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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/34243-8.txt b/34243-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7c1488c --- /dev/null +++ b/34243-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1263 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Headswoman, by Kenneth Grahame + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Headswoman + +Author: Kenneth Grahame + +Illustrator: Marcia Lane Foster + +Release Date: November 8, 2010 [EBook #34243] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEADSWOMAN *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David Wilson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + +_The Headswoman_ + + + + +_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ + + THE GOLDEN AGE + DREAM DAYS + PAGAN PAPERS + +THE BODLEY HEAD + + + + + [Frontispiece: "Now that we have been properly introduced allow + me to apologise"] + + + + +THE HEADSWOMAN + +_By_ Kenneth Grahame + + +_With Illustrations in Colour and Woodcuts by_ + +Marcia Lane Foster + + +[Decoration] + + + _LONDON_ + _John Lane The Bodley Head Limited_ + _New York John Lane Company_ + + + + + _First Published 1898_ + _Illustrated Edition 1921_ + + + + +_Printed In Great Britain by R. Clay & Sons, Ltd., Bungay, Suffolk._ + + + + +_List of Illustrations_ + + + "Now That we have been properly introduced + allow me to apologise" _Frontispiece_ + + _Facing page_ + "You see I am Familiar with the Routine.... + Good-morning, Gentlemen!" 8 + + "Au revoir, Sir! If you should happen to be in + the Market-place any Morning" 28 + + Endeavouring to convey the Tardy Prisoner to the + Scaffold 32 + + "Nay, pardon me, Sweet One, 'twas but a Jest + of Mine" 36 + + But at this point a Hubbub arose at the Foot of + the Scaffold 42 + + "Now, mark my Words, you Miserable Little + Bladder-o'-Lard, see if I don't take this + out of your Skin presently" 44 + + An Invitation arrived, backed by an Escort of + Half-a-dozen very Tall Archers 46 + + + + +_The Headswoman_ + + + + +[Illustration] + +I + + +It was a bland, sunny morning of a mediæval May,--an old-style May of +the most typical quality; and the Council of the little town of St. +Radegonde were assembled, as was their wont at that hour, in the +picturesque upper chamber of the Hôtel de Ville, for the dispatch of the +usual municipal business. Though the date was early sixteenth century, +the members of this particular town-council possessed considerable +resemblance to those of similar assemblies in the seventeenth, +eighteenth, and even the nineteenth centuries, in a general absence of +any characteristic at all--unless a pervading hopeless insignificance +can be considered as such. All the character in the room, indeed, seemed +to be concentrated in the girl who stood before the table, erect, yet at +her ease, facing the members in general and Mr. Mayor in particular; a +delicate-handed, handsome girl of some eighteen summers, whose tall, +supple figure was well set off by the quiet, though tasteful mourning in +which she was clad. + +"Well, gentlemen," the Mayor was saying, "this little business appears +to be--er--quite in order, and it only remains for me to--er--review the +facts. You are aware that the town has lately had the misfortune to +lose its executioner,--a gentleman who, I may say, performed the duties +of his office with neatness and dispatch, and gave the fullest +satisfaction to all with whom he--er--came in contact. But the Council +has already, in a vote of condolence, expressed its sense of +the--er--striking qualities of the deceased. You are doubtless also +aware that the office is hereditary, being secured to a particular +family in this town, so long as any one of its members is ready and +willing to take it up. The deed lies before me, and appears to +be--er--quite in order. It is true that on this occasion the Council +might have been called upon to consider and examine the title of the +claimant, the late lamented official having only left a daughter,--she +who now stands before you; but I am happy to say that Jeanne--the young +lady in question--with what I am bound to call great good-feeling on +her part, has saved us all trouble in that respect, by formally applying +for the family post, with all its--er--duties, privileges, and +emoluments; and her application appears to be--er--quite in order. There +is, therefore, under the circumstances, nothing left for us to do but to +declare the said applicant duly elected. I would wish, however, before +I--er--sit down, to make it quite clear to the--er--fair petitioner, +that if a laudable desire to save the Council trouble in the matter has +led her to a--er--hasty conclusion, it is quite open to her to +reconsider her position. Should she determine not to press her claim, +the succession to the post would then apparently devolve upon her cousin +Enguerrand, well known to you all as a practising advocate in the courts +of this town. Though the youth has not, I admit, up to now proved a +conspicuous success in the profession he has chosen, still there is no +reason why a bad lawyer should not make an excellent executioner; and in +view of the close friendship--may I even say attachment?--existing +between the cousins, it is possible that this young lady may, in due +course, practically enjoy the solid emoluments of the position without +the necessity of discharging its (to some girls) uncongenial duties. And +so, though not the rose herself, she would still be--er--near the rose!" +And the Mayor resumed his seat, chuckling over his little pleasantry, +which the keener wits of the Council proceeded to explain at length to +the more obtuse. + +"Permit me, Mr. Mayor," said the girl quietly, "first to thank you for +what was evidently the outcome of a kindly though misdirected feeling on +your part; and then to set you right as to the grounds of my application +for the post to which you admit my hereditary claim. As to my cousin, +your conjecture as to the feeling between us is greatly exaggerated; and +I may further say at once, from my knowledge of his character, that he +is little qualified either to adorn or to dignify an important position +such as this. A man who has achieved such indifferent success in a minor +and less exacting walk of life, is hardly likely to shine in an +occupation demanding punctuality, concentration, judgment,--all the +qualities, in fine, that go to make a good business man. But this is +beside the question. My motive, gentlemen, in demanding what is my due, +is a simple and (I trust) an honest one, and I desire that there should +be no misunderstanding. It is my wish to be dependent on no one. I am +both willing and able to work, and I only ask for what is the common +right of humanity,--admission to the labour market. How many poor, +toiling women would simply jump at a chance like this which fortune, by +the accident of birth, lays open to me! And shall I, from any false +deference to that conventional voice which proclaims this thing as +'nice,' and that thing as 'not nice,' reject a handicraft which promises +me both artistic satisfaction and a competence? No, gentlemen; my claim +is a small one,--only a fair day's wage for a fair day's work. But I can +accept nothing less, nor consent to forgo my rights, even for any +contingent remainder of possible cousinly favour!" + +There was a touch of scorn in her fine contralto voice as she finished +speaking; the Mayor himself beamed approval. He was not wealthy, and had +a large family of daughters; so Jeanne's sentiments seemed to him +entirely right and laudable. + +"Well, gentlemen," he began briskly, "then all we've got to do, is +to----" + +"Beg pardon, your worship," put in Master Robinet, the tanner, who had +been sitting with a petrified, Bill-the-Lizard sort of expression during +the speechifying: "but are we to understand as how this here young lady +is going to be the public executioner of this here town?" + +"Really, neighbour Robinet," said the Mayor, somewhat pettishly, "you've +got ears like the rest of us, I suppose; and you know the contents of +the deed; and you've had my assurance that it's--er--quite in order; and +as it's getting towards lunch-time----" + +"But it's unheard of," protested honest Robinet. "There hasn't ever been +no such thing--leastways not as I've heard tell." + + [Illustration: "You see I am familiar with the routine.... + Good-morning, Gentlemen!"] + +"Well, well, well," said the Mayor, "everything must have a beginning, I +suppose. Times are different now, you know. There's the march of +intellect, and--er--all that sort of thing. We must advance with the +times--don't you see, Robinet?--advance with the times!" + +"Well, I'm----" began the tanner. + +But no one heard, on this occasion, the tanner's opinion as to his +condition, physical or spiritual; for the clear contralto cut short his +obtestations. + +"If there's really nothing more to be said, Mr. Mayor," she remarked, "I +need not trespass longer on your valuable time. I propose to take up the +duties of my office to-morrow morning, at the usual hour. The salary +will, I assume, be reckoned from the same date; and I shall make the +customary quarterly application for such additional emoluments as may +have accrued to me during that period. You see I am familiar with the +routine. Good-morning, gentlemen!" And as she passed from the Council +chamber, her small head held erect, even the tanner felt that she took +with her a large portion of the May sunshine which was condescending +that morning to gild their deliberations. + + + + +II + + +One evening, a few weeks later, Jeanne was taking a stroll on the +ramparts of the town, a favourite and customary walk of hers when +business cares were over. The pleasant expanse of country that lay +spread beneath her--the rich sunset, the gleaming, sinuous river, and +the noble old château that dominated both town and pasture from its +adjacent height--all served to stir and bring out in her those poetic +impulses which had lain dormant during the working day; while the cool +evening breeze smoothed out and obliterated any little jars or worries +which might have ensued during the practice of a profession in which she +was still something of a novice. This evening she felt fairly happy and +content. True, business was rather brisk, and her days had been fully +occupied; but this mattered little so long as her modest efforts were +appreciated, and she was now really beginning to feel that, with +practice, her work was creditably and artistically done. In a satisfied, +somewhat dreamy mood, she was drinking in the various sweet influences +of the evening, when she perceived her cousin approaching. + +"Good-evening, Enguerrand," cried Jeanne pleasantly; she was thinking +that since she had begun to work for her living she had hardly seen +him--and they used to be such good friends. Could anything have occurred +to offend him? + +Enguerrand drew near somewhat moodily, but could not help allowing his +expression to relax at sight of her fair young face, set in its +framework of rich brown hair, wherein the sunset seemed to have tangled +itself and to cling, reluctant to leave it. + +"Sit down, Enguerrand," continued Jeanne, "and tell me what you've been +doing this long time. Been very busy, and winning forensic fame and +gold?" + +"Well, not exactly," said Enguerrand, moody once more. "The fact is, +there's so much interest required nowadays at the courts that unassisted +talent never gets a chance. And you, Jeanne?" + +"Oh, I don't complain," answered Jeanne lightly. "Of course, it's +fair-time just now, you know, and we're always busy then. But work will +be lighter soon, and then I'll get a day off, and we'll have a +delightful ramble and picnic in the woods, as we used to do when we were +children. What fun we had in those old days, Enguerrand! Do you +remember when we were quite little tots, and used to play at executions +in the back-garden, and you were a bandit and a buccaneer, and all sorts +of dreadful things, and I used to chop off your head with a paper-knife? +How pleased dear father used to be!" + +"Jeanne," said Enguerrand, with some hesitation, "you've touched upon +the very subject that I came to speak to you about. Do you know, dear, I +can't help feeling--it may be unreasonable, but still the feeling is +there--that the profession you have adopted is not quite--is just a +little----" + +"Now, Enguerrand!" said Jeanne, an angry flash sparkling in her eyes. +She was a little touchy on this subject, the word she most affected to +despise being also the one she most dreaded,--the adjective +"unladylike." + +"Don't misunderstand me, Jeanne," went on Enguerrand imploringly: "you +may naturally think that, because I should have succeeded to the post, +with its income and perquisites, had you relinquished your claim, there +is therefore some personal feeling in my remonstrances. Believe me, it +is not so. My own interests do not weigh with me for a moment. It is on +your account, Jeanne, and yours alone, that I ask you to consider +whether the higher æsthetic qualities, which I know you possess, may not +become cramped and thwarted by 'the trivial round, the common task,' +which you have lightly undertaken. However laudable a professional life +may be, one always feels that with a delicate organism such as woman, +some of the bloom may possibly get rubbed off the peach." + +"Well, Enguerrand," said Jeanne, composing herself with an effort, +though her lips were set hard, "I will do you the justice to believe +that personal advantage does not influence you, and I will try to reason +calmly with you, and convince you that you are simply hide-bound by +old-world prejudice. Now, take yourself, for instance, who come here to +instruct me: what does _your_ profession amount to, when all's said and +done? A mass of lies, quibbles, dodges, and tricks, that would make any +self-respecting executioner blush! And even with the dirty weapons at +your command, you make but a poor show of it. There was that wretched +fellow you defended only two days ago. (I was in court during the +trial--professional interest, you know.) Well, he had his regular +_alibi_ all ready, as clear as clear could be; only you must needs go +and mess and bungle the thing up, so that, just as I expected all +along, he was passed on to me for treatment in due course. You may like +to have his opinion--that of a shrewd, though unlettered person. 'It's a +real pleasure, miss,' he said, 'to be handled by you. You _knows_ your +work, and you _does_ your work--though p'raps I ses it as shouldn't. If +that blooming fool of a mouthpiece of mine'--he was referring to you, +dear, in your capacity of advocate--'had known his business half as well +as you do yours, I shouldn't a bin here now!' And you know, Enguerrand, +he was perfectly right." + +"Well, perhaps he was," admitted Enguerrand. "You see, I had been +working at a sonnet the night before, and I couldn't get the rhymes +right, and they would keep coming into my head in court and mixing +themselves up with the _alibi_. But look here, Jeanne, when you saw I +was going off the track, you might have given me a friendly hint, you +know--for old times' sake, if not for the prisoner's!" + +"I daresay," replied Jeanne calmly: "perhaps you'll tell me why I should +sacrifice my interests because you're unable to look after yours. You +forget that I receive a bonus, over and above my salary, upon each +exercise of my functions!" + +"True," said Enguerrand gloomily: "I did forget that. I wish I had your +business aptitudes, Jeanne." + +"I daresay you do," remarked Jeanne. "But you see, dear, how all your +arguments fall to the ground. You mistake a prepossession for a logical +base. Now if I had gone, like that Clairette you used to dangle after, +and been waiting-woman to some grand lady in a château,--a thin-blooded +compound of drudge and sycophant,--then, I suppose, you'd have been +perfectly satisfied. So feminine! So genteel!" + +"She's not a bad sort of girl, little Claire," said Enguerrand +reflectively (thereby angering Jeanne afresh): "but putting her +aside,--of course you could always beat me at argument, Jeanne; you'd +have made a much better lawyer than I. But you know, dear, how much I +care about you; and I did hope that on that account even a prejudice, +however unreasonable, might have some little weight. And I'm not alone, +let me tell you, in my views. There was a fellow in court only to-day, +who was saying that yours was only a _succès d'estime_, and that woman, +as a naturally talkative and hopelessly unpunctual animal, could never +be more than a clever amateur in the profession you have chosen." + +"That will do, Enguerrand," said Jeanne proudly; "it seems that when +argument fails, you can stoop so low as to insult me through my sex. +You men are all alike,--steeped in brutish masculine prejudice. Now go +away, and don't mention the subject to me again till you're quite +reasonable and nice." + + + + +III + +Jeanne passed a somewhat restless night after her small scene with her +cousin, waking depressed and unrefreshed. Though she had carried matters +with so high a hand, and had scored so distinctly all around, she had +been more agitated than she had cared to show. She liked Enguerrand; and +more especially did she like his admiration for her; and that chance +allusion to Clairette contained possibilities that were alarming. In +embracing a professional career, she had never thought for a moment +that it could militate against that due share of admiration to which, as +a girl, she was justly entitled; and Enguerrand's views seemed this +morning all the more narrow and inexcusable. She rose languidly, and as +soon as she was dressed sent off a little note to the Mayor, saying that +she had a nervous headache and felt out of sorts, and begging to be +excused from attendance on that day; and the missive reached the Mayor +just as he was taking his usual