THE SNOWBALL

by Stanley J. Weyman
1895

The slight indisposition from which the Queen suffered in the spring of 1 !"# and which was occasioned by a cold caught during her lying$in# by di%erting the &ing's attention from matters of State# had the effect of doubling the burden cast on my shoulders. Though the main threads of (. de )iron's conspiracy were in our hands as early as the month of *o%ember of the preceding year# and steps had been immediately ta+en to sound the chief associates by summoning them to court# an inter%al necessarily followed during which we had e%erything to fear, and this not only from the despair of the guilty# but from the timidity of the innocent who# in a court filled with cabals and rumors of intrigues# might see no way to clear themsel%es. -%en the shows and interludes which followed the .auphin's birth# and made that /hristmas remar+able# ser%ed only to amuse the idle, they could not disperse the cloud which hung o%er the 0ou%re# nor di%ert those who# on the one side or the other# had aught to fear. 1n connection with this period of suspense 1 recall an episode# both characteristic in itself# and worthy# 1 thin+# by reason of its oddity# to be set down here, where it may ser%e for a preface to those more serious e%ents# attending the trial and e2ecution of (. de )iron# which 1 shall ha%e presently to relate. 1 had occasion# about the end of the month of January# to see (. du 3allot. The weather was cold# and partly for that reason# partly from a desire to +eep my %isit# which had to do with 0a 4in's disclosures# from the general eye# 1 chose to go on foot. 4or the same reason 1 too+ with me only two armed ser%ants# and a confidential page# the son of my friend 5rnaud. (. du 3allot# who li%ed at this time in a house in the 4aubourg St. 6ermain# not far from the /ollege of 4rance# detained me long# and when 1 rose to lea%e insisted that 1 should ta+e his coach# as snow had begun to fall and already lay an inch deep in the streets. 5t first 1 was unwilling to do this# but reflecting that such small ser%ices are highly appreciated by those who render them# and attach men more surely and subtly than the greatest bribes# 1 finally consented# and# ta+ing my place with some becoming e2pressions# bade young 5rnaud find his way home on foot. The coach had nearly reached the south end of the 7ont au /hange# when a number of youths ran by me# pelting one another with snowballs# and shouting so lustily that 1 was at a loss which to admire more8the silence of their feet or the loudness of their %oices. 5ware that lads of that age are small respecters of persons# 1 was not surprised to see two or three of them rush on to the bridge before us# and e%en continue their 7arthian warfare under the %ery feet of the horses. The result was# howe%er# that the latter presently too+ fright at that part of the bridge where the houses encroach most boldly on the roadway, and# but for the care of the running footman# who hastened to their heads# might ha%e done some harm either to the coach or the passersby. 5s it was# we were brought to a stop while one of the wheels was e2tricated from the +ennel# into which it had become wedged. Smiling to thin+ what the &ing8for he# strangely warned by 7ro%idence# was all his life long timid in a coach8would ha%e said to this# 1 went to open the curtains# and had 9ust effected this to a certain e2tent# when one of a crowd of idlers who stood on the raised pa%ement beside us deliberately lifted up his arm and flung a snowball at me. The missile flew wide of its mar+ by an inch or two only. That 1 was ama:ed at such audacity goes without saying# but in my doubt of what it might be the prelude8for the brea+down of the coach in that narrow place# the haunt of the rufflers and %agrants of e%ery +ind# might be a part of a concerted plan81 fell bac+ into my place. The coach# as it happened# mo%ed on with a 9er+ at the same moment, and before 1 had well digested the matter# or had time to mar+ the demeanor of the crowd# we were clear of the bridge and rolling past the /hatelet. 5 smaller man might ha%e stopped to re%enge# and to coo+ a sprat ha%e passed all 7aris through the net. )ut remembering my own youthful days# when 1 attended the /ollege of )urgundy# 1 set down the frea+ to the insolence of some young student# and# shrugging my shoulders# dismissed it from my thoughts. 5n instant later# howe%er# obser%ing that the

