English
Manyweekshadelapsed.
ThefirstofMarchhadarrived.Thesun,whichDubartas,thatclassicancestorofperiphrase,hadnotyetdubbedthe"Grand–dukeofCandles,"wasnonethelessradiantandjoyousonthataccount.
Itwasoneofthosespringdayswhichpossessessomuchsweetnessandbeauty,thatallParisturnsoutintothesquaresandpromenadesandcelebratesthemasthoughtheywereSundays.
Inthosedaysofbrilliancy,warmth,andserenity,thereisacertainhouraboveallothers,whenthefaadeofNotre–Dameshouldbeadmired.
Itisthemomentwhenthesun,alreadydecliningtowardsthewest,looksthecathedralalmostfullintheface.
Itsrays,growingmoreandmorehorizontal,withdrawslowlyfromthepavementofthesquare,andmountuptheperpendicularfaade,whosethousandbossesinhighrelieftheycausetostartoutfromtheshadows,whilethegreatcentralrosewindowflamesliketheeyeofacyclops,inflamedwiththereflectionsoftheforge.
Thiswasthehour.
Oppositetheloftycathedral,reddenedbythesettingsun,onthestonebalconybuiltabovetheporchofarichGothichouse,whichformedtheangleofthesquareandtheRueduParvis,severalyounggirlswerelaughingandchattingwitheverysortofgraceandmirth.
Fromthelengthoftheveilwhichfellfromtheirpointedcoif,twinedwithpearls,totheirheels,fromthefinenessoftheembroideredchemisettewhichcoveredtheirshouldersandallowedaglimpse,accordingtothepleasingcustomofthetime,oftheswelloftheirfairvirginbosoms,fromtheopulenceoftheirunder–petticoatsstillmorepreciousthantheiroverdress(marvellousrefinement),fromthegauze,thesilk,thevelvet,withwhichallthiswascomposed,and,aboveall,fromthewhitenessoftheirhands,whichcertifiedtotheirleisureandidleness,itwaseasytodivinetheywerenobleandwealthyheiresses.
Theywere,infact,DamoiselleFleur–de–LysdeGondelaurierandhercompanions,DianedeChristeuil,AmelottedeMontmichel,ColombedeGaillefontaine,andthelittledeChampchevriermaiden;alldamselsofgoodbirth,assembledatthatmomentatthehouseofthedamewidowdeGondelaurier,onaccountofMonseigneurdeBeaujeuandMadamehiswife,whoweretocometoParisinthemonthofApril,theretochoosemaidsofhonorfortheDauphinessMarguerite,whowastobereceivedinPicardyfromthehandsoftheFlemings.
Now,allthesquiresfortwentyleaguesaroundwereintriguingforthisfavorfortheirdaughters,andagoodlynumberofthelatterhadbeenalreadybroughtorsenttoParis.
ThesefourmaidenshadbeenconfidedtothediscreetandvenerablechargeofMadameAloisedeGondelaurier,widowofaformercommanderoftheking'scross–bowmen,whohadretiredwithheronlydaughtertoherhouseinthePlaceduParvis,Notre–Dame,inParis.
Thebalconyonwhichtheseyounggirlsstoodopenedfromachamberrichlytapestriedinfawn–coloredFlandersleather,stampedwithgoldenfoliage.
Thebeams,whichcuttheceilinginparallellines,divertedtheeyewithathousandeccentricpaintedandgildedcarvings.
Splendidenamelsgleamedhereandthereoncarvedchests;aboar'sheadinfaiencecrownedamagnificentdresser,whosetwoshelvesannouncedthatthemistressofthehousewasthewifeorwidowofaknightbanneret.
Attheendoftheroom,bythesideofaloftychimneyblazonedwitharmsfromtoptobottom,inarichredvelvetarm–chair,satDamedeGondelaurier,whosefiveandfiftyyearswerewrittenuponhergarmentsnolessdistinctlythanuponherface.
Besideherstoodayoungmanofimposingmien,althoughpartakingsomewhatofvanityandbravado—oneofthosehandsomefellowswhomallwomenagreetoadmire,althoughgravemenlearnedinphysiognomyshrugtheirshouldersatthem.
