the house of the wolf(狼之家)-第28节
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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 things which had
happened to me； and some which I feared were in store for others。
Naturally he was surprised and shocked by the latter； though his fears had
already been aroused。 But his joy and relief； when he heard the mystery
of Louis de Pavannes' marriage explained； were so great that they
swallowed up all other feelings。 He could not say enough about it。 He
pictured Louis again and again as Kit's lover； as our old friend； our
companion； as true； staunch； brave without fear； without reproach： and it
was long before his eyes ceased to sparkle； his tongue to run merrily； the
colour to mantle in his cheekslong that is as time is counted by minutes。
But presently the remembrance of Louis' danger and our own position
returned more vividly。 Our plan for rescuing him had failedfailed！
〃No！ no！〃 cried Croisette； stoutly。 He would not hear of it。 He
would not have it at any price。 〃No； we will not give up hope！ We will
go shoulder to shoulder and find him。 Louis is as brave as a lion and as
quick as a weasel。 We will find him in time yet。 We will go whenI
mean as soon as〃
He faltered； and paused。 His sudden silence as he looked round the
empty forecourt in which we stood was eloquent。 The cold light； faint
and uncertain yet； was stealing into the court； disclosing a row of stables
on either side； and a tiny porter's hutch by the gates； and fronting us a
noble house of four storys； tall； grey； grim…looking。
I assented； gloomily however。 〃Yes；〃 I said； 〃we will go when〃
And I too stopped。 The same thought was in my mind。 How could we
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leave these people？ How could we leave madame in her danger and
distress？ How could we return her kindness by desertion？ We could
not。 No； not for Kit's sake。 Because after all Louis； our Louis； was a
man； and must take his chance。 He must take his chance。 But I
groaned。
So that was settled。 I had already explained our plan to Croisette：
and now as we waited he began to tell me a story； a long； confused story
about Madame d'O。 I thought he was talking for the sake of talkingto
keep up our spiritsand I did not attend much to him； so that he had not
reached the gist of it； or at least I had not grasped it； when a noise without
stayed his tongue。 It was the tramp of footsteps； apparently of a large
party in the street。 It forced him to break off； and promptly drove us all
to our posts。
But before we separated a slight figure； hardly noticeable in that dim；
uncertain light； passed me quickly； laying for an instant a soft hand in
mine as I stood waiting by the gates。 I have said I scarcely saw the figure；
though I did see the kind timid eyes； and the pale cheeks under the hood；
but I bent over the hand and kissed it； and felt； truth to tell； no more regret
nor doubt where our duty lay。 But stood； waiting patiently。
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CHAPTER IX。
THE HEAD OF ERASMUS。
Waiting； and waiting alone！ The gates were almost down now。 The
gang of ruffians without； reinforced each moment by volunteers eager for
plunder； rained blows unceasingly on hi