fragments of the snowball were melting on the seat by my side and wetting the cushion# 1 raised my hand to brush them away. 1n the act 1 saw# to my surprise# a piece of paper lying among the debris. ;3o# ho<; said 1 to myself. ;This is a strange snowball< 1 ha%e heard that the apprentices put stones in theirs. )ut paper< 0et me see what this means.; The morsel# though moistened by contact with the snow# remained intact. =nfolding it with the greatest care8for already 1 began to discern that here was something out of the common81 found written on the inner side# in a clear# cler+ly hand# the words# ; Beware of Nicholas!; 1t will be remembered that Simon *icholas was at this time secretary to the &ing# and so high in his fa%or as to be admitted to the +nowledge of all but his most pri%ate affairs. 6ay# and of a %ery 9o%ial wit# he was able to commend himself to 3enry by amusing him, while his years# for he was o%er si2ty# seemed some warranty for his discretion# and at the same time ga%e younger sinners a feeling of superior worth# since they might repent and he had not. >ften in contact with him# 1 had always found him e?ual to his duties# and though too fond of the table and of all the good things of this life# neither gi%en to babbling nor boasting. 1n a word# one for whom 1 had more li+ing than respect. 5 man in his position# howe%er# possesses such stupendous opportunities for e%il that# as 1 read the warning so cunningly con%eyed to me# 1 sat aghast. 3is office ga%e him at all times that ready access to the &ing's person which is the aim of conspirators against the li%es of so%ereigns, and# short of this supreme treachery# he was master of secrets which )iron's associates would gi%e all to gain. When 1 add that 1 +new *icholas to be a man of e2tra%agant habits and careless life# and one# moreo%er# who# if rumor did not wrong him# had lost much in that rearrangement of the finances which 1 had lately effected without e%en the &ing's pri%ity# it will be seen that those words# ;)eware of *icholas#; were calculated to occasion me the most profound thought. >f the person who had con%eyed the missi%e to me 1 had unfortunately seen nothing, though 1 belie%ed him to be a man# and young. )ut the circumstances# which seemed to indicate the e2treme need of secrecy# ga%e me a hint as to my own conduct. 5ccordingly# 1 smoothed my brow# and on the coach stopping at the 5rsenal descended with my usual face of preoccupation. 5t the foot of the staircase my matre-d'-htel met me. ;(. *icholas# the &ing's secretary# is here#; he said. ;3e has been waiting your return an hour and more# (onseigneur.; ;0ay another co%er#; 1 answered# repressing the surprise 1 could not but feel on hearing of this %isit# so strangely propos. ;.oubtless he has come to dine with me.; )arely staying to ta+e off my cloa+# 1 went upstairs with an air as gay as possible# and# ma+ing my %isitor a hundred apologies for the incon%enience 1 had caused him# insisted he should sit down with me. This he was nothing loth to do, though# as presently appeared# his errand was only to submit to me some papers connected with the new ta2 of a penny in the shilling# which it was his duty to lay before me. 1 scolded him gayly for the long period which had elapsed since his last %isit# and succeeded so well in setting him at his ease that he presently began to rally me on my slac+ness, for 1 could touch nothing but a little game and a glass of water. -2cusing myself as well as 1 could# 1 encouraged him to continue the attac+, and certainly# if a good conscience waits on appetite# 1 had soon abundant e%idence on his behalf. 3e grew merry and tal+ati%e# and# telling me some free tales# bore himself altogether so naturally that 1 had begun to deem my suspicions baseless# when a chance word ga%e me new grounds for entertaining them. 1 was on the sub9ect of my morning's employment. &nowing how easily confidence begets confidence# and that in his position the matter could not be long +ept from him# 1 told him as a secret where 1 had been.

