I was impatient to learn who had come,and what was their errand with me;and being still in that state of exaltation in which we seem to hear and see more than at other times,I remarked a peculiar lagging in the ascending footsteps,and a lack of buoyancy,which was quick to communicate itself to my mind.Avague dread fell upon me as I stood listening.Before the door opened I had already conceived a score of disasters.I wondered that I had not inquired earlier concerning the king's safety,and in fine I experienced in a moment that complete reaction of the spirits which is too frequently consequent upon an excessive flow of gaiety.
I was prepared,therefore,for heavy looks,but not for the persons who wore them nor the strange bearing the latter displayed on entering.My visitors proved to be M.d'Agen and Simon Fleix.And so far well.But the former,instead of coming forward to greet me with the punctilious politeness which always characterised him,and which I had thought to be proof against every kind of surprise and peril,met me with downcast eyes and a countenance so gloomy as to augment my fears a hundredfold;since it suggested all those vague and formidable pains which M.de Rambouillet had hinted might await me in a prison.I thought nothing more probable than the entrance after them of a gaoler laden with gyves and handcuffs;and saluting M.Francois with a face which,do what I would,fashioned itself upon his,I had scarce composure sufficient to place the poor accommodation of my room at his disposal.
He thanked me;but he did it with so much gloom and so little naturalness that I grew more impatient with each laboured syllable.Simon Fleix had slunk to the window and turned his back on us.Neither seemed to have anything to say.But a state of suspense was one which I could least endure to suffer;and impatient of the constraint which my friend's manner was fast imparting to mine,I asked him at once and abruptly if his uncle had returned.
'He rode in about midnight,'he answered,tracing a pattern on the floor with the point of his riding-switch.
I felt some surprise on hearing this,since d'Agen was still dressed and armed for the road,and was without all those prettinesses which commonly marked his attire.But as he volunteered no further information,and did not even refer to the place in which he found me,or question me as to the adventures which had lodged me there,I let it pass,and asked him if his party had overtaken the deserters.
'Yes,'he answered,'with no result.'
'And the king?'
'M.de Rambouillet is with him now,'he rejoined,still bending over his tracing.
This answer relieved the worst of my anxieties,but the manner of the speaker was so distrait and so much at variance with the studied INSOUCIANCE which he usually,affected,that I only grew more alarmed.I glanced at Simon Fleix,but he kept his face averted,and I could gather nothing from it;though I observed that he,too,was dressed for the road,and wore his arms.Ilistened,but I could hear no sounds which indicated that the Provost-Marshal was approaching.Then on a sudden I thought of Mademoiselle de la Vire.Could it be that Maignan had proved unequal to his task?
I started impetuously from my stool under the influence of the emotion which this thought naturally aroused,and seized M.d'Agen by the arm.'What has happened?'I exclaimed.'Is it Bruhl?Did he break into my lodgings last night?What!'Icontinued,staggering back as I read the confirmation of my fears in his face.'He did?'
M.d'Agen,who had risen also,pressed my hand with convulsive energy.Gazing into my face,he held me a moment thus embraced,His manner a strange mixture of fierceness and emotion.'Alas,yes,'he answered,'he did,and took away those whom he found there!Those whom he found there,you understand!But M.de Rambouillet is on his way here,and in a few minutes you will be free.We will follow together.If we overtake them--well.If not,it will be time to talk.'
He broke off,and I stood looking at him,stunned by the blow,yet in the midst of my own horror and surprise retaining sense enough to wonder at the gloom on his brow and the passion which trembled in his words.What had this to do with him?'But Bruhl?'I said at last,recovering myself with an effort--'how did he gain access to the room?I left it guarded.'
'By a ruse,while Maignan and his men were away,'was the answer.
'Only this lad of yours was there.Bruhl's men overpowered him.'
'Which way has Bruhl gone?'I muttered,my throat dry,my heart beating wildly.
He shook his head.'All we know is that he passed through the south gate with eleven horsemen,two women,and six led horses,at daybreak this morning,'he answered.'Maignan came to my uncle with the news,and M.de Rambouillet went at once,early as it was,to the king to procure your release.He should be here now.'
I looked at the barred window,the most horrible fears at my heart;from it to Simon Fleix,who stood beside it,his attitude expressing the utmost dejection.I went towards him.'You hound!'I said in a low voice,'how did it happen?'
To my surprise he fell in a moment on his knees,and raised his arm as though to ward off a blow.'They imitated Maignan's voice,'he muttered hoarsely.'We opened.'
'And you dare to come here and tell me!'I cried,scarcely restraining my passion.'You,to whom I entrusted her.You,whom I thought devoted to her.You have destroyed her,man!'
He rose as suddenly as he had cowered down.His thin,nervous face underwent a startling change;growing on a sudden hard and rigid,while his eyes began to glitter with excitement.'I--Ihave destroyed her?Ay,mon dieu!I HAVE,'he cried,speaking to my face,and no longer flinching or avoiding my eye.'You may kill me,if you like.You do not know all.It was I who stole the favour she gave you from your doublet,and then said M.de Rosny had taken it!It was I who told her you had given it away!
