobiography，apparentlywrittenabouttheyear1620byAnne，VicomtedeCaylus，andbroughttothiscountry——if，infact，theoriginaleverexistedinEngland——byoneofhisdescendantsaftertheRevocationoftheEdictofNantes。ThisAnne，welearnfromothersources，wasaprincipalfigureattheCourtofHenryIV。，and，therefore，inAugust，1572，whentheadventureshererelatedtookplace，heandhistwoyoungerbrothers，MarieandCroisette，whosharedwithhimthehonourandthedanger，musthavebeenlittlemorethanboys。
Fromthetoneofhisnarrative，itappearsthat，inrevivingoldrecollections，theveteranrenewedhisyouthalso，andthoughhisstorythrowsnofreshlightuponthehistoryofthetime，itseemstopossesssomehumaninterest。
THEHOUSEOFTHEWOLF。
CHAPTERI。
WAREWOLF！
Ihadafterwardssuchgoodreasontolookbackuponandremembertheeventsofthatafternoon，thatCatherine’svoiceseemstoringinmybrainevennow。Icanshutmyeyesandseeagain，afteralltheseyears，whatIsawthen——justthebluesummersky，andonegreyangleofthekeep，fromwhichafleecycloudwastrailinglikethesmokefromachimney。IcouldseenomorebecauseIwaslyingonmyback，myheadrestingonmyhands。
MarieandCroisette，mybrothers，werelyingbymeinexactlythesameposture，andafewyardsawayontheterrace，CatherinewassittingonastoolGilhadbroughtoutforher。ItwasthesecondThursdayinAugust，andhot。Eventhejackdawsweresilent。Ihadalmostfallenasleep，watchingmycloudgrowlongerandlonger，andthinnerandthinner，whenCroisette，whocaredforheatnomorethanalizard，spokeupsharply，\"Mademoiselle，\"hesaid，\"whyareyouwatchingtheCahorsroad？\"
Ihadnotnoticedthatshewasdoingso。ButsomethinginthekeennessofCroisette’stone，takenperhapswiththefactthatCatherinedidnotatonceanswerhim，arousedme;andIturnedtoher。Andlo！shewasblushinginthemostheavenlyway，andhereyeswerefulloftears，andshelookedatusadorably。Andweallthreesatuponourelbows，likethreepuppydogs，andlookedather。Andtherewasalongsilence。Andthenshesaidquitesimplytous，\"Boys，IamgoingtobemarriedtoM。dePavannes。\"
Ifellflatonmybackandspreadoutmyarms。\"Oh，Mademoiselle！\"Icriedreproachfully。
\"Oh，Mademoiselle！\"criedMarie。Andhefellflatonhisback，andspreadouthisarmsandmoaned。Hewasagoodbrother，wasMarie，andobedient。
AndCroisettecried，\"Oh，mademoiselle！\"too。Buthewasalwaysridiculousinhisways。Hefellflatonhisback，andfloppedhisarmsandsquealedlikeapig。
Yethewassharp。Itwashewhofirstrememberedourduty，andwenttoCatherine，capinhand，whereshesathalfangryandhalfconfused，andsaidwithafinerednessinhischeeks，\"MademoiselledeCaylus，ourcousin，wegiveyoujoy，andwishyoulonglife;andareyourservants，andthegoodfriendsandaidersofM。dePavannesinallquarrels，as——\"
ButIcouldnotstandthat。\"Notsofast，St。CroixdeCaylus\"I
said，pushinghimaside——hewasevergettingbeforemeinthosedays——andtakinghisplace。ThenwithmybestbowIbegan，\"Mademoiselle，wegiveyoujoyandlonglife，andareyourservantsandthegoodfriendsandaidersofM。dePavannesinallquarrels，as——as——\"
\"Asbecomesthecadetsofyourhouse，\"suggestedCroisette，softly。
\"Asbecomesthecadetsofyourhouse，\"Irepeated。AndthenCatherinestoodupandmademealowbowandweallkissedherhandinturn，beginningwithmeandendingwithCroisette，aswasbecoming。AfterwardsCatherinethrewherhandkerchiefoverherface——shewascrying——andwethreesatdown，Turkishfashion，justwherewewere，andsaid\"Oh，Kit！\"verysoftly。
ButpresentlyCroisettehadsomethingtoadd。\"WhatwilltheWolfsay？\"hewhisperedtome。
\"Ah！Tobesure！\"Iexclaimedaloud。Ihadbeenthinkingofmyselfbefore;butthisopenedquiteanotherwindow。\"WhatwilltheVidamesay，Kit？\"
Shedroppedherkerchieffromherface，andturnedsopalethatI
wassorryIhadspoken——apartfromthekickCroisettegaveme。
\"IsM。deBezersathishouse？\"sheaskedanxiously。
\"Yes\"Croisetteanswered。\"HecameinlastnightfromSt。
Antonin，withverysmallattendance。\"
\"ThenewsseemedtosetherfearsatrestinsteadofaugmentingthemasIshouldhaveexpected。IsupposetheywereratherforLouisdePavannes，thanforherself。Notunnaturally，too，foreventheWolfcouldscarcelyhavefounditinhishearttohurtourcousin。Herslightwillowyfigure，herpaleovalfaceandgentlebrowneyes，herpleasantvoice，herkindness，seemedtousboysandinthosedays，tosumupallthatwaswomanly。Wecouldnotremember，notevenCroisettetheyoungestofus——whowasseventeen，ayearjuniortoMarieandmyself——weweretwins——thetimewhenwehadnotbeeninlovewithher。
Butletmeexplainhowwefour，whoseunitedagesscarceexceededseventyyears，cametobeloungingontheterraceintheholidaystillnessofthatafternoon。Itwasthesummerof1572。Thegreatpeace，itwillberemembered，betweentheCatholicsandtheHuguenotshadnotlongbeendeclared;thepeacewhichinadayortwowastobesolemnized，and，asmostFrenchmenhoped，tobecementedbythemarriageofHenryofNavarrewithMargaretofValois，theKing’ssister。TheVicomtedeCaylus，Catherine’sfatherandourguardian，wasoneofthegovernorsappointedtoseethepeaceenforced;therespectinwhichhewasheldbybothparties——hewasaCatholic，butnobigot，Godresthissoul！——
recommendinghimforthisemployment。HehadthereforegoneaweekortwobeforetoBayonne，hisprovince。MostofourneighboursinQuercywerelikewisefromhome，havinggonetoParistobewitnessesononesideortheotheroftheroyalwedding。Andconsequentlyweyoungpeople，notgreatlycheckedbythepresenceofgood—natured，sleepyMadameClaude，Catherine’sduenna，weredisposedtomakethemostofourliberty;andtocelebratethepeaceinourownfashion。
Wewerecountry—folk。NotoneofushadbeentoPau，muchlesstoParis。TheVicomteheldstricterviewsthanwerecommonthen，uponyoungpeople’seducation;andthoughwehadlearnedtorideandshoot，touseourswordsandtossahawk，andtoreadandwrite，weknewlittlemorethanCatherineherselfoftheworld;