place at the head of the Board. + +"Dear, dear!" said the kind-hearted old man, as soon as he had read the +letter to his fellow-councilmen: "I'm very sorry. Poor girl! Here, one +of you fellows, just run round and tell the gaoler there won't be any +business to-day. Jeanne's seedy. It's put off till to-morrow. And now, +gentlemen, the agenda----" + +"Really, your worship," exploded Robinet, "this is simply ridiculous!" + +"Upon my word, Robinet," said the Mayor, "I don't know what's the matter +with you. Here's a poor girl unwell,--and a more hard-working girl isn't +in the town,--and instead of sympathising with her, and saying you're +sorry, you call it ridiculous! Suppose you had a headache yourself! You +wouldn't like----" + +"But it _is_ ridiculous," maintained the tanner stoutly. "Who ever heard +of an executioner having a nervous headache? There's no precedent for +it. And 'out of sorts,' too! Suppose the criminals said they were out of +sorts, and didn't feel up to being executed?" + +"Well, suppose they did," replied the Mayor, "we'd try and meet them +half-way, I daresay. They'd have to be executed some time or other, you +know. Why on earth are you so captious about trifles? The prisoners +won't mind, and _I_ don't mind: nobody's inconvenienced, and everybody's +happy!" + +"You're right there, Mr. Mayor," put in another councilman. "This +executing business used to give the town a lot of trouble and bother; +now it's all as easy as kiss-your-hand. Instead of objecting, as they +used to do, and wanting to argue the point and kick up a row, the +fellows as is told off for execution come skipping along in the morning, +like a lot of lambs in May-time. And then the fun there is on the +scaffold! The jokes, the back answers, the repartees! And never a word +to shock a baby! Why, my little girl, as goes through the market-place +every morning--on her way to school, you know--she says to me only +yesterday, she says, 'Why, father,' she says, 'it's as good as the +play-actors,' she says." + +"There again," persisted Robinet; "I object to that too. They ought to +show a properer feeling. Playing at mummers is one thing, and being +executed is another, and people ought to keep 'em separate. In my +father's time, that sort of thing wasn't thought good taste, and I don't +hold with new-fangled notions." + +"Well, really, neighbour," said the Mayor, "I think you're out of sorts +yourself to-day. You must have got out of bed the wrong side this +morning. As for a little joke, more or less, we all know a maiden loves +a merry jest when she's certain of having the last word! But I'll tell +you what I'll do, if it'll please you; I'll go round and see Jeanne +myself on my way home, and tell her--quite nicely, you know--that once +in a way doesn't matter; but that if she feels her health won't let her +keep regular business hours, she mustn't think of going on with anything +that's bad for her. Like that, don't you see? And now, gentlemen, let's +read the minutes!" + +Thus it came about that Jeanne took her usual walk that evening with a +ruffled brow and a swelling heart; and her little hand opened and shut +angrily as she paced the ramparts. She couldn't stand being found fault +with. How could she help having a headache? Those clods of citizens +didn't know what a highly strung sensitive organisation was. Absorbed in +her reflections, she had taken several turns up and down the grassy +footway before she became aware that she was not alone. A youth, of +richer dress and more elegant bearing than the general run of the +Radegundians, was leaning in an embrasure, watching the graceful figure +with evident interest. + +"Something has vexed you, fair maiden?" he observed, coming forward +deferentially as soon as he perceived he was noticed; "and care sits but +awkwardly on that smooth young brow." + +"Nay, it is nothing, kind sir," replied Jeanne; "we girls who work for +our living must not be too sensitive. My employers have been somewhat +exigent, that is all. I did wrong to take it to heart." + +"'Tis the way of the bloated capitalist," rejoined the young man +lightly, as he turned to walk by her side. "They grind us, they grind +us; perhaps some day they will come under your hands in turn, and then +you can pay them out. And so you toil and spin, fair lily! And yet, +methinks, those delicate hands show little trace of labour?" + +"You wrong me, indeed, sir," replied Jeanne merrily. "These hands of +mine, that you are so good as to admire, do great execution!" + +"I can well believe that your victims are numerous," he replied; "may I +be permitted to rank myself among the latest of them?" + +"I wish you a better fortune, kind sir," answered Jeanne demurely. + +"I can imagine no more delightful one," he replied; "and where do you +ply your daily task, fair mistress? Not entirely out of sight and +access, I trust?" + + [Illustration: "Au revoir, sir! If you should happen to be in + the market-place any morning."] + +"Nay, sir," laughed Jeanne, "I work in the market-place most mornings, +and there is no charge for admission; and access is far from difficult. +Indeed, some complain--but that is no business of mine. And now I must +be wishing you a good-evening. Nay,"--for he would have detained +her,--"it is not seemly for an unprotected maiden to tarry in +converse with a stranger at this hour. _Au revoir_, sir! If you should +happen to be in the market-place any morning----" And she tripped +lightly away. The youth, gazing after her retreating figure, confessed +himself strangely fascinated by this fair unknown, whose particular +employment, by the way, he had forgotten to ask; while Jeanne, as she +sped homewards, could not help reflecting that, for style and +distinction, this new acquaintance threw into the shade all the +Enguerrands and others she had met hitherto--even in the course of +business. + + + + +IV + + +The next morning was bright and breezy, and Jeanne was early at her +post, feeling quite a different girl. The busy little market-place was +full of colour and movement, and the gay patches of flowers and fruit, +the strings of fluttering kerchiefs, and the piles of red and yellow +pottery, formed an artistic setting to the quiet impressive scaffold +which they framed. Jeanne was in short sleeves, according to the +etiquette of her office, and her round graceful arms showed snowily +against her dark blue skirt and scarlet, tight-fitting bodice. Her +assistant looked at her with admiration. + +"Hope you're better, miss," he said respectfully. "It was just as well +you didn't put yourself out to come yesterday; there was nothing +particular to do. Only one fellow, and _he_ said he didn't care; +anything to oblige a lady!" + +"Well, I wish he'd hurry up now, to oblige a lady," said Jeanne, +swinging her axe carelessly to and fro: "ten minutes past the hour; I +shall have to talk to the Mayor about this." + +"It's a pity there ain't a better show this morning," pursued the +assistant, as he leant over the rail of the scaffold and spat +meditatively into the busy throng below. "They do say as how the young +Seigneur arrived at the Château yesterday--him as has been finishing his +education in Paris, you know. He's as likely as not to be in the +market-place to-day; and if he's disappointed, he may go off to Paris +again, which would be a pity, seeing the Château's been empty so long. +But he may go to Paris, or anywhere else he's a mind to, he won't see +better workmanship than in this here little town!" + +"Well, my good Raoul," said Jeanne, colouring slightly at the obvious +compliment, "quality, not quantity, is what we aim at here, you know. If +a Paris education has been properly assimilated by the Seigneur, he will +not fail to make all the necessary allowances. But see, the prison-doors +are opening at last!" + + [Illustration: Endeavouring to convey the tardy prisoner to the + scaffold.] + +They both looked across the little square to the prison, which fronted +the scaffold; and sure enough, a small body of men, the Sheriff at their +head, was issuing from the building, conveying, or endeavouring to +convey, the tardy prisoner to the scaffold. That gentleman, however, +seemed to be in a different and less obliging frame of mind from that of +the previous day; and at every pace one or other of the guards was shot +violently into the middle of the square, propelled by a vigorous kick or +blow from the struggling captive. The crowd, unaccustomed of late to +such demonstrations of feeling, and resenting the prisoner's want of +taste, hooted loudly; but it was not until that ingenious mediæval +arrangement known as _la marche aux crapauds_ had been brought to bear +on him that the reluctant convict could be prevailed upon to present +himself before the young lady he had already so unwarrantably detained. + +Jeanne's profession had both accustomed her to surprises and taught her +the futility of considering her clients as drawn from any one particular +class; yet she could hardly help feeling some astonishment on +recognising her new acquaintance of the previous evening. That, with all +his evident amiability of character, he should come to this end, was not +in itself a special subject for wonder; but that he should have been +conversing with her on the ramparts at the hour when--after courteously +excusing her attendance on the scaffold--he was cooling his heels in +prison for another day, seemed hardly to be accounted for, at first +sight. Jeanne, however, reflected that the reconciling of apparent +contradictions was not included in her official duties. + +The Sheriff, wiping his heated brow, now read the formal _procès_ +delivering over the prisoner to the executioner's hands; "and a nice job +we've had to get him here," he added on his own account. And the young +man, who had remained perfectly tractable since his arrival, stepped +forward and bowed politely. + +"Now that we have been properly introduced," said he courteously, "allow +me to apologise for any inconvenience you have been put to by my delay. +The fault was entirely mine, and these gentlemen are in no way to blame. +Had I known whom I was to have the pleasure of meeting, wings could not +have conveyed me swiftly enough." + +"Do not mention, I pray, the word inconvenience," replied Jeanne, with +that timid grace which so well became her. "I only trust that any slight +discomfort it may be my duty to cause you before we part will be as +easily pardoned. And now--for the morning, alas! advances--any little +advice or assistance that I can offer is quite at your service; for the +situation is possibly new, and you may have had but little experience." + +"Faith! none worth mentioning," said the prisoner gaily. "Treat me as a +raw beginner. Though our acquaintance has been but brief, I have the +utmost confidence in you." + +"Then, sir," said Jeanne, blushing, "suppose I were to assist you in +removing this gay doublet, so as to give both of us more freedom and +less responsibility?" + +"A perquisite of the office?" queried the prisoner with a smile, as he +slipped one arm out of its sleeve. + +A flush came over Jeanne's fair brow. "That was ungenerous," she said. + +"Nay, pardon me, sweet one," said he, laughing: "'twas but a poor jest +of mine--in bad taste, I willingly admit." + + [Illustration: "Nay pardon me, sweet one, 'twas but a jest of + mine."] + +"I was sure you did not mean to hurt me," she replied kindly, while her +fingers were busy in turning back the collar of his shirt. It was +composed, she noticed, of the finest point lace; and she could not +help a feeling of regret that some slight error--as must, from what she +knew, exist somewhere--should compel her to take a course so at variance +with her real feelings. Her only comfort was that the youth himself +seemed entirely satisfied with his situation. He hummed the last air +from Paris during her ministrations, and when she had quite finished, +kissed the pretty fingers with a metropolitan grace. + +"And now, sir," said Jeanne, "if you will kindly come this way: and +please to mind the step--so. Now, if you will have the goodness to kneel +here--nay, the sawdust is perfectly clean; you are my first client this +morning. On the other side of the block you will find a nick, more or +less adapted to the human chin, though a perfect fit cannot, of course, +be guaranteed in every case. So! Are you pretty comfortable?" + +"A bed of roses," replied the prisoner. "And what a really admirable +view one gets of the valley and the river, from just this particular +point!" + +"Charming, is it not?" replied Jeanne. "I'm so glad you do justice to +it. Some of your predecessors have really quite vexed me by their +inability to appreciate that view. It's worth coming here to see it. And +now, to return to business for one moment,--would you prefer to give the +word yourself? Some people do; it's a mere matter of taste. Or will you +leave yourself entirely in my hands?" + +"Oh, in your fair hands," replied her client, "which I beg you to +consider respectfully kissed once more by your faithful servant to +command." + +Jeanne, blushing rosily, stepped back a pace, moistening her palms as +she grasped her axe, when a puffing and blowing behind caused her to +turn her head, and she perceived the Mayor hastily ascending the +scaffold. + +"Hold on a minute, Jeanne, my girl," he gasped. "Don't be in a hurry. +There's been some little mistake." + +Jeanne drew herself up with dignity. "I'm afraid I don't quite +understand you, Mr. Mayor," she replied in freezing accents. "There's +been no little mistake on my part that I'm aware of." + +"No, no, no," said the Mayor apologetically; "but on somebody else's +there has. You see it happened in this way: this here young fellow was +going round the town last night; and he'd been dining, I should say, and +he was carrying on rather free. I will only say so much in your +presence, that he was carrying on decidedly free. So the town-guard +happened to come across him, and he was very high and very haughty, he +was, and wouldn't give his name nor yet his address--as a gentleman +should, you know, when he's been dining and carrying on free. So our +fellows just ran him in--and it took the pick of them all their time to +do it, too. Well, then, the other chap who was in prison--the gentleman +who obliged you yesterday, you know--what does he do but slip out and +run away in the middle of all the row and confusion; and very +inconsiderate and ungentlemanly it was of him to take advantage of us in +that mean way, just when we wanted a little sympathy and forbearance. +Well, the Sheriff comes this morning to fetch out his man for execution, +and he knows there's only one man to execute, and he sees there's only +one man in prison, and it all seems as simple as A B C--he never was +much of a mathematician, you know--so he fetches our friend here along, +quite gaily. And--and that's how it came about, you see; _hinc illæ +lachrymæ_, as the Roman poet has it. So now I shall just give this young +fellow a good talking to, and discharge him with a caution; and we +sha'n't require you any more to-day, Jeanne, my girl." + +"Now, look here, Mr. Mayor," said Jeanne severely, "you utterly fail to +grasp the situation in its true light. All these little details may be +interesting in themselves, and doubtless the press will take note of +them; but they are entirely beside the point. With the muddleheadedness +of your officials (which I have frequently remarked upon) I have nothing +whatever to do. All I know is, that this young gentleman has been +formally handed over to me for execution, with all the necessary legal +requirements; and executed he has got to be. When my duty has been +performed, you are at liberty to reopen the case if you like; and any +'little mistake' that may have occurred through your stupidity you can +then rectify at your leisure. Meantime, you've no _locus standi_ here at +all; in fact, you've no business whatever lumbering up my scaffold. So +shut up and clear out." + +"Now, Jeanne, do be reasonable," implored the Mayor. "You women are so +precise. You never will make any allowance for the necessary margin of +error in things." + +"If I were to allow the necessary margin for all _your_ errors, Mayor," +replied Jeanne coolly, "the edition would have to be a large-paper one, +and even then the text would stand a poor chance. And now, if you +don't allow me the necessary margin to swing my axe, there may be +another 'little mistake'----" + + [Illustration: But at this point a hubbub arose at the foot of + the scaffold.] + +But at this point a hubbub arose at the foot of the scaffold, and +Jeanne, leaning over, perceived sundry tall fellows, clad in the livery +of the Seigneur, engaged in dispersing the municipal guard by the agency +of well-directed kicks, applied with heartiness and anatomical +knowledge. A moment later, there strode on to the scaffold, clad in +black velvet, and adorned with his gold chain of office, the stately old +seneschal of the Château, evidently in a towering passion. + +"Now, mark my words, you miserable little bladder-o'-lard," he roared at +the Mayor (whose bald head certainly shone provokingly in the morning +sun), "see if I don't take this out of your skin presently!" And he +passed on to where the youth was still kneeling, apparently quite +absorbed in the view. + +"My lord," he said firmly though respectfully, "your hair-brained folly +really passes all bounds. Have you entirely lost your head?" + +"Faith, nearly," said the young man, rising and stretching himself. "Is +that you, old Thibault? Ow, what a crick I've got in my neck! But that +view of the valley was really delightful!" + +"Did you come here simply to admire the view, my lord?" inquired +Thibault severely. + + [Illustration: "Now mark my words you miserable little + bladder-o'-lard, see if I don't take this out of your skin + presently."] + +"I came because my horse would come," replied the young Seigneur +lightly: "that is, these gentlemen