Thisyoungmanworethegarbofacaptainoftheking'sunattachedarchers,whichbearsfartoomuchresemblancetothecostumeofJupiter,whichthereaderhasalreadybeenenabledtoadmireinthefirstbookofthishistory,forustoinflictuponhimaseconddescription.
Thedamoiselleswereseated,apartinthechamber,apartinthebalcony,someonsquarecushionsofUtrechtvelvetwithgoldencorners,othersonstoolsofoakcarvedinflowersandfigures.
Eachofthemheldonherkneeasectionofagreatneedleworktapestry,onwhichtheywereworkingincompany,whileoneendofitlayupontherushmatwhichcoveredthefloor.
Theywerechattingtogetherinthatwhisperingtoneandwiththehalf–stifledlaughspeculiartoanassemblyofyounggirlsinwhosemidstthereisayoungman.
Theyoungmanwhosepresenceservedtosetinplayallthesefeminineself–conceits,appearedtopayverylittleheedtothematter,and,whiletheseprettydamselswerevyingwithoneanothertoattracthisattention,heseemedtobechieflyabsorbedinpolishingthebuckleofhisswordbeltwithhisdoeskinglove.
Fromtimetotime,theoldladyaddressedhiminaverylowtone,andherepliedaswellashewasable,withasortofawkwardandconstrainedpoliteness.
FromthesmilesandsignificantgesturesofDameAloise,fromtheglanceswhichshethrewtowardsherdaughter,Fleur–de–Lys,asshespokelowtothecaptain,itwaseasytoseethattherewashereaquestionofsomebetrothalconcluded,somemarriagenearathandnodoubt,betweentheyoungmanandFleur–de–Lys.
Fromtheembarrassedcoldnessoftheofficer,itwaseasytoseethatonhisside,atleast,lovehadnolongeranypartinthematter.
Hiswholeairwasexpressiveofconstraintandweariness,whichourlieutenantsofthegarrisonwouldto–daytranslateadmirablyas,"Whatabeastlybore!"
Thepoordame,verymuchinfatuatedwithherdaughter,likeanyothersillymother,didnotperceivetheofficer'slackofenthusiasm,andstroveinlowtonestocallhisattentiontotheinfinitegracewithwhichFleur–de–Lysusedherneedleorwoundherskein.
"Come,littlecousin,"shesaidtohim,pluckinghimbythesleeve,inordertospeakinhisear,"Lookather,do!seeherstoop."
"Yes,truly,"repliedtheyoungman,andfellbackintohisglacialandabsent–mindedsilence.
Amomentlater,hewasobligedtobenddownagain,andDameAloisesaidtohim,—
"Haveyoueverbeheldamoregayandcharmingfacethanthatofyourbetrothed?Canonebemorewhiteandblonde?arenotherhandsperfect?
andthatneck—doesitnotassumeallthecurvesoftheswaninravishingfashion?HowIenvyyouattimes!
andhowhappyyouaretobeaman,naughtylibertinethatyouare!
IsnotmyFleur–de–Lysadorablybeautiful,andareyounotdesperatelyinlovewithher?"
"Ofcourse,"hereplied,stillthinkingofsomethingelse.
"Butdosaysomething,"saidMadameAloise,suddenlygivinghisshoulderapush;"youhavegrownverytimid."
Wecanassureourreadersthattimiditywasneitherthecaptain'svirtuenorhisdefect.Buthemadeanefforttodowhatwasdemandedofhim.
"Faircousin,"hesaid,approachingFleur–de–Lys,"whatisthesubjectofthistapestryworkwhichyouarefashioning?'
"Faircousin,"respondedFleur–de–Lys,inanoffendedtone,"Ihavealreadytoldyouthreetimes.'TisthegrottoofNeptune."
ItwasevidentthatFleur–de–Lyssawmuchmoreclearlythanhermotherthroughthecaptain'scoldandabsent–mindedmanner.Hefeltthenecessityofmakingsomeconversation.
"AndforwhomisthisNeptuneriedestined?"
"FortheAbbeyofSaint–AntoinedesChamps,"answeredFleur–de–Lys,withoutraisinghereyes.
Thecaptaintookupacornerofthetapestry.
"Who,myfaircousin,isthisbiggendarme,whoispuffingouthischeekstotheirfullextentandblowingatrumpet?"