;1 do not wish all the world to +now# my friend#; 1 said, ;but you are a discreet man# and it will go no farther. 1 am 9ust from .u 3allot's.; 3e dropped his nap+in and stooped to pic+ it up again with a gesture so hasty that it caught my attention and led me to watch him. (oreo%er# although my words seemed to call for an answer# he did not spea+ until he had ta+en a deep draught of wine, and then he said only# ;1ndeed<; in a tone of such indifference as might at another time ha%e decei%ed me# but now was perfectly patent. ;@es#; 1 replied# affecting to be engaged with my own plate Awe were eating nutsB. ;.oubtless you will be able to guess on what sub9ect.; ;1C; he said# as ?uic+ to answer as he had before been slow. ;*o# 1 thin+ not.; ;0a 4in#; 1 said, ;and his statements respecting (. de )iron's friends.; ;5h<; he replied# shrugging his shoulders. 3e had contri%ed to regain his composure# but 1 noticed that his hand shoo+# and 1 saw him put a nut into his mouth with so much salt upon it that he had no choice but to ma+e a grimace. ;They tell me he accuses e%erybody#; he grumbled# his eyes on his plate. ;-%en the &ing is scarcely safe from him. )ut 1 ha%e heard no particulars.; ;They will be +nown by and by#; 1 answered prudently. 5nd after that 1 did not thin+ it wise to spea+ farther# lest 1 should gi%e more than 1 got, but as soon as he had finished# and we had washed our hands# 1 led him to the closet loo+ing on the ri%er# where 1 was in the habit of wor+ing with my secretaries. 1 sent them away and sat down with him to his accounts, but in the position in which 1 found myself# between suspicion and perple2ity# 1 could so little command my attention that 1 gathered nothing from their items, and had 1 found another doing the &ing's ser%ice as negligently 1 had certainly sent him about his business. *e%ertheless 1 made some show of auditing them# and had reached the last roll when something in the fairly written summary# which closed the account# caught my eye. 1 bent more closely o%er it# and presently ma+ing an occasion to carry the parchment into the ne2t room# compared it with the handwriting on the scrap of paper 1 had found in the snowball. 5 brief scrutiny showed me that they were the wor+ of the same person< 1 went bac+ to (. *icholas# and after attesting the accounts# and ma+ing one or two notes# remar+ed in a careless way on the clearness of the hand. ;1 am badly in need of a fourth secretary#; 1 added. ;@our scribe might do for me.; 1t did not escape me that once again (. *icholas loo+ed uncomfortable# his red face ta+ing a deeper tinge and his hand going ner%ously to his pointed gray beard# ;1 do not thin+ he would do for you#; he answered. ;What is his nameC; 1 as+ed# purposely bending o%er the papers and a%oiding his eyes. ;1 ha%e dismissed him#; he re9oined curtly. ;1 do not +now where he could now be found.; ;That is a pity8he writes well#; 1 answered# as if it were nothing but a whim that led me to pursue the sub9ect. ;5nd good cler+s are scarce. What was his nameC; ;4eli2#; he said reluctantly. 1 had now all 1 wanted. 5ccordingly 1 spo+e of another matter and shortly afterward *icholas rose and went. )ut he left me in a fe%er of doubt and suspicion, so that for nearly half an hour 1 wal+ed up and down the room# unable to decide whether 1 should treat the warning of the snowball with contempt# as the wor+ of a discharged ser%ant# or on that %ery account attach the more credit to it. )y and by 1 remembered that the last sheet of the roll 1 had audited bore date the pre%ious day, whence it was clear that 4eli2 had been dismissed within the last twenty$four hours# and perhaps after the deli%ery of his note to me. Such a coincidence# which seemed no less pertinent than strange# opened a wide field for con9ecture, and the possibility that *icholas had really called on me to sound me and learn what 1 +new presently occurring to my mind# brought me to a final determination to see+ out this 4eli2# and without the delay of an hour sift the matter to the bottom. .oubtless 1 shall seem to some to ha%e acted precipitately# and built much on small foundations. 1 answer that 1 had the life of the &ing my master to guard# and in that cause dared neglect no precaution# howe%er tri%ial# nor any indication# howe%er remote. Would

