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Both men looked at her. 'I have heard Garoche, she said. 'He does not judge me right. My heart is no filthy ditch of shame; but it was breaking when I came from the altar with him yesterday. Yet I would have been a true wife to him after all. A ditch of shame ah, Garoche Garoche! And you said you loved me, and that nothing could change you! "The Baron said to her: 'Why have you come, Falise?
"As the people left, the Baron said to Garoche and Falise: 'A moment with me before you go. The woman started, for she thought of one thing, and Garoche started, for he thought of another the siege of Beaugard and the killing of young Marmette. But they followed the Baron to his chamber. Coming in, he shut the door on them. Then he turned to Garoche.
"At that he stooped and put some brandy to her lips. Garoche drew back sick and numb, and did nothing, only stared. Falise came to herself soon, and when she felt her dress open, gave a cry. Garoche could have killed her then, when he saw her shudder from him, as if afraid, over towards the Baron, who held the glove in his hand, and said: 'See, Garoche, you had better go.
I do not fear you nor your men nor your gallows. You are a jackal, and the woman has a filthy heart a ditch of shame. "The Baron drew up his arm like lightning, and the lash of his whip came singing across Garoche's pale face. Where it passed, a red welt rose, but the man never stirred. The arm came up again, but a voice' behind the Baron said: 'Ah no, no, not again! There stood Falise.
It is said the girl herself was not set for the man, for she was of finer stuff than the peasants about her, and showed it. But her father and mother had a dozen other children, and what was this girl, this Falise, to do? She said yes to the man, the time was fixed for the marriage, and it came along. "So.
'You will accept the roof and bed of Beaugard to-night, my man, he said, 'and come to me here at nine tomorrow morning. Garoche stared hard for an instant. 'Stay here! said Garoche, 'Falise and me stay here in the Manor, M'sieu' le Baron! 'Here, even here, Garoche; so good-night to you, said the Baron. Garoche turned towards the girl. 'Then come, Falise, he said, and reached out his hand.
Yet I would not have it different, no, not a jot. Then he turned round to the crowd, raised his hat to the Cure, who stood on the chapel steps, once more looked steadily at Falise, and said: 'You shall all come to the Manor House, and have your feastings there, and we will drink to the home-coming of the fairest woman in my barony. With that he turned round, bowed to Falise, put on his hat, caught the bridle through his arm, and led his horse to the Manor House.
In the other room there were men waiting, and he was taken to a chamber and locked in. You can guess what that night must have been to him!" "What was it to the Baron and Falise?" asked Medallion. "M'sieu', what do you think? Beaugard had never had an eye for women; loving his hounds, fighting, quarrelling, doing wild, strong things.
At the very hour of the wedding Beaugard came by, for, the church was in mending, and he had given leave it should be in his own chapel. Well, he rode by just as the bride was coming out with the man Garoche. When Beaugard saw Falise, he gave a whistle, then spoke in his throat, reined up his horse, and got down. He fastened his eyes on the girl's.
"This was in the afternoon. Of course, whether they wished or not, Garoche and Falise could not refuse, and the people were glad enough, for they would have a free hand at meat and wine, the Baron being liberal of table. And it was as they guessed, for though the time was so short, the people at Beaugard soon had the tables heavy with food and drink.
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