Page:Gilbert Parker--The Lane that had No Turning.djvu/317

Rh came out that it was wicked; but evil is according to a man’s own heart, and the girl had hid this glove as she hid whatever was in her soul—hid it even from the priest.

"Well, the Baron looked and she looked, and he took off his hat, stepped forward, and kissed her on the cheek. She turned pale as a ghost, and her eyes took the colour that her cheeks lost. When he stepped back he looked close at the husband. ‘What is your name?’ he said. ‘Garoche, M’sieu’ le Baron,’ was the reply. ‘Garoche, Garoche,’ he said, eyeing him up and down. ‘You have been a soldier?’ ‘Yes, M’sieu’ le Baron.’ 'You have served with me?’ ‘Against you, m’sieu’ le Baron … when Bigot came fighting.’ ‘Better against me than for me,’ said the Baron, speaking to himself, though he had so strong a voice that what he said could be heard by those near him—that is, those who were tall, for he was six and a half feet, with legs and shoulders like a bull.

"He stooped and stroked the head of his hound for a moment, and all the people stood and watched him, wondering what next. At last he said: ‘And what part played you in that siege, Garoche?’ Garoche looked troubled, but answered: ‘It was in the way of duty, m’sieu’ le Baron—I with five others captured the relief-party sent from your cousin the Seigneur of Vadrome.’ ‘Oh,’ said the Baron, looking sharp, ‘you were in that, were you? Then you know what happened to the young Marmette?’ Garoche trembled a little, but drew himself up and said: ‘M’sieu’ le Baron, he tried to kill the Intendant—there was no other way.’ ‘What part played you in that, Garoche?’ Some trembled, for they knew the truth, and they feared the mad will