"'TisTriton,"shereplied.
TherewasaratherpettishintonationinFleur–de–Lys's—laconicwords.
Theyoungmanunderstoodthatitwasindispensablethatheshouldwhispersomethinginherear,acommonplace,agallantcompliment,nomatterwhat.
Accordinglyhebentdown,buthecouldfindnothinginhisimaginationmoretenderandpersonalthanthis,—
"Whydoesyourmotheralwayswearthatsurcoatwitharmorialdesigns,likeourgrandmothersofthetimeofCharlesVII.?
Tellher,faircousin,that'tisnolongerthefashion,andthatthehinge(gond)andthelaurel(laurier)embroideredonherrobegivehertheairofawalkingmantlepiece.
Intruth,peoplenolongersitthusontheirbanners,Iassureyou."
Fleur–de–Lysraisedherbeautifuleyes,fullofreproach,"Isthatallofwhichyoucanassureme?"shesaid,inalowvoice.
Inthemeantime,DameAloise,delightedtoseethemthusbendingtowardseachotherandwhispering,saidasshetoyedwiththeclaspsofherprayer–book,—
"Touchingpictureoflove!"
Thecaptain,moreandmoreembarrassed,fellbackuponthesubjectofthetapestry,—"'Tis,insooth,acharmingwork!"heexclaimed.
WhereuponColombedeGaillefontaine,anotherbeautifulblonde,withawhiteskin,dressedtotheneckinbluedamask,venturedatimidremarkwhichsheaddressedtoFleur–de–Lys,inthehopethatthehandsomecaptainwouldreplytoit,"MydearGondelaurier,haveyouseenthetapestriesoftheHôteldelaRoche–Guyon?"
"IsnotthatthehotelinwhichisenclosedthegardenoftheLingreduLouvre?"askedDianedeChristeuilwithalaugh;forshehadhandsometeeth,andconsequentlylaughedoneveryoccasion.
"Andwherethereisthatbig,oldtoweroftheancientwallofParis,"addedAmelottedeMontmichel,aprettyfreshandcurly–headedbrunette,whohadahabitofsighingjustastheotherlaughed,withoutknowingwhy.
"MydearColombe,"interpolatedDameAloise,"doyounotmeanthehotelwhichbelongedtoMonsieurdeBacqueville,inthereignofKingCharlesVI.?
thereareindeedmanysuperbhighwarptapestriesthere."
"CharlesVI.!CharlesVI.!"mutteredtheyoungcaptain,twirlinghismoustache."Goodheavens!whatoldthingsthegooddamedoesremember!"
MadamedeGondelauriercontinued,"Finetapestries,intruth.Aworksoesteemedthatitpassesasunrivalled."
AtthatmomentBérangredeChampchevrier,aslenderlittlemaidofsevenyears,whowaspeeringintothesquarethroughthetrefoilsofthebalcony,exclaimed,"Oh!
look,fairGodmotherFleur–de–Lys,atthatprettydancerwhoisdancingonthepavementandplayingthetambourineinthemidstoftheloutishbourgeois!"
Thesonorousvibrationofatambourinewas,infact,audible."SomegypsyfromBohemia,"saidFleur–de–Lys,turningcarelesslytowardthesquare.
"Look!look!"
exclaimedherlivelycompanions;andtheyallrantotheedgeofthebalcony,whileFleur–de–Lys,renderedthoughtfulbythecoldnessofherbetrothed,followedthemslowly,andthelatter,relievedbythisincident,whichputanendtoanembarrassingconversation,retreatedtothefartherendoftheroom,withthesatisfiedairofasoldierreleasedfromduty.
Nevertheless,thefairFleur–de–Lys'swasacharmingandnobleservice,andsuchithadformerlyappearedtohim;butthecaptainhadgraduallybecomeblase';theprospectofaspeedymarriagecooledhimmoreeveryday.
Moreover,hewasofafickledisposition,and,mustwesayit,rathervulgarintaste.
Althoughofverynoblebirth,hehadcontractedinhisofficialharnessmorethanonehabitofthecommontrooper.
Thetavernanditsaccompanimentspleasedhim.