here were so pressing; they would not +hear of any refusal; and besides, they forgot to mention what my +attendance was required in such a hurry for. And when I got here, +Thibault, old fellow, and saw that divine creature--nay, a goddess, +_dea certé_--so graceful, so modest, so anxious to acquit herself with +credit---- Well, you know my weakness; I never could bear to disappoint +a woman. She had evidently set her heart on taking my head; and as she +had my heart already----" + +"I think, my lord," said Thibault, with some severity, "you had better +let me escort you back to the Château. This appears to be hardly a safe +place for light-headed and susceptible persons!" + +Jeanne, as was natural, had the last word. "Understand me, Mr. Mayor," +said she, "these proceedings are entirely irregular. I decline to +recognise them, and when the quarter expires I shall claim the usual +bonus!" + + + + +V + + +When, an hour or two later, an invitation arrived--courteously worded +but significantly backed by an escort of half-a-dozen tall archers--for +both Jeanne and the Mayor to attend at the Château without delay, Jeanne +for her part received it with neither surprise nor reluctance. She had +felt it especially hard that the only two interviews fate had granted +her with the one man who had made some impression on her heart should be +hampered, the one by considerations of propriety, the other by the +conflicting claims of her profession and its duties. On this +occasion, now, she would have an excellent chaperon in the Mayor; and, +business being over for the day, they could meet and unbend on a common +social footing. The Mayor was not at all surprised either, considering +what had gone before; but he was exceedingly terrified, and sought some +consolation from Jeanne as they proceeded together to the Château. That +young lady's remarks, however, could hardly be called exactly +comforting. + + [Illustration: An invitation arrived, backed by an escort of + half-a-dozen tall archers.] + +"I always thought you'd put your foot in it some day, Mayor," she said. +"You are so hopelessly wanting in system and method. Really, under the +present happy-go-lucky police arrangements, I never know whom I may not +be called upon to execute. Between you and my cousin Enguerrand, life is +hardly safe in this town. And the worst of it is, that we other +officials on the staff have to share in the discredit." + +"What do you think they'll do to me, Jeanne?" whimpered the Mayor, +perspiring freely. + +"Can't say, I'm sure," pursued the candid Jeanne. "Of course, if it's +anything in the _rack_ line of business, I shall have to superintend the +arrangements, and then you can feel sure you're in capable hands. But +probably they'll only fine you pretty smartly, give you a month or two +in the dungeons, and dismiss you from your post; and you will hardly +grudge any slight personal inconvenience resulting from an arrangement +so much to the advantage of the town." + +This was hardly reassuring, but the Mayor's official reprimand of the +previous day still rankled in this unforgiving young person's mind. + +On their reaching the Château the Mayor was conducted aside, to be dealt +with by Thibault; and from the sounds of agonised protestation and +lament which shortly reached Jeanne's ears, it was evident that he was +having a _mauvais quart d'heure_. The young lady was shown respectfully +into a chamber apart, where she had hardly had time to admire +sufficiently the good taste of the furniture and the magnificence of the +tapestry with which the walls were hung, when the Seigneur entered and +welcomed her with a cordial grace that put her entirely at her ease. + +"Your punctuality puts me to shame, fair mistress," he said, +"considering how unwarrantably I kept you waiting this morning, and how +I tested your patience by my ignorance and awkwardness." + +He had changed his dress, and the lace round his neck was even richer +than before. Jeanne had always considered one of the chief marks of a +well-bred man to be a fine disregard for the amount of his washing-bill; +and then with what good taste he referred to recent events--putting +himself in the wrong, as a gentleman should! + +"Indeed, my lord," she replied modestly, "I was only too anxious to hear +from your own lips that you bore me no ill-will for the part forced on +me by circumstances in our recent interview. Your lordship has +sufficient critical good sense, I feel sure, to distinguish between the +woman and the official." + +"True, Jeanne," he replied, drawing nearer; "and while I shrink from +expressing, in their fulness, all the feelings that the woman inspires +in me, I have no hesitation--for I know it will give you pleasure--in +acquainting you with the entire artistic satisfaction with which I +watched you at your task!" + +"But, indeed," said Jeanne, "you did not see me at my best. In fact, I +can't help wishing--it's ridiculous, I know, because the thing is hardly +practicable--but if I could only have carried my performance quite +through, and put the last finishing touches to it, you would not have +been judging me now by the mere 'blocking-in' of what promised to be a +masterpiece!" + +"Yes, I wish it could have been arranged somehow," said the Seigneur, +reflectively; "but perhaps it's better as it is. I am content to let the +artist remain for the present on trust, if I may only take over, fully +paid up, the woman I adore!" + +Jeanne felt strangely weak. The official seemed oozing out at her +fingers and toes, while the woman's heart beat even more distressingly. + +"I have one little question to ask," he murmured (his arm was about her +now). + +"Do I understand that you still claim your bonus?" + +Jeanne felt like water in his strong embrace; but she nerved herself to +answer, faintly but firmly, "Yes!" + +"Then so do I," he replied, as his lips met hers. + + * * * * * + +Executions continued to occur in St. Radegonde; the Radegundians being +conservative and very human. But much of the innocent enjoyment that +formerly attended them departed after the fair Châtelaine had ceased to +officiate. Enguerrand, on succeeding to the post, wedded Clairette, she +being (he was heard to say) a more suitable match in mind and temper +than others of whom he would name no names. Rumour had it, that he found +his match and something over; while as for temper--and mind (which she +gave him in bits). But the domestic trials of high-placed officials have +a right to be held sacred. The profession, in spite of his best +endeavours, languished nevertheless. Some said that the scaffold lacked +its old attraction for criminals of spirit; others, more unkindly, that +the headsman was the innocent cause, and that Enguerrand was less fatal +in his new sphere than formerly, when practising in the criminal court +as advocate for the defence. + + +[Illustration: THE END] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Headswoman, by Kenneth Grahame + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEADSWOMAN *** + +***** This file should be named 34243-8.txt or 34243-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/2/4/34243/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David Wilson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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} + } + + /* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Headswoman, by Kenneth Grahame + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Headswoman + +Author: Kenneth Grahame + +Illustrator: Marcia Lane Foster + +Release Date: November 8, 2010 [EBook #34243] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEADSWOMAN *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David Wilson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<hr class="pg" /> + +<div class="main"> + +<h2 title="" class="pgbrk"><a name="png.002" id="png.002"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">i</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><big><i>The Headswoman</i></big></h2> + + +<div class="bysame"> +<p class="ctr"><a name="png.003" id="png.003"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">ii</span><span class="ns">]</span><br + /><i>BY THE SAME AUTHOR</i></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="indent">THE GOLDEN AGE</p> +<p class="indent">DREAM DAYS</p> +<p class="indent">PAGAN PAPERS</p> +<hr /> +<p class="ctr">THE BODLEY HEAD</p> + +</div> + +<div class="illo"> +<a name="png.005" id="png.005"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">iv</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img class="frontispiece" src="images/frontispiece.jpg" + alt="“Now that we have been properly introduced allow me to apologise”" + title="Frontispiece" /> +</div> + + + + + +<div class="tp"> +<h1><a name="png.006" id="png.006"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">v</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>THE<br + /><big>HEADSWOMAN</big></h1> + +<p class="ctr"><big><i>By</i> Kenneth Grahame</big></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="ctr"><i>With Illustrations in Colour<br + />and Woodcuts by</i><br + /><span class="smcap">Marcia Lane Foster</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="ctr"><br + /><img class="doodad" src="images/doodad.jpg" + alt="" title="publisher's device" /></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="ctr"><i class="so">LONDON</i><br + /><small><i>John Lane The Bodley Head Limited<br + />New York John Lane Company</i></small></p> + +</div> + + + +<p class="ctr top8"><a name="png.007" id="png.007"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">vi</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><small><i>First Published 1898</i><br + /><i>Illustrated Edition 1921</i></small></p> + + + +<p class="ctr top8 pgbrk" style="border-top: thin solid gray;"> +<small><i>Printed In Great Britain by R. Clay & Sons, Ltd., Bungay, Suffolk.</i></small></p> + + + + + + + + +<h2><a name="png.008" id="png.008"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">vii</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><big><i>List of Illustrations</i></big></h2> + + +<table class="loi pgbrk" summary="List of Illustrations"> +<tr> +<td class="caption"><p>“<span class="smcap">Now That we have been properly introduced +allow me to apologise</span>”</p></td> + <td class="no2" colspan="2"><a href="#png.005"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td class="no3" colspan="3"><small><i>Facing page</i></small></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="caption" colspan="2"><p>“<span class="smcap">You see I am Familiar with the Routine.... +Good-morning, Gentlemen!</span>”</p></td> + <td class="no"><a href="#png.020">8</a></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="caption" colspan="2"><p>“<span class="smcap"><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Au revoir</span>, Sir! If you should happen to be in +the Market-place any Morning</span>”</p></td> + <td class="no"><a href="#png.042">28</a></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="caption" colspan="2"><p><span class="smcap">Endeavouring to convey the Tardy Prisoner to the +Scaffold</span></p></td> + <td class="no"><a href="#png.048">32</a></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="caption" colspan="2"><p>“<span class="smcap">Nay, pardon me, Sweet One, ’twas but a Jest +of Mine</span>”</p></td> + <td class="no"><a href="#png.054">36</a></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="caption" colspan="2"><p><span class="smcap">But at this point a Hubbub arose at the Foot of +the Scaffold</span></p></td> + <td class="no"><a href="#png.062">42</a></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="caption" colspan="2"><p>“<span class="smcap">Now, mark my Words, you Miserable Little +Bladder-o’-Lard, see if I don’t take this out +of your Skin presently</span>”</p></td> + <td class="no"><a href="#png.066">44</a></td> +</tr><tr> +<td class="caption" colspan="2"><p><span class="smcap">An Invitation arrived, backed by an Escort of Half-a-dozen +very Tall Archers</span></p></td> + <td class="no"><a href="#png.070">46</a></td> +</tr><tr> +<td> </td><td> </td><td> </td> +</tr> +</table> + + + + + + + + +<h2 class="pgbrk"><a name="png.010" id="png.010"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">ix</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><big><i>The Headswoman</i></big></h2> + + + +<p class="nif"><a name="png.012" id="png.012"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">1</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img class="masthead" src="images/masthead.png" + alt="woman carrying an axe over hear shoulder leading two men with their hands tied" title="" /></p> + + + + +<h2 class="first">I</h2> + + +<p class="first"><img class="dropcap" src="images/i.png" width="170" height="221" + alt="I" title="" /><span class="epub">I</span><span class="uc">t</span> was a bland, sunny morning +of a mediæval May,—an +old-style May of the +most typical quality; and +the Council of the little +town of St. Radegonde were +assembled, as was their wont +at that hour, in the picturesque upper +chamber of the Hôtel de Ville, for the +dispatch of the usual municipal business. +Though the date was early sixteenth century, +<a name="png.013" id="png.013"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">2</span><span class="ns">] + </span>the members of this particular town-council +possessed considerable resemblance +to those of similar assemblies in the seventeenth, +eighteenth, and even the nineteenth +centuries, in a general absence of any characteristic +at all—unless a pervading hopeless +insignificance can be considered as such. +All the character in the room, indeed, +seemed to be concentrated in the girl who +stood before the table, erect, yet at her ease, +facing the members in general and Mr. +Mayor in particular; a delicate-handed, +handsome girl of some eighteen summers, +whose tall, supple figure was well set off +by the quiet, though tasteful mourning in +which she was clad.</p> + +<p>“Well, gentlemen,” the Mayor was saying, +“this little business appears to be—er—quite +in order, and it only remains for +me to—er—review the facts. You are +aware that the town has lately had the +<a name="png.014" id="png.014"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">3</span><span class="ns">] + </span>misfortune to lose its executioner,—a gentleman +who, I may say, performed the duties +of his office with neatness and dispatch, +and gave the fullest satisfaction to all with +whom he—er—came in contact. But the +Council has already, in a vote of condolence, +expressed its sense of the—er—striking +qualities of the deceased. You are doubtless +also aware that the office is hereditary, +being secured to a particular family in this +town, so long as any one of its members is +ready and willing to take it up. The deed +lies before me, and appears to be—er—quite +in order. It is true that on this +occasion the Council might have been called +upon to consider and examine the title of +the claimant, the late lamented official +having only left a daughter,—she who now +stands before you; but I am happy to say +that Jeanne—the young lady in question—with +what I am bound to call great good-feeling +<a name="png.015" id="png.015"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">4</span><span class="ns">] + </span>on her part, has saved us all trouble +in that respect, by formally applying for the +family post, with all its—er—duties, privileges, +and emoluments; and her application +appears to be—er—quite in order. +There is, therefore, under the circumstances, +nothing left for us to do but to declare the +said applicant duly elected. I would wish, +however, before I—er—sit down, to make +it quite clear to the—er—fair petitioner, +that if a laudable desire to save the Council +trouble in the matter has led her to a—er—hasty +conclusion, it is quite open to +her to reconsider her position. Should she +determine not to press her claim, the succession +to the post would then apparently +devolve upon her cousin Enguerrand, well +known to you all as a practising advocate +in the courts of this town. Though the +youth has not, I admit, up to now proved +a conspicuous success in the profession he +<a name="png.016" id="png.016"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">5</span><span class="ns">] + </span>has chosen, still there is no reason why a +bad lawyer should not make an excellent +executioner; and in view of the close +friendship—may I even say attachment?—existing +between the cousins, it is possible +that this young lady may, in due course, +practically enjoy the solid emoluments of +the position without the necessity of discharging +its (to some girls) uncongenial +duties. And so, though not the rose +herself, she would still be—er—near the +rose!” And the Mayor resumed his seat, +chuckling over his little pleasantry, which +the keener wits of the Council proceeded to +explain at length to the more obtuse.