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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/20192-8.txt b/20192-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..90b1e51 --- /dev/null +++ b/20192-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10803 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Orrain, by S. Levett-Yeats + + +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: Orrain + A Romance + + +Author: S. Levett-Yeats + + + +Release Date: December 26, 2006 [eBook #20192] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORRAIN*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +ORRAIN + +A Romance + +by + +S. LEVETT-YEATS + +Author of +"The Lord Protector," "The Chevalier d'Auriac," etc. + + + + + + + +Longmans, Green, and Co. +91 and 93 Fifth Avenue, New York +London and Bombay +1904 + +Copyright, 1904, by +S. Levett-Yeats +All Rights Reserved + + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I THE CRY IN THE RUE DES LAVANDIERES + II I BECOME THE OWNER OF A RING + III MY PYRAMID OF CARDS COMES DOWN + IV THE QUEEN'S MIRACLE + V THE PORTE ST. MICHEL + VI SIMON AND I MEET AGAIN + VII DIANE + VIII THE ACTS OF PIERREBON + IX THE WHITE MASK + X THE BITER BITTEN + XI THE ROAD TO POITIERS + XII A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES + XIII THE TOUR DE L'OISEAU + XIV MADEMOISELLE DE PARADIS + XV MY PRISONER + XVI THE TWELVE ROSE PETALS + XVII MADEMOISELLE DECIDES + XVIII DR. JOHANNES CABALLUS + XIX THE WOMAN IN BLACK AND WHITE + XX THE CROWN JEWELS + XXI THE HOUSE IN THE PASSAGE OF PITY + XXII THE TABLETS OF DOM ANTOINE DE MOUCHY + XXIII THE MASQUERADE + XXIV THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE + XXV THE PACKET OF LETTERS + XXVI THE CHURCH UNDER THE GROUND + XXVII THE RING + XXVIII THE ARM OF GOD + XXIX LA VALENTINOIS AND I + XXX FONTAINEBLEAU + XXXI THE PEARS OF ORRAIN + + + + +ORRAIN + + +CHAPTER I + +THE CRY IN THE RUE DES LAVANDIERES + +My father, René, Vidame d'Orrain, was twice married. By his first wife +he had one son, Simon, who subsequently succeeded to his title and +estates, and was through his life my bitter enemy. By his second wife, +whom he married somewhat late in life, he had two sons--the elder, +Anne, known as the Chevalier de St. Martin from his mother's lands, +which he inherited; and the younger, Bertrand--myself. + +Simon betook himself early to the Court, and we heard but little of +him, and that not to his credit; St. Martin went to Italy under the +banner of Brissac; and as for me, my parents yielding to the persuasion +of my mother's uncle, the Bishop of Seez, decided that I should become +a Churchman, and I was forthwith packed off to Paris, and entered at +the College of Cambrai, being then about seventeen years of age. Being +remarkably tall and strongly built, with a natural taste for all manly +exercises, it might have been expected that my books saw little of me; +but, on the contrary, I found in them a pleasure and a companionship +that has lasted through my life. Thus it happened that I made +considerable progress. So much so that the good Bishop, my +great-uncle, often flattered me with the ambitious hopes of some day +filling his Episcopal chair--a hope that, I need not say, was never +realised. + +About this time, I being nineteen years of age, things happened that +entirely altered my life. My mother sickened and died. Shortly after +news came of the death of my brother St. Martin, who was killed in an +affair of honour at Milan. The Vidame, my father, then in his +eighty-first year, and much enfeebled by old wounds, especially one he +had received at Fornovo, felt that his last hours were come, and +summoned my brother Simon and myself home to receive his last blessing +before he died. + +I hurried back as fast as possible, but when I reached Orrain I found +to my astonishment the gates of the Chateau closed against me, and +Simon, leaning over the battlements, bade me begone. + +Overcome with this reception, I was for a space struck speechless; but +at length finding voice I begged, even with tears, to be allowed to see +my father. But Simon sneered back: + +"You will have to take a long journey, then; either below or above--I +know not which," he mocked. "Your father is dead. He has left you his +curse, and the lands of St. Martin are yours. I am master here at +last, thank God! And I tell you to be off! Take that pink and white +face of yours back to your College of Cambrai!" + +He lied, for, as I afterwards heard, my father was not dead then, but +lay dying in his chamber, to which no one but Simon had access, and +over which he had placed a guard of his men-at-arms, a cut-throat set +of Italians whom he ever had with him. + +Simon's cruel words stung me to the quick. My blood flamed with rage, +and I dared him to come forth and meet me as a man; but he only laughed +all the more, and, pointing to the tree of justice outside the gate, +asked how I would like to swing from one of its branches. He added +that, as I was his step-brother, he would give me a high one, if I +chose. + +I can almost see him now as I write this, with his cruel hatchet face +snarling over the parapet, his red hair, his tall, thin figure and bent +back--if the truth were known, Simon's affairs of gallantry must have +been few. + +In brief, despite all my efforts, I was unable to see my father, who +died that night asking for me. + +In the hamlet of Orrain itself I could find no shelter, although the +villagers knew and loved me, and this was from fear of the new Vidame. +I, however, found a temporary retreat in the forest, living there like +a wild beast for four days, waiting with a burning heart for a chance +of meeting Simon, but he never came forth. + +On the fourth day my father was buried at dead of night in the Chapel +of St. Hugo of Orrain, where every Vidame of Orrain, save one, lies. + +Pierrebon, now my steward, and at that time my servant, and the only +companion I had with me, brought me news from the village that this was +to be, and I determined to be there at all hazard. This resolution I +carried out, and Simon and I met beside our father's grave. The time +and the occasion sealed my lips and stayed my hand. Even Simon spake +never a word, but, when it was all over, rode off sullenly through the +night back to the Chateau, his cursed Italians around him, and with the +dawn started off for Paris. + +This I did too. There was nothing else to be done, and I returned to +my College. + +I was, however, no longer in the position of a poor cadet, without +means or resource. My mother's lands of St. Martin had come to me on +Anne's death. Even my great-uncle the good Bishop agreed with me, with +many sighs, that the profession of arms was more suited to my present +position than the Church, but advised me to stay for a year more in +College, and fortify my mind by taking the course of Philosophy. + +I very willingly assented to this; but the wealthy Chevalier d'Orrain +as I was called--I did not take the name of St. Martin--was a vastly +different person from the poor cadet of the past year. I found myself +courted and sought after. I began to find pleasures in life unknown to +me before, and in the young man of fashion, who entered the world a +year later it was hardly possible to recognise the once quiet and +studious Bertrand d'Orrain. + +I plunged into the dissipations of the capital. At the Court I found a +patron in Monseigneur the Duc d'Enghien. My extravagance and my +follies brought me many reproofs from the Bishop of Seez, but the good +man's warnings were in vain, and might have been shouted to the stars. +They were certainly at times loud enough to be heard there. + +I often met Simon, now Vidame d'Orrain. He was high in favour with the +Dauphin, who succeeded to the throne as Henri II., and his mistress, +Diane de Poitiers, whom he made Duchess of Valentinois. By tacit +consent there was an armed peace between us, though I well knew he +would take any chance that might arise to my injury. As it was, we +met, and passed each other without greeting, and in silence, ever with +black looks, and hands on the hilts of our swords. + +My acres began to diminish and the woods of St. Martin to go down. +Things, in fact, were going from bad to worse, when war with the +Emperor broke out afresh, and I was amongst the first of those who +volunteered under Enghien for the Italian campaign. There I did my +part, and shared in the day of Cerisolles as a captain in the Light +Horse of Monsieur de Randan. Then, on the peace, back to Paris once +more and the old life; with this difference, that now there was no +restraining hand over me, for my great-uncle was dead. He left me his +blessing, his copy of "Plutarch's Lives," and thirty crowns of the +sun--all his fortune--for, though Bishop of Seez, he was a true +shepherd of God, and laid up for himself all his treasures on high. + +It was impossible that things could go on much longer without disaster, +and the death--murder, rather--of that gallant prince the Duc d'Enghien +deprived me of a protector upon whom I could always rely. This, +followed by an unfortunate duel, the circumstances of which will be +detailed later, precipitated matters. The Edict of Fontainebleau +served as a weapon to my enemies, and it was put in force with the +utmost rigour against me. My principal accuser was my unnatural +step-brother the Vidame d'Orrain. He went so far as to charge me with +aiding and harbouring the members of the New Heresy, and the discovery +of a small leaflet printed at Geneva amongst my books was held to be +sufficient proof against me. The affair of the duel I might have lived +through, but this meant death. I took refuge in flight; it was the +only course. I was condemned in my absence by the Chambre Ardente to +the extreme penalty, and what remained of my property was given to +Simon, who shared it with Diane, the mistress of the King. + +Thus at five and twenty I found myself an exile, and penniless. One +friend alone remained to me, and this was a young man of Orrain called +Pierrebon, whom I have mentioned before. Through good and ill he +adhered to me with ancient fidelity, and he lives still, honoured and +trusted by all who know him. + +Together we sought a refuge in the Low Countries, and there I learned +the first great lesson of my life, and that was to live by honest work. +For five years I labored, until I had amassed sufficient to give me a +small estate of about fifty écus. + +During those five years so many things had happened--I myself was so +changed--that I began to think that I and my affairs had been consigned +to oblivion, and that I might safely return to France. One day I was +seized with an uncontrollable desire to see my native land once again. +I determined to do so then and there, and a fortnight later, +accompanied by Pierrebon, I was in Paris. + +I had every reason to confirm the opinion I had formed, that I and my +doings had been forgotten. In the humble class to which I now belonged +no one had ever heard of the Chevalier d'Orrain. Here in Paris I felt +I was safe, and I consequently determined to fix my abode in the great +city. I hired an apartment in the Rue des Lavandières, and established +myself there, giving out that I was a fencing-master. No pupils came; +but at any rate there was peace and contentment. I formed no +acquaintances except one, a certain Camus, a glove-maker, who had an +apartment above mine. For some reason or other this man forced himself +upon me, and though at first I repulsed his attentions he would not be +denied, and I grew to tolerate him. He was possessed of extraordinary +learning, and, under the guise of his ostensible calling, plied another +terrible trade--those who know the story of Jeanne of Navarre will know +what I mean. + +This I was unaware of at the time; but, despite myself, the man's +conversation interested me, so that I occasionally yielded to his +importunities, and visited him for an hour or so after supper, when we +passed the time in discussion. + +In this manner close upon six years elapsed, until I myself had almost +forgotten in the Bourgeois Broussel--the name I assumed--the once +brilliant Chevalier d'Orrain. Pierrebon alone knew my secret, and he +was as silent as the grave. At times the honest fellow would speak +hopefully of a good day to come; but I poured cold water on that, and, +pointing to my lute and my copy of "Plutarch's Lives," was wont to say +that there was enough happiness there for my life without seeking to +reopen the past or delve into the future. + +One night--I remember it well; it was the night of Pentecost, in the +year 1555--I went up, at Camus' request, to his apartment. I had not +seen the old man for some time, and our talk was longer than usual. By +some chance we began to discuss poisons, and Camus opened the stores of +his curious knowledge. He had studied, he said, with a strange smile, +the works of the Rabbi Moses bin Maimon, and was possessed of antidotes +for each of the sixteen poisons; but there was one venom, outside the +sixteen, the composition of which he knew, but to which there was no +antidote. On my inquiry he stated that this was the poison used by the +Borgia, and it was prepared as follows: + +A bear having been caught, it was made to swallow a draught of _Acqua +di Borgia_. On this beginning to take effect the bear was suspended +head downwards. Whilst the animal was in convulsions there poured from +his mouth a foamy stream. This, collected in a silver vessel and +securely bottled, was the Borgia venom, and to this there was no +antidote. + +I made some remark of horror, and he laughed a dry, crackling laugh, +and rose from his seat. + +"I will show you," he said, and was moving towards a press when we were +startled by a cry from the street--a cry for help: + +"_A moi_! _A moi_!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +I BECOME THE OWNER OF A RING + +I started from my seat, and Camus, with a turn and a step, reached the +window, where, resting his hands on the mullions, he leaned far out. I +was on his heels; but the window was narrow, a mere slit, and so I +could see nothing below. Late as it was the cry had, however, reached +other ears than ours as well. Here and there a dim light glowed for an +instant or so in an overhanging window. Here and there a shadowy +figure appeared at a balcony, only to vanish like a ghost after peering +for a moment in the direction of the sound. This was all the interest, +all the attention it excited, and this spoke for the times. + +"What is it? Can you see anything?" I asked, craning over Camus' +shoulder; and, as if in answer to my question, the cry rang out again, +just below the window: + +"_A moi_! _Au secours_!" Then came an oath, and the rasp of steel. + +"They are killing someone there," said Camus; "killing with clumsy +steel. Well! 'tis an affair for the watch." And with a shrug of his +lean shoulders he turned back. But I waited to hear no more. Drawing +my sword I made all haste down the stairway and into the street, and +there before me, where the moonlight glistened on the mud and on the +green and slimy cobble stones of the Rue des Lavandières, two men, +their backs to the wall, fought for their lives against four, whilst a +fifth, who seemed to direct them, stood a little apart. + +The odds were heavy against the two. All the heavier because one, +dressed in the bizarre attire of jester, had no sword but only a dagger +for defence. Nevertheless, with his short cloak wrapped over his left +arm, and the dagger in his right hand, he held his own with skill and +courage. + +The attack, however, was chiefly directed upon his companion, a +fair-haired man, with a short moustache and beard. He had lost his +hat. There was a red line of blood on his face from a wound in the +forehead, and a twitching smile on his lips; but he fought silent as a +wolf. + +A thrust that would have found his heart was parried, but not by him. +Quick as thought, the swordless man by his side hit up the bravo's +rapier with his left arm, and the blade, stabbing the air, struck and +bent against the stones of the wall just over shoulder-height. + +"_Sus_! _sus_!" cried the leader of the night-hawks; and he ran forward. + +Clearly it was time that help came. So I passed my sword through one +of the bravos, and as the others, surprised and disconcerted, gave way +a little, I ranged myself beside the two. + +"Courage!" I said, "affairs are more equal now." + +Cursing and growling, spitting like so many cats, the villains came on +with a rush, their leader first. A long arm and a long sword are, +however, great advantages in affairs of this kind, and I took him on +the riposte. A cry and a gasp, a sword clattered on to the pavement, +and the stricken man spun round and, holding his hand to his side, +tried to stagger off, but after stumbling a few steps he fell in a heap +in the shadow. + +This settled the matter. The others, seeing their leader hit, waited +for no more, but fled. There was no pursuit. For a few brief seconds +we heard the patter of running feet, and then all was still. + +We stood, all three staring at each other, and then the fair-haired man +held out his hand, saying simply: "I thank you, monsieur!" + +I met his grasp, expressing at the same time my concern for his wound. + +"It is not much, I think--all due to a weak parry on my part." And he +strove with a gold-laced handkerchief to staunch the blood that was +flowing somewhat freely. I was about to offer what help I could when +the jester cut in. + +"Faith of a fool!" he said, sheathing his dagger, "my gossip here is +apt to make light of these scratches; but I would give my cap and bells +now for a little salve." + +"If you will come into my house, messieurs--'tis but a step--we will +see to the hurt." + +I almost repented of my offer the moment after I made it, for I caught +the jester plucking at my friend's sleeve in warning; but the other +laughed, and, addressing me in a high and gracious way, said: + +"Monsieur, once more thanks! I accept your offer. Of a truth!" and he +ruefully looked at his handkerchief, "this is a trifle too much cupping +for me." + +I bowed, and led the way across the road; but the jester stayed us, +calling out in his high-pitched tones: + +"Just a look at this carrion! One may as well see upon whom our friend +here has put his mark." So saying he stooped and turned over the man, +the first of the two who had fallen. He lay half in a stagnant pool of +water, and was quite dead, as we could see, for the moon fell clearly +on his evil and distorted face and horny, film-covered eyes. + +"As dead as imperial Caesar," said the jester; "nor can I say who or +what he was. St. Siege! Stay--see this!" And throwing back the man's +cloak, which half covered his breast, he pointed with his fingers at a +crest embroidered on the doublet. It was a crescent in silver, with a +scroll beneath it, and as we all stooped down to see, the jester's keen +eyes met those of his companion. + +"The scroll explains all," he said, as if in reference to the attack +upon them: "it is _totum donec impleat orbem_." + +"Diane?" + +"Yes; Diane de Poitiers--Diane, Duchess of Valentinois--Diane, the +curse of France! But I should play the Caliph Aaron no more, and keep +home of nights; better still, take horse with the dawn for Navarre!" + +There was a strange earnestness in the speaker's voice. There he was, +one knee to ground, a finger resting on the ill-omened crest of the +mistress of the King, the moon shining on his rich dress of black and +gold, on the sharp, weasel-like face, and keen eyes that looked up at +his friend. + +"There is more in this than I thought at first," I said to myself, and +scanned the features of the dead man more closely. He looked like a +foreigner, and, saying that I was going to see after the other, I +turned away, but with my ears skinned, as I began to dislike the affair +exceedingly. + +As I suspected, the jester began to warn his friend once more. + +"Monseigneur, there has been enough folly for tonight, and your wound +is but slight. Go not into the house! Let us thank him--reward him if +you will--but let us be off!" + +"Hush, Le Brusquet!" said the other in the same low tone. "There is no +fear, and if there is danger I turn not from it." + +I had heard enough, and seen enough too. The other man had got off +somehow. He had fallen, it is true, but recovered himself sufficiently +to make away. One can never be sure of the riposte in an uncertain +light, and uncertain moonlight is worst of all. + +"He has got off," I said as I returned; "and 'twere well to have your +wound looked after, if you mean to have it done." + +With this I led the way to the door of my house, and opening it bade +them enter. The fair-haired man passed in at once, but I caught a +gleam in Le Brusquet's hand as he followed. He had drawn his dagger +once more. + +My first thought had been, much as I disliked him, to ask Camus to help +me in dressing the wound; but upon consideration, and chiefly, after I +had heard Le Brusquet address his friend as "Monseigneur," I deemed it +preferable that I should see to it myself. I had some experience in +these things. A soldier should know how to stop as well as to let +blood; and by way of precaution I always keep a little store of +remedies at hand, for one never knows when they may be needed, as they +were then. With this in my mind I led the way up into my apartment. +Here, I may mention, I had established myself modestly but comfortably. +It is true that the walls were bare, except for a demi-suit of mail, a +couple of swords, and a banner I had taken at Cerisolles; but for the +rest, what with my books--I had five in all--and my lute, I flattered +myself that I had all that a man needed. + +Pierrebon was asleep on a settle, and I had to call twice ere I could +wake him, for he slept like the dead. But he rose quickly enough, and +lit the candles. Then, bidding him fetch me materials for dressing a +cut, I begged my guests to be seated. It was the first chance we had +of really seeing each other. The jester Le Brusquet I did not +recognize at all, though I noticed the royal cipher on his pourpoint. +As for the other, there is only one house in France that bears such +features, and the greatest of them all is now King, and owes his being +to the man who stood before me. + +As the lights fell on us I noticed a quick glance pass between the two, +and Le Brusquet's hand moved beneath his cloak. It was as if suspicion +were gone and he had resheathed his poniard. I smiled to myself; but +Pierrebon now entered with a ewer and the things I required. He placed +these on the table, and at a look from me, which he understood, +vanished again. + +I set myself at once to dress the wound, which was, after all, but a +slight affair, though it had bled freely. I said so as I finished, +adding that if it had been a trifle deeper the business would have been +serious; but, as it was, a couple of days would mend matters entirely, +except for a patch. + +"Not Frenel himself could have tended me better," said the wounded man. +"Monsieur, I am deeply obliged to you." + +And Pierrebon entering at this time with some wine I begged them to do +me the honour to drink a cup. + +This they willingly assented to, and filling three cups from the flagon +I raised mine on high. + +"Messieurs, a toast for all good Christians! Down with the crescent!" + +They understood and drank--Le Brusquet with a searching look in his +eyes and a smile on his lips, and his companion with a reckless laugh. + +And now they rose. "Monsieur," said the wounded man, "will you add to +your kindness by telling us to whom we are indebted? You are a +soldier--I can see that--and I can keep that sword of yours from +rusting if you will." + +So he had not recognised me! Well, ten years make a difference! And +yet, if once, he had seen me a hundred times in the days when his +valiant brother Enghien lived. I began to feel sure that if he did not +know me I was safe indeed; but I had no mind to change my present peace +for any other life, and so made answer: + +"Monseigneur, it were idle for me to say that I do not know you. Rest +assured that were I so minded I could follow no braver or more generous +prince than Antony of Vendôme, but my sword is hung to the wall. My +name is Broussel. I am bourgeois, as you see, and having a small +estate of fifty écus have all that suffices for the simple needs of a +citizen such as I. Monseigneur, the little service I rendered is +small; let it be forgotten. Nevertheless, I thank you for the kind +offer you have made." + +I delivered this speech with a respectful air, but yet in a tone that +carried the conviction that my resolve was unchangeable. + +"As you will," said the Duke, with some coldness of manner. "A Bourbon +does not offer twice. And so, farewell! I fear 'tis a long road and +an ugly road we have yet to travel, thanks to my folly--eh, Le +Brusquet?" + +Out of the tail of my eye I had been watching Le Brusquet. All this +time he had been engaged in examining the silver cup from which he had +drunk his wine--a relic of my past splendour. He toyed with it this +way and that, looking at the arms engraved thereon, and comparing them +with those on the flagon. Then his little eyes stole a swift, +searching glance at me, and a smile--just the shadow of a +smile--flickered over his lips. He had not, however, lost a word of +what was passing between Vendôme and myself, and on the Duke addressing +him he put down the cup he held in his hand, saying quietly: "If +Monsieur Broussel will add to his kindness by lending me a sword it +may, perhaps, be better for us, and I promise faithfully to return it." + +Without a word I took a sword from the wall and handed it to Le +Brusquet, who received it with a bow, and then, turning to the Duke, I +offered to accompany them to the end of the street, which was an evil +place even by day. I added that a little beyond the end of the street +was the Gloriette, where the guards of Monsieur the Lieutenant of the +Châtelet were to be found, and that thence their way would be safe. + +The Duke pulled a long face, apparently at the thought of having to +disclose his identity to the guards of the Châtelet, but Le Brusquet +cut in with a "Let it be so, Monseigneur. Three are better than two, +except in love-making." + +At this the Duke laughed, and agreed, and we all three went out into +the street, which twisted and wound its crooked way towards the river +face between two rows of overhanging houses, that seemed as if they +were ever threatening to fall over and bury it in their ruins. + +For a little we walked without a word; for Antony of Vendôme--fickle +and vain, at once the hope and despair of his time--felt himself hurt +and aggrieved by the refusal of his offer, and for a space preserved a +sulky silence. Ere we had gone a quarter mile, however, his +temper--variable as the wind--began to change and his kindly nature to +reassert itself. We were passing the house of the Duplessis Richelieu +when he spoke. + +"_Eh bien_, Monsieur Broussel, change your mind and think better of my +offer. What with one thing and another there is steel in the air at +present, and a stout heart and a good sword such as you are may make an +estate of fifty écus five hundred or more. Come, think of it!" + +I felt my blood warm within me in spite of my fancied devotion to my +contented life; but I thought of that affair of the duel, of the +judgment of the Chambre Ardente, and above all, of Simon and the cards +he held against me. Besides, I knew Vendôme, and so I refused once +more. + +"Well, well," he said, "as you will; but never say Antony of Vendôme +was ungrateful." + +We had by this time reached the point where the road opened out upon +the river face, and halted together in the moonlight. + +A little distance from us lay the Seine, shining in scales of hammered +brass. The convicts were still on the Gloriette. Poor wretches! They +slaved there day and night, and lights were moving to and fro amongst +them as the guards watched them at their toil. They were singing a +weird refrain--a chorus--ever and again interrupted by yells and curses +as the lash of the task-master fell on some victim of his hatred or +sluggard at work. + +"Here we part, Monseigneur!" I said. "The lieutenant of the Châtelet +will give you guards to escort you farther." + +I bowed to both, and would have gone--for I thought it well not to be +mixed up further in this matter--but the Duke stayed me. He had taken +off his glove, and was fumbling with a ring on his finger. This he +drew off and thrust into my hand. + +"Keep this, monsieur. Remember, if ever you want a friend you have but +to send it to me. Farewell!" + +"_Au revoir_!" cried Le Brusquet, who had up to now preserved silence. +"Remember, Le Brusquet is also your debtor doubly--once for a life and +once for a sword--and forget not my address is the sign of the +Crescent." + +With this mocking allusion to the Louvre and to Diane de Poitiers' +influence there, he followed on the heels of Vendôme, leaving me with +the ring in my hand. + +I watched them until they were lost in the shivering haze. They never +sought the Gloriette, but kept on the right, making directly for the +Louvre. + +Then I looked at the ring. It was light enough for me to see that it +was a plain gold signet in the shape of a shield, with the arms of +Béarn--two cows on a field _Or_--cut thereon. + +"Perhaps," I said to myself, "I shall need it some day." With this I +slipped it on my finger, and went back. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +MY PYRAMID OF CARDS COMES DOWN + +I may say at once that in this chronicle it often befalls that I have +to describe the actions and deal with the motives of others. In doing +this I have given no rein to idle fancy, but have strictly followed +what those who played a part in my life have told me. + +To show that my authorities in this respect are beyond reproach I have +but to mention the names of my friends--Blaise Ste. Marie de Lorgnac, +now, as all know, the Maréchal Duc de Lorgnac; and Nicholas d'Ayen, +Sieur de Besme, of the Quercy, who acted so strange a part in his day +under the name of Le Brusquet. Each of these is prepared on his faith, +as knight and gentleman, to support my words, either on foot or on +horseback, with sword or with lance, and in this respect I too am ready +to cross a blade, or run a course; and so, God defend the Truth! + +If further proof is needed I beg leave to refer to the confession of +the Italian, Torquato Trotto, made at his expiation, which gives many +and curious details, especially of what happened in Le Jaquemart, and +which is registered in the archives of the Parliament of Paris, where +all who list may see it. There is yet one other whom I could name, one +who is ever at my side, and who for good or for ill has taken me as +part of her life; but for the present the names I have cited are +sufficient, and I shall say no more on the subject. + +On returning to my apartment after leaving Vendôme and Le Brusquet I +found old Camus at the door awaiting me. He entered with me, saying: + +"I watched it all from the window. Hey! but it was well done!" + +I pretended to take no notice of this remark, and pressed some +refreshment upon him; but the old rascal refused, and sat with his knee +between his hands, rocking himself backwards and forwards. He went on +to make some roundabout inquiries as to who the persons were to whose +assistance I had gone, but I told him plainly that I did not desire to +discuss the subject. + +Becoming nettled at this, he said: "Ho! ho! and so you do not trust me, +Monsieur Broussel! Well, I tell you I know at any rate who it is that +lies dead out there, for I have been to see, and it will not take long +for me to find out the rest." + +"Go and find out, then!" I said somewhat roughly, being annoyed in my +turn. + +At which he rose in a white heat. "That I will," he said; "and you +will find that the hand of Madame Diane, soft as it is, can grip +hard--hard, mind you, Monsieur Broussel!" + +With this he flung out; and so we, who but an hour or two ago were in +friendly converse, parted in anger, and with stormy words. + +In a manner I was not sorry for this, for in my heart I always felt a +warning against him, and there was something so ominous, so evil, in +his face as he left that I felt assured he would strike a felon blow at +the first opportunity. + +The more I reflected on what had happened, and on Camus' threat in +connection with Diane de Poitiers, the more I began to see a crop of +dangers ahead of me. I began to think it well to retire to some other +city. In this I was influenced by the fact that, if there were trouble +about the dead man and I were involved in it, as after Camus' words I +felt I should certainly be, it was hardly possible that I could escape +being recognised. + +The sentence against me, cruel and unjust as it was, stood still, and, +once I was discovered, it would be put into force for certain. + +Like a prudent general, I felt I must beat a retreat. The bulk of my +money was in trustworthy hands in Antwerp, but in my oak chest were a +hundred gold crowns of the sun--a great stand-by and help in the hour +of trouble. + +There was nothing for it but to go, and, summoning Pierrebon, I told +him of my intention. We set to work to pack a valise at once. This +being done, we waited for the small hours. + +It was about four in the morning that I decided to move, and taking a +last look at the place where I had lived so long in peace I went out +into the street, followed by Pierrebon bearing the valise. I had to +leave everything behind except the barest necessities and my money, and +to trust the well-being of my goods to Fortune. The jade was unkind +enough to forget me in this matter, which put me to heavy loss. + +It was, of course, impossible to leave Paris at this hour, as the gates +would be shut; but behind the Abbey of St. Germain de Pres was a little +hostel called the Chapeau Rouge, where I knew I could find shelter +until I could procure a couple of horses and be off. + +At four in the morning night-hawks are abed, and even the convicts had +ceased working on the Gloriette. The moon had gone, and it was dark +now--the darkness that precedes the dawn. + +We met not a soul as we stumbled along, and coming out at length to the +Vallée de Misère we passed the Gloriette, and kept to our right along +the river face, until almost opposite the Church of St. Germain +l'Auxerrois. Here moored to the bank were a number of boats, the +boatmen sleeping within them. Groping about in the darkness--such +noises as we made being fortunately drowned by the continual lap, lap +of the water against the sides of the boat, and their creaking and +groaning as they rubbed against each other--we at length found a small +empty boat tied to a large one. Favoured by darkness, we loosened the +knot, and, taking to the oars, crossed the river without being +perceived by a soul. + +Once on the opposite bank we made the boat fast to some piles of wood +near the water's edge, and leaving a piece of silver for the boatman, +which I trust he found, we took the road to the Abbey of St. Germain. +Near here we found a retreat in the scaffolding of a house that was +being repaired. There we stayed until it was light, and about six in +the morning arrived at the inn, as though we were early travellers who +had entered Paris on the opening of the Porte St. Germain. In this +manner, favoured by luck, and by the exercise of caution, I bade +farewell to the Rue de Lavandières, and gave Camus the slip, without +leaving any trace behind me. + +The Chapeau Rouge was an inn mostly frequented by students, and in my +younger days I knew it well, though, to be sure, more than a dozen +years had passed since I last entered it. It was surrounded by a large +garden, enclosed by a high wall, and I could have chosen no better +place for my purpose, which was to lie close during the day, and, as +soon as horses were procured, to depart at dusk, about the hour of the +shutting of the gates. + +As it happened, on this day there was scarce a soul at the inn, all the +usual customers having been drawn away to witness the execution of a +Portuguese named Gomez, who had been found guilty of sorcery, +witchcraft, and other crimes, and was to suffer in expiation on the +Place Maubert. + +This ill wind, however, blew fair for me, as it left me undisturbed; +and sending Pierrebon to purchase or hire horses I awaited his return. + +It was well on in the afternoon, and the sun being hot I was resting in +the shade of the garden wall, when from within a summer-house all +covered with roses, that stood near to me, I heard a lute string +touched by a master-hand, and a man's voice, full and clear, began to +sing "The Three Cavaliers." With a rush a hundred recollections of the +past came back to me, and I felt myself once more a heedless boy, +sitting on that very same seat where the singer was now, and singing +the same song. I rose and went forward, and to my surprise saw it was +Le Brusquet, lute in hand, and by his side there sat a small brown ape, +a collar of gold round his neck. + +I listened till the last of the song, and was about to turn away; but, +the ape running out of the summer-house at the time, the jester put his +head through the entrance, with a "Back! Pompon! back!" and caught +sight of me. + +In a moment he was by my side, and, willy-nilly, forced me into the +summer-house. + +"The very man I wanted," he said. "I came here to think of you. I +always come here when in doubt or trouble--and here you are--dropped +from the clouds." He poured out some wine for me, and when we had +drank a health together he asked me: + +"_Eh bien_, monsieur, tell me how you came here; tell me all, for I am +a friend." + +It was impossible not to see this, and in a few words I told him. He +listened gravely the while, stroking his ape's head. + +When I had done he spoke. "I too have something to tell you. There is +an outcry about Madame Diane's Italian--the first time an outcry has +been made about any such scum. This morning there was a scene at the +_petit couvert_. I was there. The short of it is that the King, my +gossip, sided with his mistress as against Vendôme. Words ran so high +that the Duke was ordered to leave Paris, which he did at once." + +I looked at the ring on my finger, and Le Brusquet saw the look. + +"I fear," he said, "that little talisman has lost its power for the +present; but, to go on, I had other business in the morning which I +could not avoid. Towards eleven o'clock I hastened to the Rue des +Lavandières to return your sword and to warn you. To my relief you +were not there. Your hermit's paradise is gone, and an angel, in the +form of one of M. Morin's guards, is at the door. Instead of a flaming +sword he carries an arquebus----" + +"It is quick work," I cut in; "and they have seized everything, I +suppose?" + +"Yes; everything. And your ostensible accuser and witness against you +is one Camus, a glove-maker. He laid an information against you at +sunrise. He was with Valentinois an hour later. Diane rises with the +dawn, you know; and he is her glove-maker." + +"So he has struck hard, and struck quickly." + +"Yes; there is very little glove about his action. And more, Diane +seems bent upon avenging the death of her Italian. But, monsieur, what +is your next move?" + +I explained my intention, and how I proposed to quit Paris; whereat he +shook his head. + +"It will not do," he said; "the gates are watched. So far you have +beaten them, but there you will fail, and here detection is certain." + +"I must risk something." + +"As little as possible." And after a pause: "What do you say to the +Louvre?" + +"The Louvre!--the lion's den!" + +"The safest place on earth. See here, Monsieur Broussel. I owe you my +life; give me a chance to make some return. Can you trust me enough to +put yourself in my hands? I will not fail you. It is not Le Brusquet +the King's jester, but Nicholas d'Ayen, Sieur de Besme, of the Quercy, +who pledges his word." + +We stared each other in the face, and my good genius came to my elbow. + +"Yes," I said. + +In short, it was arranged that I should meet him towards sunset at the +entrance to the tennis court, east of the Louvre. There was some +difficulty about Pierrebon and the horses; but in this Le Brusquet +again came to my aid, and it was settled that Pierrebon should find +shelter in a house in the Rue Tire Boudin, which belonged to Monsieur +Blaise de Lorgnac, Seigneur of Malezieux, and lieutenant of the Queen's +guard, the same being a tried and true friend of my new-found +benefactor. + +Pierrebon at this moment returning, I hailed him. He had been +unsuccessful in his attempt to obtain horses such as we needed, but +hoped to do so the next day; and shortly after Le Brusquet departed, +taking Pierrebon with him, and my valise. + +"Fast bind, safe find," he said as he pointed at Pierrebon; and then, +calling to his ape, went off. + +Towards the appointed time I found myself close to the parvis of St. +Germain l'Auxerrois. For some reason or other there was a greater +crowd than usual, and I was compelled to halt for a moment. Just at +this moment a body of eight or ten horsemen came trotting rapidly +towards the Châtelet. Their leader all but rode over a child, and +would certainly have done so had I not made a long arm and pushed it +aside. There was no doubt of it, the leading horseman was my brother +Simon, the Vidame d'Orrain, and I thanked my good star that, owing to +the dusk, the bustle, and the pace he was going at, he did not +recognise me. Something, however, struck him, for twice he turned back +to look. I did not wait for a third glance, and, mixing with the +crowd, was lost to view. + +At the gate of the tennis court I met Le Brusquet, and, passing through +a wicket, we entered the precincts of the Louvre. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE QUEEN'S MIRACLE + +Where the eastern wing of the Louvre rose high above the Rue St. Thomas +lay the apartments of Le Brusquet, at the end of a labyrinth of +passages and galleries. Having brought me here my friend left me, with +a warning not to stir forth until his return--a piece of advice I was +quite prepared to follow. Once alone I stepped out into a small, +overhanging balcony, that clung like a beehive to the leprous grey of +the wall, and, sitting well under cover of the battlements, looked +around. Far below me was a walled courtyard, in which an archer of M. +de Lorges' guard paced steadily backwards and forwards. Beyond this +lay the narrow Rue St. Thomas du Louvre, its many-storeyed houses +crowding one above the other, as if struggling for light and air. Here +were the spires of St. Thomas du Louvre, the church raised to the +martyr of Canterbury, and St. Nicaise. There lay the Quinze Vingts. +To the right stood the Campanile of St. Germain l'Auxerrois, all +empurpled in the afterglow of the sunset. Still farther, where the +mouth of the street opened out, was a glimpse of the Seine; and with a +turn of my head I could see, huge and vast, the enormous keep of the +Louvre, built by Philip Augustus, and evilly known as the Philippine. +But although my eyes, straining through the twilight, rested on these +and more, my thoughts were far away. At a puff my pyramid of cards, +the little life I had built up for myself, had come down, and all my +labour and toil were in vain. + +I am not of those who give way to despair; but the blue devils attack +the best hearted at times, and for once I felt the hopelessness of my +position, and began to think it useless to struggle further. Perhaps, +after all, it would be better to accept defeat and surrender myself. +Better that than being hunted like a hare, as I was. And then my +thoughts were cut short. Something soft and furry sprang into my lap. +It was Pompon, Le Brusquet's ape, and he looked into my face with soft, +melancholy eyes. + +"Poor little beast!"--and I stroked him. "You at least build no +pyramids of cards." + +"_Tudieu_!" said a voice, "that is true, but for pulling them down he +has no equal." And Le Brusquet appeared at the window, which opened +out upon the balcony. + +I rose and came in. Le Brusquet stepped back and seated himself on a +table, and then for the first time I noticed a third person in the +room--a tall, soldierly man, with the collar of The Order at his neck. +With a wave of his hand Le Brusquet presented me to the stranger, whom +I found was M. de Lorgnac, the lieutenant of the Queen's guard--he in +whose house Pierrebon had obtained shelter. + +I thanked him for the kindness he had shown in this, to one so utterly +unknown as I was to him; but he stayed me with a smile, saying that in +this or any other matter I could command him, as the friend of Le +Brusquet, and went on to pay me a handsome compliment in regard to the +affair of the previous night. + +"An affair that is like to place me on the road to Montfauçon," I said +a little bitterly. + +"On the contrary," replied De Lorgnac, "rather, perhaps, on the road to +better things." + +"Hearken not unto him!" said Le Brusquet; "he is for ever looking out +for recruits for his guard. Blaise de Lorgnac is as insatiable a +stirrer of the porridge of the times as I; only I use a longer ladle, +as beseems a person of my wisdom. As for you, _mon ami_ Blaise,--you +throw your lures in vain! Know you that Monsieur Broussel is a +philosopher, who has found contentment in--fifty écus a year, did you +not say, monsieur?" And, reaching for his lute, he ran his fingers +over the strings and began to sing: + + "Mes amis, la terre est à moi. + J'ai de quoi + Vivre en roi + Si l'éclat me tente. + Les honneurs me sont devolus + J'ai cinquante écus, + J'ai cinquante écus, + J'ai cinquante écus de." + + +"_Mille tonnerres_! Stop! Do you want to bring half the Louvre here +to listen?" And De Lorgnac placed his hand over the singer's mouth, +and took the lute from him. + +"Enough!" said Le Brusquet; "you have banished the inspiration. I sing +no more. And as for you, Monsieur Blaise, take yourself off with that +long sword of yours. It frightens the ape, and I have that to say +which is for M. Broussel's ear alone." + +"_Au revoir_!" said Lorgnac, but as he reached the door he turned to me. + +"Your Pierrebon is safe and sound in the Rue Tire Boudin. He has +received orders not to stir forth. In the matter of the horses--you +must let that be my care." And without waiting for reply he went away. + +"I know not how to thank M. de Lorgnac or you----" I began, but Le +Brusquet cut in: + +"As yet the thanks are due from me, and Lorgnac is helping me to pay my +debts. And now listen, _mon ami_. One half the world consists of +fools who give advice, and the other half of idiots who refuse to +benefit by it; let me for once see an exception to the rule." + +"I hardly follow you." + +"I will explain. Between us there is this difference. In the search +for happiness that every man makes I remained in the world, and you +left it and turned philosopher. The result is that I am fairly +satisfied with life, whereas you are sick of it in your heart. Yet, +until this disaster came to you, you tried to play the happy man with +your lute, your 'Plutarch's Lives,' and your hermit's cell of a house. +Is it not so?" + +I made no answer, and he continued: + +"Last night, for some reason of your own--perhaps because you still +clung to your belief in your own way of life--you refused a chance; +that chance has gone; but another is left, and it remains for you to +take it or not." + +"What is left?" + +"What is left is this. Last night you refused the sauce of a prince of +the blood; to-day will you refuse the soup of a Queen?" + +"Of a Queen!" + +"Yes; of the Queen of France. In brief, the Queen wants a reliable +person to do something for her. It must be someone unknown to the +Court. Will you undertake the business or not? It will, at any rate, +enable you to leave Paris in safety, in broad day if you will, though +out of Paris you may have to look to your skin." + +Like an old war-horse I scented the battle, and my blood flamed through +me. Le Brusquet was right. With cunning knowledge he had pulled at my +heart-strings, and laid bare my secret to myself. Win or lose, I now +knew that I had to come back to the world; and it should be now. I +rose to my feet. + +"I accept," I said, "whatever is offered me." + +"I thought you would," he answered; "and I may tell you that De Lorgnac +knows of this. At first it was he who was to have undertaken the +affair; but he is too well known, and the Queen would have none of him. +He it was who suggested your name to me; and," he went on, with a +smile, "it was all prearranged that he should leave us together, so +that I might open the matter to you." + +"But the Queen! Perhaps----" + +"There is no perhaps about it. The Queen asked De Lorgnac to find her +an agent, and he has named you." + +"I was going to say that if the Queen finds I am bourgeois----" + +"We can leave the matter of a coat-of-arms to the Queen." And he +laughed as he continued: "Perhaps that may come to the plain Monsieur +Broussel--and--it has just gone compline, and we, or rather you, must +see the Queen." + +"I am ready," I said. + +"Then let us be away! Everything has gone well. The King has left for +Fontainebleau to hunt the boar. He started this afternoon; Madame +Diane is with him. The royal children are at St. Germain-en-Laye, and +but for its guards the Louvre is deserted; there is no one here but the +Queen. Come, then!" + +With a whistle to the ape, which hopped along in front of us, he opened +the door and passed out, I following on his heels. Outside, we found +ourselves in a maze of twisting passages, along which my guide went +with quick, light steps. Finally, we turned into an arched doorway, +and, ascending a stair, stood on the roof of one of the galleries +connecting the wings of the Louvre with the great keep. + +The twilight was dead, but the moon was rising in a clear, cloudless +sky. By her light we walked along the lonely battlements until we +reached a flight of steps, upon which the shadow of the Philippine fell +darkly. Arrived at the head of the steps we gained an embattled +balcony, giving access, by means of a lancet arch, into the keep. +Through this we passed, and entered a long, low corridor. So low, +indeed, that by raising the baton he carried in his hand Le Brusquet, +though not a tall man, could easily reach the joints of the groined +roof. Here we stood for a space, where a banner of moonlight lay on +the floor--the ape a dark spot in its whiteness. All was silent as the +grave. Once there was a startling rush of wings as a homing-pigeon +flew past the open arch and hissed off into the night. All was in +semi-gloom, except where the moon lit the floor at our feet, and where, +at intervals, a dim yellow halo marked the spot where a feeble lamp was +burning in a niche set far back in the huge walls. + +"And this leads to the Queen's apartment," whispered Le Brusquet, with +a shrug of his shoulders, as he led the way along the gallery, which +curved with the shape of the keep. On rounding the curve it came to an +abrupt ending. Here a lamp swung by a chain from the roof, and by its +light we dimly saw before us a large door, firmly closed, and seeming +to bar all further progress. Near the door a man was seated in an +alcove in the wall, his knees almost up to his chin, his drawn sword in +his hand. He swung round on to his feet as we came up. It was De +Lorgnac. + +"The Queen awaits you," he said, without further greeting, and tapped +twice at the door. It was opened at once, and both Le Brusquet and +myself were about to step in when De Lorgnac laid his hand on the +former's arm. + +"M. Broussel alone," he said, drawing Le Brusquet back, and I passed +through the door. + +I found myself in a small ante-chamber; but there was not a soul +within. I stood for a moment irresolute, when the door behind me +opened once again, and I heard De Lorgnac's voice. + +"Onwards! Through the curtains ahead of you." + +This I did, and entered a large room, richly furnished. The light, +bright though soft, of the tall candles burning in grotesque holders +fell on the curtains of violet velvet, starred with the golden lilies +of France, on the rare tapestry, that covered the walls, on embroidered +cushions and quaint carvings. There were flowers in abundance +everywhere; but their scent was killed by something that burned in a +cup held by a little bronze Ganymede, the odour of which filled the +room with a sweet but heavy scent. This room, like the other, was +likewise empty, and after glancing round twice to make sure, I took my +stand near a table, upon which there were some writing materials and a +pair of richly embroidered gloves. The sight of the gloves brought old +Camus back to my mind, and I was about to take one up, to look at the +workmanship, when I heard a footfall; the curtains were set aside, and +a woman stood before me. + +It was Catherine de Medicis herself. It was years since I had seen +her, then a young girl; but now, though still young, she was in the +bloom of ripened womanhood. People said that, with all her +accomplishments, she lacked courage, and was dull and stupid. As my +glance rested on the pale features, on the somewhat sullen mouth, and +on the dark, expressionless eyes before me, I began to think they were +right. To-day, however, I was also to begin learning a new lesson. +Others have since learned it too, and paid for the learning as lessons +have never been paid for before or after. She let fall the curtain she +held as I sank on one knee before her and extended me a shapely hand. +As I touched it with my lips she said in her deep-toned voice: + +"M. Broussel, arise!" + +I did so, and, moving towards the chair near the table, she sat down, +and began toying with one of the gloves, her eyes not meeting my look, +but surveying me with a swift sidelong glance. + +"_Eh bien_!" she said, "you are that M. Broussel who came so +opportunely to the rescue of my cousin of Vendôme." + +I bowed, and with another of her swift glances she asked: + +"And you are to be trusted?" + +"Your Majesty," I said, "I have but my word to offer for this--I have +none who will add his pledge to mine." + +"No one? Are you sure?" + +"Your Majesty, it is as I have said." + +A faint smile parted her lips, and she looked up at me suddenly and +quickly, her eyes as alive with intelligence as they had appeared dull +and lifeless before. + +"Well, monsieur, before I trust you," and she struck the glove she held +in her hand on the table, "it is necessary for me to tell you +something. Listen. Many years ago--I was new to France then--a young +gentleman of the best blood of Burgundy came to Paris, and entered at +the College of Cambrai. Well, he did what none other of his time did, +nor has any of his order done the like since. He took the three +courses--took them brilliantly. You follow me?" + +"I am all attention, madame." My voice was as cold and measured as +hers, but in my heart I began to wonder if I would leave the room for a +journey to Montfauçon, with a halt by the way at the Châtelet. + +"But," she continued, "this man was not a mere bookworm nor a pedant, +though Le Brun, whose voice was the voice of the Sorbonne then, +prophesied a red hat for him. The red hat never came, nor did a +marshal's baton, though Bevilacqua himself foretold the latter one day, +as he brushed away a chalk mark just over the heart, where this young +man's foil had touched him. Bevilacqua, mind you--the best sword in +Europe!" + +I made as if about to speak. I was about to ask her bluntly what was +to be the end of this, but with a wave of her hand she stayed me. + +"Permit me to continue, monsieur! This man, or boy as he was then, was +true metal all through, but he was cursed with an open heart and +wealth. Let us say that the course of Philosophy unsettled his mind, +that the two campaigns in Italy brought but withered laurels. Let it +be what you will, but back he came to Paris; and because his blood was +warm, his spirits high, and his heart full of vanity and vain +imaginings, the red wine was poured forth, the dice rattled, fair women +smiled, and the gold crowns went. It was the old, old story; but the +pity of it, monsieur, was that it was such pure good steel that was +fretting thus to rust! Was it not?" + +She stopped, and looked at me again with her wonderful, searching eyes, +and I braced myself, as one who was about to receive a death-blow. + +"At last the end came. This brave, gallant--fool--yes, that is the +word--quarrelled with his best friend over a lady of the Marais--of the +Marais, mind you! This friend wanted to save him from himself. The +result was that those two, who had been like brothers, met each other +sword in hand under the lee of the Louvre, and one--it was not the +fool--fell." + +The words seemed to thunder in my ears. By some effort, I knew not +how, I managed to restrain myself, and her cold, passionless voice went +on: + +"After that came ruin--ruin utter and hopeless. And he who might have +been anything died like a dog of the streets." + +Something like a gasp of relief broke from me; but the Medicis had not +done yet. She rose swiftly, and for one brief second let her white +hand, glittering with rings, rest on my shoulder. It was for a moment +only, and then she let fall her hand, with a smile on her face. + +"They say, monsieur, that the age of miracles is past. Caraffa the +Legate smiles if you mention them. But I--I believe, for I know. The +dead have come back before. Why not again, Bertrand d'Orrain? Would +you live again, and pledge your faith for that of the Bourgeois +Broussel?" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE PORTE ST. MICHEL + +Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as +one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I +had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of +the existence of which few as yet were aware. + +In regard to the mission with which I was entrusted I am pledged to +preserve silence. The people concerned in it are dead, and when I +follow them the secret will go with me. Let it suffice for me to say +that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I +failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would +get from none. Hidden in the inner pocket of my vest was a dispatch to +Montluc, the King's lieutenant in the South. In my hand I openly bore +a letter, sealed with the _palle_ of the Medici, and addressed in the +Queen's own writing to the King. It was to be the means of my freeing +the gates of Paris if difficulty arose, and how it did so I shall +presently show. + +I found my friends awaiting me, and Le Brusquet asked: + +"Well, have you come forth a made man?" + +"Monsieur, I will answer you that," I said with assumed gravity, "if +you will tell me who betrayed me to the Queen." + +I looked from one to the other, and they both laughed. + +"Behold the traitor, then!" And Le Brusquet pointed with his finger at +me. + +"I?" + +"Yes, you!--as if you had called it from the housetops. _Mon ami_, did +ever hear of a bourgeois handling sword as you, or bearing arms _un coq +d'or griffe de sable, en champ d'azur_? Those arms are on your +wine-cups--if they exist still--they are on the hilt of the sword you +lent me." + +"_Morbleu_!" + +"But that is not all. In the gay, red days, when Lorgnac here and I +had all the world before us, we were of the College of Cambrai. It is +true we entered as you left; but we knew you, and when all Paris was +full of your name Lorgnac and I, and others whom you knew not, aped the +fall of your cloak, the droop of your plume, the tilt of your sword. +Those days are gone, and until last night you, I thought, were gone +with them." + +"Monsieur!" + +"Listen! There is more yet. I but told the Queen of the arms you +bore. She recognised them at once." + +"That is not strange; the Vidame d'Orrain is in Paris!" + +"True! But she remembered your history--every detail of it. It was +long ago, and many things have happened, and the Seine there has rolled +much water under its bridges since then, but she had forgotten nothing. +My friend, they who say the Medicis ever forgets are fools--blind in +their folly. And so, for the sake of last night, and a little for the +days that have gone, we will see pretty things yet, God willing! Eh, +De Lorgnac?" + +"I for one look forward to the day when a brave man will come to his +own," replied the other, and their kindness touched me to the quick. + +I am not one gifted with the power of speech--indeed, I hold that the +greater the tongue the smaller the heart--but I found words to thank +these gallant gentlemen, and De Lorgnac said: + +"Monsieur, it is enough thanks to hold us in your esteem, and we will +say no more about it. I have, however, some information that may be +useful. Your brother the Vidame left Paris this evening for the South, +it is said. Thus one danger is at any rate removed from your path." + +It was something to know that Simon was gone. I thanked De Lorgnac, +and added: + +"Now, messieurs, for my news. I know not if I have come forth from +that chamber"--and I pointed behind me--"a made man or not. This much +I know, I am the bearer of a letter, the delivery of which must not be +delayed, and I must leave Paris with the dawn, or before--horse or no +horse." + +"The horses I said were my care," De Lorgnac said. And then turning to +Le Brusquet: "Await me on the steps that lead to the eastern gallery; I +am relieved in less than an hour. We will then take monsieur here to +my house, where there are two horses in the stables at his disposal, +and the rest concerns himself." + +Le Brusquet and I went back as we came, his constant companion, the +ape, with us. Passing through the open arch I have already mentioned +we halted on the steps that lead from the balcony to the eastern wing, +and here we awaited De Lorgnac. + +For a little there was a silence. Perhaps we were both impressed by +the scene. In front lay the river, a band of silver, with here and +there the twinkling, swaying lights of a crossing boat upon it. All +around was the great city, and from the distance there came a murmuring +hum of voices, like waves lapping upon a far-off shore. Around us, +towering above and ringing us in with its immense strength, rose the +Louvre, its vast outlines looking, if possible, larger and more +gigantic in the enchanted light. + +After a space Le Brusquet began to speak of the Vidame, my brother, and +so we passed the time in converse until De Lorgnac came. He bade us +haste if we wished to quit the Louvre ere the pontlevis were raised, +and hurrying after him we made our way to the southern gate, the only +one open. As we went onwards the desolation that marked the entrance +to the Queen's apartments was no longer visible. Ever and again we +were stopped and challenged by sentries. + +"_Hein_!" exclaimed Le Brusquet, "the Scots archers keep good ward." + +"Quick! Hurry!" was De Lorgnac's answer. "There goes the first signal +for closing the gates!" + +And as he spoke a clarion rang out shrilly. We had reached the outer +court by this, and were hurrying for the bridge that led to the +pontlevis when we saw a tall man, his cuirass glittering like silver in +the moonlight, step out of the shadow and signal to a trumpeter, who +stood at his side. + +"A moment, De Lorges. Stay!" And Lorgnac ran up to him. "Faith! but +your time is punctual." + +Montgomery de Lorges laughed as he laid a restraining hand on his +trumpeter. "I have more than half a mind to give the signal," he said. +"There is a rare flagon of Arbois in my apartment, and you would have +been forced to share it. Come, change your mind and stay." + +"Thanks; but I cannot. We are bound to my house, where you are very +welcome if you care to come." + +"And leave my post? No, no!" + +"Au revoir, then." + +"Au revoir." + +And we passed over the bridge. Almost had we freed it when the trumpet +sounded again, and with a rattling of chains the huge pontlevis rose. + +"Faith! 'twas a narrow thing. Had we been but a minute later the Scot +would have barred all egress." And Le Brusquet looked back at the gate +through which we had passed. It lay on the other side of the +pontlevis--the fosse between us--and was of angular shape, surmounted +by a statue of Charles V. of France, and, as De Lorgnac said, was +already doomed to destruction to make way for the improvements +contemplated by the King. + +It was midnight now, and the streets were almost deserted, though here +and there were groups of people collected together for mutual +protection. As time was short we decided to take the Rue St. Thomas du +Louvre despite its ill-paved and noisome condition. Passing the +fountain near the Marché des Innocents we turned up by the St. Eustache +into the Tiquetonne, and thence Rue Tire Boudin was but a short step. +I need not say with what joy the good Pierrebon received me, and after +a light supper--in which, I fear, I did but scant justice to De +Lorgnac's Joué--I determined to snatch an hour or so of rest before +starting. Before doing so, however, Lorgnac took me to see the horses. +They looked what he said they were--good, stout roadsters. I asked him +his price, but, as I expected from one of his generous nature, he +offered them to me as a gift. This I was determined not to accept, and +finally, after much persuasion, he took forty crowns of the sun for the +two. This was barely their worth, but nothing would induce him to +accept a denier more. + +The valise I had packed contained the requisites for a journey, and +having changed my attire I decided to take such rest as I could get in +a chair until it was time to start. I seemed to have barely closed my +eyes when I was awakened again by the touch of a hand on my shoulder. +It was Le Brusquet. + +"_Eh bien_," he said, "but you sleep like an honest man! It has gone +three. The horses are ready, and De Lorgnac and Pierrebon await you +below. Come!" + +So saying he led the way down. We had to go to the stables, and in the +yard were the two horses ready saddled. Lorgnac was also there, and to +my surprise I saw that he too was mounted. + +"I will see you to the gates," he explained as he caressed his horse, a +magnificent grey charger. + +"And as for me," said Le Brusquet, "I will wish you good fortune here, +and a safe return, and the sword you lent me is in secure keeping." + +And so we rode out in the grey darkness of the morning through the +solitary streets, where there was never a sign of life except an +occasional dog, which--homeless and friendless--stared wistfully after +us as we went past. I had decided to leave Paris by the Porte St. +Michel, and this all the more as the captain of the gate--the Vicomte +de Créquy--was a near relative of De Lorgnac, and the passage through +might, perhaps, be made easier on this score. It was still dark as we +trotted down the Rue de la Harpe under the shadow of the Sorbonne, +having passed the Pont au Change and the Pont St. Michel without +difficulty, although we expected some check there. + +On our coming up to the Porte St. Michel the guard challenged us, +threatening to fire with his arquebus if we did not halt. This we were +compelled to do, and a parley ensued. The result was that the +under-officer of the guard came forth, with two or three of his men, +and allowed us to approach. + +On our coming up, and on my explaining that I desired to have the gates +opened, he swore as he surveyed us with the aid of a lantern that he +swung in our faces. + +"_Mordieu_!" he said, with a rough southern accent--and a grim old +soldier he was--"are you madmen, or have you dropped from the clouds, +not to know that the gates are shut and will not be opened till +sunrise?" + +"That may be, monsieur," I replied; "but I have a letter to the +King--to the King, mind you--which he must get ere he starts for the +hunt." + +"_He_!" he said doubtfully. "A letter to the King! You will have to +take it on wings, then. But from whom is this letter?" he added +suspiciously. + +"That, monsieur, does not concern you. The fact remains that I have +this letter, and it is you who will have to answer for its late +delivery, not I." + +"Then let me see it." + +I pulled out the letter and showed it to him, without, however, letting +it pass from my hands. He cast the light of the lantern on it, and +looked this way and that at the seals and at the address, muttering to +himself the while. + +"Devil take me! But I never could read. Here! Can any one of you +read this?" And he turned to his men, but they one and all shook their +heads. + +"I will read it for you if you like," said De Lorgnac as he pushed his +horse forwards. + +"You!" + +"Yes. I am Monsieur de Lorgnac, the lieutenant of the Queen's guard." + +The old soldier made a mock bow. "And I," he said, "am Agrippa +Pavanes, without a _De_, lieutenant of the Gate of St. Michel; and your +friend there is, I suppose, Monsieur _de_ Croquemort, lieutenant of +Trouands. And, as we all know each other now, I tell you plainly you +must hold patience by the tail as best you may until the gates are +opened. Letter or no letter, I will not let you through." + +And so saying he would have turned away, but Lorgnac said quietly: + +"You will be good enough, monsieur, to inform Monsieur de Créquy that I +am here and desire to see him at once." + +Agrippa Pavanes swung round and faced us, his hand on his sword-hilt. + +"I am in charge of this gate at present, and I will act as I think +best. I may not be able to read or write, but if you do not be off I +will make a full stop on you with the point of my sword," he snarled. + +Affairs were getting serious. Nor do I know what might have happened, +but at this juncture a head appeared at a window in one of the flanking +towers of the gate, and an angry and a sleepy voice asked what was the +matter below. + +"It is I, Créquy," began De Lorgnac, and the other exclaimed: + +"You! What in the--saints' name--brings you here, De Lorgnac, at this +hour of the night, or rather morning? Is it not enough that I am +banished here to keep watch over this infernal gate? And now you----" + +"Come, Créquy; this is a matter of urgency. There is a letter here +from the Queen which must reach the King before the _petit couvert_, +and your lieutenant will not let the messenger pass through the gates." + +"He is quite right! But a letter from the Queen, did you say?" + +"Yes; and to the King in person. Come down, and see for yourself." + +"Not I; I am in my shirt, and my health is delicate. Send up the +letter. Pavanes, do me the favour to bring it up." + +I handed the letter to Agrippa, who took it up, with very much the +surly air of a dog walking away with a bone. A moment after he too +appeared at the window with his light, and Créquy examined the letter +and the seals. + +"'Tis right, Pavanes," we heard him say; "'tis the Queen's own hand and +seal. Let the messenger through." And leaning out of the window he +repeated the same to us. + +De Lorgnac thanked him, regretting, at the same time, the necessity he +had of arousing him; and Créquy swore back, in mock tones of injury, +that he would have a special cell built for disturbers of his rest, +and, wishing us the day, retired abruptly. + +Agrippa carried out his orders with an ill grace, and made no answer to +my thanks; so, bidding farewell to De Lorgnac, I put spurs to my horse, +and, followed by Pierrebon, rode out of Paris. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +SIMON AND I MEET AGAIN + +The stars were yet shining as we skirted the heights of Charenton, but +it was day when we saw Villaneuve St. Georges on its wooded hill. +Here, where the Yères wound between banks covered with willows and +poplars, I first drew rein, and taking the King's letter from my pocket +tore it into a hundred fragments. Some I let drift down the stream, +and the remainder I scattered to the winds. I may say at once that +this was in accordance with the Queen's instructions. The letter was +merely intended to enable me to free the gates, and after that it was +to be destroyed. It had served its purpose, and now went its way. +Needless to add, I had no intention to touch at Fontainebleau or +disturb the _petit couvert_ of the King. At Melun, therefore, where +horse and man were refreshed, I crossed the bridge, and took the road +to Etampes. Half way, where the little town of Alais lies on the +Essonne, I turned due south, and entered the Orleannois by Malesherbes. + +There was many a league yet between me and Montluc, and though I had to +ride hard I had yet to husband the horses, lest they should break down, +or in case of emergency. + +By avoiding the main roads and large towns and keeping to by-paths I +lessened the chance of danger as much as possible. At Candes, which +lies at the junction of the Loire and the Vienne, I heard that the +Guidon of Montpensier was hard at hand, and, knowing well the +reputation of this person, I bade Pierrebon saddle up, and we started +without a meal, though we had ridden far and fast. In a short time we +entered the forest of Fontevrault, and my spirits rose high at the +thought that in a brief space I would be in Poitiers, where Montluc +lay, and my mission accomplished. + +So far so good; but towards midday I began to feel the need of rest, +and splashing across a ford of the Negron I called a halt on the +opposite bank and looked around me; whilst Pierrebon, who was a little +stiff, jumped from his hackney, and began to mop his brow and stretch +his legs. + +We were in the heart of the forest, and to the north, south, east, and +west of us there was nothing but trees and dense underwood, with here +and there a long, shimmering glade or an open space, through which a +small streamlet hummed, its banks gay with flowers. + +But I confess that at the moment I had no eyes for the scene--for the +yellow mary-buds, the blue of the wild hyacinth, or the white stars of +the wind-flowers; for leaf and shade, and all the enchantment of the +woodland. In brief, I was famished, and would have given a gold Henri +to have seen a signboard swinging in the air. And, besides, it was +dawning upon me that somehow we had missed the track. + +"Pierrebon," I said, "do you know how far it is to Marçay?" + +Pierrebon shook his head dolefully, saying as he did so that he did not +even know where we were. + +"Then, my friend, we are lost in Fontevrault Forest." + +Pierrebon made no answer to this, but mounted his hackney. And, +touching my nag with the spur, we cantered along a lean glade, trusting +that the track which ran along it would hap to be the right one. Now +and again as we sped onwards a startled deer would break cover and rush +through brake and bramble, and once an evil-tempered old boar, feeding +under an older oak, glared savagely at us as we passed, grinding his +tusks in senseless rage till the foam flecked his brindled sides. + +We were in the deeps of the forest now, and, high noon as it was, it +was grey as twilight. Here, as we eased up for a moment, a dog-wolf +crossed our path, and with snarling lip and shining fangs slunk into +the thorn. Oh, for a leash of hounds now! But on we went, catching a +glimpse of a grim head peering after us through the thorn--a head with +blazing, angry eyes, that almost seemed to speak. It was lucky it was +not winter-tide, or that gentleman there would not be alone, but, with +a hundred or so of his fellows, would have made rare sport with us, +according to his lights. + +Still we went on through the endless woods, which closed in deeper and +deeper around us, until at last the track died utterly away in the +tanglewood, and the horses began to give sign that they were beaten. + +I saw that it was necessary to rest the beasts, and as I came to this +conclusion we came upon a little natural clearing, where, around a +clump of enormous elms, the turf was green as emerald and spangled with +a hundred flowers. Immediately behind the trees the ground rose, +forming a low hill covered with wild juniper and white thorn, and a +little stream bustled by it, whilst from the leafy shades above the +voices of many birds warbled sweet and low. + +There was no need to tighten rein. The horses seemed to know of their +own accord that they were to stop, and five minutes later they were +cropping the rich forage; whilst I, stretched on the turf, my back +against a tree, was resting with a sense of repose that would have been +delicious except for the pangs of hunger gnawing at me in a manner that +would take no denial. + +"_Hein_," I grumbled to myself, "nothing to eat but grass! If I were +the good King Nebuchadnezzar, now, I might do very well; but as it +is----" And then I heard a chuckle, and saw Pierrebon fumbling with +the valise. He cast a sly look at me, his blue eyes twinkling. + +"Monsieur is hungry?" + +"Famished." + +"And thirsty?" + +"Well, I have drank a little"--and I glanced at the streamlet--"but a +cup of d'Arbois now, or even some white Rochecorbon, would be nectar. +Confound my stupidity at losing the way! We should have been at Marçay +hours ago; but--what the devil----" + +In effect I might well have exclaimed, for Pierrebon had opened the +valise and taken therefrom a bulging wallet; and as I watched him with +astonished eyes he rapidly unpacked it, pulling forth a cold chicken, +some Mayence ham, a loaf of bread, and a bottle of wine, which last he +put down with a little flourish, saying as he did so: "'Tis red Joué, +monsieur. Not so good as d'Arbois, nor so bad as Rochecorbon." + +But I had already attacked the fowl, and answered, with my mouth full: + +"Pierrebon, this is the best service you have ever rendered. Open the +wine, and sit down and eat. _Corbleu_! but I will dub you knight, and +you shall bear arms for this--a trussed capon on a field vert." + +And then there was a silence, for, with the feast before us, time spent +in talking was time wasted. Finally, the capon disappeared, the last +slice of ham was divided with the edge of my dagger, the last drop +drained from the bottle, and restful and contented we lay back in the +shade; and Pierrebon slept, whilst I slipped into a waking dream. How +long this lasted I know not; but I came to myself with a start, and +looked around me. + +The shadow had shifted, leaving Pierrebon asleep in the sunshine, his +red face looking straight up at the blue sky. The horses too were +asleep in the purple loosestrife, and there was an intense peace over +all things. There as I lay, listening to the splashing of the water +and the song of the birds, a line of deer came out to drink, and, +catching sight of us, stopped and gazed, until a sudden panic took a +little speckled fawn, and it dashed away madly through the thicket, +followed by its mother and a cluster of startled doe, the stag going +last at a slow trot. + +I rose to my feet and saw how long the shadows were. In truth, it was +time to be up and moving. So, arousing Pierrebon, we were soon mounted +and jogging through the woods, with our backs to the west. We made +good way now, for the nags were refreshed; yet we knew not where the +night would bring us, for we were wholly lost. + +Farther and farther we rode into the woods, holding desperately on to a +faint track that wound and twisted through the endless aisles of the +forest. As the hour grew later the sky overhead changed from blue to +crimson and gold, and the sunset, stabbing through the lace-work of +branches overhead, cast ruddy lights on the trees, deepening the +shadows, and giving a ghostly distance to objects around, so that we +seemed in a fairy realm of enchantment. + +As the sunset began to fade, and the red and gold overhead changed +softly to purple and grey, over which the silver light of the moon +would soon be cast, we decreased our speed, and now, riding side by +side, peered anxiously into the wood for some sign of a human +habitation; but there was none to be seen. + +We rode in silence, for Pierrebon, to say truth, was uneasy at the +uncanny stillness, and that awe with which Nature in her lonely +grandeur inspires the dullest of mortals had begun to fill us. And so +no word was spoken. + +In and out the track wound, until at last it brought us to the very +heart of the forest, where the shadows lay black and deep. Around us +on every side the huge and aged trees, stretching in long lines of +receding obscurity, stood like a phantom army of giants guarding some +dreadful secret of the past. Twisted, distorted, and bent, with hairy, +moss-grown trunks from which the decaying bark peeled like the +mouldering cement on some old and forgotten ruin, the kings of the +forest stood silent and grim, their branches stretched out in grisly +menace--giant arms that threatened death to all who approached. + +Deeper and yet more deep we rode into the gloom, though the sunset yet +clung in a girdle of fire round the horizon, casting red blades of +light between the tree trunks; and Pierrebon's cheek grew pale, for +goblin and gnome and fay lived to him, and even I, who did not believe, +felt if my sword played freely in my sheath. And then I tried to sing. + +But so dismal were the echoes, so lowering the aspect of the mighty +trees, that seemed, in the quaking shadows, to be instinct with life +and motion, that "The Three Cavaliers" died away at the first verse; +and then, from the woods in front of us, rang out a scream for help, so +shrill and sharp in its agony that it froze the blood in our veins. + +"'Tis a spirit!" gasped Pierrebon, with pale lips, and half pulled his +horse round; but even as he did so the shriek rang out again--a woman's +voice--and high and shrill in its octave of suffering. It was enough +for me, and, sword in hand, I galloped for the sound. + +A few strides of the good beast, a leap over a fallen tree trunk, and +in a wide clearing I saw before me a deed of shame. + +There was a man lying dead on the ground. There was a white-robed +woman, screaming and struggling as two men tried to force her on to a +horse; whilst another man, mounted on a white horse, with a white mask +on his face, was urging them on to their work, and a long sword +glittered in his hand. + +I stayed not for a second, but, galloping straight on, made so sudden +an assault that one of the knaves was down and twisting on the grass +like a snake with a broken back, and the other had fled with a howl +into the forest almost before my coming was realised. + +But as the horse carried me on I felt a felon blow graze my cap, and I +had but time to half turn and parry another when I found myself face to +face with the masked man. + +Even as the sparks flew from our swords, and I felt that I had met a +master of fence, I knew it was Simon despite his mask. There lived not +a man like him. Tall and thin, with long, bird-like limbs and a +stooping back, with the features concealed by the white mask all but +the eyes, which glittered like those of an angry asp, he seemed more +spirit than man; and I felt as if I were crossing blade with some +uncanny phantom of the woods rather than a thing of flesh and blood, as +after a fierce bout we circled round, watching each other warily. + +"So, brother, we meet at last," I said. But he made no answer, though +his eyes flashed evilly as he came on again with a swift, lightning +attack that chance alone enabled me to avoid. And then my life was on +my wrist and eye; but I kept it, and began to slowly force him back. + +God forgive me! he was my brother; but he would have slain me there +like a mad dog--and life is dear. He never said a word until he was +being driven back, and then an oath broke from him. + +'Tis an ill thing to swear with a sword in one's hand. That oath gave +me strength and cooled me to ice. + +"Come!" I said, "you would not slay your heir; or are you going to make +room for me, Simon?" And my sword point ripped his doublet. + +The answer was a thrust that ripped my coat in turn, and then followed +the rasp of our blades. It was almost dark above us now, but a lance +height from the ground the horizon was still flaming red. We could +barely see each other's blades, but guided ourselves by the little +circles of light the sword points made as they flashed hither and +thither, seeking for an opening, to slip forward like a snake's tongue. + +Twice had I been touched. The first time it was a parry _en prime_ +that saved me; the second time Simon had hit me on my bridle arm. It +was only a touch; but I felt the warm blood on my sleeve, and Simon +laughed like a devil. + +But he mistook his man. Collecting all my strength I made so furious +an attack that I slowly drove him against the belting of trees, and +then there was a lightning thrust in tierce, a quick parry, and a +return over Simon's heart, but the point of my blade glanced from a +steel vest he wore. In glancing, however, it slipped upwards, and +catching the mask almost rent it from my brother's face, leaving it +half hanging, and almost blinding him. + +In my fury I followed up the thrust with another, but with the skill +that was his alone he partly parried it, though my blade found his +sword arm, just above the elbow joint; but as Simon's now useless hand +fell to his side he saw his defeat, and, with matchless presence of +mind, drove his spurs into his horse, and dashing off at full speed was +lost to view in a moment. + +It was useless to follow, though I rode a few yards after him, and +then, restraining myself, I pulled round and came back. Then I heard a +voice thank me, and Pierrebon appeared at my horse's head, as though he +had dropped from the clouds, and as I dismounted he burst forth: "Now, +praise to St. Hugo of Orrain! We have defeated the bandits." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +DIANE + +Man of the world and of many experiences as I was; old courtier, who +had seen the fairest of my land in the galleries of the Tournelles, or +the salons of the Louvre, I confess that I had never seen so graceful a +figure, or heard so sweet a voice as that which thanked me now. As for +her, when I stepped up, my sword still in my hand, some thought that +she had only escaped the beak of the vulture to feel the talons of the +hawk made her shrink back into silence. + +I felt this, and, bowing, said gravely: "There is no danger now, +mademoiselle. I doubt if our friends will return; but I fear it is far +to any refuge to-night." + +My words had effect. She was brave enough, and she answered: + +"We are not far from the Mable, monsieur!" + +"From the Mable! Then Marçay is behind?" + +"About six miles." + +"Ah! I thought we had overridden ourselves. And Richelieu is at hand?" + +"'Tis but a bare league." + +"Then in two hours at most we will be there. You will, of course, ride +my horse, and Pierrebon and I will share the other." + +"Thank you!" she said simply. And then with an effort, as she pointed +before her: "Monsieur, there is a man lying there who gave up his life +for me. I cannot leave him thus." + +And Pierrebon answered: "There are two, lady. I have covered them with +their cloaks, for they are both dead." + +"A moment," I said, and I too went and looked at the twain. + +There was no mistake. For these two the trees and the sky, the good +and the bad of the world had ceased to be; and as I pulled their cloaks +over their faces I muttered to myself, with a remembrance of the course +of "The Philosophy": + +"_Maximum vitae bonum mors_." + +Then I came back to the lady's side. "Mademoiselle, for these two +lying there, the honest man and the knave, what can be done at present +has been done. Come, I pray you! It grows late." + +"Oh, but I cannot!" And she too went forward to where the long dark +things lay stretched out on the sward, and shrinking, she looked, and +then on a sudden she sank on her knees, and prayed, and because, +whatever had happened, I had never lost my faith in God, without whom +we are nothing, I knelt too, and Pierrebon with me, and in our own way +we each sought comfort. After a while mademoiselle rose again, and +with a voice half choked with tears, said: + +"Monsieur, I am ready." + +We placed her on my brown horse, which Pierrebon led, I riding his, and +so we took our way in silence--a silence now and again broken by a sob +from the girl. I said nothing, deeming it wiser to let her be with her +thoughts; but as we came to the skirts of the wood I spoke: + +"Mademoiselle, I promise you that I will see to the Christian burial of +your friend." + +And then she wept unrestrainedly. To tell the truth, I knew not what +to do, and Pierrebon kept his head well to the front, looking neither +to the right nor to the left. In sheer desperation I asked her not to +weep, whereat she wept the more; and then I touched her shoulder with +my hand, as one would caress a child; but she shook me off, turning a +face that seemed scared with terror to me, and I could only stammer out +an apology, and remain silent. At last the violence of her grief +abated, and I ventured to ask who the dead man was. + +"He," she answered sadly, "was a trusted servant, and he was taking me +home. His name was Olivet." + +"Will not mademoiselle do me the honour to give me her name as well? I +am called Bertrand Broussel." + +She looked up as I spoke, and a nervous laugh escaped her. + +"I am glad I know your name, monsieur; it is one I shall always think +upon with gratitude. As for me, I--I am called Diane. I am the niece +of Cujus the furrier, a citizen of Tours, who is as a father to me. I +was going to rejoin him from Saumur when all this happened." + +"Have you any friends near, where I can leave you?" + +"Oh yes! Near Richelieu I have friends; and, once in the house of the +Bailiff of Muisson, I would be safe." + +"I will see you there, with your permission." + +"Thank you! And I want to tell you how this happened. I was going +back home from Saumur, under the charge of Olivet, and we halted at +Marçay to rest. About a half-hour after leaving Marçay we were set +upon and taken prisoners by the men from whom you have saved me. + +"Where they were taking us I cannot tell. As evening came I heard your +voice singing, and, screaming for help, I slipped from my saddle, with +the intention of running towards you. Olivet made a brave effort to +help me--but----" And it was only with an effort that she prevented +another breakdown. + +"Have you any idea who these men are?" + +She remained silent, as if collecting her thoughts. And I went on: + +"I ask because I recognised one--the leader." + +"Ah, monsieur, I feared to mention his name. He is a great noble, and +he--he--but I cannot tell you." And she stopped, with a little shiver. + +"You need not, madame. He is Simon, Vidame d'Orrain." + +"Yes," she said, and our talk stopped. My cheeks were burning at the +thought of Simon's deed of shame, and I put this down to the long score +I had against him. And so on we rode, until we passed the skirts of +the forest, though still keeping to its edge, and came to a stretch of +moorland, beyond which was a series of small hills. We could now hear +water running like a mill-race, and from the hills there glinted the +lights of a large village. + +"That is Richelieu, monsieur," exclaimed mademoiselle, "and the water +that we hear is the Mable." + +"See there, monsieur!" Pierrebon suddenly cut in, as he arrested +mademoiselle's horse, and pointed to his right, where on the edge of +the forest we saw lights at the windows of a low-lying, irregular +building half concealed amidst trees. "See there!" continued +Pierrebon; "that is a house where at least we shall be able to sup and +get a guide." + +"A guide," I exclaimed, "with Richelieu before us!" + +"Listen to the Mable," urged Pierrebon; "is there a bridge? If not we +must ford it; and they say the river is deep and dangerous; but perhaps +mademoiselle knows the ford?" + +"Indeed I do not." + +Considering all things, I came to the conclusion that Pierrebon was +right, and that it would be wiser to seek the house. As we approached +it, mademoiselle said: + +"It may be the hunting-lodge of Le Jaquemart, belonging to the Sieur de +Richelieu." + +"Well, we will know soon," I said, and urged Pierrebon to quicken his +pace. There was but a bare quarter mile of moorland, covered with +yellow broom and purple thistle, to be passed, and then we came up to +the house. As we did so we perceived that it was surrounded by a high +stone wall, and mademoiselle exclaimed positively: + +"It is Le Jaquemart; but it is strange it is occupied, for the Sieur de +Richelieu is in Italy." + +"_Bien_," I thought to myself, "the furrier's niece knows all about the +Sieurs de Richelieu!" And then aloud: "Perhaps he has returned with +Montluc, mademoiselle; or it may be that friends of his hunt the +forest." + +"M. de Parthenay is near Loudon." + +I made no answer, for at this moment we reined up before the gate, and +glanced at the massive, studded portal, and the old wall, with its soft +crowning of ivy on the top, and grey-green, moss-covered sides, where +the yellow wall-pepper and white serpyllum pushed between the crevices +of the stonework. And as we looked we heard from within a peal of loud +laughter, a woman's voice mingling with the deeper tones of that of a +man. As the laughter ceased Pierrebon exclaimed: + +"They are gay within, monsieur!" And then, on a sign from me, he +knocked long and loudly. + +"Enough, enough! You would waken the dead." + +"One more, monsieur!" And Pierrebon, who already smelt his supper, +brought the brass lion's head of the knocker with such force against +the studded door that it might have been heard a quarter mile away. + +From within came a shrill whistle, and a voice called out, with a +foreign accent: "The gate, Piero! Who is it? Someone knocks." + +"And will knock again soon if you do not make haste," grumbled +Pierrebon; whilst I pricked up my ears, and glanced at mademoiselle, +and saw her drooping in her saddle. Now we heard a heavy, lurching +step on the other side of the gate, a sliding panel covering a Judas +Hole was drawn back, a man's face appeared dimly, and a voice asked in +halting French: + +"Who are you? What do you want?" + +"Supper and a guide," began Pierrebon; but dismounting I put him aside, +and said: + +"We are three travellers, one of whom is a lady. We have lost our way, +and seek but a guide to the ford." + +As I spoke the man on the other side of the gate raised a dark lantern +he had hitherto held low in his hand, and flashed it through the +opening, whilst he peered at us. + +"Only three?" he asked. + +"And one a lady," I answered; whilst Pierrebon let his tongue wag: "Oh, +the mole! To want a lantern in this moonlight!" And following his +words came the voice from the house, asking again in Italian: + +"What is the matter, Piero?" + +To which Piero answered: "I come, signor," and with a brief "Wait!" to +us, swung round on his heel and went back, Pierrebon, as he looked at +the retreating figure through the grille, saying, "By St. Hugo! +monsieur, we might be a party of the Guidon's Free Riders, or Captain +Loup and his gang!" But, paying no heed to his words, I turned to +mademoiselle. + +"I like not this place. We had better take our chance of finding the +ford. Come!" + +At this Pierrebon, with the freedom of an old servant, began to +protest, and mademoiselle aided him. + +"Oh, monsieur, could we not rest here for a little?" + +"We may rest here for ever if we do," I said a little sharply. "Come!" + +My words had, perhaps, too much of command in their tone, for she +answered back coldly: "I intend to rest here, monsieur; you may go on +if you like." + +At this I said nothing more, and let her have her way, but gave +Pierrebon a warning grip of the arm to be careful. Pierrebon nodded in +comprehension. He was no fool, though many thought him so, and though +if his betters drew steel he as a rule let matters lie with them, yet +he could be dangerous--a thing which people found out sometimes when it +was a trifle late. + +We had to wait a space, then we heard the woman's voice laughing once +more within. Something in its hard, clear tones jarred upon me, and I +glanced at mademoiselle, but she kept her face aside. But now we heard +returning footsteps, the grating of a bolt drawn back, the turning of a +key, and then the gate opened; whilst Piero, a huge figure, stood +before us, swinging his lantern, and beside him another man, armed with +an arquebus, the fuse burning like a glow-worm. + +"Enter," said Piero; "the signor will receive you." + +"_Facilis est descensus Averni_," I murmured to myself, and led the +way, and the gate was shut behind us. Before us lay a short drive +bordered with tall poplars, and on either hand a tangle of a garden +that had run to a wilderness. As we rode up a woman's figure appeared +at an open window, but stepped back at once, and I asked Piero, in his +own Italian: + +"Has Monsieur de Richelieu returned?" + +The giant answered gruffly: "I know not, signor. He who is within is +the Captain Torquato Trotto." + +"Torquato Trotto! I know not the name." + +And Piero made no answer, for we had now come to the door of the house. +Here I helped mademoiselle to alight, whilst Pierrebon took charge of +the horses, and mademoiselle and I entered the house. At the same time +a man came running down the stairs to meet us. As his eyes fell on us +a slight exclamation of surprise broke from him; but he checked it on +the instant, and advanced, saying in French: + +"You are very welcome, madame and monsieur, I do assure you--very +welcome." + +And he bowed before us, courteously enough; but I caught the veiled +mockery in his voice, and as I took the speaker in I thought he was +bravo to his finger-tips. + +"Monsieur," I said, "I thank you. We but crave permission to rest a +while, and seek a guide to the ford of the Mable, for we have to be at +Richelieu to-night." + +"We will do what we can for you, monsieur. Be pleased to ascend. I +will be with you in a moment. I have but a word to say to my man here. +Excuse me!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE ACTS OF PIERREBON + +Leaving us to find our way upstairs Torquato Trotto went out into the +porch where Piero the giant stood, cast a glance at the retreating +figure of Pierrebon, who was leading the horses away, looked over his +shoulder like a cat, and, gripping Piero by the arm, shook with +laughter. + +"_Maledetto_!" exclaimed Piero, who was of an evil temper, as he freed +himself from Trotto's clutches, and looked at the swaying figure before +him. "Loose hold, signor! Have you been bitten by a tarantula?" + +"Oh! I could sing, I could shout, I could dance. Man! that is the +very girl we want; and Monsieur the Vidame, who lies within, twisting +in his chair, will pay a thousand fat, gold Henris for her when he +knows. Ho! it will be rare news for him!" + +"Are you sure?" + +"As I live. Did I not watch her for a whole week at Saumur? 'Tis well +we have not Aramon and the rest with us. The fewer there are the +larger the shares. Can Malsain deal with the lackey?" + +Piero grinned for reply. + +"Well! let him be his care, and you had better stay at hand here. Give +me the key of the gate, and, remember, a hundred crowns apiece to you +and Malsain for this. And now for a word in the Vidame's ear." + +With this he turned back into the house, leaving Piero looking after +him. + +"A hun--dred crowns apiece! _Diavolo_! Captain Torquato! If I knew +the money was here I would make the whole thousand mine; and then--hey +for Rome again! But a hundred crowns are a hundred crowns, and fill a +purse rarely. Well, I go to warn Malsain!" + +And the giant went slowly off, regretting in his heart what might have +been. + +In the meantime we found ourselves on a landing before an open door, +disclosing a room brightly lit. There was a glimpse too of a table +laid for supper, and near the table stood a tall woman, with black hair +that hung to her waist, with bare rounded arms and painted cheeks, and +a face that was beautiful still, though she had come to be what she was. + +She was holding a cup of red wine in her hand, but stopped in the act +of lifting it to her lips as she caught sight of us, and setting down +the wine untasted advanced, saying: + +"Enter, I pray you. La Marmotte bids you welcome." + +"I thank you, madame," I replied bowing, with many misgivings in my +heart, and inwardly cursing the folly that had made me yield and enter +this house. But who is there who does not make mistakes?--and I for +one have never set claim to be infallible. I was wrong, and I admit +it--that is enough. + +And so we went in, and for the first time there was light enough to see +mademoiselle's face, and as I looked there came to me a sting of regret +for the days that would never return. It was as if some devil had +flashed before me a mirror in which the past was reflected; and, +believe me, when one has lived and regretted it is not necessary to be +in love for such a lightning flash of bitter memory to come to a man +when he sees beside him the purity of innocence. + +And so it was too with La Marmotte, who had turned to us with a light +laugh, and lighter words to her lips; but laugh and words died away as +she met the girl's look, and--I could read her like an open +page--awakened memory took the woman back to the time when she herself +was as the girl before her. And so, because there were yet undefiled +wells of good in her soul, there came upon her an unwonted timidity, +and it was with a respectful hesitation that she pressed upon us seats +and refreshment. But even as she did so her eyes met mine with a +half-imploring, half-defiant glance. She felt that I knew, though I +thanked her for her courtesy as if she were a princess of the land. + +Mademoiselle sank weariedly into a chair; whilst La Marmotte, with all +the silent notes in her heart touched in some undefinable way, hovered +over her, fearing to approach her, and yet feeling as if she must. + +For me, I remained standing, softly rubbing my wounded arm, over which +I had drawn my cloak, and looking around me here, there, and +everywhere, for I knew we were in a trap, and trapped by my own folly. +As I looked I saw something white showing beneath the cushions of a +settle, and taking the cup of wine that La Marmotte handed to me I +moved thereto, and, sitting down, looked more closely. It was a white +mask. Softly drawing it forth, and, unobserved, slipping it into the +pocket of my cloak, I saw in doing so that it was stained with fresh +blood, and then I knew we were in the house of death. + +At this moment Torquato Trotto appeared at the door with suave +apologies, and stepping forward, rubbing his hands together, he said: +"I regret to have appeared so discourteous; I trust that monsieur and +madame will remain here for to-night." + +"I am afraid, Signer Torquato Trotto, that is impossible." + +"_Per Bacco_! You know me!" exclaimed the Italian in slight surprise. + +"The name of Torquato Trotto is known in France," I said, and the brow +of the man darkened. + +"Perhaps I too can return the compliment, monsieur. You are----" + +"Bertrand Broussel, bourgeois, of the Rue des Lavandières, Paris," I +interrupted, and I caught a strange expression of disappointment in +mademoiselle's eyes. "Hum!" I thought, "does the furrier's niece take +me for a prince of the blood in disguise?" + +La Marmotte, however, cut in at this juncture, for she saw the storm in +the air, and I again said that we would go on at once, if Messire +Trotto would of his kindness provide us with a guide; if not, we would +go without one. + +And Trotto answered blandly: + +"Impossible! My lieutenant is away with my men, and I have no one here +who knows the way. I am totally ignorant myself, or I would willingly +help you. Besides, to go now would be madness. The road is infested +by robbers--faith of a gentleman!" + +"That is indeed true! I have just escaped them--thanks to the bravery +of this gentleman here," exclaimed mademoiselle. + +"Madame, you are lucky to have escaped; but you must tell us of your +adventures as we sup," and he moved towards the table. + +In the meantime Pierrebon, looking well to the right and left, led the +horses towards the stables. Every shadow in the winding walk, every +recess in the over-grown privet, hid a secret enemy to him. He avoided +passing near the ruined summer-house for fear of the ambush that might +be within, and then, finding the hedges close in upon the road, boldly +took his beasts along the neglected parterres until at last he reached +the stables. Here, near the open door he saw Malsain, tall and thin, +but muscular and strong as whipcord, sitting down by the light of a +guttering candle to a meagre repast of bread and cheese, washed down +with water--for Malsain never touched wine. + +"An evil-looking man," Pierrebon thought, as he glanced at Malsain +sitting on a stool; and evil-looking indeed he was, with his hawk's +face, thin cruel slit of a mouth, and one wicked eye that glowed with +the same sombre fire as the fuse of his arquebus, which leaned against +the wall behind him. And then from the man himself Pierrebon glanced +at the hermit's fare before him. "St. Siege!" he groaned, "bread and +cheese and cold water--with a dagger-thrust to follow for digestion, +perhaps." + +But now Malsain heard him, his hand went out silently to the arquebus, +and he turned a yellow, threatening face towards the visitor. + +"Hola!" exclaimed Pierrebon. "It is I. I have brought monsieur's +horses for a feed and a rest." + +"Ho! it is you." And Malsain, putting down his arquebus, returned to +his cheese again as he added: "There are two stalls vacant there, and +you will find oats in that barrel." He had not, of course, it will be +understood, received Trotto's message as yet. + +Pierrebon entered without further ceremony. There were already three +horses in the stables; but, as Malsain had said, there were still two +stalls vacant, and here he put the nags. Whilst attending to them, +however, he kept glancing uneasily at the supper before Malsain, which +was diminishing at a frightful rate, for the thin man ate like a +cormorant. At last, unable to endure this more, he stopped rubbing +down the brown hackney, and, stepping up to the table, took a seat on a +stool opposite Malsain. Then, drawing his dagger, he helped himself +without further ceremony to some cheese and bread, and glanced somewhat +ruefully into the jug of water. + +"_Diable_!" grumbled Malsain, "you are eating my supper." + +"Well," and Pierrebon looked at him, "am I not your guest, as my master +is your master's?" + +Malsain said nothing, but scowled across the table at Pierrebon; and +the latter, who was as alert as a weasel when it came to the push, went +on: "But, _compère_, they feed you thinly here--and no wine!" + +"I eat to my taste, and drink to my taste," growled Malsain; but +Pierrebon, not heeding his ill temper, continued: + +"Now, with my master there is always a bottle of Rochecorbon, and a cut +from a pasty, not to mention a crown-piece here and a crown-piece +there; and I wager that in the house yonder there is something more +than acid cheese and dry bread for hunger, or spring water for thirst." + +"Be silent, fool! Take what you can get, or leave it," said Malsain +sullenly, his hand slipping down to his side; but Pierrebon laughed +cheerily as he cut another slice of cheese, his two blue Burgundian +eyes steadily fixed on Malsain's sallow face, and as they looked at +each other there came a heavy footfall outside, and Piero called out in +his deep voice: + +"Malsain! Here! A word with you!" + +Malsain rose slowly, and went outside, and Pierrebon, following him +with his glance, saw Piero's huge figure in the moonlight, and a chill +came upon him. + +"By St. Hugo! 'tis the ogre himself! And they consult together!" he +murmured, wishing himself a hundred miles away, and he watched the +twain moving off into the shadow, straining his ears to catch a word if +possible, but at first he could hear nothing. Thus a minute or so +passed, whilst the evil pair outside stood in the shadow of a copper +beech whispering together. If Pierrebon could but hear a word to guide +him! He dared not attempt to approach them, but was forced to stay +where he was. At last he caught something. Malsain laughed out like a +hyena: "I would slit their throats for fifty, and throw the Vidame into +that----" But Piero roughly bade him lower his voice, and the +whispering continued. + +Pierrebon heard no more. That there was danger in the air he knew. He +had not forgotten my warning pressure on his arm as we entered the +gates of Le Jaquemart, and now his worst fears were confirmed. For a +moment his heart sank, but for a moment only, for as he looked around +him his eyes fell on the arquebus, where it leaned against the wall. +The fuse was still alight. There was no time to hesitate. Malsain was +already returning; and if it were to be war Pierrebon thought he might +as well begin, and strike the first blow. Quick as thought he arose, +and taking up the arquebus moved off near the horses, and he was +blowing on the match to hearten the fire when Malsain stepped in. + +"Blood of a Jew! what are you doing with the arquebus, fool? Put it +down this instant, or I slit your throat." And Malsain, his poniard in +his hand, stood near the table, glaring savagely at Pierrebon. + +"Pardon!" said Pierrebon. "I was but looking at it. 'Tis a noble +weapon. And one well suited to a soldier's hand." + +"It could kill too, I wager," said Pierrebon, laughing, as he raised +the weapon, and pointed it at Malsain, who went back the step he had +taken, saying, with an oath, + +"It is loaded, fool! Put it down at once." + +"_Hein_! it is loaded. It would kill, then, if I fired--eh?" And +then, with a sudden change of voice and manner: "Ah, bandit! move a +step, utter the slightest cry, and you are a dead man! Throw down your +poniard!" + +Malsain looked at the barrel of the arquebus. It was steady as a rock, +and behind the little black muzzle the match burned bravely; whilst +behind the match was a red face with two blue eyes that looked as if +they meant what their owner said. Malsain let his dagger drop with a +clash. + +Pierrebon then advanced a couple of paces nearer, still holding the +arquebus at Malsain's breast. + +"Now, my friend! Take that bridle from the peg at your hand and fasten +your ankles together. What!--you hesitate?" + +Malsain hissed something between his teeth, and snatched the bridle +from the peg. + +"Go on! A running knot--lap it well round, and finish off! There! +That is right! You are no novice, I see, _mon vieux_!" + +Malsain made no answer, but stood bolt upright before Pierrebon, his +face grey, his one eye bloodshot, his lips livid. It is true that he +had tied himself as loosely as possible, but still he was terribly +crippled; and from his soul he regretted that he had not made a rush at +Pierrebon, and chanced his fortune; but now this was hopeless. + +Worse, however, was to come, and it came at once. + +"Now," said Pierrebon, "fasten your wrist to your ankle--your left +wrist." + +"It is impossible," said Malsain thickly. + +"Then I shall blow your brains out when I have counted three. One!" + +Malsain looked about him with his red eye, and shuffled uneasily. + +"Two!" + +Malsain swore again, a nameless oath. + +"Th----" + +Malsain stooped down with the rapidity of lightning, and began fumbling +with the yard or so of trailing rein. + +He tried to deceive Pierrebon; but the candle gave enough light to see, +and Pierrebon was sharp. There was no help for it, and at last it was +done, badly done, but enough to utterly cripple Malsain. The final +order now came: + +"Now lie down on your face." + +This was difficult; but there are circumstances under which men do all +but impossible things, and Malsain performed the feat. + +After this the worthy Pierrebon took a more active part in the binding +of Malsain. Still holding the arquebus in one hand he unhitched +another bridle from its peg. Then, placing the arquebus at _his_ feet, +he drew his dagger and approached Malsain, upon whom he sat, and with a +gentle prick or so reminded him it was unsafe to struggle or cry. He +fastened up his free arm, and finished off the work in an artistic +manner. When it was over Malsain was like a trussed fowl. Pierrebon +stepped back, and surveyed his work with the satisfaction of one who +knows that he has done well. + +"Ah, I had forgotten!" he exclaimed. Then he pulled from his pocket a +'kerchief. A touch at Malsain's throat with his poniard was hint +enough. Malsain opened his mouth, and the handkerchief, rolled into a +ball, was thrust inside. + +Pierrebon fumbled once more in his pocket, and produced some stout +twine. He gave a little grunt of satisfaction as he lashed it around +Malsain's jaws, and felt at last that victory was his. + +"It is complete--eh, _mon vieux_?" + +And so saying he dragged Malsain with no tender hand across the +pavement of the stable. There was a black, vicious-looking cob in one +of the stalls. Pierrebon flung his victim on the straw near the beast. +"I should lie still," he said in warning; "the horse might kick." + +Then he saddled up again, calmly selecting a third horse from the +stable, from a stall where he saw some ladies' saddlery. + +"This will do for mademoiselle," he muttered as he glanced around him +with satisfaction; "all is ready here. And now for the ogre." Taking +up the arquebus he looked at the priming, and made his way cautiously +to the house. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE WHITE MASK + +It is necessary to hark back a little now to the moment when Torquato +Trotto, having given his instructions to Piero, went into the house. +The stairway was empty, for both I and my charge were with La Marmotte, +and the Italian ran upstairs with a footfall as light as that of a cat. +On reaching the landing he stopped for a second, glanced around him, +with the same feline caution that marked all his movements, and then, +creeping forward on tiptoe, went along a corridor leading to a wing of +the house. + +At the extreme end of this gallery was a door, at which Trotto knocked +softly. From within a strident voice said: "Come in!" Then followed +an exclamation of pain, and a free oath. + +Trotto smiled, shrugged his shoulders, as only an Italian can, pushed +open the door, and entered the chamber. The spear-shaped flames of two +tall candles but half lit the room, making a circle of wavering light. +Beyond all was in uncertain gloom, through which one could dimly see +the old tapestry and massive furniture of bygone years. + +Where the light was brightest was an easy-chair, and there sat Simon of +Orrain, with his bandaged right arm resting on a cushion, placed on a +low table drawn close to him. As Trotto entered he looked up with a +snarl. + +"What is it? Did I not say I was to be left alone? Curse this arm!" + +"Ah, excellency," and Trotto glanced at the throbbing arm, "you should +have waited for Aramon's return, or taken us with you." But Simon +broke in: "I tell you, Trotto, the plan was perfect, and if it had not +been for the accident of that villain's coming our bird would have been +here by this. Even when he came, if La Crotte had but stood his +ground--but there! Give me some of that wine. My blood is red hot, +and my throat on fire with the pain of this wound!" + +Torquato Trotto filled a cup from a flagon that lay on the table near +the Vidame. Simon took it from him with his left hand, drained it, and +flung it from him, so that it struck the wainscoting of the wall, and +fell with a crash on the floor. + +"La Crotte shall hang for this," he went on savagely. "The cur! the +coward!" + +"You will make your wound worse, excellency. Be calm! There is time +for things to mend." + +"Time! When the whole affair has been bungled--and by you." + +"By me, excellency?" + +"Yes; if you had given me Piero and Malsain instead of those +serving-wenches Billot and La Crotte." + +Torquato lifted a deprecating hand. "They did well before, excellency; +and Billot could not have done better, for he is dead, you say. And as +for La Crotte----" + +"He shall hang--hang to the first tree." + +"As your excellency pleases. He has, however, to be caught first. But +in the meantime I have intruded on you because I think we can yet save +the game." + +"Ugh!" + +"Your excellency, I have a plan; and I think we win the odd trick." + +"Well, what is your brilliant idea?" + +Trotto coughed. "But the risk, excellency, is greatly increased now +that this man is mixed up in the affair." + +Simon straightened himself in his chair and looked at the captain. + +"I suppose you want more money. Well, what is your plan?" + +"With your excellency's permission I will keep that to myself, for a +plan is a plan when one head holds it. But if I were to place your +prize in your hands by tomorrow morning?" + +"Impossible!" + +"But I say it is possible." + +"Then five hundred crowns the day you reach Paris." + +Trotto shook his head. "It could be done for a thousand, +excellency--for certain." + +Simon's eyes seemed to sink back deeper into their hollow sockets, and +his face became paler, if possible. + +"A thousand devils! Impossible! It's a fortune!" + +"Your excellency is playing for a fortune; and this time we win--faith +of a gentleman! Make it a thousand crowns, and your bonny bird is +yours with the dawn, and I will myself perform the wedding ceremony if +you like." + +"You?" + +"Yes, excellency," and Trotto put his hand to the crown of his head. +"My hair has grown, but, you will remember, I am none the less a priest +for all that." + +There was another silence. Simon knitted his brow, as if in thought. +Then he cursed again at his wounded arm, and spoke: + +"It is an exorbitant sum; but I agree on one condition." + +"And that is?" + +"If you fail you get nothing; you have sucked enough from me already." + +"As your excellency pleases." And then, bending for an instant over +the wounded arm: "He must have been a rare swordsman to have beaten +you." + +Simon writhed in his chair. "Beaten me! I had the dog at my mercy, +but was not quick enough in the last parry." + +"Ah, excellency, 'tis always that little delay that causes accidents +like this." And Trotto made a gesture towards the wounded arm; but +Simon snarled at him: + +"Don't touch it, fool! Ugh! how it stings! There is one consolation, +however--that he must be squirming himself with pain now." + +"Eh! Then you touched him?" + +"Twice, Trotto, twice!" + +"Ah! that accounts for his wearing his cloak so tightly over his left +shoulder." + +Simon started: "Wearing his cloak so tightly! Have you seen him?" + +Torquato nodded, and the Vidame went on impatiently: "Are you dreaming, +or am I? You have not been out of the house." + +"But, excellency, benighted travellers might seek the house for rest +and a guide to the ford of the Mable." At these words a red flush came +over Simon's face, and he half rose from his chair. + +"Here, here!" he exclaimed, his voice almost cracking with +excitement--"here!--in Le Jaquemart! My sword, Trotto--quick!" And he +shivered with pain as he attempted to stand; but Torquato made him sit +back, and when he had succeeded told him what is already known. + +"And so," he concluded, "Malsain has by this time disposed of the +lackey, and La Marmotte is keeping the other birds amused until my +return. When it is all settled," and Trotto laughed, "your excellency +may make ready for the wedding, and La Marmotte will make a rare +bridesmaid." With these words he bowed, and went to the door, but +stopped at Simon's voice. + +"Trotto!" + +"Excellency!" + +"Be sure, and fail not!" + +"With a wounded man? Be happy, excellency! 'Twill be all over by +midnight. I will have it done before Aramon returns, to save sharing +the crowns. Good-night." + +"Trotto!" + +The captain put his head back through the door, and Simon said: + +"Call me when 'tis over. I would see the carrion ere we put it away." + +Trotto nodded, and closing the door left Simon of Orrain, full of +stinging pains in his body and burning evil thoughts in his soul, and +returning to us led the way to the supper-table. There, whilst we sat, +mademoiselle told them of her peril, and how she was rescued, and as +she concluded Trotto set down the cup of wine he was tasting, and +turning to me, said: + +"I congratulate you, monsieur. I trust, however, that your wounds do +not hurt you?" + +"Wounds!" exclaimed mademoiselle. "You are hurt, and you have said +never a word! Why did you not tell me? You must have them seen to at +once." And she rose from her seat. La Marmotte following her example, +and Trotto added his voice to hers, and was thanked with a look. + +"It is nothing. There is some mistake. I have but a scratch that will +keep till the morning." + +"But I insist," said mademoiselle. And Trotto put in with his soft +voice: "Mademoiselle, I am something of a leech, and will see to +monsieur's hurt at once." And then with a look at La Marmotte: +"Perhaps mademoiselle would like to repose until my men return. I +expect them every moment, and we could then arrange for your safe +passage." + +And just at this moment, through the open window that looked out upon +the balcony, there came a scrambling noise, and the ivy outside shook +and rustled, as though a heavy body were forcing its way through it. +Trotto gave a quick glance over his shoulder, stepped out of the +window, on to the balcony, and looked around him, whilst I took the +opportunity to urge on mademoiselle to go and rest. I did so with the +object of having Trotto alone for a little with me, and to test the +situation. As I spoke La Marmotte looked at me with warning in her +eyes, and her lips, which had paled under their paint, moved as if she +were about to form some words, but could not speak. Ere matters could +proceed further, however, Trotto came in, with a laugh. "There is +nothing there," he said. "It must have been a cat; the wild cats here +grow to enormous size." And then taking up a candlestick he continued: +"I will myself see mademoiselle to her apartment." But La Marmotte +spoke now. + +"Mademoiselle comes to my room. There is none other ready." + +The captain bowed and smiled. "I will light you there then," he said, +and led the way to the door. As they went out La Marmotte, who was +last, dropped her handkerchief, and stooping to recover it made a +warning gesture to me; but I stared vacantly to my front. + +As soon, however, as the door closed behind them, and I heard their +footsteps along the gallery, I pulled out the white mask, and lifting +the cover of a dish placed the mask within the dish and put back the +cover. Then drawing my sword I laid it between my knees, and, resuming +my seat, poured out some wine, and awaited Messire Torquato Trotto's +return. It was a fortunate thing that the wild cats of Fontevrault +were so large and heavy; and it was equally fortunate that Messire +Trotto, ex-priest, and now bandit or freelance, was aware of the fact, +else, perhaps, he might have examined the ledge that projected below +the parapet, and seen there an animal which, though large and heavy, +was of a different kind to the grey, striped prowlers of the forest. +He would, in fact, have seen Pierrebon, who after vainly trying to get +at Piero unobserved had determined to warn me, and succeeded with much +difficulty in making his way thus far. + +Through the screen of the ivy Pierrebon watched us in the room, and +when I was alone he was about to step in at once, when he saw my +actions, and guessed that I too was on the alert. + +"Good!" he thought, "he knows too. I had better wait here till I am +wanted. Ah! that is just the place!" Rising slowly, he climbed over +the parapet, and, with his arquebus ready, leaned up against the wall, +so that by moving his head slightly forward he could see into the room. + +The night was warm and clear. A light breeze stirred the ivy, and +shook the leaves of the old lime, by whose aid Pierrebon had made his +ascent. Within I sat at the table, my cloak unclasped, now sipping my +wine, now gently touching with my finger the dark patch on my sleeve +near my shoulder. Without, Pierrebon stood on guard in the black +shadow. Down below, Piero began to sing, as only men of his country +can, and the deep bass voice, with all its liquid Italian words, pealed +melodiously into the night. + +I listened, murmuring to myself: "Strange! Here is one who can sing of +his Alban hills and his Margarita one moment and cut a throat the next. +But here they come!" + +For Trotto's voice had stopped the singer, and then I heard them coming +upstairs. The heavy step of Piero halted, however, in the passage, and +Trotto entered alone, rubbing his hands together as usual, his white +teeth shining between their setting of red lip and short black +moustache and beard. Of a truth Messire Torquato was a handsome man if +an evil one. He came in with a set smile on his face. "The ladies are +safely at rest, and----" + +"And we can while away the time with this wine, some more supper, and a +little talk." + +"But your wounds, monsieur! They must be attended to. I have told +Piero to bring up some salve and bandages." + +"Bah!" I laughed, "let them keep. My wound, not wounds, is but a +scratch, and hurts far less than the one that lost you that +forefinger." And I pointed to his left hand, which wanted a forefinger. + +The captain's eyes flashed, and he dropped his hand to his side, though +he said, calmly enough: + +"I got that at Volterra. I was there with the Caraffa." + +"And I with Enghien. You see, we were comrades-in-arms without knowing +it. 