Hewasonlyathiseaseamidgrosslanguage,militarygallantries,facilebeauties,andsuccessesyetmoreeasy.
Hehad,nevertheless,receivedfromhisfamilysomeeducationandsomepolitenessofmanner;buthehadbeenthrownontheworldtooyoung,hehadbeeningarrisonattooearlyanage,andeverydaythepolishofagentlemanbecamemoreandmoreeffacedbytheroughfrictionofhisgendarme'scross–belt.
Whilestillcontinuingtovisitherfromtimetotime,fromaremnantofcommonrespect,hefeltdoublyembarrassedwithFleur–de–Lys;inthefirstplace,because,inconsequenceofhavingscatteredhisloveinallsortsofplaces,hehadreservedverylittleforher;inthenextplace,because,amidsomanystiff,formal,anddecentladies,hewasinconstantfearlesthismouth,habituatedtooaths,shouldsuddenlytakethebitinitsteeth,andbreakoutintothelanguageofthetavern.
Theeffectcanbeimagined!
Moreover,allthiswasmingledinhim,withgreatpretentionstoelegance,toilet,andafineappearance.Letthereaderreconcilethesethingsasbesthecan.Iamsimplythehistorian.
Hehadremained,therefore,forseveralminutes,leaninginsilenceagainstthecarvedjambofthechimney,andthinkingornotthinking,whenFleur–de–Lyssuddenlyturnedandaddressedhim.
Afterall,thepooryounggirlwaspoutingagainstthedictatesofherheart.
"Faircousin,didyounotspeaktousofalittleBohemianwhomyousavedacoupleofmonthsago,whilemakingthepatrolwiththewatchatnight,fromthehandsofadozenrobbers?"
"Ibelieveso,faircousin,."saidthecaptain.
"Well,"sheresumed,"perchance'tisthatsamegypsygirlwhoisdancingyonder,onthechurchsquare.Comeandseeifyourecognizeher,fairCousinPhoebus."
Asecretdesireforreconciliationwasapparentinthisgentleinvitationwhichshegavehimtoapproachher,andinthecarewhichshetooktocallhimbyname.
CaptainPhoebusdeChâteaupers(foritishewhomthereaderhashadbeforehiseyessincethebeginningofthischapter)slowlyapproachedthebalcony.
"Stay,"saidFleur–de–Lys,layingherhandtenderlyonPhoebus'sarm;"lookatthatlittlegirlyonder,dancinginthatcircle.IssheyourBohemian?"
Phoebuslooked,andsaid,—
"Yes,Irecognizeherbyhergoat."
"Oh!infact,whataprettylittlegoat!"saidAmelotte,claspingherhandsinadmiration.
"Arehishornsofrealgold?"inquiredBérangre.
Withoutmovingfromherarm–chair,DameAloiseinterposed,"IsshenotoneofthosegypsygirlswhoarrivedlastyearbytheGibardgate?"
"Madamemymother,"saidFleur–de–Lysgently,"thatgateisnowcalledthePorted'Enfer."
MademoiselledeGondelaurierknewhowhermother'santiquatedmodeofspeechshockedthecaptain.
Infact,hebegantosneer,andmutteredbetweenhisteeth:"PorteGibard!PorteGibard!'TisenoughtomakeKingCharlesVI.passby."
"Godmother!"exclaimedBérangre,whoseeyes,incessantlyinmotion,hadsuddenlybeenraisedtothesummitofthetowersofNotre–Dame,"whoisthatblackmanupyonder?"
Alltheyounggirlsraisedtheireyes.Amanwas,intruth,leaningonthebalustradewhichsurmountedthenortherntower,lookingontheGrève.Hewasapriest.
Hiscostumecouldbeplainlydiscerned,andhisfacerestingonbothhishands.
Buthestirrednomorethanifhehadbeenastatue.
Hiseyes,intentlyfixed,gazedintothePlace.
Itwassomethingliketheimmobilityofabirdofprey,whohasjustdiscoveredanestofsparrows,andisgazingatit.
"'TismonsieurthearchdeaconofJosas,"saidFleur–de–Lys.
"Youhavegoodeyesifyoucanrecognizehimfromhere,"saidtheGaillefontaine.
"Howheisstaringatthelittledancer!"wentonDianedeChristeuil.
