the chouans-第46章

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refer　your　happiness　to　my　own。　My　resolution　may　surprise　you；　lay　it　to　the　prudence　of　a　man　who　is　not　so　great　a　fool　as　to　wish　to　possess　a　woman　against　her　will。　I　blame　myself；　not　you；　for　the　failure　of　my　efforts　to　win　you。　I　hoped　to　do　so　by　submission　and　devotion；　for　I　have　long；　as　you　well　know；　tried　to　make　you　happy　according　to　my　lights；　but　you　have　never　in　any　way　rewarded　me。〃

〃I　have　suffered　you　to　be　near　me；〃　she　said；　haughtily。

〃Add　that　you　regret　it。〃

〃After　involving　me　in　this　infamous　enterprise；　do　you　think　that　I　have　any　thanks　to　give　you？〃

〃When　I　proposed　to　you　an　enterprise　which　was　not　exempt　from　blame　to　timid　minds；〃　he　replied；　audaciously；　〃I　had　only　your　own　prosperity　in　view。　As　for　me；　whether　I　succeed　or　fail；　I　can　make　all　results　further　my　ends。　If　you　marry　Montauran；　I　shall　be　delighted　to　serve　the　Bourbons　in　Paris；　where　I　am　already　a　member　of　the　Clichy　club。　Now；　if　circumstances　were　to　put　me　in　correspondence　with　the　princes　I　should　abandon　the　interests　of　the　Republic；　which　is　already　on　its　last　legs。　General　Bonaparte　is　much　too　able　a　man　not　to　know　that　he　can't　be　in　England　and　in　Italy　at　the　same　time；　and　that　is　how　the　Republic　is　about　to　fall。　I　have　no　doubt　he　made　the　18th　Brumaire　to　obtain　greater　advantages　over　the　Bourbons　when　it　came　to　treating　with　them。　He　is　a　long…headed　fellow；　and　very　keen；　but　the　politicians　will　get　the　better　of　him　on　their　own　ground。　The　betrayal　of　France　is　another　scruple　which　men　of　superiority　leave　to　fools。　I　won't　conceal　from　you　that　I　have　come　here　with　the　necessary　authority　to　open　negotiations　with　the　Chouans；　/or/　to　further　their　destruction；　as　the　case　may　be；　for　Fouche；　my　patron；　is　deep；　he　has　always　played　a　double　part；　during　the　Terror　he　was　as　much　for　Robespierre　as　for　Danton〃

〃Whom　you　basely　abandoned；〃　she　said。

〃Nonsense；　he　is　dead；forget　him；〃　replied　Corentin。　〃Come；　speak　honestly　to　me；　I　have　set　you　the　example。　Old　Hulot　is　deeper　than　he　looks；　if　you　want　to　escape　his　vigilance；　I　can　help　you。　Remember　that　he　holds　all　the　valleys　and　will　instantly　detect　a　rendezvous。　If　you　make　one　in　Fougeres；　under　his　very　eyes；　you　are　at　the　mercy　of　his　patrols。　See　how　quickly　he　knew　that　this　Chouan　had　entered　your　house。　His　military　sagacity　will　show　him　that　your　movements　betray　those　of　the　Garsif　Montauran　loves　you。〃

Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil　had　never　listened　to　a　more　affectionate　voice；　Corentin　certainly　seemed　sincere；　and　spoke　confidingly。　The　poor　girl's　heart　was　so　open　to　generous　impressions　that　she　was　on　the　point　of　betraying　her　secret　to　the　serpent　who　had　her　in　his　folds；　when　it　occurred　to　her　that　she　had　no　proof　beyond　his　own　words　of　his　sincerity；　and　she　felt　no　scruple　in　blinding　him。

〃Yes；〃　she　said；　〃you　are　right；　Corentin。　I　do　love　the　marquis；　but　he　does　not　love　meat　least；　I　fear　so；　I　can't　help　fearing　that　the　appointment　he　wishes　me　to　make　with　him　is　a　trap。〃

〃But　you　said　yesterday　that　he　came　as　far　as　Fougeres　with　you；〃　returned　Corentin。　〃If　he　had　meant　to　do　you　bodily　harm　you　wouldn't　be　here　now。〃

〃You've　a　cold　heart；　Corentin。　You　can　draw　shrewd　conclusions　as　to　the　ordinary　events　of　human　life；　but　not　on　those　of　passion。　Perhaps　that　is　why　you　inspire　me　with　such　repulsion。　As　you　are　so　clear…sighted；　you　may　be　able　to　tell　me　why　a　man　from　whom　I　separated　myself　violently　two　days　ago　now　wishes　me　to　meet　him　in　a　house　at　Florigny　on　the　road　to　Mayenne。〃