that all my care and %igilance had longer sufficed to preser%e for 4rance the life of that great man< )ut 6od willed otherwise. 1 sent word at once to 0a 4ont# my valet-de-chambre# the same who ad%ised me at the time of my first marriage# to come to me, and directing him to ma+e instant and secret in?uiry where 4eli2# a cler+ in the /hamber of 5ccounts# lodged# bade him report to me on my return from the 6reat 3all# where# it will be remembered# it was my custom to gi%e audience after dinner to all who had business with me. 5s it happened# 1 was detained long that day# and found him awaiting me. )eing a man of few words# he said# as soon as the door was shut# ;5t the 'Three 3alf (oons#' in the 4aubourg St. 3onorD# (onseigneur.; ;That is near the 0ou%re#; 1 answered. ;6et me my cloa+# and your own also, and bring your pistols. 1 am going for a wal+. @ou will accompany me.; 3e was a good man# 0a 4ont# and de%oted to my interests. ;1t will be night in half an hour# (onseigneur#; he answered respectfully. ;@ou will ta+e some of the SwissC; ;1n one word# no<; 1 re9oined. ;We will go out by the stable entrance. 1n the mean time# and until we return# 1 will bid (aignan +eep the door# and admit no one.; The crowd of those who daily left the 5rsenal before nightfall happened to be augmented on this occasion by a troop of my clients from (antes, tenants on the lands of Eosny# who had lingered after the hour of audience to see the courts and garden. )y mingling with these we had no difficulty in passing out unobser%ed, nor# once in the streets# where a thaw had set in# that filled the +ennel with water and the pa%ement with slush# was 0a 4ont long in bringing me to the house 1 sought. 1t stood on the outs+irts of the St. 3onorD 4aubourg# in a ?uarter sufficiently respectable# and a street mar+ed neither by e2treme s?ualor nor e2tra%agant ostentation8from one or other of which all desperate enterprises# in my opinion# ta+e their rise. The house# which was high and narrow# presented only two windows to the street# but the staircase was sweet and clean# and it was impossible to cross the threshold without feeling a prepossession in 4eli2's fa%or. 5lready 1 began to thin+ 1 had come on a fool's errand. ;Which floorC; 1 as+ed 0a 4ont. ;The highest. (onsieur#; he answered. 1 went up softly and he followed me. =nder the tiles 1 found a door# and heard some one mo%ing beyond it. )idding 0a 4ont remain on guard outside# and come to my aid only if 1 called him# 1 +noc+ed boldly. 5 gentle %oice bade me enter# and 1 did so. There was only one person in the room# a young woman with fair# wa%ing hair# a pale face# and blue eyes# who# seeing a cloa+ed stranger instead of the friend or neighbor she anticipated# stared at me in the utmost wonder and some alarm. The room# though poorly furnished# was particularly neat and clean, which# ta+en with the woman's comple2ion# left me in no doubt as to her nati%e pro%ince. >n the floor near the fire stood a cradle, and in the window a cage with a singing bird completed the homely and pleasant aspect of this interior# which was such as# if 1 could# 1 would multiply by thousands in e%ery town of 4rance. 5 small lamp# which the woman was in the act of lighting# enabled me to see those details# and also disco%ered me to her. 1 as+ed politely if 1 spo+e to (adame 4eli2# the wife of (. 4eli2 of the /hamber of 5ccounts. ;1 am (adame 4eli2#; she answered# ad%ancing slowly toward me. ;(y husband is late. .o you come from himC 1t is not bad news# (onsieurC; The tone of an2iety in which she uttered her last ?uestion# and the ?uic+ness with which she raised her lamp to scan my face# went to my heart# already softened by this young mother in her home. 1 hastened to answer that 1 had no bad news# and wished merely to see her husband on business connected with his employment. ;3e is %ery late#; she said# a shade of perple2ity crossing her face. ;1 ha%e ne%er +nown him so late before. (onsieur is unfortunate.; 1 replied that with her lea%e 1 would wait, on which she %ery readily placed a stool for me# and sat down herself by the cradle# 1 %entured to remar+ that perhaps (. *icholas had