'Tis a pity we never met. We must fight our battles over again. +Come, let us drink to the old days!" + +"With all my heart," was the reply. "A moment; and I will tell Piero +to wait." And he stepped to the door. + +"Tell him to go to the devil," I said, and Trotto laughed, and after a +word or so exchanged with Piero he closed the door and came back to his +seat. "I have sent Piero off," he said, and pouring out a bumper for +each of us he raised his cup, saying: "Pledge me this toast, monsieur. +Long life to the bride and bridegroom!" + +"Long life to the happy pair!" I clinked my cup with his, and drank, +my mind working like a clock to find out what was meant, my eyes never +moving from Trotto's face. + +"Now," I said, "it is my turn. The wine, messire captain. And here is +my toast: Confusion to the enemies of Bertrand Broussel!" + +There was, perhaps, some want of heartiness in the captain's voice as +he echoed the words but none in his manner of drinking, though he too +began to look, as if seeking for a hidden meaning in my words, and his +hand left his cup and dropped quietly to his side; but still I kept my +eyes on his, as I said: + +"That wine of yours is a rare cordial, captain; it makes me ravenous. +Do you remember how we starved before Volterra?" And I filled my cup +again. + +"Yes--well." + +"We were not birds of paradise exactly, and yet we had to live on air +sometimes--and a thin enough diet it was. You will never guess what I +had for supper once--try!" + +"I am bad at guessing, monsieur." + +"A mask." + +"A mask!" + +"Yes. It was not bad with a little olive oil and vinegar; but the very +thought makes me hungry. What have you in that dish beside you?" + +"Something better than a crape mask, I assure you." And Trotto put +aside the cover, only to let it fall with a little crash as he stared +at the white thing, and glanced up to meet my eyes, and hear my gibe. + +"A little surprise I prepared for you--a delicate attention." + +Trotto knew he was discovered. He began to breathe quickly, and his +hand once more went down. + +"Divide it, captain," I mocked; "there is just enough for two--ah!" +And I caught his wrist as he made a sudden stab at me, and pulled him +half over the table, springing backwards to my feet as I did so. In +his confusion he pushed the table over, and fell sideways on the floor, +dragging with him the tablecloth and the supper. + +He was at my mercy. It needed but a thrust, and his life was ended; +but I gave him his chance. + +"Get up, and take your sword!" + +Trotto rose, his face white, his lips bleeding, and snatching his sword +from its sheath thrust at me, with a strange smile on his face. He had +lied when he said Piero was gone. All unknown to me Piero had +remained, and opening the door stood at my back, his knife in his hand. +I saw not the death behind me, and stiff as I was from my wound my +attention was fully taken up by Trotto, who was no mean artist, and +fought like a cat at bay. But Pierrebon saw, and raised his arquebus. +The bravo behind me was about to strike, when there was a flash, a loud +report, and he rolled over a huge, limp, and lifeless mass. At the +shot Trotto had sprung back with a gasp to the corner of the room, and +crouched there like a rat, staring through the smoke at us, for +Pierrebon had run to my side. + +"Keep the door, Pierrebon," I said, and I stepped forward; but the +Italian was done. + +"I yield," he said; "I have lost." And he lowered his sword; but +between us there could be no parley. + +"Put up your sword--put it up, or I run you through as you are!" + +And because there was no help for it, save to fight, Trotto did so, but +his hand shook, and his courage was gone. He made a little show of +resistance; but it was nothing, and at the third or fourth pass he +thrust too high. He was late in the recovery, and I ran him through +the side. + +"Jesus!" he screamed, "I am dead!" + +Then he fell forward on his face, his fingers working convulsively. + +"He is dead too!" said Pierrebon as he stooped over the body. + +"Not yet," I said, and then for the first time I saw the huge figure of +Piero lying stark, the knife still in his clutch, and I saw too what I +owed Pierrebon, and wrung the honest fellow's hand. + +"Come!" I said. "Now for mademoiselle, and we shall be off. There are +others who will attend to these." + +"A moment, monsieur! The arquebus is not loaded, and this, perhaps, +will be more useful." So saying Pierrebon stooped and picked up +Trotto's sword. As he did so he noticed the keys at the Italian's +girdle. + +"And this too," he added, as with a touch of the sharp sword he cut the +light leather strap, and taking the keys followed me out into the +gallery. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE BITER BITTEN + +When Torquato Trotto lifted the candle to guide mademoiselle and La +Marmotte from the supper-room he was confident in the success of his +plan, and already heard the jingle of Simon's crown-pieces in his ears. +Perhaps it was the certainty that the birds were caged that made him a +trifle careless, and so there was something in his air and in the +glance he cast back upon his companions, whilst leading them through +the gallery, that filled mademoiselle with a sudden fear, and, but for +her pride, she would have run back to my side. So she nerved herself, +and went on to La Marmotte's room, though it was with a quaking heart. +At the door Torquato stopped, expressed a civil hope that mademoiselle +would be comfortable, and, bowing politely to her as she passed in, +handed the candle to La Marmotte, and was about to return when he felt +his arm seized. It was La Marmotte, and she looked into his face with +eager, searching eyes as she asked: "What does this mean?--more +treachery?" + +There was a bitter note in her voice, and the Italian looked at her +steadily. "She grows old," his thoughts ran on, "old, and exacting; I +must end this." Then, because there was other business on hand, he +restrained himself, and answered calmly: + +"I mean no harm to her, I assure you." + +With this he tried to disengage himself; but La Marmotte was not +satisfied. She felt he was lying. Then, too, all the vague feelings +of the past that had somehow been aroused in her that night were awake +and groping in her poor heart, and, perhaps, with these emotions there +was jealousy--who knows? + +Time had been in the gay days in Paris when La Marmotte could have +counted her lovers by the score. At last fate had thrown her across +the path of the Italian, and she, although knowing him evil, loved him +none the less, and followed his uncertain fortune like a faithful dog; +but years were going, and beauty was fading, and her heart was fearful +lest she should be cast adrift. + +"Trotto," she said, and her voice was husky, "I--I do not like this. +Let them go." + +Torquato Trotto cursed under his breath; but time was short, and he +could not afford to waste it. He bent down and kissed the woman's hand. + +"_Carissima_! have no fear. And now let me go and see to our guest's +wounds." With this he freed himself, and went back. + +La Marmotte stood for a pace watching the dim figure as it slipped +through the gloom of the corridor, the candle in her hand casting its +light on her red lips, her white neck and arms, and on the silken black +hair that hung to her waist. Then with a half-stifled sigh she +followed mademoiselle, and stepped into the room. It was empty. La +Marmotte's heart almost stood still, and the candlestick she held all +but fell from her trembling hand, as the poor wretch thought of the +wrath that would overtake her if her charge escaped. But it was +impossible! It could not be! And La Marmotte made another step +forward, and as she looked she saw a white-robed figure kneeling at a +_prie-dieu_, half concealed by the valence of the bed. + +"It is her," murmured La Marmotte with a sudden relief; and then she +almost spoke the words aloud, "she prays." And after a moment of +hesitation, she crept up softly, step by step, and stood behind +mademoiselle, a tumult of strange thoughts in her soul. La Marmotte +quivered from head to foot. Near her was a small table. With a +shaking hand she placed the light thereon, and made yet another step +forward. + +Prayer! Years had passed since she had prayed. It was years since she +had learned to laugh at the soul's communion with its God; to laugh, +and yet to know, in her heart of hearts, that she lied to herself. +After all, life had gone gaily with her. She was as a sleep-walker in +some garden of dreamland until this girl had come, and with her coming +startled her into wakefulness. And, standing there, La Marmotte was +for the moment innocent and pure in heart. "I will pray too," she +thought. What she was going to say, what she was going to ask from her +Creator, never struck her. All that she felt in her impulsive and +emotional heart was an overpowering desire to pray. She half sank on +her knees, and then sprang up, flushed and trembling, for at the moment +mademoiselle arose, and, turning, saw her. + +"Mademoiselle was praying?" stammered the woman. + +"Yes, madame. I was thanking God for our escape, and for the friends +He has given us here." + +La Marmotte thought of Simon lurking in his chamber. She thought of +Torquato Trotto, and she shivered at the thought. Mademoiselle came up +to her, and placing a hand on her shoulder, said: "I will never forget +the kindness I have had here." + +It was too much for La Marmotte. She shrank from the gentle touch. + +"Don't," she said; "I am not worthy." + +But mademoiselle simply leaned forward and kissed her forehead, and the +caress broke the woman down. + +Falling on her knees she sobbed out: "Forgive! forgive! Mademoiselle, +there is danger here! They are going to kill here! Go back to +monsieur, and leave this place whilst there is time. Better trust to +the mercy of the forest wolves than the mercy of Le Jaquemart." + +"Is this true?" + +"True as I kneel before you." And, springing to her feet, La Marmotte +went on: "But there is no time to waste; come--come at once. A--h!" +For the loud report of the arquebus, and Pierrebon's angry shout, rang +out; then followed the rasping of swords, and the two stood speechless, +staring at each other. + +But mademoiselle was brave, and she came to herself. + +"Oh! they are killing him." And she flew to the door, but La Marmotte +clung to her. "Not that way! There is dreadful work there! +Here!--come here with me!" + +So saying she strove to drag mademoiselle back; but the latter, with a +strength surprising in one so slight, freed herself, and slipping past +La Marmotte made for the corridor. Down this she ran, almost brushing +against a figure crouching behind the arras--a figure skulking there +like the evil thing it was. It was Simon, who had heard the shot too, +and overcome by his fierce impatience had come forth from his chamber, +poniard in hand. As the girl passed he made a half movement towards +her, like the spider about to pounce upon his prey. But La Marmotte +was following, and he drew back, and watched the two figures speeding +down the gallery, and then they halted suddenly, for the clashing +ceased, and there was the thud of a heavy body falling. Through the +partly-open door of the supper-room a banner of light fell crosswise on +the corridor, throwing into relief the figures of the two women +standing side by side with blanched faces, and for the moment there was +an awful stillness. + +"Well thrust, Trotto!" shouted Simon from his lurking-place, too sure +of the issue, and then he started back with a sickening chill. + +He had heard my voice as I stepped out and called to mademoiselle. And +she, who was but an arm's length away, sprang forward. + +"Here! here! Oh! what has happened?" + +"It has happened that we have come into the house of murder," I +replied; and then, my eyes falling on La Marmotte, I said, as I pointed +to the room within: "He needs all your care; go to him." + +La Marmotte shrank back at my look and tone, and then cried out: "I am +innocent--I swear it." + +"Go to him!" I said; and turning to mademoiselle: "Come! we have not a +moment to lose." + +And so we went out, leaving La Marmotte staring after us, for she made +no movement. And, standing there, a cold hand grasped her wrist, and a +voice hissed in her ear: + +"Fool! there is a dagger at your girdle. Could you not have driven it +through his heart?" + +But La Marmotte only looked at the Vidame foolishly, and from the far +distance there came through the night the sound of a horn. + +"It is Aramon returning," exclaimed Simon; "we have them yet." And +leaving La Marmotte where she stood he followed on our footsteps, his +dagger in his unwounded hand. + +On he went, with uncertain, wavering footsteps, and fury in his heart. +He meant to kill if he could. It was in Simon's mind to make a sudden, +desperate attack. An unexpected stroke from his poniard might free him +from me, and his prize might yet be his. As for the varlet--Simon gave +Pierrebon not a thought. But as he went on his wounded arm began to +sting and bleed afresh. A faintness came upon him, and, overcome by +the pain and loss of blood, he sank down all dizzy behind the high +privet, a cold sweat on his forehead. In impotent fury he struck his +dagger to the hilt in the soft turf at his side, and, still holding the +haft, leaned forward and peered through the hedge. Then as he crouched +he heard quick voices, and then three mounted figures rode across the +parterres to the gate. Again the sound of the horn rang out, and Simon +heard Pierrebon's voice. + +"The other wasps come back, monsieur! Hasten! Let us be off!" + +"But not before I have struck a blow," answered Simon, as, heartened by +the sound of the horn, he gathered himself together and made for the +gate, only to see us pass through it ere he had gone ten paces. + +He reached the gate somehow, and stared into the night. We were gone. +We had turned to the right in the direction of the river, and were +already hidden from view by the woods. + +Twice Simon heard the beat of hoofs as the horses dashed over the hard +ground, and after that all was still. + +"If Aramon would but come!" he groaned; and then, through the moonlit +haze on the left, where the moorland stretched long and brown, came the +sound of hoarse voices, and a loud laugh, and upon this a line of about +half-a-dozen horsemen appeared riding slowly towards the house. + +"Aramon! Aramon! Here! To me!" + +At his call they put spurs to their beasts, and were soon beside +him--an evil-looking set of knaves, mounted on horses foam-flecked and +weary with hard going. Simon gave them no time for speech, but shouted: + +"After them! After them! Else they escape!" + +"After whom, monseigneur?" asked he who appeared to be their leader as +he went on: "We have chased the air all day; are we to ride after +phantoms by night?" + +"Fool! It is Mademoiselle de Paradis and her lover. He has wounded +me, and killed Trotto and Piero and Malsain, and escaped with her ten +minutes ago. They cannot have gone far, and the river must stop them. +After them!" And, panting with excitement, he ceased. + +From the height of his saddle Aramon looked down on Simon, and whistled +low to himself. + +"So monseigneur is wounded, which is bad for you, monseigneur; and +Piero is dead, which is good; and Malsain is dead, which is bad, for he +was my own man; and the captain Trotto is dead, which is good +again--for me, monseigneur." + +"Fool! Will you waste time? Every moment is precious." + +"Softly, monseigneur! There is plenty of time for me. Trotto is dead, +you say, and I sit here in my saddle captain of the wolves of +Fontevrault; and," he continued with a chuckle, "with a new king comes +a new policy, as you are aware, monseigneur." + +"What do you mean?" asked Simon, with an uneasy note in his voice. + +"I mean, monseigneur, that of late you have not played fair with us. I +mean that a sword that can slay as the one you describe is not one to +be meddled with by weary men; and I mean that I, Aramon, being captain +of these brave fellows now, intend to be my own captain for the future. +Is it not so, my wolves?" + +There were gruff murmurs of assent, and Simon drew back a space. It +was not, however, from fear--Simon of Orrain never suffered from the +poltroon fever; he but drew back to strike hard, and to sell his life +dearly. They ringed him in--his own men who had turned against +him--and he stood with his back to the gate. He did not flinch, and +meant to fight, hopeless as it was, for all around him were white, +shining swords, that needed but a word from Aramon to be red with his +blood. But the new captain did not want this. + +"Bah!" he said, "throw down your dagger, monseigneur. We want not your +life. For the present you will be the guest of Aramon--that is, until +you have paid me, and these gentlemen here, two thousand gold +Henris--fat gold Henris--for all our trouble. Come!--throw down the +dagger! Put a good face on it!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE ROAD TO POITIERS + +We reined up on the edge of a shelving bank, and the Mable swirled +before us. Beyond the alders on the opposite shore, but about a mile +higher upstream, lay Richelieu. Late though it was there were many +lights still burning, and now and then a fitful flare, that made the +houses stand out redly for a moment, led me to think that the place was +occupied by troops or marauders; and if so, the result would in either +case be the same for the town, or for ourselves if we ventured thither. +It must be remembered that the King's Writ was waste-paper here. All +that was ill was loose in the land, and though Montpensier from the +north and Montluc from the south struck with heavy hands, the +Christaudins--or Huguenots, as they called them--held all the country +from the chalks of Châtellerault to Saumur, and from Fontenaye to +Thouars and La Mothe St. Héraye. + +Craning forward from the saddle I looked in the direction of the town, +muttering to myself: "It may be out of the frying-pan into the fire." +And as I did so mademoiselle exclaimed: + +"Monsieur, why do we stay? That is Richelieu; and they follow us. +Cross, cross!" + +I made no answer; but Pierrebon dismounted, and placed his ear to the +ground. + +"No one follows," he said after a little, rising to his feet; "they +have had enough, these accursed bandits." And with this he mounted +once more. + +"But why stay? See! there is the house of the Bailiff of Muisson--that +tall one where the lights are burning at the windows." + +"The Bailiff keeps late hours, mademoiselle." And even as I spoke a +bright flame suddenly flashed out, a ruddy light lit the walls, and the +distant shouting of many voices came to our ears. + +"See!" I went on, "they are cooking a late supper with the doors. They +will make breakfast with the rafters." + +"What is happening? Oh! what an awful night this is!" + +"What is happening, mademoiselle, I cannot tell; but it seems we have +only escaped a great danger to meet with another. Richelieu is full of +armed men. Who they are we do not know. At any rate, for your sake if +for nothing else, we will risk no more. We will cross, and make for +Razines. There we will wait for daylight. Come!" + +Leaning forward I took her horse by the bridle and we entered the +stream. + +"Courage!" said Pierrebon, who rode at her right; "courage, +mademoiselle! It is not deep." + +And she laughed, for she was not afraid, though the water bubbled and +hissed around us, and once or twice the horses staggered and swayed, as +though they would have fallen. Finally we made the passage, and +reached the opposite shore. Once there I led them at a trot along the +white, dusty track. We were in the angle formed by the Mable and the +Veude, and here, where Poitou slopes towards the sea, the country still +retains, with a roughness like unto that of Auvergne, all the freshness +of La Marche. Far south was a dreary plain, but around us the land +billowed into low hillocks, that stood over long stretches of stunted +forest. + +We rode in silence, except when now and again I spoke a word of warning +in regard to the state of the road, or to regulate the pace. I began +to wonder how long mademoiselle would hold out; and my doubts were soon +set at rest. It was whilst crossing the almost dry bed of one of the +small streams, spreading like veins over the country, that she suddenly +reined up. + +"I cannot go farther," she said faintly; and calling a halt I looked +around me. A little distance from the track, which wound before us +amongst the glistening stones, lay a dark grove of trees. I pointed at +them. + +"We will rest there, mademoiselle. 'Tis barely fifty paces; bear up +till then!" And dismounting I walked by the side of her horse. + +Short as the distance was I was in doubt if she would hold out, and as +I glanced at her I saw even by the moonlight how white and drawn was +her face, and then she began to sway in her seat. Calling to Pierrebon +to take the reins of her horse I tried to hold her in the saddle, but, +feeling her slipping, I put my unhurt arm around her and lifted her to +the ground. For a little space she stood as one dazed, leaning against +me with closed eyes, and then with an effort recovered herself and drew +back. + +"I am able to walk, monsieur--I--how far is it?" + +"Only a step now." And, still supporting her, I led her onward until +we reached the trees. + +"We are here, mademoiselle." And taking her into the shade of a huge +walnut-tree I flung my cloak on the grass, and made her sit thereon, +whilst we hedged her around with saddlery. It was done as quickly as +we could, and the tired girl leaned back against the saddles utterly +wearied and exhausted. I stood watching her for a little, and then +with a whispered word to Pierrebon about the horses stepped aside. I +could do no more; but my heart was heavy within me, for I feared the +result of exposure for her. + +A few yards off a withered tree stood apart, an outcast from its +fellows. The thought struck me as I went up to it, and tapped the +decayed trunk with my fingers: "You and I, my friend--we have seen our +past, and are out of the pale now." With this I sat down on one of the +huge roots, that coiled like monstrous serpents at my feet, and leaning +my head against the tree prepared to wait for the dawn. + +My arm, where Simon's sword had touched me, now began to remind me that +it needed attention. A low whistle brought Pierrebon to my side, and +the injury was looked to by such light as the moon gave. Fortunately +it was but a slight flesh wound, and an improvised bandage soon gave +relief. So, resting it in a sling out of my scarf, I leaned back once +more, and bade Pierrebon go and sleep. + +For an hour or more I sat thus, watching and thinking. At last, rising +slowly, I cautiously stepped up to mademoiselle and looked. She was +asleep; but so still did she lie, so pale and white did she look, that +I thought for a terrible moment that she was dead, and bent over her, +placing my hand close to her lips to feel if she breathed. She moved +uneasily as I did so, and I came back to my tree and to my thoughts. +Finally, as the moon was sinking, I too slept, and as I slept I +dreamed. I saw myself once more riding towards Orrain, and not alone, +for mademoiselle was by my side. As we rode out of the pine-woods the +Chateau stood before us. There was the square keep, with its +pepper-box towers, and bartizans overhanging the moat. There were the +grey ramparts tapestried in ivy, and the terraced gardens, where the +peacocks sunned themselves. All around us were happy faces, and joyous +voices welcoming us home--the home to which I had so long been dead; +and it was mine now, and more besides--and then--I awoke with a start +and looked around me. It was all so real. + +"Tush!" I exclaimed, "have I slipped back into the days of enchantment +and the fay Melusine?" And rising I saw it was touching dawn, for the +east was red, and the morning star, Maguelonne--the shepherd's star, as +we call it in our hills--was burning bright. Mademoiselle and +Pierrebon were still asleep, and it was too early yet to awaken them. +It would be time enough when the sun rose, and in the meanwhile I began +to reflect upon the best means of bestowing mademoiselle in safety. +Razines was so near to Richelieu that if the latter were occupied by +marauders they would hardly have left the little hamlet alone, unless, +indeed, they were Huguenots who were in Richelieu. In which event +Razines, which was known to be touched with the new heresy, would +probably be unharmed. This, however, did not make things any the +better for us. I made up my mind that the best course would be to take +mademoiselle on with me to Poitiers, and there hand her over to some +responsible person until her friends could be told of her. The very +thought of this, however, jarred on me somehow, and I caught myself +building castles in Spain again. "Come," I said to myself, "at your +age, _mon ami_, you should know better than to go off dreaming at the +sight of a pretty face and the sound of a sweet voice." And then I +laughed aloud at the thought that I knew but half her name--that at any +rate would be remedied soon. So, rising, for it was time now, I softly +awoke Pierrebon and mademoiselle, and in a short while we were once +more on our way through the low hills that stretched through Lencloître. + +It was necessary at all hazards that we should get some food, as well +for the horses as ourselves, and when we had gone a little way we saw +Razines lying to our left. Here I halted, and, moving my party into +cover behind some trees, I explained the position, and begged +mademoiselle to remain with Pierrebon, whilst I went forward to the +village to see how matters stood, adding that, if I did not return +within a short time, her best course would be to go on to Poitiers with +Pierrebon, and place herself in a convent there until she could write +to her friends. + +"Monsieur," she answered, her colour rising, "you have risked enough +for me already. I will not permit you to do this. If you go to +Razines I go too." + +I was delighted with her courage; but though I pressed her hard to do +what I asked she was firm in her resolve. In this matter, however, I +had no intention of yielding, and we might have been there half the day +had we not seen coming up the road a couple of villagers with some +cattle. + +"We can at least inquire from them," I suggested, and she laughed. + +"At the first sight of you, monsieur, they will be off. Let me go!" +And suiting action to words she rode out towards the peasants. There +was truth in her words, for as she rode out of the trees one of the +yokels fled at once, but the other, seeing it was a woman, held his +ground. A moment after they were in converse, and I saw a broad grin +on the man's face. Then mademoiselle beckoned to us, and we came +forth. On our appearance the peasant seemed inclined to follow his +friend's example; but we somehow managed to reassure him, and gathered +that, except for a small party of harmless travellers who were at the +Green Man, Razines was empty. + +"You are luckier than they are at Richelieu, my friend," I said. + +"Then Richelieu is taken?" + +"Apparently so." + +"Hola! for Monsieur de Ganache!" And he flung his cap in the air. +"Ha, monsieur, the Vicomte passed here but yesterday evening, with +sixty lances at his back, to hang the Guidon. Has he done so?" + +"I know not," I answered; and turning to mademoiselle, said: "We have +had a lucky escape." + +"Indeed! How, monsieur?" + +"Because M. de Ganache is known to be one of the fiercest of the +Huguenot leaders, and spares nothing." + +"We have to thank those who made him so, monsieur; and at any rate he +has spared Razines." + +I looked at her in surprise. Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks were +hot, and I could scarce forbear a smile at the thought that it was a +little rebel I had in my charge, and turning the talk, said: + +"We may go on to the Green Man in safety, I think." And, bidding +Pierrebon give the yokel a coin, we pressed forwards. It was not, +however, without another careful scrutiny that I led the way into the +village, where we were soon within the doors of the inn. It was a poor +place, but host and hostess were kindly; and did the best they could. +In the public room was the party of travellers whom the peasant had +mentioned. They consisted of a gentleman and his wife, whose dress and +air betokened them people of rank, whilst a little apart, at the lower +end of the room, were one or two others--their servants. The glitter +of a sapphire ring on the stranger's hand attracted my attention, and +it was as if he noticed the casual glance I cast at it, for he turned +his hand so as to hide the ring. This set me observing him more +narrowly, and though it was years since I had seen him I was certain it +was the Cardinal of Châtillon. It was Odet de Coligny himself, not a +doubt of it, and the lady was the noble woman who had sacrificed so +much for his sake. He had married her--prince of the Church though he +was--and had openly thrown in his lot with those of the New Faith. + +They in their turn looked at us with interest as we entered, and on +seeing mademoiselle the lady looked as if she knew her, and seemed as +if she were about to speak, but Châtillon said something in a low voice +which restrained her. On the other hand, mademoiselle seemed flurried, +and kept her face averted. I could not but think they knew each other; +but it was no time to ask questions, so I said nothing, but quietly set +about arranging for our comforts. Mademoiselle retired to her room at +once, the landlady fussing after her, and after having assisted +Pierrebon to see to the horses I myself went to rest. I must have +slept for a good four hours, and on awakening found it was high noon. +Down I came, and entering the public room of the inn found it empty. I +went on towards the stables, where Pierrebon was still asleep near the +horses. There was no sign of mademoiselle, and thinking she was still +resting I let Pierrebon alone, and returning into the inn sat near a +window, awaiting my charge's appearance. Had I been alone I would have +pressed on to Poitiers, and reached it by nightfall; but as it was it +would be better to wait till well on in the afternoon, when +mademoiselle, being refreshed, would no doubt be able to travel. We +should halt at Miribeau for the night, and make Poitiers the next day. +So I let some time go past, and then, feeling dull, called to the host, +and invited him to share a bottle of wine with me. He came, as it +seemed, somewhat unwillingly; but soon we were in talk, and, for +something to say, I inquired about the other travellers. Here his +embarrassment increased, and he stammered out that they had gone on to +Richelieu about two hours ago; and then, as if taking a sudden +resolution, fumbled in his pocket, and drew forth a letter, which he +handed to me, saying: "For you, monsieur." + +I tore open the cover, and read: + + +"MONSIEUR,--I owe you so much that I know not how to thank you or how +to explain my leaving you as I do now. I feel sure you would like to +know that I am going of my own free will, and with friends. Monsieur, +we will meet again I know, and then, perhaps, I shall be in a position +to show you that I can be grateful. DIANE." + + +I read to the end without a word, and glanced at my host. He saw and +understood the question in my eyes. + +"Mademoiselle gave it to me with her own hands. I--I could not prevent +her leaving," he added, with fear in his voice. The poor wretch was +almost overcome with terror at the thought that I might turn against +him in my wrath. + +"Thank you; that is enough." And crushing the letter in my hand I rose +and walked out. I was hurt and indignant, but after a little I cooled +down. After all, her proper place was with her friends. I had but +helped her on her way, and there was an end of it. So I swallowed my +ill-humour as best I could, and, to his astonishment, making the +landlord of the inn a present of the horse we had taken at Le +Jaquemart, Pierrebon and I went on our way. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES + +I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears. Pierrebon, who +loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but +finding his efforts useless dropped away back. It was not possible to +go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch +of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, +I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night. +Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, +and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of +which I forget. At length matters were righted, and we continued our +journey. The day was hot and overcast. Towards sunset the clouds +increased, and ever and again the rumbling of thunder gave warning of +an approaching storm. We were, however, near Poitiers by this, and +could see the spires of the churches and the black mass of the city. I +drew rein for a moment to look, and almost felt as if my task were +done, when Pierrebon exclaimed: + +"_Allons_, monsieur! it has come!" + +And with a vengeance, too. First a few warm drops, then a blaze of +lightning, a crash of thunder, and then rain in torrents. It became +dark, and it was with the greatest difficulty that we could find our +way. But at length we reached the Pont Joubert, and passing the Chapel +of the Holy Virgin, raised in memory of the miraculous preservation of +the city during the war of the hundred years, we entered Poitiers. It +is true we had reached it, but it seemed as if our difficulties had +only begun. What with the darkness and the wind blowing the rain +straight in our faces, so that we could barely see, it would have been +hard for us to have found our way anywhere, even if we knew the city, +but neither Pierrebon nor I had been in Poitiers before. In the +basement of the guard-tower flanking the gate lights were burning, and +a group of soldiers were sitting at a table playing at dice, whilst a +few stray travellers were huddled together at the entrance, waiting, +perhaps, for the storm to pass, and continually peering out into the +darkness from their shelter, if such it could be called. I made my way +there, and had to shout twice ere I was heard, so great was the noise +of the tempest. Finally the ancient of the gate came up, and I asked +him for the nearest inn. He answered, civilly enough: + +"'Tis but a little way, monsieur. Go straight down the Rue du Pigeon +Blanc, past Ste. Radegonde, and the Filles de Notre Dame, there in the +place St. Simplicien----" + +"But I know nothing of Poitiers. How am I to find my way?" + +To this he shrugged his shoulders and laughed; but at this juncture a +boy stepped forth out of the group at the door and offered to guide us +to the inn. This offer I accepted, and with a word of thanks to the +ancient we went on--the last thing we heard being hoarse orders shouted +out to close the gates. Our way was lit by continuous flashes of +lightning, and by one of these, lasting longer than usual, I saw on a +hill which overlooked the Church of Ste. Radegonde, her right hand +outstretched as if invoking a blessing on the city, the colossal Virgin +of Poitiers all shining with light--light that seemed to flame back +from the statue against the storm. So impressive was it that Pierrebon +crossed himself, and the boy sank on his knees in the water that hummed +along the street with an "Ave, ave!" + +The sight was one I have never forgotten, and has often given me +subject for reflection, so that I am firmly convinced that even if a +God did not exist the imagination of man would conjure one up for his +worship. + +It was lucky that we found a guide, for, short as the distance was, I +doubt if we would have found our way that night to the hostel of the +Elephant, for so the inn was called. Once there I gave the boy a coin, +bidding him get something to eat, for he looked as though he needed it, +and told him to wait, as I would require him shortly. I determined to +halt there until the storm had subsided a little, and inquired where +Montluc resided. He had but lately come, I was informed, and was for +the present temporarily lodged in the priory of the Capuchins. So, +taking the opportunity whilst I waited for the rain to diminish, I had +some refreshment, and attended to my arm, which was still painful. I +then made arrangements with the landlord for another horse, as nothing +would have induced me to ride my own poor beast farther that night. +This being settled, I waited for half an hour or so, when the storm +somewhat abated, though the wind was still high, and there was a sharp +drizzle. Then mounting the hired horse, and giving the boy a lantern I +had borrowed, I bade him guide me to the priory of the Capuchins. + +On we went, the wind and rain in our faces. By good luck the lantern +held out, though its light was not much better than that of a glowworm. +We picked our way through narrow streets swimming with water, past +gutters babbling like mountain streams, and made a snail's progress +through that infernal night. Now and again a broad sheet of lightning +blazed athwart the darkness, showing the black and uneasy clouds +overhead, and giving a momentary glimpse of tall, ghostly towers, of +gabled roofs and pointed windows, and of houses that seemed to lean +forward and form arcades, below which the crooked, glistening streets +wound. As we were passing a large church--I found out later that it +was St. Croix--the bells began to sound compline, and then from every +steeple and spire in the city the chime was echoed, and borne across +the night in strange sweetness by the storm. My little guide made his +way bravely, and at length--it seemed an age--we reached the priory of +the Capuchins. Lights were burning everywhere, and there was a huge +log fire spluttering at the gate, which was still open. The arched +passage beyond the gate, which led to the forecourt, was full of men, +not hooded Capuchins, but men-at-arms, and it was easy to see that the +priory had been turned into a camp. I explained that I bore despatches +from Paris for M. de Montluc, and the words acted like magic. I was +told to leave my horse to the boy, and was led along the galleries that +bounded the cloisters of the forecourt. They were full of men, but all +orderly and quiet, as may be imagined with Montluc at hand. At length +we reached the hall, and there I was asked to wait until the General +was informed of my arrival. All dripping and wet as I was, and +unheeding the glances cast at me by those who were there, I sat down on +a bench near the fireplace, in which, on account of the damp, a fire +had been lit, and glowered into the flames, the blue smoke rising in +little columns from my drenched clothes. No one spoke to me, nor did I +address anyone, and I was struck by the extraordinary silence that was +preserved. Men spoke in whispers, and even when a man-at-arms passed, +his step was as light as that of a monk. + +"Monsieur," said a voice, "will you have the goodness to follow me?" + +I looked up, and saw an officer wearing the red and white sash of +Randan's Light Horse, my old comrades, and the sight of the colours +after so many years affected me to such a degree that at first I was +unable to move, and the officer had to repeat his request. Then I +arose, and followed him up what seemed an interminable stair. At last +we halted before a door, and here to the knock we heard a sharp +"Enter." Stepping in, I found myself before Montluc, and apologised +for appearing in the drenched condition I was in. He took no notice of +me, however, but kept walking up and down the cabinet like a tiger. He +was in demi-mail, the collar of the Order at his neck, and as he paced +the room with a halting step I observed with interest and respect the +great soldier who in forty years of glorious service had but twice seen +the Court. His defence of Siena was still ringing through Europe; but +back upon that one saw the field of Pavia, the campaign in Naples, the +defence of Marseilles, the siege of Perpignan, and the glorious +campaign of Italy, which ended in the crown of Cerisolles, and where, +but for him, the day was lost. I had served at Cerisolles myself; but +though I had seen Montluc I had never known him. Years had, however, +seemed to make no impression upon him; and, tall and lean, with long +grey moustaches, and glittering, grey-green eyes, he looked like a +fierce and starving cat as he restlessly limped to and fro. + +At last he suddenly stopped, and, resting a hand on the hip broken at +Chieri, asked me abruptly: + +"I am told you have brought despatches from Paris?" + +"Monsieur!" And taking out the packet I had been entrusted with I +handed it to him. + +He received it in silence, and sitting down at a table littered with +papers examined the seals. Then drawing his poniard he was about to +cut open the packet when he arrested himself, saying: + +"I see it is from the Queen." + +"Monsieur, it was given to me by her Majesty herself, and when you have +read it I have a message for you." + +"The Queen must trust you." + +"She has in this case, monsieur." + +He smiled grimly, and opened the packet. As he read his face assumed +so malign and fierce an aspect that I had little difficulty in +persuading myself of the truth of the stories of savage cruelty that I +had heard of him. When he had finished he set down the paper, and +asked calmly enough: + +"Your message, monsieur?" + +I told him, he taking it down word for word, and placing the paper +carefully in a drawer, out of which he drew a parchment roll. + +"You see this, monsieur? It is my patent as lieutenant of the South. +After nearly forty years of service it was given to me. I have held it +a month--and now--it is waste-paper." And with that he flung it into +the drawer, which he shut with a clash. + +"They have need of me in Italy again, they say; and when I am gone, +mark my words, these psalm-singing Huguenots, these Chrysostoms, whom I +have made skip like the hills in their own hymn, will be in Poitiers in +a week." And he laughed harshly as he went on: "They fear I shall turn +against them, and throw in my lot with these others--I--Blaise de +Montluc! Tell them I am a soldier of my King, that I am but a poor +gentleman of the South, who when his time is done will hang up his +sword in his Chateau of Estillac, and die there, unless God answers his +prayer and lets him die on the field." + +I saw before me the sudden breaking of great hopes, and, as I then +thought, the ruin of a great career, and stammered out: "Monsieur, you +will soon be back." + +He smiled, and then, as if pushing all aside from his mind: "This will +at any rate make a chapter of my commentaries. I am writing them in +the style of Caesar, whom I hope to surpass in this. At present, I +have carried them as far as the sieges of Parma and La Mirandole by the +armies of the Holy Father and the Emperor." With this he pointed at a +pile of manuscript that lay on the table, as he added, with true Gascon +conceit: "It is better that they who make history should write it +rather than leave it to some scoundrel clerk, as I hear Vieilleville is +doing." + +He seemed to have forgotten his misfortune in the contemplation of his +writing, and on my applauding his sentiment, he, looking at my arm, +which was still in its sling, asked how I had hurt it. I told him +briefly, and he listened in silence, until I gave him information of De +Ganache and the Huguenots at Richelieu. Then he stopped me. + +"Are you sure they were there last night?" + +"Yes, and probably till late to-day." + +"Then we will have most of them here as our guests, monsieur, in a +couple of days at the latest. I want De Ganache badly, and would like +much to finish with him ere they finish with me." + +I thought of Diane, and in my heart sent up a prayer that, on this +occasion at least, the Huguenots might escape Montluc's claws; and the +General went on: + +"I see, monsieur, the Queen has recommended you as one to be trusted +entirely--and the Queen is not easily deceived. You are, she says, a +citizen of Paris, and have borne arms--where?" + +"In the Milanese, monsieur. I was at Cerisolles with Monsieur +d'Enghien." + +"Good! And after that?" + +"I did not serve, monsieur." + +We looked hard at each other, and a dry but not unkindly smile sat on +his lips. + +"Would you care to see Italy again?" + +"If the Queen has no further need for me I am ready." + +"We will leave it so, then. In the meantime, you may, perhaps, have a +little commission to execute for me, or rather for the Queen. That +will keep you employed until you finally decide. It may need using +your sword. Does your wound trouble you?" + +"It will be healed in less than a week." + +"Well, go now and rest. You are being lodged here, of course?" + +"I have secured a lodging at the Elephant, monsieur." + +"Then to-morrow you must come here. I will see to that, for I like to +lay hands on a man when I want him." And with this he struck a gong, +and the officer who had brought me in appeared. + +"Sarlaboux," said the General, "let Monsieur Broussel be conducted +safely to his inn, and see that no harm befalls him." + +I was about to take my leave when Montluc stopped me. + +"A word!-- That little story of yours in connection with your wound, +monsieur, has interested me. I will give it a place in my +commentaries." And he took up his pen as I retired, followed by +Sarlaboux. + +I may add that, many years after, it was my good fortune to see a copy +of the old Marshal's commentaries, which had been made for his brother, +Monseigneur the Bishop of Valence. By some strange chance, for he +rarely forgot anything, he had omitted my story, nor was there any +mention of the secret communication I made to him; and, perhaps, this +was due to design. He was a great soldier and a great man, whose life +may be summed up in the motto of his house: _Deo duce, ferro comite_. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE TOUR DE L'OISEAU + +"Thirty-three Henris, of which two are bad, these I have set +aside--seven sols, and nine deniers, making in all thirty-one Henris, +seven sols, and nine coppers of good money--and this is all, monsieur." + +It was touching the afternoon, and I was going over the present state +of my affairs with Pierrebon. I looked at the small heaps of coin he +had sorted out carefully on the table before me, and then rising walked +to my window and gazed out. The storm of last night had passed, and +Poitiers lay before me, all wet and glistening in warm sunlight. I was +not, however, interested in the landscape but in the hard fact that +thirty-one Henris, in round figures, would not carry me far in what I +had before me. After a minute or so I came back again, and looked at +the money and then at Pierrebon. It was a hopeless sum. + +"It is correct, monsieur," he said; "and, of course, we have the +horses." + +"I know that; but what I am thinking of is that it is not enough. In +short, I know not how long it will be before I can communicate with +Olden Hoorn at Antwerp; and more money is needed, for there is work +before us, Pierrebon." + +The honest fellow's eyes lit. "How many times have I not said the good +days would come back, monsieur? All the years can never be famine +years, and we will have our hotel in the Rue de Bourgogne again, and +twenty gentlemen at our heels when we go to the Louvre; and if money is +needed now, monsieur, we have it." + +"Where? I do not see it." And I laughed. + +For answer Pierrebon unclasped his belt. Then taking his poniard he +ripped up an inch or so of leather on the inner side and took therefrom +a piece of paper carefully folded. This he handed to me, saying: + +"Open it carefully, monsieur." + +I did so, and found I had in my hand a diamond of some value. I looked +at it in astonishment, and then at Pierrebon. He read my glance, and +began hastily: + +"Do not refuse, monsieur, for it came to me from you, as all that I +have has come. When we left Antwerp I had a hundred and fifty livres, +amassed in your service. Thirty I brought away in cash, and with a +hundred and twenty I purchased this stone from Olden Hoorn himself. It +is worth a hundred, I dare say, and, as money is needed now, 'tis +better to use our own than to go a-borrowing." + +It was impossible to refuse this faithful friend, and the diamond was +transferred to me. I may mention that I had declined all offers of +money made to me by the Queen and Le Brusquet, for I had a mind to work +out my way without any such obligation. It was, however, a different +matter with Pierrebon, and when the time came he lost nothing by his +fidelity. + +Matters being so far arranged we left the Elephant and betook ourselves +to the priory of the Capuchins, as M. de Montluc wished. On arrival +there I found that the General had set forth at dawn, with a hundred +lances and the Light Horse, and that two or three days might elapse ere +he returned. He had, however, left particular instructions about me, +and I found myself comfortably enough lodged. My first task was to +make arrangements for Masses for the soul of the dead Olivet, and for +the erection of a small cross to his memory in the Church of Ste. +Radegonde. Thus having fulfilled my promise to mademoiselle I spent +the next day or so in resting my arm, which grew rapidly better, and in +replacing sundry articles of apparel both for Pierrebon and myself. +All this made so considerable a gulf in the thirty-one Henris that I +resolved to transmute the diamond into gold. + +I consulted Sarlaboux, who, to his disgust, had been left behind in +Poitiers. He looked at the diamond, and said he would buy it for a +hundred and twenty livres; but protested, with oaths, that he had but +ten crowns in the world, and would, therefore, not be able to pay me at +once. This I could not agree to; and I was very nearly involved in a +quarrel, as he thought that a slight was being put upon his parole. +The affair, however, passed off. Finally, I decided on the advice of a +new acquaintance of mine--a Capuchin named Grigolet--to seek the Jews' +quarter, where at any rate I would receive gold and not promises to +pay. This Capuchin, who was a jovial soul, obligingly said he would +accompany me, as he himself had a little business there, in connection +with the conversion of a young Jewess, whose eyes, he said in +confidence, were brighter than any diamond. I accepted the holy man's +aid, and we set forth, he showing me many places of interest on our way. + +We left the priory by the western postern and went up the Rue des Trois +Piliers. The three pillars, which give its name to the street, mark +the boundary between the jurisdiction of the Chapter of St. Hilaire and +the town of Poitiers. They are set in the city wall, a few yards +apart, and the statue on the first pillar is that of the Emperor +Gallienus. On reaching the head of the road we turned up a narrow +alley, and found ourselves in the vast enclosure of the old arena--far +larger than those of Nimes and Aries in that it was capable of seating +fifty thousand persons, and was served for entrance or exit by a +hundred and twenty-four vomitories. Through this immense and deserted +ruin we passed, gaining the Rue d'Evreux by one of the entrances, in +the archway of which an inn was built. Then, passing the Colleges of +Ste. Marthe and Puygarreau, we took the Rue du Chat Rouge, and finally +came before the ogive arch, which formed the entrance to the Rue de +Penthièvre, where the Jews were compelled to live and transact their +business. A similar arch and gate shut in the other end of the street, +and guards were at each gate. During the day these unfortunate people +were allowed to go into the city at their own risk; but by nightfall, +at the sound of the _couvre feu_, every one of them had to be within +his street, under heavy pains and penalties, which were rigorously +exacted. + +On entering we found ourselves in a small and narrow street crowded +with people in yellow and grey gaberdines. All around us were dark +faces, bright black eyes, and hooked noses. Children swarmed, and lay +about in the filth and ordure of the pavement. My companion drew forth +a small flagon of scent, with which he liberally besprinkled both +himself and me, and picking our way with care we found ourselves before +the shop of Nathan the Jew. Here, whilst the Capuchin went farther on +to see his Jewess, I haggled with Nathan for an hour or more over the +price of the diamond, but could not persuade him to give more than +fifteen livres. This was absurd, and I was about to turn away in +disgust when the Capuchin returned. The bargaining was now taken up by +a master, and the short of it was that we made our way out of the Jews' +quarter with sixty-three livres in my purse. Three of these I gave +Grigole for his good offices, and on approaching the Rue d'Evreux the +holy man disappeared into an auberge, doubtless with a view to meditate +on further arguments for the conversion of his Miriam, whilst I +returned alone to the priory. + +I was now fairly well supplied with money, but took the opportunity to +write to my friend at Antwerp, bidding him send two hundred crowns of +the sun for me to the care of Le Brusquet. This, with many misgivings, +I entrusted to the King's post. It, however, arrived in safety, and I +got my money. + +After supper that evening, as I was returning to my chamber, I heard a +commotion in the courtyard, and at first thought that Montluc had +returned. On inquiry, however, I found that this was not so, but that +certain prisoners of importance had been brought to the priory. I +could not find out who they were, nor, indeed, did I try much, but took +myself off. + +So far things were going well with me, and I felt myself justified in +the hope that the famine years were coming to an end. I saw the +sentence of the Chambre Ardente against me cancelled, and began to see +also fine castles in dreamland, and with all these I unconsciously +began to associate Diane. I laughed at my folly, tried to set it +aside; but back came the thought to me, in such a manner that I felt +that every step I was about to take to win back my place was not for +myself but for her sake. And the fear of his own unworthiness, which +comes to every man who truly loves, came upon me, and with it the ghost +of that duel of days long past. + +There I had sinned, and sinned deeply, and it was poor consolation to +tell myself that the man does not live whose life could stand sunshine +on it. For me it was enough to know that I had committed a grievous +wrong; it was for me to find out how to right it, or make +compensation--empty regrets were useless. + +Of that affair it may be as well to speak freely here. Amongst my +friends in the red days was one who was to me as David to Jonathan. +Godefrey de la Mothe was of an old family of the Tarantaise, and his +career at college had been of exceptional brilliancy. Some years my +senior, he had at first acquired great influence over me, an influence +ever exercised for my good. This lasted until my return from the +Italian campaign, when, seeing ruin staring me in the face, I had let +everything go, and sought to drown my sorrows in dissipation. My +friend strove to stay me; but, driven to madness, I repulsed all his +kindness. One day we met near the Louvre, in such a manner that there +was no avoiding him. He began to expostulate with me on my latest +folly. I answered back hotly, and at last there were high words +between us, and that was said by me for which there was but one remedy; +and he fell, as is known. Since then I could only regret. But now +there was punishment as well as regret. With the memory of this could +I dare to think of Diane? There was only one answer, and with that +answer I began to realise that what comes to all men had come to me, +and that I loved. In his gibing way Le Brusquet had said that a man +feels conscious of love in the same manner as he feels a sudden chill. +The words came back to me, and I laughed sadly, for there was truth in +them. + +I own that the blue-devils took me to such an extent that I had +thoughts of abandoning everything; but this soon passed, and I made up +my mind to right things as far as man could, and leave the issue in the +hands of God. I had been paying for my sins for so many years that the +debt was almost quitted, and a stout heart would, perhaps, bring me to +shore. + +Nevertheless, I passed a white night, and rising early in the morning +rode out of the city by the Porte de Rochereuil, returning about ten +o'clock. On coming back I found that M. de Montluc had returned, and +had desired to see me at once. I was about to dismount when Sarlaboux, +who had recovered his temper, which he lost over the affair of the +diamond, informed me that the General had gone on to the Tour de +l'Oiseau, and I had better follow him there if I thought the matter of +sufficient importance. This I did, and as soon as ever Pierrebon, whom +I gave orders to accompany me, was ready we set forth, and Sarlaboux +came with us. Whilst waiting for Pierrebon he told me that Montluc had +utterly broken the Huguenot leader De Ganache near Richelieu, and taken +him prisoner. + +"Were any others taken?" + +"Probably; and must be trying to hang as gracefully as walnuts now. +Ménorval tells me that the old fox of Châtillon got off, though with a +singed tail." + +I began to breathe more freely. If the Cardinal had escaped it was +more than probable that mademoiselle was safe; but I resolved to make +sure. + +"There were no ladies taken, were there?" + +Sarlaboux cocked his eye and looked at me. "_Eh bien_! My dear +monsieur, are you finding it dull here? If so, I confess so do I. +This is a city of the saints. Alas, no! There were no ladies taken, +as far as I know; only De Ganache." + +"Then it was he who arrived last night?" + +"No; he was brought in by Montluc himself this morning, and it strikes +me that he will never see the sun set. He has been taken to the Tour +de l'Oiseau where Montluc has just gone, and which we had better reach +as soon as possible if we wish to see things." + +I had to be content with this, and Pierrebon being ready we started off +at a smart canter. The news I had heard had set my heart going, and it +was in no enviable frame of mind that I drew up at the entrance to the +Tour de l'Oiseau. The full strength of the Light Horse, their red and +white pennons fluttering in the air, were trooped around the tower, and +it was evident that something was about to happen, for the faces of all +were grave, and all eyes kept scanning the battlements. Giving my +reins to Pierrebon I passed in with Sarlaboux, and running up the +stairs reached the top of the tower. There we found Montluc standing, +with half a dozen or so of his officers around him, and before him a +young man, his head bare, and his hands bound behind him, stood facing +Montluc. It was De Ganache. + +We took our places silently in the group just as Montluc spoke, in a +harsh, stern voice: + +"M. de Ganache, your crimes are heavy, and you are about to pay for +them. I bear no malice against you. I set aside my private wrongs, +the plunder of my Château of Estillac, the burning of my woods, and the +wanton destruction of my papers and manuscripts collected by me with +immense care." + +De Ganache laughed mockingly, and the blue veins stood out on Montluc's +forehead. If the issue had not been so terrible there was room, in +truth, for a smile, as he went on, with a gasp of rage: + +"What I hold against you is that you have been taken armed--a rebel +against your King and your God. I am going to make an example of you, +and shall deal out to you the same mercy you showed to Champagnac, +and----" + +"Enough, monsieur!" said the prisoner; "let this talking end. If I +have to die, let me die. I do not want a priest. I die in my faith, +which is not yours. Let the matter end quickly, and be done with it." + +A grim smile played on Montluc's lips as he leaned heavily on his sword. + +"Well, be it so! I will not keep you. Supposing we say a leap." + +"A leap?" + +"Yes--from these battlements. If not, you will hang." + +"Hang!--I!" And a flush came on the young noble's face. + +"Precisely. Champagnac was hanged, if you remember, and it is the fate +you reserved for me. You, however, have a choice." + +For a moment there was a silence, and Montluc made a sign to the guards +on either side of De Ganache to move away, and he was left free, except +that his hands were fastened. With a half turn he looked over the +battlements and gazed down from their dizzy height, and as he appeared +at the embrasure there arose a hoarse cry from below. He drew back, +and faced Montluc again. + +"Is it to be like this?" he asked thickly, making a motion to indicate +his tied hands. + +"Yes; you will fall easier." + +At this brutal answer De Ganache looked hopelessly around, as if +imploring help. His fortitude seemed to give way, and he began to +shiver in an uncontrollable manner. I could endure it no longer, and +made a step forward; but, growling something that I did not catch, +Sarlaboux seized me by the arm and drew me back. Just at this moment +Montluc laughed a bitter, stinging laugh; and the wretched prisoner, +swinging round, nerved himself to step again to the embrasure, and +stopped there tottering. Again the shout rose from below, and Montluc +rasped out: + +"Come, De Ganache, two looks are enough!" + +"I'll give you three to do it in, Monsieur de Montluc," I burst forth, +and shaking Sarlaboux off stepped up to the General. + +"You!" he snarled. + +"Monsieur," I exclaimed, "this will cover you with shame! This is the +act of a tiger, not a man. Forbear!--for the sake of your own fame, +your own honour." + +There was a low murmur behind me; even the stolid guards glanced at +each other; but Montluc, after one swift, angry look at me, kept his +head down, and made no answer, standing glowering at the hilt of his +sword as one who did not hear. + +It was De Ganache, however, who spoke. He had plucked up heart again +after his weakness. + +"There is at least one gentleman here! Let him alone, monsieur! Plead +not! After all, death is but death." But I stayed him with uplifted +hand, and went on: "Monsieur de Montluc, you will ever regret this. +Will you soil your glory with this act of shame?" + +Our eyes met, and the sombre fury in his look dropped before my gaze. +I saw my advantage, and approaching closer to him urged him again, and +to my joy he began to waver. Suddenly he turned from me, and walking +to the battlements looked down himself, remaining there for a space +amidst an absolute silence, broken but once by the uneasy clink of a +spur. + +So he stood, and we waited breathlessly, for all hung on a hair; and +then as suddenly he turned to us, his face looking older and more +wrinkled than ever. + +"M. de Ganache," he said in a hard voice, "you are free. Guards, loose +him!" + +Without another word or look he stepped forward, and began to limp +slowly down the winding stair. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +MADEMOISELLE DE PARADIS + +As the guards cut the cords that bound De Ganache's arms those who were +on the tower crowded round to congratulate him; but he seemed dazed, +and unable to realise his fortune. With an effort, however, he brought +himself together, and silently took my hand. He could not speak, but I +understood; and now Sarlaboux urged an immediate move, saying that the +sooner De Ganache was away the better, as there was no knowing what +might happen next. With this he led the way down, and we followed. + +On coming forth from the tower we found that the troops were already +moving away, though many of the officers remained behind, and came up +to us, out of curiosity to learn what had happened. At first we could +not see Montluc anywhere, but a voice called out: "There is the +General!" And looking, we saw a lonely figure in the distance +galloping by the Marais de St. Hilaire. Then he turned the angle of +the great priory. There was a flash of his red plume, a glitter of +sunlight on his corselet, and he was gone. + +"If you take my advice, monsieur," I said to De Ganache, "you will be +off at once. Here is a horse--and there is the open gate." And with +this I placed the reins of my nag, which Pierrebon had brought up, in +his hand. The enthusiasm of the moment caught all. Ménorval of the +Light Horse gave him a sword, someone else a hat, another a cloak. The +colour came and went from De Ganache's sunburnt face as, stammering his +thanks, he mounted. Then he put out his hand to me. "Monsieur," he +said, "I can never forget; and De Ganache is ever your friend. _Au +revoir_, gentlemen!" So, giving the reins to the horse, he galloped +out of the gate, which was but a stonethrow distant. As he crossed the +bridge he turned in the saddle and waved his hand in farewell, and then +we lost him in the hollow ground beyond. + +Mounting Pierrebon's horse I joined the others, and we rode back to the +priory--Ménorval swearing that I must be a magician, as never before +had he known Montluc yield as he had done this morning. + +As for me, though surprised at the result, my satisfaction was +increased by the thought that in aiding De Ganache I had helped one who +was a friend of mademoiselle. It was not this that had prompted me to +intervene on his behalf. Had it been anyone else I should have acted +as I had done. De Ganache was not clean-handed. He had shown little +mercy to those who fell into his hands, and when face to face with +death he had shown the white feather, though at the last he seemed to +recover himself. Still, guilty though he may have been, his death +would have been a crime, and it was something to think I had stood +between Montluc and that terrible blood madness which at times +possessed him. + +On arrival at the Capuchins my first thought was to see Montluc at +once, and although Sarlaboux and others tried to dissuade me I +persisted in my design, and found myself once more before the door of +his cabinet. On my entering he received me coldly, and, without making +any reference to what had just happened, inquired my business as if he +had totally forgotten his summons to me. I explained that I was there +in obedience to his request to see me, and after a moment of thought he +said: + +"You recollect I told you I would probably entrust you with a +commission to the Queen? Are you ready to undertake it?" + +"Perfectly." + +"You will have to go back to Paris; but that is your way. When can you +start?" + +It was not wise to think of a return to Paris; but I had gone too far +to shrink back now, and besides, I was beginning to believe again in my +star. So I gulped down my fears, and put a bold front on the matter, +saying: + +"As soon as I can get a horse, monsieur." + +"Ho!" And we looked at each other steadily. A faint smile bent his +iron lips, and, muttering something in his beard, he took up a pen, +scratched a few lines, and handed me the paper. I glanced at it, and +saw it was an order to give me any horse I liked from his stable. I +began to thank him; but he stopped me, saying: + +"Show the order to Sarlaboux; and if you take my advice you will choose +Lizette, the dun mare. She will well replace the one you have--lost." + +"I well know how to value such a gift, monsieur." + +"Here there is a packet for the Queen; but this is not your task. I am +going to entrust you with a prisoner, whom you will place in the +Queen's hands." + +"Monsieur," I began; but he read my thoughts ere I had spoken them. + +"Oh, it is no catch-poll's business; I have others to do that. This +lady is only a nominal prisoner----" + +"It's a woman, then?" And my thoughts went back to mademoiselle. +Could Sarlaboux have been mistaken? + +"Yes; and remember that her life depends upon her reaching the Queen, +though she does not believe it." + +"May I ask this lady's name?" + +"Mademoiselle de Paradis, the greatest heiress in Poitou, but a +Huguenot to her little finger-tips." + +"In that case, monsieur, the Queen's mantle of protection is likely to +be a shroud." + +"You do not understand," he snapped. "Mademoiselle, or rather her +lands, have attracted the attention of Diane de Poitiers and her brood +of swallows. The Queen would give her right hand to thwart the +mistress in this, and she, and only she, can save her. Montpensier +will be here in a fortnight, and I shall be gone. You know, I think, +what that means. I give you my word of honour, monsieur, that this +lady's life is on a hair. Why I should trouble about it I don't know; +but the Queen has commanded me in this, and Jean de Paradis, her +father, was my old friend, and for his sake I would save his child. +But you seem to be sniffing the air over this, M. Broussel----" + +"I was, monsieur! But now I accept the task." + +"Very well. You will arrange, then, to start at three. I shall see +that mademoiselle is ready. You will have four good swords with you; +and, remember, she is your prisoner, rescue or no rescue." + +I bowed, and was turning to go, when he stopped me. + +"A word more! Trust not a soul, King's man or Huguenot--do not even +trust her. It is said that she is the promised wife of De Ganache. If +that story is true I promise you trouble, but you have yourself to +thank for it." And he rose and accompanied me to his door. It was the +only allusion he made to what had happened on the tower, and never +again did he refer to it. + +I had more than guessed who my prisoner was, though, of course, I was +not sure, and the mention of De Ganache in connection with her had +struck me like a blow. But it was hardly the time to think of matters +like this, and putting it aside with a firm hand I hurried to my +quarters, where to my annoyance I found the Capuchin Grigolet. I +guessed his needs, and a brace of crowns to further the conversion of +the Jewess rid me of the rascal. Then bidding Pierrebon be ready to +start in a couple of hours I went in search of Sarlaboux. + +I found that worthy in the archway of the main gate playing at cards +with Ménorval. + +"Ogier beats you." And Ménorval put down the knave of spades. + +"Out upon the knave! Here is Pallas." And Sarlaboux covered the knave +with the queen. + +"And David, the king, takes the game," laughed Ménorval as he picked up +the stakes and began to shuffle once more. + +With an apology for interrupting them I showed Sarlaboux my order, +whereupon, with many exclamations at my good luck, he led the way to +the stable, followed by Ménorval and myself. + +"_Morbleu_!" grumbled Ménorval, "if this is the pay that royal +messengers get, away with my gilt spurs, and give me the wings of +Mercury to my heels." + +And so, laughing, we reached the stables, where Sarlaboux bid me take +my choice, his face falling a little when he saw me halt before the dun +mare. From her looks I saw she was likely to carry me well; and then, +there was Montluc's own recommendation. + +"I will take Lizette," I said. + +"Then you take the best horse in all Poitou." And Ménorval then and +there offered me a hundred crowns for her, which, needless to say, I +refused. + +At the appointed time, accompanied by Pierrebon, I rode into the +courtyard of the priory, and found there the men whom Montluc had +promised me. They had with them a sumpter horse, whilst a third, which +was evidently intended for my prisoner, was held by a groom. I had +some little time to wait, which I passed in no enviable frame of mind. +Dismounting, I looked carefully at the saddlery of my party, and then +paced up and down the flagged court in converse with Sarlaboux, who +must have found me somewhat dull, for he rallied me, offering, if I +liked not the task of taking a pretty woman all the way to Paris, to +take my place, as he had need of a wife and a dowry to rebuild his +house. It was in the midst of one of his sallies that the door opened, +and Montluc appeared on the steps, and by his side--Diane. There was +not a doubt of it; and for a moment I became hot and cold all over, +but, collecting myself, advanced to meet them. As I came forward I saw +mademoiselle start slightly, make a half step towards me, and draw +back, and then Montluc said: + +"This gentleman, mademoiselle, will be your escort to Paris." + +I bowed, saying nothing, but she held out her hand. + +"Monsieur, I had hoped you would have known me." + +I confess I was tongue-tied, and could only mutter something, and +Montluc glanced from the one to the other of us. + +"Then you are already acquainted?" he asked in surprise. + +"Mademoiselle is the lady to whom, as I have mentioned to you, +monsieur, I was enabled to render a slight service----" + +"That is what he calls saving my life, Monsieur de Montluc. I have at +any rate to thank you for giving me a friend for my jailor. There is +but one more kindness I ask of you----" + +"And that is----?" + +"Let this gentleman escort me to Châtellerault. I do not want to go to +Paris." + +Montluc held up his hand. "That is the old cry, mademoiselle. It is +impossible! The Queen's orders are final." + +"And you call yourself my dead father's friend?" + +Montluc smiled grimly. "I saved his life at Pavia. That was +thirty-three years ago. But that has nothing to do with the matter. +You cannot stay here. You cannot stay at Châtellerault. You must go +to Paris, and it is growing late." + +She flushed all over, but again returned to her point. + +"You have time after time told me I am not a prisoner. Why, then----" + +"Because Châtellerault no longer contains your friends, and Monsieur de +Randan now commands there." + +She turned as white now as she had been red before, and a bitter pang +of jealousy went through me as I thought for whom all this feeling was; +but she brought herself together and faced Montluc. + +"Very well, monsieur. I understand your friendship and your kindness +now. I tell you plainly that I will escape at the first opportunity. +I shall never reach Paris." + +"That is M. Broussel's affair; and, mademoiselle, the marches are long +in Poitou." + +She gave him no answer, but, as it were, resigning herself to the +present, went up to her horse, accepting only the assistance of the +groom to mount. + +When all was ready Montluc called me aside, and we stood together for a +moment on the wide steps. + +"_Mordieu_!" he muttered as he glanced at mademoiselle, "I do not envy +your task. Upon my soul, I am glad that Jean de Paradis won her +mother's hand and not I!" And then in an altered manner: + +"I have your word to do all that man can for her safety?" + +"I have said so, monsieur." + +There was a little silence, and he stretched out a lean hand. + +"Monsieur, forget not: there is room for you in Italy; it would gladden +me to see the golden cock of Orrain once more upon the field. And now +go." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +MY PRISONER + +We left Poitiers by the Porte de Rochereuil, as I had no mind to be +shut within the angle between the Clain and the Vienne, whence escape +would be a difficult matter if trouble arose. Whilst crossing the +bridge my eyes fell on a rock on the opposite bank of the river which +commanded the faubourg, and even held in check the old fortress of Jean +de Berri, which guarded the junction of the Clain and Boivre on our +left. I made a mental note of this, and years after I was to use this +knowledge to some purpose when I stood by Coligny's side before +Poitiers. + +I had sent forward two of my men, with instructions to make +arrangements for our accommodation for the night at Les Barres. I +deemed it inadvisable to go on to Châtellerault, and Les Barres was a +convenient halting-place, as there was no moon now, and there could be +little travelling after sundown. Moreover, I wished to spare my charge +as much as possible. + +For these reasons we travelled at an easy pace, mademoiselle riding by +herself a few yards ahead, for I confess that after a few civil words +had passed between us I had taken the opportunity to fall back. This I +did under pretence of giving instructions to Pierrebon, though I never +spoke a word to him. Frankly, I was in a state that made me bad +company, and I desired to be alone. The face of De Ganache seemed ever +to be between me and Diane, and I morosely kept to myself, envying the +lot of Adam, who was the only man who never had a rival, torturing +myself, as is the custom with lovers, with a thousand suspicions, and +cursing myself for a fool in having undertaken this task. +Nevertheless, I am sure, such is the frailty of man, that were it to be +all over again I would do in this matter all I had done before. + +In fact, I was grasping the truth of what I had often laughed at--that +there is none so skilled in making dragons out of beetles as the man +who is in love and knows not if he is winning or losing. + +We kept to the left bank of the Clain, taking a track that led over a +sad and barren plain, once the garden of France. Except immediately +around the city and the few hamlets we passed there was scarce a crop +to be seen, and but for an abandoned vineyard, or here and there a +solitary tree, brooding like a mourner over the dead, all was a dreary +waste. There was little or no sign of life on this sullen and +melancholy landscape. Occasionally we met a peasant making his way to +some half-ruined hamlet, and driving before him a flock of geese with +the aid of a long stick, to one end of which he had tied a plume of +rags. At sight of us he, as a rule, left his birds to take care of +themselves, and vanished like a rabbit into one of the ravines that +cross and recross the plain in a network. And this was the King's +peace in Poitou! + +My troopers rode stolidly on, taking turns with the led horse, and now +and again exchanging a word with each other. Pierrebon followed behind +them, whistling the "Rappel d'Aunis." I kept to myself, as I have +said, full of sombre thoughts, but watching mademoiselle as she rode +about twenty paces or so in front of me. She never turned her head, +but I observed that she was scanning the country on either side +carefully. + +Beyond Chasseneuil is a wide plain, and the track here meets the road +to Thouars. I was looking at the slender spire of Miribeau, which +stood out against the rising ground that stretched towards Lencloître +and beyond, when I was startled by the sudden galloping of a horse. It +was mademoiselle, who had turned sharply to the left, and was urging +her horse at full speed towards Miribeau. We reined up amidst +exclamations from the men; and the fugitive, who had got a fair +distance off by this, looked back and laughed at us. It was a brave +attempt at escape, and she evidently felt sure of her horse; but I had +a mind to try the mettle of Montluc's gift to me, and so I told the men +to go on quietly, and then, turning Lizette, followed Diane at an easy +canter. As I did so, and felt the power of the long, swinging stride +beneath me I smiled to myself whilst I watched the little Norman my +charge rode stretching himself like a greyhound. Once more Diane +looked back; and then I accepted the challenge, and gave the dun a free +rein. + +The country here was a wide horseshoe-shaped plain, fringed with a +network of ravines, and rising gently towards Lencloître. It was for +the most part barren, but at intervals there were long brown and green +patches of broom, the yellow tufts swaying in the breeze. Here and +there the late rain had left pools of water, flashing like mirrors in +the sunlight; and away to the north-west, in dark green and grey +against the sky, stretched the undulating lands of higher Poitou. Far +in front of me mademoiselle rode, the white feathers in her hat +fluttering like a bird, and little puffs of dust rising beneath her +horse's hoofs. For a moment I thought she had made good her word to +Montluc--but for a moment only. Sarlaboux was right when he said I had +chosen the best horse in Poitou. She was more than that--she was one +of the best horses in France, and only once was she ever beaten, but it +was not on this occasion. As she raced along the green of the broom, +the flashing lights on the pools, and the white plain, all seemed to +mingle in a grey haze. Soon I could make out more than a white plume +and a cloud of dust before me. Yard by yard we crept up; and then +mademoiselle heard the beat of following hoofs, and called to her +horse, and the brave beast replied gallantly. But there was little +use. He was no match for the big dun mare, and at last there was one +effort more, and I was by Diane's side. + +"This is not the road, mademoiselle!" I cried; but for answer she +struck her beast with her whip, and then I laughed cheerfully, and our +glances met. It was enough, and in a few yards she had reined up, and +the little horse she rode, still full of fire, was pawing the earth, +and switching his foam-flecked sides with his tail, whilst Diane was +looking at me with tightened lip and a flush on her cheeks. + +It was not for me to upbraid or to openly say that I had realised she +had attempted to escape, and so I contented myself by remarking drily +that the plain beyond was unsafe, and that there was better ground on +the road to Les Barres. + +"I presume, monsieur, it is for that reason we have been travelling +like snails? Ah! it is fine there." And she waved her hand in the +direction of Miribeau as she asked: "Why not go back to your men, +Monsieur Broussel, and leave me an hour of freedom?" + +"You are hard on your escort, mademoiselle," I smiled; "and besides, I +took your look back as a challenge for a race. 'Tis a good little +horse you ride." + +"It belongs to M. de Ganache," she answered, and I bit my lip. It +seemed as if I could never be free of De Ganache; but, steadying +myself, I pointed to our men, filing along the white track like ants in +the distance. + +"It is fair going, as we know, mademoiselle, back to the road. What +say you to a gallop there?" + +She accepted the check she had received with a good grace, and turning +her horse raced back with the recklessness of youth. On this occasion +I took care that Lizette should not be first, and when we rejoined our +party Diane pointed at the mare with her whip as she laughed, for she +had recovered her temper. + +"I see now I should not have stopped when I did. Another mile and that +big, dust-coloured thing would have been yards and yards behind; would +she not, Rollo?" And she bent forward and caressed the Norman's sleek +neck. I did not contradict her statement, but contented myself by +saying humbly that there could be no comparison between the two horses. + +"I am glad you realise that, monsieur; and we will have another +race--soon, I hope." + +"In that case, mademoiselle, I will not stake anything, for I am +certain which horse will win." And with these words I was dropping +back once more to my old place when she stayed me, asking why I did not +ride by her side. + +"I feared to intrude, mademoiselle; it is no longer the furrier's niece +I escort." + +She turned red. "Ah, monsieur, I am ashamed of my deceit; but there +are things I cannot explain now that forced me to play a part." + +"Let the matter rest, mademoiselle." + +"I know I must have seemed ungrateful when I left you as I did; but +believe me, monsieur, I can never forget the brave man who risked his +life for me." And she held out her gloved hand, allowing it to rest in +mine for a moment ere she withdrew it gently. + +"I did what anyone else would have done. Perhaps, however, you would +like to hear that I have made such arrangements as could be made for +your dead servant." + +"It is like you, monsieur, to remember that." And then there was a +silence. After a little she asked almost timidly: + +"Monsieur, amongst the prisoners taken by M. de Montluc was the Vicomte +de Ganache. I have not been able to hear news of him, and I would give +much to know----" + +It was ever thus: De Ganache was ever first; and I answered, without +letting her complete her speech: + +"M. de Ganache is no longer a prisoner; he was freed by Montluc this +morning." + +"Freed! Are you sure?" + +"Sure as I ride here. I saw him leave Poitiers in safety." + +"It is almost incredible. And yet----" + +"It is true, mademoiselle. M. de Ganache is known to me, and I had +speech with him before he left. He is free, I assure you." + +"It is, indeed, good news, monsieur." And she looked at me, her face +all brightness, as she continued, with a little laugh: "M. de Montluc +is, I see, more generous to men than to women." + +At this juncture our speech was cut short, as from out of the ravine +before us into which the road dipped there suddenly emerged one of the +troopers I had sent on ahead. As the man came galloping up to us I +thought at first that he bore ill tidings, but it turned out that he +had ridden back to give me news of the accommodations at Les Barres. + +"I have arranged, monsieur, at the sign of the Slain Leopard, where +things are as good as can be expected. There is room enough, as there +are no other guests but one. I have left Capus to see that everything +is ready." + +Thanking the man, who fell back, we pushed on at the trot, for it was +now approaching sunset. Whilst passing La Tricherie I halted for a +moment to show mademoiselle the ruins of Baudimont, and pointed out to +her, in the distance on our right, the field of Moussaisla-Bataille, +where Charles the Hammer broke the Saracen advance for ever. + +We were now but a little distance from Les Barres, and could already +see the roofs of the village and the square tower of the church, all +alight with the sunset. As we came closer we heard the melancholy +chimes of the _couvre feu_, followed by the barking of dogs, and a few +minutes later we reached the hostel. + +Les Barres itself was an oasis in the desert around us. It lay +nestling amidst groves of walnuts, and a singular chance had spared it +from the evils around. As for the hostel itself, that lay far back in +a trim garden, and the quaint signboard, whereon was pictured a dead +leopard on a blue field--a memory of the last days of the hundred +years' war--swung triumphantly between two poles near the gate. + +As we filed in my charge went into feminine raptures over the beauty of +the garden, with its wealth of roses; and, indeed, it was such a spot +as might have been chosen for a lovers' retreat. The interior of the +inn corresponded with its old-world exterior; and the host, being +forewarned, had supper in readiness, and preparations made for +mademoiselle's comfort. I already had some experience of my fair +charge's capacity and resource, and I was determined, for her sake, to +carry out my promise to Montluc. Therefore, when mademoiselle's +baggage had been carried to her chamber and she herself had retired for +a space, I took the opportunity to warn my men to keep on the alert. I +reminded them that their reward would be in proportion to their +services; but they were old soldiers, who knew their duty, and nothing +more need be said of this. Pierrebon I told off specially to keep an +eye on the other guest--whom we had not seen--and then took a general +survey of the house as far as it was possible. With the exception of +the offices and one or two rooms, the greater portion of the lower +floor consisted of one large room, half across the middle of which a +stairway led to the upper floor. It seemed to me the only passage +above, and whilst I was looking at it, the landlord happening to pass, +I asked if this were so, and he replied: "Yes." + +"You could be very easily cut off, then." + +He shrugged his lean shoulders. "As easily as if we had ten ways, +monsieur." + +"You are lucky to have escaped so far." + +"Oh, monsieur, we are poor people, and not worth pillaging, and the +Vicomte has always been good to us." + +"The Vicomte?" + +"Yes, monsieur--the Vicomte de Ganache. He is Seigneur of Les Barres." + +"I begin to understand; but I suppose you have heard that things have +gone hard against M. de Ganache?" + +He wrung his hands, and with a word of encouragement to him I changed +the subject, and asked about the other guest. The landlord, however, +professed utter ignorance of him. + +"He came this morning, monsieur, and, as far as I know, goes to-morrow. +He is alone, and seems poorly provided with money--and this is all I +know." + +There was nothing further to be done, though I had learned some things +of value. As the night was warm I stepped out into the garden. It was +dark, and the stars were out. High above me a light was burning +faintly in a dormer window, on one side of which there was a wooden +gallery overlooking the garden, and on this two figures were standing. +It was too dark to see; but one was a woman, I was sure, and I was +sure, too, it was mademoiselle. + +For a moment I was tempted to creep beneath the balcony and---- But I +put the thought aside, with a curse at myself, and turning went +brooding down the garden, wondering how all this would end for me. +Enough! I would do my duty--place her in the Queen's hands--and then +see what Italy could do for Orrain. + +A step on the gravel path, and a dark figure came face to face with me. +It was Capus, the oldest and most trusty of my troopers. + +"I take the first watch, monsieur," he whispered, and passed on. + +Up and down I paced for a little, and at last I heard mademoiselle's +voice. She had come down, and I went back into the house. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE TWELVE ROSE PETALS + +Whether it were the effect of the candlelight, or whether it were due +to the exertion of the day, I know not, but it seemed to me as I +entered the room that mademoiselle looked pale and worn, and there was +a reserve and constraint in her manner that had been absent before. I +made some vapid remark about the warmth of the weather, hoping it had +not added to her fatigue, to which she answered that she was tired, but +that a night's rest would, doubtless, see her as well as ever by +morning. The landlord at this moment announcing supper as served we +went to table. At first my companion played with her food, but, +yielding to my pressure, began to eat, and in a little the colour came +back to her cheeks, the brightness returned to her eyes, and the +coldness in her manner wore off. The landlord himself personally +attended to us, and I observed that, whilst his manner towards +mademoiselle was deferential and respectful in the extreme, his tone +towards me was that of sulky obedience. This was so different from my +first reception that, with my suspicions already aroused, it was +impossible for me not to see it, and so I took the chance of a shot in +the dark, saying: + +"We have seen nothing of our fellow-guest, mademoiselle. It seems +that, like the mole, he dislikes light. I have been thinking that, +perhaps, it would be well to unearth him." + +Whilst saying this I kept my eyes on an ornament on the table, but as I +finished I glanced up swiftly. The landlord was at the time engaged in +handing some fruit to mademoiselle, but at my remark he almost dropped +the plate, and mademoiselle said, with a laugh: "You will have to +arrest everyone we meet on the road, monsieur, if your suspicions are +aroused so easily." Nevertheless, I was certain that a glance of +understanding had passed between her and the landlord, and I felt sure +that it would be well to pay a little attention to the retiring +stranger. + +As I expected, the landlord shortly after retired, leaving us alone. +The room we were in was long and low, with a window opening into the +garden. Mademoiselle was sitting facing this window, which lay open +because of the warmth of the night, whilst my back was turned towards +it. I said something about the landlord's manner, and mademoiselle +replied: + +"He is of lower Poitou, monsieur. Men there are like their +country--sullen and sad." And then she stopped suddenly, her eyes +fixed on the window, whilst her colour came and went. She had not the +gift that cynics assert is a special attribute of the sex, and was a +bad dissembler; and I here venture to say such women make the best of +wives, even though life's passage with them may be at times a little +stormy. + +"Is there anything there?" I asked, making a movement as if to turn +round; but she said hastily: + +"No, nothing; I thought I saw a figure passing--that is all." + +"One of my men, no doubt," I said carelessly. "We may rest secure +to-night, for they will keep good watch." + +To this she made no answer, but taking a rose from out of a vase near +her began to pluck the petals in an absent manner and lay them beside +her. When a woman's wits are pitted against those of a man it is well +for him to disregard nothing, and, slight as this action was, I took +note of it. I counted the petals as she plucked them. They were +twelve in all. Then she cast the rose aside, and picked up the petals +one after another, counting them aloud, and when she came to the +twelfth she put them in a heap beside her plate. + +"Twelve," I said. "Is that a magic number?" + +"No, monsieur; but it is my lucky number." And rising she moved to the +window and, sitting thereon, looked forth. The night was dark, and all +the stars were out. From the open window, a pennon of light streamed +out into the garden, heavy with the scent of roses. Mademoiselle took +a deep breath, and then pointing to the twinkling lights above us, +asked: + +"Are you learned in the stars, Monsieur Broussel?" + +I looked out too, for I was standing at the window, and laughed. + +"No, mademoiselle; all I know is that the star I was born under has not +done much for me. I remember, some years ago, when I was in Italy, an +astrologer made a horoscope for me; but I have lost it." + +"You do not believe in the stars, then?" + +"Who can tell, mademoiselle! But a man's life is mostly of his own +making, and a woman's too for the matter of that. There is an +invariable law of Nature or of God. It is that the breaker pays, and +sooner or later all learn this." + +"_Ciel_! how serious you are!" And her brown eyes met mine. + +"The stars should never laugh, mademoiselle." + +"They cried over me when my fortune was told." + +"May I ask----" + +"Oh yes!--but fortune for fortune. If I tell you mine will you tell me +yours?" + +"Certainly." + +"Well, mine was short: it was simply to beware of a church under the +ground and a woman in black and white. I have never seen such a church +nor ever met such a woman." + +I thought of Diane of Valentinois and her favourite colours, and a +sudden chill came over me. For a moment I stood silent. + +"Now for yours, monsieur," she said gaily. + +"Mine! Well, it was wrapped up in long names, and I never could make +aught of it. As far as I remember, Aquarius, Mars, and Mercury are in +the ascendant, and the face of Venus is from me. In the second house +Sol is in Pisces. In the fifth Luna in Gemini, and Jupiter----" + +She put her hands to her ears. "Enough, monsieur! I almost fear to +look out, lest I should see a cauldron of burning sulphur, and witches +dancing around it." + +And as she spoke there came to us the distant echoes of hoarse +laughter. I recognised the voices of the landlord and Capus, my +man-at-arms. + +"'Tis not Capus' business to hob-nob with the host at this hour, +mademoiselle. I had better go and see that he keeps stricter watch." + +With this I made a half movement to go, but she stayed me with a little +gesture of command. + +"Monsieur Broussel, I have a favour to ask of you; will you grant it?" + +"Mademoiselle, all that is in my power I will do. What is it?" + +For answer she stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder, her eyes +looking straight into mine. "Monsieur, a brave man like you should not +be a gaoler of women. Let me free!" + +I made no reply; but as her eyes, soft and imploring, met mine all the +love in my heart rose within me. For her sake no Roman constancy would +have held me to any vow; but I knew that Montluc had spoken the truth, +I knew the danger she was in, and that the one chance of her safety lay +in her being under the Queen's protection. + +"Mademoiselle!" I stammered; but she broke in on me. + +"Yes! You will let me go, will you not? Monsieur, I hate the thought +of Paris and its dark intrigues; and the fate of those who belong to my +faith is ever with me, like a horrible dream. I dread, I fear, each +hour that brings me nearer to what I know will be my death. Monsieur, +as you are a gentleman, let me free. Take me to Châtillon, and leave +me there with the Cardinal. Odet de Coligny, prince of the Church +though he is, is of my faith. I shall be safe there--a thousand times +safer than a prisoner in Paris. Oh, say you will!" + +I took her hand in mine, caressing it as that of a child, and strove to +explain, but she would not listen. "Say you will; do not refuse!" she +repeated; and, feeling like a hangman, I blurted out that it was +impossible. And then she snatched her hand from my grasp, and stood a +moment, her face half averted from me. There was an awkward silence, +and collecting myself I again pointed out the danger she was in, and +that in Paris alone could there be safety for her. I might have spoken +to stone walls; but at my words she turned, and there were angry lights +in the brown eyes, and her lips were tightly set. + +"I shall not trespass further on your good nature, monsieur. I feel +you have cancelled the debt I owed you, and henceforth you will +understand that I look upon you as my gaoler and nothing more." + +I bowed, and she continued: "And further, I do not desire to have +speech with you. I travel as your prisoner; and"--with a truly +feminine outburst--"I shall escape--there are friends who will see to +that." + +I was so full of wrath at the manner in which I had been treated that I +was about to answer back hotly that, friend or no friend, she would +ride into Paris by my side; but I restrained myself with an effort, and +with another look of anger at me mademoiselle turned, and began to +ascend the stairway. I watched her as she went up, with head erect and +shining eyes, and stood where I was for some little time utterly +dejected and cast down. Even if I had a shadow of a chance it was gone +by this. I felt like one who was condemned to execute himself. After +a little I moved towards the supper-table, and sitting down there +stared aimlessly before me. My eyes fell on the little heap of plucked +rose leaves that had been left on the table, and I began, at first half +unconsciously, to try and read the meaning of the signal, for such it +was I was sure. In the light of her last words, the sting of which +still remained with me, I was certain that she had not played with the +rose petals idly. I began to go back. She had told Montluc she would +escape at the first chance. She had made the attempt this very day, +but had apparently accepted defeat. Shortly after coming to the inn +there had been a decided change in her manner. Then she had grown +friendly again, and finding this fail her had broken out into open +defiance. I put all this with the little incident of the window, and +her open statement, made in heat, that she had friends who would help +her to escape--an escape that would lead her into the jaws of the wolf, +if she would but understand. Nevertheless, I could make nothing of it, +and so for the present gave up guessing, determining to do all I could +to protect her, and to leave the rest in the hands of Fate. The +landlord coming in at this moment I requested him to send Pierrebon to +me, and to show me the way to my chamber. Taking up one of the candles +from the table he led me across the room, and along a narrow passage, +on one side of which my room was, and then, saying he would send +Pierrebon, and wishing me "good-night" with a sulky civility, the man +went. Shortly after I heard steps along the passage, there was a knock +at my door, and Pierrebon entered. He wore his cloak thrown over his +shoulder so as to conceal his left arm and hand, and I could see from +the expression of his face that he had news of some kind. + +"What is it, Pierrebon?" I asked. + +For answer he shut the door carefully, and placing his cloak on the +floor put beneath it a small dark lantern, saying as he did so: "I have +made free to borrow this, monsieur, as I think, perhaps, it may be +needed." + +"Then you have found out something?" + +"I think so, monsieur." And he dropped his voice. "After your warning +I set about trying to discover our stranger, but could find no trace of +him. Capus and Poltrot, however, had seen him, and told me he had a +horse; but there was no horse in the stables, and at first I thought +that he might have gone." + +"What about our horses?" I interrupted. "Does anyone watch them?" + +"Yes, monsieur; we have old soldiers with us, and Poltrot and Bahuzet +watch them, whilst Capus and the Hainaulter Cuyp watch the house--all +four turn and turn about. + +"Capus, however, was drinking with the landlord, and his watch seems +lax." + +"No, monsieur! The landlord was drinking with Capus, whom he had paid +five gold Henris to cut all our saddlery to-night, especially the +reins; the only saddlery to be spared is that of mademoiselle." + +I whistled low, and Pierrebon, diving into his pocket, pulled out five +gold pieces, saying: "Here is the money, monsieur, which Capus begs to +inquire if he may keep." + +"And five more besides, Pierrebon, and I beg his pardon for doubting +him. But what about the stranger?" + +"That too is known, monsieur, and I was about to tell you. Whilst the +landlord was drinking with Capus I made my way to the kitchen, where my +reception was chill, so I took myself out into the garden, and +wandering down a pathway heard a whinny. 'Soh!' said I to myself, +'that is a nag there!' Sure enough there was, and I was about to step +up to it when I heard a sound behind me, and heard someone coming up, +and saw the light of a lantern. It is dark, as you know, monsieur, and +I stepped back into the shadow, and lay there concealed. Presently the +men--there were two of them--came up. One was the ostler, and the +other the Vicomte de Ganache, to whom you, monsieur, lent your horse +this morning." + +"Are you sure?" I asked with a breath. + +"Perfectly, monsieur. I saw the light on his face; and there was the +brown horse----" + +"Did they say anything?" + +"Nothing of import, monsieur. M. le Vicomte, like a good soldier, was +seeing to his beast. When they had attended to him they went back, I +following slowly. There is a door leading into the kitchen, and they +entered by this, the ostler, however, shutting the slide of his +lantern, and leaving it in the angle of the wall. It was careless of +him, monsieur, and it is here now." And Pierrebon smiled. + +"Now, Pierrebon, think again: are you sure that nothing of import +passed between the two?" + +"Nothing, monsieur; they spoke of the horse--not a word about us. All +that the Vicomte said, as they were leaving, was that he would make all +arrangements at midnight; he means, perhaps, to start then. If so, he +will need his lantern." + +But I scarce heard Pierrebon's last words. The key of the rose petals +had come to my hand. De Ganache had either arranged to meet, or to +escape with, mademoiselle at twelve. This was the secret of it all, I +was sure. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +MADEMOISELLE DECIDES + +So the rubber between De Ganache and myself had begun, and although I +had been the means of saving his life this morning I was determined to +put it to the last issue rather than see myself defeated in this matter +by him. + +Mademoiselle would at any rate find that if I were a gaoler I was one +who looked well after his charge. So I gave instructions to Pierrebon +to take my place in the room, and on no account to stir forth unless I +called him. I further added that if anyone came to the door he should +pretend to be sleeping heavily. With this I took my drawn sword in my +hand and stepped softly into the passage. On reaching the room where +we had supped I found it apparently deserted, the only light being from +a lantern which burnt dimly on the dining-table. The shadow of the +stairway leading above fell athwart the room, and as I looked +cautiously around the clock in the hall beyond struck eleven. I waited +patiently for any sign of movement or life; but there was none. +Satisfied at last that I was alone I stepped forward, and made my way +quickly but noiselessly to the stair. Beneath this there was room +enough to stand, and hidden by the darkness, the overhanging stair, and +the angle of the wall I was perfectly concealed. Here I determined to +watch, through the night if need be. The discovery that this stairway +was the only passage from above strengthened my position greatly, for +unless mademoiselle were possessed of wings, and it had not come to +that as yet, she would have to pass this way, and then I hoped to be +able to persuade her how rash and useless her attempt was. + +The minutes dragged on like hours, as they always do in affairs of this +nature. I chafed at the restraint of my position, and had no intention +of acting the eavesdropper longer than I could help it, but for the +moment I was forced to lie in ambush. All was quiet and still, so +still that some mice came out, and sought for such crumbs as they could +find on the floor around the dining-table. Suddenly there came the +sound of footsteps along the passage. In a flash the mice had +vanished, and two men entered the room. They were the landlord and De +Ganache, the latter booted and spurred and wearing the hat that was +lent to him, or rather given to him, this morning. He sat down on a +chair at the dining-table, and placed his hat beside him, running his +fingers through the red plumes. + +"_Eh bien_," he said, with a laugh, "Monsieur there sleeps soundly. It +will be a great awakening in the morning. I should not advise you to +be here, Pechaud." And with this he turned up the lantern, so that the +light fell more strongly on his clear-cut face and blue eyes. He was a +handsome man, and one well formed to win a woman's heart; but with all +this there were the marks of a weak and irresolute nature on his +countenance, and as I looked I thought to myself that here was one who, +if he fell, would fall utterly. + +Pechaud the landlord, who stood respectfully near De Ganache, laughed +too as he heard the Vicomte's words. + +"I shall be careful, monsieur," he said. "My only fear is that they +will find it so difficult to follow that they may stay here +indefinitely." + +"The trooper is a knave for all that, and deserves to hang; but it was +well conceived--the cutting of the saddlery." And then they both +laughed again. I had a mind to join in their humour, and it was hard +to refrain from chuckling a little on my own account. + +"'Tis a pity you could not get mademoiselle's horse." + +"It was impossible, monsieur; but you will find mine carry her as well, +and it is even now ready. + +"Well; it does not much matter." And rising De Ganache opened the +window and looked forth. + +"It is a night of stars," he said, "and dark. Lord! if we but had a +moon!" + +"Monsieur will find the guide lead you well." + +"I want no guide on my own lands, Pechaud. Night and day are one to me +when I ride across them. But this guide: who is he?" + +"I myself, monsieur." + +"You! And yet, perhaps, 'tis as well; but I fear me, old friend, that +the sky will be red behind us with the flames of this good inn; they +will not forego that revenge." + +"Let it be so, monsieur. My ancestors have followed yours for two +centuries, and taken the good with the bad--and I am as they are; you +know this." + +De Ganache looked at him, and as I heard this faithful retainer's words +I began to understand the force that my opponent had on his side. +After a moment's pause Pechaud continued: + +"But, monsieur, a word from an old man. How long is this to last? Why +are you not at the King's side, as your forefathers ever were? Make +your peace with the Court, as Monsieur d'Andelot and the Admiral have +done----" + +"Enough, Pechaud! Perhaps I will take your advice, and that soon; but +for the present I must pull my sword-belt in by a hole, and see that my +saddlery at any rate is right. As for this Monsieur Broussel, he told +mademoiselle that he knew me, but I have never set eyes on him that I +know. What manner of man is he?" + +"Monsieur, we have just heard him as he slept." + +De Ganache shrugged his shoulders and glanced up at the clock. + +"It is time," he said. "Warn mademoiselle." + +Pechaud turned; but even as he did so there was a light step on the +stairs, and mademoiselle came down dressed for travelling, and holding +her riding-whip in her hand. As she passed she glanced swiftly in my +direction, and for the moment I thought I was discovered; but the +shadow was impenetrable, and she went on. De Ganache rose to receive +her, holding out his hand. I noticed that she barely touched it, as +she asked quickly: + +"Is all ready?" + +"Everything, Diane." And I winced at the familiar address. + +"De Ganache," she said, "I had your word for it that no harm should +befall Monsieur Broussel. He risked his life for me, and I owe it to +him that I stand here alive; what have you done with him?" + +De Ganache smiled. "Even if he had not acted as he has, if he were my +bitter foe, your word would have been law to me. Monsieur Broussel is +alive and well. If we had time I would take you down the passage and +show him to you--sleeping the sleep of the just." + +"Forgive me! I know not what it is. I am haunted by all sorts of +fears----" + +"Then fear no more," he said gently, trying to take her hand, but she +withdrew it from him. And then he dropped his arm, and went on: "By +to-morrow evening you will be with friends, and, perhaps, you will +learn by then that there are others ready and willing to die for you if +need be." + +"Gaston!" she said; and now it was she held out her hand, and he bent +respectfully over it as he touched it with his lips. + +To tell truth, I was suffering more torture than if I had been run +through, for in Diane's last word I felt all my hopes vanish, I was +taken off my cross, however, by the necessity for action, for Pechaud, +who had discreetly retired at mademoiselle's entrance, now returned, +and announced that the horses were ready. + +"Come!" said De Ganache, and as he said so I stepped out and faced +them. It was a bolt from the blue. Mademoiselle shrank back with a +little startled cry. Pechaud stood as one petrified, his jaws agape, +and his old hands trembling, whilst De Ganache put himself between me +and mademoiselle, his hand on the hilt of his sword. + +"Stand back!" he said hotly. "Back!" + +And as hot an answer trembled on my tongue, but I held myself in. + +"Monsieur, you do not seem to know me. Shall I remind you of this +morning?" + +At my words it was he who went back; his hand left his sword-hilt, and +he stood staring at me. + +"You!" he stammered. "I did not recognise--I--I did not know----" + +"Enough, monsieur! I forgive you the ill turn you were about to play +me. Perhaps, were I in your case, I would do the same----" + +"If so, then my course is clear. In any other thing I would yield to +you, but not in this." + +"Listen. Your plan was well laid; but my men are not traitors, and +I--I have not slept. Monsieur de Ganache, I have but to raise my +voice, and there will be three to one against you----" + +"I care not," he answered furiously, and his sword flashed in his hand, +but in a moment Diane was between us. + +"De Ganache! Monsieur Broussel! Put back your swords, I implore you!" + +And with this she clung to De Ganache's arm. He paled to the lips as +he tried to free himself. + +"Diane, 'tis our only way! Keep back, Diane!" + +But for answer she clung all the more to him, and it seemed as if she +were covering him from my sword, as she cried out again: "No, no! It +is too terrible! I will not have it! It must not be!" + +I looked from one to another, a hundred emotions tearing at my heart. +I had seen enough to understand how these two stood to one another, +and, utterly miserable at heart, I gave way. A sudden impulse, that +carried me as like a wave, seized me, and I burst out: + +"Monsieur de Ganache, let it be for Mademoiselle de Paradis to decide +between us. I give you my word I will abide by her choice." + +Diane let her hand fall from De Ganache's arm and turned to me in +astonishment. And De Ganache stared at me with wide-open eyes, and +asked slowly, dropping his words out: + +"You say this?--you pledge your word?" + +"I have said so. I undertook to take mademoiselle to Paris, and to see +her in safety there, at the cost of my life if need be. I have since +learned that which makes it impossible for me to do this unless +mademoiselle comes with me of her own free will. I leave her to make +her choice." + +"Then, Diane, come!" And De Ganache turned towards her, a hand +outstretched. I stepped aside to leave the way free, but to my +surprise mademoiselle made no answer, but stood in wavering hesitation, +now looking at one and then at the other of us. Once more De Ganache +began to urge her, stepping quite close up and speaking in low but +quick and earnest tones. + +"Diane, the very stars are with us! What is there that makes you +hesitate? By to-morrow evening we will be with our own people, and +henceforth I will always be by your side to defend you." + +She stopped him with an impatient gesture of her hand. Even where she +stood in the half light I saw the red rush to her cheeks at his last +words; and then she asked: + +"Monsieur Broussel, I too have been learning, or rather guessing, at +some things since I came down here. Is it you that Monsieur le Vicomte +has to thank for his life?" + +I did not answer; but De Ganache began to speak as one defending +himself: + +"I do thank him; but when I told you of this I did not know Monsieur +Broussel's name, Diane." + +"All this does not concern the matter," I cut in. "What mademoiselle +has to decide is whether she will go on to Paris or not. Which shall +it be?" And I faced her. + +A little silence, and her eyes refused to meet mine. Then she said +faintly: "I--I do not know." + +All depended on a single turn, but it was De Ganache himself who threw +his cards away. Stepping up to mademoiselle he put his arm through +hers, and with an air of command, almost proprietorship, he said: + +"Come, Diane, we waste time here, and we have far to go. I shall give +Monsieur Broussel his thanks another day." + +She looked up at him--such a look!