"Marteau!" exclaimed the woman in a surprise and dismay equal to that of the man she confronted.
Her arm that held the pistol dropped weakly to her side. With the other hand she drew the peignoir about her, a vivid crimson3 wave rushed over her whole body. To surprise a man, a thief, in her room at night, was one thing; to confront the man she loved in such a guise4 was another. Her heart rose in her throat. For a moment she thought she would have fainted.
"You! You!" she choked out brokenly. "Mon Dieu!"
"Mademoiselle," began the man desperately5, his confusion and dismay growing with every flying moment, "I——"
"What do you here," she went on impetuously, finding voice, "in my bedroom at night? I thought you——"
"For God's sake hear me. I came to——" and then he stopped lamely6 and in agonized7 embarrassment8.
"For what did you come?" she insisted.
"Mademoiselle," he said, throwing his head up, "I cannot tell you. But when I was stationed here before this was the bedroom of the Commanding-Officer. I supposed it was so still. I had not the faintest idea that you—that it was——"
"And what would you do in the bedroom of the Commanding-Officer?" asked the woman, forgetting for the moment the strangeness of the situation in her anxiety to solve the problem.
"And that, I repeat, I cannot tell."
"Not even to me, who——" she stopped in turn.
"Yes, yes, go on," urged the young man, stepping nearer to her. "Not even to you who——"
"Who espoused9 your cause in the hall this very night, who befriended you," she went on rather lamely and inadequately10 having checked herself in time.
"Oh," said the young officer in great disappointment, "that?"
"Yes."
"You see, the Governor——"
"Did you wish to kill him?"
"Mademoiselle!" he protested. "I swear to you that I would not harm him for the world but I——"
"Are you in need? He offered you money. I have a few resources."
"For God's sake, mademoiselle," interposed the officer desperately, but she went resolutely11 on.
"Whatever I have is yours. See——" she stripped rings from her fingers and proffered12 them—"take them."
"Mademoiselle," said the young man sadly, "you wrong me."
"Well, if it was not for murder or for gain, for what cause did you take so frightful13 a risk?"
"Is there no other motive14, mademoiselle, that makes men risk their lives than revenge or greed?"
"What do you mean?"
"Love."
"But you said you did not know this was my room!"
The words came from her impetuously and before she thought she realized when it was too late.
"Ah, mademoiselle, love of woman is a great passion. I know it only too well, too sadly. But it is not the only love."
"Have you another in your heart?" asked the Countess with a sinking in her own.
"Love of honor."
"I don't understand."
"And yet I know that you are the very soul of honor yourself."
"I thank you, but——"
"Mademoiselle," said the young man, coming to a sudden resolution, "appearances are frightfully against me. That I should be here, in your room, at this hour of the night, under the circumstances, condemns16 me utterly17 in your opinion, especially as I have offered no adequate explanation. I am about to throw myself on your mercy, to trust to your honor."
"You shall not trust in vain, monsieur."
"I know that. I trusted to your honor in the Château d'Aumenier and you did not fail me then."
"Nor will I now."
"Will you give me your word not to reveal what I tell you, and not to make use of the knowledge I communicate, until I give you leave?"
"Does it concern the honor or the welfare of those I love?"
"You mean that Englishman?"
"I do not love—I mean the Marquis, my uncle."
"It does not," said the young man, noting with throbbing18 heart the broken sentence.
"Then I give my promise. Speak."
"I came here to conceal19 something, mademoiselle."
"What?"
"An emblem20."
"Yours?"
"The Emperor's."
"You mean——"
"The Eagle of the Fifth-regiment21-of-the-Line."
"Why here?"
"It is a long story. I brought it back, having fished it out of the river Aube, where it had lain since that day——"
"When I thought you killed," said the young woman, her hand pressed to her heart.
"And were you sorry?"
"Sorry? I—— But go on."
"I showed it to the officers of the regiment tonight at Major Lestoype's quarters. We were discovered. The matter was reported to your uncle. Rather than give up the Eagle I said that I would hide it."
"And why here?"
"Because being as I thought the quarters of the Commanding-Officer it would be the last place in Grenoble where it would be sought."
"And where did you hide it?"
"Back of one of the drawers in the cupboard yonder."
"And how did you know of the place?"
"I was stationed here when I first joined the regiment. The château was untenanted. I rambled22 all over it. I explored its nooks and corners. I discovered that secret hiding place by chance and now the Eagle is there."
"And there it shall remain until it is discovered or until you give me leave to produce it," said the girl firmly.
"I have your promise?"
"You know well that I shall keep it."
"I thank you, mademoiselle. Twice you have saved my life and now, what is more to me than life, the emblem of my faith as a soldier, the honor of my regiment."
"But why keep it, this Eagle, at all," asked the girl, "and run this risk?"
"It may be needed again."
"But by whom?"
"The Emperor."
"The name is forbid."
"But the man is not."
"Ah, you think he will return?"