At　this　avowal；　which　seemed　to　escape　her　with　a　recklessness　that　was　not　unnatural　in　so　passionate　a　creature；　Corentin　flushed；　for　he　was　still　young；　but　he　gave　her　a　sidelong　penetrating　look；　trying　to　search　her　soul。　The　girl's　artlessness　was　so　well　played；　however；　that　she　deceived　the　spy；　and　he　answered　with　crafty　good…　humor；　〃Shall　I　accompany　you　at　a　distance？　I　can　take　a　few　solders　with　me；　and　be　ready　to　help　and　obey　you。〃

〃Very　good；〃　she　said；　〃but　promise　me；　on　your　honor；no；　I　don't　believe　in　it；　by　your　salvation；but　you　don't　believe　in　God；　by　your　soul；but　I　don't　suppose　you　have　any！　what　pledge　/can/　you　give　me　of　your　fidelity？　and　yet　you　expect　me　to　trust　you；　and　put　more　than　my　lifemy　love；　my　vengeanceinto　your　hands？〃

The　slight　smile　which　crossed　the　pallid　lips　of　the　spy　showed　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil　the　danger　she　had　just　escaped。　The　man；　whose　nostrils　contracted　instead　of　dilating；　took　the　hand　of　his　victim；　kissed　it　with　every　mark　of　the　deepest　respect；　and　left　the　room　with　a　bow　that　was　not　devoid　of　grace。

Three　hours　after　this　scene　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil；　who　feared　the　man's　return；　left　the　town　furtively　by　the　Porte　Saint…Leonard；　and　made　her　way　through　the　labyrinth　of　paths　to　the　cottage　of　Galope…　Chopine；　led　by　the　dream　of　at　last　finding　happiness；　and　also　by　the　purpose　of　saving　her　lover　from　the　danger　that　threatened　him。

During　this　time　Corentin　had　gone　to　find　the　commandant。　He　had　some　difficulty　in　recognizing　Hulot　when　he　found　him　in　a　little　square；　where　he　was　busy　with　certain　military　preparations。　The　brave　veteran　had　made　a　sacrifice；　the　full　merit　of　which　may　be　difficult　to　appreciate。　His　queue　and　his　moustache　were　cut　off；　and　his　hair　had　a　sprinkling　of　powder。　He　had　changed　his　uniform　for　a　goatskin；　wore　hobnailed　shoes；　a　belt　full　of　pistols；　and　carried　a　heavy　carbine。　In　this　costume　he　was　reviewing　about　two　hundred　of　the　natives　of　Fougeres；　all　in　the　same　kind　of　dress；　which　was　fitted　to　deceive　the　eye　of　the　most　practised　Chouan。　The　warlike　spirit　of　the　little　town　and　the　Breton　character　were　fully　displayed　in　this　scene；　which　was　not　at　all　uncommon。　Here　and　there　a　few　mothers　and　sisters　were　bringing　to　their　sons　and　brothers　gourds　filled　with　brandy；　or　forgotten　pistols。　Several　old　men　were　examining　into　the　number　and　condition　of　the　cartridges　of　these　young　national　guards　dressed　in　the　guise　of　Chouans；　whose　gaiety　was　more　in　keeping　with　a　hunting　expedition　than　the　dangerous　duty　they　were　undertaking。　To　them；　such　encounters　with　Chouannerie；　where　the　Breton　of　the　town　fought　the　Breton　of　the　country　district；　had　taken　the　place　of　the　old　chivalric　tournaments。　This　patriotic　enthusiasm　may　possibly　have　been　connected　with　certain　purchases　of　the　〃national　domain。〃　Still；　the　benefits　of　the　Revolution　which　were　better　understood　and　appreciated　in　the　towns；　party　spirit；　and　a　certain　national　delight　in　war；　had　a　great　deal　to　do　with　their　ardor。

Hulot；　much　gratified；　was　going　through　the　ranks　and　getting　information　from　Gudin；　on　whom　he　was　now　bestowing　the　confidence　and　good…will　he　had　formerly　shown　to　Merle　and　Gerard。　A　number　of　the　inhabitants　stood　about　watching　the　preparations；　and　comparing　the　conduct　of　their　tumultuous　contingent　with　the　regulars　of　Hulot's　brigade。　Motionless　and　silent　the　Blues　were　awaiting；　under　control　of　their　officers；　the　orders　of　the　commandant；　whose　figure　they　followed　with　their　eyes　as　he　passed　from　rank　to　rank　of　the　contingent。　When　Corentin　came　near　the　old　warrior　he　could　not　help　smiling　at　the　change　which　had　taken　place　in　him。　He　looked　like　a　portrait　that　has　little　or　no　resemblance　to　the　original。

〃What's　all　this？〃　asked　Corentin。

〃Come　with　us　under　fire；　and　you'll　find　out；〃　replied　Hulot。

〃Oh！　I'm　not　a　Fougeres　man；〃　said　Corentin。

〃Easy　to　see　that；　citizen；〃　retorted　Gudin。

A　few　contemptuous　laughs　came　from　the　nearest　ranks。

〃Do　you　think；〃　said　Corentin；　sharply；　〃that　the　only　way　to　serve　France　is　with　bayonets？〃