"Letthegypsybeware!"saidFleur–de–Lys,"forhelovesnotEgypt."
"'Tisagreatshameforthatmantolookuponherthus,"addedAmelottedeMontmichel,"forshedancesdelightfully."
"FaircousinPhoebus,"saidFleur–de–Lyssuddenly,"Sinceyouknowthislittlegypsy,makeherasigntocomeuphere.Itwillamuseus."
"Oh,yes!"exclaimedalltheyounggirls,clappingtheirhands.
"Why!'tisnotworthwhile,"repliedPhoebus.
"Shehasforgottenme,nodoubt,andIknownotsomuchashername.
Nevertheless,asyouwishit,youngladies,Iwillmakethetrial."
Andleaningoverthebalustradeofthebalcony,hebegantoshout,"Littleone!"
Thedancerwasnotbeatinghertambourineatthemoment.Sheturnedherheadtowardsthepointwhencethiscallproceeded,herbrillianteyesrestedonPhoebus,andshestoppedshort.
"Littleone!"repeatedthecaptain;andhebeckonedhertoapproach.
Theyounggirllookedathimagain,thensheblushedasthoughaflamehadmountedintohercheeks,and,takinghertambourineunderherarm,shemadeherwaythroughtheastonishedspectatorstowardsthedoorofthehousewherePhoebuswascallingher,withslow,totteringsteps,andwiththetroubledlookofabirdwhichisyieldingtothefascinationofaserpent.
Amomentlater,thetapestryportirewasraised,andthegypsyappearedonthethresholdofthechamber,blushing,confused,breathless,herlargeeyesdrooping,andnotdaringtoadvanceanotherstep.
Bérangreclappedherhands.
Meanwhile,thedancerremainedmotionlessuponthethreshold.
Herappearancehadproducedasingulareffectupontheseyounggirls.
Itiscertainthatavagueandindistinctdesiretopleasethehandsomeofficeranimatedthemall,thathissplendiduniformwasthetargetofalltheircoquetries,andthatfromthemomenthepresentedhimself,thereexistedamongthemasecret,suppressedrivalry,whichtheyhardlyacknowledgedeventothemselves,butwhichbrokeforth,nonetheless,everyinstant,intheirgesturesandremarks.
Nevertheless,astheywereallverynearlyequalinbeauty,theycontendedwithequalarms,andeachcouldhopeforthevictory.
—Thearrivalofthegypsysuddenlydestroyedthisequilibrium.
Herbeautywassorare,that,atthemomentwhensheappearedattheentranceoftheapartment,itseemedasthoughshediffusedasortoflightwhichwaspeculiartoherself.
Inthatnarrowchamber,surroundedbythatsombreframeofhangingsandwoodwork,shewasincomparablymorebeautifulandmoreradiantthanonthepublicsquare.
Shewaslikeatorchwhichhassuddenlybeenbroughtfrombroaddaylightintothedark.
Thenobledamselsweredazzledbyherinspiteofthemselves.
Eachonefeltherself,insomesort,woundedinherbeauty.
Hence,theirbattlefront(maywebeallowedtheexpression,)wasimmediatelyaltered,althoughtheyexchangednotasingleword.
Buttheyunderstoodeachotherperfectly.
Women'sinstinctscomprehendandrespondtoeachothermorequicklythantheintelligencesofmen.
Anenemyhadjustarrived;allfeltit—allralliedtogether.
Onedropofwineissufficienttotingeaglassofwaterred;todiffuseacertaindegreeofilltemperthroughoutawholeassemblyofprettywomen,thearrivalofaprettierwomansuffices,especiallywhenthereisbutonemanpresent.
Hencethewelcomeaccordedtothegypsywasmarvellouslyglacial.
Theysurveyedherfromheadtofoot,thenexchangedglances,andallwassaid;theyunderstoodeachother.
Meanwhile,theyounggirlwaswaitingtobespokento,insuchemotionthatshedarednotraisehereyelids.
Thecaptainwasthefirsttobreakthesilence."Uponmyword,"saidhe,inhistoneofintrepidfatuity,"hereisacharmingcreature!Whatthinkyouofher,faircousin?"