littlemoreofthepleasuresandsinsofcourtlife，andnotone—
tenthasmuchasshedidofitsgraces。Stillshehadtaughtustodanceandmakeabow。Herpresencehadsoftenedourmanners;
andoflatewehadgainedsomethingfromthefrankcompanionshipofLouisdePavannes，aHuguenotwhomtheVicomtehadtakenprisoneratMoncontourandheldtoransom。Wewerenot，I
think，mereclownishyokels。
Butwewereshy。Wedislikedandshunnedstrangers。AndwhenoldGilappearedsuddenly，whilewewerestillchewingthemelancholycudofKit’sannouncement，andcriedsepulchrally，\"M。
leVidamedeBezerstopayhisrespectstoMademoiselle！\"——Well，therewassomethinglikeapanic，Iconfess！
Wescrambledtoourfeet，muttering，\"TheWolf！\"TheentranceatCaylusisbyaramprisingfromthegatewaytotheleveloftheterrace。Thissunkenwayisfencedbylowwallssothatonemaynot——whenwalkingontheterrace——fallintoit。Gilhadspokenbeforehisheadhadwellrisentoview，andthisgaveusamoment，justamoment。Croisettemadearushforthedoorwayintothehouse;butfailedtogainit，anddrewhimselfupbehindabuttressofthetower，hisfingeronhislip。Iamslowsometimes，andMariewaitedforme，sothatwehadbarelygottoourlegs——looking，Idaresay，awkwardandungainlyenough——
beforetheVidame’sshadowfelldarklyonthegroundatCatherine’sfeet。
\"Mademoiselle！\"hesaid，advancingtoherthroughthesunshine，andbendingoverherslenderhandwithamagnificentgracethatwasbornofhissizeandmannercombined，\"IrodeinlatelastnightfromToulouse;andIgoto—morrowtoParis。IhavebutrestedandwashedoffthestainsoftravelthatImaylaymy——
ah！\"
Heseemedtoseeusforthefirsttimeandnegligentlybrokeoffinhiscompliment;raisinghimselfandsalutingus。\"Ah，\"hecontinuedindolently，\"twoofthemaidensofCaylus，Isee。Withanoddpairofhandsapiece，unlessIammistaken，Whydoyounotsetthemspinning，Mademoiselle？\"andheregardeduswiththatsmilewhich——withotherthingsasevil——hadmadehimfamous。
Croisettepulledhorriblefacesbehindhisback。Welookedhotlyathim;butcouldfindnothingtosay。
\"Yougrowred！\"hewenton，pleasantly——thewretch！——playingwithusasacatdoeswithmice。\"Itoffendsyourdignity，perhaps，thatIbidMademoisellesetyouspinning？InowwouldspinatMademoiselle’sbidding，andthinkithappiness！\"
\"Wearenotgirls！\"Iblurtedout，withtheflushandtremorofaboy’spassion。\"Youhadnotcalledmygodfather，AnnedeMontmorenciagirl，M。leVidame！\"Forthoughwecounteditajokeamongourselvesthatweallboregirls’names，wewereyoungenoughtobesensitiveaboutit。
Heshruggedhisshoulders。Andhowhedwarfedusallashestoodtheredominatingourterrace！\"M。deMontmorenciwasaman，\"hesaidscornfully。\"M。AnnedeCaylusis——\"
Andthevillaindeliberatelyturnedhisgreatbackuponus，takinghisseatonthelowwallnearCatherine’schair。Itwascleareventoourvanitythathedidnotthinkusworthanotherword——thatwehadpassedabsolutelyfromhismind。MadameClaudecamewaddlingoutatthesamemoment，Gilcarryingachairbehindher。Andwe——wellweslunkawayandsatontheothersideoftheterrace，whencewecouldstillglowerattheoffender。
Yetwhowerewetoglowerathim？TothisdayIshakeatthethoughtofhim。Itwasnotsomuchhisheightandbulk，thoughhewassobigthattheclippedpointedfashionofhisbeardafashionthennewatcourt——seemedonhimincongruousandeffeminate;norsomuchthesinisterglanceofhisgreyeyes——hehadaslightcastinthem;northegrimsuavityofhismanner，andtheharshthreateningvoicethatpermittedofnodisguise。
Itwasthesumofthesethings，thegreatbrutalpresenceoftheman——thatwasoverpowering——thatmadethegreatfalterandthepoorcrouch。Andthenhisreputation！Thoughweknewlittleoftheworld’swickedness，allwedidknowhadcometouslinkedwithhisname。Wehadheardofhimasaduellist，asabully，anemployerofbravos。AtJarnachehadbeenthelasttoturnfromtheshambles。Mencalledhimcruelandvengefulevenforthosedays——gonebynow，thankGod！——andwhisperedhisnamewhentheyspokeofassassinations;sayingcommonlyofhimthathewouldnotblenchbeforeaGuise，norblushbeforetheVirgin。
Suchwasourvisitorandneighbour，RaouldeMar，VidamedeBezers。Ashesatontheterrace，noweyeingusaskance，andnowpayingCatherineacompliment，Ilikenedhimtoagreatcatbeforewhichabutterflyhasallunwittinglyflirtedherprettiness。PoorCatherine！Nodoubtshehadherownreasonsforuneasiness;morereasonsIfancythanIthenguessed。Forsheseemedtohavelosthervoice。Shestammeredandmadebutpoorreplies;andMadameClaudebeingdeafandstupid，andweboystootimidaftertherebuffwehadexperiencedtofillthegap，theconversationlanguished。TheVidamewasnotforhispartthemantoputhimselfoutonahotday。
Itwasafteroneofthesepauses——notthefirstbutthelongest——
thatIstartedonfindinghiseyesfixedonmine。More，I
shivered。Itishardtodescribe，buttherewasalookintheVidame’seyesatthatmomentwhichIhadneverseenbefore。A
lookofpainalmost：ofdumbsavagealarmatanyrate。FrommetheypassedslowlytoMarieandmutelyinterrogatedhim。ThentheVidame’sglancetravelledbacktoCatherine，andsettledonher。
Onlyamomentbeforeshehadbeenbuttooconsciousofhispresence。Now，asitchancedbybadluck，orinthecourseofProvidence，somethinghaddrawnherattentionelsewhere。Shewasunconsciousofhisregard。Herowneyeswerefixedinafar—awaygaze。Hercolourwashigh，herlipswereparted，herbosomheavedgently。
TheshadowdeepenedontheVidame’sface。Slowlyhetookhiseyesfromhers，andlookednorthwardsalso。
CaylusCastlestandsonarockinthemiddleofthenarrowvalleyofthatname。ThetownclustersabouttheledgesoftherocksocloselythatwhenIwasaboyIcouldflingastoneclearofthehouses。Thehillsarescarcelyfivehundredyardsdistantoneitherside，risingintamercoloursfromthegreenfieldsaboutthebrook。Itispossiblefromtheterracetoseethewholevalley，andtheroadwhichpassesthroughitlengthwise。