--and withdrew her arm. + +"Monsieur de Ganache," she said, "you take too much on yourself. I +have decided, and I shall go to Paris." + +De Ganache looked at her and laughed bitterly. Then he broke forth +into weak reviling at womankind. She let him run on, and at last he +asked: + +"And after all I have done and risked this--this is your answer?" + +"My answer--to everything, monsieur." And with this she turned from +him, and passing me went up the stair, back to her apartments. + +I was standing a little apart, leaning on my sword, hardly able to +believe my ears, and wondering at the ways of womankind. De Ganache +had taken up his hat, and was nervously tearing at the plume, his lips +moving with unspoken words. All at once he turned to me, and his voice +was hoarse with passion: + +"Monsieur, you have won. I set this against this morning. And we are +quits. Quits, you understand?" + +I bowed, but made no answer. The man was beside himself, and the +slightest word would have led to his drawing on me, and for +mademoiselle's sake I held myself in. + +"Pechaud!" he went on, "my horse." + +And crushing his hat on his head he passed me without another word and +went to the door. Pechaud followed him, and began to urge something, +but was silenced with a rough word. Then he called for a light. +Pechaud came running back for the lantern, and through the open door, +as the light flickered on him, I saw De Ganache mount. Once he glanced +back at me. He could see nothing, for I was in darkness, but the +light which fell on his features showed him pale as ashes. The horse +backed a little. He drove his spurs in with an oath, and then I +heard him hammering through the night, going--God knows whither. +Beat--beat--beat--the iron-shod hoofs rushed through the village, and +the dogs awoke, and barked, barked and howled, long after he had passed +on his reckless course. + +I waited a little, and then called to Pechaud. He came back slowly, +and set his lantern with a trembling hand on the table. For the rest +of the night we were in safety--that I knew. + +"It grows late, Maître Pechaud," I said, "and I need rest." And so I +left him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +DR. JOHANNES CABALLUS + +I made all arrangements betimes for an early start the next morning; +and, with a remembrance of what had passed between us last night, +ordered a table, with one cover only, to be set for mademoiselle near +the window of the dining-room. Then I went out into the garden to +while away the time there until my charge was ready for the journey. + +There was a little walk outside the open window, through which I could +see all that passed within the dining-room. Here I paced backwards and +forwards, reflecting on the events of the past few hours. I could, of +course, see that for some reason or other Diane had apparently broken +with De Ganache. It was not a trick of heartless coquetry--for that I +gave her credit. Yet the change had been so swift and sudden that it +was difficult to assign any other reason for it. So far as I was +concerned I was sure my affair was utterly hopeless; but the air of the +Italian campaign would doubtless cure me, and I almost caught myself +wishing that I had lost the game last night and was free to turn my +horse's head where I listed. + +In this disjointed thought I passed some time, and it was well after +nine o'clock that Diane came forth from her room. Through the window I +saw her descending the stair, and, not wishing to intrude, withdrew to +the extreme end of the walk, where I began to be interested in the +operations of a spider weaving his web in a rose bush. I could, +however, see into the room, and observed Diane stop near the table, +hesitate a little, and then sit down. Pechaud began to flutter around +her, but after a little she rose, and coming to the window looked +straight out at me. My spider had by this time vanished into the +petals of a half-open rose, and turning I met Diane's look, and lifted +my hat in formal greeting, remaining, however, where I was, as I was +determined to keep the position she had assigned to me. + +"Monsieur Broussel!" + +"Mademoiselle!" And now I stepped up to the window. + +"Will you let me know when we start?" + +"As soon as ever you are rested sufficiently, mademoiselle." + +My tone was coldly polite, and there was equal indifference in her +voice. + +"It is very good of you to say this; but now that I have decided to go +to Paris the sooner it is over the better." + +"The horses are ready." + +"Then, perhaps, we had better start." + +"I am at your service, mademoiselle." And a quarter of an hour later +we were on our way once again. I did not take the direct road by +Châtellerault, but turned half westward, intending to enter Touraine by +way of Chinon, and then to follow the route by which I had come to +Poitiers. + +It was a summer day, such as can only be met with in France. Overhead +billowy white clouds rolled and piled in the sapphire blue of the sky. +A wind, fresh and cool, blew from the west, sweeping over the plain, +hissing into the crests of the yellow broom and purple loosestrife, and +bending them into lines of colour that chased each other like waves +over the grey-green moorland. As we left the plain and came to the +undulating lands of northern Poitou, where the country twisted down to +the Bienne, the hedgerows, all glimmering in gold and green, and gay +with blossoming thorn, were awake with the song of the thrush and the +black-cap. We had passed Lencloître on our left, and in that dip, dark +with walnut-trees, lay the little hamlet of Razines, which had so many +memories for me. + +Up to now neither mademoiselle nor I had exchanged a word, as I rode +well in the rear of our party, sending Capus, who knew the country, to +lead us. Diane had so far kept her word, and rode behind Capus in +silence. At intervals I pushed a little to one side and watched her, +and now and again, as we came to a turn or a bend in the road, I saw +her full and fairly, but she never so much as glanced in my direction. +A little farther on we skirted some rising ground, and there, to our +half-left, lay Richelieu, the smoke still rising from its burning +houses, and, caught by the wind, stretching out in a long horsetail +across the country. Mademoiselle reined up and watched the scene for a +little, our party halting behind her. As we did so we heard a loud +neigh, and a riderless horse, the saddlery still on him, came out of +some stunted trees and trotted towards us. At a sign from me one of my +men caught the horse and freed him of his bit and saddle, whilst I +galloped up to the trees, upon which half a dozen or so of ravens were +sitting. When I reached them I found what I expected there, and the +hideous birds croaked down on me as if in derision, for what was lying +there was past all aid of man. I came back as I went, and Diane asked: + +"Is there anyone there, monsieur?" + +"No, mademoiselle. And 'tis almost time for our midday halt; a little +farther on and we will rest." + +Diane turned her horse's head, and I was about to turn back once more +to my place when she said in a low tone: + +"Monsieur, I have something to say to you." + +I bowed, and rode up beside her. And we let the men go onward, +dropping together to the place I had left in the rear. + +"Monsieur," she said after a little, "I have been trying to say what I +want all the morning. I want you to forgive me for the cruel words I +used to you last night. I--I never meant them." She was flushed and +trembling as she spoke, and I saw the tears in her eyes. I lifted my +hat at her words. + +"Mademoiselle, after all you were right. I am but Bertrand Broussel, a +citizen of Paris, as you know, and you----" + +"Oh yes; I know all that; but, oh! I feel hot with shame when I think +of my words. Monsieur, say you forgive me!" + +"With all my heart, mademoiselle! Think no more of it, I pray you." +And then, to change the subject, I pointed to a grove of trees in front +of us. "There, mademoiselle, is where we halt for an hour or so. What +say you to a race there?" + +"Are you not afraid of that?" + +"I will risk it," I said. And, with a laugh, she touched her Norman +with the whip, and I kept Lizette pounding after her, until she pulled +up, flushed and hot, near the trees, beside which the Mable purled past. + +"Beaten again," she said as I came up. + +"It is my fate." And, pulling up, I pointed to the river. "Do you +remember this river, mademoiselle?" + +"The Mable!" And she shuddered. "But surely it was not here that we +crossed on that awful night?" + +"No; some miles lower down." And then I helped her to dismount, and +attended to the horses, whilst she borrowed my sword, and tying her +'kerchief to the point signalled to our men to come on. + +There are days when all that happens is trivial, yet the memory of +which is ever to be marked in white; and this was such an one to me. I +let myself forget the impossible during that brief two hours' halt; nor +ever had I known Diane so gracious. We spoke much of Paris. She had +never seen the great city nor the Court, and I told her what I knew, +though my knowledge of the Louvre was a little old. As a child she had +seen the Queen once--on the day of the Lists of Amboise--and wondered +whether she were altered. + +"She is much the same. Time has dealt gently with her." + +"Is it true that in secret she is of our--I mean my faith?" + +"It is said that she favours the new religion, but I know not if this +is true. It is certain, however, that she has never joined in the +persecution, and 'tis said that both D'Andelot and Marot owed their +escape to her." + +"And you, monsieur--are you too of the faith?" + +"Mademoiselle, I think, if the truth be told, that men who, like +myself, have lived much in the world do not bind themselves in their +hearts to this faith or to that, whatever they profess with their lips." + +"But, monsieur----" + +"Listen, mademoiselle. This does not mean that we do not know how +infinite is the distance between us and God nor how hard the road is to +His throne." + +"There is the path of faith, monsieur." + +"That is the path we search for, sometimes unconsciously; and perhaps, +with God's aid, I may find it ere I die." + +Then there was a silence, and after that the talk drifted to other +things. And I but mention this conversation because it was due to it +and it alone that I was set upon the track that led to the True Road. + +A little later Pierrebon, who was indulging his appetite for a good +sleep, awoke from his nap, and discovered it was time to be moving. +So, fording the river, we took our way north. Towards sunset we saw +the walls of the priory of Ile Bouchard, around which clustered the +houses of the village, like barnacles to a galley's side. On arrival +here I craved the hospitality of the good monks for the night, and this +was readily afforded us. Early the following morning, having bidden +farewell to our kind hosts, we looked our last on the grey pile, half +monastery and half fortress, and went our way through the stunted +forest that straggled downward to the Vienne. Between these narrow +strips of woodland, through which the path wound, rose ragged knolls +clad in short, dark green juniper, and here and there were bright +splashes of colour, where flowering wild weeds clustered at the bases +of the brown ribs of rock that stood up starkly over all. We crossed +the river by the ferry between Auche and Rivière, where the little +Veude falls into the Vienne, and halted for a space on a bluff to +survey the landscape. At this hour of the morning, with the air so +gay, the sky so blue, and the sun so bright, the lights were still soft +enough to allow the whole beauty of the scene to be strongly felt. At +our feet the river went dancing along in a sweeping blue curve, its +left bank clothed with rich vineland, and on its right a belt of +forest--the outskirts of the forest of Chinon--which stretched, a sea +of green, grey, and dim, mysterious purples, to the far-distant Loire. +There, on its wooded height, the pentice roofs glistening in the +sunlight, stood Chinon, with its triple castle, so full of the memories +of history; and all around spread the wide Tourangeais. + + + "Tourangeaux, Angevins + Bons esprits et bons vins," + +sang Capus, grizzled old war-dog though he was, and, the spirit of the +morning seizing us, we urged our horses down the slope, and scurried +through the forest towards Chinon. + +After a little we slackened pace and went on slowly, until, towards +midday, when about half a league--or perhaps less--from Chinon, we came +upon a roadside inn, all covered with climbing roses in bloom, whilst +the air was full of the cooing of numberless pigeons that circled +around and perched upon a dovecote that looked like a tower. Here +mademoiselle stopped, declaring that she would travel no farther that +day; and accordingly, having made arrangements for our accommodation, I +walked out with Diane into a long, straggling garden that lay at the +back of the house. At the extreme end of the garden was a +summer-house, and on entering this we found it occupied by an old man, +who sat reading therein. We were about to draw back, but he rose, +leaning upon a stout stick, and very courteously invited us to be +seated. His hooded black cassock, and the tonsure which was visible, +as he had removed his cap, marked the priest. He was very feeble, as +we could see, though his eyes, bright and piercing, contrasted +strangely with the deadly pallor of his cheeks. A straggling grey +moustache and beard partly concealed his mouth, which was set in a +smile half mirthful and half sardonic. I put him down as the curé of a +neighbouring hamlet, as he gave us the benediction, and invited us to +join him, saying as he did so: + +"Mademoiselle, I have long looked in dreamland for the lady who would +be chosen above all others as Abbess of Thelema--and now, behold! you +have come!" Plucking a rose as he spoke he bowed with old-world grace, +and held it out with a shaking hand to Diane, who took it with a flush +on her face, and thanks on her lips, but a puzzled look in her eyes. + +"I see, Monsieur le Curé," I said, "you are an admirer of Doctor +Rabelais." + +"He is the most intimate friend I have, and, as you are doubtless +aware, the Doctor is a townsman of Chinon." + +"That, perhaps, is his book you are reading?" + +"Alas, no! 'tis merely a Hebrew lexicon I was studying to decide a +dispute I have with my friend Doctor Johannes Caballus of the +University of Orange; but--you are learned in Hebrew, monsieur?" + +"I cannot say I am," I laughed, "though we meet on common ground in +admiration of Rabelais." + +"In that case, monsieur, you and mademoiselle must be my guests at +dinner. It is almost the hour, and we will dine here." And without +waiting for a reply he seized a small handbell that lay beside him and +rang it. In a little the host appeared, and the curé turned to him: + +"Is dinner, as I ordered it, ready?" + +"Monsieur!" + +"Then serve it here, and set the table for four. Mayhap the Doctor +Johannes Caballus may join us. Let me see what there is for dinner. +Ah! three sucking-pigs, and a fourth to follow in quince sauce, six +capons, twelve pigeons, twelve quails, four legs of mutton _en brune +paté_, twelve sweetbreads, four tongues, four veal----" + +But the landlord had fled, and Diane was staring with wide-open eyes, +whilst I confess I thought that we had a harmless lunatic before us. + +"Perhaps, monsieur, we have Gargantua dining with us?" + +"That would be but a flea-bite to him. But there is the Doctor +Caballus." And pushing aside the roses he pointed before him; all we +could see was a sleek mule sunning itself in a patch of green. + +"There is only a mule there," said Diane. + +"True; but he is a Doctor of Laws of the University of Orange. I must +tell you that the estimable beast is the property of Doctor Rabelais, +who permits me to use him, being, as I said, a friend of friends to me. +It so happened that the University of Orange conferred degrees on +payment of fees without seeing or testing the candidate. My friend +Rabelais, who loves a merry jest, sent them the money for a Doctor's +degree for one Johannes Caballus, the same being his mule. And in due +course the parchment came; and so our friend there is as much a Doctor +of Laws as my lords the Bishops of Seez or Montpelier. But here comes +our dinner." + +I need not say that the dinner was not the feast for giants that was +ordered; but, though it was plentiful, all that our old friend could +eat was a little dish of peas fried in fat, which he washed down with +thin wine and water. He kept all the talk to himself, delighting us +with a thousand merry quibbles and jests, until, finally, he called for +his mule, saying that he must depart. + +"Mademoiselle," he said as he wished us farewell, "you are going on a +long journey, and I on a much longer, but I know that wherever you are +there will be the house of Thelema." And as I helped him to pull his +domino over his shoulders he whispered in my ear: "_Beati qui in domino +moriuntur_." + +Then, slowly and painfully mounting his mule, and chuckling at his grim +jest, he ambled away, the landlord bowing respectfully to him as he +passed. + +"Who is he?" asked Diane. + +"That, mademoiselle," said our host, "is the Doctor Rabelais, whose +name is honoured as that of the King here. He has a small estate +called La Devinière hard by, and comes here at times for his health. +He returns to Paris to-morrow; but he will never come back--that I +know." And he shook his head sorrowfully. + + * * * * * * + +We never met again, for Rabelais died a month later; but in my library +at Orrain, which now contains close upon a hundred volumes, I have a +copy of his works bound in red velvet, and clasped with silver. Nor +ever do I touch it without thinking of that rose-clad summer-house in +the old garden in Touraine. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE WOMAN IN BLACK AND WHITE + +A few days later we saw the cliffs of Chateaudon, from whose heights +the stronghold of Dunois looks down upon the town crouching beneath. +On arrival we found a lodging in the little square below the castle, +and here I thought it necessary to call a halt for a couple of days. +Thus far our journey to Paris had been free from serious misadventure; +but I was full of fears, for I knew not what folly De Ganache might +commit in his madness, and the evil phantom of Simon was ever grinning +over my shoulder. I, therefore, judged it prudent to write to Le +Brusquet, begging him to inform the Queen how far I had come; and, as +difficulties might arise in regard to my entry into Paris, I suggested +that mademoiselle should be met by an escort either at Etampes or +Montlhéry; and, commending myself to his friendship, begged the favour +of his losing no time in aiding me in this matter. This letter I +entrusted to Capus, bidding him meet me with the answer at Etampes, +where he would find me at the Toison d'Or. + +As soon as mademoiselle, chiefly upon whose account I had halted, was +sufficiently rested to continue the journey we started once more, and +quitting the vine country entered the smiling Beauce. It was towards +the end of June, and our way led through the granary of France, with +its long green reaches of meadow and rich cornland. Here, under the +clear blue of the sky, and in an air like crystal, stretched endless +fields of corn, swaying gently in the gentle breeze, and chequered with +vivid patches of blue cornflower and red poppy. After the seared +plains of Poitou the freshness, the peace, and the plenty around us +struck us in convincing contrast, nor could I help thinking what a +little it would take to make the sad Poitevin plain smile like this. + +We travelled by easy stages, reaching Etampes about the sixth day, and +here, on arrival at the Toison d'Or, I was disappointed to get no news +of Capus. There was nothing for it but to wait, and a few days passed +pleasantly enough in the curious old town. One incident that occurred +is, perhaps, worthy of notice. Almost opposite our inn was a +forbidding-looking house, without arms or escutcheon of any kind upon +the gate. To all appearance it was uninhabited, but from the balcony +of the inn mademoiselle and I observed a lady dressed in black who +daily paced for an hour or so on the terrace overlooking the garden of +the house. We could not distinguish her features, for she was ever +closely veiled, but her attitude and mien marked the deepest dejection. +To the idle all things are of interest, and our curiosity was excited; +so on one occasion, as the lady paced mournfully on the terrace, +mademoiselle asked the landlord who she was. + +"That, mademoiselle, is the Duchess herself." + +"The Duchess!" + +"Yes, mademoiselle; the Duchess d'Etampes. She has lived here in the +strictest seclusion ever since the late King's death. She receives no +one, and yet for miles around she is blessed for her charity. 'Tis +said, however," and he dropped his voice, "that she is a Christaudin; +but of this I know nothing." + +And so this sad, dark-robed spectre was the once brilliant and +beautiful De Helly! I went back in my mind to the gay days when she +reigned as queen. It was not so long ago, and I could recall all that +throng of syrens. There was Canaples, star of the morning; the lovely +St. Pol, star of the evening; Rieux, Tallard, Lestrange; but one only +of that galaxy was left, the loveliest and the worst--Diane, whom men +called the crescent moon. For her I wondered what fate was in store. + +The next day, towards sunset, mademoiselle and I were once again upon +the balcony of the inn, when I saw a horseman trotting past the parvis +of St. Martin. I was sure it was Capus, and my doubts were soon at +rest, for as he rounded the corner and came up the Rue St. Jacques I +saw it was he, and signalled to him. He lifted his arm in the air in +answer to my signal, and spurring his beast drew up a minute or so +after at the door of the inn. + +"What news, Capus?" I called out; and he waved a letter that he held in +his hand. Making an excuse to mademoiselle I ran down to meet him, and +soon had Le Brusquet's letter in my hands. He had done as I asked, and +we were to be met at Longpont, near Montlhéry; and in a postscript he +added that Olden Hoorn had sent him the two hundred crowns I had asked +for from Poitiers--a piece of news not without interest to me. When I +had finished Capus said: + +"I came with the escort, monsieur, as far as Montlhéry. It is +commanded by the Sieur de Lorgnac. There are ten lances and two court +ladies and a dozen or so of sumpter horses--a brave show. They all lie +at the priory at Longpont." + +"Thanks, Capus. Go now and rest." And as the man went I stood for a +little looking after him, and then went back to the balcony, the letter +in my hand. As I came up mademoiselle called out to me: + +"See!" she cried, "there is the new moon; turn over the money in your +pocket, and wish." + +I laughed. "There is little enough to turn, mademoiselle; but for my +wish--it is all good fortune and happiness to you." + +"Now you will bring me ill-luck for having spoken your wish aloud. Oh, +monsieur!" + +"Heaven forbid! But have you wished, may I ask?" She turned away with +a little sigh, and looked out into the violet evening, where the +slender sickle of the moon shone silver bright. Down below the +twilight darkled in the streets. Figures moved like shadows, and now +and again a light flashed out. Tall and slight, she stood out against +the darkening sky, her face half averted from me, and I knew not what +it was, but an almost irresistible impulse came on me to put my fortune +to the touch. But I thought of De Ganache. She was his promised wife. +I thought of what I had to offer, and this and that gave me strength, +and so I held back. + +"Mademoiselle," I said with an effort, "this is our last evening, and +my wardship ends to-morrow." + +"To-morrow?" + +"Yes; the Queen has sent an escort to meet you at Longpont." + +"She is most kind!" + +"And as I may not have the chance of speaking to you alone again----" + +"Why that?" she interrupted quickly. "You will be in Paris. You will +be at the Court. I counted upon having at least one friend there." + +"You will have more than one friend there, mademoiselle, and more than +one enemy, I fear; but I was about to say that I leave Paris the day +after I reach there for Italy." + +"For Italy?" + +"Yes; I follow M. de Montluc there. You see, old as I am, I have to +begin life over again, and there is many a fair fortune yet waiting to +be sliced out of the Romagna." + +She said never a word, and I continued: "It will be long ere I see +France again--perhaps never; and so, mademoiselle, I once more wish you +all that is good, and I offer my congratulations--I have not ventured +to do so before." + +She spoke now. "Monsieur, I thank you! I will not pretend not to +understand your last words; but there are some good wishes that may +mean misfortune, and it grows late. Good-night!" + +She slid by me, and was gone almost before I realised it. + +It was just past the dawn the next morning when we left Etampes. There +were but five leagues or so to cover ere we reached Montlhéry, and for +almost the whole way we could see before us the castle that crowned the +hill. At the ford of the Orge we saw a small group of horsemen, their +arms shining in the sunlight. + +"'Tis the escort," said Capus, and quickening our pace we were soon +with them, and I handed over my charge to De Lorgnac. + +There were with him two of the Queen's ladies--Madame de Montal, and +the bright-eyed Cypriote, Mademoiselle Davila, she who had escaped from +the sack of Cyprus--and these two immediately appropriated +mademoiselle, asking ten questions in a breath, never waiting for +answer, and detailing the hardships of their own journey of four +leagues or so from Paris. I had no chance of another word with her, +and rode morosely by Lorgnac's side. + +That night we lay at the priory of Longpont; but I saw nothing of +mademoiselle, for the ladies both dined and supped by themselves, +leaving De Lorgnac and myself to our own devices. After supper, as we +paced the garden together, De Lorgnac gave me the news of the day, +mentioning, amongst other things, that Vendôme had returned to the +Court once more, and that all differences between him and the Duchess +de Valentinois appeared to have been buried. I glanced at the signet +that I wore on my finger, Vendôme's gift to me, saying: + +"That is, perhaps, the best thing that could have happened for me; but +I little dreamed that Vendôme would ever have joined hands with Diane." + +"As to that," he said, "I have long ceased to be surprised at anything. +Poor Le Brusquet was in disgrace for a whole day for suggesting a new +device for the Duke--a weathercock on a steeple." And he laughed as he +added: "The Duke came back almost a week ago, with five hundred +gentlemen in his train--amongst others the late rebel De Ganache, for +whom he has obtained a pardon." + +"De Ganache!" + +"Yes; there has been a turn of the wheel, and for the moment the new +religion is in favour. What it means I know not; but as for De +Ganache, the Court gossips are already linking his name with Diane's. +'Tis certain he is ever at her heels." + +"The weathercock would suit him as well as Vendôme," I said a little +bitterly; "but it is good news that even for the moment the new faith +is in favour. It removes one danger, and the other is----" + +"Back in Paris," interrupted De Lorgnac. + +"You mean my brother?" + +"Yes; the Vidame came back a trifle over a fortnight ago with an arm +very much hurt and one-third of his usual following of cut-throats." + +"He will not have much trouble in filling his vacancies; but is he much +hurt?" And I smiled grimly to myself. + +"Oh! he was badly pinked; but his arm is out of its sling now. There +is some devil's broth preparing, and he and Diane are the cooks. Le +Brusquet, however, has sworn to put his ladle into it, and so we shall +see things ere long." + +"Not I," I laughed. "I shall be in Italy with Montluc." + +"You may not," was the dry answer. "Recollect that the Queen has the +first claim on you, and the war between her and Diane will soon be open +war. Up to now it has been a kiss and a stab, but soon it will be all +stab." + +And so we talked until a late hour, and little did I think, as I +retired to sleep, that Lorgnac's doubt about my Italian journey would +come to be true. + +It was well on towards the afternoon that we reached the Porte St. +Michel, for we had started late, and Madame de Montal would on no +account be parted from the sumpter horses, whose rate of progress was +necessarily slow. M. Agrippa de Pavanes was at the gate, and as we +filed in, I last of all, he looked hard at me; but I had other business +on hand, and could not at the moment spare time to devote to this +gentleman. It was clear, however, that he owed me a grudge over the +affair of the King's letter. As it happened, we never met again; and +Pavanes, if he still lives, must look upon his account with me as one +of his unsettled scores. + +A few yards from the gate the road narrowed, and at the corner where +the little Rue Poirée strikes off between two rows of tumble-down +houses to join the Rue St. Jacques there was somewhat of a block. I +had fallen back behind the sumpter horses, and halted for a moment, +when I felt a hand rest lightly on my stirrup. I looked down, and, as +I live, it was La Marmotte. + +"You!" I exclaimed. "In Paris!" + +"Monsieur," she said hurriedly, her face pale and haggard, "this +meeting is not chance. Ask for me tomorrow at vespers at the shop of +Barou the armourer in the Rue Tire Boudin. If you do not do this you +will never cease to regret it. Fail not!" And she made as if to draw +away. + +"A word," I said. "Trotto--does he live?" + +"Oh! he lives. Thanks, monsieur, a thousand thanks!" + +I had placed a piece of money in her hand, to take off any suspicion, +and, rising to her part, she seized it, calling down blessings on me, +and stepped back into the crowd. + +Our party had gone a little ahead, and I did not overtake them until +almost opposite the Cordeliers, where I joined De Lorgnac. + +"That was a strange-looking beggar," he remarked. + +"She was no beggar, De Lorgnac; but of her I will tell you when you, Le +Brusquet, and I are once more together." + +"I shall try to wait until then; it will be in less than an hour." + +We then joined the ladies, and rode by them, all outwardly in high +spirits. As we rode past the tennis courts the sumpter horses were +diverted to enter the Louvre by the gate near the riding-school, but we +ourselves rode directly towards the main entrance. On arrival there we +noticed a large crowd of sightseers at the gates, and our further +progress was stopped by a carriage, surrounded by a troop of the King's +guards, that came slowly out of the gate. In the carriage sat, or +rather reclined, a woman robed in black and white--a woman with sullen, +dark eyes and a face lovely in its pride. It was the crescent +moon--Diane herself. The carriage came out slowly, as I have said, the +horses walking, and from where I rode beside mademoiselle I saw her +clearly. She was toying with a little dog she held under her arm and +talking to a young man who sat facing her--a man whose face burned like +fire, and the laugh on whose lips died away when he saw us--for it was +De Ganache. The Duchess followed his glance, and turned in our +direction. As her fathomless eyes fell on mademoiselle her lips parted +in a smile. + +"St. Siege! it must be your little heiress. Come, tell me, De +Ganache--is it not so?" + +Her voice, clear as a bell, came to us distinctly. The veiled scorn +and mockery in her glance was not to be mistaken, and then the horses +were whipped up, and she was gone. It was all over in a moment; but I +saw the riding-whip in mademoiselle's hand trembling, and she kept her +face from me, looking straight between her horse's ears. + +"Do you know who that was?" I asked in a low voice; but she made no +answer, and I went on: + +"Remember the prophecy you told me of, and--be on your guard against +the woman in black and white. That was Diane of Valentinois." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE CROWN JEWELS + +An hour later I sat with Lorgnac and Le Brusquet in a little room in +the former's house in the Rue Tire Boudin. At the Louvre I had +discovered that there was no chance of my being able to see the Queen +until after the supper hour; and so I accepted the hospitality De +Lorgnac offered me, and was back again in the very house in which I had +spent my last night in Paris. + +A few minutes after our arrival Le Brusquet ambled up on a Spanish +mule, and soon we three were deep in discussing what had happened since +the day I rode out of the Porte St. Michel. I had perforce to relate +my own adventures, and when I described my meeting with La Marmotte and +her strange request De Lorgnac rose from his seat, and approaching the +window, said: + +"You can see Maître Barou's store from here. It abuts on my stables, +and you will not have far to go to keep your appointment." + +"If I do keep it; but at present I have no such intention." + +"You must keep it." It was Le Brusquet's incisive voice that cut in. + +"Why? There is no reason why we should ever meet again." + +"There is every reason--that is, if you take sufficient interest in the +future of Mademoiselle de Paradis." + +De Lorgnac came back to his seat. I looked inquiry, and Le Brusquet +continued: + +"A few things have been happening lately that make me think there is a +porridge on the boil that would be the better for our help in the +stirring. There have been little whispers afloat that Diane is +meditating a great _coup_. Certain it is, that she and that upright +judge Dom Antony de Mouchy have been much together of late. Certain it +is that this coquetting with the new faith means more than Christian +toleration; and, putting this and that together, I have got a clue. +You do not know Carloix, do you?" + +"No." + +"Well, Maître Vincent Carloix was my sister's husband whilst she lived. +He is also my very good friend, and, besides that, secretary to that +most noble lord François de Scépeaux, Marshal de Vieilleville. Carloix +is a discreet man; but I gathered enough from him to guess that it +would be safer for a Christaudin to be a prisoner with a Barbary +corsair than be in Paris now, despite all the hobnobbing that goes on +between the Court and Vendôme and the Admiral." + +"But," said De Lorgnac, "how does all this concern Mademoiselle de +Paradis? Even if it did she is the Queen's ward." + +"Anne d'Audeberte was a maid-of-honour, and you both know what happened +to her. My dear De Lorgnac, our friend here has told us enough for us +to know that mademoiselle is a heretic to her pretty fingertips. This +is bad--for her. Recollect that the Vidame d'Orrain is Diane's +right-hand man; and we may be certain that his attempt on Mademoiselle +de Paradis was made with the full knowledge of the Duchess. Recollect, +again, that this woman La Marmotte is the wife or mistress--I care not +which--of Orrain's own man----" + +"And as the Chevalier here ran him through the ribs he may not +unnaturally desire to repay the account," put in De Lorgnac. + +"It is not that," I said; "she warned me of danger in Le Jaquemart." + +"Precisely. It is of that I was thinking," said Le Brusquet. "No, +Chevalier--for to us you are the Chevalier d'Orrain and not Bertrand +Broussel--no, La Marmotte means you no harm, and I would stake a +thousand pistoles against an obolus that you will hear something of +interest concerning mademoiselle. She is not going to warn you about +yourself, I fancy," and he laughed; "she knows that the Chevalier +d'Orrain can look to his skin." + +"But what can be the cause of Diane de Poitiers' enmity of +mademoiselle?" I asked. "So far as I know, they have only but once +seen each other, and that but three hours ago." + +"The greatest of all causes, monsieur--money. Diane loves gold as a +swallow loves a fly. When a woman is avaricious she will let nothing +stand between her and her desire. Again, it is no disrespect to the +Vidame, your noble brother, to say he would sell his soul for a hundred +crowns, and Dom Antony de Mouchy is worse than either he or Diane. +Why, man, they have shared between them the wretched estate of a +journeyman tailor! The property of a street-hawker, burnt in the Place +Maubert, was granted to them, and they took it." + +"It is almost incredible!" I exclaimed. + +"But it is true," said De Lorgnac. + +"It appears to me," I said, "that my departure for Italy will be a +little delayed." + +"If you were as superstitious as I am," and Le Brusquet smiled as he +spoke, "you would say that departure is a dream of the past." + +"Why?" + +"_Eh bien_, a month ago, you left Paris from this very house never to +return, and here you are back again! It is my belief that your fate is +against your leaving Paris, and your game will have to be played here. +That slice of the Romagna you intended for your own helping will go to +fill another's plate." + +I laughed, and De Lorgnac rose. "There is Quinte with Cartouche at the +door," he said, "and I must be off. Be at the door of the Queen's +apartments a little before compline, and so, _au revoir_!" + +"We have almost an hour and a half still," said Le Brusquet, "and if it +were not safer for you to be indoors as much as possible I would +suggest spending a half-hour at the Bourgogne." + +"I think it would be better to stay here; but tell me, do you know +anything definite about this design of the Duchess?" + +"No. All that I know is that there is something afoot. Vieilleville +was approached; but, to his honour, refused to have anything to do with +it. I know, however, no details." + +"Then all we can do at present is to wait and watch." + +He nodded, and poured himself out some wine. Leaving him to sip his +Joué I retired to change my dress, and shortly after we rode out to the +Louvre. On arrival there we proceeded at once to Le Brusquet's +apartments, where he received a joyous welcome from his ape. + +"Here," he said, as he put the little beast down and took a sword from +the wall, "here is the sword you lent me that night. You see it is +clean and sharp as ever." + +"Let it remain, then, in your hands, monsieur, as a trifling +remembrance of Bertrand d'Orrain." + +"I thank you! I shall guard it as it should be guarded. _Corbleu_! +but it was a narrow affair that night; but for you Vendôme might be +wearing wings now, and the house of Bêsme extinct as the Sphinga." + +"It was a lucky chance. I suppose that old fox Camus still has his +lair in the same place? I wonder what made him turn against me as he +did----" + +"Oh, Camus is like a dog that loves biting, a dog that would bite his +own master in default of anyone else. Yes; he is there still. As for +his turning on you, that is part of his duty; he has been for years a +paid servant of Diane." + +"How long is this woman to last?" + +"As long as her roses. But they say those are fadeless; and Saint +Gelais has had to leave the Court in fear of his life for swearing that +she keeps them ever fresh by daily bathing her face in sow's milk." +And he laughed as he added: "But come, now, it is time to be moving." + +We were soon in the long gallery leading to the Queen's apartments; +but, instead of the darkness and gloom that pervaded it on the occasion +of my last visit, all was in light. Cressets burned everywhere, and at +every few yards stood a flambeau-bearer, his torch alight. The vaulted +roof above us was dim with the smoke that rose from the torches, and +there was everywhere the subdued murmur of voices, as people passed and +repassed, or stood in small knots conversing. So great was the change +that I could not avoid noticing it; and Le Brusquet explained that it +was always so when any of the royal children, who lived at St. +Germain-en-Laye, visited the Queen. He had just said this when we +rounded the abrupt curve the gallery made, and came face to face with +two men walking arm-in-arm in the direction opposite to that we were +taking. They were Simon and De Ganache, and recognition was mutual and +instant. Monsieur de Ganache saw the surprised look on my face, which +he no doubt read, as I glanced from him to my brother; and lifting his +hat in a half-defiant, half-shamefaced manner, would have passed on, +but Simon held him by the arm, and planting himself right in our path +said, with an insolent stare: + +"This gentleman must have mistaken the Louvre for the Gloriette." + +Le Brusquet plucked my sleeve in warning; but I was cool enough, and +had no intention of again laying myself open to the law. I gave Simon +stare for stare. "Yes; it is I," I answered coldly; and then, turning +to De Ganache: "Monsieur, it was from the Vidame d'Orrain that I had +the good fortune to rescue Mademoiselle de Paradis. I thought you knew +of this. If not, you know now with whom your arm is linked." + +"By God!" Simon burst out, "if I did not remember where I was----" + +"Tush!" I broke in, "there are a hundred other places where we can +settle our differences. I have no time to be brawling here." + +With this I pushed past, and left them looking at each other as, +followed by Le Brusquet, I gained the door to the Queen's apartment. +As we came up De Lorgnac himself appeared, and passed us into the +anteroom. I well remembered that cheerless tomb through which I had +passed a month ago; but now it was all glittering bright. The door of +the Queen's cabinet was closed; but to the right folding doors--that I +had not observed before--were open, giving a glimpse, through the +half-drawn curtains, of a crowded salon beyond. In the ante-room +itself there were about a dozen or so of ladies-in-waiting and pages, +all talking and laughing; and as we followed De Lorgnac I felt a light +touch at my elbow, and turning met a merry face that smiled up at me. +It was little Mademoiselle Davila, the same who with Madame de Montal +had met us at Longpont. + +"_Eh bien_! So you have come, monsieur. I can tell you that you have +been expected. Oh! we have heard about you at last--heard twice +over--and we are all thinking of playing truant and running away to the +forest of Vincennes or Monceaux. That last is better, for it is nearer +Paris----" But here her breathless chatter was cut short by a "Hush!" +from the salon, and then we heard the strings of a harp being touched. + +"'Tis _belle_ Marie, the little Queen of Scotland!" And moving forward +a couple of steps we were able to see into the next room. I looked +round in vain for mademoiselle, and then my glance was arrested by a +tall, fair-haired girl who was before a harp; and even I, who should +have had no eyes but for one face, stood as if spellbound. As her +fingers ran over the harp strings a low, wailing melody filled the +room, and then with a voice of strange sweetness she sang a sad little +song--a bergerelle of my own country. Harp and voice together died +away in inexpressible sorrow at the last words, and a strange stillness +filled the room, but was broken at last by a half-suppressed sob. Then +in a moment all was changed. There came a bright little flourish, and +she sang, joyous and blithe as a lark: + + "Si le roi m'avait honné + Paris sa grand'ville, + Et qu'il m'eut fallu quitter + L'Amour de m'amie; + J'aurais dit au Roi Henri + Reprenez votre Paris, + J'aime mieux m'amie + O gai! + J'aime mieux m'amie + O gai!" + + +"_O gai!_" burst the chorus, almost unconsciously, from those around +her, and with a flush on her face and a smile on her lips Mary of +Scotland moved from the harp, and was immediately lost to view in the +circle of those who crowded around her. I looked for my companions. +Mademoiselle Davila had found a lanky page to flirt with; Le Brusquet +seemed to have vanished; but De Lorgnac was at hand. + +"Come now!" he said, and I followed him across the crowded room to +where the Queen sat, amidst a group of her ladies, with the Dauphin--a +small, ill-formed boy of thirteen or fourteen--at her knees. She +received me graciously; and on my delivering my packet she broke the +seals, glanced at the contents with apparent carelessness, and then +handed it--all open as it was--to a lady who stood behind her. + +"La Beauce, put this on my table." And then turning to me, said, with +a laugh: + +"Your ears should be tingling, monsieur, for the last hour or so there +has been nothing but you talked of by my maids-of-honour. It seems +that the cock of Orrain has not forgotten the use of his spurs." + +My tongue had long since forgotten such courtier tricks as it had +learned. In truth, it was never good at these; and whilst I was +casting about for something to say, and wishing myself well away from +the ring of faces that circled me in, a gay, laughing voice broke in: + +"But where is the heroine, madame? Where is Diane of the Forest? She +should thank her preserver before your Majesty." And Mary of Scotland, +heedless and blithe of heart, made me a mock little courtesy as she +moved to the Queen's side. + +"Here she is," cried twenty voices; "she has been hiding here." And, +before I knew how it was, I found myself face to face with mademoiselle. + +"Thank him! thank him!" the reckless voices around us began to shout; +and, as I stood fumbling about, mademoiselle, with a face like fire, +made me a stiff bow, and was about to step back, when our chief +tormentor called out: + +"Oh, how poor a thanksgiving! Surely this is a fit case for a Court of +Love!--how and in what way a fair lady should greet her knight after a +parlous quest?" + +"Madame"--and Mary of Scotland knelt before the Queen--"you will hold a +Court now, will you not?" + +"_O gai_! _O gai_!" And there was a chorus of laughter and cheers. + +Where all this foolery might have ended Heaven knows. The Queen +herself seemed to be enjoying it, and was about to make some reply to +Mary, when there was a bustle at the door, and an usher called out: + +"The King! His Majesty the King!" + +Holding the Dauphin by the hand the Queen rose and advanced to meet the +King, who entered, followed by half a dozen of his gentlemen. Henri +was tall, strongly built, and carried himself royally; but there was a +strange mixture of courage and weakness in his countenance. He was +brave--no man could be found to deny that; but there was never a +sparkle of intelligence in his dull eyes, though at times they shone +with cunning, and his mouth was weak and sensual. That night he had +supped in the apartments of Diane de Poitiers, and had evidently primed +himself for this visit to the Queen, for his face was flushed and his +voice thick. + +"Your Majesty is unexpected, but all the more welcome for that," said +the Queen as Henri touched her fingers with his lips. The King made +some answer I did not hear, and led the Queen to a seat; then, patting +the Dauphin's head much in the manner of one patting a spaniel's back, +he looked around. + +"_Birge_!" he said. "You are gay here. It was dull this evening at +supper; she had the megrims." + +A slight flush came into Catherine de Medicis' cheeks at this mention +of the mistress, and her voice trembled a little. + +"I trust madame will soon be better; but you, sire, will always find us +gay here." + +"It seems so. What was the particular jest? It might bring a smile to +Diane's face when I tell her of it." + +I moved back, so that I did not hear the Queen's answer, but Henri +laughed loudly. + +"A Court of Love! _Bigre_! 'Tis a new idea, and a good one. But +where is our little ward? Present her." + +Mademoiselle had to come forward, and when she had kissed hands the +King said: + +"I hear sad tales of you, mademoiselle; but there, never mind! You +must not, however, break all our hearts. Faith!" and his feeble +intellect wandered off to the one subject it could think of, "we will +have a tourney in a fortnight, and the defenders shall wear your +colours." + +Mademoiselle blushed red, and began to stammer out something, whilst a +few looks were exchanged between the courtiers that made my blood run +hot. The Queen, however, interposed, and suddenly called for me. + +"Monsieur d'Orrain!" + +I stepped up, catching the look of astonishment in mademoiselle's eyes +as she heard the name by which I was addressed. + +"Permit me, your Majesty, to present to you the Chevalier d'Orrain. It +is he who arranged the small matter you entrusted me with, and has, +besides, shown himself a valiant gentleman. With your Majesty's +permission I propose appointing him to my guards; M. de Lorgnac has a +vacancy." + +There was a little murmur, and as I knelt, the King extended his hand +to me carelessly. As I rose to my feet, and was about to withdraw, he +said, with a sudden recollection: + +"Monsieur d'Orrain--the brother of the Vidame?" + +I bowed, and Henri turned to the Queen, his face assuming a severe +expression; but Catherine de Medicis anticipated his speech. + +"It is so small a favour that I thought your Majesty would have no +objection in view of M. d'Orrain's services. I do not, however, press +it." + +Henri hummed and hawed, and a curious, cunning expression came into his +eyes. + +"_Bigre_! It seems to me I have to grant favours from the moment I +rise to the moment I lie down to sleep. But to tell the truth, madame, +it was I who came here to ask a favour from you." And then he stopped, +and his face flushed darker than ever as he went on, with a short +laugh: "Come! let it be a bargain! If I grant you your request will +you grant me mine?" + +"Assuredly, sire!--even if you did not grant me mine." + +"Oh! we will make it a bargain. Well, then, let it be as you wish with +monsieur there." And turning to me: "And harkee, Chevalier! Keep your +sword in your scabbard, and put your Geneva books in the fire, now that +you have a new start." + +"I thank you, sire!" said the Queen. "And your command----?" + +She stopped, awaiting the King's answer; but Henri hesitated, and at +last, bending forward, whispered a few words in the Queen's ear. The +effect was instant. She became white and red in turns, and began to +nervously clasp and unclasp her hands. + +"Come!" said the King, with an affectation of gaiety; "it was a +bargain, madame." + +There was a pause, and then, with a voice as hard as steel, Catherine +de Medicis said to her favourite maid-of-honour: + +"Mademoiselle La Beauce--my jewel-casket--quick, please." + +La Beauce bowed, and slipped away, and we all looked on in wonder at +the strange scene. Presently she returned with a small but heavy +casket in her hands. Catherine opened it with a key she detached from +a chain she wore at her neck, and as the lid fell back the glittering +splendour of the Crown diamonds of France was disclosed to view. + +"They have been worn by a line of queens, sire," said Catherine as she +placed the box in Henri's hands; "they ought well to become Madame +Diane de Poitiers, and cure her megrims." + +With this she made a profound bow, and withdrew. When she had gone +there was an absolute silence; and then the King laughed, an uneasy, +foolish laugh. + +"And all this because I want to borrow a few stones for the masque!" he +exclaimed as he thrust the box into the hands of one of his gentleman. +"Take this, Carnavalet!" And swinging round on his heel he went as he +had come, his suite clattering behind him. + +As he went we heard through the open doors the cries of "_Vive le +Roi_!" from those in the gallery outside, and then all was still once +more. + +The salon, but a short time before so bright and gay, emptied like +magic. I stood where I was, leaning against a pillar, wondering at the +scene through which I had passed, and hardly realising that I was +alone. No, not alone, for mademoiselle stood before me, her hand +outstretched. + +"Oh, monsieur, this is a horrible place! Why did I ever come?" + +I could say nothing, for she too had seen and heard all that had passed. + +"But it is not this I came to talk about. I waited so as to be able to +congratulate M. Bertrand Broussel, the worthy citizen of Paris." And +she laughed as she added: "I was sure of it from the first; I knew it +could never be." + +"May I also say that I was sure that Cujus the furrier never had a +niece?" + +She made a little impatient gesture with her hand. "I do not believe +you will ever forget that, monsieur." + +"Never." + +"And you are not leaving Paris, then?" she asked after a moment's pause. + +"I cannot now," I answered. + +"Then," she laughed, "the furrier's niece and Monsieur Broussel will +meet again. _Au revoir_, Chevalier!" + +And she was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE HOUSE IN THE PASSAGE OF PITY + +The next day, about the time appointed by La Marmotte, I presented +myself at Maître Barou, the armourer's, store. There was no one there +except the old proprietor himself, and it was hard to say if he were +Jew or Gentile as he stood behind the counter in the midst of his +wares. I had sufficient excuse for my visit, and that was to purchase +a breastplate of the pattern worn by the Queen's guards, in which I had +been formally enrolled early in the day. + +"_Bien_!" he said when I inquired for one, "I have one that will fit +you, I think. It was bespoke by M. de Montorgueil----" + +"But, perhaps, monsieur may have a voice in the matter." + +"Probably; but as monsieur has not paid for it, and is at present +lodged in the Châtelet on account of his escapade with Mademoiselle +d'Estanay, we may let that objection pass." And Maître Barou chuckled. + +"In that case, let me see the corselet." + +"Here it is, monsieur." + +I tried it on, and finding it would suit, and that the workmanship was +of rare excellency, demanded the price. + +Barou hummed as he tapped the shining steel with his finger and glanced +at me from under his bushy brows. + +"Monsieur must have but lately joined the guards?" he asked, ignoring +my question. + +"A matter of a few hours." + +"Ah! I thought so. I know them all, monsieur. First there is Messire +Blaise de Lorgnac, the lieutenant----" + +"Maître Barou, it will take till to-morrow to go over the names. What +is your price?" + +"Ho! ho! messire, you grow impatient. 'Tis Aranguez plate this, as you +may see--the best work of Spain, down to the buckles. Ho! ho! messire, +only two good things ever came from Spain: one is good armour, and the +other pretty women----" + +"And I presume, Maître Barou, they are both expensive things; but the +price of your corselet, for my time is short." + +"Fifty pistoles, then." + +"'Tis a long sum, and I am not sure of the proof." + +Maître Barou looked at me reproachfully. Seizing a poniard he glanced +at the blade for a moment, touched the point with the tip of his +finger, and then raising the weapon brought it down with his full force +on the corselet. The dagger glanced off from the mirror-like surface +and buried itself deep in the hard wood of the counter. + +"There, monsieur!" And Barou looked at me triumphantly. It was a +shrewd enough test, and I closed the bargain, paying him his money then +and there, and bidding him send the mail to De Lorgnac's house. + +"And the name, monsieur?" + +"The Chevalier d'Orrain." + +As Barou was making an entry on a slate I heard a step behind me, and +turning saw it was La Marmotte. She made no sign of recognition, +however, but went straight up to Barou, to whom she handed a small +package, giving him some instructions in a low tone. Taking the hint I +gave a casual glance or so at the things around me, and then strolled +out of the shop. I walked very slowly up the street in the direction +opposite De Lorgnac's house, and I had scarce gone a hundred paces when +La Marmotte caught me up, and asked me somewhat abruptly if I knew of a +place called the Passage of Pity. I replied that I did, and she then +told me to meet her there in an hour's time, and to be sure I was well +armed. For answer I touched the hilt of my sword; and, with a nod to +me, she crossed the street and disappeared up a narrow, winding alley. +I kept on at the leisurely pace I was going at, wondering to myself if +I were walking into a snare or not. But, although caution is a very +good thing, still there are times when one should be prepared to take +risks, and I held this was such an occasion. Having now reached the +head of the Rue Tiquetonne I quickened my pace, and was soon in the +Vallée de Misérè. I avoided the bridge, and, crossing the river by a +ferry boat, was soon in the purlieus of the Sorbonne. Every inch of +this locality was familiar to me, and at last I reached the cloisters +of the Mathurins, a few yards from which lay the narrow by-street which +the quaint wit of the Parisian _badaud_ had christened the Passage of +Pity. It was dark and short--so short, indeed, that an active boy, +standing at one end of it, might easily have thrown a stone against the +high wall of a house built athwart the other end of the road, +apparently barring all progress beyond. This was not the case, +however, for the narrow arch, that was to all appearance the entrance +to the house, gave access to a small flight of steps, worn with age, +that led towards a gallery opening upon the Rue de la Harpe. + +In the wall towards the right of this arch, about a man's height from +the ground, was a small niche containing a figure of the Virgin, and +beneath was that which, perhaps, had given its name to the street, for +someone had traced in shaky characters upon the wall the words: "_Avez +pitié_!" + +Beneath these words, written in blood long since browned with age, +could still be seen the impress of a hand that had been red too, as if +the unfortunate writer had supported himself thus whilst tracing his +miserable words. + +The steps leading to the gallery beyond the archway were known as "The +Little Steps of Mercy," and to get at the entrance door of the house +itself, which was in part built over the passage, it was necessary to +go along the gallery, in the side of which it was placed, in an almost +invisible gloom, that added not a little to the mystery surrounding the +place. Another curious thing about this little by-street was that +every house, and there were not many, appeared deserted. Hardly a soul +ever passed by day along its dim length, which was always in shadow, +except at high noon, when the sunlight forced its way in a line of +white light along the forbidding passage. By night no one was ever +seen, and, indeed, there were few who would have ventured along the +Passage of Pity when the sun went down. + +Here, then, I stood at the appointed time, staring at the surly row of +houses on either side of me and at the dead wall in my face. Twice I +paced up and down the length of the street; but there was no sign of La +Marmotte. On the second occasion, however, as I came back, the door of +the house on the right-hand side nearest the arch opened slightly, and +I heard her voice. + +"Enter, monsieur." + +For one little moment I hesitated, and then boldly slipped in. As I +did so the door was immediately shut, and I found myself in almost +total darkness. + +"A moment." Then I heard the striking of a tinderbox. There was a +small, bright glow, then the flame of some burning paper, that threw +out the figure of La Marmotte as she lit a candle, and holding it out +motioned me up a rickety staircase that faced us. + +I had drawn my poniard as I stepped in, so evil-looking was the place, +and she caught the gleam of the steel. + +"It is needless," she said coldly; "we are alone." + +"Perhaps, madame," I replied, taking no notice of her remark, "you had +better lead the way; the place is known to you." + +She did as I desired, and we soon found ourselves in a small room, in +which there was some broken-down furniture. There was one window, +which was closed, and being made entirely of wood all light was shut +out except that which the candle gave. + +"A strange place," I said, looking around me. + +"When one is as I am, monsieur," was the bitter answer, "one gets +friends with strange places." + +I looked at her more closely than I had done before. Even by the dim +light I could see how pale and sunken were her cheeks, and her raven +hair was streaked with grey. Her eyes had lost the brazen fire that +had shone in them once. Wretched and miserable indeed she looked. But +this was not the La Marmotte of the past but another woman. + +She put the candle down and turned to me. + +"Monsieur, I have asked you to come here because we can be alone here +and uninterrupted, and that which I have to say to you concerns the +life, perhaps, of Mademoiselle de Paradis. Monsieur, you may not +believe me, but from that dreadful night at Le Jaquemart I have become +a changed woman. I have learned, monsieur, how to pray, and, my God! +the past--the past!" And she put her hands to her face and shuddered. + +"Madame, there is always a future." + +"But never for a woman! Oh, Monsieur d'Orrain--for I know your name +now--you know this as well as I." + +I made no answer. What could I say? And she went on: + +"Listen! After that night I brought him--Trotto--back to Paris as soon +as he was able to move. He was badly hurt, but not so badly as we +thought; and he lives for revenge. Your brother the Vidame is in a +house in the Rue des Lavandières, into which he has recently moved. +There I brought Trotto. Here I found Malsain and some others; and, +believing me to be what I was before, they spoke freely before me. For +you, monsieur, I warn you to fear the bravo's knife; they will not face +you openly." + +"I will try and take care of myself. But what is it that concerns +mademoiselle?" + +"This much I know, monsieur: the Vidame wants her for himself, or +rather her wealth. The plan he has conceived is as follows:--the edict +against the heretics is to be revived suddenly, and mademoiselle is to +be accused. And you know what this means, with Dom Antoine de Mouchy +as judge." + +"But how will this gain the Vidame his wish?" + +"To explain that, monsieur, is one of the reasons I have brought you +here." And moving towards the window she opened it cautiously. As she +did so there appeared, about three feet or more away, the grey and +mottled surface of a blank wall. + +"Look!" she said. + +I looked out of the window. The walls of the two houses stood about +three feet apart. Below me was a deep, narrow space, shut in on all +sides except from the top. In the opposite wall was a window partly +open, below which ran a narrow ledge. This window faced the one I was +standing at, but was placed about a yard or so higher, so that anyone +standing there could look into the room in which we were. All this I +took in, and then turned to La Marmotte. + +"Monsieur," she said, "that house is where Antoine de Mouchy lives, and +where, within an hour's time, he is to meet the Vidame and some others +to discuss their plan. If you would learn it you must learn it from +there." And she pointed to the window above me. + +I was about to speak, but she stopped me. + +"Listen! I know that house from garret to cellar, for I lived there +once. That window leads to an empty room. A door to the right leads +into De Mouchy's study, which looks over the Rue de la Harpe, and +standing at that door you can hear every word that passes within. Will +you risk it?" + +"The getting there is possible, but it is the retreat that I am +doubtful of." + +"I have provided for that." And opening a box that lay near her she +pulled out a short coil of stout rope with an iron hook fixed at each +end. + +"Fasten one hook to the window there, and throw me the rope. I will +fasten the other here, and you will have a passage back. I will wait +here for you." + +I glanced out of the window again. On the left was the Passage of Pity +with its dreary, deserted houses, on the right, above me, was a glimpse +of sky. Now and again we heard the cooing of pigeons and the flutter +of their wings amongst the eaves, but except for this there was no +sound, and we were perfectly unobserved. + +Removing my boots and discarding my sword I climbed out of the window, +resting my feet on the ledge beneath it. Cautiously rising to a +standing position I found I could see clearly into the room opposite. +It was unoccupied, but, so far from being empty, was filled with books +and piles of documents. It looked, indeed, as if M. de Mouchy's study +had overrun itself into this room. I had, however, made up my mind to +take the risk of being present at this meeting whatever the cost might +be, and so after another and careful look began the attempt. Between +the opposite window and myself was a gap of a little over three feet, +so that it was impossible to reach there. Thanks, however, to the +forethought of La Marmotte I was enabled to overcome this difficulty, +and after a couple of tries, during which the noise made was such as +would have certainly aroused attention had anyone been at hand, I +succeeded in fixing one of the iron hooks attached to the rope to the +ledge of the window. Then, after a strain to test the rope, I let +myself swing across the chasm, and found foothold on the opposite +ledge. Once there matters were easy, and in a trice I had passed +through the window. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE TABLETS OF DOM ANTOINE DE MOUCHY + +A quick glance around showed me I was alone. Turning back to the +window I swung the free end of the rope to La Marmotte. She caught it, +drew it in, and closed the window over it as far as it would go. +Through the slight opening I saw for an instant the glow of the candle. +Then the rope tightened, and the light went out. I crept softly to a +door on my right, and standing there listened intently. All was +silence. I tried the door; it opened, and I saw before me De Mouchy's +study. His table, littered with papers, was almost in the centre of +the room. Near the window was a large carved chest. The walls were +lined with books, and three or four bookcases, filled with dust-laden +volumes, projected at right angles from them. In truth, it seemed as +if Dom Antoine owned a library that might rival that of the Abbey of +St. Victor. + +I made up my mind to go a step farther than La Marmotte's suggestion, +and as the chances of discovery were equal whether I remained in the +outer room or here I decided to stay where I was. Between the wall and +one of the projecting bookshelves there was space sufficient for a man +to stand perfectly concealed, unless anyone chose to come round the +bookcase. Here, then, I took up my position, trusting much to luck, as +one has to do in a desperate enterprise, and relying on the chance that +De Mouchy would never suspect that anyone would dare to act as I was +doing in broad daylight, for it was not much beyond five o'clock in the +afternoon. + +I had not long to wait. Presently I heard a scratching at a door +opposite to that by which I had entered the room. There was a murmured +word or so, then the door opened, and Dom Antoine de Mouchy stepped in, +bearing in his arms an immense black cat. Where the afternoon sunlight +shone warmly on the carved chest he placed the beast, stroking its back +once or twice, and then turned, and stood for a moment facing his table. + +As he stood there, in the black robes and skull-cap of a doctor of the +Sorbonne, I took careful stock of him, for it was he who, years past, +had doomed me to a frightful death, and who had shared with Simon and +Diane de Poitiers the remains of my property. He was past middle life, +with a frame yet strong and vigorous. Cruelty and avarice had set +their seals on his broad face. His cheek-bones were high as those of a +Tartar, and the small and sunken eyes had a restless, savage look in +them--the look of a tiger; and no tiger ever thirsted for blood more +ferociously than Dom Antoine de Mouchy, Doctor of the Sorbonne, and +President of the Chambre Ardente, thirsted for the blood of his +fellow-creatures. + +Twice he glanced around him, and then sitting at his table was soon +busily employed in jotting down something on his tablets. After a +while he stopped, and some thought moved him to silent laughter. +Leaning back he let his glance travel round the room, and then arrested +it once more on his tablets. + +"Ha, ha!" he laughed out loudly this time, "this is a rare dish of +fried fish! Prick up your ears, Titi!" And reaching out a long arm he +stroked the fur of the huge cat that sat crouched on the coffer, an +occasional shiver running through its body. It was old, very old, as I +could see. + +At De Mouchy's voice and the touch of his hand the creature rose +slowly, turned upon Dom Antoine a pair of green eyes from which the +sight had long since fled, and hissed like an angry snake. De Mouchy +laughed again as he went on: + +"You agree--eh? Well, listen to the +names--Huguenots--Christaudins--Spawn of Geneva--whose bodies shall +perish as their souls, and whose goods shall come to the +righteous--that is, to me, Titi." + +For a moment light seemed to come back to those sightless eyes, and +with a purr, as if it understood, the great cat leaped lightly on to +the table and sat before De Mouchy, whilst the latter put one finger on +the tablets, and spoke again: + +"_Mon vieux_! the poor fisherman has netted some fine gold-fish this +time. No little sprats of tailors of the Rue St. Antoine or +out-at-heel scholars--but fine, fat, golden carp. The pity of it, +Titi, that the great ones of the land will take toll of this +haul--tithe and fee; but there will be something left for you and for +me--you understand?" + +The cat snarled, as though it had followed every word, and De Mouchy +went on, carrying out his terrible humour: + +"Good! You cannot speak nor see but you can hear, and so listen! +First--the Church first always, Titi--comes Odet de Coligny, Cardinal +de Châtillon, Bishop of Beauvais--a traitor--a wolf who has stolen into +the fold of Christ--with a hundred thousand livres a year of income!" +He paused, and looked at the cat, with a snarl on his lips as evil as +that on those of his familiar. + +"Secondly, the High Nobility--Gaspard de Coligny, High Admiral of +France, the tallest poppy in the garden of heresy, Titi. + +"Thirdly, the Law--in the person of Maître Anne du Bourg, an unjust +judge; but you and I will change his judgment seat for a felon's dock, +and give him a garment of red flames for his red robes of office." + +The cat mewed as De Mouchy went on: "There are many more, my friend, +and one in special, against whom we dare not move as yet, for he bears +the lilies of France on his shield. But let us on to the sweets, for +we have dined well, and need a toothsome morsel. If you could see, +_mon vieux_, and had set eyes on her, I should have my doubts of you +also, for she is as the fairy light that draws the unwary into the Pit +of Death. Can you guess? No! Then I will tell you. What think you +of the Demoiselle de Paradis? Yes! Hiss, hiss! _Sus, sus_! On to +the heretics, _mon brave_!" + +And as the cat rose on its tottering limbs, arched its back, and +snarled, the man leaned back snarling also, for the blood madness was +on him, and he was alone, and had let himself go utterly. + +At this moment this strange scene was interrupted by a sharp, imperious +knock at the door, and as De Mouchy, with a start, swung round his +chair and rose to his feet the door was pushed open without further +ceremony, and he saw before him the beautiful but pitiless face of +Diane de Poitiers, and behind her stood Simon of Orrain. + +As De Mouchy stepped forward to meet his visitors with a cringing air, +the cat, less of a hypocrite than its master, retreated to the far end +of the table, and began to hiss like a boiling kettle. + +"I did not expect you yet, madame," began De Mouchy; but Diane de +Poitiers broke in upon his speech: + +"It does not matter; let us to business. But away with that hideous +cat first!" And she pointed with her fan at Titi, who stood glaring at +her with his sightless eyes. + +"He is a good adviser, madame," grinned De Mouchy; but she stamped her +foot. + +"It looks like a devil. Away with it! else I shall ask Orrain to fling +it through the window." + +Simon smiled grimly, and stretched out a long, thin arm; but with a +sullen look on his face De Mouchy lifted his pet in his arms, and, +opening the door of the adjoining room, thrust it therein, shutting the +door upon it. It was, indeed, a lucky change of plan I had made. Had +I been behind that door discovery was certain. + +The Duchess had seated herself in De Mouchy's chair, and coolly lifting +up the tablets ran her eyes over them. Simon flung himself upon the +coffer, his sword between his knees, and began gnawing at his long +moustache, whilst De Mouchy stood between the two, his deep-set eyes +shifting from one to the other. + +Suddenly Diane's red lips curved into a smile. + +"_Eh bien_, De Mouchy! But you are building fine castles in Spain +here! See this, Orrain; he thinks to net Châtillon, the Admiral, and +the First Prince of the Blood!" And she broke into merry laughter. + +"And why not, madame?" scowled De Mouchy. + +Diane de Poitiers checked her laugh. "For the simple reason that the +house of Châtillon has become wise over D'Andelot's affair, and will +not set foot in Paris. As for Vendôme, he must be dealt with +differently." And her dark eyes flashed ominously. + +"Put the tablets aside for the present," Simon cut in, "and let us not +argue. We each form an angle of a triangle, and the triangle will be +nothing at all if one of the angles is taken away. Let us discuss +measures; we will take the names after. How did my proposal go at the +council to-day?" + +"Approved," said De Mouchy. "And the Chambre Ardente can act whenever +the said court thinks fit." + +"That is, when you, as president, think fit?" + +"Precisely, Monsieur le Vidame." + +"This, however, is not enough," Simon went on. "Another little +suggestion of mine, the suspension of the edicts, made, possibly, by +madame's merciful intercession with the King, has borne good fruit, and +Paris is full of heretics. But I presume that it is neither their +bodies nor their souls that we desire." And he looked at his two +companions. + +De Mouchy preserved a scowling silence, but with a flush on her face +the Duchess said: + +"I do not follow you, monsieur. We are good Christians, and we work +for Holy Church." + +Simon leaned back, his knee between his clasped hands, and laughed a +bitter, mocking laugh. + +"Eternal Blue! For Holy Church! Ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho! Madame, +those sweet lips of yours drop pearls of wisdom." And he rocked to and +fro. + +Deeper grew the crimson on the Duchess' cheek, and she opened and shut +her fan with an angry snap. She tried to say something; but her words +died away in a stammer, and her eyes drooped before Simon's cold and +mocking look. + +"Come," said he, the master-vampire, "let us leave this talk of Holy +Church for the salons and the council. We three know what we want, and +to get it we need a grant from the King, giving in equal shares all the +properties and goods of condemned heretics in Paris, which by law are +escheat to the Crown, to madame here, the crescent moon of France; to +you, most righteous judge; and to me, Simon, Vidame d'Orrain. This +done, we can begin to play." + +"Excellent!" And De Mouchy rubbed his hands together. "I will light a +fire on every square and on the parvis of every church in Paris, and +the smell of the burning will be as incense to the holy saints." + +Diane, however, remained silent, her face still flushed, and a +rebellious light in her sullen eyes, which refused to meet Simon's +look; and after a moment he went on: + +"To obtain this, madame, we look to you. After last night I feel sure +his Majesty can refuse you nothing." + +His words stung her into speech. "It is absurd," she burst out, "equal +shares! Monsieur, am I to be sucked dry by your exactions? Never! If +I get the grant it will be for myself, and you and De Mouchy will be +paid as heretofore. So much and no more; and if you like it not there +are others who will do my bidding." She rose from her seat in +magnificent anger, an evil, beautiful thing, and De Mouchy shrank from +her look. Not so Simon. With an angry growl he reached forward and +caught her wrist. + +"Have you forgotten what there is between us?" he asked. She made no +answer, and strove to free herself silently; but Simon's grip was firm, +and there was a terrible meaning in his glance as he forced her back +into her seat. "Have you forgotten?" he asked again, "or shall I call +it from the house-tops to remind you? Fool! Do you not know there are +a hundred as fair as you ready to supplant you? One whisper of the +past, one whisper of the present--ay, the present--I have but to +breathe De Ganache's name." + +"Enough!" she gasped, and Simon loosed his hold, and she sat for a +moment, her face buried in her hands. + +"Come, Diane," and Simon changed his tone, "you have too many enemies +at your gate to quarrel with old friends. We need you and you need us." + +She put her hands down, her face now as white as marble, all the cruel +lines of her features accentuated, and her eyes were those of a cowed +tigress. Never will I forget the scene. In this wicked woman's heart +there was not a regret, not a thought of the innocent blood she was +planning to shed. It was defeated avarice, pride wounded to the quick, +that struggled in her look, and made her, all beautiful as she was, for +the moment hideous. + +"Get her some wine," said Simon shortly to De Mouchy--"and get it +yourself." + +De Mouchy rose and left the room, and the two were alone together. + +"Listen, Diane!" said Simon. "You stand on the edge of a precipice. +It is said that the King has spoken of nothing this morning but the +beauty of Mademoiselle de Paradis." + +She gasped; and he went on: + +"I see you understand. Well, unless you agree to my terms mademoiselle +is secure from harm; and I think you will find Anet a dull retreat." + +There was a little snapping sound, and she had broken her fan, and +flung it from her on to the table. At this moment De Mouchy returned, +bringing with him some wine and glasses. One he filled and handed to +Diane, who drank it without a word, and then sat staring in front of +her. + +"I think," said Simon, "that madame now agrees to our proposal. Is it +not so?' + +"Yes," she said in a low voice, "I agree," but her eyes were kept down +to hide their expression. + +"That, then, is settled. And remember, madame, that we cannot take +action until we have the King's grant in writing. De Mouchy here will +see that it is properly registered in the Chambre--and remember it must +be within a week, or----" And he bent forward and whispered something +in her ear. + +"It shall be as you desire, Monsieur le Vidame." + +"In that case," said Simon, filling himself a glass, "I drink to the +health of the Great Enterprise. To the unending radiance of the +crescent moon, to your new estate of Chateaux Vieux de Mouchy, and to +Simon, _Duc_ d'Orrain!" + +With this he drank, and set the glass back on the table with a little +click. + +There was a silence, and then Diane rose. + +"There is nothing further to discuss, I think?" she said. + +"No," replied Simon; "except that Dom Antoine here would like to +register a certain grant within a week." + +She made no answer; but, preceded by De Mouchy and followed by Simon, +moved to the door, and all three left the room together. The stars had +been with me, and two minutes later I stood beside La Marmotte. + +"Well?" she asked. + +"There is no time to talk. If we could but get back that rope it would +remove all suspicion." + +She hesitated, and then: "Perhaps with your sword." + +"Excellent!" And, drawing my sword, which I had slung on once more, I +leaned forth from the window, and found that the point easily reached +the hook. It needed but a turn of the wrist to free the rope, which, a +moment after, was drawn in safely. + +"And now," I said, "let us be off. If you are wise you will never set +foot here again." + +She laughed sadly, and we went out together into the lonely Passage of +Pity. It was growing dark now, and threading our way through the +labyrinth of streets we reached the river face. Here La Marmotte +stopped, and abruptly wished me farewell; but I stayed her, thanking +her from my heart for her good deed, and ventured, with the utmost +diffidence, to say that if she were in need of a friend she could count +on me. She understood. + +"Nay, monsieur," she said, "for me there is but one way, and that is to +follow the light that has come to me. We will never meet again; and, +perhaps, what I have done to-day may be some recompense for the past. +Farewell!" + +Thus we parted; and from that day I never saw or heard of her again. I +may mention that when things changed with me I made every effort to +discover her, but without avail; and, when, some time after, Torquato +Trotto paid the penalty of his crimes, he asserted, even under the +rack, that he knew nothing of her, and that she had fled from him. +This I believe to be truth, and can only hope that the poor, +storm-tossed life found a haven of refuge at last. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE MASQUERADE + +That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's +apartments. Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech +with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was +unable to inform them of what I knew. + +Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the +danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward +before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me +ghostly company. It was the night of the great masque given by the +King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to +flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a +soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, +mysterious gloom. + +Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices +from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably +playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated +myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared +moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections. + +On a sudden I heard the patter of footsteps--hasty, rapid footsteps +coming towards me along the gallery. I challenged, and got the +password on the instant in Le Brusquet's voice, and in a half-minute +the little man emerged from the gloom and stood beside me. + +"I was ready to give my last pistole to see you," I began; but he put +up his hand, saying in a low tone, as he pointed to the door: + +"Hush! Is there anyone within?" + +"Mice, I think," I answered softly. + +"Perhaps a cat." And he dropped his voice to the lowest whisper. +"Whoever they are I must empty that room ere we speak, for I have, I +think, as much for you as you for me." + +With this he knocked twice sharply at the door. After a moment it was +opened, and putting the curtains aside Le Brusquet slipped into the +room. In doing so, whether by accident or design, he left the door +open and the curtains drawn back, so that from where I stood in the +shadow outside I could see and hear all that passed within. There were +only two persons there, and I smiled a little to myself at Le +Brusquet's caution, for one was pretty Mademoiselle Davila, seated +demurely on a tabouret, and the other was a fair-haired boy of sixteen +or so, who stood with a red face and an uncomfortable air some distance +away from her. + +"Mice, as I thought," I chuckled to myself, whilst Le Brusquet, with a +profound bow, said: + +"Mademoiselle, I had thought to have found M. de Lorgnac in waiting +here." + +"Here! M. de Lorgnac!" replied the maid-of-honour, with a little +laugh. "No; M. de Lorgnac never ventures here, unless compelled to." + +"I suppose neither of you can tell me where he has gone? Can you, De +Lorges?" And he turned to the page; but the boy only grew redder, and +began to make a fumbling reply. + +Mademoiselle Davila, however, cut in. "He has gone to the masque." +And with a burst of confidence as she rose to her feet: "The Queen has +gone too, monsieur." + +"To the masque! The masque she said she would never attend!" + +"Oh, the Queen is a woman, monsieur! And so she has gone, and gone +masked, too, with Monsieur de Lorgnac in attendance--not a soul +else--and I have been left here--ah!" And she stamped her little foot. +"One cannot even hear the music. Oh! it is a grave, this place--a +grave!" + +"Faith! I know those who would think this little waiting-room a +heaven." + +"Who?" She was a good girl, but a coquette to her finger-tips, and the +bait took. + +Ere he answered Le Brusquet slipped his arm through that of the page, +who seemed to be meditating flight. + +"That, mademoiselle," he said slyly, "is a secret between De Lorges and +myself." + +Mademoiselle coloured very prettily, and half turning from her +tormentor, said: + +"I shall never speak to you again, monsieur--never." + +"Mademoiselle, if you keep that vow I shall die in a week; but see, I +will make amends. Why not slip on a hood and go to the masque? De +Lorges will be proud to escort you." + +She looked around her, half delighted, half frightened at the thought, +and then, with a nervous laugh: + +"I dare not risk it." + +"Why not? Not a soul will know; and if there is any trouble say that +Le Brusquet played an evil turn on you, and told you you were summoned +by the Queen. I will not deny it; and it will still Madame de Montal's +tongue. Come, De Lorges, persuade her." + +"It would be a rare jest, mademoiselle!" And, trembling with +eagerness, De Lorges made a step forward. + +She stood wavering. There was another word of encouragement from Le +Brusquet, and she took the plunge. + +"A moment," she said, and vanished into the inner room. + +"_Eh bien_, monsieur," and Le Brusquet turned towards De Lorges, "you +have a great trust to-night; guard it carefully." + +"Monsieur," replied the boy, "with my life," and he touched the hilt of +his little sword. He was a gallant lad this son of Montgomery de +Lorges. + +Le Brusquet bowed to hide the twinkle in his eyes; and now Mademoiselle +Davila reappeared, disguised in a red hood and mask. + +"No one will guess." And Le Brusquet surveyed her with a critical air, +whilst De Lorges, who longed to be off, burst out: "Come, mademoiselle! +I shall steal a mask and hood from somewhere later on." + +But a new obstacle had arisen. "I forgot," she said, "the guard at the +door." + +"Reassure yourself, mademoiselle. It is a friend--Orrain." + +"The hero!" And she clapped her hands. "Come, De Lorges." And, with +a little nod to Le Brusquet, she ran to the door, followed by the page. +As the two came forth she stopped. + +"Monsieur d'Orrain, you will not betray us?" + +"Not I, mademoiselle." + +"Then as a reward I tell you there is someone you would like to see +reading Marot's verses in the Queen's cabinet." + +Without waiting for an answer, she tripped off down the gallery, De +Lorges by her side. There was a flash of the red hood, and the two +were gone. + +"_Enfin_!" And Le Brusquet sat himself down on the coffer. "We are +rid of that chattering feather-brain; but, before everything, tell me +when you will be relieved." + +"Within the hour." + +"That will do excellently. Now for your news. Mine can keep for ten +minutes." + +I told him what I had learned, and he listened without a word until the +end, listened seated on the coffer, with his chin resting on his knees, +his long nose drooping over his mouth, and his keen little eyes shining +like beads. + +"A good day's work," he said when I had finished; "never better. Two +things are in my favour; one is that they have not got that grant yet; +the other, that the three seem to be dissatisfied with their angles of +the triangle. Each wants what the other has, like cats over their +bowls of milk; and there is an old proverb, too, about thieves falling +out, which you, no doubt, remember." + +"I shall put the whole matter before the Queen, and beg her to place +Mademoiselle de Paradis in safety until this is ended." + +"There is much water to flow under the bridges before this will end; +but it will be a good move. The Admiral too will know of the triangle +in three days; and, if I mistake not, that means that the Peace of +Vaucelles is waste-paper. It will stop the Spanish pensions, at any +rate for a time, and hit our vampires hard." And he chuckled as he +slipped down from the coffer on to his feet. "_Mon ami_," he went on +in his strange way, "to-night and to-morrow I shall be stirring this +porridge, and by noon to-morrow you will have certain news, and then we +can act. And now for your task." + +"My task?" + +"Yes. I knew the Queen was at the masque; she has gone there to see +Diane wearing her jewels. _That_ she will never forgive; and there +will be a bitter vengeance some day--mark my words! The Queen requires +the attendance of Mademoiselle de Paradis. She knows of this. It was +arranged before, and she is merely awaiting the summons in the cabinet +yonder, and you are to take her to the masque." + +"But I have neither mask nor hood!" + +"That is arranged also, and I have them ready for you. I will take +mademoiselle out now, and you will meet us after your relief on the +battlements outside the Philippine. You know the spot where the +stairway leads from the gallery?" + +"Perfectly." + +"Then _au revoir_!" With this he slipped back into the ante-room, and +five minutes after came forth, accompanied by a masked and hooded +figure that would have been unrecognisable except that I knew it was +Mademoiselle de Paradis. + +As they came out we heard, far away in the distance, the challenge of a +sentry. + +"It is the relief," I said. "Quick!" + +They waved their hands to me and sped like sprites along the gallery; +and I waited, wondering what more the night would bring forth. + +In about ten minutes the relief came up; and M. de Tolendal, who was in +charge, was so eager to get back to the masquerade that he made no +inquiries, and got off as soon as possible, dismissing me at the same +time. I let monsieur hurry back along the gallery, following at a slow +pace behind him, until I came to the steps that led down to the +battlements, and passing through the archway reached the place +appointed by Le Brusquet. Here I found the two awaiting me in the +shadow of the donjon, and Le Brusquet said: "Here is your hood and +mask. I kept them here to save trouble in carrying them. Remember +that mademoiselle is the double of the Queen and you of De Lorgnac. +And now away with you; I have other fish to fry." With this he ran up +the stairway, and entered the Philippine. + +"Mademoiselle," I asked, "can you guess what this means?" + +"No, monsieur. All that I know is that it is the Queen's command, and +that we are to be there by midnight." + +"It will be that soon, so come." + +She put her arm in mine, and we hastened along the edge of the +battlements. We could hear music now; and as we went on the strains +grew louder and louder, and at last we stood on the parapet overlooking +the Ladies' Terrace. Beneath us stretched the gardens of the palace, +and thousands of lights glowed, in many-coloured radiance, from within +the foliage of the trees wherein they were set; or, raised high in the +air, burned in rainbow-hued arches and fantastic loops and curves. + +Beneath these lights, in and out of the shrubberies, amongst the +parterres, in the shadows and in the light, was an ever-moving crowd +and the continuous hum of voices, and now and again merry ripples of +laughter came to us as we watched from above. A little beyond, to the +right, the façade of the audience hall was ablaze with light, and on +the broad flight of steps leading to the main entrance were gay groups, +the rich colouring of their dresses--orange, red, gold, and +purple--making them appear in the distance like masses of gorgeous +flowers. + +We were soon in the crowd below, making our way towards the audience +hall; but our progress was not rapid, for time after time a mask or a +group of hooded revellers stopped us; but with light words and merry +jests we put them aside, and descending the steps entered the great +hall. Here the crowd was so great that we were barely able to move; +but at last we reached a pillar, on the base of which I placed my +charge, and, standing beside her, we looked here, there, and everywhere +for the Queen and De Lorgnac. + +"I do not see them," whispered mademoiselle. + +"'Tis like searching for a needle in sand; but, if I mistake not, +Madame de Poitiers will prove a magnet. Let us keep our eyes there." + +With this I pointed before me towards the upper end of the hall, where +a large empty space was reserved for dancing, though for the present +the music had ceased, and the musicians were seated idle in the +galleries above. Beyond this space was a dais, surmounted by a canopy +of pale blue silk, spangled with the silver crescents of Diane de +Poitiers. Behind the dais ran a huge buffet, many stages in height, +rich with matchless plate, and in the centre was a sword, an enormous +cross-hilted sword, said to be the Joyeuse of Charlemagne. + +On each side of the dais stood the two hundred gentlemen of the King's +house in violet and gold, the bright steel blades of the battle-axes +they bore on their shoulders reflecting back the light in dazzling +rays, and immediately in front stood the herald Montjoy with his +trumpeters. + +Although every soul in the crowd wore a mask and hood there were many +on the dais who wore no disguise, and amongst these was the King. +Henri was clad in white, with a white plume in his cap, in memory of +the day years ago when, arrayed in white armour, he had ridden the +lists at Fontainebleau in honour of Diane, and borne her arms to +victory. Near him was Laval, the gallant Bois-Dauphin, who ran the +King hard in that gentle day, and, but for the short splintering of a +lance, might have been declared the victor. He too was clad in memory +of the day, all in scarlet, with a phoenix for his crest--the arms of +Claude de Foix. For the moment he was engaged in talk with a brilliant +cavalier, the Bayard of his age, Francis, Marquis de Vieilleville. + +But though here and there a great name, or a striking figure on the +dais, might attract attention, almost all interest was centred on a +woman, who stood with the fingers of one hand resting lightly on the +King's arm. It was Diane de Poitiers herself. Tall, with black, +curling hair and perfect features, with dark, melting eyes, she bore +herself as a queen. The royal jewels of France sparkled on her head, +at her throat, and on her arms, and glittered amidst the robes of black +and white she wore. Her voice when she spoke was low and sweet, yet I +had heard it as hard as steel, and I had seen those red lips curve +wickedly, and those dark eyes had looked with sullen and pitiless +indifference on scenes of hideous torture and death. There were two +masks in front of us, arm-in-arm, watching the scene as intently as we +were. + +"That woman was born to be queen over men. Look at those eyes, +Montaigne!" + +The answer came in a dry, precise voice: "Eyes are the windows of the +soul; but _Quid tibi praecipiam molles vitare fenestras_?--and you are +courtier enough, De Brantôme, to appreciate Fontanus' warning." + +"I am courtier enough, my philosopher, to know that the crescent moon, +for instance, is out of my reach, not like that orange mask there." + +"I do not know to whom you refer." + +"There, at the edge of the dais. 'Tis De Ganache, who, from the day he +set foot in Court, has followed Diane about like a spaniel; and though +I care not to gossip----" + +Mademoiselle shivered, and half turned towards me; but the talk came to +an abrupt ending, for the herald Montjoy made a sign, and the +trumpeters, advancing each a step, sounded a flourish. It was the +signal for the galliard. As the flourish ended the music broke forth, +and in a moment the empty space before us was gay with moving colours, +like a wind-stirred flower bed. Those on the dais seemed to melt away, +and mademoiselle, leaning forwards, whispered: "Take me out of this! +Anywhere but here!" + +She took my arm again, and we edged our way back to the entrance. +Here, however, we found the throng so great that it was impossible to +pass, and seeing a little passage to our right I turned down it. Here, +amidst some foliage, was a secluded seat, and seating her there I took +my stand beside her, at a narrow window that opened out upon the +Ladies' Terrace. The night was warm, and throwing back her hood and +removing her mask mademoiselle leaned forward and looked out upon the +fairy scene in the gardens. The music came to us in fitful strains of +melody, and outside was a glittering enchantment. + +"Have you changed your opinion of the Court, mademoiselle?" I asked. + +"No!--a hundred times no! Monsieur, I would rather be the poorest +peasant girl on my lands than Diane de Paradis." + +I was about to reply when we heard a laugh and the sound of low voices +near us. Where we sat it was almost dark; but there was a dim light in +the passage, and through the foliage we saw two figures standing side +by side not three feet from us. In the orange hood of one I recognised +De Ganache, and the other--yes, that laugh and voice, once heard, were +never to be forgotten. + +De Ganache held her hand in his. He raised it to his lips, and +covering it with kisses broke into mad, foolish words--the speech of a +man who has cast aside all self-respect, all honour. Ere he had spoken +ten words, however, mademoiselle had sprung from her seat and stepped +out into the passage, I following on her heels. At sight of her De +Ganache went back as if he had been struck; but with superb insolence +the Duchess stood in her way. + +"So," she said in hard tones, "this is the second time to-night!" And +then, with a shameless laugh, she turned to De Ganache. "You are +unfortunate, Monsieur le Vicomte; you see, I have a rival even here. I +congratulate mademoiselle on the quickness with which she has learned +the lessons of the Court." And with a mocking bow she took De Ganache +by the arm and swept down the passage. + +Mademoiselle was shivering from head to foot, and even by the uncertain +light I could see her eyes were swimming with tears. For a moment all +her courage, all her high spirit, seemed to have left her. + +"Oh, what does this mean?" she moaned. "What does she mean by the +second time? I----" + +"She meant, mademoiselle, that she had met the Queen, who is masked as +you are; but, Queen or no Queen," I went on grimly, "you have had +enough of this, and I will take you back at once. There! Put on your +mask, and draw your hood up--and come!" + +I led her back towards the main entrance, which we managed to gain this +time without much difficulty, and thence into the gardens. +Mademoiselle spoke no word, nor did I intrude upon her thoughts. We +crossed the Ladies' Terrace, the little groups of people scattered here +and there being much too absorbed in their own business to take any +note of us, and finally stood once more upon the battlements. Along +these we hurried until we reached the stairway leading to the +Philippine, and as we came up two figures stepped out of the shadow +into our path. My charge shrank back with a little gasp of alarm, so +sudden and unexpected was their appearance, and I half drew my poniard, +but put it back again on the moment, for I recognised De Lorgnac and Le +Brusquet. + +"I thought we would meet you here," said the latter; "but your task +ends now, Chevalier. De Lorgnac will now escort mademoiselle back." + +"If I am permitted the honour," put in De Lorgnac. + +"It seems that to-night I must play the marionette to your pulling, Le +Brusquet," I laughed as I made way for De Lorgnac; and for once the +little man made no reply, but addressing Diane said: "The Queen has +already returned, and you will find the salon full, mademoiselle; but +before you go give me that hood; it might tell tales. I will see it +safely returned." + +Diane removed the hood, and handed the soft silken folds to Le Brusquet. + +"Messieurs," she said, her eyes shining brightly behind the mask she +still wore, "it seems that you are hiding something from me. What is +it?" + +"You will know in a few minutes, mademoiselle," said De Lorgnac, "for +the Queen herself will tell you." + +She made no answer, but, gravely wishing us good-night, followed De +Lorgnac up the stone steps, and, passing through the archway, the two +were lost to our view. When they had gone I turned to Le Brusquet. + +"I too am in the dark. What did De Lorgnac mean?" + +"He meant that his Majesty, by some means or other, discovered that the +Queen was at the masque and who remained behind in the cabinet. The +result was that, an hour after you took mademoiselle away, the King, +attended only by the Vidame d'Orrain--both wearing masks and +hoods--visited the Queen's apartments, and----" He stopped and +chuckled. + +"And what?" I said. + +"And found the Queen alone in her cabinet reading Ronsard." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE + +Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and +secluded walk. There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following +the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered +wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western +outwork of the palace. I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded +to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon +and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence. She seemed for +the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane. +Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, +if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters. + +Whilst tossing the matter over in my mind the sudden rustling of leaves +and a croaking sound arrested my attention. Glancing up I saw a small +brown ape clinging to the ivy at the top of the wall and mowing at a +couple of peacocks preening themselves on the level turf beneath him. +Half amused, despite my sombre thoughts, I stopped and watched, until +at last, after a stare at their tormentor, the great birds stalked away +like offended beauties. + +"Pompon!" I called out. + +In answer, the little ape turned his ribald wit upon me; but now a head +appeared above the parapet, a hand seized Pompon and drew him back, and +Le Brusquet's voice hailed me, bidding me come up to him. This I did +with the aid of a friendly tree, and found him on the top of the wall, +stretched out like a lizard in the sun. As I reached his side he rose +to a sitting posture, and made room for me beside him. + +"I have got the 'can't-help-its,'" he said, "and came here to let them +work off. I have much to say to you." + +"You have news, then?" + +"Yes; and grave news. Listen! This morning, as usual, I attended the +_petit couvert_, and found myself alone in the breakfast-room, where +covers were laid for two. The soup was warming at a little stove, for +the King takes this, the first meal of the day, without attendance. I +said I was alone; but that is not exactly the case, as Pompon was, of +course, with me, and the ape had one of his evil fits. He hopped in +front of me, mopping and mowing, and I cannot tell why--perhaps it was +because some of Créquy's red Joué--I supped with him over-night--was +still ringing a chime in my head, but a sudden feeling of irritation +came upon me at his antics. I seized the little beast by the scruff of +his neck and dropped him out of the window on to the balcony beneath, +where he remained, content enough with a plum that I took the liberty +of lifting from the table and flinging after him. Then, leaning out of +the window, I watched the morning, wondering to myself what new jest I +could devise for the King's amusement. But I was in a morose humour, +and could think of nothing. All at once I heard the hissing rustle of +silken robes. I turned, and faced Madame Diane. I tell you, Orrain, +never was woman born so beautiful. The rose of the morning was on her +cheeks. Her eyes--they are blue-black, not black--met mine, with a +laugh in them, as she said: + +"'Well, Le Brusquet, have you lost your ape, or has some jest failed +you?--you look so sad." + +"'Neither, madame,' I answered; 'but I have lost my heart.' + +"'Tell me,' she said, 'who is it? Is it La Beauce?--or, perhaps, +Madame de Montal?' + +"'Neither, madame; it has strayed much higher.' + +"She laughed at my speech, and was about to reply, but stopped, for at +that moment the curtain lifted, and the King entered the room. He +seemed in the best of spirits; nothing affects him for long. + +"'_Bon jour_, Le Brusquet!' He gave me his hand to kiss. 'What news +have you brought me this morning?' + +"'A bagful, sire, for I supped with Créquy over-night.' + +"'Then you shall open the bag whilst I breakfast, for I am famished.' +And, slipping his arm through Diane's he led her to the table. I +settled myself on a stool near the window, whilst Diane gave his soup +to the King, contenting herself with some fruit, which she picked at +like a bird. Through the heavy curtains and the closed door we could +hear the hum of voices from the anterooms coming to us like the distant +murmurs of the sea. For some little time the King ate in silence, +whilst Diane and I exchanged a few laughing words. Finally he finished +his last sippet of bread steeped in soup, pushed aside his plate, +helped himself to a plum, and looked around him. + +"'How!' he exclaimed. 'No roses in the room this morning!' + +"'You are in error, sire,' I said. 'I have never seen finer roses than +I do now.' + +"'Where?' he asked, looking around. + +"But I only looked at La Valentinois, and this time she was red enough. +She can blush at will, I believe. Strange that behind so fair a face +lies so twisted a soul! And as the King followed my glance the blush +on her cheek became deeper and deeper. + +"'_Ma petite_,' and he pinched her ear, 'I find I have a rival. I +shall have to send him to the Châtelet.' Whereat every one laughed, +and Pompon, hearing the sounds, hopped in through the window, and +helped himself to another plum. + +"'Ah, bandit!' And the King flung a sippet of toast after him as he +added: 'I am hedged in with robbers.' + +"'That is true, sire,' I said gravely. + +"'You heard that at Créquy's last night.' And there was a sharp note +in Diane's voice. + +"'Oh yes; and much worse.' + +"'Come, tell us!' said the King. + +"'Sire, you will remember that Monsieur Joué and Monsieur d'Arbois are +inveterate gossips.' + +"'I will not forget. Well, what did these gentlemen say?' + +"'Amongst other things, that your Majesty would totally cancel the +edicts you have suspended, and freely pardon all the Christaudins.' + +"I had risked my shot, and now awaited the result. It had hit its +mark, I knew, for the King began to hum and haw, and Diane gave me a +look from those blue-black eyes of hers. It is wonderful how their +expression can change. They seemed to grow small, with a hard, +pitiless look in them, and little cobwebs of wrinkles gathered near her +temples. + +"'It would be madness!--folly!' And her foot kept tapping the carpet. + +"'Caraffa and Lorraine are right; it would be a sin.' And the King +crossed himself. 'No, no! I will purge the land of its heresy. You +have proved their disloyalty to me, Diane. Scarce three weeks have +passed since the edicts were suspended, and see what head these +Huguenots make! But I will let them see that I am King!' + +"And Diane bent forward and kissed his cheek. + +"As for me, I knew I was treading on dangerous ground, and so, for the +present, went warily, and kept silence. And then La Valentinois knelt +by the side of the King, holding his hand in hers, and looking into his +eyes. + +"'Sire,' she said, 'I have a boon to ask.' + +"'Ask, then.' And Henri pushed aside the curls from her forehead. + +"'It is that you reward the faithful whilst you punish the guilty.' + +"'Let it be as you wish, _ma petite_.' + +"'Then sign this, sire.' And, rising to her feet, she took a paper +from her dress and held it before the King, standing beside him, with +one white arm round his neck. + +"Henri read, and his face fell a little. 'So,' he said, 'you want the +goods of all heretics condemned in Paris granted to our most faithful +subjects--Diane, Duchess de Valentinois; Simon, Vidame d'Orrain; and +Antoine, Sire de Mouchy, Inquisitor of Faith! Madame, this is a matter +for the council.' And, in his weak way, the King tried to put off the +matter. + +"Diane removed her arm from his neck. 'As you please, sire,' she said +coldly; and then: 'But remember the Châtillons are making head in the +north, and tomorrow they may break the peace with Spain. Remember how +full Paris is of these traitors to their King and Holy Church! Never +mind my request; but, sire,' and her voice sank to the tenderest note, +'think of those who love you and fear for you--and--let the council +to-day be firm.' + +"'Oh, it will be that. I will see to that.' + +"'Thank Heaven! And now, my King, my King! for the last time!' And +she knelt and kissed his hand, and there were tears--tears, Orrain!--in +her eyes. + +"Henri was much moved. 'What does this mean, Diane?' And he raised +her gently to her feet. + +"'It means, sire'--her eyes refused to meet his, and her voice +shook--'that the time has come for me to go. To-morrow I leave Paris; +but, wherever I go, my sorrow will be with me, and my memory of----' +And once more she kissed his hand. + +"'Diane!' + +"She made no answer except to sob, and he put his arm round her, and +tried to comfort her, but she gently withdrew herself. + +"'Sire, let me go! I had forgotten that with a woman love lasts for +ever, but beauty fades. I have to-day learned my lesson.' And, +sitting herself down, she buried her face in her hands. + +"Henri looked helplessly around, and then, rising hurriedly, paced the +room. Once he came up to me, where I stood near the window, and stared +at me, or rather stared across me, as though he did not see me. He was +yielding, I knew, and another sob from Diane broke him. + +"He took up the paper, and it rustled in his trembling hand. One more +glance at the bowed figure beside him, and he called out: + +"'Le Brusquet, give me a pen.' + +"I made no answer, but stood as if I had not heard. I swear to you, +Orrain, that I would rather have let my right hand wither than do his +bidding. Twice he repeated his order; but I stood like a stone. Diane +made no movement. His face flushed, and with a sudden effort he walked +towards a cabinet, and the next moment the accursed paper was signed. +He brought it back with him, and stood humbly beside Diane, but she did +not appear to see. At last he took her hands from her face and placed +the deed within them. + +"'There, little one! Speak no more of broken hearts.' And he kissed +her. She rose, and let her head fall on his shoulder, standing there +with closed eyes, but with fingers that held the paper with a clutch +like the talons of a hawk. After a little she drew back; there was a +lovely smile on her lips, and the blue-black eyes were sparkling. + +"'Sire,' she said, 'I thank you.' Then, with a glance behind her at +the curtains that covered the door leading to the ante-rooms: 'It grows +late, and messieurs there are waiting.' So saying, she bowed low to +the King, and ran from the room into the inner apartments, carrying her +paper with her. + +"The King stood gazing after her, and I stood leaning out of the open +window. After a little he came up behind me, and with studied +unconcern in his voice said: + +"'An obol for your thoughts, King of Folly.' + +"'I was but watching those birds, sire.' And I pointed at a shoal of +swallows that darted hither and thither in the sunlight snapping up the +flies. + +"'Ah! The swallows! What of them?' + +"'They are lovely birds, sire; but, you see, they spare nothing.' And +even as I spoke there was the flash of a bronze-green wing, and a +wretched moth that was fluttering in the air was borne away. + +"The King took my meaning, and laughed uneasily. + +"'You mean I have done wrong.' + +"'The Duchess is a lovely woman, sire.' And I saw him flush with shame +and anger--the anger of a weak man. He controlled himself with an +effort, however, and said coldly: + +"'Monsieur de Besmé, have the goodness to strike that gong.' + +"I did so, and in a moment the doors were flung open, showing the +glittering throng without. The King kept his back turned towards me, +and, taking the hint, I picked up the ape and withdrew. So, you see, +my news is of the gravest, and Diane has won the rubber." + +"You think so?" + +"It is all over. The council to-day will revoke the suspension of the +edicts, and once more the hell-fires will be lit on the parvis of every +church in Paris. I am off to grow pears at Besmé. My office is for +sale; but I will give it to you, with my cap and bells and baton, as a +free gift if within two days you do not place a certain fair lady on a +pillion behind you and ride for the Swiss cantons." + +For a little there was a silence, and then I rose to my feet. + +"I am going," I said. "What has to be done must be done quickly." + +He nodded assent. "I shall come with you part of the way," he said, +and called to his ape. + +With this we descended from the wall, and walked back together to the +Ladies' Terrace. + +The gardens were full, for the perfect day had tempted all within the +palace who could do so to come forth. Scattered here and there in the +walks, or resting on the seats, were knots of people, the bright +colours of their dresses all the brighter in the mellow sunshine. As +we were passing the fountain called the Three Graces we were stopped by +a little man with a round face and bulging eyes. He was quite young, +not more than four or five and twenty, but, young as he was, Monsieur +de Brantôme had already acquired the reputation of being an inveterate +gossip, and was feared more than the plague. I had but a passing +acquaintance, two days' old, with him, but he seized Le Brusquet. + +"_Eh bien_, Le Brusquet! I hear that you were with the King and madame +early this morning, and that high words passed. Is it true that you +leave the Court?" + +"I promise to leave it, monsieur, if you will but take my office." + +"Your office!" said Brantôme in surprise. + +"Yes; I have always felt myself unworthy of it since I had the honour +to meet you." + +"Not at all, my friend," grinned Brantôme; "you do yourself injustice. +The man who quarrels with madame has unequalled claims. You have no +rival. _Au revoir_!" + +And, chuckling to himself, the little abbe went on, leaving Le Brusquet +biting his lip. Brantôme stopped the next person he met to tell him of +the passage-at-arms, and turning the walk we found ourselves in front +of the Ladies' Terrace. + +Somewhat apart from the gay groups that crowded together in the centre +of the Terrace was a solitary figure standing near the pedestal of a +bronze satyr, cast for the late King by Messer Benvenuto the +Florentine. It was mademoiselle herself, and with a word to Le +Brusquet I left him and walked straight up to her. + +"I was wondering to myself if I should see you here," she said as she +greeted me. + +"And I came specially to see you, so that Fate has been kind for once." + +She smiled, and was about to make some answer, when there was a burst +of laughter and the sound of many voices, and turning we saw Diane de +Poitiers on the stairway leading down to the Terrace, surrounded, as +usual, by a heedless and ever-laughing crowd. She stood for a moment, +her Court around her, whilst the people on the other parts of the +Terrace broke up their talk and came towards us. Then La Valentinois, +who was robed in crimson, began to descend the marble steps slowly, and +as she reached the Terrace all those assembled there bowed to her as +though she were the Queen. All except myself and mademoiselle, who +stood plucking at the ivy leaves on the pedestal of the statue beside +her, apparently unconscious of La Valentinois' presence. Whether the +Duchess noticed me or not I do not know, but I saw her eyes fixed on +mademoiselle, and she stopped full, about two paces from her. +Mademoiselle, however, maintained her attitude of total unconcern; but +after a moment she looked up and the glances of the two crossed each +other. Mademoiselle stared past the favourite as though she did not +see her, and Diane's face became like ivory, and her dark eyes frosted +with an icy hate--a hate cold and pitiless as everlasting snow. All +eyes were fixed on them now, and there was a dead silence as the +two--the woman and the girl--faced each other. But it was mademoiselle +who was winning. Far away as her look was there was that in it that +brought the colour back to Diane's cheeks, to make it go again. Her +bosom rose and fell, she played nervously with her fan, and at last she +spoke, with a voice that shook in spite of her efforts to restrain it: + +"I hear, mademoiselle, that you do not find the Court to your liking." +And the reply was a simple bow. + +The Duchess was all red and white now. The insult was open and patent; +but worse was to follow, for she made a mistake, and went on, with a +sneer: + +"It is a pity they do not care more for the education of girls in +Poitou; but I think you are right, mademoiselle. The Court is not +suited to you. You should take the veil and the black robe." + +"I should prefer the black robe to a crimson one, madame. The latter +reminds one too much, amongst other things, of the blood of the +martyrs." + +It was a crushing retort, and one to which there was no answer, for the +affair of the tailor of St. Antoine's was fresh in all minds. +Something like a murmur went up from those around. The Duchess gave a +little gasp; but, preserving her composure with an effort, turned and +walked away, her head in the air, but wounded to the quick. The crowd +followed her, but one figure remained--a man with a white, drawn face +and dark circles under his eyes. Thrice he made a movement as if to +step up to us and say something, but each time his courage failed him; +and then, turning, he too hastily followed the others. And from my +soul I pitied De Ganache. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE PACKET OF LETTERS + +We were left alone together, the bronze satyr leering down upon us as +if in mockery. La Valentinois stood at the other end of the Terrace +surrounded by her Court, and ever and again there were whisperings +amongst them, and strange glances bent towards us. We might have been +plague-stricken, in such manner did all shrink from us. + +"Mademoiselle," I said, "you have been too rash. Look!" And I glanced +at the group around Diane de Poitiers. She followed my eyes, and a +little smile played upon her lips. + +"I care not, nor do I fear her." + +"But, mademoiselle, there are others who fear for you, and that has +happened which you must hear. Not here! Come away from this, where we +will be secure from prying eyes." + +For a little she seemed to hesitate, and then: "Very well, monsieur; +the air will, perhaps, be purer away from here." + +So, side by side, we went down the steps together, and I felt, rather +than heard or saw, the mutterings and the glances that followed us. + +On the other side of the lawn, facing the Ladies' Terrace and leading +towards the riding-school, is a walk hedged in with high shrubbery on +either hand. We followed this about half way up its length, and then +passing through a narrow wicket found ourselves in a part of the +gardens to which few, if any, of the Court ever went. Here, amidst a +bewildering maze of rose bushes running almost wild, stood an old oak. +There was a little clearing at its base, around which a rough seat was +placed; and here, sitting by her side, I told mademoiselle what I knew, +and of the crisis that had arrived. + +Invisible ourselves, we could from where we were see the Gallery of +Apollo and the council hall; and as I ended a figure appeared at one of +the windows and waved a 'kerchief in the direction of the Ladies' +Terrace. It was the King. + +"See!" and I pointed to the window, "there is the King, and you can +guess to whom he signals. Whilst we talk here the council is over, and +the peril is at hand." + +She did not flinch nor change colour, for she was brave, but she rose +and looked steadily at the council room, where we could now see other +figures moving in the shadow behind the King. Then she turned to me. +I had risen too, and was standing beside her. + +"Do you think they will begin at once?" she asked. + +"I cannot say. They will undoubtedly begin as soon as they can." + +"It is horrible! Can nothing be done? Oh! why am I so helpless? Why +was I not born a man?" + +"Mademoiselle, the game is not lost yet. There is still safety before +you. I have told the Queen, and she knows of this plot, but is +powerless to stay the course of these vampires. She can and will, I +know, help you to fly. Leave this place, to-night if possible, and I +will see you to the Palatinate, or the Swiss cantons. They cannot +touch you there. Mademoiselle, you trusted me once before, trust me +again; I will not fail you." + +Without a word she held out her hand, and I took it in mine. So we +stood for a little, neither speaking, and then she said: + +"But I know not how to leave this place; it has a thousand eyes, a +thousand ears----" + +"We must blind those eyes and make those ears deaf. This evening at +dusk come to this spot. I will arrange that either Le Brusquet or De +Lorgnac will meet you here and take you to the gate behind the +riding-school. I shall be in waiting there with horses, and we will be +free of the gates before even they know we are gone. We have more than +four hours yet before it grows dark. Think of it! Four hours to +prepare! We will beat them." + +I spoke cheerily, though I well knew that all was hanging by a hair. +My words had their effect, and I saw the light of hope in her eyes; but +all at once she shrank from me and, covering her face with her hands, +sank back upon the seat. + +I confess that I knew not what to do, or which way to turn, for if +mademoiselle's courage failed now it was fatal. + +"Come," I said, "be brave. In a few hours you will be safe." And I +placed my hand on her shoulder. At my touch she collected herself, and +rose once again, her face pale, her eyes wet. + +"Monsieur," she said, "I cannot take your offer. It is impossible." + +"But why?" And I looked at her in blank astonishment. + +"Listen!" And she spoke in low but quick accents. "Were I to avail +myself of this chance I know I should be safe, for the bravest heart in +France would be protecting me. But, monsieur, I should be saving +myself and leaving the others--my people, those of my own faith--to +die. I am a woman, and a woman may be forgiven weakness in this--for +death, and such a death, is horrible--but could I forgive myself? I +who knew, and fled, and left my people to die! Do you know who all are +in Paris? There are scores of them. There is kind old De Mouy, there +is Rochambeau, there is D'Albain, there are fifty more. Are they to +die? Besides these there are the poorer brethren, rich in nothing but +their faith. Are they to die? Can I leave them, without a word of +warning, to the torture, to the rack, to the slow death of the +estrapade?" + +She stopped, her eyes all alight, her breath coming fast; but I made no +answer, and stood before her in silence. + +"You have nothing to say," she went on--"nothing! Orrain, were you in +my place what would you do?" + +"I am a man." + +"And is honour less dear to a woman than to a man?" + +I knew she was brave, but never before had I realised how brave and +strong; and, yielding to an impulse I could not resist, I bent down and +touched her hand with my lips. + +"Mademoiselle," I said, "you have taught me what is right. You cannot +go thus. Your friends must be warned." + +"I knew you would say that," she burst in; "I knew that nothing else +would come from you. Yes; they must be warned! A word here and there +would be enough if there were time; but there is not, and there is only +one way left." + +"And that is?" + +"I will tell you. Close to the Sorbonne, in a little street called the +Rue des Mathurins, which leads into the Rue St. Jacques, is a house +where my people meet to pray, and to-night all, if not, most of them, +will be there. This much I know. But where the house is exactly I do +not know, for I have never been to it. If we could get there we would +be in time to warn them." + +"From whom did you hear this? It is necessary for me to know." + +"From Montgomery de Lorges." + +"The captain of the Archer Guard?" + +"Yes; he is of us, and always has been." + +"Then, mademoiselle, there is light in the black sky. I will warn your +friends; more we cannot do. And, since there are so many, I feel +confident that the plotters will not strike for a day or so. Our +warning will give those who can time to escape, and you and I will have +done all that can be done. In the meantime our original plan must be +carried out; but it is to a friend that I must trust you for a few +hours until I have given the warning and can join you----" + +She stayed me with a gesture of her hands. + +"Monsieur, why should I not go with you?" + +For a moment I hesitated, and then it flashed upon me that it was the +best possible thing. After giving the warning there was nothing to +prevent our escaping at once. + +"Very well, mademoiselle. Then meet me here at dusk. And now perhaps +it is time to go back." + +We did not return as we came, but making for the Lime Walk, went along +it slowly, talking and planning many things. In the shade, on a seat +under one of the lime-trees, was a merry party of five or six people, +and as we came opposite them young De Lorges the page, who was of their +number, called out to us to join them; but, pointing at the Louvre, I +shook my head, and as we passed on I heard Mademoiselle Davila's voice +singing: + + "J'aime mieux m'amie + O gai! + J'aime mieux m'aime + O gai!" + +and a girlish voice, I know not whose it was, broke into a merry peal +of laughter. In spite of what was in my mind I could not help glancing +at my companion; but she was walking by my side as though she had not +seen or heard, and, perhaps, this was the case. + +At the Ladies' Terrace we parted, and I hastened at once to seek Le +Brusquet. As luck would have it, I met both him and De Lorgnac face to +face as I was crossing the inner courtyard, and drawing them aside +explained matters to them in a few brief words. My chagrin may be +imagined when I heard that Montgomery de Lorges, from whom I hoped to +get further particulars of the house in the Mathurins, had left the +Louvre that afternoon for Fontainebleau to help in the arrangements for +a hunt there for the King. But Le Brusquet put heart into me. + +"_Eh bien_," said he, "you cannot miss finding the house, as the +Mathurins is not a bowshot in length; but, in any case, whilst you go +and prepare for your departure I will try and find the secret of the +house out, and warn some who, I know, are of the new faith. To think +of a _prêche_ in the very shadow of the Sorbonne!" And he laughed to +himself. + +"Le Brusquet is right," said De Lorgnac. "I too have some friends whom +I must warn. Have no fear that Mademoiselle de Paradis will have any +difficulty in keeping her tryst; I will see to that. Go now at once to +the Rue Tire Boudin and make you ready; we will stand by you to the +end." + +I thanked these brave friends, and was about to turn away, when Le +Brusquet called out: + +"Stay! I have one thing to ask you, Orrain." + +"And that is?" + +"You have still with you, I hope, a certain ring?" + +"Vendôme's ring, or rather the ring of the King of Navarre, as we must +call him now. Yes; it is beneath this glove." And I held out my left +hand. + +"May I see it for a moment?" + +"Certainly!" And removing the glove I slipped off the ring and handed +it to him. He looked at it curiously, and said: + +"I think its time has come." + +"Is there anything you are holding back from me?" + +"No; but I have a warning in my heart that you will need it. I am +superstitious enough never to neglect such a warning. Lend it to me +for to-day." + +"With pleasure! But is the ring of any avail? Vendôme has forgotten +me. He hardly ever returns my salute when we meet----" + +"The King of Navarre will at any rate pay this debt of the Duc de +Vendôme--I swear it," said Le Brusquet solemnly as he slipped the ring +on to his finger, and with that I left them. + +On arrival at the Rue Tire Boudin I summoned Pierrebon, and informing +him of the state of affairs told him to have all in readiness for our +departure that night. This being over, and finding that I had still +over two hours before me, I retraced my steps to the Louvre. I went to +the tennis courts, where the King was playing a match against Monsieur +d'Aumale, and mingling amongst the onlookers sought to pick up as much +information as I could glean about the proceedings of the council held +that day. M. de Tolendal, who had been on guard in the council room, +said that there were only four there, and that amongst the four were De +Mouchy and Caraffa the Legate. + +"It is not war they talked about, I am sure," he went on, "as neither +the Constable nor Vieilleville was present. I dare swear it was all +about those cursed Huguenots; but we will hear soon--ha! good stroke!" +And he turned from me towards the game. + +Seeing that there was nothing to be picked up here I took myself off, +and after a little found myself upon the Ladies' Terrace. The +afternoon was hot, and the Terrace was deserted, but in the shade of +the hedgerow on the opposite side of the lawn a solitary figure was +seated looking over a small packet of letters. I looked, and saw it +was De Ganache himself. He had changed much from the day we first met. +His face was thin and sunken; there was a red spot on each cheek and a +fierce light in his hollow eyes. For a moment I stood watching him, +and then, having made up my mind, stepped up to him. As I approached +he stared at me with his livid glance and then rose slowly to his feet. +So deadly a hate shone on his face that for a second it came to me to +turn away and leave him to his fate; but, fallen as he was, I could not +let him go to his death without a word or a sign. So I walked straight +up to him. + +"Monsieur, a word with you." + +He simply looked at me. I saw his forehead flush hot, and he passed +his tongue over dry lips, and then, as if controlling himself with an +effort, he turned from me. But I called out: + +"M. de Ganache, this is life and death. I have come to warn----" + +He flung round on his heel and faced me once more, his hand on the hilt +of his poniard. + +"Begone!" he said, "begone! else I may slay you where you stand! +I----" And his voice failed him, but his eyes glared like those of a +boar at bay. + +"Monsieur," I said calmly, "fifty windows look down upon us, and there +may be a hundred eyes watching us. If you wish it, I will cross swords +with you with pleasure, but listen to what I say first. Your life, and +the lives of your friends of your faith, hang on a hair. The council +to-day has applied anew the edicts. As you value your life, get your +fastest horse and leave Paris at once." + +"In what tavern have you heard this?" he sneered. + +"Monsieur," I answered gravely, "this is no jest. If you care not to +take the warning yourself, give it to others. I myself will warn those +of your faith who meet to-night in the Rue des Mathurins. There may be +others you know of; give them at least a chance. As for yourself, you +have had yours." + +What answer he would have made I know not, but at this moment a sharp +voice cut in upon us. + +"_Eh bien_, Monsieur de Ganache! but it seems to me that Madame de +Valentinois signals to you from the window yonder." + +There was a little rustling in the bushes, and Le Brusquet stepped out, +his ape perched upon his shoulder. + +"Behold!" he said, "the crescent moon is already out." And he pointed +to a window overlooking the lawn, where a group of ladies stood +watching us. + +"It must be to you, Monsieur le Vicomte, that madame signals," Le +Brusquet went on. "Orrain here is too ugly, and as for me, she loves +me no better than my ape." + +With an oath De Ganache pushed past Le Brusquet and hurried across the +lawn, leaving us staring after him. + +"He had his warning," said Le Brusquet. "I heard every word, and +thought it was time to step in ere he drew his poniard. The man is +mad! But what is this?" And stepping towards the seat he picked up +the small packet of letters that De Ganache was reading. + +"They belong to De Ganache," I said; "he was reading them as I came up." + +"In that case I will return them to monsieur with my own hands." And +Le Brusquet slipped the packet into his pocket. Then turning he took +me by the arm and led me off, telling me some absurd story, and +laughing loudly, until we had passed out of sight of the windows. Then +he stopped. + +"Do not forget this," he said: "the fifth house on the right-hand side +of the Rue des Mathurins as you enter from the Rue St. Jacques." + +"Thanks; I will not forget. However did you find out?" + +"It is too long to tell, and I must return these papers to De Ganache." + +So saying, he went off. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE CHURCH UNDER THE GROUND + +The wicket gate near the riding-school was used almost exclusively by +the servants of the palace, to whom it gave access to that maze of +nameless streets, dingy, tumble-down houses, and squalid shops that was +known as the Magasins. Here it was that the waiting-woman and the +lackey stole forth to meet their lovers. Through this filtered all the +backstairs' gossip of the Louvre, and more besides, for the small +shopkeepers of the Magasins upheld a reputation as evil as the place in +which they plied their trade. + +At the mouth of one of these streets, only a few yards away from the +wicket, was a small eating-house. It was here that I repaired at +sunset, and calling for a basin of lentil soup sat me down at a rough +table near the door, which commanded a view of the gate. It had rained +that afternoon, a summer shower that passed as quickly as it came, but +the eaves were still dripping, and the water was trickling in +glistening lines down the walls and bubbling in the gutters. There +were three other clients in the house besides myself. One contented +himself, as I had, with some lentil soup, and the other two, sitting +near a great spit, impatiently watched a leg of kid they had brought +with them for their supper being turned thereon by a small dog, now and +then exchanging a word or so with the bare-armed hostess who was +supervising the process. Whilst this was going on my fellow-companion +with the lentil soup kept casting envious glances at the spit, sniffing +the savoury odour of the roasting meat as he slowly ate pieces of black +bread sopped in the thick soup. + +The wicket was open, for until compline ingress and egress was free; +nevertheless, there was a sentry on duty, an arquebusier, who paced +slowly up and down whistling the "Rappel d'Aunis," stopping only to +exchange some barrack-room badinage with every serving-wench who, as +she went out or came in, found a moment or so to spare for him. It was +a lax enough watch, and it was clear that guard duty at the wicket was +not so dull a matter as one might have imagined. + +One of these passing affairs was rather longer and more interesting +than usual, and he of the lentil soup was chuckling to himself over it, +when we heard the clattering of horses at a trot coming up the road +lying between us and the gate. The girl uttered a little cry and fled +down the walk towards the Louvre, whilst the sentry drew himself up +stiffly. + +In another minute a party of about half a dozen horsemen filed up, a +spare horse with them, and judge of my surprise and fear when I saw it +was Simon himself who led them. As the sentry saluted the Vidame he +rode close up to the man, and, bending down from the saddle, said +something in a quick, low voice, but it was too far off for me to hear. +The sentry saluted again, and began a steady pacing backwards and +forwards; whilst Simon, dismounting three of his men, had the horses +taken towards the riding-school, he remaining at the gate on foot with +his three followers. + +"An arrest!" exclaimed my unknown companion, and the words brought the +two others from their kid, which they were just sitting down to +demolish, to the door, where they were joined by the landlady and the +turnspit dog. + +The worst suspicions crowded upon me, and from where I sat I watched +Simon anxiously, for all depended on his object in being here. He took +no notice of the little group observing him, however, but, drawing his +men up against the wall, leaned against a buttress, moodily pulling at +his long moustache. + +"We are going to see pretty things," said the hostess; "that tall +crookback is the Vidame d'Orrain himself, and 'twas just the same way +last year that he took poor Monsieur de Mailly." + +For about ten minutes we waited impatiently, but with no result, and so +the owners of the kid went back to their repast, and the man with the +lentil soup called for another basin. The suspense, however, was not +to be for long. Presently a man came down the walk towards the wicket, +coming slowly, keeping as much as possible in the shadow of the trees, +now and again stopping and looking around him as though he feared being +followed. Finally, as he neared the gate, he put a bold face on the +matter, and with an air of unconcern stepped towards the sentry. His +hat was pulled over his eyes; but there was no mistaking De Ganache, +and I watched with breathless interest. As he came up the arquebusier +began to whistle his eternal "Rappel d'Aunis" once more, and the +figures near the wall closed in around the buttress. In five paces De +Ganache had passed the sentry and was at the gate. In another step he +freed the wicket, and came face to face with the Vidame. De Ganache +started, retreated a half pace, and then, recovering himself, said with +affected gaiety: + +"Well met, Orrain! I----" And then he stopped as he met the Vidame's +sombre look and saw drawn swords on either side of him. + +"Is this a jest or an outrage? What does this mean, monsieur?" And, +hand to his sword, he faced Simon, who answered coldly: + +"It means, monsieur, that you are my prisoner. Your sword, in the +King's name!" + +"I! Arrested! It is impossible! What foolery is this?" + +But the Vidame simply held out a paper. "You may read this if you +doubt." + +Almost mechanically De Ganache took the paper and ran his eyes over it. +As he did so his fingers seemed to lose power, for the paper slipped +from his hand and fluttered to the ground. The Vidame picked it up, +and said again: + +"Your sword, monsieur!" And then, with a bitter scorn in his voice: "A +traitor's game is a losing game, Monsieur le Vicomte, and the King +knows you at last." + +What the words meant I was to find out later, but they took all heart +from De Ganache. He put his hand to his head as one dazed, and then, +dropping it again, unbuckled his sword, and handed it to the Vidame +without a word. There was a sharp whistle. The horses came up. De +Ganache, who seemed utterly broken, was mounted on the spare horse. +The troopers surrounded him, and then came the quick order: + +"The Châtelet!" And they were gone. + +"_Harnibleu_!" exclaimed the hostess, "that was not how Monsieur de +Mailly allowed himself to be taken. He swore like the Constable, and +fought right across the road, up to this very door, and might have +escaped had he not tripped up. As for that hare there--pouf!" And +with an expressive shrug of her shoulders and a snap of her fingers she +went back to her spit. + +I sat still, wondering, but with a great relief in my heart. There was +a little talk, as will be when things of this kind occur, and then +matters settled down. A few more customers came in. The twilight +began to fall, and then, all at once, I saw two figures at the gate. +They were mademoiselle and De Lorgnac. In a moment I had joined them, +and together we went on towards the river face. + +At the corner of the Rue St. Thomas, De Lorgnac bade us farewell, but +as he left us I took the opportunity to whisper to him the news of De +Ganache's arrest. + +"Then put wings to your business," he said, and pressing my hand went +off, and mademoiselle and I were alone. Silently she took the arm I +offered, and we hastened towards the river. + +It was the fall of the evening, and the moon, almost in its full, had +already arisen, dividing the sky with the last lights of sunset. We +had turned to the left on reaching the river, our faces towards the +Châtelet, whose square grey walls frowned over the Pont au Change. +Here and there the cloud edges still flamed in gold, that slowly faded +to a fleecy silver-white before the moonlight. To our left was the +long row of gabled houses, some of them seven storeys or more in +height, that stretched, a jagged outline of pointed roofs and +overhanging turrets, to the Rue St. Denis, there to be split up in the +labyrinth of streets between St. Denis, St. Martin, and the purlieus of +the Marais and the Temple. Above the houses peered the square tower of +St. Jacques de la Boucherie, and in the weird half light the river +droned along to our right. A grey, creeping mist was slowly covering +the faubourgs and the Ile de la Cité. Through this, as it quivered +onwards, one saw a limitless sea of roofs; and sharp and clear, for +they were still in light, stood out the lofty campaniles of Ste. +Chapelle and St. Severin. But what caught the eye and arrested the +glance was that which rose from the very heart of the great city; for +there, looming vast and immense, the stately pile of Nôtre Dame brooded +over Paris. + +Mademoiselle shivered on my arm. "Oh, monsieur, these streets, these +houses, this immense city, they oppress me like a very spirit of evil!" + +"Courage!" I answered. "In two hours we will have left the spirit of +evil behind." + +And she sighed to herself as we pressed forward. We had passed the +Vallée de Misère and the Gloriette, and had now come to the fish +market. It was here, amidst the raucous cries of buyers and sellers, +that the crowd forced us to stop for a little. I drew my companion +into the shadow of a booth, and as I did so I heard a fragment of talk +between two men a little to one side of us. + +"You think it will be successful?" + +"Not one will escape. They are like rats in a trap." + +The speaker laughed, and I would have sworn I knew the voice. + +Mademoiselle had heard too, and her eyes were shining like stars. + +"Do you hear that?" she whispered quickly. "Quick! Let us hasten!" + +I held her back for a little, until the two had passed before us. As +the light from the booth fell on them I saw that I was right--the last +speaker was Camus, but the other man I knew not. + +"Now, across!" I said, as the two were lost in the crowd, and with that +I hurried mademoiselle to the other side of the road. + +"Monsieur," she said, "these men were talking of us, of my people, I +mean--I feel sure of it--and we are too late." + +"Not yet!" And I tried to reassure her, but my heart was full of +misgiving. In its wonderful way her woman's instinct had warned her, +and I, knowing what I did know, feared the worst despite all my +assurances to her to the contrary. + +It was night when we reached the Rue des Mathurins, for the way was +long. Narrow and dark, the street wound before us. On one side the +upper storeys of the houses were white with moonlight; but the opposite +side was in shadow, and all around us was a velvet darkness, except +where, here and there, a lamp, hanging to a rope slung across the +street, cast a feeble and uncertain glow. Some dim figures moved +before us, and occasionally we heard a footfall behind. That was all. + +We had come to the fifth door on our right. It lay in the black +darkness, faced by the huge blank wall of the Mathurins, and not a ray +gleamed from any of the windows. All was silent as the grave. + +"This is the place," I said, and we stopped. + +"Are you sure?" whispered mademoiselle. "It looks deserted; perhaps +they have been warned." + +But, even as she spoke, we heard faint voices singing. The sound +seemed to rise from beneath our feet, and muffled and far distant rose +the sweet, solemn chant of the Huguenot hymn: "When Israel went forth +from Egypt." + +"They are there!" And mademoiselle's fingers tightened on my arm. + +For answer I was about to step up to the door when hurrying feet came +towards us. I pulled mademoiselle back into the deepest shadow, and as +I did so two dark figures appeared, and halted before the door. Like +us, all unknowing we were so near, they stopped too, listening to the +hymn, and after a little one of the two began to sing. + +"Hush!" said the other; but the singer answered fiercely: + +"I care not, nor do I fear to give my testimony to the Lord." + +But now the hymn ended, and the two went to the door. This was my +chance, and so, with mademoiselle on my arm, I boldly stepped up and +joined them. They turned on us as we came; but I allayed their fears. + +"Messieurs, we have come as you have. See! There is a lady with me." + +"Then you are well come," answered one, and with that he tapped softly +at the door. A shutter opened, and a voice asked: + +"Why come ye?" + +"For the faith," was the reply. + +"Enter, then!" With these words the door swung back, and one by one we +passed in, I being the last. The door was immediately closed and +barred after us, and we found ourselves in the presence of a small, +pale-faced man, who peered at us with blinking eyes. The two strangers +went on at once, after a word of greeting; but, throwing back her hood, +mademoiselle placed her hand on the arm of the little man, saying: + +"Ferrières, do you not know me?" + +His dim eyes searched her through the dim light, and an exclamation +broke from him. + +"Mademoiselle! You! There will be many a glad face to-night. Almost +all of us are here." + +"Hush!" she said. "I have come to warn you. There is danger at hand. +The edicts are to be enforced again, and at once." + +He looked at her, and shook his head. + +"Nay, mademoiselle; we have the King's word." + +"Tell him, then!" and she turned to me. "Monsieur, this is the Sieur +de Ferrières, who has known me from childhood, and who refuses to +believe me--tell him what I say is true!" + +I did so in ten words; but the King's word was the King's word to him, +and the fool was blind in his folly. + +"Then take us to others who will hear," burst out mademoiselle; "in an +hour it may be too late; it may be too late even now." + +"Surely," he replied, "I will take you to the meeting-place, for you +are of the flock, and the Lord is with us to-night; but you are +mistaken, that I know." + +Mademoiselle glanced at me in despair as we followed him across the +hall, and down a stair that led to an underground passage. Along this +we went, and, our guide gently pushing open a door, we saw before us a +large room filled with people of both sexes. All were on their knees, +absorbed in prayer. At the upper end of the room was a raised +platform, and on this was a single figure, also kneeling, the face +covered by the hands. + +A whispered "Stay here!" to me, and mademoiselle stepped forward, +gliding softly past the bowed figures to the right and left of her +until she came to the edge of the platform; and there, unable to +interrupt that silent prayer, she too knelt. So for a space, until at +last the pastor rose, and stood surveying the worshippers. For a +moment my glance rested curiously on the thin, ascetic face, full of +lofty resolve, and then with a rush memory came back to me, and I stood +as if lightning-struck. As he looked around my mind went back with a +leap to the days gone by, to that hideous morning when my hot hand had +struck a death-blow at my friend. It could not be he? And yet! I +stared and stared. Yes; it was Godefroy de la Mothe, the friend of my +youth, whom I had thought I had slain. There was never a doubt of it! +And there, as I stood, the mercy of God came to me, and the weight of a +great sin was lifted from my soul. For moments that seemed years all +was a dream, and there was a haze before my eyes. Through this I saw +mademoiselle arise and face the preacher; but I could not hear her +words, though I saw that she spoke quickly and eagerly. And as she +spoke there were whisperings and strange glancings amongst the people, +and they pressed forward to listen too, but La Mothe lifted his hand. + +"Brethren," he said in deep, sonorous accents, "we have believed the +word of a prince, and the tyrant has lied to us. The edicts are +renewed. But, brethren, He lives that delivered His people from Egypt. +He lives that defended His Church against Caesars, kings, and +profligate princes. His shield is over us, before whose footstool we +kneel. Fear not, and be brave! And now, friends, we must part; but, +ere we part--some of us, perhaps, never to meet again--let us pray." + +He knelt once more, and the people with him, and there was a deep +silence, broken at last by La Mothe's solemn voice as he began to pray +aloud. And as he prayed there came to us from without the muffled +tramp of feet, and the murmuring of many voices rising and falling like +the swell of the sea, whilst now and again a tongue, shriller and more +high-pitched than those of its fellows, would ring out a sharp, +menacing bark. Still La Mothe went on unmoved, though uneasy looks +were beginning to be exchanged; but at last he too stopped, for the +murmurs had swelled to one long roar of savage fury, and the words of +the mob reached us distinctly. + +"To the fire with them! Death to the Christaudins!" + +There was an instant of scared, blanched silence, and then a girl burst +into hysterical sobbing, and her voice broke the tension. In a moment +all was confusion and terror unspeakable, through which I forced my way +to mademoiselle's side. Men shouted and raved, women screamed and +prayed. Some flew to the doors, others, again, huddled together like +sheep; and from outside rose higher and higher the dreadful voice of +the mob, mad with blood lust, and ever above all rang out the harsh +clang of the tocsin of the Mathurins. + +I looked at mademoiselle; her face was white and her eyes were shining, +but she held herself bravely. I drew my sword as La Mothe, the old +soldier spirit awake within him, called out in a loud voice: + +"The women in the centre, gentlemen! Draw swords, and make for the +door, else we die here like rats." + +His voice rang out clear and strong. The few who retained their heads +seconded him well, and in less time that I take to tell this we had +ringed in the women, and stood around them with drawn swords. + +La Mothe was near the door, his spare figure erect, his look high. He +alone carried no arms. I was a few feet from him, with Diane by my +side. + +In this formation we left the meeting-room, and reached the hall, where +the huge iron-studded door was already yielding to the battering from +outside. + +"Throw open the door," La Mothe called out. Someone, I think it was +Ferrières, stepped forward and undid the bar, springing back quickly as +the door flew open; and for an instant we heard a hoarse roar, and by +the light of many torches, and a huge fire lit in the street, saw a +countless swarm of cruel faces. Out we rushed, striking to the right +and left, splitting them before us as a plank is split by a wedge. So +impetuous was the sally that the crowd gave way on all hands. But our +success was only for a moment. They rallied, and surged back, savage, +furious, thirsting for blood. I shall never forget that night: the +tall, dark houses, the flare-lit street, and that devoted few, around +whom the howling mob raged like the sea about some desolate isle. + +Still we pushed them back, for they seemed to have no leaders; but now +one appeared, a man mounted on a tall white horse, and we began to feel +the difference. + +"Down with them," he called out; "down with the devil's brood." And +the light of a torch falling on his face I saw it was Simon. His words +gave courage to the mob. He himself led them on, and then there was +fierce, desperate work. We were fighting for our lives--and men fight +hard then--and so we beat them off once more, though one or two had +fallen, and there was scarcely one of us who was not wounded somewhere. +But they had only gone back to breathe, and came on again in such +numbers that those in front could not go back if they would, and I +began to think the end was not far. This time they divided us into +two, and I found myself in a little group near the wall of the +Mathurins, whilst the crowd closed over the rest. Diane was still +safe, but there was death all around us, and my heart sank, not for +myself but for her whom I loved. + +"Leave me, Orrain," she gasped. "Save yourself!" + +And for answer I drew her closer to me, and fought as I had never +fought before. + +The place had become a shambles, though here and there were little +knots of Christaudins fighting for their lives. Again and again I +strove to cut a way through, but it was impossible. For a moment, +however, we found a breathing space. For one little moment the mob +gave way and left us, and it was then that I saw Ferrières. He had +become detached from us, and was alone. Simon was near him, and with a +face white with terror he seized my brother's stirrup and begged for +mercy. I saw the cruel hand go up; there was a flash of steel, and +Ferrières fell, his grey hairs dabbled in blood, and the white horse +trampled over him as Simon turned towards us. The light of fifty +torches was on us, and he knew us at once. With a cry like that of an +animal he pointed at us. + +"There! Those two. A hundred--nay, two hundred gold crowns to him who +takes them. On! on!" + +And he strove to reach us; but even he, mounted as he was, found the +press too great. + +But his words were heard, and they came on howling, a ring of snarling +faces, of hearts more pitiless than wolves'. Twice they rushed in and +twice they fell back, and my sword was red to the hilt. They wavered +for a moment, and then came on a third time. One man went down, but +someone sprang to my sword arm and pulled me forward. I tripped over +something, and came to my knees, and as I did so the mob went over me +like a wave, and I heard Diane's voice and its shrill note of agony. +God knows how I managed it, but I rose to my feet once more--the very +thickness of the press perhaps saved me then--but I could see nothing +of Diane. + +"Diane," I called out, "I am here--here!" + +And they laughed at me, and one raising a poniard made a sudden, swift +thrust, that would have found my heart, but that a shining blade came +between us, and the ruffian fell with a horrid cry. The next moment I +heard De Lorgnac's voice. He seemed to have dropped from the clouds. + +"Behind me! Your back to the wall till you get breath." And his tall +figure faced the crowd; and then I saw what the best sword in France +could do, and even I shuddered. They backed before him in a crescent, +snarling, growling, and cursing, but never an one dared to come within +reach of that long red blade. + +Where was Diane? Dizzy and faint I leaned against the wall behind me, +my eyes searching here, there, and everywhere. But she was gone; and I +cursed my arm that had failed me in my need. + +Simon was still some distance away, striving to reach me, and our eyes +met. It was enough for me. I sprang at him, past De Lorgnac; and the +mob gave, only to wedge me in and bear me backwards, for at this moment +there rose a cry: + +"The archers! The guards! Fly! Fly!" + +Ay! They had come at last! When it was too late, with Martines, the +lieutenant of the Châtelet, at their head. They drove the mob before +them, striking them down, riding them over, and surrounded the few of +us who were left. + +In my confusion, as I strove to reach Simon, the hand of some fallen +wretch clutched me by the ankle, and I stumbled forward. In a trice I +was down, and seized; and struggling desperately, but in vain, was +dragged into safety, but a prisoner. + +The mob driven off, though not defeated yet, came on again, refusing to +be balked of their prey; but disciplined strength was too much for +them, and once more they gave way, howling around the few prisoners, +whom they were only kept from tearing in pieces by the guards. + +By the flare of the torches I saw Martines and Simon riding side by +side talking eagerly. Suddenly the latter reined in, sprang from his +horse, and lifted something in his arms. It was a woman's figure, limp +and lifeless. He placed her on the saddle before him, and mounted +again, whilst the mob hooted and jeered, and as the light fell on the +white face I saw it was Diane. + +Martines leaned forward and looked at her, with pity in his glance; but +Simon laughed out: + +"_Corbleu_, monsieur! this is the worst Christaudin of them all." + +The words roused me to madness, and with a mighty effort I shook myself +free and sprang forward, but the butt of a lance brought me down, and +once more I was seized. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE RING + +Late that evening Le Brusquet sat alone in his room in the Louvre, my +ring on the table before him. On leaving me that afternoon near the +Ladies' Terrace his first thought had been, according to his promise, +to return the letters we found to De Ganache; but he was not to be +seen. Le Brusquet had sought the tennis courts, haunted the apartments +of La Valentinois, and lounged about the lawns where the ladies and +gallants of the Court played at _grelot_ of an evening; but in vain. +Finally, he mounted his mule, and ambled off to the great square house +behind the Bourgogne, where Antony of Vendôme lodged with his train. +Here he made certain he would find De Ganache, who followed the prince; +but he was once more disappointed. So, giving up the quest for the +present, he supped alone at Crabeau's, in the Rue des Fosses St. +Germain. Then he returned to the Louvre, and sat down to think, as +much of his own affairs as of mine. So far as he himself was concerned +he felt he had fallen from the favour of the King. This had happened +before; but now for the first time he seemed to have no wish to +re-establish himself, and a longing came over him to see his little +pepper-box of a tower in the Quercy, and to be once more the Sieur de +Besmé instead of the King of Folly. + +"_Eh bien_, Pompon!" he said, addressing the ape, "the kingdom of fools +is too wide a realm for one man to rule. I shall abdicate, I think. +What say you? The Roman went back to his plough; Besmé will return to +his pears." + +The ape simply blinked at him from his seat on the table, and, carrying +out his humour, Le Brusquet continued: + +"You do not approve--eh? What, then, is left for me?" But as he spoke +his eyes fell on the ring, and bending over it he continued: + +"Yes; this is where I have failed--save for this I should be off +to-morrow--but to go with failure behind me----" + +He stopped, for someone knocked at his door, and to Le Brusquet's +"Enter!" De Lorgnac stepped in. His face was pale and grave, his boots +and clothes splashed with mud, and there were red spots on the +whiteness of his ruffles. + +For one moment Le Brusquet stared at his friend, and then sprang up. + +"What has happened?" he cried. + +"Everything--and for the worst. They are taken." + +"Taken! You mean----" + +"I mean Mademoiselle de Paradis and Orrain, and others besides. La +Valentinois was too quick, and struck at once." + +Le Brusquet swore under his breath, and Lorgnac went on: + +"It happened in this way. On leaving Orrain this evening he told me +that De Ganache had been arrested." + +"De Ganache arrested too!" + +"Yes; at sundown near the wicket gate. The full significance of the +news did not strike me at first, for there were other reasons, which we +know, that might have led to his arrest. On my return to the Louvre, +however, I heard sufficient to tell me that La Valentinois and her +party meant to act without delay." + +"And never a word came to my ears, and I thought them sharp." + +Lorgnac took no notice of the interruption, but continued: + +"On learning this I hastened after Orrain, hoping to be in time to +overtake him and save our friends; but it was not to be." And then he +went on to tell him what is already known. When he had done Le +Brusquet said nothing, but remained in a moody silence, staring in +front of him, and De Lorgnac turned from him to the window and looked +out upon the night. After a little he turned again, and putting his +hand on Le Brusquet's shoulder, said: + +"It looks, old friend, as if we were beaten." + +Le Brusquet's eyes flashed. "Not yet! This is the last game I play, +and it is not checkmate yet. Where have they taken Orrain?" + +"The Châtelet." + +"And mademoiselle?" + +"I know not. I know not if she is alive or dead." + +Le Brusquet groaned. "That is the worst tale of all. Orrain, I think, +we can save." + +"How so?" + +For answer Le Brusquet held up my ring. "With this talisman!" And +slipping it on his finger he continued: "It is not for nothing that I +studied law at the College of Cambrai. As first prince of the blood, +Vendôme can claim Orrain from the Châtelet. If he has any gratitude he +will do so." + +"I never thought of that. I saw the prisoners taken to the Châtelet. +There were two, Orrain and La Mothe, who is as well known to be of the +prince's household as Vendôme himself is known to be a heretic." + +"Yes; a heretic too great to be touched. But he must pay his debts. I +am going at once to see Vendôme. Stay here if you like. You know +where to find the wine. No, Pompon, not to-night!" And pushing back +the ape, who had made ready to follow him, he went off. + +It was gay that night in the salon of La Valentinois. The Queen had +gone to St. Germain-en-Laye, where the royal children were, and all +those who could had flocked to the apartments of the favourite, to pay +their court to the crescent moon. The King had retired earlier than +usual, for he meant to hunt on the morrow; but his absence only made +the revelry more unrestrained. The card-tables were full, and at one +of them sat Diane herself, playing with Caraffa against Vendôme and the +Marshal St. Andre, and surrounded by a crowd who watched the play and +staked amongst themselves upon the game. Immediately behind her stood +De Mouchy, in the ermine and red of his office, and ever and again a +whispered word passed between the twain. + +There was a pile of gold before Vendôme, who was playing recklessly but +with wonderful fortune. His face was flushed and his speech thick, for +the goblet on the small service-table at his elbow was ever being +filled, and emptied as fast as refilled. Nevertheless, he won each +time, though he seemed to fling his cards down on the table without a +look or thought. + +"The gods are with me," he exclaimed loudly as he pulled off a _coup_, +made utterly by hazard, and drew the stakes towards him. + +Diane laughed gaily, but the red fox Caraffa was a bad loser. + +"Monseigneur," he said with a snarl, "there is a proverb about luck at +cards." + +"I know," was the swift and unexpected reply. "Mistrust thy fortune +when the knave and the Church are together." And Vendôme pointed to +the card the Legate had just played. + +There was a titter all around; but Diane's white arm was stretched +forth, and she tapped Vendôme with her fan. + +"Fie, Monseigneur! Your wit is too cruel. His Eminence but referred +to the old saw: lucky at cards, unlucky in love." + +The prince gallantly kissed her jewelled hand. "Madame, that is true, +for until I met you I never knew how unlucky I was." + +La Valentinois did not note the glance in Vendôme's eye, and, vain as a +peacock, blushed as she alone could blush. But a murmured word from De +Mouchy caught her ear, and leaning back in her chair, her face half +turned towards De Mouchy, and her fan outspread between herself and the +prince, she asked in a quick whisper: + +"Is it over?" + +"Yes! He has come." + +As De Mouchy spoke the crowd parted, and the Vidame appeared, and bowed +before Diane. + +"It was impossible to come sooner, madame; I had a little affair, and +it was necessary to change my attire." + +"A successful affair, I trust, Monsieur le Vidame." + +Simon was about to answer, but a high-pitched voice broke in: "More +successful than even the Vidame's great feat of arms in the forest of +Fontevrault." And Le Brusquet made his way through the press, and +stood behind the prince's chair. + +Diane rose from her seat, and Simon glared at Le Brusquet, whilst a +dozen voices called out: + +"What was that, Le Brusquet? We have not heard." + +"That is owing to Monsieur le Vidame's modesty; but this feat eclipses +all the others of which he is the hero. This evening the Vidame broke +up the heretic church in the Mathurins; nearly all the accursed brood +were slain, women as well as men; but there are still enough prisoners +to give us a rare bonfire by Saturday. Is it not so, monsieur?" And +Le Brusquet turned to the Vidame. + +"Is this true, Le Brusquet?" It was Vendôme who asked. He too had +risen, and his voice was trembling with anger. + +"Assuredly, Monseigneur! Ask the Vidame! It was a great stroke. +Amongst others they have taken La Mothe the Christaudin----" He +stopped, for the prince broke in furiously upon his speech. + +"This is foul treachery! The edicts are suspended! The King's word is +given!" + +"And is recalled. The edicts were re-enforced to-day. It is strange, +Monseigneur, that you, as the First Prince of the Blood, did not know +this!" + +It was impossible to mistake the insult in this speech and in Simon's +manner as he made it. For a moment it was as if Vendôme's hot temper +would have made him forget his rank. He raised his hand as though he +would have struck the Vidame; but those around Simon hustled him aside, +and it was in a scene of confusion that Monseigneur turned to Diane. + +"I understand all this now," he said, pointing to the card-table, +covered with the scattered cards and gold, "and I know to whom I owe +this. Think not, madame, to fool me longer; but remember that all the +rivers in France will not quench the fires you have lit to-day." + +Then calling to De Mouy, Albain, and others of his gentlemen he bowed +coldly to La Valentinois, and left the room amidst a dead silence. + +When he had gone a babel of tongues broke forth, and there were loud +and angry cries for Le Brusquet, whose "fool's prank," as they called +it, had caused this storm. Le Brusquet, however, was not to be seen. +He had stolen in, thrown his apple of discord, and stolen forth again +like a ghost. None knew or understood better than he the wayward +character of Vendôme, and that never was the prince capable of acting +with decision unless his self-love were hurt. So he had made his plan, +and acted, and now stood in the shadow of a pillar in the courtyard +waiting for the prince. He had not long to wait, for Vendôme came +storming out, almost on his heels, and called for his horse. There +were quite a hundred or more gentlemen in his train, and as the horses +were being brought up Le Brusquet stepped to the side of Vendôme and +held up his signet. + +"Monseigneur," he said, "here is something of yours that has come back +to you." + +The prince almost snatched it from him, and glanced at it by the light +of the flambeaux. One look, and he turned to Le Brusquet. + +"He too!" + +"Monseigneur! In the Châtelet, where La Mothe is. Forget not your +rights, Monseigneur!" + +"I am not likely to! Here! A spare horse for Le Brusquet!" And he +sprang into his saddle. + +Someone brought up a nag, Le Brusquet mounted, and the word being given +for the Châtelet they went out at a trot, the prince riding in front +between De Mouy and Albain, his hat pulled over his eyes, and in +silence. + +Whilst all this was happening it fared ill enough with me. Though +felled by the blow on my head I was not stunned, only so dazed that my +recapture was an easy matter. This time no risks were taken, and with +my hands tied behind me by means of a long scarf, the other end of +which was looped round the high pommel of a trooper's saddle, I was +perforce compelled to accompany my captors as best I could, bleeding +and dizzy from my hurt. + +At length we arrived at the Châtelet, followed to the very gates by the +mob. As my blurred vision saw through the moonlight those sombre +walls, citadel and prison at once, my heart sank. Hope was left behind +in those fearful oubliettes, whose sinister names carried utter despair +with them. There was the Grièche, the Barbary, the Chausse d'Hypocras, +where the prisoners, ankle deep in water, were neither able to stand +upright nor to sit; the Fosse, down which one was lowered by a rope, +and the hideous Fin d'Aise in which no man retained his sanity. So it +had come to this! And in sullen despair I stood amongst the guards, +awaiting Martines' pleasure. At first it seemed as if I were the only +prisoner; but any doubts on that point were soon set at rest, for +another unfortunate was dragged up and placed beside me. I felt rather +than saw it was La Mothe--but, unlike myself, he was not bound--and +then I heard Martines ask: + +"Are these the only two prisoners?" + +"Monsieur!" answered a subordinate officer. + +The lieutenant of the Châtelet was not an unkindly man, and muttering +something about "hangman's work" he came up and surveyed us by the +light of the torches. Then he ordered my hands to be freed, and +drawing his subaltern aside gave him some commands in a low tone, and +went off. + +As Martines turned away this person directed us to follow him, and, +surrounded by guards, we entered a vaulted passage, and after +descending and ascending many stairs found ourselves before a studded +door, so low that even a short man would have had to stoop his +shoulders to enter therein. A gaoler fumbled with the rusty lock, +which for a space resisted all his efforts; but at last it yielded, and +the door was pushed open, clanging harshly as it swung back. Beyond +lay a hideous dungeon, into which we were thrust, the officer following +us with a couple of guards, one of whom carried a lantern. The light +discovered a long and narrow prison, the ooze dripping from the walls, +and the floor slippery with slime. A single slit in the wall, no wider +than three fingers of a man's hand and about a foot in length, let in +light and air. For the rest, a stone bench and a jug full of foul +water completed the furniture of this terrible chamber. Faint and +dizzy, I made towards the bench, and sat thereon in the shadow as the +officer said: + +"I must ask you to share this lodging for to-night. It is known as the +Palace," he added, with a grin, and then pulling out his tablets he +turned to La Mothe. + +"Your name, monsieur." + +"Godefrey de la Mothe, chaplain to Monseigneur the Duke of Bourbon +Vendôme." + +"And yours?" + +From my seat in the shadow I answered: "Bertrand d'Orrain." + +La Mothe started and half faced me, but held himself in, and the +officer, having made his note, turned his back upon us and withdrew, +followed by his men. We heard the door shut, a drawing of bolts, a +rattling of keys, and then came silence and darkness. + +No!--not utter darkness; for through the narrow slit in the wall a ray +of moonlight fell, lighting the figure of La Mothe where he stood, +almost in the centre of the dungeon. He was looking towards me, his +eyes expectant and shining; but I could not speak, and sat like a stone. + +At length he made a step in my direction. + +"Orrain," he said, "have we met at last?" + +With an effort I rose and took his outstretched hands, and in that +moment I knew that the past was bridged over and my sin forgiven. + +For long we sat together on the stone bench, and La Mothe told me of +his life. How, though all thought him mortally wounded, he had rallied +at last, and, in thankfulness for his escape, resolved to devote the +remainder of his days to God. The spirit of the age fell on his mind, +keen and ecstatic at once. In every trivial event he saw the hand of +the Almighty, but he saw too the corruption around him. It was for +such as he that the light of the new faith shone with an alluring +radiance, and soon there was no voice that spoke more loudly for the +truth than that of Godefrey de la Mothe. A fatalist above all things, +even now, when everything seemed lost, he did not despair. + +"Nay," he said, "the hour has not come for us to die. God has not +brought us together to perish." And the words carried hope with them, +even amidst the darkness and lowering prison walls. Then he knelt down +and prayed; but I could not, for my heart was raging within me. + +At length he rose from his knees. "The Lord will hear and answer," he +said simply; but I made no reply, sitting with my head between my +hands, staring in front of me. So till the moon set; and I must have +slept. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, and started up. It was +La Mothe. + +"Hark!" he said. "Do you not hear?" + +I listened. There was a distinct murmuring, the clattering of hoofs, +the neigh of a horse, and then a cry, faint but distinct: + +"Vendôme! Vendôme! Bourbon! Nôtre Dame!" + +We sprang to our feet. "The Lord, who preserved His chosen from out of +the land of bondage, hath heard my cry, and we are saved!" exclaimed La +Mothe, and making our way to the door we listened. All was stillness +once more, a stillness that seemed to last for hours, though it was but +for a few minutes. At last we heard the tramp of many feet, louder and +louder they grew, and then there was a rattling of chains, and our +prison door fell open, letting in a stream of light. In the blaze in +the doorway stood Vendôme and Martines, and behind them a crowd of +eager faces. + +"These are the prisoners, Monseigneur!" said Martines. + +"And I, Antony de Bourbon-Vendôme, First Prince of the Blood Royal of +France, stand here on my right and claim them. Gentlemen," and he +turned to us, "you are free; follow me!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE ARM OF GOD + +Four days had passed since that dreadful night in the Rue des +Mathurins--days the memory of which can never be effaced whilst I live. +No tidings were obtainable of mademoiselle, save that she was amongst the +prisoners who were being tried in secret by De Mouchy, and all efforts to +communicate with her had been in vain. This much, however, leaked out: +that owing to the whispers that had got abroad--none knew how--the +prisoners, with the exception of one or two, were not of importance; but +this in itself made the matter worse for mademoiselle, and gave the mock +court of justice--it could be called by no other name--every opportunity +of veiling its real purpose. In this De Mouchy was managing the trial +with great skill. The prisoners of no account--the scrivener's clerk, +the poor shopkeeper, the small mercer--got the benefit of plea and +quibble! God knows, I did not grudge them that! But each acquittal, +pronounced loudly in the name of the King's mercy, with high-flown words +about the love of the King for his people, led step by step to the real +object for which the infamous triangle worked. Already the gossips were +beginning to wag their tongues at the leniency shown. It was said in the +cabarets and public places that the memory of the tailor of St. Antoine +haunted the King, and that he and the Queen were, in secret, heretics. +At the last acquittal the cruel mob of Paris had actually dared to parade +the streets, with angry cries at being deprived of the hideous spectacle +of an expiation. "_Au feu, au feu_! Death to the Christaudins!" I +still seem to hear their voices. + +And so the time was ripe for the law to claim its prey, for the shameless +three to gather in their spoil, and for an evil, vindictive woman to +accomplish her revenge. The King was at Fontainebleau, whither he had +gone, accompanied by La Valentinois and the Court. The Queen was at St. +Germain-en-Laye, and the Louvre--except for its guards--was deserted. On +the morning of the fifth day, however, the Queen returned, and although +she knew what had happened she summoned me before her to hear the story +from my lips. I found her in her study with three or four of her ladies. +Catherine looked pale and heavy-eyed, and there were hard lines about her +mouth. It was said she had never smiled since the day of the masque. I +for one am certain it was from that day her secretive nature took the +dark and devious course that led her to be what she became; but now it +was only the beginning. + +I said what I had to say briefly, and when I was done the Queen looked up +at me. + +"Is this all?" + +I bowed in silent response, and after a pause she continued: + +"I know what you would ask. I have done my best. I have written to the +King to pardon Mademoiselle de Paradis, as he forgave Madame de Rentigny. +I wrote at once, four days ago." And then she flushed to her temples as +she added: "Up to now there has been no answer. It is useless to go +myself----" + +Her voice almost broke, and I looked aside, only to meet Mademoiselle +Davila's eyes. They were swimming with tears. + +It was now there arose an unusual bustle in the anteroom. The doors were +thrown back, and in a loud voice the ushers announced the Duchess de +Valentinois. For a moment Diane stood in the doorway, a little crowd +behind her, and then, tall and stately, walked slowly up to the Queen and +courtesied profoundly. Catherine remained frigidly still, as though +oblivious of her presence, and amidst a dead silence Diane stood before +the Queen, a faint smile playing on her lips, her eyelids drooped to +cover the defiant fire of her glance. One might have counted ten as the +two faced each other, and then Diane spoke: + +"I have come, your Majesty, from the King." + +Catherine's eyebrows arched, and a swift, lightning glance of hatred +passed between the two. Then Diane's lids drooped again, and her soft, +flute-like voice continued: + +"The King kisses your Majesty's hands, and says there is much wind and +rain at Fontainebleau, but that he has slain three boars and five stags." + +"He has slain three boars and five stags," repeated the Queen in an even +monotone, and turning to Madame de Montal, who stood behind her chair, +she said bitterly: "Why does not somebody cry, 'God save the King!'?" + +"All France cries that, your Majesty," said Diane. "And further, the +King once again kisses your Majesty's hands, and has received your +gracious letter in regard to Mademoiselle de Paradis." And now her voice +hardened to steel, and she dropped the studied courtesy of her address. +"That letter has been submitted to the council, and the King has decided +to let the law take its course. God will not be insulted longer in this +realm." + +It is impossible to conceive the insolent malice that was thrown into La +Valentinois' glance and voice, and the mockery of her bow, as she made +this speech. And grey-haired Madame de Montal, gazing steadily at her, +said: + +"Madame, you speak to the Queen!" + +"No, Montal," and Catherine rose, her face white as death, "you mistake; +it is the Queen who speaks to me." And without so much as a glance in +the direction of the Duchess she turned and left the apartment, followed +by her ladies. + +The favourite looked around her, a smile of triumph on her lips; but with +the exception of myself the cabinet was empty, though a murmuring crowd +filled the rooms without. It was then, and only then, she realised that +the victory was not all hers, and felt the sting of the Parthian arrow +shot by the Queen. Her cheeks burned red, and I saw the hand that held +her fan tremble like a leaf in the wind. Then with an effort she +recovered herself, and with another glance at me, full of superb disdain, +swept from the room. As for me, my last hope had vanished, and I stood +as in a dream, staring at the pattern on the carpet before me. How long +I stood thus I do not know, but at last, from within the Queen's +apartments, I heard someone weeping--heard even through the closed door +and drawn curtains. It all but unmanned me; and then I felt a hand on my +shoulder, and looking up saw De Lorgnac. + +"Orrain," he said, "come with me." + +There was that in his eyes and voice which could not be mistaken. + +"What has happened?" I asked hoarsely, though I well knew what he meant. + +"Come," he said, "be brave! You are a man, and as a man I tell you, you +need all your courage now. The Court is thrown open, and in an hour De +Mouchy delivers his sentence. The harlot of France is by his side----" +And he stopped, almost breaking down. + +"Lorgnac, I am going there." + +"It is useless. Le Brusquet is there. Come with me!" + +But I turned on him fiercely. "I am going," I repeated, and, perhaps, he +read what was in my heart, for he put his arm through mine. + +"Come, then. I will come with you." + +True and tried friend though he was I shook him off roughly, and hurried +into the streets like a madman. How I reached the Hôtel de Ville I +cannot tell! I seemed to have made the passage in darkness; but at last +I found myself there, pressing through the ever-increasing crowd that +thronged the entrance to the trial chamber; and finally, passing the +doors, I took my stand in the gallery reserved for spectators. + +With burning eyes I looked upon the scene beneath me. Camus had just +concluded his evidence, and was bowing to the court, a smile on his +traitor's face as he listened to some words of compliment addressed to +him by De Mouchy. Simon, the man I wanted, was nowhere to be seen, +though my eyes, fierce with hatred, searched for him everywhere. But on +a seat beside the judge was La Valentinois herself, radiantly beautiful, +now fluttering her fan, now sniffing daintily at her vinaigrette, as she +bent her frosty glance on the prisoners. One was old Ferrières. Like a +dying man, he leaned back in a chair that had been provided for him, for +his wounds left him no strength to stand. His eyes were closed. He +seemed to have fainted, and was oblivious of what was going on around +him, whilst death had already set its seal upon his haggard and drawn +face. Mademoiselle stood by his side, a hand resting on his chair. For +one brief second our eyes met, and she smiled at me--a brave smile--and I +bent my head in sorrow, for I could not look. It needed not the cry of +the ushers in the court for silence. Every tongue was still. There was +not a whisper, not a movement, for all felt that the supreme moment had +arrived. De Mouchy bent over his papers. I heard them rustling; and +then La Valentinois, leaning forward, said something to him in a low +voice. There was a word to an usher, and once more the insupportable +silence. + +In a little we heard the steady tramp of feet. Nearer and nearer the +sound came. A side door in the body of the court was opened, and a third +prisoner was brought in and placed before the judge. Craning forward I +looked. It was De Ganache; but how changed from the once brilliant +cavalier. His figure was stooped and bent, his once dark hair was white, +his face wrinkled as that of an old man, and in his shifty, unsettled +glance glared the fires of madness. He did not seem to realise where he +was, but began to laugh vacantly, but the laugh died away to a frozen +look as his gaze fixed itself on La Valentinois. + +"Diane," he cried in a terrible voice as he stretched his arms out +towards her, "it was for your sake!" + +But she, his destroyer, scarce glanced at him from her place on the +judgment seat. + +"He is quite mad!" And with a musical laugh she leaned back, and picking +out a comfit from a little jewelled box began to nibble at it daintily as +De Ganache's hands fell helplessly to his sides. + +And now De Mouchy spoke. "Monsieur De Ganache, do you recognise the +prisoners there?" + +De Ganache followed his glance; a shiver went through him, and as he +looked a red flush mounted to his forehead. Never had I seen a man look +so before, and, thank God! never after. Unspeakable shame and hopeless +despair were sealed upon his face. His lips grew livid, and twice the +question was repeated ere he forced himself to answer. + +"Yes." + +I held my breath and listened. What did this mean? Ferrières still lay +back in his semi-trance, oblivious of all things; but mademoiselle moved +forward and looked at De Ganache, ineffable pity in her eyes. And now +came the next question. + +"They are known to you as Christaudins?" + +One glance at mademoiselle and De Ganache shrank back; but her voice rang +out clear and sweet, for she, with all of us, mistook the reason of De +Ganache's terrible emotion. + +"Deny it not, De Ganache! Be not afraid." + +But with a cry De Ganache put his hands to his face and turned aside. A +woman began to sob amongst the spectators, and someone dropped a sword +with an angry clash on the parquet. Once more the strident voices of the +ushers arose, and after a little silence was restored. + +De Mouchy was about to put yet another question when La Valentinois +interposed. + +"It is enough," she said; "I but wanted to confront them. Let him have +his reward." + +De Mouchy smiled, and bending forward addressed De Ganache. + +"Gaston de Ganache, Vicomte de Ganache and Les Barres, you stand +convicted a heretic and traitor, and for crimes such as yours the laws of +God and man have but one punishment. But bearing in mind the services +you have rendered by denouncing your fellow-conspirators and discovering +their secrets to the King's most trusty servants, Simon, Vidame d'Orrain, +and myself, the King at the intercession of Madame the Duchess de +Valentinois has in his gracious mercy spared your life on condition that +you quit France within four and twenty hours. Monsieur, you are free." + +As these astonishing words fell from the judge's lips--words that branded +De Ganache with unutterable infamy--the miserable man looked around him +like an animal at bay; and then, a madness coming upon him, he broke out +into peal after peal of harsh, mirthless laughter--laughter that seemed +to come from the grave and beyond; and, laughing thus, they led him away. +When he was gone De Mouchy pointed to Ferrières as he said to a warder: + +"Arouse him!" + +They dragged the fainting man to his feet, and he stood limply between +two gaolers; and then the judge asked: + +"Prisoners, is there anything you would like to say?" + +And mademoiselle answered for both, in a low but distinct voice: + +"Nothing. We confess we are of the true faith, and we are willing to die +for it. As to our having conspired against the King--we are innocent!" + +And as she spoke some strange idea must have passed through the wandering +brain of Ferrières. Half in delirium, he looked about him, and with a +supreme effort, standing free of the warders, he called out in a loud, +fever-strung voice: + +"_Vive le Roi_!" + +It was one of those moments when the sympathy of a crowd can be caught by +a word. Small and mean-looking as he was there was something so forlorn +and hopeless in the gallant cry of the doomed man that all hearts were +touched. A low, responsive murmur broke from the spectators, and then +with one voice they too shouted: + +"_Vive le Roi_!" + +They heard it outside--the multitude who thronged the stairways, the +courtyards, and the Place de Grève. And they too yelled with brazen +lungs, and the roar of their voices came to us through the open windows, +with the sunbeams that lit the shadows of the vast and gloomy hall. +Never did subjects hail their king in a moment more sad. + +Ferrières had sunk back in a crumpled heap, and mademoiselle was leaning +over him in womanly sympathy; but the guards thrust her aside, and held +up the dying man once more to hear, if he could, his sentence. The +tumult sank away, and once more there was silence. La Valentinois sat +still, watching the prisoners behind her fan; and then De Mouchy, in a +speech that was dignified and impressive even to me who knew the +unheard-of guilt of the man, passed the last sentence of the law. The +sin of the prisoners was amply proved. It was against the King, and, he +bent his head, against the Church of God. The King had already shown his +mercy--all men had seen and felt it--but the wrath of God had shown +itself in the disasters that had smitten the land, and France must be +purged clean of the sin of heresy. As for the judge, the laws, and, in +chief, the Edict of Compiègne, gave him no power to mitigate the +punishment of wretches so guilty as these who stood now before him. And +so Diane, Demoiselle de Paradis, and Jean, Sieur de Ferrières, were +condemned to be drawn two days hence on hurdles to the Place Maubert, +there to suffer the greater torture and the less, and there to have their +bodies consumed by fire, as Almighty God would hereafter consume their +souls. + +And then, amidst an awed hush, the blasphemer who sat upon the judgment +seat made a sign to the guards to remove the prisoners, and, bending +down, began slowly to gather up his papers. + +As the terrible words fell from De Mouchy's lips I was for the moment +overcome, and the immense hall seemed to swim before me, so that I had to +support myself by holding to the railings of the gallery. + +La Valentinois had risen, and was leaning forward looking hard at Diane, +as if expecting some cry, some appeal for mercy; but at the last words of +De Mouchy mademoiselle had bent her head in silent prayer, and then her +calm, pure eyes met those of the wicked woman before her, and rested on +her for a moment with a grave pity in them, as she said in a clear voice: + +"Madame, God has already taken one of us beyond your reach." And she +pointed to Ferrières. "As for me, His mercy will come to me too, I pray; +and may He forgive you as I, who am to die, forgive you now." + +It was truth she spoke. A hand more powerful than aught earthly had +rescued Ferrières, and he was dead. He had passed as he stood there, +held by the warders, and the lifeless figure, with its glazed eyes +staring into the unknown, was only kept from falling by the supporting +hands around it. Even De Mouchy paled; and La Valentinois, who had +striven to meet mademoiselle's look with her cruel laugh, shrank back and +covered her face with her hand. And now the guards closed around their +prisoners, the living and the dead, and they passed from my sight. + +In a moment the tension was relaxed, and a hundred voices were raised at +once, discussing the sentence, the news of which had already gone forth; +and outside the multitude began to hoot and groan and cheer. + +A man seized me by the cloak. "A just sentence, was it not, monsieur?" +he asked. And then went on: "A pity the old fox died; but it will be a +good expiation, almost as good as that of Clinet and De Luns--_cujus +regio, ejus religio_," he babbled on, airing his Latin; but I drove the +fool from me with a curse, and wonder to this day if he ever knew how +near he was to death. + +La Valentinois had arisen, and, followed by De Mouchy and half a dozen +others, was making her way to the exit, all parting before her as though +she were the Queen. Now was my chance. Simon had escaped me for to-day; +but De Mouchy--he at least was within my reach--and with my hand to my +poniard I pressed down the steps of the gallery, but near the door was +hemmed in by the crowd. Try as I would it was impossible to get through, +and a barrier was put up, which made matters hopeless. There as I stood +in impotent rage I saw over the heads of the crowd La Valentinois +entering her coach. She was followed by De Mouchy. The guards closed +around. There was a cheer, and they were gone. It was then that a cold +hand touched my wrist, and a voice whispered in my ear: + +"There are two days yet; do nothing rash!" + +I turned swiftly, and saw Le Brusquet at my elbow, and behind him the +tall figure of De Lorgnac; unknown to me he had followed me here. + +"Come with us!" he said; and I made no answer, but did as I was bidden, +and placing me between them we went back together to the Louvre. Once in +Le Brusquet's apartments the reaction set in, and flinging myself in a +chair I covered my face with my hands--for the first time in my life I +had broken down utterly. + +After a while I somewhat recovered myself. Lorgnac was standing with his +back to me, looking out of the window, and Le Brusquet was by my side, a +glass of cordial in his hand. + +"Drink this," he said. "Remember there are two days yet; and God's arm +is long." + +Mechanically I drank, and as I held the glass in my hand Le Brusquet +removed his cloak. In doing this something dropped, and stooping he +picked it up. It was a packet of letters, tied with a red ribbon. With +a glance of contempt at it he flung it on the table in front of De +Lorgnac, who had joined us, saying as he did so: + +"There are De Ganache's letters. I had almost forgotten them." + +The packet had fallen on the table, almost under De Lorgnac's eyes. Half +unconsciously he let his glance rest upon it, and then a strange +expression came into his face, and holding up the letters, he asked Le +Brusquet, with apparent unconcern: + +"You have not looked at the writing, have you?" + +"Not I! I dare swear 'tis some woman. Nothing else would be tied with +red ribbon and scented with musk. Throw the thing away. It is too thick +with memories of that traitor. My God! I did not think earth held so +foul a villain." + +But Lorgnac took no notice of his last words, only the hand holding the +packet began to shake a little as he said slowly: + +"As it happens, I know the writing well. It is a woman's hand------" + +Both Le Brusquet and I turned on him, the same thought in our hearts. + +"_She_!" I said, and half rising from my seat; but with an exclamation Le +Brusquet snatched the packet from De Lorgnac's hand. In a moment the +letters were opened, and he was reading them with feverish haste. There +were four letters in all, and when he had done he looked at us, and there +was the light of hope in his eyes. + +"Speak, man!" And I gripped him by the arm. "I cannot bear this longer!" + +"It is God's providence," he said solemnly as he grasped my hand. +"Orrain, take heart! We win! Read these--and you too, Lorgnac! When +you have read we must to the Queen at once." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +LA VALENTINOIS AND I + +Monsieur de Créquy, his back to the light, stood in the embrasure of a +window, deeply engaged in examining his features in a small hand-glass +which he held daintily before him. The survey seemed to please +monsieur, for he showed his teeth in a simper of satisfaction, and +began to curl his black moustache between the forefinger and thumb of +his disengaged hand. So engrossed was he that he never observed me +coming up to him, and it was not until I was at his elbow that he +suddenly realised my presence. + +"_Morbleu_!" and he hastily slipped the glass in his pocket, "wherever +did you spring from?" + +"Not through the window, I assure you. I but came in the ordinary way. +Madame, I suppose, is within?" And I pointed to a closed door in front +of us. + +Créquy nodded. "Yes; reposing after the fatigues of the day, and will +have none but a Chevalier of the Order to guard the entrance to her +bower. What a day it has been! I suppose you know it will be on +Saturday?" + +I could have struck the coxcomb; but held myself in, and asked to see +La Valentinois, adding that my affair was of vital import. At this +Créquy began to hum and haw, and I had to humour him, telling him that +madame would give him but small thanks for denying me, as my business +concerned what was to happen on Saturday. + +"That is a different matter," he said. "I will see." And he tapped at +the door. There was no answer; thereupon Créquy gently opened the door +and stepped in. He came out again almost immediately. + +"As I said, madame is reposing; but I have told the Syrian. Would you +like to wait here?" + +"Perhaps I had better get my business over as soon as possible, and +save the Syrian the trouble of coming to the outer door," I said. At +which Créquy shrugged his shoulders, and pointing to the door with a +mock bow bade me enter. + +I did as I was bidden, and found myself in a long and narrow room. The +ceiling, painted to represent the sky lit up by the crescent moon, was +supported by eight arabesque pillars, four on either hand. Around the +bases of the pillars, and scattered here and there over the rich +carpet, were seats made of huge soft cushions, covered with matchless +embroidery. Near one of these luxurious seats was a low carved table +upon which lay an open volume of Ronsard's poems, and close by it, +thrown carelessly on the carpet, was a lute with a cluster of streaming +ribbons, and a black and white satin sling attached to it. Behind this +stood a carved ebony _prie-dieu_, and above the crucifix that +surmounted it hung a shield surrounded by a wreath of flowers, and +bearing upon it a tree springing out of a tomb, with the legend: "Left +alone--I live in thee," upon a scroll beneath. This was the strange +manner in which Diane de Poitiers kept the memory of her dead husband +green--for she ever posed as the inconsolable widow, carrying her +husband's soul about with her, packed in straw, like her Venetian +crystal goblets and eastern pottery. In the centre of the room, upon a +veined marble pedestal, stood, in strange incongruity, a replica of the +great bronze of Goujou, that faced her chateau of Anet. In this Diane +was represented nude, reclining upon a stag, a bow in her hand, and +surrounded by dogs. + +Owing to the heat of the day the windows were open; but the curtains of +pale blue silk, with silver crescents gleaming on them, were drawn to +keep out the afternoon glare; and the subdued, opal-tinted light fell +softly on this bower of luxury, which was, however, likely to prove the +den of a tigress to me. + +The room was empty when I entered, and after looking around me I picked +up the volume of Ronsard. It was open at his ode to La Valentinois: + + "Seray-je seul, vivant en France de vostre age, + Sans chanter vostre nom, si criant et si puissant? + Diray-je point l'honneur de vostre beau croissant? + Feray-je point pour vous quelque immortel ouvrage?" + + +So far I read, and then flung the book with its fulsome verses down on +the cushions. As I did this, I heard a little burst of laughter, +followed by the harsh, chuckling scream of a parrot, and then a voice: + +"Here! Vert-Vert! Here! To my shoulder!" + +I stepped back behind a pillar, the curtains covering a door leading +into an inner apartment were set aside, and La Valentinois entered, +bearing on her left shoulder a large green parrot, whose plumage she +caressed with her right hand. She was clad in a loose robe of some +soft, clinging material that shimmered like cloth of gold. It was +fastened at her throat by a jewelled star, and a golden zone clasped +her waist. Her abundant hair hung loose in black, curling masses, and +her little feet were thrust into gemmed and embroidered slippers. +Madame had apparently come forth in some haste I could see. + +"Orrain," she said, her face half turned from me, for she was looking +at her bird, "whatever brings you here? Is it anything from Sire +Grosse-Tête?" And then an exclamation broke from her, and she stopped +short, for she saw me. + +"You!" she said. "I thought it was the Vidame d'Orrain." + +"A mistake, madame, in announcing me, perhaps, which I regard as the +most fortunate in my life." And I bowed before her. + +So bad, so worthless was this woman, that she utterly mistook my speech. + +"True! Leila said Monsieur d'Orrain--but I thought it was your +brother." + +I made no answer, and she glanced at me, the colour rising to her +cheeks, and a smile on her lips, as she went on: + +"'Tis a thousand pities, Monsieur le Chevalier, that you have taken the +wrong side; and by rights I should strike that gong there and call my +guards, for you are dangerous, they say; but," and she sank +languorously down in the cushions, her pet now on her wrist, "'tis a +warm day, and I feel bored. Do I not, Vert-Vert? Perhaps monsieur +here will amuse me." And she stroked the feathers of the bird, and +bending down kissed it. + +"Madame," I began; but she glanced up, and stayed me with a laugh. + +"What a voice! As severe as my dear De Mouchy's when he delivers a +judgment; but, Chevalier, Leila, my Syrian maid, always tells me 'tis +easier to sit than to stand, and there is room on these +cushions--come!" And stretching out a shapely white arm she let it +rest on the amber-hued silk of the cushions by her side. + +As I gazed on the temptress lying at my feet the thought came to me to +slay her in her sin; and perhaps she saw the sombre light in my eyes, +and read my heart, for she drew her arm back swiftly, and half rose; +but mastering myself I gave her her chance. + +"Madame, I have come to beg your mercy----" + +"You!" And she sank back again on her cushions. + +"Yes, madame! I have come to ask for a life." + +"Not yours, surely? It never was Orrain's way." And she smiled. + +"Ay; it is my life ten times over, as well as another's; but you know +whom I mean, madame! She is innocent, and a word from you will save +her." + +"Oh, monsieur, you overrate my power! And this is not amusing. It is +too hot to talk of such things." + +"Madame, be merciful! Spare her! She never harmed you." + +"What!" And tossing the bird from her she rose to her feet, lithe as a +pantheress. So perfectly was she formed that one did not realise how +tall she was until she came near; and she was close enough to me now, +her eyes flashing with a hundred evil, angry lights. + +"She never harmed me? Never hurt me? She! That white-faced +provincial, with her airs of virtue, who tried to shame me in public! +Look you, I hate that woman! Do you hear? I hate her--hate her! If +by the lifting of my little finger I could save her, do you think I +would? Never! Let her die! And she shall die, as Philippine de Lune +did----" + +"Madame!" + +"And you!" she burst in, "insolent that you are!--you! who have dared +to come here! Think you that you will go free?" + +"Enough, madame! I no longer appeal to your pity." + +She had half turned from me, and made a step towards the gong as if to +strike it, but faced back like lightning, womanlike determined to have +the last word. + +"_Mon Dieu_! but this surpasses all." + +"Not in the least! I begged for your mercy at first; now I bring to +you the Queen's commands." + +She almost gasped, and then laughed out loudly. "The Queen's +commands--the commands of Madame Grosse-Tête to me! Ha! ha! ha! I +took you for an insolent fool; but you are mad, monsieur, mad!" + +For answer I held out to her one of her letters to De Ganache. + +"The Queen desires you to see this, madame. It is your own writing to +a man you have killed, body and soul--and there are many others like +this--so it would be useless to destroy it. Read it!" + +She stared at me for an instant in blank amaze, and then snatched the +paper from me, her face white, her hands trembling. One glance at it, +and she burst out: + +"This is a forgery! A base forgery!" And then I laughed, for there +would now be no mercy shown towards this she-wolf. + +"There is no forgery there! And there are other proofs. What think +you that your Syrian go-between will say when put to the question? +What of your glovemaker Camus, and the house in the Rue des +Lavandières? Madame, you are alone here but for a half score of your +archers and that fool Créquy. Think you that with such proofs in her +hand the Queen would hesitate even to arrest you?" + +"Arrest me!" she stammered. + +"Yes! There are charges enough. What think you that the +King--Monsieur Grosse-Tête as you call him--will say when he sees these +letters, and hears of the triangle, and learns that all France, and all +Europe, will know his shame, and of the infamous grant you cajoled him +into giving you?" + +She shivered and looked around her as I went on coldly: + +"Call your guards if you will; but I swear to you that if you do within +the hour you will fall so low that the very women of the Marais and the +Temple would pity you!" + +"My God!" And with a shudder she put her hands to her face, and the +letter fluttered down to the carpet. Stooping, I picked it up, and +continued: "The Queen, however, is more merciful than you, and even you +have your uses, madame, so that her Majesty will overlook your crimes, +upon a condition." And I stopped. + +For a space she stood in silence, her head bowed, and her face covered. +At last she slowly put down her hands, and looked at me. Such a look! + +"What is your condition?" + +"It is not mine. I begged for your pity, and you denied me. This is +the mercy of the Queen to you--the mercy of the woman you have wronged." + +"Enough of that! What are the terms? Am I to be kept here waiting for +ever?" + +"Simply that Mademoiselle de Paradis is restored to the Queen unhurt, +and fully pardoned, within twenty-four hours." + +She bit her under lip till her white teeth left a vivid mark on it as I +spoke, and then with an outbreak of wolfish fury: + +"I will not! I will not!" And she stamped her foot. "She shall +die--whatever happens--do you hear?" + +"Perfectly! And in half an hour, I promise you, you will be arrested, +and the story of your shame known to all. Do you think women like you +have an empire that lasts for ever? You should take a lesson from the +past, madame. Once the King's eyes are opened, and they will be in +twelve hours, you will stand alone. But you have made your choice, and +I will take your answer to the Queen." + +With that I bowed, and made for the door. Ere I had gone half the +length of the room, however, she called me back. + +"Stay!" + +I turned slowly, and faced her once more. + +"Is it any use? You have answered me." + +"No; I have not." Her voice was half strangled, and there were tears +of anger and mortification in her eyes. "No; I have not," she +repeated; and then gasped out: "I will do what you wish; but I want +those letters back." + +"That rests with the Queen. She makes no terms with you, and in that +you must throw yourself on her pity." + +With a low cry she suddenly flung herself down on the cushions, biting +at them in impotent fury with her strong white teeth and tearing at the +embroidery with her fingers. It was the fury of despair. It was the +senseless rage of an animal, and I stood and watched, feeling that a +desperate game was won, and almost pitying her, murderess, and worse, +though she was. + +After a while she looked up at me, her face haggard, her eyes livid. + +"Have you no pity?" she moaned. "Are you made of steel?" + +"Come, madame! I await your answer, and time presses." + +She gave me a deadly glance, and rose slowly, clasping and unclasping +he hands convulsively. At last she said: + +"Very well. You shall have the pardon." + +"In that case, madame, I am to say that your papers will be returned to +you." + +"Enough!" And with another burst of anger: "And now go--begone!" + +"A moment!" And stepping towards the gong I struck it lightly with the +hammer. Almost on the stroke the door opened, and Créquy appeared, his +eyes staring with astonishment as he glanced from the one to the other +of us. + +"Monsieur de Créquy," I said, "madame has received ill news, and it is +necessary for her to see the King at once. Madame will start for +Fontainebleau in an hour--that will suit you, madame?" And I turned to +La Valentinois. + +"Yes." + +"You will kindly make the necessary arrangements at once, monsieur--and +the Queen's guards will supply the escort. Monsieur de Lorgnac and I +accompany madame." + +And with that I left them, Créquy staring after me in open-mouthed +amaze. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +FONTAINEBLEAU + +"Where are we? Will this road never end?" + +The voice of La Valentinois cut sharply into the warm, moonlit night; +and De Lorgnac, who was standing near the window of the coach, answered: + +"We are at the end of the plain of La Brie, madame, and have stopped to +change your horses and breathe ours." + +From over his shoulder I caught a glimpse of a beautiful, sullen face, +and La Valentinois sank back again amongst her cushions, where we left +her to her thoughts--such thoughts they must have been! + +It was the first time she had spoken since we left the Louvre, whilst +all the bells of Paris were chiming vespers. She had uttered never a +word of protest, even when her Syrian was prevented from accompanying +her, with the meaning order: "By the Queen's command!" and through the +hours, as the coach, drawn by four horses at a gallop, jolted and swung +over the weary road, she lay back, still as a stone, her eyes closed as +if she slept. + +Now and again as I rode by her window I had glanced into the coach; but +never was there any change in her position, and it was only when we +halted at the post-house that her pent-up fury broke out into an angry +question, to relapse at once into an air of frozen indifference. + +The escort had dismounted, and stood with their horses in two dark +groups in the front and in the rear of the coach. There was hurry and +stir in the post-house at the unexpected coming of the great Duchess; +and De Lorgnac and I, having given our horses to a trooper to hold, +paced slowly together to and fro, now and again exchanging a word. + +Suddenly, almost in answer to the thoughts that moved me, he stopped, +and putting a hand to my shoulder, said: + +"Look you, Orrain! The game is not yet won. She has a last card." + +"I feel that. It is what I think." + +"If she plays on the King's madness for her she may win all, +unless----" And he put down his hand, and hesitated. + +"Unless what?" + +"The gossip is true that the King bitterly regrets the infamous grant +he made to her, and would give his right hand to escape from his word." + +"Le Brusquet is certain of it. He was there when the grant was made, +if you remember." + +"In that case there is but one course open to her, and she will take +it. She will, as if of her own accord, surrender the grant, after +getting the pardon of Mademoiselle de Paradis. Thus, though balked at +present, she will retain her hold on the King, and wait for another +day." + +"I care not what she does so long as mademoiselle is saved." + +"The horses are ready, messieurs." It was Pierrebon, whom I had +ordered to accompany me, who broke in upon our talk, and five minutes +later we were once more upon our way, the still figure within the coach +immovable and silent as ever. + +All through the night we rode, and at last, when the moon sank and the +darkness that precedes the dawn came, we clattered through the narrow +streets of Bois-le-Roi, and entered the forest of Fontainebleau. + +In a moment the clear, cloudless sky, in which a stray star or so yet +lingered, as if awaiting the day, vanished from our view, and we +plunged into an endless avenue of mighty trees, the overarching +branches forming an arcade above us. As we swept into the shadow the +lamps of the coach threw the gnarled trunks into fantastic shapes, that +seemed to live and move. It was as if we raced between two rows of +grisly phantoms, things of air, that vainly reached forth long, +writhing arms to stay us, only to sink back and dissolve into the gloom +as we sped past. + +After a while we came upon more open ground, now and again passing the +fires of a beater's camp, and then, on rounding a turn, we saw rising +before us the vast irregular outlines of the Chateau. Ten minutes +later the coach swung through the gates, and, white with foam and dust, +the horses were pulled up before the Horseshoe Stair. It was not yet +dawn; but lights were glittering everywhere, and the Chateau was +already astir, for the King never spared himself, or others, at the +chase. Indeed, that and a tourney were the only two things which ever +moved his dull spirit to action. Our coming was a complete surprise; +but the broad steps of the stairway were already crowded, and soon a +murmuring, curious throng had gathered about the coach. + +I myself opened the door, and as I offered La Valentinois my arm to +assist her to alight I said in a low voice: + +"We cannot give you much time, madame. It must be before the King +starts." + +Her eyes flashed defiantly, but she made no answer, and, declining my +proffered aid, stepped out lightly. She stood for a moment on the +lowest step of the stair, a tall, hooded figure, the lights of the +torches playing on her, and all bowing respectfully; and then De +Lorgnac called out in a loud voice: + +"Madame would see his Majesty the King!" + +Almost on his words a lean shadow came running down the steps towards +us. By the lights of the torches flickering through the grey of the +morning I saw it was Simon of Orrain himself. La Valentinois saw him +too, and stood motionless until he came up to her. Simon's eyes blazed +with a hundred unasked questions, but he merely said: + +"His Majesty has just heard of your return, madame, and is overjoyed. +It will be a great hunt to-day. Permit me!" And then he caught sight +of me, and started back, his half-outstretched arm falling to his side, +his lips curled back in a snarl. + +"You keep madame waiting, Monsieur le Vidame," I said, "and her +business is of vital import." + +He was about to answer when La Valentinois placed her hand on his arm, +and muttering something under his breath, Simon turned and led her up +the stairway, all bowing as though she were the Queen. Whilst the two +went up, they began to talk in low, hurried tones, and twice Simon +looked back at me, the hate of a devil in his glance. Most of those +present followed them; but there still remained many who crowded around +us buzzing with questions; but we put them aside, saying we were weary, +and needed rest. + +As the red dawn came I found myself seated on a wooden bench near my +horse's stable wondering, fearing, and hoping. The escort had been +dismissed by De Lorgnac, with orders to return to Paris under M. de +Tolendal, as soon as the horses were rested, and De Lorgnac himself had +gone off somewhere. So two hours must have passed, and it seemed to me +that the movement in the courtyards and in the Chateau grew less and +less. Presently half a dozen huntsmen, leading their hounds, passed +close to me, talking in loud and aggrieved tones. + +"_Mille diables_!" exclaimed one. "To think it is all off!" + +"Never have I known the like!" said another. + +"What has happened, my friends?" I asked; and the first speaker replied: + +"The hunt is put off, monsieur. Put off, after we had marked down the +largest and fiercest boar in France! As high as that!" And he held +his palm out almost on a level with his breast. + +"Ay; and as grey as my beard," put in another, a little, shrivelled old +man. "He has the devil on his side, that boar. Five times has he +escaped. Three of my best hounds has he slain. For a whole week have +I tracked him through the Dormoir, and now that we have him safe in his +lair in the Gorges d'Apremont--the King does not hunt! He has the +devil on his side, I say!" + +"Way! Way for Monsieur le Vidame's horse!" called out a strident +voice, and a groom came up, leading a big white horse ready saddled. +The huntsmen moved aside, and the groom led the horse towards the +Chateau; but ere he had gone ten steps Simon himself appeared hastening +towards him. + +Simon was still in his hunting suit of close-fitting dark green, a +short cloak thrown over his shoulder, and long boots that reached to +his thighs. His sword was slung scabbardless to his side, and he wore +a baret on his head, with a single cock's feather in it, underneath +which his pale face looked like that of a corpse. + +As he came forward hastily towards his horse, his shoulders bent, and +his wolf's eyes fixed before him, there was that in his air which was +ominous of danger, and, springing to my feet, I drew my sword and +stepped towards him. He saw me too, and came up like a truculent dog. +We both reached the horse almost at the same time, and I fully expected +him to draw on me at once; but stopping, he said: + +"You seem to forget, brother, that the edict applies to Fontainebleau +as well as the Louvre." + +"Not in the least; but one is allowed to kill vermin in the forest." + +He glanced at me in speechless, blue-lipped rage. Twice his hand +sought the hilt of his sword, and twice he drew it back. But that I +knew him utterly fearless I might have thought his heart had failed him +as he stood before me, the veins swollen on his forehead, and his +fingers twitching convulsively. At last he found voice, and, laughing +harshly, said: + +"Not now; give me twenty-four hours, brother, and then as you wish, or, +rather, whether you wish or not." + +"So be it," I answered, and he laughed again, bitter, mirthless +laughter, and reached out for the reins of his horse; but ere he +mounted he turned once more on me, another gust of anger shaking his +frame. + +"Look you! You think you have beaten me because you have beaten that +black-eyed strumpet who bewitches the King. I tell you I hold her in +the hollow of my hand, and she cannot buy from me what she has bought +from you. As for you, you have stood in my way long enough; never +again shall it be. Fool! think you I cannot read your soul? Think you +I will let you win the prize I should have won? I promise you that, in +these twenty-four hours, which will make you long for death--I, Simon +of Orrain, swear it!" + +With this he swung round, and, springing into the saddle, went off at a +gallop, leaving me staring after him, wondering what devilry lay behind +his words. I watched him till he rounded the elbow of the wood that +lay without the gates, and then, sheathing my sword, went slowly +towards the Horseshoe Stair. + +Under other circumstances I should have looked with wonder and +admiration on the magnificent pile that the splendour of the late King +had erected on the old-time fortress of Louis VII, but, as it was, I +paced up and down the Cour du Cheval Blanc, gazing at the wide stairway +and the silent walls, every minute that passed seeming an hour to me in +my impatience. At last I saw a figure at the head of the Horseshoe. +It was De Lorgnac, and he beckoned to me. In a moment I was by his +side. + +"Have you heard anything?" I asked. + +"Nothing." + +"She has had three hours." And I pointed to the sun. + +"You must give her time. It will be sufficient if we hear by noon." + +Then I told him of Simon and his strange departure, and whilst we spoke +together Carnavalet, one of the chamberlains, appeared, and walked +leisurely up to us. + +"Messieurs," he said, "you are wanted. Have the goodness to follow me." + +The Galerie de Cerfs, into which Carnavalet took us, was all that +remained in the modern Chateau of the old hunting-lodge and fortress of +the Kings of France, and, despite the trophies of the chase and +tapestries that hung to its walls, it still retained the grim and +forbidding aspect of the past. + +It was used as an ante-room, not only to the King's apartments but to +the council chamber, and was crowded when we entered. Placing us near +a pillar Carnavalet bade us wait until he returned, and threading his +way through the press passed through a door at the extreme end of the +gallery that led to the private apartments of the King. + +Many and curious were the glances cast at us as we stood there, +dust-begrimed and travel-stained; and a number of those whom we had put +off in the early morning swarmed round us again with their endless +questions, which we were hard pressed to parry. + +Almost beside us was another door, opening into the council chamber, +and interest seemed to be divided between us and what was passing +there. It was clear that something of importance was in the air, for +secretaries came out and went in with quick, rapid steps, and bundles +of documents under their arms, and every now and again a messenger +would hurry forth, and we could hear the clattering of his horse's +hoofs as he galloped away. + +De Lorges, the captain of the Archer Guard, joined us just as one of +the express riders hurried past. + +"I wager a hundred pistoles against a flask of Joué that means an end +of the Spanish peace," he said, with a laugh, and rubbing his hands +together. "I am sick of these rusting times. They say that Coligny +has attacked Douai already. Ah! here he comes!" + +He turned as he spoke towards the entrance of the gallery, and at once +the subdued hum of voices stilled to silence, and the crowd of gaily +clad courtiers parted, making way with low bows for someone who had +just entered. For a second I thought it was the King himself; but a +look showed me not the King but the stern figure of the Constable of +France. + +Montmorenci walked up the gallery, glancing to the right and left of +him from under his bushy white brows, now and then returning a +salutation. He was in complete mail, all except his helmet, which was +borne by a page behind him, and his sinister appearance accorded well +with his terrible fame. He was of middle height, with broad and +prominent shoulders, and hair as white as snow. His face, tanned to a +dark brown by constant exposure, was stern, and yet sad, with fierce, +bloodshot eyes set far back in his head, and the grimness of his +countenance was enhanced by the two projecting teeth which stuck out +from his lower jaw like a boar's tusks. + +He came forward slowly, bearing himself with princely dignity, and when +he got near to us he stopped, and addressing Lorgnac, whom he knew, +inquired: + +"From Douai?" + +"No, monseigneur; from Paris." + +"I must ask the Queen to spare me her hard riders," replied +Montmorenci, with a grim smile, as he pointed at our dust-soiled +apparel, and passed on into the council room. + +"It is war, as sure as I stand here," exclaimed De Lorges; and at once +a hubbub of voices arose, in the midst of which Carnavalet appeared, +and beckoned to us. It took us a little time to reach him, but on our +doing so he passed us through the door at once, entering with us, and +closing it after him. Then pointing to the curtains before him, he +said: + +"The King awaits you there, messieurs. Enter!" + +So tremendous was the issue for me that now that the crisis had come I +felt for the moment almost unable to move. But De Lorgnac gripped me +by the arm. + +"Come," he said; "we either win or lose all in the next five minutes. +Come!" + +With this he set aside the curtains, and we passed through. + +There were but three persons in the room we entered. The King was +standing, a hand resting on the back of the chair in which La +Valentinois sat, as radiantly lovely as though all the fatigues of the +night had never been. A little behind them was Bertrandi, the keeper +of the seals, a lean, ascetic figure, holding a paper in his hands, and +eyeing us with a vulpine curiosity. Somewhat to my surprise the King +received us graciously, saying: + +"_Eh bien_, messieurs, you have served madame here well, and in doing +so have served me. Have they not, Diane?" And he began toying with +the black curls of her hair. La Valentinois looked up at him, a world +of tenderness in her glance, but made no reply, and we remained silent, +struck dumb by the infinite resource of her audacity. Evil as she was +it was impossible not to admire her courage; and, as De Lorgnac had +rightly foreseen, she had played a great game, but even we were far +from guessing the extent to which her duplicity would carry her. + +"Messieurs," the King went on, "madame has joined her entreaty to that +of the Queen for the life of Mademoiselle de Paradis, and very +willingly and from my heart have I signed this pardon." With this he +took the paper Bertrandi held and placed it in Diane's hands. + +"I give this to you, _mignonne_," he said, "for from you comes the +mercy of France. Give it to these gentlemen to bear to the Queen; and +for the present I must leave you for an hour, for the council awaits +me. Come, Bertrandi." With these bald words, delivered in a stilted +fashion, his voice only warming as he bade _au revoir_ to La +Valentinois, the King left us, followed by Bertrandi. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +THE PEARS OF ORRAIN + +As the curtains fell behind the King all the soft lights left La +Valentinois' eyes, and they shone like blue-black steel. She glanced +at us, an odd triumph in her look. So intensely an actress was she +that it almost seemed, and perhaps it was so, that she was looking at +us for some sign, some token of admiration at the skill with which she +had played her game, but both De Lorgnac and myself remained impassive +as stone. + +"Here," she said at last, "here is my part of the bargain." And, +handing me the paper, she continued: "I presume it is correct?" +Eagerly I ran my eyes over it, De Lorgnac bending over my shoulder and +reading with me. It was correct in every particular, signed by the +King, and sealed by Bertrandi. As I folded the pardon up, with an +inward prayer of thanks to God, La Valentinois asked again: + +"It is correct, is it not?" + +"Perfectly, madame." + +"Now for your, or rather the Queen's share, of this business. Give me +my letters!" + +I looked her straight in the face. "Pardon me, madame, Mademoiselle de +Paradis is not yet free----" + +"What do you mean? You quibble with words, monsieur." Her lips were +trembling, and her hands clenched; but, bowing coldly, I said: + +"No, madame, I do not quibble with words. Your letters are in Paris, +and will be given to you only when Mademoiselle de Paradis is placed, +unharmed and free, in her Majesty's hands. That is the bargain, as you +call it, and it will be kept to the letter." With this I placed the +precious document in my breast pocket, and, making a sign to De +Lorgnac, turned to go; but with a cry La Valentinois sprang to her feet. + +"You lie!" she said shrilly; "you lie! Give me my letters, or----" +And words failed her for once as she stood there, with such fear and +baffled hate in her look as I have never seen in human eyes. + +"No, madame," I said, "I do not lie, and threats are useless. If this +pardon is recalled," and I touched my breast pocket, "the consequences +rest with you--and you know what they will be." + +"There is no need for alarm," put in De Lorgnac. "I pledge my word to +deliver you the letters as soon as the conditions are complete." + +She glanced from the one to the other of us, and set her white teeth. + +"To be beaten!" she gasped rather than spoke. "To be beaten!--and by +that Italian woman!" + +"Look you, madame!" I said sternly, for doubts were crowding thick and +fast upon me. "If you have played false--if there is any treachery or +trickery here--it is ruin to you, and no power in France can save you." + +She gave me a single, livid glance, and then her courage broke, and +burying her face in her hands she stood shaking like an aspen. + +De Lorgnac and I looked at each other, the same thought with us, and +then on a sudden the wretched woman made a step forward and clutched me +by the arm, her face like death, her breath coming thick and fast. + +"It is not my fault," she gasped, "but he--the Vidame. Messieurs, if +Mademoiselle de Paradis is to be saved, if I am to be saved, you must +be in Paris ere the sun sets." + +"You mean?" I said hoarsely. + +"I mean that mademoiselle will die if the Vidame reaches Paris, and I +shall be lost!" And with this she flung herself back in her chair, and +began rocking herself backwards and forwards like a thing distraught, +muttering to herself: "I shall be lost! I shall be lost!" + +Her devilish cunning had overreached itself, and she sat there a +pitiable object, with the ruin she had herself caused around her. I +gave her one look, and turned to De Lorgnac. + +"There is just time. We may just do it. Come!" + +And leaving the miserable woman with her sin we hurried from the room. + +I will not stop to tell, indeed I never knew, how we pushed through the +crowds in the waiting-rooms and gained the outer courts; but ten +minutes later De Lorgnac and I, with Pierrebon at our heels, were +galloping on the Paris road, hoping almost against hope, for Simon had +nearly two hours' start of us, and our horses had been ridden far and +fast. Nevertheless, the stout heart of Lizette never flinched, and +Cartouche, De Lorgnac's great grey, raced bravely by her side. We rode +in silence, exchanging no speech, though now and again we uttered a +word of encouragement to our horses. Crossing the bridge of Melun +Pierrebon's nag failed him, and we lost him for the time. At the +little village of Cesson we drew rein to breathe our horses, and here +we had news of Simon. He had passed about an hour ago, riding easily +in the direction of Lieusaint, and keeping to the high road. At last +we were off once more, and leaving the plain of La Brie entered the +hilly country that sloped downwards to the valley of the Yères, and on +pulling up for a moment on the crest of a hill that lay to the +northwest of Lieusaint we got a glimpse of Simon. It was De Lorgnac +who saw him first. + +"There!" he said, pointing before him into the valley. And craning +forward I looked too, and saw far in the distance a white speck--a mere +speck--moving rapidly on the cross road to Montgeron, and then we lost +him behind a line of trees. + +"He is cutting off the angle!" I exclaimed. "Quick!" And I put +Lizette down the slope; but De Lorgnac called out after me: "He is lost +if he does that--he will meet the marsh of Brunoy, and must come +back--keep to the road!" + +And, ding, dong, we galloped on the white track, white with dust +ourselves, our gallant horses kept up by their own matchless courage, +and by that alone. + +"He must turn back from the marsh, and we get him at Villaneuve," +shouted De Lorgnac to me as we hammered along, pointing as he spoke to +the wooded height that rose to our front above the willow-fringed +Yères. But he little knew Simon of Orrain. I made no reply; and +leaning forward in the saddle stroked the foam-wet neck that reached +out before me, and felt Lizette answer to my touch, as though she knew +that life and death lay in her speed. + +As we raced on I watched the plain to our left, where Simon had +vanished, with hot eyes that reached everywhere--eyes that missed +nothing. But he was not to be seen, and hope began to spring up within +me that we had beaten him. I shook up the reins, and urged Lizette on +faster; but the brave heart was doing her best. + +It was impossible that this could last, and as we galloped into +Montgeron I felt Lizette falter under me, and an oath broke from De +Lorgnac, for Cartouche had lost a shoe. + +"We must get fresh horses here at any cost," I said as we pulled up at +the door of a small auberge, the only inn the village possessed; but +the wealth of Croesus would have been useless here, for other horses +were not procurable. And so, whilst Cartouche was being shod, we +off-saddled, giving the horses a drink of milk, and getting them rubbed +down hastily. Whilst this was going on we stood, moody and dejected, +surrounded by a group of yokels, the keeper of the auberge fussing near +us. After a time, more to ease my impatience than aught else, I +inquired if anyone had seen a man, mounted on a white horse, pass this +way, and offered five crowns for the information. The landlord shook +his head ruefully, for five crowns were five crowns; but a +rough-looking fellow, apparently a fowler, stepped out of the group +around us and claimed the reward. + +"Ay," he said; "I have seen and spoken with him. He was dressed in +hunting green, and crossed the marsh a half-hour ago." + +"But there is no way!" + +"So he thought too; and it cost him five crowns to find it, for I +showed it to him. He is beyond Villaneuve now; but his horse is worn, +and, monsieur," he went on with a grin, "I will take those five crowns +from you. St. Siege! But this is the red day of my life!" + +I paid him in silence, and Cartouche being reshod by this we pressed +forward once more; but hope had almost gone from me, and De Lorgnac's +set face was more expressive than any words. It was well on in the +afternoon when we saw the houses of Charenton, and but a league and a +half before us lay Paris, silhouetted in purple and grey against the +sky. We were trotting round the elbow of the wood that fringed the +banks of the Maren when we came suddenly on our man. He was seated on +the wall of the bridge, holding the reins of his horse in his hands; +and he saw us too, for we were scarce a hundred paces off. He was away +like a flash, looking but once behind him as he drove his spurs home, +and raced for Paris. + +De Lorgnac gave a great cry, and neck and neck we followed him. If +ever man knew his peril, Simon did. Against one he would have fought +like a wolf; but against two the odds were hopeless, and with the rage +of a wolf in his heart he fled, taking to the country away from the +road in the hope of shaking us off. + +As for me, I felt the hot blood throbbing in my temples, and all seemed +dark around me, except there where that bowed figure on the white horse +raced in front, carrying death in his hands, death for her who was to +me more than life. Lizette seemed to know it too, and stretched +beneath me like a greyhound; but I heard the sobbing breath that told +me of a beaten horse. Foot by foot De Lorgnac drew from me, the great +grey going like a stag; but still Simon held the front, and we gained +not a yard on him. Already we could see the Porte St. Michel lying +open before us; and now Simon looked back once more, and pointed at the +gate, laughing in triumph as he did so. It was then that my gallant +Lizette made a supreme effort. It seemed as if in two strides she had +caught up the grey and passed him; only to falter as she did so; then +there was a long stagger, and down she came. + +By God's providence I was able to regain my feet almost as I fell. De +Lorgnac had pulled up beside me; but pointing to Simon, who had now +passed the gate, I called out: "Follow him; do not lose sight of him!" + +With a nod he galloped on, and casting one look to the side of the road +where all that remained of my brave Lizette lay, I hurried after the +two. + +The gates were not two hundred paces from me; and, sword in hand, as I +ran towards them someone came trotting up to me. I thought he was +riding at me, and had all but slashed his mount across the face, when +he pulled up, and I saw it was Le Brusquet on his mule. + +"Hold!" he cried; "it is I. He cannot escape. De Lorgnac is on his +heels, and I have set the mob after him with a hue and cry." With this +he jumped from his mule and hastened on by my side, the mule trotting +after us. + +I made no answer, said nothing, until we reached the gates, where an +excited crowd had collected, and then I asked: "Which way?" + +"Do you not hear them shouting?" And Le Brusquet pointed to a crowd +running up the Rue de la Harpe. "Come!" And side by side we ran on. +Panting as he ran by me, Le Brusquet gasped out: "Mademoiselle is +confined in De Mouchy's house. It is there the Vidame must go for +safety with this mob at his heels. Hark! Hear them!" + +And shrill and high we heard the cries, "Assassin! Assassin! _Tue_! +_Tue_!" + +Le Brusquet chuckled. "It was a happy thought to set the mob on him, +and a happier thought still to pass my day at the gate." Still I made +no answer, but ran on with my teeth set. The mob swung round by the +Mathurins, and, forcing my way round the corner of the road, I saw they +were led by a madman, shouting, yelling, and muttering fearful +imprecations. + +Using all my strength I headed the mob at last, only to find the madman +by my side. He glared at me for an instant, and then screamed out: + +"You too! You too, friend! Then we shall both see him die." And +bursting into a horrid laugh he clawed at me with his hands. I thrust +him back, and it was only in doing so that the light of a sudden +recognition came to me. The miserable, frenzied being was none other +than De Ganache. God help him! + +With another look of pity and horror I ran on; but fast as I went he +kept by me, and side by side we two led the crowd that howled after us +in pitiless rage. + +We could see nothing of either Simon or De Lorgnac; but we did not want +for guides. A hundred fingers pointed out their course at every street +corner, and at last a white horse, riderless, and the reins trailing +loosely, came galloping out of a by-street; and a roar went up: + +"He is down! he is down! In the Passage of Pity!" + +With a yell the madman flashed past me, and hot foot on his heels we +crowded into the narrow street; but, save for a big grey horse +standing, with hanging head and heaving flanks, near the dark archway +at the head of the passage, it was empty. A howl of disappointment +rose behind me, and the mob halted and swayed irresolutely; but I felt +that the end was come, and ran on. Followed by Le Brusquet I passed +the archway, and there in the dark, vaulted passage, with his back to +the door of De Mouchy's house, stood Simon of Orrain, at bay at last! +De Lorgnac had been too quick for him, and had forced him to fight at +the very entrance of his lair. Covered with the dust of his reckless +ride, his gay hunting dress torn and soiled, bareheaded, and with the +blood streaming from a wound in his face, where De Lorgnac had touched +him, Simon stood, despair and hate in his look. Yet he fought fiercely +for his life; but he had met his equal with the sword, and, doing his +worst, could but hold on the defence and no more. He saw us as we +came. He saw too the hundred faces of the mob--the mob he had once +himself led to a deed of shame--glaring, shouting, and yelling at him +through the open archway, though not one dared to pass the entrance. +Escape was hopeless, and his pale face grew paler still, as with an +oath he wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand, and +screamed out to De Lorgnac: + +"Stand aside, man! I have no quarrel with you! Stand back, or----" +But the thrust he made was parried with a wrist as sure as his own, and +it was only his own rare skill of fence that saved him from the riposte. + +After all, he was blood of my blood, and it was not my hand that should +slay him. The thought came to me sudden and insistent, as I put my +blade beside that of De Lorgnac, and covering him with my point, saw +the grey despair in his eyes. + +"Simon," I called out, "put down your sword. I promise your life!" + +He spat at me in his fury, the fury of a beast, and I was a lost man if +De Lorgnac had not stayed his hand. + +"God!" he burst out, "if there were only you!" + +At my look--a glance that almost cost me my life--De Lorgnac stepped +back, lowering his point, and our swords crossed. Again parrying a +thrust, I once more offered Simon his life, only to meet with the same +refusal. There was no help for it! A life stood on the issue, to +which his was nothing to me, and setting my teeth I made at him. The +fury of my attack almost lost me the game, and I heard Le Brusquet's +low warning: + +"Have a care. Remember!" + +Suddenly Simon, who had gained a slight advantage, called out: "I +accept. I have lost." And he half raised his blade. I gave back, +lowering my point as I did so, and at that moment the door opened, and +with a laugh Simon sprang back, and vanished from our sight. + +So quick, so instant was his retreat, that for a second I hardly +realised it. But someone else had. All unnoticed by us De Ganache had +been crouching in the shadow of the vaulted passage watching the +struggle and gibbering to himself--the only one of the mob who had +dared to venture so far. Perhaps he had been waiting for his chance +against the man who had destroyed his life, and had chosen the very +moment of Simon's flight for his revenge. Who knows? But as Simon +slipped back he sprang forward, something shining in his hand, and +flung himself desperately against the door ere it could be closed. The +moment's delay he caused was our chance, and rushing forward we too +added our weight to that of the maniac. + +In an instant the door gave way, and we dashed in, the madman first, +striking to the right and left of him with a poniard. It is difficult, +almost impossible, to describe what followed. All that I know is that +I stumbled over someone who had fallen, and as I rose to my feet I +caught a glimpse of De Mouchy flying up the stair, Le Brusquet at his +heels, and realised at the same instant that Simon was on me, death in +his eyes. + +Nothing could have saved me then, but that a stronger hand than that of +man was stretched forth to claim its own vengeance. As Simon's arm was +lifted the figure over which I had fallen raised itself to its knees +and, clasping the Vidame round the waist, buried a knife in his side. + +With a fearful cry Simon shortened his sword and stabbed back in his +turn; but De Ganache, for it was he, uttered no sound, and with a last +effort, rising to his feet, struck Simon once more, this time to the +heart. And they both fell sideways, the madman's hand still clenching +the haft of the poniard in his death-grip. + +It was over in a hand-turn, and the two who had died so terribly +together had taken their quarrel with them to the last judgment seat. +Simon's face I could not see; but as I bent over the two I saw in the +glazing eyes of De Ganache the light of an unutterable hate--a hate +that, mayhap, was carried beyond the grave. + +"Orrain! Orrain!" + +Twice the cry rang out--Le Brusquet's voice--and pushing my way past +the mob that had already swarmed in and begun to sack and pillage I ran +up the stair. At the head stood Le Brusquet, and huddled in a corner +near a door was De Mouchy, with a white, fear-stricken face and +chattering teeth, and De Lorgnac's sword at his heart. + +Numbers had followed me, and at the sight of De Mouchy a roar went +forth that was taken up by those below. + +"Give us the judge! Give us De Mouchy!" + +Let it be remembered, that amongst those who cried for him to be thrown +to them were many who had suffered, or seen their dearest suffer, +hideous torture at his hands. Revenge, and such revenge as this, was +never dreamed of, never hoped for by them, and now that chance had +placed it within their reach they were almost mad for it. Shouting, +struggling, and raging they crowded the stair. A moment more, and De +Mouchy was lost; but it was then that Le Brusquet stayed them with a +jest, a grim jest that tickled their fancy, and arrested their +outstretched hands for a yet sweeter vengeance. + +"A moment, my children!" he called out, barring the way at the head of +the stair; "one moment! We have a little business with monsieur here, +and after that you can make this house another Chambre Ardente if you +will." + +They laughed and cheered him in their fickle mood, and as De Mouchy +heard too some choking words escaped from his blue lips, and he made a +forward movement, but at the sight of me he shrank back again, terror +and despair on his face, and, grovelling on the floor, wept for his +life. + +This fiend, who had never shown mercy, now that his own time was come, +pleaded abjectly, pleaded with tears and miserable cries for the life +he had forfeited ten times over, and each frenzied appeal he made was +answered with mocking laughter by those who, crowded on the stair, were +waiting with patience, deadly patience, for the time when he would be +their very own. + +I raised him to his feet, and in a few quick words asked him for +mademoiselle. He could not speak, but pointed to the door at his side. +It was closed, not locked, and, pushing it open, I dragged him through +after me. A cry of anger rose from those on the stair, who feared +their prey would escape, and, despite Le Brusquet's appeals, they were +no longer to be restrained. With a rush they bore back both Le +Brusquet and De Lorgnac, but keeping themselves between me and the +foremost of those who followed us, with alternate threats and appeals, +my brave friends enabled me to make headway. Down we went, along a +narrow passage, at one end of which was a door. + +"There!" gasped De Mouchy. "Quick!" + +Twice I put my shoulder to it, but in vain; and De Mouchy shrieked with +terror, for the mob was scarce ten feet from us, filling the passage. +But still De Lorgnac and Le Brusquet held them back at the sword's +point, and the way was so narrow that not more than three could stand +abreast therein. + +"Stand back!" I heard Le Brusquet cry; "we are freeing a prisoner!" + +"Give us De Mouchy!" they howled, and then the foremost three made a +dash forward. There was a smothered cry, and the leader, an +evil-looking villain, lurched forward on to his face. Back they fell +at this, for they were unarmed, and we got a moment's respite. + +Again and again I put myself at the door, and at last it crashed open. +As I rushed in I saw a kneeling figure before me. One glance, and I +called out: + +"Diane! It is I--Orrain!" + +As she rose to her feet with a cry I put my arms around her to support +her, and then the brave heart gave way, and she began to sob on my +shoulder. So for a space we stood, and even the savage mob stayed +their course, and halted, peering at us across the two bright swords +that still held the passage. + +It was now that De Mouchy made a last bid for life. In the momentary +respite he had from pursuit, as the mob halted, he slunk to the +farthest end of the room, and stood there, looking at us, with his back +to the wainscoting, his hands resting against it, and moving nervously, +as though he searched for something. Already those at the far end of +the passage were getting impatient, and angry cries began once more to +arise. As I put my arm round Diane to help her away we heard a click. +A door concealed in the wainscoting flew open, disclosing a dark +passage, into which De Mouchy dived, and vanished in a flash. But his +enemies were not to be denied; and this time no effort of De Lorgnac or +Le Brusquet could stay them. In his flight, whether overcome by fear, +or whether it were otherwise impossible, I cannot say, but De Mouchy +neglected to lock the secret door behind him. The mob, blood mad, and +now utterly out of hand, filled the room, and rushed after him. For a +space we ourselves were hemmed in, so that it was impossible to move, +and it was whilst we stood thus that there came a frightful shriek of +agony from the dark passage, and then the distant sound of struggling, +and again a shriek. God, and they who were there, alone knew what +happened; but as the mob swept through the room and into the dark +opening that was before them the way became clear, and we passed into +the street. + +Cartouche was still there, standing where De Lorgnac had left him. At +a word from De Lorgnac I lifted mademoiselle into the saddle--though +wearied the great grey was well able to bear so light a burden--and +holding her there we made our way with all the speed we could out of +the Passage of Pity, Le Brusquet holding the horse. + +When we reached the river face Le Brusquet turned back and pointed to +the sky. There were dark clouds of smoke rolling over the Mathurins. + +"_Eh bien_," he said, "there is the expiation of Dom Antoine de Mouchy!" + +A half-hour later we were in the Louvre, and I had surrendered my +charge to the Queen. + + * * * * * * + +About a month after the events I have just described I received the +Queen's commands to attend her at St. Germain-en-Laye, and that very +evening rode through the gates of the Vieux Chateau. + +From the time that I had placed mademoiselle in safety in Catherine's +hands, with the aid of the two best friends man ever had, I had not +seen her. She had been ill, but was now recovered, and when I received +the Queen's message, I hoped that, perhaps, Fortune would give me a +chance to say farewell to Diane ere I departed for Italy to join +Montluc. + +The Spanish war had broken out, and De Lorgnac was in the field at +Marienbourg. Le Brusquet had gone, none knew whither--perchance to see +the pears of Besmé--and as for me, I felt it was time to be up and +stirring. Things had changed with me, for I was now the Vidame +d'Orrain, and I might hope and dream again. Moved by these thoughts I +rode into the palace gates, followed by Pierrebon, and Monsieur de +Tolendal, who was in waiting, at once took me to the Queen. + +I found Catherine surrounded by her ladies, but though my eyes searched +here, there, and everywhere I could not see the face I longed to see. +The Queen engaged me for a few moments in desultory talk, and then at a +sign from her we were left alone together. + +"Monsieur le Vidame," she said, "is it true that you leave for Italy in +a few days?" + +I bowed in silence. + +"And you are resolved?" + +"Madame!" + +"In that case, perhaps, it is needless for me to say what I intended; +but, as a matter of fact, I have a government I would willingly +surrender, and thought of offering it to you." + +"Madame!" I began; but she cut in upon my words. + +"Take a moment to consider, monsieur! Go into the next room, through +that curtain there, and think over it for five minutes. Then come back +and tell me. Go!" + +For a second I stared at her, and then did as I was bidden. As I +stepped in a figure rose from a seat near the window, and I heard +Diane's voice: + +"Orrain, you have come to see me at last!" + +And then what followed concerns not anyone. I know not how long we +were there, talking, planning, and dreaming; but suddenly the curtains +lifted, and Catherine stood before us. + +"Monsieur d'Orrain," she said, "I await my answer." + +And then she burst out laughing. + +There is but a word more to add, and my story ends. We were married +the following week, for that was the Queen's wish, and then my wife and +I said farewell to Paris and the Court for ever. As we rode one +evening on our way to Orrain, round the elbow of the pine-clad hill of +St. Hugo, and the towers of the Chateau came in sight, I told my wife +of my dream, and then we were aware of a figure galloping up the +leaf-strewn road towards us. It was Le Brusquet on his mule. + +"_Eh bien_!" he said as he kissed my wife's hand. "And I am the first +to welcome you home, after all! Orrain, _mon ami_, I have seen your +pears. They are finer than mine--I swear it!" + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORRAIN*** + + +******* This file should be named 20192-8.txt or 20192-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/9/20192 + + + +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: Orrain + A Romance + + +Author: S. Levett-Yeats + + + +Release Date: December 26, 2006 [eBook #20192] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORRAIN*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +ORRAIN + +A Romance + +by + +S. LEVETT-YEATS + +Author of +"The Lord Protector," "The Chevalier d'Auriac," etc. + + + + + + + +Longmans, Green, and Co. +91 and 93 Fifth Avenue, New York +London and Bombay +1904 + +Copyright, 1904, by +S. Levett-Yeats +All Rights Reserved + + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I THE CRY IN THE RUE DES LAVANDIERES + II I BECOME THE OWNER OF A RING + III MY PYRAMID OF CARDS COMES DOWN + IV THE QUEEN'S MIRACLE + V THE PORTE ST. MICHEL + VI SIMON AND I MEET AGAIN + VII DIANE + VIII THE ACTS OF PIERREBON + IX THE WHITE MASK + X THE BITER BITTEN + XI THE ROAD TO POITIERS + XII A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES + XIII THE TOUR DE L'OISEAU + XIV MADEMOISELLE DE PARADIS + XV MY PRISONER + XVI THE TWELVE ROSE PETALS + XVII MADEMOISELLE DECIDES + XVIII DR. JOHANNES CABALLUS + XIX THE WOMAN IN BLACK AND WHITE + XX THE CROWN JEWELS + XXI THE HOUSE IN THE PASSAGE OF PITY + XXII THE TABLETS OF DOM ANTOINE DE MOUCHY + XXIII THE MASQUERADE + XXIV THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE + XXV THE PACKET OF LETTERS + XXVI THE CHURCH UNDER THE GROUND + XXVII THE RING + XXVIII THE ARM OF GOD + XXIX LA VALENTINOIS AND I + XXX FONTAINEBLEAU + XXXI THE PEARS OF ORRAIN + + + + +ORRAIN + + +CHAPTER I + +THE CRY IN THE RUE DES LAVANDIERES + +My father, Rene, Vidame d'Orrain, was twice married. By his first wife +he had one son, Simon, who subsequently succeeded to his title and +estates, and was through his life my bitter enemy. By his second wife, +whom he married somewhat late in life, he had two sons--the elder, +Anne, known as the Chevalier de St. Martin from his mother's lands, +which he inherited; and the younger, Bertrand--myself. + +Simon betook himself early to the Court, and we heard but little of +him, and that not to his credit; St. Martin went to Italy under the +banner of Brissac; and as for me, my parents yielding to the persuasion +of my mother's uncle, the Bishop of Seez, decided that I should become +a Churchman, and I was forthwith packed off to Paris, and entered at +the College of Cambrai, being then about seventeen years of age. Being +remarkably tall and strongly built, with a natural taste for all manly +exercises, it might have been expected that my books saw little of me; +but, on the contrary, I found in them a pleasure and a companionship +that has lasted through my life. Thus it happened that I made +considerable progress. So much so that the good Bishop, my +great-uncle, often flattered me with the ambitious hopes of some day +filling his Episcopal chair--a hope that, I need not say, was never +realised. + +About this time, I being nineteen years of age, things happened that +entirely altered my life. My mother sickened and died. Shortly after +news came of the death of my brother St. Martin, who was killed in an +affair of honour at Milan. The Vidame, my father, then in his +eighty-first year, and much enfeebled by old wounds, especially one he +had received at Fornovo, felt that his last hours were come, and +summoned my brother Simon and myself home to receive his last blessing +before he died. + +I hurried back as fast as possible, but when I reached Orrain I found +to my astonishment the gates of the Chateau closed against me, and +Simon, leaning over the battlements, bade me begone. + +Overcome with this reception, I was for a space struck speechless; but +at length finding voice I begged, even with tears, to be allowed to see +my father. But Simon sneered back: + +"You will have to take a long journey, then; either below or above--I +know not which," he mocked. "Your father is dead. He has left you his +curse, and the lands of St. Martin are yours. I am master here at +last, thank God! And I tell you to be off! Take that pink and white +face of yours back to your College of Cambrai!" + +He lied, for, as I afterwards heard, my father was not dead then, but +lay dying in his chamber, to which no one but Simon had access, and +over which he had placed a guard of his men-at-arms, a cut-throat set +of Italians whom he ever had with him. + +Simon's cruel words stung me to the quick. My blood flamed with rage, +and I dared him to come forth and meet me as a man; but he only laughed +all the more, and, pointing to the tree of justice outside the gate, +asked how I would like to swing from one of its branches. He added +that, as I was his step-brother, he would give me a high one, if I +chose. + +I can almost see him now as I write this, with his cruel hatchet face +snarling over the parapet, his red hair, his tall, thin figure and bent +back--if the truth were known, Simon's affairs of gallantry must have +been few. + +In brief, despite all my efforts, I was unable to see my father, who +died that night asking for me. + +In the hamlet of Orrain itself I could find no shelter, although the +villagers knew and loved me, and this was from fear of the new Vidame. +I, however, found a temporary retreat in the forest, living there like +a wild beast for four days, waiting with a burning heart for a chance +of meeting Simon, but he never came forth. + +On the fourth day my father was buried at dead of night in the Chapel +of St. Hugo of Orrain, where every Vidame of Orrain, save one, lies. + +Pierrebon, now my steward, and at that time my servant, and the only +companion I had with me, brought me news from the village that this was +to be, and I determined to be there at all hazard. This resolution I +carried out, and Simon and I met beside our father's grave. The time +and the occasion sealed my lips and stayed my hand. Even Simon spake +never a word, but, when it was all over, rode off sullenly through the +night back to the Chateau, his cursed Italians around him, and with the +dawn started off for Paris. + +This I did too. There was nothing else to be done, and I returned to +my College. + +I was, however, no longer in the position of a poor cadet, without +means or resource. My mother's lands of St. Martin had come to me on +Anne's death. Even my great-uncle the good Bishop agreed with me, with +many sighs, that the profession of arms was more suited to my present +position than the Church, but advised me to stay for a year more in +College, and fortify my mind by taking the course of Philosophy. + +I very willingly assented to this; but the wealthy Chevalier d'Orrain +as I was called--I did not take the name of St. Martin--was a vastly +different person from the poor cadet of the past year. I found myself +courted and sought after. I began to find pleasures in life unknown to +me before, and in the young man of fashion, who entered the world a +year later it was hardly possible to recognise the once quiet and +studious Bertrand d'Orrain. + +I plunged into the dissipations of the capital. At the Court I found a +patron in Monseigneur the Duc d'Enghien. My extravagance and my +follies brought me many reproofs from the Bishop of Seez, but the good +man's warnings were in vain, and might have been shouted to the stars. +They were certainly at times loud enough to be heard there. + +I often met Simon, now Vidame d'Orrain. He was high in favour with the +Dauphin, who succeeded to the throne as Henri II., and his mistress, +Diane de Poitiers, whom he made Duchess of Valentinois. By tacit +consent there was an armed peace between us, though I well knew he +would take any chance that might arise to my injury. As it was, we +met, and passed each other without greeting, and in silence, ever with +black looks, and hands on the hilts of our swords. + +My acres began to diminish and the woods of St. Martin to go down. +Things, in fact, were going from bad to worse, when war with the +Emperor broke out afresh, and I was amongst the first of those who +volunteered under Enghien for the Italian campaign. There I did my +part, and shared in the day of Cerisolles as a captain in the Light +Horse of Monsieur de Randan. Then, on the peace, back to Paris once +more and the old life; with this difference, that now there was no +restraining hand over me, for my great-uncle was dead. He left me his +blessing, his copy of "Plutarch's Lives," and thirty crowns of the +sun--all his fortune--for, though Bishop of Seez, he was a true +shepherd of God, and laid up for himself all his treasures on high. + +It was impossible that things could go on much longer without disaster, +and the death--murder, rather--of that gallant prince the Duc d'Enghien +deprived me of a protector upon whom I could always rely. This, +followed by an unfortunate duel, the circumstances of which will be +detailed later, precipitated matters. The Edict of Fontainebleau +served as a weapon to my enemies, and it was put in force with the +utmost rigour against me. My principal accuser was my unnatural +step-brother the Vidame d'Orrain. He went so far as to charge me with +aiding and harbouring the members of the New Heresy, and the discovery +of a small leaflet printed at Geneva amongst my books was held to be +sufficient proof against me. The affair of the duel I might have lived +through, but this meant death. I took refuge in flight; it was the +only course. I was condemned in my absence by the Chambre Ardente to +the extreme penalty, and what remained of my property was given to +Simon, who shared it with Diane, the mistress of the King. + +Thus at five and twenty I found myself an exile, and penniless. One +friend alone remained to me, and this was a young man of Orrain called +Pierrebon, whom I have mentioned before. Through good and ill he +adhered to me with ancient fidelity, and he lives still, honoured and +trusted by all who know him. + +Together we sought a refuge in the Low Countries, and there I learned +the first great lesson of my life, and that was to live by honest work. +For five years I labored, until I had amassed sufficient to give me a +small estate of about fifty ecus. + +During those five years so many things had happened--I myself was so +changed--that I began to think that I and my affairs had been consigned +to oblivion, and that I might safely return to France. One day I was +seized with an uncontrollable desire to see my native land once again. +I determined to do so then and there, and a fortnight later, +accompanied by Pierrebon, I was in Paris. + +I had every reason to confirm the opinion I had formed, that I and my +doings had been forgotten. In the humble class to which I now belonged +no one had ever heard of the Chevalier d'Orrain. Here in Paris I felt +I was safe, and I consequently determined to fix my abode in the great +city. I hired an apartment in the Rue des Lavandieres, and established +myself there, giving out that I was a fencing-master. No pupils came; +but at any rate there was peace and contentment. I formed no +acquaintances except one, a certain Camus, a glove-maker, who had an +apartment above mine. For some reason or other this man forced himself +upon me, and though at first I repulsed his attentions he would not be +denied, and I grew to tolerate him. He was possessed of extraordinary +learning, and, under the guise of his ostensible calling, plied another +terrible trade--those who know the story of Jeanne of Navarre will know +what I mean. + +This I was unaware of at the time; but, despite myself, the man's +conversation interested me, so that I occasionally yielded to his +importunities, and visited him for an hour or so after supper, when we +passed the time in discussion. + +In this manner close upon six years elapsed, until I myself had almost +forgotten in the Bourgeois Broussel--the name I assumed--the once +brilliant Chevalier d'Orrain. Pierrebon alone knew my secret, and he +was as silent as the grave. At times the honest fellow would speak +hopefully of a good day to come; but I poured cold water on that, and, +pointing to my lute and my copy of "Plutarch's Lives," was wont to say +that there was enough happiness there for my life without seeking to +reopen the past or delve into the future. + +One night--I remember it well; it was the night of Pentecost, in the +year 1555--I went up, at Camus' request, to his apartment. I had not +seen the old man for some time, and our talk was longer than usual. By +some chance we began to discuss poisons, and Camus opened the stores of +his curious knowledge. He had studied, he said, with a strange smile, +the works of the Rabbi Moses bin Maimon, and was possessed of antidotes +for each of the sixteen poisons; but there was one venom, outside the +sixteen, the composition of which he knew, but to which there was no +antidote. On my inquiry he stated that this was the poison used by the +Borgia, and it was prepared as follows: + +A bear having been caught, it was made to swallow a draught of _Acqua +di Borgia_. On this beginning to take effect the bear was suspended +head downwards. Whilst the animal was in convulsions there poured from +his mouth a foamy stream. This, collected in a silver vessel and +securely bottled, was the Borgia venom, and to this there was no +antidote. + +I made some remark of horror, and he laughed a dry, crackling laugh, +and rose from his seat. + +"I will show you," he said, and was moving towards a press when we were +startled by a cry from the street--a cry for help: + +"_A moi_! _A moi_!