a woman of thirty-第26章

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up　in　the　new　position。　But　as　it　happened；　the　persistent　youngster　thought　of　nothing　but　that　summer…　house；　and　as　soon　as　he　came　home　again；　his　first　care　was　to　go　out　to　look　at　the　old　building；　and　he　came　in　to　breakfast　looking　quite　doleful；　and　said　to　his　father；　'You　have　broken　your　promise。'　The　old　English　gentleman　said　with　confusion　full　of　dignity；　'That　is　true；　my　boy；　but　I　will　make　amends。　A　man　ought　to　think　of　keeping　his　word　before　he　thinks　of　his　fortune；　for　by　keeping　his　word　he　will　gain　fortune；　while　all　the　fortunes　in　the　world　will　not　efface　the　stain　left　on　your　conscience　by　a　breach　of　faith。'　Then　he　gave　orders　that　the　summer…house　should　be　put　up　again　in　the　old　place；　and　when　it　had　been　rebuilt　he　had　it　taken　down　again　for　his　son　to　see。　Let　this　be　a　lesson　to　/you/；　Gustave。〃

Gustave　had　been　listening　with　interest；　and　now　he　closed　the　book　at　once。　There　was　a　moment's　silence；　while　the　General　took　possession　of　Moina；　who　could　scarcely　keep　her　eyes　open。　The　little　one's　languid　head　fell　back　on　her　father's　breast；　and　in　a　moment　she　was　fast　asleep；　wrapped　round　about　in　her　golden　curls。

Just　then　a　sound　of　hurrying　footsteps　rang　on　the　pavement　out　in　the　street；　immediately　followed　by　three　knocks　on　the　street　door；　waking　the　echoes　of　the　house。　The　reverberating　blows　told；　as　plainly　as　a　cry　for　help　that　here　was　a　man　flying　for　his　life。　The　house　dog　barked　furiously。　A　thrill　of　excitement　ran　through　Helene　and　Gustave　and　the　General　and　his　wife；　but　neither　Abel；　with　the　night…cap　strings　just　tied　under　his　chin；　nor　Moina　awoke。

〃The　fellow　is　in　a　hurry！〃　exclaimed　the　General。　He　put　the　little　girl　down　on　the　chair；　and　hastened　out　of　the　room；　heedless　of　his　wife's　entreating　cry；　〃Dear；　do　not　go　down〃

He　stepped　into　his　own　room　for　a　pair　of　pistols；　lighted　a　dark　lantern；　sprang　at　lightning　speed　down　the　staircase；　and　in　another　minute　reached　the　house　door；　his　oldest　boy　fearlessly　following。

〃Who　is　there？〃　demanded　he。

〃Let　me　in；〃　panted　a　breathless　voice。

〃Are　you　a　friend？〃

〃Yes；　friend；〃

〃Are　you　alone？〃

〃Yes！　But　let　me　in；　/they/　are　after　me！〃

The　General　had　scarcely　set　the　door　ajar　before　a　man　slipped　into　the　porch　with　the　uncanny　swiftness　of　a　shadow。　Before　the　master　of　the　house　could　prevent　him；　the　intruder　had　closed　the　door　with　a　well…directed　kick；　and　set　his　back　against　it　resolutely；　as　if　he　were　determined　that　it　should　not　be　opened　again。　In　a　moment　the　General　had　his　lantern　and　pistol　at　a　level　with　the　stranger's　breast；　and　beheld　a　man　of　medium　height　in　a　fur…lined　pelisse。　It　was　an　old　man's　garment；　both　too　large　and　too　long　for　its　present　wearer。　Chance　or　caution　had　slouched　the　man's　hat　over　his　eyes。

〃You　can　lower　your　pistol；　sir；〃　said　this　person。　〃I　do　not　claim　to　stay　in　your　house　against　your　will；　but　if　I　leave　it；　death　is　waiting　for　me　at　the　barrier。　And　what　a　death！　You　would　be　answerable　to　God　for　it！　I　ask　for　your　hospitality　for　two　hours。　And　bear　this　in　mind；　sir；　that；　suppliant　as　I　am；　I　have　a　right　to　command　with　the　despotism　of　necessity。　I　want　the　Arab's　hospitality。　Either　I　and　my　secret　must　be　inviolable；　or　open　the　door　and　I　will　go　to　my　death。　I　want　secrecy；　a　safe　hiding…place；　and　water。　Oh！　water！〃　he　cried　again；　with　a　rattle　in　his　throat。

〃Who　are　you？〃　demanded　the　General；　taken　aback　by　the　stranger's　feverish　volubility。

〃Ah！　who　am　I？　Good；　open　the　door；　and　I　will　put　a　distance　between　us；〃　retorted　the　other；　and　there　was　a　diabolical　irony　in　his　tone。