Catherine’seyeswereonthenorthernextremityofthedefile，wherethehighwayfromCahorsdescendsfromtheuplands。Shehadbeensittingwithherfaceturnedthatwayalltheafternoon。
Ilookedthatwaytoo。Asolitaryhorsemanwasdescendingthesteeptrackfromthehills。
\"Mademoiselle！\"criedtheVidamesuddenly。Wealllookedup。
HistonewassuchthatthecolourfledfromKit’sface。Therewassomethinginhisvoiceshehadneverheardinanyvoicebefore——somethingthattoawomanwaslikeablow。
\"Mademoiselle，\"hesnarled，\"isexpectingnewsfromCahors，fromherlover。IhavethehonourtocongratulateM。dePavannesonhisconquest。\"
Ah！hehadguessedit！Asthewordsfellonthesleepysilence，aninsultinthemselves，Isprangtomyfeet，amazedandangry，yetastoundedbyhisquicknessofsightandwit。HemusthaverecognizedthePavannesbadgeatthatdistance。\"M。leVidame，\"
Isaidindignantly——Catherinewaswhiteandvoiceless——\"M。leVidame——\"butthereIstoppedandfalteredstammering。ForbehindhimIcouldseeCroisette;andCroisettegavemenosignofencouragementorsupport。
Sowestoodfacetofaceforamoment;theboyandthemanoftheworld，thestriplingandtheROUE。ThentheVidamebowedtomeinquiteanewfashion。\"M。AnnedeCaylusdesirestoanswerforM。dePavannes？\"heaskedsmoothly;withamockingsmoothness。
Iunderstoodwhathemeant。Butsomethingpromptedme——Croisettesaidafterwardsthatitwasahappythought，thoughnowIknowthecrisistohavebeenlessseriousthanhefanciedtoanswer，\"Nay，notforM。dePavannes。Ratherformycousin。\"AndI
bowed。\"Ihavethehonouronherbehalftoacknowledgeyourcongratulations，M。leVidame。Itpleasesherthatournearestneighbourshouldalsobethefirstoutsidethefamilytowishherwell。YouhavedivinedtrulyinsupposingthatshewillshortlybeunitedtoM。dePavannes。\"
Isuppose——forIsawthegiant’scolourchangeandhislipquiverasIspoke——thathispreviouswordshadbeenonlyaguess。Foramomentthedevilseemedtobeglaringthroughhiseyes;andhelookedatMarieandmeasawildanimalatitskeepers。Yethemaintainedhiscynicalpolitenessinpart。\"Mademoiselledesiresmycongratulations？\"hesaid，slowly，labouringwitheachworditseemed。\"Sheshallhavethemonthehappyday。Sheshallcertainlyhavethemthen。Butthesearetroubloustimes。AndMademoiselle’sbetrothedisIthinkaHuguenot，andhasgonetoParis。Paris——well，theairofParisisnotgoodforHuguenots，Iamtold。\"
IsawCatherineshiver;indeedshewasonthepointoffainting，Ibrokeinrudely，mypassiongettingthebetterofmyfears。
\"M。dePavannescantakecareofhimself，believeme，\"Isaidbrusquely。
\"Perhapsso，\"Bezersanswered，hisvoicelikethegratingofsteelonsteel。\"ButatanyratethiswillbeamemorabledayforMademoiselle。Thedayonwhichshereceivesherfirstcongratulations——shewillrememberitaslongasshelives！Oh，yes，Iwillanswerforthat，M。Anne，\"hesaidlookingbrightlyatoneandanotherofus，hiseyesmoreobliquethanever，\"Mademoisellewillrememberit，Iamsure！\"
Itwouldbeimpossibletodescribethedevilishglanceheflungatthepoorsinkinggirlashewithdrew，thehorridemphasishethrewintothoselastwords，thecovertdeadlythreattheyconveyedtothedullestears。Thathewentthen，wassmallmercy。Hehaddonealltheevilhecoulddoatpresent。Ifhisdesirehadbeentoleavefearbehindhim，hehadcertainlysucceeded。
Kitcryingsoftlywentintothehouse;herinnocentcoquetrymorethansufficientlypunishedalready。Andwethreelookedatoneanotherwithblankfaces，Itwasclearthatwehadmadeadangerousenemy，andanenemyatourowngates。AstheVidamehadsaid，theseweretroubloustimeswhenthingsweredonetomen——ay，andtowomenandchildren——whichwescarcedaretospeakofnow。\"IwishtheVicomtewerehere，\"Croisettesaiduneasilyafterwehaddiscussedseveralunpleasantcontingencies。
\"OrevenMalinesthesteward，\"Isuggested。
\"Hewouldnotbemuchgood，\"repliedCroisette。
\"AndheisatSt。Antonin，andwillnotbebackthisweek。
FatherPierretooisatAlbi。\"
\"Youdonotthink，\"saidMarie，\"thathewillattackus？\"
\"Certainlynot！\"Croisetteretortedwithcontempt。\"EventheVidamewouldnotdaretodothatintimeofpeace。Besides，hehasnothalfascoreofmenhere，\"continuedthelad，shrewdly，\"andcountingoldGilandourselveswehaveasmany。AndPavannesalwayssaidthatthreemencouldholdthegateatthebottomoftherampagainstascore。Oh，hewillnottrythat！\"
\"Certainlynot！\"Iagreed。AndsowecrushedMarie。\"ButforLouisdePavannes——\"
Catherineinterruptedme。Shecameoutquicklylookingadifferentperson;herfaceflushedwithanger，hertearsdried。
\"Anne！\"shecried，imperiously，\"whatisthematterdownbelow——willyousee？\"
Ihadnodifficultyindoingthat。Allthesoundsoftownlifecameuptousontheterrace。Loungingtherewecouldhearthechafferingoverthewheatmeasuresinthecloistersofthemarket—square，theyellofadog，thevoiceofascold，thechurchbell，thewatchman’scry。Ihadonlytosteptothewalltooverlookitall。Onthissummerafternoonthetownhadbeenforthemostpartveryquiet。Ifwehadnotbeenengagedinourownaffairsweshouldhavetakenthealarmbefore，remarkinginthesilencethefirstbeginningsofwhatwasnowaveryrespectabletumult。Itswelledlouderevenaswesteppedtothewall。
Wecouldsee——abendinthestreetlayingitopen——partoftheVidame’shouse;thegloomysquareholdwhichhadcometohimfromhismother。HisownchateauofBezerslayfarawayinFrancheComte，butoflatehehadshownapreference——Catherinecouldbestaccountforit，perhaps——forthismeanhouseinCaylus。Itwastheonlyhouseinthetownwhichdidnotbelongtous。ItwasknownastheHouseoftheWolf，andwasagrimstonebuildingsurroundingacourtyard。Rowsofwolves’headscarvedinstoneflankedthewindows，whencetheirbarefangsgrinneddayandnightatthechurchporchopposite。