Thisremark,whichamoredelicateadmirerwouldhaveutteredinalowertone,atleastwasnotofanaturetodissipatethefemininejealousieswhichwereonthealertbeforethegypsy.
Fleur–de–Lysrepliedtothecaptainwithablandaffectationofdisdain;—"Notbad."
Theotherswhispered.
Atlength,MadameAloise,whowasnotthelessjealousbecauseshewassoforherdaughter,addressedthedancer,—"Approach,littleone."
"Approach,littleone!"repeated,withcomicaldignity,littleBérangre,whowouldhavereachedaboutashighasherhips.
Thegypsyadvancedtowardsthenobledame.
"Fairchild,"saidPhoebus,withemphasis,takingseveralstepstowardsher,"IdonotknowwhetherIhavethesupremehonorofbeingrecognizedbyyou."
Sheinterruptedhim,withasmileandalookfullofinfinitesweetness,—
"Oh!yes,"saidshe.
"Shehasagoodmemory,"remarkedFleur–de–Lys.
"Come,now,"resumedPhoebus,"youescapednimblytheotherevening.DidIfrightenyou!"
"Oh!no,"saidthegypsy.
Therewasintheintonationofthat"Oh!no,"utteredafterthat"Oh!yes,"anineffablesomethingwhichwoundedFleur–de–Lys.
"Youleftmeinyourstead,mybeauty,"pursuedthecaptain,whosetonguewasunloosedwhenspeakingtoagirloutofthestreet,"acrabbedknave,one–eyedandhunchbacked,thebishop'sbellringer,Ibelieve.
Ihavebeentoldthatbybirthheisthebastardofanarchdeaconandadevil.
Hehasapleasantname:heiscalled~Quatre–Temps~(EmberDays),~Paques–Fleuries~(PalmSunday),Mardi–Gras(ShroveTuesday),Iknownotwhat!
Thenameofsomefestivalwhenthebellsarepealed!
Sohetookthelibertyofcarryingyouoff,asthoughyouweremadeforbeadles!'Tistoomuch.
Whatthedevildidthatscreech–owlwantwithyou?Hey,tellme!"
"Idonotknow,"shereplied.
"Theinconceivableimpudence!Abellringercarryingoffawench,likeavicomte!
aloutpoachingonthegameofgentlemen!thatisararepieceofassurance.However,hepaiddearlyforit.
MasterPierratTorterueistheharshestgroomthatevercurriedaknave;andIcantellyou,ifitwillbeagreeabletoyou,thatyourbellringer'shidegotathoroughdressingathishands."
"Poorman!"saidthegypsy,inwhomthesewordsrevivedthememoryofthepillory.
Thecaptainburstoutlaughing.
"Corne–de–boeuf!here'spityaswellplacedasafeatherinapig'stail!MayIhaveasbigabellyasapope,if—"
Hestoppedshort."Pardonme,ladies;IbelievethatIwasonthepointofsayingsomethingfoolish."
"Fie,sir"saidlaGaillefontaine.
"Hetalkstothatcreatureinherowntongue!"
addedFleur–de–Lys,inalowtone,herirritationincreasingeverymoment.
Thisirritationwasnotdiminishedwhenshebeheldthecaptain,enchantedwiththegypsy,and,mostofall,withhimself,executeapirouetteonhisheel,repeatingwithcoarse,naïve,andsoldierlygallantry,—
"Ahandsomewench,uponmysoul!"
"Rathersavagelydressed,"saidDianedeChristeuil,laughingtoshowherfineteeth.
Thisremarkwasaflashoflighttotheothers.Notbeingabletoimpugnherbeauty,theyattackedhercostume.
"Thatistrue,"saidlaMontmichel;"whatmakesyourunaboutthestreetsthus,withoutguimpeorruff?"
"Thatpetticoatissoshortthatitmakesonetremble,"addedlaGaillefontaine.
"Mydear,"continuedFleur–de–Lys,withdecidedsharpness,"Youwillgetyourselftakenupbythesumptuarypoliceforyourgildedgirdle."
"Littleone,littleone;"resumedlaChristeuil,withanimplacablesmile,"ifyouweretoputrespectablesleevesuponyourarmstheywouldgetlesssunburned."