Dexterously　as　the　Marquis　passed　the　light　of　the　lantern　over　the　man's　face；　he　could　only　see　the　lower　half　of　it；　and　that　in　nowise　prepossessed　him　in　favor　of　this　singular　claimant　of　hospitality。　The　cheeks　were　livid　and　quivering；　the　features　dreadfully　contorted。　Under　the　shadow　of　the　hat…brim　a　pair　of　eyes　gleamed　out　like　flames；　the　feeble　candle…light　looked　almost　dim　in　comparison。　Some　sort　of　answer　must　be　made　however。

〃Your　language；　sir；　is　so　extraordinary　that　in　my　place　you　yourself〃

〃My　life　is　in　your　hands！〃　the　intruder　broke　in。　The　sound　of　his　voice　was　dreadful　to　hear。

〃Two　hours？〃　said　the　Marquis；　wavering。

〃Two　hours；〃　echoed　the　other。

Then　quite　suddenly；　with　a　desperate　gesture；　he　pushed　back　his　hat　and　left　his　forehead　bare；　and；　as　if　he　meant　to　try　a　final　expedient；　he　gave　the　General　a　glance　that　seemed　to　plunge　like　a　vivid　flash　into　his　very　soul。　That　electrical　discharge　of　intelligence　and　will　was　swift　as　lightning　and　crushing　as　a　thunderbolt；　for　there　are　moments　when　a　human　being　is　invested　for　a　brief　space　with　inexplicable　power。

〃Come；　whoever　you　may　be；　you　shall　be　in　safety　under　my　roof；〃　the　master　of　the　house　said　gravely　at　last；　acting；　as　he　imagined；　upon　one　of　those　intuitions　which　a　man　cannot　always　explain　to　himself。

〃God　will　repay　you！〃　said　the　stranger；　with　a　deep；　involuntary　sigh。

〃Have　you　weapons？〃　asked　the　General。

For　all　answer　the　stranger　flung　open　his　fur　pelisse；　and　scarcely　gave　the　other　time　for　a　glance　before　he　wrapped　it　about　him　again。　To　all　appearance　he　was　unarmed　and　in　evening　dress。　Swift　as　the　soldier's　scrutiny　had　been；　he　saw　something；　however；　which　made　him　exclaim：

〃Where　the　devil　have　you　been　to　get　yourself　in　such　a　mess　in　such　dry　weather？〃

〃More　questions！〃　said　the　stranger　haughtily。

At　the　words　the　Marquis　caught　sight　of　his　son；　and　his　own　late　homily　on　the　strict　fulfilment　of　a　given　word　came　up　to　his　mind。　In　lively　vexation；　he　exclaimed；　not　without　a　touch　of　anger：

〃What！　little　rogue；　you　here　when　you　ought　to　be　in　bed？〃

〃Because　I　thought　I　might　be　of　some　good　in　danger；〃　answered　Gustave。

〃There；　go　up　to　your　room；〃　said　his　father；　mollified　by　the　reply。　〃And　you〃　（addressing　the　stranger）；　〃come　with　me。〃

The　two　men　grew　as　silent　as　a　pair　of　gamblers　who　watch　each　other's　play　with　mutual　suspicions。　The　General　himself　began　to　be　troubled　with　ugly　presentiments。　The　strange　visit　weighed　upon　his　mind　already　like　a　nightmare；　but　he　had　passed　his　word；　there　was　no　help　for　it　now；　and　he　led　the　way　along　the　passages　and　stairways　till　they　reached　a　large　room　on　the　second　floor　immediately　above　the　salon。　This　was　an　empty　room　where　linen　was　dried　in　the　winter。　It　had　but　the　one　door；　and　for　all　decoration　boasted　one　solitary　shabby　looking…glass　above　the　chimney…piece；　left　by　the　previous　owner；　and　a　great　pier　glass；　placed　provisionally　opposite　the　fireplace　until　such　time　as　a　use　should　be　found　for　it　in　the　rooms　below。　The　four　yellowish　walls　were　bare。　The　floor　had　never　been　swept。　The　huge　attic　was　icy…cold；　and　the　furniture　consisted　of　a　couple　of　rickety　straw…bottomed　chairs；　or　rather　frames　of　chairs。　The　General　set　the　lantern　down　upon　the　chimney…piece。　Then　he　spoke：

〃It　is　necessary　for　your　own　safety　to　hide　you　in　this　comfortless　attic。　And；　as　you　have　my　promise　to　keep　your　secret；　you　will　permit　me　to　lock　you　in。〃

The　other　bent　his　head　in　acquiescence。

〃I　asked　for　nothing　but　a　hiding…place；　secrecy；　and　water；〃　returned　he。

〃I　will　bring　you　some　directly；〃　said　the　Marquis；　shutting　the　door　cautiously。　He　groped　his　way　down　into　the　salon　for　a　lamp　before　going　to　the　kitchen　to　look　for　a　carafe。