detained her husbandF she answered simply that it might be so# but that she had ne%er +nown it happen before. ;(. 4eli2 has e%ening employmentC; 1 as+ed after a moment's reflection. She loo+ed at me in some wonder. ;*o#; she said. ;3e spends his e%enings with me# (onsieur. 1t is not much# for he is at wor+ all day.; 1 bowed# and was preparing another ?uestion# when the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs in haste reached my ears# and led me to pause. (adame heard the noise at the same moment and rose. ;1t is my husband#; she said# loo+ing toward the door with such a light in her eyes as betrayed the sweetheart lingering in the wife. ;1 was afraid81 do not +now what 1 feared#; she muttered to herself. 7roposing to myself the ad%antage of seeing 4eli2 before he saw me# 1 pushed bac+ my stool into the shadow# contri%ing to do this so discreetly that the young woman noticed nothing. 5 moment later it appeared 1 might ha%e spared my pains, for at sight of her husband# a comely young man who came in with lac+$lustre eye and drooping head# she sprang forward with a cry of dismay# and# utterly forgetting my presence# appealed to him to +now what was the matter. 3e threw himself on to a stool# the first he reached# and# leaning his elbows on the table in an attitude of e2treme de9ection# co%ered his face with his hands. ;What is itC; he said in a hollow tone. ;We are ruined# (argot. 1 ha%e no more wor+. 1 am dismissed.; ;.ismissedC; she e9aculated. 3e nodded. ;*icholas discharged me this morning#; he said# almost in a whisper. 3e dared not spea+ louder# for he could not command his %oice. ;WhyC; she as+ed gently# as she leant o%er him. ;What had you doneC; ;*othing<; he answered with bitterness. ;3e said cler+s were plentiful# and the &ing or 1 must star%e.; 3itherto 1 had witnessed the scene in silence# a prey to emotions so %arious 1 will not attempt to describe them. )ut hearing the &ing's name thus prostituted and put to base uses# 1 started forward with a %iolence which in a moment made my presence +nown. 4eli2# confounded by the sight of a stranger at his elbow# rose hurriedly from his seat# and retreating before me with %i%id alarm painted on his countenance# as+ed with a faltering tongue who 1 was. 1 replied in as soothing a manner as possible# that 1 was a friend# an2ious to assist him. *e%ertheless# seeing that 1 +ept my cloa+ about my face8for 1 was not willing to be recogni:ed8he continued to loo+ at me with distrust and terror. ;What do you wantC; he said# raising the lamp much as his wife had done# to see me the better. ;The answers to one or two ?uestions#; 1 replied firmly. ;5nswer them truly# and 1 promise you your troubles are at an end.; So saying# 1 drew from my pouch the scrap of paper which had come to me so strangely. ;When did you write this# my friendC; 1 continued# placing it before him. 3e drew a deep breath at sight of it# and a loo+ of comprehension and dismay crossed his face. 4or a moment he hesitated. Then in a hurried manner he said that he had ne%er seen the paper. ;/ome#; 1 re9oined sternly# ;loo+ at it again. 0et there be no mista+e. When did you write that# and whyC; )ut still he shoo+ his head, and# though 1 pressed him hard# continued so stubborn in his denial that# but for the loo+ 1 had seen on his face when 1 first produced the paper# and the strange coincidence of his dismissal# 1 might ha%e belie%ed him. 5s it was# 1 saw nothing for it but to ha%e him arrested and brought to my house# where 1 did not doubt he would tell the truth, and 1 was about to retire to gi%e the necessary orders# when something in the sidelong glance 1 saw him cast at his wife caught my eye and furnished me with a new idea. 5cting on this# 1 affected to be satisfied. 1 apologi:ed for my intrusion on the ground of mista+e# and gradually withdrawing to the door as+ed him at the last moment to light me downstairs.

/omplying with a sha+ing hand# he went out before me# and had nearly reached the foot of the staircase when 1 touched him on the shoulder. ;*ow#; 1 said bluntly# fi2ing him with my eyes# ;your wife is no longer listening# and you can tell me the truth. Who employed you to write these wordsC; Trembling so %iolently he had to lean on the balustrade for support# he answered me. ;(adame *icholas#; he whispered. ;WhatC; 1 cried# recoiling. 1 had no doubt he was telling me the truth now. ;The secretary's wife# do you meanC )e careful# man.; 3e nodded. ;WhenC; 1 as+ed suspiciously. ;@esterday#; he answered. ;She is an old cat<; he continued# almost fiercely. ;1 hate her< )ut my wife is 9ealous.; ;5nd did you throw it into my coach#; 1 said# ;on the 7ont du /hange# to$dayC; ;6od forbid<; he replied# shrin+ing into himself again. ;1 wrote it for her# and she too+ it away. She said it was a 9est she was playing. That is all 1 +now.; 1 saw it was# and after a few more words was content to dismiss him# bidding him +eep silence on the matter# and remain at home in case 1 needed him. 5t the last# he pluc+ed up spirit to as+ me who 1 was, but preferring to +eep that disco%ery for a day