We had made our way slowly and with much jostling as far as the principal street,finding the press increase as we advanced,when I heard,as I turned a corner,my name called,and,looking up,saw at a window the face of which I was in search.After that half a minute sufficed to bring M.d'Agen flying to my side,when nothing,as I had expected,would do but I must dismount;where Iwas and share his lodging.He made no secret of his joy and surprise at sight of me,but pausing only to tell Simon where the stable was,haled me through the crowd and up his stairs with a fervour and heartiness which brought the tears to my eyes,and served to impress the company whom I found above with a more than sufficient sense of my importance.
Seeing him again in the highest feather and in the full employment of all those little arts and graces which served as a foil to his real worth,I took it as a great honour that he laid them aside for the nonce;and introduced me to the seat of honour and made me known to his companions with a boyish directness and a simple thought for my comfort which infinitely pleased me.He bade his landlord,without a moment's delay,bring wine and meat and everything which could refresh a traveller,and was himself up and down a hundred times in a minute,calling to his servants for this or that,or railing at them for their failure to bring me a score of things I did not need.I hastened to make my excuses to the company for interrupting them in the midst of their talk;and these they were kind enough to accept in good part.At the same time,reading clearly in M.d'Agen's excited face and shining eyes that he longed to be alone with me,they took the hint,and presently left us together.
'Well,'he said,coming back from the door,to which he had conducted them,'what have you to tell me,my friend?She is not with you?'
'She is with Mademoiselle de la Vire at Meudon,'I answered,smiling.'And for the rest,she is well and in better spirits.'
'She sent me some message?he asked.
I shook my head.'She did not know I should see you,'Ianswered.
'But she--she has spoken of me lately?'he continued,his face falling.
'I do not think she has named your name for a fortnight,'Ianswered,laughing.'There's for you!Why,man,'I continued,adopting a different tone,and laying my hand on his shoulder in a manner which reassured him at least;as much as my words,'are you so young a lover as to be ignorant that a woman says least of that of which she thinks most?Pluck up,courage!Unless I am mistaken,you have little to be afraid of except the past.Only have patience.'
'You think so?'he said gratefully.
I assured him that I had no doubt of it;and on that he fell into a reverie,and I to watching him.Alas for the littleness of our natures!He had received me with open arms,yet at sight of the happiness which took possession of his handsome face I gave way to the pettiest feeling which can harbour in a man's breast.Ilooked at him with eyes of envy,bitterly comparing my lot with that which fate had reserved for him.He had fortune,good looks,and success on his side,great relations,and high hopes;I stood in instant jeopardy,my future dark,and every path which presented itself so hazardous that I knew not which to adopt.He was young,and I past my prime;he in favour,and I a fugitive.
To such reflections he put an end in a way which made me blush for my churlishness.For,suddenly awaking out,of his pleasant dream,he asked me about myself and my fortunes,inquiring eagerly how I came to be in St.Cloud,and listening to the story of my adventures with a generous anxiety which endeared him to me more and more.When I had done--and by that time Simon had joined us,and was waiting at the lower end of the room--he pronounced that I must see the king.
'There is nothing else for it,'he said.
'I have come to see him,'I answered.
'Mon dieu,yes!'he continued,rising from his seat and looking at me with a face of concern.'No one else can help you.'
I nodded.
'Turenne has four thousand men here.You can do nothing against so many?'
'Nothing,'I said.'The question is,will the king protect me?'
'It is he or no one,'M.d'Agen answered warmly.'You cannot see him to-night:he has a Council.To-morrow at daybreak you may.
You must lie here to-night,and I will set my fellows to watch,and I think you will be safe.I will away now and see if my uncle will help.Can you think of anyone else who would speak for you?'
I considered,and was about to answer in the negative,when Simon,who had listened with a scared face,suggested M.de Crillon.
'Yes,if he would,'M.d'Agen exclaimed,looking at the lad with approbation.'He has weight with the king.'
'I think he might,'I replied slowly.'I had a curious encounter with him last night.And with that I told M.d'Agen of the duel I fought at the inn.
'Good!'he said,his eyes sparkling.'I wish I had been there to see.At any rate we will try him.Crillon fears no one,not even the king.'
So it was settled.For that night I was to keep close in my friend's lodging,showing not even my nose at the window.
When he had gone on his errand,and I found myself alone in the room,I am fain to confess that I fell very low in my spirits.
M.d'Agen's travelling equipment lay about the apartment,but failed to give any but an untidy air to its roomy bareness.The light was beginning to wane,the sun was gone.Outside,the ringing of bells and the distant muttering of guns,with the tumult of sounds which rose from the crowded street,seemed to tell of joyous life and freedom,and all the hopes and ambitions from which I was cut off.
