Gwynplaine looked at Ursus. The latter went through a pantomime composed

as follows: he shrugged his shoulders, placed both elbows close to his

hips, with his hands out, and knitted his brows into chevrons--all which

signifies, "We must submit to the unknown."

Gwynplaine looked at Dea. She was in her dream. She was still smiling.

He put the ends of his fingers to his lips, and sent her an unutterable

kiss.

Ursus, relieved of some portion of his terror now that the wapentake's

back was turned, seized the moment to whisper in Gwynplaine's ear,--

On your life, do not speak until you are questioned."

Gwynplaine, with the same care to make no noise as he would have taken

in a sickroom, took his hat and cloak from the hook on the partition,

wrapped himself up to the eyes in the cloak, and pushed his hat over his

forehead. Not having been to bed, he had his working clothes still on,

and his leather esclavin round his neck. Once more he looked at Dea.

Having reached the door, the wapentake raised his staff and began to

descend the steps; then Gwynplaine set out as if the man was dragging

him by an invisible chain. Ursus watched Gwynplaine leave the Green Box.

At that moment the wolf gave a low growl; but Ursus silenced him, and

whispered, "He is coming back."

In the yard, Master Nicless was stemming, with servile and imperious

gestures, the cries of terror raised by Vinos and Fibi, as in great

575

The Man Who Laughs