still to come# when 1 might appear as the benefactor of this little family# 1 told him sharply that 1 was one of the &ing's ser%ants# and so left him. 1t will be belie%ed# howe%er# that 1 found the information 1 had recei%ed little to my mind. The longer 1 dwelt on it# the more serious seemed the matter. While 1 could scarcely concei%e any circumstances in which a woman would be li+ely to inform against her husband without cause# 1 could recall more than one dangerous conspiracy which had been frustrated by informers of that class8sometimes out of regard for the %ery persons against whom they informed. Giewed in this light only# the warning seemed to my mind sufficiently alarming# but when 1 came also to consider the secrecy with which (adame *icholas had both prepared it8so that her hand might not be +nown8and con%eyed it to me# the aspect of the case grew yet more formidable. 1n the result# 1 had not passed through two streets before my mind was made up to lay the case before the &ing# and the sagacity and penetration which were ne%er wanting to my gracious master. 5n une2pected rencontre which awaited me on my return to the 5rsenal both confirmed me in this resolution and enabled me to carry it into effect. We succeeded in slipping in without difficulty# and duly found (aignan on guard at the door of my apartments. )ut a single glance at his face sufficed to show that something was wrong, nor did it need the loo+ of penitence which he assumed on seeing us8a loo+ so piteous that at another time it must ha%e di%erted me8to con%ince me that he had infringed my orders. ;3ow now# sirrahC; 1 said angrily# without waiting for him to spea+. ;What ha%e you been doingC; ;They would ta+e no refusal# (onseigneur#; he answered plainti%ely# wa%ing his hand toward the door. ;What<; 1 cried sternly# astonished, for this was an instance of such direct disobedience as 1 could scarce understand. ;.id 1 not gi%e you the strictest orders to deny me to e%erybodyC; ;They would ta+e no refusal# (onseigneur#; he answered penitently# edging away from me as he spo+e. ;Who are theyC; 1 as+ed sternly# lea%ing the ?uestion of his punishment for another season. ;Spea+# rascal# though it shall not sa%e you.; ;There are (. le (ar?uis de la Garenne# and (. de Gitry#; he said slowly# ;and (. de Gic# and (. -rard# the engineer# and (. de 4ontange# and88; ;Pardieu!; 1 cried# cutting him short in a rage, for he was going on counting on his fingers in a manner the most pro%o+ing. ;3a%e you let in all 7aris# doltC 6race< that 1 should be ser%ed by a fool< >pen the door# and let me see them<;

With that 1 was about to enter, when the door# which 1 had not percei%ed to be a9ar# was suddenly thrown open# and a laughing face thrust out. 1t was the &ing's. ;3a# ha< 6rand$master<; he cried# %astly di%erted by the success of his 9est and the abrupt change which doubtless came o%er my countenance. ;*e%er was such graceful hospitality# 1'll be sworn< )ut come# pardon this %arlet. 5nd now embrace me# and tell me where you ha%e been playing truant.; Saying these words with the charm which ne%er failed him# and in his time won to his side more foes than his sword e%er con?uered# the &ing drew me into my room# where 1 found .e Gic# Gitry# Eo?uelaure# and the rest. They all laughed heartily at my surprise# nor was (aignan# who had a pretty fancy# and was the author# it will be remembered# of that whimsical procession to Eosny after the battle of 1%ry# which 1 ha%e elsewhere described# far behind them, the rascal +nowing well that the +ing's presence co%ered all# and that in my gratification at the honor done me 1 should be certain to o%erloo+ his impertinence. 7ercei%ing that this impromptu %isit had no other ob9ect than to di%ert 3enry8though he was +ind enough to say that he felt uneasy when he did not see me often81 begged to +now if he would honor me by staying to sup, but this he would not do# though he consented to drin+ a cup of my 5rbois wine# and praised it highly. 1 thought 1 saw by and by that he was willing to be alone with me, and as 1 had e%ery reason to desire this myself# 1 made an opportunity. Sending for 5rnaud and some of my gentlemen# 1 committed my other guests to their care# and led the &ing into my closet# where# after re?uesting his lea%e to spea+ on business# 1 proceeded to unfold to him the ad%enture of the snowball# with all the particulars which 1 ha%e here set down. 3e listened %ery attenti%ely# drumming on the table with his fingers, nor did he mo%e or spea+ when 1 had done but still continued in the same attitude of deep thought. 