Thenoisedrewoureyesinthisdirection;andtherelollinginawindowoverthedoor，lookingoutonthestreetwithalaughingeye，wasBezershimself。Thecauseofhismerriment——wehadnotfartolookforit——wasahorsemanwhowasridingupthestreetunderdifficulties。Hewasreininginhissteed——noeasytaskonthatsteepgreasypavement——soastopresentsomefronttoascoreorsoofraggedknaveswhowerefollowingcloseathisheels，hootingandthrowingmudandpebblesathim。Themanhaddrawnhissword，andhisoathscameuptous，mingledwithshrillcriesof\"VIVELAMESSE！\"andhalfdrownedbytheclatteringofthehorse’shoofs。Wesawastonestrikehimintheface，anddrawblood，andheardhimswearlouderthanbefore。
\"Oh！\"criedCatherine，claspingherhandswithasuddenshriekofindignation，\"myletter！Theywillgetmyletter！\"
\"Death！\"exclaimedCroisette，\"Sheisright！ItisM。dePavannes’courier！Thismustbestopped！Wecannotstandthis，Anne！\"
\"Theyshallpaydearlyforit，byourLady！\"Icriedswearingmyself。\"Andinpeacetimetoo——thevillains！Gil！Francis！\"I
shouted，\"whereareyou？\"
AndIlookedroundformyfowlingpiece，whileCroisettejumpedonthewall，andformingatrumpetwithhishands，shriekedatthetopofhisvoice，\"Back！hebearsaletterfromtheVicomte！\"
Butthedevicedidnotsucceed，andIcouldnotfindmygun。Foramomentwewerehelpless，andbeforeIcouldhavefetchedthegunfromthehouse，thehorsemanandthehootingrabbleathisheels，hadturnedacornerandwerehiddenbytheroofs。
Anotherturnhoweverwouldbringthemoutinfrontofthegateway，andseeingthiswehurrieddowntheramptomeetthem。
IstayedamomenttotellGiltocollecttheservants，and，thiskeepingme，Croisettereachedthenarrowstreetoutsidebeforeme。AsIfollowedhimIwasnearlyknockeddownbytherider，whosefacewascoveredwith，dirtandblood，whilefrighthadrenderedhishorseunmanageable。DartingasideIlethimpass——hewasblindedandcouldnotseeme——andthenfoundthatCroisette——bravelad！hadcollaredtheforemostoftheruffians，andwasbeatinghimwithhissheathedsword，whiletherestoftherabblestoodback，ashamed，yetsullen，andwithangerintheireyes。Adangerouscrew，Ithought;nottownsmen，mostofthem。
\"DownwiththeHuguenots！\"criedone，asIappeared，onebolderthantherest。
\"DownwiththeCANAILLE！\"Iretorted，sternlyeyeingtheill—
lookingring。\"Willyousetyourselvesabovetheking’speace，dirtthatyouare？Gobacktoyourkennels！\"
Thewordswerescarcelyoutofmymouth，beforeIsawthatthefellowwhomCroisettewaspunishinghadgotholdofadagger。I
shoutedawarning，butitcametoolate。Thebladefell，and——
thankstoGod——strikingthebuckleofthelad’sbelt，glancedoffharmless。Isawthesteelflashupagain——sawthespiteintheman’seyes：butthistimeIwasastepnearer，andbeforetheweaponfell，Ipassedmyswordcleanthroughthewretch’sbody。
Hewentdownlikealog，Croisettefallingwithhim，heldfastbyhisstiffeningfingers。
Ihadneverkilledamanbefore，norseenamandie;andifIhadstayedtothinkaboutit，Ishouldhavefallensickperhaps。Butitwasnotimeforthought;notimeforsickness。Thecrowdwerecloseuponus，alineofflushedthreateningfacesfromwalltowall。Asingleglancedownwardstoldmethatthemanwasdead，andIsetmyfootuponhisneck。\"Hounds！Beasts！\"Icried，notloudlythistime，forthoughIwaslikeonepossessedwithrage，itwasinwardrage，\"gotoyourkennels！WillyoudaretoraiseahandagainstaCaylus？Go——orwhentheVicomtereturns，adozenofyoushallhanginthemarket—place！\"
IsupposeIlookedfierceenough——IknowIfeltnofear，onlyastrangeexaltation——fortheyslunkaway。Unwillingly，butwithlittledelaythegroupmelted，Bezers’following——ofwhomIknewthedeadmanwasone——thelasttogo。WhileIstillglaredatthem，lo！thestreetwasempty;thelasthaddisappearedroundthebend。IturnedtofindGilandhalf—a—dozenservantsstandingwithpalefacesatmyback。Croisetteseizedmyhandwithasob。\"Oh，mylord，\"criedGil，quaveringly。ButIshookoneoff，Ifrownedattheother。
\"Takeupthiscarrion！\"Isaid，touchingitwithmyfoot，\"Andhangitfromthejustice—elm。Andthenclosethegates！Seetoit，knaves，andlosenotime。\"
CHAPTERII。
THEVIDAME’STHREAT。
Croisetteusedtotellastory，ofthefactsofwhichIhavenoremembrance，saveasabaddream。HewouldhaveitthatIleftmypalletthatnight——Ihadonetomyselfinthesummer，beingtheeldest，whileheandMariesleptonanotherinthesameroom——andcametohimandawokehim，sobbingandshakingandclutchinghim;andbegginghiminafitofterrornottoletmego。AndthatsoIsleptinhisarmsuntilmorning。ButasI
havesaid，Idonotrememberanythingofthis，onlythatIhadanuglydreamthatnight，andthatwhenIawokeIwaslyingwithhimandMarie;soIcannotsaywhetheritreallyhappened。
Atanyrate，ifIhadanyfeelingofthekinditdidnotlastlong;onthecontrary——itwouldbeidletodenyit——Iwasflatteredbythesuddenrespect，Gilandtheservantsshowedme。
WhatCatherinethoughtofthematterIcouldnottell。Shehadherletterandapparentlyfounditsatisfactory。Atanyratewesawnothingofher。MadameClaudewasbusyboilingsimples，andtendingthemessenger’shurts。AnditseemednaturalthatI
shouldtakecommand。
Therecouldbenodoubt——atanyratewehadnonethattheassaultonthecourierhadtakenplaceattheVidame’sinstance。Theonlywonderwasthathehadnotsimplycuthisthroatandtakentheletter。Butlookingbacknowitseemstomethatgrownmenmingledsomechildishnesswiththeircrueltyinthosedays——dayswhenthereligiouswarshadarousedourworstpassions。Itwasnotenoughtokillanenemy。Itpleasedpeopletomake——Ispeakliterally——afootballofhishead，tothrowhishearttothedogs。AndnodoubtithadfalleninwiththeVidame’sgrimhumourthatthebearerofPavannes’firstlovelettershouldenterhismistress’spresence，bleedingandplaisteredwithmud。
Andthattheriff—raffaboutourowngatesshouldhavepartintheinsult。