"I do."
"And when?"
"Mademoiselle has all my secrets. I am in her power absolutely. Why keep anything from her?"
"Why, indeed?" assented23 the woman, thrilling to the acknowledgment of her power over the man she loved as any woman would.
"When the violets bloom again," said the young man, bowing. "Now, mademoiselle, I am at your service," he resumed as she stared at him.
"At my service? What do you mean?"
"You have caught me here in your room. You have only to call out to summon assistance. I shall be removed from your pathway forever."
"But the Eagle?"
"I shall find means before I die to tell someone where to look for it if it should be needed."
"And I am to condemn15 you to death?"
"Why not?" said the young man. "I only lived to bring it back. I never dreamed that I was to have the happiness of seeing you again."
"Happiness? This anguish24?" murmured the young woman in daring self-revelation.
She had forgot the hour, her dress, the strangeness of the situation, the awful impropriety of it all, the possibility of discovery. She only saw the man she loved. She saw how he loved her. She hung upon his words, and would fain hear more—more!
"My God!" he responded with a sort of fierce pride that was almost arrogant25. "Although I was born a peasant, mademoiselle, not the finest gentleman in France or England could love you as I do. Yet it is impossible for you to love me now that the Emperor is no longer here. Your uncle would never consent. You, yourself, love that English gentleman. Why give thought to Marteau? Summon assistance, deliver me up and remember me as one who loved you with all the fervor26 of his heart, or forget me, if you can."
"I would not have you die," said the woman, shuddering27. "God forbid."
"It is best so. Life holds nothing for me now."
"But if the violets bloom again?" asked the other.
"Ah!" exclaimed the man, throwing up his hands and drawing a long breath. "Then!"
"How came you here, monsieur?"
"By that window there. There is a ladder without. It reaches most of the way. I am a good climber. The ivy——"
"Go as you came. None shall be the wiser."
"To you always the disposition28 of my life, mademoiselle," said Marteau simply. "I obey your command. Farewell. It is but a postponement29, anyway," he added as he turned away. "I can never escape from Grenoble. They will seize me sooner or later and——"
"Stay!" she cried.
Moved by an unaccountable impulse the girl took a step nearer to him. She loosened her clutch upon her garment and held out her hands to him.
"If it is to be farewell," she said tenderly, "know that I do not love that English Captain, no, and that. I——"
He seized her hand and covered it with kisses.
"I can die with better grace now," he said at last.
Not daring to trust himself further he turned to the window again. As he put his hand on the lock of the casement30 he heard shouts and cries outside, he saw torches. Escape that way was barred. The whole castle seemed suddenly to awake. He realized it all in a moment. He had been traced there. In another minute he would be discovered in the Countess's room at that hour of the morning. He turned swiftly to the dismayed girl.
"They are there," he said. "Escape is cut off."
Steps and voices resounded31 in the corridor.
"Quick," she said, "the closet yonder—you can hide."
She understood the peril32 as well as he.
"And bring disgrace upon you when they caught me? Never!"
"Marteau, for God's sake, I love you," said the woman agonizingly. "I cannot——"
She stretched out her hands to him again. Very lovely she looked, the peignoir falling from her white shoulders, the soft candle-light illuminating33 and yet concealing34 in its vague shadows the beauty of face and figure. Marteau did not dare to dwell upon that. He must act and instantly. He rushed toward the woman. He caught her by the hand. He even shook her a little.
"Shriek," he whispered in her ear.
He picked up the pistol from the bed upon which she had thrown it and pointing it upward pulled the trigger. Startled by his utterly unexpected action, the meaning of which she could not fathom35, she did scream loudly. The next instant the door was thrown open and into the room half clad, sword in hand, burst the Marquis. With him were Sir Gervaise Yeovil and the young Captain, and attending them were servants and guards bearing lights.
The Marquis stared from his niece back to the young officer.
"My God!" he exclaimed. "Is it you?"
Marteau could only bow. He had a few seconds to make up his mind, a few seconds to decide upon the role he must play. Well, his life was certainly forfeit36, his reputation he would also give for hers. Any explanation that he could make would be disbelieved unless, of course, he produced the Eagle, which was not to be thought of. Failing the Eagle the more he endeavored to account for his presence the more deeply would he involve the woman he loved.
"I find you here, you that I treated almost like a gentleman, who, I thought, nearly measured up to the title, in my niece's room at this hour of the morning," continued the enraged37 old man. "Laure, has he—has he harmed you?"
"You came too quickly, monsieur," answered Marteau, himself, giving the young woman time to recover herself. "You heard the pistol shot." He threw the weapon from him. "We were struggling. It went off and——"
"You damned low-born coward," gritted38 out the English officer, stepping toward him furious with anger.
"Steady, Frank. There is something strange about this," said Sir Gervaise gloomily, catching39 his son by the arm. "He is no coward. That I'll warrant."