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +I BECOME THE OWNER OF A RING + +I started from my seat, and Camus, with a turn and a step, reached the +window, where, resting his hands on the mullions, he leaned far out. I +was on his heels; but the window was narrow, a mere slit, and so I +could see nothing below. Late as it was the cry had, however, reached +other ears than ours as well. Here and there a dim light glowed for an +instant or so in an overhanging window. Here and there a shadowy +figure appeared at a balcony, only to vanish like a ghost after peering +for a moment in the direction of the sound. This was all the interest, +all the attention it excited, and this spoke for the times. + +"What is it? Can you see anything?" I asked, craning over Camus' +shoulder; and, as if in answer to my question, the cry rang out again, +just below the window: + +"_A moi_! _Au secours_!" Then came an oath, and the rasp of steel. + +"They are killing someone there," said Camus; "killing with clumsy +steel. Well! 'tis an affair for the watch." And with a shrug of his +lean shoulders he turned back. But I waited to hear no more. Drawing +my sword I made all haste down the stairway and into the street, and +there before me, where the moonlight glistened on the mud and on the +green and slimy cobble stones of the Rue des Lavandieres, two men, +their backs to the wall, fought for their lives against four, whilst a +fifth, who seemed to direct them, stood a little apart. + +The odds were heavy against the two. All the heavier because one, +dressed in the bizarre attire of jester, had no sword but only a dagger +for defence. Nevertheless, with his short cloak wrapped over his left +arm, and the dagger in his right hand, he held his own with skill and +courage. + +The attack, however, was chiefly directed upon his companion, a +fair-haired man, with a short moustache and beard. He had lost his +hat. There was a red line of blood on his face from a wound in the +forehead, and a twitching smile on his lips; but he fought silent as a +wolf. + +A thrust that would have found his heart was parried, but not by him. +Quick as thought, the swordless man by his side hit up the bravo's +rapier with his left arm, and the blade, stabbing the air, struck and +bent against the stones of the wall just over shoulder-height. + +"_Sus_! _sus_!" cried the leader of the night-hawks; and he ran forward. + +Clearly it was time that help came. So I passed my sword through one +of the bravos, and as the others, surprised and disconcerted, gave way +a little, I ranged myself beside the two. + +"Courage!" I said, "affairs are more equal now." + +Cursing and growling, spitting like so many cats, the villains came on +with a rush, their leader first. A long arm and a long sword are, +however, great advantages in affairs of this kind, and I took him on +the riposte. A cry and a gasp, a sword clattered on to the pavement, +and the stricken man spun round and, holding his hand to his side, +tried to stagger off, but after stumbling a few steps he fell in a heap +in the shadow. + +This settled the matter. The others, seeing their leader hit, waited +for no more, but fled. There was no pursuit. For a few brief seconds +we heard the patter of running feet, and then all was still. + +We stood, all three staring at each other, and then the fair-haired man +held out his hand, saying simply: "I thank you, monsieur!" + +I met his grasp, expressing at the same time my concern for his wound. + +"It is not much, I think--all due to a weak parry on my part." And he +strove with a gold-laced handkerchief to staunch the blood that was +flowing somewhat freely. I was about to offer what help I could when +the jester cut in. + +"Faith of a fool!" he said, sheathing his dagger, "my gossip here is +apt to make light of these scratches; but I would give my cap and bells +now for a little salve." + +"If you will come into my house, messieurs--'tis but a step--we will +see to the hurt." + +I almost repented of my offer the moment after I made it, for I caught +the jester plucking at my friend's sleeve in warning; but the other +laughed, and, addressing me in a high and gracious way, said: + +"Monsieur, once more thanks! I accept your offer. Of a truth!" and he +ruefully looked at his handkerchief, "this is a trifle too much cupping +for me." + +I bowed, and led the way across the road; but the jester stayed us, +calling out in his high-pitched tones: + +"Just a look at this carrion! One may as well see upon whom our friend +here has put his mark." So saying he stooped and turned over the man, +the first of the two who had fallen. He lay half in a stagnant pool of +water, and was quite dead, as we could see, for the moon fell clearly +on his evil and distorted face and horny, film-covered eyes. + +"As dead as imperial Caesar," said the jester; "nor can I say who or +what he was. St. Siege! Stay--see this!" And throwing back the man's +cloak, which half covered his breast, he pointed with his fingers at a +crest embroidered on the doublet. It was a crescent in silver, with a +scroll beneath it, and as we all stooped down to see, the jester's keen +eyes met those of his companion. + +"The scroll explains all," he said, as if in reference to the attack +upon them: "it is _totum donec impleat orbem_." + +"Diane?" + +"Yes; Diane de Poitiers--Diane, Duchess of Valentinois--Diane, the +curse of France! But I should play the Caliph Aaron no more, and keep +home of nights; better still, take horse with the dawn for Navarre!" + +There was a strange earnestness in the speaker's voice. There he was, +one knee to ground, a finger resting on the ill-omened crest of the +mistress of the King, the moon shining on his rich dress of black and +gold, on the sharp, weasel-like face, and keen eyes that looked up at +his friend. + +"There is more in this than I thought at first," I said to myself, and +scanned the features of the dead man more closely. He looked like a +foreigner, and, saying that I was going to see after the other, I +turned away, but with my ears skinned, as I began to dislike the affair +exceedingly. + +As I suspected, the jester began to warn his friend once more. + +"Monseigneur, there has been enough folly for tonight, and your wound +is but slight. Go not into the house! Let us thank him--reward him if +you will--but let us be off!" + +"Hush, Le Brusquet!" said the other in the same low tone. "There is no +fear, and if there is danger I turn not from it." + +I had heard enough, and seen enough too. The other man had got off +somehow. He had fallen, it is true, but recovered himself sufficiently +to make away. One can never be sure of the riposte in an uncertain +light, and uncertain moonlight is worst of all. + +"He has got off," I said as I returned; "and 'twere well to have your +wound looked after, if you mean to have it done." + +With this I led the way to the door of my house, and opening it bade +them enter. The fair-haired man passed in at once, but I caught a +gleam in Le Brusquet's hand as he followed. He had drawn his dagger +once more. + +My first thought had been, much as I disliked him, to ask Camus to help +me in dressing the wound; but upon consideration, and chiefly, after I +had heard Le Brusquet address his friend as "Monseigneur," I deemed it +preferable that I should see to it myself. I had some experience in +these things. A soldier should know how to stop as well as to let +blood; and by way of precaution I always keep a little store of +remedies at hand, for one never knows when they may be needed, as they +were then. With this in my mind I led the way up into my apartment. +Here, I may mention, I had established myself modestly but comfortably. +It is true that the walls were bare, except for a demi-suit of mail, a +couple of swords, and a banner I had taken at Cerisolles; but for the +rest, what with my books--I had five in all--and my lute, I flattered +myself that I had all that a man needed. + +Pierrebon was asleep on a settle, and I had to call twice ere I could +wake him, for he slept like the dead. But he rose quickly enough, and +lit the candles. Then, bidding him fetch me materials for dressing a +cut, I begged my guests to be seated. It was the first chance we had +of really seeing each other. The jester Le Brusquet I did not +recognize at all, though I noticed the royal cipher on his pourpoint. +As for the other, there is only one house in France that bears such +features, and the greatest of them all is now King, and owes his being +to the man who stood before me. + +As the lights fell on us I noticed a quick glance pass between the two, +and Le Brusquet's hand moved beneath his cloak. It was as if suspicion +were gone and he had resheathed his poniard. I smiled to myself; but +Pierrebon now entered with a ewer and the things I required. He placed +these on the table, and at a look from me, which he understood, +vanished again. + +I set myself at once to dress the wound, which was, after all, but a +slight affair, though it had bled freely. I said so as I finished, +adding that if it had been a trifle deeper the business would have been +serious; but, as it was, a couple of days would mend matters entirely, +except for a patch. + +"Not Frenel himself could have tended me better," said the wounded man. +"Monsieur, I am deeply obliged to you." + +And Pierrebon entering at this time with some wine I begged them to do +me the honour to drink a cup. + +This they willingly assented to, and filling three cups from the flagon +I raised mine on high. + +"Messieurs, a toast for all good Christians! Down with the crescent!" + +They understood and drank--Le Brusquet with a searching look in his +eyes and a smile on his lips, and his companion with a reckless laugh. + +And now they rose. "Monsieur," said the wounded man, "will you add to +your kindness by telling us to whom we are indebted? You are a +soldier--I can see that--and I can keep that sword of yours from +rusting if you will." + +So he had not recognised me! Well, ten years make a difference! And +yet, if once, he had seen me a hundred times in the days when his +valiant brother Enghien lived. I began to feel sure that if he did not +know me I was safe indeed; but I had no mind to change my present peace +for any other life, and so made answer: + +"Monseigneur, it were idle for me to say that I do not know you. Rest +assured that were I so minded I could follow no braver or more generous +prince than Antony of Vendome, but my sword is hung to the wall. My +name is Broussel. I am bourgeois, as you see, and having a small +estate of fifty ecus have all that suffices for the simple needs of a +citizen such as I. Monseigneur, the little service I rendered is +small; let it be forgotten. Nevertheless, I thank you for the kind +offer you have made." + +I delivered this speech with a respectful air, but yet in a tone that +carried the conviction that my resolve was unchangeable. + +"As you will," said the Duke, with some coldness of manner. "A Bourbon +does not offer twice. And so, farewell! I fear 'tis a long road and +an ugly road we have yet to travel, thanks to my folly--eh, Le +Brusquet?" + +Out of the tail of my eye I had been watching Le Brusquet. All this +time he had been engaged in examining the silver cup from which he had +drunk his wine--a relic of my past splendour. He toyed with it this +way and that, looking at the arms engraved thereon, and comparing them +with those on the flagon. Then his little eyes stole a swift, +searching glance at me, and a smile--just the shadow of a +smile--flickered over his lips. He had not, however, lost a word of +what was passing between Vendome and myself, and on the Duke addressing +him he put down the cup he held in his hand, saying quietly: "If +Monsieur Broussel will add to his kindness by lending me a sword it +may, perhaps, be better for us, and I promise faithfully to return it." + +Without a word I took a sword from the wall and handed it to Le +Brusquet, who received it with a bow, and then, turning to the Duke, I +offered to accompany them to the end of the street, which was an evil +place even by day. I added that a little beyond the end of the street +was the Gloriette, where the guards of Monsieur the Lieutenant of the +Chatelet were to be found, and that thence their way would be safe. + +The Duke pulled a long face, apparently at the thought of having to +disclose his identity to the guards of the Chatelet, but Le Brusquet +cut in with a "Let it be so, Monseigneur. Three are better than two, +except in love-making." + +At this the Duke laughed, and agreed, and we all three went out into +the street, which twisted and wound its crooked way towards the river +face between two rows of overhanging houses, that seemed as if they +were ever threatening to fall over and bury it in their ruins. + +For a little we walked without a word; for Antony of Vendome--fickle +and vain, at once the hope and despair of his time--felt himself hurt +and aggrieved by the refusal of his offer, and for a space preserved a +sulky silence. Ere we had gone a quarter mile, however, his +temper--variable as the wind--began to change and his kindly nature to +reassert itself. We were passing the house of the Duplessis Richelieu +when he spoke. + +"_Eh bien_, Monsieur Broussel, change your mind and think better of my +offer. What with one thing and another there is steel in the air at +present, and a stout heart and a good sword such as you are may make an +estate of fifty ecus five hundred or more. Come, think of it!" + +I felt my blood warm within me in spite of my fancied devotion to my +contented life; but I thought of that affair of the duel, of the +judgment of the Chambre Ardente, and above all, of Simon and the cards +he held against me. Besides, I knew Vendome, and so I refused once +more. + +"Well, well," he said, "as you will; but never say Antony of Vendome +was ungrateful." + +We had by this time reached the point where the road opened out upon +the river face, and halted together in the moonlight. + +A little distance from us lay the Seine, shining in scales of hammered +brass. The convicts were still on the Gloriette. Poor wretches! They +slaved there day and night, and lights were moving to and fro amongst +them as the guards watched them at their toil. They were singing a +weird refrain--a chorus--ever and again interrupted by yells and curses +as the lash of the task-master fell on some victim of his hatred or +sluggard at work. + +"Here we part, Monseigneur!" I said. "The lieutenant of the Chatelet +will give you guards to escort you farther." + +I bowed to both, and would have gone--for I thought it well not to be +mixed up further in this matter--but the Duke stayed me. He had taken +off his glove, and was fumbling with a ring on his finger. This he +drew off and thrust into my hand. + +"Keep this, monsieur. Remember, if ever you want a friend you have but +to send it to me. Farewell!" + +"_Au revoir_!" cried Le Brusquet, who had up to now preserved silence. +"Remember, Le Brusquet is also your debtor doubly--once for a life and +once for a sword--and forget not my address is the sign of the +Crescent." + +With this mocking allusion to the Louvre and to Diane de Poitiers' +influence there, he followed on the heels of Vendome, leaving me with +the ring in my hand. + +I watched them until they were lost in the shivering haze. They never +sought the Gloriette, but kept on the right, making directly for the +Louvre. + +Then I looked at the ring. It was light enough for me to see that it +was a plain gold signet in the shape of a shield, with the arms of +Bearn--two cows on a field _Or_--cut thereon. + +"Perhaps," I said to myself, "I shall need it some day." With this I +slipped it on my finger, and went back. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +MY PYRAMID OF CARDS COMES DOWN + +I may say at once that in this chronicle it often befalls that I have +to describe the actions and deal with the motives of others. In doing +this I have given no rein to idle fancy, but have strictly followed +what those who played a part in my life have told me. + +To show that my authorities in this respect are beyond reproach I have +but to mention the names of my friends--Blaise Ste. Marie de Lorgnac, +now, as all know, the Marechal Duc de Lorgnac; and Nicholas d'Ayen, +Sieur de Besme, of the Quercy, who acted so strange a part in his day +under the name of Le Brusquet. Each of these is prepared on his faith, +as knight and gentleman, to support my words, either on foot or on +horseback, with sword or with lance, and in this respect I too am ready +to cross a blade, or run a course; and so, God defend the Truth! + +If further proof is needed I beg leave to refer to the confession of +the Italian, Torquato Trotto, made at his expiation, which gives many +and curious details, especially of what happened in Le Jaquemart, and +which is registered in the archives of the Parliament of Paris, where +all who list may see it. There is yet one other whom I could name, one +who is ever at my side, and who for good or for ill has taken me as +part of her life; but for the present the names I have cited are +sufficient, and I shall say no more on the subject. + +On returning to my apartment after leaving Vendome and Le Brusquet I +found old Camus at the door awaiting me. He entered with me, saying: + +"I watched it all from the window. Hey! but it was well done!" + +I pretended to take no notice of this remark, and pressed some +refreshment upon him; but the old rascal refused, and sat with his knee +between his hands, rocking himself backwards and forwards. He went on +to make some roundabout inquiries as to who the persons were to whose +assistance I had gone, but I told him plainly that I did not desire to +discuss the subject. + +Becoming nettled at this, he said: "Ho! ho! and so you do not trust me, +Monsieur Broussel! Well, I tell you I know at any rate who it is that +lies dead out there, for I have been to see, and it will not take long +for me to find out the rest." + +"Go and find out, then!" I said somewhat roughly, being annoyed in my +turn. + +At which he rose in a white heat. "That I will," he said; "and you +will find that the hand of Madame Diane, soft as it is, can grip +hard--hard, mind you, Monsieur Broussel!" + +With this he flung out; and so we, who but an hour or two ago were in +friendly converse, parted in anger, and with stormy words. + +In a manner I was not sorry for this, for in my heart I always felt a +warning against him, and there was something so ominous, so evil, in +his face as he left that I felt assured he would strike a felon blow at +the first opportunity. + +The more I reflected on what had happened, and on Camus' threat in +connection with Diane de Poitiers, the more I began to see a crop of +dangers ahead of me. I began to think it well to retire to some other +city. In this I was influenced by the fact that, if there were trouble +about the dead man and I were involved in it, as after Camus' words I +felt I should certainly be, it was hardly possible that I could escape +being recognised. + +The sentence against me, cruel and unjust as it was, stood still, and, +once I was discovered, it would be put into force for certain. + +Like a prudent general, I felt I must beat a retreat. The bulk of my +money was in trustworthy hands in Antwerp, but in my oak chest were a +hundred gold crowns of the sun--a great stand-by and help in the hour +of trouble. + +There was nothing for it but to go, and, summoning Pierrebon, I told +him of my intention. We set to work to pack a valise at once. This +being done, we waited for the small hours. + +It was about four in the morning that I decided to move, and taking a +last look at the place where I had lived so long in peace I went out +into the street, followed by Pierrebon bearing the valise. I had to +leave everything behind except the barest necessities and my money, and +to trust the well-being of my goods to Fortune. The jade was unkind +enough to forget me in this matter, which put me to heavy loss. + +It was, of course, impossible to leave Paris at this hour, as the gates +would be shut; but behind the Abbey of St. Germain de Pres was a little +hostel called the Chapeau Rouge, where I knew I could find shelter +until I could procure a couple of horses and be off. + +At four in the morning night-hawks are abed, and even the convicts had +ceased working on the Gloriette. The moon had gone, and it was dark +now--the darkness that precedes the dawn. + +We met not a soul as we stumbled along, and coming out at length to the +Vallee de Misere we passed the Gloriette, and kept to our right along +the river face, until almost opposite the Church of St. Germain +l'Auxerrois. Here moored to the bank were a number of boats, the +boatmen sleeping within them. Groping about in the darkness--such +noises as we made being fortunately drowned by the continual lap, lap +of the water against the sides of the boat, and their creaking and +groaning as they rubbed against each other--we at length found a small +empty boat tied to a large one. Favoured by darkness, we loosened the +knot, and, taking to the oars, crossed the river without being +perceived by a soul. + +Once on the opposite bank we made the boat fast to some piles of wood +near the water's edge, and leaving a piece of silver for the boatman, +which I trust he found, we took the road to the Abbey of St. Germain. +Near here we found a retreat in the scaffolding of a house that was +being repaired. There we stayed until it was light, and about six in +the morning arrived at the inn, as though we were early travellers who +had entered Paris on the opening of the Porte St. Germain. In this +manner, favoured by luck, and by the exercise of caution, I bade +farewell to the Rue de Lavandieres, and gave Camus the slip, without +leaving any trace behind me. + +The Chapeau Rouge was an inn mostly frequented by students, and in my +younger days I knew it well, though, to be sure, more than a dozen +years had passed since I last entered it. It was surrounded by a large +garden, enclosed by a high wall, and I could have chosen no better +place for my purpose, which was to lie close during the day, and, as +soon as horses were procured, to depart at dusk, about the hour of the +shutting of the gates. + +As it happened, on this day there was scarce a soul at the inn, all the +usual customers having been drawn away to witness the execution of a +Portuguese named Gomez, who had been found guilty of sorcery, +witchcraft, and other crimes, and was to suffer in expiation on the +Place Maubert. + +This ill wind, however, blew fair for me, as it left me undisturbed; +and sending Pierrebon to purchase or hire horses I awaited his return. + +It was well on in the afternoon, and the sun being hot I was resting in +the shade of the garden wall, when from within a summer-house all +covered with roses, that stood near to me, I heard a lute string +touched by a master-hand, and a man's voice, full and clear, began to +sing "The Three Cavaliers." With a rush a hundred recollections of the +past came back to me, and I felt myself once more a heedless boy, +sitting on that very same seat where the singer was now, and singing +the same song. I rose and went forward, and to my surprise saw it was +Le Brusquet, lute in hand, and by his side there sat a small brown ape, +a collar of gold round his neck. + +I listened till the last of the song, and was about to turn away; but, +the ape running out of the summer-house at the time, the jester put his +head through the entrance, with a "Back! Pompon! back!" and caught +sight of me. + +In a moment he was by my side, and, willy-nilly, forced me into the +summer-house. + +"The very man I wanted," he said. "I came here to think of you. I +always come here when in doubt or trouble--and here you are--dropped +from the clouds." He poured out some wine for me, and when we had +drank a health together he asked me: + +"_Eh bien_, monsieur, tell me how you came here; tell me all, for I am +a friend." + +It was impossible not to see this, and in a few words I told him. He +listened gravely the while, stroking his ape's head. + +When I had done he spoke. "I too have something to tell you. There is +an outcry about Madame Diane's Italian--the first time an outcry has +been made about any such scum. This morning there was a scene at the +_petit couvert_. I was there. The short of it is that the King, my +gossip, sided with his mistress as against Vendome. Words ran so high +that the Duke was ordered to leave Paris, which he did at once." + +I looked at the ring on my finger, and Le Brusquet saw the look. + +"I fear," he said, "that little talisman has lost its power for the +present; but, to go on, I had other business in the morning which I +could not avoid. Towards eleven o'clock I hastened to the Rue des +Lavandieres to return your sword and to warn you. To my relief you +were not there. Your hermit's paradise is gone, and an angel, in the +form of one of M. Morin's guards, is at the door. Instead of a flaming +sword he carries an arquebus----" + +"It is quick work," I cut in; "and they have seized everything, I +suppose?" + +"Yes; everything. And your ostensible accuser and witness against you +is one Camus, a glove-maker. He laid an information against you at +sunrise. He was with Valentinois an hour later. Diane rises with the +dawn, you know; and he is her glove-maker." + +"So he has struck hard, and struck quickly." + +"Yes; there is very little glove about his action. And more, Diane +seems bent upon avenging the death of her Italian. But, monsieur, what +is your next move?" + +I explained my intention, and how I proposed to quit Paris; whereat he +shook his head. + +"It will not do," he said; "the gates are watched. So far you have +beaten them, but there you will fail, and here detection is certain." + +"I must risk something." + +"As little as possible." And after a pause: "What do you say to the +Louvre?" + +"The Louvre!--the lion's den!" + +"The safest place on earth. See here, Monsieur Broussel. I owe you my +life; give me a chance to make some return. Can you trust me enough to +put yourself in my hands? I will not fail you. It is not Le Brusquet +the King's jester, but Nicholas d'Ayen, Sieur de Besme, of the Quercy, +who pledges his word." + +We stared each other in the face, and my good genius came to my elbow. + +"Yes," I said. + +In short, it was arranged that I should meet him towards sunset at the +entrance to the tennis court, east of the Louvre. There was some +difficulty about Pierrebon and the horses; but in this Le Brusquet +again came to my aid, and it was settled that Pierrebon should find +shelter in a house in the Rue Tire Boudin, which belonged to Monsieur +Blaise de Lorgnac, Seigneur of Malezieux, and lieutenant of the Queen's +guard, the same being a tried and true friend of my new-found +benefactor. + +Pierrebon at this moment returning, I hailed him. He had been +unsuccessful in his attempt to obtain horses such as we needed, but +hoped to do so the next day; and shortly after Le Brusquet departed, +taking Pierrebon with him, and my valise. + +"Fast bind, safe find," he said as he pointed at Pierrebon; and then, +calling to his ape, went off. + +Towards the appointed time I found myself close to the parvis of St. +Germain l'Auxerrois. For some reason or other there was a greater +crowd than usual, and I was compelled to halt for a moment. Just at +this moment a body of eight or ten horsemen came trotting rapidly +towards the Chatelet. Their leader all but rode over a child, and +would certainly have done so had I not made a long arm and pushed it +aside. There was no doubt of it, the leading horseman was my brother +Simon, the Vidame d'Orrain, and I thanked my good star that, owing to +the dusk, the bustle, and the pace he was going at, he did not +recognise me. Something, however, struck him, for twice he turned back +to look. I did not wait for a third glance, and, mixing with the +crowd, was lost to view. + +At the gate of the tennis court I met Le Brusquet, and, passing through +a wicket, we entered the precincts of the Louvre. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE QUEEN'S MIRACLE + +Where the eastern wing of the Louvre rose high above the Rue St. Thomas +lay the apartments of Le Brusquet, at the end of a labyrinth of +passages and galleries. Having brought me here my friend left me, with +a warning not to stir forth until his return--a piece of advice I was +quite prepared to follow. Once alone I stepped out into a small, +overhanging balcony, that clung like a beehive to the leprous grey of +the wall, and, sitting well under cover of the battlements, looked +around. Far below me was a walled courtyard, in which an archer of M. +de Lorges' guard paced steadily backwards and forwards. Beyond this +lay the narrow Rue St. Thomas du Louvre, its many-storeyed houses +crowding one above the other, as if struggling for light and air. Here +were the spires of St. Thomas du Louvre, the church raised to the +martyr of Canterbury, and St. Nicaise. There lay the Quinze Vingts. +To the right stood the Campanile of St. Germain l'Auxerrois, all +empurpled in the afterglow of the sunset. Still farther, where the +mouth of the street opened out, was a glimpse of the Seine; and with a +turn of my head I could see, huge and vast, the enormous keep of the +Louvre, built by Philip Augustus, and evilly known as the Philippine. +But although my eyes, straining through the twilight, rested on these +and more, my thoughts were far away. At a puff my pyramid of cards, +the little life I had built up for myself, had come down, and all my +labour and toil were in vain. + +I am not of those who give way to despair; but the blue devils attack +the best hearted at times, and for once I felt the hopelessness of my +position, and began to think it useless to struggle further. Perhaps, +after all, it would be better to accept defeat and surrender myself. +Better that than being hunted like a hare, as I was. And then my +thoughts were cut short. Something soft and furry sprang into my lap. +It was Pompon, Le Brusquet's ape, and he looked into my face with soft, +melancholy eyes. + +"Poor little beast!"--and I stroked him. "You at least build no +pyramids of cards." + +"_Tudieu_!" said a voice, "that is true, but for pulling them down he +has no equal." And Le Brusquet appeared at the window, which opened +out upon the balcony. + +I rose and came in. Le Brusquet stepped back and seated himself on a +table, and then for the first time I noticed a third person in the +room--a tall, soldierly man, with the collar of The Order at his neck. +With a wave of his hand Le Brusquet presented me to the stranger, whom +I found was M. de Lorgnac, the lieutenant of the Queen's guard--he in +whose house Pierrebon had obtained shelter. + +I thanked him for the kindness he had shown in this, to one so utterly +unknown as I was to him; but he stayed me with a smile, saying that in +this or any other matter I could command him, as the friend of Le +Brusquet, and went on to pay me a handsome compliment in regard to the +affair of the previous night. + +"An affair that is like to place me on the road to Montfaucon," I said +a little bitterly. + +"On the contrary," replied De Lorgnac, "rather, perhaps, on the road to +better things." + +"Hearken not unto him!" said Le Brusquet; "he is for ever looking out +for recruits for his guard. Blaise de Lorgnac is as insatiable a +stirrer of the porridge of the times as I; only I use a longer ladle, +as beseems a person of my wisdom. As for you, _mon ami_ Blaise,--you +throw your lures in vain! Know you that Monsieur Broussel is a +philosopher, who has found contentment in--fifty ecus a year, did you +not say, monsieur?" And, reaching for his lute, he ran his fingers +over the strings and began to sing: + + "Mes amis, la terre est a moi. + J'ai de quoi + Vivre en roi + Si l'eclat me tente. + Les honneurs me sont devolus + J'ai cinquante ecus, + J'ai cinquante ecus, + J'ai cinquante ecus de." + + +"_Mille tonnerres_! Stop! Do you want to bring half the Louvre here +to listen?" And De Lorgnac placed his hand over the singer's mouth, +and took the lute from him. + +"Enough!" said Le Brusquet; "you have banished the inspiration. I sing +no more. And as for you, Monsieur Blaise, take yourself off with that +long sword of yours. It frightens the ape, and I have that to say +which is for M. Broussel's ear alone." + +"_Au revoir_!" said Lorgnac, but as he reached the door he turned to me. + +"Your Pierrebon is safe and sound in the Rue Tire Boudin. He has +received orders not to stir forth. In the matter of the horses--you +must let that be my care." And without waiting for reply he went away. + +"I know not how to thank M. de Lorgnac or you----" I began, but Le +Brusquet cut in: + +"As yet the thanks are due from me, and Lorgnac is helping me to pay my +debts. And now listen, _mon ami_. One half the world consists of +fools who give advice, and the other half of idiots who refuse to +benefit by it; let me for once see an exception to the rule." + +"I hardly follow you." + +"I will explain. Between us there is this difference. In the search +for happiness that every man makes I remained in the world, and you +left it and turned philosopher. The result is that I am fairly +satisfied with life, whereas you are sick of it in your heart. Yet, +until this disaster came to you, you tried to play the happy man with +your lute, your 'Plutarch's Lives,' and your hermit's cell of a house. +Is it not so?" + +I made no answer, and he continued: + +"Last night, for some reason of your own--perhaps because you still +clung to your belief in your own way of life--you refused a chance; +that chance has gone; but another is left, and it remains for you to +take it or not." + +"What is left?" + +"What is left is this. Last night you refused the sauce of a prince of +the blood; to-day will you refuse the soup of a Queen?" + +"Of a Queen!" + +"Yes; of the Queen of France. In brief, the Queen wants a reliable +person to do something for her. It must be someone unknown to the +Court. Will you undertake the business or not? It will, at any rate, +enable you to leave Paris in safety, in broad day if you will, though +out of Paris you may have to look to your skin." + +Like an old war-horse I scented the battle, and my blood flamed through +me. Le Brusquet was right. With cunning knowledge he had pulled at my +heart-strings, and laid bare my secret to myself. Win or lose, I now +knew that I had to come back to the world; and it should be now. I +rose to my feet. + +"I accept," I said, "whatever is offered me." + +"I thought you would," he answered; "and I may tell you that De Lorgnac +knows of this. At first it was he who was to have undertaken the +affair; but he is too well known, and the Queen would have none of him. +He it was who suggested your name to me; and," he went on, with a +smile, "it was all prearranged that he should leave us together, so +that I might open the matter to you." + +"But the Queen! Perhaps----" + +"There is no perhaps about it. The Queen asked De Lorgnac to find her +an agent, and he has named you." + +"I was going to say that if the Queen finds I am bourgeois----" + +"We can leave the matter of a coat-of-arms to the Queen." And he +laughed as he continued: "Perhaps that may come to the plain Monsieur +Broussel--and--it has just gone compline, and we, or rather you, must +see the Queen." + +"I am ready," I said. + +"Then let us be away! Everything has gone well. The King has left for +Fontainebleau to hunt the boar. He started this afternoon; Madame +Diane is with him. The royal children are at St. Germain-en-Laye, and +but for its guards the Louvre is deserted; there is no one here but the +Queen. Come, then!" + +With a whistle to the ape, which hopped along in front of us, he opened +the door and passed out, I following on his heels. Outside, we found +ourselves in a maze of twisting passages, along which my guide went +with quick, light steps. Finally, we turned into an arched doorway, +and, ascending a stair, stood on the roof of one of the galleries +connecting the wings of the Louvre with the great keep. + +The twilight was dead, but the moon was rising in a clear, cloudless +sky. By her light we walked along the lonely battlements until we +reached a flight of steps, upon which the shadow of the Philippine fell +darkly. Arrived at the head of the steps we gained an embattled +balcony, giving access, by means of a lancet arch, into the keep. +Through this we passed, and entered a long, low corridor. So low, +indeed, that by raising the baton he carried in his hand Le Brusquet, +though not a tall man, could easily reach the joints of the groined +roof. Here we stood for a space, where a banner of moonlight lay on +the floor--the ape a dark spot in its whiteness. All was silent as the +grave. Once there was a startling rush of wings as a homing-pigeon +flew past the open arch and hissed off into the night. All was in +semi-gloom, except where the moon lit the floor at our feet, and where, +at intervals, a dim yellow halo marked the spot where a feeble lamp was +burning in a niche set far back in the huge walls. + +"And this leads to the Queen's apartment," whispered Le Brusquet, with +a shrug of his shoulders, as he led the way along the gallery, which +curved with the shape of the keep. On rounding the curve it came to an +abrupt ending. Here a lamp swung by a chain from the roof, and by its +light we dimly saw before us a large door, firmly closed, and seeming +to bar all further progress. Near the door a man was seated in an +alcove in the wall, his knees almost up to his chin, his drawn sword in +his hand. He swung round on to his feet as we came up. It was De +Lorgnac. + +"The Queen awaits you," he said, without further greeting, and tapped +twice at the door. It was opened at once, and both Le Brusquet and +myself were about to step in when De Lorgnac laid his hand on the +former's arm. + +"M. Broussel alone," he said, drawing Le Brusquet back, and I passed +through the door. + +I found myself in a small ante-chamber; but there was not a soul +within. I stood for a moment irresolute, when the door behind me +opened once again, and I heard De Lorgnac's voice. + +"Onwards! Through the curtains ahead of you." + +This I did, and entered a large room, richly furnished. The light, +bright though soft, of the tall candles burning in grotesque holders +fell on the curtains of violet velvet, starred with the golden lilies +of France, on the rare tapestry, that covered the walls, on embroidered +cushions and quaint carvings. There were flowers in abundance +everywhere; but their scent was killed by something that burned in a +cup held by a little bronze Ganymede, the odour of which filled the +room with a sweet but heavy scent. This room, like the other, was +likewise empty, and after glancing round twice to make sure, I took my +stand near a table, upon which there were some writing materials and a +pair of richly embroidered gloves. The sight of the gloves brought old +Camus back to my mind, and I was about to take one up, to look at the +workmanship, when I heard a footfall; the curtains were set aside, and +a woman stood before me. + +It was Catherine de Medicis herself. It was years since I had seen +her, then a young girl; but now, though still young, she was in the +bloom of ripened womanhood. People said that, with all her +accomplishments, she lacked courage, and was dull and stupid. As my +glance rested on the pale features, on the somewhat sullen mouth, and +on the dark, expressionless eyes before me, I began to think they were +right. To-day, however, I was also to begin learning a new lesson. +Others have since learned it too, and paid for the learning as lessons +have never been paid for before or after. She let fall the curtain she +held as I sank on one knee before her and extended me a shapely hand. +As I touched it with my lips she said in her deep-toned voice: + +"M. Broussel, arise!" + +I did so, and, moving towards the chair near the table, she sat down, +and began toying with one of the gloves, her eyes not meeting my look, +but surveying me with a swift sidelong glance. + +"_Eh bien_!" she said, "you are that M. Broussel who came so +opportunely to the rescue of my cousin of Vendome." + +I bowed, and with another of her swift glances she asked: + +"And you are to be trusted?" + +"Your Majesty," I said, "I have but my word to offer for this--I have +none who will add his pledge to mine." + +"No one? Are you sure?" + +"Your Majesty, it is as I have said." + +A faint smile parted her lips, and she looked up at me suddenly and +quickly, her eyes as alive with intelligence as they had appeared dull +and lifeless before. + +"Well, monsieur, before I trust you," and she struck the glove she held +in her hand on the table, "it is necessary for me to tell you +something. Listen. Many years ago--I was new to France then--a young +gentleman of the best blood of Burgundy came to Paris, and entered at +the College of Cambrai. Well, he did what none other of his time did, +nor has any of his order done the like since. He took the three +courses--took them brilliantly. You follow me?" + +"I am all attention, madame." My voice was as cold and measured as +hers, but in my heart I began to wonder if I would leave the room for a +journey to Montfaucon, with a halt by the way at the Chatelet. + +"But," she continued, "this man was not a mere bookworm nor a pedant, +though Le Brun, whose voice was the voice of the Sorbonne then, +prophesied a red hat for him. The red hat never came, nor did a +marshal's baton, though Bevilacqua himself foretold the latter one day, +as he brushed away a chalk mark just over the heart, where this young +man's foil had touched him. Bevilacqua, mind you--the best sword in +Europe!" + +I made as if about to speak. I was about to ask her bluntly what was +to be the end of this, but with a wave of her hand she stayed me. + +"Permit me to continue, monsieur! This man, or boy as he was then, was +true metal all through, but he was cursed with an open heart and +wealth. Let us say that the course of Philosophy unsettled his mind, +that the two campaigns in Italy brought but withered laurels. Let it +be what you will, but back he came to Paris; and because his blood was +warm, his spirits high, and his heart full of vanity and vain +imaginings, the red wine was poured forth, the dice rattled, fair women +smiled, and the gold crowns went. It was the old, old story; but the +pity of it, monsieur, was that it was such pure good steel that was +fretting thus to rust! Was it not?" + +She stopped, and looked at me again with her wonderful, searching eyes, +and I braced myself, as one who was about to receive a death-blow. + +"At last the end came. This brave, gallant--fool--yes, that is the +word--quarrelled with his best friend over a lady of the Marais--of the +Marais, mind you! This friend wanted to save him from himself. The +result was that those two, who had been like brothers, met each other +sword in hand under the lee of the Louvre, and one--it was not the +fool--fell." + +The words seemed to thunder in my ears. By some effort, I knew not +how, I managed to restrain myself, and her cold, passionless voice went +on: + +"After that came ruin--ruin utter and hopeless. And he who might have +been anything died like a dog of the streets." + +Something like a gasp of relief broke from me; but the Medicis had not +done yet. She rose swiftly, and for one brief second let her white +hand, glittering with rings, rest on my shoulder. It was for a moment +only, and then she let fall her hand, with a smile on her face. + +"They say, monsieur, that the age of miracles is past. Caraffa the +Legate smiles if you mention them. But I--I believe, for I know. The +dead have come back before. Why not again, Bertrand d'Orrain? Would +you live again, and pledge your faith for that of the Bourgeois +Broussel?" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE PORTE ST. MICHEL + +Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as +one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I +had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of +the existence of which few as yet were aware. + +In regard to the mission with which I was entrusted I am pledged to +preserve silence. The people concerned in it are dead, and when I +follow them the secret will go with me. Let it suffice for me to say +that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I +failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would +get from none. Hidden in the inner pocket of my vest was a dispatch to +Montluc, the King's lieutenant in the South. In my hand I openly bore +a letter, sealed with the _palle_ of the Medici, and addressed in the +Queen's own writing to the King. It was to be the means of my freeing +the gates of Paris if difficulty arose, and how it did so I shall +presently show. + +I found my friends awaiting me, and Le Brusquet asked: + +"Well, have you come forth a made man?" + +"Monsieur, I will answer you that," I said with assumed gravity, "if +you will tell me who betrayed me to the Queen." + +I looked from one to the other, and they both laughed. + +"Behold the traitor, then!" And Le Brusquet pointed with his finger at +me. + +"I?" + +"Yes, you!--as if you had called it from the housetops. _Mon ami_, did +ever hear of a bourgeois handling sword as you, or bearing arms _un coq +d'or griffe de sable, en champ d'azur_? Those arms are on your +wine-cups--if they exist still--they are on the hilt of the sword you +lent me." + +"_Morbleu_!" + +"But that is not all. In the gay, red days, when Lorgnac here and I +had all the world before us, we were of the College of Cambrai. It is +true we entered as you left; but we knew you, and when all Paris was +full of your name Lorgnac and I, and others whom you knew not, aped the +fall of your cloak, the droop of your plume, the tilt of your sword. +Those days are gone, and until last night you, I thought, were gone +with them." + +"Monsieur!" + +"Listen! There is more yet. I but told the Queen of the arms you +bore. She recognised them at once." + +"That is not strange; the Vidame d'Orrain is in Paris!" + +"True! But she remembered your history--every detail of it. It was +long ago, and many things have happened, and the Seine there has rolled +much water under its bridges since then, but she had forgotten nothing. +My friend, they who say the Medicis ever forgets are fools--blind in +their folly. And so, for the sake of last night, and a little for the +days that have gone, we will see pretty things yet, God willing! Eh, +De Lorgnac?" + +"I for one look forward to the day when a brave man will come to his +own," replied the other, and their kindness touched me to the quick. + +I am not one gifted with the power of speech--indeed, I hold that the +greater the tongue the smaller the heart--but I found words to thank +these gallant gentlemen, and De Lorgnac said: + +"Monsieur, it is enough thanks to hold us in your esteem, and we will +say no more about it. I have, however, some information that may be +useful. Your brother the Vidame left Paris this evening for the South, +it is said. Thus one danger is at any rate removed from your path." + +It was something to know that Simon was gone. I thanked De Lorgnac, +and added: + +"Now, messieurs, for my news. I know not if I have come forth from +that chamber"--and I pointed behind me--"a made man or not. This much +I know, I am the bearer of a letter, the delivery of which must not be +delayed, and I must leave Paris with the dawn, or before--horse or no +horse." + +"The horses I said were my care," De Lorgnac said. And then turning to +Le Brusquet: "Await me on the steps that lead to the eastern gallery; I +am relieved in less than an hour. We will then take monsieur here to +my house, where there are two horses in the stables at his disposal, +and the rest concerns himself." + +Le Brusquet and I went back as we came, his constant companion, the +ape, with us. Passing through the open arch I have already mentioned +we halted on the steps that lead from the balcony to the eastern wing, +and here we awaited De Lorgnac. + +For a little there was a silence. Perhaps we were both impressed by +the scene. In front lay the river, a band of silver, with here and +there the twinkling, swaying lights of a crossing boat upon it. All +around was the great city, and from the distance there came a murmuring +hum of voices, like waves lapping upon a far-off shore. Around us, +towering above and ringing us in with its immense strength, rose the +Louvre, its vast outlines looking, if possible, larger and more +gigantic in the enchanted light. + +After a space Le Brusquet began to speak of the Vidame, my brother, and +so we passed the time in converse until De Lorgnac came. He bade us +haste if we wished to quit the Louvre ere the pontlevis were raised, +and hurrying after him we made our way to the southern gate, the only +one open. As we went onwards the desolation that marked the entrance +to the Queen's apartments was no longer visible. Ever and again we +were stopped and challenged by sentries. + +"_Hein_!" exclaimed Le Brusquet, "the Scots archers keep good ward." + +"Quick! Hurry!" was De Lorgnac's answer. "There goes the first signal +for closing the gates!" + +And as he spoke a clarion rang out shrilly. We had reached the outer +court by this, and were hurrying for the bridge that led to the +pontlevis when we saw a tall man, his cuirass glittering like silver in +the moonlight, step out of the shadow and signal to a trumpeter, who +stood at his side. + +"A moment, De Lorges. Stay!" And Lorgnac ran up to him. "Faith! but +your time is punctual." + +Montgomery de Lorges laughed as he laid a restraining hand on his +trumpeter. "I have more than half a mind to give the signal," he said. +"There is a rare flagon of Arbois in my apartment, and you would have +been forced to share it. Come, change your mind and stay." + +"Thanks; but I cannot. We are bound to my house, where you are very +welcome if you care to come." + +"And leave my post? No, no!" + +"Au revoir, then." + +"Au revoir." + +And we passed over the bridge. Almost had we freed it when the trumpet +sounded again, and with a rattling of chains the huge pontlevis rose. + +"Faith! 'twas a narrow thing. Had we been but a minute later the Scot +would have barred all egress." And Le Brusquet looked back at the gate +through which we had passed. It lay on the other side of the +pontlevis--the fosse between us--and was of angular shape, surmounted +by a statue of Charles V. of France, and, as De Lorgnac said, was +already doomed to destruction to make way for the improvements +contemplated by the King. + +It was midnight now, and the streets were almost deserted, though here +and there were groups of people collected together for mutual +protection. As time was short we decided to take the Rue St. Thomas du +Louvre despite its ill-paved and noisome condition. Passing the +fountain near the Marche des Innocents we turned up by the St. Eustache +into the Tiquetonne, and thence Rue Tire Boudin was but a short step. +I need not say with what joy the good Pierrebon received me, and after +a light supper--in which, I fear, I did but scant justice to De +Lorgnac's Joue--I determined to snatch an hour or so of rest before +starting. Before doing so, however, Lorgnac took me to see the horses. +They looked what he said they were--good, stout roadsters. I asked him +his price, but, as I expected from one of his generous nature, he +offered them to me as a gift. This I was determined not to accept, and +finally, after much persuasion, he took forty crowns of the sun for the +two. This was barely their worth, but nothing would induce him to +accept a denier more. + +The valise I had packed contained the requisites for a journey, and +having changed my attire I decided to take such rest as I could get in +a chair until it was time to start. I seemed to have barely closed my +eyes when I was awakened again by the touch of a hand on my shoulder. +It was Le Brusquet. + +"_Eh bien_," he said, "but you sleep like an honest man! It has gone +three. The horses are ready, and De Lorgnac and Pierrebon await you +below. Come!" + +So saying he led the way down. We had to go to the stables, and in the +yard were the two horses ready saddled. Lorgnac was also there, and to +my surprise I saw that he too was mounted. + +"I will see you to the gates," he explained as he caressed his horse, a +magnificent grey charger. + +"And as for me," said Le Brusquet, "I will wish you good fortune here, +and a safe return, and the sword you lent me is in secure keeping." + +And so we rode out in the grey darkness of the morning through the +solitary streets, where there was never a sign of life except an +occasional dog, which--homeless and friendless--stared wistfully after +us as we went past. I had decided to leave Paris by the Porte St. +Michel, and this all the more as the captain of the gate--the Vicomte +de Crequy--was a near relative of De Lorgnac, and the passage through +might, perhaps, be made easier on this score. It was still dark as we +trotted down the Rue de la Harpe under the shadow of the Sorbonne, +having passed the Pont au Change and the Pont St. Michel without +difficulty, although we expected some check there. + +On our coming up to the Porte St. Michel the guard challenged us, +threatening to fire with his arquebus if we did not halt. This we were +compelled to do, and a parley ensued. The result was that the +under-officer of the guard came forth, with two or three of his men, +and allowed us to approach. + +On our coming up, and on my explaining that I desired to have the gates +opened, he swore as he surveyed us with the aid of a lantern that he +swung in our faces. + +"_Mordieu_!" he said, with a rough southern accent--and a grim old +soldier he was--"are you madmen, or have you dropped from the clouds, +not to know that the gates are shut and will not be opened till +sunrise?" + +"That may be, monsieur," I replied; "but I have a letter to the +King--to the King, mind you--which he must get ere he starts for the +hunt." + +"_He_!" he said doubtfully. "A letter to the King! You will have to +take it on wings, then. But from whom is this letter?" he added +suspiciously. + +"That, monsieur, does not concern you. The fact remains that I have +this letter, and it is you who will have to answer for its late +delivery, not I." + +"Then let me see it." + +I pulled out the letter and showed it to him, without, however, letting +it pass from my hands. He cast the light of the lantern on it, and +looked this way and that at the seals and at the address, muttering to +himself the while. + +"Devil take me! But I never could read. Here! Can any one of you +read this?" And he turned to his men, but they one and all shook their +heads. + +"I will read it for you if you like," said De Lorgnac as he pushed his +horse forwards. + +"You!" + +"Yes. I am Monsieur de Lorgnac, the lieutenant of the Queen's guard." + +The old soldier made a mock bow. "And I," he said, "am Agrippa +Pavanes, without a _De_, lieutenant of the Gate of St. Michel; and your +friend there is, I suppose, Monsieur _de_ Croquemort, lieutenant of +Trouands. And, as we all know each other now, I tell you plainly you +must hold patience by the tail as best you may until the gates are +opened. Letter or no letter, I will not let you through." + +And so saying he would have turned away, but Lorgnac said quietly: + +"You will be good enough, monsieur, to inform Monsieur de Crequy that I +am here and desire to see him at once." + +Agrippa Pavanes swung round and faced us, his hand on his sword-hilt. + +"I am in charge of this gate at present, and I will act as I think +best. I may not be able to read or write, but if you do not be off I +will make a full stop on you with the point of my sword," he snarled. + +Affairs were getting serious. Nor do I know what might have happened, +but at this juncture a head appeared at a window in one of the flanking +towers of the gate, and an angry and a sleepy voice asked what was the +matter below. + +"It is I, Crequy," began De Lorgnac, and the other exclaimed: + +"You! What in the--saints' name--brings you here, De Lorgnac, at this +hour of the night, or rather morning? Is it not enough that I am +banished here to keep watch over this infernal gate? And now you----" + +"Come, Crequy; this is a matter of urgency. There is a letter here +from the Queen which must reach the King before the _petit couvert_, +and your lieutenant will not let the messenger pass through the gates." + +"He is quite right! But a letter from the Queen, did you say?" + +"Yes; and to the King in person. Come down, and see for yourself." + +"Not I; I am in my shirt, and my health is delicate. Send up the +letter. Pavanes, do me the favour to bring it up." + +I handed the letter to Agrippa, who took it up, with very much the +surly air of a dog walking away with a bone. A moment after he too +appeared at the window with his light, and Crequy examined the letter +and the seals. + +"'Tis right, Pavanes," we heard him say; "'tis the Queen's own hand and +seal. Let the messenger through." And leaning out of the window he +repeated the same to us. + +De Lorgnac thanked him, regretting, at the same time, the necessity he +had of arousing him; and Crequy swore back, in mock tones of injury, +that he would have a special cell built for disturbers of his rest, +and, wishing us the day, retired abruptly. + +Agrippa carried out his orders with an ill grace, and made no answer to +my thanks; so, bidding farewell to De Lorgnac, I put spurs to my horse, +and, followed by Pierrebon, rode out of Paris. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +SIMON AND I MEET AGAIN + +The stars were yet shining as we skirted the heights of Charenton, but +it was day when we saw Villaneuve St. Georges on its wooded hill. +Here, where the Yeres wound between banks covered with willows and +poplars, I first drew rein, and taking the King's letter from my pocket +tore it into a hundred fragments. Some I let drift down the stream, +and the remainder I scattered to the winds. I may say at once that +this was in accordance with the Queen's instructions. The letter was +merely intended to enable me to free the gates, and after that it was +to be destroyed. It had served its purpose, and now went its way. +Needless to add, I had no intention to touch at Fontainebleau or +disturb the _petit couvert_ of the King. At Melun, therefore, where +horse and man were refreshed, I crossed the bridge, and took the road +to Etampes. Half way, where the little town of Alais lies on the +Essonne, I turned due south, and entered the Orleannois by Malesherbes. + +There was many a league yet between me and Montluc, and though I had to +ride hard I had yet to husband the horses, lest they should break down, +or in case of emergency. + +By avoiding the main roads and large towns and keeping to by-paths I +lessened the chance of danger as much as possible. At Candes, which +lies at the junction of the Loire and the Vienne, I heard that the +Guidon of Montpensier was hard at hand, and, knowing well the +reputation of this person, I bade Pierrebon saddle up, and we started +without a meal, though we had ridden far and fast. In a short time we +entered the forest of Fontevrault, and my spirits rose high at the +thought that in a brief space I would be in Poitiers, where Montluc +lay, and my mission accomplished. + +So far so good; but towards midday I began to feel the need of rest, +and splashing across a ford of the Negron I called a halt on the +opposite bank and looked around me; whilst Pierrebon, who was a little +stiff, jumped from his hackney, and began to mop his brow and stretch +his legs. + +We were in the heart of the forest, and to the north, south, east, and +west of us there was nothing but trees and dense underwood, with here +and there a long, shimmering glade or an open space, through which a +small streamlet hummed, its banks gay with flowers. + +But I confess that at the moment I had no eyes for the scene--for the +yellow mary-buds, the blue of the wild hyacinth, or the white stars of +the wind-flowers; for leaf and shade, and all the enchantment of the +woodland. In brief, I was famished, and would have given a gold Henri +to have seen a signboard swinging in the air. And, besides, it was +dawning upon me that somehow we had missed the track. + +"Pierrebon," I said, "do you know how far it is to Marcay?" + +Pierrebon shook his head dolefully, saying as he did so that he did not +even know where we were. + +"Then, my friend, we are lost in Fontevrault Forest." + +Pierrebon made no answer to this, but mounted his hackney. And, +touching my nag with the spur, we cantered along a lean glade, trusting +that the track which ran along it would hap to be the right one. Now +and again as we sped onwards a startled deer would break cover and rush +through brake and bramble, and once an evil-tempered old boar, feeding +under an older oak, glared savagely at us as we passed, grinding his +tusks in senseless rage till the foam flecked his brindled sides. + +We were in the deeps of the forest now, and, high noon as it was, it +was grey as twilight. Here, as we eased up for a moment, a dog-wolf +crossed our path, and with snarling lip and shining fangs slunk into +the thorn. Oh, for a leash of hounds now! But on we went, catching a +glimpse of a grim head peering after us through the thorn--a head with +blazing, angry eyes, that almost seemed to speak. It was lucky it was +not winter-tide, or that gentleman there would not be alone, but, with +a hundred or so of his fellows, would have made rare sport with us, +according to his lights. + +Still we went on through the endless woods, which closed in deeper and +deeper around us, until at last the track died utterly away in the +tanglewood, and the horses began to give sign that they were beaten. + +I saw that it was necessary to rest the beasts, and as I came to this +conclusion we came upon a little natural clearing, where, around a +clump of enormous elms, the turf was green as emerald and spangled with +a hundred flowers. Immediately behind the trees the ground rose, +forming a low hill covered with wild juniper and white thorn, and a +little stream bustled by it, whilst from the leafy shades above the +voices of many birds warbled sweet and low. + +There was no need to tighten rein. The horses seemed to know of their +own accord that they were to stop, and five minutes later they were +cropping the rich forage; whilst I, stretched on the turf, my back +against a tree, was resting with a sense of repose that would have been +delicious except for the pangs of hunger gnawing at me in a manner that +would take no denial. + +"_Hein_," I grumbled to myself, "nothing to eat but grass! If I were +the good King Nebuchadnezzar, now, I might do very well; but as it +is----" And then I heard a chuckle, and saw Pierrebon fumbling with +the valise. He cast a sly look at me, his blue eyes twinkling. + +"Monsieur is hungry?" + +"Famished." + +"And thirsty?" + +"Well, I have drank a little"--and I glanced at the streamlet--"but a +cup of d'Arbois now, or even some white Rochecorbon, would be nectar. +Confound my stupidity at losing the way! We should have been at Marcay +hours ago; but--what the devil----" + +In effect I might well have exclaimed, for Pierrebon had opened the +valise and taken therefrom a bulging wallet; and as I watched him with +astonished eyes he rapidly unpacked it, pulling forth a cold chicken, +some Mayence ham, a loaf of bread, and a bottle of wine, which last he +put down with a little flourish, saying as he did so: "'Tis red Joue, +monsieur. Not so good as d'Arbois, nor so bad as Rochecorbon." + +But I had already attacked the fowl, and answered, with my mouth full: + +"Pierrebon, this is the best service you have ever rendered. Open the +wine, and sit down and eat. _Corbleu_! but I will dub you knight, and +you shall bear arms for this--a trussed capon on a field vert." + +And then there was a silence, for, with the feast before us, time spent +in talking was time wasted. Finally, the capon disappeared, the last +slice of ham was divided with the edge of my dagger, the last drop +drained from the bottle, and restful and contented we lay back in the +shade; and Pierrebon slept, whilst I slipped into a waking dream. How +long this lasted I know not; but I came to myself with a start, and +looked around me. + +The shadow had shifted, leaving Pierrebon asleep in the sunshine, his +red face looking straight up at the blue sky. The horses too were +asleep in the purple loosestrife, and there was an intense peace over +all things. There as I lay, listening to the splashing of the water +and the song of the birds, a line of deer came out to drink, and, +catching sight of us, stopped and gazed, until a sudden panic took a +little speckled fawn, and it dashed away madly through the thicket, +followed by its mother and a cluster of startled doe, the stag going +last at a slow trot. + +I rose to my feet and saw how long the shadows were. In truth, it was +time to be up and moving. So, arousing Pierrebon, we were soon mounted +and jogging through the woods, with our backs to the west. We made +good way now, for the nags were refreshed; yet we knew not where the +night would bring us, for we were wholly lost. + +Farther and farther we rode into the woods, holding desperately on to a +faint track that wound and twisted through the endless aisles of the +forest. As the hour grew later the sky overhead changed from blue to +crimson and gold, and the sunset, stabbing through the lace-work of +branches overhead, cast ruddy lights on the trees, deepening the +shadows, and giving a ghostly distance to objects around, so that we +seemed in a fairy realm of enchantment. + +As the sunset began to fade, and the red and gold overhead changed +softly to purple and grey, over which the silver light of the moon +would soon be cast, we decreased our speed, and now, riding side by +side, peered anxiously into the wood for some sign of a human +habitation; but there was none to be seen. + +We rode in silence, for Pierrebon, to say truth, was uneasy at the +uncanny stillness, and that awe with which Nature in her lonely +grandeur inspires the dullest of mortals had begun to fill us. And so +no word was spoken. + +In and out the track wound, until at last it brought us to the very +heart of the forest, where the shadows lay black and deep. Around us +on every side the huge and aged trees, stretching in long lines of +receding obscurity, stood like a phantom army of giants guarding some +dreadful secret of the past. Twisted, distorted, and bent, with hairy, +moss-grown trunks from which the decaying bark peeled like the +mouldering cement on some old and forgotten ruin, the kings of the +forest stood silent and grim, their branches stretched out in grisly +menace--giant arms that threatened death to all who approached. + +Deeper and yet more deep we rode into the gloom, though the sunset yet +clung in a girdle of fire round the horizon, casting red blades of +light between the tree trunks; and Pierrebon's cheek grew pale, for +goblin and gnome and fay lived to him, and even I, who did not believe, +felt if my sword played freely in my sheath. And then I tried to sing. + +But so dismal were the echoes, so lowering the aspect of the mighty +trees, that seemed, in the quaking shadows, to be instinct with life +and motion, that "The Three Cavaliers" died away at the first verse; +and then, from the woods in front of us, rang out a scream for help, so +shrill and sharp in its agony that it froze the blood in our veins. + +"'Tis a spirit!" gasped Pierrebon, with pale lips, and half pulled his +horse round; but even as he did so the shriek rang out again--a woman's +voice--and high and shrill in its octave of suffering. It was enough +for me, and, sword in hand, I galloped for the sound. + +A few strides of the good beast, a leap over a fallen tree trunk, and +in a wide clearing I saw before me a deed of shame. + +There was a man lying dead on the ground. There was a white-robed +woman, screaming and struggling as two men tried to force her on to a +horse; whilst another man, mounted on a white horse, with a white mask +on his face, was urging them on to their work, and a long sword +glittered in his hand. + +I stayed not for a second, but, galloping straight on, made so sudden +an assault that one of the knaves was down and twisting on the grass +like a snake with a broken back, and the other had fled with a howl +into the forest almost before my coming was realised. + +But as the horse carried me on I felt a felon blow graze my cap, and I +had but time to half turn and parry another when I found myself face to +face with the masked man. + +Even as the sparks flew from our swords, and I felt that I had met a +master of fence, I knew it was Simon despite his mask. There lived not +a man like him. Tall and thin, with long, bird-like limbs and a +stooping back, with the features concealed by the white mask all but +the eyes, which glittered like those of an angry asp, he seemed more +spirit than man; and I felt as if I were crossing blade with some +uncanny phantom of the woods rather than a thing of flesh and blood, as +after a fierce bout we circled round, watching each other warily. + +"So, brother, we meet at last," I said. But he made no answer, though +his eyes flashed evilly as he came on again with a swift, lightning +attack that chance alone enabled me to avoid. And then my life was on +my wrist and eye; but I kept it, and began to slowly force him back. + +God forgive me! he was my brother; but he would have slain me there +like a mad dog--and life is dear. He never said a word until he was +being driven back, and then an oath broke from him. + +'Tis an ill thing to swear with a sword in one's hand. That oath gave +me strength and cooled me to ice. + +"Come!" I said, "you would not slay your heir; or are you going to make +room for me, Simon?" And my sword point ripped his doublet. + +The answer was a thrust that ripped my coat in turn, and then followed +the rasp of our blades. It was almost dark above us now, but a lance +height from the ground the horizon was still flaming red. We could +barely see each other's blades, but guided ourselves by the little +circles of light the sword points made as they flashed hither and +thither, seeking for an opening, to slip forward like a snake's tongue. + +Twice had I been touched. The first time it was a parry _en prime_ +that saved me; the second time Simon had hit me on my bridle arm. It +was only a touch; but I felt the warm blood on my sleeve, and Simon +laughed like a devil. + +But he mistook his man. Collecting all my strength I made so furious +an attack that I slowly drove him against the belting of trees, and +then there was a lightning thrust in tierce, a quick parry, and a +return over Simon's heart, but the point of my blade glanced from a +steel vest he wore. In glancing, however, it slipped upwards, and +catching the mask almost rent it from my brother's face, leaving it +half hanging, and almost blinding him. + +In my fury I followed up the thrust with another, but with the skill +that was his alone he partly parried it, though my blade found his +sword arm, just above the elbow joint; but as Simon's now useless hand +fell to his side he saw his defeat, and, with matchless presence of +mind, drove his spurs into his horse, and dashing off at full speed was +lost to view in a moment. + +It was useless to follow, though I rode a few yards after him, and +then, restraining myself, I pulled round and came back. Then I heard a +voice thank me, and Pierrebon appeared at my horse's head, as though he +had dropped from the clouds, and as I dismounted he burst forth: "Now, +praise to St. Hugo of Orrain! We have defeated the bandits." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +DIANE + +Man of the world and of many experiences as I was; old courtier, who +had seen the fairest of my land in the galleries of the Tournelles, or +the salons of the Louvre, I confess that I had never seen so graceful a +figure, or heard so sweet a voice as that which thanked me now. As for +her, when I stepped up, my sword still in my hand, some thought that +she had only escaped the beak of the vulture to feel the talons of the +hawk made her shrink back into silence. + +I felt this, and, bowing, said gravely: "There is no danger now, +mademoiselle. I doubt if our friends will return; but I fear it is far +to any refuge to-night." + +My words had effect. She was brave enough, and she answered: + +"We are not far from the Mable, monsieur!" + +"From the Mable! Then Marcay is behind?" + +"About six miles." + +"Ah! I thought we had overridden ourselves. And Richelieu is at hand?" + +"'Tis but a bare league." + +"Then in two hours at most we will be there. You will, of course, ride +my horse, and Pierrebon and I will share the other." + +"Thank you!" she said simply. And then with an effort, as she pointed +before her: "Monsieur, there is a man lying there who gave up his life +for me. I cannot leave him thus." + +And Pierrebon answered: "There are two, lady. I have covered them with +their cloaks, for they are both dead." + +"A moment," I said, and I too went and looked at the twain. + +There was no mistake. For these two the trees and the sky, the good +and the bad of the world had ceased to be; and as I pulled their cloaks +over their faces I muttered to myself, with a remembrance of the course +of "The Philosophy": + +"_Maximum vitae bonum mors_." + +Then I came back to the lady's side. "Mademoiselle, for these two +lying there, the honest man and the knave, what can be done at present +has been done. Come, I pray you! It grows late." + +"Oh, but I cannot!" And she too went forward to where the long dark +things lay stretched out on the sward, and shrinking, she looked, and +then on a sudden she sank on her knees, and prayed, and because, +whatever had happened, I had never lost my faith in God, without whom +we are nothing, I knelt too, and Pierrebon with me, and in our own way +we each sought comfort. After a while mademoiselle rose again, and +with a voice half choked with tears, said: + +"Monsieur, I am ready." + +We placed her on my brown horse, which Pierrebon led, I riding his, and +so we took our way in silence--a silence now and again broken by a sob +from the girl. I said nothing, deeming it wiser to let her be with her +thoughts; but as we came to the skirts of the wood I spoke: + +"Mademoiselle, I promise you that I will see to the Christian burial of +your friend." + +And then she wept unrestrainedly. To tell the truth, I knew not what +to do, and Pierrebon kept his head well to the front, looking neither +to the right nor to the left. In sheer desperation I asked her not to +weep, whereat she wept the more; and then I touched her shoulder with +my hand, as one would caress a child; but she shook me off, turning a +face that seemed scared with terror to me, and I could only stammer out +an apology, and remain silent. At last the violence of her grief +abated, and I ventured to ask who the dead man was. + +"He," she answered sadly, "was a trusted servant, and he was taking me +home. His name was Olivet." + +"Will not mademoiselle do me the honour to give me her name as well? I +am called Bertrand Broussel." + +She looked up as I spoke, and a nervous laugh escaped her. + +"I am glad I know your name, monsieur; it is one I shall always think +upon with gratitude. As for me, I--I am called Diane. I am the niece +of Cujus the furrier, a citizen of Tours, who is as a father to me. I +was going to rejoin him from Saumur when all this happened." + +"Have you any friends near, where I can leave you?" + +"Oh yes! Near Richelieu I have friends; and, once in the house of the +Bailiff of Muisson, I would be safe." + +"I will see you there, with your permission." + +"Thank you! And I want to tell you how this happened. I was going +back home from Saumur, under the charge of Olivet, and we halted at +Marcay to rest. About a half-hour after leaving Marcay we were set +upon and taken prisoners by the men from whom you have saved me. + +"Where they were taking us I cannot tell. As evening came I heard your +voice singing, and, screaming for help, I slipped from my saddle, with +the intention of running towards you. Olivet made a brave effort to +help me--but----" And it was only with an effort that she prevented +another breakdown. + +"Have you any idea who these men are?" + +She remained silent, as if collecting her thoughts. And I went on: + +"I ask because I recognised one--the leader." + +"Ah, monsieur, I feared to mention his name. He is a great noble, and +he--he--but I cannot tell you." And she stopped, with a little shiver. + +"You need not, madame. He is Simon, Vidame d'Orrain." + +"Yes," she said, and our talk stopped. My cheeks were burning at the +thought of Simon's deed of shame, and I put this down to the long score +I had against him. And so on we rode, until we passed the skirts of +the forest, though still keeping to its edge, and came to a stretch of +moorland, beyond which was a series of small hills. We could now hear +water running like a mill-race, and from the hills there glinted the +lights of a large village. + +"That is Richelieu, monsieur," exclaimed mademoiselle, "and the water +that we hear is the Mable." + +"See there, monsieur!" Pierrebon suddenly cut in, as he arrested +mademoiselle's horse, and pointed to his right, where on the edge of +the forest we saw lights at the windows of a low-lying, irregular +building half concealed amidst trees. "See there!" continued +Pierrebon; "that is a house where at least we shall be able to sup and +get a guide." + +"A guide," I exclaimed, "with Richelieu before us!" + +"Listen to the Mable," urged Pierrebon; "is there a bridge? If not we +must ford it; and they say the river is deep and dangerous; but perhaps +mademoiselle knows the ford?" + +"Indeed I do not." + +Considering all things, I came to the conclusion that Pierrebon was +right, and that it would be wiser to seek the house. As we approached +it, mademoiselle said: + +"It may be the hunting-lodge of Le Jaquemart, belonging to the Sieur de +Richelieu." + +"Well, we will know soon," I said, and urged Pierrebon to quicken his +pace. There was but a bare quarter mile of moorland, covered with +yellow broom and purple thistle, to be passed, and then we came up to +the house. As we did so we perceived that it was surrounded by a high +stone wall, and mademoiselle exclaimed positively: + +"It is Le Jaquemart; but it is strange it is occupied, for the Sieur de +Richelieu is in Italy." + +"_Bien_," I thought to myself, "the furrier's niece knows all about the +Sieurs de Richelieu!" And then aloud: "Perhaps he has returned with +Montluc, mademoiselle; or it may be that friends of his hunt the +forest." + +"M. de Parthenay is near Loudon." + +I made no answer, for at this moment we reined up before the gate, and +glanced at the massive, studded portal, and the old wall, with its soft +crowning of ivy on the top, and grey-green, moss-covered sides, where +the yellow wall-pepper and white serpyllum pushed between the crevices +of the stonework. And as we looked we heard from within a peal of loud +laughter, a woman's voice mingling with the deeper tones of that of a +man. As the laughter ceased Pierrebon exclaimed: + +"They are gay within, monsieur!" And then, on a sign from me, he +knocked long and loudly. + +"Enough, enough! You would waken the dead." + +"One more, monsieur!" And Pierrebon, who already smelt his supper, +brought the brass lion's head of the knocker with such force against +the studded door that it might have been heard a quarter mile away. + +From within came a shrill whistle, and a voice called out, with a +foreign accent: "The gate, Piero! Who is it? Someone knocks." + +"And will knock again soon if you do not make haste," grumbled +Pierrebon; whilst I pricked up my ears, and glanced at mademoiselle, +and saw her drooping in her saddle. Now we heard a heavy, lurching +step on the other side of the gate, a sliding panel covering a Judas +Hole was drawn back, a man's face appeared dimly, and a voice asked in +halting French: + +"Who are you? What do you want?" + +"Supper and a guide," began Pierrebon; but dismounting I put him aside, +and said: + +"We are three travellers, one of whom is a lady. We have lost our way, +and seek but a guide to the ford." + +As I spoke the man on the other side of the gate raised a dark lantern +he had hitherto held low in his hand, and flashed it through the +opening, whilst he peered at us. + +"Only three?" he asked. + +"And one a lady," I answered; whilst Pierrebon let his tongue wag: "Oh, +the mole! To want a lantern in this moonlight!" And following his +words came the voice from the house, asking again in Italian: + +"What is the matter, Piero?" + +To which Piero answered: "I come, signor," and with a brief "Wait!" to +us, swung round on his heel and went back, Pierrebon, as he looked at +the retreating figure through the grille, saying, "By St. Hugo! +monsieur, we might be a party of the Guidon's Free Riders, or Captain +Loup and his gang!" But, paying no heed to his words, I turned to +mademoiselle. + +"I like not this place. We had better take our chance of finding the +ford. Come!" + +At this Pierrebon, with the freedom of an old servant, began to +protest, and mademoiselle aided him. + +"Oh, monsieur, could we not rest here for a little?" + +"We may rest here for ever if we do," I said a little sharply. "Come!" + +My words had, perhaps, too much of command in their tone, for she +answered back coldly: "I intend to rest here, monsieur; you may go on +if you like." + +At this I said nothing more, and let her have her way, but gave +Pierrebon a warning grip of the arm to be careful. Pierrebon nodded in +comprehension. He was no fool, though many thought him so, and though +if his betters drew steel he as a rule let matters lie with them, yet +he could be dangerous--a thing which people found out sometimes when it +was a trifle late. + +We had to wait a space, then we heard the woman's voice laughing once +more within. Something in its hard, clear tones jarred upon me, and I +glanced at mademoiselle, but she kept her face aside. But now we heard +returning footsteps, the grating of a bolt drawn back, the turning of a +key, and then the gate opened; whilst Piero, a huge figure, stood +before us, swinging his lantern, and beside him another man, armed with +an arquebus, the fuse burning like a glow-worm. + +"Enter," said Piero; "the signor will receive you." + +"_Facilis est descensus Averni_," I murmured to myself, and led the +way, and the gate was shut behind us. Before us lay a short drive +bordered with tall poplars, and on either hand a tangle of a garden +that had run to a wilderness. As we rode up a woman's figure appeared +at an open window, but stepped back at once, and I asked Piero, in his +own Italian: + +"Has Monsieur de Richelieu returned?" + +The giant answered gruffly: "I know not, signor. He who is within is +the Captain Torquato Trotto." + +"Torquato Trotto! I know not the name." + +And Piero made no answer, for we had now come to the door of the house. +Here I helped mademoiselle to alight, whilst Pierrebon took charge of +the horses, and mademoiselle and I entered the house. At the same time +a man came running down the stairs to meet us. As his eyes fell on us +a slight exclamation of surprise broke from him; but he checked it on +the instant, and advanced, saying in French: + +"You are very welcome, madame and monsieur, I do assure you--very +welcome." + +And he bowed before us, courteously enough; but I caught the veiled +mockery in his voice, and as I took the speaker in I thought he was +bravo to his finger-tips. + +"Monsieur," I said, "I thank you. We but crave permission to rest a +while, and seek a guide to the ford of the Mable, for we have to be at +Richelieu to-night." + +"We will do what we can for you, monsieur. Be pleased to ascend. I +will be with you in a moment. I have but a word to say to my man here. +Excuse me!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE ACTS OF PIERREBON + +Leaving us to find our way upstairs Torquato Trotto went out into the +porch where Piero the giant stood, cast a glance at the retreating +figure of Pierrebon, who was leading the horses away, looked over his +shoulder like a cat, and, gripping Piero by the arm, shook with +laughter. + +"_Maledetto_!" exclaimed Piero, who was of an evil temper, as he freed +himself from Trotto's clutches, and looked at the swaying figure before +him. "Loose hold, signor! Have you been bitten by a tarantula?" + +"Oh! I could sing, I could shout, I could dance. Man! that is the +very girl we want; and Monsieur the Vidame, who lies within, twisting +in his chair, will pay a thousand fat, gold Henris for her when he +knows. Ho! it will be rare news for him!" + +"Are you sure?" + +"As I live. Did I not watch her for a whole week at Saumur? 'Tis well +we have not Aramon and the rest with us. The fewer there are the +larger the shares. Can Malsain deal with the lackey?" + +Piero grinned for reply. + +"Well! let him be his care, and you had better stay at hand here. Give +me the key of the gate, and, remember, a hundred crowns apiece to you +and Malsain for this. And now for a word in the Vidame's ear." + +With this he turned back into the house, leaving Piero looking after +him. + +"A hun--dred crowns apiece! _Diavolo_! Captain Torquato! If I knew +the money was here I would make the whole thousand mine; and then--hey +for Rome again! But a hundred crowns are a hundred crowns, and fill a +purse rarely. Well, I go to warn Malsain!" + +And the giant went slowly off, regretting in his heart what might have +been. + +In the meantime we found ourselves on a landing before an open door, +disclosing a room brightly lit. There was a glimpse too of a table +laid for supper, and near the table stood a tall woman, with black hair +that hung to her waist, with bare rounded arms and painted cheeks, and +a face that was beautiful still, though she had come to be what she was. + +She was holding a cup of red wine in her hand, but stopped in the act +of lifting it to her lips as she caught sight of us, and setting down +the wine untasted advanced, saying: + +"Enter, I pray you. La Marmotte bids you welcome." + +"I thank you, madame," I replied bowing, with many misgivings in my +heart, and inwardly cursing the folly that had made me yield and enter +this house. But who is there who does not make mistakes?--and I for +one have never set claim to be infallible. I was wrong, and I admit +it--that is enough. + +And so we went in, and for the first time there was light enough to see +mademoiselle's face, and as I looked there came to me a sting of regret +for the days that would never return. It was as if some devil had +flashed before me a mirror in which the past was reflected; and, +believe me, when one has lived and regretted it is not necessary to be +in love for such a lightning flash of bitter memory to come to a man +when he sees beside him the purity of innocence. + +And so it was too with La Marmotte, who had turned to us with a light +laugh, and lighter words to her lips; but laugh and words died away as +she met the girl's look, and--I could read her like an open +page--awakened memory took the woman back to the time when she herself +was as the girl before her. And so, because there were yet undefiled +wells of good in her soul, there came upon her an unwonted timidity, +and it was with a respectful hesitation that she pressed upon us seats +and refreshment. But even as she did so her eyes met mine with a +half-imploring, half-defiant glance. She felt that I knew, though I +thanked her for her courtesy as if she were a princess of the land. + +Mademoiselle sank weariedly into a chair; whilst La Marmotte, with all +the silent notes in her heart touched in some undefinable way, hovered +over her, fearing to approach her, and yet feeling as if she must. + +For me, I remained standing, softly rubbing my wounded arm, over which +I had drawn my cloak, and looking around me here, there, and +everywhere, for I knew we were in a trap, and trapped by my own folly. +As I looked I saw something white showing beneath the cushions of a +settle, and taking the cup of wine that La Marmotte handed to me I +moved thereto, and, sitting down, looked more closely. It was a white +mask. Softly drawing it forth, and, unobserved, slipping it into the +pocket of my cloak, I saw in doing so that it was stained with fresh +blood, and then I knew we were in the house of death. + +At this moment Torquato Trotto appeared at the door with suave +apologies, and stepping forward, rubbing his hands together, he said: +"I regret to have appeared so discourteous; I trust that monsieur and +madame will remain here for to-night." + +"I am afraid, Signer Torquato Trotto, that is impossible." + +"_Per Bacco_! You know me!" exclaimed the Italian in slight surprise. + +"The name of Torquato Trotto is known in France," I said, and the brow +of the man darkened. + +"Perhaps I too can return the compliment, monsieur. You are----" + +"Bertrand Broussel, bourgeois, of the Rue des Lavandieres, Paris," I +interrupted, and I caught a strange expression of disappointment in +mademoiselle's eyes. "Hum!" I thought, "does the furrier's niece take +me for a prince of the blood in disguise?" + +La Marmotte, however, cut in at this juncture, for she saw the storm in +the air, and I again said that we would go on at once, if Messire +Trotto would of his kindness provide us with a guide; if not, we would +go without one. + +And Trotto answered blandly: + +"Impossible! My lieutenant is away with my men, and I have no one here +who knows the way. I am totally ignorant myself, or I would willingly +help you. Besides, to go now would be madness. The road is infested +by robbers--faith of a gentleman!" + +"That is indeed true! I have just escaped them--thanks to the bravery +of this gentleman here," exclaimed mademoiselle. + +"Madame, you are lucky to have escaped; but you must tell us of your +adventures as we sup," and he moved towards the table. + +In the meantime Pierrebon, looking well to the right and left, led the +horses towards the stables. Every shadow in the winding walk, every +recess in the over-grown privet, hid a secret enemy to him. He avoided +passing near the ruined summer-house for fear of the ambush that might +be within, and then, finding the hedges close in upon the road, boldly +took his beasts along the neglected parterres until at last he reached +the stables. Here, near the open door he saw Malsain, tall and thin, +but muscular and strong as whipcord, sitting down by the light of a +guttering candle to a meagre repast of bread and cheese, washed down +with water--for Malsain never touched wine. + +"An evil-looking man," Pierrebon thought, as he glanced at Malsain +sitting on a stool; and evil-looking indeed he was, with his hawk's +face, thin cruel slit of a mouth, and one wicked eye that glowed with +the same sombre fire as the fuse of his arquebus, which leaned against +the wall behind him. And then from the man himself Pierrebon glanced +at the hermit's fare before him. "St. Siege!" he groaned, "bread and +cheese and cold water--with a dagger-thrust to follow for digestion, +perhaps." + +But now Malsain heard him, his hand went out silently to the arquebus, +and he turned a yellow, threatening face towards the visitor. + +"Hola!" exclaimed Pierrebon. "It is I. I have brought monsieur's +horses for a feed and a rest." + +"Ho! it is you." And Malsain, putting down his arquebus, returned to +his cheese again as he added: "There are two stalls vacant there, and +you will find oats in that barrel." He had not, of course, it will be +understood, received Trotto's message as yet. + +Pierrebon entered without further ceremony. There were already three +horses in the stables; but, as Malsain had said, there were still two +stalls vacant, and here he put the nags. Whilst attending to them, +however, he kept glancing uneasily at the supper before Malsain, which +was diminishing at a frightful rate, for the thin man ate like a +cormorant. At last, unable to endure this more, he stopped rubbing +down the brown hackney, and, stepping up to the table, took a seat on a +stool opposite Malsain. Then, drawing his dagger, he helped himself +without further ceremony to some cheese and bread, and glanced somewhat +ruefully into the jug of water. + +"_Diable_!" grumbled Malsain, "you are eating my supper." + +"Well," and Pierrebon looked at him, "am I not your guest, as my master +is your master's?" + +Malsain said nothing, but scowled across the table at Pierrebon; and +the latter, who was as alert as a weasel when it came to the push, went +on: "But, _compere_, they feed you thinly here--and no wine!" + +"I eat to my taste, and drink to my taste," growled Malsain; but +Pierrebon, not heeding his ill temper, continued: + +"Now, with my master there is always a bottle of Rochecorbon, and a cut +from a pasty, not to mention a crown-piece here and a crown-piece +there; and I wager that in the house yonder there is something more +than acid cheese and dry bread for hunger, or spring water for thirst." + +"Be silent, fool! Take what you can get, or leave it," said Malsain +sullenly, his hand slipping down to his side; but Pierrebon laughed +cheerily as he cut another slice of cheese, his two blue Burgundian +eyes steadily fixed on Malsain's sallow face, and as they looked at +each other there came a heavy footfall outside, and Piero called out in +his deep voice: + +"Malsain! Here! A word with you!" + +Malsain rose slowly, and went outside, and Pierrebon, following him +with his glance, saw Piero's huge figure in the moonlight, and a chill +came upon him. + +"By St. Hugo! 'tis the ogre himself! And they consult together!" he +murmured, wishing himself a hundred miles away, and he watched the +twain moving off into the shadow, straining his ears to catch a word if +possible, but at first he could hear nothing. Thus a minute or so +passed, whilst the evil pair outside stood in the shadow of a copper +beech whispering together. If Pierrebon could but hear a word to guide +him! He dared not attempt to approach them, but was forced to stay +where he was. At last he caught something. Malsain laughed out like a +hyena: "I would slit their throats for fifty, and throw the Vidame into +that----" But Piero roughly bade him lower his voice, and the +whispering continued. + +Pierrebon heard no more. That there was danger in the air he knew. He +had not forgotten my warning pressure on his arm as we entered the +gates of Le Jaquemart, and now his worst fears were confirmed. For a +moment his heart sank, but for a moment only, for as he looked around +him his eyes fell on the arquebus, where it leaned against the wall. +The fuse was still alight. There was no time to hesitate. Malsain was +already returning; and if it were to be war Pierrebon thought he might +as well begin, and strike the first blow. Quick as thought he arose, +and taking up the arquebus moved off near the horses, and he was +blowing on the match to hearten the fire when Malsain stepped in. + +"Blood of a Jew! what are you doing with the arquebus, fool? Put it +down this instant, or I slit your throat." And Malsain, his poniard in +his hand, stood near the table, glaring savagely at Pierrebon. + +"Pardon!" said Pierrebon. "I was but looking at it. 'Tis a noble +weapon. And one well suited to a soldier's hand." + +"It could kill too, I wager," said Pierrebon, laughing, as he raised +the weapon, and pointed it at Malsain, who went back the step he had +taken, saying, with an oath, + +"It is loaded, fool! Put it down at once." + +"_Hein_! it is loaded. It would kill, then, if I fired--eh?" And +then, with a sudden change of voice and manner: "Ah, bandit! move a +step, utter the slightest cry, and you are a dead man! Throw down your +poniard!" + +Malsain looked at the barrel of the arquebus. It was steady as a rock, +and behind the little black muzzle the match burned bravely; whilst +behind the match was a red face with two blue eyes that looked as if +they meant what their owner said. Malsain let his dagger drop with a +clash. + +Pierrebon then advanced a couple of paces nearer, still holding the +arquebus at Malsain's breast. + +"Now, my friend! Take that bridle from the peg at your hand and fasten +your ankles together. What!--you hesitate?" + +Malsain hissed something between his teeth, and snatched the bridle +from the peg. + +"Go on! A running knot--lap it well round, and finish off! There! +That is right! You are no novice, I see, _mon vieux_!" + +Malsain made no answer, but stood bolt upright before Pierrebon, his +face grey, his one eye bloodshot, his lips livid. It is true that he +had tied himself as loosely as possible, but still he was terribly +crippled; and from his soul he regretted that he had not made a rush at +Pierrebon, and chanced his fortune; but now this was hopeless. + +Worse, however, was to come, and it came at once. + +"Now," said Pierrebon, "fasten your wrist to your ankle--your left +wrist." + +"It is impossible," said Malsain thickly. + +"Then I shall blow your brains out when I have counted three. One!" + +Malsain looked about him with his red eye, and shuffled uneasily. + +"Two!" + +Malsain swore again, a nameless oath. + +"Th----" + +Malsain stooped down with the rapidity of lightning, and began fumbling +with the yard or so of trailing rein. + +He tried to deceive Pierrebon; but the candle gave enough light to see, +and Pierrebon was sharp. There was no help for it, and at last it was +done, badly done, but enough to utterly cripple Malsain. The final +order now came: + +"Now lie down on your face." + +This was difficult; but there are circumstances under which men do all +but impossible things, and Malsain performed the feat. + +After this the worthy Pierrebon took a more active part in the binding +of Malsain. Still holding the arquebus in one hand he unhitched +another bridle from its peg. Then, placing the arquebus at _his_ feet, +he drew his dagger and approached Malsain, upon whom he sat, and with a +gentle prick or so reminded him it was unsafe to struggle or cry. He +fastened up his free arm, and finished off the work in an artistic +manner. When it was over Malsain was like a trussed fowl. Pierrebon +stepped back, and surveyed his work with the satisfaction of one who +knows that he has done well. + +"Ah, I had forgotten!" he exclaimed. Then he pulled from his pocket a +'kerchief. A touch at Malsain's throat with his poniard was hint +enough. Malsain opened his mouth, and the handkerchief, rolled into a +ball, was thrust inside. + +Pierrebon fumbled once more in his pocket, and produced some stout +twine. He gave a little grunt of satisfaction as he lashed it around +Malsain's jaws, and felt at last that victory was his. + +"It is complete--eh, _mon vieux_?" + +And so saying he dragged Malsain with no tender hand across the +pavement of the stable. There was a black, vicious-looking cob in one +of the stalls. Pierrebon flung his victim on the straw near the beast. +"I should lie still," he said in warning; "the horse might kick." + +Then he saddled up again, calmly selecting a third horse from the +stable, from a stall where he saw some ladies' saddlery. + +"This will do for mademoiselle," he muttered as he glanced around him +with satisfaction; "all is ready here. And now for the ogre." Taking +up the arquebus he looked at the priming, and made his way cautiously +to the house. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE WHITE MASK + +It is necessary to hark back a little now to the moment when Torquato +Trotto, having given his instructions to Piero, went into the house. +The stairway was empty, for both I and my charge were with La Marmotte, +and the Italian ran upstairs with a footfall as light as that of a cat. +On reaching the landing he stopped for a second, glanced around him, +with the same feline caution that marked all his movements, and then, +creeping forward on tiptoe, went along a corridor leading to a wing of +the house. + +At the extreme end of this gallery was a door, at which Trotto knocked +softly. From within a strident voice said: "Come in!" Then followed +an exclamation of pain, and a free oath. + +Trotto smiled, shrugged his shoulders, as only an Italian can, pushed +open the door, and entered the chamber. The spear-shaped flames of two +tall candles but half lit the room, making a circle of wavering light. +Beyond all was in uncertain gloom, through which one could dimly see +the old tapestry and massive furniture of bygone years. + +Where the light was brightest was an easy-chair, and there sat Simon of +Orrain, with his bandaged right arm resting on a cushion, placed on a +low table drawn close to him. As Trotto entered he looked up with a +snarl. + +"What is it? Did I not say I was to be left alone? Curse this arm!" + +"Ah, excellency," and Trotto glanced at the throbbing arm, "you should +have waited for Aramon's return, or taken us with you." But Simon +broke in: "I tell you, Trotto, the plan was perfect, and if it had not +been for the accident of that villain's coming our bird would have been +here by this. Even when he came, if La Crotte had but stood his +ground--but there! Give me some of that wine. My blood is red hot, +and my throat on fire with the pain of this wound!" + +Torquato Trotto filled a cup from a flagon that lay on the table near +the Vidame. Simon took it from him with his left hand, drained it, and +flung it from him, so that it struck the wainscoting of the wall, and +fell with a crash on the floor. + +"La Crotte shall hang for this," he went on savagely. "The cur! the +coward!" + +"You will make your wound worse, excellency. Be calm! There is time +for things to mend." + +"Time! When the whole affair has been bungled--and by you." + +"By me, excellency?" + +"Yes; if you had given me Piero and Malsain instead of those +serving-wenches Billot and La Crotte." + +Torquato lifted a deprecating hand. "They did well before, excellency; +and Billot could not have done better, for he is dead, you say. And as +for La Crotte----" + +"He shall hang--hang to the first tree." + +"As your excellency pleases. He has, however, to be caught first. But +in the meantime I have intruded on you because I think we can yet save +the game." + +"Ugh!" + +"Your excellency, I have a plan; and I think we win the odd trick." + +"Well, what is your brilliant idea?" + +Trotto coughed. "But the risk, excellency, is greatly increased now +that this man is mixed up in the affair." + +Simon straightened himself in his chair and looked at the captain. + +"I suppose you want more money. Well, what is your plan?" + +"With your excellency's permission I will keep that to myself, for a +plan is a plan when one head holds it. But if I were to place your +prize in your hands by tomorrow morning?" + +"Impossible!" + +"But I say it is possible." + +"Then five hundred crowns the day you reach Paris." + +Trotto shook his head. "It could be done for a thousand, +excellency--for certain." + +Simon's eyes seemed to sink back deeper into their hollow sockets, and +his face became paler, if possible. + +"A thousand devils! Impossible! It's a fortune!" + +"Your excellency is playing for a fortune; and this time we win--faith +of a gentleman! Make it a thousand crowns, and your bonny bird is +yours with the dawn, and I will myself perform the wedding ceremony if +you like." + +"You?" + +"Yes, excellency," and Trotto put his hand to the crown of his head. +"My hair has grown, but, you will remember, I am none the less a priest +for all that." + +There was another silence. Simon knitted his brow, as if in thought. +Then he cursed again at his wounded arm, and spoke: + +"It is an exorbitant sum; but I agree on one condition." + +"And that is?" + +"If you fail you get nothing; you have sucked enough from me already." + +"As your excellency pleases." And then, bending for an instant over +the wounded arm: "He must have been a rare swordsman to have beaten +you." + +Simon writhed in his chair. "Beaten me! I had the dog at my mercy, +but was not quick enough in the last parry." + +"Ah, excellency, 'tis always that little delay that causes accidents +like this." And Trotto made a gesture towards the wounded arm; but +Simon snarled at him: + +"Don't touch it, fool! Ugh! how it stings! There is one consolation, +however--that he must be squirming himself with pain now." + +"Eh! Then you touched him?" + +"Twice, Trotto, twice!" + +"Ah! that accounts for his wearing his cloak so tightly over his left +shoulder." + +Simon started: "Wearing his cloak so tightly! Have you seen him?" + +Torquato nodded, and the Vidame went on impatiently: "Are you dreaming, +or am I? You have not been out of the house." + +"But, excellency, benighted travellers might seek the house for rest +and a guide to the ford of the Mable." At these words a red flush came +over Simon's face, and he half rose from his chair. + +"Here, here!" he exclaimed, his voice almost cracking with +excitement--"here!--in Le Jaquemart! My sword, Trotto--quick!" And he +shivered with pain as he attempted to stand; but Torquato made him sit +back, and when he had succeeded told him what is already known. + +"And so," he concluded, "Malsain has by this time disposed of the +lackey, and La Marmotte is keeping the other birds amused until my +return. When it is all settled," and Trotto laughed, "your excellency +may make ready for the wedding, and La Marmotte will make a rare +bridesmaid." With these words he bowed, and went to the door, but +stopped at Simon's voice. + +"Trotto!" + +"Excellency!" + +"Be sure, and fail not!" + +"With a wounded man? Be happy, excellency! 'Twill be all over by +midnight. I will have it done before Aramon returns, to save sharing +the crowns. Good-night." + +"Trotto!" + +The captain put his head back through the door, and Simon said: + +"Call me when 'tis over. I would see the carrion ere we put it away." + +Trotto nodded, and closing the door left Simon of Orrain, full of +stinging pains in his body and burning evil thoughts in his soul, and +returning to us led the way to the supper-table. There, whilst we sat, +mademoiselle told them of her peril, and how she was rescued, and as +she concluded Trotto set down the cup of wine he was tasting, and +turning to me, said: + +"I congratulate you, monsieur. I trust, however, that your wounds do +not hurt you?" + +"Wounds!" exclaimed mademoiselle. "You are hurt, and you have said +never a word! Why did you not tell me? You must have them seen to at +once." And she rose from her seat. La Marmotte following her example, +and Trotto added his voice to hers, and was thanked with a look. + +"It is nothing. There is some mistake. I have but a scratch that will +keep till the morning." + +"But I insist," said mademoiselle. And Trotto put in with his soft +voice: "Mademoiselle, I am something of a leech, and will see to +monsieur's hurt at once." And then with a look at La Marmotte: +"Perhaps mademoiselle would like to repose until my men return. I +expect them every moment, and we could then arrange for your safe +passage." + +And just at this moment, through the open window that looked out upon +the balcony, there came a scrambling noise, and the ivy outside shook +and rustled, as though a heavy body were forcing its way through it. +Trotto gave a quick glance over his shoulder, stepped out of the +window, on to the balcony, and looked around him, whilst I took the +opportunity to urge on mademoiselle to go and rest. I did so with the +object of having Trotto alone for a little with me, and to test the +situation. As I spoke La Marmotte looked at me with warning in her +eyes, and her lips, which had paled under their paint, moved as if she +were about to form some words, but could not speak. Ere matters could +proceed further, however, Trotto came in, with a laugh. "There is +nothing there," he said. "It must have been a cat; the wild cats here +grow to enormous size." And then taking up a candlestick he continued: +"I will myself see mademoiselle to her apartment." But La Marmotte +spoke now. + +"Mademoiselle comes to my room. There is none other ready." + +The captain bowed and smiled. "I will light you there then," he said, +and led the way to the door. As they went out La Marmotte, who was +last, dropped her handkerchief, and stooping to recover it made a +warning gesture to me; but I stared vacantly to my front. + +As soon, however, as the door closed behind them, and I heard their +footsteps along the gallery, I pulled out the white mask, and lifting +the cover of a dish placed the mask within the dish and put back the +cover. Then drawing my sword I laid it between my knees, and, resuming +my seat, poured out some wine, and awaited Messire Torquato Trotto's +return. It was a fortunate thing that the wild cats of Fontevrault +were so large and heavy; and it was equally fortunate that Messire +Trotto, ex-priest, and now bandit or freelance, was aware of the fact, +else, perhaps, he might have examined the ledge that projected below +the parapet, and seen there an animal which, though large and heavy, +was of a different kind to the grey, striped prowlers of the forest. +He would, in fact, have seen Pierrebon, who after vainly trying to get +at Piero unobserved had determined to warn me, and succeeded with much +difficulty in making his way thus far. + +Through the screen of the ivy Pierrebon watched us in the room, and +when I was alone he was about to step in at once, when he saw my +actions, and guessed that I too was on the alert. + +"Good!" he thought, "he knows too. I had better wait here till I am +wanted. Ah! that is just the place!" Rising slowly, he climbed over +the parapet, and, with his arquebus ready, leaned up against the wall, +so that by moving his head slightly forward he could see into the room. + +The night was warm and clear. A light breeze stirred the ivy, and +shook the leaves of the old lime, by whose aid Pierrebon had made his +ascent. Within I sat at the table, my cloak unclasped, now sipping my +wine, now gently touching with my finger the dark patch on my sleeve +near my shoulder. Without, Pierrebon stood on guard in the black +shadow. Down below, Piero began to sing, as only men of his country +can, and the deep bass voice, with all its liquid Italian words, pealed +melodiously into the night. + +I listened, murmuring to myself: "Strange! Here is one who can sing of +his Alban hills and his Margarita one moment and cut a throat the next. +But here they come!" + +For Trotto's voice had stopped the singer, and then I heard them coming +upstairs. The heavy step of Piero halted, however, in the passage, and +Trotto entered alone, rubbing his hands together as usual, his white +teeth shining between their setting of red lip and short black +moustache and beard. Of a truth Messire Torquato was a handsome man if +an evil one. He came in with a set smile on his face. "The ladies are +safely at rest, and----" + +"And we can while away the time with this wine, some more supper, and a +little talk." + +"But your wounds, monsieur! They must be attended to. I have told +Piero to bring up some salve and bandages." + +"Bah!" I laughed, "let them keep. My wound, not wounds, is but a +scratch, and hurts far less than the one that lost you that +forefinger." And I pointed to his left hand, which wanted a forefinger. + +The captain's eyes flashed, and he dropped his hand to his side, though +he said, calmly enough: + +"I got that at Volterra. I was there with the Caraffa." + +"And I with Enghien. You see, we were comrades-in-arms without knowing +it. 