Bezers’wrathwouldbelittleabatedbytheissueoftheaffair，orthejusticeIhaddoneononeofhismen。Sowelookedwelltobolts，andbars，andwindows，althoughthecastleiswell—nighimpregnable，thesmoothrockfallingtwentyfeetatleastoneverysidefromthebaseofthewalls。Thegatehouse，Pavanneshadshownus，mightbeblownupwithgunpowderindeed，butwepreparedtoclosetheirongratingwhichbarredthewayhalf—wayuptheramp。Thisdone，eveniftheenemyshouldsucceedinforcinganentrancehewouldonlyfindhimselfcaughtinatrap——
inasteep，narrowwayexposedtoafirefromthetopoftheflankingwalls，aswellasfromthefront。Wehadacoupleofculverins，whichtheVicomtehadgottwentyyearsbefore，atthetimeofthebattleofSt。Quentin。Wefixedoneoftheseattheheadoftheramp，andplacedtheotherontheterrace，wherebymovingitafewpacesforwardwecouldtrainitonBezers’house，whichthuslayatourmercy，Notthatwereallyexpectedanattack。Butwedidnotknowwhattoexpectorwhattofear。Wehadnottenservants，theVicomtehavingtakenascoreofthesturdiestlackeysandkeeperstoattendhimatBayonne。Andwefeltimmenselyresponsible。OurmainhopewasthattheVidamewouldatoncegoontoParis，andpostponehisvengeance。SoagainandagainwecastlongingglancesattheHouseoftheWolfhopingthateachsymptomofbustleheraldedhisdeparture。
Consequentlyitwasashocktome，andagreatdownfallofhopes，whenGilwithagravefacecametomeontheterraceandannouncedthatM。leVidamewasatthegate，askingtoseeMademoiselle。
\"Itisoutofthequestionthatheshouldseeher，\"theoldservantadded，scratchinghisheadingraveperplexity。
\"Mostcertainly。Iwillseehiminstead，\"Iansweredstoutly。
\"DoyouleaveFrancisandanotheratthegate，Gil。Marie，keepwithinsight，lad。AndletCroisettestaywithme。\"
Thesepreparationsmade——andtheytookupscarcelyamoment——I
mettheVidameattheheadoftheramp。\"MademoiselledeCaylus，\"Isaid，bowing，\"is，Iregrettosay，indisposedto—day，Vidame。\"
\"Shewillnotseeme？\"heasked，eyeingmeveryunpleasantly。
\"Herindispositiondeprivesherofthepleasure，\"Iansweredwithaneffort。Hewascertainlyawonderfulman，foratsightofhim，three—fourthsofmycourage，andallmyimportance，oozedoutattheheelsofmyboots。
\"Shewillnotseeme。Verywell，\"hereplied，asifIhadnotspoken。Andthesimplewordssoundedlikeasentenceofdeath。
\"Then，M。Anne，Ihaveacrowtopickwithyou。Whatcompensationdoyouproposetomakeforthedeathofmyservant？
Adecent，quietfellow，whomyoukilledyesterday，poorman，becausehisenthusiasmforthetruefaithcarriedhimawayalittle。\"
\"WhomIkilledbecausehedrewadaggeronM。St。CroixdeCaylusattheVicomte’sgate，\"Iansweredsteadily。Ihadthoughtaboutthisofcourseandwasreadyforit。\"Youareaware，M。deBezers，\"Icontinued，\"thattheVicomtehasjurisdictionextendingtolifeanddeathoverallpersonswithinthevalley？\"
\"Myhouseholdexcepted，\"herejoinedquietly。
\"Precisely;whiletheyarewithinthecurtilageofyourhouse，\"I
retorted。\"Howeverasthepunishmentwassummary，andthemanhadnotimetoconfesshimself，Iamwillingto——\"
\"Well？\"
\"TopayFatherPierretosaytenmassesforhissoul。\"
ThewaytheVidamereceivedthissurprisedme。Hebrokeintoboisterouslaughter。\"ByourLady，myfriend，\"hecriedwithroughmerriment，\"butyouareajoker！Youareindeed。Masses？
WhythemanwasaProtestant！\"
Andthatstartledmemorethananythingwhichhadgonebefore;
moreindeedthanIcanexplain。Foritseemedtoprovethatthisman，laughinghisunholylaughwasnotlikeothermen。Hedidnotpickandchoosehisservantsfortheirreligion。HewassurethattheHuguenotwouldstonehisfellowathisbidding;theCatholiccry\"ViveColigny！\"IwassocompletelytakenabackthatIfoundnowordstoanswerhim，anditwasCroisettewhosaidsmartly，\"Thenhowabouthisenthusiasmforthetruefaith，M。leVidame？\"
\"Thetruefaith，\"heanswered——\"formyservantsismyfaith。\"
Thenathoughtseemedtostrikehim。\"Whatismore。\"hecontinuedslowly，\"thatitisthetrueandonlyfaithforall，thousandswilllearnbeforetheworldistendaysolder。Bearmywordsinmind，boy！Theywillcomebacktoyou。Andnowhearme，\"hewentoninhisusualtone，\"Iamanxioustoaccommodateaneighbour。ItgoeswithoutsayingthatIwouldnotthinkofputtingyou，M。Anne，toanytroubleforthesakeofthatrascalofmine。Butmypeoplewillexpectsomething。Lettheplaguyfellowwhocausedallthisdisturbancebegivenuptome，thatI
mayhanghim;andletuscryquits。\"
\"Thatisimpossible！\"Iansweredcoolly。Ihadnoneedtoaskwhathemeant。GiveupPavannes’messengerindeed！Never！
Heregardedme——unmovedbymyrefusal——withasmileunderwhichI
chafed，whileIwasimpotenttoresentit。\"Donotbuildtoomuchonasingleblow，younggentleman，\"hesaid，shakinghisheadwaggishly。\"IhadfoughtadozentimeswhenIwasyourage。
However，Iunderstandthatyourefusetogivemesatisfaction？\"
\"Inthemodeyoumention，certainly，\"Ireplied。\"But——\"
\"Bah！\"heexclaimedwithasneer，\"businessfirstandpleasureafterwards！Bezerswillobtainsatisfactioninhisownway，I
promiseyouthat！Andathisowntime。Anditwillnotbeonunfledgedbantlingslikeyou。Butwhatisthisfor？\"Andherudelykickedtheculverinwhichapparentlyhehadnotnoticedbefore，\"So！so！understand，\"hecontinued，castingasharpglanceatoneandanotherofus。\"Youlookedtobebesieged！
Whyyou，booby，thereistheshootofyourkitchenmidden，twentyfeetabovetheroofofoldFretis’store！Andopen，Iwillbesworn！DoyouthinkthatIshouldhavecomethiswaywhiletherewasaladderinCaylus！Didyoutakethewolfforasheep？\"
Withthatheturnedonhisheel，swaggeringawayinthefullenjoymentofhistriumph。Foratriumphitwas。Westoodstunned;ashamedtolookoneanotherintheface。Ofcoursetheshootwasopen。Werememberednowthatitwas，andweweresosorelymortifiedbyhisknowledgeandourfolly，thatIfailedinmycourtesy，anddidnotseehimtothegate，asIshouldhavedone。Wepaidforthatlater。
\"Heisthedevilinperson！\"Iexclaimedangrily，shakingmyfistattheHouseoftheWolf，asIstrodeupanddownimpatiently。\"Ihatehimworse！\"