Itwas,intruth,aspectacleworthyofamoreintelligentspectatorthanPhoebus,toseehowthesebeautifulmaidens,withtheirenvenomedandangrytongues,wound,serpent–like,andglidedandwrithedaroundthestreetdancer.
Theywerecruelandgraceful;theysearchedandrummagedmaliciouslyinherpoorandsillytoiletofspanglesandtinsel.
Therewasnoendtotheirlaughter,irony,andhumiliation.
Sarcasmsraineddownuponthegypsy,andhaughtycondescensionandmalevolentlooks.
OnewouldhavethoughttheywereyoungRomandamesthrustinggoldenpinsintothebreastofabeautifulslave.
Onewouldhavepronouncedthemelegantgrayhounds,circling,withinflatednostrils,roundapoorwoodlandfawn,whomtheglanceoftheirmasterforbadethemtodevour.
Afterall,whatwasamiserabledanceronthepublicsquaresinthepresenceofthesehigh–bornmaidens?
Theyseemedtotakenoheedofherpresence,andtalkedofheraloud,toherface,asofsomethingunclean,abject,andyet,atthesametime,passablypretty.
Thegypsywasnotinsensibletothesepin–pricks.
Fromtimetotimeaflushofshame,aflashofangerinflamedhereyesorhercheeks;withdisdainshemadethatlittlegrimacewithwhichthereaderisalreadyfamiliar,butsheremainedmotionless;shefixedonPhoebusasad,sweet,resignedlook.
Therewasalsohappinessandtendernessinthatgaze.
Onewouldhavesaidthatsheenduredforfearofbeingexpelled.
Phoebuslaughed,andtookthegypsy'spartwithamixtureofimpertinenceandpity.
"Letthemtalk,littleone!"herepeated,jinglinghisgoldenspurs.
"Nodoubtyourtoiletisalittleextravagantandwild,butwhatdifferencedoesthatmakewithsuchacharmingdamselasyourself?"
"Goodgracious!"exclaimedtheblondeGaillefontaine,drawingupherswan–likethroat,withabittersmile.
"Iseethatmessieursthearchersoftheking'spoliceeasilytakefireatthehandsomeeyesofgypsies!"
"Whynot?"saidPhoebus.
Atthisreplyutteredcarelesslybythecaptain,likeastraystone,whosefallonedoesnotevenwatch,Colombebegantolaugh,aswellasDiane,Amelotte,andFleur–de–Lys,intowhoseeyesatthesametimeatearstarted.
Thegypsy,whohaddroppedhereyesontheflooratthewordsofColombedeGaillefontaine,raisedthembeamingwithjoyandprideandfixedthemoncemoreonPhoebus.Shewasverybeautifulatthatmoment.
Theolddame,whowaswatchingthisscene,feltoffended,withoutunderstandingwhy.
"HolyVirgin!"shesuddenlyexclaimed,"whatisitmovingaboutmylegs?Ah!thevillanousbeast!"
Itwasthegoat,whohadjustarrived,insearchofhismistress,andwho,indashingtowardsthelatter,hadbegunbyentanglinghishornsinthepileofstuffswhichthenobledame'sgarmentsheapeduponherfeetwhenshewasseated.
Thiscreatedadiversion.Thegypsydisentangledhishornswithoututteringaword.
"Oh!here'sthelittlegoatwithgoldenhoofs!"exclaimedBérangre,dancingwithjoy.
Thegypsycroucheddownonherkneesandleanedhercheekagainstthefondlingheadofthegoat.Onewouldhavesaidthatshewasaskingpardonforhavingquitteditthus.
Meanwhile,DianehadbentdowntoColombe'sear.
"Ah!goodheavens!whydidnotIthinkofthatsooner?'Tisthegypsywiththegoat.Theysaysheisasorceress,andthathergoatexecutesverymiraculoustricks."
"Well!"saidColombe,"thegoatmustnowamuseusinitsturn,andperformamiracleforus."
DianeandColombeeagerlyaddressedthegypsy.
"Littleone,makeyourgoatperformamiracle."
"Idonotknowwhatyoumean,"repliedthedancer.
"Amiracle,apieceofmagic,abitofsorcery,inshort."
"Idonotunderstand."Andshefelltocaressingtheprettyanimal,repeating,"Djali!Djali!"