Then　he　turned　his　back　to　the　laughers；　and　asked　a　woman　beside　him　if　she　knew　the　object　of　the　expedition。

〃Hey！　my　good　man；　the　Chouans　are　at　Florigny。　They　say　there　are　more　than　three　thousand；　and　they　are　coming　to　take　Fougeres。〃

〃Florigny？〃　cried　Corentin；　turning　white；　〃then　the　rendezvous　is　not　there！　Is　Florigny　on　the　road　to　Mayenne？〃　he　asked。

〃There　are　not　two　Florignys；〃　replied　the　woman；　pointing　in　the　direction　of　the　summit　of　La　Pelerine。

〃Are　you　going　in　search　of　the　Marquis　de　Montauran？〃　said　Corentin　to　Hulot。

〃Perhaps　I　am；〃　answered　the　commandant；　curtly。

〃He　is　not　at　Florigny；〃　said　Corentin。　〃Send　your　troops　there　by　all　means；　but　keep　a　few　of　those　imitation　Chouans　of　yours　with　you；　and　wait　for　me。〃

〃He　is　too　malignant　not　to　know　what　he's　about；〃　thought　Hulot　as　Corentin　made　off　rapidly；　〃he's　the　king　of　spies。〃

Hulot　ordered　the　battalion　to　start。　The　republican　soldiers　marched　without　drums　and　silently　through　the　narrow　suburb　which　led　to　the　Mayenne　high…road；　forming　a　blue　and　red　line　among　the　trees　and　houses。　The　disguised　guard　followed　them；　but　Hulot；　detaining　Gudin　and　about　a　score　of　the　smartest　young　fellows　of　the　town；　remained　in　the　little　square；　awaiting　Corentin；　whose　mysterious　manner　had　piqued　his　curiosity。　Francine　herself　told　the　astute　spy；　whose　suspicions　she　changed　into　certainty；　of　her　mistress's　departure。　Inquiring　of　the　post　guard　at　the　Porte　Saint…Leonard；　he　learned　that　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil　had　passed　that　way。　Rushing　to　the　Promenade；　he　was；　unfortunately；　in　time　to　see　her　movements。　Though　she　was　wearing　a　green　dress　and　hood；　to　be　less　easily　distinguished；　the　rapidity　of　her　almost　distracted　step　enabled　him　to　follow　her　with　his　eye　through　the　leafless　hedges；　and　to　guess　the　point　towards　which　she　was　hurrying。

〃Ha！〃　he　cried；　〃you　said　you　were　going　to　Florigny；　but　you　are　in　the　valley　of　Gibarry！　I　am　a　fool；　she　has　tricked　me！　No　matter；　I　can　light　my　lamp　by　day　as　well　as　by　night。〃

Corentin；　satisfied　that　he　knew　the　place　of　the　lovers'　rendezvous；　returned　in　all　haste　to　the　little　square；　which　Hulot；　resolved　not　to　wait　any　longer；　was　just　quitting　to　rejoin　his　troops。

〃Halt；　general！〃　he　cried　to　the　commandant；　who　turned　round。

He　then　told　Hulot　the　events　relating　to　the　marquis　and　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil；　and　showed　him　the　scheme　of　which　he　held　a　thread。　Hulot；　struck　by　his　perspicacity；　seized　him　by　the　arm。

〃God's　thunder！　citizen；　you　are　right；〃　he　cried。　〃The　brigands　are　making　a　false　attack　over　there　to　keep　the　coast　clear；　but　the　two　columns　I　sent　to　scour　the　environs　between　Antrain　and　Vitre　have　not　yet　returned；　so　we　shall　have　plenty　of　reinforcements　if　we　need　them；　and　I　dare　say　we　shall；　for　the　Gars　is　not　such　a　fool　as　to　risk　his　life　without　a　bodyguard　of　those　damned　owls。　Gudin；〃　he　added；　〃go　and　tell　Captain　Lebrun　that　he　must　rub　those　fellows'　noses　at　Florigny　without　me；　and　come　back　yourself　in　a　flash。　You　know　the　paths。　I'll　wait　till　you　return；　and　/then/we'll　avenge　those　murders　at　La　Vivetiere。　Thunder！　how　he　runs；〃　he　added；　seeing　Gudin　disappear　as　if　by　magic。　〃Gerard　would　have　loved　him。〃

On　his　return　Gudin　found　Hulot's　little　band　increased　in　numbers　by　the　arrival　of　several　soldiers　taken　from　the　various　posts　in　the　town。　The　commandant　ordered　him　to　choose　a　dozen　of　his　compatriots　who　could　best　cou