〃Well；　what　is　it？〃　the　Marquise　asked　quickly。

〃Nothing；　dear；〃　he　returned　coolly。

〃But　we　listened；　and　we　certainly　heard　you　go　upstairs　with　somebody。〃

〃Helene；〃　said　the　General；　and　he　looked　at　his　daughter；　who　raised　her　face；　〃bear　in　mind　that　your　father's　honor　depends　upon　your　discretion。　You　must　have　heard　nothing。〃

The　girl　bent　her　head　in　answer。　The　Marquise　was　confused　and　smarting　inwardly　at　the　way　in　which　her　husband　had　thought　fit　to　silence　her。

Meanwhile　the　General　went　for　the　bottle　and　a　tumbler；　and　returned　to　the　room　above。　His　prisoner　was　leaning　against　the　chimney…piece；　his　head　was　bare；　he　had　flung　down　his　hat　on　one　of　the　two　chairs。　Evidently　he　had　not　expected　to　have　so　bright　a　light　turned　upon　him；　and　he　frowned　and　looked　anxious　as　he　met　the　General's　keen　eyes；　but　his　face　softened　and　wore　a　gracious　expression　as　he　thanked　his　protector。　When　the　latter　placed　the　bottle　and　glass　on　the　mantel…shelf；　the　stranger's　eyes　flashed　out　on　him　again；　and　when　he　spoke；　it　was　in　musical　tones　with　no　sign　of　the　previous　guttural　convulsion；　though　his　voice　was　still　unsteady　with　repressed　emotion。

〃I　shall　seem　to　you　to　be　a　strange　being；　sir；　but　you　must　pardon　the　caprices　of　necessity。　If　you　propose　to　remain　in　the　room；　I　beg　that　you　will　not　look　at　me　while　I　am　drinking。〃

Vexed　at　this　continual　obedience　to　a　man　whom　he　disliked；　the　General　sharply　turned　his　back　upon　him。　The　stranger　thereupon　drew　a　white　handkerchief　from　his　pocket　and　wound　it　about　his　right　hand。　Then　he　seized　the　carafe　and　emptied　it　at　a　draught。　The　Marquis；　staring　vacantly　into　the　tall　mirror　across　the　room；　without　a　thought　of　breaking　his　implicit　promise；　saw　the　stranger's　figure　distinctly　reflected　by　the　opposite　looking…glass；　and　saw；　too；　a　red　stain　suddenly　appear　through　the　folds　of　the　white　bandage。　The　man's　hands　were　steeped　in　blood。

〃Ah！　you　saw　me！〃　cried　the　other。　He　had　drunk　off　the　water　and　wrapped　himself　again　in　his　cloak；　and　now　scrutinized　the　General　suspiciously。　〃It　is　all　over　with　me！　Here　they　come！〃

〃I　don't　hear　anything；〃　said　the　Marquis。

〃You　have　not　the　same　interest　that　I　have　in　listening　for　sounds　in　the　air。〃

〃You　have　been　fighting　a　duel；　I　suppose；　to　be　in　such　a　state？〃　queried　the　General；　not　a　little　disturbed　by　the　color　of　those　broad；　dark　patches　staining　his　visitor's　cloak。

〃Yes；　a　duel；　you　have　it；〃　said　the　other；　and　a　bitter　smile　flitted　over　his　lips。

As　he　spoke　a　sound　rang　along　the　distant　road；　a　sound　of　galloping　horses；　but　so　faint　as　yet；　that　it　was　the　merest　dawn　of　a　sound。　The　General's　trained　ear　recognized　the　advance　of　a　troop　of　regulars。

〃That　is　the　gendarmerie；〃　said　he。

He　glanced　at　his　prisoner　to　reassure　him　after　his　own　involuntary　indiscretion；　took　the　lamp；　and　went　down　to　the　salon。　He　had　scarcely　laid　the　key　of　the　room　above　upon　the　chimney…piece　when　the　hoof　beats　sounded　louder　and　came　swiftly　nearer　and　nearer　the　house。　The　General　felt　a　shiver　of　excitement；　and　indeed　the　horses　stopped　at　the　house　door；　a　few　words　were　exchanged　among　the　men；　and　one　of　them　dismounted　and　knocked　loudly。　There　was　no　help　for　it；　the　General　went　to　open　the　door。　He　could　scarcely　conceal　his　inward　perturbation　at　the　sight　of　half　a　dozen　gendarmes　outside；　the　metal　rims　of　their　caps　gleaming　like　silver　in　the　moonlight。

〃My　lord；〃　said　the　corporal；　〃have　you　heard　a　man　run　past　towards　the　barrier　within　the　last　few　minutes？〃

〃Towards　the　barrier？　No。〃

〃Have　you　opened　the　door　to　any　one？〃

〃Now；　am　I　in　the　habit　of　answering　the　door　myself〃

〃I　ask　your　pardon；　G