</p> + +<p>“Permit me, Mr. Mayor,” said the girl +quietly, “first to thank you for what was +evidently the outcome of a kindly though +misdirected feeling on your part; and then +to set you right as to the grounds of my +application for the post to which you +<a name="png.017" id="png.017"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">6</span><span class="ns">] + </span>admit my hereditary claim. As to my +cousin, your conjecture as to the feeling +between us is greatly exaggerated; and I +may further say at once, from my knowledge +of his character, that he is little +qualified either to adorn or to dignify an +important position such as this. A man +who has achieved such indifferent success +in a minor and less exacting walk of life, is +hardly likely to shine in an occupation +demanding punctuality, concentration, judgment,—all +the qualities, in fine, that go to +make a good business man. But this is +beside the question. My motive, gentlemen, +in demanding what is my due, is a +simple and (I trust) an honest one, and I +desire that there should be no misunderstanding. +It is my wish to be dependent +on no one. I am both willing and able +to work, and I only ask for what is the +common right of humanity,—admission +<a name="png.018" id="png.018"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">7</span><span class="ns">] + </span>to the labour market. How many poor, +toiling women would simply jump at a +chance like this which fortune, by the +accident of birth, lays open to me! And +shall I, from any false deference to that conventional +voice which proclaims this thing +as ‘nice,’ and that thing as ‘not nice,’ reject +a handicraft which promises me both +artistic satisfaction and a competence? +No, gentlemen; my claim is a small one,—only +a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s +work. But I can accept nothing less, nor +consent to forgo my rights, even for any +contingent remainder of possible cousinly +favour!”</p> + +<p>There was a touch of scorn in her fine +contralto voice as she finished speaking; +the Mayor himself beamed approval. He +was not wealthy, and had a large family of +daughters; so Jeanne’s sentiments seemed +to him entirely right and laudable.</p> + +<p><a name="png.019" id="png.019"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">8</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>“Well, gentlemen,” he began briskly, +“then all we’ve got to do, is <span class="nw">to——</span>”</p> + +<p>“Beg pardon, your worship,” put in +Master Robinet, the tanner, who had been +sitting with a petrified, Bill-the-Lizard sort +of expression during the speechifying: +“but are we to understand as how this +here young lady is going to be the public +executioner of this here town?”</p> + +<p>“Really, neighbour Robinet,” said the +Mayor, somewhat pettishly, “you’ve got +ears like the rest of us, I suppose; and +you know the contents of the deed; and +you’ve had my assurance that it’s—er—quite +in order; and as it’s getting towards +<span class="nw">lunch-time——</span>”</p> + +<p class="pgbrk">“But it’s unheard of,” protested honest +Robinet. “There hasn’t ever been no +such thing—leastways not as I’ve heard +tell.”</p> + + +<div class="illo"> +<a name="png.020" id="png.020"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">8a</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img class="illo-8a" src="images/illo-8a.jpg" + alt="“You see I am familiar with the routine.... Good-morning, Gentlemen!”" + title="" /> +</div> + + +<p>“Well, well, well,” said the Mayor, +<a name="png.022" id="png.022"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">9</span><span class="ns">] + </span>“everything must have a beginning, I +suppose. Times are different now, you +know. There’s the march of intellect, +and—er—all that sort of thing. We +must advance with the times—don’t you +see, Robinet?—advance with the times!”</p> + +<p>“Well, <span class="nw">I’m——</span>” began the tanner.</p> + +<p>But no one heard, on this occasion, the +tanner’s opinion as to his condition, physical +or spiritual; for the clear contralto cut +short his obtestations.</p> + +<p class="pgbrk">“If there’s really nothing more to be +said, Mr. Mayor,” she remarked, “I need +not trespass longer on your valuable time. +I propose to take up the duties of my +office to-morrow morning, at the usual +hour. The salary will, I assume, be reckoned +from the same date; and I shall +make the customary quarterly application +for such additional emoluments as may +have accrued to me during that period. +<a name="png.023" id="png.023"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">10</span><span class="ns">] + </span>You see I am familiar with the routine. +Good-morning, gentlemen!” And as she +passed from the Council chamber, her +small head held erect, even the tanner felt +that she took with her a large portion +of the May sunshine which was condescending +that morning to gild their +deliberations.</p> + + + + + +<h2><a name="png.024" id="png.024"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">11</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>II</h2> + + +<p class="first"><img class="dropcap" src="images/o.png" width="228" height="187" + alt="O" title="" /><span class="epub">O</span><span class="uc">ne</span> evening, a few +weeks later, Jeanne +was taking a stroll on +the ramparts of the +town, a favourite and +customary walk of +hers when business cares were over. The +pleasant expanse of country that lay spread +beneath her—the rich sunset, the gleaming, +sinuous river, and the noble old château that +dominated both town and pasture from +its adjacent height—all served to stir and +bring out in her those poetic impulses +which had lain dormant during the working +day; while the cool evening breeze +smoothed out and obliterated any little jars +<a name="png.025" id="png.025"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">12</span><span class="ns">] + </span>or worries which might have ensued during +the practice of a profession in which she was +still something of a novice. This evening +she felt fairly happy and content. True, +business was rather brisk, and her days had +been fully occupied; but this mattered little +so long as her modest efforts were appreciated, +and she was now really beginning to feel +that, with practice, her work was creditably +and artistically done. In a satisfied, somewhat +dreamy mood, she was drinking +in the various sweet influences of the +evening, when she perceived her cousin +approaching.</p> + +<p>“Good-evening, Enguerrand,” cried +Jeanne pleasantly; she was thinking that +since she had begun to work for her living +she had hardly seen him—and they used +to be such good friends. Could anything +have occurred to offend him?</p> + +<p>Enguerrand drew near somewhat moodily, +<a name="png.026" id="png.026"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">13</span><span class="ns">] + </span>but could not help allowing his expression +to relax at sight of her fair young face, +set in its framework of rich brown hair, +wherein the sunset seemed to have tangled +itself and to cling, reluctant to leave it.</p> + +<p>“Sit down, Enguerrand,” continued +Jeanne, “and tell me what you’ve been +doing this long time. Been very busy, and +winning forensic fame and gold?”</p> + +<p>“Well, not exactly,” said Enguerrand, +moody once more. “The fact is, there’s +so much interest required nowadays at the +courts that unassisted talent never gets a +chance. And you, Jeanne?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t complain,” answered +Jeanne lightly. “Of course, it’s fair-time +just now, you know, and we’re always +busy then. But work will be lighter soon, +and then I’ll get a day off, and we’ll have +a delightful ramble and picnic in the woods, +as we used to do when we were children. +<a name="png.027" id="png.027"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">14</span><span class="ns">] + </span>What fun we had in those old days, Enguerrand! +Do you remember when we +were quite little tots, and used to play at +executions in the back-garden, and you +were a bandit and a buccaneer, and all +sorts of dreadful things, and I used to chop +off your head with a paper-knife? How +pleased dear father used to be!”</p> + +<p>“Jeanne,” said Enguerrand, with some +hesitation, “you’ve touched upon the very +subject that I came to speak to you about. +Do you know, dear, I can’t help feeling—it +may be unreasonable, but still the feeling +is there—that the profession you have +adopted is not quite—is just a <span class="nw">little——</span>”</p> + +<p>“Now, Enguerrand!” said Jeanne, an +angry flash sparkling in her eyes. She +was a little touchy on this subject, the +word she most affected to despise being also +the one she most dreaded,—the adjective +“unladylike.”</p> + +<p><a name="png.028" id="png.028"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">15</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>“Don’t misunderstand me, Jeanne,” went +on Enguerrand imploringly: “you may +naturally think that, because I should have +succeeded to the post, with its income +and perquisites, had you relinquished your +claim, there is therefore some personal feeling +in my remonstrances. Believe me, it +is not so. My own interests do not weigh +with me for a moment. It is on your +account, Jeanne, and yours alone, that I +ask you to consider whether the higher +æsthetic qualities, which I know you possess, +may not become cramped and thwarted +by ‘the trivial round, the common task,’ +which you have lightly undertaken. However +laudable a professional life may be, +one always feels that with a delicate +organism such as woman, some of the +bloom may possibly get rubbed off the +peach.”</p> + +<p>“Well, Enguerrand,” said Jeanne, +<a name="png.029" id="png.029"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">16</span><span class="ns">] + </span>composing herself with an effort, though +her lips were set hard, “I will do you the +justice to believe that personal advantage +does not influence you, and I will try to +reason calmly with you, and convince you +that you are simply hide-bound by old-world +prejudice. Now, take yourself, for +instance, who come here to instruct me: +what does <em>your</em> profession amount to, when +all’s said and done? A mass of lies, quibbles, +dodges, and tricks, that would make +any self-respecting executioner blush! And +even with the dirty weapons at your command, +you make but a poor show of it. +There was that wretched fellow you defended +only two days ago. (I was in court +during the trial—professional interest, you +know.) Well, he had his regular <i>alibi</i> all +ready, as clear as clear could be; only you +must needs go and mess and bungle the +thing up, so that, just as I expected all +<a name="png.030" id="png.030"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">17</span><span class="ns">] + </span>along, he was passed on to me for treatment +in due course. You may like to +have his opinion—that of a shrewd, though +unlettered person. ‘It’s a real pleasure, +miss,’ he said, ‘to be handled by you. +You <em>knows</em> your work, and you <em>does</em> your +work—though p’raps I ses it as shouldn’t. +If that blooming fool of a mouthpiece of +mine’—he was referring to you, dear, in +your capacity of advocate—‘had known +his business half as well as you do yours, +I shouldn’t a bin here now!’ And +you know, Enguerrand, he was perfectly +right.”</p> + +<p>“Well, perhaps he was,” admitted Enguerrand. +“You see, I had been working +at a sonnet the night before, and I couldn’t +get the rhymes right, and they would keep +coming into my head in court and mixing +themselves up with the <i>alibi</i>. But look +here, Jeanne, when you saw I was going +<a name="png.031" id="png.031"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">18</span><span class="ns">] + </span>off the track, you might have given me a +friendly hint, you know—for old times’ +sake, if not for the prisoner’s!”</p> + +<p>“I daresay,” replied Jeanne calmly: “perhaps +you’ll tell me why I should sacrifice +my interests because you’re unable to look +after yours. You forget that I receive a +bonus, over and above my salary, upon each +exercise of my functions!”</p> + +<p>“True,” said Enguerrand gloomily: “I +did forget that. I wish I had your business +aptitudes, Jeanne.”</p> + +<p>“I daresay you do,” remarked Jeanne. +“But you see, dear, how all your arguments +fall to the ground. You mistake a +prepossession for a logical base. Now if +I had gone, like that Clairette you used +to dangle after, and been waiting-woman +to some grand lady in a château,—a +thin-blooded compound of drudge and +sycophant,—then, I suppose, you’d have +<a name="png.032" id="png.032"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">19</span><span class="ns">] + </span>been perfectly satisfied. So feminine! So +genteel!”</p> + +<p>“She’s not a bad sort of girl, little Claire,” +said Enguerrand reflectively (thereby angering +Jeanne afresh): “but putting her aside,—of +course you could always beat me at +argument, Jeanne; you’d have made a +much better lawyer than I. But you know, +dear, how much I care about you; and I +did hope that on that account even a prejudice, +however unreasonable, might have +some little weight. And I’m not alone, +let me tell you, in my views. There was +a fellow in court only to-day, who was saying +that yours was only a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">succès d’estime</i>, +and that woman, as a naturally talkative +and hopelessly unpunctual animal, could +never be more than a clever amateur in +the profession you have chosen.”</p> + +<p class="pgbrk">“That will do, Enguerrand,” said Jeanne +proudly; “it seems that when argument +<a name="png.033" id="png.033"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">20</span><span class="ns">] + </span>fails, you can stoop so low as to insult me +through my sex. You men are all alike,—steeped +in brutish masculine prejudice. Now +go away, and don’t mention the subject to +me again till you’re quite reasonable and +nice.”</p> + + + + + +<h2><a name="png.034" id="png.034"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">21</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>III</h2> + +<p class="first"><img class="dropcap" src="images/j.png" width="186" height="206" + alt="J" title="" /><span class="epub">J</span><span class="uc">eanne</span> passed a somewhat +restless night after +her small scene with her +cousin, waking depressed +and unrefreshed. Though +she had carried matters +with so high a hand, +and had scored so distinctly all around, +she had been more agitated than she had +cared to show. She liked Enguerrand; +and more especially did she like his +admiration for her; and that chance +allusion to Clairette contained possibilities +that were alarming. In embracing a professional +career, she had never thought for +<a name="png.035" id="png.035"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">22</span><span class="ns">] + </span>a moment that it could militate against that +due share of admiration to which, as a +girl, she was justly entitled; and Enguerrand’s +views seemed this morning all the +more narrow and inexcusable. She rose +languidly, and as soon as she was dressed +sent off a little note to the Mayor, saying +that she had a nervous headache and felt +out of sorts, and begging to be excused +from attendance on that day; and the +missive reached the Mayor just as he was +taking his usual place at the head of the +Board.</p> + +<p>“Dear, dear!” said the kind-hearted old +man, as soon as he had read the letter to +his fellow-councilmen: “I’m very sorry. +Poor girl! Here, one of you fellows, just +run round and tell the gaoler there won’t +be any business to-day. Jeanne’s seedy. +It’s put off till to-morrow. And now, +gentlemen, the <span class="nw">agenda——</span>”</p> + +<p><a name="png.036" id="png.036"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">23</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>“Really, your worship,” exploded Robinet, +“this is simply ridiculous!”</p> + +<p>“Upon my word, Robinet,” said the +Mayor, “I don’t know what’s the matter +with you. Here’s a poor girl unwell,—and +a more hard-working girl isn’t in the +town,—and instead of sympathising with +her, and saying you’re sorry, you call it +ridiculous! Suppose you had a headache +yourself! You wouldn’t <span class="nw">like——</span>”</p> + +<p>“But it <em>is</em> ridiculous,” maintained the +tanner stoutly. “Who ever heard of an +executioner having a nervous headache? +There’s no precedent for it. And ‘out of +sorts,’ too! Suppose the criminals said +they were out of sorts, and didn’t feel up +to being executed?”</p> + +<p>“Well, suppose they did,” replied the +Mayor, “we’d try and meet them half-way, +I daresay. They’d have to be executed +some time or other, you know. Why on +<a name="png.037" id="png.037"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">24</span><span class="ns">] + </span>earth are you so captious about trifles? +The prisoners won’t mind, and <em>I</em> don’t +mind: nobody’s inconvenienced, and everybody’s +happy!”</p> + +<p>“You’re right there, Mr. Mayor,” put +in another councilman. “This executing +business used to give the town a lot of +trouble and bother; now it’s all as easy as +kiss-your-hand. Instead of objecting, as +they used to do, and wanting to argue +the point and kick up a row, the fellows as +is told off for execution come skipping +along in the morning, like a lot of +lambs in May-time. And then the fun +there is on the scaffold! The jokes, the +back answers, the repartees! And never +a word to shock a baby! Why, my +little girl, as goes through the market-place +every morning—on her way to +school, you know—she says to me only +yesterday, she says, ‘Why, father,’ she +<a name="png.038" id="png.038"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">25</span><span class="ns">] + </span>says, ‘it’s as good as the play-actors,’ she +says.”</p> + +<p>“There again,” persisted Robinet; “I +object to that too. They ought to show a +properer feeling. Playing at mummers is +one thing, and being executed is another, +and people ought to keep ’em separate. In +my father’s time, that sort of thing wasn’t +thought good taste, and I don’t hold with +new-fangled notions.”</p> + +<p>“Well, really, neighbour,” said the Mayor, +“I think you’re out of sorts yourself to-day. +You must have got out of bed the +wrong side this morning. As for a little +joke, more or less, we all know a maiden +loves a merry jest when she’s certain of +having the last word! But I’ll tell you +what I’ll do, if it’ll please you; I’ll go +round and see Jeanne myself on my way +home, and tell her—quite nicely, you +know—that once in a way doesn’t matter; +<a name="png.039" id="png.039"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">26</span><span class="ns">] + </span>but that if she feels her health won’t let +her keep regular business hours, she +mustn’t think of going on with anything +that’s bad for her. Like that, don’t you +see? And now, gentlemen, let’s read the +minutes!”