\"SodoI！\"saidCroisette，mildly。\"Butthathehatesusisamatterofmoreimportance。Atanyratewewillclosetheshoot。\"
\"Waitamoment！\"Ireplied，asafteranothervolleyofcomplaintsdirectedatourvisitor，theladwasmovingofftoseetoit。Whatisgoingondownthere？\"
\"Uponmyword，Ibelieveheisleavingus！\"Croisetterejoinedsharply。
Fortherewasanoiseofhoofsbelowus，clatteringonthepavement。Half—a—dozenhorsemenwereissuingfromtheHouseoftheWolf，theringoftheirbridlesandthesoundoftheircarelessvoicescominguptousthroughtheclearmorningairBezers’valet，whomweknewbysight，wasthelastofthem。Hehadapairofgreatsaddle—bagsbeforehim，andatsightoftheseweutteredagladexclamation。\"Heisgoing！\"Imurmured，hardlyabletobelievemyeyes。\"Heisgoingafterall！\"
\"Wait！\"Croisetteanswereddrily。
ButIwasright。Wehadnottowaitlong。HeWASgoing。Inanothermomenthecameouthimself，ridingastrongiron—greyhorse：andwecouldseethathehadholsterstohissaddle。Hisstewardwasrunningbesidehim，totakeIsupposehislastorders。Acripple，whomthebustlehadattractedfromhisusualhaunt，thechurchporch，helduphishandforalms。TheVidameashepassed，cuthimsavagelyacrossthefacewithhiswhip，andcursedhimaudibly。
\"Maythedeviltakehim！\"exclaimedCroisetteinjustrage。ButIsaidnothing，rememberingthatthecripplewasaparticularpetofCatherine’s。Ithoughtinsteadofanoccasion，notsoverylongago，whentheVicomtebeingathome，wehadhadagreathawkingparty。BezersandCatherinehadriddenupthestreettogether，andCatherinegivingthecrippleapieceofmoney，Bezershadflungtohimallhisshareofthegame。Andmyheartsank。
Onlyforamoment，however。Themanwasgone;orwasgoingatanyrate。Westoodsilentandmotionless，allwatching，until，afterwhatseemedalonginterval，thelittlepartyofsevenbecamevisibleonthewhiteroadfarbelowus——tothenorthward，andmovinginthatdirection。Stillwewatchedthem，mutteringawordtooneanother，nowandagain，untilpresentlytheridersslackenedtheirpace，andbegantoascendthewindingtrackthatledtothehillsandCahors;andtoParisalso，ifonewentfarenough。
Thenatlengthwithaloud\"Whoop！\"wedashedacrosstheterrace，Croisetteleading，andsothroughthecourtyardtotheparlour;wherewearrivedbreathless。\"Heisoff！\"Croisettecriedshrilly。\"HehasstartedforParis！Andbadluckgowithhim！\"Andweallflungupourcapsandshouted。
Butnoanswer，suchasweexpected，camefromthewomenfolk。
Whenwepickedupourcaps，andlookedatCatherine，feelingratherfoolish，shewasstaringatuswithawhitefaceandgreatscornfuleyes。\"Fools！\"shesaid。\"Fools！\"
Andthatwasall。Butitwasenoughtotakemeaback。Ihadlookedtoseeherfacelightenatournews;insteaditworeanexpressionIhadneverseenonitbefore。Catherine，sokindandgentle，callingusfools！Andwithoutcause！Ididnotunderstandit。IturnedconfusedlytoCroisette。Hewaslookingather，andIsawthathewasfrightened。AsforMadameClaude，shewascryinginthecorner。Apresentimentofevilmademyheartsinklikelead。Whathadhappened？
\"Fools！\"mycousinrepeatedwithexceedingbitterness，herfoottappingtheparquetunceasingly。\"DoyouthinkhewouldhavestoopedtoavengehimselfonYOU？Onyou！Orthathecouldhurtmeonehundredthpartasmuchhereas——as——\"Shebrokeoffstammering。Herscornfalteredforaninstant。\"Bah！heisaman！Heknows！\"sheexclaimedsuperbly，herchinintheair，\"butyouareboys。Youdonotunderstand！\"
Ilookedamazedlyatthisangrywoman。Ihadadifficultyinassociatingherwithmycousin。AsforCroisette，hesteppedforwardabruptly，andpickedupawhiteobjectwhichwaslyingatherfeet。
\"Yes，readit！\"shecried，\"readit！Ah！\"andsheclenchedherlittlehand，andinherpassionstrucktheoaktablebesideher，sothatastainofbloodsprangoutonherknuckles。Whydidyounotkillhim？Whydidyounotdoitwhenyouhadthechance？
Youwerethreetoone，\"shehissed。\"Youhadhiminyourpower！
Youcouldhavekilledhim，andyoudidnot！Nowhewillkillme！\"
MadameClaudemutteredsomethingtearfully;somethingaboutPavannesandthesaints。IlookedoverCroisette’sshoulder，andreadtheletter。Itbeganabruptlywithoutanytermofaddress，andranthus，\"IhaveamissioninParis，Mademoiselle，whichadmitsofnodelay，yourmission，aswellasmyown——toseePavannes。Youhavewonhisheart。Itisyours，andIwillbringityou，orhisrighthandintokenthathehasyieldeduphisclaimtoyours。AndtothisIpledgemyself。\"
Thethingborenosignature。Itwaswritteninsomeredfluid——
bloodperhaps——ameanandsorrytrick！OntheoutsidewasscrawledadirectiontoMademoiselledeCaylus。AndthepacketwassealedwiththeVidame’screst，awolfshead。
\"Thecoward！themiserablecoward！\"Croisettecried。Hewasthefirsttoreadthemeaningofthething。Andhiseyeswerefulloftears——tearsofrage。
FormeIwasangryexceedingly。Myveinsseemedfulloffire，asIcomprehendedthemeancrueltywhichcouldthustortureagirl。
\"Whodeliveredthis？\"Ithundered。\"WhogaveittoMademoiselle？Howdiditreachherhands？Speak，someone！\"
Amaid，whimperinginthebackground，saidthatFrancishadgivenittohertohandtoMademoiselle。
Igroundmyteethtogether，whileMarie，unbidden，lefttheroomtoseekFrancis——andastirrupleather。TheVidamehadbroughtthenoteinhispocketnodoubt，rightlyexpectingthathewouldnotgetanaudienceofmycousin。Returningtothegatealonehehadseenhisopportunity，andgiventhenotetoFrancis，probablywithasmallfeetosecureitstransmission。
CroisetteandIlookedatoneanother，apprehendingallthis。
\"HewillsleepatCahorsto—night，\"Isaidsullenly。
Theladshookhisheadandansweredinalowvoice，\"Iamafraidnot。Hishorsesarefresh。Ithinkhewillpushon。Healwaystravelsquickly。Andnowyouknow——\"
Inodded，understandingonlytoowell。