5t lastF ;6rand$master#; he said# touching with his hand the mar+ of the wound which still remained on his lip# ;how long is it since /halet's attempt8when 1 got thisC; ;Se%en years last /hristmas# Sire#; 1 answered. ;5nd )arriHre'sC; ;That was the year before. 5%enious' plot was that year too.; ;5nd the 1talian# from (ilan# of whom the /apuchin 3onorio warned usC; ;That was two years ago# Sire.; ;5nd how many more attempts ha%e there been against my personC; he went on# much mo%ed. Then falling into a tone of e2treme sadness# he continued# ;Eosny# my friend# they must succeed at last. *o man can fight against his fate. The end is sure# notwithstanding all your fidelity and %igilance# and the lo%e you bear me# for which 1 lo%e you too. )ut *icholasC *icholasC @et he has been careless and distraught of late. 1 ha%e noticed it, and a month bac+ 1 refused to gi%e him an appointment# of which he wished to ha%e the sale.; 1 did not dare to spea+# and for a time 3enry# too# remained silent. 5t length he rose with an air of resolution. ;We will clear this matter up within the hour<; he said firmly. ;1 will send my people bac+ to the 0ou%re# and do you# 6rand$master# order half$a$do:en Swiss to be ready to conduct us to this woman's house. When we ha%e heard her we shall +now what to do.; 1 tried my utmost to dissuade him# pleading that his presence could not be necessary# and might pro%e a hindrance, besides e2posing his person to a certain amount of ris+. )ut he would not listen. When 1 saw# therefore# that his mind was made up to go# and that as his spirits rose he was inclined to welcome this little e2pedition as a relief from the ennui which at times troubled him# 1 reluctantly withdrew my opposition and ga%e the necessary orders. The &ing dismissed his suite with a few +ind words# and in a %ery short space we were on our way# under co%er of dar+ness# to the secretary's house. 3e li%ed at this time in a court off the Eue St. Jac?ues# not far from the church of that name, and the house being remote from the eyes and obser%ations of the street# seemed not unfit for secret and desperate uses.

5lthough we found lights shining behind se%eral of the barred windows# the wintry night# the dar+ness of the court# and perhaps the errand on which we came# imparted so gloomy an aspect to the place that the &ing hitched his sword forward# while 1 begged him to permit the Swiss who accompanied us to go on with us. This# howe%er# he would not allow# and accordingly they were left at the entrance to the court with orders to follow at a gi%en signal. >n the steps# the &ing# who# to disguise himself the better# had borrowed one of my cloa+s# stumbled and almost fell. This threw him into a fit of laughter, for no sooner was he engaged in an ad%enture which promised to be dangerous than his spirits in%ariably rose to such a degree as to ma+e him the most charming companion in peril man e%er had. 3e was still sha+ing# and pulling me to and fro in one of those boyish frolics which sometimes swayed him# when a sudden outcry inside the house startled us into sobriety# and reminded us all too soon of the business which brought us thither. Wondering what it might mean# 1 was about to rap on the door with my hilt when the &ing put me aside# and# by a happy instinct# tried the latch. The door yielded to his hands# and# slowly opening# ga%e us admittance. We found oursel%es in a gloomy hall# ill$lit# and hung with patched arras. 1n one corner stood a group of ser%ants. >f these some loo+ed scared and some amused# but all were so much ta+en up with the mo%ements of a harsh$faced woman# who was pacing the opposite side of the hall# that they did not heed our entrance. 5 momentary glance at this strange state of things showed me that the woman was (adame *icholas, but 1 was still at a loss to guess what she was doing or what was happening in the house. 