When he had rubbed awhile, he gave me his own handkerchief to dry my face; and so perfect was his courtesy, it was impossible to do otherwise than meet him as he meant and showed for the moment. He had stepped between me and death, and even an enemy who does that, no matter what the motive, deserves something at your hands.
“Gabord,” he said, as we stepped inside the citadel, “we will breakfast at eight o’clock. Meanwhile, I have some duties with our officers here. Till we meet in your dining-hall, then, monsieur,” he added to me, and raised his cap.
“You must put up with frugal fare,” I answered, bowing.
“If you but furnish locusts,” he said gaily, “I will bring the wild honey.... What wonderful hives of bees they have at the Seigneur Duvarney’s!” he continued musingly, as if with second thought; “a beautiful manor--a place for pretty birds and honey-bees!”
His eyelids drooped languidly, as was their way when he had said something a little carbolic, as this was to me, because of its hateful suggestion. His words drew nothing from me, not even a look of understanding, and, again bowing, we went our ways.
At the door of the dungeon Gabord held the torch up to my face. His own had a look which came as near to being gentle as was possible to him. Yet he was so ugly that it looked almost ludicrous in him. “Poom!” said he. “A friend at court. More comfits.”
“You think Monsieur Doltaire gets comfits, too?” asked I.
He rubbed his cheek with a key. “Aho!” mused he--“aho! M’sieu’ Doltaire rises not early for naught.”
I was roused by the opening of the door. Doltaire entered. He advanced towards me with the manner of an admired comrade, and, with no trace of what would mark him as my foe, said, as he sniffed the air:
“Monsieur, I have been selfish. I asked myself to breakfast with you, yet, while I love the new experience, I will deny myself in this. You shall breakfast with me, as you pass to your new lodgings. You must not say no,” he added, as though we were in some salon. “I have a sleigh here at the door, and a fellow has already gone to fan my kitchen fires and forage for the table. Come,” he went on, “let me help you with your cloak.”
He threw my cloak around me, and turned towards the door. I had not spoken a word, for what with weakness, the announcement that I was to have new lodgings, and the sudden change in my affairs, I was like a child walking in its sleep. I could do no more than bow to him and force a smile, which must have told more than aught else of my state, for he stepped to my side and offered me his arm. I drew back from that with thanks, for I felt a quick hatred of myself that I should take favours of the man who had moved for my destruction, and to steal from me my promised wife. Yet it was my duty to live if I could, to escape if that were possible, to use every means to foil my enemies. It was all a game; why should I not accept advances at my enemy’s hands, and match dissimulation with dissimulation?