The Grey Cloak

obbing the watch of their staffs and lanterns; by singing in front of the h?tel of the mayor or the episcopal palace; by yielding to any extravagant whim suggested by mischi

t prince of good fellows ... was a nobody, a son of the left hand! Those who owed the Chevalier money or gratitude now recollected with no

was nothing to be said. But there was death in the Chevalier's heart; his chin was sunken in his collar, and he bore hea

d, when they arrived under the green lan

valier asked. "Ah well, lead on, wher

they entered

o le Borgne, "is the pr

ur; you wis

that no one

the Chevalier's direction, frowned at some thought, and turned his head away. The Iroquois had fallen asleep in a chair close to the fire. In

banter which strikes me as coming from a man consumed either by hate or envy."

ee hours ago I was laughing and drinking in

is night. You are mad, mad! What are you going to do? You have p

true,"

ugh at you; and I will kill all who laugh in my presence. What madness!" Victor flung his

the Chevalier with half a sm

n my body. I know of no other man

isates rather than be w

done? To-morrow ... Wha

ls them! Wine, Victor; do you hear me? I must never come sober again; in drunkenness, there lies oblivion. What! shall I come sober ... to feel, to care? ... to hear them laugh? No, no! See!" brushing his forehead, beaded with moisture; "I am sweating gall, lad. God!" striking the table with his f

he chimney, haggard of

andle-light. He sighed. Victor saw that he was not looking

her let me keep it to remind myself what was and what might have been. Far away from here I shall read it again and again, till it crumbles in my hand and scatters into dust." He hid the letter in his doublet and drew forth a miniature. Like a ruddy ember it

king. His poet's soul, and only such as his, could c

the precipice, and I myself jumped over. Yesterday I had pride, I was heir to splendid estates, with forty thousand livres the year to spend. To-night ...

who sat down, covered his

... I am denied t

God's name, what possessed yo

Poor fool! Yes, I was mad. But he roused within me all the disgust of life, and it struck me blind. But regret is the cruelest of mental

at will

a musket. It will be a merry life, Victor; no dicing, no tennis, no women, no wine." The Chevalier rested his chin in his hands, staring at the candle. "On Thursday next there will be a mask ball at the Palais Royal; but the Chevalier du Cévennes will not be with his company. He will be on the way to New France, with many another broken soldier,

u can not

France? Have I not alrea

become of me?"

n becomes forgetful or dies, you will return to Paris, your head secure upon your shoulders. As for me, New France,

ese ghosts of happy

hen. There is one who will miss me.

im, since you

ear that token of vanity into rags. Faith, I hav

he unk

at bids me close the book. Yonder, from what I have learned, they are in need of men's arms and brains, not ancestry, noble birth. And there is some good blood in

nsieur," he said, "pardon me for interrupting you,

the Chevalier wished to see him. His shrewd glance traveled from

e Chevalier. "You

have succeeded i

your company for

wishes to seek his fo

h to visit that country. Will yo

d. "You, a common trooper

shall never r

Comte ..."

r le Comte; simply Monsieur le Chevalier du

accustomed to the ease and luxury of court. There is all the difference in the world between De Gui

y pockets," said the Chev

t one does not lose forty thousand livres in a

em to-nigh

ped the soldier. "You have l

e forty thousand livres. I see that you are mystified. Perhaps you will lea

re in wine. Come to me in the mornin

if

in the company. But, word of

ould. The question is, is my pas

is well know

Major. I shall sign your

his party. They as

. Monsieur le Chevalier du Cévennes, son of the

d his head from his arms. B

er Jacques. "That f

u," said Du Puys. "There is something go

ou to say that the Chevalier is to sign for Quebec?" His tone possessed a

erhaps you can explain the Chevalier's extraordinary conduct?

them." The vicomte see

He also forgot those around him. Forty thousand l

r, "can you account for the C

er enter his father's house again, either here, in Paris, or in Périgny. There is hot blood in that family; it clashe

a crime?" asked

ly, "but it seems tha

s shielding him?" as

Jesuit ears open; you will hear something to-morrow." Noting with satisfaction the color on Brother Jacques's cheeks, the vicomte turned

or. "The only cabin-room left

vance. I must go to Q

ell, Mo

he private assembly and knocked b

cried Victor,

rusion, but I have something t

upon his sword; "my errand is purely pacific. It is very embarrassing, then, to approach a man so deeply in trouble as yourself. I know not what madness seized you to-night. I am not here to offer you sympathy; sympathy is cheap consolation. I am here to say that no man

r haughtily. He believed that he

have I said?" looking

motioning Victor to be quiet. He was cur

To-night I lost to you some fifty pistoles. Give me the happiness of crossing out this trifling debt," and the vi

table both to himself and to me. The shadows of the Bastille and the block cast their gloom upon us. We have conspired against the head of the state, which is Mazarin

id Victor, with a frown; "it was lo

e vicomte, turnin

golden coin. One slipped through his fingers

pretty well muddled up. There was a traitor somewhere, or a coward.

d. "I never t

te, addressing the Chevalier, "I learn that you are bound for Quebec. Com

of water, so rose his distrust. He could not shut

ing of the Bayard in your veins. It takes a man of courage to address me, afte

the escutcheon? A trooper is my friend if he has courage; I

offended you,

ch affairs begin and end quickly. My self-love was somewhat knocked about; that was all. If the weather permi

the door through which the vicomte vanish

e!" cried the poet,

d you have!" said the

his. Did he pay you those pisto

e last

layed with

toles our accounts are square. What have you against the vicomte? I have always found hi

otive," still pe

ll disco

Madame de Brissac; and my gor

de Brissac? You have explained your an

now

at I have never seen this d

your own

rry about me. Come at seven; I shall be awake." The Chevalier stood and held forth his arms. They embraced. Once alone the outcast blew out the candle, fo