'Tis a pity we never met. We must fight our battles over again. +Come, let us drink to the old days!" + +"With all my heart," was the reply. "A moment; and I will tell Piero +to wait." And he stepped to the door. + +"Tell him to go to the devil," I said, and Trotto laughed, and after a +word or so exchanged with Piero he closed the door and came back to his +seat. "I have sent Piero off," he said, and pouring out a bumper for +each of us he raised his cup, saying: "Pledge me this toast, monsieur. +Long life to the bride and bridegroom!" + +"Long life to the happy pair!" I clinked my cup with his, and drank, +my mind working like a clock to find out what was meant, my eyes never +moving from Trotto's face. + +"Now," I said, "it is my turn. The wine, messire captain. And here is +my toast: Confusion to the enemies of Bertrand Broussel!" + +There was, perhaps, some want of heartiness in the captain's voice as +he echoed the words but none in his manner of drinking, though he too +began to look, as if seeking for a hidden meaning in my words, and his +hand left his cup and dropped quietly to his side; but still I kept my +eyes on his, as I said: + +"That wine of yours is a rare cordial, captain; it makes me ravenous. +Do you remember how we starved before Volterra?" And I filled my cup +again. + +"Yes--well." + +"We were not birds of paradise exactly, and yet we had to live on air +sometimes--and a thin enough diet it was. You will never guess what I +had for supper once--try!" + +"I am bad at guessing, monsieur." + +"A mask." + +"A mask!" + +"Yes. It was not bad with a little olive oil and vinegar; but the very +thought makes me hungry. What have you in that dish beside you?" + +"Something better than a crape mask, I assure you." And Trotto put +aside the cover, only to let it fall with a little crash as he stared +at the white thing, and glanced up to meet my eyes, and hear my gibe. + +"A little surprise I prepared for you--a delicate attention." + +Trotto knew he was discovered. He began to breathe quickly, and his +hand once more went down. + +"Divide it, captain," I mocked; "there is just enough for two--ah!" +And I caught his wrist as he made a sudden stab at me, and pulled him +half over the table, springing backwards to my feet as I did so. In +his confusion he pushed the table over, and fell sideways on the floor, +dragging with him the tablecloth and the supper. + +He was at my mercy. It needed but a thrust, and his life was ended; +but I gave him his chance. + +"Get up, and take your sword!" + +Trotto rose, his face white, his lips bleeding, and snatching his sword +from its sheath thrust at me, with a strange smile on his face. He had +lied when he said Piero was gone. All unknown to me Piero had +remained, and opening the door stood at my back, his knife in his hand. +I saw not the death behind me, and stiff as I was from my wound my +attention was fully taken up by Trotto, who was no mean artist, and +fought like a cat at bay. But Pierrebon saw, and raised his arquebus. +The bravo behind me was about to strike, when there was a flash, a loud +report, and he rolled over a huge, limp, and lifeless mass. At the +shot Trotto had sprung back with a gasp to the corner of the room, and +crouched there like a rat, staring through the smoke at us, for +Pierrebon had run to my side. + +"Keep the door, Pierrebon," I said, and I stepped forward; but the +Italian was done. + +"I yield," he said; "I have lost." And he lowered his sword; but +between us there could be no parley. + +"Put up your sword--put it up, or I run you through as you are!" + +And because there was no help for it, save to fight, Trotto did so, but +his hand shook, and his courage was gone. He made a little show of +resistance; but it was nothing, and at the third or fourth pass he +thrust too high. He was late in the recovery, and I ran him through +the side. + +"Jesus!" he screamed, "I am dead!" + +Then he fell forward on his face, his fingers working convulsively. + +"He is dead too!" said Pierrebon as he stooped over the body. + +"Not yet," I said, and then for the first time I saw the huge figure of +Piero lying stark, the knife still in his clutch, and I saw too what I +owed Pierrebon, and wrung the honest fellow's hand. + +"Come!" I said. "Now for mademoiselle, and we shall be off. There are +others who will attend to these." + +"A moment, monsieur! The arquebus is not loaded, and this, perhaps, +will be more useful." So saying Pierrebon stooped and picked up +Trotto's sword. As he did so he noticed the keys at the Italian's +girdle. + +"And this too," he added, as with a touch of the sharp sword he cut the +light leather strap, and taking the keys followed me out into the +gallery. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE BITER BITTEN + +When Torquato Trotto lifted the candle to guide mademoiselle and La +Marmotte from the supper-room he was confident in the success of his +plan, and already heard the jingle of Simon's crown-pieces in his ears. +Perhaps it was the certainty that the birds were caged that made him a +trifle careless, and so there was something in his air and in the +glance he cast back upon his companions, whilst leading them through +the gallery, that filled mademoiselle with a sudden fear, and, but for +her pride, she would have run back to my side. So she nerved herself, +and went on to La Marmotte's room, though it was with a quaking heart. +At the door Torquato stopped, expressed a civil hope that mademoiselle +would be comfortable, and, bowing politely to her as she passed in, +handed the candle to La Marmotte, and was about to return when he felt +his arm seized. It was La Marmotte, and she looked into his face with +eager, searching eyes as she asked: "What does this mean?--more +treachery?" + +There was a bitter note in her voice, and the Italian looked at her +steadily. "She grows old," his thoughts ran on, "old, and exacting; I +must end this." Then, because there was other business on hand, he +restrained himself, and answered calmly: + +"I mean no harm to her, I assure you." + +With this he tried to disengage himself; but La Marmotte was not +satisfied. She felt he was lying. Then, too, all the vague feelings +of the past that had somehow been aroused in her that night were awake +and groping in her poor heart, and, perhaps, with these emotions there +was jealousy--who knows? + +Time had been in the gay days in Paris when La Marmotte could have +counted her lovers by the score. At last fate had thrown her across +the path of the Italian, and she, although knowing him evil, loved him +none the less, and followed his uncertain fortune like a faithful dog; +but years were going, and beauty was fading, and her heart was fearful +lest she should be cast adrift. + +"Trotto," she said, and her voice was husky, "I--I do not like this. +Let them go." + +Torquato Trotto cursed under his breath; but time was short, and he +could not afford to waste it. He bent down and kissed the woman's hand. + +"_Carissima_! have no fear. And now let me go and see to our guest's +wounds." With this he freed himself, and went back. + +La Marmotte stood for a pace watching the dim figure as it slipped +through the gloom of the corridor, the candle in her hand casting its +light on her red lips, her white neck and arms, and on the silken black +hair that hung to her waist. Then with a half-stifled sigh she +followed mademoiselle, and stepped into the room. It was empty. La +Marmotte's heart almost stood still, and the candlestick she held all +but fell from her trembling hand, as the poor wretch thought of the +wrath that would overtake her if her charge escaped. But it was +impossible! It could not be! And La Marmotte made another step +forward, and as she looked she saw a white-robed figure kneeling at a +_prie-dieu_, half concealed by the valence of the bed. + +"It is her," murmured La Marmotte with a sudden relief; and then she +almost spoke the words aloud, "she prays." And after a moment of +hesitation, she crept up softly, step by step, and stood behind +mademoiselle, a tumult of strange thoughts in her soul. La Marmotte +quivered from head to foot. Near her was a small table. With a +shaking hand she placed the light thereon, and made yet another step +forward. + +Prayer! Years had passed since she had prayed. It was years since she +had learned to laugh at the soul's communion with its God; to laugh, +and yet to know, in her heart of hearts, that she lied to herself. +After all, life had gone gaily with her. She was as a sleep-walker in +some garden of dreamland until this girl had come, and with her coming +startled her into wakefulness. And, standing there, La Marmotte was +for the moment innocent and pure in heart. "I will pray too," she +thought. What she was going to say, what she was going to ask from her +Creator, never struck her. All that she felt in her impulsive and +emotional heart was an overpowering desire to pray. She half sank on +her knees, and then sprang up, flushed and trembling, for at the moment +mademoiselle arose, and, turning, saw her. + +"Mademoiselle was praying?" stammered the woman. + +"Yes, madame. I was thanking God for our escape, and for the friends +He has given us here." + +La Marmotte thought of Simon lurking in his chamber. She thought of +Torquato Trotto, and she shivered at the thought. Mademoiselle came up +to her, and placing a hand on her shoulder, said: "I will never forget +the kindness I have had here." + +It was too much for La Marmotte. She shrank from the gentle touch. + +"Don't," she said; "I am not worthy." + +But mademoiselle simply leaned forward and kissed her forehead, and the +caress broke the woman down. + +Falling on her knees she sobbed out: "Forgive! forgive! Mademoiselle, +there is danger here! They are going to kill here! Go back to +monsieur, and leave this place whilst there is time. Better trust to +the mercy of the forest wolves than the mercy of Le Jaquemart." + +"Is this true?" + +"True as I kneel before you." And, springing to her feet, La Marmotte +went on: "But there is no time to waste; come--come at once. A--h!" +For the loud report of the arquebus, and Pierrebon's angry shout, rang +out; then followed the rasping of swords, and the two stood speechless, +staring at each other. + +But mademoiselle was brave, and she came to herself. + +"Oh! they are killing him." And she flew to the door, but La Marmotte +clung to her. "Not that way! There is dreadful work there! +Here!--come here with me!" + +So saying she strove to drag mademoiselle back; but the latter, with a +strength surprising in one so slight, freed herself, and slipping past +La Marmotte made for the corridor. Down this she ran, almost brushing +against a figure crouching behind the arras--a figure skulking there +like the evil thing it was. It was Simon, who had heard the shot too, +and overcome by his fierce impatience had come forth from his chamber, +poniard in hand. As the girl passed he made a half movement towards +her, like the spider about to pounce upon his prey. But La Marmotte +was following, and he drew back, and watched the two figures speeding +down the gallery, and then they halted suddenly, for the clashing +ceased, and there was the thud of a heavy body falling. Through the +partly-open door of the supper-room a banner of light fell crosswise on +the corridor, throwing into relief the figures of the two women +standing side by side with blanched faces, and for the moment there was +an awful stillness. + +"Well thrust, Trotto!" shouted Simon from his lurking-place, too sure +of the issue, and then he started back with a sickening chill. + +He had heard my voice as I stepped out and called to mademoiselle. And +she, who was but an arm's length away, sprang forward. + +"Here! here! Oh! what has happened?" + +"It has happened that we have come into the house of murder," I +replied; and then, my eyes falling on La Marmotte, I said, as I pointed +to the room within: "He needs all your care; go to him." + +La Marmotte shrank back at my look and tone, and then cried out: "I am +innocent--I swear it." + +"Go to him!" I said; and turning to mademoiselle: "Come! we have not a +moment to lose." + +And so we went out, leaving La Marmotte staring after us, for she made +no movement. And, standing there, a cold hand grasped her wrist, and a +voice hissed in her ear: + +"Fool! there is a dagger at your girdle. Could you not have driven it +through his heart?" + +But La Marmotte only looked at the Vidame foolishly, and from the far +distance there came through the night the sound of a horn. + +"It is Aramon returning," exclaimed Simon; "we have them yet." And +leaving La Marmotte where she stood he followed on our footsteps, his +dagger in his unwounded hand. + +On he went, with uncertain, wavering footsteps, and fury in his heart. +He meant to kill if he could. It was in Simon's mind to make a sudden, +desperate attack. An unexpected stroke from his poniard might free him +from me, and his prize might yet be his. As for the varlet--Simon gave +Pierrebon not a thought. But as he went on his wounded arm began to +sting and bleed afresh. A faintness came upon him, and, overcome by +the pain and loss of blood, he sank down all dizzy behind the high +privet, a cold sweat on his forehead. In impotent fury he struck his +dagger to the hilt in the soft turf at his side, and, still holding the +haft, leaned forward and peered through the hedge. Then as he crouched +he heard quick voices, and then three mounted figures rode across the +parterres to the gate. Again the sound of the horn rang out, and Simon +heard Pierrebon's voice. + +"The other wasps come back, monsieur! Hasten! Let us be off!" + +"But not before I have struck a blow," answered Simon, as, heartened by +the sound of the horn, he gathered himself together and made for the +gate, only to see us pass through it ere he had gone ten paces. + +He reached the gate somehow, and stared into the night. We were gone. +We had turned to the right in the direction of the river, and were +already hidden from view by the woods. + +Twice Simon heard the beat of hoofs as the horses dashed over the hard +ground, and after that all was still. + +"If Aramon would but come!" he groaned; and then, through the moonlit +haze on the left, where the moorland stretched long and brown, came the +sound of hoarse voices, and a loud laugh, and upon this a line of about +half-a-dozen horsemen appeared riding slowly towards the house. + +"Aramon! Aramon! Here! To me!" + +At his call they put spurs to their beasts, and were soon beside +him--an evil-looking set of knaves, mounted on horses foam-flecked and +weary with hard going. Simon gave them no time for speech, but shouted: + +"After them! After them! Else they escape!" + +"After whom, monseigneur?" asked he who appeared to be their leader as +he went on: "We have chased the air all day; are we to ride after +phantoms by night?" + +"Fool! It is Mademoiselle de Paradis and her lover. He has wounded +me, and killed Trotto and Piero and Malsain, and escaped with her ten +minutes ago. They cannot have gone far, and the river must stop them. +After them!" And, panting with excitement, he ceased. + +From the height of his saddle Aramon looked down on Simon, and whistled +low to himself. + +"So monseigneur is wounded, which is bad for you, monseigneur; and +Piero is dead, which is good; and Malsain is dead, which is bad, for he +was my own man; and the captain Trotto is dead, which is good +again--for me, monseigneur." + +"Fool! Will you waste time? Every moment is precious." + +"Softly, monseigneur! There is plenty of time for me. Trotto is dead, +you say, and I sit here in my saddle captain of the wolves of +Fontevrault; and," he continued with a chuckle, "with a new king comes +a new policy, as you are aware, monseigneur." + +"What do you mean?" asked Simon, with an uneasy note in his voice. + +"I mean, monseigneur, that of late you have not played fair with us. I +mean that a sword that can slay as the one you describe is not one to +be meddled with by weary men; and I mean that I, Aramon, being captain +of these brave fellows now, intend to be my own captain for the future. +Is it not so, my wolves?" + +There were gruff murmurs of assent, and Simon drew back a space. It +was not, however, from fear--Simon of Orrain never suffered from the +poltroon fever; he but drew back to strike hard, and to sell his life +dearly. They ringed him in--his own men who had turned against +him--and he stood with his back to the gate. He did not flinch, and +meant to fight, hopeless as it was, for all around him were white, +shining swords, that needed but a word from Aramon to be red with his +blood. But the new captain did not want this. + +"Bah!" he said, "throw down your dagger, monseigneur. We want not your +life. For the present you will be the guest of Aramon--that is, until +you have paid me, and these gentlemen here, two thousand gold +Henris--fat gold Henris--for all our trouble. Come!--throw down the +dagger! Put a good face on it!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE ROAD TO POITIERS + +We reined up on the edge of a shelving bank, and the Mable swirled +before us. Beyond the alders on the opposite shore, but about a mile +higher upstream, lay Richelieu. Late though it was there were many +lights still burning, and now and then a fitful flare, that made the +houses stand out redly for a moment, led me to think that the place was +occupied by troops or marauders; and if so, the result would in either +case be the same for the town, or for ourselves if we ventured thither. +It must be remembered that the King's Writ was waste-paper here. All +that was ill was loose in the land, and though Montpensier from the +north and Montluc from the south struck with heavy hands, the +Christaudins--or Huguenots, as they called them--held all the country +from the chalks of Chatellerault to Saumur, and from Fontenaye to +Thouars and La Mothe St. Heraye. + +Craning forward from the saddle I looked in the direction of the town, +muttering to myself: "It may be out of the frying-pan into the fire." +And as I did so mademoiselle exclaimed: + +"Monsieur, why do we stay? That is Richelieu; and they follow us. +Cross, cross!" + +I made no answer; but Pierrebon dismounted, and placed his ear to the +ground. + +"No one follows," he said after a little, rising to his feet; "they +have had enough, these accursed bandits." And with this he mounted +once more. + +"But why stay? See! there is the house of the Bailiff of Muisson--that +tall one where the lights are burning at the windows." + +"The Bailiff keeps late hours, mademoiselle." And even as I spoke a +bright flame suddenly flashed out, a ruddy light lit the walls, and the +distant shouting of many voices came to our ears. + +"See!" I went on, "they are cooking a late supper with the doors. They +will make breakfast with the rafters." + +"What is happening? Oh! what an awful night this is!" + +"What is happening, mademoiselle, I cannot tell; but it seems we have +only escaped a great danger to meet with another. Richelieu is full of +armed men. Who they are we do not know. At any rate, for your sake if +for nothing else, we will risk no more. We will cross, and make for +Razines. There we will wait for daylight. Come!" + +Leaning forward I took her horse by the bridle and we entered the +stream. + +"Courage!" said Pierrebon, who rode at her right; "courage, +mademoiselle! It is not deep." + +And she laughed, for she was not afraid, though the water bubbled and +hissed around us, and once or twice the horses staggered and swayed, as +though they would have fallen. Finally we made the passage, and +reached the opposite shore. Once there I led them at a trot along the +white, dusty track. We were in the angle formed by the Mable and the +Veude, and here, where Poitou slopes towards the sea, the country still +retains, with a roughness like unto that of Auvergne, all the freshness +of La Marche. Far south was a dreary plain, but around us the land +billowed into low hillocks, that stood over long stretches of stunted +forest. + +We rode in silence, except when now and again I spoke a word of warning +in regard to the state of the road, or to regulate the pace. I began +to wonder how long mademoiselle would hold out; and my doubts were soon +set at rest. It was whilst crossing the almost dry bed of one of the +small streams, spreading like veins over the country, that she suddenly +reined up. + +"I cannot go farther," she said faintly; and calling a halt I looked +around me. A little distance from the track, which wound before us +amongst the glistening stones, lay a dark grove of trees. I pointed at +them. + +"We will rest there, mademoiselle. 'Tis barely fifty paces; bear up +till then!" And dismounting I walked by the side of her horse. + +Short as the distance was I was in doubt if she would hold out, and as +I glanced at her I saw even by the moonlight how white and drawn was +her face, and then she began to sway in her seat. Calling to Pierrebon +to take the reins of her horse I tried to hold her in the saddle, but, +feeling her slipping, I put my unhurt arm around her and lifted her to +the ground. For a little space she stood as one dazed, leaning against +me with closed eyes, and then with an effort recovered herself and drew +back. + +"I am able to walk, monsieur--I--how far is it?" + +"Only a step now." And, still supporting her, I led her onward until +we reached the trees. + +"We are here, mademoiselle." And taking her into the shade of a huge +walnut-tree I flung my cloak on the grass, and made her sit thereon, +whilst we hedged her around with saddlery. It was done as quickly as +we could, and the tired girl leaned back against the saddles utterly +wearied and exhausted. I stood watching her for a little, and then +with a whispered word to Pierrebon about the horses stepped aside. I +could do no more; but my heart was heavy within me, for I feared the +result of exposure for her. + +A few yards off a withered tree stood apart, an outcast from its +fellows. The thought struck me as I went up to it, and tapped the +decayed trunk with my fingers: "You and I, my friend--we have seen our +past, and are out of the pale now." With this I sat down on one of the +huge roots, that coiled like monstrous serpents at my feet, and leaning +my head against the tree prepared to wait for the dawn. + +My arm, where Simon's sword had touched me, now began to remind me that +it needed attention. A low whistle brought Pierrebon to my side, and +the injury was looked to by such light as the moon gave. Fortunately +it was but a slight flesh wound, and an improvised bandage soon gave +relief. So, resting it in a sling out of my scarf, I leaned back once +more, and bade Pierrebon go and sleep. + +For an hour or more I sat thus, watching and thinking. At last, rising +slowly, I cautiously stepped up to mademoiselle and looked. She was +asleep; but so still did she lie, so pale and white did she look, that +I thought for a terrible moment that she was dead, and bent over her, +placing my hand close to her lips to feel if she breathed. She moved +uneasily as I did so, and I came back to my tree and to my thoughts. +Finally, as the moon was sinking, I too slept, and as I slept I +dreamed. I saw myself once more riding towards Orrain, and not alone, +for mademoiselle was by my side. As we rode out of the pine-woods the +Chateau stood before us. There was the square keep, with its +pepper-box towers, and bartizans overhanging the moat. There were the +grey ramparts tapestried in ivy, and the terraced gardens, where the +peacocks sunned themselves. All around us were happy faces, and joyous +voices welcoming us home--the home to which I had so long been dead; +and it was mine now, and more besides--and then--I awoke with a start +and looked around me. It was all so real. + +"Tush!" I exclaimed, "have I slipped back into the days of enchantment +and the fay Melusine?" And rising I saw it was touching dawn, for the +east was red, and the morning star, Maguelonne--the shepherd's star, as +we call it in our hills--was burning bright. Mademoiselle and +Pierrebon were still asleep, and it was too early yet to awaken them. +It would be time enough when the sun rose, and in the meanwhile I began +to reflect upon the best means of bestowing mademoiselle in safety. +Razines was so near to Richelieu that if the latter were occupied by +marauders they would hardly have left the little hamlet alone, unless, +indeed, they were Huguenots who were in Richelieu. In which event +Razines, which was known to be touched with the new heresy, would +probably be unharmed. This, however, did not make things any the +better for us. I made up my mind that the best course would be to take +mademoiselle on with me to Poitiers, and there hand her over to some +responsible person until her friends could be told of her. The very +thought of this, however, jarred on me somehow, and I caught myself +building castles in Spain again. "Come," I said to myself, "at your +age, _mon ami_, you should know better than to go off dreaming at the +sight of a pretty face and the sound of a sweet voice." And then I +laughed aloud at the thought that I knew but half her name--that at any +rate would be remedied soon. So, rising, for it was time now, I softly +awoke Pierrebon and mademoiselle, and in a short while we were once +more on our way through the low hills that stretched through Lencloitre. + +It was necessary at all hazards that we should get some food, as well +for the horses as ourselves, and when we had gone a little way we saw +Razines lying to our left. Here I halted, and, moving my party into +cover behind some trees, I explained the position, and begged +mademoiselle to remain with Pierrebon, whilst I went forward to the +village to see how matters stood, adding that, if I did not return +within a short time, her best course would be to go on to Poitiers with +Pierrebon, and place herself in a convent there until she could write +to her friends. + +"Monsieur," she answered, her colour rising, "you have risked enough +for me already. I will not permit you to do this. If you go to +Razines I go too." + +I was delighted with her courage; but though I pressed her hard to do +what I asked she was firm in her resolve. In this matter, however, I +had no intention of yielding, and we might have been there half the day +had we not seen coming up the road a couple of villagers with some +cattle. + +"We can at least inquire from them," I suggested, and she laughed. + +"At the first sight of you, monsieur, they will be off. Let me go!" +And suiting action to words she rode out towards the peasants. There +was truth in her words, for as she rode out of the trees one of the +yokels fled at once, but the other, seeing it was a woman, held his +ground. A moment after they were in converse, and I saw a broad grin +on the man's face. Then mademoiselle beckoned to us, and we came +forth. On our appearance the peasant seemed inclined to follow his +friend's example; but we somehow managed to reassure him, and gathered +that, except for a small party of harmless travellers who were at the +Green Man, Razines was empty. + +"You are luckier than they are at Richelieu, my friend," I said. + +"Then Richelieu is taken?" + +"Apparently so." + +"Hola! for Monsieur de Ganache!" And he flung his cap in the air. +"Ha, monsieur, the Vicomte passed here but yesterday evening, with +sixty lances at his back, to hang the Guidon. Has he done so?" + +"I know not," I answered; and turning to mademoiselle, said: "We have +had a lucky escape." + +"Indeed! How, monsieur?" + +"Because M. de Ganache is known to be one of the fiercest of the +Huguenot leaders, and spares nothing." + +"We have to thank those who made him so, monsieur; and at any rate he +has spared Razines." + +I looked at her in surprise. Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks were +hot, and I could scarce forbear a smile at the thought that it was a +little rebel I had in my charge, and turning the talk, said: + +"We may go on to the Green Man in safety, I think." And, bidding +Pierrebon give the yokel a coin, we pressed forwards. It was not, +however, without another careful scrutiny that I led the way into the +village, where we were soon within the doors of the inn. It was a poor +place, but host and hostess were kindly; and did the best they could. +In the public room was the party of travellers whom the peasant had +mentioned. They consisted of a gentleman and his wife, whose dress and +air betokened them people of rank, whilst a little apart, at the lower +end of the room, were one or two others--their servants. The glitter +of a sapphire ring on the stranger's hand attracted my attention, and +it was as if he noticed the casual glance I cast at it, for he turned +his hand so as to hide the ring. This set me observing him more +narrowly, and though it was years since I had seen him I was certain it +was the Cardinal of Chatillon. It was Odet de Coligny himself, not a +doubt of it, and the lady was the noble woman who had sacrificed so +much for his sake. He had married her--prince of the Church though he +was--and had openly thrown in his lot with those of the New Faith. + +They in their turn looked at us with interest as we entered, and on +seeing mademoiselle the lady looked as if she knew her, and seemed as +if she were about to speak, but Chatillon said something in a low voice +which restrained her. On the other hand, mademoiselle seemed flurried, +and kept her face averted. I could not but think they knew each other; +but it was no time to ask questions, so I said nothing, but quietly set +about arranging for our comforts. Mademoiselle retired to her room at +once, the landlady fussing after her, and after having assisted +Pierrebon to see to the horses I myself went to rest. I must have +slept for a good four hours, and on awakening found it was high noon. +Down I came, and entering the public room of the inn found it empty. I +went on towards the stables, where Pierrebon was still asleep near the +horses. There was no sign of mademoiselle, and thinking she was still +resting I let Pierrebon alone, and returning into the inn sat near a +window, awaiting my charge's appearance. Had I been alone I would have +pressed on to Poitiers, and reached it by nightfall; but as it was it +would be better to wait till well on in the afternoon, when +mademoiselle, being refreshed, would no doubt be able to travel. We +should halt at Miribeau for the night, and make Poitiers the next day. +So I let some time go past, and then, feeling dull, called to the host, +and invited him to share a bottle of wine with me. He came, as it +seemed, somewhat unwillingly; but soon we were in talk, and, for +something to say, I inquired about the other travellers. Here his +embarrassment increased, and he stammered out that they had gone on to +Richelieu about two hours ago; and then, as if taking a sudden +resolution, fumbled in his pocket, and drew forth a letter, which he +handed to me, saying: "For you, monsieur." + +I tore open the cover, and read: + + +"MONSIEUR,--I owe you so much that I know not how to thank you or how +to explain my leaving you as I do now. I feel sure you would like to +know that I am going of my own free will, and with friends. Monsieur, +we will meet again I know, and then, perhaps, I shall be in a position +to show you that I can be grateful. DIANE." + + +I read to the end without a word, and glanced at my host. He saw and +understood the question in my eyes. + +"Mademoiselle gave it to me with her own hands. I--I could not prevent +her leaving," he added, with fear in his voice. The poor wretch was +almost overcome with terror at the thought that I might turn against +him in my wrath. + +"Thank you; that is enough." And crushing the letter in my hand I rose +and walked out. I was hurt and indignant, but after a little I cooled +down. After all, her proper place was with her friends. I had but +helped her on her way, and there was an end of it. So I swallowed my +ill-humour as best I could, and, to his astonishment, making the +landlord of the inn a present of the horse we had taken at Le +Jaquemart, Pierrebon and I went on our way. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES + +I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears. Pierrebon, who +loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but +finding his efforts useless dropped away back. It was not possible to +go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch +of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, +I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night. +Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, +and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of +which I forget. At length matters were righted, and we continued our +journey. The day was hot and overcast. Towards sunset the clouds +increased, and ever and again the rumbling of thunder gave warning of +an approaching storm. We were, however, near Poitiers by this, and +could see the spires of the churches and the black mass of the city. I +drew rein for a moment to look, and almost felt as if my task were +done, when Pierrebon exclaimed: + +"_Allons_, monsieur! it has come!" + +And with a vengeance, too. First a few warm drops, then a blaze of +lightning, a crash of thunder, and then rain in torrents. It became +dark, and it was with the greatest difficulty that we could find our +way. But at length we reached the Pont Joubert, and passing the Chapel +of the Holy Virgin, raised in memory of the miraculous preservation of +the city during the war of the hundred years, we entered Poitiers. It +is true we had reached it, but it seemed as if our difficulties had +only begun. What with the darkness and the wind blowing the rain +straight in our faces, so that we could barely see, it would have been +hard for us to have found our way anywhere, even if we knew the city, +but neither Pierrebon nor I had been in Poitiers before. In the +basement of the guard-tower flanking the gate lights were burning, and +a group of soldiers were sitting at a table playing at dice, whilst a +few stray travellers were huddled together at the entrance, waiting, +perhaps, for the storm to pass, and continually peering out into the +darkness from their shelter, if such it could be called. I made my way +there, and had to shout twice ere I was heard, so great was the noise +of the tempest. Finally the ancient of the gate came up, and I asked +him for the nearest inn. He answered, civilly enough: + +"'Tis but a little way, monsieur. Go straight down the Rue du Pigeon +Blanc, past Ste. Radegonde, and the Filles de Notre Dame, there in the +place St. Simplicien----" + +"But I know nothing of Poitiers. How am I to find my way?" + +To this he shrugged his shoulders and laughed; but at this juncture a +boy stepped forth out of the group at the door and offered to guide us +to the inn. This offer I accepted, and with a word of thanks to the +ancient we went on--the last thing we heard being hoarse orders shouted +out to close the gates. Our way was lit by continuous flashes of +lightning, and by one of these, lasting longer than usual, I saw on a +hill which overlooked the Church of Ste. Radegonde, her right hand +outstretched as if invoking a blessing on the city, the colossal Virgin +of Poitiers all shining with light--light that seemed to flame back +from the statue against the storm. So impressive was it that Pierrebon +crossed himself, and the boy sank on his knees in the water that hummed +along the street with an "Ave, ave!" + +The sight was one I have never forgotten, and has often given me +subject for reflection, so that I am firmly convinced that even if a +God did not exist the imagination of man would conjure one up for his +worship. + +It was lucky that we found a guide, for, short as the distance was, I +doubt if we would have found our way that night to the hostel of the +Elephant, for so the inn was called. Once there I gave the boy a coin, +bidding him get something to eat, for he looked as though he needed it, +and told him to wait, as I would require him shortly. I determined to +halt there until the storm had subsided a little, and inquired where +Montluc resided. He had but lately come, I was informed, and was for +the present temporarily lodged in the priory of the Capuchins. So, +taking the opportunity whilst I waited for the rain to diminish, I had +some refreshment, and attended to my arm, which was still painful. I +then made arrangements with the landlord for another horse, as nothing +would have induced me to ride my own poor beast farther that night. +This being settled, I waited for half an hour or so, when the storm +somewhat abated, though the wind was still high, and there was a sharp +drizzle. Then mounting the hired horse, and giving the boy a lantern I +had borrowed, I bade him guide me to the priory of the Capuchins. + +On we went, the wind and rain in our faces. By good luck the lantern +held out, though its light was not much better than that of a glowworm. +We picked our way through narrow streets swimming with water, past +gutters babbling like mountain streams, and made a snail's progress +through that infernal night. Now and again a broad sheet of lightning +blazed athwart the darkness, showing the black and uneasy clouds +overhead, and giving a momentary glimpse of tall, ghostly towers, of +gabled roofs and pointed windows, and of houses that seemed to lean +forward and form arcades, below which the crooked, glistening streets +wound. As we were passing a large church--I found out later that it +was St. Croix--the bells began to sound compline, and then from every +steeple and spire in the city the chime was echoed, and borne across +the night in strange sweetness by the storm. My little guide made his +way bravely, and at length--it seemed an age--we reached the priory of +the Capuchins. Lights were burning everywhere, and there was a huge +log fire spluttering at the gate, which was still open. The arched +passage beyond the gate, which led to the forecourt, was full of men, +not hooded Capuchins, but men-at-arms, and it was easy to see that the +priory had been turned into a camp. I explained that I bore despatches +from Paris for M. de Montluc, and the words acted like magic. I was +told to leave my horse to the boy, and was led along the galleries that +bounded the cloisters of the forecourt. They were full of men, but all +orderly and quiet, as may be imagined with Montluc at hand. At length +we reached the hall, and there I was asked to wait until the General +was informed of my arrival. All dripping and wet as I was, and +unheeding the glances cast at me by those who were there, I sat down on +a bench near the fireplace, in which, on account of the damp, a fire +had been lit, and glowered into the flames, the blue smoke rising in +little columns from my drenched clothes. No one spoke to me, nor did I +address anyone, and I was struck by the extraordinary silence that was +preserved. Men spoke in whispers, and even when a man-at-arms passed, +his step was as light as that of a monk. + +"Monsieur," said a voice, "will you have the goodness to follow me?" + +I looked up, and saw an officer wearing the red and white sash of +Randan's Light Horse, my old comrades, and the sight of the colours +after so many years affected me to such a degree that at first I was +unable to move, and the officer had to repeat his request. Then I +arose, and followed him up what seemed an interminable stair. At last +we halted before a door, and here to the knock we heard a sharp +"Enter." Stepping in, I found myself before Montluc, and apologised +for appearing in the drenched condition I was in. He took no notice of +me, however, but kept walking up and down the cabinet like a tiger. He +was in demi-mail, the collar of the Order at his neck, and as he paced +the room with a halting step I observed with interest and respect the +great soldier who in forty years of glorious service had but twice seen +the Court. His defence of Siena was still ringing through Europe; but +back upon that one saw the field of Pavia, the campaign in Naples, the +defence of Marseilles, the siege of Perpignan, and the glorious +campaign of Italy, which ended in the crown of Cerisolles, and where, +but for him, the day was lost. I had served at Cerisolles myself; but +though I had seen Montluc I had never known him. Years had, however, +seemed to make no impression upon him; and, tall and lean, with long +grey moustaches, and glittering, grey-green eyes, he looked like a +fierce and starving cat as he restlessly limped to and fro. + +At last he suddenly stopped, and, resting a hand on the hip broken at +Chieri, asked me abruptly: + +"I am told you have brought despatches from Paris?" + +"Monsieur!" And taking out the packet I had been entrusted with I +handed it to him. + +He received it in silence, and sitting down at a table littered with +papers examined the seals. Then drawing his poniard he was about to +cut open the packet when he arrested himself, saying: + +"I see it is from the Queen." + +"Monsieur, it was given to me by her Majesty herself, and when you have +read it I have a message for you." + +"The Queen must trust you." + +"She has in this case, monsieur." + +He smiled grimly, and opened the packet. As he read his face assumed +so malign and fierce an aspect that I had little difficulty in +persuading myself of the truth of the stories of savage cruelty that I +had heard of him. When he had finished he set down the paper, and +asked calmly enough: + +"Your message, monsieur?" + +I told him, he taking it down word for word, and placing the paper +carefully in a drawer, out of which he drew a parchment roll. + +"You see this, monsieur? It is my patent as lieutenant of the South. +After nearly forty years of service it was given to me. I have held it +a month--and now--it is waste-paper." And with that he flung it into +the drawer, which he shut with a clash. + +"They have need of me in Italy again, they say; and when I am gone, +mark my words, these psalm-singing Huguenots, these Chrysostoms, whom I +have made skip like the hills in their own hymn, will be in Poitiers in +a week." And he laughed harshly as he went on: "They fear I shall turn +against them, and throw in my lot with these others--I--Blaise de +Montluc! Tell them I am a soldier of my King, that I am but a poor +gentleman of the South, who when his time is done will hang up his +sword in his Chateau of Estillac, and die there, unless God answers his +prayer and lets him die on the field." + +I saw before me the sudden breaking of great hopes, and, as I then +thought, the ruin of a great career, and stammered out: "Monsieur, you +will soon be back." + +He smiled, and then, as if pushing all aside from his mind: "This will +at any rate make a chapter of my commentaries. I am writing them in +the style of Caesar, whom I hope to surpass in this. At present, I +have carried them as far as the sieges of Parma and La Mirandole by the +armies of the Holy Father and the Emperor." With this he pointed at a +pile of manuscript that lay on the table, as he added, with true Gascon +conceit: "It is better that they who make history should write it +rather than leave it to some scoundrel clerk, as I hear Vieilleville is +doing." + +He seemed to have forgotten his misfortune in the contemplation of his +writing, and on my applauding his sentiment, he, looking at my arm, +which was still in its sling, asked how I had hurt it. I told him +briefly, and he listened in silence, until I gave him information of De +Ganache and the Huguenots at Richelieu. Then he stopped me. + +"Are you sure they were there last night?" + +"Yes, and probably till late to-day." + +"Then we will have most of them here as our guests, monsieur, in a +couple of days at the latest. I want De Ganache badly, and would like +much to finish with him ere they finish with me." + +I thought of Diane, and in my heart sent up a prayer that, on this +occasion at least, the Huguenots might escape Montluc's claws; and the +General went on: + +"I see, monsieur, the Queen has recommended you as one to be trusted +entirely--and the Queen is not easily deceived. You are, she says, a +citizen of Paris, and have borne arms--where?" + +"In the Milanese, monsieur. I was at Cerisolles with Monsieur +d'Enghien." + +"Good! And after that?" + +"I did not serve, monsieur." + +We looked hard at each other, and a dry but not unkindly smile sat on +his lips. + +"Would you care to see Italy again?" + +"If the Queen has no further need for me I am ready." + +"We will leave it so, then. In the meantime, you may, perhaps, have a +little commission to execute for me, or rather for the Queen. That +will keep you employed until you finally decide. It may need using +your sword. Does your wound trouble you?" + +"It will be healed in less than a week." + +"Well, go now and rest. You are being lodged here, of course?" + +"I have secured a lodging at the Elephant, monsieur." + +"Then to-morrow you must come here. I will see to that, for I like to +lay hands on a man when I want him." And with this he struck a gong, +and the officer who had brought me in appeared. + +"Sarlaboux," said the General, "let Monsieur Broussel be conducted +safely to his inn, and see that no harm befalls him." + +I was about to take my leave when Montluc stopped me. + +"A word!-- That little story of yours in connection with your wound, +monsieur, has interested me. I will give it a place in my +commentaries." And he took up his pen as I retired, followed by +Sarlaboux. + +I may add that, many years after, it was my good fortune to see a copy +of the old Marshal's commentaries, which had been made for his brother, +Monseigneur the Bishop of Valence. By some strange chance, for he +rarely forgot anything, he had omitted my story, nor was there any +mention of the secret communication I made to him; and, perhaps, this +was due to design. He was a great soldier and a great man, whose life +may be summed up in the motto of his house: _Deo duce, ferro comite_. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE TOUR DE L'OISEAU + +"Thirty-three Henris, of which two are bad, these I have set +aside--seven sols, and nine deniers, making in all thirty-one Henris, +seven sols, and nine coppers of good money--and this is all, monsieur." + +It was touching the afternoon, and I was going over the present state +of my affairs with Pierrebon. I looked at the small heaps of coin he +had sorted out carefully on the table before me, and then rising walked +to my window and gazed out. The storm of last night had passed, and +Poitiers lay before me, all wet and glistening in warm sunlight. I was +not, however, interested in the landscape but in the hard fact that +thirty-one Henris, in round figures, would not carry me far in what I +had before me. After a minute or so I came back again, and looked at +the money and then at Pierrebon. It was a hopeless sum. + +"It is correct, monsieur," he said; "and, of course, we have the +horses." + +"I know that; but what I am thinking of is that it is not enough. In +short, I know not how long it will be before I can communicate with +Olden Hoorn at Antwerp; and more money is needed, for there is work +before us, Pierrebon." + +The honest fellow's eyes lit. "How many times have I not said the good +days would come back, monsieur? All the years can never be famine +years, and we will have our hotel in the Rue de Bourgogne again, and +twenty gentlemen at our heels when we go to the Louvre; and if money is +needed now, monsieur, we have it." + +"Where? I do not see it." And I laughed. + +For answer Pierrebon unclasped his belt. Then taking his poniard he +ripped up an inch or so of leather on the inner side and took therefrom +a piece of paper carefully folded. This he handed to me, saying: + +"Open it carefully, monsieur." + +I did so, and found I had in my hand a diamond of some value. I looked +at it in astonishment, and then at Pierrebon. He read my glance, and +began hastily: + +"Do not refuse, monsieur, for it came to me from you, as all that I +have has come. When we left Antwerp I had a hundred and fifty livres, +amassed in your service. Thirty I brought away in cash, and with a +hundred and twenty I purchased this stone from Olden Hoorn himself. It +is worth a hundred, I dare say, and, as money is needed now, 'tis +better to use our own than to go a-borrowing." + +It was impossible to refuse this faithful friend, and the diamond was +transferred to me. I may mention that I had declined all offers of +money made to me by the Queen and Le Brusquet, for I had a mind to work +out my way without any such obligation. It was, however, a different +matter with Pierrebon, and when the time came he lost nothing by his +fidelity. + +Matters being so far arranged we left the Elephant and betook ourselves +to the priory of the Capuchins, as M. de Montluc wished. On arrival +there I found that the General had set forth at dawn, with a hundred +lances and the Light Horse, and that two or three days might elapse ere +he returned. He had, however, left particular instructions about me, +and I found myself comfortably enough lodged. My first task was to +make arrangements for Masses for the soul of the dead Olivet, and for +the erection of a small cross to his memory in the Church of Ste. +Radegonde. Thus having fulfilled my promise to mademoiselle I spent +the next day or so in resting my arm, which grew rapidly better, and in +replacing sundry articles of apparel both for Pierrebon and myself. +All this made so considerable a gulf in the thirty-one Henris that I +resolved to transmute the diamond into gold. + +I consulted Sarlaboux, who, to his disgust, had been left behind in +Poitiers. He looked at the diamond, and said he would buy it for a +hundred and twenty livres; but protested, with oaths, that he had but +ten crowns in the world, and would, therefore, not be able to pay me at +once. This I could not agree to; and I was very nearly involved in a +quarrel, as he thought that a slight was being put upon his parole. +The affair, however, passed off. Finally, I decided on the advice of a +new acquaintance of mine--a Capuchin named Grigolet--to seek the Jews' +quarter, where at any rate I would receive gold and not promises to +pay. This Capuchin, who was a jovial soul, obligingly said he would +accompany me, as he himself had a little business there, in connection +with the conversion of a young Jewess, whose eyes, he said in +confidence, were brighter than any diamond. I accepted the holy man's +aid, and we set forth, he showing me many places of interest on our way. + +We left the priory by the western postern and went up the Rue des Trois +Piliers. The three pillars, which give its name to the street, mark +the boundary between the jurisdiction of the Chapter of St. Hilaire and +the town of Poitiers. They are set in the city wall, a few yards +apart, and the statue on the first pillar is that of the Emperor +Gallienus. On reaching the head of the road we turned up a narrow +alley, and found ourselves in the vast enclosure of the old arena--far +larger than those of Nimes and Aries in that it was capable of seating +fifty thousand persons, and was served for entrance or exit by a +hundred and twenty-four vomitories. Through this immense and deserted +ruin we passed, gaining the Rue d'Evreux by one of the entrances, in +the archway of which an inn was built. Then, passing the Colleges of +Ste. Marthe and Puygarreau, we took the Rue du Chat Rouge, and finally +came before the ogive arch, which formed the entrance to the Rue de +Penthievre, where the Jews were compelled to live and transact their +business. A similar arch and gate shut in the other end of the street, +and guards were at each gate. During the day these unfortunate people +were allowed to go into the city at their own risk; but by nightfall, +at the sound of the _couvre feu_, every one of them had to be within +his street, under heavy pains and penalties, which were rigorously +exacted. + +On entering we found ourselves in a small and narrow street crowded +with people in yellow and grey gaberdines. All around us were dark +faces, bright black eyes, and hooked noses. Children swarmed, and lay +about in the filth and ordure of the pavement. My companion drew forth +a small flagon of scent, with which he liberally besprinkled both +himself and me, and picking our way with care we found ourselves before +the shop of Nathan the Jew. Here, whilst the Capuchin went farther on +to see his Jewess, I haggled with Nathan for an hour or more over the +price of the diamond, but could not persuade him to give more than +fifteen livres. This was absurd, and I was about to turn away in +disgust when the Capuchin returned. The bargaining was now taken up by +a master, and the short of it was that we made our way out of the Jews' +quarter with sixty-three livres in my purse. Three of these I gave +Grigole for his good offices, and on approaching the Rue d'Evreux the +holy man disappeared into an auberge, doubtless with a view to meditate +on further arguments for the conversion of his Miriam, whilst I +returned alone to the priory. + +I was now fairly well supplied with money, but took the opportunity to +write to my friend at Antwerp, bidding him send two hundred crowns of +the sun for me to the care of Le Brusquet. This, with many misgivings, +I entrusted to the King's post. It, however, arrived in safety, and I +got my money. + +After supper that evening, as I was returning to my chamber, I heard a +commotion in the courtyard, and at first thought that Montluc had +returned. On inquiry, however, I found that this was not so, but that +certain prisoners of importance had been brought to the priory. I +could not find out who they were, nor, indeed, did I try much, but took +myself off. + +So far things were going well with me, and I felt myself justified in +the hope that the famine years were coming to an end. I saw the +sentence of the Chambre Ardente against me cancelled, and began to see +also fine castles in dreamland, and with all these I unconsciously +began to associate Diane. I laughed at my folly, tried to set it +aside; but back came the thought to me, in such a manner that I felt +that every step I was about to take to win back my place was not for +myself but for her sake. And the fear of his own unworthiness, which +comes to every man who truly loves, came upon me, and with it the ghost +of that duel of days long past. + +There I had sinned, and sinned deeply, and it was poor consolation to +tell myself that the man does not live whose life could stand sunshine +on it. For me it was enough to know that I had committed a grievous +wrong; it was for me to find out how to right it, or make +compensation--empty regrets were useless. + +Of that affair it may be as well to speak freely here. Amongst my +friends in the red days was one who was to me as David to Jonathan. +Godefrey de la Mothe was of an old family of the Tarantaise, and his +career at college had been of exceptional brilliancy. Some years my +senior, he had at first acquired great influence over me, an influence +ever exercised for my good. This lasted until my return from the +Italian campaign, when, seeing ruin staring me in the face, I had let +everything go, and sought to drown my sorrows in dissipation. My +friend strove to stay me; but, driven to madness, I repulsed all his +kindness. One day we met near the Louvre, in such a manner that there +was no avoiding him. He began to expostulate with me on my latest +folly. I answered back hotly, and at last there were high words +between us, and that was said by me for which there was but one remedy; +and he fell, as is known. Since then I could only regret. But now +there was punishment as well as regret. With the memory of this could +I dare to think of Diane? There was only one answer, and with that +answer I began to realise that what comes to all men had come to me, +and that I loved. In his gibing way Le Brusquet had said that a man +feels conscious of love in the same manner as he feels a sudden chill. +The words came back to me, and I laughed sadly, for there was truth in +them. + +I own that the blue-devils took me to such an extent that I had +thoughts of abandoning everything; but this soon passed, and I made up +my mind to right things as far as man could, and leave the issue in the +hands of God. I had been paying for my sins for so many years that the +debt was almost quitted, and a stout heart would, perhaps, bring me to +shore. + +Nevertheless, I passed a white night, and rising early in the morning +rode out of the city by the Porte de Rochereuil, returning about ten +o'clock. On coming back I found that M. de Montluc had returned, and +had desired to see me at once. I was about to dismount when Sarlaboux, +who had recovered his temper, which he lost over the affair of the +diamond, informed me that the General had gone on to the Tour de +l'Oiseau, and I had better follow him there if I thought the matter of +sufficient importance. This I did, and as soon as ever Pierrebon, whom +I gave orders to accompany me, was ready we set forth, and Sarlaboux +came with us. Whilst waiting for Pierrebon he told me that Montluc had +utterly broken the Huguenot leader De Ganache near Richelieu, and taken +him prisoner. + +"Were any others taken?" + +"Probably; and must be trying to hang as gracefully as walnuts now. +Menorval tells me that the old fox of Chatillon got off, though with a +singed tail." + +I began to breathe more freely. If the Cardinal had escaped it was +more than probable that mademoiselle was safe; but I resolved to make +sure. + +"There were no ladies taken, were there?" + +Sarlaboux cocked his eye and looked at me. "_Eh bien_! My dear +monsieur, are you finding it dull here? If so, I confess so do I. +This is a city of the saints. Alas, no! There were no ladies taken, +as far as I know; only De Ganache." + +"Then it was he who arrived last night?" + +"No; he was brought in by Montluc himself this morning, and it strikes +me that he will never see the sun set. He has been taken to the Tour +de l'Oiseau where Montluc has just gone, and which we had better reach +as soon as possible if we wish to see things." + +I had to be content with this, and Pierrebon being ready we started off +at a smart canter. The news I had heard had set my heart going, and it +was in no enviable frame of mind that I drew up at the entrance to the +Tour de l'Oiseau. The full strength of the Light Horse, their red and +white pennons fluttering in the air, were trooped around the tower, and +it was evident that something was about to happen, for the faces of all +were grave, and all eyes kept scanning the battlements. Giving my +reins to Pierrebon I passed in with Sarlaboux, and running up the +stairs reached the top of the tower. There we found Montluc standing, +with half a dozen or so of his officers around him, and before him a +young man, his head bare, and his hands bound behind him, stood facing +Montluc. It was De Ganache. + +We took our places silently in the group just as Montluc spoke, in a +harsh, stern voice: + +"M. de Ganache, your crimes are heavy, and you are about to pay for +them. I bear no malice against you. I set aside my private wrongs, +the plunder of my Chateau of Estillac, the burning of my woods, and the +wanton destruction of my papers and manuscripts collected by me with +immense care." + +De Ganache laughed mockingly, and the blue veins stood out on Montluc's +forehead. If the issue had not been so terrible there was room, in +truth, for a smile, as he went on, with a gasp of rage: + +"What I hold against you is that you have been taken armed--a rebel +against your King and your God. I am going to make an example of you, +and shall deal out to you the same mercy you showed to Champagnac, +and----" + +"Enough, monsieur!" said the prisoner; "let this talking end. If I +have to die, let me die. I do not want a priest. I die in my faith, +which is not yours. Let the matter end quickly, and be done with it." + +A grim smile played on Montluc's lips as he leaned heavily on his sword. + +"Well, be it so! I will not keep you. Supposing we say a leap." + +"A leap?" + +"Yes--from these battlements. If not, you will hang." + +"Hang!--I!" And a flush came on the young noble's face. + +"Precisely. Champagnac was hanged, if you remember, and it is the fate +you reserved for me. You, however, have a choice." + +For a moment there was a silence, and Montluc made a sign to the guards +on either side of De Ganache to move away, and he was left free, except +that his hands were fastened. With a half turn he looked over the +battlements and gazed down from their dizzy height, and as he appeared +at the embrasure there arose a hoarse cry from below. He drew back, +and faced Montluc again. + +"Is it to be like this?" he asked thickly, making a motion to indicate +his tied hands. + +"Yes; you will fall easier." + +At this brutal answer De Ganache looked hopelessly around, as if +imploring help. His fortitude seemed to give way, and he began to +shiver in an uncontrollable manner. I could endure it no longer, and +made a step forward; but, growling something that I did not catch, +Sarlaboux seized me by the arm and drew me back. Just at this moment +Montluc laughed a bitter, stinging laugh; and the wretched prisoner, +swinging round, nerved himself to step again to the embrasure, and +stopped there tottering. Again the shout rose from below, and Montluc +rasped out: + +"Come, De Ganache, two looks are enough!" + +"I'll give you three to do it in, Monsieur de Montluc," I burst forth, +and shaking Sarlaboux off stepped up to the General. + +"You!" he snarled. + +"Monsieur," I exclaimed, "this will cover you with shame! This is the +act of a tiger, not a man. Forbear!--for the sake of your own fame, +your own honour." + +There was a low murmur behind me; even the stolid guards glanced at +each other; but Montluc, after one swift, angry look at me, kept his +head down, and made no answer, standing glowering at the hilt of his +sword as one who did not hear. + +It was De Ganache, however, who spoke. He had plucked up heart again +after his weakness. + +"There is at least one gentleman here! Let him alone, monsieur! Plead +not! After all, death is but death." But I stayed him with uplifted +hand, and went on: "Monsieur de Montluc, you will ever regret this. +Will you soil your glory with this act of shame?" + +Our eyes met, and the sombre fury in his look dropped before my gaze. +I saw my advantage, and approaching closer to him urged him again, and +to my joy he began to waver. Suddenly he turned from me, and walking +to the battlements looked down himself, remaining there for a space +amidst an absolute silence, broken but once by the uneasy clink of a +spur. + +So he stood, and we waited breathlessly, for all hung on a hair; and +then as suddenly he turned to us, his face looking older and more +wrinkled than ever. + +"M. de Ganache," he said in a hard voice, "you are free. Guards, loose +him!" + +Without another word or look he stepped forward, and began to limp +slowly down the winding stair. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +MADEMOISELLE DE PARADIS + +As the guards cut the cords that bound De Ganache's arms those who were +on the tower crowded round to congratulate him; but he seemed dazed, +and unable to realise his fortune. With an effort, however, he brought +himself together, and silently took my hand. He could not speak, but I +understood; and now Sarlaboux urged an immediate move, saying that the +sooner De Ganache was away the better, as there was no knowing what +might happen next. With this he led the way down, and we followed. + +On coming forth from the tower we found that the troops were already +moving away, though many of the officers remained behind, and came up +to us, out of curiosity to learn what had happened. At first we could +not see Montluc anywhere, but a voice called out: "There is the +General!" And looking, we saw a lonely figure in the distance +galloping by the Marais de St. Hilaire. Then he turned the angle of +the great priory. There was a flash of his red plume, a glitter of +sunlight on his corselet, and he was gone. + +"If you take my advice, monsieur," I said to De Ganache, "you will be +off at once. Here is a horse--and there is the open gate." And with +this I placed the reins of my nag, which Pierrebon had brought up, in +his hand. The enthusiasm of the moment caught all. Menorval of the +Light Horse gave him a sword, someone else a hat, another a cloak. The +colour came and went from De Ganache's sunburnt face as, stammering his +thanks, he mounted. Then he put out his hand to me. "Monsieur," he +said, "I can never forget; and De Ganache is ever your friend. _Au +revoir_, gentlemen!" So, giving the reins to the horse, he galloped +out of the gate, which was but a stonethrow distant. As he crossed the +bridge he turned in the saddle and waved his hand in farewell, and then +we lost him in the hollow ground beyond. + +Mounting Pierrebon's horse I joined the others, and we rode back to the +priory--Menorval swearing that I must be a magician, as never before +had he known Montluc yield as he had done this morning. + +As for me, though surprised at the result, my satisfaction was +increased by the thought that in aiding De Ganache I had helped one who +was a friend of mademoiselle. It was not this that had prompted me to +intervene on his behalf. Had it been anyone else I should have acted +as I had done. De Ganache was not clean-handed. He had shown little +mercy to those who fell into his hands, and when face to face with +death he had shown the white feather, though at the last he seemed to +recover himself. Still, guilty though he may have been, his death +would have been a crime, and it was something to think I had stood +between Montluc and that terrible blood madness which at times +possessed him. + +On arrival at the Capuchins my first thought was to see Montluc at +once, and although Sarlaboux and others tried to dissuade me I +persisted in my design, and found myself once more before the door of +his cabinet. On my entering he received me coldly, and, without making +any reference to what had just happened, inquired my business as if he +had totally forgotten his summons to me. I explained that I was there +in obedience to his request to see me, and after a moment of thought he +said: + +"You recollect I told you I would probably entrust you with a +commission to the Queen? Are you ready to undertake it?" + +"Perfectly." + +"You will have to go back to Paris; but that is your way. When can you +start?" + +It was not wise to think of a return to Paris; but I had gone too far +to shrink back now, and besides, I was beginning to believe again in my +star. So I gulped down my fears, and put a bold front on the matter, +saying: + +"As soon as I can get a horse, monsieur." + +"Ho!" And we looked at each other steadily. A faint smile bent his +iron lips, and, muttering something in his beard, he took up a pen, +scratched a few lines, and handed me the paper. I glanced at it, and +saw it was an order to give me any horse I liked from his stable. I +began to thank him; but he stopped me, saying: + +"Show the order to Sarlaboux; and if you take my advice you will choose +Lizette, the dun mare. She will well replace the one you have--lost." + +"I well know how to value such a gift, monsieur." + +"Here there is a packet for the Queen; but this is not your task. I am +going to entrust you with a prisoner, whom you will place in the +Queen's hands." + +"Monsieur," I began; but he read my thoughts ere I had spoken them. + +"Oh, it is no catch-poll's business; I have others to do that. This +lady is only a nominal prisoner----" + +"It's a woman, then?" And my thoughts went back to mademoiselle. +Could Sarlaboux have been mistaken? + +"Yes; and remember that her life depends upon her reaching the Queen, +though she does not believe it." + +"May I ask this lady's name?" + +"Mademoiselle de Paradis, the greatest heiress in Poitou, but a +Huguenot to her little finger-tips." + +"In that case, monsieur, the Queen's mantle of protection is likely to +be a shroud." + +"You do not understand," he snapped. "Mademoiselle, or rather her +lands, have attracted the attention of Diane de Poitiers and her brood +of swallows. The Queen would give her right hand to thwart the +mistress in this, and she, and only she, can save her. Montpensier +will be here in a fortnight, and I shall be gone. You know, I think, +what that means. I give you my word of honour, monsieur, that this +lady's life is on a hair. Why I should trouble about it I don't know; +but the Queen has commanded me in this, and Jean de Paradis, her +father, was my old friend, and for his sake I would save his child. +But you seem to be sniffing the air over this, M. Broussel----" + +"I was, monsieur! But now I accept the task." + +"Very well. You will arrange, then, to start at three. I shall see +that mademoiselle is ready. You will have four good swords with you; +and, remember, she is your prisoner, rescue or no rescue." + +I bowed, and was turning to go, when he stopped me. + +"A word more! Trust not a soul, King's man or Huguenot--do not even +trust her. It is said that she is the promised wife of De Ganache. If +that story is true I promise you trouble, but you have yourself to +thank for it." And he rose and accompanied me to his door. It was the +only allusion he made to what had happened on the tower, and never +again did he refer to it. + +I had more than guessed who my prisoner was, though, of course, I was +not sure, and the mention of De Ganache in connection with her had +struck me like a blow. But it was hardly the time to think of matters +like this, and putting it aside with a firm hand I hurried to my +quarters, where to my annoyance I found the Capuchin Grigolet. I +guessed his needs, and a brace of crowns to further the conversion of +the Jewess rid me of the rascal. Then bidding Pierrebon be ready to +start in a couple of hours I went in search of Sarlaboux. + +I found that worthy in the archway of the main gate playing at cards +with Menorval. + +"Ogier beats you." And Menorval put down the knave of spades. + +"Out upon the knave! Here is Pallas." And Sarlaboux covered the knave +with the queen. + +"And David, the king, takes the game," laughed Menorval as he picked up +the stakes and began to shuffle once more. + +With an apology for interrupting them I showed Sarlaboux my order, +whereupon, with many exclamations at my good luck, he led the way to +the stable, followed by Menorval and myself. + +"_Morbleu_!" grumbled Menorval, "if this is the pay that royal +messengers get, away with my gilt spurs, and give me the wings of +Mercury to my heels." + +And so, laughing, we reached the stables, where Sarlaboux bid me take +my choice, his face falling a little when he saw me halt before the dun +mare. From her looks I saw she was likely to carry me well; and then, +there was Montluc's own recommendation. + +"I will take Lizette," I said. + +"Then you take the best horse in all Poitou." And Menorval then and +there offered me a hundred crowns for her, which, needless to say, I +refused. + +At the appointed time, accompanied by Pierrebon, I rode into the +courtyard of the priory, and found there the men whom Montluc had +promised me. They had with them a sumpter horse, whilst a third, which +was evidently intended for my prisoner, was held by a groom. I had +some little time to wait, which I passed in no enviable frame of mind. +Dismounting, I looked carefully at the saddlery of my party, and then +paced up and down the flagged court in converse with Sarlaboux, who +must have found me somewhat dull, for he rallied me, offering, if I +liked not the task of taking a pretty woman all the way to Paris, to +take my place, as he had need of a wife and a dowry to rebuild his +house. It was in the midst of one of his sallies that the door opened, +and Montluc appeared on the steps, and by his side--Diane. There was +not a doubt of it; and for a moment I became hot and cold all over, +but, collecting myself, advanced to meet them. As I came forward I saw +mademoiselle start slightly, make a half step towards me, and draw +back, and then Montluc said: + +"This gentleman, mademoiselle, will be your escort to Paris." + +I bowed, saying nothing, but she held out her hand. + +"Monsieur, I had hoped you would have known me." + +I confess I was tongue-tied, and could only mutter something, and +Montluc glanced from the one to the other of us. + +"Then you are already acquainted?" he asked in surprise. + +"Mademoiselle is the lady to whom, as I have mentioned to you, +monsieur, I was enabled to render a slight service----" + +"That is what he calls saving my life, Monsieur de Montluc. I have at +any rate to thank you for giving me a friend for my jailor. There is +but one more kindness I ask of you----" + +"And that is----?" + +"Let this gentleman escort me to Chatellerault. I do not want to go to +Paris." + +Montluc held up his hand. "That is the old cry, mademoiselle. It is +impossible! The Queen's orders are final." + +"And you call yourself my dead father's friend?" + +Montluc smiled grimly. "I saved his life at Pavia. That was +thirty-three years ago. But that has nothing to do with the matter. +You cannot stay here. You cannot stay at Chatellerault. You must go +to Paris, and it is growing late." + +She flushed all over, but again returned to her point. + +"You have time after time told me I am not a prisoner. Why, then----" + +"Because Chatellerault no longer contains your friends, and Monsieur de +Randan now commands there." + +She turned as white now as she had been red before, and a bitter pang +of jealousy went through me as I thought for whom all this feeling was; +but she brought herself together and faced Montluc. + +"Very well, monsieur. I understand your friendship and your kindness +now. I tell you plainly that I will escape at the first opportunity. +I shall never reach Paris." + +"That is M. Broussel's affair; and, mademoiselle, the marches are long +in Poitou." + +She gave him no answer, but, as it were, resigning herself to the +present, went up to her horse, accepting only the assistance of the +groom to mount. + +When all was ready Montluc called me aside, and we stood together for a +moment on the wide steps. + +"_Mordieu_!" he muttered as he glanced at mademoiselle, "I do not envy +your task. Upon my soul, I am glad that Jean de Paradis won her +mother's hand and not I!" And then in an altered manner: + +"I have your word to do all that man can for her safety?" + +"I have said so, monsieur." + +There was a little silence, and he stretched out a lean hand. + +"Monsieur, forget not: there is room for you in Italy; it would gladden +me to see the golden cock of Orrain once more upon the field. And now +go." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +MY PRISONER + +We left Poitiers by the Porte de Rochereuil, as I had no mind to be +shut within the angle between the Clain and the Vienne, whence escape +would be a difficult matter if trouble arose. Whilst crossing the +bridge my eyes fell on a rock on the opposite bank of the river which +commanded the faubourg, and even held in check the old fortress of Jean +de Berri, which guarded the junction of the Clain and Boivre on our +left. I made a mental note of this, and years after I was to use this +knowledge to some purpose when I stood by Coligny's side before +Poitiers. + +I had sent forward two of my men, with instructions to make +arrangements for our accommodation for the night at Les Barres. I +deemed it inadvisable to go on to Chatellerault, and Les Barres was a +convenient halting-place, as there was no moon now, and there could be +little travelling after sundown. Moreover, I wished to spare my charge +as much as possible. + +For these reasons we travelled at an easy pace, mademoiselle riding by +herself a few yards ahead, for I confess that after a few civil words +had passed between us I had taken the opportunity to fall back. This I +did under pretence of giving instructions to Pierrebon, though I never +spoke a word to him. Frankly, I was in a state that made me bad +company, and I desired to be alone. The face of De Ganache seemed ever +to be between me and Diane, and I morosely kept to myself, envying the +lot of Adam, who was the only man who never had a rival, torturing +myself, as is the custom with lovers, with a thousand suspicions, and +cursing myself for a fool in having undertaken this task. +Nevertheless, I am sure, such is the frailty of man, that were it to be +all over again I would do in this matter all I had done before. + +In fact, I was grasping the truth of what I had often laughed at--that +there is none so skilled in making dragons out of beetles as the man +who is in love and knows not if he is winning or losing. + +We kept to the left bank of the Clain, taking a track that led over a +sad and barren plain, once the garden of France. Except immediately +around the city and the few hamlets we passed there was scarce a crop +to be seen, and but for an abandoned vineyard, or here and there a +solitary tree, brooding like a mourner over the dead, all was a dreary +waste. There was little or no sign of life on this sullen and +melancholy landscape. Occasionally we met a peasant making his way to +some half-ruined hamlet, and driving before him a flock of geese with +the aid of a long stick, to one end of which he had tied a plume of +rags. At sight of us he, as a rule, left his birds to take care of +themselves, and vanished like a rabbit into one of the ravines that +cross and recross the plain in a network. And this was the King's +peace in Poitou! + +My troopers rode stolidly on, taking turns with the led horse, and now +and again exchanging a word with each other. Pierrebon followed behind +them, whistling the "Rappel d'Aunis." I kept to myself, as I have +said, full of sombre thoughts, but watching mademoiselle as she rode +about twenty paces or so in front of me. She never turned her head, +but I observed that she was scanning the country on either side +carefully. + +Beyond Chasseneuil is a wide plain, and the track here meets the road +to Thouars. I was looking at the slender spire of Miribeau, which +stood out against the rising ground that stretched towards Lencloitre +and beyond, when I was startled by the sudden galloping of a horse. It +was mademoiselle, who had turned sharply to the left, and was urging +her horse at full speed towards Miribeau. We reined up amidst +exclamations from the men; and the fugitive, who had got a fair +distance off by this, looked back and laughed at us. It was a brave +attempt at escape, and she evidently felt sure of her horse; but I had +a mind to try the mettle of Montluc's gift to me, and so I told the men +to go on quietly, and then, turning Lizette, followed Diane at an easy +canter. As I did so, and felt the power of the long, swinging stride +beneath me I smiled to myself whilst I watched the little Norman my +charge rode stretching himself like a greyhound. Once more Diane +looked back; and then I accepted the challenge, and gave the dun a free +rein. + +The country here was a wide horseshoe-shaped plain, fringed with a +network of ravines, and rising gently towards Lencloitre. It was for +the most part barren, but at intervals there were long brown and green +patches of broom, the yellow tufts swaying in the breeze. Here and +there the late rain had left pools of water, flashing like mirrors in +the sunlight; and away to the north-west, in dark green and grey +against the sky, stretched the undulating lands of higher Poitou. Far +in front of me mademoiselle rode, the white feathers in her hat +fluttering like a bird, and little puffs of dust rising beneath her +horse's hoofs. For a moment I thought she had made good her word to +Montluc--but for a moment only. Sarlaboux was right when he said I had +chosen the best horse in Poitou. She was more than that--she was one +of the best horses in France, and only once was she ever beaten, but it +was not on this occasion. As she raced along the green of the broom, +the flashing lights on the pools, and the white plain, all seemed to +mingle in a grey haze. Soon I could make out more than a white plume +and a cloud of dust before me. Yard by yard we crept up; and then +mademoiselle heard the beat of following hoofs, and called to her +horse, and the brave beast replied gallantly. But there was little +use. He was no match for the big dun mare, and at last there was one +effort more, and I was by Diane's side. + +"This is not the road, mademoiselle!" I cried; but for answer she +struck her beast with her whip, and then I laughed cheerfully, and our +glances met. It was enough, and in a few yards she had reined up, and +the little horse she rode, still full of fire, was pawing the earth, +and switching his foam-flecked sides with his tail, whilst Diane was +looking at me with tightened lip and a flush on her cheeks. + +It was not for me to upbraid or to openly say that I had realised she +had attempted to escape, and so I contented myself by remarking drily +that the plain beyond was unsafe, and that there was better ground on +the road to Les Barres. + +"I presume, monsieur, it is for that reason we have been travelling +like snails? Ah! it is fine there." And she waved her hand in the +direction of Miribeau as she asked: "Why not go back to your men, +Monsieur Broussel, and leave me an hour of freedom?" + +"You are hard on your escort, mademoiselle," I smiled; "and besides, I +took your look back as a challenge for a race. 'Tis a good little +horse you ride." + +"It belongs to M. de Ganache," she answered, and I bit my lip. It +seemed as if I could never be free of De Ganache; but, steadying +myself, I pointed to our men, filing along the white track like ants in +the distance. + +"It is fair going, as we know, mademoiselle, back to the road. What +say you to a gallop there?" + +She accepted the check she had received with a good grace, and turning +her horse raced back with the recklessness of youth. On this occasion +I took care that Lizette should not be first, and when we rejoined our +party Diane pointed at the mare with her whip as she laughed, for she +had recovered her temper. + +"I see now I should not have stopped when I did. Another mile and that +big, dust-coloured thing would have been yards and yards behind; would +she not, Rollo?" And she bent forward and caressed the Norman's sleek +neck. I did not contradict her statement, but contented myself by +saying humbly that there could be no comparison between the two horses. + +"I am glad you realise that, monsieur; and we will have another +race--soon, I hope." + +"In that case, mademoiselle, I will not stake anything, for I am +certain which horse will win." And with these words I was dropping +back once more to my old place when she stayed me, asking why I did not +ride by her side. + +"I feared to intrude, mademoiselle; it is no longer the furrier's niece +I escort." + +She turned red. "Ah, monsieur, I am ashamed of my deceit; but there +are things I cannot explain now that forced me to play a part." + +"Let the matter rest, mademoiselle." + +"I know I must have seemed ungrateful when I left you as I did; but +believe me, monsieur, I can never forget the brave man who risked his +life for me." And she held out her gloved hand, allowing it to rest in +mine for a moment ere she withdrew it gently. + +"I did what anyone else would have done. Perhaps, however, you would +like to hear that I have made such arrangements as could be made for +your dead servant." + +"It is like you, monsieur, to remember that." And then there was a +silence. After a little she asked almost timidly: + +"Monsieur, amongst the prisoners taken by M. de Montluc was the Vicomte +de Ganache. I have not been able to hear news of him, and I would give +much to know----" + +It was ever thus: De Ganache was ever first; and I answered, without +letting her complete her speech: + +"M. de Ganache is no longer a prisoner; he was freed by Montluc this +morning." + +"Freed! Are you sure?" + +"Sure as I ride here. I saw him leave Poitiers in safety." + +"It is almost incredible. And yet----" + +"It is true, mademoiselle. M. de Ganache is known to me, and I had +speech with him before he left. He is free, I assure you." + +"It is, indeed, good news, monsieur." And she looked at me, her face +all brightness, as she continued, with a little laugh: "M. de Montluc +is, I see, more generous to men than to women." + +At this juncture our speech was cut short, as from out of the ravine +before us into which the road dipped there suddenly emerged one of the +troopers I had sent on ahead. As the man came galloping up to us I +thought at first that he bore ill tidings, but it turned out that he +had ridden back to give me news of the accommodations at Les Barres. + +"I have arranged, monsieur, at the sign of the Slain Leopard, where +things are as good as can be expected. There is room enough, as there +are no other guests but one. I have left Capus to see that everything +is ready." + +Thanking the man, who fell back, we pushed on at the trot, for it was +now approaching sunset. Whilst passing La Tricherie I halted for a +moment to show mademoiselle the ruins of Baudimont, and pointed out to +her, in the distance on our right, the field of Moussaisla-Bataille, +where Charles the Hammer broke the Saracen advance for ever. + +We were now but a little distance from Les Barres, and could already +see the roofs of the village and the square tower of the church, all +alight with the sunset. As we came closer we heard the melancholy +chimes of the _couvre feu_, followed by the barking of dogs, and a few +minutes later we reached the hostel. + +Les Barres itself was an oasis in the desert around us. It lay +nestling amidst groves of walnuts, and a singular chance had spared it +from the evils around. As for the hostel itself, that lay far back in +a trim garden, and the quaint signboard, whereon was pictured a dead +leopard on a blue field--a memory of the last days of the hundred +years' war--swung triumphantly between two poles near the gate. + +As we filed in my charge went into feminine raptures over the beauty of +the garden, with its wealth of roses; and, indeed, it was such a spot +as might have been chosen for a lovers' retreat. The interior of the +inn corresponded with its old-world exterior; and the host, being +forewarned, had supper in readiness, and preparations made for +mademoiselle's comfort. I already had some experience of my fair +charge's capacity and resource, and I was determined, for her sake, to +carry out my promise to Montluc. Therefore, when mademoiselle's +baggage had been carried to her chamber and she herself had retired for +a space, I took the opportunity to warn my men to keep on the alert. I +reminded them that their reward would be in proportion to their +services; but they were old soldiers, who knew their duty, and nothing +more need be said of this. Pierrebon I told off specially to keep an +eye on the other guest--whom we had not seen--and then took a general +survey of the house as far as it was possible. With the exception of +the offices and one or two rooms, the greater portion of the lower +floor consisted of one large room, half across the middle of which a +stairway led to the upper floor. It seemed to me the only passage +above, and whilst I was looking at it, the landlord happening to pass, +I asked if this were so, and he replied: "Yes." + +"You could be very easily cut off, then." + +He shrugged his lean shoulders. "As easily as if we had ten ways, +monsieur." + +"You are lucky to have escaped so far." + +"Oh, monsieur, we are poor people, and not worth pillaging, and the +Vicomte has always been good to us." + +"The Vicomte?" + +"Yes, monsieur--the Vicomte de Ganache. He is Seigneur of Les Barres." + +"I begin to understand; but I suppose you have heard that things have +gone hard against M. de Ganache?" + +He wrung his hands, and with a word of encouragement to him I changed +the subject, and asked about the other guest. The landlord, however, +professed utter ignorance of him. + +"He came this morning, monsieur, and, as far as I know, goes to-morrow. +He is alone, and seems poorly provided with money--and this is all I +know." + +There was nothing further to be done, though I had learned some things +of value. As the night was warm I stepped out into the garden. It was +dark, and the stars were out. High above me a light was burning +faintly in a dormer window, on one side of which there was a wooden +gallery overlooking the garden, and on this two figures were standing. +It was too dark to see; but one was a woman, I was sure, and I was +sure, too, it was mademoiselle. + +For a moment I was tempted to creep beneath the balcony and---- But I +put the thought aside, with a curse at myself, and turning went +brooding down the garden, wondering how all this would end for me. +Enough! I would do my duty--place her in the Queen's hands--and then +see what Italy could do for Orrain. + +A step on the gravel path, and a dark figure came face to face with me. +It was Capus, the oldest and most trusty of my troopers. + +"I take the first watch, monsieur," he whispered, and passed on. + +Up and down I paced for a little, and at last I heard mademoiselle's +voice. She had come down, and I went back into the house. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE TWELVE ROSE PETALS + +Whether it were the effect of the candlelight, or whether it were due +to the exertion of the day, I know not, but it seemed to me as I +entered the room that mademoiselle looked pale and worn, and there was +a reserve and constraint in her manner that had been absent before. I +made some vapid remark about the warmth of the weather, hoping it had +not added to her fatigue, to which she answered that she was tired, but +that a night's rest would, doubtless, see her as well as ever by +morning. The landlord at this moment announcing supper as served we +went to table. At first my companion played with her food, but, +yielding to my pressure, began to eat, and in a little the colour came +back to her cheeks, the brightness returned to her eyes, and the +coldness in her manner wore off. The landlord himself personally +attended to us, and I observed that, whilst his manner towards +mademoiselle was deferential and respectful in the extreme, his tone +towards me was that of sulky obedience. This was so different from my +first reception that, with my suspicions already aroused, it was +impossible for me not to see it, and so I took the chance of a shot in +the dark, saying: + +"We have seen nothing of our fellow-guest, mademoiselle. It seems +that, like the mole, he dislikes light. I have been thinking that, +perhaps, it would be well to unearth him." + +Whilst saying this I kept my eyes on an ornament on the table, but as I +finished I glanced up swiftly. The landlord was at the time engaged in +handing some fruit to mademoiselle, but at my remark he almost dropped +the plate, and mademoiselle said, with a laugh: "You will have to +arrest everyone we meet on the road, monsieur, if your suspicions are +aroused so easily." Nevertheless, I was certain that a glance of +understanding had passed between her and the landlord, and I felt sure +that it would be well to pay a little attention to the retiring +stranger. + +As I expected, the landlord shortly after retired, leaving us alone. +The room we were in was long and low, with a window opening into the +garden. Mademoiselle was sitting facing this window, which lay open +because of the warmth of the night, whilst my back was turned towards +it. I said something about the landlord's manner, and mademoiselle +replied: + +"He is of lower Poitou, monsieur. Men there are like their +country--sullen and sad." And then she stopped suddenly, her eyes +fixed on the window, whilst her colour came and went. She had not the +gift that cynics assert is a special attribute of the sex, and was a +bad dissembler; and I here venture to say such women make the best of +wives, even though life's passage with them may be at times a little +stormy. + +"Is there anything there?" I asked, making a movement as if to turn +round; but she said hastily: + +"No, nothing; I thought I saw a figure passing--that is all." + +"One of my men, no doubt," I said carelessly. "We may rest secure +to-night, for they will keep good watch." + +To this she made no answer, but taking a rose from out of a vase near +her began to pluck the petals in an absent manner and lay them beside +her. When a woman's wits are pitted against those of a man it is well +for him to disregard nothing, and, slight as this action was, I took +note of it. I counted the petals as she plucked them. They were +twelve in all. Then she cast the rose aside, and picked up the petals +one after another, counting them aloud, and when she came to the +twelfth she put them in a heap beside her plate. + +"Twelve," I said. "Is that a magic number?" + +"No, monsieur; but it is my lucky number." And rising she moved to the +window and, sitting thereon, looked forth. The night was dark, and all +the stars were out. From the open window, a pennon of light streamed +out into the garden, heavy with the scent of roses. Mademoiselle took +a deep breath, and then pointing to the twinkling lights above us, +asked: + +"Are you learned in the stars, Monsieur Broussel?" + +I looked out too, for I was standing at the window, and laughed. + +"No, mademoiselle; all I know is that the star I was born under has not +done much for me. I remember, some years ago, when I was in Italy, an +astrologer made a horoscope for me; but I have lost it." + +"You do not believe in the stars, then?" + +"Who can tell, mademoiselle! But a man's life is mostly of his own +making, and a woman's too for the matter of that. There is an +invariable law of Nature or of God. It is that the breaker pays, and +sooner or later all learn this." + +"_Ciel_! how serious you are!" And her brown eyes met mine. + +"The stars should never laugh, mademoiselle." + +"They cried over me when my fortune was told." + +"May I ask----" + +"Oh yes!--but fortune for fortune. If I tell you mine will you tell me +yours?" + +"Certainly." + +"Well, mine was short: it was simply to beware of a church under the +ground and a woman in black and white. I have never seen such a church +nor ever met such a woman." + +I thought of Diane of Valentinois and her favourite colours, and a +sudden chill came over me. For a moment I stood silent. + +"Now for yours, monsieur," she said gaily. + +"Mine! Well, it was wrapped up in long names, and I never could make +aught of it. As far as I remember, Aquarius, Mars, and Mercury are in +the ascendant, and the face of Venus is from me. In the second house +Sol is in Pisces. In the fifth Luna in Gemini, and Jupiter----" + +She put her hands to her ears. "Enough, monsieur! I almost fear to +look out, lest I should see a cauldron of burning sulphur, and witches +dancing around it." + +And as she spoke there came to us the distant echoes of hoarse +laughter. I recognised the voices of the landlord and Capus, my +man-at-arms. + +"'Tis not Capus' business to hob-nob with the host at this hour, +mademoiselle. I had better go and see that he keeps stricter watch." + +With this I made a half movement to go, but she stayed me with a little +gesture of command. + +"Monsieur Broussel, I have a favour to ask of you; will you grant it?" + +"Mademoiselle, all that is in my power I will do. What is it?" + +For answer she stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder, her eyes +looking straight into mine. "Monsieur, a brave man like you should not +be a gaoler of women. Let me free!" + +I made no reply; but as her eyes, soft and imploring, met mine all the +love in my heart rose within me. For her sake no Roman constancy would +have held me to any vow; but I knew that Montluc had spoken the truth, +I knew the danger she was in, and that the one chance of her safety lay +in her being under the Queen's protection. + +"Mademoiselle!" I stammered; but she broke in on me. + +"Yes! You will let me go, will you not? Monsieur, I hate the thought +of Paris and its dark intrigues; and the fate of those who belong to my +faith is ever with me, like a horrible dream. I dread, I fear, each +hour that brings me nearer to what I know will be my death. Monsieur, +as you are a gentleman, let me free. Take me to Chatillon, and leave +me there with the Cardinal. Odet de Coligny, prince of the Church +though he is, is of my faith. I shall be safe there--a thousand times +safer than a prisoner in Paris. Oh, say you will!" + +I took her hand in mine, caressing it as that of a child, and strove to +explain, but she would not listen. "Say you will; do not refuse!" she +repeated; and, feeling like a hangman, I blurted out that it was +impossible. And then she snatched her hand from my grasp, and stood a +moment, her face half averted from me. There was an awkward silence, +and collecting myself I again pointed out the danger she was in, and +that in Paris alone could there be safety for her. I might have spoken +to stone walls; but at my words she turned, and there were angry lights +in the brown eyes, and her lips were tightly set. + +"I shall not trespass further on your good nature, monsieur. I feel +you have cancelled the debt I owed you, and henceforth you will +understand that I look upon you as my gaoler and nothing more." + +I bowed, and she continued: "And further, I do not desire to have +speech with you. I travel as your prisoner; and"--with a truly +feminine outburst--"I shall escape--there are friends who will see to +that." + +I was so full of wrath at the manner in which I had been treated that I +was about to answer back hotly that, friend or no friend, she would +ride into Paris by my side; but I restrained myself with an effort, and +with another look of anger at me mademoiselle turned, and began to +ascend the stairway. I watched her as she went up, with head erect and +shining eyes, and stood where I was for some little time utterly +dejected and cast down. Even if I had a shadow of a chance it was gone +by this. I felt like one who was condemned to execute himself. After +a little I moved towards the supper-table, and sitting down there +stared aimlessly before me. My eyes fell on the little heap of plucked +rose leaves that had been left on the table, and I began, at first half +unconsciously, to try and read the meaning of the signal, for such it +was I was sure. In the light of her last words, the sting of which +still remained with me, I was certain that she had not played with the +rose petals idly. I began to go back. She had told Montluc she would +escape at the first chance. She had made the attempt this very day, +but had apparently accepted defeat. Shortly after coming to the inn +there had been a decided change in her manner. Then she had grown +friendly again, and finding this fail her had broken out into open +defiance. I put all this with the little incident of the window, and +her open statement, made in heat, that she had friends who would help +her to escape--an escape that would lead her into the jaws of the wolf, +if she would but understand. Nevertheless, I could make nothing of it, +and so for the present gave up guessing, determining to do all I could +to protect her, and to leave the rest in the hands of Fate. The +landlord coming in at this moment I requested him to send Pierrebon to +me, and to show me the way to my chamber. Taking up one of the candles +from the table he led me across the room, and along a narrow passage, +on one side of which my room was, and then, saying he would send +Pierrebon, and wishing me "good-night" with a sulky civility, the man +went. Shortly after I heard steps along the passage, there was a knock +at my door, and Pierrebon entered. He wore his cloak thrown over his +shoulder so as to conceal his left arm and hand, and I could see from +the expression of his face that he had news of some kind. + +"What is it, Pierrebon?" I asked. + +For answer he shut the door carefully, and placing his cloak on the +floor put beneath it a small dark lantern, saying as he did so: "I have +made free to borrow this, monsieur, as I think, perhaps, it may be +needed." + +"Then you have found out something?" + +"I think so, monsieur." And he dropped his voice. "After your warning +I set about trying to discover our stranger, but could find no trace of +him. Capus and Poltrot, however, had seen him, and told me he had a +horse; but there was no horse in the stables, and at first I thought +that he might have gone." + +"What about our horses?" I interrupted. "Does anyone watch them?" + +"Yes, monsieur; we have old soldiers with us, and Poltrot and Bahuzet +watch them, whilst Capus and the Hainaulter Cuyp watch the house--all +four turn and turn about. + +"Capus, however, was drinking with the landlord, and his watch seems +lax." + +"No, monsieur! The landlord was drinking with Capus, whom he had paid +five gold Henris to cut all our saddlery to-night, especially the +reins; the only saddlery to be spared is that of mademoiselle." + +I whistled low, and Pierrebon, diving into his pocket, pulled out five +gold pieces, saying: "Here is the money, monsieur, which Capus begs to +inquire if he may keep." + +"And five more besides, Pierrebon, and I beg his pardon for doubting +him. But what about the stranger?" + +"That too is known, monsieur, and I was about to tell you. Whilst the +landlord was drinking with Capus I made my way to the kitchen, where my +reception was chill, so I took myself out into the garden, and +wandering down a pathway heard a whinny. 'Soh!' said I to myself, +'that is a nag there!' Sure enough there was, and I was about to step +up to it when I heard a sound behind me, and heard someone coming up, +and saw the light of a lantern. It is dark, as you know, monsieur, and +I stepped back into the shadow, and lay there concealed. Presently the +men--there were two of them--came up. One was the ostler, and the +other the Vicomte de Ganache, to whom you, monsieur, lent your horse +this morning." + +"Are you sure?" I asked with a breath. + +"Perfectly, monsieur. I saw the light on his face; and there was the +brown horse----" + +"Did they say anything?" + +"Nothing of import, monsieur. M. le Vicomte, like a good soldier, was +seeing to his beast. When they had attended to him they went back, I +following slowly. There is a door leading into the kitchen, and they +entered by this, the ostler, however, shutting the slide of his +lantern, and leaving it in the angle of the wall. It was careless of +him, monsieur, and it is here now." And Pierrebon smiled. + +"Now, Pierrebon, think again: are you sure that nothing of import +passed between the two?" + +"Nothing, monsieur; they spoke of the horse--not a word about us. All +that the Vicomte said, as they were leaving, was that he would make all +arrangements at midnight; he means, perhaps, to start then. If so, he +will need his lantern." + +But I scarce heard Pierrebon's last words. The key of the rose petals +had come to my hand. De Ganache had either arranged to meet, or to +escape with, mademoiselle at twelve. This was the secret of it all, I +was sure. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +MADEMOISELLE DECIDES + +So the rubber between De Ganache and myself had begun, and although I +had been the means of saving his life this morning I was determined to +put it to the last issue rather than see myself defeated in this matter +by him. + +Mademoiselle would at any rate find that if I were a gaoler I was one +who looked well after his charge. So I gave instructions to Pierrebon +to take my place in the room, and on no account to stir forth unless I +called him. I further added that if anyone came to the door he should +pretend to be sleeping heavily. With this I took my drawn sword in my +hand and stepped softly into the passage. On reaching the room where +we had supped I found it apparently deserted, the only light being from +a lantern which burnt dimly on the dining-table. The shadow of the +stairway leading above fell athwart the room, and as I looked +cautiously around the clock in the hall beyond struck eleven. I waited +patiently for any sign of movement or life; but there was none. +Satisfied at last that I was alone I stepped forward, and made my way +quickly but noiselessly to the stair. Beneath this there was room +enough to stand, and hidden by the darkness, the overhanging stair, and +the angle of the wall I was perfectly concealed. Here I determined to +watch, through the night if need be. The discovery that this stairway +was the only passage from above strengthened my position greatly, for +unless mademoiselle were possessed of wings, and it had not come to +that as yet, she would have to pass this way, and then I hoped to be +able to persuade her how rash and useless her attempt was. + +The minutes dragged on like hours, as they always do in affairs of this +nature. I chafed at the restraint of my position, and had no intention +of acting the eavesdropper longer than I could help it, but for the +moment I was forced to lie in ambush. All was quiet and still, so +still that some mice came out, and sought for such crumbs as they could +find on the floor around the dining-table. Suddenly there came the +sound of footsteps along the passage. In a flash the mice had +vanished, and two men entered the room. They were the landlord and De +Ganache, the latter booted and spurred and wearing the hat that was +lent to him, or rather given to him, this morning. He sat down on a +chair at the dining-table, and placed his hat beside him, running his +fingers through the red plumes. + +"_Eh bien_," he said, with a laugh, "Monsieur there sleeps soundly. It +will be a great awakening in the morning. I should not advise you to +be here, Pechaud." And with this he turned up the lantern, so that the +light fell more strongly on his clear-cut face and blue eyes. He was a +handsome man, and one well formed to win a woman's heart; but with all +this there were the marks of a weak and irresolute nature on his +countenance, and as I looked I thought to myself that here was one who, +if he fell, would fall utterly. + +Pechaud the landlord, who stood respectfully near De Ganache, laughed +too as he heard the Vicomte's words. + +"I shall be careful, monsieur," he said. "My only fear is that they +will find it so difficult to follow that they may stay here +indefinitely." + +"The trooper is a knave for all that, and deserves to hang; but it was +well conceived--the cutting of the saddlery." And then they both +laughed again. I had a mind to join in their humour, and it was hard +to refrain from chuckling a little on my own account. + +"'Tis a pity you could not get mademoiselle's horse." + +"It was impossible, monsieur; but you will find mine carry her as well, +and it is even now ready. + +"Well; it does not much matter." And rising De Ganache opened the +window and looked forth. + +"It is a night of stars," he said, "and dark. Lord! if we but had a +moon!" + +"Monsieur will find the guide lead you well." + +"I want no guide on my own lands, Pechaud. Night and day are one to me +when I ride across them. But this guide: who is he?" + +"I myself, monsieur." + +"You! And yet, perhaps, 'tis as well; but I fear me, old friend, that +the sky will be red behind us with the flames of this good inn; they +will not forego that revenge." + +"Let it be so, monsieur. My ancestors have followed yours for two +centuries, and taken the good with the bad--and I am as they are; you +know this." + +De Ganache looked at him, and as I heard this faithful retainer's words +I began to understand the force that my opponent had on his side. +After a moment's pause Pechaud continued: + +"But, monsieur, a word from an old man. How long is this to last? Why +are you not at the King's side, as your forefathers ever were? Make +your peace with the Court, as Monsieur d'Andelot and the Admiral have +done----" + +"Enough, Pechaud! Perhaps I will take your advice, and that soon; but +for the present I must pull my sword-belt in by a hole, and see that my +saddlery at any rate is right. As for this Monsieur Broussel, he told +mademoiselle that he knew me, but I have never set eyes on him that I +know. What manner of man is he?" + +"Monsieur, we have just heard him as he slept." + +De Ganache shrugged his shoulders and glanced up at the clock. + +"It is time," he said. "Warn mademoiselle." + +Pechaud turned; but even as he did so there was a light step on the +stairs, and mademoiselle came down dressed for travelling, and holding +her riding-whip in her hand. As she passed she glanced swiftly in my +direction, and for the moment I thought I was discovered; but the +shadow was impenetrable, and she went on. De Ganache rose to receive +her, holding out his hand. I noticed that she barely touched it, as +she asked quickly: + +"Is all ready?" + +"Everything, Diane." And I winced at the familiar address. + +"De Ganache," she said, "I had your word for it that no harm should +befall Monsieur Broussel. He risked his life for me, and I owe it to +him that I stand here alive; what have you done with him?" + +De Ganache smiled. "Even if he had not acted as he has, if he were my +bitter foe, your word would have been law to me. Monsieur Broussel is +alive and well. If we had time I would take you down the passage and +show him to you--sleeping the sleep of the just." + +"Forgive me! I know not what it is. I am haunted by all sorts of +fears----" + +"Then fear no more," he said gently, trying to take her hand, but she +withdrew it from him. And then he dropped his arm, and went on: "By +to-morrow evening you will be with friends, and, perhaps, you will +learn by then that there are others ready and willing to die for you if +need be." + +"Gaston!" she said; and now it was she held out her hand, and he bent +respectfully over it as he touched it with his lips. + +To tell truth, I was suffering more torture than if I had been run +through, for in Diane's last word I felt all my hopes vanish, I was +taken off my cross, however, by the necessity for action, for Pechaud, +who had discreetly retired at mademoiselle's entrance, now returned, +and announced that the horses were ready. + +"Come!" said De Ganache, and as he said so I stepped out and faced +them. It was a bolt from the blue. Mademoiselle shrank back with a +little startled cry. Pechaud stood as one petrified, his jaws agape, +and his old hands trembling, whilst De Ganache put himself between me +and mademoiselle, his hand on the hilt of his sword. + +"Stand back!" he said hotly. "Back!" + +And as hot an answer trembled on my tongue, but I held myself in. + +"Monsieur, you do not seem to know me. Shall I remind you of this +morning?" + +At my words it was he who went back; his hand left his sword-hilt, and +he stood staring at me. + +"You!" he stammered. "I did not recognise--I--I did not know----" + +"Enough, monsieur! I forgive you the ill turn you were about to play +me. Perhaps, were I in your case, I would do the same----" + +"If so, then my course is clear. In any other thing I would yield to +you, but not in this." + +"Listen. Your plan was well laid; but my men are not traitors, and +I--I have not slept. Monsieur de Ganache, I have but to raise my +voice, and there will be three to one against you----" + +"I care not," he answered furiously, and his sword flashed in his hand, +but in a moment Diane was between us. + +"De Ganache! Monsieur Broussel! Put back your swords, I implore you!" + +And with this she clung to De Ganache's arm. He paled to the lips as +he tried to free himself. + +"Diane, 'tis our only way! Keep back, Diane!" + +But for answer she clung all the more to him, and it seemed as if she +were covering him from my sword, as she cried out again: "No, no! It +is too terrible! I will not have it! It must not be!" + +I looked from one to another, a hundred emotions tearing at my heart. +I had seen enough to understand how these two stood to one another, +and, utterly miserable at heart, I gave way. A sudden impulse, that +carried me as like a wave, seized me, and I burst out: + +"Monsieur de Ganache, let it be for Mademoiselle de Paradis to decide +between us. I give you my word I will abide by her choice." + +Diane let her hand fall from De Ganache's arm and turned to me in +astonishment. And De Ganache stared at me with wide-open eyes, and +asked slowly, dropping his words out: + +"You say this?--you pledge your word?" + +"I have said so. I undertook to take mademoiselle to Paris, and to see +her in safety there, at the cost of my life if need be. I have since +learned that which makes it impossible for me to do this unless +mademoiselle comes with me of her own free will. I leave her to make +her choice." + +"Then, Diane, come!" And De Ganache turned towards her, a hand +outstretched. I stepped aside to leave the way free, but to my +surprise mademoiselle made no answer, but stood in wavering hesitation, +now looking at one and then at the other of us. Once more De Ganache +began to urge her, stepping quite close up and speaking in low but +quick and earnest tones. + +"Diane, the very stars are with us! What is there that makes you +hesitate? By to-morrow evening we will be with our own people, and +henceforth I will always be by your side to defend you." + +She stopped him with an impatient gesture of her hand. Even where she +stood in the half light I saw the red rush to her cheeks at his last +words; and then she asked: + +"Monsieur Broussel, I too have been learning, or rather guessing, at +some things since I came down here. Is it you that Monsieur le Vicomte +has to thank for his life?" + +I did not answer; but De Ganache began to speak as one defending +himself: + +"I do thank him; but when I told you of this I did not know Monsieur +Broussel's name, Diane." + +"All this does not concern the matter," I cut in. "What mademoiselle +has to decide is whether she will go on to Paris or not. Which shall +it be?" And I faced her. + +A little silence, and her eyes refused to meet mine. Then she said +faintly: "I--I do not know." + +All depended on a single turn, but it was De Ganache himself who threw +his cards away. Stepping up to mademoiselle he put his arm through +hers, and with an air of command, almost proprietorship, he said: + +"Come, Diane, we waste time here, and we have far to go. I shall give +Monsieur Broussel his thanks another day." + +She looked up at him--such a look!