Catherinehadflungherselfintoachair。Herarmslaynervelessonthetable。Herfacewashiddeninthem。Butnow，overhearingus，orstungbysomefreshthought，shesprangtoherfeetinanguish。Herfacetwitched，herformseemedtostiffenasshedrewherselfuplikeoneinphysicalpain。\"Oh，Icannotbearit！\"shecriedtousindreadfultones。\"Oh，willnoonedoanything？Iwillgotohim！IwilltellhimIwillgivehimup！
Iwilldowhateverhewishesifhewillonlysparehim！\"
Croisettewentfromtheroomcrying。Itwasadreadfulsightforus——thisgirlinagony。Anditwasimpossibletoreassureher！
Notoneofusdoubtedthehorriblemeaningofthenote，itscovertthreat。Civilwarsandreligioushatred，andIfancyItalianmodesofthought，hadforthetimechangedourcountrymentobeasts。FarmoredreadfulthingsweredonethenthanthiswhichBezersthreatened——evenifhemeantitliterally——farmoredreadfulthingsweresuffered。Butinthefiendishingenuityofhisvengeanceonher，thehelpless，lovingwoman，IthoughtRaouldeBezersstoodalone。Alas！itfaresillwiththebutterflywhenthecathasstruckitdown。Illindeed！
MadameClauderoseandputherarmsroundthegirl，dismissingmebyagesture。Iwentout，passingthroughtwoorthreescaredservants，andmadeatoncefortheterrace。IfeltasifIcouldonlybreathethere。IfoundMarieandSt。Croixtogether，silent，themarksoftearsontheirfaces。Oureyesmetandtheytoldonetale。
Weallspokeatthesametime。\"When？\"wesaid。Buttheotherslookedtomeforananswer。
Iwassomewhatsoberedbythat，andpausedtoconsiderbeforeI
replied。\"Atdaybreakto—morrow，\"Idecidedpresently。\"Itisanhourafternoonalready。Wewantmoney，andthehorsesareout。Itwilltakeanhourtobringthemin。AfterthatwemightstillreachCahorsto—night，perhaps;butmorehastelessspeedyouknowNo。Atdaybreakto—morrowwewillstart\"
Theynoddedassent。
Itwasagreatthingwemeditated。NolessthantogotoParis——
theunknowncitysofarbeyondthehills——andseekoutM。dePavannes，andwarnhim。ItwouldbearacebetweentheVidameandourselves;araceforthelifeofKit’ssuitor。CouldwereachParisfirst，orevenwithintwenty—fourhoursofBezers’
arrival，weshouldinallprobabilitybeintime，andbeabletoputPavannesonhisguard。Ithadbeenthefirstthoughtofallofus，totakesuchmenaswecouldgettogetherandfalluponBezerswhereverwefoundhim，makingitoursimpleobjecttokillhim。ButthelackeysM。leVicomtehadleftwithus，thetimesbeingpeacefulandtheneighboursfriendly，werepoor—spiritedfellows。Bezers’handful，onthecontrary，wererecklessSwissriders——likemaster，likemen。WedecidedthatitwouldbewisersimplytowarnPavannes，andthenstandbyhimifnecessary。
Wemighthavedespatchedamessenger。Butourservants——Gilexcepted，andhewastoooldtobearthejourney——wereignorantofParis。Norcouldanyoneofthembetrustedwithamissionsodelicate。WethoughtofPavannes’courierindeed。ButhewasaRochellois，andastrangertothecapital。Therewasnothingforitbuttogoourselves。
Yetwedidnotdetermineonthisadventurewithlighthearts，I
remember。Parisloomedbigandawesomeintheeyesofallofus。
Theglamourofthecourtratherfrightenedthanalluredus。Wefeltthatshrinkingfromcontactwiththeworldwhichacountrylifeengenders，aswellasthatdreadofseemingunlikeotherpeoplewhichispeculiartoyouth。Itwasagreatplunge，andadangerouswhichwemeditated。Andwetrembled。Ifwehadknownmore——especiallyofthefuture——weshouldhavetrembledmore。
Butwewereyoung，andwithourfearsmingledadeliciousexcitement。Weweregoingonanadventureofknighterrantryinwhichwemightwinourspurs。Weweregoingtoseetheworldandplaymen’spartsinit！tosaveafriendandmakeourmistresshappy！
Wegaveourorders。ButwesaidnothingtoCatherineorMadameClaude;merelybiddingGiltellthemafterourdeparture。WearrangedfortheimmediatedespatchofamessagetotheVicomteatBayonne，andchargedGiluntilheshouldhearfromhimtokeepthegatesclosed，andlookwelltotheshootofthekitchenmidden。Then，whenallwasready，wewenttoourpallets，butitwaswithheartsthrobbingwithexcitementandwakefuleyes。
\"Anne！Anne！\"saidCroisette，risingonhiselbowandspeakingtomesomethreehourslater，\"whatdoyouthinktheVidamemeantthismorningwhenhesaidthataboutthetendays？\"
\"Whataboutthetendays？\"Iaskedpeevishly。HehadrousedmejustwhenIwasatlastfallingasleep。
\"Abouttheworldseeingthathiswasthetruefaith——intendays？\"
\"IamsureIdonotknow。Forgoodness’sakeletusgotosleep，\"Ireplied。ForIhadnopatiencewithCroisette，talkingsuchnonsense，whenwehadourownbusinesstothinkabout。
CHAPTERIII。
THEROADTOPARIS。
Thesunhadnotyetrisenabovethehillswhenwethreewithasingleservantbehindusdrewreinattheendofthevalley;andeasingourhorsesontheascent，turnedinthesaddletotakealastlookatCaylus——atthehuddledgreytown，andthetowersaboveit。Alittlethoughtfulweallwere，Ithink。Thetimeswereroughandourerrandwasserious。Butyouthandearlymorningarefinedispellersofcare;andonceontheuplandswetrottedgailyforward，nowpassingthroughwidegladesinthesparseoakforest，wherethetreesallleanedoneway，nowoverbare，wind—sweptdowns;oronceandagaindescendingintoachalkybottom，wherethestreambubbledthroughdeepbedsoffern，andalonelyfarmhousenestledamidorchards。
Fourhours’riding，andwesawbelowusCahors，fillingthebendoftheriver。WecanteredovertheVallandreBridge，whichtherecrossestheLot，andsotomyuncle’shouseofcallinthesquare。Hereweorderedbreakfast，andannouncedwithpridethatweweregoingtoParis。
Ourhostraisedhishands。\"Nowthere！\"heexclaimed，regretinhisvoice。\"AndifyouhadarrivedyesterdayyoucouldhavetravelledupwiththeVidamedeBezers！Andyouasmallparty——
savingyourlordships’presence——andtheroadsbutso—so！\"
\"ButtheVidamewasridingwithonlyhalf—a—dozenattendantsalso！\"Ianswered，flickingmybootinacarelessway。
Thelandlordshookhishead。\"Ah，M。leVidameknowstheworld！\"
heansweredshrewdly。\"Heisnottobetakenoffhisguard，nothe！OneofhismenwhisperedmethattwentystaunchfellowswouldjoinhimatChateauroux。Theysaythewarsareover，but\"