AtthatmomentFleur–de–Lysnoticedalittlebagofembroideredleathersuspendedfromtheneckofthegoat,—"Whatisthat?"sheaskedofthegypsy.
Thegypsyraisedherlargeeyesuponherandrepliedgravely,—"Thatismysecret."
"Ishouldreallyliketoknowwhatyoursecretis,"thoughtFleur–de–Lys.
Meanwhile,thegooddamehadrisenangrily,—"Comenow,gypsy,ifneitheryounoryourgoatcandanceforus,whatareyoudoinghere?"
Thegypsywalkedslowlytowardsthedoor,withoutmakinganyreply.
Butthenearersheapproachedit,themoreherpaceslackened.
Anirresistiblemagnetseemedtoholdher.
Suddenlysheturnedhereyes,wetwithtears,towardsPhoebus,andhalted.
"TrueGod!"exclaimedthecaptain,"that'snotthewaytodepart.Comebackanddancesomethingforus.Bytheway,mysweetlove,whatisyourname?"
"LaEsmeralda,"saidthedancer,nevertakinghereyesfromhim.
Atthisstrangename,aburstofwildlaughterbrokefromtheyounggirls.
"Here'saterriblenameforayounglady,"saidDiane.
"Youseewellenough,"retortedAmelotte,"thatsheisanenchantress."
"Mydear,"exclaimedDameAloisesolemnly,"yourparentsdidnotcommitthesinofgivingyouthatnameatthebaptismalfont."
Inthemeantime,severalminutespreviously,Bérangrehadcoaxedthegoatintoacorneroftheroomwithamarchpanecake,withoutanyonehavingnoticedher.
Inaninstanttheyhadbecomegoodfriends.
Thecuriouschildhaddetachedthebagfromthegoat'sneck,hadopenedit,andhademptiedoutitscontentsontherushmatting;itwasanalphabet,eachletterofwhichwasseparatelyinscribedonatinyblockofboxwood.
Hardlyhadtheseplaythingsbeenspreadoutonthematting,whenthechild,withsurprise,beheldthegoat(oneofwhose"miracles"thiswasnodoubt),drawoutcertainletterswithitsgoldenhoof,andarrangethem,withgentlepushes,inacertainorder.
Inamomenttheyconstitutedaword,whichthegoatseemedtohavebeentrainedtowrite,solittlehesitationdiditshowinformingit,andBérangresuddenlyexclaimed,claspingherhandsinadmiration,—
"GodmotherFleur–de–Lys,seewhatthegoathasjustdone!"
Fleur–de–Lysranupandtrembled.Thelettersarrangeduponthefloorformedthisword,—
PHOEBUS.
"Wasitthegoatwhowrotethat?"sheinquiredinachangedvoice.
"Yes,godmother,"repliedBérangre.
Itwasimpossibletodoubtit;thechilddidnotknowhowtowrite.
"Thisisthesecret!"thoughtFleur–de–Lys.
Meanwhile,atthechild'sexclamation,allhadhastenedup,themother,theyounggirls,thegypsy,andtheofficer.
Thegypsybeheldthepieceoffollywhichthegoathadcommitted.
Sheturnedred,thenpale,andbegantotremblelikeaculpritbeforethecaptain,whogazedatherwithasmileofsatisfactionandamazement.
"Phoebus!"whisperedtheyounggirls,stupefied:"'tisthecaptain'sname!"
"Youhaveamarvellousmemory!"saidFleur–de–Lys,tothepetrifiedgypsy.Then,burstingintosobs:"Oh!"
shestammeredmournfully,hidingherfaceinbothherbeautifulhands,"sheisamagician!"
Andsheheardanotherandastillmorebittervoiceatthebottomofherheart,saying,—"Sheisarival!"
Shefellfainting.
"Mydaughter!mydaughter!"criedtheterrifiedmother."Begone,yougypsyofhell!"
Inatwinkling,LaEsmeraldagathereduptheunluckyletters,madeasigntoDjali,andwentoutthroughonedoor,whileFleur–de–Lyswasbeingcarriedoutthroughtheother.
CaptainPhoebus,onbeingleftalone,hesitatedforamomentbetweenthetwodoors,thenhefollowedthegypsy.
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