the house of the wolf(狼之家)-第35章
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war is war； and these were its victims； dying for the most part under God's
heaven with arms in their hands： not men and women fresh roused from
their sleep。 I felt on those occasions no such horror； I have never felt
such burning pity and indignation as on the morning I am describing； that
long…past summer morning when I first saw the sun shining on the streets
of Paris。 Croisette clung to me； sick and white； shutting his eyes and ears；
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and letting me guide him as I would。 Marie strode along on the other
side of him； his lips closed； his eyes sinister。 Once a soldier of the guard
whose blood…stained hands betrayed the work he had done； came reeling
he was drunk； as were many of the butchers across our path； and I gave
way a little。 Marie did not； but walked stolidly on as if he did not see
him； as if the way were clear； and there were no ugly thing in God's image
blocking it。
Only his hand went as if by accident to the haft of his dagger。 The
archerfortunately for himself and for us tooreeled clear of us。 We
escaped that danger。 But to see women killed and pass byit was
horrible！ So horrible that if in those moments I had had the wishing…cap；
I would have asked but for five thousand riders； and leave to charge with
them through the streets of Paris！ I would have had the days of the
Jacquerie back again； and my men…at…arms behind me！
For ourselves； though the orgy was at its height when we passed； we
were not molested。 We were stopped indeed three timesonce in each of
the streets we traversedby different bands of murderers。 But as we
wore the same badges as themselves； and cried 〃VIVE LA MESSE！〃
and gave our names； we were allowed to proceed。 I can give no idea of
the confusion and uproar； and I scarcely believe myself now that we saw
some of the things we witnessed。 Once a man gaily dressed； and
splendidly mounted； dashed past us； waving his naked sword and crying in
a frenzied way 〃Bleed them！ Bleed them！ Bleed in May； as good to…
day！〃 and never ceased crying out the same words until he passed beyond
our hearing。 Once we came upon the bodies of a father and two sons；
which lay piled together in the kennel； partly stripped already。 The
youngest boy could not have been more than thirteen； I mention this group；
not as surpassing others in pathos； but because it is well known now that
this boy； Jacques Nompar de Caumont； was not dead； but lives to…day； my
friend the Marshal de la Force。
This reminds me too of the single act of kindness we were able to
perform。 We found ourselves suddenly； on turning a corner； amid a gang
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of seven or eight soldiers； who had stopped and surrounded a handsome
boy； apparently about fourteen。 He wore a scholar's gown； and had some
books under his arm； to which he clung firmly though only perhaps by
instinctnotwithstanding the furious air of the men who were threatening
him with death。 They were loudly demanding his name； as we paused
opposite them。 He either could not or would not give it； but said several
times in his fright that he was going to the College of Burgundy。 Was he
a Catholic？ they cried。 He was silent。 With an oath the man who had
hold of his collar lifted up his pike； and naturally the lad raised the books
to guard his face。 A cry broke from Croisette。 We rushed forward to stay
the blow。
〃See！ see！〃 he exclaimed loudly； his voice arresting the man's arm
in the very act of falling。 〃He has a Mass Book！ He has a Mass Book！
He is not a heretic！ He is a Catholic！〃
The fellow lowered his weapon； and sullenly snatched the books。 He
looked at them stupidly with bloodshot wandering eyes； the red cross on
the vellum bindings； the only thing he understood。 But it was enough for
him； he bid the boy begone； and released him with a cuff and an oath。
Croisette was not satisfied with this； though I did not understand his
reason； only I saw him exchange a glance with the lad。 〃Come； come！〃
he said lightly。 〃Give him his books！ You do not want them！〃
But on that the men turned savagely upon us。 They did not thank us
for the part we had already taken； and this they thought was going too far。
They were half drunk and quarrelsome； and being two to one； and two
over； began to flourish their weapons in our faces。 Mischief would
certainly have been done； and very quickly； had not an unexpected ally
appeared on our side。
〃Put up！ put up！〃 this gentleman cried in a boisterous voice he
was already in our midst。 〃What is all this about？ What is the use of
fighting amongst ourselves； when there is many a bonny throat to cut； and
heaven to be gained by it！ put up； I say！〃
〃Who are you？〃 they roared in chorus。
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〃The Duke of Guise！〃 he answered coolly。 〃Let the gentlemen go；
and be hanged to you； you rascals！〃
The man's bearing was a stronger argument than his words； for I am
sure that a stouter or more reckless blade never swaggered in church or
street。 I knew him instantly； and even the crew of butchers seemed to see
in him their master。 They hung back a few curses at him； but having
nothing to gain they yielded。 They threw down the books with contempt…
…showing thereby their sense of true religion； and trooped off roaring；
〃TUES！ TUES！ Aux Huguenots！〃 at the top of their voices。
The newcomer thus left with us was BureBlaise Burethe same who
only yesterday； though it seemed months and months back； had lured us
into Bezers' power。 Since that moment we had not seen him。 Now he
had wiped off part of the debt； and we looked at him； uncertain whether to
reproach him or no。 He； however； was not one whit abashed； but
returned our regards with a not unkindly leer。
〃I bear no malice； young gentlemen；〃 he said impudently。
〃No； I should think not；〃 I answered。
〃And besides； we are quits now；〃 the knave continued。
〃You are very kind；〃 I said。
〃To be sure。 You did me a good turn once；〃 he answered； much to
my surprise。 He seemed to be in earnest now。 〃You do not remember it；
young gentleman； but it was you and your brother here〃he pointed to
Croisette〃did it！ And by the Pope and the King of Spain I have not
forgotten it！〃
〃I have；〃 I said。
〃What！ You have forgotten spitting that fellow at Caylus ten days
ago？ CA！ SA！ You remember。 And very cleanly done； too！ A pretty
stroke！ Well； M。 Anne； that was a clever fellow； a very clever fellow。
He thought so and I thought so； and what was more to the purpose the
most noble Raoul de Bezers thought so too。 You