"But to seek entry into a woman's bed-chamber!" continued Frank furiously. "If you were a gentleman I'd——"
"That 'almost,'" said Marteau, "saves me in this instance."
"I feel this action almost as if it had been my own son, had God blessed me with one," said the old Marquis, slowly recovering his self-command. "A loyal Marteau, a thief, a despoiler40 of women! Why, she knelt to you in the hall. She raised her voice in your defense41, and now you—you——" His fingers twitched42. "'The Count d'Aumenier,'" he added in bittery mockery. "You could not bear the title if it had been left in your hand. I shall have you branded as a thief in the morning and——"
"My uncle," said the woman, "he——"
"Mademoiselle," interposed Marteau sharply, resolved to protect her at all hazards, "is not my case black enough without further testimony43 from you? I beseech44 you to be silent."
"Speak, Laure," said the old Marquis. "If you have anything to say which will make his punishment surer and harder, I charge you to say it."
"Nothing, nothing," answered the poor young woman. "Oh, if ever a woman's soul was tortured——"
"You tortured her, did you?" cried the Englishman, struggling in his father's arms. "I once thought of meeting you in the field—you—you! I would like to strangle you with my bare hands."
"It is just. I honor monsieur for his rage. It is true, I love the woman, and——"
"Is this the way a gentleman shows his affection?" roared out the English captain.
"Monsieur forgets that I am almost, not quite, a gentleman."
"And there is another score we have to settle with you," cried the Marquis. "That cursed Eagle—where is it?"
"Before I sought mademoiselle," said Marteau, "I placed it in safety and in such keeping as will watch over it. You will never find it. It will only be produced when"—he stopped—"when the violets bloom again."
"What is this damned nonsense about flowers I hear everywhere?" burst out Sir Gervaise.
"Well, monsieur," said the Marquis, "it will be produced before that time, or when the violets do bloom they will find some red soil out of which to spring."
"You mean——"
"As I live I will have you court-martialed in the morning and shot for high treason. I stand for the King, for the ancient laws of France. I will have no paltering with traitors45, and I am more inclined to deal swiftly and summarily with you since to treason you add theft and this attempt upon a woman. Produce that Eagle, or you die."
"I must die, then," said the young man.
"By heaven," said Sir Gervaise; looking keenly at the officer, "there is more in this than I can understand. Give me leave, my lord," he turned to Marteau. "I have liked you always. I would befriend you now. I do not believe in appearances always. Can you not explain?"
"Sir," said Marteau, "I am grateful to find one here who still believes——" He stopped. "The circumstances speak for themselves. I love mademoiselle. I was mad. I came here, I——"
"Gentlemen," said the Marquis, "let us withdraw. It is scandalous that we should be here under such circumstances. You, sir," he turned to Marteau, "this way."
The poor Countess had stood in agony and despair. Marteau did not look at her. He bent46 his head low as he passed her. Two soldiers of the guard grasped him by the arms, the rest closed about him.
"Go, gentlemen. I will see you presently," said the Marquis. "One of you servants yonder send the Countess's women here."
"I thank God," said young Yeovil, "that we got here in time. If he had harmed you, dearest Laure, I would have killed him here where he stood."
Her lover attempted to take her hand, but she shrank away from him. As Sir Gervaise passed her she bent forward and seized the old Baronet's hand and kissed it. He, at least, had seen that there was something beneath the surface.
"Now, my child," said the old Marquis kindly47, but with fearful sternness, as the door closed behind the others, "what have you to add to what has been told?"
"What do you mean?"
"I know men. I know that that young man did not come here to assault you, or for robbery. You cannot tell me that the blood of the Marteaux runs in his veins48 for nothing. And I know you did not invite him here, either. You are a d'Aumenier. What is the explanation of it all?"
But the poor little Countess made no answer. She slowly collapsed49 on the floor at the feet of the iron old man, who, to save her honor and reputation, had played his part, even as Marteau, in her bedroom on that mad March morning.
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1
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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sodden
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| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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lamely
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| 一瘸一拐地，不完全地 | |
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agonized
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| v.使（极度）痛苦，折磨( agonize的过去式和过去分词 )；苦斗；苦苦思索；感到极度痛苦 | |
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8
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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9
espoused
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| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
inadequately
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| ad.不够地；不够好地 | |
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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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14
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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15
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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16
condemns
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| v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的第三人称单数 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地 | |
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17
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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rambled
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的过去式和过去分词 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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fervor
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| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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27
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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28
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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postponement
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| n.推迟 | |
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casement
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| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
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31
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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32
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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illuminating
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| a.富于启发性的，有助阐明的 | |
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concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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35
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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forfeit
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| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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38
gritted
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| v.以沙砾覆盖（某物），撒沙砾于( grit的过去式和过去分词 )；咬紧牙关 | |
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39
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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40
despoiler
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41
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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42
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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43
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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44
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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45
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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46
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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47
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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48
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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49
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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