the house of the wolf(狼之家)-第31章
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companion whispered would bring us to his house； and here we paused to
take breath and look back。 The sky was red behind us； the air full of the
clash and din of the tocsin； and the flood of sounds which poured from
every tower and steeple。 From the eastward came the rattle of drums and
random shots； and shrieks of 〃A BAS COLIGNY！〃 〃A BAS LES
HUGUENOTS！〃 Meanwhile the city was rising as one man； pale at this
dread awakening。 From every window men and women； frightened by
the uproar； were craning their necks； asking or answering questions or
hurriedly calling for and kindling tapers。 But as yet the general populace
seemed to be taking no active part in the disorder。
Pavannes raised his hat an instant as we stood in the shadow of the
houses。 〃The noblest man in France is dead；〃 he said； softly and
reverently。 〃God rest his soul！ They have had their way with him and
killed him like a dog。 He was an old man and they did not spare him！
A noble； and they have called in the CANAILLE to tear him。 But be sure；
my friend〃and as the speaker's tone changed and grew full and proud； his
form seemed to swell with it〃be sure the cruel shall not live out half their
days！ No。 He that takes the knife shall perish by the knife！ And go to
his own place！ I shall not see it； but you will！〃
His words made no great impression on me then。 My hardihood was
returning。 I was throbbing with fierce excitement； and tingling for the
fight。 But years afterwards； when the two who stood highest in the group
about Coligny's threshold died； the one at thirty…eight； the other at thirty…
fivewhen Henry of Guise and Henry of Valois died within six months of
one another by the assassin's knifeI remembered Pavannes' augury。
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And remembering it； I read the ways of Providence； and saw that the very
audacity of which Guise took advantage to entrap Coligny led him too in
his turn to trip smiling and bowing； a comfit box in his hand and the kisses
of his mistress damp on his lips； into a king's closeta king's closet at
Blois！ Led him to lift the curtain ah！ to lift the curtain； what
Frenchman does not know the tale？ behind which stood the Admiral！
To return to our own fortunes； after a hurried glance we resumed our
way； and sped through the alley； holding a brief consultation as we went。
Pavannes' first hasty instinct to seek shelter at home began to lose its force；
and he to consider whether his return would not endanger his wife。 The
mob might be expected to spare her； he argued。 Her death would not
benefit any private foes if he escaped。 He was for keeping away
therefore。 But I would not agree to this。 The priest's crew of
desperadoes assuming Pavannes' suspicions to be correctwould wait
some time； no doubt； to give the master of the house a chance to return；
but would certainly attack sooner or later out of greed； if from no other
motive。 Then the lady's fate would at the best be uncertain。 I was
anxious myself to rejoin my brothers； and take all future chances； whether
of saving our Louis； or escaping ourselves； with them。 United we should
be four good swords； and might at least protect Madame de Pavannes to a
place of safety； if no opportunity of succouring Louis should present itself。
We had too the Duke's ring； and this might be of service at a pinch。 〃No；〃 I
urged； 〃let us get together。 We two will slip in at the front gate； and bolt
and bar it； and then we will all escape in a body at the back； while they are
forcing the gateway。〃
〃There is no door at the back；〃 he answered； shaking his head。
〃There are windows？〃
〃They are too strongly barred。 We could not break out in the time；〃
he explained； with a groan。
I paused at that； crestfallen。 But danger quickened my wits。 In a
moment I had another plan； not so hopeful and more dangerous； yet worth
trying I thought； I told him of it； and he agreed to it。 As he nodded assent
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we emerged into a street； and I sawfor the grey light of morning was
beginning to penetrate between the housesthat we were only a few yards
from the gateway； and the small door by which I had seen my brothers
enter。 Were they still in the house？ Were they safe？ I had been away
an hour at least。
Anxious as I was about them； I looked round me very keenly as we
flitted across the road； and knocked gently at the door。 I thought it so
likely that we should be fallen upon here； that I stood on my guard while
we waited。 But we were not molested。 The street； being at some distance
from the centre of the commotion； was still and empty； with no signs of
life apparent except the rows of heads poked through the windowsall
possessing eyes which watched us heedfully and in perfect silence。 Yes；
the street was quite empty： except； ah！ except； for that lurking figure；
which； even as I espied it； shot round a distant angle of the wall； and was
lost to sight。
〃There！〃 I cried； reckless now who might hear me； 〃knock！ knock
louder！ never mind the noise。 The alarm is given。 A score of people
are watching us； and yonder spy has gone off to summon his friends。〃
The truth was my anger was rising。 I could bear no longer the silent
regards of all those eyes at the windows。 I writhed under themcruel；
pitiless eyes they were。 I read in them a morbid curiosity； a patient
anticipation that drove me wild。 Those men and women gazing on us so
stonily knew my companion's rank and faith。 They had watched him
riding in and out daily； one of the sights of their street； gay and gallant；
and now with the same eyes they were watching greedily for the butchers
to come。 The very children took a fresh interest in him； as one doomed
and dying； and waited panting for the show to begin。 So I read them。
〃Knock！〃 I repeated angrily； losing all patience。 Had I been foolish
in bringing him back to this part of the town where every soul knew him？
〃Knock； we must get in； whether or no。 They cannot all have left the
house！〃
I kicked the door desperately； and my relief was great when it opened。
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A servant with a pale face stood before me； his knees visibly shaking。
And behind him was Croisette。
I think we fell straightway into one another's arms。
〃And Marie；〃 I cried； 〃Marie？〃
〃Marie is within； and madame；〃 he answered joyfully； 〃we are
together again and nothing matters； But oh； Anne； where have you been？
And what is the matter？ Is it a great fire？ Or is the king dead？ Or
what is it？〃
I told him。 I hastily poured out some of the