——andthegoodman，shrugginghisshoulders，castanexpressiveglanceatsomefineflitchesofbaconwhichwerehanginginhischimney。\"However，yourlordshipsknowbetterthanIdo，\"headdedbriskly。\"Iamapoorman。Ionlywishtoliveatpeacewithmyneighbours，whethertheygotomassorsermon。\"
Thiswasasentimentsocommoninthosedaysandsoheartilyechoedbymostmenofsubstancebothintownandcountry，thatwedidnotstaytoassenttoit;buthavingreceivedfromtheworthyfellowatokenwhichwouldinsureourobtainingfreshcattleatLimoges，wetooktotheroadagain，refreshedinbody，andwithsomefoodforthought。
Five—and—twentyattendantsweremorethanevensuchamanasBezers，whohadmanyenemies，travelledwithinthosedays;
unlessaccompaniedbyladies。ThattheVidamehadprovidedsuchareinforcementseemedtopointtoawiderschemethantheonewithwhichwehadcreditedhim。Butwecouldnotguesswhathisplanswere;sincehemusthaveorderedhispeoplebeforeheheardofCatherine’sengagement。Eitherhisjealousythereforehadputhimonthealertearlier，orhisthreatenedattackonPavanneswasonlypartofalargerplot。Ineithercaseourerrandseemedmoreurgent，butscarcelymorehopeful。
Thevariedsightsandsoundshoweveroftheroad——manyofthemnewtous——keptusfromdwellingovermuchonthis。Oureyeswereyoung，andwhetheritwasaprettygirllingeringbehindatroopofgipsies，orapairofstrollersfromValencia——JONGLEURStheystillcalledthemselves——singingintheolddialectofProvence，oraNormanhorse—dealerwithhisstringofcattletiedheadandtail，orthePuydeDometotheeastwardovertheAuvergnehills，oratatteredoldsoldierwoundedinthewars——fightingforeitherside，accordingastheirlordshipsinclined——wewerepleasedwithall。
Yetweneverforgotourerrand。WeneverIthinkroseinthemorning——toooftenstiffandsore——withoutthinking\"To—dayorto—morroworthenextday——\"asthecasemightbe——\"weshallmakeallrightforKit！\"ForKit！Perhapsitwasthepurestenthusiasmwewereevertofeel，theleastselfishaimwewereevertopursue。ForKit！
Meanwhilewemetfewtravellersofrankontheroad。HalfthenobilityofFrancewerestillinParisenjoyingthefestivitieswhichwerebeingheldtomarktheroyalmarriage。Weobtainedhorseswhereweneededthemwithoutdifficulty。Andthoughwehadheardmuchofthedangersoftheway，infestedasitwassaidtobebydisbandedtroopers，wewerenotoncestoppedorannoyed。
Butitisnotmyintentiontochroniclealltheeventsofthismyfirstjourney，thoughIdwellonthemwithpleasure;ortosaywhatIthoughtofthetowns，allnewandstrangetome，throughwhichwepassed。EnoughthatwewentbywayofLimoges，ChateaurouxandOrleans，andthatatChateaurouxwelearnedthefailureofonehopewehadformed。WehadthoughtthatBezerswhenjoinedtherebyhistrooperswouldnotbeabletogetrelays;andthatonthisaccountwemightbytravellingpostovertakehim;andpossiblyslipbyhimbetweenthatplaceandParis。ButwelearnedatChateaurouxthathistroophadreceivedfreshorderstogotoOrleansandawaithimthere;theresultbeingthathewasabletopushforwardwithrelayssofar。Hewasevidentlyinhothaste。ForleavingtherewithhishorsesfreshhepassedthroughAngerville，fortymilesshortofParis，atnoon，whereaswereacheditontheeveningofthesameday——
thesixthafterleavingCaylus。
Werodeintotheyardoftheinn——alargeplace，seeminglargerinthedusk——sotiredthatwecouldscarcelyslipfromoursaddles。Jean，ourservant，tookthefourhorses，andledthemacrosstothestables，thepoorbeastshangingtheirheads，andfollowingmeekly。Westoodamomentstampingourfeet，andstretchingourlegs。Theplaceseemedinabustle，theclatterofpansanddishesproceedingfromthewindowsovertheentrance，withaglowoflightandthesoundoffeethurryinginthepassages。Therewerementoo，half—a—dozenorsostandingatthedoorsofthestables，whileothersleanedfromthewindows。Oneortwolanthornsjustkindledglimmeredhereandthereinthesemi—darkness;andinacornertwosmithswereshoeingahorse。
Wewereturningfromallthistogoin，whenweheardJean’svoiceraisedinaltercation，andthinkingourrusticservanthadfallenintotrouble，wewalkedacrosstothestablesnearwhichheandthehorseswerestilllingering。\"Well，whatisit？\"I
saidsharply。
\"Theysaythatthereisnoroomforthehorses，\"Jeanansweredquerulously，scratchinghishead;halfsullen，halfcowed，acountryservantallover。
\"Andthereisnot！\"criedtheforemostofthegangaboutthedoor，hasteningtoconfrontusinturn。Histonewasinsolent，anditneededbuthalfaneyetoseethathisfellowswereinclinedtobackhimup。Hestuckhisarmsakimboandfaceduswithanimpudentsmile。Alanthornonthegroundbesidehimthrowinganuncertainlightonthegroup，Isawthattheyallworethesamebadge。
\"Come，\"Isaidsternly，\"thestablesarelarge，andyourhorsescannotfillthem。Someroommustbefoundformine。\"
\"Tobesure！Makewayfortheking！\"heretorted。Whileonejeered\"VIVELEROI！\"andtherestlaughed。Notgood—
humouredly，butwithatouchofspitefulness。
Quarrelsbetweengentlemen’sservantswereascommonthenastheyareto—day。Butthemastersseldomcondescendedtointerfere。
\"Letthefellowsfightitout，\"wasthegeneralsentiment。Here，however，poorJeanwasover—matched，andwehadnochoicebuttoseetoitourselves。
\"Come，men，haveacarethatyoudonotgetintotrouble，\"I
urged，restrainingCroisettebyatouch，forIbynomeanswishedtohavearepetitionofthecatastrophewhichhadhappenedatCaylus。\"ThesehorsesbelongtotheVicomtedeCaylus。Ifyourmasterbeafriendofhis，asmayveryprobablybethecase，youwillruntheriskofgettingintotrouble。\"
IthoughtIheard，asIstoppedspeaking，asubduedmuttering，andfanciedIcaughtthewords，\"PAPEGOT！DownwiththeGuises！\"
Butthespokesman’sonlyansweraloudwas\"Cock—a—doodle—doo！\"
\"Cock—a—doodle—doo！\"herepeated，flappinghisarmsindefiance。