--and withdrew her arm. + +"Monsieur de Ganache," she said, "you take too much on yourself. I +have decided, and I shall go to Paris." + +De Ganache looked at her and laughed bitterly. Then he broke forth +into weak reviling at womankind. She let him run on, and at last he +asked: + +"And after all I have done and risked this--this is your answer?" + +"My answer--to everything, monsieur." And with this she turned from +him, and passing me went up the stair, back to her apartments. + +I was standing a little apart, leaning on my sword, hardly able to +believe my ears, and wondering at the ways of womankind. De Ganache +had taken up his hat, and was nervously tearing at the plume, his lips +moving with unspoken words. All at once he turned to me, and his voice +was hoarse with passion: + +"Monsieur, you have won. I set this against this morning. And we are +quits. Quits, you understand?" + +I bowed, but made no answer. The man was beside himself, and the +slightest word would have led to his drawing on me, and for +mademoiselle's sake I held myself in. + +"Pechaud!" he went on, "my horse." + +And crushing his hat on his head he passed me without another word and +went to the door. Pechaud followed him, and began to urge something, +but was silenced with a rough word. Then he called for a light. +Pechaud came running back for the lantern, and through the open door, +as the light flickered on him, I saw De Ganache mount. Once he glanced +back at me. He could see nothing, for I was in darkness, but the +light which fell on his features showed him pale as ashes. The horse +backed a little. He drove his spurs in with an oath, and then I +heard him hammering through the night, going--God knows whither. +Beat--beat--beat--the iron-shod hoofs rushed through the village, and +the dogs awoke, and barked, barked and howled, long after he had passed +on his reckless course. + +I waited a little, and then called to Pechaud. He came back slowly, +and set his lantern with a trembling hand on the table. For the rest +of the night we were in safety--that I knew. + +"It grows late, Maitre Pechaud," I said, "and I need rest." And so I +left him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +DR. JOHANNES CABALLUS + +I made all arrangements betimes for an early start the next morning; +and, with a remembrance of what had passed between us last night, +ordered a table, with one cover only, to be set for mademoiselle near +the window of the dining-room. Then I went out into the garden to +while away the time there until my charge was ready for the journey. + +There was a little walk outside the open window, through which I could +see all that passed within the dining-room. Here I paced backwards and +forwards, reflecting on the events of the past few hours. I could, of +course, see that for some reason or other Diane had apparently broken +with De Ganache. It was not a trick of heartless coquetry--for that I +gave her credit. Yet the change had been so swift and sudden that it +was difficult to assign any other reason for it. So far as I was +concerned I was sure my affair was utterly hopeless; but the air of the +Italian campaign would doubtless cure me, and I almost caught myself +wishing that I had lost the game last night and was free to turn my +horse's head where I listed. + +In this disjointed thought I passed some time, and it was well after +nine o'clock that Diane came forth from her room. Through the window I +saw her descending the stair, and, not wishing to intrude, withdrew to +the extreme end of the walk, where I began to be interested in the +operations of a spider weaving his web in a rose bush. I could, +however, see into the room, and observed Diane stop near the table, +hesitate a little, and then sit down. Pechaud began to flutter around +her, but after a little she rose, and coming to the window looked +straight out at me. My spider had by this time vanished into the +petals of a half-open rose, and turning I met Diane's look, and lifted +my hat in formal greeting, remaining, however, where I was, as I was +determined to keep the position she had assigned to me. + +"Monsieur Broussel!" + +"Mademoiselle!" And now I stepped up to the window. + +"Will you let me know when we start?" + +"As soon as ever you are rested sufficiently, mademoiselle." + +My tone was coldly polite, and there was equal indifference in her +voice. + +"It is very good of you to say this; but now that I have decided to go +to Paris the sooner it is over the better." + +"The horses are ready." + +"Then, perhaps, we had better start." + +"I am at your service, mademoiselle." And a quarter of an hour later +we were on our way once again. I did not take the direct road by +Chatellerault, but turned half westward, intending to enter Touraine by +way of Chinon, and then to follow the route by which I had come to +Poitiers. + +It was a summer day, such as can only be met with in France. Overhead +billowy white clouds rolled and piled in the sapphire blue of the sky. +A wind, fresh and cool, blew from the west, sweeping over the plain, +hissing into the crests of the yellow broom and purple loosestrife, and +bending them into lines of colour that chased each other like waves +over the grey-green moorland. As we left the plain and came to the +undulating lands of northern Poitou, where the country twisted down to +the Bienne, the hedgerows, all glimmering in gold and green, and gay +with blossoming thorn, were awake with the song of the thrush and the +black-cap. We had passed Lencloitre on our left, and in that dip, dark +with walnut-trees, lay the little hamlet of Razines, which had so many +memories for me. + +Up to now neither mademoiselle nor I had exchanged a word, as I rode +well in the rear of our party, sending Capus, who knew the country, to +lead us. Diane had so far kept her word, and rode behind Capus in +silence. At intervals I pushed a little to one side and watched her, +and now and again, as we came to a turn or a bend in the road, I saw +her full and fairly, but she never so much as glanced in my direction. +A little farther on we skirted some rising ground, and there, to our +half-left, lay Richelieu, the smoke still rising from its burning +houses, and, caught by the wind, stretching out in a long horsetail +across the country. Mademoiselle reined up and watched the scene for a +little, our party halting behind her. As we did so we heard a loud +neigh, and a riderless horse, the saddlery still on him, came out of +some stunted trees and trotted towards us. At a sign from me one of my +men caught the horse and freed him of his bit and saddle, whilst I +galloped up to the trees, upon which half a dozen or so of ravens were +sitting. When I reached them I found what I expected there, and the +hideous birds croaked down on me as if in derision, for what was lying +there was past all aid of man. I came back as I went, and Diane asked: + +"Is there anyone there, monsieur?" + +"No, mademoiselle. And 'tis almost time for our midday halt; a little +farther on and we will rest." + +Diane turned her horse's head, and I was about to turn back once more +to my place when she said in a low tone: + +"Monsieur, I have something to say to you." + +I bowed, and rode up beside her. And we let the men go onward, +dropping together to the place I had left in the rear. + +"Monsieur," she said after a little, "I have been trying to say what I +want all the morning. I want you to forgive me for the cruel words I +used to you last night. I--I never meant them." She was flushed and +trembling as she spoke, and I saw the tears in her eyes. I lifted my +hat at her words. + +"Mademoiselle, after all you were right. I am but Bertrand Broussel, a +citizen of Paris, as you know, and you----" + +"Oh yes; I know all that; but, oh! I feel hot with shame when I think +of my words. Monsieur, say you forgive me!" + +"With all my heart, mademoiselle! Think no more of it, I pray you." +And then, to change the subject, I pointed to a grove of trees in front +of us. "There, mademoiselle, is where we halt for an hour or so. What +say you to a race there?" + +"Are you not afraid of that?" + +"I will risk it," I said. And, with a laugh, she touched her Norman +with the whip, and I kept Lizette pounding after her, until she pulled +up, flushed and hot, near the trees, beside which the Mable purled past. + +"Beaten again," she said as I came up. + +"It is my fate." And, pulling up, I pointed to the river. "Do you +remember this river, mademoiselle?" + +"The Mable!" And she shuddered. "But surely it was not here that we +crossed on that awful night?" + +"No; some miles lower down." And then I helped her to dismount, and +attended to the horses, whilst she borrowed my sword, and tying her +'kerchief to the point signalled to our men to come on. + +There are days when all that happens is trivial, yet the memory of +which is ever to be marked in white; and this was such an one to me. I +let myself forget the impossible during that brief two hours' halt; nor +ever had I known Diane so gracious. We spoke much of Paris. She had +never seen the great city nor the Court, and I told her what I knew, +though my knowledge of the Louvre was a little old. As a child she had +seen the Queen once--on the day of the Lists of Amboise--and wondered +whether she were altered. + +"She is much the same. Time has dealt gently with her." + +"Is it true that in secret she is of our--I mean my faith?" + +"It is said that she favours the new religion, but I know not if this +is true. It is certain, however, that she has never joined in the +persecution, and 'tis said that both D'Andelot and Marot owed their +escape to her." + +"And you, monsieur--are you too of the faith?" + +"Mademoiselle, I think, if the truth be told, that men who, like +myself, have lived much in the world do not bind themselves in their +hearts to this faith or to that, whatever they profess with their lips." + +"But, monsieur----" + +"Listen, mademoiselle. This does not mean that we do not know how +infinite is the distance between us and God nor how hard the road is to +His throne." + +"There is the path of faith, monsieur." + +"That is the path we search for, sometimes unconsciously; and perhaps, +with God's aid, I may find it ere I die." + +Then there was a silence, and after that the talk drifted to other +things. And I but mention this conversation because it was due to it +and it alone that I was set upon the track that led to the True Road. + +A little later Pierrebon, who was indulging his appetite for a good +sleep, awoke from his nap, and discovered it was time to be moving. +So, fording the river, we took our way north. Towards sunset we saw +the walls of the priory of Ile Bouchard, around which clustered the +houses of the village, like barnacles to a galley's side. On arrival +here I craved the hospitality of the good monks for the night, and this +was readily afforded us. Early the following morning, having bidden +farewell to our kind hosts, we looked our last on the grey pile, half +monastery and half fortress, and went our way through the stunted +forest that straggled downward to the Vienne. Between these narrow +strips of woodland, through which the path wound, rose ragged knolls +clad in short, dark green juniper, and here and there were bright +splashes of colour, where flowering wild weeds clustered at the bases +of the brown ribs of rock that stood up starkly over all. We crossed +the river by the ferry between Auche and Riviere, where the little +Veude falls into the Vienne, and halted for a space on a bluff to +survey the landscape. At this hour of the morning, with the air so +gay, the sky so blue, and the sun so bright, the lights were still soft +enough to allow the whole beauty of the scene to be strongly felt. At +our feet the river went dancing along in a sweeping blue curve, its +left bank clothed with rich vineland, and on its right a belt of +forest--the outskirts of the forest of Chinon--which stretched, a sea +of green, grey, and dim, mysterious purples, to the far-distant Loire. +There, on its wooded height, the pentice roofs glistening in the +sunlight, stood Chinon, with its triple castle, so full of the memories +of history; and all around spread the wide Tourangeais. + + + "Tourangeaux, Angevins + Bons esprits et bons vins," + +sang Capus, grizzled old war-dog though he was, and, the spirit of the +morning seizing us, we urged our horses down the slope, and scurried +through the forest towards Chinon. + +After a little we slackened pace and went on slowly, until, towards +midday, when about half a league--or perhaps less--from Chinon, we came +upon a roadside inn, all covered with climbing roses in bloom, whilst +the air was full of the cooing of numberless pigeons that circled +around and perched upon a dovecote that looked like a tower. Here +mademoiselle stopped, declaring that she would travel no farther that +day; and accordingly, having made arrangements for our accommodation, I +walked out with Diane into a long, straggling garden that lay at the +back of the house. At the extreme end of the garden was a +summer-house, and on entering this we found it occupied by an old man, +who sat reading therein. We were about to draw back, but he rose, +leaning upon a stout stick, and very courteously invited us to be +seated. His hooded black cassock, and the tonsure which was visible, +as he had removed his cap, marked the priest. He was very feeble, as +we could see, though his eyes, bright and piercing, contrasted +strangely with the deadly pallor of his cheeks. A straggling grey +moustache and beard partly concealed his mouth, which was set in a +smile half mirthful and half sardonic. I put him down as the cure of a +neighbouring hamlet, as he gave us the benediction, and invited us to +join him, saying as he did so: + +"Mademoiselle, I have long looked in dreamland for the lady who would +be chosen above all others as Abbess of Thelema--and now, behold! you +have come!" Plucking a rose as he spoke he bowed with old-world grace, +and held it out with a shaking hand to Diane, who took it with a flush +on her face, and thanks on her lips, but a puzzled look in her eyes. + +"I see, Monsieur le Cure," I said, "you are an admirer of Doctor +Rabelais." + +"He is the most intimate friend I have, and, as you are doubtless +aware, the Doctor is a townsman of Chinon." + +"That, perhaps, is his book you are reading?" + +"Alas, no! 'tis merely a Hebrew lexicon I was studying to decide a +dispute I have with my friend Doctor Johannes Caballus of the +University of Orange; but--you are learned in Hebrew, monsieur?" + +"I cannot say I am," I laughed, "though we meet on common ground in +admiration of Rabelais." + +"In that case, monsieur, you and mademoiselle must be my guests at +dinner. It is almost the hour, and we will dine here." And without +waiting for a reply he seized a small handbell that lay beside him and +rang it. In a little the host appeared, and the cure turned to him: + +"Is dinner, as I ordered it, ready?" + +"Monsieur!" + +"Then serve it here, and set the table for four. Mayhap the Doctor +Johannes Caballus may join us. Let me see what there is for dinner. +Ah! three sucking-pigs, and a fourth to follow in quince sauce, six +capons, twelve pigeons, twelve quails, four legs of mutton _en brune +pate_, twelve sweetbreads, four tongues, four veal----" + +But the landlord had fled, and Diane was staring with wide-open eyes, +whilst I confess I thought that we had a harmless lunatic before us. + +"Perhaps, monsieur, we have Gargantua dining with us?" + +"That would be but a flea-bite to him. But there is the Doctor +Caballus." And pushing aside the roses he pointed before him; all we +could see was a sleek mule sunning itself in a patch of green. + +"There is only a mule there," said Diane. + +"True; but he is a Doctor of Laws of the University of Orange. I must +tell you that the estimable beast is the property of Doctor Rabelais, +who permits me to use him, being, as I said, a friend of friends to me. +It so happened that the University of Orange conferred degrees on +payment of fees without seeing or testing the candidate. My friend +Rabelais, who loves a merry jest, sent them the money for a Doctor's +degree for one Johannes Caballus, the same being his mule. And in due +course the parchment came; and so our friend there is as much a Doctor +of Laws as my lords the Bishops of Seez or Montpelier. But here comes +our dinner." + +I need not say that the dinner was not the feast for giants that was +ordered; but, though it was plentiful, all that our old friend could +eat was a little dish of peas fried in fat, which he washed down with +thin wine and water. He kept all the talk to himself, delighting us +with a thousand merry quibbles and jests, until, finally, he called for +his mule, saying that he must depart. + +"Mademoiselle," he said as he wished us farewell, "you are going on a +long journey, and I on a much longer, but I know that wherever you are +there will be the house of Thelema." And as I helped him to pull his +domino over his shoulders he whispered in my ear: "_Beati qui in domino +moriuntur_." + +Then, slowly and painfully mounting his mule, and chuckling at his grim +jest, he ambled away, the landlord bowing respectfully to him as he +passed. + +"Who is he?" asked Diane. + +"That, mademoiselle," said our host, "is the Doctor Rabelais, whose +name is honoured as that of the King here. He has a small estate +called La Deviniere hard by, and comes here at times for his health. +He returns to Paris to-morrow; but he will never come back--that I +know." And he shook his head sorrowfully. + + * * * * * * + +We never met again, for Rabelais died a month later; but in my library +at Orrain, which now contains close upon a hundred volumes, I have a +copy of his works bound in red velvet, and clasped with silver. Nor +ever do I touch it without thinking of that rose-clad summer-house in +the old garden in Touraine. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE WOMAN IN BLACK AND WHITE + +A few days later we saw the cliffs of Chateaudon, from whose heights +the stronghold of Dunois looks down upon the town crouching beneath. +On arrival we found a lodging in the little square below the castle, +and here I thought it necessary to call a halt for a couple of days. +Thus far our journey to Paris had been free from serious misadventure; +but I was full of fears, for I knew not what folly De Ganache might +commit in his madness, and the evil phantom of Simon was ever grinning +over my shoulder. I, therefore, judged it prudent to write to Le +Brusquet, begging him to inform the Queen how far I had come; and, as +difficulties might arise in regard to my entry into Paris, I suggested +that mademoiselle should be met by an escort either at Etampes or +Montlhery; and, commending myself to his friendship, begged the favour +of his losing no time in aiding me in this matter. This letter I +entrusted to Capus, bidding him meet me with the answer at Etampes, +where he would find me at the Toison d'Or. + +As soon as mademoiselle, chiefly upon whose account I had halted, was +sufficiently rested to continue the journey we started once more, and +quitting the vine country entered the smiling Beauce. It was towards +the end of June, and our way led through the granary of France, with +its long green reaches of meadow and rich cornland. Here, under the +clear blue of the sky, and in an air like crystal, stretched endless +fields of corn, swaying gently in the gentle breeze, and chequered with +vivid patches of blue cornflower and red poppy. After the seared +plains of Poitou the freshness, the peace, and the plenty around us +struck us in convincing contrast, nor could I help thinking what a +little it would take to make the sad Poitevin plain smile like this. + +We travelled by easy stages, reaching Etampes about the sixth day, and +here, on arrival at the Toison d'Or, I was disappointed to get no news +of Capus. There was nothing for it but to wait, and a few days passed +pleasantly enough in the curious old town. One incident that occurred +is, perhaps, worthy of notice. Almost opposite our inn was a +forbidding-looking house, without arms or escutcheon of any kind upon +the gate. To all appearance it was uninhabited, but from the balcony +of the inn mademoiselle and I observed a lady dressed in black who +daily paced for an hour or so on the terrace overlooking the garden of +the house. We could not distinguish her features, for she was ever +closely veiled, but her attitude and mien marked the deepest dejection. +To the idle all things are of interest, and our curiosity was excited; +so on one occasion, as the lady paced mournfully on the terrace, +mademoiselle asked the landlord who she was. + +"That, mademoiselle, is the Duchess herself." + +"The Duchess!" + +"Yes, mademoiselle; the Duchess d'Etampes. She has lived here in the +strictest seclusion ever since the late King's death. She receives no +one, and yet for miles around she is blessed for her charity. 'Tis +said, however," and he dropped his voice, "that she is a Christaudin; +but of this I know nothing." + +And so this sad, dark-robed spectre was the once brilliant and +beautiful De Helly! I went back in my mind to the gay days when she +reigned as queen. It was not so long ago, and I could recall all that +throng of syrens. There was Canaples, star of the morning; the lovely +St. Pol, star of the evening; Rieux, Tallard, Lestrange; but one only +of that galaxy was left, the loveliest and the worst--Diane, whom men +called the crescent moon. For her I wondered what fate was in store. + +The next day, towards sunset, mademoiselle and I were once again upon +the balcony of the inn, when I saw a horseman trotting past the parvis +of St. Martin. I was sure it was Capus, and my doubts were soon at +rest, for as he rounded the corner and came up the Rue St. Jacques I +saw it was he, and signalled to him. He lifted his arm in the air in +answer to my signal, and spurring his beast drew up a minute or so +after at the door of the inn. + +"What news, Capus?" I called out; and he waved a letter that he held in +his hand. Making an excuse to mademoiselle I ran down to meet him, and +soon had Le Brusquet's letter in my hands. He had done as I asked, and +we were to be met at Longpont, near Montlhery; and in a postscript he +added that Olden Hoorn had sent him the two hundred crowns I had asked +for from Poitiers--a piece of news not without interest to me. When I +had finished Capus said: + +"I came with the escort, monsieur, as far as Montlhery. It is +commanded by the Sieur de Lorgnac. There are ten lances and two court +ladies and a dozen or so of sumpter horses--a brave show. They all lie +at the priory at Longpont." + +"Thanks, Capus. Go now and rest." And as the man went I stood for a +little looking after him, and then went back to the balcony, the letter +in my hand. As I came up mademoiselle called out to me: + +"See!" she cried, "there is the new moon; turn over the money in your +pocket, and wish." + +I laughed. "There is little enough to turn, mademoiselle; but for my +wish--it is all good fortune and happiness to you." + +"Now you will bring me ill-luck for having spoken your wish aloud. Oh, +monsieur!" + +"Heaven forbid! But have you wished, may I ask?" She turned away with +a little sigh, and looked out into the violet evening, where the +slender sickle of the moon shone silver bright. Down below the +twilight darkled in the streets. Figures moved like shadows, and now +and again a light flashed out. Tall and slight, she stood out against +the darkening sky, her face half averted from me, and I knew not what +it was, but an almost irresistible impulse came on me to put my fortune +to the touch. But I thought of De Ganache. She was his promised wife. +I thought of what I had to offer, and this and that gave me strength, +and so I held back. + +"Mademoiselle," I said with an effort, "this is our last evening, and +my wardship ends to-morrow." + +"To-morrow?" + +"Yes; the Queen has sent an escort to meet you at Longpont." + +"She is most kind!" + +"And as I may not have the chance of speaking to you alone again----" + +"Why that?" she interrupted quickly. "You will be in Paris. You will +be at the Court. I counted upon having at least one friend there." + +"You will have more than one friend there, mademoiselle, and more than +one enemy, I fear; but I was about to say that I leave Paris the day +after I reach there for Italy." + +"For Italy?" + +"Yes; I follow M. de Montluc there. You see, old as I am, I have to +begin life over again, and there is many a fair fortune yet waiting to +be sliced out of the Romagna." + +She said never a word, and I continued: "It will be long ere I see +France again--perhaps never; and so, mademoiselle, I once more wish you +all that is good, and I offer my congratulations--I have not ventured +to do so before." + +She spoke now. "Monsieur, I thank you! I will not pretend not to +understand your last words; but there are some good wishes that may +mean misfortune, and it grows late. Good-night!" + +She slid by me, and was gone almost before I realised it. + +It was just past the dawn the next morning when we left Etampes. There +were but five leagues or so to cover ere we reached Montlhery, and for +almost the whole way we could see before us the castle that crowned the +hill. At the ford of the Orge we saw a small group of horsemen, their +arms shining in the sunlight. + +"'Tis the escort," said Capus, and quickening our pace we were soon +with them, and I handed over my charge to De Lorgnac. + +There were with him two of the Queen's ladies--Madame de Montal, and +the bright-eyed Cypriote, Mademoiselle Davila, she who had escaped from +the sack of Cyprus--and these two immediately appropriated +mademoiselle, asking ten questions in a breath, never waiting for +answer, and detailing the hardships of their own journey of four +leagues or so from Paris. I had no chance of another word with her, +and rode morosely by Lorgnac's side. + +That night we lay at the priory of Longpont; but I saw nothing of +mademoiselle, for the ladies both dined and supped by themselves, +leaving De Lorgnac and myself to our own devices. After supper, as we +paced the garden together, De Lorgnac gave me the news of the day, +mentioning, amongst other things, that Vendome had returned to the +Court once more, and that all differences between him and the Duchess +de Valentinois appeared to have been buried. I glanced at the signet +that I wore on my finger, Vendome's gift to me, saying: + +"That is, perhaps, the best thing that could have happened for me; but +I little dreamed that Vendome would ever have joined hands with Diane." + +"As to that," he said, "I have long ceased to be surprised at anything. +Poor Le Brusquet was in disgrace for a whole day for suggesting a new +device for the Duke--a weathercock on a steeple." And he laughed as he +added: "The Duke came back almost a week ago, with five hundred +gentlemen in his train--amongst others the late rebel De Ganache, for +whom he has obtained a pardon." + +"De Ganache!" + +"Yes; there has been a turn of the wheel, and for the moment the new +religion is in favour. What it means I know not; but as for De +Ganache, the Court gossips are already linking his name with Diane's. +'Tis certain he is ever at her heels." + +"The weathercock would suit him as well as Vendome," I said a little +bitterly; "but it is good news that even for the moment the new faith +is in favour. It removes one danger, and the other is----" + +"Back in Paris," interrupted De Lorgnac. + +"You mean my brother?" + +"Yes; the Vidame came back a trifle over a fortnight ago with an arm +very much hurt and one-third of his usual following of cut-throats." + +"He will not have much trouble in filling his vacancies; but is he much +hurt?" And I smiled grimly to myself. + +"Oh! he was badly pinked; but his arm is out of its sling now. There +is some devil's broth preparing, and he and Diane are the cooks. Le +Brusquet, however, has sworn to put his ladle into it, and so we shall +see things ere long." + +"Not I," I laughed. "I shall be in Italy with Montluc." + +"You may not," was the dry answer. "Recollect that the Queen has the +first claim on you, and the war between her and Diane will soon be open +war. Up to now it has been a kiss and a stab, but soon it will be all +stab." + +And so we talked until a late hour, and little did I think, as I +retired to sleep, that Lorgnac's doubt about my Italian journey would +come to be true. + +It was well on towards the afternoon that we reached the Porte St. +Michel, for we had started late, and Madame de Montal would on no +account be parted from the sumpter horses, whose rate of progress was +necessarily slow. M. Agrippa de Pavanes was at the gate, and as we +filed in, I last of all, he looked hard at me; but I had other business +on hand, and could not at the moment spare time to devote to this +gentleman. It was clear, however, that he owed me a grudge over the +affair of the King's letter. As it happened, we never met again; and +Pavanes, if he still lives, must look upon his account with me as one +of his unsettled scores. + +A few yards from the gate the road narrowed, and at the corner where +the little Rue Poiree strikes off between two rows of tumble-down +houses to join the Rue St. Jacques there was somewhat of a block. I +had fallen back behind the sumpter horses, and halted for a moment, +when I felt a hand rest lightly on my stirrup. I looked down, and, as +I live, it was La Marmotte. + +"You!" I exclaimed. "In Paris!" + +"Monsieur," she said hurriedly, her face pale and haggard, "this +meeting is not chance. Ask for me tomorrow at vespers at the shop of +Barou the armourer in the Rue Tire Boudin. If you do not do this you +will never cease to regret it. Fail not!" And she made as if to draw +away. + +"A word," I said. "Trotto--does he live?" + +"Oh! he lives. Thanks, monsieur, a thousand thanks!" + +I had placed a piece of money in her hand, to take off any suspicion, +and, rising to her part, she seized it, calling down blessings on me, +and stepped back into the crowd. + +Our party had gone a little ahead, and I did not overtake them until +almost opposite the Cordeliers, where I joined De Lorgnac. + +"That was a strange-looking beggar," he remarked. + +"She was no beggar, De Lorgnac; but of her I will tell you when you, Le +Brusquet, and I are once more together." + +"I shall try to wait until then; it will be in less than an hour." + +We then joined the ladies, and rode by them, all outwardly in high +spirits. As we rode past the tennis courts the sumpter horses were +diverted to enter the Louvre by the gate near the riding-school, but we +ourselves rode directly towards the main entrance. On arrival there we +noticed a large crowd of sightseers at the gates, and our further +progress was stopped by a carriage, surrounded by a troop of the King's +guards, that came slowly out of the gate. In the carriage sat, or +rather reclined, a woman robed in black and white--a woman with sullen, +dark eyes and a face lovely in its pride. It was the crescent +moon--Diane herself. The carriage came out slowly, as I have said, the +horses walking, and from where I rode beside mademoiselle I saw her +clearly. She was toying with a little dog she held under her arm and +talking to a young man who sat facing her--a man whose face burned like +fire, and the laugh on whose lips died away when he saw us--for it was +De Ganache. The Duchess followed his glance, and turned in our +direction. As her fathomless eyes fell on mademoiselle her lips parted +in a smile. + +"St. Siege! it must be your little heiress. Come, tell me, De +Ganache--is it not so?" + +Her voice, clear as a bell, came to us distinctly. The veiled scorn +and mockery in her glance was not to be mistaken, and then the horses +were whipped up, and she was gone. It was all over in a moment; but I +saw the riding-whip in mademoiselle's hand trembling, and she kept her +face from me, looking straight between her horse's ears. + +"Do you know who that was?" I asked in a low voice; but she made no +answer, and I went on: + +"Remember the prophecy you told me of, and--be on your guard against +the woman in black and white. That was Diane of Valentinois." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE CROWN JEWELS + +An hour later I sat with Lorgnac and Le Brusquet in a little room in +the former's house in the Rue Tire Boudin. At the Louvre I had +discovered that there was no chance of my being able to see the Queen +until after the supper hour; and so I accepted the hospitality De +Lorgnac offered me, and was back again in the very house in which I had +spent my last night in Paris. + +A few minutes after our arrival Le Brusquet ambled up on a Spanish +mule, and soon we three were deep in discussing what had happened since +the day I rode out of the Porte St. Michel. I had perforce to relate +my own adventures, and when I described my meeting with La Marmotte and +her strange request De Lorgnac rose from his seat, and approaching the +window, said: + +"You can see Maitre Barou's store from here. It abuts on my stables, +and you will not have far to go to keep your appointment." + +"If I do keep it; but at present I have no such intention." + +"You must keep it." It was Le Brusquet's incisive voice that cut in. + +"Why? There is no reason why we should ever meet again." + +"There is every reason--that is, if you take sufficient interest in the +future of Mademoiselle de Paradis." + +De Lorgnac came back to his seat. I looked inquiry, and Le Brusquet +continued: + +"A few things have been happening lately that make me think there is a +porridge on the boil that would be the better for our help in the +stirring. There have been little whispers afloat that Diane is +meditating a great _coup_. Certain it is, that she and that upright +judge Dom Antony de Mouchy have been much together of late. Certain it +is that this coquetting with the new faith means more than Christian +toleration; and, putting this and that together, I have got a clue. +You do not know Carloix, do you?" + +"No." + +"Well, Maitre Vincent Carloix was my sister's husband whilst she lived. +He is also my very good friend, and, besides that, secretary to that +most noble lord Francois de Scepeaux, Marshal de Vieilleville. Carloix +is a discreet man; but I gathered enough from him to guess that it +would be safer for a Christaudin to be a prisoner with a Barbary +corsair than be in Paris now, despite all the hobnobbing that goes on +between the Court and Vendome and the Admiral." + +"But," said De Lorgnac, "how does all this concern Mademoiselle de +Paradis? Even if it did she is the Queen's ward." + +"Anne d'Audeberte was a maid-of-honour, and you both know what happened +to her. My dear De Lorgnac, our friend here has told us enough for us +to know that mademoiselle is a heretic to her pretty fingertips. This +is bad--for her. Recollect that the Vidame d'Orrain is Diane's +right-hand man; and we may be certain that his attempt on Mademoiselle +de Paradis was made with the full knowledge of the Duchess. Recollect, +again, that this woman La Marmotte is the wife or mistress--I care not +which--of Orrain's own man----" + +"And as the Chevalier here ran him through the ribs he may not +unnaturally desire to repay the account," put in De Lorgnac. + +"It is not that," I said; "she warned me of danger in Le Jaquemart." + +"Precisely. It is of that I was thinking," said Le Brusquet. "No, +Chevalier--for to us you are the Chevalier d'Orrain and not Bertrand +Broussel--no, La Marmotte means you no harm, and I would stake a +thousand pistoles against an obolus that you will hear something of +interest concerning mademoiselle. She is not going to warn you about +yourself, I fancy," and he laughed; "she knows that the Chevalier +d'Orrain can look to his skin." + +"But what can be the cause of Diane de Poitiers' enmity of +mademoiselle?" I asked. "So far as I know, they have only but once +seen each other, and that but three hours ago." + +"The greatest of all causes, monsieur--money. Diane loves gold as a +swallow loves a fly. When a woman is avaricious she will let nothing +stand between her and her desire. Again, it is no disrespect to the +Vidame, your noble brother, to say he would sell his soul for a hundred +crowns, and Dom Antony de Mouchy is worse than either he or Diane. +Why, man, they have shared between them the wretched estate of a +journeyman tailor! The property of a street-hawker, burnt in the Place +Maubert, was granted to them, and they took it." + +"It is almost incredible!" I exclaimed. + +"But it is true," said De Lorgnac. + +"It appears to me," I said, "that my departure for Italy will be a +little delayed." + +"If you were as superstitious as I am," and Le Brusquet smiled as he +spoke, "you would say that departure is a dream of the past." + +"Why?" + +"_Eh bien_, a month ago, you left Paris from this very house never to +return, and here you are back again! It is my belief that your fate is +against your leaving Paris, and your game will have to be played here. +That slice of the Romagna you intended for your own helping will go to +fill another's plate." + +I laughed, and De Lorgnac rose. "There is Quinte with Cartouche at the +door," he said, "and I must be off. Be at the door of the Queen's +apartments a little before compline, and so, _au revoir_!" + +"We have almost an hour and a half still," said Le Brusquet, "and if it +were not safer for you to be indoors as much as possible I would +suggest spending a half-hour at the Bourgogne." + +"I think it would be better to stay here; but tell me, do you know +anything definite about this design of the Duchess?" + +"No. All that I know is that there is something afoot. Vieilleville +was approached; but, to his honour, refused to have anything to do with +it. I know, however, no details." + +"Then all we can do at present is to wait and watch." + +He nodded, and poured himself out some wine. Leaving him to sip his +Joue I retired to change my dress, and shortly after we rode out to the +Louvre. On arrival there we proceeded at once to Le Brusquet's +apartments, where he received a joyous welcome from his ape. + +"Here," he said, as he put the little beast down and took a sword from +the wall, "here is the sword you lent me that night. You see it is +clean and sharp as ever." + +"Let it remain, then, in your hands, monsieur, as a trifling +remembrance of Bertrand d'Orrain." + +"I thank you! I shall guard it as it should be guarded. _Corbleu_! +but it was a narrow affair that night; but for you Vendome might be +wearing wings now, and the house of Besme extinct as the Sphinga." + +"It was a lucky chance. I suppose that old fox Camus still has his +lair in the same place? I wonder what made him turn against me as he +did----" + +"Oh, Camus is like a dog that loves biting, a dog that would bite his +own master in default of anyone else. Yes; he is there still. As for +his turning on you, that is part of his duty; he has been for years a +paid servant of Diane." + +"How long is this woman to last?" + +"As long as her roses. But they say those are fadeless; and Saint +Gelais has had to leave the Court in fear of his life for swearing that +she keeps them ever fresh by daily bathing her face in sow's milk." +And he laughed as he added: "But come, now, it is time to be moving." + +We were soon in the long gallery leading to the Queen's apartments; +but, instead of the darkness and gloom that pervaded it on the occasion +of my last visit, all was in light. Cressets burned everywhere, and at +every few yards stood a flambeau-bearer, his torch alight. The vaulted +roof above us was dim with the smoke that rose from the torches, and +there was everywhere the subdued murmur of voices, as people passed and +repassed, or stood in small knots conversing. So great was the change +that I could not avoid noticing it; and Le Brusquet explained that it +was always so when any of the royal children, who lived at St. +Germain-en-Laye, visited the Queen. He had just said this when we +rounded the abrupt curve the gallery made, and came face to face with +two men walking arm-in-arm in the direction opposite to that we were +taking. They were Simon and De Ganache, and recognition was mutual and +instant. Monsieur de Ganache saw the surprised look on my face, which +he no doubt read, as I glanced from him to my brother; and lifting his +hat in a half-defiant, half-shamefaced manner, would have passed on, +but Simon held him by the arm, and planting himself right in our path +said, with an insolent stare: + +"This gentleman must have mistaken the Louvre for the Gloriette." + +Le Brusquet plucked my sleeve in warning; but I was cool enough, and +had no intention of again laying myself open to the law. I gave Simon +stare for stare. "Yes; it is I," I answered coldly; and then, turning +to De Ganache: "Monsieur, it was from the Vidame d'Orrain that I had +the good fortune to rescue Mademoiselle de Paradis. I thought you knew +of this. If not, you know now with whom your arm is linked." + +"By God!" Simon burst out, "if I did not remember where I was----" + +"Tush!" I broke in, "there are a hundred other places where we can +settle our differences. I have no time to be brawling here." + +With this I pushed past, and left them looking at each other as, +followed by Le Brusquet, I gained the door to the Queen's apartment. +As we came up De Lorgnac himself appeared, and passed us into the +anteroom. I well remembered that cheerless tomb through which I had +passed a month ago; but now it was all glittering bright. The door of +the Queen's cabinet was closed; but to the right folding doors--that I +had not observed before--were open, giving a glimpse, through the +half-drawn curtains, of a crowded salon beyond. In the ante-room +itself there were about a dozen or so of ladies-in-waiting and pages, +all talking and laughing; and as we followed De Lorgnac I felt a light +touch at my elbow, and turning met a merry face that smiled up at me. +It was little Mademoiselle Davila, the same who with Madame de Montal +had met us at Longpont. + +"_Eh bien_! So you have come, monsieur. I can tell you that you have +been expected. Oh! we have heard about you at last--heard twice +over--and we are all thinking of playing truant and running away to the +forest of Vincennes or Monceaux. That last is better, for it is nearer +Paris----" But here her breathless chatter was cut short by a "Hush!" +from the salon, and then we heard the strings of a harp being touched. + +"'Tis _belle_ Marie, the little Queen of Scotland!" And moving forward +a couple of steps we were able to see into the next room. I looked +round in vain for mademoiselle, and then my glance was arrested by a +tall, fair-haired girl who was before a harp; and even I, who should +have had no eyes but for one face, stood as if spellbound. As her +fingers ran over the harp strings a low, wailing melody filled the +room, and then with a voice of strange sweetness she sang a sad little +song--a bergerelle of my own country. Harp and voice together died +away in inexpressible sorrow at the last words, and a strange stillness +filled the room, but was broken at last by a half-suppressed sob. Then +in a moment all was changed. There came a bright little flourish, and +she sang, joyous and blithe as a lark: + + "Si le roi m'avait honne + Paris sa grand'ville, + Et qu'il m'eut fallu quitter + L'Amour de m'amie; + J'aurais dit au Roi Henri + Reprenez votre Paris, + J'aime mieux m'amie + O gai! + J'aime mieux m'amie + O gai!" + + +"_O gai!_" burst the chorus, almost unconsciously, from those around +her, and with a flush on her face and a smile on her lips Mary of +Scotland moved from the harp, and was immediately lost to view in the +circle of those who crowded around her. I looked for my companions. +Mademoiselle Davila had found a lanky page to flirt with; Le Brusquet +seemed to have vanished; but De Lorgnac was at hand. + +"Come now!" he said, and I followed him across the crowded room to +where the Queen sat, amidst a group of her ladies, with the Dauphin--a +small, ill-formed boy of thirteen or fourteen--at her knees. She +received me graciously; and on my delivering my packet she broke the +seals, glanced at the contents with apparent carelessness, and then +handed it--all open as it was--to a lady who stood behind her. + +"La Beauce, put this on my table." And then turning to me, said, with +a laugh: + +"Your ears should be tingling, monsieur, for the last hour or so there +has been nothing but you talked of by my maids-of-honour. It seems +that the cock of Orrain has not forgotten the use of his spurs." + +My tongue had long since forgotten such courtier tricks as it had +learned. In truth, it was never good at these; and whilst I was +casting about for something to say, and wishing myself well away from +the ring of faces that circled me in, a gay, laughing voice broke in: + +"But where is the heroine, madame? Where is Diane of the Forest? She +should thank her preserver before your Majesty." And Mary of Scotland, +heedless and blithe of heart, made me a mock little courtesy as she +moved to the Queen's side. + +"Here she is," cried twenty voices; "she has been hiding here." And, +before I knew how it was, I found myself face to face with mademoiselle. + +"Thank him! thank him!" the reckless voices around us began to shout; +and, as I stood fumbling about, mademoiselle, with a face like fire, +made me a stiff bow, and was about to step back, when our chief +tormentor called out: + +"Oh, how poor a thanksgiving! Surely this is a fit case for a Court of +Love!--how and in what way a fair lady should greet her knight after a +parlous quest?" + +"Madame"--and Mary of Scotland knelt before the Queen--"you will hold a +Court now, will you not?" + +"_O gai_! _O gai_!" And there was a chorus of laughter and cheers. + +Where all this foolery might have ended Heaven knows. The Queen +herself seemed to be enjoying it, and was about to make some reply to +Mary, when there was a bustle at the door, and an usher called out: + +"The King! His Majesty the King!" + +Holding the Dauphin by the hand the Queen rose and advanced to meet the +King, who entered, followed by half a dozen of his gentlemen. Henri +was tall, strongly built, and carried himself royally; but there was a +strange mixture of courage and weakness in his countenance. He was +brave--no man could be found to deny that; but there was never a +sparkle of intelligence in his dull eyes, though at times they shone +with cunning, and his mouth was weak and sensual. That night he had +supped in the apartments of Diane de Poitiers, and had evidently primed +himself for this visit to the Queen, for his face was flushed and his +voice thick. + +"Your Majesty is unexpected, but all the more welcome for that," said +the Queen as Henri touched her fingers with his lips. The King made +some answer I did not hear, and led the Queen to a seat; then, patting +the Dauphin's head much in the manner of one patting a spaniel's back, +he looked around. + +"_Birge_!" he said. "You are gay here. It was dull this evening at +supper; she had the megrims." + +A slight flush came into Catherine de Medicis' cheeks at this mention +of the mistress, and her voice trembled a little. + +"I trust madame will soon be better; but you, sire, will always find us +gay here." + +"It seems so. What was the particular jest? It might bring a smile to +Diane's face when I tell her of it." + +I moved back, so that I did not hear the Queen's answer, but Henri +laughed loudly. + +"A Court of Love! _Bigre_! 'Tis a new idea, and a good one. But +where is our little ward? Present her." + +Mademoiselle had to come forward, and when she had kissed hands the +King said: + +"I hear sad tales of you, mademoiselle; but there, never mind! You +must not, however, break all our hearts. Faith!" and his feeble +intellect wandered off to the one subject it could think of, "we will +have a tourney in a fortnight, and the defenders shall wear your +colours." + +Mademoiselle blushed red, and began to stammer out something, whilst a +few looks were exchanged between the courtiers that made my blood run +hot. The Queen, however, interposed, and suddenly called for me. + +"Monsieur d'Orrain!" + +I stepped up, catching the look of astonishment in mademoiselle's eyes +as she heard the name by which I was addressed. + +"Permit me, your Majesty, to present to you the Chevalier d'Orrain. It +is he who arranged the small matter you entrusted me with, and has, +besides, shown himself a valiant gentleman. With your Majesty's +permission I propose appointing him to my guards; M. de Lorgnac has a +vacancy." + +There was a little murmur, and as I knelt, the King extended his hand +to me carelessly. As I rose to my feet, and was about to withdraw, he +said, with a sudden recollection: + +"Monsieur d'Orrain--the brother of the Vidame?" + +I bowed, and Henri turned to the Queen, his face assuming a severe +expression; but Catherine de Medicis anticipated his speech. + +"It is so small a favour that I thought your Majesty would have no +objection in view of M. d'Orrain's services. I do not, however, press +it." + +Henri hummed and hawed, and a curious, cunning expression came into his +eyes. + +"_Bigre_! It seems to me I have to grant favours from the moment I +rise to the moment I lie down to sleep. But to tell the truth, madame, +it was I who came here to ask a favour from you." And then he stopped, +and his face flushed darker than ever as he went on, with a short +laugh: "Come! let it be a bargain! If I grant you your request will +you grant me mine?" + +"Assuredly, sire!--even if you did not grant me mine." + +"Oh! we will make it a bargain. Well, then, let it be as you wish with +monsieur there." And turning to me: "And harkee, Chevalier! Keep your +sword in your scabbard, and put your Geneva books in the fire, now that +you have a new start." + +"I thank you, sire!" said the Queen. "And your command----?" + +She stopped, awaiting the King's answer; but Henri hesitated, and at +last, bending forward, whispered a few words in the Queen's ear. The +effect was instant. She became white and red in turns, and began to +nervously clasp and unclasp her hands. + +"Come!" said the King, with an affectation of gaiety; "it was a +bargain, madame." + +There was a pause, and then, with a voice as hard as steel, Catherine +de Medicis said to her favourite maid-of-honour: + +"Mademoiselle La Beauce--my jewel-casket--quick, please." + +La Beauce bowed, and slipped away, and we all looked on in wonder at +the strange scene. Presently she returned with a small but heavy +casket in her hands. Catherine opened it with a key she detached from +a chain she wore at her neck, and as the lid fell back the glittering +splendour of the Crown diamonds of France was disclosed to view. + +"They have been worn by a line of queens, sire," said Catherine as she +placed the box in Henri's hands; "they ought well to become Madame +Diane de Poitiers, and cure her megrims." + +With this she made a profound bow, and withdrew. When she had gone +there was an absolute silence; and then the King laughed, an uneasy, +foolish laugh. + +"And all this because I want to borrow a few stones for the masque!" he +exclaimed as he thrust the box into the hands of one of his gentleman. +"Take this, Carnavalet!" And swinging round on his heel he went as he +had come, his suite clattering behind him. + +As he went we heard through the open doors the cries of "_Vive le +Roi_!" from those in the gallery outside, and then all was still once +more. + +The salon, but a short time before so bright and gay, emptied like +magic. I stood where I was, leaning against a pillar, wondering at the +scene through which I had passed, and hardly realising that I was +alone. No, not alone, for mademoiselle stood before me, her hand +outstretched. + +"Oh, monsieur, this is a horrible place! Why did I ever come?" + +I could say nothing, for she too had seen and heard all that had passed. + +"But it is not this I came to talk about. I waited so as to be able to +congratulate M. Bertrand Broussel, the worthy citizen of Paris." And +she laughed as she added: "I was sure of it from the first; I knew it +could never be." + +"May I also say that I was sure that Cujus the furrier never had a +niece?" + +She made a little impatient gesture with her hand. "I do not believe +you will ever forget that, monsieur." + +"Never." + +"And you are not leaving Paris, then?" she asked after a moment's pause. + +"I cannot now," I answered. + +"Then," she laughed, "the furrier's niece and Monsieur Broussel will +meet again. _Au revoir_, Chevalier!" + +And she was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE HOUSE IN THE PASSAGE OF PITY + +The next day, about the time appointed by La Marmotte, I presented +myself at Maitre Barou, the armourer's, store. There was no one there +except the old proprietor himself, and it was hard to say if he were +Jew or Gentile as he stood behind the counter in the midst of his +wares. I had sufficient excuse for my visit, and that was to purchase +a breastplate of the pattern worn by the Queen's guards, in which I had +been formally enrolled early in the day. + +"_Bien_!" he said when I inquired for one, "I have one that will fit +you, I think. It was bespoke by M. de Montorgueil----" + +"But, perhaps, monsieur may have a voice in the matter." + +"Probably; but as monsieur has not paid for it, and is at present +lodged in the Chatelet on account of his escapade with Mademoiselle +d'Estanay, we may let that objection pass." And Maitre Barou chuckled. + +"In that case, let me see the corselet." + +"Here it is, monsieur." + +I tried it on, and finding it would suit, and that the workmanship was +of rare excellency, demanded the price. + +Barou hummed as he tapped the shining steel with his finger and glanced +at me from under his bushy brows. + +"Monsieur must have but lately joined the guards?" he asked, ignoring +my question. + +"A matter of a few hours." + +"Ah! I thought so. I know them all, monsieur. First there is Messire +Blaise de Lorgnac, the lieutenant----" + +"Maitre Barou, it will take till to-morrow to go over the names. What +is your price?" + +"Ho! ho! messire, you grow impatient. 'Tis Aranguez plate this, as you +may see--the best work of Spain, down to the buckles. Ho! ho! messire, +only two good things ever came from Spain: one is good armour, and the +other pretty women----" + +"And I presume, Maitre Barou, they are both expensive things; but the +price of your corselet, for my time is short." + +"Fifty pistoles, then." + +"'Tis a long sum, and I am not sure of the proof." + +Maitre Barou looked at me reproachfully. Seizing a poniard he glanced +at the blade for a moment, touched the point with the tip of his +finger, and then raising the weapon brought it down with his full force +on the corselet. The dagger glanced off from the mirror-like surface +and buried itself deep in the hard wood of the counter. + +"There, monsieur!" And Barou looked at me triumphantly. It was a +shrewd enough test, and I closed the bargain, paying him his money then +and there, and bidding him send the mail to De Lorgnac's house. + +"And the name, monsieur?" + +"The Chevalier d'Orrain." + +As Barou was making an entry on a slate I heard a step behind me, and +turning saw it was La Marmotte. She made no sign of recognition, +however, but went straight up to Barou, to whom she handed a small +package, giving him some instructions in a low tone. Taking the hint I +gave a casual glance or so at the things around me, and then strolled +out of the shop. I walked very slowly up the street in the direction +opposite De Lorgnac's house, and I had scarce gone a hundred paces when +La Marmotte caught me up, and asked me somewhat abruptly if I knew of a +place called the Passage of Pity. I replied that I did, and she then +told me to meet her there in an hour's time, and to be sure I was well +armed. For answer I touched the hilt of my sword; and, with a nod to +me, she crossed the street and disappeared up a narrow, winding alley. +I kept on at the leisurely pace I was going at, wondering to myself if +I were walking into a snare or not. But, although caution is a very +good thing, still there are times when one should be prepared to take +risks, and I held this was such an occasion. Having now reached the +head of the Rue Tiquetonne I quickened my pace, and was soon in the +Vallee de Misere. I avoided the bridge, and, crossing the river by a +ferry boat, was soon in the purlieus of the Sorbonne. Every inch of +this locality was familiar to me, and at last I reached the cloisters +of the Mathurins, a few yards from which lay the narrow by-street which +the quaint wit of the Parisian _badaud_ had christened the Passage of +Pity. It was dark and short--so short, indeed, that an active boy, +standing at one end of it, might easily have thrown a stone against the +high wall of a house built athwart the other end of the road, +apparently barring all progress beyond. This was not the case, +however, for the narrow arch, that was to all appearance the entrance +to the house, gave access to a small flight of steps, worn with age, +that led towards a gallery opening upon the Rue de la Harpe. + +In the wall towards the right of this arch, about a man's height from +the ground, was a small niche containing a figure of the Virgin, and +beneath was that which, perhaps, had given its name to the street, for +someone had traced in shaky characters upon the wall the words: "_Avez +pitie_!" + +Beneath these words, written in blood long since browned with age, +could still be seen the impress of a hand that had been red too, as if +the unfortunate writer had supported himself thus whilst tracing his +miserable words. + +The steps leading to the gallery beyond the archway were known as "The +Little Steps of Mercy," and to get at the entrance door of the house +itself, which was in part built over the passage, it was necessary to +go along the gallery, in the side of which it was placed, in an almost +invisible gloom, that added not a little to the mystery surrounding the +place. Another curious thing about this little by-street was that +every house, and there were not many, appeared deserted. Hardly a soul +ever passed by day along its dim length, which was always in shadow, +except at high noon, when the sunlight forced its way in a line of +white light along the forbidding passage. By night no one was ever +seen, and, indeed, there were few who would have ventured along the +Passage of Pity when the sun went down. + +Here, then, I stood at the appointed time, staring at the surly row of +houses on either side of me and at the dead wall in my face. Twice I +paced up and down the length of the street; but there was no sign of La +Marmotte. On the second occasion, however, as I came back, the door of +the house on the right-hand side nearest the arch opened slightly, and +I heard her voice. + +"Enter, monsieur." + +For one little moment I hesitated, and then boldly slipped in. As I +did so the door was immediately shut, and I found myself in almost +total darkness. + +"A moment." Then I heard the striking of a tinderbox. There was a +small, bright glow, then the flame of some burning paper, that threw +out the figure of La Marmotte as she lit a candle, and holding it out +motioned me up a rickety staircase that faced us. + +I had drawn my poniard as I stepped in, so evil-looking was the place, +and she caught the gleam of the steel. + +"It is needless," she said coldly; "we are alone." + +"Perhaps, madame," I replied, taking no notice of her remark, "you had +better lead the way; the place is known to you." + +She did as I desired, and we soon found ourselves in a small room, in +which there was some broken-down furniture. There was one window, +which was closed, and being made entirely of wood all light was shut +out except that which the candle gave. + +"A strange place," I said, looking around me. + +"When one is as I am, monsieur," was the bitter answer, "one gets +friends with strange places." + +I looked at her more closely than I had done before. Even by the dim +light I could see how pale and sunken were her cheeks, and her raven +hair was streaked with grey. Her eyes had lost the brazen fire that +had shone in them once. Wretched and miserable indeed she looked. But +this was not the La Marmotte of the past but another woman. + +She put the candle down and turned to me. + +"Monsieur, I have asked you to come here because we can be alone here +and uninterrupted, and that which I have to say to you concerns the +life, perhaps, of Mademoiselle de Paradis. Monsieur, you may not +believe me, but from that dreadful night at Le Jaquemart I have become +a changed woman. I have learned, monsieur, how to pray, and, my God! +the past--the past!" And she put her hands to her face and shuddered. + +"Madame, there is always a future." + +"But never for a woman! Oh, Monsieur d'Orrain--for I know your name +now--you know this as well as I." + +I made no answer. What could I say? And she went on: + +"Listen! After that night I brought him--Trotto--back to Paris as soon +as he was able to move. He was badly hurt, but not so badly as we +thought; and he lives for revenge. Your brother the Vidame is in a +house in the Rue des Lavandieres, into which he has recently moved. +There I brought Trotto. Here I found Malsain and some others; and, +believing me to be what I was before, they spoke freely before me. For +you, monsieur, I warn you to fear the bravo's knife; they will not face +you openly." + +"I will try and take care of myself. But what is it that concerns +mademoiselle?" + +"This much I know, monsieur: the Vidame wants her for himself, or +rather her wealth. The plan he has conceived is as follows:--the edict +against the heretics is to be revived suddenly, and mademoiselle is to +be accused. And you know what this means, with Dom Antoine de Mouchy +as judge." + +"But how will this gain the Vidame his wish?" + +"To explain that, monsieur, is one of the reasons I have brought you +here." And moving towards the window she opened it cautiously. As she +did so there appeared, about three feet or more away, the grey and +mottled surface of a blank wall. + +"Look!" she said. + +I looked out of the window. The walls of the two houses stood about +three feet apart. Below me was a deep, narrow space, shut in on all +sides except from the top. In the opposite wall was a window partly +open, below which ran a narrow ledge. This window faced the one I was +standing at, but was placed about a yard or so higher, so that anyone +standing there could look into the room in which we were. All this I +took in, and then turned to La Marmotte. + +"Monsieur," she said, "that house is where Antoine de Mouchy lives, and +where, within an hour's time, he is to meet the Vidame and some others +to discuss their plan. If you would learn it you must learn it from +there." And she pointed to the window above me. + +I was about to speak, but she stopped me. + +"Listen! I know that house from garret to cellar, for I lived there +once. That window leads to an empty room. A door to the right leads +into De Mouchy's study, which looks over the Rue de la Harpe, and +standing at that door you can hear every word that passes within. Will +you risk it?" + +"The getting there is possible, but it is the retreat that I am +doubtful of." + +"I have provided for that." And opening a box that lay near her she +pulled out a short coil of stout rope with an iron hook fixed at each +end. + +"Fasten one hook to the window there, and throw me the rope. I will +fasten the other here, and you will have a passage back. I will wait +here for you." + +I glanced out of the window again. On the left was the Passage of Pity +with its dreary, deserted houses, on the right, above me, was a glimpse +of sky. Now and again we heard the cooing of pigeons and the flutter +of their wings amongst the eaves, but except for this there was no +sound, and we were perfectly unobserved. + +Removing my boots and discarding my sword I climbed out of the window, +resting my feet on the ledge beneath it. Cautiously rising to a +standing position I found I could see clearly into the room opposite. +It was unoccupied, but, so far from being empty, was filled with books +and piles of documents. It looked, indeed, as if M. de Mouchy's study +had overrun itself into this room. I had, however, made up my mind to +take the risk of being present at this meeting whatever the cost might +be, and so after another and careful look began the attempt. Between +the opposite window and myself was a gap of a little over three feet, +so that it was impossible to reach there. Thanks, however, to the +forethought of La Marmotte I was enabled to overcome this difficulty, +and after a couple of tries, during which the noise made was such as +would have certainly aroused attention had anyone been at hand, I +succeeded in fixing one of the iron hooks attached to the rope to the +ledge of the window. Then, after a strain to test the rope, I let +myself swing across the chasm, and found foothold on the opposite +ledge. Once there matters were easy, and in a trice I had passed +through the window. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE TABLETS OF DOM ANTOINE DE MOUCHY + +A quick glance around showed me I was alone. Turning back to the +window I swung the free end of the rope to La Marmotte. She caught it, +drew it in, and closed the window over it as far as it would go. +Through the slight opening I saw for an instant the glow of the candle. +Then the rope tightened, and the light went out. I crept softly to a +door on my right, and standing there listened intently. All was +silence. I tried the door; it opened, and I saw before me De Mouchy's +study. His table, littered with papers, was almost in the centre of +the room. Near the window was a large carved chest. The walls were +lined with books, and three or four bookcases, filled with dust-laden +volumes, projected at right angles from them. In truth, it seemed as +if Dom Antoine owned a library that might rival that of the Abbey of +St. Victor. + +I made up my mind to go a step farther than La Marmotte's suggestion, +and as the chances of discovery were equal whether I remained in the +outer room or here I decided to stay where I was. Between the wall and +one of the projecting bookshelves there was space sufficient for a man +to stand perfectly concealed, unless anyone chose to come round the +bookcase. Here, then, I took up my position, trusting much to luck, as +one has to do in a desperate enterprise, and relying on the chance that +De Mouchy would never suspect that anyone would dare to act as I was +doing in broad daylight, for it was not much beyond five o'clock in the +afternoon. + +I had not long to wait. Presently I heard a scratching at a door +opposite to that by which I had entered the room. There was a murmured +word or so, then the door opened, and Dom Antoine de Mouchy stepped in, +bearing in his arms an immense black cat. Where the afternoon sunlight +shone warmly on the carved chest he placed the beast, stroking its back +once or twice, and then turned, and stood for a moment facing his table. + +As he stood there, in the black robes and skull-cap of a doctor of the +Sorbonne, I took careful stock of him, for it was he who, years past, +had doomed me to a frightful death, and who had shared with Simon and +Diane de Poitiers the remains of my property. He was past middle life, +with a frame yet strong and vigorous. Cruelty and avarice had set +their seals on his broad face. His cheek-bones were high as those of a +Tartar, and the small and sunken eyes had a restless, savage look in +them--the look of a tiger; and no tiger ever thirsted for blood more +ferociously than Dom Antoine de Mouchy, Doctor of the Sorbonne, and +President of the Chambre Ardente, thirsted for the blood of his +fellow-creatures. + +Twice he glanced around him, and then sitting at his table was soon +busily employed in jotting down something on his tablets. After a +while he stopped, and some thought moved him to silent laughter. +Leaning back he let his glance travel round the room, and then arrested +it once more on his tablets. + +"Ha, ha!" he laughed out loudly this time, "this is a rare dish of +fried fish! Prick up your ears, Titi!" And reaching out a long arm he +stroked the fur of the huge cat that sat crouched on the coffer, an +occasional shiver running through its body. It was old, very old, as I +could see. + +At De Mouchy's voice and the touch of his hand the creature rose +slowly, turned upon Dom Antoine a pair of green eyes from which the +sight had long since fled, and hissed like an angry snake. De Mouchy +laughed again as he went on: + +"You agree--eh? Well, listen to the +names--Huguenots--Christaudins--Spawn of Geneva--whose bodies shall +perish as their souls, and whose goods shall come to the +righteous--that is, to me, Titi." + +For a moment light seemed to come back to those sightless eyes, and +with a purr, as if it understood, the great cat leaped lightly on to +the table and sat before De Mouchy, whilst the latter put one finger on +the tablets, and spoke again: + +"_Mon vieux_! the poor fisherman has netted some fine gold-fish this +time. No little sprats of tailors of the Rue St. Antoine or +out-at-heel scholars--but fine, fat, golden carp. The pity of it, +Titi, that the great ones of the land will take toll of this +haul--tithe and fee; but there will be something left for you and for +me--you understand?" + +The cat snarled, as though it had followed every word, and De Mouchy +went on, carrying out his terrible humour: + +"Good! You cannot speak nor see but you can hear, and so listen! +First--the Church first always, Titi--comes Odet de Coligny, Cardinal +de Chatillon, Bishop of Beauvais--a traitor--a wolf who has stolen into +the fold of Christ--with a hundred thousand livres a year of income!" +He paused, and looked at the cat, with a snarl on his lips as evil as +that on those of his familiar. + +"Secondly, the High Nobility--Gaspard de Coligny, High Admiral of +France, the tallest poppy in the garden of heresy, Titi. + +"Thirdly, the Law--in the person of Maitre Anne du Bourg, an unjust +judge; but you and I will change his judgment seat for a felon's dock, +and give him a garment of red flames for his red robes of office." + +The cat mewed as De Mouchy went on: "There are many more, my friend, +and one in special, against whom we dare not move as yet, for he bears +the lilies of France on his shield. But let us on to the sweets, for +we have dined well, and need a toothsome morsel. If you could see, +_mon vieux_, and had set eyes on her, I should have my doubts of you +also, for she is as the fairy light that draws the unwary into the Pit +of Death. Can you guess? No! Then I will tell you. What think you +of the Demoiselle de Paradis? Yes! Hiss, hiss! _Sus, sus_! On to +the heretics, _mon brave_!" + +And as the cat rose on its tottering limbs, arched its back, and +snarled, the man leaned back snarling also, for the blood madness was +on him, and he was alone, and had let himself go utterly. + +At this moment this strange scene was interrupted by a sharp, imperious +knock at the door, and as De Mouchy, with a start, swung round his +chair and rose to his feet the door was pushed open without further +ceremony, and he saw before him the beautiful but pitiless face of +Diane de Poitiers, and behind her stood Simon of Orrain. + +As De Mouchy stepped forward to meet his visitors with a cringing air, +the cat, less of a hypocrite than its master, retreated to the far end +of the table, and began to hiss like a boiling kettle. + +"I did not expect you yet, madame," began De Mouchy; but Diane de +Poitiers broke in upon his speech: + +"It does not matter; let us to business. But away with that hideous +cat first!" And she pointed with her fan at Titi, who stood glaring at +her with his sightless eyes. + +"He is a good adviser, madame," grinned De Mouchy; but she stamped her +foot. + +"It looks like a devil. Away with it! else I shall ask Orrain to fling +it through the window." + +Simon smiled grimly, and stretched out a long, thin arm; but with a +sullen look on his face De Mouchy lifted his pet in his arms, and, +opening the door of the adjoining room, thrust it therein, shutting the +door upon it. It was, indeed, a lucky change of plan I had made. Had +I been behind that door discovery was certain. + +The Duchess had seated herself in De Mouchy's chair, and coolly lifting +up the tablets ran her eyes over them. Simon flung himself upon the +coffer, his sword between his knees, and began gnawing at his long +moustache, whilst De Mouchy stood between the two, his deep-set eyes +shifting from one to the other. + +Suddenly Diane's red lips curved into a smile. + +"_Eh bien_, De Mouchy! But you are building fine castles in Spain +here! See this, Orrain; he thinks to net Chatillon, the Admiral, and +the First Prince of the Blood!" And she broke into merry laughter. + +"And why not, madame?" scowled De Mouchy. + +Diane de Poitiers checked her laugh. "For the simple reason that the +house of Chatillon has become wise over D'Andelot's affair, and will +not set foot in Paris. As for Vendome, he must be dealt with +differently." And her dark eyes flashed ominously. + +"Put the tablets aside for the present," Simon cut in, "and let us not +argue. We each form an angle of a triangle, and the triangle will be +nothing at all if one of the angles is taken away. Let us discuss +measures; we will take the names after. How did my proposal go at the +council to-day?" + +"Approved," said De Mouchy. "And the Chambre Ardente can act whenever +the said court thinks fit." + +"That is, when you, as president, think fit?" + +"Precisely, Monsieur le Vidame." + +"This, however, is not enough," Simon went on. "Another little +suggestion of mine, the suspension of the edicts, made, possibly, by +madame's merciful intercession with the King, has borne good fruit, and +Paris is full of heretics. But I presume that it is neither their +bodies nor their souls that we desire." And he looked at his two +companions. + +De Mouchy preserved a scowling silence, but with a flush on her face +the Duchess said: + +"I do not follow you, monsieur. We are good Christians, and we work +for Holy Church." + +Simon leaned back, his knee between his clasped hands, and laughed a +bitter, mocking laugh. + +"Eternal Blue! For Holy Church! Ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho! Madame, +those sweet lips of yours drop pearls of wisdom." And he rocked to and +fro. + +Deeper grew the crimson on the Duchess' cheek, and she opened and shut +her fan with an angry snap. She tried to say something; but her words +died away in a stammer, and her eyes drooped before Simon's cold and +mocking look. + +"Come," said he, the master-vampire, "let us leave this talk of Holy +Church for the salons and the council. We three know what we want, and +to get it we need a grant from the King, giving in equal shares all the +properties and goods of condemned heretics in Paris, which by law are +escheat to the Crown, to madame here, the crescent moon of France; to +you, most righteous judge; and to me, Simon, Vidame d'Orrain. This +done, we can begin to play." + +"Excellent!" And De Mouchy rubbed his hands together. "I will light a +fire on every square and on the parvis of every church in Paris, and +the smell of the burning will be as incense to the holy saints." + +Diane, however, remained silent, her face still flushed, and a +rebellious light in her sullen eyes, which refused to meet Simon's +look; and after a moment he went on: + +"To obtain this, madame, we look to you. After last night I feel sure +his Majesty can refuse you nothing." + +His words stung her into speech. "It is absurd," she burst out, "equal +shares! Monsieur, am I to be sucked dry by your exactions? Never! If +I get the grant it will be for myself, and you and De Mouchy will be +paid as heretofore. So much and no more; and if you like it not there +are others who will do my bidding." She rose from her seat in +magnificent anger, an evil, beautiful thing, and De Mouchy shrank from +her look. Not so Simon. With an angry growl he reached forward and +caught her wrist. + +"Have you forgotten what there is between us?" he asked. She made no +answer, and strove to free herself silently; but Simon's grip was firm, +and there was a terrible meaning in his glance as he forced her back +into her seat. "Have you forgotten?" he asked again, "or shall I call +it from the house-tops to remind you? Fool! Do you not know there are +a hundred as fair as you ready to supplant you? One whisper of the +past, one whisper of the present--ay, the present--I have but to +breathe De Ganache's name." + +"Enough!" she gasped, and Simon loosed his hold, and she sat for a +moment, her face buried in her hands. + +"Come, Diane," and Simon changed his tone, "you have too many enemies +at your gate to quarrel with old friends. We need you and you need us." + +She put her hands down, her face now as white as marble, all the cruel +lines of her features accentuated, and her eyes were those of a cowed +tigress. Never will I forget the scene. In this wicked woman's heart +there was not a regret, not a thought of the innocent blood she was +planning to shed. It was defeated avarice, pride wounded to the quick, +that struggled in her look, and made her, all beautiful as she was, for +the moment hideous. + +"Get her some wine," said Simon shortly to De Mouchy--"and get it +yourself." + +De Mouchy rose and left the room, and the two were alone together. + +"Listen, Diane!" said Simon. "You stand on the edge of a precipice. +It is said that the King has spoken of nothing this morning but the +beauty of Mademoiselle de Paradis." + +She gasped; and he went on: + +"I see you understand. Well, unless you agree to my terms mademoiselle +is secure from harm; and I think you will find Anet a dull retreat." + +There was a little snapping sound, and she had broken her fan, and +flung it from her on to the table. At this moment De Mouchy returned, +bringing with him some wine and glasses. One he filled and handed to +Diane, who drank it without a word, and then sat staring in front of +her. + +"I think," said Simon, "that madame now agrees to our proposal. Is it +not so?' + +"Yes," she said in a low voice, "I agree," but her eyes were kept down +to hide their expression. + +"That, then, is settled. And remember, madame, that we cannot take +action until we have the King's grant in writing. De Mouchy here will +see that it is properly registered in the Chambre--and remember it must +be within a week, or----" And he bent forward and whispered something +in her ear. + +"It shall be as you desire, Monsieur le Vidame." + +"In that case," said Simon, filling himself a glass, "I drink to the +health of the Great Enterprise. To the unending radiance of the +crescent moon, to your new estate of Chateaux Vieux de Mouchy, and to +Simon, _Duc_ d'Orrain!" + +With this he drank, and set the glass back on the table with a little +click. + +There was a silence, and then Diane rose. + +"There is nothing further to discuss, I think?" she said. + +"No," replied Simon; "except that Dom Antoine here would like to +register a certain grant within a week." + +She made no answer; but, preceded by De Mouchy and followed by Simon, +moved to the door, and all three left the room together. The stars had +been with me, and two minutes later I stood beside La Marmotte. + +"Well?" she asked. + +"There is no time to talk. If we could but get back that rope it would +remove all suspicion." + +She hesitated, and then: "Perhaps with your sword." + +"Excellent!" And, drawing my sword, which I had slung on once more, I +leaned forth from the window, and found that the point easily reached +the hook. It needed but a turn of the wrist to free the rope, which, a +moment after, was drawn in safely. + +"And now," I said, "let us be off. If you are wise you will never set +foot here again." + +She laughed sadly, and we went out together into the lonely Passage of +Pity. It was growing dark now, and threading our way through the +labyrinth of streets we reached the river face. Here La Marmotte +stopped, and abruptly wished me farewell; but I stayed her, thanking +her from my heart for her good deed, and ventured, with the utmost +diffidence, to say that if she were in need of a friend she could count +on me. She understood. + +"Nay, monsieur," she said, "for me there is but one way, and that is to +follow the light that has come to me. We will never meet again; and, +perhaps, what I have done to-day may be some recompense for the past. +Farewell!" + +Thus we parted; and from that day I never saw or heard of her again. I +may mention that when things changed with me I made every effort to +discover her, but without avail; and, when, some time after, Torquato +Trotto paid the penalty of his crimes, he asserted, even under the +rack, that he knew nothing of her, and that she had fled from him. +This I believe to be truth, and can only hope that the poor, +storm-tossed life found a haven of refuge at last. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE MASQUERADE + +That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's +apartments. Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech +with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was +unable to inform them of what I knew. + +Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the +danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward +before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me +ghostly company. It was the night of the great masque given by the +King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to +flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a +soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, +mysterious gloom. + +Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices +from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably +playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated +myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared +moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections. + +On a sudden I heard the patter of footsteps--hasty, rapid footsteps +coming towards me along the gallery. I challenged, and got the +password on the instant in Le Brusquet's voice, and in a half-minute +the little man emerged from the gloom and stood beside me. + +"I was ready to give my last pistole to see you," I began; but he put +up his hand, saying in a low tone, as he pointed to the door: + +"Hush! Is there anyone within?" + +"Mice, I think," I answered softly. + +"Perhaps a cat." And he dropped his voice to the lowest whisper. +"Whoever they are I must empty that room ere we speak, for I have, I +think, as much for you as you for me." + +With this he knocked twice sharply at the door. After a moment it was +opened, and putting the curtains aside Le Brusquet slipped into the +room. In doing so, whether by accident or design, he left the door +open and the curtains drawn back, so that from where I stood in the +shadow outside I could see and hear all that passed within. There were +only two persons there, and I smiled a little to myself at Le +Brusquet's caution, for one was pretty Mademoiselle Davila, seated +demurely on a tabouret, and the other was a fair-haired boy of sixteen +or so, who stood with a red face and an uncomfortable air some distance +away from her. + +"Mice, as I thought," I chuckled to myself, whilst Le Brusquet, with a +profound bow, said: + +"Mademoiselle, I had thought to have found M. de Lorgnac in waiting +here." + +"Here! M. de Lorgnac!" replied the maid-of-honour, with a little +laugh. "No; M. de Lorgnac never ventures here, unless compelled to." + +"I suppose neither of you can tell me where he has gone? Can you, De +Lorges?" And he turned to the page; but the boy only grew redder, and +began to make a fumbling reply. + +Mademoiselle Davila, however, cut in. "He has gone to the masque." +And with a burst of confidence as she rose to her feet: "The Queen has +gone too, monsieur." + +"To the masque! The masque she said she would never attend!" + +"Oh, the Queen is a woman, monsieur! And so she has gone, and gone +masked, too, with Monsieur de Lorgnac in attendance--not a soul +else--and I have been left here--ah!" And she stamped her little foot. +"One cannot even hear the music. Oh! it is a grave, this place--a +grave!" + +"Faith! I know those who would think this little waiting-room a +heaven." + +"Who?" She was a good girl, but a coquette to her finger-tips, and the +bait took. + +Ere he answered Le Brusquet slipped his arm through that of the page, +who seemed to be meditating flight. + +"That, mademoiselle," he said slyly, "is a secret between De Lorges and +myself." + +Mademoiselle coloured very prettily, and half turning from her +tormentor, said: + +"I shall never speak to you again, monsieur--never." + +"Mademoiselle, if you keep that vow I shall die in a week; but see, I +will make amends. Why not slip on a hood and go to the masque? De +Lorges will be proud to escort you." + +She looked around her, half delighted, half frightened at the thought, +and then, with a nervous laugh: + +"I dare not risk it." + +"Why not? Not a soul will know; and if there is any trouble say that +Le Brusquet played an evil turn on you, and told you you were summoned +by the Queen. I will not deny it; and it will still Madame de Montal's +tongue. Come, De Lorges, persuade her." + +"It would be a rare jest, mademoiselle!" And, trembling with +eagerness, De Lorges made a step forward. + +She stood wavering. There was another word of encouragement from Le +Brusquet, and she took the plunge. + +"A moment," she said, and vanished into the inner room. + +"_Eh bien_, monsieur," and Le Brusquet turned towards De Lorges, "you +have a great trust to-night; guard it carefully." + +"Monsieur," replied the boy, "with my life," and he touched the hilt of +his little sword. He was a gallant lad this son of Montgomery de +Lorges. + +Le Brusquet bowed to hide the twinkle in his eyes; and now Mademoiselle +Davila reappeared, disguised in a red hood and mask. + +"No one will guess." And Le Brusquet surveyed her with a critical air, +whilst De Lorges, who longed to be off, burst out: "Come, mademoiselle! +I shall steal a mask and hood from somewhere later on." + +But a new obstacle had arisen. "I forgot," she said, "the guard at the +door." + +"Reassure yourself, mademoiselle. It is a friend--Orrain." + +"The hero!" And she clapped her hands. "Come, De Lorges." And, with +a little nod to Le Brusquet, she ran to the door, followed by the page. +As the two came forth she stopped. + +"Monsieur d'Orrain, you will not betray us?" + +"Not I, mademoiselle." + +"Then as a reward I tell you there is someone you would like to see +reading Marot's verses in the Queen's cabinet." + +Without waiting for an answer, she tripped off down the gallery, De +Lorges by her side. There was a flash of the red hood, and the two +were gone. + +"_Enfin_!" And Le Brusquet sat himself down on the coffer. "We are +rid of that chattering feather-brain; but, before everything, tell me +when you will be relieved." + +"Within the hour." + +"That will do excellently. Now for your news. Mine can keep for ten +minutes." + +I told him what I had learned, and he listened without a word until the +end, listened seated on the coffer, with his chin resting on his knees, +his long nose drooping over his mouth, and his keen little eyes shining +like beads. + +"A good day's work," he said when I had finished; "never better. Two +things are in my favour; one is that they have not got that grant yet; +the other, that the three seem to be dissatisfied with their angles of +the triangle. Each wants what the other has, like cats over their +bowls of milk; and there is an old proverb, too, about thieves falling +out, which you, no doubt, remember." + +"I shall put the whole matter before the Queen, and beg her to place +Mademoiselle de Paradis in safety until this is ended." + +"There is much water to flow under the bridges before this will end; +but it will be a good move. The Admiral too will know of the triangle +in three days; and, if I mistake not, that means that the Peace of +Vaucelles is waste-paper. It will stop the Spanish pensions, at any +rate for a time, and hit our vampires hard." And he chuckled as he +slipped down from the coffer on to his feet. "_Mon ami_," he went on +in his strange way, "to-night and to-morrow I shall be stirring this +porridge, and by noon to-morrow you will have certain news, and then we +can act. And now for your task." + +"My task?" + +"Yes. I knew the Queen was at the masque; she has gone there to see +Diane wearing her jewels. _That_ she will never forgive; and there +will be a bitter vengeance some day--mark my words! The Queen requires +the attendance of Mademoiselle de Paradis. She knows of this. It was +arranged before, and she is merely awaiting the summons in the cabinet +yonder, and you are to take her to the masque." + +"But I have neither mask nor hood!" + +"That is arranged also, and I have them ready for you. I will take +mademoiselle out now, and you will meet us after your relief on the +battlements outside the Philippine. You know the spot where the +stairway leads from the gallery?" + +"Perfectly." + +"Then _au revoir_!" With this he slipped back into the ante-room, and +five minutes after came forth, accompanied by a masked and hooded +figure that would have been unrecognisable except that I knew it was +Mademoiselle de Paradis. + +As they came out we heard, far away in the distance, the challenge of a +sentry. + +"It is the relief," I said. "Quick!" + +They waved their hands to me and sped like sprites along the gallery; +and I waited, wondering what more the night would bring forth. + +In about ten minutes the relief came up; and M. de Tolendal, who was in +charge, was so eager to get back to the masquerade that he made no +inquiries, and got off as soon as possible, dismissing me at the same +time. I let monsieur hurry back along the gallery, following at a slow +pace behind him, until I came to the steps that led down to the +battlements, and passing through the archway reached the place +appointed by Le Brusquet. Here I found the two awaiting me in the +shadow of the donjon, and Le Brusquet said: "Here is your hood and +mask. I kept them here to save trouble in carrying them. Remember +that mademoiselle is the double of the Queen and you of De Lorgnac. +And now away with you; I have other fish to fry." With this he ran up +the stairway, and entered the Philippine. + +"Mademoiselle," I asked, "can you guess what this means?" + +"No, monsieur. All that I know is that it is the Queen's command, and +that we are to be there by midnight." + +"It will be that soon, so come." + +She put her arm in mine, and we hastened along the edge of the +battlements. We could hear music now; and as we went on the strains +grew louder and louder, and at last we stood on the parapet overlooking +the Ladies' Terrace. Beneath us stretched the gardens of the palace, +and thousands of lights glowed, in many-coloured radiance, from within +the foliage of the trees wherein they were set; or, raised high in the +air, burned in rainbow-hued arches and fantastic loops and curves. + +Beneath these lights, in and out of the shrubberies, amongst the +parterres, in the shadows and in the light, was an ever-moving crowd +and the continuous hum of voices, and now and again merry ripples of +laughter came to us as we watched from above. A little beyond, to the +right, the facade of the audience hall was ablaze with light, and on +the broad flight of steps leading to the main entrance were gay groups, +the rich colouring of their dresses--orange, red, gold, and +purple--making them appear in the distance like masses of gorgeous +flowers. + +We were soon in the crowd below, making our way towards the audience +hall; but our progress was not rapid, for time after time a mask or a +group of hooded revellers stopped us; but with light words and merry +jests we put them aside, and descending the steps entered the great +hall. Here the crowd was so great that we were barely able to move; +but at last we reached a pillar, on the base of which I placed my +charge, and, standing beside her, we looked here, there, and everywhere +for the Queen and De Lorgnac. + +"I do not see them," whispered mademoiselle. + +"'Tis like searching for a needle in sand; but, if I mistake not, +Madame de Poitiers will prove a magnet. Let us keep our eyes there." + +With this I pointed before me towards the upper end of the hall, where +a large empty space was reserved for dancing, though for the present +the music had ceased, and the musicians were seated idle in the +galleries above. Beyond this space was a dais, surmounted by a canopy +of pale blue silk, spangled with the silver crescents of Diane de +Poitiers. Behind the dais ran a huge buffet, many stages in height, +rich with matchless plate, and in the centre was a sword, an enormous +cross-hilted sword, said to be the Joyeuse of Charlemagne. + +On each side of the dais stood the two hundred gentlemen of the King's +house in violet and gold, the bright steel blades of the battle-axes +they bore on their shoulders reflecting back the light in dazzling +rays, and immediately in front stood the herald Montjoy with his +trumpeters. + +Although every soul in the crowd wore a mask and hood there were many +on the dais who wore no disguise, and amongst these was the King. +Henri was clad in white, with a white plume in his cap, in memory of +the day years ago when, arrayed in white armour, he had ridden the +lists at Fontainebleau in honour of Diane, and borne her arms to +victory. Near him was Laval, the gallant Bois-Dauphin, who ran the +King hard in that gentle day, and, but for the short splintering of a +lance, might have been declared the victor. He too was clad in memory +of the day, all in scarlet, with a phoenix for his crest--the arms of +Claude de Foix. For the moment he was engaged in talk with a brilliant +cavalier, the Bayard of his age, Francis, Marquis de Vieilleville. + +But though here and there a great name, or a striking figure on the +dais, might attract attention, almost all interest was centred on a +woman, who stood with the fingers of one hand resting lightly on the +King's arm. It was Diane de Poitiers herself. Tall, with black, +curling hair and perfect features, with dark, melting eyes, she bore +herself as a queen. The royal jewels of France sparkled on her head, +at her throat, and on her arms, and glittered amidst the robes of black +and white she wore. Her voice when she spoke was low and sweet, yet I +had heard it as hard as steel, and I had seen those red lips curve +wickedly, and those dark eyes had looked with sullen and pitiless +indifference on scenes of hideous torture and death. There were two +masks in front of us, arm-in-arm, watching the scene as intently as we +were. + +"That woman was born to be queen over men. Look at those eyes, +Montaigne!" + +The answer came in a dry, precise voice: "Eyes are the windows of the +soul; but _Quid tibi praecipiam molles vitare fenestras_?--and you are +courtier enough, De Brantome, to appreciate Fontanus' warning." + +"I am courtier enough, my philosopher, to know that the crescent moon, +for instance, is out of my reach, not like that orange mask there." + +"I do not know to whom you refer." + +"There, at the edge of the dais. 'Tis De Ganache, who, from the day he +set foot in Court, has followed Diane about like a spaniel; and though +I care not to gossip----" + +Mademoiselle shivered, and half turned towards me; but the talk came to +an abrupt ending, for the herald Montjoy made a sign, and the +trumpeters, advancing each a step, sounded a flourish. It was the +signal for the galliard. As the flourish ended the music broke forth, +and in a moment the empty space before us was gay with moving colours, +like a wind-stirred flower bed. Those on the dais seemed to melt away, +and mademoiselle, leaning forwards, whispered: "Take me out of this! +Anywhere but here!" + +She took my arm again, and we edged our way back to the entrance. +Here, however, we found the throng so great that it was impossible to +pass, and seeing a little passage to our right I turned down it. Here, +amidst some foliage, was a secluded seat, and seating her there I took +my stand beside her, at a narrow window that opened out upon the +Ladies' Terrace. The night was warm, and throwing back her hood and +removing her mask mademoiselle leaned forward and looked out upon the +fairy scene in the gardens. The music came to us in fitful strains of +melody, and outside was a glittering enchantment. + +"Have you changed your opinion of the Court, mademoiselle?" I asked. + +"No!--a hundred times no! Monsieur, I would rather be the poorest +peasant girl on my lands than Diane de Paradis." + +I was about to reply when we heard a laugh and the sound of low voices +near us. Where we sat it was almost dark; but there was a dim light in +the passage, and through the foliage we saw two figures standing side +by side not three feet from us. In the orange hood of one I recognised +De Ganache, and the other--yes, that laugh and voice, once heard, were +never to be forgotten. + +De Ganache held her hand in his. He raised it to his lips, and +covering it with kisses broke into mad, foolish words--the speech of a +man who has cast aside all self-respect, all honour. Ere he had spoken +ten words, however, mademoiselle had sprung from her seat and stepped +out into the passage, I following on her heels. At sight of her De +Ganache went back as if he had been struck; but with superb insolence +the Duchess stood in her way. + +"So," she said in hard tones, "this is the second time to-night!" And +then, with a shameless laugh, she turned to De Ganache. "You are +unfortunate, Monsieur le Vicomte; you see, I have a rival even here. I +congratulate mademoiselle on the quickness with which she has learned +the lessons of the Court." And with a mocking bow she took De Ganache +by the arm and swept down the passage. + +Mademoiselle was shivering from head to foot, and even by the uncertain +light I could see her eyes were swimming with tears. For a moment all +her courage, all her high spirit, seemed to have left her. + +"Oh, what does this mean?" she moaned. "What does she mean by the +second time? I----" + +"She meant, mademoiselle, that she had met the Queen, who is masked as +you are; but, Queen or no Queen," I went on grimly, "you have had +enough of this, and I will take you back at once. There! Put on your +mask, and draw your hood up--and come!" + +I led her back towards the main entrance, which we managed to gain this +time without much difficulty, and thence into the gardens. +Mademoiselle spoke no word, nor did I intrude upon her thoughts. We +crossed the Ladies' Terrace, the little groups of people scattered here +and there being much too absorbed in their own business to take any +note of us, and finally stood once more upon the battlements. Along +these we hurried until we reached the stairway leading to the +Philippine, and as we came up two figures stepped out of the shadow +into our path. My charge shrank back with a little gasp of alarm, so +sudden and unexpected was their appearance, and I half drew my poniard, +but put it back again on the moment, for I recognised De Lorgnac and Le +Brusquet. + +"I thought we would meet you here," said the latter; "but your task +ends now, Chevalier. De Lorgnac will now escort mademoiselle back." + +"If I am permitted the honour," put in De Lorgnac. + +"It seems that to-night I must play the marionette to your pulling, Le +Brusquet," I laughed as I made way for De Lorgnac; and for once the +little man made no reply, but addressing Diane said: "The Queen has +already returned, and you will find the salon full, mademoiselle; but +before you go give me that hood; it might tell tales. I will see it +safely returned." + +Diane removed the hood, and handed the soft silken folds to Le Brusquet. + +"Messieurs," she said, her eyes shining brightly behind the mask she +still wore, "it seems that you are hiding something from me. What is +it?" + +"You will know in a few minutes, mademoiselle," said De Lorgnac, "for +the Queen herself will tell you." + +She made no answer, but, gravely wishing us good-night, followed De +Lorgnac up the stone steps, and, passing through the archway, the two +were lost to our view. When they had gone I turned to Le Brusquet. + +"I too am in the dark. What did De Lorgnac mean?" + +"He meant that his Majesty, by some means or other, discovered that the +Queen was at the masque and who remained behind in the cabinet. The +result was that, an hour after you took mademoiselle away, the King, +attended only by the Vidame d'Orrain--both wearing masks and +hoods--visited the Queen's apartments, and----" He stopped and +chuckled. + +"And what?" I said. + +"And found the Queen alone in her cabinet reading Ronsard." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE + +Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and +secluded walk. There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following +the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered +wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western +outwork of the palace. I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded +to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon +and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence. She seemed for +the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane. +Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, +if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters. + +Whilst tossing the matter over in my mind the sudden rustling of leaves +and a croaking sound arrested my attention. Glancing up I saw a small +brown ape clinging to the ivy at the top of the wall and mowing at a +couple of peacocks preening themselves on the level turf beneath him. +Half amused, despite my sombre thoughts, I stopped and watched, until +at last, after a stare at their tormentor, the great birds stalked away +like offended beauties. + +"Pompon!" I called out. + +In answer, the little ape turned his ribald wit upon me; but now a head +appeared above the parapet, a hand seized Pompon and drew him back, and +Le Brusquet's voice hailed me, bidding me come up to him. This I did +with the aid of a friendly tree, and found him on the top of the wall, +stretched out like a lizard in the sun. As I reached his side he rose +to a sitting posture, and made room for me beside him. + +"I have got the 'can't-help-its,'" he said, "and came here to let them +work off. I have much to say to you." + +"You have news, then?" + +"Yes; and grave news. Listen! This morning, as usual, I attended the +_petit couvert_, and found myself alone in the breakfast-room, where +covers were laid for two. The soup was warming at a little stove, for +the King takes this, the first meal of the day, without attendance. I +said I was alone; but that is not exactly the case, as Pompon was, of +course, with me, and the ape had one of his evil fits. He hopped in +front of me, mopping and mowing, and I cannot tell why--perhaps it was +because some of Crequy's red Joue--I supped with him over-night--was +still ringing a chime in my head, but a sudden feeling of irritation +came upon me at his antics. I seized the little beast by the scruff of +his neck and dropped him out of the window on to the balcony beneath, +where he remained, content enough with a plum that I took the liberty +of lifting from the table and flinging after him. Then, leaning out of +the window, I watched the morning, wondering to myself what new jest I +could devise for the King's amusement. But I was in a morose humour, +and could think of nothing. All at once I heard the hissing rustle of +silken robes. I turned, and faced Madame Diane. I tell you, Orrain, +never was woman born so beautiful. The rose of the morning was on her +cheeks. Her eyes--they are blue-black, not black--met mine, with a +laugh in them, as she said: + +"'Well, Le Brusquet, have you lost your ape, or has some jest failed +you?--you look so sad." + +"'Neither, madame,' I answered; 'but I have lost my heart.' + +"'Tell me,' she said, 'who is it? Is it La Beauce?--or, perhaps, +Madame de Montal?' + +"'Neither, madame; it has strayed much higher.' + +"She laughed at my speech, and was about to reply, but stopped, for at +that moment the curtain lifted, and the King entered the room. He +seemed in the best of spirits; nothing affects him for long. + +"'_Bon jour_, Le Brusquet!' He gave me his hand to kiss. 'What news +have you brought me this morning?' + +"'A bagful, sire, for I supped with Crequy over-night.' + +"'Then you shall open the bag whilst I breakfast, for I am famished.' +And, slipping his arm through Diane's he led her to the table. I +settled myself on a stool near the window, whilst Diane gave his soup +to the King, contenting herself with some fruit, which she picked at +like a bird. Through the heavy curtains and the closed door we could +hear the hum of voices from the anterooms coming to us like the distant +murmurs of the sea. For some little time the King ate in silence, +whilst Diane and I exchanged a few laughing words. Finally he finished +his last sippet of bread steeped in soup, pushed aside his plate, +helped himself to a plum, and looked around him. + +"'How!' he exclaimed. 'No roses in the room this morning!' + +"'You are in error, sire,' I said. 'I have never seen finer roses than +I do now.' + +"'Where?' he asked, looking around. + +"But I only looked at La Valentinois, and this time she was red enough. +She can blush at will, I believe. Strange that behind so fair a face +lies so twisted a soul! And as the King followed my glance the blush +on her cheek became deeper and deeper. + +"'_Ma petite_,' and he pinched her ear, 'I find I have a rival. I +shall have to send him to the Chatelet.' Whereat every one laughed, +and Pompon, hearing the sounds, hopped in through the window, and +helped himself to another plum. + +"'Ah, bandit!' And the King flung a sippet of toast after him as he +added: 'I am hedged in with robbers.' + +"'That is true, sire,' I said gravely. + +"'You heard that at Crequy's last night.' And there was a sharp note +in Diane's voice. + +"'Oh yes; and much worse.' + +"'Come, tell us!' said the King. + +"'Sire, you will remember that Monsieur Joue and Monsieur d'Arbois are +inveterate gossips.' + +"'I will not forget. Well, what did these gentlemen say?' + +"'Amongst other things, that your Majesty would totally cancel the +edicts you have suspended, and freely pardon all the Christaudins.' + +"I had risked my shot, and now awaited the result. It had hit its +mark, I knew, for the King began to hum and haw, and Diane gave me a +look from those blue-black eyes of hers. It is wonderful how their +expression can change. They seemed to grow small, with a hard, +pitiless look in them, and little cobwebs of wrinkles gathered near her +temples. + +"'It would be madness!--folly!' And her foot kept tapping the carpet. + +"'Caraffa and Lorraine are right; it would be a sin.' And the King +crossed himself. 'No, no! I will purge the land of its heresy. You +have proved their disloyalty to me, Diane. Scarce three weeks have +passed since the edicts were suspended, and see what head these +Huguenots make! But I will let them see that I am King!' + +"And Diane bent forward and kissed his cheek. + +"As for me, I knew I was treading on dangerous ground, and so, for the +present, went warily, and kept silence. And then La Valentinois knelt +by the side of the King, holding his hand in hers, and looking into his +eyes. + +"'Sire,' she said, 'I have a boon to ask.' + +"'Ask, then.' And Henri pushed aside the curls from her forehead. + +"'It is that you reward the faithful whilst you punish the guilty.' + +"'Let it be as you wish, _ma petite_.' + +"'Then sign this, sire.' And, rising to her feet, she took a paper +from her dress and held it before the King, standing beside him, with +one white arm round his neck. + +"Henri read, and his face fell a little. 'So,' he said, 'you want the +goods of all heretics condemned in Paris granted to our most faithful +subjects--Diane, Duchess de Valentinois; Simon, Vidame d'Orrain; and +Antoine, Sire de Mouchy, Inquisitor of Faith! Madame, this is a matter +for the council.' And, in his weak way, the King tried to put off the +matter. + +"Diane removed her arm from his neck. 'As you please, sire,' she said +coldly; and then: 'But remember the Chatillons are making head in the +north, and tomorrow they may break the peace with Spain. Remember how +full Paris is of these traitors to their King and Holy Church! Never +mind my request; but, sire,' and her voice sank to the tenderest note, +'think of those who love you and fear for you--and--let the council +to-day be firm.' + +"'Oh, it will be that. I will see to that.' + +"'Thank Heaven! And now, my King, my King! for the last time!' And +she knelt and kissed his hand, and there were tears--tears, Orrain!--in +her eyes. + +"Henri was much moved. 'What does this mean, Diane?' And he raised +her gently to her feet. + +"'It means, sire'--her eyes refused to meet his, and her voice +shook--'that the time has come for me to go. To-morrow I leave Paris; +but, wherever I go, my sorrow will be with me, and my memory of----' +And once more she kissed his hand. + +"'Diane!' + +"She made no answer except to sob, and he put his arm round her, and +tried to comfort her, but she gently withdrew herself. + +"'Sire, let me go! I had forgotten that with a woman love lasts for +ever, but beauty fades. I have to-day learned my lesson.' And, +sitting herself down, she buried her face in her hands. + +"Henri looked helplessly around, and then, rising hurriedly, paced the +room. Once he came up to me, where I stood near the window, and stared +at me, or rather stared across me, as though he did not see me. He was +yielding, I knew, and another sob from Diane broke him. + +"He took up the paper, and it rustled in his trembling hand. One more +glance at the bowed figure beside him, and he called out: + +"'Le Brusquet, give me a pen.' + +"I made no answer, but stood as if I had not heard. I swear to you, +Orrain, that I would rather have let my right hand wither than do his +bidding. Twice he repeated his order; but I stood like a stone. Diane +made no movement. His face flushed, and with a sudden effort he walked +towards a cabinet, and the next moment the accursed paper was signed. +He brought it back with him, and stood humbly beside Diane, but she did +not appear to see. At last he took her hands from her face and placed +the deed within them. + +"'There, little one! Speak no more of broken hearts.' And he kissed +her. She rose, and let her head fall on his shoulder, standing there +with closed eyes, but with fingers that held the paper with a clutch +like the talons of a hawk. After a little she drew back; there was a +lovely smile on her lips, and the blue-black eyes were sparkling. + +"'Sire,' she said, 'I thank you.' Then, with a glance behind her at +the curtains that covered the door leading to the ante-rooms: 'It grows +late, and messieurs there are waiting.' So saying, she bowed low to +the King, and ran from the room into the inner apartments, carrying her +paper with her. + +"The King stood gazing after her, and I stood leaning out of the open +window. After a little he came up behind me, and with studied +unconcern in his voice said: + +"'An obol for your thoughts, King of Folly.' + +"'I was but watching those birds, sire.' And I pointed at a shoal of +swallows that darted hither and thither in the sunlight snapping up the +flies. + +"'Ah! The swallows! What of them?' + +"'They are lovely birds, sire; but, you see, they spare nothing.' And +even as I spoke there was the flash of a bronze-green wing, and a +wretched moth that was fluttering in the air was borne away. + +"The King took my meaning, and laughed uneasily. + +"'You mean I have done wrong.' + +"'The Duchess is a lovely woman, sire.' And I saw him flush with shame +and anger--the anger of a weak man. He controlled himself with an +effort, however, and said coldly: + +"'Monsieur de Besme, have the goodness to strike that gong.' + +"I did so, and in a moment the doors were flung open, showing the +glittering throng without. The King kept his back turned towards me, +and, taking the hint, I picked up the ape and withdrew. So, you see, +my news is of the gravest, and Diane has won the rubber." + +"You think so?" + +"It is all over. The council to-day will revoke the suspension of the +edicts, and once more the hell-fires will be lit on the parvis of every +church in Paris. I am off to grow pears at Besme. My office is for +sale; but I will give it to you, with my cap and bells and baton, as a +free gift if within two days you do not place a certain fair lady on a +pillion behind you and ride for the Swiss cantons." + +For a little there was a silence, and then I rose to my feet. + +"I am going," I said. "What has to be done must be done quickly." + +He nodded assent. "I shall come with you part of the way," he said, +and called to his ape. + +With this we descended from the wall, and walked back together to the +Ladies' Terrace. + +The gardens were full, for the perfect day had tempted all within the +palace who could do so to come forth. Scattered here and there in the +walks, or resting on the seats, were knots of people, the bright +colours of their dresses all the brighter in the mellow sunshine. As +we were passing the fountain called the Three Graces we were stopped by +a little man with a round face and bulging eyes. He was quite young, +not more than four or five and twenty, but, young as he was, Monsieur +de Brantome had already acquired the reputation of being an inveterate +gossip, and was feared more than the plague. I had but a passing +acquaintance, two days' old, with him, but he seized Le Brusquet. + +"_Eh bien_, Le Brusquet! I hear that you were with the King and madame +early this morning, and that high words passed. Is it true that you +leave the Court?" + +"I promise to leave it, monsieur, if you will but take my office." + +"Your office!" said Brantome in surprise. + +"Yes; I have always felt myself unworthy of it since I had the honour +to meet you." + +"Not at all, my friend," grinned Brantome; "you do yourself injustice. +The man who quarrels with madame has unequalled claims. You have no +rival. _Au revoir_!" + +And, chuckling to himself, the little abbe went on, leaving Le Brusquet +biting his lip. Brantome stopped the next person he met to tell him of +the passage-at-arms, and turning the walk we found ourselves in front +of the Ladies' Terrace. + +Somewhat apart from the gay groups that crowded together in the centre +of the Terrace was a solitary figure standing near the pedestal of a +bronze satyr, cast for the late King by Messer Benvenuto the +Florentine. It was mademoiselle herself, and with a word to Le +Brusquet I left him and walked straight up to her. + +"I was wondering to myself if I should see you here," she said as she +greeted me. + +"And I came specially to see you, so that Fate has been kind for once." + +She smiled, and was about to make some answer, when there was a burst +of laughter and the sound of many voices, and turning we saw Diane de +Poitiers on the stairway leading down to the Terrace, surrounded, as +usual, by a heedless and ever-laughing crowd. She stood for a moment, +her Court around her, whilst the people on the other parts of the +Terrace broke up their talk and came towards us. Then La Valentinois, +who was robed in crimson, began to descend the marble steps slowly, and +as she reached the Terrace all those assembled there bowed to her as +though she were the Queen. All except myself and mademoiselle, who +stood plucking at the ivy leaves on the pedestal of the statue beside +her, apparently unconscious of La Valentinois' presence. Whether the +Duchess noticed me or not I do not know, but I saw her eyes fixed on +mademoiselle, and she stopped full, about two paces from her. +Mademoiselle, however, maintained her attitude of total unconcern; but +after a moment she looked up and the glances of the two crossed each +other. Mademoiselle stared past the favourite as though she did not +see her, and Diane's face became like ivory, and her dark eyes frosted +with an icy hate--a hate cold and pitiless as everlasting snow. All +eyes were fixed on them now, and there was a dead silence as the +two--the woman and the girl--faced each other. But it was mademoiselle +who was winning. Far away as her look was there was that in it that +brought the colour back to Diane's cheeks, to make it go again. Her +bosom rose and fell, she played nervously with her fan, and at last she +spoke, with a voice that shook in spite of her efforts to restrain it: + +"I hear, mademoiselle, that you do not find the Court to your liking." +And the reply was a simple bow. + +The Duchess was all red and white now. The insult was open and patent; +but worse was to follow, for she made a mistake, and went on, with a +sneer: + +"It is a pity they do not care more for the education of girls in +Poitou; but I think you are right, mademoiselle. The Court is not +suited to you. You should take the veil and the black robe." + +"I should prefer the black robe to a crimson one, madame. The latter +reminds one too much, amongst other things, of the blood of the +martyrs." + +It was a crushing retort, and one to which there was no answer, for the +affair of the tailor of St. Antoine's was fresh in all minds. +Something like a murmur went up from those around. The Duchess gave a +little gasp; but, preserving her composure with an effort, turned and +walked away, her head in the air, but wounded to the quick. The crowd +followed her, but one figure remained--a man with a white, drawn face +and dark circles under his eyes. Thrice he made a movement as if to +step up to us and say something, but each time his courage failed him; +and then, turning, he too hastily followed the others. And from my +soul I pitied De Ganache. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE PACKET OF LETTERS + +We were left alone together, the bronze satyr leering down upon us as +if in mockery. La Valentinois stood at the other end of the Terrace +surrounded by her Court, and ever and again there were whisperings +amongst them, and strange glances bent towards us. We might have been +plague-stricken, in such manner did all shrink from us. + +"Mademoiselle," I said, "you have been too rash. Look!" And I glanced +at the group around Diane de Poitiers. She followed my eyes, and a +little smile played upon her lips. + +"I care not, nor do I fear her." + +"But, mademoiselle, there are others who fear for you, and that has +happened which you must hear. Not here! Come away from this, where we +will be secure from prying eyes." + +For a little she seemed to hesitate, and then: "Very well, monsieur; +the air will, perhaps, be purer away from here." + +So, side by side, we went down the steps together, and I felt, rather +than heard or saw, the mutterings and the glances that followed us. + +On the other side of the lawn, facing the Ladies' Terrace and leading +towards the riding-school, is a walk hedged in with high shrubbery on +either hand. We followed this about half way up its length, and then +passing through a narrow wicket found ourselves in a part of the +gardens to which few, if any, of the Court ever went. Here, amidst a +bewildering maze of rose bushes running almost wild, stood an old oak. +There was a little clearing at its base, around which a rough seat was +placed; and here, sitting by her side, I told mademoiselle what I knew, +and of the crisis that had arrived. + +Invisible ourselves, we could from where we were see the Gallery of +Apollo and the council hall; and as I ended a figure appeared at one of +the windows and waved a 'kerchief in the direction of the Ladies' +Terrace. It was the King. + +"See!" and I pointed to the window, "there is the King, and you can +guess to whom he signals. Whilst we talk here the council is over, and +the peril is at hand." + +She did not flinch nor change colour, for she was brave, but she rose +and looked steadily at the council room, where we could now see other +figures moving in the shadow behind the King. Then she turned to me. +I had risen too, and was standing beside her. + +"Do you think they will begin at once?" she asked. + +"I cannot say. They will undoubtedly begin as soon as they can." + +"It is horrible! Can nothing be done? Oh! why am I so helpless? Why +was I not born a man?" + +"Mademoiselle, the game is not lost yet. There is still safety before +you. I have told the Queen, and she knows of this plot, but is +powerless to stay the course of these vampires. She can and will, I +know, help you to fly. Leave this place, to-night if possible, and I +will see you to the Palatinate, or the Swiss cantons. They cannot +touch you there. Mademoiselle, you trusted me once before, trust me +again; I will not fail you." + +Without a word she held out her hand, and I took it in mine. So we +stood for a little, neither speaking, and then she said: + +"But I know not how to leave this place; it has a thousand eyes, a +thousand ears----" + +"We must blind those eyes and make those ears deaf. This evening at +dusk come to this spot. I will arrange that either Le Brusquet or De +Lorgnac will meet you here and take you to the gate behind the +riding-school. I shall be in waiting there with horses, and we will be +free of the gates before even they know we are gone. We have more than +four hours yet before it grows dark. Think of it! Four hours to +prepare! We will beat them." + +I spoke cheerily, though I well knew that all was hanging by a hair. +My words had their effect, and I saw the light of hope in her eyes; but +all at once she shrank from me and, covering her face with her hands, +sank back upon the seat. + +I confess that I knew not what to do, or which way to turn, for if +mademoiselle's courage failed now it was fatal. + +"Come," I said, "be brave. In a few hours you will be safe." And I +placed my hand on her shoulder. At my touch she collected herself, and +rose once again, her face pale, her eyes wet. + +"Monsieur," she said, "I cannot take your offer. It is impossible." + +"But why?" And I looked at her in blank astonishment. + +"Listen!" And she spoke in low but quick accents. "Were I to avail +myself of this chance I know I should be safe, for the bravest heart in +France would be protecting me. But, monsieur, I should be saving +myself and leaving the others--my people, those of my own faith--to +die. I am a woman, and a woman may be forgiven weakness in this--for +death, and such a death, is horrible--but could I forgive myself? I +who knew, and fled, and left my people to die! Do you know who all are +in Paris? There are scores of them. There is kind old De Mouy, there +is Rochambeau, there is D'Albain, there are fifty more. Are they to +die? Besides these there are the poorer brethren, rich in nothing but +their faith. Are they to die? Can I leave them, without a word of +warning, to the torture, to the rack, to the slow death of the +estrapade?" + +She stopped, her eyes all alight, her breath coming fast; but I made no +answer, and stood before her in silence. + +"You have nothing to say," she went on--"nothing! Orrain, were you in +my place what would you do?" + +"I am a man." + +"And is honour less dear to a woman than to a man?" + +I knew she was brave, but never before had I realised how brave and +strong; and, yielding to an impulse I could not resist, I bent down and +touched her hand with my lips. + +"Mademoiselle," I said, "you have taught me what is right. You cannot +go thus. Your friends must be warned." + +"I knew you would say that," she burst in; "I knew that nothing else +would come from you. Yes; they must be warned! A word here and there +would be enough if there were time; but there is not, and there is only +one way left." + +"And that is?" + +"I will tell you. Close to the Sorbonne, in a little street called the +Rue des Mathurins, which leads into the Rue St. Jacques, is a house +where my people meet to pray, and to-night all, if not, most of them, +will be there. This much I know. But where the house is exactly I do +not know, for I have never been to it. If we could get there we would +be in time to warn them." + +"From whom did you hear this? It is necessary for me to know." + +"From Montgomery de Lorges." + +"The captain of the Archer Guard?" + +"Yes; he is of us, and always has been." + +"Then, mademoiselle, there is light in the black sky. I will warn your +friends; more we cannot do. And, since there are so many, I feel +confident that the plotters will not strike for a day or so. Our +warning will give those who can time to escape, and you and I will have +done all that can be done. In the meantime our original plan must be +carried out; but it is to a friend that I must trust you for a few +hours until I have given the warning and can join you----" + +She stayed me with a gesture of her hands. + +"Monsieur, why should I not go with you?" + +For a moment I hesitated, and then it flashed upon me that it was the +best possible thing. After giving the warning there was nothing to +prevent our escaping at once. + +"Very well, mademoiselle. Then meet me here at dusk. And now perhaps +it is time to go back." + +We did not return as we came, but making for the Lime Walk, went along +it slowly, talking and planning many things. In the shade, on a seat +under one of the lime-trees, was a merry party of five or six people, +and as we came opposite them young De Lorges the page, who was of their +number, called out to us to join them; but, pointing at the Louvre, I +shook my head, and as we passed on I heard Mademoiselle Davila's voice +singing: + + "J'aime mieux m'amie + O gai! + J'aime mieux m'aime + O gai!" + +and a girlish voice, I know not whose it was, broke into a merry peal +of laughter. In spite of what was in my mind I could not help glancing +at my companion; but she was walking by my side as though she had not +seen or heard, and, perhaps, this was the case. + +At the Ladies' Terrace we parted, and I hastened at once to seek Le +Brusquet. As luck would have it, I met both him and De Lorgnac face to +face as I was crossing the inner courtyard, and drawing them aside +explained matters to them in a few brief words. My chagrin may be +imagined when I heard that Montgomery de Lorges, from whom I hoped to +get further particulars of the house in the Mathurins, had left the +Louvre that afternoon for Fontainebleau to help in the arrangements for +a hunt there for the King. But Le Brusquet put heart into me. + +"_Eh bien_," said he, "you cannot miss finding the house, as the +Mathurins is not a bowshot in length; but, in any case, whilst you go +and prepare for your departure I will try and find the secret of the +house out, and warn some who, I know, are of the new faith. To think +of a _preche_ in the very shadow of the Sorbonne!" And he laughed to +himself. + +"Le Brusquet is right," said De Lorgnac. "I too have some friends whom +I must warn. Have no fear that Mademoiselle de Paradis will have any +difficulty in keeping her tryst; I will see to that. Go now at once to +the Rue Tire Boudin and make you ready; we will stand by you to the +end." + +I thanked these brave friends, and was about to turn away, when Le +Brusquet called out: + +"Stay! I have one thing to ask you, Orrain." + +"And that is?" + +"You have still with you, I hope, a certain ring?" + +"Vendome's ring, or rather the ring of the King of Navarre, as we must +call him now. Yes; it is beneath this glove." And I held out my left +hand. + +"May I see it for a moment?" + +"Certainly!" And removing the glove I slipped off the ring and handed +it to him. He looked at it curiously, and said: + +"I think its time has come." + +"Is there anything you are holding back from me?" + +"No; but I have a warning in my heart that you will need it. I am +superstitious enough never to neglect such a warning. Lend it to me +for to-day." + +"With pleasure! But is the ring of any avail? Vendome has forgotten +me. He hardly ever returns my salute when we meet----" + +"The King of Navarre will at any rate pay this debt of the Duc de +Vendome--I swear it," said Le Brusquet solemnly as he slipped the ring +on to his finger, and with that I left them. + +On arrival at the Rue Tire Boudin I summoned Pierrebon, and informing +him of the state of affairs told him to have all in readiness for our +departure that night. This being over, and finding that I had still +over two hours before me, I retraced my steps to the Louvre. I went to +the tennis courts, where the King was playing a match against Monsieur +d'Aumale, and mingling amongst the onlookers sought to pick up as much +information as I could glean about the proceedings of the council held +that day. M. de Tolendal, who had been on guard in the council room, +said that there were only four there, and that amongst the four were De +Mouchy and Caraffa the Legate. + +"It is not war they talked about, I am sure," he went on, "as neither +the Constable nor Vieilleville was present. I dare swear it was all +about those cursed Huguenots; but we will hear soon--ha! good stroke!" +And he turned from me towards the game. + +Seeing that there was nothing to be picked up here I took myself off, +and after a little found myself upon the Ladies' Terrace. The +afternoon was hot, and the Terrace was deserted, but in the shade of +the hedgerow on the opposite side of the lawn a solitary figure was +seated looking over a small packet of letters. I looked, and saw it +was De Ganache himself. He had changed much from the day we first met. +His face was thin and sunken; there was a red spot on each cheek and a +fierce light in his hollow eyes. For a moment I stood watching him, +and then, having made up my mind, stepped up to him. As I approached +he stared at me with his livid glance and then rose slowly to his feet. +So deadly a hate shone on his face that for a second it came to me to +turn away and leave him to his fate; but, fallen as he was, I could not +let him go to his death without a word or a sign. So I walked straight +up to him. + +"Monsieur, a word with you." + +He simply looked at me. I saw his forehead flush hot, and he passed +his tongue over dry lips, and then, as if controlling himself with an +effort, he turned from me. But I called out: + +"M. de Ganache, this is life and death. I have come to warn----" + +He flung round on his heel and faced me once more, his hand on the hilt +of his poniard. + +"Begone!" he said, "begone! else I may slay you where you stand! +I----" And his voice failed him, but his eyes glared like those of a +boar at bay. + +"Monsieur," I said calmly, "fifty windows look down upon us, and there +may be a hundred eyes watching us. If you wish it, I will cross swords +with you with pleasure, but listen to what I say first. Your life, and +the lives of your friends of your faith, hang on a hair. The council +to-day has applied anew the edicts. As you value your life, get your +fastest horse and leave Paris at once." + +"In what tavern have you heard this?" he sneered. + +"Monsieur," I answered gravely, "this is no jest. If you care not to +take the warning yourself, give it to others. I myself will warn those +of your faith who meet to-night in the Rue des Mathurins. There may be +others you know of; give them at least a chance. As for yourself, you +have had yours." + +What answer he would have made I know not, but at this moment a sharp +voice cut in upon us. + +"_Eh bien_, Monsieur de Ganache! but it seems to me that Madame de +Valentinois signals to you from the window yonder." + +There was a little rustling in the bushes, and Le Brusquet stepped out, +his ape perched upon his shoulder. + +"Behold!" he said, "the crescent moon is already out." And he pointed +to a window overlooking the lawn, where a group of ladies stood +watching us. + +"It must be to you, Monsieur le Vicomte, that madame signals," Le +Brusquet went on. "Orrain here is too ugly, and as for me, she loves +me no better than my ape." + +With an oath De Ganache pushed past Le Brusquet and hurried across the +lawn, leaving us staring after him. + +"He had his warning," said Le Brusquet. "I heard every word, and +thought it was time to step in ere he drew his poniard. The man is +mad! But what is this?" And stepping towards the seat he picked up +the small packet of letters that De Ganache was reading. + +"They belong to De Ganache," I said; "he was reading them as I came up." + +"In that case I will return them to monsieur with my own hands." And +Le Brusquet slipped the packet into his pocket. Then turning he took +me by the arm and led me off, telling me some absurd story, and +laughing loudly, until we had passed out of sight of the windows. Then +he stopped. + +"Do not forget this," he said: "the fifth house on the right-hand side +of the Rue des Mathurins as you enter from the Rue St. Jacques." + +"Thanks; I will not forget. However did you find out?" + +"It is too long to tell, and I must return these papers to De Ganache." + +So saying, he went off. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE CHURCH UNDER THE GROUND + +The wicket gate near the riding-school was used almost exclusively by +the servants of the palace, to whom it gave access to that maze of +nameless streets, dingy, tumble-down houses, and squalid shops that was +known as the Magasins. Here it was that the waiting-woman and the +lackey stole forth to meet their lovers. Through this filtered all the +backstairs' gossip of the Louvre, and more besides, for the small +shopkeepers of the Magasins upheld a reputation as evil as the place in +which they plied their trade. + +At the mouth of one of these streets, only a few yards away from the +wicket, was a small eating-house. It was here that I repaired at +sunset, and calling for a basin of lentil soup sat me down at a rough +table near the door, which commanded a view of the gate. It had rained +that afternoon, a summer shower that passed as quickly as it came, but +the eaves were still dripping, and the water was trickling in +glistening lines down the walls and bubbling in the gutters. There +were three other clients in the house besides myself. One contented +himself, as I had, with some lentil soup, and the other two, sitting +near a great spit, impatiently watched a leg of kid they had brought +with them for their supper being turned thereon by a small dog, now and +then exchanging a word or so with the bare-armed hostess who was +supervising the process. Whilst this was going on my fellow-companion +with the lentil soup kept casting envious glances at the spit, sniffing +the savoury odour of the roasting meat as he slowly ate pieces of black +bread sopped in the thick soup. + +The wicket was open, for until compline ingress and egress was free; +nevertheless, there was a sentry on duty, an arquebusier, who paced +slowly up and down whistling the "Rappel d'Aunis," stopping only to +exchange some barrack-room badinage with every serving-wench who, as +she went out or came in, found a moment or so to spare for him. It was +a lax enough watch, and it was clear that guard duty at the wicket was +not so dull a matter as one might have imagined. + +One of these passing affairs was rather longer and more interesting +than usual, and he of the lentil soup was chuckling to himself over it, +when we heard the clattering of horses at a trot coming up the road +lying between us and the gate. The girl uttered a little cry and fled +down the walk towards the Louvre, whilst the sentry drew himself up +stiffly. + +In another minute a party of about half a dozen horsemen filed up, a +spare horse with them, and judge of my surprise and fear when I saw it +was Simon himself who led them. As the sentry saluted the Vidame he +rode close up to the man, and, bending down from the saddle, said +something in a quick, low voice, but it was too far off for me to hear. +The sentry saluted again, and began a steady pacing backwards and +forwards; whilst Simon, dismounting three of his men, had the horses +taken towards the riding-school, he remaining at the gate on foot with +his three followers. + +"An arrest!" exclaimed my unknown companion, and the words brought the +two others from their kid, which they were just sitting down to +demolish, to the door, where they were joined by the landlady and the +turnspit dog. + +The worst suspicions crowded upon me, and from where I sat I watched +Simon anxiously, for all depended on his object in being here. He took +no notice of the little group observing him, however, but, drawing his +men up against the wall, leaned against a buttress, moodily pulling at +his long moustache. + +"We are going to see pretty things," said the hostess; "that tall +crookback is the Vidame d'Orrain himself, and 'twas just the same way +last year that he took poor Monsieur de Mailly." + +For about ten minutes we waited impatiently, but with no result, and so +the owners of the kid went back to their repast, and the man with the +lentil soup called for another basin. The suspense, however, was not +to be for long. Presently a man came down the walk towards the wicket, +coming slowly, keeping as much as possible in the shadow of the trees, +now and again stopping and looking around him as though he feared being +followed. Finally, as he neared the gate, he put a bold face on the +matter, and with an air of unconcern stepped towards the sentry. His +hat was pulled over his eyes; but there was no mistaking De Ganache, +and I watched with breathless interest. As he came up the arquebusier +began to whistle his eternal "Rappel d'Aunis" once more, and the +figures near the wall closed in around the buttress. In five paces De +Ganache had passed the sentry and was at the gate. In another step he +freed the wicket, and came face to face with the Vidame. De Ganache +started, retreated a half pace, and then, recovering himself, said with +affected gaiety: + +"Well met, Orrain! I----" And then he stopped as he met the Vidame's +sombre look and saw drawn swords on either side of him. + +"Is this a jest or an outrage? What does this mean, monsieur?" And, +hand to his sword, he faced Simon, who answered coldly: + +"It means, monsieur, that you are my prisoner. Your sword, in the +King's name!" + +"I! Arrested! It is impossible! What foolery is this?" + +But the Vidame simply held out a paper. "You may read this if you +doubt." + +Almost mechanically De Ganache took the paper and ran his eyes over it. +As he did so his fingers seemed to lose power, for the paper slipped +from his hand and fluttered to the ground. The Vidame picked it up, +and said again: + +"Your sword, monsieur!" And then, with a bitter scorn in his voice: "A +traitor's game is a losing game, Monsieur le Vicomte, and the King +knows you at last." + +What the words meant I was to find out later, but they took all heart +from De Ganache. He put his hand to his head as one dazed, and then, +dropping it again, unbuckled his sword, and handed it to the Vidame +without a word. There was a sharp whistle. The horses came up. De +Ganache, who seemed utterly broken, was mounted on the spare horse. +The troopers surrounded him, and then came the quick order: + +"The Chatelet!" And they were gone. + +"_Harnibleu_!" exclaimed the hostess, "that was not how Monsieur de +Mailly allowed himself to be taken. He swore like the Constable, and +fought right across the road, up to this very door, and might have +escaped had he not tripped up. As for that hare there--pouf!" And +with an expressive shrug of her shoulders and a snap of her fingers she +went back to her spit. + +I sat still, wondering, but with a great relief in my heart. There was +a little talk, as will be when things of this kind occur, and then +matters settled down. A few more customers came in. The twilight +began to fall, and then, all at once, I saw two figures at the gate. +They were mademoiselle and De Lorgnac. In a moment I had joined them, +and together we went on towards the river face. + +At the corner of the Rue St. Thomas, De Lorgnac bade us farewell, but +as he left us I took the opportunity to whisper to him the news of De +Ganache's arrest. + +"Then put wings to your business," he said, and pressing my hand went +off, and mademoiselle and I were alone. Silently she took the arm I +offered, and we hastened towards the river. + +It was the fall of the evening, and the moon, almost in its full, had +already arisen, dividing the sky with the last lights of sunset. We +had turned to the left on reaching the river, our faces towards the +Chatelet, whose square grey walls frowned over the Pont au Change. +Here and there the cloud edges still flamed in gold, that slowly faded +to a fleecy silver-white before the moonlight. To our left was the +long row of gabled houses, some of them seven storeys or more in +height, that stretched, a jagged outline of pointed roofs and +overhanging turrets, to the Rue St. Denis, there to be split up in the +labyrinth of streets between St. Denis, St. Martin, and the purlieus of +the Marais and the Temple. Above the houses peered the square tower of +St. Jacques de la Boucherie, and in the weird half light the river +droned along to our right. A grey, creeping mist was slowly covering +the faubourgs and the Ile de la Cite. Through this, as it quivered +onwards, one saw a limitless sea of roofs; and sharp and clear, for +they were still in light, stood out the lofty campaniles of Ste. +Chapelle and St. Severin. But what caught the eye and arrested the +glance was that which rose from the very heart of the great city; for +there, looming vast and immense, the stately pile of Notre Dame brooded +over Paris. + +Mademoiselle shivered on my arm. "Oh, monsieur, these streets, these +houses, this immense city, they oppress me like a very spirit of evil!" + +"Courage!" I answered. "In two hours we will have left the spirit of +evil behind." + +And she sighed to herself as we pressed forward. We had passed the +Vallee de Misere and the Gloriette, and had now come to the fish +market. It was here, amidst the raucous cries of buyers and sellers, +that the crowd forced us to stop for a little. I drew my companion +into the shadow of a booth, and as I did so I heard a fragment of talk +between two men a little to one side of us. + +"You think it will be successful?" + +"Not one will escape. They are like rats in a trap." + +The speaker laughed, and I would have sworn I knew the voice. + +Mademoiselle had heard too, and her eyes were shining like stars. + +"Do you hear that?" she whispered quickly. "Quick! Let us hasten!" + +I held her back for a little, until the two had passed before us. As +the light from the booth fell on them I saw that I was right--the last +speaker was Camus, but the other man I knew not. + +"Now, across!" I said, as the two were lost in the crowd, and with that +I hurried mademoiselle to the other side of the road. + +"Monsieur," she said, "these men were talking of us, of my people, I +mean--I feel sure of it--and we are too late." + +"Not yet!" And I tried to reassure her, but my heart was full of +misgiving. In its wonderful way her woman's instinct had warned her, +and I, knowing what I did know, feared the worst despite all my +assurances to her to the contrary. + +It was night when we reached the Rue des Mathurins, for the way was +long. Narrow and dark, the street wound before us. On one side the +upper storeys of the houses were white with moonlight; but the opposite +side was in shadow, and all around us was a velvet darkness, except +where, here and there, a lamp, hanging to a rope slung across the +street, cast a feeble and uncertain glow. Some dim figures moved +before us, and occasionally we heard a footfall behind. That was all. + +We had come to the fifth door on our right. It lay in the black +darkness, faced by the huge blank wall of the Mathurins, and not a ray +gleamed from any of the windows. All was silent as the grave. + +"This is the place," I said, and we stopped. + +"Are you sure?" whispered mademoiselle. "It looks deserted; perhaps +they have been warned." + +But, even as she spoke, we heard faint voices singing. The sound +seemed to rise from beneath our feet, and muffled and far distant rose +the sweet, solemn chant of the Huguenot hymn: "When Israel went forth +from Egypt." + +"They are there!" And mademoiselle's fingers tightened on my arm. + +For answer I was about to step up to the door when hurrying feet came +towards us. I pulled mademoiselle back into the deepest shadow, and as +I did so two dark figures appeared, and halted before the door. Like +us, all unknowing we were so near, they stopped too, listening to the +hymn, and after a little one of the two began to sing. + +"Hush!" said the other; but the singer answered fiercely: + +"I care not, nor do I fear to give my testimony to the Lord." + +But now the hymn ended, and the two went to the door. This was my +chance, and so, with mademoiselle on my arm, I boldly stepped up and +joined them. They turned on us as we came; but I allayed their fears. + +"Messieurs, we have come as you have. See! There is a lady with me." + +"Then you are well come," answered one, and with that he tapped softly +at the door. A shutter opened, and a voice asked: + +"Why come ye?" + +"For the faith," was the reply. + +"Enter, then!" With these words the door swung back, and one by one we +passed in, I being the last. The door was immediately closed and +barred after us, and we found ourselves in the presence of a small, +pale-faced man, who peered at us with blinking eyes. The two strangers +went on at once, after a word of greeting; but, throwing back her hood, +mademoiselle placed her hand on the arm of the little man, saying: + +"Ferrieres, do you not know me?" + +His dim eyes searched her through the dim light, and an exclamation +broke from him. + +"Mademoiselle! You! There will be many a glad face to-night. Almost +all of us are here." + +"Hush!" she said. "I have come to warn you. There is danger at hand. +The edicts are to be enforced again, and at once." + +He looked at her, and shook his head. + +"Nay, mademoiselle; we have the King's word." + +"Tell him, then!" and she turned to me. "Monsieur, this is the Sieur +de Ferrieres, who has known me from childhood, and who refuses to +believe me--tell him what I say is true!" + +I did so in ten words; but the King's word was the King's word to him, +and the fool was blind in his folly. + +"Then take us to others who will hear," burst out mademoiselle; "in an +hour it may be too late; it may be too late even now." + +"Surely," he replied, "I will take you to the meeting-place, for you +are of the flock, and the Lord is with us to-night; but you are +mistaken, that I know." + +Mademoiselle glanced at me in despair as we followed him across the +hall, and down a stair that led to an underground passage. Along this +we went, and, our guide gently pushing open a door, we saw before us a +large room filled with people of both sexes. All were on their knees, +absorbed in prayer. At the upper end of the room was a raised +platform, and on this was a single figure, also kneeling, the face +covered by the hands. + +A whispered "Stay here!" to me, and mademoiselle stepped forward, +gliding softly past the bowed figures to the right and left of her +until she came to the edge of the platform; and there, unable to +interrupt that silent prayer, she too knelt. So for a space, until at +last the pastor rose, and stood surveying the worshippers. For a +moment my glance rested curiously on the thin, ascetic face, full of +lofty resolve, and then with a rush memory came back to me, and I stood +as if lightning-struck. As he looked around my mind went back with a +leap to the days gone by, to that hideous morning when my hot hand had +struck a death-blow at my friend. It could not be he? And yet! I +stared and stared. Yes; it was Godefroy de la Mothe, the friend of my +youth, whom I had thought I had slain. There was never a doubt of it! +And there, as I stood, the mercy of God came to me, and the weight of a +great sin was lifted from my soul. For moments that seemed years all +was a dream, and there was a haze before my eyes. Through this I saw +mademoiselle arise and face the preacher; but I could not hear her +words, though I saw that she spoke quickly and eagerly. And as she +spoke there were whisperings and strange glancings amongst the people, +and they pressed forward to listen too, but La Mothe lifted his hand. + +"Brethren," he said in deep, sonorous accents, "we have believed the +word of a prince, and the tyrant has lied to us. The edicts are +renewed. But, brethren, He lives that delivered His people from Egypt. +He lives that defended His Church against Caesars, kings, and +profligate princes. His shield is over us, before whose footstool we +kneel. Fear not, and be brave! And now, friends, we must part; but, +ere we part--some of us, perhaps, never to meet again--let us pray." + +He knelt once more, and the people with him, and there was a deep +silence, broken at last by La Mothe's solemn voice as he began to pray +aloud. And as he prayed there came to us from without the muffled +tramp of feet, and the murmuring of many voices rising and falling like +the swell of the sea, whilst now and again a tongue, shriller and more +high-pitched than those of its fellows, would ring out a sharp, +menacing bark. Still La Mothe went on unmoved, though uneasy looks +were beginning to be exchanged; but at last he too stopped, for the +murmurs had swelled to one long roar of savage fury, and the words of +the mob reached us distinctly. + +"To the fire with them! Death to the Christaudins!" + +There was an instant of scared, blanched silence, and then a girl burst +into hysterical sobbing, and her voice broke the tension. In a moment +all was confusion and terror unspeakable, through which I forced my way +to mademoiselle's side. Men shouted and raved, women screamed and +prayed. Some flew to the doors, others, again, huddled together like +sheep; and from outside rose higher and higher the dreadful voice of +the mob, mad with blood lust, and ever above all rang out the harsh +clang of the tocsin of the Mathurins. + +I looked at mademoiselle; her face was white and her eyes were shining, +but she held herself bravely. I drew my sword as La Mothe, the old +soldier spirit awake within him, called out in a loud voice: + +"The women in the centre, gentlemen! Draw swords, and make for the +door, else we die here like rats." + +His voice rang out clear and strong. The few who retained their heads +seconded him well, and in less time that I take to tell this we had +ringed in the women, and stood around them with drawn swords. + +La Mothe was near the door, his spare figure erect, his look high. He +alone carried no arms. I was a few feet from him, with Diane by my +side. + +In this formation we left the meeting-room, and reached the hall, where +the huge iron-studded door was already yielding to the battering from +outside. + +"Throw open the door," La Mothe called out. Someone, I think it was +Ferrieres, stepped forward and undid the bar, springing back quickly as +the door flew open; and for an instant we heard a hoarse roar, and by +the light of many torches, and a huge fire lit in the street, saw a +countless swarm of cruel faces. Out we rushed, striking to the right +and left, splitting them before us as a plank is split by a wedge. So +impetuous was the sally that the crowd gave way on all hands. But our +success was only for a moment. They rallied, and surged back, savage, +furious, thirsting for blood. I shall never forget that night: the +tall, dark houses, the flare-lit street, and that devoted few, around +whom the howling mob raged like the sea about some desolate isle. + +Still we pushed them back, for they seemed to have no leaders; but now +one appeared, a man mounted on a tall white horse, and we began to feel +the difference. + +"Down with them," he called out; "down with the devil's brood." And +the light of a torch falling on his face I saw it was Simon. His words +gave courage to the mob. He himself led them on, and then there was +fierce, desperate work. We were fighting for our lives--and men fight +hard then--and so we beat them off once more, though one or two had +fallen, and there was scarcely one of us who was not wounded somewhere. +But they had only gone back to breathe, and came on again in such +numbers that those in front could not go back if they would, and I +began to think the end was not far. This time they divided us into +two, and I found myself in a little group near the wall of the +Mathurins, whilst the crowd closed over the rest. Diane was still +safe, but there was death all around us, and my heart sank, not for +myself but for her whom I loved. + +"Leave me, Orrain," she gasped. "Save yourself!" + +And for answer I drew her closer to me, and fought as I had never +fought before. + +The place had become a shambles, though here and there were little +knots of Christaudins fighting for their lives. Again and again I +strove to cut a way through, but it was impossible. For a moment, +however, we found a breathing space. For one little moment the mob +gave way and left us, and it was then that I saw Ferrieres. He had +become detached from us, and was alone. Simon was near him, and with a +face white with terror he seized my brother's stirrup and begged for +mercy. I saw the cruel hand go up; there was a flash of steel, and +Ferrieres fell, his grey hairs dabbled in blood, and the white horse +trampled over him as Simon turned towards us. The light of fifty +torches was on us, and he knew us at once. With a cry like that of an +animal he pointed at us. + +"There! Those two. A hundred--nay, two hundred gold crowns to him who +takes them. On! on!" + +And he strove to reach us; but even he, mounted as he was, found the +press too great. + +But his words were heard, and they came on howling, a ring of snarling +faces, of hearts more pitiless than wolves'. Twice they rushed in and +twice they fell back, and my sword was red to the hilt. They wavered +for a moment, and then came on a third time. One man went down, but +someone sprang to my sword arm and pulled me forward. I tripped over +something, and came to my knees, and as I did so the mob went over me +like a wave, and I heard Diane's voice and its shrill note of agony. +God knows how I managed it, but I rose to my feet once more--the very +thickness of the press perhaps saved me then--but I could see nothing +of Diane. + +"Diane," I called out, "I am here--here!" + +And they laughed at me, and one raising a poniard made a sudden, swift +thrust, that would have found my heart, but that a shining blade came +between us, and the ruffian fell with a horrid cry. The next moment I +heard De Lorgnac's voice. He seemed to have dropped from the clouds. + +"Behind me! Your back to the wall till you get breath." And his tall +figure faced the crowd; and then I saw what the best sword in France +could do, and even I shuddered. They backed before him in a crescent, +snarling, growling, and cursing, but never an one dared to come within +reach of that long red blade. + +Where was Diane? Dizzy and faint I leaned against the wall behind me, +my eyes searching here, there, and everywhere. But she was gone; and I +cursed my arm that had failed me in my need. + +Simon was still some distance away, striving to reach me, and our eyes +met. It was enough for me. I sprang at him, past De Lorgnac; and the +mob gave, only to wedge me in and bear me backwards, for at this moment +there rose a cry: + +"The archers! The guards! Fly! Fly!" + +Ay! They had come at last! When it was too late, with Martines, the +lieutenant of the Chatelet, at their head. They drove the mob before +them, striking them down, riding them over, and surrounded the few of +us who were left. + +In my confusion, as I strove to reach Simon, the hand of some fallen +wretch clutched me by the ankle, and I stumbled forward. In a trice I +was down, and seized; and struggling desperately, but in vain, was +dragged into safety, but a prisoner. + +The mob driven off, though not defeated yet, came on again, refusing to +be balked of their prey; but disciplined strength was too much for +them, and once more they gave way, howling around the few prisoners, +whom they were only kept from tearing in pieces by the guards. + +By the flare of the torches I saw Martines and Simon riding side by +side talking eagerly. Suddenly the latter reined in, sprang from his +horse, and lifted something in his arms. It was a woman's figure, limp +and lifeless. He placed her on the saddle before him, and mounted +again, whilst the mob hooted and jeered, and as the light fell on the +white face I saw it was Diane. + +Martines leaned forward and looked at her, with pity in his glance; but +Simon laughed out: + +"_Corbleu_, monsieur! this is the worst Christaudin of them all." + +The words roused me to madness, and with a mighty effort I shook myself +free and sprang forward, but the butt of a lance brought me down, and +once more I was seized. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE RING + +Late that evening Le Brusquet sat alone in his room in the Louvre, my +ring on the table before him. On leaving me that afternoon near the +Ladies' Terrace his first thought had been, according to his promise, +to return the letters we found to De Ganache; but he was not to be +seen. Le Brusquet had sought the tennis courts, haunted the apartments +of La Valentinois, and lounged about the lawns where the ladies and +gallants of the Court played at _grelot_ of an evening; but in vain. +Finally, he mounted his mule, and ambled off to the great square house +behind the Bourgogne, where Antony of Vendome lodged with his train. +Here he made certain he would find De Ganache, who followed the prince; +but he was once more disappointed. So, giving up the quest for the +present, he supped alone at Crabeau's, in the Rue des Fosses St. +Germain. Then he returned to the Louvre, and sat down to think, as +much of his own affairs as of mine. So far as he himself was concerned +he felt he had fallen from the favour of the King. This had happened +before; but now for the first time he seemed to have no wish to +re-establish himself, and a longing came over him to see his little +pepper-box of a tower in the Quercy, and to be once more the Sieur de +Besme instead of the King of Folly. + +"_Eh bien_, Pompon!" he said, addressing the ape, "the kingdom of fools +is too wide a realm for one man to rule. I shall abdicate, I think. +What say you? The Roman went back to his plough; Besme will return to +his pears." + +The ape simply blinked at him from his seat on the table, and, carrying +out his humour, Le Brusquet continued: + +"You do not approve--eh? What, then, is left for me?" But as he spoke +his eyes fell on the ring, and bending over it he continued: + +"Yes; this is where I have failed--save for this I should be off +to-morrow--but to go with failure behind me----" + +He stopped, for someone knocked at his door, and to Le Brusquet's +"Enter!" De Lorgnac stepped in. His face was pale and grave, his boots +and clothes splashed with mud, and there were red spots on the +whiteness of his ruffles. + +For one moment Le Brusquet stared at his friend, and then sprang up. + +"What has happened?" he cried. + +"Everything--and for the worst. They are taken." + +"Taken! You mean----" + +"I mean Mademoiselle de Paradis and Orrain, and others besides. La +Valentinois was too quick, and struck at once." + +Le Brusquet swore under his breath, and Lorgnac went on: + +"It happened in this way. On leaving Orrain this evening he told me +that De Ganache had been arrested." + +"De Ganache arrested too!" + +"Yes; at sundown near the wicket gate. The full significance of the +news did not strike me at first, for there were other reasons, which we +know, that might have led to his arrest. On my return to the Louvre, +however, I heard sufficient to tell me that La Valentinois and her +party meant to act without delay." + +"And never a word came to my ears, and I thought them sharp." + +Lorgnac took no notice of the interruption, but continued: + +"On learning this I hastened after Orrain, hoping to be in time to +overtake him and save our friends; but it was not to be." And then he +went on to tell him what is already known. When he had done Le +Brusquet said nothing, but remained in a moody silence, staring in +front of him, and De Lorgnac turned from him to the window and looked +out upon the night. After a little he turned again, and putting his +hand on Le Brusquet's shoulder, said: + +"It looks, old friend, as if we were beaten." + +Le Brusquet's eyes flashed. "Not yet! This is the last game I play, +and it is not checkmate yet. Where have they taken Orrain?" + +"The Chatelet." + +"And mademoiselle?" + +"I know not. I know not if she is alive or dead." + +Le Brusquet groaned. "That is the worst tale of all. Orrain, I think, +we can save." + +"How so?" + +For answer Le Brusquet held up my ring. "With this talisman!" And +slipping it on his finger he continued: "It is not for nothing that I +studied law at the College of Cambrai. As first prince of the blood, +Vendome can claim Orrain from the Chatelet. If he has any gratitude he +will do so." + +"I never thought of that. I saw the prisoners taken to the Chatelet. +There were two, Orrain and La Mothe, who is as well known to be of the +prince's household as Vendome himself is known to be a heretic." + +"Yes; a heretic too great to be touched. But he must pay his debts. I +am going at once to see Vendome. Stay here if you like. You know +where to find the wine. No, Pompon, not to-night!" And pushing back +the ape, who had made ready to follow him, he went off. + +It was gay that night in the salon of La Valentinois. The Queen had +gone to St. Germain-en-Laye, where the royal children were, and all +those who could had flocked to the apartments of the favourite, to pay +their court to the crescent moon. The King had retired earlier than +usual, for he meant to hunt on the morrow; but his absence only made +the revelry more unrestrained. The card-tables were full, and at one +of them sat Diane herself, playing with Caraffa against Vendome and the +Marshal St. Andre, and surrounded by a crowd who watched the play and +staked amongst themselves upon the game. Immediately behind her stood +De Mouchy, in the ermine and red of his office, and ever and again a +whispered word passed between the twain. + +There was a pile of gold before Vendome, who was playing recklessly but +with wonderful fortune. His face was flushed and his speech thick, for +the goblet on the small service-table at his elbow was ever being +filled, and emptied as fast as refilled. Nevertheless, he won each +time, though he seemed to fling his cards down on the table without a +look or thought. + +"The gods are with me," he exclaimed loudly as he pulled off a _coup_, +made utterly by hazard, and drew the stakes towards him. + +Diane laughed gaily, but the red fox Caraffa was a bad loser. + +"Monseigneur," he said with a snarl, "there is a proverb about luck at +cards." + +"I know," was the swift and unexpected reply. "Mistrust thy fortune +when the knave and the Church are together." And Vendome pointed to +the card the Legate had just played. + +There was a titter all around; but Diane's white arm was stretched +forth, and she tapped Vendome with her fan. + +"Fie, Monseigneur! Your wit is too cruel. His Eminence but referred +to the old saw: lucky at cards, unlucky in love." + +The prince gallantly kissed her jewelled hand. "Madame, that is true, +for until I met you I never knew how unlucky I was." + +La Valentinois did not note the glance in Vendome's eye, and, vain as a +peacock, blushed as she alone could blush. But a murmured word from De +Mouchy caught her ear, and leaning back in her chair, her face half +turned towards De Mouchy, and her fan outspread between herself and the +prince, she asked in a quick whisper: + +"Is it over?" + +"Yes! He has come." + +As De Mouchy spoke the crowd parted, and the Vidame appeared, and bowed +before Diane. + +"It was impossible to come sooner, madame; I had a little affair, and +it was necessary to change my attire." + +"A successful affair, I trust, Monsieur le Vidame." + +Simon was about to answer, but a high-pitched voice broke in: "More +successful than even the Vidame's great feat of arms in the forest of +Fontevrault." And Le Brusquet made his way through the press, and +stood behind the prince's chair. + +Diane rose from her seat, and Simon glared at Le Brusquet, whilst a +dozen voices called out: + +"What was that, Le Brusquet? We have not heard." + +"That is owing to Monsieur le Vidame's modesty; but this feat eclipses +all the others of which he is the hero. This evening the Vidame broke +up the heretic church in the Mathurins; nearly all the accursed brood +were slain, women as well as men; but there are still enough prisoners +to give us a rare bonfire by Saturday. Is it not so, monsieur?" And +Le Brusquet turned to the Vidame. + +"Is this true, Le Brusquet?" It was Vendome who asked. He too had +risen, and his voice was trembling with anger. + +"Assuredly, Monseigneur! Ask the Vidame! It was a great stroke. +Amongst others they have taken La Mothe the Christaudin----" He +stopped, for the prince broke in furiously upon his speech. + +"This is foul treachery! The edicts are suspended! The King's word is +given!" + +"And is recalled. The edicts were re-enforced to-day. It is strange, +Monseigneur, that you, as the First Prince of the Blood, did not know +this!" + +It was impossible to mistake the insult in this speech and in Simon's +manner as he made it. For a moment it was as if Vendome's hot temper +would have made him forget his rank. He raised his hand as though he +would have struck the Vidame; but those around Simon hustled him aside, +and it was in a scene of confusion that Monseigneur turned to Diane. + +"I understand all this now," he said, pointing to the card-table, +covered with the scattered cards and gold, "and I know to whom I owe +this. Think not, madame, to fool me longer; but remember that all the +rivers in France will not quench the fires you have lit to-day." + +Then calling to De Mouy, Albain, and others of his gentlemen he bowed +coldly to La Valentinois, and left the room amidst a dead silence. + +When he had gone a babel of tongues broke forth, and there were loud +and angry cries for Le Brusquet, whose "fool's prank," as they called +it, had caused this storm. Le Brusquet, however, was not to be seen. +He had stolen in, thrown his apple of discord, and stolen forth again +like a ghost. None knew or understood better than he the wayward +character of Vendome, and that never was the prince capable of acting +with decision unless his self-love were hurt. So he had made his plan, +and acted, and now stood in the shadow of a pillar in the courtyard +waiting for the prince. He had not long to wait, for Vendome came +storming out, almost on his heels, and called for his horse. There +were quite a hundred or more gentlemen in his train, and as the horses +were being brought up Le Brusquet stepped to the side of Vendome and +held up his signet. + +"Monseigneur," he said, "here is something of yours that has come back +to you." + +The prince almost snatched it from him, and glanced at it by the light +of the flambeaux. One look, and he turned to Le Brusquet. + +"He too!" + +"Monseigneur! In the Chatelet, where La Mothe is. Forget not your +rights, Monseigneur!" + +"I am not likely to! Here! A spare horse for Le Brusquet!" And he +sprang into his saddle. + +Someone brought up a nag, Le Brusquet mounted, and the word being given +for the Chatelet they went out at a trot, the prince riding in front +between De Mouy and Albain, his hat pulled over his eyes, and in +silence. + +Whilst all this was happening it fared ill enough with me. Though +felled by the blow on my head I was not stunned, only so dazed that my +recapture was an easy matter. This time no risks were taken, and with +my hands tied behind me by means of a long scarf, the other end of +which was looped round the high pommel of a trooper's saddle, I was +perforce compelled to accompany my captors as best I could, bleeding +and dizzy from my hurt. + +At length we arrived at the Chatelet, followed to the very gates by the +mob. As my blurred vision saw through the moonlight those sombre +walls, citadel and prison at once, my heart sank. Hope was left behind +in those fearful oubliettes, whose sinister names carried utter despair +with them. There was the Grieche, the Barbary, the Chausse d'Hypocras, +where the prisoners, ankle deep in water, were neither able to stand +upright nor to sit; the Fosse, down which one was lowered by a rope, +and the hideous Fin d'Aise in which no man retained his sanity. So it +had come to this! And in sullen despair I stood amongst the guards, +awaiting Martines' pleasure. At first it seemed as if I were the only +prisoner; but any doubts on that point were soon set at rest, for +another unfortunate was dragged up and placed beside me. I felt rather +than saw it was La Mothe--but, unlike myself, he was not bound--and +then I heard Martines ask: + +"Are these the only two prisoners?" + +"Monsieur!" answered a subordinate officer. + +The lieutenant of the Chatelet was not an unkindly man, and muttering +something about "hangman's work" he came up and surveyed us by the +light of the torches. Then he ordered my hands to be freed, and +drawing his subaltern aside gave him some commands in a low tone, and +went off. + +As Martines turned away this person directed us to follow him, and, +surrounded by guards, we entered a vaulted passage, and after +descending and ascending many stairs found ourselves before a studded +door, so low that even a short man would have had to stoop his +shoulders to enter therein. A gaoler fumbled with the rusty lock, +which for a space resisted all his efforts; but at last it yielded, and +the door was pushed open, clanging harshly as it swung back. Beyond +lay a hideous dungeon, into which we were thrust, the officer following +us with a couple of guards, one of whom carried a lantern. The light +discovered a long and narrow prison, the ooze dripping from the walls, +and the floor slippery with slime. A single slit in the wall, no wider +than three fingers of a man's hand and about a foot in length, let in +light and air. For the rest, a stone bench and a jug full of foul +water completed the furniture of this terrible chamber. Faint and +dizzy, I made towards the bench, and sat thereon in the shadow as the +officer said: + +"I must ask you to share this lodging for to-night. It is known as the +Palace," he added, with a grin, and then pulling out his tablets he +turned to La Mothe. + +"Your name, monsieur." + +"Godefrey de la Mothe, chaplain to Monseigneur the Duke of Bourbon +Vendome." + +"And yours?" + +From my seat in the shadow I answered: "Bertrand d'Orrain." + +La Mothe started and half faced me, but held himself in, and the +officer, having made his note, turned his back upon us and withdrew, +followed by his men. We heard the door shut, a drawing of bolts, a +rattling of keys, and then came silence and darkness. + +No!--not utter darkness; for through the narrow slit in the wall a ray +of moonlight fell, lighting the figure of La Mothe where he stood, +almost in the centre of the dungeon. He was looking towards me, his +eyes expectant and shining; but I could not speak, and sat like a stone. + +At length he made a step in my direction. + +"Orrain," he said, "have we met at last?" + +With an effort I rose and took his outstretched hands, and in that +moment I knew that the past was bridged over and my sin forgiven. + +For long we sat together on the stone bench, and La Mothe told me of +his life. How, though all thought him mortally wounded, he had rallied +at last, and, in thankfulness for his escape, resolved to devote the +remainder of his days to God. The spirit of the age fell on his mind, +keen and ecstatic at once. In every trivial event he saw the hand of +the Almighty, but he saw too the corruption around him. It was for +such as he that the light of the new faith shone with an alluring +radiance, and soon there was no voice that spoke more loudly for the +truth than that of Godefrey de la Mothe. A fatalist above all things, +even now, when everything seemed lost, he did not despair. + +"Nay," he said, "the hour has not come for us to die. God has not +brought us together to perish." And the words carried hope with them, +even amidst the darkness and lowering prison walls. Then he knelt down +and prayed; but I could not, for my heart was raging within me. + +At length he rose from his knees. "The Lord will hear and answer," he +said simply; but I made no reply, sitting with my head between my +hands, staring in front of me. So till the moon set; and I must have +slept. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, and started up. It was +La Mothe. + +"Hark!" he said. "Do you not hear?" + +I listened. There was a distinct murmuring, the clattering of hoofs, +the neigh of a horse, and then a cry, faint but distinct: + +"Vendome! Vendome! Bourbon! Notre Dame!" + +We sprang to our feet. "The Lord, who preserved His chosen from out of +the land of bondage, hath heard my cry, and we are saved!" exclaimed La +Mothe, and making our way to the door we listened. All was stillness +once more, a stillness that seemed to last for hours, though it was but +for a few minutes. At last we heard the tramp of many feet, louder and +louder they grew, and then there was a rattling of chains, and our +prison door fell open, letting in a stream of light. In the blaze in +the doorway stood Vendome and Martines, and behind them a crowd of +eager faces. + +"These are the prisoners, Monseigneur!" said Martines. + +"And I, Antony de Bourbon-Vendome, First Prince of the Blood Royal of +France, stand here on my right and claim them. Gentlemen," and he +turned to us, "you are free; follow me!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE ARM OF GOD + +Four days had passed since that dreadful night in the Rue des +Mathurins--days the memory of which can never be effaced whilst I live. +No tidings were obtainable of mademoiselle, save that she was amongst the +prisoners who were being tried in secret by De Mouchy, and all efforts to +communicate with her had been in vain. This much, however, leaked out: +that owing to the whispers that had got abroad--none knew how--the +prisoners, with the exception of one or two, were not of importance; but +this in itself made the matter worse for mademoiselle, and gave the mock +court of justice--it could be called by no other name--every opportunity +of veiling its real purpose. In this De Mouchy was managing the trial +with great skill. The prisoners of no account--the scrivener's clerk, +the poor shopkeeper, the small mercer--got the benefit of plea and +quibble! God knows, I did not grudge them that! But each acquittal, +pronounced loudly in the name of the King's mercy, with high-flown words +about the love of the King for his people, led step by step to the real +object for which the infamous triangle worked. Already the gossips were +beginning to wag their tongues at the leniency shown. It was said in the +cabarets and public places that the memory of the tailor of St. Antoine +haunted the King, and that he and the Queen were, in secret, heretics. +At the last acquittal the cruel mob of Paris had actually dared to parade +the streets, with angry cries at being deprived of the hideous spectacle +of an expiation. "_Au feu, au feu_! Death to the Christaudins!" I +still seem to hear their voices. + +And so the time was ripe for the law to claim its prey, for the shameless +three to gather in their spoil, and for an evil, vindictive woman to +accomplish her revenge. The King was at Fontainebleau, whither he had +gone, accompanied by La Valentinois and the Court. The Queen was at St. +Germain-en-Laye, and the Louvre--except for its guards--was deserted. On +the morning of the fifth day, however, the Queen returned, and although +she knew what had happened she summoned me before her to hear the story +from my lips. I found her in her study with three or four of her ladies. +Catherine looked pale and heavy-eyed, and there were hard lines about her +mouth. It was said she had never smiled since the day of the masque. I +for one am certain it was from that day her secretive nature took the +dark and devious course that led her to be what she became; but now it +was only the beginning. + +I said what I had to say briefly, and when I was done the Queen looked up +at me. + +"Is this all?" + +I bowed in silent response, and after a pause she continued: + +"I know what you would ask. I have done my best. I have written to the +King to pardon Mademoiselle de Paradis, as he forgave Madame de Rentigny. +I wrote at once, four days ago." And then she flushed to her temples as +she added: "Up to now there has been no answer. It is useless to go +myself----" + +Her voice almost broke, and I looked aside, only to meet Mademoiselle +Davila's eyes. They were swimming with tears. + +It was now there arose an unusual bustle in the anteroom. The doors were +thrown back, and in a loud voice the ushers announced the Duchess de +Valentinois. For a moment Diane stood in the doorway, a little crowd +behind her, and then, tall and stately, walked slowly up to the Queen and +courtesied profoundly. Catherine remained frigidly still, as though +oblivious of her presence, and amidst a dead silence Diane stood before +the Queen, a faint smile playing on her lips, her eyelids drooped to +cover the defiant fire of her glance. One might have counted ten as the +two faced each other, and then Diane spoke: + +"I have come, your Majesty, from the King." + +Catherine's eyebrows arched, and a swift, lightning glance of hatred +passed between the two. Then Diane's lids drooped again, and her soft, +flute-like voice continued: + +"The King kisses your Majesty's hands, and says there is much wind and +rain at Fontainebleau, but that he has slain three boars and five stags." + +"He has slain three boars and five stags," repeated the Queen in an even +monotone, and turning to Madame de Montal, who stood behind her chair, +she said bitterly: "Why does not somebody cry, 'God save the King!'?" + +"All France cries that, your Majesty," said Diane. "And further, the +King once again kisses your Majesty's hands, and has received your +gracious letter in regard to Mademoiselle de Paradis." And now her voice +hardened to steel, and she dropped the studied courtesy of her address. +"That letter has been submitted to the council, and the King has decided +to let the law take its course. God will not be insulted longer in this +realm." + +It is impossible to conceive the insolent malice that was thrown into La +Valentinois' glance and voice, and the mockery of her bow, as she made +this speech. And grey-haired Madame de Montal, gazing steadily at her, +said: + +"Madame, you speak to the Queen!" + +"No, Montal," and Catherine rose, her face white as death, "you mistake; +it is the Queen who speaks to me." And without so much as a glance in +the direction of the Duchess she turned and left the apartment, followed +by her ladies. + +The favourite looked around her, a smile of triumph on her lips; but with +the exception of myself the cabinet was empty, though a murmuring crowd +filled the rooms without. It was then, and only then, she realised that +the victory was not all hers, and felt the sting of the Parthian arrow +shot by the Queen. Her cheeks burned red, and I saw the hand that held +her fan tremble like a leaf in the wind. Then with an effort she +recovered herself, and with another glance at me, full of superb disdain, +swept from the room. As for me, my last hope had vanished, and I stood +as in a dream, staring at the pattern on the carpet before me. How long +I stood thus I do not know, but at last, from within the Queen's +apartments, I heard someone weeping--heard even through the closed door +and drawn curtains. It all but unmanned me; and then I felt a hand on my +shoulder, and looking up saw De Lorgnac. + +"Orrain," he said, "come with me." + +There was that in his eyes and voice which could not be mistaken. + +"What has happened?" I asked hoarsely, though I well knew what he meant. + +"Come," he said, "be brave! You are a man, and as a man I tell you, you +need all your courage now. The Court is thrown open, and in an hour De +Mouchy delivers his sentence. The harlot of France is by his side----" +And he stopped, almost breaking down. + +"Lorgnac, I am going there." + +"It is useless. Le Brusquet is there. Come with me!" + +But I turned on him fiercely. "I am going," I repeated, and, perhaps, he +read what was in my heart, for he put his arm through mine. + +"Come, then. I will come with you." + +True and tried friend though he was I shook him off roughly, and hurried +into the streets like a madman. How I reached the Hotel de Ville I +cannot tell! I seemed to have made the passage in darkness; but at last +I found myself there, pressing through the ever-increasing crowd that +thronged the entrance to the trial chamber; and finally, passing the +doors, I took my stand in the gallery reserved for spectators. + +With burning eyes I looked upon the scene beneath me. Camus had just +concluded his evidence, and was bowing to the court, a smile on his +traitor's face as he listened to some words of compliment addressed to +him by De Mouchy. Simon, the man I wanted, was nowhere to be seen, +though my eyes, fierce with hatred, searched for him everywhere. But on +a seat beside the judge was La Valentinois herself, radiantly beautiful, +now fluttering her fan, now sniffing daintily at her vinaigrette, as she +bent her frosty glance on the prisoners. One was old Ferrieres. Like a +dying man, he leaned back in a chair that had been provided for him, for +his wounds left him no strength to stand. His eyes were closed. He +seemed to have fainted, and was oblivious of what was going on around +him, whilst death had already set its seal upon his haggard and drawn +face. Mademoiselle stood by his side, a hand resting on his chair. For +one brief second our eyes met, and she smiled at me--a brave smile--and I +bent my head in sorrow, for I could not look. It needed not the cry of +the ushers in the court for silence. Every tongue was still. There was +not a whisper, not a movement, for all felt that the supreme moment had +arrived. De Mouchy bent over his papers. I heard them rustling; and +then La Valentinois, leaning forward, said something to him in a low +voice. There was a word to an usher, and once more the insupportable +silence. + +In a little we heard the steady tramp of feet. Nearer and nearer the +sound came. A side door in the body of the court was opened, and a third +prisoner was brought in and placed before the judge. Craning forward I +looked. It was De Ganache; but how changed from the once brilliant +cavalier. His figure was stooped and bent, his once dark hair was white, +his face wrinkled as that of an old man, and in his shifty, unsettled +glance glared the fires of madness. He did not seem to realise where he +was, but began to laugh vacantly, but the laugh died away to a frozen +look as his gaze fixed itself on La Valentinois. + +"Diane," he cried in a terrible voice as he stretched his arms out +towards her, "it was for your sake!" + +But she, his destroyer, scarce glanced at him from her place on the +judgment seat. + +"He is quite mad!" And with a musical laugh she leaned back, and picking +out a comfit from a little jewelled box began to nibble at it daintily as +De Ganache's hands fell helplessly to his sides. + +And now De Mouchy spoke. "Monsieur De Ganache, do you recognise the +prisoners there?" + +De Ganache followed his glance; a shiver went through him, and as he +looked a red flush mounted to his forehead. Never had I seen a man look +so before, and, thank God! never after. Unspeakable shame and hopeless +despair were sealed upon his face. His lips grew livid, and twice the +question was repeated ere he forced himself to answer. + +"Yes." + +I held my breath and listened. What did this mean? Ferrieres still lay +back in his semi-trance, oblivious of all things; but mademoiselle moved +forward and looked at De Ganache, ineffable pity in her eyes. And now +came the next question. + +"They are known to you as Christaudins?" + +One glance at mademoiselle and De Ganache shrank back; but her voice rang +out clear and sweet, for she, with all of us, mistook the reason of De +Ganache's terrible emotion. + +"Deny it not, De Ganache! Be not afraid." + +But with a cry De Ganache put his hands to his face and turned aside. A +woman began to sob amongst the spectators, and someone dropped a sword +with an angry clash on the parquet. Once more the strident voices of the +ushers arose, and after a little silence was restored. + +De Mouchy was about to put yet another question when La Valentinois +interposed. + +"It is enough," she said; "I but wanted to confront them. Let him have +his reward." + +De Mouchy smiled, and bending forward addressed De Ganache. + +"Gaston de Ganache, Vicomte de Ganache and Les Barres, you stand +convicted a heretic and traitor, and for crimes such as yours the laws of +God and man have but one punishment. But bearing in mind the services +you have rendered by denouncing your fellow-conspirators and discovering +their secrets to the King's most trusty servants, Simon, Vidame d'Orrain, +and myself, the King at the intercession of Madame the Duchess de +Valentinois has in his gracious mercy spared your life on condition that +you quit France within four and twenty hours. Monsieur, you are free." + +As these astonishing words fell from the judge's lips--words that branded +De Ganache with unutterable infamy--the miserable man looked around him +like an animal at bay; and then, a madness coming upon him, he broke out +into peal after peal of harsh, mirthless laughter--laughter that seemed +to come from the grave and beyond; and, laughing thus, they led him away. +When he was gone De Mouchy pointed to Ferrieres as he said to a warder: + +"Arouse him!" + +They dragged the fainting man to his feet, and he stood limply between +two gaolers; and then the judge asked: + +"Prisoners, is there anything you would like to say?" + +And mademoiselle answered for both, in a low but distinct voice: + +"Nothing. We confess we are of the true faith, and we are willing to die +for it. As to our having conspired against the King--we are innocent!" + +And as she spoke some strange idea must have passed through the wandering +brain of Ferrieres. Half in delirium, he looked about him, and with a +supreme effort, standing free of the warders, he called out in a loud, +fever-strung voice: + +"_Vive le Roi_!" + +It was one of those moments when the sympathy of a crowd can be caught by +a word. Small and mean-looking as he was there was something so forlorn +and hopeless in the gallant cry of the doomed man that all hearts were +touched. A low, responsive murmur broke from the spectators, and then +with one voice they too shouted: + +"_Vive le Roi_!" + +They heard it outside--the multitude who thronged the stairways, the +courtyards, and the Place de Greve. And they too yelled with brazen +lungs, and the roar of their voices came to us through the open windows, +with the sunbeams that lit the shadows of the vast and gloomy hall. +Never did subjects hail their king in a moment more sad. + +Ferrieres had sunk back in a crumpled heap, and mademoiselle was leaning +over him in womanly sympathy; but the guards thrust her aside, and held +up the dying man once more to hear, if he could, his sentence. The +tumult sank away, and once more there was silence. La Valentinois sat +still, watching the prisoners behind her fan; and then De Mouchy, in a +speech that was dignified and impressive even to me who knew the +unheard-of guilt of the man, passed the last sentence of the law. The +sin of the prisoners was amply proved. It was against the King, and, he +bent his head, against the Church of God. The King had already shown his +mercy--all men had seen and felt it--but the wrath of God had shown +itself in the disasters that had smitten the land, and France must be +purged clean of the sin of heresy. As for the judge, the laws, and, in +chief, the Edict of Compiegne, gave him no power to mitigate the +punishment of wretches so guilty as these who stood now before him. And +so Diane, Demoiselle de Paradis, and Jean, Sieur de Ferrieres, were +condemned to be drawn two days hence on hurdles to the Place Maubert, +there to suffer the greater torture and the less, and there to have their +bodies consumed by fire, as Almighty God would hereafter consume their +souls. + +And then, amidst an awed hush, the blasphemer who sat upon the judgment +seat made a sign to the guards to remove the prisoners, and, bending +down, began slowly to gather up his papers. + +As the terrible words fell from De Mouchy's lips I was for the moment +overcome, and the immense hall seemed to swim before me, so that I had to +support myself by holding to the railings of the gallery. + +La Valentinois had risen, and was leaning forward looking hard at Diane, +as if expecting some cry, some appeal for mercy; but at the last words of +De Mouchy mademoiselle had bent her head in silent prayer, and then her +calm, pure eyes met those of the wicked woman before her, and rested on +her for a moment with a grave pity in them, as she said in a clear voice: + +"Madame, God has already taken one of us beyond your reach." And she +pointed to Ferrieres. "As for me, His mercy will come to me too, I pray; +and may He forgive you as I, who am to die, forgive you now." + +It was truth she spoke. A hand more powerful than aught earthly had +rescued Ferrieres, and he was dead. He had passed as he stood there, +held by the warders, and the lifeless figure, with its glazed eyes +staring into the unknown, was only kept from falling by the supporting +hands around it. Even De Mouchy paled; and La Valentinois, who had +striven to meet mademoiselle's look with her cruel laugh, shrank back and +covered her face with her hand. And now the guards closed around their +prisoners, the living and the dead, and they passed from my sight. + +In a moment the tension was relaxed, and a hundred voices were raised at +once, discussing the sentence, the news of which had already gone forth; +and outside the multitude began to hoot and groan and cheer. + +A man seized me by the cloak. "A just sentence, was it not, monsieur?" +he asked. And then went on: "A pity the old fox died; but it will be a +good expiation, almost as good as that of Clinet and De Luns--_cujus +regio, ejus religio_," he babbled on, airing his Latin; but I drove the +fool from me with a curse, and wonder to this day if he ever knew how +near he was to death. + +La Valentinois had arisen, and, followed by De Mouchy and half a dozen +others, was making her way to the exit, all parting before her as though +she were the Queen. Now was my chance. Simon had escaped me for to-day; +but De Mouchy--he at least was within my reach--and with my hand to my +poniard I pressed down the steps of the gallery, but near the door was +hemmed in by the crowd. Try as I would it was impossible to get through, +and a barrier was put up, which made matters hopeless. There as I stood +in impotent rage I saw over the heads of the crowd La Valentinois +entering her coach. She was followed by De Mouchy. The guards closed +around. There was a cheer, and they were gone. It was then that a cold +hand touched my wrist, and a voice whispered in my ear: + +"There are two days yet; do nothing rash!" + +I turned swiftly, and saw Le Brusquet at my elbow, and behind him the +tall figure of De Lorgnac; unknown to me he had followed me here. + +"Come with us!" he said; and I made no answer, but did as I was bidden, +and placing me between them we went back together to the Louvre. Once in +Le Brusquet's apartments the reaction set in, and flinging myself in a +chair I covered my face with my hands--for the first time in my life I +had broken down utterly. + +After a while I somewhat recovered myself. Lorgnac was standing with his +back to me, looking out of the window, and Le Brusquet was by my side, a +glass of cordial in his hand. + +"Drink this," he said. "Remember there are two days yet; and God's arm +is long." + +Mechanically I drank, and as I held the glass in my hand Le Brusquet +removed his cloak. In doing this something dropped, and stooping he +picked it up. It was a packet of letters, tied with a red ribbon. With +a glance of contempt at it he flung it on the table in front of De +Lorgnac, who had joined us, saying as he did so: + +"There are De Ganache's letters. I had almost forgotten them." + +The packet had fallen on the table, almost under De Lorgnac's eyes. Half +unconsciously he let his glance rest upon it, and then a strange +expression came into his face, and holding up the letters, he asked Le +Brusquet, with apparent unconcern: + +"You have not looked at the writing, have you?" + +"Not I! I dare swear 'tis some woman. Nothing else would be tied with +red ribbon and scented with musk. Throw the thing away. It is too thick +with memories of that traitor. My God! I did not think earth held so +foul a villain." + +But Lorgnac took no notice of his last words, only the hand holding the +packet began to shake a little as he said slowly: + +"As it happens, I know the writing well. It is a woman's hand------" + +Both Le Brusquet and I turned on him, the same thought in our hearts. + +"_She_!" I said, and half rising from my seat; but with an exclamation Le +Brusquet snatched the packet from De Lorgnac's hand. In a moment the +letters were opened, and he was reading them with feverish haste. There +were four letters in all, and when he had done he looked at us, and there +was the light of hope in his eyes. + +"Speak, man!" And I gripped him by the arm. "I cannot bear this longer!" + +"It is God's providence," he said solemnly as he grasped my hand. +"Orrain, take heart! We win! Read these--and you too, Lorgnac! When +you have read we must to the Queen at once." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +LA VALENTINOIS AND I + +Monsieur de Crequy, his back to the light, stood in the embrasure of a +window, deeply engaged in examining his features in a small hand-glass +which he held daintily before him. The survey seemed to please +monsieur, for he showed his teeth in a simper of satisfaction, and +began to curl his black moustache between the forefinger and thumb of +his disengaged hand. So engrossed was he that he never observed me +coming up to him, and it was not until I was at his elbow that he +suddenly realised my presence. + +"_Morbleu_!" and he hastily slipped the glass in his pocket, "wherever +did you spring from?" + +"Not through the window, I assure you. I but came in the ordinary way. +Madame, I suppose, is within?" And I pointed to a closed door in front +of us. + +Crequy nodded. "Yes; reposing after the fatigues of the day, and will +have none but a Chevalier of the Order to guard the entrance to her +bower. What a day it has been! I suppose you know it will be on +Saturday?" + +I could have struck the coxcomb; but held myself in, and asked to see +La Valentinois, adding that my affair was of vital import. At this +Crequy began to hum and haw, and I had to humour him, telling him that +madame would give him but small thanks for denying me, as my business +concerned what was to happen on Saturday. + +"That is a different matter," he said. "I will see." And he tapped at +the door. There was no answer; thereupon Crequy gently opened the door +and stepped in. He came out again almost immediately. + +"As I said, madame is reposing; but I have told the Syrian. Would you +like to wait here?" + +"Perhaps I had better get my business over as soon as possible, and +save the Syrian the trouble of coming to the outer door," I said. At +which Crequy shrugged his shoulders, and pointing to the door with a +mock bow bade me enter. + +I did as I was bidden, and found myself in a long and narrow room. The +ceiling, painted to represent the sky lit up by the crescent moon, was +supported by eight arabesque pillars, four on either hand. Around the +bases of the pillars, and scattered here and there over the rich +carpet, were seats made of huge soft cushions, covered with matchless +embroidery. Near one of these luxurious seats was a low carved table +upon which lay an open volume of Ronsard's poems, and close by it, +thrown carelessly on the carpet, was a lute with a cluster of streaming +ribbons, and a black and white satin sling attached to it. Behind this +stood a carved ebony _prie-dieu_, and above the crucifix that +surmounted it hung a shield surrounded by a wreath of flowers, and +bearing upon it a tree springing out of a tomb, with the legend: "Left +alone--I live in thee," upon a scroll beneath. This was the strange +manner in which Diane de Poitiers kept the memory of her dead husband +green--for she ever posed as the inconsolable widow, carrying her +husband's soul about with her, packed in straw, like her Venetian +crystal goblets and eastern pottery. In the centre of the room, upon a +veined marble pedestal, stood, in strange incongruity, a replica of the +great bronze of Goujou, that faced her chateau of Anet. In this Diane +was represented nude, reclining upon a stag, a bow in her hand, and +surrounded by dogs. + +Owing to the heat of the day the windows were open; but the curtains of +pale blue silk, with silver crescents gleaming on them, were drawn to +keep out the afternoon glare; and the subdued, opal-tinted light fell +softly on this bower of luxury, which was, however, likely to prove the +den of a tigress to me. + +The room was empty when I entered, and after looking around me I picked +up the volume of Ronsard. It was open at his ode to La Valentinois: + + "Seray-je seul, vivant en France de vostre age, + Sans chanter vostre nom, si criant et si puissant? + Diray-je point l'honneur de vostre beau croissant? + Feray-je point pour vous quelque immortel ouvrage?" + + +So far I read, and then flung the book with its fulsome verses down on +the cushions. As I did this, I heard a little burst of laughter, +followed by the harsh, chuckling scream of a parrot, and then a voice: + +"Here! Vert-Vert! Here! To my shoulder!" + +I stepped back behind a pillar, the curtains covering a door leading +into an inner apartment were set aside, and La Valentinois entered, +bearing on her left shoulder a large green parrot, whose plumage she +caressed with her right hand. She was clad in a loose robe of some +soft, clinging material that shimmered like cloth of gold. It was +fastened at her throat by a jewelled star, and a golden zone clasped +her waist. Her abundant hair hung loose in black, curling masses, and +her little feet were thrust into gemmed and embroidered slippers. +Madame had apparently come forth in some haste I could see. + +"Orrain," she said, her face half turned from me, for she was looking +at her bird, "whatever brings you here? Is it anything from Sire +Grosse-Tete?" And then an exclamation broke from her, and she stopped +short, for she saw me. + +"You!" she said. "I thought it was the Vidame d'Orrain." + +"A mistake, madame, in announcing me, perhaps, which I regard as the +most fortunate in my life." And I bowed before her. + +So bad, so worthless was this woman, that she utterly mistook my speech. + +"True! Leila said Monsieur d'Orrain--but I thought it was your +brother." + +I made no answer, and she glanced at me, the colour rising to her +cheeks, and a smile on her lips, as she went on: + +"'Tis a thousand pities, Monsieur le Chevalier, that you have taken the +wrong side; and by rights I should strike that gong there and call my +guards, for you are dangerous, they say; but," and she sank +languorously down in the cushions, her pet now on her wrist, "'tis a +warm day, and I feel bored. Do I not, Vert-Vert? Perhaps monsieur +here will amuse me." And she stroked the feathers of the bird, and +bending down kissed it. + +"Madame," I began; but she glanced up, and stayed me with a laugh. + +"What a voice! As severe as my dear De Mouchy's when he delivers a +judgment; but, Chevalier, Leila, my Syrian maid, always tells me 'tis +easier to sit than to stand, and there is room on these +cushions--come!" And stretching out a shapely white arm she let it +rest on the amber-hued silk of the cushions by her side. + +As I gazed on the temptress lying at my feet the thought came to me to +slay her in her sin; and perhaps she saw the sombre light in my eyes, +and read my heart, for she drew her arm back swiftly, and half rose; +but mastering myself I gave her her chance. + +"Madame, I have come to beg your mercy----" + +"You!" And she sank back again on her cushions. + +"Yes, madame! I have come to ask for a life." + +"Not yours, surely? It never was Orrain's way." And she smiled. + +"Ay; it is my life ten times over, as well as another's; but you know +whom I mean, madame! She is innocent, and a word from you will save +her." + +"Oh, monsieur, you overrate my power! And this is not amusing. It is +too hot to talk of such things." + +"Madame, be merciful! Spare her! She never harmed you." + +"What!" And tossing the bird from her she rose to her feet, lithe as a +pantheress. So perfectly was she formed that one did not realise how +tall she was until she came near; and she was close enough to me now, +her eyes flashing with a hundred evil, angry lights. + +"She never harmed me? Never hurt me? She! That white-faced +provincial, with her airs of virtue, who tried to shame me in public! +Look you, I hate that woman! Do you hear? I hate her--hate her! If +by the lifting of my little finger I could save her, do you think I +would? Never! Let her die! And she shall die, as Philippine de Lune +did----" + +"Madame!" + +"And you!" she burst in, "insolent that you are!--you! who have dared +to come here! Think you that you will go free?" + +"Enough, madame! I no longer appeal to your pity." + +She had half turned from me, and made a step towards the gong as if to +strike it, but faced back like lightning, womanlike determined to have +the last word. + +"_Mon Dieu_! but this surpasses all." + +"Not in the least! I begged for your mercy at first; now I bring to +you the Queen's commands." + +She almost gasped, and then laughed out loudly. "The Queen's +commands--the commands of Madame Grosse-Tete to me! Ha! ha! ha! I +took you for an insolent fool; but you are mad, monsieur, mad!" + +For answer I held out to her one of her letters to De Ganache. + +"The Queen desires you to see this, madame. It is your own writing to +a man you have killed, body and soul--and there are many others like +this--so it would be useless to destroy it. Read it!" + +She stared at me for an instant in blank amaze, and then snatched the +paper from me, her face white, her hands trembling. One glance at it, +and she burst out: + +"This is a forgery! A base forgery!" And then I laughed, for there +would now be no mercy shown towards this she-wolf. + +"There is no forgery there! And there are other proofs. What think +you that your Syrian go-between will say when put to the question? +What of your glovemaker Camus, and the house in the Rue des +Lavandieres? Madame, you are alone here but for a half score of your +archers and that fool Crequy. Think you that with such proofs in her +hand the Queen would hesitate even to arrest you?" + +"Arrest me!" she stammered. + +"Yes! There are charges enough. What think you that the +King--Monsieur Grosse-Tete as you call him--will say when he sees these +letters, and hears of the triangle, and learns that all France, and all +Europe, will know his shame, and of the infamous grant you cajoled him +into giving you?" + +She shivered and looked around her as I went on coldly: + +"Call your guards if you will; but I swear to you that if you do within +the hour you will fall so low that the very women of the Marais and the +Temple would pity you!" + +"My God!" And with a shudder she put her hands to her face, and the +letter fluttered down to the carpet. Stooping, I picked it up, and +continued: "The Queen, however, is more merciful than you, and even you +have your uses, madame, so that her Majesty will overlook your crimes, +upon a condition." And I stopped. + +For a space she stood in silence, her head bowed, and her face covered. +At last she slowly put down her hands, and looked at me. Such a look! + +"What is your condition?" + +"It is not mine. I begged for your pity, and you denied me. This is +the mercy of the Queen to you--the mercy of the woman you have wronged." + +"Enough of that! What are the terms? Am I to be kept here waiting for +ever?" + +"Simply that Mademoiselle de Paradis is restored to the Queen unhurt, +and fully pardoned, within twenty-four hours." + +She bit her under lip till her white teeth left a vivid mark on it as I +spoke, and then with an outbreak of wolfish fury: + +"I will not! I will not!" And she stamped her foot. "She shall +die--whatever happens--do you hear?" + +"Perfectly! And in half an hour, I promise you, you will be arrested, +and the story of your shame known to all. Do you think women like you +have an empire that lasts for ever? You should take a lesson from the +past, madame. Once the King's eyes are opened, and they will be in +twelve hours, you will stand alone. But you have made your choice, and +I will take your answer to the Queen." + +With that I bowed, and made for the door. Ere I had gone half the +length of the room, however, she called me back. + +"Stay!" + +I turned slowly, and faced her once more. + +"Is it any use? You have answered me." + +"No; I have not." Her voice was half strangled, and there were tears +of anger and mortification in her eyes. "No; I have not," she +repeated; and then gasped out: "I will do what you wish; but I want +those letters back." + +"That rests with the Queen. She makes no terms with you, and in that +you must throw yourself on her pity." + +With a low cry she suddenly flung herself down on the cushions, biting +at them in impotent fury with her strong white teeth and tearing at the +embroidery with her fingers. It was the fury of despair. It was the +senseless rage of an animal, and I stood and watched, feeling that a +desperate game was won, and almost pitying her, murderess, and worse, +though she was. + +After a while she looked up at me, her face haggard, her eyes livid. + +"Have you no pity?" she moaned. "Are you made of steel?" + +"Come, madame! I await your answer, and time presses." + +She gave me a deadly glance, and rose slowly, clasping and unclasping +he hands convulsively. At last she said: + +"Very well. You shall have the pardon." + +"In that case, madame, I am to say that your papers will be returned to +you." + +"Enough!" And with another burst of anger: "And now go--begone!" + +"A moment!" And stepping towards the gong I struck it lightly with the +hammer. Almost on the stroke the door opened, and Crequy appeared, his +eyes staring with astonishment as he glanced from the one to the other +of us. + +"Monsieur de Crequy," I said, "madame has received ill news, and it is +necessary for her to see the King at once. Madame will start for +Fontainebleau in an hour--that will suit you, madame?" And I turned to +La Valentinois. + +"Yes." + +"You will kindly make the necessary arrangements at once, monsieur--and +the Queen's guards will supply the escort. Monsieur de Lorgnac and I +accompany madame." + +And with that I left them, Crequy staring after me in open-mouthed +amaze. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +FONTAINEBLEAU + +"Where are we? Will this road never end?" + +The voice of La Valentinois cut sharply into the warm, moonlit night; +and De Lorgnac, who was standing near the window of the coach, answered: + +"We are at the end of the plain of La Brie, madame, and have stopped to +change your horses and breathe ours." + +From over his shoulder I caught a glimpse of a beautiful, sullen face, +and La Valentinois sank back again amongst her cushions, where we left +her to her thoughts--such thoughts they must have been! + +It was the first time she had spoken since we left the Louvre, whilst +all the bells of Paris were chiming vespers. She had uttered never a +word of protest, even when her Syrian was prevented from accompanying +her, with the meaning order: "By the Queen's command!" and through the +hours, as the coach, drawn by four horses at a gallop, jolted and swung +over the weary road, she lay back, still as a stone, her eyes closed as +if she slept. + +Now and again as I rode by her window I had glanced into the coach; but +never was there any change in her position, and it was only when we +halted at the post-house that her pent-up fury broke out into an angry +question, to relapse at once into an air of frozen indifference. + +The escort had dismounted, and stood with their horses in two dark +groups in the front and in the rear of the coach. There was hurry and +stir in the post-house at the unexpected coming of the great Duchess; +and De Lorgnac and I, having given our horses to a trooper to hold, +paced slowly together to and fro, now and again exchanging a word. + +Suddenly, almost in answer to the thoughts that moved me, he stopped, +and putting a hand to my shoulder, said: + +"Look you, Orrain! The game is not yet won. She has a last card." + +"I feel that. It is what I think." + +"If she plays on the King's madness for her she may win all, +unless----" And he put down his hand, and hesitated. + +"Unless what?" + +"The gossip is true that the King bitterly regrets the infamous grant +he made to her, and would give his right hand to escape from his word." + +"Le Brusquet is certain of it. He was there when the grant was made, +if you remember." + +"In that case there is but one course open to her, and she will take +it. She will, as if of her own accord, surrender the grant, after +getting the pardon of Mademoiselle de Paradis. Thus, though balked at +present, she will retain her hold on the King, and wait for another +day." + +"I care not what she does so long as mademoiselle is saved." + +"The horses are ready, messieurs." It was Pierrebon, whom I had +ordered to accompany me, who broke in upon our talk, and five minutes +later we were once more upon our way, the still figure within the coach +immovable and silent as ever. + +All through the night we rode, and at last, when the moon sank and the +darkness that precedes the dawn came, we clattered through the narrow +streets of Bois-le-Roi, and entered the forest of Fontainebleau. + +In a moment the clear, cloudless sky, in which a stray star or so yet +lingered, as if awaiting the day, vanished from our view, and we +plunged into an endless avenue of mighty trees, the overarching +branches forming an arcade above us. As we swept into the shadow the +lamps of the coach threw the gnarled trunks into fantastic shapes, that +seemed to live and move. It was as if we raced between two rows of +grisly phantoms, things of air, that vainly reached forth long, +writhing arms to stay us, only to sink back and dissolve into the gloom +as we sped past. + +After a while we came upon more open ground, now and again passing the +fires of a beater's camp, and then, on rounding a turn, we saw rising +before us the vast irregular outlines of the Chateau. Ten minutes +later the coach swung through the gates, and, white with foam and dust, +the horses were pulled up before the Horseshoe Stair. It was not yet +dawn; but lights were glittering everywhere, and the Chateau was +already astir, for the King never spared himself, or others, at the +chase. Indeed, that and a tourney were the only two things which ever +moved his dull spirit to action. Our coming was a complete surprise; +but the broad steps of the stairway were already crowded, and soon a +murmuring, curious throng had gathered about the coach. + +I myself opened the door, and as I offered La Valentinois my arm to +assist her to alight I said in a low voice: + +"We cannot give you much time, madame. It must be before the King +starts." + +Her eyes flashed defiantly, but she made no answer, and, declining my +proffered aid, stepped out lightly. She stood for a moment on the +lowest step of the stair, a tall, hooded figure, the lights of the +torches playing on her, and all bowing respectfully; and then De +Lorgnac called out in a loud voice: + +"Madame would see his Majesty the King!" + +Almost on his words a lean shadow came running down the steps towards +us. By the lights of the torches flickering through the grey of the +morning I saw it was Simon of Orrain himself. La Valentinois saw him +too, and stood motionless until he came up to her. Simon's eyes blazed +with a hundred unasked questions, but he merely said: + +"His Majesty has just heard of your return, madame, and is overjoyed. +It will be a great hunt to-day. Permit me!" And then he caught sight +of me, and started back, his half-outstretched arm falling to his side, +his lips curled back in a snarl. + +"You keep madame waiting, Monsieur le Vidame," I said, "and her +business is of vital import." + +He was about to answer when La Valentinois placed her hand on his arm, +and muttering something under his breath, Simon turned and led her up +the stairway, all bowing as though she were the Queen. Whilst the two +went up, they began to talk in low, hurried tones, and twice Simon +looked back at me, the hate of a devil in his glance. Most of those +present followed them; but there still remained many who crowded around +us buzzing with questions; but we put them aside, saying we were weary, +and needed rest. + +As the red dawn came I found myself seated on a wooden bench near my +horse's stable wondering, fearing, and hoping. The escort had been +dismissed by De Lorgnac, with orders to return to Paris under M. de +Tolendal, as soon as the horses were rested, and De Lorgnac himself had +gone off somewhere. So two hours must have passed, and it seemed to me +that the movement in the courtyards and in the Chateau grew less and +less. Presently half a dozen huntsmen, leading their hounds, passed +close to me, talking in loud and aggrieved tones. + +"_Mille diables_!" exclaimed one. "To think it is all off!" + +"Never have I known the like!" said another. + +"What has happened, my friends?" I asked; and the first speaker replied: + +"The hunt is put off, monsieur. Put off, after we had marked down the +largest and fiercest boar in France! As high as that!" And he held +his palm out almost on a level with his breast. + +"Ay; and as grey as my beard," put in another, a little, shrivelled old +man. "He has the devil on his side, that boar. Five times has he +escaped. Three of my best hounds has he slain. For a whole week have +I tracked him through the Dormoir, and now that we have him safe in his +lair in the Gorges d'Apremont--the King does not hunt! He has the +devil on his side, I say!" + +"Way! Way for Monsieur le Vidame's horse!" called out a strident +voice, and a groom came up, leading a big white horse ready saddled. +The huntsmen moved aside, and the groom led the horse towards the +Chateau; but ere he had gone ten steps Simon himself appeared hastening +towards him. + +Simon was still in his hunting suit of close-fitting dark green, a +short cloak thrown over his shoulder, and long boots that reached to +his thighs. His sword was slung scabbardless to his side, and he wore +a baret on his head, with a single cock's feather in it, underneath +which his pale face looked like that of a corpse. + +As he came forward hastily towards his horse, his shoulders bent, and +his wolf's eyes fixed before him, there was that in his air which was +ominous of danger, and, springing to my feet, I drew my sword and +stepped towards him. He saw me too, and came up like a truculent dog. +We both reached the horse almost at the same time, and I fully expected +him to draw on me at once; but stopping, he said: + +"You seem to forget, brother, that the edict applies to Fontainebleau +as well as the Louvre." + +"Not in the least; but one is allowed to kill vermin in the forest." + +He glanced at me in speechless, blue-lipped rage. Twice his hand +sought the hilt of his sword, and twice he drew it back. But that I +knew him utterly fearless I might have thought his heart had failed him +as he stood before me, the veins swollen on his forehead, and his +fingers twitching convulsively. At last he found voice, and, laughing +harshly, said: + +"Not now; give me twenty-four hours, brother, and then as you wish, or, +rather, whether you wish or not." + +"So be it," I answered, and he laughed again, bitter, mirthless +laughter, and reached out for the reins of his horse; but ere he +mounted he turned once more on me, another gust of anger shaking his +frame. + +"Look you! You think you have beaten me because you have beaten that +black-eyed strumpet who bewitches the King. I tell you I hold her in +the hollow of my hand, and she cannot buy from me what she has bought +from you. As for you, you have stood in my way long enough; never +again shall it be. Fool! think you I cannot read your soul? Think you +I will let you win the prize I should have won? I promise you that, in +these twenty-four hours, which will make you long for death--I, Simon +of Orrain, swear it!" + +With this he swung round, and, springing into the saddle, went off at a +gallop, leaving me staring after him, wondering what devilry lay behind +his words. I watched him till he rounded the elbow of the wood that +lay without the gates, and then, sheathing my sword, went slowly +towards the Horseshoe Stair. + +Under other circumstances I should have looked with wonder and +admiration on the magnificent pile that the splendour of the late King +had erected on the old-time fortress of Louis VII, but, as it was, I +paced up and down the Cour du Cheval Blanc, gazing at the wide stairway +and the silent walls, every minute that passed seeming an hour to me in +my impatience. At last I saw a figure at the head of the Horseshoe. +It was De Lorgnac, and he beckoned to me. In a moment I was by his +side. + +"Have you heard anything?" I asked. + +"Nothing." + +"She has had three hours." And I pointed to the sun. + +"You must give her time. It will be sufficient if we hear by noon." + +Then I told him of Simon and his strange departure, and whilst we spoke +together Carnavalet, one of the chamberlains, appeared, and walked +leisurely up to us. + +"Messieurs," he said, "you are wanted. Have the goodness to follow me." + +The Galerie de Cerfs, into which Carnavalet took us, was all that +remained in the modern Chateau of the old hunting-lodge and fortress of +the Kings of France, and, despite the trophies of the chase and +tapestries that hung to its walls, it still retained the grim and +forbidding aspect of the past. + +It was used as an ante-room, not only to the King's apartments but to +the council chamber, and was crowded when we entered. Placing us near +a pillar Carnavalet bade us wait until he returned, and threading his +way through the press passed through a door at the extreme end of the +gallery that led to the private apartments of the King. + +Many and curious were the glances cast at us as we stood there, +dust-begrimed and travel-stained; and a number of those whom we had put +off in the early morning swarmed round us again with their endless +questions, which we were hard pressed to parry. + +Almost beside us was another door, opening into the council chamber, +and interest seemed to be divided between us and what was passing +there. It was clear that something of importance was in the air, for +secretaries came out and went in with quick, rapid steps, and bundles +of documents under their arms, and every now and again a messenger +would hurry forth, and we could hear the clattering of his horse's +hoofs as he galloped away. + +De Lorges, the captain of the Archer Guard, joined us just as one of +the express riders hurried past. + +"I wager a hundred pistoles against a flask of Joue that means an end +of the Spanish peace," he said, with a laugh, and rubbing his hands +together. "I am sick of these rusting times. They say that Coligny +has attacked Douai already. Ah! here he comes!" + +He turned as he spoke towards the entrance of the gallery, and at once +the subdued hum of voices stilled to silence, and the crowd of gaily +clad courtiers parted, making way with low bows for someone who had +just entered. For a second I thought it was the King himself; but a +look showed me not the King but the stern figure of the Constable of +France. + +Montmorenci walked up the gallery, glancing to the right and left of +him from under his bushy white brows, now and then returning a +salutation. He was in complete mail, all except his helmet, which was +borne by a page behind him, and his sinister appearance accorded well +with his terrible fame. He was of middle height, with broad and +prominent shoulders, and hair as white as snow. His face, tanned to a +dark brown by constant exposure, was stern, and yet sad, with fierce, +bloodshot eyes set far back in his head, and the grimness of his +countenance was enhanced by the two projecting teeth which stuck out +from his lower jaw like a boar's tusks. + +He came forward slowly, bearing himself with princely dignity, and when +he got near to us he stopped, and addressing Lorgnac, whom he knew, +inquired: + +"From Douai?" + +"No, monseigneur; from Paris." + +"I must ask the Queen to spare me her hard riders," replied +Montmorenci, with a grim smile, as he pointed at our dust-soiled +apparel, and passed on into the council room. + +"It is war, as sure as I stand here," exclaimed De Lorges; and at once +a hubbub of voices arose, in the midst of which Carnavalet appeared, +and beckoned to us. It took us a little time to reach him, but on our +doing so he passed us through the door at once, entering with us, and +closing it after him. Then pointing to the curtains before him, he +said: + +"The King awaits you there, messieurs. Enter!" + +So tremendous was the issue for me that now that the crisis had come I +felt for the moment almost unable to move. But De Lorgnac gripped me +by the arm. + +"Come," he said; "we either win or lose all in the next five minutes. +Come!" + +With this he set aside the curtains, and we passed through. + +There were but three persons in the room we entered. The King was +standing, a hand resting on the back of the chair in which La +Valentinois sat, as radiantly lovely as though all the fatigues of the +night had never been. A little behind them was Bertrandi, the keeper +of the seals, a lean, ascetic figure, holding a paper in his hands, and +eyeing us with a vulpine curiosity. Somewhat to my surprise the King +received us graciously, saying: + +"_Eh bien_, messieurs, you have served madame here well, and in doing +so have served me. Have they not, Diane?" And he began toying with +the black curls of her hair. La Valentinois looked up at him, a world +of tenderness in her glance, but made no reply, and we remained silent, +struck dumb by the infinite resource of her audacity. Evil as she was +it was impossible not to admire her courage; and, as De Lorgnac had +rightly foreseen, she had played a great game, but even we were far +from guessing the extent to which her duplicity would carry her. + +"Messieurs," the King went on, "madame has joined her entreaty to that +of the Queen for the life of Mademoiselle de Paradis, and very +willingly and from my heart have I signed this pardon." With this he +took the paper Bertrandi held and placed it in Diane's hands. + +"I give this to you, _mignonne_," he said, "for from you comes the +mercy of France. Give it to these gentlemen to bear to the Queen; and +for the present I must leave you for an hour, for the council awaits +me. Come, Bertrandi." With these bald words, delivered in a stilted +fashion, his voice only warming as he bade _au revoir_ to La +Valentinois, the King left us, followed by Bertrandi. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +THE PEARS OF ORRAIN + +As the curtains fell behind the King all the soft lights left La +Valentinois' eyes, and they shone like blue-black steel. She glanced +at us, an odd triumph in her look. So intensely an actress was she +that it almost seemed, and perhaps it was so, that she was looking at +us for some sign, some token of admiration at the skill with which she +had played her game, but both De Lorgnac and myself remained impassive +as stone. + +"Here," she said at last, "here is my part of the bargain." And, +handing me the paper, she continued: "I presume it is correct?" +Eagerly I ran my eyes over it, De Lorgnac bending over my shoulder and +reading with me. It was correct in every particular, signed by the +King, and sealed by Bertrandi. As I folded the pardon up, with an +inward prayer of thanks to God, La Valentinois asked again: + +"It is correct, is it not?" + +"Perfectly, madame." + +"Now for your, or rather the Queen's share, of this business. Give me +my letters!" + +I looked her straight in the face. "Pardon me, madame, Mademoiselle de +Paradis is not yet free----" + +"What do you mean? You quibble with words, monsieur." Her lips were +trembling, and her hands clenched; but, bowing coldly, I said: + +"No, madame, I do not quibble with words. Your letters are in Paris, +and will be given to you only when Mademoiselle de Paradis is placed, +unharmed and free, in her Majesty's hands. That is the bargain, as you +call it, and it will be kept to the letter." With this I placed the +precious document in my breast pocket, and, making a sign to De +Lorgnac, turned to go; but with a cry La Valentinois sprang to her feet. + +"You lie!" she said shrilly; "you lie! Give me my letters, or----" +And words failed her for once as she stood there, with such fear and +baffled hate in her look as I have never seen in human eyes. + +"No, madame," I said, "I do not lie, and threats are useless. If this +pardon is recalled," and I touched my breast pocket, "the consequences +rest with you--and you know what they will be." + +"There is no need for alarm," put in De Lorgnac. "I pledge my word to +deliver you the letters as soon as the conditions are complete." + +She glanced from the one to the other of us, and set her white teeth. + +"To be beaten!" she gasped rather than spoke. "To be beaten!--and by +that Italian woman!" + +"Look you, madame!" I said sternly, for doubts were crowding thick and +fast upon me. "If you have played false--if there is any treachery or +trickery here--it is ruin to you, and no power in France can save you." + +She gave me a single, livid glance, and then her courage broke, and +burying her face in her hands she stood shaking like an aspen. + +De Lorgnac and I looked at each other, the same thought with us, and +then on a sudden the wretched woman made a step forward and clutched me +by the arm, her face like death, her breath coming thick and fast. + +"It is not my fault," she gasped, "but he--the Vidame. Messieurs, if +Mademoiselle de Paradis is to be saved, if I am to be saved, you must +be in Paris ere the sun sets." + +"You mean?" I said hoarsely. + +"I mean that mademoiselle will die if the Vidame reaches Paris, and I +shall be lost!" And with this she flung herself back in her chair, and +began rocking herself backwards and forwards like a thing distraught, +muttering to herself: "I shall be lost! I shall be lost!" + +Her devilish cunning had overreached itself, and she sat there a +pitiable object, with the ruin she had herself caused around her. I +gave her one look, and turned to De Lorgnac. + +"There is just time. We may just do it. Come!" + +And leaving the miserable woman with her sin we hurried from the room. + +I will not stop to tell, indeed I never knew, how we pushed through the +crowds in the waiting-rooms and gained the outer courts; but ten +minutes later De Lorgnac and I, with Pierrebon at our heels, were +galloping on the Paris road, hoping almost against hope, for Simon had +nearly two hours' start of us, and our horses had been ridden far and +fast. Nevertheless, the stout heart of Lizette never flinched, and +Cartouche, De Lorgnac's great grey, raced bravely by her side. We rode +in silence, exchanging no speech, though now and again we uttered a +word of encouragement to our horses. Crossing the bridge of Melun +Pierrebon's nag failed him, and we lost him for the time. At the +little village of Cesson we drew rein to breathe our horses, and here +we had news of Simon. He had passed about an hour ago, riding easily +in the direction of Lieusaint, and keeping to the high road. At last +we were off once more, and leaving the plain of La Brie entered the +hilly country that sloped downwards to the valley of the Yeres, and on +pulling up for a moment on the crest of a hill that lay to the +northwest of Lieusaint we got a glimpse of Simon. It was De Lorgnac +who saw him first. + +"There!" he said, pointing before him into the valley. And craning +forward I looked too, and saw far in the distance a white speck--a mere +speck--moving rapidly on the cross road to Montgeron, and then we lost +him behind a line of trees. + +"He is cutting off the angle!" I exclaimed. "Quick!" And I put +Lizette down the slope; but De Lorgnac called out after me: "He is lost +if he does that--he will meet the marsh of Brunoy, and must come +back--keep to the road!" + +And, ding, dong, we galloped on the white track, white with dust +ourselves, our gallant horses kept up by their own matchless courage, +and by that alone. + +"He must turn back from the marsh, and we get him at Villaneuve," +shouted De Lorgnac to me as we hammered along, pointing as he spoke to +the wooded height that rose to our front above the willow-fringed +Yeres. But he little knew Simon of Orrain. I made no reply; and +leaning forward in the saddle stroked the foam-wet neck that reached +out before me, and felt Lizette answer to my touch, as though she knew +that life and death lay in her speed. + +As we raced on I watched the plain to our left, where Simon had +vanished, with hot eyes that reached everywhere--eyes that missed +nothing. But he was not to be seen, and hope began to spring up within +me that we had beaten him. I shook up the reins, and urged Lizette on +faster; but the brave heart was doing her best. + +It was impossible that this could last, and as we galloped into +Montgeron I felt Lizette falter under me, and an oath broke from De +Lorgnac, for Cartouche had lost a shoe. + +"We must get fresh horses here at any cost," I said as we pulled up at +the door of a small auberge, the only inn the village possessed; but +the wealth of Croesus would have been useless here, for other horses +were not procurable. And so, whilst Cartouche was being shod, we +off-saddled, giving the horses a drink of milk, and getting them rubbed +down hastily. Whilst this was going on we stood, moody and dejected, +surrounded by a group of yokels, the keeper of the auberge fussing near +us. After a time, more to ease my impatience than aught else, I +inquired if anyone had seen a man, mounted on a white horse, pass this +way, and offered five crowns for the information. The landlord shook +his head ruefully, for five crowns were five crowns; but a +rough-looking fellow, apparently a fowler, stepped out of the group +around us and claimed the reward. + +"Ay," he said; "I have seen and spoken with him. He was dressed in +hunting green, and crossed the marsh a half-hour ago." + +"But there is no way!" + +"So he thought too; and it cost him five crowns to find it, for I +showed it to him. He is beyond Villaneuve now; but his horse is worn, +and, monsieur," he went on with a grin, "I will take those five crowns +from you. St. Siege! But this is the red day of my life!" + +I paid him in silence, and Cartouche being reshod by this we pressed +forward once more; but hope had almost gone from me, and De Lorgnac's +set face was more expressive than any words. It was well on in the +afternoon when we saw the houses of Charenton, and but a league and a +half before us lay Paris, silhouetted in purple and grey against the +sky. We were trotting round the elbow of the wood that fringed the +banks of the Maren when we came suddenly on our man. He was seated on +the wall of the bridge, holding the reins of his horse in his hands; +and he saw us too, for we were scarce a hundred paces off. He was away +like a flash, looking but once behind him as he drove his spurs home, +and raced for Paris. + +De Lorgnac gave a great cry, and neck and neck we followed him. If +ever man knew his peril, Simon did. Against one he would have fought +like a wolf; but against two the odds were hopeless, and with the rage +of a wolf in his heart he fled, taking to the country away from the +road in the hope of shaking us off. + +As for me, I felt the hot blood throbbing in my temples, and all seemed +dark around me, except there where that bowed figure on the white horse +raced in front, carrying death in his hands, death for her who was to +me more than life. Lizette seemed to know it too, and stretched +beneath me like a greyhound; but I heard the sobbing breath that told +me of a beaten horse. Foot by foot De Lorgnac drew from me, the great +grey going like a stag; but still Simon held the front, and we gained +not a yard on him. Already we could see the Porte St. Michel lying +open before us; and now Simon looked back once more, and pointed at the +gate, laughing in triumph as he did so. It was then that my gallant +Lizette made a supreme effort. It seemed as if in two strides she had +caught up the grey and passed him; only to falter as she did so; then +there was a long stagger, and down she came. + +By God's providence I was able to regain my feet almost as I fell. De +Lorgnac had pulled up beside me; but pointing to Simon, who had now +passed the gate, I called out: "Follow him; do not lose sight of him!" + +With a nod he galloped on, and casting one look to the side of the road +where all that remained of my brave Lizette lay, I hurried after the +two. + +The gates were not two hundred paces from me; and, sword in hand, as I +ran towards them someone came trotting up to me. I thought he was +riding at me, and had all but slashed his mount across the face, when +he pulled up, and I saw it was Le Brusquet on his mule. + +"Hold!" he cried; "it is I. He cannot escape. De Lorgnac is on his +heels, and I have set the mob after him with a hue and cry." With this +he jumped from his mule and hastened on by my side, the mule trotting +after us. + +I made no answer, said nothing, until we reached the gates, where an +excited crowd had collected, and then I asked: "Which way?" + +"Do you not hear them shouting?" And Le Brusquet pointed to a crowd +running up the Rue de la Harpe. "Come!" And side by side we ran on. +Panting as he ran by me, Le Brusquet gasped out: "Mademoiselle is +confined in De Mouchy's house. It is there the Vidame must go for +safety with this mob at his heels. Hark! Hear them!" + +And shrill and high we heard the cries, "Assassin! Assassin! _Tue_! +_Tue_!" + +Le Brusquet chuckled. "It was a happy thought to set the mob on him, +and a happier thought still to pass my day at the gate." Still I made +no answer, but ran on with my teeth set. The mob swung round by the +Mathurins, and, forcing my way round the corner of the road, I saw they +were led by a madman, shouting, yelling, and muttering fearful +imprecations. + +Using all my strength I headed the mob at last, only to find the madman +by my side. He glared at me for an instant, and then screamed out: + +"You too! You too, friend! Then we shall both see him die." And +bursting into a horrid laugh he clawed at me with his hands. I thrust +him back, and it was only in doing so that the light of a sudden +recognition came to me. The miserable, frenzied being was none other +than De Ganache. God help him! + +With another look of pity and horror I ran on; but fast as I went he +kept by me, and side by side we two led the crowd that howled after us +in pitiless rage. + +We could see nothing of either Simon or De Lorgnac; but we did not want +for guides. A hundred fingers pointed out their course at every street +corner, and at last a white horse, riderless, and the reins trailing +loosely, came galloping out of a by-street; and a roar went up: + +"He is down! he is down! In the Passage of Pity!" + +With a yell the madman flashed past me, and hot foot on his heels we +crowded into the narrow street; but, save for a big grey horse +standing, with hanging head and heaving flanks, near the dark archway +at the head of the passage, it was empty. A howl of disappointment +rose behind me, and the mob halted and swayed irresolutely; but I felt +that the end was come, and ran on. Followed by Le Brusquet I passed +the archway, and there in the dark, vaulted passage, with his back to +the door of De Mouchy's house, stood Simon of Orrain, at bay at last! +De Lorgnac had been too quick for him, and had forced him to fight at +the very entrance of his lair. Covered with the dust of his reckless +ride, his gay hunting dress torn and soiled, bareheaded, and with the +blood streaming from a wound in his face, where De Lorgnac had touched +him, Simon stood, despair and hate in his look. Yet he fought fiercely +for his life; but he had met his equal with the sword, and, doing his +worst, could but hold on the defence and no more. He saw us as we +came. He saw too the hundred faces of the mob--the mob he had once +himself led to a deed of shame--glaring, shouting, and yelling at him +through the open archway, though not one dared to pass the entrance. +Escape was hopeless, and his pale face grew paler still, as with an +oath he wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand, and +screamed out to De Lorgnac: + +"Stand aside, man! I have no quarrel with you! Stand back, or----" +But the thrust he made was parried with a wrist as sure as his own, and +it was only his own rare skill of fence that saved him from the riposte. + +After all, he was blood of my blood, and it was not my hand that should +slay him. The thought came to me sudden and insistent, as I put my +blade beside that of De Lorgnac, and covering him with my point, saw +the grey despair in his eyes. + +"Simon," I called out, "put down your sword. I promise your life!" + +He spat at me in his fury, the fury of a beast, and I was a lost man if +De Lorgnac had not stayed his hand. + +"God!" he burst out, "if there were only you!" + +At my look--a glance that almost cost me my life--De Lorgnac stepped +back, lowering his point, and our swords crossed. Again parrying a +thrust, I once more offered Simon his life, only to meet with the same +refusal. There was no help for it! A life stood on the issue, to +which his was nothing to me, and setting my teeth I made at him. The +fury of my attack almost lost me the game, and I heard Le Brusquet's +low warning: + +"Have a care. Remember!" + +Suddenly Simon, who had gained a slight advantage, called out: "I +accept. I have lost." And he half raised his blade. I gave back, +lowering my point as I did so, and at that moment the door opened, and +with a laugh Simon sprang back, and vanished from our sight. + +So quick, so instant was his retreat, that for a second I hardly +realised it. But someone else had. All unnoticed by us De Ganache had +been crouching in the shadow of the vaulted passage watching the +struggle and gibbering to himself--the only one of the mob who had +dared to venture so far. Perhaps he had been waiting for his chance +against the man who had destroyed his life, and had chosen the very +moment of Simon's flight for his revenge. Who knows? But as Simon +slipped back he sprang forward, something shining in his hand, and +flung himself desperately against the door ere it could be closed. The +moment's delay he caused was our chance, and rushing forward we too +added our weight to that of the maniac. + +In an instant the door gave way, and we dashed in, the madman first, +striking to the right and left of him with a poniard. It is difficult, +almost impossible, to describe what followed. All that I know is that +I stumbled over someone who had fallen, and as I rose to my feet I +caught a glimpse of De Mouchy flying up the stair, Le Brusquet at his +heels, and realised at the same instant that Simon was on me, death in +his eyes. + +Nothing could have saved me then, but that a stronger hand than that of +man was stretched forth to claim its own vengeance. As Simon's arm was +lifted the figure over which I had fallen raised itself to its knees +and, clasping the Vidame round the waist, buried a knife in his side. + +With a fearful cry Simon shortened his sword and stabbed back in his +turn; but De Ganache, for it was he, uttered no sound, and with a last +effort, rising to his feet, struck Simon once more, this time to the +heart. And they both fell sideways, the madman's hand still clenching +the haft of the poniard in his death-grip. + +It was over in a hand-turn, and the two who had died so terribly +together had taken their quarrel with them to the last judgment seat. +Simon's face I could not see; but as I bent over the two I saw in the +glazing eyes of De Ganache the light of an unutterable hate--a hate +that, mayhap, was carried beyond the grave. + +"Orrain! Orrain!" + +Twice the cry rang out--Le Brusquet's voice--and pushing my way past +the mob that had already swarmed in and begun to sack and pillage I ran +up the stair. At the head stood Le Brusquet, and huddled in a corner +near a door was De Mouchy, with a white, fear-stricken face and +chattering teeth, and De Lorgnac's sword at his heart. + +Numbers had followed me, and at the sight of De Mouchy a roar went +forth that was taken up by those below. + +"Give us the judge! Give us De Mouchy!" + +Let it be remembered, that amongst those who cried for him to be thrown +to them were many who had suffered, or seen their dearest suffer, +hideous torture at his hands. Revenge, and such revenge as this, was +never dreamed of, never hoped for by them, and now that chance had +placed it within their reach they were almost mad for it. Shouting, +struggling, and raging they crowded the stair. A moment more, and De +Mouchy was lost; but it was then that Le Brusquet stayed them with a +jest, a grim jest that tickled their fancy, and arrested their +outstretched hands for a yet sweeter vengeance. + +"A moment, my children!" he called out, barring the way at the head of +the stair; "one moment! We have a little business with monsieur here, +and after that you can make this house another Chambre Ardente if you +will." + +They laughed and cheered him in their fickle mood, and as De Mouchy +heard too some choking words escaped from his blue lips, and he made a +forward movement, but at the sight of me he shrank back again, terror +and despair on his face, and, grovelling on the floor, wept for his +life. + +This fiend, who had never shown mercy, now that his own time was come, +pleaded abjectly, pleaded with tears and miserable cries for the life +he had forfeited ten times over, and each frenzied appeal he made was +answered with mocking laughter by those who, crowded on the stair, were +waiting with patience, deadly patience, for the time when he would be +their very own. + +I raised him to his feet, and in a few quick words asked him for +mademoiselle. He could not speak, but pointed to the door at his side. +It was closed, not locked, and, pushing it open, I dragged him through +after me. A cry of anger rose from those on the stair, who feared +their prey would escape, and, despite Le Brusquet's appeals, they were +no longer to be restrained. With a rush they bore back both Le +Brusquet and De Lorgnac, but keeping themselves between me and the +foremost of those who followed us, with alternate threats and appeals, +my brave friends enabled me to make headway. Down we went, along a +narrow passage, at one end of which was a door. + +"There!" gasped De Mouchy. "Quick!" + +Twice I put my shoulder to it, but in vain; and De Mouchy shrieked with +terror, for the mob was scarce ten feet from us, filling the passage. +But still De Lorgnac and Le Brusquet held them back at the sword's +point, and the way was so narrow that not more than three could stand +abreast therein. + +"Stand back!" I heard Le Brusquet cry; "we are freeing a prisoner!" + +"Give us De Mouchy!" they howled, and then the foremost three made a +dash forward. There was a smothered cry, and the leader, an +evil-looking villain, lurched forward on to his face. Back they fell +at this, for they were unarmed, and we got a moment's respite. + +Again and again I put myself at the door, and at last it crashed open. +As I rushed in I saw a kneeling figure before me. One glance, and I +called out: + +"Diane! It is I--Orrain!" + +As she rose to her feet with a cry I put my arms around her to support +her, and then the brave heart gave way, and she began to sob on my +shoulder. So for a space we stood, and even the savage mob stayed +their course, and halted, peering at us across the two bright swords +that still held the passage. + +It was now that De Mouchy made a last bid for life. In the momentary +respite he had from pursuit, as the mob halted, he slunk to the +farthest end of the room, and stood there, looking at us, with his back +to the wainscoting, his hands resting against it, and moving nervously, +as though he searched for something. Already those at the far end of +the passage were getting impatient, and angry cries began once more to +arise. As I put my arm round Diane to help her away we heard a click. +A door concealed in the wainscoting flew open, disclosing a dark +passage, into which De Mouchy dived, and vanished in a flash. But his +enemies were not to be denied; and this time no effort of De Lorgnac or +Le Brusquet could stay them. In his flight, whether overcome by fear, +or whether it were otherwise impossible, I cannot say, but De Mouchy +neglected to lock the secret door behind him. The mob, blood mad, and +now utterly out of hand, filled the room, and rushed after him. For a +space we ourselves were hemmed in, so that it was impossible to move, +and it was whilst we stood thus that there came a frightful shriek of +agony from the dark passage, and then the distant sound of struggling, +and again a shriek. God, and they who were there, alone knew what +happened; but as the mob swept through the room and into the dark +opening that was before them the way became clear, and we passed into +the street. + +Cartouche was still there, standing where De Lorgnac had left him. At +a word from De Lorgnac I lifted mademoiselle into the saddle--though +wearied the great grey was well able to bear so light a burden--and +holding her there we made our way with all the speed we could out of +the Passage of Pity, Le Brusquet holding the horse. + +When we reached the river face Le Brusquet turned back and pointed to +the sky. There were dark clouds of smoke rolling over the Mathurins. + +"_Eh bien_," he said, "there is the expiation of Dom Antoine de Mouchy!" + +A half-hour later we were in the Louvre, and I had surrendered my +charge to the Queen. + + * * * * * * + +About a month after the events I have just described I received the +Queen's commands to attend her at St. Germain-en-Laye, and that very +evening rode through the gates of the Vieux Chateau. + +From the time that I had placed mademoiselle in safety in Catherine's +hands, with the aid of the two best friends man ever had, I had not +seen her. She had been ill, but was now recovered, and when I received +the Queen's message, I hoped that, perhaps, Fortune would give me a +chance to say farewell to Diane ere I departed for Italy to join +Montluc. + +The Spanish war had broken out, and De Lorgnac was in the field at +Marienbourg. Le Brusquet had gone, none knew whither--perchance to see +the pears of Besme--and as for me, I felt it was time to be up and +stirring. Things had changed with me, for I was now the Vidame +d'Orrain, and I might hope and dream again. Moved by these thoughts I +rode into the palace gates, followed by Pierrebon, and Monsieur de +Tolendal, who was in waiting, at once took me to the Queen. + +I found Catherine surrounded by her ladies, but though my eyes searched +here, there, and everywhere I could not see the face I longed to see. +The Queen engaged me for a few moments in desultory talk, and then at a +sign from her we were left alone together. + +"Monsieur le Vidame," she said, "is it true that you leave for Italy in +a few days?" + +I bowed in silence. + +"And you are resolved?" + +"Madame!" + +"In that case, perhaps, it is needless for me to say what I intended; +but, as a matter of fact, I have a government I would willingly +surrender, and thought of offering it to you." + +"Madame!" I began; but she cut in upon my words. + +"Take a moment to consider, monsieur! Go into the next room, through +that curtain there, and think over it for five minutes. Then come back +and tell me. Go!" + +For a second I stared at her, and then did as I was bidden. As I +stepped in a figure rose from a seat near the window, and I heard +Diane's voice: + +"Orrain, you have come to see me at last!" + +And then what followed concerns not anyone. I know not how long we +were there, talking, planning, and dreaming; but suddenly the curtains +lifted, and Catherine stood before us. + +"Monsieur d'Orrain," she said, "I await my answer." + +And then she burst out laughing. + +There is but a word more to add, and my story ends. We were married +the following week, for that was the Queen's wish, and then my wife and +I said farewell to Paris and the Court for ever. As we rode one +evening on our way to Orrain, round the elbow of the pine-clad hill of +St. Hugo, and the towers of the Chateau came in sight, I told my wife +of my dream, and then we were aware of a figure galloping up the +leaf-strewn road towards us. It was Le Brusquet on his mule. + +"_Eh bien_!" he said as he kissed my wife's hand. "And I am the first +to welcome you home, after all! Orrain, _mon ami_, I have seen your +pears. They are finer than mine--I swear it!" + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORRAIN*** + + +******* This file should be named 20192.txt or 20192.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/9/20192 + + + +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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