</p> + +<p>Thus it came about that Jeanne took her +usual walk that evening with a ruffled brow +and a swelling heart; and her little hand +opened and shut angrily as she paced the +ramparts. She couldn’t stand being found +fault with. How could she help having a +headache? Those clods of citizens didn’t +know what a highly strung sensitive organisation +was. Absorbed in her reflections, +she had taken several turns up and down +the grassy footway before she became +aware that she was not alone. A youth, +of richer dress and more elegant bearing +than the general run of the Radegundians, +was leaning in an embrasure, +<a name="png.040" id="png.040"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">27</span><span class="ns">] + </span>watching the graceful figure with evident +interest.</p> + +<p>“Something has vexed you, fair maiden?” +he observed, coming forward deferentially +as soon as he perceived he was noticed; +“and care sits but awkwardly on that +smooth young brow.”</p> + +<p>“Nay, it is nothing, kind sir,” replied +Jeanne; “we girls who work for our +living must not be too sensitive. My +employers have been somewhat exigent, that +is all. I did wrong to take it to heart.”</p> + +<p>“’Tis the way of the bloated capitalist,” +rejoined the young man lightly, as he +turned to walk by her side. “They grind +us, they grind us; perhaps some day they +will come under your hands in turn, and +then you can pay them out. And so you +toil and spin, fair lily! And yet, methinks, +those delicate hands show little trace of +labour?”</p> + +<p><a name="png.041" id="png.041"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">28</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>“You wrong me, indeed, sir,” replied +Jeanne merrily. “These hands of mine, +that you are so good as to admire, do great +execution!”</p> + +<p>“I can well believe that your victims are +numerous,” he replied; “may I be permitted +to rank myself among the latest of +them?”</p> + +<p>“I wish you a better fortune, kind sir,” +answered Jeanne demurely.</p> + +<p class="pgbrk">“I can imagine no more delightful one,” +he replied; “and where do you ply your +daily task, fair mistress? Not entirely out +of sight and access, I trust?”</p> + + +<div class="illo"> +<a name="png.042" id="png.042"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">28a</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img class="illo-28a" src="images/illo-28a.jpg" + alt="“Au revoir, sir! If you should happen to be in the market-place any morning.”" + title="" /> +</div> + + +<p class="pgbrk">“Nay, sir,” laughed Jeanne, “I work in +the market-place most mornings, and there +is no charge for admission; and access is +far from difficult. Indeed, some complain—but +that is no business of mine. And +now I must be wishing you a good-evening. +Nay,”—for he would have detained her,—“it +<a name="png.044" id="png.044"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">29</span><span class="ns">] + </span>is not seemly for an unprotected +maiden to tarry in converse with a stranger +at this hour. <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Au revoir</i>, sir! If you +should happen to be in the market-place +any <span class="nw">morning——</span>” And she tripped lightly +away. The youth, gazing after her retreating +figure, confessed himself strangely +fascinated by this fair unknown, whose +particular employment, by the way, he +had forgotten to ask; while Jeanne, as +she sped homewards, could not help +reflecting that, for style and distinction, +this new acquaintance threw into the +shade all the Enguerrands and others she +had met hitherto—even in the course of +business.</p> + + + + + +<h2><a name="png.045" id="png.045"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">30</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>IV</h2> + + +<p class="first"><img class="dropcap" src="images/t.png" width="190" height="227" + alt="T" title="" /><span class="epub">T</span><span class="uc">he</span> next morning was +bright and breezy, and +Jeanne was early at her +post, feeling quite a +different girl. The busy +little market-place was +full of colour and movement, +and the gay patches of flowers +and fruit, the strings of fluttering kerchiefs, +and the piles of red and yellow +pottery, formed an artistic setting to the +quiet impressive scaffold which they framed. +Jeanne was in short sleeves, according to +the etiquette of her office, and her round +graceful arms showed snowily against her +<a name="png.046" id="png.046"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">31</span><span class="ns">] + </span>dark blue skirt and scarlet, tight-fitting +bodice. Her assistant looked at her with +admiration.</p> + +<p>“Hope you’re better, miss,” he said +respectfully. “It was just as well you +didn’t put yourself out to come yesterday; +there was nothing particular to do. Only +one fellow, and <em>he</em> said he didn’t care; anything +to oblige a lady!”</p> + +<p>“Well, I wish he’d hurry up now, to +oblige a lady,” said Jeanne, swinging her +axe carelessly to and fro: “ten minutes +past the hour; I shall have to talk to the +Mayor about this.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a pity there ain’t a better show +this morning,” pursued the assistant, as he +leant over the rail of the scaffold and spat +meditatively into the busy throng below. +“They do say as how the young Seigneur +arrived at the Château yesterday—him as +has been finishing his education in Paris, +<a name="png.047" id="png.047"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">32</span><span class="ns">] + </span>you know. He’s as likely as not to be in +the market-place to-day; and if he’s disappointed, +he may go off to Paris again, +which would be a pity, seeing the Château’s +been empty so long. But he may go to +Paris, or anywhere else he’s a mind to, he +won’t see better workmanship than in this +here little town!”</p> + +<p class="pgbrk">“Well, my good Raoul,” said Jeanne, +colouring slightly at the obvious compliment, +“quality, not quantity, is what we +aim at here, you know. If a Paris education +has been properly assimilated by the +Seigneur, he will not fail to make all the +necessary allowances. But see, the prison-doors +are opening at last!”</p> + + +<div class="illo"> +<a name="png.048" id="png.048"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">32a</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img class="illo-32a" src="images/illo-32a.jpg" + alt="Endeavouring to convey the tardy prisoner to the scaffold." + title="" /> +</div> + + +<p>They both looked across the little square +to the prison, which fronted the scaffold; +and sure enough, a small body of men, the +Sheriff at their head, was issuing from the +building, conveying, or endeavouring to +<a name="png.050" id="png.050"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">33</span><span class="ns">] + </span>convey, the tardy prisoner to the scaffold. +That gentleman, however, seemed to be in +a different and less obliging frame of mind +from that of the previous day; and at every +pace one or other of the guards was shot +violently into the middle of the square, +propelled by a vigorous kick or blow from +the struggling captive. The crowd, unaccustomed +of late to such demonstrations of +feeling, and resenting the prisoner’s want +of taste, hooted loudly; but it was not +until that ingenious mediæval arrangement +known as <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">la marche aux crapauds</i> had been +brought to bear on him that the reluctant +convict could be prevailed upon to present +himself before the young lady he had already +so unwarrantably detained.</p> + +<p>Jeanne’s profession had both accustomed +her to surprises and taught her the futility +of considering her clients as drawn from +any one particular class; yet she could +<a name="png.051" id="png.051"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">34</span><span class="ns">] + </span>hardly help feeling some astonishment on +recognising her new acquaintance of the +previous evening. That, with all his evident +amiability of character, he should +come to this end, was not in itself a special +subject for wonder; but that he should +have been conversing with her on the ramparts +at the hour when—after courteously +excusing her attendance on the scaffold—he +was cooling his heels in prison for another +day, seemed hardly to be accounted +for, at first sight. Jeanne, however, reflected +that the reconciling of apparent contradictions +was not included in her official +duties.</p> + +<p>The Sheriff, wiping his heated brow, now +read the formal <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">procès</i> delivering over the +prisoner to the executioner’s hands; “and +a nice job we’ve had to get him here,” +he added on his own account. And the +young man, who had remained perfectly +<a name="png.052" id="png.052"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">35</span><span class="ns">] + </span>tractable since his arrival, stepped forward +and bowed politely.</p> + +<p>“Now that we have been properly introduced,” +said he courteously, “allow me +to apologise for any inconvenience you have +been put to by my delay. The fault was +entirely mine, and these gentlemen are in +no way to blame. Had I known whom I +was to have the pleasure of meeting, wings +could not have conveyed me swiftly enough.”</p> + +<p>“Do not mention, I pray, the word inconvenience,” +replied Jeanne, with that +timid grace which so well became her. +“I only trust that any slight discomfort it +may be my duty to cause you before we +part will be as easily pardoned. And +now—for the morning, alas! advances—any +little advice or assistance that I can +offer is quite at your service; for the situation +is possibly new, and you may have +had but little experience.”</p> + +<p><a name="png.053" id="png.053"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">36</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>“Faith! none worth mentioning,” said +the prisoner gaily. “Treat me as a raw +beginner. Though our acquaintance has +been but brief, I have the utmost confidence +in you.”</p> + +<p>“Then, sir,” said Jeanne, blushing, “suppose +I were to assist you in removing this +gay doublet, so as to give both of us more +freedom and less responsibility?”</p> + +<p>“A perquisite of the office?” queried +the prisoner with a smile, as he slipped +one arm out of its sleeve.</p> + +<p>A flush came over Jeanne’s fair brow. +“That was ungenerous,” she said.</p> + +<p class="pgbrk">“Nay, pardon me, sweet one,” said he, +laughing: “’twas but a poor jest of mine—in +bad taste, I willingly admit.”</p> + + +<div class="illo"> +<a name="png.054" id="png.054"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">36a</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img class="illo-36a" src="images/illo-36a.jpg" + alt="“Nay pardon me, sweet one, ’twas but a jest of mine.” ..." + title="" /> +</div> + + +<p>“I was sure you did not mean to hurt +me,” she replied kindly, while her fingers +were busy in turning back the collar of his +shirt. It was composed, she noticed, of +<a name="png.056" id="png.056"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">37</span><span class="ns">] + </span>the finest point lace; and she could not +help a feeling of regret that some slight +error—as must, from what she knew, +exist somewhere—should compel her to +take a course so at variance with her real +feelings. Her only comfort was that the +youth himself seemed entirely satisfied +with his situation. He hummed the last +air from Paris during her ministrations, +and when she had quite finished, kissed +the pretty fingers with a metropolitan +grace.</p> + +<p>“And now, sir,” said Jeanne, “if you +will kindly come this way: and please to +mind the step—so. Now, if you will have +the goodness to kneel here—nay, the sawdust +is perfectly clean; you are my first +client this morning. On the other side of +the block you will find a nick, more or +less adapted to the human chin, though +a perfect fit cannot, of course, be +<a name="png.057" id="png.057"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">38</span><span class="ns">] + </span>guaranteed in every case. So! Are you +pretty comfortable?”</p> + +<p>“A bed of roses,” replied the prisoner. +“And what a really admirable view one +gets of the valley and the river, from just +this particular point!”</p> + +<p>“Charming, is it not?” replied Jeanne. +“I’m so glad you do justice to it. Some +of your predecessors have really quite +vexed me by their inability to appreciate +that view. It’s worth coming here +to see it. And now, to return to business +for one moment,—would you prefer +to give the word yourself? Some people +do; it’s a mere matter of taste. Or +will you leave yourself entirely in my +hands?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, in your fair hands,” replied her +client, “which I beg you to consider +respectfully kissed once more by your +faithful servant to command.”</p> + +<p><a name="png.058" id="png.058"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">39</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>Jeanne, blushing rosily, stepped back a +pace, moistening her palms as she grasped +her axe, when a puffing and blowing behind +caused her to turn her head, and she +perceived the Mayor hastily ascending the +scaffold.</p> + +<p>“Hold on a minute, Jeanne, my girl,” he +gasped. “Don’t be in a hurry. There’s +been some little mistake.”</p> + +<p>Jeanne drew herself up with dignity. +“I’m afraid I don’t quite understand you, +Mr. Mayor,” she replied in freezing +accents. “There’s been no little mistake +on my part that I’m aware of.”</p> + +<p>“No, no, no,” said the Mayor apologetically; +“but on somebody else’s there has. +You see it happened in this way: this here +young fellow was going round the town +last night; and he’d been dining, I should +say, and he was carrying on rather free. I +will only say so much in your presence, +<a name="png.059" id="png.059"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">40</span><span class="ns">] + </span>that he was carrying on decidedly free. +So the town-guard happened to come +across him, and he was very high and very +haughty, he was, and wouldn’t give his +name nor yet his address—as a gentleman +should, you know, when he’s been dining +and carrying on free. So our fellows just +ran him in—and it took the pick of them +all their time to do it, too. Well, then, the +other chap who was in prison—the gentleman +who obliged you yesterday, you +know—what does he do but slip out and +run away in the middle of all the row and +confusion; and very inconsiderate and ungentlemanly +it was of him to take advantage +of us in that mean way, just when we +wanted a little sympathy and forbearance. +Well, the Sheriff comes this morning to +fetch out his man for execution, and he +knows there’s only one man to execute, +and he sees there’s only one man in prison, +<a name="png.060" id="png.060"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">41</span><span class="ns">] + </span>and it all seems as simple as <span class="nw">A B C—</span>he +never was much of a mathematician, you +know—so he fetches our friend here along, +quite gaily. And—and that’s how it came +about, you see; <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">hinc illæ lachrymæ</i>, as the +Roman poet has it. So now I shall just +give this young fellow a good talking to, +and discharge him with a caution; and we +sha’n’t require you any more to-day, Jeanne, +my girl.”</p> + +<p>“Now, look here, Mr. Mayor,” said +Jeanne severely, “you utterly fail to grasp +the situation in its true light. All these +little details may be interesting in themselves, +and doubtless the press will take +note of them; but they are entirely beside +the point. With the muddleheadedness of +your officials (which I have frequently remarked +upon) I have nothing whatever to +do. All I know is, that this young gentleman +has been formally handed over to me +<a name="png.061" id="png.061"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">42</span><span class="ns">] + </span>for execution, with all the necessary legal +requirements; and executed he has got to +be. When my duty has been performed, +you are at liberty to reopen the case if +you like; and any ‘little mistake’ that +may have occurred through your stupidity +you can then rectify at your leisure. +Meantime, you’ve no <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">locus standi</i> here at +all; in fact, you’ve no business whatever +lumbering up my scaffold. So shut up and +clear out.”</p> + +<p>“Now, Jeanne, do be reasonable,” implored +the Mayor. “You women are so +precise. You never will make any allowance +for the necessary margin of error in +things.”</p> + +<p class="pgbrk">“If I were to allow the necessary margin +for all <em>your</em> errors, Mayor,” replied Jeanne +coolly, “the edition would have to be a +large-paper one, and even then the text +would stand a poor chance. And now, if +<a name="png.064" id="png.064"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">43</span><span class="ns">] + </span>you don’t allow me the necessary margin +to swing my axe, there may be another +‘little <span class="nw">mistake’——</span>”</p> + + +<div class="illo"> +<a name="png.062" id="png.062"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">42a</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img class="illo-42a" src="images/illo-42a.jpg" + alt="But at this point a hubbub arose at the foot of the scaffold." + title="" /> +</div> + + +<p>But at this point a hubbub arose at the +foot of the scaffold, and Jeanne, leaning +over, perceived sundry tall fellows, clad in +the livery of the Seigneur, engaged in +dispersing the municipal guard by the +agency of well-directed kicks, applied with +heartiness and anatomical knowledge. A +moment later, there strode on to the +scaffold, clad in black velvet, and adorned +with his gold chain of office, the stately old +seneschal of the Château, evidently in a +towering passion.