the hand was out,
though, I understood how truly it had been said that women's wits now
swayed the destinies of France. Since this day, too, our country has
suffered much through women, when under the next, and more pliant
Louis, they ruled with even a scantier pretense at concealment or of
decency. Jerome spoke slow and guardedly, when he turned to me again.
He began in a tone subdued by the intensity of his feelings--which, as
I soon learned, were quite natural.

"I was a mere lad; I had a sweetheart whose family lived near our own
in the vicinity of a certain small provincial town, it matters not
where. She, much younger than I, shared all my childish games. It was
the will of God that we should love. My family was rich, is rich; both
were noble. I had two older brothers who stood between me and a title
or wealth. Her parents were ambitious for her future; I was put aside.
They sent her away, away from me, and married her here in Paris to a
man she had never seen. A simple marriage of convenience, as we say
here. Her heart was numb and dead; it made no rebellion. I went to
the army; gained nothing but my rank. My brothers died, and I being
the next heir can live as it pleases me. Here I am in Paris; she is at
Sceaux, two leagues away. I love her yet, and, God forgive her, she
loves me. Her old husband who is attached to the Duc du Maine cares
nothing for her. She amuses herself half in idleness with the
intrigues of the court. Nay do not look so black, Placide, for even
this can be innocent enough. There is much excuse for her, too, my
friend. A woman must needs have love to feed upon. They can never,
like ourselves, fill their hearts entirely with ambition, with glory or
with adventure. Men may make of their lives a cloister or a camp and
be content; but women, whatever else of gaud and glitter they may have,
yet require love and tenderness and gentle sympathy beside. Happy is
she who receives all these from her husband; and that husband treads
dangerous ground who denies it to her. I see your wonder at hearing
this from me; but I have thought constantly upon such things. Peste!
this touches not our business; let us go on. Through this lady's
husband, and by another source of information, I hope to find the truth
concerning Yvard. Do you follow me?"

"Yes, but how?" I put in. "When I run my neck into a halter, I want to
know whose hands are playing with the cord."

"Never fear for her.