1 stood a moment# but finding she still too+ no notice of us# 1 bec+oned to one of the ser%ants# and bade him tell his mistress a gentleman would spea+ with her. The man went with the message, but she sent him off with a flea in his ear# and screamed at him so %iolently that for a moment 1 thought she was mad. Then it appeared that the ob9ect of her attention was a door at the side of the hall, for# stopping suddenly in her wal+# she went up to it# and struc+ it passionately with her hands. ;/ome out<; she cried. ;/ome out# you %illain<; Eestraining the &ing# 1 went forward myself# and# saluting her politely# begged a word with her apart# thin+ing she would recogni:e me. 3er answer# howe%er# showed that she did not. ;*o<; she cried# wa%ing me off# in the utmost e2citement. ;*o, you will not get me away81 +now you. @ou are as bad one as the other.; Then turning again to the door# she continued# ;/ome out< .o you hear< /ome out< 1'll ha%e no more of your intrigues and your 3allots<; 1 pric+ed up my ears at the name ;)ut# (adame#; 1 said# ;one moment.; ;)egone<; she retorted# turning on me so wrathfully that 1 fairly recoiled before her. ;1 shall stay here till 1 drop, but 1 will ha%e him out and e2pose him. There shall be an end of his precious plots and his 3allots if 1 ha%e to go to the &ing<; Words so curiously propos could not but recall to my mind the confusion into which my mention of .u 3allot had thrown the secretary earlier in the day. 5nd since they seemed also to be consistent with the warning con%eyed to me# and indeed to e2plain it# they should ha%e corroborated my worst suspicions. )ut a sense of something unreal and fantastic# with which 1 could not grapple# continued to pu::le me in the presence of this angry woman, and it was with no great assurance that 1 said# ;.o 1 understand then# (adame# that (. du 3allot is in that roomC; ;(. du 3allotC; she replied# in a tone that was almost a scream. ;*o, but he would be if he had ta+en the hint 1 sent him< 3e would be< 1 will ha%e no more secrecy# howe%er# and no more plots. 1 ha%e suffered enough already# and now (adame shall suffer if she has not forgotten how to blush. 5re you coming out thereC; she continued# once more applying herself to the door# her face inflamed with passion. ;1 shall stay< >h# 1 shall stay# 1 assure you. =ntil morning if necessary<;

;)ut# (adame#; 1 said# beginning to see daylight# and finding words with difficulty8for 1 already heard in fancy the &ing's laughter and could con9ure up the endless ?uips and cran+s with which he would pursue me8;your warning did not perhaps reach (. du 3allot<; ;1t reached his coach# at any rate#; the scold retorted. ;5nother time 1 will ha%e no half$ measures. )ut as for that#; she continued# turning on me suddenly with her arms a+imbo# and the fiercest of airs# ;1 would li+e to +now what business it is of yours# (onsieur# whether it reached him or not< 1 +now you8you are in league with my husband< @ou are here to shelter him# and this (adame du 3allot< )ut88; 5t that moment# howe%er# the door at last opened, and (. *icholas# wearing an aspect so mee+ and crestfallen that 1 hardly +new him# came out. 3e was followed by a young woman plainly dressed# and loo+ing almost as much frightened as himself, in whom 1 had no difficulty in recogni:ing 4eli2's wife. ;Why<; (adame *icholas cried# her face falling. ;This is not8who is thisC Who8; with increased %ehemence8;is this baggage# 1 would li+e to +nowC; ;(y dear#; the secretary protested earnestly# spreading out his hands8fortunately he had eyes only for his wife# and did not see us8;this is one of your ridiculous mista+es< 1t is# 1 assure you. This is the wife of a cler+ whom 1 dismissed to$day# and she has been with me begging me to reinstate her husband. That is all. That is all# my dear. @ou ha%e made this 88; 1 heard no more# for# ta+ing ad%antage of the obscurity of the hall# and the preoccupation of the couple# 1 made hurriedly for the door# and passing out into the dar+ness# found myself at once in the embrace of the &ing# who# sei:ing me round the nec+# laughed on my shoulder till he cried# continually ad9uring me to laugh also# and e9aculating between the paro2ysms# ;7oor .u 3allot< 7oor .u 3allot<; with many things of the same nature# which any one ac?uainted with court life may supply for himself. 1 confess 1 did not on my part find it so easy to laughF partly because 1 am not of so gay a disposition as that great prince# and partly because 1 cannot always see the ludicrous side of e%ents in which 1 myself ta+e part. )ut on the &ing at last assuring me that he would not betray the secret e%en to 0a Garenne# 1 too+ comfort and gradually reconciled myself to an episode which# unli+e the more serious e%ents it now becomes my duty to relate# had only one result# and that unimportant, 1 mean the introduction to my ser%ice of the cler+ 4eli2# who# pro%ing worthy of confidence# remained with me after the lamentable death of the &ing my master# and is to$day one of those to whom 1 entrust the preparation of these (emoirs.

THE END