</p> + +<p>“Now, mark my words, you miserable +little bladder-o’-lard,” he roared at the +Mayor (whose bald head certainly shone +provokingly in the morning sun), “see if I +don’t take this out of your skin presently!” +And he passed on to where the youth was +<a name="png.065" id="png.065"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">44</span><span class="ns">] + </span>still kneeling, apparently quite absorbed in +the view.</p> + +<p>“My lord,” he said firmly though +respectfully, “your hair-brained folly really +passes all bounds. Have you entirely lost +your head?”</p> + +<p>“Faith, nearly,” said the young man, +rising and stretching himself. “Is that +you, old Thibault? Ow, what a crick I’ve +got in my neck! But that view of the +valley was really delightful!”</p> + +<p class="pgbrk">“Did you come here simply to admire +the view, my lord?” inquired Thibault +severely.</p> + + +<div class="illo"> +<a name="png.066" id="png.066"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">44a</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img class="illo-44a" src="images/illo-44a.jpg" + alt="“Now mark my words you miserable little bladder-o’-lard, + see if I don’t take this out of your skin presently.”" + title="" /> +</div> + + +<p>“I came because my horse would come,” +replied the young Seigneur lightly: “that +is, these gentlemen here were so pressing; +they would not hear of any refusal; and +besides, they forgot to mention what my +attendance was required in such a hurry +for. And when I got here, Thibault, old +<a name="png.068" id="png.068"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">45</span><span class="ns">] + </span>fellow, and saw that divine creature—nay, +a goddess, <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">dea certé</i>—so graceful, so +modest, so anxious to acquit herself with +<span class="nw">credit——</span> Well, you know my weakness; +I never could bear to disappoint a woman. +She had evidently set her heart on taking +my head; and as she had my heart +<span class="nw">already——</span>”</p> + +<p>“I think, my lord,” said Thibault, with +some severity, “you had better let me +escort you back to the Château. This +appears to be hardly a safe place for light-headed +and susceptible persons!”</p> + +<p class="pgbrk">Jeanne, as was natural, had the last word. +“Understand me, Mr. Mayor,” said she, +“these proceedings are entirely irregular. +I decline to recognise them, and when the +quarter expires I shall claim the usual +bonus!”</p> + + + + + +<h2><a name="png.069" id="png.069"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">46</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>V</h2> + + +<p class="first pgbrk"><img class="dropcap" src="images/w.png" width="280" height="129" + alt="W" title="" /><span class="epub">W</span><span class="uc">hen</span>, an hour or +two later, an invitation +arrived—courteously +worded +but significantly backed by an escort of +half-a-dozen tall archers—for both Jeanne +and the Mayor to attend at the Château +without delay, Jeanne for her part received +it with neither surprise nor reluctance. She +had felt it especially hard that the only two +interviews fate had granted her with the +one man who had made some impression on +her heart should be hampered, the one by +considerations of propriety, the other by +the conflicting claims of her profession +<a name="png.072" id="png.072"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">47</span><span class="ns">] + </span>and its duties. On this occasion, now, +she would have an excellent chaperon in +the Mayor; and, business being over for +the day, they could meet and unbend on +a common social footing. The Mayor +was not at all surprised either, considering +what had gone before; but he was exceedingly +terrified, and sought some consolation +from Jeanne as they proceeded +together to the Château. That young +lady’s remarks, however, could hardly be +called exactly comforting.</p> + + +<div class="illo"> +<a name="png.070" id="png.070"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">46a</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img class="illo-46a" src="images/illo-46a.jpg" + alt="An invitation arrived, backed by an escort of half-a-dozen tall archers." + title="" /> +</div> + + +<p>“I always thought you’d put your foot +in it some day, Mayor,” she said. “You +are so hopelessly wanting in system and +method. Really, under the present happy-go-lucky +police arrangements, I never know +whom I may not be called upon to +execute. Between you and my cousin +Enguerrand, life is hardly safe in this +town. And the worst of it is, that we +<a name="png.073" id="png.073"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">48</span><span class="ns">] + </span>other officials on the staff have to share +in the discredit.”</p> + +<p>“What do you think they’ll do to me, +Jeanne?” whimpered the Mayor, perspiring +freely.</p> + +<p>“Can’t say, I’m sure,” pursued the candid +Jeanne. “Of course, if it’s anything +in the <em>rack</em> line of business, I shall have +to superintend the arrangements, and then +you can feel sure you’re in capable hands. +But probably they’ll only fine you pretty +smartly, give you a month or two in the +dungeons, and dismiss you from your post; +and you will hardly grudge any slight +personal inconvenience resulting from an +arrangement so much to the advantage of +the town.”</p> + +<p>This was hardly reassuring, but the +Mayor’s official reprimand of the previous +day still rankled in this unforgiving young +person’s mind.</p> + +<p><a name="png.074" id="png.074"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">49</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>On their reaching the Château the +Mayor was conducted aside, to be dealt +with by Thibault; and from the sounds of +agonised protestation and lament which +shortly reached Jeanne’s ears, it was evident +that he was having a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mauvais quart +d’heure</i>. The young lady was shown respectfully +into a chamber apart, where she +had hardly had time to admire sufficiently +the good taste of the furniture and the +magnificence of the tapestry with which +the walls were hung, when the Seigneur +entered and welcomed her with a cordial +grace that put her entirely at her ease.</p> + +<p>“Your punctuality puts me to shame, +fair mistress,” he said, “considering how +unwarrantably I kept you waiting this +morning, and how I tested your patience +by my ignorance and awkwardness.”</p> + +<p>He had changed his dress, and the lace +round his neck was even richer than before. +<a name="png.075" id="png.075"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">50</span><span class="ns">] + </span>Jeanne had always considered one of the +chief marks of a well-bred man to be a fine +disregard for the amount of his washing-bill; +and then with what good taste he +referred to recent events—putting himself +in the wrong, as a gentleman should!</p> + +<p>“Indeed, my lord,” she replied modestly, +“I was only too anxious to hear from your +own lips that you bore me no ill-will for the +part forced on me by circumstances in our recent +interview. Your lordship has sufficient +critical good sense, I feel sure, to distinguish +between the woman and the official.”</p> + +<p>“True, Jeanne,” he replied, drawing +nearer; “and while I shrink from expressing, +in their fulness, all the feelings that +the woman inspires in me, I have no hesitation—for +I know it will give you pleasure—in +acquainting you with the entire +artistic satisfaction with which I watched +you at your task!”</p> + +<p><a name="png.076" id="png.076"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">51</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>“But, indeed,” said Jeanne, “you did +not see me at my best. In fact, I can’t +help wishing—it’s ridiculous, I know, because +the thing is hardly practicable—but +if I could only have carried my performance +quite through, and put the last finishing +touches to it, you would not have been +judging me now by the mere ‘blocking-in’ +of what promised to be a masterpiece!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I wish it could have been arranged +somehow,” said the Seigneur, reflectively; +“but perhaps it’s better as it is. I am +content to let the artist remain for the +present on trust, if I may only take over, +fully paid up, the woman I adore!”</p> + +<p>Jeanne felt strangely weak. The official +seemed oozing out at her fingers and toes, +while the woman’s heart beat even more +distressingly.</p> + +<p>“I have one little question to ask,” he +murmured (his arm was about her now).</p> + +<p><a name="png.077" id="png.077"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">52</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>“Do I understand that you still claim your +bonus?”</p> + +<p>Jeanne felt like water in his strong +embrace; but she nerved herself to answer, +faintly but firmly, “Yes!”</p> + +<p>“Then so do I,” he replied, as his lips +met hers.</p> + +<p class="fivestar">· · · · · · ·</p> + +<p>Executions continued to occur in St. +Radegonde; the Radegundians being conservative +and very human. But much of +the innocent enjoyment that formerly +attended them departed after the fair +Châtelaine had ceased to officiate. Enguerrand, +on succeeding to the post, +wedded Clairette, she being (he was heard +to say) a more suitable match in mind and +temper than others of whom he would +name no names. Rumour had it, that he +found his match and something over; +while as for temper—and mind (which +<a name="png.078" id="png.078"></a><span class="ns">[p </span><span + class="pgmark">53</span><span class="ns">] + </span>she gave him in bits). But the domestic +trials of high-placed officials have a right +to be held sacred. The profession, in spite +of his best endeavours, languished nevertheless. +Some said that the scaffold lacked +its old attraction for criminals of spirit; +others, more unkindly, that the headsman +was the innocent cause, and that Enguerrand +was less fatal in his new sphere than +formerly, when practising in the criminal +court as advocate for the defence.</p> + +<p class="fin"> +<img class="theend" src="images/theend.png" + alt="THE END" title="" /></p> + + +</div> + + +<hr class="pg" /> + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Headswoman, by Kenneth Grahame + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEADSWOMAN *** + +***** This file should be named 34243-h.htm or 34243-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/2/4/34243/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David Wilson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Headswoman + +Author: Kenneth Grahame + +Illustrator: Marcia Lane Foster + +Release Date: November 8, 2010 [EBook #34243] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEADSWOMAN *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David Wilson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + +_The Headswoman_ + + + + +_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ + + THE GOLDEN AGE + DREAM DAYS + PAGAN PAPERS + +THE BODLEY HEAD + + + + + [Frontispiece: "Now that we have been properly introduced allow + me to apologise"] + + + + +THE HEADSWOMAN + +_By_ Kenneth Grahame + + +_With Illustrations in Colour and Woodcuts by_ + +Marcia Lane Foster + + +[Decoration] + + + _LONDON_ + _John Lane The Bodley Head Limited_ + _New York John Lane Company_ + + + + + _First Published 1898_ + _Illustrated Edition 1921_ + + + + +_Printed In Great Britain by R. Clay & Sons, Ltd., Bungay, Suffolk._ + + + + +_List of Illustrations_ + + + "Now That we have been properly introduced + allow me to apologise" _Frontispiece_ + + _Facing page_ + "You see I am Familiar with the Routine.... + Good-morning, Gentlemen!" 8 + + "Au revoir, Sir! If you should happen to be in + the Market-place any Morning" 28 + + Endeavouring to convey the Tardy Prisoner to the + Scaffold 32 + + "Nay, pardon me, Sweet One, 'twas but a Jest + of Mine" 36 + + But at this point a Hubbub arose at the Foot of + the Scaffold 42 + + "Now, mark my Words, you Miserable Little + Bladder-o'-Lard, see if I don't take this + out of your Skin presently" 44 + + An Invitation arrived, backed by an Escort of + Half-a-dozen very Tall Archers 46 + + + + +_The Headswoman_ + + + + +[Illustration] + +I + + +It was a bland, sunny morning of a mediaeval May,--an old-style May of +the most typical quality; and the Council of the little town of St. +Radegonde were assembled, as was their wont at that hour, in the +picturesque upper chamber of the Hotel de Ville, for the dispatch of the +usual municipal business. Though the date was early sixteenth century, +the members of this particular town-council possessed considerable +resemblance to those of similar assemblies in the seventeenth, +eighteenth, and even the nineteenth centuries, in a general absence of +any characteristic at all--unless a pervading hopeless insignificance +can be considered as such. All the character in the room, indeed, seemed +to be concentrated in the girl who stood before the table, erect, yet at +her ease, facing the members in general and Mr. Mayor in particular; a +delicate-handed, handsome girl of some eighteen summers, whose tall, +supple figure was well set off by the quiet, though tasteful mourning in +which she was clad. + +"Well, gentlemen," the Mayor was saying, "this little business appears +to be--er--quite in order, and it only remains for me to--er--review the +facts. You are aware that the town has lately had the misfortune to +lose its executioner,--a gentleman who, I may say, performed the duties +of his office with neatness and dispatch, and gave the fullest +satisfaction to all with whom he--er--came in contact. But the Council +has already, in a vote of condolence, expressed its sense of +the--er--striking qualities of the deceased. You are doubtless also +aware that the office is hereditary, being secured to a particular +family in this town, so long as any one of its members is ready and +willing to take it up. The deed lies before me, and appears to +be--er--quite in order. It is true that on this occasion the Council +might have been called upon to consider and examine the title of the +claimant, the late lamented official having only left a daughter,--she +who now stands before you; but I am happy to say that Jeanne--the young +lady in question--with what I am bound to call great good-feeling on +her part, has saved us all trouble in that respect, by formally applying +for the family post, with all its--er--duties, privileges, and +emoluments; and her application appears to be--er--quite in order. There +is, therefore, under the circumstances, nothing left for us to do but to +declare the said applicant duly elected. I would wish, however, before +I--er--sit down, to make it quite clear to the--er--fair petitioner, +that if a laudable desire to save the Council trouble in the matter has +led her to a--er--hasty conclusion, it is quite open to her to +reconsider her position. Should she determine not to press her claim, +the succession to the post would then apparently devolve upon her cousin +Enguerrand, well known to you all as a practising advocate in the courts +of this town. Though the youth has not, I admit, up to now proved a +conspicuous success in the profession he has chosen, still there is no +reason why a bad lawyer should not make an excellent executioner; and in +view of the close friendship--may I even say attachment?--existing +between the cousins, it is possible that this young lady may, in due +course, practically enjoy the solid emoluments of the position without +the necessity of discharging its (to some girls) uncongenial duties. And +so, though not the rose herself, she would still be--er--near the rose!" +And the Mayor resumed his seat, chuckling over his little pleasantry, +which the keener wits of the Council proceeded to explain at length to +the more obtuse. + +"Permit me, Mr. Mayor," said the girl quietly, "first to thank you for +what was evidently the outcome of a kindly though misdirected feeling on +your part; and then to set you right as to the grounds of my application +for the post to which you admit my hereditary claim. As to my cousin, +your conjecture as to the feeling between us is greatly exaggerated; and +I may further say at once, from my knowledge of his character, that he +is little qualified either to adorn or to dignify an important position +such as this. A man who has achieved such indifferent success in a minor +and less exacting walk of life, is hardly likely to shine in an +occupation demanding punctuality, concentration, judgment,--all the +qualities, in fine, that go to make a good business man. But this is +beside the question. My motive, gentlemen, in demanding what is my due, +is a simple and (I trust) an honest one, and I desire that there should +be no misunderstanding. It is my wish to be dependent on no one. I am +both willing and able to work, and I only ask for what is the common +right of humanity,--admission to the labour market. How many poor, +toiling women would simply jump at a chance like this which fortune, by +the accident of birth, lays open to me! And shall I, from any false +deference to that conventional voice which proclaims this thing as +'nice,' and that thing as 'not nice,' reject a handicraft which promises +me both artistic satisfaction and a competence? No, gentlemen; my claim +is a small one,--only a fair day's wage for a fair day's work. But I can +accept nothing less, nor consent to forgo my rights, even for any +contingent remainder of possible cousinly favour!" + +There was a touch of scorn in her fine contralto voice as she finished +speaking; the Mayor himself beamed approval. He was not wealthy, and had +a large family of daughters; so Jeanne's sentiments seemed to him +entirely right and laudable. + +"Well, gentlemen," he began briskly, "then all we've got to do, is +to----" + +"Beg pardon, your worship," put in Master Robinet, the tanner, who had +been sitting with a petrified, Bill-the-Lizard sort of expression during +the speechifying: "but are we to understand as how this here young lady +is going to be the public executioner of this here town?" + +"Really, neighbour Robinet," said the Mayor, somewhat pettishly, "you've +got ears like the rest of us, I suppose; and you know the contents of +the deed; and you've had my assurance that it's--er--quite in order; and +as it's getting towards lunch-time----" + +"But it's unheard of," protested honest Robinet. "There hasn't ever been +no such thing--leastways not as I've heard tell." + + [Illustration: "You see I am familiar with the routine.... + Good-morning, Gentlemen!"] + +"Well, well, well," said the Mayor, "everything must have a beginning, I +suppose. Times are different now, you know. There's the march of +intellect, and--er--all that sort of thing. We must advance with the +times--don't you see, Robinet?--advance with the times!" + +"Well, I'm----" began the tanner. + +But no one heard, on this occasion, the tanner's opinion as to his +condition, physical or spiritual; for the clear contralto cut short his +obtestations. + +"If there's really nothing more to be said, Mr. Mayor," she remarked, "I +need not trespass longer on your valuable time. I propose to take up the +duties of my office to-morrow morning, at the usual hour. The salary +will, I assume, be reckoned from the same date; and I shall make the +customary quarterly application for such additional emoluments as may +have accrued to me during that period. You see I am familiar with the +routine. Good-morning, gentlemen!" And as she passed from the Council +chamber, her small head held erect, even the tanner felt that she took +with her a large portion of the May sunshine which was condescending +that morning to gild their deliberations. + + + + +II + + +One evening, a few weeks later, Jeanne was taking a stroll on the +ramparts of the town, a favourite and customary walk of hers when +business cares were over. The pleasant expanse of country that lay +spread beneath her--the rich sunset, the gleaming, sinuous river, and +the noble old chateau that dominated both town and pasture from its +adjacent height--all served to stir and bring out in her those poetic +impulses which had lain dormant during the working day; while the cool +evening breeze smoothed out and obliterated any little jars or worries +which might have ensued during the practice of a profession in which she +was still something of a novice. This evening she felt fairly happy and +content. True, business was rather brisk, and her days had been fully +occupied; but this mattered little so long as her modest efforts were +appreciated, and she was now really beginning to feel that, with +practice, her work was creditably and artistically done. In a satisfied, +somewhat dreamy mood, she was drinking in the various sweet influences +of the evening, when she perceived her cousin approaching. + +"Good-evening, Enguerrand," cried Jeanne pleasantly; she was thinking +that since she had begun to work for her living she had hardly seen +him--and they used to be such good friends. Could anything have occurred +to offend him? + +Enguerrand drew near somewhat moodily, but could not help allowing his +expression to relax at sight of her fair young face, set in its +framework of rich brown hair, wherein the sunset seemed to have tangled +itself and to cling, reluctant to leave it. + +"Sit down, Enguerrand," continued Jeanne, "and tell me what you've been +doing this long time. Been very busy, and winning forensic fame and +gold?" + +"Well, not exactly," said Enguerrand, moody once more. "The fact is, +there's so much interest required nowadays at the courts that unassisted +talent never gets a chance. And you, Jeanne?" + +"Oh, I don't complain," answered Jeanne lightly. "Of course, it's +fair-time just now, you know, and we're always busy then. But work will +be lighter soon, and then I'll get a day off, and we'll have a +delightful ramble and picnic in the woods, as we used to do when we were +children. What fun we had in those old days, Enguerrand! Do you +remember when we were quite little tots, and used to play at executions +in the back-garden, and you were a bandit and a buccaneer, and all sorts +of dreadful things, and I used to chop off your head with a paper-knife? +How pleased dear father used to be!" + +"Jeanne," said Enguerrand, with some hesitation, "you've touched upon +the very subject that I came to speak to you about. Do you know, dear, I +can't help feeling--it may be unreasonable, but still the feeling is +there--that the profession you have adopted is not quite--is just a +little----" + +"Now, Enguerrand!" said Jeanne, an angry flash sparkling in her eyes. +She was a little touchy on this subject, the word she most affected to +despise being also the one she most dreaded,--the adjective +"unladylike." + +"Don't misunderstand me, Jeanne," went on Enguerrand imploringly: "you +may naturally think that, because I should have succeeded to the post, +with its income and perquisites, had you relinquished your claim, there +is therefore some personal feeling in my remonstrances. Believe me, it +is not so. My own interests do not weigh with me for a moment. It is on +your account, Jeanne, and yours alone, that I ask you to consider +whether the higher aesthetic qualities, which I know you possess, may not +become cramped and thwarted by 'the trivial round, the common task,' +which you have lightly undertaken. However laudable a professional life +may be, one always feels that with a delicate organism such as woman, +some of the bloom may possibly get rubbed off the peach." + +"Well, Enguerrand," said Jeanne, composing herself with an effort, +though her lips were set hard, "I will do you the justice to believe +that personal advantage does not influence you, and I will try to reason +calmly with you, and convince you that you are simply hide-bound by +old-world prejudice. Now, take yourself, for instance, who come here to +instruct me: what does _your_ profession amount to, when all's said and +done? A mass of lies, quibbles, dodges, and tricks, that would make any +self-respecting executioner blush! And even with the dirty weapons at +your command, you make but a poor show of it. There was that wretched +fellow you defended only two days ago. (I was in court during the +trial--professional interest, you know.) Well, he had his regular +_alibi_ all ready, as clear as clear could be; only you must needs go +and mess and bungle the thing up, so that, just as I expected all +along, he was passed on to me for treatment in due course. You may like +to have his opinion--that of a shrewd, though unlettered person. 'It's a +real pleasure, miss,' he said, 'to be handled by you. You _knows_ your +work, and you _does_ your work--though p'raps I ses it as shouldn't. If +that blooming fool of a mouthpiece of mine'--he was referring to you, +dear, in your capacity of advocate--'had known his business half as well +as you do yours, I shouldn't a bin here now!' And you know, Enguerrand, +he was perfectly right." + +"Well, perhaps he was," admitted Enguerrand. "You see, I had been +working at a sonnet the night before, and I couldn't get the rhymes +right, and they would keep coming into my head in court and mixing +themselves up with the _alibi_. But look here, Jeanne, when you saw I +was going off the track, you might have given me a friendly hint, you +know--for old times' sake, if not for the prisoner's!" + +"I daresay," replied Jeanne calmly: "perhaps you'll tell me why I should +sacrifice my interests because you're unable to look after yours. You +forget that I receive a bonus, over and above my salary, upon each +exercise of my functions!" + +"True," said Enguerrand gloomily: "I did forget that. I wish I had your +business aptitudes, Jeanne." + +"I daresay you do," remarked Jeanne. "But you see, dear, how all your +arguments fall to the ground. You mistake a prepossession for a logical +base. Now if I had gone, like that Clairette you used to dangle after, +and been waiting-woman to some grand lady in a chateau,--a thin-blooded +compound of drudge and sycophant,--then, I suppose, you'd have been +perfectly satisfied. So feminine! So genteel!" + +"She's not a bad sort of girl, little Claire," said Enguerrand +reflectively (thereby angering Jeanne afresh): "but putting her +aside,--of course you could always beat me at argument, Jeanne; you'd +have made a much better lawyer than I. But you know, dear, how much I +care about you; and I did hope that on that account even a prejudice, +however unreasonable, might have some little weight. And I'm not alone, +let me tell you, in my views. There was a fellow in court only to-day, +who was saying that yours was only a _succes d'estime_, and that woman, +as a naturally talkative and hopelessly unpunctual animal, could never +be more than a clever amateur in the profession you have chosen." + +"That will do, Enguerrand," said Jeanne proudly; "it seems that when +argument fails, you can stoop so low as to insult me through my sex. +You men are all alike,--steeped in brutish masculine prejudice. Now go +away, and don't mention the subject to me again till you're quite +reasonable and nice." + + + + +III + +Jeanne passed a somewhat restless night after her small scene with her +cousin, waking depressed and unrefreshed. Though she had carried matters +with so high a hand, and had scored so distinctly all around, she had +been more agitated than she had cared to show. She liked Enguerrand; and +more especially did she like his admiration for her; and that chance +allusion to Clairette contained possibilities that were alarming. In +embracing a professional career, she had never thought for a moment +that it could militate against that due share of admiration to which, as +a girl, she was justly entitled; and Enguerrand's views seemed this +morning all the more narrow and inexcusable. She rose languidly, and as +soon as she was dressed sent off a little note to the Mayor, saying that +she had a nervous headache and felt out of sorts, and begging to be +excused from attendance on that day; and the missive reached the Mayor +just as he was taking his usual place at the head of the Board. + +"Dear, dear!" said the kind-hearted old man, as soon as he had read the +letter to his fellow-councilmen: "I'm very sorry. Poor girl! Here, one +of you fellows, just run round and tell the gaoler there won't be any +business to-day. Jeanne's seedy. It's put off till to-morrow. And now, +gentlemen, the agenda----" + +"Really, your worship," exploded Robinet, "this is simply ridiculous!" + +"Upon my word, Robinet," said the Mayor, "I don't know what's the matter +with you. Here's a poor girl unwell,--and a more hard-working girl isn't +in the town,--and instead of sympathising with her, and saying you're +sorry, you call it ridiculous! Suppose you had a headache yourself! You +wouldn't like----" + +"But it _is_ ridiculous," maintained the tanner stoutly. "Who ever heard +of an executioner having a nervous headache? There's no precedent for +it. And 'out of sorts,' too! Suppose the criminals said they were out of +sorts, and didn't feel up to being executed?" + +"Well, suppose they did," replied the Mayor, "we'd try and meet them +half-way, I daresay. They'd have to be executed some time or other, you +know. Why on earth are you so captious about trifles? The prisoners +won't mind, and _I_ don't mind: nobody's inconvenienced, and everybody's +happy!" + +"You're right there, Mr. Mayor," put in another councilman. "This +executing business used to give the town a lot of trouble and bother; +now it's all as easy as kiss-your-hand. Instead of objecting, as they +used to do, and wanting to argue the point and kick up a row, the +fellows as is told off for execution come skipping along in the morning, +like a lot of lambs in May-time. And then the fun there is on the +scaffold! The jokes, the back answers, the repartees! And never a word +to shock a baby! Why, my little girl, as goes through the market-place +every morning--on her way to school, you know--she says to me only +yesterday, she says, 'Why, father,' she says, 'it's as good as the +play-actors,' she says." + +"There again," persisted Robinet; "I object to that too. They ought to +show a properer feeling. Playing at mummers is one thing, and being +executed is another, and people ought to keep 'em separate. In my +father's time, that sort of thing wasn't thought good taste, and I don't +hold with new-fangled notions." + +"Well, really, neighbour," said the Mayor, "I think you're out of sorts +yourself to-day. You must have got out of bed the wrong side this +morning. As for a little joke, more or less, we all know a maiden loves +a merry jest when she's certain of having the last word! But I'll tell +you what I'll do, if it'll please you; I'll go round and see Jeanne +myself on my way home, and tell her--quite nicely, you know--that once +in a way doesn't matter; but that if she feels her health won't let her +keep regular business hours, she mustn't think of going on with anything +that's bad for her. Like that, don't you see? And now, gentlemen, let's +read the minutes!" + +Thus it came about that Jeanne took her usual walk that evening with a +ruffled brow and a swelling heart; and her little hand opened and shut +angrily as she paced the ramparts. She couldn't stand being found fault +with. How could she help having a headache? Those clods of citizens +didn't know what a highly strung sensitive organisation was. Absorbed in +her reflections, she had taken several turns up and down the grassy +footway before she became aware that she was not alone. A youth, of +richer dress and more elegant bearing than the general run of the +Radegundians, was leaning in an embrasure, watching the graceful figure +with evident interest. + +"Something has vexed you, fair maiden?" he observed, coming forward +deferentially as soon as he perceived he was noticed; "and care sits but +awkwardly on that smooth young brow." + +"Nay, it is nothing, kind sir," replied Jeanne; "we girls who work for +our living must not be too sensitive. My employers have been somewhat +exigent, that is all. I did wrong to take it to heart." + +"'Tis the way of the bloated capitalist," rejoined the young man +lightly, as he turned to walk by her side. "They grind us, they grind +us; perhaps some day they will come under your hands in turn, and then +you can pay them out. And so you toil and spin, fair lily! And yet, +methinks, those delicate hands show little trace of labour?" + +"You wrong me, indeed, sir," replied Jeanne merrily. "These hands of +mine, that you are so good as to admire, do great execution!" + +"I can well believe that your victims are numerous," he replied; "may I +be permitted to rank myself among the latest of them?" + +"I wish you a better fortune, kind sir," answered Jeanne demurely. + +"I can imagine no more delightful one," he replied; "and where do you +ply your daily task, fair mistress? Not entirely out of sight and +access, I trust?" + + [Illustration: "Au revoir, sir! If you should happen to be in + the market-place any morning."] + +"Nay, sir," laughed Jeanne, "I work in the market-place most mornings, +and there is no charge for admission; and access is far from difficult. +Indeed, some complain--but that is no business of mine. And now I must +be wishing you a good-evening. Nay,"--for he would have detained +her,--"it is not seemly for an unprotected maiden to tarry in +converse with a stranger at this hour. _Au revoir_, sir! If you should +happen to be in the market-place any morning----" And she tripped +lightly away. The youth, gazing after her retreating figure, confessed +himself strangely fascinated by this fair unknown, whose particular +employment, by the way, he had forgotten to ask; while Jeanne, as she +sped homewards, could not help reflecting that, for style and +distinction, this new acquaintance threw into the shade all the +Enguerrands and others she had met hitherto--even in the course of +business. + + + + +IV + + +The next morning was bright and breezy, and Jeanne was early at her +post, feeling quite a different girl. The busy little market-place was +full of colour and movement, and the gay patches of flowers and fruit, +the strings of fluttering kerchiefs, and the piles of red and yellow +pottery, formed an artistic setting to the quiet impressive scaffold +which they framed. Jeanne was in short sleeves, according to the +etiquette of her office, and her round graceful arms showed snowily +against her dark blue skirt and scarlet, tight-fitting bodice. Her +assistant looked at her with admiration. + +"Hope you're better, miss," he said respectfully. "It was just as well +you didn't put yourself out to come yesterday; there was nothing +particular to do. Only one fellow, and _he_ said he didn't care; +anything to oblige a lady!" + +"Well, I wish he'd hurry up now, to oblige a lady," said Jeanne, +swinging her axe carelessly to and fro: "ten minutes past the hour; I +shall have to talk to the Mayor about this." + +"It's a pity there ain't a better show this morning," pursued the +assistant, as he leant over the rail of the scaffold and spat +meditatively into the busy throng below. "They do say as how the young +Seigneur arrived at the Chateau yesterday--him as has been finishing his +education in Paris, you know. He's as likely as not to be in the +market-place to-day; and if he's disappointed, he may go off to Paris +again, which would be a pity, seeing the Chateau's been empty so long. +But he may go to Paris, or anywhere else he's a mind to, he won't see +better workmanship than in this here little town!" + +"Well, my good Raoul," said Jeanne, colouring slightly at the obvious +compliment, "quality, not quantity, is what we aim at here, you know. If +a Paris education has been properly assimilated by the Seigneur, he will +not fail to make all the necessary allowances. But see, the prison-doors +are opening at last!" + + [Illustration: Endeavouring to convey the tardy prisoner to the + scaffold.] + +They both looked across the little square to the prison, which fronted +the scaffold; and sure enough, a small body of men, the Sheriff at their +head, was issuing from the building, conveying, or endeavouring to +convey, the tardy prisoner to the scaffold. That gentleman, however, +seemed to be in a different and less obliging frame of mind from that of +the previous day; and at every pace one or other of the guards was shot +violently into the middle of the square, propelled by a vigorous kick or +blow from the struggling captive. The crowd, unaccustomed of late to +such demonstrations of feeling, and resenting the prisoner's want of +taste, hooted loudly; but it was not until that ingenious mediaeval +arrangement known as _la marche aux crapauds_ had been brought to bear +on him that the reluctant convict could be prevailed upon to present +himself before the young lady he had already so unwarrantably detained. + +Jeanne's profession had both accustomed her to surprises and taught her +the futility of considering her clients as drawn from any one particular +class; yet she could hardly help feeling some astonishment on +recognising her new acquaintance of the previous evening. That, with all +his evident amiability of character, he should come to this end, was not +in itself a special subject for wonder; but that he should have been +conversing with her on the ramparts at the hour when--after courteously +excusing her attendance on the scaffold--he was cooling his heels in +prison for another day, seemed hardly to be accounted for, at first +sight. Jeanne, however, reflected that the reconciling of apparent +contradictions was not included in her official duties. + +The Sheriff, wiping his heated brow, now read the formal _proces_ +delivering over the prisoner to the executioner's hands; "and a nice job +we've had to get him here," he added on his own account. And the young +man, who had remained perfectly tractable since his arrival, stepped +forward and bowed politely. + +"Now that we have been properly introduced," said he courteously, "allow +me to apologise for any inconvenience you have been put to by my delay. +The fault was entirely mine, and these gentlemen are in no way to blame. +Had I known whom I was to have the pleasure of meeting, wings could not +have conveyed me swiftly enough." + +"Do not mention, I pray, the word inconvenience," replied Jeanne, with +that timid grace which so well became her. "I only trust that any slight +discomfort it may be my duty to cause you before we part will be as +easily pardoned. And now--for the morning, alas! advances--any little +advice or assistance that I can offer is quite at your service; for the +situation is possibly new, and you may have had but little experience." + +"Faith! none worth mentioning," said the prisoner gaily. "Treat me as a +raw beginner. Though our acquaintance has been but brief, I have the +utmost confidence in you." + +"Then, sir," said Jeanne, blushing, "suppose I were to assist you in +removing this gay doublet, so as to give both of us more freedom and +less responsibility?" + +"A perquisite of the office?" queried the prisoner with a smile, as he +slipped one arm out of its sleeve. + +A flush came over Jeanne's fair brow. "That was ungenerous," she said. + +"Nay, pardon me, sweet one," said he, laughing: "'twas but a poor jest +of mine--in bad taste, I willingly admit." + + [Illustration: "Nay pardon me, sweet one, 'twas but a jest of + mine."] + +"I was sure you did not mean to hurt me," she replied kindly, while her +fingers were busy in turning back the collar of his shirt. It was +composed, she noticed, of the finest point lace; and she could not +help a feeling of regret that some slight error--as must, from what she +knew, exist somewhere--should compel her to take a course so at variance +with her real feelings. Her only comfort was that the youth himself +seemed entirely satisfied with his situation. He hummed the last air +from Paris during her ministrations, and when she had quite finished, +kissed the pretty fingers with a metropolitan grace. + +"And now, sir," said Jeanne, "if you will kindly come this way: and +please to mind the step--so. Now, if you will have the goodness to kneel +here--nay, the sawdust is perfectly clean; you are my first client this +morning. On the other side of the block you will find a nick, more or +less adapted to the human chin, though a perfect fit cannot, of course, +be guaranteed in every case. So! Are you pretty comfortable?" + +"A bed of roses," replied the prisoner. "And what a really admirable +view one gets of the valley and the river, from just this particular +point!" + +"Charming, is it not?" replied Jeanne. "I'm so glad you do justice to +it. Some of your predecessors have really quite vexed me by their +inability to appreciate that view. It's worth coming here to see it. And +now, to return to business for one moment,--would you prefer to give the +word yourself? Some people do; it's a mere matter of taste. Or will you +leave yourself entirely in my hands?" + +"Oh, in your fair hands," replied her client, "which I beg you to +consider respectfully kissed once more by your faithful servant to +command." + +Jeanne, blushing rosily, stepped back a pace, moistening her palms as +she grasped her axe, when a puffing and blowing behind caused her to +turn her head, and she perceived the Mayor hastily ascending the +scaffold. + +"Hold on a minute, Jeanne, my girl," he gasped. "Don't be in a hurry. +There's been some little mistake." + +Jeanne drew herself up with dignity. "I'm afraid I don't quite +understand you, Mr. Mayor," she replied in freezing accents. "There's +been no little mistake on my part that I'm aware of." + +"No, no, no," said the Mayor apologetically; "but on somebody else's +there has. You see it happened in this way: this here young fellow was +going round the town last night; and he'd been dining, I should say, and +he was carrying on rather free. I will only say so much in your +presence, that he was carrying on decidedly free. So the town-guard +happened to come across him, and he was very high and very haughty, he +was, and wouldn't give his name nor yet his address--as a gentleman +should, you know, when he's been dining and carrying on free. So our +fellows just ran him in--and it took the pick of them all their time to +do it, too. Well, then, the other chap who was in prison--the gentleman +who obliged you yesterday, you know--what does he do but slip out and +run away in the middle of all the row and confusion; and very +inconsiderate and ungentlemanly it was of him to take advantage of us in +that mean way, just when we wanted a little sympathy and forbearance. +Well, the Sheriff comes this morning to fetch out his man for execution, +and he knows there's only one man to execute, and he sees there's only +one man in prison, and it all seems as simple as A B C--he never was +much of a mathematician, you know--so he fetches our friend here along, +quite gaily. And--and that's how it came about, you see; _hinc illae +lachrymae_, as the Roman poet has it. So now I shall just give this young +fellow a good talking to, and discharge him with a caution; and we +sha'n't require you any more to-day, Jeanne, my girl." + +"Now, look here, Mr. Mayor," said Jeanne severely, "you utterly fail to +grasp the situation in its true light. All these little details may be +interesting in themselves, and doubtless the press will take note of +them; but they are entirely beside the point. With the muddleheadedness +of your officials (which I have frequently remarked upon) I have nothing +whatever to do. All I know is, that this young gentleman has been +formally handed over to me for execution, with all the necessary legal +requirements; and executed he has got to be. When my duty has been +performed, you are at liberty to reopen the case if you like; and any +'little mistake' that may have occurred through your stupidity you can +then rectify at your leisure. Meantime, you've no _locus standi_ here at +all; in fact, you've no business whatever lumbering up my scaffold. So +shut up and clear out." + +"Now, Jeanne, do be reasonable," implored the Mayor. "You women are so +precise. You never will make any allowance for the necessary margin of +error in things." + +"If I were to allow the necessary margin for all _your_ errors, Mayor," +replied Jeanne coolly, "the edition would have to be a large-paper one, +and even then the text would stand a poor chance. And now, if you +don't allow me the necessary margin to swing my axe, there may be +another 'little mistake'----" + + [Illustration: But at this point a hubbub arose at the foot of + the scaffold.] + +But at this point a hubbub arose at the foot of the scaffold, and +Jeanne, leaning over, perceived sundry tall fellows, clad in the livery +of the Seigneur, engaged in dispersing the municipal guard by the agency +of well-directed kicks, applied with heartiness and anatomical +knowledge. A moment later, there strode on to the scaffold, clad in +black velvet, and adorned with his gold chain of office, the stately old +seneschal of the Chateau, evidently in a towering passion. + +"Now, mark my words, you miserable little bladder-o'-lard," he roared at +the Mayor (whose bald head certainly shone provokingly in the morning +sun), "see if I don't take this out of your skin presently!" And he +passed on to where the youth was still kneeling, apparently quite +absorbed in the view. + +"My lord," he said firmly though respectfully, "your hair-brained folly +really passes all bounds. Have you entirely lost your head?" + +"Faith, nearly," said the young man, rising and stretching himself. "Is +that you, old Thibault? Ow, what a crick I've got in my neck! But that +view of the valley was really delightful!" + +"Did you come here simply to admire the view, my lord?" inquired +Thibault severely. + + [Illustration: "Now mark my words you miserable little + bladder-o'-lard, see if I don't take this out of your skin + presently."] + +"I came because my horse would come," replied the young Seigneur +lightly: "that is, these gentlemen here were so pressing; they would not +hear of any refusal; and besides, they forgot to mention what my +attendance was required in such a hurry for. And when I got here, +Thibault, old fellow, and saw that divine creature--nay, a goddess, +_dea certe_--so graceful, so modest, so anxious to acquit herself with +credit---- Well, you know my weakness; I never could bear to disappoint +a woman. She had evidently set her heart on taking my head; and as she +had my heart already----" + +"I think, my lord," said Thibault, with some severity, "you had better +let me escort you back to the Chateau. This appears to be hardly a safe +place for light-headed and susceptible persons!" + +Jeanne, as was natural, had the last word. "Understand me, Mr. Mayor," +said she, "these proceedings are entirely irregular. I decline to +recognise them, and when the quarter expires I shall claim the usual +bonus!" + + + + +V + + +When, an hour or two later, an invitation arrived--courteously worded +but significantly backed by an escort of half-a-dozen tall archers--for +both Jeanne and the Mayor to attend at the Chateau without delay, Jeanne +for her part received it with neither surprise nor reluctance. She had +felt it especially hard that the only two interviews fate had granted +her with the one man who had made some impression on her heart should be +hampered, the one by considerations of propriety, the other by the +conflicting claims of her profession and its duties. On this +occasion, now, she would have an excellent chaperon in the Mayor; and, +business being over for the day, they could meet and unbend on a common +social footing. The Mayor was not at all surprised either, considering +what had gone before; but he was exceedingly terrified, and sought some +consolation from Jeanne as they proceeded together to the Chateau. That +young lady's remarks, however, could hardly be called exactly +comforting. + + [Illustration: An invitation arrived, backed by an escort of + half-a-dozen tall archers.] + +"I always thought you'd put your foot in it some day, Mayor," she said. +"You are so hopelessly wanting in system and method. Really, under the +present happy-go-lucky police arrangements, I never know whom I may not +be called upon to execute. Between you and my cousin Enguerrand, life is +hardly safe in this town. And the worst of it is, that we other +officials on the staff have to share in the discredit." + +"What do you think they'll do to me, Jeanne?" whimpered the Mayor, +perspiring freely. + +"Can't say, I'm sure," pursued the candid Jeanne. "Of course, if it's +anything in the _rack_ line of business, I shall have to superintend the +arrangements, and then you can feel sure you're in capable hands. But +probably they'll only fine you pretty smartly, give you a month or two +in the dungeons, and dismiss you from your post; and you will hardly +grudge any slight personal inconvenience resulting from an arrangement +so much to the advantage of the town." + +This was hardly reassuring, but the Mayor's official reprimand of the +previous day still rankled in this unforgiving young person's mind. + +On their reaching the Chateau the Mayor was conducted aside, to be dealt +with by Thibault; and from the sounds of agonised protestation and +lament which shortly reached Jeanne's ears, it was evident that he was +having a _mauvais quart d'heure_. The young lady was shown respectfully +into a chamber apart, where she had hardly had time to admire +sufficiently the good taste of the furniture and the magnificence of the +tapestry with which the walls were hung, when the Seigneur entered and +welcomed her with a cordial grace that put her entirely at her ease. + +"Your punctuality puts me to shame, fair mistress," he said, +"considering how unwarrantably I kept you waiting this morning, and how +I tested your patience by my ignorance and awkwardness." + +He had changed his dress, and the lace round his neck was even richer +than before. Jeanne had always considered one of the chief marks of a +well-bred man to be a fine disregard for the amount of his washing-bill; +and then with what good taste he referred to recent events--putting +himself in the wrong, as a gentleman should! + +"Indeed, my lord," she replied modestly, "I was only too anxious to hear +from your own lips that you bore me no ill-will for the part forced on +me by circumstances in our recent interview. Your lordship has +sufficient critical good sense, I feel sure, to distinguish between the +woman and the official." + +"True, Jeanne," he replied, drawing nearer; "and while I shrink from +expressing, in their fulness, all the feelings that the woman inspires +in me, I have no hesitation--for I know it will give you pleasure--in +acquainting you with the entire artistic satisfaction with which I +watched you at your task!" + +"But, indeed," said Jeanne, "you did not see me at my best. In fact, I +can't help wishing--it's ridiculous, I know, because the thing is hardly +practicable--but if I could only have carried my performance quite +through, and put the last finishing touches to it, you would not have +been judging me now by the mere 'blocking-in' of what promised to be a +masterpiece!" + +"Yes, I wish it could have been arranged somehow," said the Seigneur, +reflectively; "but perhaps it's better as it is. I am content to let the +artist remain for the present on trust, if I may only take over, fully +paid up, the woman I adore!" + +Jeanne felt strangely weak. The official seemed oozing out at her +fingers and toes, while the woman's heart beat even more distressingly. + +"I have one little question to ask," he murmured (his arm was about her +now). + +"Do I understand that you still claim your bonus?" + +Jeanne felt like water in his strong embrace; but she nerved herself to +answer, faintly but firmly, "Yes!" + +"Then so do I," he replied, as his lips met hers. + + * * * * * + +Executions continued to occur in St. Radegonde; the Radegundians being +conservative and very human. But much of the innocent enjoyment that +formerly attended them departed after the fair Chatelaine had ceased to +officiate. Enguerrand, on succeeding to the post, wedded Clairette, she +being (he was heard to say) a more suitable match in mind and temper +than others of whom he would name no names. Rumour had it, that he found +his match and something over; while as for temper--and mind (which she +gave him in bits). But the domestic trials of high-placed officials have +a right to be held sacred. The profession, in spite of his best +endeavours, languished nevertheless. Some said that the scaffold lacked +its old attraction for criminals of spirit; others, more unkindly, that +the headsman was the innocent cause, and that Enguerrand was less fatal +in his new sphere than formerly, when practising in the criminal court +as advocate for the defence. + + +[Illustration: THE END] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Headswoman, by Kenneth Grahame + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEADSWOMAN *** + +***** This file should be named 34243.txt or 34243.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/2/4/34243/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David Wilson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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